In the April 2026 Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA, the responsibilities of a deacon are listed as:
a. be rooted in the Word of God, for proclamation and service; 
b. advocate a prophetic diakonia that commits itself to risk-taking and innovative service on the frontiers of the Church’s outreach, giving particular attention to the suffering places in God’s world;
c. speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, proclaiming God’s love for the world, advocating dignity, justice, and equity for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, caring for the marginalized, and embracing and welcoming racially and ethnically diverse populations;
d. equip the baptized for ministry in God’s world that affirms the gifts of all people;
e. encourage mutual relationships that invite participation and accompaniment of others in God’s mission;
f. practice stewardship that respects God’s gift of time, talents, and resources;
g. be grounded in a gathered community for ongoing diaconal formation;
h. share knowledge of this church and its wider ministry of the gospel, and advocate for the work of all expressions of this church; and
i. identify and encourage qualified persons to prepare for ministry of the gospel.
I’d never read the document named above before and I was struck by how perfectly Jennifer’s passions and calling align with the role of an ELCA Deacon. If you’ve spent any amount of time with Jennifer, you know how deeply she cares and how tirelessly she works to make God’s love visible in the world. She has always challenged us to see the church not simply as a place we gather, but as a community sent out to love our neighbors.
Over the years, we’ve been blessed to have Jennifer as a guiding force connecting St. Paul’s with the wider community. During her time here, she transformed the way we approach Christian Education and Outreach. What began as a traditional Sunday school position became a much broader vision of faith in action. Many of the ministries that define our parish today exist because Jennifer planted the seeds and empowered others to help them grow.
When you think about the ways St. Paul’s has reached beyond our walls over the last decade, you can see Jennifer’s influence on many of them. Whether she conceived the idea herself or people were motivated to pursue one they might not have otherwise, she inspired us to become a church willing to act. We welcomed and fed asylum seekers whose bus had a stop in Toledo. We organized community meals that built relationships across faith traditions and hosted interfaith cooking classes. We assembled a team to prepare for refugee resettlement before those efforts were halted in 2025. We prayerfully developed our Welcoming Statement and Land Acknowledgment Statement as reminders of Christ’s love and our commitment to our neighbors. This summer we’ll host our first community swap, celebrating abundance, reducing consumption, and honoring the Indigenous gift economy. Because of Jennifer’s guidance, St. Paul’s is a more connected, compassionate, and courageous congregation.
On a personal note, Jennifer has been one of the most influential mentors I’ve had. She is one of only a few people who fundamentally changed the direction of my life. She helped me see more clearly the purpose of the church and challenged me to recognize that our faith calls us to act.
As Jennifer steps away from her staff role, I admit I worry about what comes next for us. But Jennifer recently reminded me that she isn’t really leaving St. Paul’s. Unlike a departing rector, she can still be a part of this community. She is simply seeking a healthier balance by working one job instead of two.
She’ll continue serving through the many advocacy organizations and community partnerships she leads throughout Toledo, and St. Paul’s will continue to have opportunities to partner alongside her. This is not a goodbye—it is simply a new chapter.
As we mark this transition, I encourage you to reflect on the ways Jennifer’s ministry has touched your own life. Write her a note of thanks. Attend a community event or advocacy effort she helps organize. Subscribe to one of the organizations she supports. Join us at the potluck this Sunday. One of Jennifer’s greatest gifts has always been empowering others to carry the work forward. True to the calling of a deacon, Jennifer has equipped us for ministry. The best way we can thank her is by continuing this ministry together.
Jaimie Deye, Worship Team Leader