Carings Heading 

 #85 -Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ELCA Tag Line Final 2

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In This Issue
We Pray
Conference Assemblies
Around This Synod
Malaria Campaign Update
Congregation Connections
Forward in Faith
Join Our Conversation
LutheranHANDS Winter Trip
Upcoming in The Lutheran
Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics
Resource Exchange
Making Connections in Resource Center
Holiday Schedule
Job Corner
Calendar at a Glance

 

November 22 and 23

Synod Offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday

 

November 28

Bishop's Bible Study at Wittel Farm

 

December 8

Synod Council Meeting

 

Quick Links 

Synod Website

 

NEW!! Year of ReFORMation Blog Site

 

ELCA Website

 

Employment Opportunities

Previous Editions

Carings and Sharings Newsletter Archives

We Give Thanks

thanksgiving Now thank we all our God

with hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

in whom this world rejoices;

Who, from our mothers' arms,

has blest us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

- ELW #840

Conference Assembly Reminder

Appoint your congregational voting members by January 1, 2013!

 

conferenceThe twenty-sixth annual assembly is scheduled for June 6 - June 8, 2013 at Messiah College, Grantham, PA.  Two conference assemblies will occur in 2013; the first assembly will gather between January 1 and February 15; the second between March 1 and April 15. Click here for a print-friendly Conference Assembly schedule.

 

The first conference assembly will engage in conversation around:

The second conference assembly will:

  • Engage in preparation for the annual Synod Assembly.
  • Raise up potential nominees' names for the office of bishop.

Around this Synod

 

Bishop HooverI Love Those Old, Old Stories

Bishop's Bible Study

Wednesday, November 28

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Wittel Farm

 

Read more and learn how to register...

 

 

 

Confirmation Camp Opportunity

  • Confirmation CampDoes your congregation struggle with catechesis for only a few students?
  • Are you and your students tired of the "same old, same old?"
  • Do you want to connect with other Lutheran congregations to create an amazing Confirmation experience?

 

Call (717.732.9652) or e-mail Pastor Gwenn Trout ([email protected]), convenor of the All Saints Confirmation Camp program.  All Saints Confirmation Camp is a two/three year Confirmation program held at Camp Nawakwa in June and open to all ELCA congregations.  This program features all the benefits of being at camp (pool, arts and crafts, camp fires, quality staff, Christian community) with the added benefit of team teaching with multiple congregations across the territory of this synod.  An "infomercial" DVD will be available January 2013.

 

 

One Net Equals One Life

mosquito

 

The Lower Susquehanna Synod joins the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and African companion churches in a global effort to prevent, treat and contain malaria by 2015. The simplest and most effective preventative measure is the usage of mosquito nets. One $10 net prevents the death of one person. One net equals one life.

 

Get involved.  Consider including the ELCA Malaria Campaign as a designated line in your congregration's budget.  Read more and visit the synod Malaria Campaign Web page.

 

Congregation News

 

cThanksgiving Day dinners in York and Landisville ...  Christmas Cookie Walks at St. Paul and Shiloh, York,  to benefit mission ministry in Tanzania...an holiday concerts around this synod...and MORE on the Congregation Connections page of the synod Website.

 

Have an event, activity or idea to share?  Post your links, photos, events and thoughts on the synod Facebook page and spread the word about your congregation's ministries and outreach to the community!  Visit our Facebook page here.

 

Can You Find the Familiar Faces?

Forward in FaithForward in Faith

Here is some good news to celebrate! The ELCA has sent 118 new missionaries in 2012, more than in several recent years; a sign that we are moving forward in faith.

 

Click here and see for yourself the excited faces of some of these new missionaries.  Look closely...do you see the faces of Chad and Natalie Rimmer?  Pastor Chad Rimmer formerly served Union Lutheran Church, York.

 

 

Join the Conversation - Blog Update

welcomeRadical Hospitality

 

I spent this past week at a gathering of 85+ newly rostered leaders from our region. The event featured a preacher-in-residence who started a congregation six years ago, which now has an average worship attendance over 500 and mostly attracts people in their 20s and 30s.

 

Over the course of the event, many asked what the pastor did that worked for attracting this age group; many wanted to hear more about the pastor's preaching style, because unlike what you might expect (given his age group), he preaches 45 minutes each Sunday. Others wanted to know what the pastor and those first members did to help their congregation grow so quickly in such a short time.  Read more...

 

 

LutheranHANDS Winter Trip 2012

 

LutheranHANDSWhere:  New Orleans, Louisiana

When:  December 26, 2012 - January 2, 2013

Cost:  $365 per person

 

What:

Help Christina and Connie Labat renovate and prepare a warehouse which they have purchased for transformation into a Music/Theater/Arts School.  As in our area school districts, the city of New Orleans has made budget cuts and reduced the number of arts programs.  This is a sad situation, as arts are a significant part of the New Orleans culture.  Our service will include cleaning, painting walls and patching areas of the roof.  And, perhaps most importantly, we will build personal connections and friendships with people in New Orleans.

 

Registration deadline is December 1, 2012.

 

Interested?  Contact LutheranHANDS at [email protected].

 

Feeling Stuffed?

ClutterIs clutter - in the form of stuff, time, paper or mentally -taking over your life?  The Lutheran's December issue tackles our reasons for and relationships to our "cluttered lives."  Delve into the spiritual practice of shedding stuff.  And get advice on tackling "stuff clutter" and "spiritual clutter."  To help your discussion, you'll find a study guide for this article in the print issue and online (www.thelutheran.org - click on "study guides" on the left side; it's free for print and Web subscribers.) 

Augsburg Fortress Hosts Free Music Clinics

 

musicThese free events have been developed for the continuing education of today's church musician. Held in a variety of locations across the nation, the events provide opportunities for church musicians to network, learn and be inspired.

 

The Philadelphia-area event is scheduled for January 5, 2013.

Each clinic features a variety of choral, organ, and piano reading sessions to help plan for the coming season. Our expert clinicians offer valuable insights and ideas to help participants explore ways to revitalize and refresh worship in their local settings.

 
Read more and register.


All attendees will enjoy a 15% discount on all featured Augsburg Fortress music and 10% discount on all featured non-Augsburg Fortress Music ordered or purchased during the event.

 

Congregations Clean Out Closets

ResourceExchangeMemorial Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, has the following items available free of charge.  Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Pastor Rochelle Lewis at 717.579.5209.

  • Two pianos; both need tuning, but are in excellent condition. 
  • Assortment of fair linens for altar/communion table.  Meticulous condition.
  • Several copies of the book, Daystar, written by Cora Forker as a tribute to Pastor William Morecraft.
  • Choral music - some dating back to the 1940's.  Organ and piano arrangements.

St. James Lutheran Church, Brogue, has two large 30-cup commercial coffee urns available free of charge.  Interested?  Contact Diana L. Oburgh at 717.927.9497 or [email protected].

 

Mark Your Calendar and Make Connections

 

VBSSet your sails for summer in January! 

Visit the newly-renovated synod Resource Center on Thursday, January 17 and get connected with other faith formation leaders in this synod.  The conversation of the day will center on Vacation Bible School with a brief overview of several curricula and time for hands-on exploration of each kit. 

 

PLUS, we will have a give-away of VBS kits from previous years.  (Must be present to win!)

 

ConnectMark your calendar for one of these Making Connections times on January 17:

  • 10:00 AM - Noon
  • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

 

 

 Snow date is Thursday, January 24.

Synod Office Thanksgiving Schedule

cornucopiaThe Synod Offices and Resource Center will be closed:

  • Thursday, November 22
  • Friday, November 23

 

Job Corner

 

Employment listings are provided to synod congregations and related agencies free of charge. This service is made possible by your Mission Support of Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA. Please provide a brief position description and contact information (as below) and a link to a complete position description on your web site (if desired). Send information to Pam Drenner at [email protected]. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.

  

 

Congregation: Zion, Glen Rock

Position: Organist/Music Director

Posted: 11/12/12

 

pipesPOSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Church organist/music director, Zion Lutheran Church, Glen Rock, PA. Please contact Church Office at 717-235-3276 for additional information.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

A musician with commitment to ministry through church music, including: experience as a member of a faith community and with church music, knowledge of church music, the Lutheran calendar, the liturgical year, and liturgical worship.

 

MISSION PROFILE:

  • To play and conductorgan and choral music forSunday morning services, and for Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, regularly scheduled midweek services and other special services designated by the Pastor, and the Worship and Music Committee
  • To direct two voice choirs: the adult Gethsemane Choir and the children's Good Shepherd Choir. Rehearsal times and dates to be arranged in conjunction with the people involved.
  • To support the Bell choir as needed, to include active participation in the choir as a bell ringer.
  • To guide and/or assist with music for other worship services in the life of Zion.
  • To provide and/or assist with the music direction for the Sunday School Primary Department opening.   Read the complete position description...

Congregation: Mt. Zion, Gardners

Position: Organist

Posted: 11/12/12

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Gardners, is seeking an organist for a one-year term, with possibility of extension. Duties include providing organ leadership for Sunday morning worship and accompanying the choir at Thursday evening rehearsals. There are other special services of worship throughout the year (funerals, weddings, etc.). The congregation uses the Lutheran Book of Worship. Organist will often choose preludes, offertory music and postludes. Organist can work with committee to choose hymns. Salary is negotiable. Visit the church website at www.mountzionlutheran.com for a full job description. Candidates can apply online, by mail, or by contacting Pastor Eric Anderson at [email protected] The church is located between Gettysburg and Carlisle at 4200 Carlisle Road (Route 34), Gardners, PA 17324.

 

FamilyCongregation: Zion, Landisville

Position: Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director

Posted: 11/13/12

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Landisville, PA seeks a Children, Youth and Family Ministry Director. This is a fulltime, non-ordained position. This person will lead in the visioning and development of the children, youth and family ministries by recruiting, training and equipping volunteers to support the children, youth and family ministry programs. Required experience: bachelor degree in related field; 2-5 years experience working with youth in Christian setting; experience with leading teams, organizing volunteers and project planning; excellent computer skills including social media/networking and MS Office applications. Youth Ministry Certification required within 3 years of hire. Core competencies required include: demonstrated integrity and trust, excellent interpersonal skills, understanding of adolescent development, understanding of faith development, excellent organization, and excellent written & oral communication skills. Interested candidates should email resume and cover letter to: [email protected].   For more information about the congregation, visit our website: www.zionhempfield.net.

 

pianoCongregation: St. Paul, York

Position: Organist/Choir Director

Posted: 11/19/12

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 25 W. Springettsbury Ave., York, PA seeks an Organist and Choir Director for two Sunday liturgies, Holy Days, weddings and funerals. Responsibilities include direction for Chancel Choir and Jubilee Singers. Instruments: Three manual, 65 rank Casavant organ (1940) and Model D 9' Steinway grand piano. The successful candidate will exhibit excellent musical skills and work collaboratively with other staff members and volunteers to enrich the liturgical life of the congregation. The salary is negotiable. Inquiries can be made through the church office at 717.843.8155 or by email to [email protected].

 

Agency: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania

Position: Associate Director

Posted: 11/19/12

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) seeks an Associate Director. This position is responsible for development, coordination and communication of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania's (LAMPa) statewide e-advocacy action network (ACTIONET).The primary objective is to educate and resource the Lutheran community in Pennsylvania to be a public church. The position will connect the advocacy and social justice work of synods, local congregational leaders and ministries to one another and to the LAMPa agenda with the General Assembly and the Administration. This is of particular importance given the large size of Pennsylvania's full-time state government (253 state legislators). Find a complete description and how to apply at the ELCA Jobs Board. 

 

 

 

Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Pam Drenner, editor, [email protected].