Welcoming All by Sharing God's Growing Love
Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church sits at 620 Dodge Street in Swanton, Ohio, where the ELCA congregation has put down new roots in recent years. The church's motto, "Welcoming ALL by sharing GOD's growing love through FAITH," shows up in everything from a hand-lettered welcome sign to a vegetable garden that feeds neighbors across Fulton County and into north Toledo. The people of Faith describe themselves simply: a group that comes together to worship God and follow Jesus, "young children and senior citizens, middle school students and young adults, brought together by God who loves us and the entire world."
Worship on Saturdays and Sundays
Worship at Faith is offered twice each weekend. Saturday services are held at 5:30 PM, shifting to 4:30 PM during the winter months between the time clocks fall back and spring forward. Sunday worship is at 10:15 AM, followed by coffee, treats, and fellowship. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, with past worship services and bell choir recordings saved to dedicated playlists. After worship, the same building that fills with hymns in the morning often opens its doors to neighbors over a shared meal.
A Bell Choir and an Outdoor Pulpit
Music is a steady presence at Faith. A bell choir rings out from the church, and its recordings share space on YouTube with full worship services. Beyond the walls, an outdoor worship space invites the congregation to pray under the sky. The grounds also feature Scriptural Stations of the Cross, laid out as a walking path that connects worship, reflection, and the wider gardens.
Word for Children During Sunday Worship
Children are part of the main service at Faith rather than tucked away from it. From September through May, kids ages two through third grade are invited downstairs for "Word for Children" during the middle of the 10:15 AM worship service. There they hear the day's Bible story, take part in lively conversation, and complete crafts or games that illustrate the theme. The program rests on Jesus' words in Mark 10:14, "Allow the children to come to me."
Women's Bible Study on Second Mondays
Faith's Women's Bible Study meets at 7:00 PM on the second Monday of each month, giving women in the congregation a regular rhythm of scripture and conversation outside of Sunday morning.
A Garden That Feeds the Neighborhood
The garden at Faith began in 2021 as a shared plot open to both the congregation and the Swanton community. Today it grows a changing mix of vegetables, sunflowers, and corn, with a pollinator prairie of Partridge Pea, Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, milkweed, and native grasses filling an adjacent space. A walking path winds through the prairie for reflection or prayer. The harvest has grown so abundant that extra produce is shared with Salem Lutheran Church on the north side of Toledo, which hosts a Tuesday meal for people in its neighborhood.
A Free Community Dinner on First Thursdays
On the first Thursday of every month, Faith opens its doors for a free community dinner open to all. The monthly gathering is a regular point of contact between the church and the wider Swanton area, and the same outreach mindset shows up in the garden, the outdoor worship space, and the welcome offered at every service.
Meet Pastor Dalton Rosa-Ruggieri
Pastor Dalton Rosa-Ruggieri began serving Faith in September 2021 after graduating from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and being ordained that same month. He describes his calling as loving people through their life's journeys through welcome, pastoral care, and meaningful ritual. The rest of the ministry team includes Julie Zedlitz leading the Worship Team, Lucas Glenn as Musician, Jodi Campbell directing Children and Youth Ministry, and Glenn Garbers heading Community Outreach.