Interim Grace Notes for April 19, 2024

Exit Interview Planned and Hopefully Scheduled

This week I received the following message from Deacon Sherry Krieger, our NWOS Assistant to the Bishop for Strengthening Parishes & Synod Development:

Hi Pr. Mark,

We would like to schedule an exit interview with you in early May before you retire. Call Facilitators, Pr. Henry Seibert, Hannah Mapus, interim Dean Matt Wheeler, and a member of the Congregational Resource Team will be present to conduct this conversation with you and Council. I will be there, if it is possible in my schedule. Usually, this interview works best as a separate conversation from the regular church council meeting.

It would be helpful if you offered us some dates of availability for the council and yourself, then our team will check schedules as well.

Thanks so much.

Grace and Peace,
Sherry

I have not always done this at the end of my interims, in fact I only remember one other time when we did this, after my interim at First in Galion, 2017-18. It is designed to be a part of an "ending well" process that helps pave the way for the new leader. You can view the Exit Interview Outline HERE.

I have suggested Monday, May 6, 6:30 pm as a date that would work well for me. I will already be in the area, attending a pastor's retreat at Henry and Becky's house in the morning and afternoon of that day. Council members, check your calendars to see if this works for you.

Grace Youth Getting Ready for Rite of Confirmation

On Sunday I will be meeting with our three candidates for Affirmation of Baptism in the Rite of Confirmation; Tommy, Brenden and Libby. In our post-worship session we will be discussing what it means to affirm their baptismal faith, and we'll also take some time to rehearse the Rite so that everything goes smoothly. Oh, one more thing - youth will enter the organ pipe chamber and sign their names on the 2/4's in that room, a many decade tradition for Grace confirmands. Confirmands and their families will be honored with a breakfast prior to the service. Many thanks to Heather who has tag-teamed with me in leading the Confirmation learning and activity sessions.

Links For You

• NWOS Year of Rest Resources
• ELCA Worship News April 2024
• ELCA Seeds Monthly
• Just Three Things
• LIFT Notes for the week of April 18- April 24

Resources for 2024 Year of Rest

 

RESOURCES TO SHARE

May Rest Calendar: Jillian Russell

Meet Jillian

How Jillian practices rest... Often when we think of rest, we assume we are sleeping or sitting around. For someone like me who has to constantly be moving, this form of rest often does not work well for me. In order for me to fully feel rested, I need to move. My favorite way to rest through movement is by caring for my plants and my garden and flowers in the summer. The act of caring for creatures and helping to bring life to my plants is a feeling like no other. To see them grow from a tiny seed to a plant that is 3 feet tall in some cases brings me this sense of accomplishment and replenishment. For me, the act of taking care of creation and to grow things is what helps me to rest. I find this form of rest in the fresh soil, the water in my watering can, and the beauty that I am able to create from such a tiny seed. Rest to me is taking care of God’s creation and being able to experience rest and replenishment from a new angle.

May Rest Calendar

Year of Rest Sermon

As Worship Leaders it can be difficult to find time to rest. This video and written sermon is a free resource you can use to provide rest to your leadership.

Sermon Title: Called to Rest Pastor Drew Tucker, Executive Director of HopeWood Outdoors, invites us to reflect deeper on the meaning of rest. Rest isn’t just about sleep, but about accepting God’s invitation to rest in our belovedness as children of God. Rest Resources YouTube Recording Sermon Transcript

Northwestern Ohio Synod is thankful to Jillian and Pastor Drew and all of the leaders at HopeWood Outdoors for sharing their gifts.

Interim Grace Notes for April 12, 2024

Hymn Sing for Prelude This Weekend

Susan, our amazing Organist and Choir Director, will be leading a congregational hymn sing for the prelude this weekend. The plan is to do this every second Sunday of the month We will begin ten minutes before the service, and we'll take requests for your favorite hymns, and sing no more than two verses of each, until the top of the hour when the service will begin with Announcements.

Mission Moment this Weekend

A Mission Moment at the beginning of worship this weekend will focus on the need for additional candidates to serve on the Grace Congregation Council. Terms are for three years, and those serving a first term are eligible to run for a second term. Our esteemed Vice-President, Dave Cooper, will bring this important message.

Hymn Selection Committee Makes Selections in Record Time

408, 641, 400, 413, 543, 705, 634, 858 and 886. Those are the Gathering Hymns for the months of May and June, selected by our Hymn Selection Committee, which is now meeting every other second Tuesday at 11:00 am. Meg Fuchs , Susan Barker, Maureen Pump, Becky Seibert, and Jan Serwin are current members of the team. Thanks for providing this important "service" for our "services"!

LIFT Leaders Met Wednesday

On Wednesday I joined LIFT leaders for our monthy meetings. These meetings have a dual purpose - it encourages us to stay connected, and gives us opportunity to make any LIFT ministry plans. Just around the corner is our plans to celebrate Ascension Day with a healing service of anointing and prayer at St. John’s in May 9 at 7 PM.

An Easy Ride to Eastern Conference Pastoral Leaders Meeting

Pastoral Leaders in our Eastern Conference normally meet on the second Thursday at 10:00 am, with the location rotating among the Conference ministry sites. This month it was a breeze for me, for although I could have walk half-a-mile, I drove to Zion Lutheran in Huron. Zion Huron is in transition and is currently being served by recently retired Pastor Katie Suggitt, who is half-time, and presides at worship except for the first Sunday of the month. Special guest at our meeting was Drew Tucker, recently installed as Executive Director of Hopewood Outdoors, formerly LOMO, or Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio. Drew brought us up to date on what's happening at LOMO, including a NWOS sponsored event for middle school youth this summer called "Just Chill," a middle school response to the the 2024 NWOS theme of "Rest." "Just Chill" is also designed to offer a spiritual growth adventure during a summer when their older congregational siblims are heading to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. You can read more about "Just Chill" HERE fromS unday, June 30 (2:00 pm) to Wednesday, July 3 (1:00 pm). Grace Council has already approved funds from the back page to send any middle school youth who may want to attend this event.

Excellent Eclipse Outreach by St. Peter Norwalk

I spoke briefly to Pr. Ann Marshall from St. Peter Norwalk. I asked her how the eclipse program that congregation had planned went. She set there were over 180 people from many different parts of the US who showed up. St. Peter provided porto-potties, a food vendor, and other hospitalities to welcome those who chose to come. Pr. Ann said that they advertised on the website of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. Good to know for the next total eclipse through northern Ohio - 2499!

Synod Transitional Leaders Met via Zoom

On Thursday I joined the monthly meetings of synod transitional leaders. One of our transitional leaders, Pr. Cindy Ritter, gave an excellent power point presentation on important issues for our synod congregations in transition.

Final Plans for Confirmation

Grace will observe the Rite of Confirmation on Sunday, April 28. Here are some details leading up to that day:

• April 21, following worship - Pastor Mark will meet with the confirmands to discuss their confirmation. Also known as Affirmation of Baptism. They will also be fitted for a gown they will wear.
• April 28, 8am Breakfast for confirmands and family members
• April 28, 9am Worship and the Rite of Confirmation

Our Confirmands will be Brenden Fisher, Tommy Michles, and Libby Hawn.

Links for You

• Just Three Things
• On the Way NWOS E-News April 10, 2024

On the Way Synod E-News April 10, 2024

 

On The Way... E-News - April 10, 2024

News from across Northwestern Ohio to keep you connected. Imagining Renewal Microgrants Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly Summer Youth Retreat Growing in Faith: Diakonia Rogation Farm Blessing & Worship Service LSS Stock the Shelves How Things Work at the State House Multifaith Earth Day Celebration National Faith + Climate Forum Multifaith Council Annual Banquet Year of Rest Resources

Imagining Renewal Microgrants 2024 We are currently accepting applications for Imagining Renewal Microgrants. Individuals, congregations, and community organizations are encouraged to develop a proposal to engage in a community-based project that meets the needs of their contexts in one of the following areas: Community Sabbath Ministry Transformed Creative Collaboration Recipients can receive up to $1,500. To learn more, click below. Applications close April 29th.

Visit our Website

Download Informational Packet

2024 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly Join us June 1st from 9:00-6:00pm at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Bowling Green for Synod Assembly. The cost is $100 per person (with lunch and snack included) when you register before May 1st. After that date the cost increases to $200 per person. Childcare is available. To learn more about the 2024 Synod Assembly click below. Register by May 1st. Visit our Website Register Now

Summer Youth Retreat Youth from across NWOS will be gathering at HopeWood Pines from Sunday, June 30th - Wednesday, July 3rd to learn about active rest through play, spiritual practices, fellowship, worship, and a whole lot more. This program is designed for youth who are entering 6th grade through 8th grade in the fall of 2024. We are offering this experience for the low cost of $100 per person to provide an opportunity for youth unable to attend The Gathering. Bishop Daniel and other Synod Staff will be on-site throughout the week. To learn more, click below. Registration closes May 1st.

Visit our Website

Download Information Packet

Growing In Faith: Diakonia Enroll now for the final course of the Spring 2024 program, "Lutheran Creeds & Confessions". Join Pastor Adam Sornchai and learners from across Northwestern & Northeastern Ohio Synod to explore the historical and theological content of the Book of Concord with an eye to establishing the importance of its witness for Christian mission and ministry. Each 5-session course is $65. Class runs Thursdays from 6:30-9:00pm on Zoom from May 9th to June 6th. To learn more email growinginfaithohio@gmail.com or click below. Class begins May 9th. Visit our Website

Rogation Farm Blessings & Worship Service Our friends in Northcentral Conference are hosting a celebration of agriculture during this planting season. On May 6-8th pastors will be available to bless local fields, livestock, and equipment. To have your farm included contact Pastor Bob Noble at joyfulnoise123456@gmail.com. Please include your name, phone number, and preferred date and time of blessing. On May 9th at 6:00pm you are invited to gather for a Worship Service & Dinner at Solomon Lutheran Church. Solomon Lutheran Church is located at: 305 W Main St. Woodville, OH A free farm-style meal will follow prepared by Ole' Zimms Wagon Shed. Click below to learn more. Flyer Informational Letter

Lutheran Social Services Northwestern Ohio Stock The Shelves The third annual Stock the Shelves drive-thru donation event will be held on Friday, May 17th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the LSS site in Toledo located at 2149 Collingwood Blvd in the Old West End. This year LSS is inviting friends and community members to support the more than 900 individuals who rely on their pantry each month by serving as sponsors. To learn more, click below or contact Jeremy Schneider, the Mission Advancement Coordinator at (419)243-9178. Facebook Event Page Sponsorship Information

How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse The Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence invites you to Olivet Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 14 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm to gather with other concerned people of faith to explore how to reduce gun violence. State Representative Michele Grim (District 43) will kick off the event by providing an overview of gun legislation that is currently in process at the Ohio Statehouse. Olivet Lutheran Church is located at: 5840 Monroe St. Sylvania Ohio Christian Life Center (rear parking lot) Event Flyer RSVP

Multifaith Earth Day Celebration On April 21st, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo will host the first Multifaith Council Earth Day Event, bringing together local environmental organizations and the South Toledo Lutheran Parish. In the morning, Deacon Nick Bates of the Ohio Hunger Network will preach and present at a lunch & learn. From 4:00-6:00 PM festivities include a speaker from Sacred Grounds and Care for Creation, a brief prayer service, kids activities, and a service project to prepare new gardens and welcome baby chicks! All are invited! Event Flyer Visit our Website

National Faith + Climate Forum On Tuesday, April 16th join local leaders at Faith Lutheran Church for an in-person watch party to learn from national faith leaders about the moral responsibility to care for creation for the sake of our faith, our congregations, our families, communities, and future generations. Deepen your understanding on how to engage your congregation in creation care, work toward just and equitable solutions, and connect with other faith leaders locally and nationally. For more information contact Pastor Dalton Rosa-Ruggieri at: pastordaltonrr@gmail.com. Faith Lutheran is located at: 620 Dodge St., Swanton

Register & Learn More

"Nonviolence in Action" The Multifaith Council Annual Banquet The MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio is pleased to invite you to the annual banquet at the Islamic Society of NW OH in Holland, Ohio on Sunday, April 14th at 5:00pm. In addition to enjoying a delicious dinner, two speakers will address our theme of "Nonviolence in Action:" Teny Gross, Director of the Institute for Nonviolence in Chicago, and Aviance Hill, local vilomah and activist.  Event Flyer

Purchase Tickets

Year of Rest Resources

Bible Study

April Rest Calendar

Sent by the crucified and Risen Jesus together we: Make Disciples Equip Leaders Strengthen Parishes Nurture New Communities  for the Renewal of Northwestern Ohio and the World