Advent Day Apart at

The Wittel Farm

December 1, 2012

The Rev. Dr. John Largen will guide participants in contemplative, hope-filled watching and waiting for the birth of the Christ child.  Registration fee is $15 per person and includes lunch.  Click here for registration information.

Installation Service Scheduled

The Rev. Katie Brantner will be installed as pastor of St. Paul (Hametown) Lutheran Church, Glen Rock, on Sunday, December 9, at 3:00 p.m.  Clergy are invited to vest and process.  The color of the day is blue.

St. Peter Church Completes Expansion Project

On Thanksgiving weekend, the congregation of  St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 947 North George Street in York, took occupancy of a new building addition, enjoying elevator access to worship and fellowship areas and beautiful new gathering space.  Pastor Beth Schlegel led the congregation in consecrating the new space, and the ribbon was cut by members of the Property and Building Committees.  Dedication events for the community are being planned for April 6-7, 2013.  The church is open to the public on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., and on Sunday, December 2, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for the annual Live Nativity.  For more information, call the church office at 717.854.0589.

Winter Youth Retreat at Kirchenwald

January 4-6, 2013

Enjoy Kirchenwald in the winter!  Play broom hockey and other games on the frozen pond.  Have fun sledding, playing snow soccer and other winter games.  Creative Bible studies and worship experiences led by our summer camp counselors are an important part of this retreat.  Meet new friends and catch up with your summer camp friends.  For youth in grades 3 through 9.  Registration fee is $130 per person.  Read more and register...

Winterfest

January 4-6, 2013

Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott Hotel

Winterfest is the annual synod senior-high and young adult event, for youth in grades 9-12, and young adults up to age 24.  "Grounded in The Way" is  the 2013 event theme and will focus on the seven faith practices:

• invitation
• worship
• prayer
• encouragement
• giving
• study
• service

Along with the traditional small group conversations led by trained small group leaders, combined with large group singing and learning opportunities, youth and adults will be able to choose from a variety of workshops offered by ministry partner organizations and individuals focused around these seven faith practices. Visit the website for more information, downloadable resources and online registration.  Registration deadline is midnight, December 10!

Christmas Craft Show and Fair Trade Fair in Leola...  Felix Hell, concert organist, at St. Mark in Hanover...Cookie Walks in York to benefit mission ministry in Tanzania...and 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.

Hunger in the United States

For many families, November means sitting around a table filled with the abundance of the fall harvest.  But for the 48 million Americans (including 16.2 million children) who struggle with food insecurity, November, like the rest of the year, is about worrying where their next meal will come from.  ELCA World Hunger works not only globally, but also locally, to help those in need.  Through partnerships with ELCA congregations and organizations, ELCA World Hunger supports soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters and other ministries to people around the country.  Read more about how your gifts are at work in your community.  Click here for reproducible stories for your bulletins, including several about our church's work in the United States.

Mosquito Net = $10

Gifts with a Purpose

Take the guesswork out of shopping.  Honor friends and loved ones with gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.  With over 50 different gift-giving options, there's something for everyone on your list.  Go to www.elca.org/goodgifts. 

Who Do You Say That I Am?

This past weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving with relatives on Long Island in New York. On Sunday we attended our relative's independent congregation. It's a new start that worships in a synogague, with about 40 people-half of whom are children. Several folks there asked us where we were from, and where we went to church there. "Oh, you're an ELCA!" one woman exclaimed to me (pronounced as one word). "My parents go to the ELCA church here," she said, "but it's so sad. All the ELCA churches are dying here-everyone is over 65 and attendance is down to 30 or 40 people. Is it like that in PA?"  Read more...

LutheranHANDS Service Opportunities

IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2013

The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2013 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.  Beginning on January 1, 2013, the standard mileage rate for use of a car will be:

• 56.5 cents per mile for business miles driven.
• 24 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes.
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Augsburg Fortress Hosts Free Music Clinics

These 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

Memorial 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 stjamesbrogue@aol.com.

Mark Your Calendar and Make Connections

Set 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!)

Mark 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.

Conflict in Your Congregation?

Transforming Difficult Conversations in Congregations

a workshop for pastors, interim pastors, lay leaders and others committed to healthy change

January 15-17, 2013

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

King of Prussia, PA

Presenter

Susan Nienaber

Alban Institute Senior Consultant

Read more and register...

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 pdrenner@lss-elca.org. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.

Congregation: 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.  Click here to read a full job description. Interested candidates should email resume and cover letter to: zionluth@comcast.net.   For more information about the congregation, visit our website: www.zionhempfield.net.

Congregation: 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 st.paulsyork@comcast.net.

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, pdrenner@lss-elca.org.