The Servant Leadership Center

1618 W. Sylvania Ave + Toledo, OH 43612 + 419-476-0941 + www.servantleader.org

A Note from Sr. Nancy~
“The dividing line between recognition that helps us to see disciples (Peter, James, and Volume 1, Issue 4
good and evil passes, not the other as brother or sister. John among them), helps them
between the other and me, but catch a boat load of fish, and Spring 2008
right down the middle of my Holy week and Easter were fixes them breakfast. Jesus
forehead, between my left side wonderful times for us to recognizes each of his
Special points of interest:
and my right.” Lanzo del reflect on this dividing line disciples, denials and betrayals
Vasto between good and evil. In the not withstanding, as the • Reflections on The
garden of Gethsemane Jesus, beloved. Christ continues to Dream of God
The way we view “good” and experiencing “distress and invite them into deeper
“evil” is getting us into trouble. anguish” beg his disciples, relationship with God and with • Reminders and
Nowhere is this more evident “The sorrow in my heart is so each other. Announcements
than in world events. Five great that it almost crushes me.
years ago the U.S. made a pre- Stay here and keep watch.” A couple of weeks ago we • MAY 31 Day of
emptive strike against Iraq and Peter, James and John were his offered for the first time the 3 Visioning
we are now mired there as close friends, yet in his greatest d a y A u t h e n t i c L e a d e r
Sunni’s and Shiites struggle need these friends fell asleep. workshop. This workshop,
against each other. Once James and John flee when the developed by The Leadership
peaceful neighbors, soldiers come for Jesus. Peter Circle, seeks to develop leaders Center Staff:
Palestinians and Israelis are follows from afar and later from the “inside out.” It Barb Aranyosi
destroying each other. The denies Jesus, “I swear that I am connects patterns of behavior
Administrative Assistant
same is true in African nations telling the truth! May God with habits of thought and
and in South America. It is punish me if I am not! I do not provides the insight and slcenter@servantleader.org
obvious that many of us have know the man you are talking awareness that leads to !"
not absorbed del Vasto’s about.” Tradition tells us that personal and organizational Erin Battistoni
wisdom. Here at the Center we Peter’s tears over his betrayal transformation. This workshop
Director of Outreach Ministry
seek to turn that around. We wore deep groves in Peter’s will be repeated in May and
seek to see ourselves and cheeks. (Mk 14 Good News again in early August. erin@servantleader.org
others as “the beloved of God” Bible) !"
and to understand that within Nancy Westmeyer, OSF
each of us there is shadow and Yet, after the resurrection
Executive Director
light. Each of us is broken, yet John’s gospel tells us that Jesus
redeemed. It is this appears to some of the nancy@servantleader.org

Reflections on the Dream of God

Throughout our next several issues of the Servant Leadership Newsletter, we will share with you reflections on the various
principles and themes that are integral to living as a Servant Leader. It is an opportunity for you to experience a glimpse of what
the Servant Leadership: Threshold to a Life Transformed 10 month process and what The Servant Leadership Center are all
about.

“God’s Dream” ~ a short story
God awoke from a dream shortly after one
p.m. on Easter Sunday, just as many
Christians began their post-feast
somnolence. He/She had dozed off mid-Lent.
As the crowds (such as they were)
diminished at Lenten suppers, Fish Fries,
noon services, and weekly Stations of the
Cross, she also figured that the devotions
were in safe hands, and that she could get
some rest while some of her flock were on
their best behavior. Some think of weeks 4-5
as the boring part of Lent’s journey, the drive
across Nebraska, so to speak, or for
Ohioans, the drive from Lorain to Oregon,
Ohio. Others feel the gathering tension as
Christians get closer to having to walk the
Via Dolorosa with their Savior. God,
however, walks that road daily, and at times
sorrow and ennui intertwine to seduce her
wakefulness. “They know the story, and if
not, they have the movie,” She muttered, as her
head nodded and the good book dropped from
her hand, figuratively speaking.
In her dream, she left a school basement
with the scent of fried fish clinging to the robe
that swept some floor debris with it, walked
across the parking lot, and entered the church
narthex. No lights were on in the sanctuary, but
a warm glow lit the altar area. Incense, not
acrid, but a mixture of vanilla, apple pie, baking
Volume 1, Issue 4
“God’s Dream” cont.
bread, spring grasses, and the cleanness
after rain reached her nostrils. On the altar,
she could make out faint forms of all sizes,
ghostly, ringing the central table. The sounds
of chairs scraping the tile floor mingled with
children’s laughter, the drone of elders
midway through long tales, and the clinking
of silverware on china. “Chile, come on up to
the table. What would you like? Hummus,
ham, roast turkey, lentil soup, pita, lemon
meringue pie, coleslaw, tabouli, applesauce,
sweet potatoes, fries, goat cheese . . .
what’chou need?”
God hadn’t been called “Chile” for eons.
And she had been wrestling, prior to dozing
off, with the realization that she had no plans
after the big Easter Sunday service. Yeah,
Pentecost would come and then the outdoor
activities of planting, tending, and harvesting
during Ordinary Time, but it all seemed to
spread into the blahness of eternity. Is this
what Lent had built up to? Once the trumpets
blare and the breakfast eggs and dinner ham
are eaten, what then? Would life change in
“ T h e
Dream
of God”
God has
graced each of us with talents. It is
God's dream for each of us to
use our talents to join Him in the
work He is doing in the world.
Sometimes God meets us quietly
where we are... instilling our spirit
wit h a small whisper of
calling. Sometimes He nudges us
more strongly, more urgently, to
move out into the world to follow
His pre-determined path. God wants
us to be filled with faith and
hope. Our steps of faith must open
our hearts to His wisdom and
discernment for every aspect of our
life. God's dream is to bless us with
unimaginable benefits and His
glorious abundance.
any perceivable way? God’s inner child
answered the invitation:
“I’d like some tabouli, sweet potatoes, goat
cheese, and . . . do you have any
asparagus?”
“Sure do, sweetie. Come fill your plate,
and listen up ‘cause council is getting
ready to take a vote.”
“This is a council meeting?”
“Yes, honey. Ever since we passed a
motion to invite all to our table who wanted
to die with Jesus, the priest said we might as
well have council meetings while we were
gathered. Business sometimes takes a
while, so we started bringing food.”
“But isn’t this sacred space?”
“Are you saying church business ain’t
sacred?”
“Well, er, no, I mean, it should be . . .”
“We don’t do no business that ain’t fit for
the Lord to hear. And we figure as long as
we got him here with us, we could use some
of his advice on the issues. On top of that,
the harmony we have at the Lord’s Table is
something we really needed at council.”
“What’s on the agenda?”
“Progress reports on World Peace,
Personally Living the Dream of
God:
I believe to the depth of my being
that God's work is in constant,
positive motion. It is our
responsibility to tune in to the Spirit
and the Word of God, and to be a
part of His transformations.
It is my hope to live a life of
expectancy.... "What will God bring
to me today?"
Undoubtedly, God expects me to be
aware of His blessings and to
r es pond t o His c allings. I
plan to work toward the Dream of
God .... to His purposes.... until I
am "all used up". It is my desire
to rest in the confidence of His
direction and His desires for me.
Linda Hoover, SL participant 07-
08. Linda is retired from a career in
elementary teaching in 2006 and
now serves as a Deacon and on other
committees at her church Fairgreen
Presbyterian
Page 2
Universal Healthcare, Hunger Relief, and
therapeutic care for child soldiers.”
“Isn’t it time to start working on the parish
festival? And, I noticed some cracks in the black
top as I was walking over here.”
“We have plenty of fellowship for young and
old at our council meetings, although sometimes
we hold them outside in the summer. Anyway,
we don’t hold fundraisers anymore.”
God’s eyebrows shot up. “Why didn’t I know
about this?”
“Aren’t you new around these parts?”
“Well I’ve needed to spread myself thin
lately, but I thought you might recognize me.”
Then she noticed her own glow wasn’t
noticeably brighter than that of the others
around the table. She smiled. It had been a long
while since anyone had called her “Chile.”
Maybe after Easter she would have some time
to play. Seems like she might have some new
friends to play with. The only trouble was, when
she awoke, they were napping.
Sarah Abts , SL participant 07-08
Sarah teaches Composition at
The University of Toledo and works in the
Writing Center at Owens Community College
God’s Dream
The scent of lavender rises
unaccompanied by shrieks of war
Sleep goes undisturbed
babies lie quietly for six hour stretches
The earth bears fruit
redwoods, aspens, oaks,
spruces,
barley, spelt, rice, oats,
tomatoes, melons,
pomegranates
Goats, geese, water buffalo,
porpoises, cheetahs, penguins
Each works with satisfaction
play abounds
music soothes and thrills
Bounding balls circle the earth
smashing no windows
Councils meet
families gather
Hands clasp
cheeks touch
the Great Amen
Volume 1, Issue 4
God’s Dream for Creation
God said: “Let there be Light”, and behold
out of the darkness a flaring forth of brilliant
light danced
across the
d a r k
universe.
What had
been void
was now
filled with
light, heat,
and particles that spun out in every direction.
At that moment all of life that will exist in
this universe was created. But the unfolding
of this marvelous universe didn’t happen in
an instant. Time and the pulling together of
molecules, energy, gases etc. would
gradually unfold our fantastic part of the
universe and bring forth our beautiful home,
Earth.
We know from scientific research that this
flaring forth happened over 15 billion years
ago and our Earth and solar system started
making its appearance 5 billion years ago.
The process for life on Earth would be slow.
What is most important here is not the
scientific unfolding of the universe, and thus
also the unfolding of our life on Earth and all
creation, rather it is that as spiritual beings
we know in our hearts that God has had a
hand in this from the beginning.
From the beginning God has had a dream for
all of creation. That dream is recognized in
three main “rules” established to allow
creation to unfold as it does. God’s dream
for creation includes that all of creation be:
Diverse: What a marvelous and tremendous
dream. Without the diversity in creation
where would we be? It would be a pretty
dull Earth if we had only one life-form.
How would we see God’s beauty if there
were only frogs to look at and then how
boring if there were only bull-frogs. Take a
walk someday in the woods or park where
you can be in nature. How many diverse
species and life-forms do you see around you?
How many of these remind you of the love
God has for all of us. All of this diversity is
needed to carry on God’s dream and to carry
on life on Earth.
Communal: God has placed within creation
the command to be in community. Consider
for example the relationship we have with
plants. Plants give off oxygen. We breathe
in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Plants
take in carbon dioxide. That in itself is a
miracle. These miracles are happening all
around us at every moment of the day from
plants, to animals to the microbes in the soil.
Creation is acting in “harmony”, in
community with one another so life can
continue.
Unique Within every part of creation there
is an interiority that is unique unto its self.
My interiority and expression of myself is
different from that of the mountain lion and
yet we each have that uniqueness, that
uniqueness that belongs to us alone. That
uniqueness is what makes the mountain lion
the mountain lion and not a human being.
Humans play a major role in this unfolding of
God’s dream for creation. We are the
beings who have come forth in this unfolding
of the universe as unique creatures. We
have the ability for the first time in this 15
billion year history of the universe to have a
conscience. This conscience gives us the
ability to reflect upon who we are, what life
is all about, to make decisions, and to
interact and relate with the rest of the
created world in a unique way.
“The Dream of God for Creation is
that we recognize that diversity,
community, and uniqueness are the
strands that bind all creation
together.”
The Franciscan Earth Literacy Center in Tiffin,
Ohio was founded to teach others about
caring for creation. Our mission is: “In the
spirit of St. Francis the Franciscan Earth
Literacy Center recognizes our oneness with
all creation. We promote active learning
and healthy relationships with our natural
environment to achieve sustainable living.”
The Center promotes active learning through
hands-on environmental education programs
for people of all ages. We have school field
trips that are aligned with State Education
Standards, Summer Day Camps, and Boy
Scout and Girl Scout programs in which
scouts can earn a variety of badges they are
required to achieve. Seeds of Hope Farm was
started in 2005 by the Franciscan Earth
Literacy Center to become a model for
small-scale, sustainable agriculture. With
eight acres under production in 2008, Seeds
of Hope Farm will provide quality, chemical-
free produce to a variety of venues. Our
Page 3
Community Supported Agriculture program
allows families to purchase a share in the farm at
the beginning of the season and return receive
produce every week during the growing season.
An added benefit for those who have time is the
working share. With a working share families
share in the labor of the farm and gives people
an understanding of what it takes to grow food
and the important role small scale, sustainable
farms play in growing food. As part of its
commitment to teach others, several young
people will work as interns on the farm and
come to learn the importance of small-scale
agriculture and its importance to the future of
farming. A children’s garden will provide
opportunities for
children to learn
how to grow their
own food and see
the miracle that
lies within the seed
that becomes a
plant and food for
them to eat. We
are teaching others
about the diversity,
community, and uniqueness of the natural world
and the beauty of God’s dream for all of
creation.
One of the greatest icons of this century is the
picture of Planet Earth from space. That picture
with its blue oceans and massive continents
shows no boundaries, only a solitary planet with
many life forms and systems that call Earth its
home. The Dream of God for Creation is that
we recognize that diversity, community, and
uniqueness are the strands that bind all creation
together. Each particle of creation plays a role
in the life on this planet and in the universe. As
God’s creation continues to unfold may we see
that Dream and become advocates to protect it
and care for it and know that who call Earth
their home are intimately connected like the
spider’s web.
Sr. Rita Wienken is the Manager of
Seeds of Hope Farm in Tiffin, OH, a
former Board member of Servant
Leadership and past participant.
www.earthliteracy.org
Volume 1, Issue 4 Page 4

The Servant Leadership Center Non Profit Org

Day of Visioning
SAVE
THE 1618 W. Sylvania Ave US Postage Paid
DATE: Toledo, OH 43612 Toledo OH
and Permit # 322

Reflection
FOR ALL CURRENT PARTICIPANTS AND ALUMNI
Join with the community of servant leaders to gather for a day of
prayer, reflection and reconnection with one another.

The purpose of the day is to:

• Gather as a community of Servant Leaders
• Reconnect with folks from your group and connect with others
who have participated in the Servant Leadership processes.
• Network with other servant leaders around NW Ohio.

SATURDAY, MAY 31
9:30 AM—3:30 PM

The day will include a potluck meal, time for prayerful refection on
your journey thus far. There will also be time to connect with others
on a similar journey and from next steps for on-going formation
and/or action steps.

PLEASE RSVP by May 5 by calling the Center at 419-476-0941, or

emailing: slcenter@servantleader.org
Location will be determined by group size

Up Coming Events and Announcements

Monday Night Prayer @ the SLC: All
are welcome to participate in communal
prayer from 7-8:30pm every Monday
night.
Spring 2008 Check out the Erase the Hate
events that will be held through out the
coming months. For more information
check out www.erasethehatetoledo.org.
Flyers are available at the center.
Women of Faith Outreach Ministry
meets each month, and is open to anyone
interested in joining. The group gathers in
prayer as a faith community, and is
working on projects to reach out women
who have been marginalized in our
community. If you are interested in
participating in this outreach ministry,
email or call Erin at the Center. All are
welcome to participate. Our next project
will be assisting with a Retreat for the
Women who attend Women Blessing
W omen on Frida y A pril 18,
www.womenblessingwomen.org .
What’s the Buzz? Equal Exchange Fair
Trade Coffee, and Cocoa is available for
purchase at the Center. If you are interested
in learning more about Fair Trade go to
www.equalexchange.org or
www.globalexchange.org.
Prayer for Peace: every third Tuesday of
the month from 6:30pm to 7:30 p.m. in
Queen of Peace Chapel, on the grounds of
the Sisters of St. Francis, 6832 Convent
Blvd, Sylvania, OH. Contact person:
Sr. Karen Zielinski (419-824-3627) or
kzielins@sistersosf.org
Free Workshop on Racism- "The Sankofa
Project" on Saturday, April 12th from 9am
to 3:30pm at The Padua Center,
1614 Nebraska Ave, Toledo, OH. Bring a
Dish to Share: RSVP to 419-885-5626
Women’s Peer Spiritual Direction Group
beginning April 19, 2008—It will meet
once a month. More info will be coming
shortly. Contact Sr. Nancy for more
information.
Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence
Training for Personal and Social Change,
April 18-20, St. Francis Spirituality Center,
Tiffin. Call for brochure and registration,
419-443-1485. Brochure available at
www.tiffinpaxchristi.org.
SL CONTINUING EDUCATION
Tuesday April 8 6:30pm
Sr. Paulette Schroeder will discuss her
experience working with the Christian
Peacemaker Team in the Palestinian West
Bank. Sr. Paulette recently spent a month
in Hebron and helped bring a convoy of
supplies to embargoed Gaza. She has many
personal stories to tell that show us how
nonviolence can respond to violence.
All are welcome.
Thursday May 8th at 6:30 PM Toby
Hoover, Executive Director of The Ohio
Coalition Against Gun Violence will talk
about the effects of Gun Violence in our
community and what we can do to end it.
Volume 1, Issue 4 INSERT

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month

We wish to thank those who have contributed in so
many ways to The Servant Leadership Center:

How wonderful
that no one
Current Board Consultant Circle Women’s Ministry Team
need wait a sin-
gle moment to Members Sara Best Sydney Condray
improve the Bob Anderson, Fran Carr Dot Kobylak
world." President Ken Herwat Linda Hoover
--Anne Frank Gene Kobylak, Susan Lowrey Peg O’Hearn
Secretary Sue Wilhelm Barbara Roadruck
Denny Recker Mary Serote
Dave Schlaudecker, Treasurer Vision Team Barb Schwieterman
Bob Huss Bob Fisher
Mary Jo Anderson Richard Kaverman Leadership Toledo working group
Fr. John Blazer Gene Kobylak Mike Baxter
Dick Faist Dot Kobylak Sarah Best
Sr. Joanne Lammers, OSF Alejandra Nunez Chris Denman
Bishop Albert Ottenweller Ben Nunez Collette Cordova
Elaine Sheehan Bishop Albert Ottenweller Greg Braylock, JR
Sr. Nancy Westmeyer, OSF Maria Povsic
Sr. Nancy Westmeyer, OSF Maintenance
Founding Board Members Bob Fisher
Bob Anderson, President Gene Kobylak
Gene Kobylak, Secretary/Treasurer Unless someone like you cares a
Ben Nunez
Richard Kaverman whole, awful lot. Things aren't going Chris Amato and The Notre Dame
Ben Nunez to get better, they're NOT! Club Members
Bishop Albert Ottenweller -- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Maria Povsic Committees: Treat people as if
Sr. Rita Wienken, OSF they were what they
Sr. Nancy Westmeyer, OSF Office Volunteers Reunion ought to be, and
Kate Ackley Planning help them become
Facilitators Sydney Condray Bob Fisher what they are capa-
Bob Fisher Bob Fisher Susan Lowrey
Gene Kobylak Linda Hoover Rev. Karen
ble of being.
--Goethe
Maria Povsic Kathy Kertez Shepler
Ruth Woodworth Margaret and Brooke Knicely Vicky Wiltse
Dot Kobylak
Peg O’Hearn Fundraising
When we honestly ask ourselves which Rich Schmidt Toledo
person in our lives means the most to us, Barb Schwieterman Marge McDainel
we often find that it is those who, instead Carol Stoll Marge Nadolny
of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, Dusty Tykody Gary Brown
have chosen rather to share our pain and Vicky Wiltse
touch our wounds with a gentle and ten-
Delphos
der hand. The friend who can be silent
Alice Aruzen
with us in a moment of despair or confu-
sion, who can stay with us in an hour of Joyce Klausing
grief and bereavement, who can tolerate Recruitment Volunteers Mare Lous Pohlman
not knowing, not curing, not healing and Gary Brown Bob Shulte
face with us the reality of our powerless- Sr. Alma Rose Langenderfer, SND Tom Odenweller
ness, that is a friend who cares. Mike Sordyl Trina Shultz
--Henri Nouwen Sr. Joselyn Weeman, SND Fr. Mel Verhoff
Sr. Cynthia Shaffer, SND Mel and Pat Williams
Sue Gerkin
Volume 1, Issue 4 INSERT

A Reflection on Volunteers
A VOLUNTEER is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing well
and willingly the tasks at hand-namely, being aware of another's needs and doing something
about it.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who remembers to do the thing to make other people happy, who
takes the loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are
unconcerned, who has the courage to be a prophet and to say the things that have to be said for
the good of all.

A VOLUNTEER is a person whose charity is fidelity, who is faithful in an unfaithful world,

grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all about are grasping, listening when others need
to tell about their fears and problems.

- from "The Beacon," newsletter of Birthrite, South Africa

NEW SERVANT LEADERSHIP GROUPS BEGIN SEPT 2008

We at The Servant Leadership Center firmly believe that each of us is called to play a part in working for justice. Using group and personal prayer,
common readings, dialogue, and shared meals, the process, “Servant Leadership: Threshold to a Life Transformed provides an opportunity to:
• Form community with others traveling a similar journey
• Be more intentional about one’s spiritual journey
• Surface and explore deeply held beliefs and values
• Discover how God is calling me at this time and place
• The place God calls you to is the place where your heart’s deep gladness and the world’s hunger meet. - Frederick Buechner
• Connect with others who share your passions

Groups will begin in September 2008. Day and evening sessions are available. See registration form below for details. Or contact the office
419-476-0941, slcenter@servantleader.org

2008-2009 GROUP INFORMATION

Servant Leadership: Cost: $40 per month ($400 billed over the 10months), this includes
Threshold to a Life Transformed all course materials
10 Month Process Information Re- Please mail your $40 non-refundable deposit due by August to
quest hold your place in the group to The Servant Leadership Center-
Address is below. The check will not be cashed until the group
begins.
SESSION PREFERENCES (please Rank 1-3)
Sessions are 3 hours in length, 2x per month (For instance:
Daytime Session ___Mon___Tue___Wed__Thu 1st/3rd Thursday)
Session times are decided upon by the group (For Instance: day
Evening Session ___Tue___Wed___Thu time groups usually go from 10a-1p or 11a-2p; evening groups from
5:30-8:30p or 6-9p depending on the needs of the group members.
Preferred Location: This will be determined at your groups first session
___Toledo___Bowling Green ___Defiance___Delphos
(Thu. Only) Scholarships are always available.

I would like to make an appointment to

learn more about the process. Name:

Address:
I’m not ready to register but please send me
more information HM # Cell #
Not interested at the present time, but keep
me on the list. WK # Email:

The Servant Leadership Center, 1618 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, OH 43612