[*indicates incumbent]

2005 Churchwide Assembly
Orlando, Florida

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

NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE – CLERGY:
ELECT ONE

Kurt Borows
Serving: Resurrection, Catawba Island

Congregational Service: Pastor

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Chairperson of Church and Society Board; member of E-Team; delegate to ALC conventions

Community-Related Service: Taught Christian ethics college course; wrote religious column for newspaper 25 years; former police chaplain; presently fire department chaplain; teaching community Bible course for 5 years

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Having majored in and taught Christian Ethics courses on the college campus, I am deeply concerned about issues facing the 2005 Assembly. I do not want to see political correctness or political agendas overpower Biblical theology.

James N. Lehman
Serving: St. John, Port Clinton

Congregational Service: Trinity, Gaylord, Minnesota (1980 – 1985); Salem, Pemberville (1985 – 1992); Trinity, Lewisburg (1992 – 2002); St. John (2002 – present)

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Member of Education Committee, Northwestern Ohio Synod; Dean, North Central Conference, NWOS; Mission Interpreter, Southern Ohio Synod; Mentor – First Call Group, NWOS

Community-Related Service: Board of Directors, LSS Miami Valley; Board of Directors, Mobile Meals, Port Clinton; PA Announcer – TriCounty North High School; Strategic Planning Team – Port Clinton City Schools; Chair, Ottawa County Long-Term Needs Team (2002 Tornado)

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I believe strongly in the partnerships of the church, beyond the local congregation. I have served in many capacities in the church and count them as a significant part of my faith journey. I would cherish the opportunity to participate in the work of the churchwide assembly and serve faithfully.

John Moffett
Serving: Saint Paul, New Rochester
(Holy Spirit Shared Ministry)

Congregational Service: Youth advisor; treasurer; pastor of large and small congregation, rural and suburban congregations; Sunday School teacher

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Several committees.

Community-Related Service: Several boards of directors, e.g., Wood County Humanitarian Awards; announcer at school athletic games; veteran activities; public speaker at several events; school board member in Ohio and North Dakota.

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I am deeply concerned about the future of the ELCA if any change is made in present politics regarding sexuality.

Paul Reichert
Serving: Calvary, Northwood

Congregational Service: A decade of service at Calvary, Northwood.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Credentials Committee; Elections Committee; Mission Endowment Committee; Division Board for Outreach; Ministry Review Team for Division Board for Outreach partner congregation; travel to Tanzania through companion congregation relationship; National Lutheran Youth Gathering Chaperone; transportation coordinator

Community-Related Service: Lutheran Homes Society Family and Youth Board; hosts member for Lake Local Schools; tutor for Salem, Toledo

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I would welcome the opportunity to serve the church in this way. I would bring a grace-filled and even-handed perspective to contribute to the process of discernment in what is likely to be a heated assembly.

Ronald Staber
Serving: St. Paul, Haskins

Congregational Service: 42 years as a parish pastor; served as night Chaplain, clergy lecturer ar St. Luke’s Hospital, Saginaw, MI; serve as an associate Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Have served on PCB District Parish Education, stewardship and personal committees. ELCA served as delegate to Constituting Convention and on the NWOS Conferencing Organization. Have been vice president and president of two different conferences.

Community-Related Service: Clergy lecturer, St. Luke’s Hospital, Saginaw, MI; ATU Board of Directors of the Village of Riverplace

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Having been a delegate to several Churchwide Assemblies in the past and the Constituting Convention of the present ELCA and having a great concern of the direction that this church is taking, I feel that because of age and years of service I have something to bring to the 2005 Assembly.

Lori Ann Strang
Serving: Interim Ministry at Christ,Carey

Congregational Service: 6 plus years as congregational pastor

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Evangelism Chair, NWOS; Evangelism Listening posts which familiarized me with all 7 conferences in the synod; SawMill Creek Worship Coordinator; Vice Dean for North Central Conference; Synod Assembly Planning Committee; National Lutheran Youth Gathering Chaperone

Community-Related Service: Participated in annual high school and junior high job shadowing programs; Community Ecumenical Council Coordinator; OhioReads volunteer; local food bank / pantry distributor and inventory representative

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I have had the privilege to serve in numerous leadership roles during the 6 years I have been in the NWOS. I have gifts of communication and have kept up with the printed materials and workshops for the sexually studies. I believe in the work and witness of the wider church and the presence of the Holy Spirit in each decision the church must make; and have a gift for listening to all concerns on a given topic before making a decision.

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NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE – LAY MALE:
ELECT ONE

Robert H. Brandt
Member: Peace, Bowling Green

Congregational Service: President of Peace Council

Synodical or Churchwide Service: past Chairman of North Central Conference; delegate to synod assembly; delegate to national convention

Community-Related Service: School supply pantry

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: I feel I can listen, participate and be committed to the work of the Church. I feel called to serve in the larger context of the Church.

Lloyd J. Dalton
Member: St. Paul, Marblehead

Congregational Service: Over the years I’ve been president (total 12 years); treasurer, trustee and secretary

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Delegate to NW Ohio Synod for the past three years; past delegate to NW Synod ALC

Community-Related Service: Danbury Township Trustee; Board of Zoning Appeals Members (10 years); Township Zoning Commission; Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission and member of the Community Planning Commission for Ottawa County

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: The position of township trustee requires a person to listen to both sides of a situation. The president of church council must be a mediator organizing agendas to cover all concerns. I feel my experience, understanding concerns and taking action to settle these problems would be beneficial to the synod.

Don Gerke
Member: Bethlehem, Pemberville

Congregational Service: Treasurer, president and elder of congregation; Sunday School superintendent; chairman of Call Committee; leader in men’s group

Synodical or Churchwide Service: President of Portage Valley of Men and Pastors; delegate to two synod assemblies; delegate to 2001 Churchwide Assembly

Community-Related Service: Assistant in computer lab of county library; member of Board of Directors for Exchange Bank; court appointed special advocate (CASA) for abused/neglected children for Wood County Juvenile Court; committee member for Community 2000 Celebration

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: As a retired educator I continue to use skills in listening, evaluating information and making recommendations in my present avocations that would be helpful in this voting position.

Charles F. Kurfess
Member: St. John’s, Stony Ridge

Congregational Service: Church council; call committee; Sunday School teacher and leader

Synodical or Churchwide Service: Chaired Transition Team for Ohio ELCA Synods; delegate LCA and first assembly of ELCA (Chicago); past chair of NW Ohio Synod Council

Community-Related Service: Boards of Trustees for: Family Services of Northwest Ohio, Lakeside Association, Ohio Historical Society, and Wood County Library

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: As a Christian legislator and attorney, I have effectively represented others’ views and positions but also as an attorney, legislator and judge, I have been able to reconcile differing views and positions.

John D. Nevergall
Member: Grace, Elmore

Congregational Service: I serve in the church choir, praise band and as a deacon and lector. I also work in the food pantry located in our church. I am an active member of the LYO and Youth Sunday School class.

Synodical or Churchwide Service: I was a Bible Bowl participant and attended the 2004 Churchwide Youth gathering in Atlanta, GA.

Community-Related Service: Leaf raking / Snow removal for seniors, Highway clean-up with school groups, canned food drives, working at the local food pantry, adopt-a-family program at Christmas time, serving with Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran World Relief.

Personal Statement:
Why you are qualified and what particular gifts you possess for this position: Since many of the issues that face the church today will impact the church tomorrow, I believe that it is important to have the input of the younger generation – those who will lead that church of tomorrow. As a young person I will bring this input and perspective which seems to sometimes be lacking in the church. I will not be a “token” youth but in fact, an integral player in the formation of what will someday be the chuch for my generation.

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