Interim Update for February 26, 2021

Lent is in full swing

Our midweek Lenten series got underway on with the first (after an initial sharing of the wrong YouTube link -- sorry about that!) in our Wednesday messages on the theme "The Puzzle of the Cross." The first piece of the puzzle is "God", and our remaining pieces are:

• March 3 - "Humanity"
• March 10 - "Sin"
• March 17 - "Savior"
• March 24 - "Sacrifice"
• April 1 - "Salvation" (Maundy Thursday)

These services will all be livestreamed on our YouTube channel beginning at noon, and be available vor viewing then, or on demand at your convenience.

We are also participating in the ELCA Hunger Lenten Program "40 Days of Giving", This emphasis will enable us to participate more fully in this life giving ministry. To do this, I have suggested that we do the following:

• Commit to giving $1, $2, $3 or more a day for 40 days of Lent. I suggested $1,000 as a realistic goal. I know that we are already at least 1/3 of the way there. I have pledged at the $3 a day ($120) rate. You can give directly to this fund on through our online portal (your gift will automatically be deposited and your giving statement updated) HERE.
• Dowload and use the 40 Days of Giving Lenten Calendar for inspirational ideas for daily reflection and action, as well as prayers and relevant Bible passages. You can download the calendar HERE.
• Dive even deeper into our inspiring 40 Days of Giving content by subscribing to our weekly Lenten email series. You can find the subscription form HERE.
• Weekly videos, stories and information will explain about how our gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world. Links to these videos will be posted on our Facebook page.
• Kristen will also post daily prayers, scripture passages, and links to resources on our Facebook page.

Preschool Candy Sale

Mrs. Lilly has announced the 2021 St. John's Preschool Candy Sale, which will feature homemade buckeyes, turtles and pretzel rods. Once the order form for congregation members has been prepared, we will get that out the congregation. The order form will provide prices, order deadline, and pickup directions, which will be Palm Sunday, March 28.

Copier salesman

Today a representative from PERRY proTECHj, David Archer, visited the church office to introduce himself and the possible services he could provide. Part of his pitch was that MT Business Technologies, who we currently have a service contract with, no longer is an authorized service provided for Richoh, which is the brand of our copier. MT could still service our machine, but they would not longer have access to official service bulletins and official parts and supplies. He said that PERRY would be willing to buy out our lease if we want to get a new machine. Something to consider, I suppose.

Special Council Meeting

A reminder that Council will meet in a special meeting on Tuesday, March 2, to consider a proposal to return to in-person worship. A target date of Palm Sunday, March 28, was set at the February meeting. Executive Team will meet on Sunday at 9:30 to review and possibly revise our Plan for Return that was developed last May for a June 7, 2020 return to in-person worship.

Osterholm Update: Covid-19

I have been a relentless promoter of this informative and inspirational podcast hosted by leading epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. In the February 25 episode, entitled "Watchful Waiting,"Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss why COVID-19 is declining in many areas of the US, where we're at with the variants, the latest CIDRAP Viewpoint report on strategic deployment of vaccines, and living with the virus after vaccination. This episode is available for listening HERE.

Confirmation Class

Our Confirmation youth continue to meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Our meetings have been lasting 45-50 minutes. We began an new unit of the Catechism this week - the unit on the Means of Grace, which for us as Lutherans includes the Word and the Sacraments. The Word, first and formemost, is Jesus Christ, proclaimed in scripture and preached and lived by pastors and all Christians. The key text for this lesson was not from Luther's Small Catechism, but from the Augsburg Confession, Article V, which reads thusly:

To obtain such faith God instituted the office of the ministry, that is, provided the Gospel and the sacraments. Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit, who works faith, when and where he pleases, in those who hear the Gospel.

We'll begin next week a closer look at the Sacrament of Baptism, after that Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Downward Ascent

The Downward Ascent is a small, 92 page book that's been in my library for decades, and one that I read occasionally during the season of Lent. It was written by Edna Hong, who was a recognized translator of the works Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kirkegaard. She was married to Howard Hong, for many years a philosophy professor at St. Olaf College, and also a translator or Kirkegaard.

In a January synod leaders Zoom meeting that focused on preparations for Lent, Caroline Guy asked if anyh of us had resources to share. I mentioned The Downward Ascent, and it appeared as a link to the book in Amazon in a subsequent email from the synod summarizing the Zoom meeting. Problem was, sellers wanted $28-$35 for a used. So I wrote to get permission to make copies and offer to send them to NWOS colleagues. I received permission for 20 copies, and five requested one, which I have made and sent. So I have permission for 15 more. If anyone reading this would be interested, let me know. The pdf is linked HERE and you can read a few pages to decide if it's something you might want a hard copy of, and if so, let me know and I'll make you one.

ELCA Rostered Leader Deaths

The March issue of Living Lutheran arrived today, and as I usually do, I check the "Deaths" page, which lists recent deaths of pastors, deacons, and other significant ELCA leaders. This issue had more than the usual number of names of persons who I have known. In this months list were:

• Charles Boomhower, 74. I got to know Chuck in recent years at synod interim pastors meetings.
• Oliver Dewald, 85. Pastor at a neighboring congregation in North Dakota
• Terence Fretheim, 84. For decades, a professor at Luther Seminary. One of the leading voices and writers in the US on the Old Testament. Never had any classes from him, but heard him speak many times on other occasions.
• Owen Gaasedelen, 92. Pastor at a neighboring congregation in North Dakota.
• Kermit Lauterbach, 86. Got to know Kert at conference pastors meeting in 2012 when, serving my first interim, I was in the Northeastern Ohio Synod.
• Herman Muus, 91. Never knew him personally, but he was a legendary leader, especially in the area of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.
• Philip Quanbeck, 93. Dr. Quanbeck was a long time religion professor at Augsburg College. I didn't have any traditional classes with him, but I did attend the 1974 January interim trip he led to Israel.

Interim Update for February 19, 2021

Death of former Bishop James Rave

We received word this week of the death of Bishop James Rave -- he was the first Bishop of our Northwestern Ohio Synod, and served from 1987-1998. He was my bishop for the first three years I was in Ohio. You can read more about Bishop Rave here.

Tuesday's Council Meeting

With snow piled high outside, the February Council meeting was mostly on Zoom. Marc, Shaun and Tonya braved the city streets to come to the church for the meeting. Some highlights of the meeting (wtih thanks to Toni for meeting notes):

• MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND:
  Dennis Bauer reported that the Mission Endowment Committee is recommending the distribution of $18,000 in proceeds from the Mission Endowment Fund to the following entities:
  1. Flat Rock Care Center - $3,000
  2. Homeless Shelter in Bellevue - $3,000
  3. Luther Home of Mercy - $2,000
  4. Salem Lutheran Church in Toledo - $2,000
  5. Charlotte Goetz family (Norwalk, Ohio) - $2,000
  6. Bellevue Recovery and Support Services (BRASS)- $2,000 (This is a repeat grant)
  7. St. Jude's - $2,000
  8. ACT (Answering the Call Together) - $2,000
  Council approved these proposed distributions, which will be submitted to the Congregation Report Annual Meeting in April for final approval.
• DISCUSSION REGARDING RESUMPTION OF IN-PERSON WORSHIP:
  For the time being Sunday services will remain the same but this will be reviewed in two weeks when the Executive Council will meet. Guidelines need to be reviewed and revised where needed and implemented when services do begin. More volunteers are needed to make sure guidelines are properly followed. It was suggested that the Ushers escort members of the congregation to their seats and at the end of the service; the Ushers will stand by the pews to dismiss people in order to keep social distancing. Attendance and prayer request stations in the Narthex and entranceway are a must which means more volunteers are needed to ensure a smooth and social distancing service. Hopefully more information will be available when the Council meets in two weeks as to the status of COVID in our area. As it stands right now, Huron County is still considered RED, as are many other counties. Those people that are involved with the opening of the Church to regular services will be notified that there is a possibility that in person services could begin by Palm Sunday. But again, this possibility will be under review and a decision made according to the situation at the time. There will be an Executive Council Meeting on February 28, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Also a Special Council meeting on March 2, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
• PROPERTY:
  Repair on the boilers and toilets are done. Snow removal is being done on a “per time” basis this year. CB Excavating has been doing the snow removal so far this year. (2 times). Will be discussing a seasonal contract for next year.

Lent at St. John's

Lent officially began on February 17, with Ash Wednesday Worship. We registered 34 views, which for a midweek service is pretty good. We are also planning the following Lenten Season activities (this is mostly a repeat of last week's post):

• Midweek Lenten Worship
  These services will be offered on Wednesday beginning at noon on YouTube, and available for your viewing any time after that. Our theme this year will be "The Puzzle of the Cross", and focus on the meaning of the central symbol of our faith, the cross of Jesus Christ. Our themes for each of the five weeks will be:
  • February 24 - "God"
  • March 3 - "Humanity"
  • March 10 - "Sin"
  • March 17 - "Savior"
  • March 24 - "Sacrifice"
  • April 1 - "Salvation" (Maundy Thursday)
• Participation in the ELCA Hunger Lenten Program "40 Days of Giving"
  The ELCA has provided millions of dollars in support of programs around the world to alleviate world huinger. This emphasis will enable us to participate more fully in this life giving ministry. To do this, I suggest that we do the following:
  • Commit to giving $1, $2, $3 or more a day for 40 days of Lent. Is a goal of $1,000 realistic? I think so!
  • Dowload and use the 40 Days of Giving Lenten Calendar for inspirational ideas for daily reflection and action, as well as prayers and relevant Bible passages. You can download the calendar HERE.
  • Dive even deeper into our inspiring 40 Days of Giving content by subscribing to our weekly Lenten email series. You can find the subscription form HERE.
  • Weekly videos, stories and information will explain about how our gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world.
  • Kristen will post daily prayers, scripture passages, and links to resources on our Facebook page.

Education Team meeting

The Education Team met Wednesday evening via Zoom, which I joined following Confirmation. Topics of discussion included possibilities for Vacation Bible School, plans for Confirmation Sunday on April 25, and what our Sunday School program might look like in the fall.

Links for You

• Bishop Daniel's Ash Wednesday message
• Seeds Monthly (Resources for Congregations)
• ELCA Worship Notes

Interim Update for February 12, 2021

Liquor Permit for Benchwarmers

This week two members of the Ohio Liquor Control board brought a petition to the church office giving St. John's the option of objecting to a liquor license for the new Benchwarmers sports bar and restaurant. The owner of the new business also stopped by a bit later and asked that, if possible, we could submit the "no objections" form sooner rather than later. ICS had already given the OK. I called Mrs. Lilly, and she said no objection from the Preschool. So I checked "no objection" and Kristen mailed it to Liquor control. For those of you looking forward to a new place to eat in Bellevue, you can learn more about the coming business in a Sandusky Register article which you can find here.

Pastor Paul Bailie Installation

Received this announcement from the Synod Office

We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Paul A. Bailie will be installed as Pastor of The Lift Parish. The parking lot service will be at:
St. John's Lutheran Church
212 N. Clover St.
Fremont, OH 43420
Due to Covid-19 the service is only open to the congregation and family. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

Pastor Bailie replaces Pastor Scott in the LIFT ministry, who served you fruitfully for a number of months before I arrived. For more information abouat LIFT, you can go HERE.

Completed Report to Bishop

Every February, roster leaders such as pastors and deacons, submit a report to their synodical bishop. In the report, we respond to questions such as:

• As you relfect on the past year, what were the three (3) most significant developments, events or accomplishments in your personal and professional life?
• As you look forward to this year, what will be the top three (3) emphases of your ministry?
• How are you growing as a disciple and are you discipling others?

We are also asked to report on what we have done for continuing education and what our primary learnings have been. We report our compensation and benefits from the previous and current year. There are are other questions too numerous to mention, but as much as a burden it seems to be, it is a good way to get us to think and reflect on the past and prepare to engage the future.

Don and Marti Miller Thank You

We received a very nice note from Marti and Don. It is reproduced below:

Dear Pastor Mark and Members of St. John's,
Don and I thank you all so very much for the prayers, cards and phone calls --- God does answer prayers. Don is getting stronger a little day at a a time. He is in quarantine l6 months because his immune system is zero. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You -- adn God Bless you all.
Marti and Don Miller

Lent at St. John's

Lent officially begins on Wednesday, February 17, with Ash Wednesday Worship. This worship will be via our YouTube channel, which I will livestream beginning at noon, and will be available for your participation then or at a later or more convenenient time. I am also planning the following Lenten Season activities:

• Midweek Lenten Worship
  These services will be offered on Wednesday beginning at noon on YouTube, and available for your viewing any time after that. Our theme this year will be "The Puzzle of the Cross", and focus on the meaning of the central symbol of our faith, the cross of Jesus Christ. Our themes for each of the five weeks will be:

  • February 24 - "God"
  • March 3 - "Humanity"
  • March 10 - "Sin"
  • March 17 - "Sacrifice"
  • March 24 - "Salvation"

• Participation in the ELCA Hunger Lenten Program "40 Days of Giving"
  The ELCA has provided millions of dollars in support of programs around the world to alleviate world huinger. This emphasis will enable us to participate more fully in this life giving ministry. To do this, I suggest that we do the following:

  • Commit to giving $1, $2, $3 or more a day for 40 days of Lent. Is a goal of $1,000 realistic? I think so!
  • Dowload and use the 40 Days of Giving Lenten Calendar for inspirational ideas for daily reflection and action, as well as prayers and relevant Bible passages. You can download the calendar HERE.
  • Dive even deeper into our inspiring 40 Days of Giving content by subscribing to our weekly Lenten email series. You can find the subscription form HERE.
  • Weekly videos, stories and information will explain about how our gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work in the world.

Elevator Inspector here today

The trusty Elevator Inspector stopped by for the 6-month inspection. I found the key for the out outside entrance to the elevator mechanicals. He came back to report that everything checked out A-OK, and that the inspection interval has been extended to 9 months instead of 6. So he'll be back in 9. I didn't have to sign anything, and we should receive a copy of his report in the mail.

Confirmation Zoom

After a two month + hiatus, I resumed learning sessions with Confirmation youth on Wednesday evening in a 6:30 Zoom meeting. We had spent fall weeks, mostly in the parking lot, learning about the Apostles Creed. We had only gotten through the first two Articles, so we picked up where we left off with the Third Article --- I believe in the Holy Spirit. What does this mean? Let's review what the Catechism says:

I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him.

But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.

In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church day after day he fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers.

On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

Zoom Meetings Continue

Thursday afternoon I joined the Synod "Transitional Leaders" Zoom from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

Interim Update for February 5, 2020

Funeral for Hazel Orwig

The funeral for Hazel was on Tuesday at 10:00 am at the church. I heard many stories of the faithfulness and caring of Al and Hazel. Paul played the organ. There were about 20 present, almost all family.

Snow Removal

We had a bit of a challenge to get the parking lot cleared of snow for the the funeral on Tuesday. Preschool was closed so that was not an issue, but we really did need the job done for the funeral at 10:00, with funeral home arriving by about 8:30. Lenny had called Perry's but they were slammed with work, and since we're not contracted with them, they had other clients to do first. Lenny was able to find another plower at about 11:00 pm Monday evening, who got the job done early Tuesday morning. Thanks, Lenny! Also Chris Miller is runs the snowblower, and he as here Tuesday morning, so thanks Chris!

Synod Leaders Zoom Meeting

NWOS Synod Leaders met on Tuessday afternoon via Zoom at 4pm. Bishop Daniel arranged for Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, a United Methodist pastor who has worked extensively on creative ministry in the digital age. Bishop Daniel also briefly introduced his 2021 Bible study entitled Jerusalem offering, which ties in with the year's theme of generosity.

Death of Pastor Richard Moe

We learned this week of the death of Pastor Richard Moe, who served as pastor for 20 years at Trinity Lutheran Church (Kingsway), Fremont, Ohio, while also serving as chaplain at St. Francis Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Hospital in Green Springs, Ohio. From the obit: "Despite a serious physical handicap, Rich led a full and productive life, with the encouragement of supportive family and friends and good old Norwegian stubbornness." I can relate to that Norwegian comment. Rich was an inspiration. His physical handap required his waking hours be spent primarily in a wheelchair.

New Date for 2021 Synod Assembly

This message arrived today from NWOS:

During their January meeting, the Northwestern Ohio Synod Council voted to move the 2021 Synod Assembly to September 24-25, 2021 (originally June 11-12, 2021).

As vaccines continue to be dispersed and facilities explore what gatherings look like under Covid-19 protocols, we pray this date change will allow us to gather in person safely and confidently. However, synod staff will make contingency plans including (but not limited to) planning for a hybrid in-person/ remote assembly. We do not anticipate any further delay to the assembly date.

We are constantly monitoring and re-evaluating the situation, so stay tuned for the latest updates and information (including a location if applicable) for our 2021 Synod Assembly!

Confirmation Meeting

I met with confirmation and high school youth and parents in a Zoom meeting on Wednesday evening. We decided that confirmation youth would meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm in a Zoom meetin beginning next Wednesday, February 10. Meetings will continue throug February, March and April, with the Rite of Confirmation on the April 25th.

We also discussed reviving the plans to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. Originally scheduled for summer 2020, the Gathering was rescheduled to July 24-28, 2022. Want to know more about what happens at an ELCA Gathering? You can view an infomational video here.

Parochial Report

it is that time of year when it is necessary to complete What's called the congregational report which is sent to the Synod and then is shared with ELCA Churchwide. The report includes changes in membership numbers such as deaths baptisms, confirmations oh, and also Financial figures such as income and expenses and amounts sent in for Mission support.

The report was different in the attendance category in that it asked for both in-person attendance and online attendance. Ushers have always recorded in-person attendance in a spiral notebook kept in the church Lobby. So those figures have always been easy to gather. But how did you determine online attendance? YouTube tells you how many views you have for each live stream or upload, but then you have to take into consideration if there are more than one person's who are apart of each view. I did some research on the web, and determined that many congregations have estimated that each view equals 1.5 viewers, so that's the multiplier that I used to determine online attendance.

I put all these figures into a spreadsheet, which you can view HERE, and is summarized below.

• Attendance for 2020
• Average in-person attendance - 38
• Average online attendance - 89
• Total average attendance - 127
• 2019 average attendance: 115

Changes in Drive-Through Holy Communion

Those who participate in drive-thru Holy Communion will see a minor change in the procedure. I ask Kristen to replace the very small wafer on the top of the juice cup with a full size communion wafer inside the small plastic bag that we have been using to distribute the elements. I noticed that many people were struggling to find the small cellophane tab to pull up to uncover the wafer that is provided.

Coronavirus Vaccination

I have registered for a Covid-19 vaccination at fisher-titus. They called me back saying that they had received my application and will contact me as soon as do horses become available. Fisher-titus seemed like the best bet for me because that's where my primary care physician and all my medical records are. I could have registered at Erie County Health Department, but they seem to want too much personal information and put in my SS number.