My tenure as Pastor of the St. John United Church of Christ  began September 2004.  That's right.  It's been nearly three years.  The search committee was chaired by the Rev. Gerry Mallott and committee members were Sarah Bennett, James Bray, John Donahue, Brittany Faykosh, Thomas Faykosh, Craig Furnas, Sally Myers, Christine Rettig and Robyn Small.  Even as I type these names, I realize I have been through either a crisis or celebration (or both) with each of the individuals and their families.  It has been my privilege and honor to serve these individuals, their families and many more individuals and families in the congregation and those beyond this local congregation.

As of mid-July, it has been my privilege and honor to represent this congregation, celebrating the baptism of twenty individuals and reception of forty-two new members, which includes thirteen confirmands.  I have walked with surviving families of twenty-one individuals as we shared the funeral and memorial services, celebrating lives lived and our loss.  I also have shared with twelve couples the exchange of their covenant of marriage, in weddings that were both small and large.

More baptisms are coming and hopefully more new members.  Confirmation classes will begin in September.  I will continue to walk with families during a health crisis and/or when death comes.  Three weddings are already scheduled for this fall.  So, my work continues along with teaching, pastoral counseling, pastoral care, preaching and leading worship.

After three years, it's a good time to remind everyone wanting my      pastoral presence.  When you or a loved one, fellow member or friend are ill, please call.  Because of the HIPAA Act, by law a hospital will not call me to tell me you are hospitalized or having a surgery.  No one calls unless you give them permission, and even then sometimes medical staffs are too busy or they simply forget.  Unless you call me about your (or your family or friend's) hospitalization or surgery, I'll never know.  When you call during business hours, call the church office (419-782-4176).  If you do not reach me, call my home (419-782-0777).  I don't mind a late night call if it is an emergency.  Our congregation is a caring congregation, which can only happen when you keep the church staff informed.

Times have changed in health care, and now most surgeries have become out-patient  surgeries.  Because of the small window of opportunity, I will not be at an out-patient surgery unless you request my presence.  Sometimes it is fine to pray with the one about to be operated on, but it's also important to be with anxious family members waiting for news.  Again, our congregation is a caring congregation, which can only happen when you keep the church staff informed.

When you ask me to pray for you, you need to let me know some additional information.  I am happy to pray for you or the situation you bring to my attention.  However, I need to know if that information is to be kept confidential, if it for the Sunday morning worship Pastoral Prayer and bulletin information about Prayer Joys and Concerns.  It is also important for you to let me know what you want others to know who ask out of genuine concern.  Again, our congregation is a caring congregation, which can only   happen when you keep the church staff informed.

Finally, there are some individuals or families who desire a home visit.  I am happy to make a home visitation when requested.  Many of my evenings are spent with meetings of committees, church events and pastoral counseling.  Again, I'm happy to do a home visitation when requested, but please remember this is more time taken from my family time.  However, some evenings, Arevena wants me out of the house for her own time!

Your partner in ministry,

Bill

The Rev. Dr. William R. Nirote