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Saturday, May 6, 2023
Bishop Daniel's May 4, 2023 Email - Tanzania
Friday, May 5, 2023
Interim Grace Notes for May 5, 2023
Reminder that New Worship Schedule Begins June 4
Beginning June 4, our worship schedule will move to one service at 9:00 am. The Saturday service continues at 4:00 pm.
Last Call for Picture Directory
Our plan is to send the picture directory to the printer the week of May 14. I have prepared text for an email that Linda will send out next week via Mailchimp with reminders for members to check their info in the directory, and to submit their order for a printed copy of the directory. You can read a preview of that email HERE.
New Member Class
I have one more meeting this Sunday with a family that will become members of Grace. In this family there is a husband and wife, and a toddler. Amy will be received by affirmation of faith, and Ryan and little Liam by baptism. We have one other couple, Steve and Vi, who will be received by letter of transfer. I'm hoping to receive both these households on the same day, perhaps yet in May.
Retreat at Henry and Becky's House
Since the early 2000's I have met with a group of pastors from our synod twice a year, spring and fall, at Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center for fellowship, learning, prayer, support, and wandering the beautiful grounds at "The Pines." In recent years we have have been met for the spring retreat at Henry and Becky's house, and the fall retreat at The Pines. Our fall meeting was this past Monday at "The Farm." Since Becky is in Tanzania, our violin virtuosos Helen and Barb prepared a delicious lunch. It is good to gather with this group - only two of us, I and Bishop Daniel, are not yet retired.
Prepare Workshop
On Tuesday, I led a training workshop at Grace from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm for Prepare-Enrich, a scientifically developed and tested instrument for evaluating a couple relationship, for both marriage preparation and enrichment. The training includes instruction on how to administer a 165 item online survey, how to interpret a multi-page report summarizing a couple's responses, and how to provide feedback of the results to a couple. Couple feedback includes teaching communication, conflict resolution and other relationship skills. I had two synod SAM's (Synodically Authorized Minister) for the workshop, Maureen and Deb Noll, currently serving St. Paul Jenera in her SAM capacity. I've been a Prepare-Enrich trainer for over 35 years, and lost count how many workshops I've led and facilitators I've trained. This instrument also works well for marriage enrichment (making a good marriage better!). If you're interested, contact either me or Maureen! Cost is $35.
Stewardship Team Met -- SAS Starts in June
The Stewardship Team met on Wednesday. We have Grace Stories planned for the next several months. We are always on the hunt for more Grace members to share their faith stories with us. Interested or willing? Let us know!
On another note, the Stewardship Team will begin our participation in Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS), a program of GSB Fundraising, with Jennie Wolf Smith as our leader. We will be joining several other congregations in this program. From the SAS flier that I received from Jennie today:
The purpose of Stewardship For All Seasons (SAS) is to guide pastors and congregation leaders to learn tried and true basic principles and effective methodologies to carry out productive stewardship programs. Learn how to do year-round, on-going stewardship resulting in more money for ministry, more energized stewards, and a culture of generosity.
The same flier lists the benefits of SAS:
- Prepare your congregation’s story
- Educate people to tell that story
- Focus attention on your congregation’s mission
- Inspire people to give generously
- Learn tools and methods that really work
- Build a team that enjoys leading stewardship efforts
- Become confident and skilled in stewardship development
- Apply biblical principles to gain more resources for mission
- Experience the joy of asking and giving
- Avoid searching for the latest hot stewardship program
- Increase annual giving by 10 – 15% or more each year
Our introductory Zoom meeting will be on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 pm. You can see the remainder of the schedule, and the agreement that we will have with GSB Fundraising in the flier mentioned above which you can view HERE. A bit of good news is that the cost is $200 less than what we previously expected.
No Rite of Confirmation This Year
There will be no Rite of Confirmation this year, originally scheduled for May 21. Grace has one confirmand this year, Libby, and she has elected to wait until next year and affirm her faith with current members of the 7th grade class, Mya, Brenden, and Tommy.
Worship Team Met
Worship Team met Wednesday, and we reviewed our Worship Planners for the balance of May and June. We will be starting a new setting of the liturgy (With One Voice, Setting 4) beginning in June, which we will rehearse prior to worship for the next three weekends. We also discussed purchase and use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, available since 2006. Grace is one of only a few congregations in our synod that are still using the Lutheran Book of Worship, which was published in 1978. The "green books” are really shabby, and do not present a positive, forward looking image for either new prospective members, nor pastoral candidates.
Cornerstone Chorale and Brass Asking Grace to Host
On Wednesday afternoon Tom and I took a meeting with Dr. Bruce Vantine, founder and conductor of The Cornerstone Chorale and Brass, "a nationally recruited, paid professional touring ensemble, performing fine choral music augmented with narration." They tour every year in the fall for two weeks, bringing professional vocals and a quintet of brass musicians and present a program of music and narration which captures "the essence of the teachings of the Apostle Paul who wrote of faith, hope and love – the greatest being love. Love is the first mark of the true and living church: of a living, caring community."
Dr. Vantine is in the process of putting together his 2023 tour, and wants to know if Grace (or LIFT, perhaps) would sponsor. Sponsorship includes at minimum an evening meal and housing with host families, and a free-will offering at their concert. Dr. Vantine is asking for a concert at Grace on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 pm. There are about 28 total people in the touring group. Many of the hosting organizations, usually a Christian congregation, combine the concert with a fundraising drive for a local ministry. I told Dr. Vantine that I would bring this to Exec and Council on Monday night and get back to him on Tuesday morning. Please review the information about this group and their ministry/program on their website which you can find HERE.
Tanzania Group Arrives Safely
Becky Seibert was joined by others from NWOS in their trip to Dodoma Diocese of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, one of our companion synods. Pr. Sarah Schaaf, synod staff posted some pics publically on her FB page. You can view them HERE.
Bishop Daniel: "We are a part of a global church."
In his May 4 email message, Bishop Daniel reminds us of the global reach of our Church (Grace Fremont, Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) with some interesting and inspiring facts about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania as he and a group from our synod have traveled to Tanzania this month. You can read Bishop Daniel' email message HERE.
LIFT Notes for Week of May 4
Pastor Paul had an excellent message in this week's edition of LIFT Notes. You can read Pr. Paul's message and news and info about current and upcoming LIFT events/activities HERE.
Friday, April 28, 2023
Interim grace notes for April 28, 2023
Almost to the "Finish Line" for Printed Picture Directory
We are still receiving edits for our Picture Directory on the way to a printed directory. We have set a dead line of Monday, May 15 to get all requests for changes. Here are some things to remember and links to use as we continue this process:
- You can view HERE a full-color PDF that is a photo image of what will be the printed directory. This online directory will be constantly updated with new information, and will be the best place to go for the most up-to-date information. Remember, this PDF is password protected. You can get the password from the church office, or email me and I will send you the password. If you haven't yet, view your information, and let us know of any changes that we would need to make before our May 15 deadline. Also remember that you can keep any of your information private, and will not show online or in print. Just let us know.
- We are taking orders for the printed directory so that we know how many to print. We are requesting a donation of $10 for each directory ordered, which will help cover the costs of producing the directory. An offering envelope will be included with the directory, which you can use to make your contribution. To order your printed directory, call the church office at (419) 332-1558, or complete a Google Forms Order Form, which you can find HERE.
- Many of you have created your own account with Instant Church Directory (ICD) to view the directory online, make your own changes, and even upload a new or different photo. Creating your own account allows you to view the directory on your smartphone or tablet. For Directions on how to set up your own ICD account, go HERE.
Attending Funeral for Pastoral Colleague Sunday
During my 2016 interim at Providence in Holland, Ohio, I had the privilege of working with Deacon Judy Atkins, who was a part-time member of their staff for many years. I also got to know her husband Ron, who was called as the full-time chaplain at Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, a Genacross owned facility. After a brief bout with stomach cancer, Judy died on April 22. I will be attending her funeral at Providence this Sunday at 5:00 pm. You can read the obituary for Judy HERE.
LIFT Post-Easter Bible Study Continues
Pastor Paul has been leading a six-session study prepared by the The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith that has been meeting at Grace on Wednesday evening at 6:00 in the lounge. We have had about 15 persons attend each session, with reprenation from Grace, St. John's. St. Mark, and Trinity, so a good cross section of current and former LIFT member congregations. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm in the Grace lounge. This week will be session four of six, and our topic is: “What Are the Objectives of Democracy in the United States?" It's been interesting, and we've had good discussion. Not too late to join us for the remainder of our sessions!
Bishop Daniel's April 26th Email Message
You can read Bishop Daniel's latest email HERE. Highlights from this email include his running in the recent Owens-Corning Half-Marathon, and his planned trip (April 30 - May 11) to Tanzania for the installation of the new bishop of the Dodama Diocese of the The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Grace's own Becky Seibert is a part of the delegation from our Northwestern Ohio Synod. This trip will the the 12th trip to Tanzania for Becky, this time accompanied by her sister.
Conference Pastors
Eastern Conference Pastors held their usually monthly meeting on Thursday, hosted by Pastor Katie Suggett at Grace in Castalia. Some of our discussion centered around the shortage of pastoral candidates for the five congregations in our conference (St. John's Bellevue, Trinity Sandusky, Zion Sanddusky, Zion Huron, and Grace Fremont) and across our synod and the ELCA. Pastor Henry, who represents Eastern Conference on the synod Call Process Facilitator team, has reported that the team often interviews very good candidates, but many of these candidates are also interviewing in sometimes multiple synods and states. Some congregations in our conference that are geographically close have begun talking about future options for more collaboration and possible sharing a pastor.
LIFT Notes
You can read the latest issue of LIFT Notes HERE
Bishop Daniel' April 26, 2023 Email Mesage
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Friday, April 21, 2023
Interim Grace Notes for April 21, 2023
Do You Want a Hard Copy of the Picture Directory?
If you want a hard copy version of the directory, please order one by May 15 with the online order form that you can find HERE. We are asking for a $10 donation per directory to cover the costs of production. An offering envelope will be included with the directory for your donation.
I hope that many if not most of you have checked out the online versions of our new picture directory. If you haven't, you can find the PDF version HERE. If you can't find the password, email me at mark@bogen.org and I will send it to you. If you find errors, let me know and I will correct them before we send the directory to the printer.
You may also want to create your own online account with Instant Church Directory. This enables you to make changes to your own account, upload a different photo, and download an app to view the directory on your phone or tablet. To create your online account, go HERE.
Non-Member Funeral
Maureen and I are sometimes called on to conduct a funeral for someone who is not a member of Grace. I did that this week for Sue Wetzel on Thursday. Sue was very active in Moose and VFW, and was a close friend of Pam Pephrey. She was also for 37 years the step-mother of one of my members at St. Peter Norwalk, Scott Wetzel. Scott was my council president at St. Peter for a number of years, and our children grew up together in church and in Norwalk Trucker sports. Sue's son Tim and his wife Kris are members at St. John's Bellevue, my previous interim. I didn't even know until now that Tim and Scott were step-siblings. You can read Sue's obituary HERE. It was good to connect again with Scott and his family, and also with Tim and Kris.
Death of Grace Member
Linda sent this information out this week concerning the death of Grace member Rosie Evans, who passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023. We pray for peace and comfort for her family and friends. There are no planned arrangements at this time.
Constitution Committee Met
John Avers and I met on Wednesday to continue our work on amendments to the Grace Constitution. We will continue to use the following documents in our work:
- ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations, 2022 edition
- 2022 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
- 2018 version of the Grace Constitution
LIFT Post-Easter Bible Study Continues
Pastor Paul has been leading a six-session study prepared by the The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith that has been meeting at Grace on Wednesday evening at 6:00 in the lounge. In providing this study curriculum and soliciting feedback, the task force invites you to join a conversation about religious liberty, the proper role of the church in relation to government, and many other critical topics. A response form after each session lets participants communicate with the task force itself on the material covered. The preparation of this study is part of the process toward developing a social statement on these many topics related to civic life and faith. Participants’ feedback is key in helping the task force as it moves into the next phase of its work, drafting a social statement. We had about 15 in attendance at Wednesday's meeting. The next session, April 26, will address the question "What are Lutheran views on civic life?"
Membership Class Meeting
I had my first session of a membership class for Ryan and Amy. Amy was raised Roman Catholic, and Ryan's family never attended church, and he has never been baptized. I have three more sessions with them, and then we'll plan a reception of new members Sunday which will also be baptism for Ryan and his and Amy's 15-month old son Liam.
Joy Circle Met Tuesday
On Tuesday I joined the Joy Circle monthly meeting, and had the privilege of leading the Bible study. The Circle, along with thousands of other WELCA groups across the ELCA are studying the Small Catechism this year. Our topic this month was commandments seven through ten.
Links for You
OSTERHOLM UPDATE: COVID-19 Podcast
Episode 129: Not Out of the Woods Yet
April 20, 2023
In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the state of the pandemic in the U.S. and around the world, the end of the Public Health Emergency in the U.S., and the recent FDA approval of an additional bivalent booster dose. You can stream or download this episode HERE.
Friday, April 14, 2023
Interim Grace Notes for April 14, 2023
Interim Grace Notes for April 14, 2023
Pulpit Swap this Weekend
Pastor Paul and I will swap pulpits this weekend -- Pastor Paul will be the preacher at all three Grace services, and I'll be the preacher and presider at St. Mark for the 9:45 am service. Maureen and I have been alternating at being the one to cover St. Mark while Paul comes this way. Pastor Paul also occasionally swaps with Pastor Matt at Grace.
Easter Worship Attendance
We had good numbers for Easter worship - here are the details:
- Saturday - 4:00 - 59
- Sunday - 7:45 - 66
- Sunday - 10:00 - 154
- Total: 279
Picture Directory Update
Almost Ready for Printing
Our directory is almost ready for the third and final phase of the rollout - to send to the printer. We have found a supplier that can print and plastic spine bind the directories for less than $10 each. Our plan will be to take orders, and print as many as we need, plus some extras for late decisions and new members/friends. In our communications pieces we will ask for a donation of $10 per directory to cover all the costs of production. This will be received via a special offering envelope that will come with the directory. Our deadline for corrections and orders for printed directories is Monday, May 15.
Viewing the Directory Online
Many of you have already viewed the directory online, and may make the online version the primary one that you will use. There are two ways of doing this:
- Instant Church Directory Online Account -- The benefits of an online account are that you able to not only view all the photoes and information that is in the printed directory, but also make changes to your own contact info (phone numbers, email addresses) and decide whether or not to keep that info private (meaning seen only by Grace staff members). Having an online account also enables you to view the directory on a mobile device like a phone or iPad. For details on how to set up an online account, you can go HERE.
- A Password Protected PDF -- This option enables you to view the directory in the exact layout as the printed directory, and to view it online. This method is less desireable to use on a smaller screen, especially a phone, as you need to scroll back and forth and up and down to view, and pinch in or out to zoom. You can view the PDF version of the directory HERE. You will be asked for a password, which you can find in an April 6 email from Grace Lutheran Church, or just email me at mark@bogen.org and I will send it to you.
If you haven't viewed the directory using either of these options, I encourage you to do so, and to check your info for correct spellings, or preferences such as given name or nickname, and correct contact info.
ELCA Truth and Healing Movement
The ELCA’s Truth & Healing Movement is an opportunity for this church to increase our understanding of our colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present. Over the next several months, there will be opportunities to learn, raise awareness and engage in other ways to impact hearts and lives across this church. We believe that the truth, and our knowing and embracing it, is the first step toward healing for all of us. For more information, including an introductory video featuring Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, go HERE.
LIFT Notes
Check out the latest issue of LIFT Notes, which you can view HERE, for all the latest on what's happening across our LIFT congregations and ministries. Be sure to take another look at the info about our Wednesday night study on Civic Life and Faith, led by Pastor Paul. You'll also find info about a planned Ascension Service, VBS, and the first year anniversary of the worshiping community of Camino de Vida (Spanish for Way of Life) led by Pastor Mary Carmen Padilla.
Synod Transitional Leaders Meet
On Thursday I joined the mothly Zoom meeting of our synod transitional leaders. It's always good to touch base with this group to find out what's happening with other congregations in transition and the call process, and what's working for them.
Friday, April 7, 2023
Interim Grace Notes for April 7, 2023
Renewal of Vows on Tuesday
On Tuesday, pastors, deacons and SAM's gathered at Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse to renew our vows, receive prayer and anointing, hear the Word proclaimed by Bishop Daniel, and gather afterwards for lunch and fellowship. You can view some pics of the event HERE. From Grace and LIFT, I, Maureen, and Pr. Paul and his family were in attendance.
Easter's Coming!
So far we've had a good Holy Week -- with about 60 at Maundy Thursday and 35 at Good Friday service, and a very good fish dinner. Thanks Linda, Keeter, and everyone that helps to make this a well oiled machine! It was very good!
Picture Directory Editing
I hope you all received the emails about the online version of the directory and received the link for the full-color pdf and the password. I will be running some monochrome printed copies of the directory for review by those who don't have internet and make them available on a table by the chapel and downstairs in the dining room, so that any desired edits can be noted and made. Once we're sure all our information is as correct as possible, we'll send it to the printer. In know that that's the end product many are waiting for. A reminder that it's not too late to send a photo of you and/or your family if you are not yet included in the directory. Just email your photo to me and I'll get it added.
Thanks Heather and Rob!
Last Saturday I arrived at the church office and discovered that wifi in the office was not working. I texted Heather to let her know, and she suggested I try resetting the router in the boiler room. I tried that but it didn't solve the problem. Heather and Rob drove over Saturday evening, and were able to get wifi restored by resetting the router behind the kitchen. So far so good - wifi has worked fine all week. Another problem we've been having has been with a flicker in the feeds from the camera to the computer in the balcony. Heather was working on that Thursday, including installing a new switching box. Rob was still troubleshooting the new box after Good Friday worship. Such are the frustrations with technology. Thanks, Heather and Rob, for all you do to keep the tech at Grace at its workable best!
Meeting with Lutheran Social Service Rep
A Week ago Tuesday, Maureen and I met with Jeremy Schneider, who is the Mission Advancement Coordinator (or public relations coordinator) for Lutheran Social Service of Northwestern Ohio (LSSNWO). Accompanying Jeremy was Grace member George Dupey, who is on staff at LSSNWO as a Case Manager. Jeremy brought brochures and other information to help us understand what LSSNWO does, both throughout the NW Ohio area as well as specifically in Fremont. We learned that the following services are offered by LSSNWO in Fremont:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Marriage counseling
- Couples counseling
- family counseling
- Case management
Case management, the work that George does, includes meeting with clients and determining their needs, and connecting them with resources and agencies that can provide the help they currently need.
LSSNWO is one of three agencies that make up a larger umbrella of service, including also Luther Home of Mercy in Williston, and Filling Homes in Napoleon. Along with Genacross, these four Lutheran sponsored agencies do important social service ministry in NW Ohio on our behalf. Grace supports LSSNWO with an annual grant of $4,500 from the Endowment Fund.
Possible Worship Time Change
There has been some discussion at Grace regarding the possibility of moving to one service during the summer months -- 9:00 am has been a suggested time. We will discuss this Monday night at Executive and Council. If you are not on Council and have some thoughts about this, let Maureen, me, or any council member know. If there is a change, information would have to go into the May newsletter, the deadline for which is Wednesday, April 12.