Religion roundup for June 4

Lodi Methodist Church celebrates 100 years The Lodi Methodist Church is having a house tour fundraiser non to 4 p.m. June 11 to celebrate the building being 100 years old. The tour starts at the Lodi Methodist Church and includes going to three nearby historical homes. The cost of a ticket is $15 per person, and arm bands and booties will be given out. Refreshments and cookies will be provided. St. Matthew Lutheran Church welcomes new pastor The Rev. Steve Mahaffey began serving May 1 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. This comes after the 2019 retirement of the Rev. Tom Schwartz, who served more than 20 years. The church was served by interim pastor William Diehm from 2019 through 2021. Mahaffey grew up in North Canton and began his career as a fifth grade teacher. While teaching in Texas, he decided to become a minister. The first year and a half of his seminary training was at Brite Divinity School. He then transferred to Trinity Lutheran Seminary to complete his master of divinity studies. Following his classroom time and internship at All Shepherds, he served at St. Luke's Lutheran in Marietta for 18 years. He said he looks forward to his ministry at St. Matthew, where he will preach, lead worship, engage with the multiple ministries of the church and empower the congregation. "People need to connect with one another, and ministry is largely about relationships," Mahaffey said. "My door is always open, and I am here for everyone. I treat others as fellow children of God who are loved and forgiven and encourage people to live with love in their hearts." He said he looks forward to working alongside Deacon Lindsay Bailey, director of LGL Ministries, and meeting the members of St. Matthew over the next year. Mahaffey believes that the more we learn about faith, the stronger our faith becomes. Diocese, Julie Billiart Schools partner to close learning gaps Beginning this fall, the Diocese of Cleveland's Better Together initiative will engage in a new partnership with Julie Billiart Schools to support children in Cleveland and surrounding areas. The Better Together initiative launched in 2017 to incorporate change into the Catholic school community by creating improved environments for all students. Through Better Together, Catholic school educators have the opportunity to develop their classrooms and schools for students who learn differently. During the pandemic, the diocese and schools across the United States experienced changes in attendance, staffing, resources and services. The Cleveland diocese's Office of Catholic Education is working to reinvigorate the Better Together initiative to help close learning gaps and strengthen student learning. According to the diocese, partnering with Julie Billiart Schools, a network of schools designed for children who learn differently, will allow the Diocese of Cleveland to offer stronger support and professional development to Better Together schools. "It only makes sense to leverage the expertise that JB offers in the area of special education," said Frank O'Linn, superintendent of the Cleveland diocese. "We are excited because we know this partnership will provide our Catholic educators with greater support of the highest quality to reach all types of learners." Lannie Davis-Frecker, president and CEO of Julie Billiart Schools, said this new partnership allows JB to meet its mission of educating and empowering even more students who learn differently. "We are thrilled to bring our 70 years of experience and expertise to other Catholic schools," Davis-Frecker said. "We cannot possibly serve every child with learning and social differences, and we know that JB is not the right school for every child. Supporting the diocese and their many wonderful schools and educators in this initiative aligns with our calling." Through the partnership, Julie Billiart Schools will serve as the liaison between the Catholic schools providing special education and the diocesan Office of Catholic Education. Jodi Johnston, Julie Billiart Schools' director of academics and teacher development and a previous member of the Better Together committee, will provide direction and support. Julie Billiart Schools will offer insight into best classroom practices, design professional development for teachers, help navigate the Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarship process and serve as a general resource for how to best serve students with learning and social differences. "We believe collaboration is a force multiplier, and so we are thrilled to partner with JB to strengthen all of our schools," O'Linn said. "This partnership is faithful to the promise of the Better Together movement, which was enthusiastically supported by the 2017 Alleluia Ball, to develop more inclusive learning communities reflective of our Catholic commitment to solidarity for students today and for years to come." — from staff reports