Scenes from the Annual

MLK Jr. Commemoration Service

This past Sunday, the Cleveland Chapter of African Descent Lutheran Association an Northeastern Ohio Synod hosted the Annual Commemoration Service for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Speaker Pastor Julianne Smith, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Vitality and Director for Evangelical Mission, reminds us that justice is all of our work.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this service an important part of their weekend. We are also grateful to Good Soil Lutheran Ministries for hosting us.

The service ended with an emotional moment where everyone stood hand-in-hand while singing "We Shall Overcome."

News, Updates, & Resources

Still interested in going to the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering but haven't registered your congregation yet? Connect with Jenny - she can help you register at the Priority Registration pricing!

This offer is good for up to five congregations until Wednesday, February 14th and applies to congregations that have not registered. It does not apply to individual registrations added to a previously registered congregation.

Email Jenny // Click Here

ELCA Youth Gathering Information // Click Here

Beginning Thursday, January 25th, join Pastor Leonard Killings for our synod's newest Affinity Group!

An affinity group is a gathering of people or congregations with a common interest. It provides support, information, and opportunity for members to pursue this common interest.

For more information on the affinity group and for a specific issues to be addressed at an affinity group meeting, contact Pastor Killings at hunger@neos-elca.org.

Email Pr. Killings // Click Here

For More Upcoming Events // Click Here

Your weekly guide to the latest resources for you and/or your congregation is provided by Rebekah Wissler, our Resource Specialist and Archivist. She runs the Kaufman Resource Center (KRC), our Synod's Resource Center.

THE KAUFMAN RESOURCE CENTER

The Kaufman Resource Center (KRC) is a pivotal resource in the intersection of faith, knowledge, and community life. This Venn diagram illustrates the distinctive and shared benefits that the KRC offers to pastors, lay people, and congregations within the Northeastern Ohio Synod. This graphical representation aids in visualizing how the KRC supports theological, educational, and spiritual growth across different facets of church life.

Circle 1 - Congregations, encompassing resources that bolster communal learning, church activities, and the collective understanding of denominational heritage and beliefs.

Circle 2 - Lay People, showcasing materials that facilitate personal faith journeys, support family religious activities, and enhance understanding of church teachings.

Circle 3 - Pastors, highlighting resources for sermon preparation and theological research, that underpin the leadership’s spiritual and administrative duties.

The areas where the circles overlap signify the joint benefits enjoyed by the interacting groups:

Pastors and Lay People showcase resources aiding in Bible studies, joint service planning, and the lay involvement in pastoral care.

Pastors and Congregations emphasize shared leadership tools, worship materials, and volunteer training documentation.

Lay People and Congregations highlight communal educational programs, devotionals, and materials that support the integration of faith into daily life.

The Kaufman Resource Center's core is where all the circles intersect, with materials that help us share our mission, encourage unity, and provide a safe space for individuals or groups to share, reflect, and gather.

Email Rebekah // Click Here

Visit the KRC Website // Click Here

Growing In Faith is a ministry within the ELCA committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. We believe that lay members of our parishes are integral to healthy discipleship in our churches and communities. Thus, we gather followers across congregations to grow in faith together.

Growing In Faith is a series of classes that you can take all in one year or over the course of many years. The courses are offered collaboratively through Zoom with Northwestern Ohio Synod. Each course runs for 5 weeks and costs $65/course + credit card fees.

The following courses will be taught on Thursdays from 6-9pm via Zoom this Spring