November 15, 2017
  

Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:13*
 
* "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


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 (retreat) was October 20-21, 2017, at the Fleming Falls Retreat Center, Camp Mowana. When the brief summary is available it will posted here . The next Synod Council meeting will be January 20, 2018 at Martin Luther, Youngstown.

 

Articles & Information 
2018 Professional Leaders Retreat
Early Registration Ends
TODAY Nov. 15

Rostered ministers and full-time church professionals from all three Ohio synods are invited to the Professional Leaders Retreat at Sawmill Creek Resort;  400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron, OH 44839; January 16-18, 2018.  The early, discounted registration deadline TODAY November 15, 2017. The final registration deadline is December 15, 2017.  The theme is "Prayer." Keynote presenter, the Rev. Brent Dahlseng, authored "Grounded in Prayer: A Small Group Training Guide in Congregational Prayer," and serves as senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Loves Park, Illinois. The Bible study presenter is Rachel Wrenn. An Old Testament Ph.D. candidate at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, Wrenn is a contributing scholar/exegete for "Working Preacher," has published Bible studies in the Augsburg Fortress "People of Faith" series, and was published in the Fall 2016  Word and World . For more information about the the  2018 Professional Leaders Retreat  and to register online visit  www.neos-elca.org .

 
Holy Hikes

Holy Hikes-Northeast Ohio is part of a nation-wide eco-ministry dedicated to rebuilding communion between all of God's creation through liturgical hikes. On each outing, hikers pause at three stations to celebrate the liturgy. Holy Hikes-Northeast Ohio is hosted by Faith, Lakewood and the Lakewood Abbey; the liturgical hikes are led by Marilyn Matevia.
 
Saturday, November 25, at 10:00 a.m., we will meet at West Creek Reservation in Parma (2277 W Ridgewood Drive, Parma, OH 44134) for a 3-mile hike along the Hemlock Trail and a service of Thanksgiving for creation. To learn more or to check the growing schedule of hikes, see our Facebook page.

 
Volunteers Needed

Volunteer choir members are needed to participate in a combined choir for the Annual Commemoration Service for The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sponsored by the Northeastern Ohio Synod and the African Descent Lutheran Association. The service will be held at Faith, Lakewood on January 14, 2018 at 3:30 pm. Four rehearsals will be held, however, singers need only attend two.
 
Rehearsals are as follows:
November 27, 2017
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church 
16511 Hilliard Rd
Lakewood, OH 44107

December 28, 2017
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church
15309 Harvard Ave.
Cleveland, Oh 44128

January 11, 2018
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church
15309 Harvard Ave.
Cleveland, Oh 44128
January 14, 2018
2:30 p.m. (hour before the service)
Faith Lutheran Church
16511 Hilliard Rd.
Lakewood, OH 44107

If your church is sending several singers (4 or 5) and wish the director to rehearse at your church, that can be arranged.

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate our unity as churches of the NEOS and to promote a spirit of faith, hope, love and justice for all. We would love to have one or two people from your church to participate in this event.  If you have any questions about the service or would like to sing in the choir, please contact Thelma Williams, Music Director, 2018 MLK Commemoration at 330-995-2399 (H) or 216-401-8974 (C).

 
Missionary Pastor's Visit & Opening Celebration

First, Lorain, has been supporting a missionary pastor in the country of Ghana. Pastor Bennett Wilson will be visiting the Northeastern Ohio Synod area from October 17 - November 25 . He would like the opportunity to share about the community in which he serves, specifically the school that First, Lorain helped to build. If you would be interested in having him speak at your congregation on a Sunday or any other time, please contact Pastor Rosy at First, Lorain at pastorrosy@firstlutheranlorain.org .
 
Opening Celebration for First, Lorain's new building (1019 W. 5th Street, Lorain) will be December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

 
Make-Up Boundaries Workshop - February 6

For anyone who missed the required Boundaries Workshop a make-up workshop date has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2018! Mark your calendars now for this required triennial Boundaries Workshop hosted on  Tuesday, February 6, 2018  from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Luke's, Cuyahoga Falls, 2121 6th Street. All deacons, pastors, including those who are retired, on leave from call, serving an interim, SALM and TEEM candidates who missed the July 2017 Boundaries Workshop must attend. Certification of attendance will be noted in the synod files. There is a $15 registration fee for the workshop. A continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Please click [here]  to register. See you there!

 
Calendars 

500th Anniversary of the Reformation Events

November 29
7:30 p.m. - John Carroll University to host Dr. Timothy Wengert, who will speak on the topic, "Martin Luther's 95 Theses: Legends and Lessons form the Dawn of the Reformation." Danahue Auditorium, John Carroll University


#synodhappenings  - Tag your 500th Anniversary of the Reformation happenings on social media by using #synodhappenings

 
Northeastern Ohio Synod Calendar

 
November 20
10:00 a.m. - New to Synod, Lutheran Center

November 21
12:00 p.m. - Interfaith Thanksgiving service, Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland

November 23-26
Lutheran Center offices and Resource Center closed, Thanksgiving Holiday



Pastoral Visits Calendar


The Rev.
Abraham Allende
Bishop
 
November 19
Emmanuel, Salem - 125th Anniversary - Preach & Preside

Shanesville, Sugarcreek - Authorize Barbara DeBord as Lay Minister 

November 21
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Cleveland - Interfaith Thanksgiving service

November 29
Messiah School, Fairview Park Chapel - preaching

December 2
First, Lorain - Dedication of New Building

December 3
Lord of Life, Canfield - Preach & Preside

December 10
St. John, East Liverpool - Preach & Preside

St. John, Canal Fulton - Installation of Pastor Cindy Striker

The Rev.
Karl Biermann
Assistant to  the Bishop
 
November 19
Shepherd of the Valley, Sandyville - Preach & Preside

December 2
First, Lorain - Dedication of New Building

December 10
First, Lorain - Service at the end of a Call for Pastor Jimmy Madsen


Prayers 
pray_lettering.jpg

Additional Prayer Concerns  

Healing
Debbie Garnes, wife of Pastor Herb Garnes

Pastor Ted Grotjohn

Sympathy
Pastors Seth Bridger and Shelley Nelson-Bridger on the death of his father, Dennis Miller

Kevin Kampfer, Synod Council member on the death of his mother

 
*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 office@neos-elca.org
by November 13
Please note that unless otherwise requested, individuals will be shown on these lists for two editions of the Unified and for a corresponding time in the E-news.
 


Positions

Job Postings for the 
Northeastern Ohio Synod Area

Music Director
St. Luke's, Cuyahoga Falls, is seeking a part-time music director to lead the chancel choir and handbell choir. The choirs are in session September through May. To submit a resume or for additional information contact the church office at 330-929-2683 or e-mail  adminassist@stlukes-cf.com.

Operations & Human Resource Manager
Chaplain Partnership is currently seeking an experienced Operations & Human Resource Manager for its office located in North Olmsted, Ohio.  This is a part-time (30 hour per week) position with benefits. Chaplain Partnership offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer.
Complete details are available on our  website.  Interested individuals should forward their cover letter, resume and three professional references to Mark Laskey ( mlaskey@chaplainpartnership.org), Executive Director, Chaplain Partnership, by Wednesday, November 15, 2017.  Submitted materials will be held in confidence. Questions?  Please call Mark Laskey at (440) 455-9001 ext. 206.

Director of the Spiritual Care/Healing Services Department
Chaplain Partnership currently is engaged in a search to appoint a new Director of the Spiritual Care/Healing Services Department at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.  Information regarding this opportunity may be found by visiting Chaplain Partnership's website by clicking  [here]  or by calling their Executive Director, Mark Laskey, at (440) 455-9001 ext. 206.

Operations and Human Resource Manager
Chaplain Partnership seeks an experienced Operations and Human Resource Manager for its office located in North Olmsted, Ohio .  Information regarding this opportunity may be found by visiting Chaplain Partnership's website or by calling their Executive Director, Mark Laskey, at (440) 455-9001 ext. 206.
 
Multiple Open Positions
First, Lorain is seeking a Youth Group CoordinatorNursery Attendant and a Facilities Coordinator Please click on the job tile for detailed job description. If you are interested in one of these part-time positions please send your resume to Pastor Rosy Rivera at  pastorrosy@firstlutheranlorain.org  or call the church office at 440-244-6286.
 
Part-time Choir Director
St Peter, Wooster, is seeking a part-time Choir Director.  Choir meets from October - May.  Rehearsals held Sunday mornings prior to weekly 10:00 a.m.worship.  Occasional services for holidays (Christmas, Holy Week).  Must have one of the following: experience with choral directing; a degree in vocal performance; or enrolled in a vocal program.  Piano accompanying skills is preferred.  Salary $150 per week.  For a detailed job description, questions or to apply, please contact Pastor Tina Heise at pastortina@stpeterelca.org.
 
Part-time Office Manager
Faith, Massillon, is looking for a part-time Office Manager.  Hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Duties include preparing bulletins for weekly worship and special services, answering the phone, responding to mail and email, and other day to day office operations.  If interested call Faith, Massillon at (330) 832-0573 or send your resume to Faith Lutheran Church, 107 6th St. SW, Massillon, OH 44647.
 
University Pastor
Capital University seeks a dynamic leader for the freshly re-envisioned position of University Pastor.  We seek an experienced pastor who is passionate about mission-directed work with undergraduate and graduate students of diverse backgrounds in a vibrant and inclusive residential learning community.  For a complete job description including application process click [here].
 
Choir Director
Good Shepherd, Conneaut, is searching for a choir director. This position includes an evening practice and Sunday morning worship service. Choir season runs from September through May. Contact the church at 440-599-8908 or e-mail  goodshepherd@suite224.net.
 

  
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