The decision to "do something" came easy to Pastor Bob Ball. It was two days after 26 people, including 20 first graders, were senselessly killed in Newtown, Connecticut.
"Who knows why the 20 year old kid decided to do what he did," Pastor Ball said. "We can't just stand by and let them die in vain. We just can't do that."
So, the Rossford United Methodist Church pastor came up with a plan. To meet with the congregation and the community and start the conversation about school violence.
"Its an attempt to try and become better acquainted and then say how can we help," he said.
Wednesday night, Bill Ivoska spoke to the crowd about drug and alcohol use in Wood County youth. A step he calls mental first aid.
"A lot of the problems and at risk behaviors aren't necessarily signs of school age violence, but it can contribute to it," Ivoska told 13abc.
He says tackling the complex issue of school violence starts with education. The hope is to keep the issue in the forefront, and pay tribute to the lives lost at Sandy Hook.
"I'm not naive enough to think we can stop it all, I'd like to, but I know we can't," Pastor Ball said. "But we can at least try to do something other than go on our merry way."
Every Wednesday during Lent at 7 p.m. there will be a different speaker. It is held at Rossford United Methodist Church. The community is encouraged to attend.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:11:57 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:11:57 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
The search continues for a missing East Toledo girl. In the midst of the search, another missing children's case in our area is getting national attention. The Toledo Blade’s Danielle Trubow has the details.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:36:03 GMT
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a women's restroom at a public park.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:13:14 GMT
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Martens is
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:07:47 GMT
The Great Gatsby recently took the box office by storm, and now you have a chance to spend an evening living the grand lifestyle, and the best part about it is that you'll be helping others! The fourth
The fourth annual "Cocktails for the Cure" is this Thursday at the Toledo Country Club. The party will feature an evening of "Gatsby Glamour."
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