...Jesus came near & went with them

Upcoming Events

• NWOS 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting
• Common Table: Young Adult Gathering
• Leading Faith and Civic Life Zoom Series from NEOS
• 195th Remembrance of Shipwreck with St. Paul, Jenera
• St. Lucas, Toledo Anniversary of Founding
• Trinity Lutheran Seminary: Trinity Days
• LWR 2026 Ingathering
• St. James, Bradner: Reflecting on God's Gift of Water
• Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Training
• Lutheran Men in Mission Summer 2026 Ambassador-Gram
• Clarence Smith Community Chorus
• Watch LSM on Demand

Service and Sponsorship:

• Growing Hope: HopeWood Outdoors Campaign
• Hunger Network in Ohio: Monthly Advocate Check-In

Resource Sharing:

• NWOS - The Great Goat Project
• NWOS Annual Fund Campaign
• Luther Seminary: Boundaries for Christian Leaders Training
• 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering GNews
• ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowship Applications
• ELCA Advocacy Resources
• ELCA Young Adult Opportunities
• The Sermon Supply
• Free Children's Choir Robes Available

Position Postings:

• Director of Advancement - Trinity Lutheran Seminary
• Executive Director - City Mission of Findlay
• Youth Leader Grades 6 - 12 - St. Paul, Jenera
• Learning Center Teacher - Emanuel, Marion
• Organist/Pianist - Zion, Sandusky
• Music Director - Community of Christ, Whitehouse

UPCOMING EVENTS

2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting

Are you or your congregation interested in attending the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering but don't know where to start? Join Northwestern Ohio Synod for our 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting!

Date: September 20th, 2026

Time: 2:00PM EST

Location: Zoom

Register below!

Common Table: Young Adult Gathering

Join us for our monthly Common Table meeting, an intentionally ecumenical and inclusive community for young adults ages 18-35.

Come enjoy meaningful community and connection.

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 from 6 - 8pm

Glass City Metropark

1505 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605

We're heading back outside in August to Glass City Metropark. Meet at the Grosbeak picnic shelter. Bring a snack to share, and we will break up into groups of those who want to roller skate/roller blade, kayak or walk around the river. Skating is free if you bring your own, or $5 to rent. Kayaking costs $20 for an hour. Walking along the river is free!

Whether you're looking for community, curiosity, or just a fun night out, you

belong at the table. We hope to see you there!

Leading Faith and Civic Life: An Equipping Series for Rostered Ministers

Pastors and deacons are being asked to lead conversations about faith and civic life that are complex, personal, and often tense. This five-session Zoom series prepares you to lead the ELCA’s Faith and Civic Life study guide with theological clarity and practical tools for your context.

Each session focuses on a portion of the study guide, moving from scriptural and confessional foundations into applied topics like moral deliberation, civic participation, the Constitution, the First Amendment, and the church’s relationship with political authority. You can also submit your questions and concerns ahead of time so we can address real challenges you are facing.

Wednesdays | August 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16

11:00 AM–12:15 PM Eastern on Zoom

Registration is required to receive the zoom link.

You will leave with a clear understanding of the study guide, language for leading difficult conversations, and a plan for engaging your community.

195th Remembrance of Shipwreck

The 195th Remembrance of the Shipwreck of the Famous Dove will be celebrated with a traditional/contemporary blended service at 10:00am on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Special music will include bell choir, senior choir, and children singing. The Outreach meeting will serve a community meal - all are invited - following the service. At 3:00pm a remembrance service will be held at the St. Paul Cemetery Shipwreck Memorial (just down the road from the church).

St. Lucas Anniversary of Founding - "140 Years of Serving Jesus"

On March 21st of this year St. Lucas turned 140! We will celebrate our anniversary on Sunday Sept. 27. Here is the schedule of events:

10:30: Festive Worship/Special Music

Noon: Old Fashioned Church Dinner with roast beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans and green bean casserole. ($12 tickets, comp tickets available if in need). 

12:45: Tours - St. Lucas Organ Tour, Sanctuary Tour & Explanation, Archives Tour & St. Lucas History.

Please contact the church office at 419.243.8189 for more details or to let us know you will be joining us. Our address is 745 Walbridge Ave., Toledo, OH 43609. 

How blessed we are as a congregation to have served Jesus for 140 years!

Trinity Days at Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Can anything new be said about Jesus? In three separate studies, Dr. Mark Allan Powell will present “new insights” into the teachings of Jesus that are currently taking hold among biblical scholars—things that he himself was surprised to discover: 1) Jesus claimed that God especially favors people who have lost their faith or simply “given up on God”; 2) Jesus insisted that those who were regarded as the most wicked people of his day would enjoy all the benefits of God’s salvation even if they did nothing to change their ways (in a manner required of everyone else); and 3) Jesus used “undocumented” or simply “unwanted” immigrants as role models for his followers and insisted that the harshest condemnation of God would fall on those who fail to welcome such people. Do you consider these claims unlikely and difficult to substantiate? Dr. Powell says, “Good! I’ve got you where I want you!” Would you be surprised if they could be substantiated? Dr. Powell says, “Of course—I certainly was!”

LWR 2026 Ingathering

The Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Quilt and Kit Ingatherings are coordinated collection drives where congregations drop off handmade quilts and care kits to be shipped to those in need. The Women's group at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pemberville, will be hosting an Ingathering at the date, time, and location below:

Saturday, October 10, 2026

8:00 am - 12:00 noon (EST)

St. Paul Lutheran Church

14545 New Rochester Road

Pemberville, OH 43450

Reflecting on God's Gift of Water

Join St. James Lutheran Church for a presentation on water as a gift and our call to protect it. Judy Hofmann, an associate of the Tiffin Franciscan community will guide participants in understanding the importance of caring for this gift and exploring the many ways its very existence is threatened.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

1:30 PM

St. James Lutheran Church

451 Caldwell St.

Bradner, Ohio 43406

Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Training

Prepare-Enrich (P/E) is a tool used mostly by pastors to prepare couples for marriage, and to enrich existing marriages. It involves the completion of an on-line survey, and interpreting the results in a multi-page printout which organizes and summarizes a couple's responses to survey items. The workshop will teach participants how to administer the survey, interpret the results, and provide meaningful feedback to a couple.

More info: https://www.prepare-enrich.com/about/

Lutheran Men in Mission: Summer 2026 Ambassador-Gram

Lutheran Men in Missions Summer 2026 LMM Ambassador-Gram has been released! Check it out below!

Clarence Smith Community Chorus

Celebrating 50 Seasons of Excellence

A Legacy of Artistic Excellence. A Future of Inspiration.

The Clarence Smith Community Chorus (CSCC) is preparing to celebrate its 50th Anniversary Season, and we are seeking talented musicians to join our artistic team in three paid positions: Assistant Director, Tenor Section Leader, and Bass Section Leader.

Founded in Toledo in 1976, CSCC has served northwest Ohio for nearly fifty years through high-quality choral performance, community engagement, and a continuing commitment to preserving the distinguished legacy of the Negro spiritual and elevating the works of African American composers. Our 2026–2027 Golden Jubilee Season will include major anniversary concerts, collaboration with the Toledo Symphony Chamber Orchestra, the premiere of a newly commissioned choral work, guest artists, expanded community engagement initiatives, and a Golden Jubilee celebration.

Missed LSM This Summer? Watch on Demand

The LSM 2026 season may be over, but the inspiring music continues online.

Watch more than 40 concerts, worship services, recitals, and special events from this summer whenever it's convenient for you. Catch up on the performances you missed or experience your favorite moments again with LSM On Demand.

Enjoy the Bach Cantata Eucharist, Festival of Hymns, plus performances by the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra, and many more joyful moments from this summer's season.

SERVICE AND SPONSORSHIP

Growing Hope:

Campaign for HopeWood Outdoors

HopeWood Outdoors is launching a new capital campaign! This campaign is called Growing Hope and our desire is to expand the impact of Lutheran outdoor ministries here in Ohio. With a goal of $2.5 million, the priorities of Growing Hope include projects at both HopeWood Pines and HopeWood Shores, as well as the expansion of HopeWood Connect.

God is already bringing growth to HopeWood’s ministries, including 190% growth in campers since 2022. What a blessing to know that God is already Growing Hope among us! We want you to join us in Growing Hope, too. We invite you to read attached documents will share more details about how God is expanding ministry through HopeWood Outdoors.

Hunger Network in Ohio’s - Monthly Advocate Check-in

SECOND THURSDAY’S (NORMALLY) 7PM - 8PM

Join fellow advocates from across Ohio to hear what is going on at the Ohio Statehouse, ways to get involved, ask questions, and share what is going on in your community. All are welcome to this time!

RESOURCE SHARING

NWOS - The Great Goat Project 2026!

This year, we invite your congregation to join something fun, meaningful, and a little bit… goat-tastic 🐐:

👉 The Northwestern Ohio Synod’s Great Goat Project

🐐 What’s it all about?

The Great Goat Project isn’t just about goats—it’s about sharing God’s love in real, life-changing ways.

Through this project, your VBS can help provide goats to families in Kashasha, Tanzania, in partnership with our Companions in the ELCT Dodoma Diocese in Tanzania. A single goat can:

• Provide nutritious milk for children
• Help families grow food through fertilizer
• Create income and long-term sustainability
• Bless not just one family—but an entire community

All of this grows out of our shared theme:

💛 “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) 

NWOS - Annual Campaign

Living out the Synod’s mission to equip leaders, this year’s Annual Fund will focus donations on Synod programs which identify, enrich and encourage lay members to grow their faith and leadership skills for ministry.

This will include programs such as Growing in Faith, (Diakonia), a two year program of advanced classes in church foundations and practical education on leadership in the church; Synod Authorized Ministers (SAM) and their mentors;  and encouraging nontraditional students to attend seminary.

The Annual Fund will also support Imagining Renewal Microgrants, small one time grants for unique ministries, which recognize the needs of communities and empower lay and rostered leaders to respond with creativity and passion. 

All Annual Fund donations remain in and benefit NWOS. While funds are unrestricted, these funds allow for building up churches, developing lay members and growing the number of people able to express and meet ministry needs.

Luther Seminary - Boundaries for Christian Leaders Training

Have you ever seen the fallout when boundaries in ministry break down—or were never set in the first place? It can happen in relationships, when things start to blur and feel not-quite-appropriate, or it can happen when a ministry leader gets caught in a pattern of sacrificing time and energy beyond what’s healthy. It can happen in youth ministry, or in a church’s financial practices, or in how church members communicate with one another. So how can you be a part of stewarding and safeguarding your community through the cultivation of clear and wisely-designed boundaries?

Boundaries for Christian Leaders was designed to equip ministry leaders with wisdom, theology, and practical tools for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in every area of ministry. Boundaries aren’t walls meant to restrict: they’re a gift from God, and they’re necessary. Intentional frameworks for maintaining appropriate boundaries can allow you and those you serve to thrive. This course lays a foundation of theological insight and real-world application, so that church leaders can navigate everything from sexuality to technology with clarity, integrity, and grace.

2027 ELCA Youth Gathering

Every three years, thousands of high schoolers and their adult leaders from across the ELCA come together for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It’s not just an event but a movement in which faith ignites and community comes alive. Through inspiring speakers, experiential learning and transformative connections, young people experience the church in bold, unforgettable ways. Each night, participants share a unique faith experience through high-energy worship and powerful storytelling. The Gathering is an opportunity to ask big questions, grow in faith and be part of something bigger than yourself. Are you ready to join the movement?

ELCA Advocacy Resources

ELCA Advocacy offers a monthly blog called "Advocacy Connections" which features Policy Notes, Action Alerts, Featured Resources, Dates of Note, and much more!

You can find Editions of Advocacy Connections and learn how to sign up to receive these emails at the link below.

Young Adult Opportunities

Check out what’s happening with ELCA Young Adult Ministry this month!

Sermon Supply Library

Region 6 Sermon Resource

We’re excited to officially launch The Sermon Supply, a collaborative project from the synods of Region 6!

Beginning today, congregations can access a growing library of sermon videos and manuscripts—designed to support preaching ministry across our synods. Whether you're looking for pulpit supply options, a fresh voice, or support during vacation time, these sermons are free to use and rooted in the Gospel. 

Each sermon is filed in a folder by lectionary number, making it easy to find what you need.

Thank you for being part of this shared ministry. We hope these sermons equip and encourage you and your communities in the weeks to come.

POSITION POSTINGS

Director of Advancement - Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University



The Advancement Officer advances the philanthropic mission of Trinity Lutheran Seminary (TLS) and Capital University by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors while strengthening alumni engagement and fostering lifelong relationships with Trinity Lutheran Seminary alumni, dual Capital-Trinity alumni, and friends of the Seminary.

Executive Director - City Mission of Findlay



The City Mission of Findlay is a non-profit Christian ministry that provides emergency services to the homeless and hungry in Hancock County by providing shelter, support, and opportunities for transformation to those in need. 

This is the top leadership role responsible for overseeing all operations, staff, finances, programs, fundraising, and strategic direction of the mission.  The Executive Director is expected to lead from a Christian, servant-leadership perspective while ensuring the ministry stays aligned with its faith-based mission and values.  

If interested in more details, please contact Kcline913@gmail.com

Youth Leader grades 6-12 - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jenera



Looking for a Youth and Family Ministries coordinator who will plan, implement and attend activities that guide youth, primarily in grades 6 - 12 on their faith journey, utilizing Bible Study, Sunday School Lessons, Missions projects, Activities of Service, and Group Discussion

If interested in more details, please contact grieserjn@gmail.com

Learning Center Teacher - Emanuel Lutheran Church, Marion, Ohio 

We are adding to our amazing staff at the Learning Center!

Ideal applicants will have experience working with children (birth-age 5), will be self motivated, excited to work, and have a love for helping children learn and grow.

Bonus points for having a CDA!

(minimum requirement-high school diploma)

For inquires please reach out to emanuelearlylearningcenter@gmail.com or call 740-382-0257

Organist/Pianist - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sandusky, Ohio

We are looking for an organist/pianist who will work in cooperation with the pastor, the Music Ministry Team, and the Choir Director. The organist/pianist will play music for our regular worship services. This position includes the provision of music for Sunday mornings, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and Day, Lenten, Easter, and special services.

Please email your application with resume to the Church Administrator - Loriwobser@zionsandusky.org

Music Director - Community of Christ Lutheran Church, Whitehouse, Ohio

Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse, Ohio, member of the Northwest Ohio Synod of the ELCA, is actively seeking one or two music professionals to serve as music director/organist/choir director. Candidates should be eager to share their talents with our congregation, provide opportunities for various levels of participation in the music of our church and facilitate the growth of our music programming. Hours, compensation and continuing education opportunities will be determined commensurate with final determination of roles and responsibilities. Community of Christ, founded in 1974, is a growing and engaging Lutheran church in Whitehouse, Ohio.

If you have an announcement or an event that you would like to share throughout the synod, click below to access our submission form. Questions: news@nwos-elca.org