2007 Synod Assembly

2007 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Friday-Saturday, May 18-19
Bowen-Thompson University Union
Bowling Green State University

The theme of this year’s assembly, Living in God’s Amazing Grace…for the sake of the world provides the assurance of God’s love given to us in the form of His son. Grace is universal and is open to all. All are saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let’s celebrate the amazing grace given to all who have the opportunity to be heard as well as those who are not invited to the table – we must speak and act as the church for them.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Rev. Art Simon Art Simon
[Founder and President Emeritus, Bread for the World]

Bread for the World is the nation’s premier citizen lobby against hunger. A pastor, he served for almost two decades as its CEO and then directed the Washington Office of Christian Children’s Fund from 1992-1997.

BIBLE STUDY LEADER:

Rev. Walter Taylor Walter F. Taylor, Jr.,
Professor of New Testament, Trinity Seminary and Director of Graduate Studies

Bibliography from presentations [PDF]

Professor Taylor will be presenting information on the Book of Galatians and how it affects and reflects our life together as people of God -- within our lives, within our congregations and with our individual and corporate ministries to the world.

Innskeepers Program at Zion, Defiance
Nancy Atkins, Board for Church in Society chair (right), presents
the Congregation's Best Practice Award to
Zion, Defiance for the InnKeepers Program. [Details]

ADAM Award Winners
Wanda Straub (left) announces this year's winner of the ADAM award. Nazareth, Chatfield was recognized for congregations worshipping less than 100 people each week and St. John, Oak Harbor was recognized for the congregations with attendance greater than 100 people.

The ADAM (Abled Disabled Awareness Ministry) Task Force of Northwestern Ohio annually sponsors a synod-wide effort to find the congregation that has made the most concentrated effort to become accessible, not only for the physically challenged, but also for those who are hearing impaired and those who are visually impaired, as well as those who are developmentally disabled. Inclusion in worship, leadership, and activities also will be a factor.

Workshops Offered

Bread for the World: An Introduction & Offering of Letters
presented by Rev. Art Simon and Larry Hollar

Resolution Hearings
presented by the resolution presenters and committee members

Lutheran Christian Dialog In This Time of War
presented by the Board for Church in Society

Hablemos! (Let’s Talk): Discussion the Ethnic Mission Strategy
presented by the Ethnic Mission Strategy Task Force

Synod Companion Synod Relationships: An Update
presented by Global Mission Board

From Gutenberg to Google: Exploring Technologies for Proclaiming the Gospel
presented by Augsburg Fortress

For the Sake of the Gospel: A Media Ministry Primer
presented by Rev. Kent Wilson

Evangelism: “It Isn’t What You Think it is…”
presented by Evangelism Task Force

One Mind: Mental Illness Ministry
presented by Bill and Bonnie Kinschner

Understanding A Child’s Grief When a Loved One Dies
presented by Carol Bohn, Deaconess
Chaplain, Toledo Hospital

When a Baby Dies: Dealing with Grief
presented by Rev. Julie Beitelschees
Chaplain, Toledo Hospital

Evangelism Outreach and You: How to Transform your Ministry
presented by Rev. Richard Magnus, ELCA

Free in Christ to Serve: Sexuality Study PROCESS
presented Rev. Richard Willer, ELCA

Fed by the Holy Spirit: Lay Ministry
presented by Brenda Gibson, Lay Academy Director

So You Think You’d Like to Volunteer After a Disaster: What You Need To Know
presented by Mary Woodward, Ohio Lutheran Disaster Response

ELW: An Introduction and Review
presented by Rev. David Nevergall and ELW Task Force