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Synod Assembly Registration is Now Open!

Resolutions and Memorials to be considered by the assembly are to be submitted in writing to the synod office by April 15, 2024 for consideration by the Committee on Reference and Counsel. Resolutions submitted after the deadline must be of an urgent nature which could not be submitted prior to the deadline because of changing circumstances in the church or the world. 

To find out more about memorials and resolutions visit: https://www.elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Memorials-and-Resolutions and view the “Feb. 2021 Memorials and Resolutions Webinar.”

From your Synod Treasurer:

Dear NEO Synod Congregational Pastors and Treasurers:

In the next couple of weeks, the Synod’s outside auditors, Apple Growth Partners, will be sending you an email requesting confirmation of the Mission Support payments you made to the Synod during our fiscal year 2023, which runs from February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. In the past these confirmation letters were sent by U.S. mail, but now they are sent by email and Apple Growth requires an email response. I want to assure you that this is not a scam or phishing attempt. Please provide Apple Growth a timely response. If the auditors do not get a high enough response rate, their audit procedures will require more manual investigation on their part and on the part of the Synod staff. This will drive up the cost to the Synod.

If you have any questions about this, please give the synod office. Thank you for your cooperation.

Project Isaiah 43

God spoke these words to the people of Israel in exile in Babylon, but there is no reason to believe God isn’t saying the same thing to the church today!

Do you wonder what the Lutheran Church of the 21st century will look like? Are you concerned about the future of your congregation?

Bishop Barbins and the Northeastern Ohio Synod Staff is inviting every congregation to send four people to a Project Isaiah 43 event in your conference! Each Project Isaiah 43 event will include a brief presentation time, but will be heavily focused on conversations as we think together about the future of Lutheran Christianity.

We would appreciate an RSVP (link below) to help ensure we have adequate supplies and refreshments for each event.

Come join us for some café conversation as we seek to discern what God is doing!

Re-Envisioning Ministry: A Path Forward Post-Pandemic

As we reflect on the four years that have passed since the pandemic began, Faith & Leadership has highlighted, "Research-based guidelines for leading the church in a new era of ministry." Here, Eileen R. Campbell-Reed offers crucial advice, drawing on her #PandemicPastoring Report to help Christian leaders emerge from the pandemic with resilience and renewed purpose. The lockdowns proved to be a pivotal moment for spiritual communities, profoundly reshaping the approach to ministry. Campbell-Reed’s extensive interviews and surveys with over 100 clergy from various states and denominations form the bedrock of her guidance. At the heart of her suggestions is the integration of hybrid worship options, recognizing the enduring and equal value of digital and in-person connections for fostering inclusive faith experiences.

The piece conveys deep understanding and recognition of the unique challenges exposed by the pandemic, such as the exacerbated gender inequity, heightened by the significant departure of women from church leadership roles. The call to carefully listen to and support mothers and other parents within the church is incredibly poignant, reflecting a fundamental need for sustainable practices. Moreover, Campbell-Reed emphasizes the church’s pastoral role in addressing the collective grief and the emotional toll of the pandemic, suggesting the incorporation of meaningful rituals and traditions to aid in healing and providing deliberate support for mental well-being, especially among the youth. Her recommendations advocate for a compassionate recalibration of how churches serve their communities, manage resources, and work towards social justice, encapsulating a message of hope and collaboration.

The author's vision extends beyond immediate adjustments to a broader reflection on the future narrative of churches. With an empathetic lens, Campbell-Reed challenges congregations to forge new stories that honor the struggles and triumphs of the past while daring to envision a community shaped by shared meaning and renewed with purpose. For leaders and congregants alike grappling with the evolution of church life in this new era, her article and the #PandemicPastoring Report stand out as essential resources, helping to chart a course towards a vibrant and healing ministry landscape.

ELCA Sumud is hosting their 3rd Sumud Series Webinar coming up Saturday, April 13th at 11 am EST.

Hear from some of our Palestinian Pastors who were featured in the Sumud Lenten series share about how they talk about the Holy Land and sumud. Prepare for synod assemblies and practice having the conversations in real time. This webinar will equip you with resources and space to practice sharing.

Registration is still open until April 15th! It's not too late to join us this summer in New Orleans!

Northeastern Ohio Synod Leader Info Meeting Monday, April 15th 6:00pm on Zoom.

Link to the meeting has been emailed to you. If you haven't registered for the gathering yet, contact Jenny to be added to the list. We'll talk about everything from Registration Updates, to Synod specific information, to required leader training, and more! This meeting is mostly for the Primary Adult leader, but additional adult leaders are welcome to join.

National Faith + Climate Forum Tuesday, April 16. 2024

12:00pm - 5:15pm EST

Celebration Lutheran Church in Chardon will host a regional in-person gathering of webinar viewers/participants for the National Faith + Climate Forum, April 16, from noon to 5:15 p.m. This event is produced by ecoAmerica and Blessed Tomorrow.

Registration is free. Light lunch and refreshments will be served.

Registration is free. Light lunch and refreshments will be served.

Register and select Celebration as your preferred location (you can also participate from your own home or office, but this will be more fun!).

Contact Pastor Marilyn Matevia if you have any questions: pastor@celebration-lutheran.org

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.