View this email as a webpage

Statements Released Regarding Haitian Community in Ohio

September 25th, from Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt, Bishop of Southern Ohio Synod:

Siblings in Christ,

Since my statement to our Synod last Tuesday regarding Springfield, particularly the national media treatment of the Haitian community there, many of you have reached out directly to ask what else can we do.

I continue to be in contact with our congregations and their leadership. They affirm that the most important thing to be done continues to be to hold their city and the communities they serve, especially our Haitian neighbors, in prayer. Statement Continues...

September 20th, from Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA:

You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt

(Deuteronomy 10:19).

Dear church, 

The recent national spotlight on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, clearly has fanned flames of hate and stoked threats of violence. The rhetoric has created discord and mistrust of people who have already suffered civil unrest in their nation and been granted legal protection in the United States. History shows us that this kind of hatred often carries negative national and global consequences. Our church teaches that immigrants are children of God, made in God’s image and worthy of respect and lives of dignity. God calls us to witness boldly to this truth when people tell dehumanizing lies that perpetuate racist tropes and support white supremacist narratives. 

Statement Continues...

September 17th, from Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt, Bishop of Southern Ohio Synod:

Many of you have watched the news over the past week regarding false statements about the immigrant community in Springfield, OH, specifically our Haitian neighbors. The events that have followed are a continuation of a quickening trend toward division and violence throughout our world.

I have been in contact with city officials in Springfield, as well as our congregations and their leadership. They are grateful for the prayers for them and their community from across the Southern Ohio Synod, the ELCA, nationally, and globally.

What else can we do? How is God calling us to respond?

1) Pastors, Deacons, Synod Authorized Ministers (SAMs), Lay Worship Leaders (LWLs), and Congregational Leaders: This is the time to remind us of the words of Jesus and of Martin Luther, through conversations, teaching, and preaching.

2) Speak up to advocate for truth, to put an end to false statements and dispel rumors that dehumanize our neighbors.

3) Continue to pray.

Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day and the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger!

Tune in on Zoom on Oct. 15 to hear firsthand stories from ELCA World Hunger partners and we celebrate 50 years of ministry and get excited for our shared work toward a just world where all are fed.

Go to ELCA World Hunger's website to register, receive reminders, event information, World Food Day resources and the event recording.

The ELCA September 2024 Mission Support Memo gives you the opportunity to hear Rahim and Cecelia Brown's faithful journey of candidacy with the North Carolina Synod and the surprising and bounteous support they were given. Please also check out our new ELCA Mission Support: Deep Dive to learn how our churchwide organization stewards Mission Support dollars. We additionally celebrate "God's work. Our hands." Find the memo from Living Lutheran here too! 

Exciting New Congregational Resources from Global Refuge

Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has introduced a wonderful collection of new resources designed specifically for congregations. These tools will help your faith community shine as a beacon of welcome and kindness for our newest neighbors:

• Welcome the Stranger Worship Order: Lead worship with materials that center on scripture, prayers, hymns, and liturgy focused on seeking and providing refuge. Reflect together on the biblical call to welcome strangers with open hearts.
• Journey to Welcome Educational Simulation: Step into the shoes of asylum seekers and refugees through this powerful, hands-on educational experience. Perfect for students, youth groups, and adults, this activity fosters deep empathy and understanding.
• Disinformation Toolkit: Help counter harmful narratives with this toolkit, which includes myths vs. facts, talking points, and real stories. It’s a vital resource to educate your congregation and community about the truth of welcoming newcomers.
• Fresh Change Service Project: Join this meaningful service project by packing welcome bags for neighbors at the border and across the country. Show your congregation’s care and support with this simple yet impactful gesture.
• Bulletin Inserts: Share bulletin inserts with your congregation to introduce Global Refuge’s new name and mission, and raise awareness about the work they’re doing to welcome refugees.

For more information and to access these resources, click the button below. If you have any questions, feel free to email outreach@globalrefuge.org.

SYMBOL Monthly Forum: Tuesday, October 1 at 12:00 Noon. We are excited to have Todd Buegler, Executive Director for ELCA Youth Ministry Network as our special guest,. Todd will share information and updates about the Network and the upcoming 2025 Extravaganza taking place in Louisville, KY in January. 

All those serving in the area of Youth Ministries are invited to attend!

Please note that advance registration is required to attend these forums so that the Zoom link is sent to those registered.

From our friends at HopeWood Outdoors:

Come celebrate the fall season with us at our annual Apple Butter Festival! Enjoy a wagon ride through camp, sample tasty apple butter, grab a meal, and let the kids have fun in the supervised children’s activity area. 

This year we are excited to offer craft vendors, food trucks, wine and beer vendors, and so much more!

Also, enjoy our NEW pumpkin patch while you are there. Come and buy pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and even bring them to paint during our festival!

At our annual Apple Butter Festival, we raise funds for camp scholarships (camperships). Your support can make a big difference — $590 can send a child to summer camp, and $2,235 can send a family of four to camp at Luther. 



Last year, thanks to your generosity, 269 campers were able to attend camp. Help us make camp accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Every contribution matters — thank you for your support! 

Join us for a retreat specifically designed to support and equip full-time and part-time youth and family ministry staff. Share in the educational sessions and discussions, networking and resource sharing, relaxation, free time, conversation, and worship. Or, take a break from the group and enjoy a hike, nap, or some time by the fire. When you return to your ministry, you’ll be refreshed and renewed. 

Online registration is required two weeks in advance.

Join the Hunger Network in Ohio for: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism

October 15 - 12:00pm on zoom

Christian Nationalism promotes a harmful theology that is counter to the loving grace of Jesus Christ by fostering division and power over others. Join us for 1 hour webinar to learn and discuss the realities of Christian Nationalism and how it is manifesting itself in Ohio policies. We will focus our time also on how to respond with a worldview grounded in beloved community and grace.

It's Fall Semester that means it's time for Trinity Day! Come and celebrate with classmates. Come and worship with friends. Come and learn with an open heart and open mind. Join us at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University.

Prayers for Healing

Pastor Jack Delk

Pastor Steve Patrick

Pastor Scott Anderson

Pastor Bonnie & Pastor Brian Peltomaa

Prayers of Sympathy

Pastor Kathy Kluck, on the passing of her father

Pastor Rebecca Zielke, on the passing of her father

Prayer concerns will be removed after four weeks unless otherwise requested.

Consent is required for all submissions. Thank you.

These pages are updated every week with new trainings, events,

opportunities, and more! Be sure to check them out.