November 28, 2018
  

'I am the Alpha and the Omega', says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8*
 
* "The weekly Watchword is a verse in the Daily Texts that relates to the lectionary readings. The Daily Texts is created by the Moravian Church in Germany and translated into 50 languages. Mount Carmel Ministries produces a version with Martin Luther's prayer emphasis."

In This Issue
Synod Council
2019 LYO Winter Gathering
PLR Registration Ends 11/30
U.S. Wildfires
Hope for the Holidays in Here!
Cross Cultural Conversations
Calendar - NEOS
Calendar - Pastoral Visits
Prayers
Positions

Bishop Abraham Allende
 
Monday Musings: Bishop Allende shares reflections and prompts on the upcoming lectionary reading in his "Monday Musings." Click [here] to read the latest edition of Bishop Allende's "Monday Musings" or [here] to subscribe.
 Synod Council 

Synod Council Notes:  In order that our congregations may know the actions of our Northeastern Ohio Synod Council, we provide a brief summary of our last meeting. You may use this information in a number of ways: as a bulletin insert, a newsletter article, on your website, or any other way that gets the message out to your members. Our most recent meeting was October 19-20, 2018 at Fleming Falls Retreat Center, Camp Mowana. Click [here] for a brief summary of the meeting. The next Synod Council meeting will be January 19, 2019 at Peace, Canton.

Articles & Information 
2019 LYO Winter Gathering
 
The 2019 NEOS Lutheran Youth Organization Winter Gathering is January 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza in Independence on  Rockside Rd ! This year's gathering theme is "COFFEE: Christ Offers Forgiveness for Everyone, Everywhere." Early registration and t-shirt deadline is December 1, 2018 and late registration ends December 31, 2018. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Sima at [email protected] / 440-655-0983.
 


Professional Leaders Retreat Registration Ends November 30
 
The final registration deadline is  Nov. 30  for the 2019 Professional Leaders Retreat, Jan. 22-24, 2019 at Sawmill Creek Resort; 400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron, OH 44839. Due to management changes, there are NO exceptions to the registration deadlines.
 
On-line registration and payment are available at https://tinyurl.com/Sawmill19 .
 
Pastors, deacons and full-time church professionals from all three Ohio synods are invited to the retreat. The theme is "Spirituality," featuring Keynote Presenter The Rev. Dr. Winston Persaud, professor of systematic theology, Wartburg Seminary, and Special Presenter The Rev. Dr. Javier (Jay) Alanis, executive director, Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest. Both speakers will offer their unique insights into the Holy Spirit's work in creating enriching unity within diversity. 
 
For registration questions, please contact [email protected] or call (419) 423-3664.

Lutheran Disaster Response - U.S. Wildfires
 
Our Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, Lutheran Social Services of Northern California and the California synods to respond to this fire. As the fires are still raging, we continue to assess the ever-changing situation to determine the best ways to respond. Your gifts will help us deliver a robust response to address needs in the devastated communities.
 
What you can do:  
Pray: Please pray for the communities who are in the path of wildfires in California. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn the loss of loved ones and strength to those who are working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities.
Give: Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used to assist those affected by the wildfires until the response is complete.
Connect: To learn more about the situation and the ELCA's response:
  • Share this bulletin insert with your congregation and encourage support.
  • Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
  • Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
  • Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.
Hope for the Holidays in Here!
"The dawn from on high will break upon us, to give lights to those who sit in darkness..." Luke 1:28
 
Between N ovember 1st and December 12th,  join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) in bringing Hope for the Holidays to children and families in detention.  This year in America, hundreds of children and families will be spending the holiday behind bars - because they crossed the United States border seeking protection.  In addition to families in immigration detention, there are kids - as young as 9 - who made the desperate journey to America without their parents. Our hearts break to think that many of these little ones won't get to spend this special season with their families. But you can help us brighten their holiday! Join us in shining a light into the lives of children and families. Send a message of hope, give a gift to a child, or share a meal with a new neighbor in your community. Learn how to get involved with Hope for the Holidays today.

Upcoming Conversations in Our Synod
 
It's time to talk. Time for less shouting and more listening. Less fear and more love. The Cross Cultural Conversations Team invites you to an intentional conversation that crosses racial lines and addresses issues of race and privilege.
 
Upcoming conversations in our synod
January 26 - 10:00am to Noon
Our Saviour, Hinckley
1605 Center Road
February 23 - 10:00am to Noon
New Covenant, East Cleveland
1424 Hayden Avenue
March 23  - 10:00am to Noon
Grace, Hubbard
111 Hall Avenue

To have us lead a conversation in your congregation, contact William Brown at 216-659-7906 or by email at [email protected] or the Rev. Dirk van der Duim at 330-333-0738 or by email at [email protected].

Calendars 
Northeastern Ohio Synod Calendar

Unified Newsletter - Synod Calendar

November 22-25
Lutheran Center Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday   

November 29
10:00 a.m. - Finance Committee meeting, Lutheran Center conference room


Pastoral Visits Calendar

The Rev.
Abraham Allende
Bishop

 
December 2
Ordination & Installation of Lucas McSurley - Messiah, Akron

December 9
St. Paul, Ontario - Preaching & Presiding

December 16
St. Peter's, Mansfield - Service of Closure - Preaching & Presiding

December 19
Christ, Avon Lake - Advent Service - Preaching & Presiding

December 24
Church of the Master, Bedford - Preaching & Presiding

The Rev.
Julianne Smith
DEM / Assistant to 
the Bishop

December 2
Ordination & Installation of Lucas McSurley - Messiah, Akron

December 16
Emmanuel, New Philadelphia - Preaching



The Rev.
Karl Biermann
Assistant to  the Bishop

December 2
Good Soil, Lakewood (Faith Campus) - Presiding

Ordination & Installation of Lucas McSurley - Messiah, Akron

December 9
Christ, Massillon - Preaching & Presiding

December 16
Jerusalem, Seville - Preaching & Presiding




Prayers 
pray_lettering.jpg

Additional Prayer Concerns  

Healing
Pastor Carl Cunfer

Unified Newsletter - Synod News Prayer List*
 
*The next updated "Synod Prayer List" will be published in the November Unified. If you are aware of any NEOS rostered leader changes to the prayer list, please email them to [email protected] 
by November 15. Please note that unless otherwise requested, individuals will be shown on these lists for two editions of the Unified and a for a corresponding time in the E-news.



Positions
Job Postings for the 
Northeastern Ohio Synod Area
  
Part-time Pianist
Holy Trinity, Massillon is looking for a part-time pianist to play at our 8:15 a.m. service with additional special services; such as, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.  If interested contact our Director of Music Ministry, Jonathon Stuck at [email protected].

Office Administrator
St. Paul's Massillon is seeking an Office Administrator, to begin employment immediately.  The successful candidate will demonstrate good communication skills, clerical/office experience, and a basic knowledge of desktop publishing.  The position is approximately 3/4 time. Details and job description are available at the church office.  Submit resume to: Staff Support, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 127 Cherry St., Massillon, Ohio 44646. Questions can be directed to Loren Veigel at 330-685-2558 or sent to [email protected]

Faith Formation Teacher
Messiah Lutheran School in Fairview Park, Ohio, is seeking a middle school teacher in the area of faith formation. For more information about this posting click  [here] . Email resume or CV to Helen Casselberry, Principal of Messiah Lutheran School, at  [email protected] .
 
Part-time Pianist
Trinity, Norton is looking for a part-time pianist to play all 10:00 a.m. Sunday services, with additional services during special seasons (e.g. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, etc.), select appropriate hymns/contemporary Christian music, and the general planning of all church services. A familiarity with Lutheran (ELCA) liturgy is a plus. If interested please call or email Jewellee Smith at 330-825-3217 / [email protected].
   

  
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