Northwestern Ohio Synod

06/01/2026

Did you know?

In partnership with our neighbor synods across region 6, we are excited to offer a collaborative project that provides pre-recorded video and manuscript messages for each Sunday called "The Sermon Supply."

You will recognize some friendly faces from your NWOS staff as well as meet leaders from across the region! This is a wonderful option for pulpit supply, to introduce a fresh voice, or provide support during vacation time, these sermons available for all. Our prayer is that these resources will strengthen the ministry of your parish.

This Sunday's Sermon, June 7th, 2026, is provided by Pastor Karl Biermann, ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner!

Check it out here or at the link in our bio: https://nwos-elca.church/resources/supply-list/

05/30/2026

It’s a beautiful day for our 2026 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly: The Way of Love ❤️

Opening Worship begins at 9 AM with business sessions starting at 10AM.
Closing Worship will begin at 5 PM.

You can watch Opening Worship here: https://www.youtube.com/live/I3pzU_jvyp4?si=TaOLzrBOtSmZkU1n

You can watch Closing Worship here: https://www.youtube.com/live/d51i6ml8Dog?si=nWYIbokufVj58Whz

05/28/2026

2026 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly ♥

The theme for the 2026 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly is the Way of Love, which is the Way of Jesus. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus shares the Greatest Commandment. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Many of us remember learning this beautiful teaching of Jesus in Sunday School or catechism class. Many of us have committed these words to memory. But learning and quoting the words of love is not the same as living the Way of Love.

The love that Jesus calls us to is unconditional. This is a love that is not based on our worth or our ability to reciprocate. This is a love that shows up in deeds and not just words. In 1 John chapter 3, we read, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action”. The way of love is enduring, for as St. Paul reminds us in that well known passage from 1 Corinthians, “Love never ends”. Finally, the way of love is transformative, and calls us to reflect God’s love with and for the neighbor, the community, and the world. This is a love that when mobilized has the power to change the world.

And the way of love always begins with God. Here is God’s self-giving love, fully revealed in Jesus, poured into us by the Holy Spirit, and lived out in our lives for the sake of the other. As we read in our 2026 Way of Love Memory Verse from 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us”. The entire letter of 1 John provides a beautiful glimpse into the Way of Love, which is a love that we are called to share with the world.

Please pray for us as we gather on Saturday, May 30 for the Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly, that we may pursue the Way of Love, which is the Way of Jesus.

Blessings,
Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin

Read the Bishop's Message and Learn About Saturday's Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly Here or at the Link in our Bio: https://conta.cc/3ROGUAq

05/26/2026

Don't forget to register for the 2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat at HopeWood Pines - LMC! We can't wait to Choose Love with everyone at camp this summer!

🌲Registration is now open for the 2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat!♥

The Ohio Summer Youth Retreat will take place at Hopewood Pines from Sunday, June 28 to Wednesday, July 1, 2026. This retreat is for youth from the Northeastern, Northwestern, and Southern Ohio Synods aged rising 6th grade to 12th grade.

The 2026 Theme will be "Choose Love" based on 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us."♥ During our retreat we will learn what it means to Love God✝, Love Ourselves😍, Love Each other💞, and Love Our World🌎.

You can find more information and how to register at this link or the link in our bio: https://hopewoodoutdoors.org/program/ohio-synod-youth-summer-retreat-oysr/

We can't wait for you to join us as we 'Choose Love' at camp this summer!

05/21/2026

Over 500 Ohio faith leaders have signed a letter urging members of the Ohio House and Senate to end the death penalty. The signatories on the letter represent more than 15 faith denominations.

Pastor Mike Poole, Sr. Pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, Ohio was interviewed. You can hear about his interview and more information at this link:

Annie Shaver / May 4, 2026 500+ Ohio Faith Leaders Call on State Lawmakers to End the Death Penalty For Immediate Release – COLUMBUS, OH -May 4, 2026 The letter and list of signers is available here. Over 500 Ohio faith leaders have signed a letter urging members of the Ohio House and Senate to en...

05/20/2026

On Monday, May 18th, 2026, Synod Staff, Members from Emanuel Lutheran Church, Marion, Salem Lutheran Church, Toledo, OH, and St Lucas Lutheran Church, Toledo, along with other faith leaders from across Ohio, several other denominational leaders, and governmental leaders gathered at the Statehouse for the Faith & Legislative Leaders Luncheon: Building an Economy that Works for All.

We are thankful for our partners in Ministry who work hard to ensure that we are indeed building an economy that works for all. Thank you to Hunger Network in Ohio, The Ohio Council of Churches, and the Dominican Sisters of Peace for hosting this amazing event!

05/19/2026

May 2026 Northwestern Ohio E-News:

- 2026 Ohio Summer Youth Retreat at HopeWood Pines - LMC
- Common Table: Young Adult Gathering
- Trinity Lutheran Seminary: Seminary Student for a Day
- Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) Season Announcement
-The Shaping of Our Hearts - Summer Spiritual Practice Series
- Unwanted Fi****ms Disposal Event
- Lakeside Chautauqua Lutheran Week
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Racial Justice Ministries 5-part Webinar Series
- Spiritual Retreat for Rostered Leaders and SAMs
- 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts
- 2026 School of Congregational Development
- Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride Events
- Resources
- Job Postings

See the full publication here: https://conta.cc/4350Q4m

05/18/2026

Did you know?

In partnership with our neighbor synods across region 6, we are excited to offer a collaborative project that provides pre-recorded video and manuscript messages for each Sunday called "The Sermon Supply."

You will recognize some friendly faces from your NWOS staff as well as meet leaders from across the region! This is a wonderful option for pulpit supply, to introduce a fresh voice, or provide support during vacation time, these sermons available for all. Our prayer is that these resources will strengthen the ministry of your parish.

This Sunday's Sermon, May 24th, 2026, is provided by our very own Pastor Sarah Schaaf, Assistant to the Bishop for Community Engagement and Emerging Church for the Northwestern Ohio Synod!

Check it out here or at the link in our bio: https://nwos-elca.church/resources/supply-list/

05/17/2026

Bishop Daniel was blessed to gather with Pastor Dave Brobston, Conference Dean Pastor Mindy Elliott, Pastor Kristin Hunsinger, and the people of God at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Defiance to celebrate the ministry of Pastor Keith Hunsinger. It was a delightful morning of worship and celebration.

05/17/2026

Pastor Sarah had the joy of worshipping with the folks from St. Stephen Lutheran in Sylvania to thank them for their generosity in supporting the Piki Piki Project and share stories from our recent visit to Tanzania. St. Stephen helped raise funds for the purchase of 3 Piki Pikis. A gift that was matched.

If you would like to hear stories of the trip to Tanzania or learn more about the Piki Piki Project reach out to Pastor Sarah, Calla, or Jillian.