This time we’re joined by Mark Spaetzel—a longtime ALUCC member, community leader and someone whose dedication to service runs deep. From his career in law enforcement and local government to his hands-on roles in countless church committees and youth group service trips, Mark has spent a lifetime leading with integrity, compassion and commitment.

In this episode, we’ll explore some experiences that have shaped Mark’s impressive path—from his early days growing up in Avon Lake and living in our community for all but 7 years of his life to guiding young people on service trips and serving his community for 35 years with Bay Village PD and now in his current role as mayor of Avon Lake. Along the way, we’ll talk about the importance of family, qualities of leadership, lessons that shaped his sense of service, and maybe even uncover a few fun facts about Mark—from favorite meals and albums to Cleveland sports championship predictions. Get ready for an inspiring conversation with someone who truly embodies what it means to serve with commitment and empathy.

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

Our guest this episode is ALUCC’s Senior Minister Mark Pettis. If you’re listening in real time—Fall 2025—Pastor Mark is about 7 months into his tenure at our church and although many have heard his sermons and hopefully had an opportunity to talk with him, there’s still a lot to learn and that’s our goal for the next half hour or so.

*NOTE: This episode was recorded in Spring 2025 for release the week of Pastor Mark's Service of Installation. 

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

This episode, we’re joined by Savannah Stobe, a longtime member of our Junior High and Senior High Youth Groups and now wrapping up her first summer as ALUCC Youth Ministries summer assistant working alongside Nate Taylor to plan and execute activities and trips for our junior and senior high youth programs and service trips. We caught up with Savannah to debrief on her summer, learn about her past involvement as a student, hear some tips for new youth group members, find out about summer camp experiences and much more.

Savannah is going into her sophomore year at The Ohio State University and brings to that experience many things she learned through ALUCC youth programs and her own unique qualities of service and leadership. If you’ve wondered what a day in the life of a college student in 2025 looks like, we’ve got you covered. Need some ideas to inspire your kids or grandkids to join ALUCC youth groups, check. Looking for ways to connect with today’s young people, Savannah had plenty of thoughts to share.

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

This episode we’re joined by Dan Walther. Dan the Man! Dan has led the Junior High Service Trip for 12 years and has seen a lot in that time—from the transformation many kids experience to the good work done in Camp Washington by the ALUCC group and others who travel there each summer to help with summer youth programs and serve with other outreach functions of Washington UCC in Cincinnati.

Many churches have service opportunities for high school students, but an immersive mission-oriented experience away from home for kids in 6th through 8th grade is unique. Dan and Bill discuss the reasons behind this trip, as well as the community in Cincinnati where the group has gone for more than a decade, some of the work that accomplished each summer and what students (and the adult leaders) gain from a trip like this.

Throughout the episode you’ll also get to know a bit about Dan and why he feels the Junior High Service Trip is important. As he explained, the immediate impact it has on the kids who serve isn’t always clear right away, but the lessons learned run deep and truly change lives.

Dan is a longtime church member (in fact he was baptized and confirmed at ALUCC—although he did take a hiatus when the family moved to Vermilion and joined a church in that community) and currently lives in Vermilion where he raised his family and teaches 9th grade science.

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

If you went to Sunday School as a little kid or sent your own kids off to learn about the foundations of faith when they were young, you probably appreciate the importance of Christian education through the church. ALUCC has a legacy of offering faith-based education for kids of all ages and our Sunday School program is truly excellent. Much of this is due to Eileen Zakel, ALUCC’s Christian Ed coordinator. She works closely with Pastor Beau Dansizen (minister for children and families) to select and implement a curriculum each year that’s both fun and provides a faith-based foundation. But there’s so much more to Eileen as an educator, mom and deep thinker as you’ll find out in this episode.

Throughout this podcast, you’ll hear how Eileen approaches the development of our programs for young kids (ages pre-K through 5th grade), why she feels teaching Sunday School is an awesome opportunity for members to serve a role in helping kids grow in their faith and ways you can teach your own kids or grandkids about world-changing concepts in understandable ways. You’ll also learn more about what our recently-renovated education wing has to offer. Did you know there’s a sensory room? How about a craft room that anyone can use?

You’ll really want to listen all the way to the end of this episode because there are a lot of wonderful thoughts from Eileen that come just before it wrapped it up.

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

This episode, we’re excited to be joined by Maddie Stiles, a life-long Avon Laker and church member who’s been involved in ALUCC youth ministries as a kid and now as an adult volunteer with the senior high youth group. Maddie was also a summer intern for a few years and is clearly all-in on this element of our church. In the fall, she will embark on her career as an educator having just accepted a job teaching 5th grade at Hayes Elementary School in Lakewood.

Throughout the episode, you’ll no doubt be inspired by Maddie’s passion for working with young people and their development as people of faith. She shares stories about how her life was positively impacted by youth group, summer camp and service trips, and why she feels it’s so important for her to follow in the footsteps of her youth leaders and adult volunteers. She also has plenty of funny stories to tell and great advice to share. We loved having Maddie on the podcast and know you’ll love hearing the conversation!

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

Our guest today has been a member of ALUCC for 40 years and has been super-involved since day one—although she spent a handful of those years as a member of another UCC church but still sang in our choir! Many of you know Judy Reich, especially if you sing in the choir, ring in the bell choir, participate in faith and fitness classes, engage with Stephen Ministers or attend the 9:00 service. If you’re a long-time church member, chances are you’ve interacted with Judy in a variety of groups, committees and activities. In her 40 years at ALUCC, Judy seems to have done it all.

Most recently, she served on the Search Committee for our senior minister Mark Pettis. In this episode, you’ll learn a lot about Judy because she was a great sport and let us pick her brain on all things ALUCC, her family, interests and even her childhood in Montana and Maryland. You’ll definitely want to listen all the way to the end of this episode!

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

Today we have two guests who’ve given a week of their summer to serve as adult volunteer leaders on our Senior High Service Trip to Charleston, West Virginia. Not only are they rookie leaders, but they’re both veterans of service trips as members of our youth group not too long ago. You’re going to love learning more about Gabbie Sterling and Evan Taylor as we pick their brains about the value of youth group, why they volunteer every Wednesday night with the senior high and advice they have for today’s young people. We’ll also find out plenty more about them outside of church activities and some of the questions might get a bit crazy. You’ll have to listen all the way to the end to find out!

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members. Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc 

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

Our guest today is Tom Coy—a lifelong Avon Laker and member of our church for more than 30 years. Tom is just about the friendliest person you’ll ever meet, and his positive vibes make for a fun episode. He is a man of many talents—mechanical and as it relates to sharing wisdom. You can expect plenty of stories (Tom roofed and painted his own house and got a ’68 Camaro AFTER his days of dirt bikes and Harleys ended!) He also took his equally-awesome wife Carolyn to their first date on a snowmobile …

But the funny stories are only part of the episode. Tom is a super proud dad of two wonderful grown children has been very active at ALUCC over the years, serving multiple times as a trustee and in a critical stint as church moderator. He’s been an adult volunteer on many service trips and is excited to go again this summer. You’ll learn why he feels serving with our youth programs is so important and advice for getting engaged with the church. You’ll definitely want to listen all the way to the end of this episode!

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636

Our guest this time is someone we often see and hear play guitar with the worship band and in concerts at the church but unless you’re well-versed in the Cleveland music scene you might not know how lucky we are to have him in front of the church sharing his talents. Pete is a highly-respected musician who’s played with some of the best in Cleveland and across the world, from blues legends to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and his own extremely talented family members.

During this episode, Pete shares stories from his career playing and teaching music that’s spanned decades—tales from gigs at Cleveland clubs now long gone, celebrity friends from the Cleveland scene and when he and his family lived just off Bourbon Street in New Orleans and much, much more. He also talks about why music is integral to a church service and as a reflection of spirituality. Pete is an amazing storyteller, as well as guitarist and you’ll definitely want to listen all the way to the end of this episode!

Welcome to ALUCC Fellowship Hall, a podcast where we gather to share a tapestry of stories that weave through the congregation of Avon Lake United Church of Christ. In each episode, we'll journey together through the diverse experiences, fun stories and journeys of church leaders and our fellow members.

Grab a seat, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us in Fellowship Hall as we delve into the heart of Avon Lake United Church of Christ, one story at a time.

Be sure to subscribe to the ALUCC Fellowship Hall podcast on your favorite app so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

Learn more about Avon Lake United Church of Christ in Avon Lake, Ohio: https://www.avonlakeucc.org/

Follow ALUCC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonLakeUCC/

Instagram: @avonlakeucc

Watch weekly services on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/avonlakeucc

Like Waypoint Youth Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonlakeuccyouth/

Instagram: @waypointym

Follow ALUCC Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199223630209636