2005 Churchwide Assembly
Orlando, Florida

[At-Large || Central || Eastern || Mamuee Valley || North Central || Southeast || Southwest || Toledo]

AT-LARGE LAY FEMALE:
ELECT ONE

Neta Lamp
Member: Grace, Elmore

Congregational Service: Treasurer; vice president and president of church council; Chair, Board of Congregational Life; deacon; lay reader; adult Sunday School teacher; facilitator of sexuality discussion in mid 1990’s; WELCA Board; Chair and member of Board of Education in previous church in California

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Board member of Luther Home of Mercy six years in 1990’s; NWOS Synod Council 2002 – current; representative of Synod Council to LYO Board and member of S.A.M. task force

Community-Related Service: Leadership in a variety of children’s activities when my children were young, including scouting and sports; current member of the Book Guild in Woodville; member of a variety of professional (nursing and hospital) groups

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I have been active in Lutheran affairs since my childhood. As a voting member, I would bring to the assembly strong Lutheran traditions and a commitment to maintaining these traditions, discernment skills, consideration of all points of view, and a desire to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Barbara Moellman
Member: Zion, Gibsonburg

Congregational Service: Council elder (3 years), vice president (4 years), president (2 plus years); lay reader and worship leader; call committee; adult Sunday School teacher; choir; Bible Study leader

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Synod Council (6 years); ADAM Task Force (8 years); stewardship visitor; Luther Home of Mercy Williston Board Member (6 years); participated in most SAM retreats

Community-Related Service: Guide at Hayes Presidential Home; member of Veracious Voices of Victory (ecumenical choir) and Toledo Swiss Singers; 30 year member “Pilot” service club

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I have attended as voting member twice and feel better prepared to participate for that experience. Synod Council, stewardship visits and SAM retreats permitted me to learn and hear from many across this synod. I will listen to all views, study the printed material, pray and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my actions.

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AT-LARGE LAY MALE:
ELECT ONE

Steven Basselman
Member: St. Martin’s, Archbold

Congregational Service: Choir Director; Director of Worship; organist; Maumee Valley Conference Coordinating Committee

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Synod Council; Worship Committee; Churchwide Assembly voting member 2001

Community-Related Service: Maumee Valley Civic Theater; Henry County Arts Council

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I bring my experience from the 2001 Churchwide Assembly and from being a part of Synod Council for this position. I have always made my love of the Church a priority in my life.

Ted Beitelschees
Member: All Saints, Toledo

Congregational Service: Current church council member; Stewardship Committee Chair; lay worship assistant; current high school Sunday School teacher; nurture committee member

Synodical or Churchwide Service: 1997 Churchwide Assembly member (Philadelphia); Co-Chair, NWOS Clergy Spouse Retreat

Community-Related Service: Toledo Dental Society Board of Directors (1998-2002); Dental Center of NW Ohio Board of Directors (1992 – 1998); Owens Community College, Department of Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee (2000 – present)

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Having served at the churchwide assembly, I understand that the honor and responsibility of being a voting member requires prayer, preparation and commitment. As a dentist, I have learned to keep a level head and to be a calming presence in tense, stress-filled circumstances. I am a good listener and my leadership style tends toward consensus-building.

Ronald K. Clark
Member: St. James, Toledo

Congregational Service: I have served on congregational council in various capacities including council secretary. I teach Sunday School. I serve on the worship/music, evangelism and finance committee. I serve as an assisting minister for worship services.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: I have served as a delegate to several synod assemblies in the past.

Community-Related Service: Have been trained as a Stephen Minister. Involved with a Lutheran retreat ministry called Via De Cristo.

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: My skills as controller for a small family-owned business; my passion for the faith as put forth by the Lutheran church and the commitment to make Christ known to those I come in contact with.

James M. Parker
Member: Trinity, Wauseon

Congregational Service: Congregational vice president; congregational stewardship chair (6 years); overseeing campaign to fund, build and dedicate new church building; financial secretary 1 year

Synodical or Churchwide Service: 2003 Milwaukee Churchwide Assembly voting member; ELCA NWO Synod Disciplinary Committee Member; Thrivent Financial Williams-Fulton County Chapter Assistance Financial Director; Lutheran Brotherhood Williams-Fulton Helping Hands Chapter President; congregational delegate to ELCA NWO Synod Assembly 4 years

Community-Related Service: President of Lion’s Club 5 years; Secretary / Treasurer of Disabled American Veterans; Junior Vice President of Veterans of Foreign Wars; Secretary / Treasurer of Lions Club 7 years

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I am participating in the churchwide studies on sexuality to learn more about the issues prior to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. I am a life-long Lutheran, having experience with assemblies and the Lutheran traditions. I am willing to listen and learn from both sides of an issue.

Gregory Schill
Member: Olivet, Sylvania

Congregational Service: Past Call Committee chair; past Church Council member; past Property Committee chair; past Nominating Committee chair; Mutual Ministry Chair; Ministry Review Team Chair; Capital Campaign Director

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Faithful member, disciple of Olivet Lutheran Church for past 15 years.

Community-Related Service: Past Habitat for Humanity builder; past CYO basketball coach

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I love the Lord and I love our Church! I wish for our greater church to be a greater force for positive change in the world, always being lead by the Holy Spirit.

Richard Schweitzer
Member: First, Findlay

Congregational Service: 45-year member; currently on council, endowment committee; Assistant Treasurer

Synodical or Churchwide Service: None reported.

Community-Related Service: Master Gardener Program; park district volunteer; donate garden produce to Chopin Hall; past board member to Lutheran Social Services

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Long-time active member; served on many committees; past Sunday School teacher and superintendent; serving my 12^th year on church council; past synod delegate; usher; church auditor; Finance Committee (past); organize church bus trips

Wilbur R. Strickland
Member: St. John’s, Cardington

Congregational Service: Three years on the Sunday School Board; substitute Sunday School teacher 7^th grade and up; I attended meetings in Findlay for the church.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: I attended the 2001 Churchwide Assembly in Indianapolis as a visitor and found it fun.

Community-Related Service: On the board of Junior Achievement (7 years); Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio (35 years); veteran of the Navy

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Because the Lord tells me: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of the children after them. (Jeremiah 32:39-41)

Karl Wiechers
Member: Emanuel, Napoleon

Congregational Service: Held most positions on church council; lay leader; Sunday School teacher; reading lessons, etc.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Have served as voting delegate to previous churchwide; served as dean in NW Ohio Synod

Community-Related Service: Am involved in various volunteer and civic groups: Lutheran Home; jail lay chaplain; Gideons; conduct services at youth detention facility, etc.

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Have followed and studied closely the issues and position of the ELCA since the merger. Served as dean. Been to prior churchwide; want to study and vote on issues to keep ELCA focused on Bible and Jesus Christ.

Michael P. Willis
Member: St. John's, Fremont

Congregational Service: Have been life member (34 years) of St. John’s and a choir member for last 7-8 years. Past council member as a deacon and currently serving on council as the chairman of the Elders.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: This position would be my first synodical or churchwide service.

Community-Related Service: U.S. Army and Ohio National Guard veteran. I have been a member of the Sandusky Township Volunteer Fire Department for the past 11 years. I have served as EMS squad leader for 10 of those 11 years and as fire captain for last six years.

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I am a husband and father of two children. I possess the discipline it takes to make decisions that will affect my family and the life of the congregation. I consider myself a man of strong faith and the spiritual leader of my family. This has made me realize how important every decision is throughout our lives. I feel I am able to make these decisions and stand behind them.

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AT-LARGE MINORITY FEMALE:
ELECT ONE

Angelita (Angie) Avers
Member: St. Martin's, Archbold

Congregational Service: Children’s Ministry Leader; Sunday School superintendent; WELCA President and Vice President; congregational representative to Wernle Children’s Home

Synodical or Churchwide Service: NW Ohio Synod Ohio Candidacy Committee Member (5 years); currently on Synod Council; ELCA Family Ministries Curriculum Development Team for Faith: Family Style

Community-Related Service: Parent volunteer, Archbold Elementary; editor of Archbold Community Theatre newsletter; tutor for the Homework Table – Archbold Elementary

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: As an active member of the ELCA, Synod Council, and St. Martin’s, I have worked on many committees with a diversity of people. With previous churchwide exposure, I understand the responsibility and time commitment expected of a delegate.

Juanita M. Hollis
Member: Glenwood, Toledo

Congregational Service: I have been a responsible active member of the Lutheran faith for 41 years.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: ELCA Anti-Racism Training in Chicago; NW Ohio Synod Multi-Cultural Committee Member; served on Division Board for Ministries in Society; currently serving on Abled Disabled Awareness Ministry (ADAM) Task Force; serving on Lutheran Home at Toledo Board of Directors; active with Black Catholic Ministries

Community-Related Service: Toledo Metropolitan Ministries Board; Toledo Area Council of Churches; Interracial Religious Coalition (IRC); North Toledo Network (NTN); Focus Homeless Service Board

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Qualified because I am dedicated, responsible and rooted in the Spirit – the Lord speaks to me daily and I follow where He leads me. My gift is the knowledge from teaching psycho-social education and skill-training with self-care, emotional support and empowerment to a diverse ministry of people. This includes organizational skills, recruitment and ability to delegate.

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AT-LARGE MINORITY MALE:
ELECT ONE

Branden Davidson
Member: Salem, Toledo

Congregational Service: Lector; communion assistant; crucifer; preacher on youth Sunday; active in youth group and inter-congregational youth activities; assistant to Youth Director; volunteer for various church projects

Synodical or Churchwide Service: None reported

Community-Related Service: None reported

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I’m grateful that God led my family to live across the alley from Salem Lutheran Church. Salem is a big part of my family’s life and I’m always willing to give back to God and to my church in thanks for God’s blessings. I’m attending my first Synod Assembly in 2004 because I’m interested in participating in the wider church. I would bring my perspectives as a youth and an African-American to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.

Michael Daniels
Member: Ascension, Toledo

Congregational Service: 5 term Church Council President (1 year terms); 2 term Toledo Lutheran Coalition; six 3-year terms as Church Council member

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Voting member to churchwide assembly 3 times; 1 term synod council member

Community-Related Service: Rosa Morgan Board member (3 terms); Alan Youngblood Scholarship Committee (3 years)

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Experienced churchwide delegate; aware of issues at hand.