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...Jesus came near & went with them |
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Upcoming Events:
- NWOS Summer Academy
- Party in the Parking Lot
- Working Families Rally
- Ohio Summer Youth Retreat
- The Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy
- Faith Communities Uniting for Pride
- Listening to the Spirit-Spiritual Retreat
- Wild Goose Festival
Grant Opportunities:
- ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants
Resources for Students:
Service and Sponsorship:
- Project Pikipiki
- Volunteer for LSS Choice Food Pantry
- YouthWorks Mission Trip to West Virginia
- LWF Ingathering - Load the Truck
Coaching & Support:
- Leaderwise: Ministering to the Minister
Partner Updates:
- HopeWood Outdoors Camp Curriculum
- LMM Ambasador Gram
- World Refugee Day Worship
Resource Sharing:
- Free Choir Robes - First, Stryker
Position Postings:
- Lakeside Chautaqua Seasonal Positions
- Church Musician - Messiah, Toledo
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Coordinator of Children, Youth & Family Ministry - Providence, Holland & Community of Christ, Whitehouse
- Organist - Zion, Sandusky
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NWOS Summer Academy:
Faith, Grace & Tough Talks
June-August 2025
Lakeside Chautaqua + Online Sessions
| | Do find yourself challenged by the current socio-political-spiritual polarization of our culture and our church? Do you sometimes or often run into difficult conversations and situations that deplete you? NWOS staff have heard you and will host 24 synod leaders, Pastors, Deacons, SAMs, and Pastoral Leaders for a pilot program specially created as an intensive, next-level communication and deep listening skill-building this summer. | |
Party in the Parking Lot
June 8, 2025 4:00-7:00 PM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
428 N Erie St, Toledo
| Youth groups and adult volunteers are invited to paint a mural in downtown Toledo! All materials will be supplied. Enjoy a DJ and food trucks on site. Join us for this urban painting experience. Email Kate with questions. | | |
Rally for Working Families
June 17, 2025 at Noon
Ohio Statehouse, Columbus
| This upcoming rally will heavily lift up the Child Tax Credit and other health and human service issues, including food security, housing, mental health, and more. | |
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 experience affordable at just $150 per youth. Register today! | |
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.
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Better Together:
Faith Communities Uniting for Pride
August 16, 2025 -Toledo Pride
(Promenade Park & Adams St.)
As part of the 'Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride" initiative, the organizing team is once again inviting communities to join in the parade as well as encourage shared traditions to share a booth to continue the spirit of collaboration and connection, to invite more inclusive congregations to be represented, and to save more space for other vendors and community groups. Pastor Melanie Forrey (Zoar Lutheran Church) has applied for a booth for Toledo area ELCA LGBTQIA+ welcoming congregations to be present together for this awesome event. Learn more and sign up for parade and booth opportunities, below!
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Listening to the Spirit - Spiritual Retreat
August 25-28, 2025
Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, Maria Stein, OH
Join us for a three-day, three-night Benedictine-style spiritual retreat for rostered leaders and SAMs. It offers plenty of quiet time for reflection, meditation, reading, and prayer plus morning, midday, and evening worship and daily eucharist. Contact Pastor Dave Westphal with questions at pastordavedelc@gmail.com.
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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.
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ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants
Letters of Inquiry Accepted through July 2, 2025
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. The application is currently open for 501c3 community organizations to submit Letters of Inquiry.
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Pierstorf College Fund
Application Now Open Through June 30, 2025
The Pierstorf College Fund is a one-of-a-kind financial aid program designed to support Lutheran students in Ohio pursuing a higher education. This program offers interest-free loans to full-time students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program at any accredited college or university. The maximum loan is $4,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. This program is open to all Lutherans living in Ohio, whether they are new or returning students. No family income information is required, and the program strives to offer loans to every eligible Lutheran student. Since its founding in 1994, the Pierstorf College Fund has awarded over $14 million in loans, enabling students to focus on their studies without the burden of tuition costs.
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Global Mission Board Summer Appeal:
Project Pikipiki
85% of evangelists in the Dodoma Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania serve remote communities, often walking 12-20 miles between parishes to preach, provide worship leadership and pastoral care to multiple communities of faith. This summer, the Global Mission Board of the Northwestern Ohio Synod will match gifts made towards the purchase of pikipikis dollar for dollar! $1600 buys one motorcycle with regular maintenance and makes ministry more accessible for one evangelist in Tanzania. This is a great project for Vacation Bible School kids! Perhaps create a competition between the adult forum and WELCA group for who can raise the most funds, or invite the whole parish to raise funds for Project Pikipiki!
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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!"
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2025 Summer YouthWorks Trip to West Virginia
July 20-July 25, 2025
Logan County, WV
The youth and adult organizers of St. Peter Lutheran in Ridgeville Corners are looking for other parishes to partner with them on a summer mission trip for youth ages 8th grade through high school. The theme for the 2025 trip is: Dust "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:15. We're all following something - let's work together and bring our love for Jesus into this community. Contact Pastor Mindy Elliott for more information at prmindy@rtecexpress.net.
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2025 Ingathering for Lutheran World Relief
October 11, 2025
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pemberville
Come and bring all supplies that your congregation has collected for Lutheran World Relief! The truck that will be parked at St. Paul will have space for all Baby Care kits, Personal Care kits, Fabric kits, School kits and lovingly-made quilts. Please box, tape shut and properly label all supplies. Please contact the church 419-287-4731 and leave a message with any question, or email Joan Simon at simonj@bgsu.edu.
| | Ministering to the Minister
| Regardless of where anyone stands on the political spectrum, it's safe to say that it's been difficult to lead in these times. We are offering you a menu of opportunities to support clergy, whether that clergyperson is you, someone in your care, or someone who you call "your pastor." We purposely put together a range of opportunities at a range of price points, so there is something for everyone. And, if you're needing something that just isn't here, please reach out to us! LeaderWise is called to walk alongside you, and in times like these, we feel our calling more deeply than ever. | |
2025 World Refugee Day Worship
June 22, 2025
Join congregations across NWOS to pray for all who are journeying to safety. Explore the Welcome the Stranger order of worship, designed by ELCA partner Global Refuge, and consider how your congregation may incorporate prayer for refugees on June 22. Share that your congregation intends to participate, so that we can lift up the variety of opportunities to worship on the commemorative day. This invitation has been extended by the Mexico Companionship team of the NWOS Global Mission Board, as inspired by the work of our companion church Iglesia Luterana Mexicana as they accompany migrants and refugees.
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Camp Curriculum Creation Opportunity
HopeWood Shores, HopeWood Pines + Online!
This Fall, HopeWood Outdoors will gather together campers, artists, educators, and more to create a curriculum for use in summer 2026 at HopeWood Pines, HopeWood Shores, and HopeWood Connect. Thanks to a grant from the Stewardship of Life Institute, a small stipend will be provided to all those who assist in the creation of this resource. Are you interested in helping to create a curriculum that will impact thousands of lives in 2026--and even more once it's published? Click the button below to indicate your interest!
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Spring 2025 Luther Men in Mission
Ambassador Gram
Quarterly news for all interested in Lutheran men's ministry.
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Free Choir Robes - Adult & Child Sizes
First Lutheran Church, Stryker
First Lutheran Church in Stryker, Ohio has approximately 30 redish/burgandy adult choir robes that need a new home! We also have approximately 20 light blue children's choir robes and a few white robes available. Please email Jody with interest or questions.
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Seasonal Contractor Positions
Lakeside Chautauqua, Apply ASAP
Religious Life: All-Level Youth Coordinator (ages 4-17)
- Employment Period: May - August, 2025
- Compensation: $15,000-$20,000 (commensurate with experience) plus 1 personal season gate pass (plus gate passes for immediate family), and 1 season auto pass.
- Reports to: The Director of Religious Life
The All-Level Youth Coordinator (ages 4-17) plays a vital role in fostering a safe, inclusive, and spiritually enriching environment for children, tweens, and teens at Lakeside Chautauqua during its summer season. This position has dual responsibilities: to oversee and coordinate scheduling and engagement at "The Underground"—a dedicated youth hangout space for ages 14 and up—and to serve as the primary program lead for teens ages 14-17. Additionally, the All-Level Youth Coordinator will support Children's Ministry (ages 4-9) and Middle School (ages 10-13) programming as needed.
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Religious Life Intern (Youth Ministry/Generalist)
- Department: Religious Life
- Salary: $ 15 per hourJ/maximum 35-hours per week.
- Reports To: Director of Religious Life
The Religious Life Intern (Youth Ministry and Religious Life Generalist) reports directly to the Director Religious Life and will assist the Teen Ministry Leader. This is a summer position, beginning in late May and continuing through mid-August, ideally through Labor Day. Although the Religious Life Intern is expected to work during the day, evenings, weekends, and all summer holidays, some free time each day and one-two days off each week will be built into the schedule.
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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.
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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.
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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. Email Lori Wobser, church administrator or call 419-625-2112.
| | 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 | | | | |
