Thursday, September 3, 2015
Greetings!

As summer turns to fall, kids go back to school, adults get back to work after vacations, fall sports start, and lives go back to "normal," now is the perfect time to center ourselves on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

There is a time  for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

What times and what seasons are we heading into... individually? together? as a community? as a state? as a country? as a global church body? 

Please be sure to send any announcements for next week's eNews to [email protected] *and* [email protected]

Sincerely,
Eric Maki
Communications Consultant



Lutheran Men in Mission 2015 Fall Assembly
 830a-2p, October 17; Luther Home of Mercy, Williston; $10 at the door


Don't miss the Lutheran Men in Mission 2015 Fall Assembly being held from 830a-2p, Saturday, October 17, at Luther Home of Mercy in Williston. Join LMM for fun, food, fellowship, a service project, awards, and more. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome.

 Call Richard Knoll at 419-864-1471 to RSVP
 
Congregation Remittance Form Reminder

Just a quick reminder that when submitting a check from the congregation to the Synod Office it must be accompanied by a Congregational Remittance Form. The checks are picked up from a PO Box and the bank deposits them immediately. When you send in a check without the Remittance Form, the bank returns the checks to us, so it is imperative to always include the Remittance Form.

Checks and forms should be sent to NWOS-ELCA, PO Box 981, Findlay, OH 45839. Please do NOT send checks to the office at 621 Bright Road. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sherri Wagner in the Synod Office.
 
2016 Compensation Guidelines

We're about two weeks away from the official launch of the new synod website. Until then, there are a few items congregations have been asking for that are on the new website but may not be on the old. The 2016 Compensation Guidelines are one of these items. Below you will find the 2016 Compensation Guidelines. Once the new website launches, you will find them in their permanent home under "Resources > Congregations."
 
Respiratory Therapist Joins Lutheran Village Staff

Lutheran Homes Society (LHS) announces that Respiratory Therapist Prince Yeboah, CRT, RRT, has been employed full time by Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, an LHS senior care ministry located at 2001 Perrysburg Holland Road in Holland, Ohio.

As part of the Wolf Creek clinical team, Mr. Yeboah is responsible for assessing patients with chronic breathing problems, administering breathing treatments, educating patients, and assisting in the development of a pulmonary rehabilitation program at the facility.

Previously, Mr. Yeboah was employed as respiratory therapist at Susquehanna Health Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. He also worked as a resident care associate at Brookdale Bath assisted living facility in Akron, Ohio, while he finished his degree. He graduated in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in resp
 
Sawmill 2016: Sent With The Spirit... Expecting to be Surprised
 January 19-21; Sawmill Retreat Center, Huron


We are delighted to announce that ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and ELCA Director of Worship, the Rev. Kevin Strickland, will be presenters for an all-Ohio Rostered Leaders Retreat at Sawmill Retreat Center, January 19-21.  

The Retreat will focus on the ELCA Worship Document , The Use of the Means of Grace , and conversation related to pastoral practice around Holy Baptism and the Eucharist -particularly timely in light of our discussion of resolutions at the Synod Assembly in May.  It should be a wonderful gathering.  If finances really are the reason why you cannot attend, please contact Sherri Wagner at the synod office.  

 
Is God Calling You? Young Adult and Adult Discernment Events
 Noon, September 18, until 4p, September 19; Dow Hotel, Hillsdale, MI

Are you feeling a "sense of call"?  Has anyone every suggested that "you would make a good pastor" or "make a great youth minister"?  Do you feel God's Spirit tugging to explore spiritual gifts, passions, interests and willingness to lead God's people?  Are you curious about becoming a leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?  

We have an opportunity for you Friday, September 18, beginning at noon, until Saturday, September 19, and ending at 4:00 p.m.  This retreat is geared for college students in their junior/senior year and Adults discerning a call to ministry and wanting to know more about the process and details of moving toward leadership in the church.  The location is at the Dow Hotel and Conference Center in Hillsdale, Michigan.  The cost is $80 per person (includes lodging and 4 meals).  Spouses are invited to attend.  


 

2015 Fall Conferences: Expect to be Surprised: Our Call to Leadership
 530p-830p; Multiple Dates and Locations Listed Below

The Northwestern Ohio Synod invites and encourages you to attend the Bishop's Fall Conference Meeting which will be coming up in September, October and November. This year our Gospel Response theme is "Expect to Be Surprised:  Our Call to Leadership".  Our Gospel Response theme, "Expect to be Surprised" states, "Because our God is the God of surprises, who brings life out of death and hope out of despair in Jesus' resurrection, we will anticipate with joy the new things that God is doing among us and through us as signs of and participants in the in-breaking reign of God in Christ Jesus.  (Isaiah 43:18-19; Matthew 28:1-10; Revelation 21:5).  We invite you to meditate and reflect on this theme, as well as on your own call to leadership, in preparation for this meeting. 

For our worship and conversation we are using a model called "Dinner Church".  We invite all rostered leaders along with their congregational leaders and council members to join us for this meal, patterned after those shared by Christians in the first few centuries! In addition, we are requesting that each congregation intentionally bring two teens (ages 13-18) and two young adults (ages 19-29). The input of our young people is essential as we engage in a prayerful consideration of leadership. 
 
Because our conversation will include matters related to the leadership needs of the synod, particularly in anticipation of the election of a bishop at our May 19-21 Synod Assembly, we  encourage those who may be selected as the congregation's Voting Members to be in attendance in addition to other congregational leadership.



SCHEDULE
1p-5p - Individual Meetings with Rostered Leaders
5:30p-7p - Worship, Dinner and Leadership Discussion
7:17p-8:30p - Dessert, Bishop Election Presentation and Discussion



CONFERENCE MEETING DATES

September 29Southwest ConferenceZion, Lima, 1300 Edgewood Dr.
October 8Toledo Area ConferenceZoar, Perrysburg, 314 Indiana Ave.
October 29North Central ConferenceSt. John, Rocky Ridge, 450 Rocky Ridge Rd.
November 5Southeast ConferenceSt. Paul's, Waldo, 135 W. Main St.
November 10Central ConferenceFirst, Findlay, 109 E. Lincoln St.
November 12Maumee Valley ConferenceEmanuel, Napoleon, 810 Scott St.
November 17Eastern ConferenceGrace, Castalia, 203 S. Washington St.


 RSVP by calling Jenn at 419-423-3664.


ALT Year Toledo Update
  9a, September 5; Commodore Perry Apartments, Toledo

ALT Toledo has some updated needs, as we get ready to welcome six young adults to Toledo in early September. 

ALT Toledo Leadership Team asks your assistance by sharing this information at your home congregation and with anyone interested in the ALT program. (The attached volunteer flyer is easy to share!) 

We have firmed up the moving date as Saturday, September 5, at 9 am.  We will be moving all of the furniture and household items from St. Paul's to the Commodore Perry Apartments. We need strong bodies and trucks.  If you are able to help that morning, please contact Pattye Nicolls at 419-290-6311.
 
We need food fellowship volunteers. This can be as little as a once a month commitment and is a fun way for a ministry group, family or group of friends to serve others. 

Need drivers to be "on-call" for various ALT activities. If you would be agreeable to be on a "call list", let me know your availability and preferred contact number and Susan Santoro will share this. 

Finally, ALT Leadership received news, September 1, from the Augustana Legacy Fund Board in Minneapolis that we would be receiving the full amount we requested in application submitted earlier this summer-$13,000 will go to support the ALT Twin Cities Team's efforts to build partnerships towards launching a site in the Fall of 2016 and $5,000 will go to ALT National for supporting those efforts. 

It's wonderful for ALT to partner a congregation with a rich legacy of mission like Augustana.  Augustana is one of the oldest Lutheran congregations in the Minneapolis. It has started a hospital and care centers, seeded new congregations like Mount Olivet (now the largest congregation in the ELCA).  In 2012, Augustana sold its building and began to worship in their food pantry and Community Emergency Services center. The building and church have become a place of hospitality and mission in Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood. 



 
Nurturing Companion Congregational Relationships with the Dodoma Diocese
 3p, Sunday, September 13; St. Mark's Lutheran, Bowling Green

Is your congregation in a Companion Congregation Relationship with a congregation in the Dodoma Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania
or interested in considering such a relationship?  

In order to develop and strengthen healthy companion congregation relationships, the Global Mission Board has set a workshop with special presenters Pastor Tim & Diane Sonnenberg, Bishop Marcus Lohrmann, veterans of companion congregation relationships and Global Mission Board members.

Date:      Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015
Time:      3 p.m., Light supper at 4:30
WHERE:St. Marks Lutheran Church
               315 College Dr, Bowling Green

Please RSVP by September 6. 

 RSVP by calling the Synod Office at 419-423-3664.

 
2015 NWOS Youth Campout
 5p, October 30, until Noon November 1; Lutheran Memorial Camp, Fulton

Who: High School Youth (9-12th grade) and their leaders 
What: Fall Campout 
When: October 30, 5 p.m. - November 1, Noon.  
Where: Lutheran Memorial Camp 
Why: To gather all high school youth in the Northwest Ohio Synod and their leaders for a weekend of spiritual renewal, fellowship, fun, service, and nature!  
Cost: $50 per person 
Registration Deadline: October 16, 2015. 



 
Dream Again Ohio House Warming Shower

On October 1, 2015, four young ladies (ages 18-21) will move into their new home in Woodville and will most likely arrive with just the clothes on their backs. We are inviting you to help us give these young ladies a proper welcome and a fresh start to a successful future! Your donation will 'shower' them with blessings.

To simplify your giving experience, we request cash donations in lieu of presents by Sunday, September 20, 2015. Donations can be made at the link below (Pay Online/Miscellaneous - use Description: DAO) or by sending checks to Solomon Lutheran Church, 305 W. Main, Woodville, OH 43469.
 
Solomon Lutheran, Woodville, representatives will use your donations to purchase the basic necessities and household items for these young ladies, such as bedding, linens, and kitchenware, and have them in the home when the young ladies arrive.

Solomon Lutheran Church has partnered with Dream Again Ohio, a non-profit organization that provides foster youth ages 18-21 who have aged out of the system with housing and vital life skills training.

Donations up to $8,000 will be matched by The Andersons. 


          To donate online, click the "Pay Online" link, Miscellaneous option, Description: DAO

 

Jobs for the NWOS Job Board will be posted for two weeks in the NWOS eNews newsletter. If you have jobs for the job board, please email them to [email protected] *and* [email protected].
 
Hope, Toledo, seeks organist

Hope Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH is seeking to fill its part time organist/accompanist position. The ideal candidate will be able to lead liturgical and congregational song at our traditional worship services on our Zimmer Pipe Organ (29 rank, 3 manuals, 4 divisions) as well as serve as the keyboardist for our praise worship and accompany the Senior Choir. Hope has 2 weekly worship services on Sunday Morning, weekly choir rehearsal during the program year and weekly praise team rehearsal. We are looking for a person of deep Christian faith who can work in a team setting. We will also consider splitting the position into two positions with one providing music for our traditional worship service and one accompanying the praise team. A full job description can be found at www.HopeToledo.net and resumes can be sent to [email protected]. Please indicate whether you are interested in the full position or playing for our praise worship or traditional. 



 

ELCA Malaria Campaign News

Exciting news!  The ELCA Malaria Campaign is $100,000 away from reaching its $15 million goal! 
How exciting! Also to date the Northwestern Ohio Synod has contributed $112,452.30!  This exceeds the goal by $12,452.30 or 12.45%!  Thank you to all the congregations in the Synod for the outstanding support of the ELCA Malaria Campaign. Please share this news with all and in every way possible. 



 
LSTC to Hold Lecture on "From Conflict to Communion" 
 4p Central, October 13; Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

The Synod Reformation Committee and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago invite you to attend the 2015 Scherer Lecture at 4p Central, October 13, at LSTC. 

Lutheran World Federation Secretary General, the Rev. Martin Junge, will host the lecture on the document "From Conflict to Communion," which focuses on unity between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. He will be joined by the Rev. Thomas Baimm, Vice Rector and Dean of St. Marys Seminary and University Mundelein, of the Roman Catholic Church. The lecture is free.

LSTC is located at 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, Illinois.
 

Region 6 Small Town Community Organizer event
 October 14-16; Maria Stein Retreat House, Maria Stein

IF YOU GIVE ME A FISH... you have fed me for a day.  
IF YOU TEACH ME TO FISH... then you have fed me until the river is contaminated or the shore line is seized for development.
BUT IF YOU TEACH ME TO ORGANIZE... then whatever the challenge I can join together with my peers and we will fashion our own solution.
 
Those of us who live in small towns or rural areas are generally aware of the issues that afflict our communities. Some of our people are hungry, or homeless, under employed or unemployed. And there are a host of other justice concerns that people face.  We might provide food pantries, homeless shelters, or job training, but the problems don't go away. And the assumption is that the people impacted by the various justice issues are not capable or not willing to change the situation.
 
Following Jesus, a Small Town Community Organizer is about challenging that assumption and getting to the root of the issues. It's about empowering people to join together with their peers to fashion their own solutions to any challenge they face. On October 14, 15, and 16, you will have the opportunity to be trained in the basic tools used in congregation-based community organizing. The training program will be at the Maria Stein Retreat House, in Maria Stein, Ohio. Experts in community organizing from the ELCA will provide the training. Registration deadline is September 13.


 
Executive Skills for Pastors Retreat
 January 11-15, 2016; Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ

Leadership and Management - is there a difference? 

The answer is YES! Pastors and their staff at times manage and at other times lead. 
  • How do you get the best from every member of your staff, your congregation and yourself for ministry? 
  • How do you manage the complexities of change while building capacity for fulfilling your congregational mission and vision? 
This week will offer contemporary management insights into your organization. Those insights will emerge as we discuss and reflect on meeting today's challenges for pastors and their congregations. We'll explore these topics: Finance/Stewardship, Leadership, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, Strategic Planning & Direction. 

The week will focus on the challenge of change, developing strategic initiatives, marketing, the dynamic power of information technology and creating a culture of innovation and creativity. The week will further provide the opportunity for reflection, renewal, networking and just some good old fellowship. 

This workshop is led by faculty from the School of Management at California Lutheran University and will be held January 11-15, 2016, at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.


 
Trinity Days featuring Brian McLaren
 September 24-25; Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Bexley

Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, pastor and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. His groundbreaking books include A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, The Secret Message of Jesus, and Everything Must Change. Named by Time magazine as of one America's top 25 evangelicals, McLaren has appeared on Nightline and Larry King Live, and has been covered by The Washington Post and the New York Times. During his time at Trinity, McLaren will be presented with the Joseph A. Sittler Award for Theological Leadership.

McLaren's overarching theme for Trinity Days is "Christian Identity and Mission Tomorrow." He will explore this theme through the following presentations:

* Christian identity in a multi-faith world
* Christian mission in an unsustainable economy

Immediately following his presentations, McLaren will board a plane and fly to Washington, D.C., where he will lead an event at the National Cathedral with environmentally-oriented interdenominational and multi-faith partners. This event has been scheduled as a way to respond to Pope Francis' Laudato Si encyclical on climate change, which calls attention to "the cry of the earth" and "the cry of the poor," as well as the Pope's speech to a joint session of Congress on the afternoon of September 24.



 
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is Coming!
 September 13, 2015; Your Local Congregation



Save the date and celebrate! On  Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will again have the opportunity to gather together for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday and celebrate who we are as the ELCA - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Following their participation in 2014, members of Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton, N.C., received a letter from town officials, thanking volunteers with the "bright yellow shirts" for their help in relocating the town's historic library.

The letter reads in part, "The ('God's work. Our hands.' Sunday) group has touched people they will never know or meet, people who will use the library to find a job, take a class, introduce a child to books, borrow a special book or come to email that son far away in Iraq."

"There are no words to express what the group of Lakeside Lutheran Church has done for the people of the Littleton area. As you have blessed us, we ask God to bless you."

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday celebrates the work you do every day, serving communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God's people.

We look forward to doing this work together Sept. 13, 2015. If your congregation cannot participate on that day, please consider another time. Visit www.ELCA.org/dayofservice for more information.



 
We are Christ's church.
There is a place for you here. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person - questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.


 
Northwestern Ohio Synod, ELCA
621 Bright Road
Findlay OH 45840
419-423-3664