Carillon Deadline
The deadline to get information and articles into the next regular issue of the Carillon is Monday, January 9, 2012. Please mark your calendar! This will be for the February Carillon. We want to continue to keep each mailing loaded with information, dates, articles, etc. pertaining to the life of St. John’s. Remember ... you can now send your articles, thank you’s, etc. by E-mail to
Phone Numbers
If your phone number has changed recently or if you have changed to a cell phone only, please be sure to inform the church office of the change.
Email Addresses Needed
Please take a moment and let the office know what your current email address is or if your email address has changed. We email the newsletter and the Carillon now, as well as, any updates or last minute changes. If you would like to receive these, please update your email by calling the church office or listing your email in the friendship register.
Recycle Aluminum Beverage Cans
SAVE THOSE ALUMINUM BEVERAGE CANS! Please remember that St. John’s is recycling! The aluminum can collection site is now located at the south side of the church. The recycle bin is next to our handicap parking lot and Lehman’s Cycle Shop. This bin is for aluminum cans only. Rinsing the cans will be greatly appreciated, but smashing the cans is not necessary. Any cash donations should be made in the church office and marked for the “Organ Maintenance Fund.” THANK YOU!
Council Announcement
At their August 9 meeting, the Church Council of St. John’s approved the recommendation of the Interim Search Committee to extend a Call to Rev. D. Gene Kraus to serve as our Interim Pastor. Gene will assume his role with our church family on September 15 and will serve as our pastor for a period of up to 2 years. During his tenure, Rev. Kraus will lead us spiritually and guide us through the Search and Call process to bring a settled pastor to St John’s.Following is a brief summary of Rev. Kraus’ family and ministry background. Please join us in welcoming Gene to our church family.
Gene lives in Medina with his wife Julie. Married 42 years, they have 2 grown children. Eric teaches kindergarten and lives in Hiroshima, Japan. Eric and Michyio Fujimoto are planning a fall wedding in Japan. Michyio manages and directs the office for a small office furnishings company in Hiroshima. Kim and her husband Dave live in Vermont. She runs fund raising events for Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth. Dave is a scientist working for an environmental services firm.
Gene and Julie are beginning to experience empty nest! Since they have been married, you can count on one hand the number of years they have not shared their home with someone else. They raised their own children, enjoyed being foster parents, host parents for 4 exchange students and custodial parents for one of Julie’s nieces. They opened their home and cared for Julie’s mother for the last 4 years of her life. In addition, several friends and others in special circumstances have made their home with the Krauses.
Even today, the house is not entirely empty. Da She, Nezumi and Eva romp and play throughout the house. All three are rescues from homes who could not provide the kind of love and care these small rambunctious dogs need.
For hobbies, Gene loves to engage others in conversations about difficult and sometimes contentious issues. His interests include Biblical anthropology, American History, the Supreme Court, separation of Church and State, Faith and Politics and genealogy (including his own Carpatho-Rusyn, Native American and German heritage).
Gene comes to us with over 4 decades of
Local Church Pastor. 2. Conference Staff. 3. Denominational Staff. 4. Intentional Transitional Ministry. Gene is a graduate of Ohio State University and Andover Newton Theological School and has had special training and experience in Appreciative Inquiry (strategic planning), Emotional Intelligence (coaching excellence), Conflict Management and New Church Starts. In addition to his work as an Intentional Transitional (Interim) Minister, Gene has created his own consulting company, “Pro-Vision.” Through “Pro-Vision,” Gene provides congregational consulting and professional coaching for pastors and other non-profit leaders. He specializes in 1. Core Identity Discernment 2. Conflict Intervention and Training 3. Organizational Development, Governance & Organizational Structure 4. Coaching for Excellence in Leadership 5. Strategic Planning and Visioning 6. New Church Development and Revitalization
