Monday, January 11, 2016



This week, I would like to start with a moment in remembrance of the late Pastor Linda Rahe who provided the beautiful opening poem from her mother for our last eNews. We thank God for her and her service and we will miss her. 

Our devotional poem this week comes from Pastor Jerry Bauer, St. John's, Sandusky, who shares this poem:

"It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ."  Luke 2:26

God comes to us
  by spoken word of the Father,
    through the prophets,
    through the angel to Mary and Joseph.
Through the written word
  we hear the words.
By living Word, Jesus the Son,
  through word and deed 
    made Father known.
By empowering word, Holy Spirit come,
  as you did for Simeon,
  show us the Christ.


Do you want to write the next devotional? Submissions should be no more than 250 words and able to be run any time within 4 weeks of submission. Submitters are welcome to include a link to their church website or their blog, which will be included in the newsletter.

Finally, please don't forget to send all news items, job board postings, and devotional submissions, for announcements to [email protected] instead of to individual staff members. 

Sincerely,
Eric Maki
Communications Consultant



LAST CALL FOR SYNOD ASSEMBLY WORKSHOPS; Artist also needed

There are still a few slots open for workshops at the 2016 Synod Assembly, held May 19-21 at Bowling Green State University. Open session times are Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m.

The Synod is also looking for an artist who would like to create a symbolic art piece Bishop Lohrmann can take to our companion synods in February. 

Please use the link below to email Sherry Krieger to express interest or ask questions.

 
NWOS Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue Date Moved to February; ELCA/Roman Catholic Online Dialogue tomorrow
 10a; February 2; St. Peter, 17877 W. St. Rt. 579, Martin


Due to the threatening weather forecast we are cancelling our Lutheran/Catholic Clergy Dialogue scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Blackberry.   We have rescheduled it for Tuesday morning at St. Peter's at 10 a.m. on February 2, which is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas Day or Groundhog Day, as you prefer.
 
But  wait --All is not lost!!!  -- after you get tired of sitting in your warm home watching the blowing snow outside you can go to your computer on Tuesday afternoon and watch this live webinar on the newest L/C ecumenical document reviewing the progress of the Lutheran/Catholic dialogue over the past 50 years. More information below:
 
 3p-345p; January 12; From Dialogue to Declaration: 50 Years of Catholic-Lutheran Relations 
 
Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist, is the joint work of Catholic and Lutheran scholars. Declaration synthesizes the positive results of fifty years of international Catholic-Lutheran dialogue, and identifies remaining issues with 'reconciling considerations.' 
 
Bishop Denis Madden, former chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and co-chair of the task force creating the declaration will join Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and Dr. Kathryn Johnson, director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to discuss the different avenues in which Declaration on the Way can practically contribute to local parish, diocesan, and national Catholic-Lutheran relationships and dialogue efforts.




 
Olivet, Toledo, holding viewing for ELCA Confronting Racism webcast followed by discussion
 830p; January 14; Olivet, 5840 Monroe Street, Toledo


Olivet Lutheran Church, Toledo, will be opening their Christian Life Center on Thursday, January 14, at 830p for a viewing of the live ELCA Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning webcast followed by a discussion led by Pastor Lori Strang and Ron Clark. All are welcome. 

 
January LOMO Print Materials and Upcoming Retreats


Our Triune God Confirmation Retreat
Enhance your congregation's confirmation experience through hands-on activities and Bible studies, supplemented with Luther's small catechism in a place apart. Diving deep into God's Word in Bible study, we will explore our Triune God. Come and have fun with campfire and s'mores, time with friends, unique-to-camp crazy games and yummy food! Congregational time, worship and devotions are all a part of our time together in this place apart.  Choose either a one-night retreat at Mowana or a two-night retreat at LMC. For the two-night program, youth get to choose their creative activities for Saturday afternoon, help lead worship, and experience a unique Saturday evening program. A pastor or other adult leader needs to attend with every ten youth. Please bring one chaperone per gender.

Two-Night Retreat at LMC
January 29-31, 2016
February 19-21, 2016
March 4-6, 2016

One-Night Retreat at Camp Mowana
April 1-2, 2016
October 7-8, 2016
 
Come to the Table: First Communion Retreat
Learn about the Biblical roots of Holy Communion through a variety of hands-on activities designed to complement other First Communion instruction. You sense what the Last Supper was like while sharing in a Passover Seder. Review the meaning of Communion, and celebrate God's love through games, a campfire, nature hike, Communion bread making, asking questions and the chance to taste the communion elements! This retreat is designed for elementary and middle school-aged youth. A pastor or other adult leader must attend with every ten youth. Please bring one adult per gender.

Mowana: March 11-12, 2016
 
 
Women's Spirituality Retreat
Join us for this Women's Retreat as we dive deep into the Scripture, while experiencing rest, and renewal.  Give yourself the gift of Bible Studies, fellowship, and personal reflection. There will be time for journaling, meditation, and walks across the grounds of Camp Mowana. This retreat is led by Julie Arnold who is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary, Christian Counselor, and resident of Cuyahoga Falls. Fleming Falls Retreat Center has hotel style accommodations.

Mowana: February 5-7, 2016


 

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].
 

Lutheran World Relief offering Fair Trade ministry guide
 
If your congregation is thinking about starting a Fair Trade ministry (or if you'd like to help out your "FTP"-Fair Trade Person), Lutheran World Relief has a great, free resource for you called the Fair Trade Leader Guide.
 
This beautiful booklet takes you inside the process of setting up your congregation's Fair Trade Ministry and includes:
  •  Guidance on how to set up a Fair Trade ministry unique to your congregation's needs;
  • A year-long calendar of events you can use to plan out your annual Fair Trade activities;
  • Stories of the people and communities your congregation reaches through Fair Trade;
  • Special prayers to use throughout your program year;
We hope that this resource will make the experience of planning and carrying out a Fair Trade ministry even more enjoyable and meaningful.


 
 
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