...Jesus came near & went with them

News from across Northwestern Ohio to keep you connected.

Resources, Events & Opportunities:

• Growing in Faith: Diakonia
• Volunteer for LSS Choice Food Pantry
• The Faith Community's Call to Caregiving Class
• Hunger Network in Ohio: Statehouse Budget
• Exploring Pathways for Chaplaincy in the ELCA Virtual Call
• Discerning a Call to Serve / Fund for Leaders
• Coaching Support for Leaders
• Gathered to Scatter: Fresh Expressions Conference
• Apply to be HopeWood Camps 2025 Summer Staff
• The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy Conference
• Wild Goose Festival

Exciting News

• Solomon School, Woodville Adds 7th Grade Class!

Position Postings:

• Messiah, Toledo - Church Musician
• St. John's, Oak Harbor - Young Generations Ministry Coord.
• Providence, Holland & Community of Christ, Whitehouse - Coordinator of Children, Youth & Family Ministry
• First, Findlay - Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director
• Zion, Sandusky - Organist
• Trinity, Wauseon - Part-Time Organist
• St. Peter, Blackberry - Office Administrator

Growing In Faith: Diakonia Bonus Offering Course

Good Proclamation

by Rev. Dr. Laura L.H. Barbins, Bishop

Join lay folks from across the state for a three-part course on faithfully preaching the Gospel. This class will meet twice on zoom and once in person at Peace Lutheran in Ashland, Ohio. Learn from Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins, Bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod. Register today!

Growing In Faith: Diakonia Course #4 Offerings: Intro to the New Testament (Foundations)

and Healthy Congregations (Practical)

Registration is currently open for two concurrent Growing in Faith: Diaknoia class, Intro to the New Testament (Foundations) and Healthy Congregations (Practical), meeting February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6 from 6:00-9:00 PM online. Register today!

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 email dlisk@lssnwo.org. Thank you!

The Faith Community's Call to Caregiving Class

January 23, 3:00-5:00 EST

Nursing Contact Hours Provided

With recent emphasis on aging in place, the faith community is in a key position to answer the call to be or assist caregivers. Faith community nurses are uniquely equipped to meet this call by developing programs, educational initiatives, research, and policymaking. Information, tools, and resources about integrating an age-friendly vision of caregiving with the faith community will be provided.   

Budgets Are Moral Documents: Pre-Budget Zoom

January 24, 12:00 Noon EST

Governor DeWine will introduce his budget in early February, establishing his priorities for the state for his final two years. As a state with rising hunger, poorly funded schools, and a lack of safe decent and affordable housing, will this budget set the state on a direction to address these issues or take us further away? Join us to learn about these important issues:

• Hunger free schools and college campuses
• A Senior SNAP benefit to lift the minimum from $23 to $50
• Ohio Association of Food banks
• Safe, Decent and Affordable Housing
• A refundable Earned Income Tax Credit

Fireside Chat: Exploring Pathways for Chaplaincy

February 13, 2025

Join us for a virtual fireside chat with the Seminaries of the ELCA! The first of these sessions will be with the ELCA Chaplain Corps, as we explore the in’s and out’s of serving as a Chaplain in the ELCA!

Discerning A Call to Serve & Scholarships

Are you feeling called to ministry? Do you have questions about the process of candidacy? Contact Cheryl Sondergeld, NWOS Director of Leadership Development at cheryl.sondergeld@nwos-elca.org. 

ELCA Coaching Support for Leaders



Whether in the cohort-based model of Supportive Spaces, or the individualized work of Coaching, the ELCA is providing two unique opportunities for leaders to lean in to growth and support.

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. 

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.

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

VanHoy Farms and Campground, August 28-31



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.

Exciting News

POSITION POSTINGS

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 schedule an interview and audition: pastormarkmessiahelcatoledo@gmail.com

Young Generations Ministry Coordinator

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

St. John's Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor is looking for a Young Generations Ministry Coordinator to work with the youth and their families, along with young adults of their congregation and community to enthusiastically share the love of Jesus Christ. 

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: pastorflcf@gmail.com

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. Contact Lori Wobser, church administrator at loriwobser@zionsandusky.org or at 419-625-2112.

Part-Time Organist

Trinity Lutheran-Wauseon

Trinity Lutheran Church of Wauseon is seeking a skilled and dedicated organist to enrich our worship with inspiring organ music for our traditional sunday worship services 2-3 times a month, and other special mid-week services. See the position description for details. Interested candidates can send a resume to Aimee Hench at office@trinitywauseon.org or call 419-335-5651 with questions.

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 at mattmusteric@proton.me. Candidates are encouraged to apply by February 7, 2025, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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