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Churchwide Assembly Reflections

Why would anyone want to attend the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) 2025 Churchwide Assembly (CWA) in Phoenix, AZ? I can give my personal opinion based on my experience five years ago at the CWA in Milwaukee, WI.

How and why I even got there is a story. I had expressed to my pastor a desire for the ELCA to have an adult gathering similar to the youth gatherings. Close to the Synod Assembly in 2018 my pastor suggested I submit my name to be a Voting Member to the 2019 CWA. She thought it might have some of the excitement of a Youth Gathering plus she and a youth from our congregation were hoping to attend so: “We would have fun.”

2019 Churchwide Assembly. Photo courtesy of ELCA.

I figured I would not be elected so why not give it a shot. Surprisingly, I was selected along with the youth... but not our pastor. The process of travel arrangements, a lot of material to be reviewed, prep for business meetings and much more was extremely easy and painless. While I did have to fill out forms and answer questions, the ELCA and the Northeastern Ohio Synod offices handled all the details.

2022 Churchwide Assembly

The CWA itself was a fantastic experience. First, was meeting and getting to know fellow members of our synod, we have some wonderful rostered and lay members. Each day’s worship was a learning experience, filled with a variety of excellent music, all types of liturgy and yes, top notch preaching. While interacting with members of our synod it was also fun to get to know and learn from Lutherans from all over the county. Sitting at lunch one day it was a shock to meet a pastor who had spent a summer during college assisting the pastor developer at Celebration Lutheran, my home congregation. Even the business sessions provided me with a spiritual experience. Hearing the many and varied voices - and we do not all agree - of this church inspired me to keep an open mind.

I ask each of you to consider going to the CWA in Phoenix ….you won’t regret it.

~Paul Gochnour (he,him)

Northeastern Ohio Voting Members with Presiding Bishop Eaton. 2022 Churchwide Assembly.

The 2024 Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly will take place Saturday, June 1 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, OH.

We will be electing several synod officers, members of the Northeastern Ohio Synod Council, members of two synod committees, and approving the synod’s 2025 Budget.

Registration opens April 1, 2024.

Voting members & non-voting visitors: $100

Retired Rostered Ministers: 50% off

*$5 fee for online payments

Additionally, our assembly will elect voting members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. This is

an important assembly in the life of the ELCA as the voting members will be electing a Presiding Bishop, and will be asked to take action on recommendations made by the Commission for the Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). The formation of the CRLC was approved by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly to examine all aspects of the ELCA including the three expressions of the church (congregations, synods, churchwide) and what that will look like for the years to come.

Questions may be referred to Susan Frantz, nomination committee liaison: susan.frantz@yahoo.com

Completed forms can be emailed to assembly@neos-elca.org.

"Stepping up to Supervision" with Susan Beaumont is coming to Ohio thanks to the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio and this high quality training is open to all! Pastor Mitch Phillips participated in this course online during the pandemic through Luther Seminary and highly recommends it for all pastors and anyone involved in supervising people in the church.

The event is over two days, April 10 & 11 and details can be found here:

A Sanctified Art: Nurturing Creativity and Spirituality in Micro-Churches

Discovering innovative pathways to enrich spiritual growth and creativity within churches can breathe new life into congregational dynamics. A Sanctified Art, a well-known resource center, offers a distinctive fusion of artistic expression and spiritual enrichment crafted to uplift congregations of all dimensions, including micro-churches.

A Sanctified Art emphasizes the fusion of creativity and faith, providing a platform for churches to delve into the realm of artistry as a means of deepening their spiritual journey. From visual arts to written reflections, A Sanctified Art cultivates a space where congregants can engage with their faith in innovative ways.

Micro-churches looking to integrate a renewed perspective into their worship experience can take advantage of the micro-church application. This presents an opportunity for congregations operating on a limited budget to avail resources at subsidized rates, specifically designed for qualifying churches of 25 or fewer members without full-time staff. Completing this form allows micro-churches to request a wealth of resources designed to nurture creativity, encourage reflection, and facilitate community building within their congregational settings.

“Art helps us connect our hearts with our hands, our faith with our lives, and our mess with our God. ”

Indulge in a day of maple-filled fun at our annual festival! Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, maple sausage, and live music from a local band. Try sassafras tea and donuts cooked over an open fire, buy some real maple syrup, or take a nature hike. Don’t forget to visit the sugar shack to see how maple syrup is made.

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Take a break from the fun and relax by the fire, connecting with old and new friends. Our annual maple syrup festival is a fun and welcoming tradition for families and the community. Plus, every purchase supports summer camperships for kids. Don’t miss this sweet and memorable family-friendly event!

Our Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - the Hunger Network in Ohio - will hold its monthly check-in call on zoom on Thursday March 14th at 7pm. All are welcome to join the conversation or just listen in and hear what other people of faith are working on.

This month, we will offer updates and conversation about redistricting reform, the capital budget, and environmental issues. We also want to hear from YOU on the issues most important to your community!

Register at www.hungernetohio.com/events

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.