NORTHWESTERN OHIO
SYNODICAL WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION

• Trinity Lutheran Seminary - Katherine Kilodziejczyk, A master of  Divinity student at Trinity, is from Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Swanton OH. She is currently on internship and will return to Trinity in the fall of 2004 for her senior year.
• Capital University - Stacy M. Lauer, a freshman, is from Zion Lutheran Church in Gibsonburg, Ohio. She is an outstanding student academically, has been active with the campus congregation, is a member of FISCh ( a Christian outreach and youth ministry team participates in the Lutheran Student Movement, and has taken part in two Spiritual Quest weekend retreats.
• Wittenburg University - Not received as yet.

Synodical Grants:
Sue McKibben reported that six of the seven conference grant applications were received:

• Central Conference - Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services, Findlay, Ohio 
  (Offers programs, services, and resources to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault)
• Eastern Conference - Liberty Center of Sandusky County, Inc., Fremont, Ohio 
  (A shelter to serve homeless individuals and families)
• Maumee Valley Conference - Center for Child & Family Advocacy, Inc., Napoleon, Ohio
  (Provides comprehensive services to those affected by abusive behaviors)
• North Central Conference - Ruth Ann’s House, Port Clinton Ohio
  (Provides transitional housing to homeless women and homeless women with children)
• Southeastern Conference - C.A.M.P. (Crestline Assistance & Ministries Program), Crestline Ohio
  (Provides ongoing food, supplies and services to residents in need or crisis)
• Southwestern Conference - Crossroads Crisis Center, Inc., Lima, Ohio
  (Provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence)
• Toledo Conference - No application

Cookbooks: Wanda Straub reported that $30 has been received for cookbooks.

2005 Synodical Convention: 

May 14, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Bowling Green, Ohio, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Coordination of program, workshops, delegates, theme and costs (keynote speaker, music, morning rolls and lunch) will be focus of next board meeting.

Motion: Marilyn Lee moved and Barbara Slough seconded that Eva Whittington Self of Hopkinsville KY be invited to be our key note speaker and musician. Motion passed. Corinne Hurni will make the contact.

Region 6 Spiritual Retreat: 

Marilyn Lee reported that the responsibilities of our synodical for the July 30-31, 2004, retreat for hymnals, ushers/hostesses, stage decorations and flowers, paper supplies (folders, pencils, pads), and communion service have been arranged. Corinne will be unable to attend - Sue McKibben will be her substitute for communion distribution. Corinne has hostess buttons/ribbons and will get those to Brenda Shibler who will be in charge of ushers/hostesses for Friday. Marilyn is in charge on Saturday.

Spring Assembly/Conference Reports: 

Attendance - Central: 65, Eastern: 69, North Central: 73, South Eastern: 67. Toledo to meet May 15.
SOUTHEASTERN: Marilyn Lee reported that 16 of 26 churches were represented at Spring Assembly, evaluations were positive for the speaker and for having communion, $1227 was brought in for Brick project for LWR plus $1000 in matching funds from Thrivent plus $962.25 in regular offerings and $4444 for Turning Point. Though attendance was down the giving was Good. Fall Retreat will be at St. John Lutheran Church in Cardington on October 9, 2004. The President/vice-president meeting is scheduled for January, 2005, at Nazareth in Chatfield. Question: Are we having a bus from our Synodical going to Texas for the 2005 Triennial? 

Synod Convention: We will not have a display this year as space is limited (no displays in halls).

NEW BUSINESS:

• Budget Committee for 2005: Wanda Straub will contact Juanita Billeg, Carmen Hogrefe and Rita Schweinhagen to request their serving on the budget committee. A follow up letter will be sent.
• Church Wide: Doris Streiter will be retiring and Sally Sedgwick will be taking her place. A one and a half hour conference call is scheduled for May 6, 6:30-8 a.m. Corinne Hurni reviewed recommendations suggested at San Antonio meeting for any comments from NWOSWO.
• Sister Synodical in Bozeman, Montana: Maintain contact through Son Light which Cora Kettler sends.
• Antiracism/Diversity: Donna Thomas attended the conference in Miami, Florida, for our synodical. Will discuss if this could be a possible workshop for our convention next May.
• Quilt Plaza: LWR in Baltimore, Maryland, could this be a conference project?
• SE Michigan Synodical Convention: Detroit, September 24-25, 2004. Bishop Rachel Larson will be Speaker.
• ASK (Adults Saving Kids): Connie Castello notified us that 64 synodicals are involved. Does our synodical want to become involved with a resolution for Triennial?
• Third world store: Heiffer, SERVV, coffee projects. Discussed options for global mission. Should we have a display at Convention? Corinne will put an article about this in the Son Light.
• Wheat Ridge Ministries: Decided this was not of interest to our synodical due to our local ministries.
• Four Women of Tanzania: A tape with guide is available. If interested contact Doris Streiter or Corinne.
• Partners in Mission: Rob McCoy-Focus in Toledo did not apply for a 2004 grant.  Corinne will check on this.
• Nominating Committee: Brenda Shibler plans to use E-mail, telephone for contacts as much as possible.
• Conference Convo: A question was raised regarding mileage for Red Hat Ministry group who presented today.
  Motion: Marilyn Lee moved and Barbara Slough seconded that $25 per member of group that presented be given. Motion carried.
• Bus to San Antonio: This would require 1 to 2 over night stays. Barbara will check with Carol Dilly and Carmen Hogrefe on costs and possibilities. Information obtained will be put in the Son Light.
• Assembly, speaker ideas: Maxine Hagemeyer of North Central Conference stated that the speaker, Rick Allen, at NCC Assembly was very good. Door prizes were also given to attendees.
• Planning Committee for Convention: Brenda Shibler will review Eva Whittington Self’s book and tape for possible theme for convention.
• Next Board Meeting: August 7, 2004, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Bowling Green, 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Adjournment: Marilyn Lee closed with prayer. Adjourned: 5:30 p.m.

Alyce Walden, secretary NWOSWO