The 2013 Northwestern Ohio Synod Appeal
During the last few years several important ministries of the Northwestern Ohio Synod have experienced a decrease in funding. Funding is not simply about dollars and cents, but rather it is about people and relationships within our synod. These people have faces and names and they need our help. The theme of the 2013 Synod appeal is Many Faces, One Appeal. Hear the stories of a few of the faces affected by our one appeal.
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: that they may be completely one, so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.” – John 17:22-23
Cindy Milbry is the outreach coordinator for Redeemer Lutheran in Toledo. A longtime member, Cindy felt a special calling from God to be part of the “Feed Your Neighbor” program that Redeemer offers to its community. She coordinates volunteers and gathers groceries, household items and medical supplies, and provides needed spiritual care.
Every other Thursday, two dozen volunteers and hundreds of members of the community gather together at Redeemer. Their time begins with worship and continues with sharing resources. Residents of the community will walk through rain and snow to encounter this ministry which offers them open doors and hospitality.
Redeemer relies on support from faithful partners throughout the Northwestern Ohio Synod to keep the doors open and food on the shelves. By donating to “Many Faces, One Appeal” you will directly help to strengthen congregations like Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Cindy is one of the many faces affected by our one appeal.
Nixon Leyma is a student from our companion synod in the Dodoma Diocese in Tanzania. He attends the Aya Secondary School in Dodoma. Nixon and his fellow students enjoy a school which was reconstructed to offer new features such as electricity and running water, dormitories, an administration building, laboratories, and agricultural programs. Nixon and around 200 other students attend the Aya school thanks to our synod and the many financial contributors to this large undertaking.
Last summer, through the help of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, Nixon and other students were able to attend the ELCA’s National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Nixon formed new friendships with other kids from across the United States, and the experience deepened his faith.
Through donations to the synod appeal, Lutherans in Northwest Ohio help Lutherans in Tanzania overcome the scourge of malaria, provide a good education for their children, build roofs for their churches, provide free clinics like the Tumaini Medical Mission, and dig wells in villages that are ten miles or more from water. Your help continues to make these hopes a reality.
Nixon is one of the many faces affected by our one appeal.
Amanda Goans and friends from St. John’s Lutheran in Port Clinton have enjoyed attending Lutheran Memorial Camp, one of the camps of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio. Attending camp has helped her explore her faith in a different and unconventional way.
Amanda speaks about how transformative these events have been for her faith. Clergy, counselors and camp staff provide leadership and education. Amanda hopes to pay it forward by one day becoming a camp counselor and a Sunday School teacher in her church.
LOMO is forming future leaders of our church. By donating to Many Faces, One Appeal you will directly help to ensure the formation of future leaders of the church.
Amanda is one of the many faces affected by our one appeal.
It’s time to help.
Our Christian bonds with people like Cindy, Amanda and Nixon are too important to let them fade away from lack of funding.
Help them continue their important work in the church by faithfully giving to the 2013 Synod Appeal, and be part of God’s transformative work within our synod.