Resolution to the Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly of 2004
Closing of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toledo, Ohio

WHEREAS, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toledo, Ohio will close on May 30, 2004 after eighty years and five months of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, marrying and burying, and serving the neighborhood and its members;

and

WHEREAS, the membership of Christ Lutheran Church made this difficult decision while understanding its mission as: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian Family who will share God's presence and love with one another and with our neighbors in the Stickney-Manhattan area by Word and Sacrament and by focusing our energies and resources on responding to people's specific needs and our multi-cultural community; and

WHEREAS, the membership continued to see it's vision as: Together with Jesus, rooted in God's Word, we will reach out to our community with understanding, caring, and openness. Growing through prayer, learning, sharing, and communication, we will be inclusive of people of all cultures; and

WHEREAS, the membership came to the conclusion that they could no longer faithfully and earnestly carry out the mission and vision within this congregation and that the most God-pleasing action would be to encourage all the members to be active in other congregations to fulfill the call to discipleship; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Northwestern Ohio Synod in assembly praise God for the years of ministry that have taken place at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toledo, Ohio; and further belt

RESOLVED, that the Northwestern Ohio Synod in assembly grieve with the members of Christ Lutheran Church as they suffer the pain of loss of their congregation; and further be it

RESOLVED, that the Northwestern Ohio Synod direct the Synodical Division Board for Outreach to seriously look at the mission and ministry in the areas where the people are most vulnerable and are losing a Lutheran presence in their area, the inner-city and rural areas of the Synod, specifically the 43608 zip code, which now will go without any Lutheran church presence, and look at and find the necessary funding for such ministries; and further be it

RESOLVED, that individual congregations become aware of the need to be in partnership with struggling congregations of the inner-city and rural areas for the sake of mutual growth and support; and further be it

RESOLVED, that the members of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church be warmly welcomed and invited into full participation and leadership of the various congregations that they join; and finally be it

RESOLVED, that the congregations of the Northwestern Ohio Synod be encouraged to remember Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toledo, Ohio and its members on May 30, 2004 in the congregations' prayers and that the membership of the Synod be encouraged to attend the closing service on May 30 at 3:00 p.m.

Submitted by the Church Council of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toledo, Ohio

The Rev. Daryl Hanson, Pastor	Hazel Herman, Financial Sec.	Lonnie Losh, Member
Shari Losh, President	Jennifer Hanson, Member	Nancy Rieck, Member
Mary Riley, Vice President	William Herman, Member	Laura Thomley, Member
Tina Clawson, Secretary	Phyllis Laney, Member	Bamey Tompkins, Member
Nancy Lewis, Treasurer

Vote by Assembly: Passed