[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  ANNIVERSARY OF SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 10, 2001

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize a most auspicious 
event in the life of Salem Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. On Sunday, 
November 4, 2001, the congregation will celebrate its 160th 
anniversary. Such an occasion is truly a monument to faith.
  Salem is Toledo's first and oldest Lutheran church, having been 
founded in 1842 in one of Toledo's most historic neighborhoods, the 
near North End. Originally made up of the German, Greek and Syrian 
immigrants in the neighborhood at that time, the church's congregation 
changed through the years and remains reflective of the diversity of 
its neighborhood yet today. Particularly in its second century of life, 
Salem Lutheran Church has been a place of constancy in a neighborhood 
and for a people who welcome many newcomers. Comfort is found within 
its walls for local people, but also those who are poor and often 
beaten down by serious struggles of life. The church's building houses 
not only a place of worship but also provides a place for its neighbors 
to come together to eat and for other community services and church-
based programs benefiting them.
  Salem's pastor and parishioners have been active in the Toledo Area 
Lutheran Coalition, a cluster of churches dedicated to a cooperative 
relationship. It is a teaching parish, serving as a host site for Synod 
youth interns and seminary interns several times since 1994. In the 
words of its current pastor, today ``Salem serves as a model for 
central city multicultural ministry, offering an ecumenical ministry 
site . . . to grow in service.'' She describes the congregation's move 
toward the future noting, ``there is a sense of gratitude we are still 
here, an awareness of the resurrection power of God, and a renewed 
sense of mission with the people of our neighborhood.''
  Following Christ's admonition, whatsoever you do to the least among 
us, that you do unto Me, the congregation of Salem Lutheran Church 
flowered in the neighborhood in which these He described have lived. In 
its past, its present, and into its future, Salem Lutheran Church will 
always be a place of faith, hope, and love, and a testament to Christ's 
Word and the perseverance of His followers. As today's congregation 
reflects on its past and is inspired by its future, I am pleased to 
offer my voice to the chorus of congratulations on its 160th 
anniversary.

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