Host Sites

HOST SITES (PRE-ASSEMBLY & ASSEMBLY)*
Please email or call the contact for your preferred location to reserve your seat for the Pre-Assembly Gatherings and/or Assembly meeting.

Good Shepherd, Kettering
901 E. Stroop Rd, Kettering, Ohio
937.298.0136
Contact: Don Bennett, don.bennett@goodshepherdkettering.com, 937.475.9445
Will Host the following Pre-Assembly Gatherings:
May 15, 1pm-3pm
May 16, 3pm-5pm
May 17, 7pm-9pm

Messiah, Urbana
1013 East Lawn Ave, Urbana, Ohio
937.653.4110
Contact: Pr. Ray Branstiter, raybranstiter@gmail.com
Will Host the following Pre-Assembly Gatherings:
May 15, 1pm-3pm
May 16, 3pm-5pm
May 17, 7pm-9pm

New Hope, Dayton
2000 Catalpa Dr, Dayton, Ohio
937.602.3009 (Pastor)
Contact: Pr. Richard Freudenberger, pastorrichardflcdayton_clc@yahoo.com
Will Host the following Pre-Assembly Gatherings:
May 15, 1pm-3pm
May 17, 7pm-9pm

*All locations will observe COVID safety protocols set by their church council. Please ask the congregation contact for details.

What is a host site and how can my congregation become one?

A host site, aka a Bridge, for the 2021 virtual assembly provides a physical location for voting members to gather to participate in the Assembly sessions. Host sites allow for fellowship and the development of new relationships among voting members that would be lost if everyone just tuned in from home. Also, the host site allows those voting members who cannot meet the tech requirements to still participate fully in the sessions.

If your congregation can provide the following, please email soscommunications@southernohiosynod.org and let us know you’d like to be a host congregation. We’ll email or call you back (whichever you prefer) to discuss details and add your congregation to our cherished list of Assembly Host Sites. This is a wonderful way to serve and to live into our mission statement: Stronger and Better Together: Joining Jesus for the Restoration of the World!

1. Strong, reliable internet connection
2. Large TV or screen with projector with computer hook up
3. Computer
4. Computer or external speakers for audio
5. Microphone connected to computer to allow voting member to speak to a matter on the floor of the Assembly
6. Experience connecting to, hosting and/or participating in Zoom meetings or webinars
7. Space to allow for safe social distancing (you determine the maximum number of people you can host)
8. A willingness to be a part of the SOS Assembly in a new and creative way

Q1: Can’t people just connect from home? Why gather at a congregation?

Yes, individuals and couples may gather from their homes if they wish. Gathering in a congregation provides for opportunity for fellowship AND alleviates the need for each voting member or couple to provide a computer AND a voting device (smart phone or tablet). Shared resources open doors for more members to participate.

One of the best parts of assembly is the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones…AKA fellowship. Large virtual events allow for all kinds of wonderful opportunities, but not fellowship. Your congregation could be the bridge to close the gap between a traditional assembly and a virtual assembly by opening your doors for voting members to watch and participate in the 2021 SOS Assembly AND spend time getting to know one another and/or catch up on the past year!

Q2: When would we be opening our doors to host?

Primarily, your congregation would host voting members on Friday, June 4 starting at least at 6 pm AND Saturday, June 5 starting at least at 8 am. We hope to wrap up assembly by 4 pm.

You also have the option to be a host site for one or all three of our virtual Pre-Assembly Gatherings on May 15, 16 and 17. We can share more information with you when we talk.

Contact Assembly Director at soscommunications@southernohiosynod.org for more details and to volunteer to be an Assembly Host Site today!