...Jesus came near & went with them

0Upcoming Events

• NWOS 2027 Steps of Paul Trip - Info Session
• NWOS 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting
• Common Table: Young Adult Gathering
• 195th Remembrance of Shipwreck with St. Paul, Jenera
• 2027 ELCA Health Plan - Portico Updates + Webinars
• ELCA's Church Property Resource Hub Webinar
• St. Lucas, Toledo Anniversary of Founding
• ELCA Seminaries' Virtual Discernment Event 2026
• The Center of Addiction & Faith: September 2026 Webinar
• Trinity Lutheran Seminary - Trinity Days
• Feast of St. Francis - Blessings of the Animals & Fostering Community
• LOVEboldly's LGBTQIA+ Clergy and Ministry Directors Luncheon
• LWR 2026 Ingathering
• St. James, Bradner: Reflecting on God's Gift of Water
• Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Training
• 100th Anniversary of the Founding of Faith Lutheran Church, Toledo
• Marion Correctional Christmas Play 2026

Service and Sponsorship:

• Growing Hope: HopeWood Outdoors Campaign
• Hunger Network in Ohio: Monthly Advocate Check-In

Resource Sharing:

• NWOS - The Great Goat Project (NEW Resources Added!)
• NWOS Annual Fund Campaign
• Luther Seminary: Boundaries for Christian Leaders Training
• 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering GNews
• ELCA Advocacy Resources
• ELCA Young Adult Opportunities
• The Sermon Supply

Position Postings:

• Program Director - HopeWood Pines
• Organist/Pianist - Zion, Sandusky

UPCOMING EVENTS

NWOS 2027 Steps of Paul Trip - Info Session

This spring, join Bishop Daniel Beaudoin for a special pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul in the Greek Islands. Experience the sites and ancient contexts central to the early church, while studying scripture and enjoying fellowship with folks from across NWOS!

This all-inclusive opportunity has been designed with a 12 day itinerary to follow the journeys of Paul and provide time for group and personal encounters with the great cities of Athens, Corinth, Meteora, Thesoloniki and more. An optional four-day extension to Rome is also offered for further exploration.

Please register to join us for our upcoming info session on Zoom:

Sept 16 6:30 PM session: Register Here!

Have questions? Reach out to Calla Gilson Burns at calla.gilson@nwos-elca.org!

2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting

Are you or your congregation interested in attending the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering but don't know where to start? Join Northwestern Ohio Synod for our 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Info Meeting!

Date: September 20th, 2026

Time: 2:00PM EST

Location: Zoom

Register below!

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, September 22nd, 2026 from 6 - 8pm

Heatherdowns Branch Library

3265 Glanzman Rd, Toledo, OH 43614

Join us for some fun icebreaker games to get to know each other, and enjoy some fall drinks. We will end with a brief time of prayer and singing.

Whether you're looking for community, curiosity, or just a fun night out, you

belong at the table. We hope to see you there!

195th Remembrance of Shipwreck

The 195th Remembrance of the Shipwreck of the Famous Dove will be celebrated with a traditional/contemporary blended service at 10:00am on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Special music will include bell choir, senior choir, and children singing. The Outreach meeting will serve a community meal - all are invited - following the service. At 3:00pm a remembrance service will be held at the St. Paul Cemetery Shipwreck Memorial (just down the road from the church).

2027 ELCA Health Plan - Portico Updates + Webinars

There have been several changes for the 2027 ELCA Health Plan through Portico Benefits. 

Due to this, Pastor Cathy Schibler, the ELCA Regions 6 & 9 Regional Representative for Portico Benefits, will be offering workshops to help plan members and sponsoring organizations prepare for annual enrollment in October. 

Annual enrollment for sponsoring organizations is October 1-14, 2026.

Annual enrollment for plan members being in waves starting on October 19, 2026.

All members and sponsoring organizations will be sent emails about their enrollment window at the address that Portico has on file for them.

Webinars for Plan Members:

If you are sponsored in the Portico Benefits plan, this webinar will review the selections you have for benefits in 2026 and provide helpful and contextual information for enrollment.

Tuesday, September 22nd at 11am EST

Register in advance for this meeting:

Register Here!

Wednesday, September 23rd at 11am EST

Register in advance for this meeting:

Register Here!

Webinars for Sponsoring Organizations:

If you are sponsored in the Portico Benefits plan, this webinar will review the selections you have for benefits in 2026 and provide helpful and contextual information for enrollment.

Tuesday, September 22nd at 7pm EST

Register in advance for this meeting:

Register Here!

Wednesday, September 23rd at 17pm EST

Register in advance for this meeting:

Register Here!

ELCA's Church Property Resource Hub Webinar

Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m. Central time

Honoring our commitment as a church through the social policy resolution “Supporting ELCA Land Back Efforts and Indigenous Ministries,” this webinar is focused on land return. Indigenous leaders from within and beyond the ELCA will share about the Land Back movement and repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. Participants will also hear from congregations and synods taking part in land return and reconciliation efforts. 

St. Lucas Anniversary of Founding - "140 Years of Serving Jesus"

On March 21st of this year St. Lucas turned 140! We will celebrate our anniversary on Sunday Sept. 27. Here is the schedule of events:

10:30: Festive Worship/Special Music

Noon: Old Fashioned Church Dinner with roast beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans and green bean casserole. ($12 tickets, comp tickets available if in need). 

12:45: Tours - St. Lucas Organ Tour, Sanctuary Tour & Explanation, Archives Tour & St. Lucas History.

Please contact the church office at 419.243.8189 for more details or to let us know you will be joining us. Our address is 745 Walbridge Ave., Toledo, OH 43609. 

How blessed we are as a congregation to have served Jesus for 140 years!

ELCA Seminaries -

Virtual Discernment Event 2026

Discerning a call to ministry or theological education? Join representatives from the seven ELCA seminaries to explore what that journey could look like.

Participants will:

• Meet representatives from each ELCA seminary 
• Learn about a variety of affordable and flexible degree and certificate programs
• Have the opportunity to ask questions about discernment, seminary life, and next steps.
  

Register at the link below or on the elcaseminaries.org homepage. Can’t make it on the 27th? Visit the same site to explore the schools or sign up for an online Discernment Group.

The Center of Addiction & Faith -

September 2026 Webinar

September 30th, 2026 at 1PM EST on Zoom

If you've spent years helping people in crisis, fighting apathy, and combating stigma but feel like you are always fighting an uphill battle, you're not alone.

Join Rev. Timothy McMahan King for a free webinar the week after the release of his new book, What Are Drugs For? An Exploration of Stolen Fire (Fortress Press). Tim will make the case that faith communities have developed powerful resources for responding to addiction, but have been missing the foundation that makes that work sustainable: a theology of what drugs are actually for.

This webinar is for clergy, counselors, and people of faith who are already doing the work and want to understand why it keeps feeling so hard — and what a different starting point might make possible.

Trinity Days at Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Can anything new be said about Jesus? In three separate studies, Dr. Mark Allan Powell will present “new insights” into the teachings of Jesus that are currently taking hold among biblical scholars—things that he himself was surprised to discover: 1) Jesus claimed that God especially favors people who have lost their faith or simply “given up on God”; 2) Jesus insisted that those who were regarded as the most wicked people of his day would enjoy all the benefits of God’s salvation even if they did nothing to change their ways (in a manner required of everyone else); and 3) Jesus used “undocumented” or simply “unwanted” immigrants as role models for his followers and insisted that the harshest condemnation of God would fall on those who fail to welcome such people. Do you consider these claims unlikely and difficult to substantiate? Dr. Powell says, “Good! I’ve got you where I want you!” Would you be surprised if they could be substantiated? Dr. Powell says, “Of course—I certainly was!”

Feast of St. Francis - Blessing of the Animals & Fostering Community

Join us for a gathering of Lutherans and Episcopalians for a Feast of St. Francis Blessing of the Animals and Fostering Community event on Sunday, October 4th, 2026. Join for a time of fellowship, blessing of our pets and animals, and stories!

LOVEboldly's LGBTQIA+ Clergy and Ministry Directors Luncheon

LGBTQIA+ clergy carry something remarkable: the call to serve, to preach, and to pastor often in the face of rejection, exclusion, and harm from the very institutions that shaped them. They deserve a space where they're simply honored for who they are and the sacred work they do.

That's exactly what LOVEboldly's LGBTQIA+ Clergy Appreciation Luncheon is all about.

LWR 2026 Ingathering

The Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Quilt and Kit Ingatherings are coordinated collection drives where congregations drop off handmade quilts and care kits to be shipped to those in need. The Women's group at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pemberville, will be hosting an Ingathering at the date, time, and location below:

Saturday, October 10, 2026

8:00 am - 12:00 noon (EST)

St. Paul Lutheran Church

14545 New Rochester Road

Pemberville, OH 43450

Reflecting on God's Gift of Water

Join St. James Lutheran Church for a presentation on water as a gift and our call to protect it. Judy Hofmann, an associate of the Tiffin Franciscan community will guide participants in understanding the importance of caring for this gift and exploring the many ways its very existence is threatened.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

1:30 PM

St. James Lutheran Church

451 Caldwell St.

Bradner, Ohio 43406

Prepare-Enrich Facilitator Training

Prepare-Enrich (P/E) is a tool used mostly by pastors to prepare couples for marriage, and to enrich existing marriages. It involves the completion of an on-line survey, and interpreting the results in a multi-page printout which organizes and summarizes a couple's responses to survey items. The workshop will teach participants how to administer the survey, interpret the results, and provide meaningful feedback to a couple.

More info: https://www.prepare-enrich.com/about/

100th Anniversary of the Founding of Faith Lutheran Church, Toledo

Come join us in celebrating 100 years of the ministry of Faith Lutheran Church in the South Toledo community! Bishop Beaudoin will be joining us for an 11 am worship service followed by a luncheon. For questions or to RSVP, contact the church office at 419-385-7459 or email faith-lutheran@att.net.

Marion Correctional Christmas Play 2026

Join us in person for a heartwarming evening filled with holiday cheer and amazing performances. This festive play brings the spirit of Christmas alive right at Marion Correctional, showcasing talent and togetherness. Don’t miss out on a night full of laughter, music, and holiday magic!

Dates: December 14th, 15th, and 16th

Showtimes: 1PM and 6PM

Location: Marion Correctional Institution

940 Marion-Williamsport Rd. E

Marion, Ohio 43302

SERVICE AND SPONSORSHIP

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.

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!

RESOURCE SHARING

NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE!

NWOS - The Great Goat Project 2026!

This year, we invite your congregation to join something fun, meaningful, and a little bit… goat-tastic 🐐:

👉 The Northwestern Ohio Synod’s Great Goat Project

🐐 What’s it all about?

The Great Goat Project isn’t just about goats—it’s about sharing God’s love in real, life-changing ways.

Through this project, your VBS can help provide goats to families in Kashasha, Tanzania, in partnership with our Companions in the ELCT Dodoma Diocese in Tanzania. A single goat can:

• Provide nutritious milk for children
• Help families grow food through fertilizer
• Create income and long-term sustainability
• Bless not just one family—but an entire community

We've recently added new resources!

Planning Rally Day, Youth Group Events, Sunday School Activities, or even a Tanzanian Christmas Party?

Kick off the program year with a project that's engaging, global, and impactful! The Great Goat Project provides ready-to-use resources for congregations, youth groups, and families to learn, give, and serve together. Every goat gifted through this project helps strengthen families and communities in Kashasha, Tanzania.

Explore our new games, activities, and fundraising tracker specifically with Congregations and youth in mind!

All of this grows out of our shared theme:

💛 “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) 

NWOS - Annual Campaign

Living out the Synod’s mission to equip leaders, this year’s Annual Fund will focus donations on Synod programs which identify, enrich and encourage lay members to grow their faith and leadership skills for ministry.

This will include programs such as Growing in Faith, (Diakonia), a two year program of advanced classes in church foundations and practical education on leadership in the church; Synod Authorized Ministers (SAM) and their mentors;  and encouraging nontraditional students to attend seminary.

The Annual Fund will also support Imagining Renewal Microgrants, small one time grants for unique ministries, which recognize the needs of communities and empower lay and rostered leaders to respond with creativity and passion. 

All Annual Fund donations remain in and benefit NWOS. While funds are unrestricted, these funds allow for building up churches, developing lay members and growing the number of people able to express and meet ministry needs.

Luther Seminary - Boundaries for Christian Leaders Training

Have you ever seen the fallout when boundaries in ministry break down—or were never set in the first place? It can happen in relationships, when things start to blur and feel not-quite-appropriate, or it can happen when a ministry leader gets caught in a pattern of sacrificing time and energy beyond what’s healthy. It can happen in youth ministry, or in a church’s financial practices, or in how church members communicate with one another. So how can you be a part of stewarding and safeguarding your community through the cultivation of clear and wisely-designed boundaries?

Boundaries for Christian Leaders was designed to equip ministry leaders with wisdom, theology, and practical tools for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in every area of ministry. Boundaries aren’t walls meant to restrict: they’re a gift from God, and they’re necessary. Intentional frameworks for maintaining appropriate boundaries can allow you and those you serve to thrive. This course lays a foundation of theological insight and real-world application, so that church leaders can navigate everything from sexuality to technology with clarity, integrity, and grace.

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?

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.

Young Adult Opportunities

Check out what’s happening with ELCA Young Adult Ministry this month!

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.

POSITION POSTINGS

Program Director - HopeWood Pines



The Program Director is primarily responsible for programming strategy for all of HopeWood Outdoors and the implementation of program at HopeWood Pines. This includes sponsored events (retreats and Outdoor Leadership Academy), youth summer camps, Connect day camps, and hosted events at HopeWood Pines. The Program Director will work primarily at HopeWood Pines throughout the year.

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

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