Strengthening People in THE Body, Mind and Spirit it ir p S d in M y d o B e c n la a B An Affi liate of Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Sharing Resources Enhancing Lives HOPE STRENGTH PEACE AUTUMN 2017 With Trust In the Lord, The Work Continues… ll Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington Ohio is a favorite meeting place for social ministry staff from across the Astate. Centrally located and within a fair driving distance for all, we often come together here to share the news of our agencies workings, meet on special issues and attend educational conferences. It was at All Saints, sever al years ago that agency staff and Board members, while on a break from the day’s teachings, gathered for a cup of coffee and began an impromptu discussion how we could better work together. Some of the forces driving this conversation included shared experiences with the increasing cost of administrative services, rising employee benefi t costs and lack of qualifi ed staff…all working to impede our ability to grow services to those in need. Filling Home and Luther Home of Mercy advanced these conversations and took the bold step in 2013 be become formally affi liated through the creation of Lutheran Ministries of Mercy. In 2015 the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio voted to become the third member of this fl edgling group. The charge was clear… to embrace the benefi ts of working together. Today, as formal partners in ministry, our efforts are advancing and outcomes are promising. Leadership and staff have spent time in encouraging collaborative thinking within our agencies, learning from one another, sharing expertise and discovering best practices. Among accomplishments to date have been the centralization of Information Technology Services, shared administrative and technical staff, consolidation of insurance and audit costs, joint marketing and fund raising efforts, alignment of Fiscal Services and shared service locations. Administrative costs have been reduced and programs are evolving and expanding. Working toward a common vision, Lutheran Ministries of Mercy affi liates have begun to experience the benefi t of administrative and programmatic collaboration. With trust in the Lord, 2018 will provide continued opportunities for this important collaboration. We appreciate and are thankful for those who support this work and are blessed by your gifts, prayers and continued commitment to ministry. From everyone here at Lutheran Ministries of Mercy, we wish you and your family a joyous holiday season. ~Terri Rodriguez, CEO Our Giving Valleys – Cloud Gifts Here at LSS of NW Ohio, that great cloud of witnesses would include Rev. Harry Long and those Fremont Local Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about Pastors who, led by the Holy Spirit, called Pastor Long to with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, establish an “Inner-Mission” in the City of Toledo. Within and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run that cloud, there would also be Pastors C. F. Schaffnit and with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Otto H. Dagefoerde, together with Fannie Kahler and Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. Florence Leech. Pastors Edward Price, Otto Tressel, and -Hebrews, 12:1 Karl Mix would be there along with Nelda Anstead, Lois Buettner and Helen Peters. here may be heavy burdens in need of lifting, Tmountain barriers that stand in our way, valleys of The names and faces, voices and ways of many others darkness where despair attempts to extinguish the light come to mind. Having run their race and kept the faith, of hope. But then, there is Jesus, who leads us to a place they now encompass us about, providing encouragement where faith wins. in the race that is set before us. Cloud gifts, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. In the above passage from Hebrews, our scriptures remind us – once again – that we are not alone. On the -Pastor Don Wukotich contrary, “we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.” 2 † Autumn 2017 TOLEDO JEEP AND UNITED WAY OF GREATER TOLEDO TEAM UP e have all heard about the new Wrangler going into Wproduction soon. The Toledo Assembly Complex (Jeep) will be launching the new Wrangler this fall. Over the course of six weeks, about 3,000 Jeep employees are being coordinated through United Way of Greater Toledo to volunteer at 35+ agencies as part of their orientation/ emersion. In addition to volunteering, they have three days of training at the University of Toledo and also get to do some off-roading at the complex. They will return to work gradually through the month of October after being off since April. LSS has been very fortunate, to date having 25 men and women donate approximately 120 hours to spruce up our administrative building. They have painted hallways, offices, and the board room; took old wallpaper off restroom walls and painted three restrooms; scraped, sanded and painted our outdoor railings and began on the outside windows frames. This gift of time is immeasurable in terms of dollars. Our sincere thanks go out to the men and women of Toledo Jeep and the United Way. Mental Health and Substance Abuse utheran Social Services (LSS) has been a leader in providing mental Lhealth and substance abuse treatment services throughout Northwest Ohio for over 100 years. We recognize the devastating impact of the opiate and heroin addiction epidemic in our communities, and offer Medically-Assisted Recovery services which began in April, 2017. Our staff know that addiction touches every area of life including work, family and finances, and that recovery happens through personalized and comprehensive care provided in a warm, caring, and friendly environment. LSS offers this type of quality care for people seeking assistance in their recovery. Dr. Anyse Storey is joining the LSS family of clinicians to offer Medically-Assisted Recovery in addition to our Adult Intensive Outpatient Group, Adult Non-Intensive Outpatient Group, Individual Alcohol/Drug Counseling, Smoking Cessation Group and other programming, to support and enhance recovery for people struggling with addiction and substance abuse. All services are provided by certified chemical dependency counselors. LSS also offers an array of support and other services including but not limited to: Adult & Youth Mental Health Counseling, Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Trauma-Focused Treatment, Adult Anger Management Group, Batterers Intervention Group, Adult Psychiatry (Lima), Crossroads Financial Opportunity Center, and an Emergency Food Pantry. For more information contact Jeremy Johnson at 419.243.9178 or [email protected]. Dr. Storey’s services will be provided at LSS, 2149 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620. Anthony Lompis Rev. Charles & Jeri Campbell Supporting the Northwood, OH Toledo, OH St. Paul Lutheran Church Helen DeVantier Bowling Green, OH Ministries of Warren, MI We are Filling Homes Stronger Together Luther Home of Mercy Lutheran Social Services NWO Thank You Autumn 2017 † 3 Lutheran Social Services of Fremont Twentieth Annual Nighswander Open Recipient he Nighswander Family has sponsored a four-person scramble Tgolf outing for 20 years. They have donated the proceeds from the event to one community service organization that helps to make the community a better place in which to live. Out of the generosity of their hearts, they have spread the light of hope to countless individuals over the years. The 2017 Nighswander Open took place on July 29 at Nature Trails Golf Course near Bettsville, Ohio. Pictured is Traci Jaksetic, director of business operations, accepting the $4,200 check for LSS from Mike and Charlene Nighswander and daughters. Trunk or Treat at Scott High School HUB cott High School Community HUB sponsored Sthe annual Trunk or Treat on October 26 welcoming children and families to participate in a safe and fun environment for Halloween. The Scott High School Cheerleaders offered a Haunted House experience, LSS offered tasty treats handed out by Brady Mertens, MA LPC, Clinician at the Toledo Offi ce and the HUB. r Terry Bossert is a friend of LSS of Northwestern survived the Bluffton Baseball team accident of 2007 that MOhio and has been for many years. Terry recently claimed the lives of six people, the bus driver, and the retired from ProMedica but has turned his energies driver’s wife. Tim Berta is now a coach for the catchers towards helping others in some very special ways. His on the Lourdes Baseball team. Back when the accident charitable giving plans refl ect his heart as Terry works with happened however, LSS therapists from the Lima offi ce the ELCA Foundation to support important ministries, were of the fi rst to respond to the emotional and spiritual including LSS. It is not surprising to learn that Terry was needs of the students at Bluffton University at the time recognized by Lourdes University in the “At Lourdes of the accident. What a blessing that Terry Bossert has Magazine” as a philanthropist who is committed to chosen to support LSS with a Charitable Gift Annuity making a difference in the lives of Lourdes students. that will provide mental health services to communities He does this by making provisions in his will for 14 throughout northwest Ohio! We are grateful for Terry’s scholarships. Terry also supports the Tim Berta baseball generosity and commitment to the mission of LSS. scholarship named after the inspirational player who At Lourdes Magazine, Fall 2015 4 † Autumn 2017 LSS Choice Food Macaroni and Cheese Soup Pantry Needs Canned or Packaged Toilet Tissue Paper Towels Peanut Butter Facial Tissue Tuna Fish Paper Napkins Canned Fruits Dish Detergent Canned Vegetables Bar Soap Pork and Beans Toothpaste Saltines Clothes Detergent Elbow Macaroni Cleaning Supplies Dry Spaghetti Paper Plates TOLEDO PANTRY BLESSINGS n September several members of St.