Findlay-area churches collaborate for spring event

FINDLAY — Trinity Lutheran, First Lutheran and St. John's Lutheran churches are ready for spring. The local churches are working together to debut a 2026 Jump into Spring event for the community on Feb. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 935 W. Bigelow Ave. The free inclusive indoor play party will welcome children of all ages and abilities and their families. There will be two bounce houses, crafts, a puppet show, little tot area, sensory/quiet room, community resources and food and refreshments. "I guess we're saying, come and play with us," said Jacinda Jones, who is a student pastor at Trinity Lutheran and vicar at St. John's Lutheran. "I think we learn best and we experience love best when we're at play." Jones and Christine Reasoner are co-facilitators of the event. Using a micro-grant provided by the Northwest Ohio Synod of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), the two women previously worked together on a Period Poverty Supply Drive, a project to provide feminine products to those in need. Every year the synod picks a different theme, said Reasoner. Last year was the year of listening. "So we applied for this micro grant, and it was kind of like how do you listen to your neighbors and find out what their needs are," she explained. Jones said they attended the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library's Summer Connect sessions. This was a new initiative to bring free, family-friendly events to local neighborhoods. "They went to the different parks, and we used that as our listening activity to kind of get a feel of what's going on in the community because we don't often get a chance to get outside of the church," she said. This year's word is love. Another micro grant from the synod for $4,000 is being used to bring the church outside of its walls in support of the community, Reasoner said. "From our listening, how can we then use that listening to show love in the community, maybe what they might need," she said. This has also been an opportunity for the ELCA Lutheran churches in Findlay to work together, said Jones. A committee called Blessings in Bloom was formed which is comprised of representatives from all three churches. "We just want to share the love that we have experienced with people outside," she said. "It's how do we live differently and love differently to show love in the world. We don't want to evangelize, but we want to share." "And if we had a big dream, it would be how do we connect with other churches because the more you get together, the more you can do," she added. "I think that's what we're finding with the three (Lutheran) churches." In fall 2025, they all worked together to host a community cook-out at First Lutheran Church. An event at St. John's Lutheran is in the works. "We'd had heard from a lot of grandparents it would nice to go have somewhere to play. We heard the same sentiment that families are looking for someplace that's accessible to abilities," said Reasoner. ADDAPTCO, an All Developmental Differences and Abilities Parent Teacher Community Organization for children within Hancock County, and the Hancock County Educational Service Center provided feedback on how they can make the space downstairs at Trinity Lutheran more inclusive. One addition will be a designated sensory room/quiet space for children who need to take a break if it gets too busy in the gym. The space will be dimly lit and have fidget toys available, said Jones. "It's just a place to go and settle if you need a place to settle," she said. Another room will feature a puppet show. In between performances, craft activities are planned. Coloring pages will be put together to create a mural that will read "Kindness in Bloom." There will also be a little tot area and a scavenger hunt. An elevator and ADA-accessible bathrooms are available as well. "This really comes from a dream to go out in the world and be with people and form relationships and make new friends," Reasoner said. "If you think about it, Jesus wandered. He didn't stay in one spot inside a building. He didn't like to stay inside. We're just trying to mimic that because you meet people where they are." The committee is hoping to get the youth of the church involved in helping on the day of the event. Jones said new volunteers are always welcome. They don't have to be a member of any of the three churches. "We don't want to hold it all to ourselves," said Jones. "We want this to continue to bloom and just be out in the world." The committee is thankful the synod allows for these grants and opportunities, she noted. "We wouldn't be able to do this without the grant that they provided for us. That will be the thing in Blessings and Blooms is where we go next to be self-funded," Jones said. "Part of the gift of this is the ability to make connections and build relationships, and that's what we're hoping for." Sign-up lists to provide food, to volunteer and to help with an Amazon wish list can be found on Trinity Lutheran's Facebook page.