Interim Grace Notes - Thanksgiving 2023 Edition

S.O.S. Debuts Sunday

In last week's Grace Notes, I explained the plan to provide music for our worship until we get a new regular organist by utilizing a web-based digital service called S.O.S., or Substitute Organist Service. You can read the details HERE. Our first use will be this Sunday, and will work much better than the links from youtube that I used last week. If you prefer a live musician playing the Grace organ, come Saturday 4pm, as Paul Lieber, one of the organists at St. John's Bellevue, will be our guest organist for that service. For services for the immediate future, we will use S.O.S. for both services.

"Under the Balcony" Remodel - Looks Great!

Work crews finished the "Under the Balcony" remodel, which removed the back three rows of pews and upgraded the flooring to ivory colored ceramic tile, which really looks elegant, and creates a very nice space at the back of the sanctuary. Many thanks to Fremont Floor Covering for materials and labor donation, the Property Committee for help in pew removal and hoisting to the balcony, and to Jim and Michaele for many hours of cleaning to get the worship space ready for the weekends during these messy projects!

Furnishings for the New Space

Now that the new floor space has been cleared and tiled, the next step is furnishings. Ideas already suggested are bar height tables and chairs behind the last row of pews, other seating, a table with a beverage bar. Ideas and suggestions can be given to the Executive Committee.

New Sanctuary RestRooms Should be Ready for Symphony

Progress has happened steadily for the last couple weeks, and it looks like the new facilities will be ready for the Toledo Symphony on Friday, December 1.

Toledo Symphony Preps Underway

Speaking of the Toledo Symphony concert, tickets have sold out, and the committee along with Grace staff have been busy doing all the necessary prep work. The upholstered chairs that had been in the balcony will be set in the new gathering space at the back of the sanctuary, replacing the seating lost to the removal of the pews. Additional chairs will be moved down from the auditorium to roughly equal the amount of available seating from last year. The County Jail work crew will again be available for set up The committee has been busy with other preps such as ushers and their instructions. I have two F Sections tickets that could use a home, so if you need one or two, let me know - otherwise they will go unused.

Grace Stories

The latest Grace Story subject is Judy Overmyer. You can read this inspiring story in the December issue of Grace & Truth, or you can also read it HERE. Many thanks to Maureen, who interviews for and writes many if not most of stories that we are able to read every month in this very excellent feature of our Grace communications.

A Great Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I did. Marcy and I traveled to Bethel Park, PA (South Hills of Pittsburgh) and spent the day at the home of Marcy's sister Peggy, and her husband Mark. We stopped at Asbury Villas assisted Living in Mt. Lebanon to pick up Martha, Marcy's mom. Son Erik joined us so there was six around the dinner table. This was the first Thanks givng in a very long time that Martha was able to spend thanksgiving with her family. She had lived in Missouri since marrying Philip in 1999, so Thanksgiving was almost always spent with Philip's family. Both Martha and Philip were in assisted living together in Fayette, MO, until earlier this year when Martha decided to move back to PA to be closer to family, as Philip has dementia. She has been a great mother-in-law. Hope we can have some more Thanksgivings together.

Scouting for Food

I received this email message from Danielle Wagner, Grace's chartered Cub Scout Pack 302 Cubmaster:

Pack 302 collected 971 non perishable food items for the Soup Kitchen. 40 of those items were donations from the church members.

Thanks Pack 302 Cubs, for keeping the Cub Scout Promise to help other people!

Final Shipment of ELW's Arrives

We received 40 ELW's from ARKANSAS-OKLAHOMA SYNOD this week, which is the final shipment of our ELW campaign. These were books that were sent to the synod from congregations which had closed, and which the synod advertised as available for adoption. Only cost is for shipping. The church office is still working on the bookplates, making sure that all the information provided by members sponsoring new books is correct. When it's all ready, we'll advertise for some volunteers to install the bookplates, and then they will be ready for use. Christmas will be a good goal to shoot for.

ELCA Worship News

You can read the latest issue HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for November 17, 2023

Stewardship Appeal Update

Our "Blessed to Be a Blessing" Stewardship Campaign/Appeal Ingathering Sunday was this past weekend, when a total of 54 Intent Cards were brought forward or otherwise received.

Those 54 Intents, which represent 25% of 211 giving units which received the appeal mailing, totaled weekly intended giving of $3,396 in 2024, which represents 45% of our goal of $8,625. This amount represents a 15% increase over the previous year of actual weekly giving of $7,602.

Our hope is that the remaining 75% of giving units will cover the remaining 55% of our goal. The history at Grace is that Intent cards trickle in during the weeks following the campain. If you haven't returned your Intent Card, this weekend would be an excellent time! Intent Cards can be placed in the offering plate, brought to the church office, or emailed to LInda at gracefremont@yahoo.com Grace is certainly a very generous congregation. Thank you!! And keep up the excellent work!!

Stewardship Appeal Celebration This Sunday

The final Sunday of our six-week campaign will be a celebration of generosity at Grace. Refreshments will be served from the chapel seating area -- hope to see you there!

The Search Begins...

The Search Begins for the person or persons who will carry on the tradition of music excellence at Grace. A number of calls have been made to possible candidates, and ads have been placed in such places as American Guild of Organists Toledo chapter, Heidelberg College, Synod Website, and Terra Community College. So far, my friend Paul Lieber from St. John's Bellevue will play next Saturday, and another person who is not available on Sunday mornings has expressed an interest in the Saturday service beginning in January.

... and For the Time Being We Will Go Digital

Our (hopefully) short-time solution for music to support our worship will be digital. Pr. Paul has shared hymn mp4's that he has used at St. Mark, and I have also found some good resources on Youtube. This and following weekends I will be controlling the music from my phone or an iPad, which will be plugged into the Grace sound system which actually "sounds" pretty good. An advertisement flyer for a company called Church Music Solutions came across Linda's desk last week, which she brought with her to exec on Monday evening. One of their products is called S.O.S., or Substitute Organist Service. It works like this: You choose your hymnal(s) and service setting, and then drag and drop specific elements like hymns and liturgical numbers into a play list that is then downloaded to an iPad. These "tracks" are then played through your sound system to support the congregation's singing. I have signed up for this service, and will use it for the first time a week from Sunday. There is a cost of $45 per service, which can be used for both Saturday and Sunday.

The S.O.S. system can also be connected to an organ that has a MIDI interface, so that the service actually plays your own organ, like a player piano. The Grace organ does not currently have a MIDI interface, but one could possibly be installed. I have contacted Glenn Tallar, our organ service professional and asked him about this. Here is what he said: "I will look into the spec and see what manufacturers are out there and get some estimates."

LIRS Update on Crisis in the Holy Land

Lutherans have for a long time been committed to meeting the needs of refugees around the world, as especially in the Holy Land through LIRS, or Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service. You can read an LIRS upate on the latest tragic Holy Land war HERE.

Seeds Monthly

Seeds Monthly has helpful stories and ideas for congregation leaders. You can read the latest issue HERE.

Writers for LIFT Advent Devotional Still Needed

Still thinking about writing about your favorite Christmas Carol for our Advent devotional resource? Pr. Paul has extended the deadline until this Sunday, November 19. Here are some prompts to get you started thinking about what to write.

Fireside News

You can read the latest news from Hopewood Outdoors HERE.

Grace and Truth

Read the December issue HERE.

Just Three Things

You can read the latest issue HERE.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!

November 10, 2023

Farewell Reception for Tom

Following worship on Sunday we will have a farewell reception in the chapal area. There will be cake, coffee and water. We will miss Tom's excellent musicianship on the organ and piano, and leadership in all things music at Grace, including Chancel Choir, Kids Choir, Bells, scheduling special music during the summer, the new program this summer that was his brainchild - Arts and Music Academy for kids doing choir, recorders, drumming and crafts. I have appreciated having Tom's leadership with congregation hymns - I must say that I have learned some new hymns since coming to Grace, and I have almost always found myself humming the tunes to myself during the week.

Search for Interim and Permanent Musicians for Worship Underway

After receiving some suggestions from several sources, I have made some phone calls for transitionals organist/pianist for weekend worship. One of my contacts indicated an interest in the Saturday service come January. Another contact is a possibility for Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm guessing a big challenge will be for Christmas Eve. It will be helpful once we decide at Executive compensation levels that can be shared with supply musicians, and eventually a full-time hire.

Stewardship Intents will be presented this Weekend

Again, thank you to members of Stewardship and Council who cumulatively have pledged $115 increase in giving for 2024, which represents 15% of our goal! These amounts were included in the appeal mailing that was assembled by the church office and the Stewardship Team, and was mailed out on Monday. We will receive the Intents in the Baptismal Font (we did this last year) when worshipers come up for communion, with the symbolism being our financial commitments are an act of worship in living out our baptism.

Thank You's for Stewardship Intents Will Begin Monday

I'm hoping to get started right away with Thank You's for those who present their intents this weekend. My goal is to have a personalized thank you letter ready for some hand signatures of Thanks. Last year the Stewardship Team did this, but I'm wondering if Council might be willing to write a few at the end of Monday's Council meeting. It might take 10-15 minutes of your time. The Thank element is the final of the four stage Stewardship Appeal Process of Inform, Inspire, Ask and Thank.

Worship Committee Met Tuesday

Worship met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. Pr. Paul joined us to talk about Advent and Christmas and Epiphany worship. We decided the Advent worship at Grace would proceed as it has in the past with Spirit supper from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, and then worship would commence at 6:30. The only difference will be that this will be a LIFT Advent Service. Pastor Paul, I, and possibly Pastor Matt would each do the message for one of the three services. Here's the info that Pr. Paul put together and published in LIFT Notes:

Come together on Wednesday evenings in Advent: December 6, 13, 20. Worship will be at 6:30 in the sanctuary of Grace Lutheran Church (705 W. State). Using Holden Evening Prayer, the theme will be “The Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed,” using a resource from ELCA World Hunger. Each week, we will construct a family-friendly congregational liturgical art project. Dinner will be from 5:00-6:30. Pray and Play, our faith opportunity for toddlers, will continue from 5:45-6:30.

Scouting Executive Meets with Grace Staff

On Thursday, James Clark, District Executive, Eagle Bay District for Boy Scouts of American Erie Shores Council, met with me and Heather to discuss how the Scout program (Pack 302) is progressing. The answer is very well, thanks to the leadership of Cubmaster Danielle Wagner, and a cadre of other adult Den leaders. Pack 302 is currently the largest pack in the District, so that is good news! Heather and I are the liaison between the Pack and Grace as the chartering organization.

Hopewood Outdoors Fireside News

You can read the latest news from Hopewood Outdoors HERE.

Ecumenical and Inter-religious News

One thing that even I don't think a whole lot about is ecumenical and inter-religious activities and news. But this is a very important part of our ministry as the ELCA on all levels, community, state, national, and world, fulfilling Jesus' high priestly prayer that all to be one. You can read the latest news HERE

YAGM News

Do you know any young adults who might be interested in serving as a short term ministry somewhere else in the world? You can learn more about YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission) HERE.

Exit Interview for Pr. Kathy Schuck

On Thursday evening I attended an Exit Interview for Pr. Kathy Schuck, who is moving from her call to First in Upper Sandusky to retirement. In addition to congregation leaders and Pr. Schuck, also present were Pr. Adam Sornchai (SE Conference Dean), Paul (lastname?) Call Process Facilitator (now Grace's facilitator, along with Pr. Christian Dittmar), and I, who represented the Synod Congregational Resource Team. My job was to review the interim process of Transition Team, Ministry Site Profile, and Call Committee Appointment. They already have and interim ready to start soon, Pr. Mark Rich, who recently returned from his Global Missions assignment in Tanzania. He and his wife live in Columbus, and she is also a pastor who is serving a Presbyterian church in Columbus.

Synod Transitional Leaders Zoom

On Thursday afternoon I joined the synod Transitional Leaders Zoom. About 15 were on this meeting, where we discuss all things transitional and interim ministry.

Links for You

• LIFT Notes
• Just Three Things

November 3, 2023

Interim Grace Notes for November 3, 2023

Update on Tom's Resignation

The Executive Team met with Tom at 5pm on Wednesday to discuss his October 18 letter of resignation with November 12 as his last Sunday. Concerns were shared, and at the end of the meeting, Tom was asked if he wanted to withdraw his letter. He asked for 24 hours to consider, and on Thursday afternoon we received this message from Tom: "Please accept my resignation as submitted." Grace was blessed by Tom's most excellent musical gifts these past four years, and we wish him well as he moves on. We pray for continued guidance from the Holy Spirit as Grace's search for a new pastor continues, and the search for a new organist/music director begins.

Let's Build Says Yes to a Build at Grace

I'm guessing that by now you are familiar with one of the ministry initiatives that has been the focus of our Stewardship Appeal - a day of building beds for kids in the Grace parking lot. There are two organizations in our area that do this, and one of them, Let's Build, is the one that, so far, has responded to my inquiry:

Hello Mark. If you would like to host an event at Grace Lutheran in Fremont we could do that. Please give me 2 dates you are considering and I will see if they're available. Could you also give me a number to contact you so we can discuss the build a little more? Thank you.

I'm thinking of a Saturday in September, but we shall see. I have provided a number.

Second Letter with Intent Card Will Be Mailed Monday

Our 2023 Stewardship Appeal, "Blessed to Be a Blessing," enters its fourth week this weekend with a focus on a ministry initiative. I've linked to this content in previous messages, but here is what will be in the bulletin insert. Our third ministry initiative is:

Position Grace financially to call the pastor that we need, and to sustain ministry excellence.

Grace has been richly blessed with many long-serving and transformational pastors. In its 131-year history, only nine persons have been called as senior pastor. That’s an average of almost 15 years that each pastor has served.

Many of those pastors have been transformational in their tenure, using their gifts and abilities to lead the congregation through exciting times of growth and change, as well as through times of adversity.

The call process for Grace’s 10th senior pastor has taken longer than expected, but we remain confident that God will provide the leader who has the passion, gifts, and skills to be Grace’s next transformational leader.*

When that next pastor is found, Grace needs to be well positioned to extend the call. In his role as interim, Pastor Mark has been able to serve Grace at a reduced cost, primarily because of health insurance, which he has received through his wife’s employer. There is a strong possibility that the compensation package for our new pastor may be $10,000 or more greater than the current expense. This increase, along with possible moving expenses for a new pastor, speaks to the importance of this ministry initiative.

In addition to our new pastor, Grace will continue to be blessed by our talented and dedicated staff that provides for the ministry, administrative and physical needs of the congregation. This ministry initiative also speaks to the need to compensate staff fairly, especially in light of higher than normal inflation, which also affects fixed costs such as insurance and utilities.

An increase of $384 per week ($20,000 total) is needed to ensure that Grace is well positioned to call our next pastor, support our excellent staff, and maintain our beautiful church building.

The second letter of our appeal will be sent on Monday morning, and will include the brochure which we created and the Intent card. Stewardship and Council received their letters last Friday, and were asked to return those by today so my and their cumulative responses could be announced in the letter. I am happy to report that 12 members have returned their Intents, which indicate a total of $115 weekly increase in giving for 2024, which represents 15% of our goal! Thanks Stewardship and Council! I have indicated that I will be increasing my giving in 2024 by 20%. When we join together and even make small increases, we can be confident that we will reach our goal.

Members are asked to return their Intent Cards on November 11-12, and we will announce the results the following Sunday and celebrate with refreshments and fellowship in the sanctuary after the service.

Pr. Paul Leading Monthly Camino de Vida/Bridge of Hope Zoom

Pr. Paul has begun a first Thursday of the month Zoom meeting for LIFT, Camino de Vida and Bridge of Hope leaders to update each other on what's happening in these respective ministries. Pr. Paul provided this summary of Thursday's meeting:

At the zoom meeting for Bridge of Hope, it was announced that over 200 migrant baskets were distributed this year. Camino de Vida has been training members in Christian discipleship and will be starting a prayer service on Wednesdays in December. Both ministries are preparing for the Thanksgiving feast on November 18 and the Posada on December 2. LIFT congregations are encouraged to donate turkeys for the Thanksgiving feast and toys for the Posada.

Prepare Facilitator Workshop

For the past almost 40 years, I have led workshops up to two times a year training mostly other pastors as facilitators in the use of Prepare-Enrich. This program was developed in the early 1980's as a 150+ item survey that evaluates a couple's relationship. Separate surveys were developed for marriage preparation and marriage enrichiment or counseling. Those who use Prepare-Enrich administer the survey, review a computer printout of the results, and provide feedback to a couple regarding their relationship. The results will help a couple identify strengths in their relationship, and areas the need further growth, development or improvement.

After I attended a facilitator workshop myself during my first call as a pastor in the early 1980's, and then became a trainer. I have led dozens of workshops and trained hundreds of pastors in the use of this tool for marriage preparation and enrichment.

My most recent training was on Tuesday of this week, and three in attendance. Robin was recently installed as senior pastor at St. Mark's in Bowling Green, Al Fuhrhop is a SAM in Napoleon, and Morgan is the newly ordained pastor who a high school freshman in the first interim at Trinity Vermilion in 2012. We had a good day of training. Special hanks to Tricia who picked up lunch for us at 818.

You don't need a facilitator to take advantage of Prepare-Enrich. They have a do-it-yourself tool called Couple Checkup. Cost is $35. From the website:

As an online customized assessment tool, Couple Checkup is meant to be a fun, easy way to take a closer look at your relationship, increase relationship strengths, and above all - spark meaningful conversation between you and your partner.

Links for You

• ELCA Global Links Includes important updates on Israel-Hamas War and Resources
• Just Three Things