Our Stories

Church Family

3/7/2023

“I don’t want to be alone when I die. I want a church family.” This was the revelation that Susan Lux experienced during the illness and death of her father, who was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Sandyville, OH. Susan witnessed the compassion, care, and love that the congregation and especially its pastor shared with him. She too wanted to experience that connection the church had afforded her father.

Susan and her family joined Shepherd of the Valley shortly after the funeral. She could not have been happier with the family’s decision as her new church family welcomed them with open arms. As time progressed, Susan, a health insurance sales broker, was asked to share her business skills with the congregation by serving on the church council. Several years later she was selected to be the congregational vice president, a position that she felt would not be too stressful. At the time, she explained, “the president, an attorney, was well equipped for the job and I really didn’t have much to do”.

Susan’s “comfortable” position took a sharp turn with the sudden departure of the pastor and in unrelated circumstances the church secretary and janitor as well. As the congregation struggled with the loss of their pastor, the council president unexpectedly passed away. A few short weeks later, a beloved council member, who possessed all of the knowledge regarding the church’s technology, died in a tragic auto accident.

“Suddenly, I found myself serving as the president of a congregation that was reeling with shock, grief, and confusion. I felt everything was in chaos.” The church family that she had come to know and love was in peril and she needed help.

“While standing in my kitchen, sobbing with despair, I called the synod office. I was immediately able to speak with the bishop. I was provided guidance and calming words. Next, our congregation was connected to a supply pastor who was so beautifully gifted with his ability to address our grief and sadness. Over the next several weeks, he helped us cry, think, learn, and work through our grief. We were healing. With guidance from the assistant to the bishop, we started to rebuild. I will be forever grateful for all that the synod did to help me and our congregation.”

Today, Susan continues in her role as president of her congregation and is giving back to the synod by serving as a member of the Northeastern Ohio Synod Council. Susan’s leadership role with the assistance of her current pastor and the Northeastern Ohio Synod ensures that the church family who cared for her father will be there to do the same for Susan, her family, and others for many years to come. Your Mission Support dollars enable the Northeastern Ohio Synod staff to support member congregations, like Shepherd of the Valley, during challenging events. Like family, the synod remains a steady presence during both the good and difficult times.

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The Widow Maker

2/13/2023

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Born and raised in congregation of mostly German immigrants, where services and Holy Communion were conducted in German, Fred Drotleff worshipped with those who came to the United States after World War II. He learned much from the members. Yet, in his heart, he wasn’t feeling a spiritual connection.

When Fred and his wife, Mary, were looking to join a new congregation, a family member invited the couple to visit Shepherd of the Valley. Shepherd of the Valley is a small congregation in a pleasant little village in a rural community. Fred and Mary did visit, and they were so pleased with the many people who made a special point of talking with them and making them feel welcome. And it didn’t take long before Fred was asked to run for a council position and was elected to serve.

A Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician for over 40 years, Fred worked at the City of Canton as a diesel mechanic for almost 29 of those years. And he is educated in Home Inspection. When the church needed someone to head the Property Committee, he accepted this responsibility, too. The job came with a budget of a meager $500 a year! It would be tough to maintain the property and make repairs with such a small budget. But Fred rallied a group of volunteers from the small congregation, and they managed to make repairs that had been left for far too long.

Fred and his volunteers were making strides when another important repair presented a challenge. Fred was shocked to learn that he had serious heart problem known as “the widow maker” and it would require immediate surgery. Fred felt the love and support of his congregation during his surgery and recovery. During his recovery Fred wrote a note to the pastor saying, “I will go where he guides me or instructs me. I have not figured out what his master plan for me is, but I pray every night that he will let me see another day and ask God to give me many more. I am so grateful and thankful that God gave me another chance at life, and he opened my eyes that I needed to get help with my heart. I went down a dark road, but God illuminated the path for me while holding my hand leading me to get help!”

Due to his health, Fred is now retired from his job with the City of Canton. But, at Shepherd of the Valley, he continues his work. Some has to be delegated but he is always there to research solutions to whatever project needs a helping hand. Fred really likes his little church family. He hopes to see it grow. Your gift to the Synod helps Lutherans like Fred Drotleff to serve in small congregations and find that spiritual connection.

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