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Global Mission/Companion Synod ...

how we are transformed by and celebrate the global body of Christ

The Global Mission / Companion Synod Committee of the Northeastern Ohio Synod is charged to “…provide information about, nurture awareness of, foster involvement in, and promote partnership relationships with global missions on the part of the synod and its congregations.”  As part of this charge, the committee sponsors a table at the annual spring synod assembly to distribute information regarding ELCA global missions, the companion synod program, Lutheran World Relief, and Global Mission Events.

Lutheran World Relief in-gatherings are co-chaired by committee member Marcella Rock assisted by Missy Mika.  Each year a huge number of school bags are created by Marcella, aided by her husband Jim, for congregational “filling” and are available at the Global Mission display during the annual spring synod assembly. Most recently, one hundred forty-nine congregations, including some non-ELCA parishes, contributed over 28,000 pounds of material to the ingathering at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Seville. 

In September 2009, the first Northeastern Ohio Synod Mission Festival was held at St. Stephen, Stow.  Lively singing and dancing, mouth-watering aromas, and excited stories about how our congregations are reaching out were all on display.  About 130 people of all ages and from all over northeastern Ohio gathered at St Stephen whose members provided excellent hospitality for the event.  The synod’s global mission and companion synod committee (Pr Karen Ullestad, chair) planned an afternoon/evening  where participants could learn from each other, reflect on what it means to accompany one another in mission, and celebrate the host of ways our congregations spread the good news. 

The GM committee continues to work with Global Mission and World Hunger committees in Region 6 through annual meetings.  These meetings provide information and encouragement for regional or national ELCA projects.  Also, the NEOS Global Mission committee reviews applications to supplement travel funds for individuals or groups that promote the mission of the committee through travel to other countries or to Global Mission events.

The two primary initiatives for the committee’s work in 2010 are the ELCA Malaria Initiative and the mission trip to our companion synod, the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, in July of 2011.  Please watch for more information on both.  Applications for the 2011 mission trip are currently being received and may be found on the companion synod webpage.

Global Mission / Companion Synod Committee members are:  Eleanor Barnes, Pastor Mulba Borsay, Pastor Bob Brigham, Pastor Dee Emmert, Dr. Joe Malone, Pastor Michelle Nickodemus, Don Palmquist, Marcella Rock, Pastor Karen Ullestad and Mary Ann Schwabe (staff liaison).  The GM / CS Committee continually searches for persons who have a zeal for mission and desire to serve as Global Mission advocates in local congregations to increase awareness of ELCA global mission programs and the accompaniment model.