Sharing Congregational Resources


The Sharing Congregational Resources team is a spin-off group created to address the Synod Spine-tingling Goal of an equitably paid pastor, deacon or lay person in every pulpit. Just as individuals have God-given unique gifts and talents to share, likewise congregations also have unique God-given gifts and talents to share. Our purpose is to explore the possibilities of congregations sharing the gifts they have with one another, so that all may benefit, not just financially, but more importantly as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Synod Council Sharing Congregational Resource Team: Don Wiff, Paul Gochnour, Pastor Robert Eller, Pastor Dan Skillman, Susan Frantz. Synod Council Executive Committee Advisor: Pastor Jeremy Hollingshead.
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  • Any member of the team may be contacted for more information and for assistance in scheduling our presentation, Sharing Congregational Resources. It should be noted that the PowerPoint created by Pastor Jeremy Hollingshead is meant to encourage, participation, brainstorming ideas and discussion. It is not meant to be shared without a team member facilitating discussion. 
  • We meet via Zoom, 8:30-9:30 am, every second Tuesday monthly, and also, during regularly scheduled Synod Council meetings.
  • At this point, we are not looking for new members to join our team. However, we welcome suggestions of congregational gifts that are being shared or could be share. We, also, would very much appreciate stories from congregations who are working together and the blessings that have experienced from sharing gifts.

BEER & HYMNS
 
What can a Polka Band, a Lutheran Church, Beer, Hymns and SubZero Mission possibly have in common?
 
Early in 2019 Jake Kouwe, the leader of The Chardon Polka Band approached Celebration Lutheran Church in Chardon, OH asking to use the the church’s space for a fund raising event. Now, before I go too far, The Chardon Polka Band is not a traditional polka band. While they certainly play plenty of traditional polkas, the tunes sometimes morph into punk-rock renditions of the same songs. They also cover songs by rock artists such as “Twisted Sister”, “Lady Ga-Ga” and “Grateful Dead”.
 
Jake wanted to aid SubZeroMission, a Painesville, OH based organization that believes “Nobody Should Freeze to Death in America“. SubZero works tirelessly in NE Ohio to help any homeless individuals be kept safe.
 
The people of Celebration said not only can you use our space, we will provide food, drinks (folks have to bring their own beer), publicity and hospitality. So, since 2019 we have had 3 events (Covid took away 2020 & made 2021 virtual) and raised close to $5,000 plus lots of coats, boots, sleeping bags, gloves and hats for SubZeroMission.
 
Once again on March 19th from 3:00 to 5:30 The Chardon Polka Band and Celebration Lutheran will join together to help the great folks at SubZeroMission. So, please join us and singalong to hymns done polka style, some traditional polka (maybe even dance), enjoy good food and drink and most importantly help the homeless of NE Ohio.                                                                                         … Paul Gochnour
 
Celebration Lutheran Church
10621 Auburn Rd.
Chardon, OH 44024

Sharing Congregational Resources Contacts:
Paul Gochnor
C 440-665-9739
pgochnour@yahoo.com
 
Rev. Jeremy Hollingshead
740-591-2383
Jhollingshead11@gmail.com
 
Rev. Dan Skillman
440-243-1144
danielskillman@stpaulberea.org
 
Don Wiff
330-707-3059
don.wiff@wrms.com
 
Susan Frantz
937-725-0969
susan.frantz@yahoo.com