Community Roundup: St. John in Port Clinton welcomes new pastor

St. John in Port Clinton welcomes new pastor

PORT CLINTON — The Rev. Jarrod Schaaf is the new pastor at St. John Lutheran Church.

He took over pastoral duties Aug. 30. He has been an ordained minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 13 years, and for the past eight years served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in North Robinson.

“I am so excited to be here,” Schaaf said. “I believe that God is calling me to serve not only the members of St. John Lutheran, but also the community of Port Clinton.”

The Schaafs already have made multiple trips to Ida Rupp Public Library, area parks and ice cream shops. He would love for locals to introduce themselves and get to know him.

“I want to know what your story is and how we can continue to make Port Clinton a place where God's grace abides,” he said.

Schaaf has led Bible studies inside and outside of the church, taught confirmation, helped with vacation Bible school and served as an instructor in the Northwestern Ohio Synod’s Diakonia Lay Education program. He also has been a member of the Congregational Resource Team, Synod Council and a synod representative on the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio summer camp.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic he helped St. Paul Lutheran adapt so the congregation could continue to meet in safe ways, including having services online and from a hay wagon in the church parking lot.

Schaaf has degrees from Capital University in religion and sociology and his master of divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California.

He and his family are excited to settle in Port Clinton. His wife, the Rev. Sarah Schaaf, is the synod’s director of community engagement. They have two children, Isaac, 11, and Zoe, 8.

“The Congregation of St. John Lutheran Church is excited and looking forward to having pastor Schaaf bring his experience and abilities to lead our congregation into this next chapter of our church,” said Jim Sass, church council president. “We welcome his family to the St. John and Port Clinton community.”

St. John Lutheran Church is located at 207 Adams St. It is part of the ELCA and offers worship services at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. Sundays.

Services also are livestreamed at stjohnlutheranpc.com and on the church Facebook page, @saintjohnlutheranpc. The Sunday service is broadcast on 97.9 WGGN at 8 a.m. each week. For information, call 419-734-5548 or visit stjohnlutheranpc.com.

Schultz discusses scholarship at Lions Club meeting

FREMONT — Marc Schultz was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of Fremont Lions Club. He explained the mission of the Fremont Ross Alumni and Friends Scholarship Fund, which is to provide scholarships for underserved graduating seniors at Fremont Ross High School to further their education. The fund is affiliated with the Sandusky County Communities Foundation.

The group has presented the first scholarship to a 2022 graduate who is attending Bowling Green State University according to Schultz.

Fremont Lions will meet noon-1 p.m. today at the Fremont Eagles Hall. The speaker is Erica Parnisari with the Regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s to be held in Tiffin on Saturday.

The September Students of the Month from Fremont Ross and Bishop Hoffman will also be present to inform members of their school activities and goals.

Guests are always welcome to attend the meetings. Contact Donna Thatcher, president, at 419-332-3095 for more information.

Solve puzzles to find President Hayes’ birthday gift in escape room

FREMONT — It’s President Rutherford B. Hayes’ 200th birthday, and first lady Lucy Hayes has hidden his present.President Hayes has 30 minutes to find it, and he needs help.

Lucy left clues inspired by the presidential history her husband knows and loves, along with a few surprises.With the president busy in meetings all day, it is up to teams to uncover the clues and find this hidden, precious gift.

That’s the premise of the escape room experience the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums is offering Sept. 30, and Oct. 1 as part of Hayes’ 200th birthday celebration.

The escape room is offered at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Sept. 30, and at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 1. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $8 for Hayes Presidential members.

Each session is limited to eight people. Tickets are available at https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2022/09/06/general/solve-puzzles-to-find-president-hayes-birthday-gift-in-escape-room-offered-sept.-30-oct.-1/.This escape room is geared toward kids and families, but all ages are welcome to participate.

The event is part of the kickoff weekend to Hayes’ 200th birthday celebration, which will include events through October 2023. For details, visit rbhayes.org/rbh200.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: St. John in Port Clinton has new pastor; escape room at Hayes coming