Faith in Action: Our Call to Civic Engagement During the 2024 Election

Casting Ballots as People of Faith - Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop

During this election season and as we prepare to vote as part of our civic responsibility and commitment to the Gospel, Bishop Eaton reminds us, "We are not defined by our political affiliations but by our shared baptism and our commitment to the Gospel. As people of faith, we are called to engage in our communities and work for justice and to advocate for the dignity and well-being of all people. One way we do this is by voting, ensuring that our voices are heard, as we shape our society together."

ELCA Civic Engagement Resources // Click Here

Worship Resources for a National Election: Scripture readings, prayers and assembly song suggestions are offered to be used in settings such as prayer vigils, as part of Morning or Evening Prayer, as part of regular weekly worship, or for personal devotion in the weeks preceding or following an election. They are available in Word or PDF format.

Worship Resources for a National Election // Click Here

Voter Registration Deadline in Ohio was October 7, 2024 for the November 2024 election. Click H ere to check your voter registration and/or find your voting precinct and polling location!

Ohio Voter Look-Up // Click Here

News, Updates, & Resources

On October 10, 2024, the Social Security Administration announced the 2025 Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. During its meeting on October 12, the Synod Council approved a resolution setting the 2025 baseline salary for pastors and deacons. The Compensation Standards document and the worksheets have been updated on the website to reflect the 2025 baseline salary.

The expectation is that congregations will use the current Compensation Standards document and appropriate worksheet whenever calling a pastor or deacon and when reviewing compensation for the next year.

Compensation Standards on our Website // Click Here

November 4-8, 2024, your synod staff will be participating in a week-long, staff-only event that the NEOS staff is calling, "SPACKLE: Synod Personnel's Aikido* Catch-Up for Knowledge, Learning, and Efficiency."

During this time, all of our emails and phone messages will be set to away settings. We are kindly asking everyone to only reach out to us if there is an emergency situation. We will NOT respond otherwise. Please note that in order to receive a response from us, your email or voicemail must include the word "EMERGENCY" in the subject line. All other messages will be deleted

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to better serve you and our community.

*Aikido - "Aikido principles can be applied beyond martial arts, promoting harmony and continuous improvement in professional settings. By incorporating these principles, organizations can foster a disciplined approach to personal and collective development." - Stevens, John. The Art of Peace: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido. Shambhala, 1992.

We continue to pray for those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Working alongside the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Southeastern Synod, North Carolina Synod, and other partners, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to respond. They anticipate that LDR's greatest impact will be reaching those in underserved areas and in the long-term, community-focused recovery and care for which Lutheran Disaster Response is known. If you are looking for a way to help, consider donating here: elca.org/hurricanes/donate

100% of donations designated as "Hurricane Relief" will go to communities that have been heavily impacted by these storms. If you prefer, you can also send donations to the Northeastern Ohio Synod (designated for Hurricane Response) and we will forward on your behalf.

Find information and resources about Lutheran Disaster Response's hurricane relief at ELCA.org/hurricanes.

Give to LDR Hurricane Response // Click Here

For many years the ELCA Annual Congregation Report included Form C. As time went by, the Office of the Secretary determined that the data collected through Form C lacked depth or thematic focus and that it took too long to report.

With those concerns in mind, we are trying something new in data collection. Instead of soliciting information from all congregations and worshiping communities simultaneously through Form C, we are conducting Congregation Pulse Surveys. These surveys are one way for congregations and worshiping communities to share their perspectives, strengths, and needs with synods and the churchwide organization in an expedient way.

The first two waves of the Congregation Pulse Survey were each sent to one quarter of ELCA congregations and worshiping communities in April and July. Over the next six months, the remaining congregations and worshiping communities will receive one survey, in either October 2024 or January 2025. Surveys will be distributed to the email address on file for the congregation or worshiping community with the churchwide organization.

Each Pulse Survey can be completed in five minutes or less and without any research. The best person to complete the survey is likely the congregation’s or worshiping community’s rostered minister, administrative assistant, or council president.

Many thanks for taking the time to provide your feedback! If you have any questions, you may contact Rebekah Wissler in our Northeastern Ohio Synod office: rwissler@neos-elca.org

Your weekly guide to resources from the Kaufman Resource Center (KRC), where Rebekah Wissler, our dedicated Resource Specialist & Archivist, thoughtfully compiles resources to empower and engage you and your congregation.

The KRC has introduced Honoring the Land: A Guide to Creating Land Acknowledgments for Congregations in the Northeastern Ohio Synod, a new resource designed to support congregations in developing thoughtful and respectful land acknowledgments. This guide not only pays homage to the enduring history and stewardship of Indigenous communities, but also offers practical advice on integrating these acknowledgments into worship and communal practices.

Centered on the principles of justice, reconciliation, and healing, the guide invites congregations to deepen their commitment to equity and restoration. It encourages faith communities to embark on a journey of awareness, respect, and solidarity with Indigenous cultures. By doing so, congregations actively contribute to the ongoing work of building a more just, compassionate, and harmonious future.

This resource empowers congregations to honor the past, engage meaningfully in the present, and help shape a future grounded in justice and reconciliation. Embracing this practice is a powerful step toward fostering unity, healing, and shared responsibility for the land.

Download Honoring the Land // Click Here

Email Rebekah // Click Here

Upcoming Events

Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for a conversation about God’s Love Made Real. This ELCA movement encourages us to create a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 12 p.m. Eastern time

Registration is encouraged, but not required. This event will take place on Zoom.

Bishop Eaton will share why God’s Love Made Real is meaningful to her and the future of the church. The Rev. Donald Kreiss, bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod, will host the conversation, and participants will have a chance to ask questions and share stories.

Learn more about God’s Love Made Real at lovemadereal.elca.org.

We look forward to sharing this time with you!

Register by October 28th! We invite Rostered Ministers to join us for Reformation Days, designed to meet the ELCA’s requirements for boundaries and inclusion/anti-racism training. In addition, we are also featuring various workshops aimed at continuing education, focusing on key aspects of ministry.

8:30am - 4:00pm

St. Stephen Martyr, Canton, OH

Full Day - $50.00

Morning Session Only - $25.00

Afternoon Session Only - $25.00

Boxed lunches will be provided.

For More Info & To Register // Click Here

Two new classes for Growing In Faith Ohio kick off Nov. 7th! You won't want to miss them!

If you are new to the program, we recommend beginning with Christianity in a Lutheran Key (a Foundations Course). If you are a history lover or curious about female spiritual leaders in the early church, consider taking Church History al a carte.

Learn More about Growing in Faith // Click Here

The Hunger Network in Ohio would like to invite you to attend our Annual Celebration on November 10th at All Saints Lutheran Church in Columbus at 3:30.

This is a party everyone, so bring your friends! We will have a few speakers, present a few awards, and celebrate together a great year of advocacy and working to end hunger!

All Saints Lutheran Church

6770 North High Street

Worthington, OH 43085

Tickets range from $10-$100.

Appetizers and lite refreshments served.

Reserve Your Seat Here // Click Here