The Servant Leadership Center

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

A note from Sr. Nancy Volume 1, Issue 2

Thanks to many of you our fall
fund raiser was a resounding
success. Not only did we
celebrate Albert’s birthday in
high style with a hundred
guests we met our goal and so
were able to complete our
matching grant.
That is only one part of our
Good News. We now have
eleven groups in five different
sites. We recently began
sessions in Perrysburg,
Defiance, and Swanton. All
three groups seem very
promising. We also have plans
for two more groups to begin
here at the center. There is
room in those groups so if you
know of anyone interested.
This past weekend members of
the Notre Dame Club spent
several hours here fixing some
things on the outside of our
building and preparing our
flower beds for the winter.
Our back entrance has a
renewed look and our flower
beds are ready to hibernate!
We must have ten bags of
leaves and debris for the
garbage pick-up. The group
really worked hard and we
appreciate all their assistance.
With their help and help from
many of you we continue to be
good stewards of the building
we have been given.
This week we receive the first
installment of the Marguerite
d’Youville grant we received
earlier. Tuesday a check for
$40,000 will be given to us for
2008. The majority of it will
be for Erin’s salary. We keep
teasing her that we know her
salary is secure for the next
two years…we’re not so sure
of the rest of us! Seriously,
though the Center has been
tremendously blessed and we
November 2007
continue to move ahead. We
are looking forward to the Special points of interest:
next phase of our development • Prayer/reflection
– a focus on organizations.
You will be hearing more • Community
about that in the future.
Happenings
As I was preparing this piece I • NEW CENTER LOGO &
glanced through Robert
Greenleaf’s book Servant EMAIL ADDRESSES
Leader. In his last chapter he FOR CENTER STAFF
speaks of the inward journey.
Working with a poem by
Robert Frost, he says, “… Center Staff:
when we have gone back out
Barb Aranyosi
of all this now too much for
us, when we are lost enough Administrative Assistant
to find ourselves and have slcenter@servantleader.org
pulled in our ladder road !"
behind us – then we shall
Erin Battistoni
have the opportunity to
drink the waters of Director of Outreach Ministry
wholeness.” My prayer for erin@servantleader.org
each of you is that you may !"
drink your fill! Blessing until
Nancy Westmeyer, OSF
the next time.
Executive Director
With you in the Spirit, nancy@servantleader.org
Sister Nancy Westmeyer

Ser vant Leadership Thanks Board Members who have

completed their ter ms and Welcomes New Board Members
We wish to publicly thank Mr. Richard Kaverman, Vision Team member and alumni,
Sister Rita Weiken, OSF, Director of Seeds of Hope Farm and alumni; Mr. Ben Nunez,
Vision Team Member, Alumni and current co-facilitator of our Bowling Green group and Ms.
Maria Povsic, Vision Team member, alumni and co-facilitator of our Tuesday night group,
our founding board members who have completed serving their terms on our founding board. The Servant
Leadership Center exists because of your deep commitment to
serving and living out the Gospel Message. Thank you for the
countless ways you have served and continue to serve the Servant
Leadership Community.
Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 2

TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS!

Sr. Joanne Lammers, OSF– a Sister of St. Francis of Tiffin Oh, and current member of the Tiffin Franciscan Leadership Council
Mary Jo Anderson, Fall O6-Fall 07 Group participant
Father John Blazer, Pastor of the Emmaus Cluster on the East Side, current participant-Toledo Group
Mr. Richard Faist, partner in Clifton Gunderson LLP
Dr. Bob Huss, retired ophthalmologist
Mr. Dennis Recker, of Fawcett, Lammon, Recker Insurance and Financial Service; current participant-Defiance Group
Mr. Dave Schlaudecker, Treasurer Executive Director of Leadership Toledo
Mrs. Elaine Sheehan, Sales Development with DMC Consulting, Commuter and Services Providers; current participant– Toledo Group

THANK YOU TO OUR CONTINUING BOARD MEMBERS!

Mr. Bob Anderson, President
Mr. Gene Kobylak, Secretary
Sr. Nancy Westmeyer, Co-Founder
Bishop Albert Ottenweller, Co-Founder

A Participants’ Story– by Rick Schmidt

I must say that the choice I made to be a part of something called Servant Leadership has been the biggest step in my, sometimes
unknowingly, spiritual journey. I know, because it is the first time that I have truly let people in my heart, to see all that there is to
see, and to trust them with those secrets contained.

And, I finally realized that there actually are purveyors of truth, freedom of thought, covered in forgiveness and the grace of
confidentiality. This, I must admit, is a new awakening that only God can give and give and give, and I have finally grabbed on to it.

A time has come in my life to take this gigantic step, by finally having faith in the fact that “I am God’s Beloved.” Once this
has been realized and taken to heart as your core belief, you are on the road to finding out exactly who you are and what your destiny
is on this earth.

But I never would have found this out about myself, although a little late in life, if not for walking through the doors of SL for the
first time. I was scared, defensive, quiet, but, a flame was silently burning inside. This fire turned into intense warmth that allowed
me to come back for a second time, which led me to be where I am today.
This has not been an easy task.

I imagine that we can all say that we have taken bad choices in life, some far worse than others. We have all had to carry a bag of
guilt and remorse, some far heavier than others. When I came through the SL doors I had to go back to my car for two more bags.
My biggest hope and dream in life was to know that I can make a difference. I was born with this destiny. I was born God’s beloved.
But there were many times in which I was torn off the path. I feel that I have seen all of the evil in life, whether it was by choice or
not. I started to feel as if there was no hope. I was close to giving up again. But a very special and close friend steered me to the SL
doors.

I have never given myself any good credit, to speak of. I would often remind people of all of the wonderful and even heroic events of
my life but would never believe in what I was doing was right. But, God, who has seen me through the worst in life, and now my
entrance on the right path, never gave up on me. I now find this to be true of everyone in my group, especially Sr. Nancy, Erin, and
my dude, Albert.
None of this could have happened without God working the controls. I have always believed in Jesus Christ and God the Father, as
well as the Holy Spirit. I thought that I understood it all. I have now come to realize some of the many things that I have been
Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3

missing. I am starting to see what I have been doing wrong. I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel.

We can all find this light. But, I offer a word of caution. Be prepared when you find this light. Be ready to face your destiny. I pray
the experience will not frighten you off. I pray you embrace it. I urge you all to let your guard down long enough to think without
being afraid.

Some of us have fought this all of our lives. I was going to protect what I have felt, whether good or bad, for my whole life. But, I
got tired of running and hiding. This day brings me hope. Even when I am being bombarded
with demons I am still moving forward. I will always look at this day as having made the
best decision I have ever made in my entire life.

Even through my failures, I have gained something positive. Some days are better than
others and life has become very overwhelming at times, but I am facing my destiny on
earth, as given by my Lord God. I am finally facing it with strength, hope and the
confidence that I will be a successful piece of the pie that God calls His plan.

We all have work to do. I urge you all to grab on to this journey of everlasting faith and
life. Maybe that is our destiny? Do you all fully believe that we can do anything we put our
hearts and minds too? How could we not when we come to believe that God is our creator,
provider, and we are His beloved? What really is there to fear?

Thank you all for your unconditional love and compassion. I humbly accept the grace you
have all given me. I love you all.

Rick Schmidt, 2007—2008 Participant

OUTREACH MINISTRY GROUP CHECK OUT

What’s New?
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Fair Trade Sampling Party.
A great way to sample a
variety of Equal
Exchange’s Fair trade and
organic coffees. See last
page for details.
NEW SERVANT LEADERSHIP
GROUPS FORMING FOR
JANUARY– Want to be apart of
something special? Here’s your
chance!
Make a change in yourself and
make a difference in the world. If
you or those you know are looking for
a group to pray with as you discern
new directions join us for one of our
informational sessions .Help us
spread the word.
FORMED:
A group of SL Alumnus and friends
of our community have joined
together to discern how the spirit is
calling them to serve
women in our
community. We are
pleased to announce
that On Friday November 16, the
WOMEN OF FAITH group will be
sponsoring their first retreat with
Women Blessing Women
(www.womenblessingwomen.org).
The WOMEN OF FAITH Prayer
group meets the 4th Wednesday of the
month from 10am—11am , and is
open to anyone interested in joining.
The group gathers in prayer as a faith
community, and is working on
projects to outreach women who have
been marginalized in our community.
For more info email or call Erin at the
Center.
OUR NEW
CENTER LOGO:
Reverend Steve Anthony Installed
as Toledo Area Ministries
(TAMOhio.org) new Executive
Director— TAM and Servant
Leadership are in the process of
formalizing a collaborative
partnership. We Congratulate Steve
and welcome him to our community!
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
CENTER TO HOST
SOLIDARITY VIGIL TO
PRAY FOR THE
CLOSURE OF THE SOA/
WHINSEC
(www.soaw.org) For more
info about the infamous school that
teaches south American militants in
torture tactics.
 Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 4

Community Happenings: Save the

Monday Night Prayer~ All are welcome to join in prayer at the Center from 7-8:30 PM
every Monday night.
Saturday, November 17: 10-11:30am WHAT”S THE BUZZ? Fair Trade Coffee Sampling Party. A
great way to sample a variety of Equal Exchange’s Fair trade and organic coffees.
Sunday November 18 2-4pm, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Parish– Prayer service in solidarity with
those participating in the School of the Americas Vigil in Georgia. If you are interested in going on the
Bus trip sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Contact Sr. Mary Kuhlman 419-447-0435
Saturday, December 1, 8pm Brewed Awakenings on 2636 W. Central Ave, Toledo: Funhouse Writers
Group, Variety Show under the direction of Frank Murphy. An evening of music, poetry and art dealing
with social issues. Guest Artist: Ms. Sarah Coulter, Poet and Musician.
Fall 2007-Spring 2008 Check out the Erase the Hate Events that will be held through out the coming
months. For more info go to www.erasethehatetoledo.org Flyers are also available at the center.

Prayer for All Saints

(Provided by Pastor Karen Shepler, Monroe Street United Methodist Church)
Ever living God,

This [month] revives in us memories of loved ones who are no more.

What happiness we shared when they walked among us.
What joy, when, loving and being loved, we lived our lives together.
Their memory is a blessing for ever.
Months or years may have passed, and still we feel near to them.
Our hearts yearn for them.
Though the bitter grief has softened, a duller pain abides;
For the place where once they stood is empty now.
The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot
break.
Their souls are bound up in ours for ever.
We wee them now with the eye of memory,
Their faults forgiven, their virtues grown larger.
So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight.
We remember them with gratitude and bless their names. Non Profit Org
Their memory is a blessing for ever. US Postage Paid
And we remember as well the members Toledo OH
Who but yesterday were part of our [congregations] and community. Permit # 322
To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. 1618 W. Sylvania Ave
May we prove worthy of carrying on the tradition of our faith, Toledo, OH 43612
For now the task is ours.
Their souls are bound up in ours for ever.
We give you thanks that they now live and reign with you.
As a great crowd of witnesses,
They surround us with their blessings,
And offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
They are alive for ever more. Amen.
Throughout the month of November, your loved ones will be held in the prayers
of this community. If you would like to call or email the names of those you would
like us to remember by name, you are most welcome to do so. May God’s peace
be with you and yours.