Synod Assembly 2011
The annual Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly took place on May 20 and 21, 2011 at Bowling Green State University. Click here to see photos from this year’s assembly!
Signs of and participants in the inbreaking reign of God in Christ Jesus… that’s what we are to be as the Northwestern Ohio Synod! This new synod vision statement was presented by Bishop Marcus Lohrmann in his 2011 Assembly report: Because we are marked with the cross of Christ forever, we, the congregations, ministries, and agencies of the Northwestern Ohio synod are signs of and participants in the inbreaking reign of God in Christ Jesus. What an exciting vision and a definite invitation to mission! Pastor Ruben Duran, keynote speaker and ELCA representative for this year’s assembly confirmed and affirmed this vision, that indeed, “God is doing something new,” in us and among us as members of NWOS congregations, the synod and the wider church expression. It was exciting for all assembly participants to note the evidence of God moving and how NW Ohio ELCA Lutherans are joining God through conference-led worship, reports, presentations, workshops, and youth-directed videos that centered on the invitation to “walk together with Jesus.” This walk together was also manifest in the unanimously (or nearly unanimously) approved positive RESOLUTIONS that move the synod into mission, including, Resolution (RSLN) 11-01: encouraging Mission Partnering for all congregations throughout the synod, RSLN 11-02: creating congregational mission grant opportunities, RSLN 11-03: beginning conversations with Muslims in Northwest Ohio, RSLN 11-04: supporting the Synod’s Annual Appeal. In other words, NWOS is living by the vision, mission and core values that God is busy making everything the way God wants it to be, and because we are God’s people, Jesus asks us to join Him! Certainly there are individual and corporate struggles, strife and challenges, but together, as the Northwestern Ohio Synod, we are walking with Jesus in this call to continually strive to be signs of and participants in the inbreaking reign of God in Christ Jesus for all those we are called to serve.
Participation
567 voting members and registered visitors, guests and volunteers participated in this year’s assembly. Voting members included 37.3% rostered leaders (pastors, Associates in Ministry, etc.) and 62.6% lay leaders representing 163 of this synod’s 175 congregations. Special guests at this year’s assembly included Ms. Heidi Lohrmann (Bishop Lohrmann’s wife); Ms. Marilyn Smith, ELCA Coordinator for Ministry Leadership, Region 6; Rev. Mark Ramseth, President of Trinity Lutheran Seminary; Bishop Leonard Blair and Father James Peiffer, Catholic Diocese of Toledo; the Interim General Presbyter Rev. Susan Meier, Maumee Valley Presbytery; Rev. Steve Anthony, Toledo Area Ministries; and Penny Christenson, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.
Worship and Eucharist Celebrations
Friday Opening Eucharist was hosted by the Southwest Conference – Bishop Marcus Lohrmann preached and Rev. Ruben Duran presided; Saturday Sending Eucharist was sponsored by the Southeast Conference – Rev. Susan Meier preached and Bishop Marcus Lohrmann presided. Friday’s offering was $2,751.95 for Bread for the World; Saturday’s offering totaled $1733.16 for NWOS Mission Partners; and a special offering of $5467.00 was given to provide speech therapy for Bishop Festo Ngowo.
Special Events
Friday’s Evening Prayer was a special “Walk with Jesus” Prayer Walk sponsored by the Toledo Area Conference and presented by TribeOne, Lutheran Campus Ministry at UT; a wine & cheese Social Gathering was hosted by the Central Conference; and the new synod website and Annual Appeal were presented.
General Election Results
Visit the Election Results page to view newly elected members of Synod Council and committees.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to our team of volunteers who provided invaluable help and support to staff and participants; Maumee Valley Conference & Simmons Landscaping for the decorations; The Four Lutheran Agencies – Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, Filling Home, Luther Homes of Mercy and Lutheran Home Society for sponsoring coffee/tea and goodies throughout Assembly; Dave Roberts and Erik Teichmann for taking photos; many wonderful workshop presenters who offered the following workshops: Fit Under the Collar: Practical Tips on Exercise, Nutrition & Faith!, Your building as a (Green) Tool for Mission and Ministry, The Biblical Foundations of “Equipping,” Creative Elements of Worship, Tumaini Medical Mission (2012 Medical Mission of Hope to Dodoma, Tanzania), Becoming an Incarnational Congregation, The Three Keys to Discipleship, How to set up an outreach program AT NO COST, Records Management for Congregations, Open Our Ears Lord, Resolutions and Memorials: they don’t have to be a mystery!, Giving Trends 2010: Good News for Congregations?, LIFT Review, Walking Gently with Jesus, Cherish Our Children: His directive, Acts of the Apostles in One Hour, Faithful Reform in Healthcare, An Introduction to SEND NorthAmerica, What to We Do Now? …When the Unthinkable Happens, Basic Social Media for Churches, Advanced Social Media for Churches.and Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio for allowing us to celebrate with them their 100th Anniversary, Thanks for the cake at Friday’s banquet!
Members, rostered and lay leaders of the Northwestern Ohio Synod: Thank you for walking together with Jesus. May God continue to bless our ministry together.