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...Jesus came near & went with them |
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Upcoming Events
- 2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat
- Common Table: Young Adult Gathering
- TLS Seminary Student for a Day
- LSM Season Announcement
- The Shaping of Our Hearts - Summer Spiritual Practice Series
- Unwanted Firearms Disposal Event
- Lakeside Lutheran Chautauqua
- ELCA Racial Justice Ministries 5-part Webinar Series
- Spiritual Retreat for Rostered Leaders and SAMs
- 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts
- 2026 School of Congregational Development
- Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride
Service and Sponsorship:
- Growing Hope: HopeWood Outdoors Campaign
- Hunger Network in Ohio: Monthly Advocate Check-In
Resource Sharing:
- 2027 ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants
- 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering GNews
- ELCA Advocacy Resources
- The Sermon Supply
Position Postings:
- Assistant Professor of Homiletics - Trinity Lutheran Seminary
- Church Organist - St. John, Celina
- Learning Center Teacher - Emanuel, Marion
- Organist/Pianist - Zion, Sandusky
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2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat
Registration is now open for the 2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat!
The Ohio Summer Youth Retreat will take place at Hopewood Pines from Sunday, June 28 to Wednesday, July 1, 2026. This retreat is for youth from the Northeastern, Northwestern, and Southern Ohio Synods aged rising 6th grade to 12th grade.
The 2026 Theme will be "Choose Love" based on 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us." During our retreat we will learn what it means to Love God, Love Ourselves, Love Each other, and Love Our World.
You can find more information and how to register at the button below.
We can't wait for you to join us as we 'Choose Love' at camp this summer!
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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, May 26th, 2026 at 6pm
Mallard Lake Pavilion and Playground Parking
5240 Wilkins Rd, Whitehouse, OH 43571, USA
Join us for a cookout and games at a shelter house at Mallard Lake (Oak Openings Park)! Bring a side dish to share. We will end with a time of reflection/prayer.
Whether you're looking for community, curiosity, or just a fun night out, you
belong at the table. We hope to see you there!
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Seminary Student for a Day
Come and be a seminarian for a day at Trinity Lutheran Seminary! From 8:30 AM-3:30 PM, experience a sample class, take a tour of campus, hear from current students, and learn about the programs offered and the application process. Lunch is included; email sschier@capital.edu for more information.
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Lutheran Summer Music - Season Announcement
Get Ready for LSM 2026!
Lutheran Summer Music returns to St. Olaf College for its 2026 season, June 21-July 19, featuring more than 40 free concerts, recitals, worship services, and special events free and open to the public.
Highlights include the inaugural LSM Choral Gathering, guest performance by Cantus, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, the Bach Cantata Eucharist, and Festival Week concerts featuring LSM's Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Most events will also be available online via Live from LSM.
View the season brochure, explore events, and reserve free tickets at the link below!
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The Shaping of Our Hearts - Summer Spiritual Practice Series
You are invited to a weekly series of spiritual practices on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:45pm at Community of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitehouse, Ohio.
All are welcome as we explore both ancient and innovative practices to deepen faith and connect with God and the world God loves. Sign-up online for one or more sessions at our link, or call the church office at 419-877-0607.
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Unwanted Firearms Disposal Event
During this event, volunteers will shepherd gun donors as they drive through a prescribed process. Trained safety experts will handle the guns. The guns will be chopped up into parts, which can then be made into art pieces. Donors will receive Kroger or Meijer gift cards: $50 for long guns, $100 for handguns, $200 for assault rifles, with a limit of $300 per donation. This event is only open to volunteers, gun donors and the trained safety experts, not the general public. The event is coordinated by the Multifaith Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action and Sisters 4 Unity. Please help spread the word--flyer attached. Thanks!
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Lakeside Lutheran Chautauqua
Celebrate faith, fellowship, and family during Lakeside Lutheran Chautauqua. Join fellow Lutherans for uplifting worship (featuring Rev. Michael Beck), family activities, and joyful community along the shores of Lake Erie. For more information about registration, complimentary passes, and the Lakeside Lutheran Chautauqua week, please visit our website!
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Equipping the Church to Dismantle White Supremacy - A 5-part webinar series
In partnership with the ELCA Strategy for Authentic Diversity, the Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and the ELCA Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries presents: Equipping the Church to Dismantle White Supremacy: A 5-part webinar series.
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NWOS Southwest Conference Presents:
To Love as God Loves: Spiritual Retreat for Rostered Leaders and SAMs in collaboration with the NWOS Southwest Conference
"To Love as God Loves" is a three-day, three night Benedictine-style retreat featuring plenty of silent time for contemplation, reading, and prayer. Daily worship includes morning, midday, and evening prayer along with daily eucharist.
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Invitation to Attend the 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA)
The 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA) is a high-quality, affordable conference, full of practical ideas that you can adapt to your own setting, along with meaningful worship experiences — for ministry practitioners and by ministry practitioners. It will be held July 20-22, 2026, on the campus of St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. You are invited to participate!
CWTA attracts participants from many different roles, including experienced and first-call Pastors, Deacons, and other church professional leaders; Lay people including lay leaders; Church workers – volunteer and paid; Children youth and family ministers/leaders; Artists; Church musicians; Christian education professionals; Outdoor ministry professionals; Seminarians; Others interested in deepening theological understandings and spiritual practices; and Members of congregations that are reimagining their vocation. We’ll provide opportunities for you to find those people at the conference so you can connect and share experiences.
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SCD 2026
The “School of Congregational Development” is the UMC’s largest training and resourcing event. From August 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus, practitioners from across the globe will be here offering workshops on a variety of topics. Hosted in Columbus, Ohio, SCD 2026 equips and empowers leaders to build communities where people truly belong and, together, become more like Christ—loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously for the sake of the world.
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Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride
As part of the 'Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride' initiative, Pastor Melanie Forrey (Zoar Lutheran Church) will once again organize a shared booth to continue the spirit of collaboration and connection, to represent inclusive congregations in our synod, and to save more space for other vendors and community groups.
Congregations who are listed already on the Equality Toledo 'Welcoming Places of Worship' list and/or those who are participating in Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride will be invited to include swag/information at the booth, and to sign up for booth coverage; a sign-up link will be shared later in the summer.
If your community would like to register to participate in Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride, see the button below:
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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.
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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!
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2027 ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job access, human rights, policy change and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger, for good.
2027 Domestic Hunger Grant Timeline:
• Letter of inquiry (LOI) open: April 15 – July 1
• LOI review period: July 13 – Sept. 15
• Synod review lead webinar: July 15
• Notifications to partners invited to apply: Oct. 30 at the latest
• Partners complete applications: October – December
• Partners notified of official award: January 2027
• Grant start date: March 1, 2027
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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?
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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.
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Young Adult Opportunities
Check out what’s happening with ELCA Young Adult Ministry this month!
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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.
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Assistant Professor of Homiletics
Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University invites applicants for a tenure-track faculty position in Homiletics. This position includes a three-quarters teaching appointment and a one-quarter appointment directing the seminary's assessment process and portfolio or the seminary's grant applications and processes. The nine-month contract will begin in August 2026.
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Church Organist - St. John Lutheran Church, Celina
Looking for an organist to lead our 9:00 am traditional worship service each week and other special services during the church year (Lent, Advent, Christmas Eve, Night of Promise,...).
Learn more about our church at https://www.purpledoorchurch.org/
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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
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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
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Secretary/Clerical - Zion Lutheran Church, Waterville, Ohio
The Secretary/Clerical Associate provides essential administrative and operational support to the Pastor, Synod Authorized Minister (SAM), and church leadership. This role ensures the smooth day-to-day functioning of the church office while maintaining accurate records, supporting communication efforts, and assisting with financial and administrative processes.
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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 | | | | |
