The District Connection

The Ohio District Circuit Visitors and Presidium gathered for training on Thurs, April 11th, at Prince of Peace-Columbus. Ohio District President Kevin Wilson led the morning training on leading Voters Assemblies for calling pastors. Rev. Dr. Greg Walton, LCEF VP for Grace Place Ministries, led the training in the afternoon on creating support teams for church workers and sabbaticals.

Rev. Jeffery Smith (pictured on left, with President Kevin Wilson), Lead Pastor at St. Paul-Westlake, was installed as North Central Region Vice President of the Ohio District LCMS Friday, April 19th. Vice President Smith replaces Rev. James Haugen II, who took a call to Indiana. Vice President Smith was installed during an Ohio Board of Directors meeting at the Ohio District Office. 

At the same meeting, the Board of Directors elected Rev. Steve Lutz (Trinity-Elmore) as Northwest Region Vice President. Rev. Lutz replaces Rev. James Strawn, who stepped down for personal reasons. 

God's richest blessings, Rev. Smith and Rev. Lutz!

CONGREGATION STATISTICS AND LAY LEADER UPDATES

Deadline extended to April 30, 2024

The Ohio District has had only 43% of the congregations reporting as of April 22nd. Thank you to those who have updated. If you are one of the congregations who has not, please make every effort AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to update your congregation’s information at the following website: https://lc.lcms.org/. PLEASE NOTE: You will use the same login information that you used last year to register your presidential voters, not your login that you used for statistics in the past. If you need login assistance, follow the on-screen help on the login page or email rosters.stats@lcms.org for assistance. If you would like a blank form emailed to you, contact Cheryl Ohradzansky at ohradzanskyc@oh.lcms.org

Check out the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering Ohio District April 2024 Updates, which includes important dates and information you need to know - such as a communication postcard that will be sent out this summer, location info, costs, and much more! Also, fill out this Ohio District Questionnaire, which will help obtain info about the plans for your group.

COMING UP ...

The Rev. Jeremiah Jording will be installed at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 21211 Detroit Road in Rocky River, Ohio on Sunday, April 28th at 2:00 PM. A dinner will immediately follow the service and reservations are recommended before April 25th. Please contact the church office at: office@stcr.org Pastors participating in the service should bring their red stoles.

Tallmadge Lutheran Church will have a time of worship and celebration showcasing our new Allen Organ on Sunday, April 28th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Sing some of your favorite hymns and hear the organ accompanying our Adult Choir and Jubilee Ringers. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. SEE FLYER 

Bethlehem-Parma is offering “Serving Heroes” First Responder Peer Support/Chaplain Training - Level 3 on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. MORE INFO

Bethlehem-Parma is also offering Church Safety Training “Biblically- based, ministry-focused training to keep churches safe called “Serving Watchmen” on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  MORE INFO

Walk-ins welcome for both events but reservations are preferred. 

Join the St. Paul-Westlake Hunger Warriors at the 36th Annual Walk for Hunger & 5K taking place on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Mark your calendar today! REGISTRATION FORM

Read this Stewardship Feature entitled, “Four Budgeting Lessons.”

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), is excited to host the second Christ Academy Family Institute (CAFI) June 13–16, 2024, right before our Christ Academy High School program begins. READ MORE

Find God’s calling and direction for your high schooler's life! Concordia Seminary - St. Louis invites 9th through 12th-grade students to attend Vocatio: High School— a retreat that encourages high school men and women to explore many aspects of the Seminary, including worship and devotions, sessions with professors, and even some fun and recreation! Registration costs $100 and closes May 24, 2024. Register HERE today!  

Check out the latest Campus Clips with updates from LCMS day schools, universities and seminaries.

Any Ohio District Emeritus member of the LCMS is eligible to receive a FREE subscription to The Lutheran Witness publication. If interested, please email your name and address to Deb Klusak at: klusakd@oh.lcms.org before May 31, 2024. Subscriptions will begin August 2024. 

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)’s Shared Interest Fund allows you to donate your LCEF investment interest to a ministry of your choice, such as LCEF, your local school or church, a seminary or university or the LCMS Global Mission Fund. To download a fillable form, CLICK HERE.

If you have questions or want more information, contact Lisa Hall, Vice President of LCEF for the Ohio District LCMS at lisa.hall@lcef.org or 216-570-7077.