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An Affi liate of

Strengthening People in Body, Mind and Spirit

HOPE STRENGTH PEACE AUTUMN 2017

Lutheran Ministries of Mercy

Sharing Resources Enhancing Lives

2 Autumn 2017†

All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington Ohio is a favorite meeting place for social ministry staff from across the state. 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

With Trust In the Lord, The Work Continues…

Our Giving Valleys – Cloud Gifts

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto

Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. -Hebrews, 12:1

There may be heavy burdens in need of lifting, mountain barriers that stand in our way, valleys of

darkness where despair attempts to extinguish the light of hope. But then, there is Jesus, who leads us to a place where faith wins.

In the above passage from Hebrews, our scriptures remind us – once again – that we are not alone. On the contrary, “we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.”

Here at LSS of NW Ohio, that great cloud of witnesses would include Rev. Harry Long and those Fremont Local Pastors who, led by the Holy Spirit, called Pastor Long to establish an “Inner-Mission” in the City of Toledo. Within that cloud, there would also be Pastors C. F. Schaffnit and Otto H. Dagefoerde, together with Fannie Kahler and Florence Leech. Pastors Edward Price, Otto Tressel, and Karl Mix would be there along with Nelda Anstead, Lois Buettner and Helen Peters.

The names and faces, voices and ways of many others come to mind. Having run their race and kept the faith, they now encompass us about, providing encouragement in the race that is set before us. Cloud gifts, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

-Pastor Don Wukotich

Autumn 2017 3†

TOLEDO JEEP AND UNITED WAY OF GREATER TOLEDO TEAM UP

We have all heard about the new Wrangler going into production 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.

Supporting the Ministries of

Filling Homes Luther Home of Mercy Lutheran Social Services NWO

Rev. Charles & Jeri CampbellToledo, OH

Helen DeVantierWarren, MI

Anthony LompisNorthwood, OH

St. Paul Lutheran ChurchBowling Green, OH

W e a r e

S t r o n g e r T o g e t h e r

T h a n k Y o u

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) has been a leader in providing mental health 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 jmjohnson@lssnwo.org. Dr. Storey’s services will be provided at LSS, 2149 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620.

4 Autumn 2017†

Lutheran Social Services of Fremont Twentieth Annual Nighswander Open Recipient

The Nighswander Family has sponsored a four-person scramble golf 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

Scott High School Community HUB sponsored the 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.Clinician at the Toledo Offi ce and the HUB.

Mr Terry Bossert is a friend of LSS of Northwestern Ohio and has been for many years. Terry recently

retired from ProMedica but has turned his energies towards helping others in some very special ways. His charitable giving plans refl ect his heart as Terry works with the ELCA Foundation to support important ministries, including LSS. It is not surprising to learn that Terry was recognized by Lourdes University in the “At Lourdes Magazine” as a philanthropist who is committed to making a difference in the lives of Lourdes students. He does this by making provisions in his will for 14 scholarships. Terry also supports the Tim Berta baseball scholarship named after the inspirational player who

survived the Bluffton Baseball team accident of 2007 that claimed the lives of six people, the bus driver, and the driver’s wife. Tim Berta is now a coach for the catchers on the Lourdes Baseball team. Back when the accident happened however, LSS therapists from the Lima offi ce were of the fi rst to respond to the emotional and spiritual needs of the students at Bluffton University at the time of the accident. What a blessing that Terry Bossert has chosen to support LSS with a Charitable Gift Annuity that will provide mental health services to communities throughout northwest Ohio! We are grateful for Terry’s generosity and commitment to the mission of LSS. At Lourdes Magazine, Fall 2015

Autumn 2017 5†

Our Meals Need WheelsAt LSS we are thankful to be able

to provide more than 114,660 meals annually to residents of the Toledo area and Hancock County. Our agency food pantries, operating in Toledo and Findlay, are stretched to capacity as we work side by side with program participants in an effort to create wholesome and nutritious family meals. Integrated into the fiber of the neighborhoods, we offer welcoming and supportive sites that affirm the dignity of each individual.Donations of food are welcomed into these food pantries from a variety of sources. Individuals, churches and groups contribute thousands of items each year. We also receive food distributions from our large community collection sites. In Toledo there are two, Toledo Seagate

Food Bank for USDA food and Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank for case lots. In Findlay, the West Ohio Food Bank in Lima supplies USDA food as well as bulk food for purchase. Additionally, we are thankful to donors and grant sources who contribute funds so that we may purchase fresh dairy, fruits, vegetables and meats for distribution.But “wheels” are needed to pick up these donations and deliver items to our food pantry in Toledo. LSS currently has a well-traveled passenger van for this purpose. We’ve taken out the back seats, patched the holes in the floor with plywood, and driven over 160,000 miles in our beloved vehicle. As this

trusty servant moves to retirement we are in need of a replacement van. If you have a used passenger or cargo van in good condition that could be donated for this purpose or would be interested in funding new “wheels” for our meals please contact Mark Hill, Vice President of Advancement and Development, at mhill@lssnwo.org or 419-243-9178.

TOLEDO PANTRY BLESSINGSIn September several members of St. Peter, Blackberry,

and St. Luke’s, Yondota, came to the Toledo pantry on God’s Work Our Hands Sunday. They came ready to work and for two hours they sorted and shelved donated food. As a result of this, the pantry has a new volunteer! God does work to fulfill our need and we did need another volunteer.

Several people who have Thrivent savings or insurance instruments have stepped up to apply for a Community Action Team event to benefit the pantry. These events, which are very easy to set up, gives the Thrivent member a credit card for $250, which is then used to purchase needed food for the pantry. To date we have been blessed with five events. If you are a Thrivent member, will you consider contacting Joyce Willier, 419-243-9178

or jwillier@lssnwo.org to support the Toledo pantry by having a Thrivent Community Action project? I guarantee this involves minimal time on your end and costs nothing.

It may seem like $1,000 is a lot of money, and it is, but consider that the Toledo pantry serves between 500 and 900 individuals monthly. In 2016 that meant at least 80,082 meals were provided to those in need.

To serve so many individuals through our choice pantry, over 30 volunteers are regularly involved each month. Funding for the Toledo pantry comes in the form of donations, grants, two fundraisers, a monthly USDA allocation and in-kind gifts. Through the generosity of many we have been able to keep the cost per meal at 31 cents.

LSS Choice Food Pantry Needs

Peanut ButterTuna FishCanned FruitsCanned VegetablesPork and BeansSaltinesElbow MacaroniDry Spaghetti

Macaroni and CheeseSoupCanned or PackagedToilet TissuePaper TowelsFacial TissuePaper NapkinsDish DetergentBar SoapToothpasteClothes DetergentCleaning SuppliesPaper Plates

Jerry Willier, Choice Pantry Food Pickup Volunteer

6 Autumn 2017†

Thank You for the Support of Our MinistyChurches, Businesses and Organizations

Honors

Inkind

Memorials

Diane Adler, Arcadia, OhAll Saints Lutheran Church, Toledo, OhConcordia Lutheran Church, Findlay, OhConcordia Lutheran Church, Toledo, OhFirst Evangelical Lutheran Church, Findlay, OhMrs. Joyce Frazier, Toledo, OhMr & Mrs Kevin Gibbs, Temperance, MiGood Shepherd Lutheran Church, Toledo, OhMr Rodney Hochstetler, Sylvania, OhHope Lutheran Church, Ottawa Hills, OhEmily Langstaff, Findlay, OhSt Joseph Parish, Sylvania, Oh

St Peter Lutheran Church, Martin, OhSt Stephen Lutheran Church, Sylvania, OhMr & Mrs Gerald Willier, Toledo, Oh

In Memory of Ted & Frieda DenoMr & Mrs Blair Miller In Memory of Paul W JohnsonMr & Mrs Wendell JohnsonIn Memory of Lawrence & Anna AversMr Dale Avers In Memory of Bob BehnfeldtMr Larry BehnfeldtIn Memory of Martha JohnsonMr Melvin JohnsonIn Memory of Betty Bockbrader Our 62 Wedding AnniversaryMr. Richard Bockbrader In Memory of Margaret Manteuffel Mr. Richard ManteuffelIn Memory of Robert ShryockMr. Robert FowlerIn Memory of Dorothy EstesMrs Evelyn ErdmanIn Memory of Russell ErdmanMrs Evelyn ErdmanIn Memory of James Lee Mrs Marilyn LeeIn Memory of Matthew MurrayMrs Rosann MurrayIn Memory of Loved Ones Mrs. Gladys KroosIn Memory of Robert & Ethel Robinson Mrs. Margaret RobitskiIn Memory of June & Ernie Duffield Ms Barbara ConnorsIn Memory of Pastor Gerald Labuhn Ms Cynthia HerreraIn Memory of Emil & Augusta ZechMs Jeannette KubitzIn Memory of Bernie Imbrock Rev Norm ImbrockIn Memory of Robert Shryock Shirley BrodbeckIn Memory of John MainesSt. Paul Lutheran Church In Memory of William Jones St. Paul Lutheran Church

We Rise by Lifting

Others

Augsburg Lutheran Church Toledo, OHBethlehem Lutheran Church PembervilleBethlehem Lutheran Church of Okolona Defiance, OHChrist Ev. Lutheran Church (Dowling) Bowling Green, OHClearwater Council Of Governments Oak Harbor, OHElca Foundation Chicago, ILFirst Evangelical Lutheran Church Findlay, OHFirst Lutheran Church Galion, OHGenacross Lutheran Services Toledo, OHGerman Lutheran Heritage Society Maumee, OHGood Hope Lutheran Church Bucyrus, OHGood Shepherd Lutheran Church Toledo, OHGrace Lutheran Church Fremont, OHHope Lutheran Church Ottawa Hills, OHLutheran Church Of The Master Perrysburg, OHMemorial Lutheran Church Toledo, OHMessiah Lutheran Church Toledo, OHOlivet Evangelical Lutheran Church Sylvania, OHSolomon Lutheran Woodville, OHSt Luke’s Lutheran Church Temperance, MISt. John’s Lutheran Church Stony Ridge, OHSt. Mark Lutheran Church Bowling Green, OHSt. Mark Lutheran Church Fremont, OHSt. Martins Lutheran Church Archbold, OHSt. Michael Lutheran Church Ottawa Lake, OHSt. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church Blissfield, MISt. Paul Lutheran Church Clyde, OHSt. Paul Lutheran Church Mcclure, OHSt. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Norwalk, OHSt. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Monroeville, OH

St. Peter Lutheran Church Martin, OHThe Nighswander Open Elmore, OHTrinity Lutheran Church Bryan, OHTrinity Lutheran Church Delta, OHTrinity Lutheran Church Elmore, OHTrinity Lutheran Church Findlay, OHWomen Of E L C A Central Conference Kenton, OHZion Ev Lutheran Church Edgerton, OHZion Lutheran Church Huron, OHZion Lutheran Church Montpelier, OHZion Lutheran Church St. Marys, OHZoar Lutheran Church Perrysburg, OH

In Honor of JesusMr Jerome Plewa In Honor of Naomi LibbeMr John Libbe In Honor of Lucy WaytonMr John Hammon In Honor of Everett TankMrs Frances A Wilson In Honor of Pastor Jim VanbrusselRev & Mrs Chuck Campbell

Autumn 2017 7†

God’s Work Our Hands involved hard working volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church, Bryan, Ohio, as the building and grounds were

refreshed and renewed. This was the Fourth Annual God’s Work Our Hands Sunday held September 10, 2017. Members of Trinity gathered at 9 am at the Gazebo on the Square for a brief time of Worship and Consecration. Then they departed for various places to serve our sisters and brothers in Christ including LSS as an affi liated ministry of the ELCA. They washed windows, cleaned gutters and weeded the landscape. They also painted scripture boards for the Bed Brigade, a ministry of Trinity that takes lack of sleep seriously. The congregation welcomes gifts of clean sheets, pillows, blankets, quilts and beds for children who are in great need of a cozy and healthy bed.

LSS Staff have also been working diligently at the Archbold offi ce to market the new Delta Counseling services at Trinity Lutheran Church 410 Taylor Street, Delta, OH 43515, LSS Archbold, Ohio, has served communities in the area with behavioral health services including professional counseling for adults and children, marriage and family resources, substance abuse recovery from alcohol and drug addiction and serious and persistent mental illness. LSS seeks to enhance the mental, moral, physical, social and spiritual well-being of all persons, regardless of racial or economic background. Julia Rossow, LSW, will be available to answer questions and discuss the process of setting up an appointment. LSS accepts Medicaid, Buckeye, Molina, Care Source, Paramount Advantage, United Health Care, private insurances and has a sliding scale for services provided. Call (419) 267 – 5528 for additional information or email westernregion@lssnwo.org.

LSS Archbold

Financial Education Workshops include understanding credit reports and building or repairing credit.

Participants also learn about establishing S.M.A.R.T. goals for short and long term fi nancial goals and why they are important for remaining stable. Finally, those who participate get a close look at how to keep their fi nances safe—how to guard against identity theft and manage risk by using insurance for an unexpected death or disability. Call 419-475-3258 and talk to Megan about how to get registered for the next Crossroads Financial Opportunity Center workshop.

The IRS estimates the average taxpayer spends $200 on tax preparation services each year. In an effort to help people save more of what they earn, United Way has been helping low-tomoderate income families in our community by preparing their state and federal returns for free through its Free Tax Preparation Program. Watch for details on the LSS website www.lssnwo.org

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio

#GivingTuesdayNWO is our way of committing to one of the core services Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio provides to the community. Throughout the region we provide the highest quality, compassionate and evidence-based counseling that is proven to strengthen and change lives. We experience a season of the year that presents the agency with the greatest needs of people—to be able to come “home” for the holidays. Far from the iconic picture of a family gathered around the table to feast and celebrate the joy of the season, many individuals and families need help to cope with grief and loss, behavioral health issues and emotional as well as fi nancial stability. Please consider an online gift to help everyone come “home” for the holidays. Go to www.lssnwo.org and click on “Give to LSS” and help some one come home during the last days of 2017.

NOVEMBER 28

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Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620Phone 419-243-9178 Fax 419-243-4450TDD/TTY 800-577-8629 lssnwo.org

ArchboldT-793 St Rte 66 419-267-5530

Findlay1701 Ti� n Ave 419-422-7917(on the campus of St John Lutheran Church)

Fremont512 East State St 419-334-3431

Lima658 Market St, Suite 201A 419-879-6029

Perrysburg1001 Sandusky, Suite F 419-872-9111

Bowling GreenSt Mark’s Lutheran Church, 315 S College Dr 419-352-0702

Bryan (Counseling Site)First Lutheran Church, 210 Cherry St 419-267-5528

Crossroads Family Resource Center4543 Douglas Rd, Toledo 418-475-3258

De� ance (Counseling Site)St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 671 Clinton Ave 419-267-5530

Delta 410 Taylor St 419-267-5528

Galion (Counseling Site)First Lutheran Church, 127 Columbus St 877-343-2187

Moulton/Wapok (Counseling Site)Trinity Lutheran Church 14127 Moulton-New Knoxville Rd, Wapakoneta 877-343-2187

Sylvania 6735 Sylvania Ave 419-517-7553

Ti� n668 Miami St 567-220-6495

✞ LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO

✞ GENACROSS LUTHERAN SERVICES

✞ LUTHER HOME OF MERCY

✞ FILLING HOMES

8 Autumn 2017†