A Message From Our Vice President

Transcription

1 Messenger Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio A Message From Our Vice President Ms. Lucy Wayton Our Mission In response to God s love for all persons, Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio provides human services that will strengthen the mental, moral, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing of those who seek this agency s services. With all these 90+ degree hot and humid days, I am anxiously awaiting the fall weather! As I write this, I am thinking about the horrific violence that has happened in our country and the world these past few weeks the young men killed in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, the five police officers gunned down in Dallas and three more in Baton Rouge, and the 84 people killed in France by the man driving a truck down the promenade after their Bastille Day celebration. This follows previous attacks in France, Belgium and a night club in Florida. Something is seriously wrong with our world when individuals think it is all right to kill innocent people to get revenge or right a perceived wrong. Solving problems with violence never works. It takes much more courage to sit down and negotiate a solution peacefully. I am reminded of the picture hanging on the wall in my office of a girl in a wheelchair with the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. below : An eye for an eye leaves us all blind. Many are also dying of drug overdoses. Since 2014 we have had a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program to help those who are addicted to heroin and opiate pain pills in our Perrysburg and then Toledo offices. Unfortunately, due to the resignation of our doctor and budgetary constraints, we find it necessary to close this program effective September 1. Current clients are being referred to other doctors. We will continue to operate our MAT program in Lima. Deaths from violence and drug overdoses have left so many families hurting. Eventually, to fully heal they will have to forgive those who caused their hurt. This is a process that takes much personal strength. A great example of forgiveness for a wrong done was broadcast on the CBS Evening News On The Road segment by Steve Hartman on April 15, The story happened in 2005 in the small town of Benton Harbor, MI. Jameel McGee was arrested for dealing drugs. However, he said It was all made up, and this time it was true. Police Officer Andrew Collins admitted, I falsified the report. He said he needed to make another drug arrest that day and in the process put an innocent man in jail. McGee said My only goal was to seek him when I got home and to hurt him. Andrew Collins served 1 ½ years in prison for falsifying records, planting drugs and stealing. McGee was exonerated, but he still spent four years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Both men are now back home in Benton Harbor. Coincidentally or perhaps Providentially, last year they both ended up at a Lutheran employment agency, Mosaic, where they are working side by side in the same café. And it was in that small space that the two had it out. Collins said, Honestly, I have no explanation, Summer 2016 all I can say is I m sorry. McGee said, That was pretty much what I needed to hear. Today the white cop and the black man are friends. They are such close friends that McGee recently told Collins that he loved him. Collins said I don t deserve that. McGee said he did not forgive just for his sake or even for Collins sake. McGee said he forgave For our sake. He talked to CBS about his Christian faith and his hope for a kinder mankind. He said he wanted to be an example for others, and now they give speeches together about the importance of forgiveness and redemption. (On The Road, CBS News, April 15, 2016) Perhaps we cannot solve the world s problems, but we can make a difference in our corner of the world. I recently heard a story about Allison Parker. If you remember, she was the young reporter who was shot and killed August 27 last year while doing a story on live television. According to her mother, Allison had a poster on the wall in her bedroom which read: I firmly believe that, with a cape and a tiara, I could change the world. Unfortunately, Allison s life was tragically cut short at age 24. But we all have the power to make a difference in our corner of the world, and we do not have to be royalty or superheroes to bring about change. We have witnesses to this in several persons who were close to LSS who recently passed away Phil Meuser, Charlotte Schafer and Sandra Baumann. Each of them made significant contributions to the community and brought about positive changes in our corner of the world. To them we are grateful and pray that we, too, can make a difference for we believe that We can do all things in Him who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13-14) Serving God with you, Lucy Wayton Vice President Strength Hope Peace Body Spirit Mind Balance 1

2 From our CEO, Bruised Reeds, Flickering Candles and Wounded Souls A bruised reed he will not break, a flickering candle he will not snuff out. --Isaiah 42:3 Conversations with Pastor Glenn DeVantier r e m a i n among lasting memories of our years in Detroit, Michigan. Glenn had been Pastor Don Wukotich in charge of a program for resettlement of refugees in flight from war-torn, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia a big assignment, stressful, emotional, rewarding. Those who knew Glenn will remember his easy presence, sense of humor and devotional spirit. One afternoon, Glenn noticed a collection of Gospel hymnals on my desk; and one, in particular, caught his attention. Edward MacHugh, he said; they called him The Gospel Singer. We had this book, Commitment Sixty volunteers attended a luncheon in their honor on June 6 at Grace Lutheran Church in Toledo. Each of our volunteers has a strong commitment to the ministry they are involved in. They will schedule vacations and even surgeries around their volunteer responsibilities. That s commitment! Several former Volunteers of the Year were also in attendance. And, they are still volunteering. That, too, is commitment. Our 235 fantastic volunteers gave over 12,175 hours in Honored as 2015 Co-Volunteers of the Year were Alice Strieter and Sharon S. They have been volunteers in the Toledo Emergency Food Pantry for well over 15 years. Here again is an example of commitment. Pastor Chuck Campbell, himself a long time LSS volunteer, spoke on You Are a Peace of the Puzzle. Pastor Chuck always has interesting, challenging and interactive talks. The intricate Tinker Toy creation he made spelled out LSS and onto that each volunteer added their own small creation to show that we are all linked together in ministry. Entertainment was by the Off Broadway Dancers. and I remember the radio program. His theme song was: If I Have Wounded any Soul Today. If I have wounded any soul today, If I have caused one foot to go astray, If I have walked in my own willful way, Dear Lord, forgive! If I have been perverse or hard or cold, If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold When Thou hast given me some fort to hold, Dear Lord, forgive! Written more than a hundred years ago as An Evening Prayer by C. Maud Battersby, the piece seeks forgiveness for any act that might have caused harm, or any failure to do right. Glenn felt the lyrics carried an important message for our time (the early eighties). Thirty-five years later, Glenn is still right. 2

3 Mission Walk At 550 feet tall, the Mackinac The Men would like everyone Bridge is an impressive sight; to know the Lord; and take and visible for miles on a to heart His message of love, clear day. Driving over the grace and mercy. And on five mile span can be just a September 5, 2016, they would little unsettling even for like more friends to join them passengers; but nothing can in person or prayer for their match the experience of mission walk. They have set walking The Mighty Mac, an ambitious goal; and would and viewing the Straits of like to raise another $10,000 Just Golfing andmemorial Hoping Home of Mackinac from the bridge for Filling surface. Mercy, Luther Home of Mercy Our Four Lutheran Agencies hosted their twentieth annual golf outing in June at the Stone Rid and Lutheran Social Services Club in Bowling Green. These events are especially fun; for they bring together a collection of Every year on Labor Day, port of Northwestern most hopeful people on theohio. planet. We re talking about a gathering of Christians with a mess authorities open one side hope for a world in need. What s more, they are golfers. Think about it: of the bridge to pedestrian Sign-up forms are available traffic; so visitors can enjoy through There is a little Richard white ball, 1.62Noll inches wide. (ranoll47@gmail.com); or ground donations marked that spectacular view. And There is a 4.25 inch hole in the 160 yards away. Bridge Walk VII can be made directly to Richard at 2474 Twp. 159, to put the every year since 2010,The Lutheran Men in Mission of Northwest There is a golfer with a #7 Wood who believes it possible, with Rd. one stroke, Cardington, Ohio Ohio have traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Walk the hole. the Mac for Mission; and, in doing so, the group has raised a When a golfer misses sees their ball drop into water, sand, tall grass or trees they might ge total of $32,520 for our Lutheran Ministries of Mercy. but they do not grieve, as St. Paul might have said, like those who have no hope. The Apostle was talking of a far more serious matter, of course; but a golfer would be quick to understand the lesson as it applies to life. A golfer who loses hope is in real trouble out there course ju Our Four Lutheran Agencies hosted their twentieth annual through the golf outing in June at the Stone Ridge Golf Club in Bowling of life for e Green. These events are especially fun; for they bring together child of God Just Golfing and Hoping a collection of the most hopeful people on the planet. We re talking about a gathering of Christians with a message of hope for a world in need. What s more, they are golfers. Think about it: Those support twentieth There is a little white ball, 1.62 inches wide. golf ou golfers, sp There is a 4.25 inch hole in the ground 160 yards away. friends th They und There is a golfer with a #7 Wood who believes it possible, the mess with one stroke, to put the ball into the hole. hope as ce When a golfer misses sees their ball drop into water, sand, tallthe mission Thoseof who supported our By twentieth annual outing we share th our Lutheran ministries. God s grace, we havegolf received; and so grass or trees they might get upset; but they do not grieve, as hopegolfers, sponsors, friends they get it. They understand the with those being lost out there on the course. We are so grateful to have experienced St. Paul might have said, like those who have no hope. message of hope as central to the inmission our Lutheran season together our Lord sofservice. ministries. By God s grace, we have received; and so we share the Light of hope with those being lost out there on the course. We are so grateful to have experienced another season together in our Lord s service. The Apostle was talking of a far more serious matter, of course; but a golfer would be quick to understand the lesson as it applies to life. A golfer who loses hope is in real trouble out there on the course just as true through the course of life for every child of God. 3

4 Northern Region Spotlight Scott High School Community Hub The Scott High School Community Hub serves as an anchor for the community and neighborhood. It is characterized by extend hours, service and relationships. The key to this strategy is providing support for children, while bringing services directly to the neighborhood helping knit the community together. A neighborhood of people having their needs met while building community with each other is a neighborhood that ultimately takes care of one another. The strength of the Hub comes from the community that it serves, taking on the true essences of community helping community. The Hub enlists several programs and host several events to ensure that we are building a safe and health community where everyone has the opportunity for growth and success. This past school year the Hub launched a school based health clinic, where area youth could receive a wide range of services such as wellness checks, physicals, and immunizations. Our meal program was able to provide over 4,000 meals to the area youth afterschool. The Hub s youth development programs had students participating in service learning projects, college tours, career fairs, job shadowing opportunities to name a fairs, Trunk-or-Treat, Seed Swap, as well as providing families in need with a holiday baskets. This has brought hundreds of people to the school and community. These events help shape the Hub as a safe, connected and engaged community. If you would like to get involved the Hub is always looking for mentors, volunteers for events and projects, and donations (monetary, school supplies, etc.). All interested parties please feel free to contact the Community Hub Director Joe Peterson jpeteson@lssnwo.org or With your help and support along with countless others we together can continue to make the Scott Community Hub community strong! few. With the Hub s student centered approach we were able to graduate a phenomenal class that received over $1 million dollars in scholarships. The Hub also hosted several community events. From health 4

5 September Financial Opportunity Center Workshops at LSS Toledo Office! Money Matters - Sept 7 from 10 am 12 noon Track daily spending habits Prepare a personal spending plan Identify ways to decrease spending and increase income Identify tools that will help you manage your money Know Your Net Worth - Sept 14 from 10 am 12 noon Describe the difference between income, assets, liabilities, equity and net worth Describe importance of asset building Identify obstacles to asset building Develop a net worth statement Identify strategies for increasing your net worth To Your Credit - Sept 21 from 10 am 12 noon Describe the purpose of a credit report and how it is used Order a copy of your credit report Read your credit report Identify ways to build and repair your credit history Call for Registration! Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference 13th Annual International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference on September 22 23, 2016 will be hosted by the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition at the University of Toledo Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. Lucy Wayton, Vice-President of LSS of NW Ohio, recently accepted into the Lucas County Coalition, will attend and present at one of the sessions at this conference. She will be giving a short presentation about Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio and our services at the August 17 meeting of the Human Trafficking Coalition. Bowling Green Office of LSS Works To Strengthen Families Recently Samantha, a mother referred by The Cocoon Shelter sought support through LSS services to heal from domestic violence and a growing addiction to pain medication. After assessment by drug and alcohol counselor, J. Johnson, CDCA, she was entered into the Suboxone program with on-going recovery groups to address both substance abuse and trauma issues. Samantha is out-spoken in her praise of the staff: their compassion and skill in helping her to pull her life and her family back together. As her family re-unifies, it is noted that her children also have counseling issues. Recognizing the need for increased services to children and families, a counselor specializing in family has been added to the Bowling Green Office. Megan Hargraves, LISW-S began services to children and their families in July. Also new to LSS is Robin Griffith, support staff and coordinator of intake and volunteers. It is so gratifying to see clients who come in desperate and broken, heal in mind, body and spirit. To God be the Glory! 5

6 Have questions? Call Joyce at Helping with Handbags A women s night out vendor and trunk show fundraiser. Great food, music, short program, wide variety of women-focused products, and an excellent handbags and goodies silent auction. Proceeds support Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio women s services. October 9, pm - 7 pm Advent Lutheran Center 6735 Sylvania Ave. Sylvania, OH presented by 6

7 Thank You For Your Support Businesses, Churches and Organizations o All Saints Lutheran Church Toledo Ascension Lutheran Church Toledo Bethlehem Lutheran Church Pemberville Christ Ev. Lutheran Church (Dowling) Bowling Green ELCA Foundation Chicago First Evangelical Lutheran Church Findlay First Lutheran Church Galion First St. John Lutheran Church Toledo German Lutheran Heritage Society Maumee Girl Scouts Of Western Ohio Troop Findlay Good Hope Lutheran Church Bucyrus Grace Lutheran Church Fremont Local Union No 8 - IBEW Rossford Lutheran Church Of The Master Perrysburg Messiah Lutheran Church Toledo Olivet Evangelical Lutheran Church Sylvania Pepsico Mountain View Salem Grace United ELCA Luckey Solomon Lutheran Woodville St. James Lutheran Church Bradner St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Findlay St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Mccomb St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Oak Harbor St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Toledo St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Williston St. John Lutheran Church Montpelier St. John Lutheran Church Napoleon St. John Lutheran Church W.N.A.L.C. Celina St. John s Lutheran Church Stony Ridge St. Lukes Lutheran Church Temperance St. Mark Lutheran Church Fremont St. Mark s Lutheran Church Defiance St. Martins Lutheran Church Archbold St. Paul Lutheran Church Clyde St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Norwalk St. Peter Lutheran Church Martin St. Stephen Lutheran Church Sylvania Toledo Community Foundation Toledo Trinity Lutheran Church Delta Trinity Lutheran Church Elmore Trinity Lutheran Church Wauseon Zion Lutheran Church Gibsonburg Zion Lutheran Church Huron Zion Lutheran Church Luckey Zion Lutheran Church Montpelier Zion Lutheran Church St. Marys Zoar Lutheran Church Perrysburg In omemory Of Mr & Mrs Dell Schell...George Raymond Mr & Mrs Richard Schultz...Robert Schultz Mr & Mrs Robert Carsten...Barry & Tim Carsten Mr Gene Zorn...Clara & Lawrence Zorn Mr Larry Behnfeldt...Bob Behnfeldt Mr. & Mrs. James Holt...George Raymond Mr. & Mrs. Otto Meyer...Douglas Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Fishbaugh...George Raymond Mrs June Ide...Charles Ide Mrs Mary Kohn...Hank Hauenstein Mrs. Frances A Wilson...Timothy Tank Mrs. Gladys Kroos...Norman Kroos Mrs. Janet Simmons... John Simmons Mrs. Margaret Robitski...Stanley Robitski Norma Jean Brandt... Carl Brandt In ohonor Of Mary L Torok Gibsonburg...Zion s 140th Anniversary St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Women Of ELCA Oak Harbor...Mr & Mrs Richard Thorbahn oin Kind All Saints Lutheran Church Toledo Concordia Lutheran Church Toledo Concordia Lutheran Church Findlay Corpus Christi University Parish Toledo Mr. & Mrs. Robert Davies Sylvania First Evangelical Lutheran Church Findlay First St. John Lutheran Church Toledo Mr Rodney Hochstetler Sylvania Nancy Kovacs Findlay Mr. Larry Macklin Toledo Mr Tim Ohara Whitehouse St. James Lutheran Church Toledo St. Joseph Parish Sylvania St. Paul s Lutheran Church Napoleon St. Peter Lutheran Church Martin St. Stephen Lutheran Church Sylvania Ms Lucy Wayton Toledo Mr & Mrs Gerald Willier Toledo 7

8 NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TOLEDO OH PERMIT NO 285 Administrative Office 2149 Collingwood Blvd. Toledo, Ohio (419) Fax (419) TDD/TTY (800) Branch Offices Archbold... (419) T-793 St. Rt. 66 Archbold Findlay... (419) Tiffin Ave. Findlay (on the campus of St. John Lutheran Church) Fremont... (419) East State St. Fremont Lima... (419) Market Street, SUITE 201A Lima Perrysburg... (419) Sandusky, SUITE F Perrysburg Specialized Services Bowling Green (Counseling Site)... (419) St Mark s Lutheran Church 315 S. College Dr. Bowling Green Bryan (Counseling Site)... (419) First Lutheran Church 210 Cherry St. Bryan Defiance (Counseling Site)... (419) St. Paul s Lutheran Church 671 Clinton Ave. Defiance Fostoria (Counseling Site) Toll Free 1 (877) S. Main St. SUITE 301B Fostoria Galion (Counseling Site) Toll Free 1 (877) First Lutheran Church 127 S. Columbus St. Galion Kenton (Counseling Site) Toll Free 1 (877) N. Main Street Kenton Moulton/Wapok (Counseling Site) Toll Free 1 (877) Trinity Lutheran Church Moulton New Knoxville Rd. Wapakoneta North Baltimore (Counseling Site) (419) St. Luke s Lutheran Church 215 N. Second St. North Baltimore Crossroads Family Resource Center (419) Douglas Road Toledo 8