Interim Grace Notes for December 17, 2021

Are We Ready for Omicron?

Thanksgiving weekend brought the news of the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant, the novel virus that causes Covid-19. Since it was first identified in South Africa, it has spread rapidly and is now in 36 states, according to a web posting Wednesday by CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of MInnesota). Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of CIDRAP, said in this week's episode of Osterholm Update: Covid-19, that the spread of Omicron, combined with Delta, will create a viral "blizzard."

Omicron has been found to be much more transmissible, but on the plus side, it seems to be causing less severe disease. The biggest threat is that our health care system will be overrun. I have a friend in my hometown of Hendricks, MN, who was hospitalized locally for Covid pneumonia. She had to wait three days for an available ICU bed in Sioux Falls, 80 miles away. Closer to home, Michigan is currently experiencing its highest hospitalization rate since beginning of pandemic with zero ICU beds available, and here in Ohio Governor DeWine has mobilized 1,050 members of the Ohio National Guard to help relieve the hospital staffing strain caused by the rising number of Covid-19 cases

Dr. Osterholm (along with many others) continues his mantra that vaccination is the best tool we have to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. Another helpful/informative piece on Omicron was posted by The Atlantic yesterday. You can read it HERE.

Trinity's New Beginnings

Trinity Lutheran Seminary's monthly newsletter for congregations is usually written by the Seminary Dean, Dr. Kit Kleinhans. This month's issue is written by Rev. Mary Ann Harris Siefke, who recently started a new call at Trinity as Director of Congregational Engagement and Advancement. I know Mary Ann well. She was the organist at St. Peter Blackberry and St. Luke's Curtice, my 2013 interim. Mary Ann recieved an MA from Trinity in Church Music, but during my year as interim she decided to return to seminary to earn an M.Div. degree, which leads to ordination for Word and Sacrament ministry. After graduating from seminary and her first call to a congregation in Pennsylvania, Mary Ann, a native of Oak Harbor and a daughter of St. John's, returned to Ohio to accept this call. You can read Mary Ann's message HERE.

Stewardship for All Seasons

At the end of our "Live Generously" Stewardship Campaign, for which GSB Fundraising provided guidance, coaching, and program content, we were given the opportunity to continue to build on what we accomplished in our Live Generously campaign in the coming year and beyond. GSB Fundraising, in partnership with our Northwestern Ohio Synod, is offering congregations the opportunity to participate in a two year program of stewardship growth through GSB's Stewardship for All Seasons program. The synod is subsidizing half the cost for this program, and second-mile gifts are enabling Grace to participate for the calendar years of 2022 and 2023.

From January through May, Grace will join other congregations in five once-a-month Zoom meetings which will help us be more effective with our communications and storytelling. You can find a more detailed description of this learning track HERE. GSB will then provide content and coaching for Grace's 2022 stewardship campaign. This process will be repeated in 2023 with a different learning track. Ed will be joining me and hopefully others from Grace in this process. If you would be interested or know of someone who might be, let me know, please!

LIFT Notes

You can read the current issue of LIFT NOtes HERE.

ELCA Seeds Monthly

ELCA Seeds Monthly is a publication that has ministry ideas and resources for congregations. You can view and read the December issue HERE.

Just Three Things

ICYMI, you can read this week's Just Three Things HERE.

Christmas at Grace

Everything you need to know about Christmas at Grace you can find HERE.

Christmas and New Year's Weekends

There will be no Saturday worship service on December 25 and January 1. On Sunday, December 25 and January 2, there will be one service only at 9:00 am. The service on December 25 will be Lessons and Carols.

Interim Update for December 10, 2021

Confirmation Meets at St. John's

LIFT Confirmation youth and adult leaders met again on Sunday at St. John's. Our sessions begin at 11:45 with a light lunch, and conclude by 1:15. Attendance was a bit better this session, and we had three joining us via Zoom. Our learning track for this year is the Catechism, and our presentation this session was on the second table of the Commandments, which deal with our relationship with others in the community. Sessions will move to Grace beginning with the next session on January 2, when we will begin the first of several sessions on the Apostles Creed.

Healthy Chuches Faithful Pastors Study Concludes

For the past ten weeks, the group that I have been leading on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 7:00 following Spirit supper and dinner church has read and discussed portions of the book Healthy Churches Faithful Pastors, which examines the important relationship that pastors and congregations share and the expectations that we have of each other. The first group of sessions dealt with expectations that congregations have of pastors, and the second group dealt with the expectations that pastors have of congregations. In the final lesson which we discussed on Wednesday night, the sesson addressed expectations that both pastors and congregations have of each other. Those expectations include:

• to anticipate conflict, address differences respectfully, and avoid passive aggressive behavior
• to speak directly and avoid triangulation
• to trust that friends will respect honest speech about personal behavior and will be prepared to hold each other accountable
• not to idolize or demonize each other or to practice projection
• to be close, but not too close -- to avoid fusion and codependence

We have enjoyed good discussion in our group, We have one more session before the Christmas break, and will pick up again in January when we will begin a new series of sessions using Bishop Daniel's 2021 Bible Study on the book of Revelation, during the synod's Year of Vision.

Worship Committee Completes Christmas Plans

The Worship Committee met on Tuesday, and, among other things discussed logistics for our Christmas services at 6:00 and 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve. We will be using real candles on Christmas Eve, along with extra instructions and encouragements to always keep your candle upright -- to never tip a lighted candle. The plasic cup style candle holders are really effective in catching any dripping wax. Tom has been busy organizing all the music, including recital pieces by instrumental ensembles for the half-hour before each of the services.

Just Three Things, ICYMI

Today's issue of Just Three Things can be viewed HERE.

Microphone Adjustments Made

There's been continuing concern about my wireless mic that I use in the sanctuary during worship -- complaints about crackeling sounds and distorted sounds. Ed called a technical advisor from the business that the unit was purchased from, and he received a few tips to make some adjustments. Heather and I tried out the mic after the adjustments were made, and it seems to have made a difference. Please let us know if there continuing issues from where you're sitting, as I cannot always tell from where I'm at.

LIFT Notes

You can read the latest issue of LIFT Notes HERE. Upcoming activities and events include and Advent Celebration this Sunday at Faith, a Blue Christmas service on Sunday, December 14, 4:00 pm at St. John's, and an Epiphany Drive-In service at St. John's on Thursday, January 6, 7:00 pm in the St. John's parking lot.

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Christmas Message

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth posted the following Christmas message:

This is our second pandemic Christmas. We thought this would be over so long ago. And still, we wear masks; we're physically distant; we can't be with friends and family as we used to do. And also, there's so much that's broken in this world, so much that tells us, “Why have hope? Just give up.”

But we have a hope that's stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child; nevertheless, who grew to a man and in his fragile strength was willing to die on the cross and was raised again.

I don't know what next Christmas will bring. I don't know what New Year's will bring. But I do know we have hope.

St. Paul put it this way:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Merry Christmas, dear church.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Death of Mike Smith, St. Mark organist

We received word from Pr. Paul that Mike Smith, the organist at St. Mark, died on Wednesday. He had bewen battling liver cancer. Keep Mike's family and the people of God at St. Mark in your prayers.

Lots to Decide at December Council Meeting

Council will have lots of work to at their December meeting on Monday the 13th. Important items on the agenda include the 2022 budget and forming the Call Committee. Executive Committee will begin at 6:00.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In the latest episode, posted on Thursday, December 8, and entitled "The Early Data on Omicron," Dr. Osterholm analyzes the current data on transmission, disease severity, and ability to evade immune protection of the Omicron variant. We also discuss the continuing Delta surge in many parts of the world, the role of vaccines and boosters, and when booster doses may be available for 12-17 year olds. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for December 3, 2021

Stewardship Campaign Thank You Letter

The Stewardship Team met one more time on Tuesday to process Thank You letters for those who returned Intent Cards during our recent "Live Generously" campaign. The letter thanked members for their generous response, and reminded them that "every gift and every giver strengthens our shared ministries to nurture faith, care for our community, and share God’s Good News throughout the world." So far, we have received 99 intent cards with a total of $222, 838. pledged for 2022. The generosity of Grace members is inspiring! Thank you all!! And special thanks to our Stewardship Team -- Tanya, Henry, Kathy, Kent, and Maureen!

Blue Christmas at St. John's

There is much on many people's minds as they prepare for Christmas. Especially those who have recently lost loved ones through death or experienced some other significant loss. So why do we try to cover our pain and grief with Yuletide cheer?

Many churches have begun to recognize that Festivals of Carols, celebrations of Christmas, and children’s pageants do not meet everyone’s needs. To fill this gap churches offer what is called a Blue Christmas service. People who are not having a very merry Christmas and friends who support them are invited to come and sit with one another in a service that speaks of the love of God for the grieving.

St. John's is offering a Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, December 19th, at 4:00pm. The service will also be posted afterward on the St. John's website. For those desiring more fellowship, hors d’oeuvres will be served in the auditorium following the worship service.

Advent Midweek Worship Begins

The first of three midweek Advent Worship services was held Wednesday during our traditionall Spirit time. Supper begins serving at 5:00 pm, and by about 5:15 we begin a brief worship while still seated around the tables. Heather found some nice Advent hymns complete with music and with Karaoke style highlights of the the lyrics as the hymn is played. We are using a devotional booklet that highlights the ministry of ELCA World Hunger Program, and our open plate offering will be given to this amazing ELCA ministry, that has receive and dispursed millions of dollars over many years bringing the fight agains thunger to many places in the world. There will be two more services in this series, on December 8 and 15. Come join us!

Keeping Grace's Organ in Tune and in Shape

Congregations that have pipe organs face a usually higher cost for keeping that instrument in tune and in tip-top shape as opposed to those who use an electronic equivalent. I can't say that I know too much about pipe organs, but my 34 months at St. John's in Bellevue gave me a few insights. St. John's is blessed with a member who knows all the ins and outs of the instrument in that church, which has a few more ranks than Grace's.

That member, Paul Lieber, a retired high school teacher, considers himself the "curator" of the organ, and works with the organ maintenance professionals who tune and otherwise maintain that instrument on a regular basis of twice a year. In recent years Paul has has contracted with a young organist/technician , Glenn Tallar, who has started his own LLC call GT Organ Associates. I had a chance to meet Glenn several times during my time at St. John's.

A recent four-figure organ service bill inspired me to call Paul and ask about Glenn and how much he charges. Paul informed me that Glenn was going to be doing service on the St. John's organ the week after Thanksgiving. I called Paul on Tuesday of this week, and as it turned out Glenn was there. Glenn and Paul dropped what they were doing and came over to Grace, where Glenn took a detailed look at the Grace organ, even climbing up the ladder and through the tiny hole into the pulpit side pipe chamber. Glenn said that he would provide us with a quote for servicing the organ, which is normally done twice a year.

One of the reasons Glenn may be able to provide Grace with a lower cost estimate is that he usually works alone. At St. John's, Paul donates his time to work with Glenn while tuning, pressing the console keys while Glenn is up in the pipe chamber making adjustments. Other service professionals will send two technicians to do tunings, which, obviously, increases costs. Tom would be able to do this at Grace. Another way to decrease costs is to get on a regular schedule in which your technician can tune your instrument while tuning others in the area and minimizing travel costs. In addition to St. John's Bellevue, Glenn services St. Paul's Clyde and Zion Sandusky.

Glenn has recently moved from his home base in Illinois to Mesa, Arizona, and now splits his time between north and south. In Mesa, Glenn landed a dream job, one of the organists at Organ Stop Pizza, a destination restaurant for 50 years that features a world-class theater Wurlitzer organ. As Tom and Glenn shared stories of people in the organ world that they both knew, I learned that Organ Stop Pizza has been a destination for Grace members Mark and Christine S.

When Glenn landed the job at Organ Stop Pizza, it became a news story for some of the local outlets. You can view one of those stories HERE.

Preschool Addition and Fundraiser

Noah's Ark recently added another preschooler to their 4's program, bringing the total to, I think, 13 (don't quote me on that, or correct me if I'm wrong.) The 3's program is more of a concern, still with only four enrolled. The Beef Stick fundraiser is still underway, and the office has some available for purchase there for $1 each. I tasted the hot pepper stick, and it is hot, but very good!

LIFT Notes

You can read the lates issue of LIFT Notes HERE.

Dr. Osterholm's Take on Omicron

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on Thursday, December 2, and entitled "The Emergence of Omicron," Dr. Osterholm explains what we know and don't know about the omicron variant, how we will learn more, and what it could mean for the future of the pandemic. Dr. Osterholm also emphasizes the importance of boosters and the potential for a post-Thanksgiving surge in cases. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for November 26, 2021

Midweek Advent Worship begins Wednesday

Our program of MIdweek Advent Worship will begin this Wednesday, December 1, with worship beginning at 5:15 pm in the Dining Room. Supper will be served beginning at 5:00 pm, with services also on December 8 and December 15. Our Advent worship theme will focus on World Hunger. A special offering will be received, with proceeds given to the ELCA World Hunger program.

Email from Mary Satterfield

I received the following message from Mary Satterfield, our Call Process Facilitator:

MSP looks very good. Very well done! Let me know when Call Committee is approved and we will set up the orientation.

The Profile is still awaiting our Confidential Reference Recommendation (Pr. Matt). Pr. Matt has been very busy recently with four funerals, but he assured me last Sunday at the LIFT Board Meeting that he would be completing this soon.

Update on Stewardship Campaign

In last week's post I reported on the initial results of our Live Generously stewardship campaign. I reported a total of 83 cards returned, with a total pledged amount of $185,062. The 83 number included cards which were returned, but did not provide specific amounts -- with messages such as "I'll do the best I can." Over the past week, Linda has received more cards, which came through the offering plate, mail, drop-off to office, and online, and the new card count includes only those on which specific amounts were pledged. So the total nubmer of cards returned with specific amounts is 84, but the total amount pledged has increased to $208,358. Of the 84 cards returned, 29 indicated an increase over their 2020 giving level.

Many thanks to Linda who has spent much time recording, analyizing, and reporting the data.

On Tuesday of this week, the Stewardship Team met with Jennie, our GSB Fundraising consultant, for the sixth and final Zoom meeting of the program "Building a Culture of Generosity." The main topics for this meeting were reporting results, follow up, and thank you's. The Stewardship Team is planning to send form thank you letters with a personal hand-written word of thanks from one of the Stewardship Team to the 85 giving units who returned their cards with their intents for 2022. We are meeting next Tuesday, November 28 at 11:00 am to complete this task.

At the end of our Zoom meeting, Jennie brought up the possibility of participating in GSB's program Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS). This program helps congregations keep working on stewardship throughout the year with special tracks and a fall stewardship campaign that is geared to each participating congregation. Special tracks, which are addressed from January through May include:

• Strategic Planning
• Planned/Estate Giving
• Council Leadership
• Storytelling & Communication
• Recruiting & Inspiring Volunteers
• Special Appeals

Jennie says that many first year SAS congregations opt for the Storytelling track to equip volunteers and lay leaders to better share the outcome stories of church ministry. Our synod has entered into a relationship with GSB and has agreed to pay one-half the cost of two years or participation in SAS. I have presented information to Council at the November meeting, and will have additional information to share, so Council members, stay tuned. The details of SAS, including the "covenant" with NWOS, can be examined in greater detail HERE.

Funeral set for Kathleen Burmeister

We commend to God's everlasting care our sister in Christ, Kathleen 'Kathi' Burmeister, who passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Kathi is survived by husband, Larry, and children, Mark Burmeister and Kay (Brent) Saionz. We pray for God's peace and comfort for her family. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the church from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. with Memorial Services beginning at 11 a.m. You can read the obituary HERE.

Genacross Selling Toledo Campus

For 160 years, Lutherans in Northwest Ohio have been on the forefront of caring for "the least of these," young or old through several social service agencies. In recent years, programs providing care and rehabilitation to troubled youth have combined with other programs that serve the needs of elderly, primarily affordable housing and assisted living in an organization known as Genacross. Recently I received a letter from Rev. Dr. James Dumke, Vice President for Mission Integration for Genacross Lutheran Services. The purpose of the letter was to inform congregations that Genacross has decided to sell the Toledo Campus, which includes the historic Toledo Old Folks Home, which opened its doors in 1906. The reasons for the sale is that Genacross has been unable to raise the capital needed to make needed renovations.

The buyer has been identified as Majestic Care based in Westfield Indiana, that manages facilities in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Services include short-term rehab, physical therapy, memory care, long-term care, and hospice care. Pastor Dumke closed his letter with words of gratefulness for many years of support from congregations in Northwest Ohio and Souteast Michigan.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on Wednesday, November 24, and entitled "Thanksgiving Mini-Episode," Dr. Osterholm compares the dynamics of the pandemic this Thanksgiving to last year, and what factors to consider when making Thanksgiving plans. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for November 19, 2021

Ministry Site Profile Update

The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) for Grace has been submitted. This generated an email to the church office to remind us and give direction to have an email sent to Pastor Matt Wheeler, who has agreed to provide a written recommendation. Once Pastor Matt's recommendation arrives, it will go the Bishop Daniel. Once he approves it, it will be posted on the "Openings" page of of the ELCA website. I have copied and pasted the MSP Status info from Grace's MSP account on the ELCA website:

MSP form: Arrived (most recent)
Ministry Site Profile: 11/11/2021 6:38:03 PM
Reference's Confidential Recommendation: (Not yet arrived)
MSP Reviewed and Approved: No

Stewardship Campaign Report

Our Stewardship Campaign, Live Generously, asked that Grace members return their "Intent cards" to worship last weekend, which were received in a special offering at the beginning of each of the three weekend services. Some members brought or mailed their cards to the church office, and some used the online form to submit their cards. The campaign results so far are summarized by the table below, which was generated by Linda, who tabulated and totaled the cards:

	Method	Number
Cards returned:	IN PERSON / MAIL	72
Cards returned:	ONLINE	11
TOTAL		83
Total Pledged:		$185,062

These numbers will be reported during announcements at the Saturday and Sunday services, and members will be reminded and encouraged to complete and submit their cards if they haven't done so already, by placing them in the offering plate during future worship services, or mailing them to the church office. The online option will also remain available. If you haven't returned your intent card, I encourage you to do so. The online option can be accessed HERE.

Staff Notes

We've had lots to talk about and coordinate at recent Tuesday morning staff meetings. As we approach and plan for Advent, Christmas, and end of year office closures, it is imperative that everyone observe several deadlines. Some dates to put on your calendar:

• Wednesday, December 8 - January newsletter deadline
• Friday, December 17 - Reports for the Annual Report booklet are due
• Friday, December 24 - Office Closed
• Saturday, December 25 - No Saturday Service
• Monday, December 27 - Office closed
• Friday, December 31 - Office closed
• Saturday, January 1 - No Saturday service

Transitional Leaders Zoom

Synod Transition Leaders (interim pastors and other leaders serving congregations that are in transition to new pastors or other forms of pastoral ministy) met via Zoom on Thursday afternoon. We spent most most our time together reporting on the many ministry sites and congregations that are currently in the call process or undergoing some kind of transition. Some of those congregations cannot afford full-time pastors, so leaders from within the congregations are being lifted up and trained for Synodically Authorized Ministry. Others are enrolled in seminary through the Distributed Learning rogram from Luther Seminary, which leads to an Master of Divinity degree. Still others are enrolled in what's called TEEM, or Theological Education for Emerging Ministries. The bottom line is there are lots of congregations in our synod currently in transition, and there are not a lot of candidates that are being interviewed right now. Bishop Daniel and Synod staff are doing some creative work in making sure that ministry needs throughout are synod are being met in a variety of ways.

A Strong Start for Grace's new Pastor

Our synod staff, primarily under the leadership of Deacon Sherry Krieger, Director of Leadership Development for Congregational Care, is in the process of developing and implementing a program called "Starting Strong," a 24-month process that "commences at the time of an official call to invite a leader to service. The Starting Strong Team is in place immediately to build a community around the new leader and parish leaders, and for 24 months supports the growth of ministry in that place." Deacon Sherry describes this new program in greater detail in a blog entry posted in the Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead, a continuing education ministry of the seminary. You can read Deacon Sherry's post about Starting Strong HERE.

LIFT Notes

Becca Myers is a LIFT staff person who served as an intern with LIFT in the summer of 2016. She began contracted work with LIFT in March of 2020. Her responsibilities include maintaining all electronic media for LIFT and preparing worship materials for Trinity & St. Mark services. One of her communication pieces for LIFT is called LIFT Notes, which is a weekly newsletter of what's happening with LIFT. You can read the current issue HERE.

Home Visit with Jan H.

On Thursday, Jan picked me up at the church and we went to visit LaMar C. We had a good visit, an concluded with Holy Communion. We're hoping the LaMar can make it to worship on December 12 for the baptism of his great-grandson. On the way home, we stopped at the Sandusky County Food Pantry, where Jan is on the board. I was impressed with the size of the pantry and seems to be organized very efficiently. It's good to see how a community cares for those for whom food security can be even a daily struggle. Also good to know that there are also places in Fremont like Grace where a hot prepared meal is available and can be enjoyed in the company of others.

ELCA Worship News

You can read the November issue HERE.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on November 18 and entitled "Breakthroughs and Boosters," Dr. Osterholm explains what the rise in number of breakthrough infections really means, the importance of booster doses, and how to feel empowered to make a safe Thanksgiving decision based on personal and community risk. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for November 12, 2021

Have You Completed Your Intent Card?

Our LIve Generously Stewardship Campaign comes to it apex this weekend as we will be receiving Statement of Intent cards for giving for the coming year. Have you completed yours yet? If not, plan to do it soon, and be ready for worship this weekend. We will be receiving the Intent Cards in a special offering at the beginning of the service during announcements, as we do with the Noisy Offering. Remember that there's also the online option, which will submit your Intent Card directly to the church office. You can find that link HERE. If you submit on line, and want to participate in the Ingathering of the Cards, just grab a card from the table, and write "Submitted online." That way you won't feel left out!

The Stewardship Team met on Tuesday for the 5th of six Zoom meetings with our GSB Fundraising associate Jennie Wolf Smith. We talked about the follow up we need to do after the first weekend of receiving Intent cards, including reporting results the following weekends, sending thank you letters to responders, and reminder notes to those who may need it. This is usually the toughest part of a campaign, one that is easy to go easy on. But still very important. I'm hoping for 100% participation from Grace leaders.

Ministry Site Profile Submitted!

The Ministrly Site Profile for Grace Lutheran Church has been completed and submitted electronically. Many thanks to Beth Muffler for her hard work (with lots of help from Ed and the rest of the Transition Team!)

The first person to view/review the profile will be Mary Satterfield, Grace's Call Process Facilitator (CPF). She may ask the Transition Team to edit or clarify elements of the profile. Once the MSP is cleared by the CFP, it goes to Bishop Beaudoin for his approval. When a required written reference is received (Pr. Matt at St. John’s will be doing this for Grace), the profile then goes “Live” on the ELCA website. It is important to note that only a 75-100 word description of the Ministry Site is viewable by those browsing the Openings.

An ELCA pastor looking for a new call can go to the Current Openings page on the ELCA website, which can be found HERE and enter search criteria. In the section “Geographical Preference,” selecting 6D Northwestern Ohio Synod and then clicking the "Search" button will reveal 11 congregations in our synod whose profiles are listed. Once Grace’s profile is added there will be 12. There are an additional 13 congregations in our synod that are in the Transition phase as Grace has been until now, and will also be seeking to call a pastor.

Last Weekend for Call Committee Nominations

We have been receiving nominations for the Call Commmittee for the past two weekends, and will keep that open for this coming weekend, asking that any nomination forms be returned by Monday, November 15. I had published a link for an online nomination form, and realized that a setting I forgot to change resulted in a "Permission Needed" to continue message. I have fixed that setting, and you should now be able to make your nominations online HERE if you haven't already. So far, about 35 persons have been suggested/nominated. The Call Committee will be appointed by Council at their December 13 meeting, choosing from the many excellent suggestions that have been received. Please continue to surround the Call Process with your prayers.

LIFT 2022 Budget

On Tuesday evening I attended a Zoom meeting at which the 2022 LIFT Budget was presented by board chair Steve Hottinger. There are two major divisions in the budget, one for Bridge of Hope, for which $12,370 has been budgeted, and LIFT, for which $128,179 has been budgeted, for a total of $140,549. The Board is expecting/hoping that all 2021 income streams will continue for 2022 to meet this budget. Grace's pledge for 2021 has been $38,000, the largest single income stream for LIFT. Other significant income streams for LIFT include St. Marks at $28,500, St. John's at $28,000, and Trinity at $21,000.

Worship Committee

Worship Committee met on Tuesday afternoon. Topics of discussion/decision included:

• Advent Worship will be in the Dining Room as a part of our Dinner Church program. A resource from ELCA World Hunger will provide the focus for those three services on December 1, 8 and 15
• Reaffirmed Christmas Eve worship services at 6:00 and 9:00pm
• There will be no Saturday service on Christmas Day and New Years Day.
• Families/Individuals will be recruited to help with the lighting of the Advent Candles
• Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, we will use the Marty Haugen liturgy "Now the Feast and Celebration" for the Hymn of Praise and Alleluia verse befor the Gospel. Also, will switch from "Make Me an Offering" to "Let the Vineyards" as the offering response
• Hymns and Carols will be used as the service for the First Sunday of Christmas on December 26.
• Preschool will sing at the 10:00 service on December 12
• Heather is planning the Children's Christmas Program. Currently this will be pre-recorded and go LIVE on Facebook Dec. 19th. We are considering the possibility of showing this during worship on December 19.
• We reviewed prompts in the bulletin for standing and sitting at various times during the service
• We will return to First Tuesday at 11:00 am for our meetings beginning December 7

Offering Counters Wait for Final Hymn?

This also came up at worship committtee. I am wondering if the Council Offering Counters could wait until the Closing Hymn to walk forward take the offering to the office for counting. Maureen pointed out that previous pastors have also asked this question.

Why They're Not Coming Back to Church

(And What To Do With Who's Left) Carey Nieuwhof is a well-known internet based resource person and writer on ministry and church life. He tries to answer the question posed above in an article that you can read HERE. Worth reading.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on November 11 and entitled "A Booster Dose of Humility," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the surge of cases in Europe and what it could mean for the rest of the world, the importance of vaccinations and booster doses, COVID-19 cases in deer, and making Thanksgiving plans while remaining COVID-conscious. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.

Interim Grace Notes for November 4, 2021

Spring Forward, Fall Back

Just a reminder that we all gain the hour of sleep back that we lost last March when Daylight Savings Time went into effect. Set your clock BACK one hour before bedtime Saturday night.

MSP Still Under Construction

Work on the Ministry Site Profile continues -- it is mostly completed and we are now reviewing all of the elements to be sure they are as clear, compelling, and as accurate a description of Grace as possible. Once submitted, it will be reviewed and approved by Bishop Daniel, and then when the written recommendation from Pastor Matt arrives, the 75-word Site Summary will go live on the ELCA website, making known to all who are searching for a new ministry site, that Grace is looking for a new senior pastor.

LIFT Leaders meeting

I reported in last week's post about the meeting of LIFT leaders with Bishop Daniel and Staff. Sue Peck from St. Mark's took detailed notes about our conversation and shared them with us. You can read them HERE.

Stewardship Letter With Intent Card Sent

The Stewardship Team met on Monday to process the second mailing in our 2021 Stewardship Campaign, Live Generously. This mailing included a letter (which you can view HERE), an Intent Card, and a return envelope pre-addressed to Grace Lutheran Church. Announcements this weekend will include encouragement to complete the intent card and bring it to worship next weekend (November 13-14) at which time it will be received. The Stewardship Team is still planning the details of the logistics of this, although we are considering having members pass them to the center aisle, and have some congregation children collect them and bring them forward.

Our Zoom meetings with Jennie from GSB Fundraising have stressed the importance of making this a festive event, so that those who encouraging others to join in following the example of others. Speaking of example, I'm asking those who are reading this to be among the first to complete your intent cards. Of course you will not bring them to worship until next weekend, but I'm asking you to complete them, and then, if you would, send me an email at mark@bogen.org or a text at 419-239-8444 to say "Yes, I've completed my Intent Card." No amounts, just that you've completed the Card. My plan would then be to announce at this weekend's services that x number of Intent Cards have been completed by Grace's leadership as an inspiration for others to do the same.

Keep in mind that you can also complete your Intent Card online in a Google Form that, when submitted, will go directly to the church office where the information will be received. You can find, complete and submit that form HERE, and if you do, you might also want to bring your card with you next weekend, and just write on it "Intent submitted online."

LInda placed the following announcement in the Just Three Things email which you should have received this morning:

LIVE GENEROUSLY
Your generosity has enabled so much ministry to happen that touches and brings hope to so many lives! All of this ministry that happens in and through Grace is made possible because you have chosen to LIVE GENEROUSLY. We encourage you to continue to grow in your financial generosity in 2022. Statement of Intent cards mailed earlier this week will be received in worship the weekend of November 13-14. For your convenience, you may also use this link to complete and submit directly to the church office your intent for the coming year.

Thank you for all you do to bless this congregation! Thank you for considering how you can grow in generosity in the coming year!

Nominations For Call Committee

A form for nominations for Call Committee from the congregation will be included as an insert in the bulletin this weekend and next, with a stated deadline of November 15. Several were submitted last weekend, and hopefully we'll get some more. My suggestion is that Council should decide the size and makeup of the committe at the November meeting on Monday, and then use the December meeting to vote on appointing the Commmittee members. If you still plan on nominating someone for Call Committee, be sure to do so, either using the paper form bulletin insert, or the online form HERE.

Not a Decline, a Pruning

In 1997, Dr. Mert and Irene Strommen founded The Youth & Family Institute in memory of their son David, a young seminarian and youth worker who was killed by lightening while leading a youth trip in the Colorado mountains. The organization was renamed Vibrant Faith Ministries in 2010. The Strommens’ vision was to take the best research and academic insight, ground and deepen it with Christian theology, and instill an evangelical spirit of ministry to help congregations strengthen families to nurture faith. The call across the Christian church to claim the role of the family in the formation of faith actually began from this small organization.

Over the years I have used some of the resources of this organization and attended some of their workshops and trainings which focus on the family to help strengthen faith. I know that this is part of what we are trying to accomplish with our intergenerational Sunday School.

Vibrant Faith's new Executive Director, Rick Lawrence, writes a weekly blog post, and this week he speaks about the decline that so many congregations have been experienced in terms of pruning, a practice which helps growing things become stronger. You can read Rick's post HERE.

Latest Osterholm Podcast

Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. In this episode, posted on November 4 and entitled "Vaccines in the World of Delta," Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the international state of the pandemic, the unpredictability of events to come in the US, recent vaccine data, a COVID query on "mix and match" booster doses, and the approval of the Pfizer vaccine in 5- to 11-year-olds. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.