Alex Clevinger is a fourth-generation member at Advent, Uniontown. His relationship with his Grandma kept him connected not only to his church but to what God is doing in the bigger church. As a child, he may have felt forced to attend church at times, but now as a young adult he appreciates the theological conversations he and his grandma have. “She’ll tell me about when the ELCA was formed and now we talk about where it is going,” Alex shares.

When his grandma needed someone to drive her to Synod Assembly the last two years, Alex volunteered. Alex knew there would be some people there he knew, “Through various work at camp, I had met a lot pastors and I thought it would be nice to see some of them.”

Alex found that being at Synod Assembly was energizing, “having that many Lutherans in one room can make anyone excited.” The worship experiences were engaging, and the storytelling was memorable. Alex also met a lot of new people.

Synod Assembly is a truly relational experience. It is an opportunity to connect with people from other congregations and remember that we are a part of something bigger. Alex also shares that each person’s perspective is important, “We make decisions on the direction of our synod in a way that is guided by the congregations and the Holy Spirit.”

After attending synod assembly, Alex was asked to serve on Synod Council as a young adult representative, and he agreed. “Going to the assembly gets you interested in what is going on at the higher levels of the Church and the impacts it can have on the Church as a whole.” Alex knows that his experience and unique perspective is valuable – and not just to his grandma.
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Synod Assembly is an important opportunity to learn and make decisions about how we share God’s abundant grace and hope with others. We hear the stories of how your generous Mission Support makes an impact in our local community and beyond. Thank you for recognizing the importance of our shared ministry. 

Pastor Drew Tucker was centered and anchored in faith at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Orrville, Ohio. He recalls being an elementary school aged youth when he was first pulled aside and told “you’re going to be a pastor.” While Drew was not so sure about this calling, the congregation invested in him and supported him throughout his life’s explorations. The pastor even took him as a junior high youth to visit a seminary.
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As Drew went to college, he found himself exploring his identity as a Lutheran. He had a sense of wanderlust that led him to travel with a music ministry and learn from mentors in other denominations. As he was preparing for graduation from college, Pastor Drew acknowledges wrestling with whether or not the ELCA was truly where his gifts were best utilized. Drew shares his thankfulness that nobody “gave up” on him when he went to explore. He was always welcomed back home joyfully and with open conversation.

When Drew decided to go to Duke Divinity school, he recalls the Northeastern Ohio Synod staff being supportive of his formational journey, but also made sure to check in with his experience. Bishop Eaton (then Northeastern Ohio Synod’s bishop and just a week before being elected as presiding bishop of the ELCA) sat down with Drew for an honest conversation about where God was calling him to serve next. Pastor Drew recalls that she (and the synod) “had my best interest in mind, even when I couldn’t see it. For that I’m deeply grateful.”

Pastor Drew went on to serve in campus ministries and higher education before being called as executive director for HopeWood Outdoors. As he reflects back on his formative years in Northeastern Ohio, he sees the ways that the generations before him gave Drew the opportunity to grow, learn, search, and seek God’s truth. Pastor Drew is now steeped in the same mission and values, both personally and professionally. He speaks passionately about pouring into the next generation, whether it’s his nieces, nephews and niblings or campers. “Camp is a space where people can encounter God/the church in a different way. It’s a context for conversation, engagement, and experiencing equity with people who may not be able to walk through the doors of the average congregation, for a variety of reasons.”
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Your Mission Support allows us to do more together as church for the sake of the world. Through your generosity, we can share God’s love and care through supporting organizations like HopeWood Outdoors where faith formation is happening with children, youth and families beyond your congregation. Thank you for recognizing the importance of our shared ministry.