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.
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