February 17, 2015
Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love  Joel 2:43

Good Afternoon Northwestern Ohio Synod!  On this Ash Wednesday eve, we send our prayers for a wrestling peace in the upcoming season.  May you know the presence, the sacrifice, the penance, and the hope of forgiveness these 40 days of remembrance, intercession and journey.   

A prayer to begin the season:
O Lord God, you led your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land.  Guide now the people of your Church, that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.                              (LBW)

Below you will find important and interesting information to share with your congregation leaders:

1.  A Note: Please publicize your congregation's city when cancelling services
2.  Lost and Found - March 1
3.  LDR Training
4.  Let's celebrate a new shared ministry!
5.  A support group opportunity for Military Families
6.  It is Health Assessment time, save Health Care Costs by taking the Assessment!  

Send your interested folks to the Synod Discernment Retreat!  March 6-7 at Camp Mowana.

Blessings on your Lenten journey,
Sherry Krieger
Director for Administration and Communication

A Reminder when Publicizing Cancellations


 

With all the snow and cold weather cancellations of church services and functions, it is important to remember to note both the name of your congregation and the city/town. Recently, the cancellations or postponements of Sunday services and events have been somewhat confusing because congregations have called local TV stations to publicize their cancellations but they have often failed to list their city.  Thus, a cancellation at "St. John  Lutheran Church" shows up on the screen crawls of Toledo stations but folks in Fremont, Oak Harbor, Holgate, and/or Defiance aren't sure if it's their church or not.  Not only do we have duplicate congregation names in the ELCA but also with LCMS and others.


Reminder: PLEASE list your city as well as the name of the congregation when publicizing a cancellation.  Thanks!!!

Final Lost and Found Tour - BE THERE! March 1st

 

 

 

 

 

The Lost and Found 2015 Farewell Tour is officially happening and is coming to northwest Ohio Sunday, March 1, 2015, 6:30 p.m. at the Ottawa-Glandorf High School Auditorium (630 Glendale Ave, Ottawa, Ohio).  Don't miss this "grand finale" of a concert hosted by New Creation Lutheran Church.  Tickets are on sale now for $5/person ($7 at the door).  Seating is limited so order soon to "Stein Auf!" ("Rock On!") with Mike and George.  To order tickets, simply contact New Creation at 419.523.6250 or e-mail them at [email protected]. 


 

 

Lutheran Disaster Response Training - March 7 @ First, Tiffin

 


 

Ohio Lutheran Disaster Response is providing disaster preparedness training at Level One Basic and Level Two Specialized.  These educational workshops will provide training to volunteers in each participating congregation, preparing each to form disaster volunteer teams.  Recognized credentials will be provided.

 


 
 

Place: First Lutheran Church, 300 Melmore St., Tiffin, Ohio  44883


 

Date:  March 7, 2015

Registration at 8:30am for Level One

Registration for Level Two at 12:00noon.


 

Level One:  (9am-12pm)  includes Family Preparedness and Congregational Disaster Plans - "Are You Ready?"


  

Level Two: (12:30pm-3pm) Specialization:  Case Management

Donations Management, Volunteer Management, ELCA Spiritual Care, 

Lutheran Early Response (LERT)


 

A Message to every Congregation

 

Disaster Response Training Registration Form

 

PREPARING FOR DISASTER: A GUIDE FOR LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS 

Celebrating a New Shared Ministry in NWOS

Two Lutheran congregations have decided to enter into a long-term, formal agreement of "Sharing the Pastor." St. Luke's Lutheran Church, North Baltimore affirmed this decision at the Annual Meeting on November 16, 2015. St. John's Lutheran Church, McComb affirmed the decision at the Annual Meeting on January 25, 2015. The Church Councils of both congregations will meet soon to draw up a formal document to finalize the partnership.
A Resource for Military Families


NAMI Homefront is
 a six-session education program for family, friends and partners of Military Service Members and Veterans with mental health conditions - free of cost.

The course teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.


 

Monday, April 13, 2015 to Monday, May 18, 2015

9:30 am - 12 Noon

 

Veterans Administration

1200 S. Detroit Avenue, Toledo, OH


 

Facilitators:  Phil and Carol Meuser


 

Detailed Homefront Flyer

Rostered Leaders, Take your Health Assessment ASAP!

As of Janurary 31, NWOS still needs 
102 Rostered Leaders
to complete the Portico/Mayo Clinic Health Assessment to reach the minimum goal of 65% participations.  When we reach this goal, collectively we'll save nearly $41,000 in health care costs across the synod.  Please take a few minutes right now to complete the Assessment (or talk to your pastor, Rostered Leader or other staff covered by Portico to be sure they take their Assessment too!).  Thanks!


***AND remember there's a new way to take the Assessment! This year, just simply sign in to myPortico to get to Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online, where you can take the health assessment and earn wellness dollars. There's no longer a separate Mayo Clinic user ID and password. Spouses must register for their own myPortico account using details that we've mailed to them. Spouses and members cannot share a myPortico account.