Materials for the synod-wide Companion Synod Sunday, set to be held on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2008, are now available online by clicking here.

Below is a synopsis of what’s happening:

Epiphany
The light of Christ shining into the World
On this day of Epiphany, we are asking every congregation in the Northwest Ohio Synod to light a candle and to pray for our brothers and sisters in Dodoma Diocese of Tanzania and the Slovak Lutheran Church in Serbia.

Each congregation is encouraged to receive an offering for the ministry and support for the Tanzania Missions.

The Global Missions Board &
Companionship Church Relationships
“A companion church relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ. It offers us the privilege of participating in the life of another church through prayer, study, communication and exchanges of persons and resources. It opens our eyes to the global challenge that Christ offers us today and calls us to deepen our commitment and discipleship as individual persons and as a community of faith.”

In May 1995, Bishop James Rave signed the initial covenant with the Dodoma Diocese of Tanzania to enter a relationship, promising to:

  • Pray regularly for one another,
  • Encourage specific congregations to become involved as Companion Church Congregations with a particular district in the Dodoma Diocese,
  • Enter into a planned process of visitation, learning from one another and strengthening one another in faith and witness.

In October 2005 Bishop Marcus Lohrmann signed a covenant to begin our companionship with the Slovak Lutheran Church in Serbia.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

-Speakers Bureau – Speakers are available for Temple talks or small group meetings.

For Tanzania please contact
Stu Smith: 419-294-2224

For Serbia please contact:
Jim Martin: 419-782-7197

-Stories about Dodoma, Tanzania and Serbia for Sermon illustrations and newsletters – Click here

Thank you for your support for the 2008 Epiphany Companionship Sunday emphasis with our Brothers and sisters in Tanzania and Serbia.

For more information, please contact:

Kris Johnson, Global Mission Chair
419-836-7637

or

Burt Sigley, 2008 Companionship Sunday Coordinator
419-878-8504

Again, the Companionship Sunday information can be found at http://www.nwos-elca.org/nwos-wo/GlobalMission/Epiphany/epiphany.htm