Interim Update for August 28, 2020

Plan to add "Telephone Only" Zoom Option

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic upended the way do worship, I've wondered how we can reach those without internet. The Zoom platform allows for a call-in option to join a meeting which others are experiencing with video and sound on their computer, tablet or smartphone. During our Wednesday Night Live sessions on Wednesday evening, we had a few who joined us by phone.

But for worship, it seemed that there weren't any good options for those without a computer. But then I started thinking, why not offer a "telephone only" option for joining Sunday in-person worship? So this is what I have decided to try. I have created a Zoom meeting for telephone audio only for Sunday morning worship beginning at 10 am. This means all you need to join and listen to the service is a phone, for which the number to call to listen will be provided. To broadcast the service, I will start the meeting on my smartphone, with the Zoom Android App, begin the meeting by calling in to Zoom (as opposed to using my computer for the video and audio version). Those wanting to listen will also call in with the number provided. My phone has a hands free bluetooth microphone, so I can do the service as I normally do. We'll see how it works and if anyone listens in this way.

Wednesday Night Live will Morph

The last installment of Wednesday Night Live, our Wednesday Zoom meeting, was held this week. Wednesday NIght live will morph into Thursday Morning Live beginning September 10. Since September 2018, there has been a Thursday morning Bible Study which covered content that was presented and discussed during Sunday morning Adult Sunday School hour. This group was discontinued with the suspension of in-person worship in March, and we moved to the Wednesday Night Live programming. But now, we'll get back into the Thursday morning routine, albeit online on Zoom. The plan for these sessions will be Bishop Daniel's 2020 Bible Study on The Book of Acts, which serves as the basis for the 2020 theme, "The Year of Mission."

Thank You from B.R.A.S.S

We received a thank you letter from Bellevue Recovery and Support Services for the gift they received from St. John's. B.R.A.S.S was one of the recipients of a grants awarded by the newly formed Endowment Trust. These grants were voted on by the congregation at the Annual Meeting in February. For more information about B.R.A.S.S. and what they do, go HERE.

Funeral for Kenneth Linder

A week ago Monday I did the funeral for Kenneth Linder, which was at the Bellevue Cemetery. While there, I saw a familiar face, and after thinking about for a bit realized it was Rod Karg joined by his wife Nancy, from my 2016 interim at Providence in Holland, Ohio. Rod was there because Kenneth was his uncle. I got to know Rod quite well at Providence because he was the chair of my Transition Team. Rod was baptized at St. John's, but then his family moved to Fremont and joined Grace, which is where he was confirmed before ending up in the Toledo area. The Lutheran web in NW Ohio is sometimes tightly woven.

Kristen's fill in for Denise

Last week Denise was on vacation, and Kristen filled in with doing a few janitorial duties, including vacuuming up the bat dirt which is still appearing. Thanks, Kristen, for going above and beyond!

Preschool Open House this week and next

Linda and the St. John's Preschool staff have continued their preparations for the beginning of the new school year on September 8. Those preps have included a covid-aware open-house for parents and kids. Most open house activities were held outside in the playground -- there was only a quick look in side for the kids. Each of the three classes has their own day, with one held on Wednesday, and the other two next week. Thanks LInda and staff for all your hard and excellent work in getting school ready to go in the midst of a pandemic.

Beginning a Culture of Generosity

I've been keeping you up to date about this stewardship program that is being jointly offered by our Northwestern Ohio Synod, and GSB Fundraising, a firm that has provided fund raising and stewardship resources to ELCA congregations for a number of years. The program includes six Zoom meetings led by Mike Ward, one of GSB key leaders, along with 75% of the content required for a fall stewardship campaign. The remaing 25% of content is provided by the participating congregation, reflecting their own programs and goals.

Our Stewardship Team (Aleta, Emma K, Linda) will be meeting next Thursday, September 3, from 11:30 - 12:30 for the introductory Zoom meeting with the campaign leader, Mike Ward from GSB. If you'd like to take a look at the full schedule of this program, you can do so HERE. A reminder that Council members are invited to contribute to the cost of the program ($300 after $150 subsidy of synod). I have contributed $100, and if Council can at $10-20, we will have the cost covered. Mark your special offering "Generosity Program."

A Temporarily Lost Golf Ball

Lenny and grandson Mason were at church this week doing Property Committee work (thank you very much). This grandpa-grandson team also ventured this week to a par-3 golf course for 27 holes of the hit your ball and chase it sport. On one of the holes, Mason teed off with his driver, and the ball disappeared. They looked around when they got to the green. Lenny's ball was behind the green, and Mason's was ------ in the cup! A hole-in-one! Congrats Mason!

Text Message from Roger and Ann

I received the following text message from Roger and Ann:

Pastor Mark, Please give our deepest thanks to our St. John's family for the cards, heartfelt messages, thoughtfulness and softest blanket ever... that were given with so much love. We will miss you all, but thank God that we walked thru life with you these past 50 years. We have been so blessed to call you, not only friends, but family! Thank you, Pastor Mark, for being such a tremendous blessing during our last years at St. John's. We plan on tuning in each Sunday morning to worship with you and our church family. Love and God Bless!

Roger and Ann Paul

It's nice to know that Roger and Ann will, at least for now, continue to worship with us.

Hard-copy newsletter to Non-Internet members

Kristen and I are in the process of creating a hard-copy version of my weekly blog posts and Weekend Update emails. This will help keep our non-email members connected with what's happening at St. John's. The first edition will be mailed early next week. There are currently 27 adddresses on this list.

Links for you

• New Beginnings -- Newsletter from Dr. Kit Kleinhans, Dean of Trinity Seminary in Columbus. In this issue she reports that there are 15 new students enrolled at Trinity for Fall Term, six of whom are M.Div. students. This is lower than last fall’s total of 21 new students, but an increase from the 11 new students in Fall 2018. (M.Div. is the degree that leads to ordination, usually to congregational Word and Sacrament ministry)
• Bishop Daniel's Weekly email

Interim Update for August 21, 2020

Diakonia Message from Chris Young

Chris is one of the Diakonia instructors for the Eastern Conference group, attended by five of our St. John's members. Are there others who would consider this excellent program? Thursday evenings at Grace in Fremont September through May. Six five-week courses. Sign up for one, six, or any number in between. Here is the email I received today from Chris:

Time is moving quickly, and our Zoom Orientation is September 10th 6 pm. I know things are busy, but a prayer and a phone call or a personal contact could make a difference in someone's life and in your church's transformation. Please make at least one personal contact to invite and share. Please, if you haven't already, share the attached schedule with your congregation(s), family, friends, and even someone you may not know well at all. Let me know how I can help. So far we have 1 new student (praise God!). Thank you!

The Schedule, which I linked in my August 7 Update, can also be viewed HERE.

Stewardship Program

At the Council meeting on Tuesday I presented information regarding the Stewardship program that is being jointly offered by our Northwestern Ohio Synod, and GSB Fundraising, a firm that has provided fund raising and stewardship resources to ELCA congregations for a number of years. The program includes six Zoom meetings led by Mike Ward, one of GSB key leaders, along with 75% of the content required for a fall stewardship campaign. The remaing 25% of content is provided by the participating congregation, reflecting their own programs and goals.

I emailed our Stewardship Team (Aleta, Emma K, Linda) information today, and provided them with the information flyer for the program, which you, also, can review HERE. You will notice in the schedule in the right column, that the first Zoom meeting isscheduled for late August (that's now!) and the the theme is "Building Blocks for Generosity."

Some info about the cost of this program: GSB's fee is $450 per participating congregation, with the synod subsidizing $150. I have offered to contribute $100, which leaves $200. If each council member contributes $10, we will have the cost covered. Mark your special offering "Generosity Program."

Picture Directory

I know that there are some who are wondering about the picture directory that members sat for photography with the Kleins last October. This project produced a nice collection of color photos of congregation member, and so far, they have been uploaded to Breeze, our church management software. These photos will certainly be helpful for the new pastor who will eventually be called in putting names and faces together. The goal has also been to provide a printed directory, with not only photos but also contact info that has been included in previous directories -- addresses and phone numbers. As I and others have used our existing database to contact congregations for various reasons, we have found that much of the information in our database is not up to date. A phone number has changed because land lines have been dropped. Email addresses change. Children become adults and move out of the household, a fact that is often not reflected in our database. We will keep working to get something published, both online and in print.

Confirmation Meeting

I have sent an email to parents of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders regarding Confirmation for the upcoming school year. I have scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30, with both in-person and Zoom opportunities to attend.

Plans for Sunday School

Heather reported at Council that there are currently no plans to return to in-person Sunday School, as our eligible families with children are choosing to worship online. The Education Team will be considering some virtual possibilities.

Bells for Katy

Council discussed loaning the bells to Katy Klein Kohman for use in her school music program in Gibsonburg. A final decision was delayed until the September meeting, with more information about replacement cost needed.

Roger and Ann Farewell

We are set to bid farewell to our beloved Roger and Ann -- the throw that was embroidered with the message "Forever in our Hearts" was viewed by council members Tuesday night. This will be presented Sunday morning, along with additional content by me at the end of the service. Cathy will provide a canopy tent for Roger and Ann, who will be available in the parking lot from 11:00 - 11:30 for members to offer their farewells. We're happy for Roger and Ann, but sad that we are losing such faithful and long-term members.

Links for you

• Bishop Daniel's weekly email
• Seeds Monthly Resources and ministry ideas for congregations
• New Beginnings - news from Trinity Seminary by Dean Kit Kleinhans
• ELCA Worship News

Onelicense will increase choices

Onelicense is a church music licensing service which makes is possible to print words for hymns in our Sunday bulletin that are still under copyright. Since we returned to in-person worship, we have been printing all the hymn words in the bulletin, and without the license we were limited to hymns in the public domain. A one-year license from onelicence.com ($200) gives our worship staff more flexibility and choices for which hymns we will sing, or hum, or lip-sync on Sundays mornings.

Dead mouse found in Pastor Mark's Office

A dead mouse was found in Pastor Mark's office on his desk on Thursday. He remedied the situation by tossing the dead mouse in the wastebasket, then driving to Sandusky Best Buy to purchase a new one.

Interim Update for August 14, 2020

Council Meeting Tuesday

Congregation Council will meet for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 18. Options will be in-person with masks, or via Zoom. A Zoom invitation will be sent during the day on Tuesday.

Plans coming together for Paul farewell

The impending departure of Roger and Ann isn't making any of us happy, but we will do our best to provide a meaningful and fitting farewell. Here are the details of which we are relatively certain:

• Roger and Ann will be present for in-person worship on Sunday, August 23. At the end of the service I will call them forward and will conduct a brief service of "Farewell and Godspeed." At this time they will be presented with a gift from the congregation....
• A throw with the words "St. John's Family -- forever in our hearts" (includes a red heart graphic) embroidered will be presented at this time
• Following the service, beginning at 11:00 am., Roger and Ann will be available in the church parking lot for a drive-through farewell. We had talked about setting up a canopy to provide shelter from the sun.
• Announcement about this along with the details will be sent out in the next two Saturday "Weekend Update" emails. A letter will be sent out to the 30 or so members who do not have email.
• A brief story about Roger and Ann (using an article about them that was compiled by Carol and Vanessa for the February, 2017 newsletter) will also appear in the Weekend Update email and snail mail letter.
• Additional details can/will be discussed at Council Meeting on Tuesday night

Handbell proposal

St. John's member Katy Klein, a music teacher for Gibsonburg Schools, has been looking for alternatives to wind instruments, which pose the risk of spreading coronavirus aerosols. She remembered that St. John's has a set of handbells, and thought that perhaps she could borrow them to use with her students. I checked with our insurance company, and learned that the congregation has $25,000 for coverage for church property that is temporarily off-site. To maintain coverage, the property would have to be returned within 180 days, but then could again be taken off-site and maintain the coverage. I told Katy (who has been working with Jan) that we'd bring it up at our next Council meeting, make a decision, and get back to her.

Preschool update

Linda and the preschool staff have been very busy recently preparing for the new school year. Linda reports that she has been talking to families and trying to finalize the roster. Some families are interested in enrolling but haven't sent in their enrollment forms. There are about 9 openings spread across the various program groups.

Linda hosted the Preschool Advisory Board meeting on Thursday afternoon along with with the library and all preschool and child care center directors in Bellevue. All shared their plans for reopening this fall and review the most current rules and recommendations from ODJFS and ODE. Staff meeting is scheduled for next Monday at 1:00 PM., and the board is meeting tonight (Friday).

Thanks, Linda, for all your excellent work and dedication. We know that these past days, weeks and months have been very difficult for you and your family Our thoughts and prayer continue to be with you and your family.

This week's Zoom Meetings

• Eastern Conference pastors met on Thursday - Always good to check in with the other pastors in our Eastern Conference. St. Peter in Norwalk and St. John's Bellevue still the only two congregations in our conference that are doing in-person worship. Others continue with parking lot and online options.
• Synod Transitional Leaders - formerly know and interim pastors group, met on Thursday. We check in with each other (45 minutes) and then for the next 45 we continued our discussion of the book "Field Guide for the Missional Congregation." This is the book recommended by Bishop Daniel that we should all be reading and discussing during this "Year of Mission." Chapter 2 speaks of the importance of creating a mission and vision statements that are clear, concise and memorable. I'd certainly recommend it -- you can find it on Amazon here.
• Interim Ministry Network Support Group -- this is a monthly meeting that I've mentioned before that is international and interdenominational. Getting to be a good group of virtual friends.
• Wednesday Night Live! We've had 6-9 people every week, and currently reading and discussing the gospel text for the coming Sunday. Would love to have you join us!

Funeral for Kenneth Linder

We extend our sympathy to the family of Kenneth Linder, who died on Wednesday at the age of 92. He had been living in the Toledo area with family members, but recently moved into The Willows when he needed more care. There will be a graveside service at Bellevue Cemetery on Monday, August 17, at 1:00 pm. You can view the obituary here.

Portico Update Rates for 2021 Announced

This message was received from Portico, which administers Pension, Health and other benefits for ELCA rostered leaders and employees:

Greetings from Portico!

I’m pleased to share that Portico’s Board of Trustees has approved health plan rates and benefit changes for 2021. In a year that has been filled with uncertainty, it’s refreshing to share the good news that this is the lowest increase in seven years!.

You can read the entirety of the message, including details regarding the changes here.

Beginning a Culture of Generosity

Note: This story is copied and pasted from two weeks ago. I'm reposting it here because the August 21 deadline for registration is one week from today. I'd recommend we talk about this at Council on Tuesday.

This story is intended for all, but Stewardship Team members Aleta, Emma K. and Linda take special note.

Early in the shutdown, when Bishop Daniel was hosting weekly Zoom meetings with synod pastors and leaders, one of the topics was stewardship, and featured guest presenter Mike Ward from GSB Fundraising, a firm that many synods and congregations have partnered with as a stewardship resource. A current arrangement of GSB has been an offer to provide resources and direction for synod congregations to conduct a fall stewardship appeal. For more information about this offer, read this email message from the synod office. View the available video by Mike Ward from GSB, and the accompanying information. The cost is $450, with a $150 subsidy from the synod, for a net cost of $300. Deadline for registration is August 21.

Update: a link to the GSB August newsletter was received this week. You can view it here.

Heard through the grapevine

When I went to Willows this week to pray with Kenny Linder, I saw staff member Dawn. I know Dawn because she was one of my members from St. Peter Blackberry, my 2013 interim assignment. She informed me that Pastor Rita Bair, who the congregation called as their new pastor while I was there, is retiring. Don't remember the exact date, but another pastoral vacancy for our synod. Rita's retirment is also from St. Luke's Curtice.

Confirmation

I am starting to think about Confirmation. I'll be sending a letter soon to parents for a meeting, in-person or Zoom, to get input from parents on how Confirmation might work out best this year.

Osterholm podcast

I've spoken before about Dr. Michael Osterholm's podcast on Covid-19, and I certainly recommend it. In this week's episide, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the latest COVID-19 activity in the US and around the world, then answer listener questions on understanding immunity to SARS-CoV-2, advice on how to get quality information on the pandemic, the reliability of tests, and more. You can view this week's episode on YouTube here, or download or stream the audio here.

Dr. Osterholm also penned an op-ed in last Friday's New York Times entitled "Here’s How to Crush the Virus Until Vaccines Arrive," which you can read here.

Norwalk Schools changes course

Norwalk (where Marcy teaches 5th grade) was all set to do a hybrid return to school, as is the plan in Bellevue -- Divide student body in half, two days of in-person learning for each. After lots of negative input from parents at the last board meeting, Norwalk is changing course, and is returning to 5 days in-person, with an online option. A special Board meeting Monday night will presumably make it official. Marcy has been asked to do one of the online assignments, which would reduce her exposure (and mine and St. John's). If you're interested, you can read the Norwalk Schools Facebook post and accompanying comments here.

Interim Update for August 7, 2020

Arlene's birthday

Arlene Hensinger will celebrate a significant milestone soon, her 80th birthday next Friday, August 14. If you'd like to send Arlene a card/greeting, you can address it to her at 5964 State Route 113, Bellevue, OH 44811

A Note from Jacqueline Young

Jacqueline Young is a life-long member of St. John's, but has not lived in Bellevue since she graduated from high school in, I'm guessing, 1946. But this has not stopped her from remembering her roots here in Bellevue and at St. John's. Over the years, she has contributed regularly and generously to St. John's. Upon receiving a recent offering, I sent her an acknowledgement and a thank you note. This week I received the following hand-written response from Jacqueline:

Dear Pastor Bogen,

Thank you for kind note. I will give you a short bio.

I was born at the Bellevue Hospital in 1928. My father, Al, was a funeral director in Bellevue for many years. My parents were wonderful people.

I went to school at Miami for one year. Did not like it so I transferred to Ohio State. I was accepted to their pharmacy program. I worked as a hospital pharmacist just over a year and then moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, and was employed by the University of Virginia Hospital hospital pharmacy. I really found a home there because I eventually ended up as the Pharmacy Director. I was there for 41 years and I still live in Charlottesville.

I still talk like a Yankee. Never picked up the drawl.

Jackie Young

The info provided by Jackie in this note enabled me to do a web search, and I found a 2016 issue of the University of Virginia Health System's Department of Pharmacy Services Residency Program newsletter. This issue featured coverage of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the University's Pharmacy Residency program, for which Jackie was invited back, because she was a strong supporter of the program. You can view that newsletter issue here. There's an article about the anniversary and a photo of Jackie on page 1, right side, and also another photo of Jackie on page 9.

An interesting and inspiring story of how St. John's members have gone out into the world and blessed others with their gifts. And remembered their roots! Thanks Jackie!

Bishop's Zoom - Diakonia

Bishop Daniel and synod staff are now hosting Zoom meetings for synod leaders twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays and 4pm. We met Tuesday, with Diakaonia as the main event for the meeting. We have had five members of St. John's enrolled in this now synod-wide program -- Jan LaBonte, Nancy Pickens, Joyce Bauer, Rebecca Fisher, and Rocky Eskins. diakonia is a two-year program of weekly classes in Bible, theology, church history, and practical ministry.

The program ended in the spring with the coronavirus shutdown, but is now retooling to begin again in the fall, all sessions on Zoom. Chris Young, one of the instructors for our Eastern Conference Diakonia, sent a schedule for the 2020-2021 program year. You can view the schedule here. How about you? Would you consider Diakonia?

Property Committee

Lenny and Ron been busy with various projects --

• We had a power outage in the small lobby by the elevator, including the security system. Lenny discovered some breakers in the box in the Fellowship Hall stage that had been tripped. Who would have done that??
• The new flooring by the men's room in the preschooll area had buckled, creating an uneven surface. Running a dehumidifier helped a bit, but the installer is still working on making some adjustments.
• The mini-hot water heater under the sink in the sacristy developed a leak. Lenny is contacted the plumber to get that fixed. There was some significant water damage to the cabinet under the sink -- once it dries out it will still be functional so is not a major priority right now
• Lenny and grandaughter Mallory were trimming bushes today. You can see a couple of photos or the dedicated workers here.