...Jesus came near & went with them

Upcoming Events:

• Navigating Anxiety: LFCNA
• Sacred Space Gathering
• NAMI Family and Friends Seminar
• Soaring Arts Made New Exhibit
• Nicene Creed Conversations
• Capital Nelson Lecture Series
• Budget Advocacy Day: Ohio Hunger Network
• Gathered to Scatter: Fresh Expressions
• Ohio Summer Youth Retreat
• The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy
• Wild Goose Festival

Service Opportunities:

• Volunteer for LSS Choice Food Pantry
• LDR Carolinas Comfort Kits

Toolkits & Resources:

• Faith-Based Orgs Building Affordable Housing: LISC
• Lutheran men in Mission Ambassador-Gram

Partner Updates:

• Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA
• ELCA Advocacy Action Alerts
• Global Refuge
• ELCA Young Adults
• Border Servant Corps

Position Postings:

• HopeWood Outdoors - Summer Applications
• Messiah, Toledo - Church Musician
• Providence, Holland & Community of Christ, Whitehouse - Coordinator of Children, Youth & Family Ministry
• First, Findlay - Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director
• Zion, Sandusky - Organist
• St. Peter, Blackberry - Office Administrator

Upcoming Events

Navigating Anxiety with

Your Mind, Body and Spirit

February 20, 7:00 PM EST on Zoom

Join us for a time of learning and reflection as we are led through the writings of Curtis Chang in his book “The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry is the Doorway to Your Best Self.” This program is provided jointly with the Parish Nursing Program of the Tri-State Region (MD, PA, WV), LFCNA, and Meritus Health. ANCC credit hour information in the attached flyer.

Upcoming LFCNA Events (Registration Forthcoming):

• March 25: "This Isn't Kansas, Toto." Living in the New, Digital World: Lessons for Adults and Children
• April 10: Replenishing Your Heart: A Reflection on the Psalms

Sacred Space:

A Gathering for Hope in a Weary World

February 25, 7:00 PM

Grace Lutheran-Toledo

4441 Monroe St, Toledo

A time for people of faith to gather for prayer, to hear the Word, and share fellowship in these difficult times. Please email Pastor Brenda with questions.

NAMI Family and Friends Virtual Seminar

Feburary 26, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Zoom

NAMI Family & Friends is a free seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support. The seminar is led by trained people with lived experience of supporting a family member with a mental health condition. They will walk you through the following topics:

• Understanding diagnoses, treatment, and recovery
• Effective communication strategies
• The importance of self-care
• Crisis preparation strategies
• NAMI and community resources

Soaring Arts Collaborative Exhibit Made New

March 6, 5:30-7:00 PM

St. Peter Lutheran Church

710 Joe E Brown Ave, Holgate

The artists of Soaring Arts Studio are currently taking broken and unusable items and creating masterpieces! unusable and etc.) and creating new masterpieces out of them. An exhibit opening for this project will showcase the completed work, where all are welcome to come and experience the theme of being made new! With Easter coming up, all are encouraged to come and meet the artists, reflect on the art, and enjoy time in community.

After the exhibit debut at St. Peter-Holgate, the gallery will be traveling! Would your community be interested in hosting this beautiful and deeply meaningful artwork? If so, please email Tonya Wagner, Community Arts Coordinator, at the button below.

Nicene Creed Conversations

March 16, 3:00-5:00 PM

Monthly, Next at Emanuel-Marion

241 S Prospect St, Marion

This year, 2025, is the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, from which we received the Nicene Creed. The Lutheran congregations in the Southeastern Conference will be hosting gatherings on a monthly basis to have discussions around the Nicene Creed and what we believe to be true. Emanuel - Marion is hosting the first session. No RSVP required.

"Come join others to begin this wonderful discussion. Bishop Daniel has made this year the Year of Listening. We are hoping these sessions allow us to listen to what we as Christians of the Lutheran tradition believe and what others might believe as well."

Nelson Lecture Series with Vance Blackfox

March 18 and 20

Captial University, Columbus

A free event that is open to the public, the Nelson Lecture is an annual speaker series in memory of Constance Ruth (Nelson) Wise, a Capital University alumna who envisioned a space dedicated to fostering open dialogue and discussion. Constance's wish was for guest speakers and thought leaders to support and embrace conversations on religion and various topics that align with the mission statement and values of Capital.

Budgets are A Moral Document Advocacy Day

March 25, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Ohio Statehouse, Columbus

Did you know that the state budget sets the direction of our state for the next two years? Join Hunger Network Ohio to learn about the budget and share stories about our communities and what our lawmakers can do to end hunger and poverty in our communities. Come and join your colleagues in advocacy! NWOS participants will design a carpool. Subsidized registration available! Registration required by March 21st.

Gathered to Scatter Conference

April 25 - 26, 2025

Zion Lutheran Church

503 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky

Our neighborhoods are aching for the good news of Jesus Christ. God wants to empower everyday churches to embody the Kingdom in everyday places.Learn how regular congregations are reimagining and reorganizing to bring hope into the cafés, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and common places we spend our days.

At Gathered to Scatter you will learn:

• To reach people who might never come to a traditional “Sunday” church
• To seize the opportunities your congregation has right now for greater impact without disrupting your existing church
• To develop and unleash motivated leaders even if you don’t have a big staff

While many leadership events are oriented around well-known speakers, Gathered to Scatter features practitioners who are deeply experienced in leading small- and mid-sized congregations into more vital futures. Their desire is to help you do the same. 

Ohio Summer Youth Retreat

June 29-July 2

HopeWood Pines-Marengo, Ohio

Registration is now open for the Ohio Youth Retreat June 29th-July 2nd at HopeWood Pines - LMC. Youth entering grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend. This experience is open to all youth in Northwestern Ohio, Northeastern Ohio and Southern Ohio Synod. A team of youth leaders from each synod has been planning this exciting mini-week, and each synod is contributing to subsidizing the cost to keep this ecperience affordable at just $150 per youth.

The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy

Minneapolis, August 13-15



The first gathering of The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy will take place in Minneapolis August 13-15; early-bird registration is now open. Under the theme Let It Be With Me According To Your Word: From Praying to Knowing to Doing, the Seminar will host Pastors, Deacons, Musicians, and Seminarians to discuss liturgical formation in the ELCA in the evangelical catholic tradition. Plenary speakers include Max Johnson (University of Notre Dame), Ed Foley (Catholic Theological Union, Chicago), Audrey West (Lutheran School of Theology/Yale), and Lizette Larson-Miller (Diocese of Huron), as well as Daniel Schwandt, Kevin Vaughn, Andrew Schaeffer, and the Minnesota Boychoir as musicians.

Wild Good Festival

August 28-31, VanHoy Farms and Campground



Join us at the 2025 Wild Goose Festival, a celebration of Spirit, Justice, Music and Art. Taking place August 28-31 at VanHoy Farms and Campground. The festival offers inspiring speakers, music, and workshops to deepen spiritual connection and community. Together, we’ll explore how faith intersects with action and transformation.

Service Opportunities

Volunteer with Lutheran Social Services

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio needs volunteers!



"We are looking for volunteers to help serve in our Choice Food Pantry. We are open Tuesday and Thursday mornings and need help to keep our pantry running smoothly. If you would like to join our team and have a fun and rewarding experience, while serving the community, please contact Debbie at 419-243-9178 or by email. Thank you!"

 Comfort Kits for

Lutheran Disaster Response of the Carolinas

A few years go, in response to the many hurricanes and floods, Lutheran Disaster Response of the Carolinas started asking for children’s comfort kits. Comfort kits are just that – small plastic containers (about the size of a shoe box) filled with items that bring kids fun and comfort for a little while. This is a flexible project, and folks making them can add additional things as they don’t have to be the same. It’s fun for families to personalize and young kids can pick out their favorite things. These kits are given out following a storm to individuals in recovery areas. LDR Carolinas has storage space, so they will always accept them and can keep them in stock. See the attached resources for more information about the LDR Carolines Comfort Kits as well as Clean Up Kits. Direct questions to Ruth Ann Sipe at 704-322-0660 or by email.

TOOLKITS & RESOURCES

A New Toolkit for Helping Faith-based Organizations Build Affordable Housing

The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a new toolkit to help HUD grantees and community developers support faith-based organizations that want to build and preserve affordable housing in their communities. The guide is essentially a toolkit for redeveloping closed and underutilized houses of worship. It draws on proven practices around the country, with summaries of the factors that empowered successful projects, roles and responsibilities of essential stakeholders, policy considerations, and financing strategies.  

Winter 2025 Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram has just been released. Please help share this publication throughout the country through your synod office channels - to men seeking "to be bold, daring followers of Jesus Christ". 

PARTNER UPDATES

A wide range of executive orders are impacting folks along the full spectrum of immigrant and refugee resettlement here in the US and those who are still waiting abroad.The below resources were among several shared in a letter by ELCA Latino Ministries Association as well as the ELCA Legal Team.

Together, we achieve things on a scale and scope that we could never do otherwise. When we act as a coordinated network of advocates and reach out to officials on relevant, timely issues, we effectively impact public policies. By signing up you will:

• receive a monthly newsletter, Advocacy Connections
• receive Action Alerts to message your elected officials
• receive occasional updates about ELCA advocacy work

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Stand up for policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, and defend God’s creation. Consider acting on two recent alerts:

The stop-work order of the current administration has resulted in the requirement that Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) immediately stop serving the nearly 6,000 newly arrived refugees in their care. This stop-work order means that government funding that provides food, housing, education, job placement, healthcare, and basic needs – has come to an immediate halt. These children and families fled war, violence, or persecution and came to the United States lawfully through the official U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. They arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs and now the support they rely on -the support they’d been promised- is being pulled out from under them. With this abrupt and unprecedented cutoff of federal funding, Global Refuge must now rely solely on the generosity of private donors and supporters to fill in the gaps. The following are four requests for support."

"Join us in standing with these families to let them know that when promised protections for them fail, communities like ours rise."

Are you between the ages of 18 and 35? If so, the Young Adult Ministry of the ELCA offers inspiration, opportunities and resources for young adults like you and for people who facilitate young adult ministry in their communities of faith. Check out these opportunities!

Reccent actions by the current administration are changing the reality of the work of Border Servant Corps. These actions—including the cancellation of the CBP One™ program—directly undermine efforts to provide welcome and protection for those seeking safety. On any typical day, BSC would welcome over 200 newly-arrived migrants at the Port of Entry. However, on Inauguration Day, while migrants with morning appointments were released as expected, those with midday appointments were denied entry into the United States. These migrants had waited months for relief—after being issued appointments by DHS, making their way to the Port of Entry, and coming so close to receiving aid—were were abruptly turned away, with no alternative pathway provided.

"Even in difficult times, we remain committed to welcoming those seeking safety. The landscape continues to shift—policy changes, funding gaps, and operational transitions—but our work of accompaniment and hospitality does not waver." Below are ways to support.

POSITION POSTINGS

Apply to Work at HopeWood Camps in 2025!

Join the HopeWood Outdoors team and help create a welcoming community where faith and nature intersect. Transformative programs aim to cultivate growth, connection, and hope in a beautiful outdoor setting.



While camp counselors make a positive impact on campers’ lives, develop valuable skills for your future career, and deepen their faith in a fun and supportive community, there are so many other positions available! Young adults hold a variety of positions that support summer programming through logistical support and leadership from lifeguarding to serving as a maintenance assistant to assisting in the kitchen and offices. The Program Coordinator supervises and coordinates summer camp programs in a manner that ensures a safe and enriching experience for all campers, counselors, and guests. Any role you take at camp will empower our campers to have a great summer experience and empower you to explore your next steps in life’s journey.

Church Musician

Messiah Lutheran Church, Toledo



Messiah Lutheran Church, Toledo is currently seeking a church musician. This position requires the following abilities:

· To read sheet music.

· To play the organ and or piano.

· To provide appropriate music for a traditional Lutheran worship service along with the flexibility to incorporate contemporary worship music.

· To be willing to work alongside of the pastor and cantor.

· To be willing to work with a future seasonal choir.

· Be available for weekly Sunday morning service and special services.

The interested candidate should contact Pastor Mark Kuhlman to audition.

Coord. of Children, Youth & Family Ministry

Providence, Holland & Community of Christ, Whitehouse

Providence, Holland & Community of Christ, Whitehouse are seeking a coordinator of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry.

Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director

First Lutheran Church-Findlay

First Lutheran Church is hiring a Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director. Click below for details about the position. Please submit resumes to Pastor Tucker O'Leary.

Organist

Zion Lutheran-Sandusky

This year-round position which involves essentially 2 Sunday services at 8 am and 10:30 am respectively along with our choir practice on Thursday evenings. We do not have choir during the summer months and so that lightens the load during the summer months. Please see the job description attached for more details. EmailLori Wobser, church administrator or call 419-625-2112.

Office Administrator

St. Peter Lutheran-Blackberry

St. Peter-Blackberry is searching for a new office administrator. Main

responsibilities include creating publications, staffing the office, and financial bookkeeping. If interested please send a cover letter and resume, including three references to Pastor Matt Musteric.

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