What's the common denominator among the Bluffton Community Assistance Program, Weekday Christian Education (Release Time Program), Bluffton Family Recreation, Bluffton Senior Citizens' Center, Bluffton Child Development Center, The Community Meal, the Bluffton C.R.O.P. Walk, the Community Nursery School, and the Community Vacation Bible School Program?

First, the lives of nearly every resident of Bluffton and the surrounding area have been touched by the ministries of those programs and institutions, and, second, each of them were either begun by or have been sponsored and supported by the Inter-Church Board of Bluffton.

According to Rev. Kevin Mohr, pastor of English Lutheran Church and the new president of the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association, "The Inter-Church Board of Bluffton (ICB) was in 1969 to identify cooperative projects and programs the churches of Bluffton could do together in the Bluffton area and beyond in Christ's name.

"The churches of Bluffton can be proud of what we have been able to do together in the past. In order to function more efficiently in the future, the ICB has amended its structure."

As part of that new re-organization, the Bluffton community and civic and business leaders are invited to a public "town hall" annual gathering of the ICB of Bluffton at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, at First Mennonite Church.

Mohr said that the main purpose of this meeting is to get direct input from the community as to perceived local social and spiritual needs that could be addressed by the churches of Bluffton working together.

"Please join us for the gathering - your participation is important to us!" he added.

If you have any questions about this community meeting or the ICB of Bluffton, you may contact Pastor Kevin Mohr at 419-358-2591 or by email at [email protected].
submitted by R. Kevin Mohr, pastor English Lutheran Church