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Calendar at a Glance | |
December 14-16
LutheranHANDS trip to New Jersey - Hurricane Sandy Cleanup
January 4-6
Winterfest Youth and Young Adult Event
January 4-6
Winter Youth Retreat at Kirchenwald
SAVE THE DATES
April 13
Malaria Campaign Scavenger Hunt
April 21
Hope in Haiti Hike, Bike or Run!
April 29-30
Rostered Leaders' Retreat
Camp Nawakwa |
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 We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort to the family of the Rev. Gerald E. Miller. Ordained in 1955, Pastor Miller died on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at the age of 84.
Pastor Miller served congregations and as an assistant to the bishop in the Central Pennsylvania Synod. He then served as the first bishop of the Allegheny Synod, ELCA, until his retirement in 1993.
Funeral services for Pastor Miller will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012, 11:00 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church, 44 West Main Street, Shiremanstown, Pa. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color for the day is blue. Visitation with the family will be held at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Pastor Miller is survived by his wife, Jean; two daughters, Deborah and Diane; and two sons, David and Geoffrey. Messages of care and comfort can be sent to the family at 45 Mayberry Lane, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.
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Pastor Connie Mentzer (St. Paul, Millersville) greets
Pastor Dave and Jan Fisher |
Pastor David Fisher Named Pastor Emeritus
Pastor David Fisher was honored by the congregation of St. Paul, Millersville, Sunday, December 9, for his faithful service as pastor and synodical servant. The congregration conferred upon him the honorary title "Pastor Emeritus" during the Sunday liturgy, and a reception was held following worship to honor Pastor Fisher, Jan Fisher and their family. Messages of congratulations and well-wishes can be sent to Dave and Jan at daveandjanf@gmail.com.
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NEWS and VIEWS Available Online |
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 News and Views, the newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women's Organization, is available online. Click here to download and print a copy of the November/December issue. This issue will not be mailed to congregational unit presidents. If your congregational unit president does not have access to the Internet, please print a copy for her!
New! Download a print-friendly copy of the 2012-2013 Executive Board roster.
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Greetings from the Mission Investment Fund |
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Christmas Blessings
 This Christmas season, the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the ELCA, is grateful for the thousands of ELCA members, congregations and ministries who put their trust in MIF as investors and the nearly 800 congregations and ministries that build, renovate and expand their facilities with MIF loans. Your participation in the Mission Investment Fund is important in helping to build the church.
To learn more about MIF's portfolio of investments and loans - and competitive rates - visit our new Website, call us toll-free at 877-886-3522, or contact your MIF Regional Manager, Pastor Mark Wimmer, at 267-203-1137.
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 Hempfield and McCaskey High School Singers in Landisville... Christmas Day Dinner at St. Matthew in York...an Epiphany Concert at Union, York to benefit the Camping Corporation...and Advent worship opportunities 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.
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 Looking ahead to 2013 with the World Hunger Committee
- Have your youth group sponsor a Souper Bowl Sunday
- Host a Chocolate/Coffee Fair Trade event for Valentine's Day. Click here for information.
- Organize a World Hunger Sunday in your congregation to raise awareness of hunger-related issues and the work of ELCA World Hunger. Find resources here.
- Order eco palms for Palm Sunday and make social and economic justice part of your Palm Sunday celebration. Learn more.
 ELCA Malaria Campaign Update
Today, thousands of children in Africa will contract malaria. It will start with a fever, headache and vomiting. But within just a few days, the disease can turn deadly -- all because of the bite of a mosquito.
A child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. Most are children under the age of 5.
Our church is making a difference. It has been less than two years since the ELCA Malaria Campaign joined the global movement to fight malaria, and we have already seen a reduction in the number of deaths from this preventable, treatable disease. Thank you for being part of this!
We have more to do. This year, our goal is to raise an additional $4 million toward our goal of raising $15 million by 2015. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we just passed the $3 million mark.
We are so close -- but we need you.
Give now to help reach our goal. Your gift will ensure that the work of the ELCA Malaria Campaign continues. We need to raise $1 million more by the end of our fiscal year -- January 31 -- so that malaria programs in Africa that are just getting off the ground will continue to gain momentum.
Your gifts are critical -- families in Africa will benefit from your support.
Visit our synod Malaria Campaign Web page for resources and information. |
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Join the Conversation - Blog Update |
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Preparing a Way
This week I asked a co-worker here in the office about their Christmas plans. "Our plan?" he said, quizzically, "well. . . our plan is to get through it!" He chuckled. And then he proceeded to tell me where he was expected when, who they were shuttling where, and how many dinners and desserts they were going to eat. Read more...
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Together We Accomplish Much |
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 Through a contribution matching program sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, fifty-one synod congregations contributed $47,650 for Hurricane Sandy Relief between November 1 and December 8. Thrivent added $15,880 to bring the total for Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief to $63,530.
Thank you for your generous support!
Your help is still needed. Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response, designated for "Hurricane Sandy" will be used entirely (100 percent) in response to this disaster. Join our disaster work and help provide the type of immediate and long-lasting support that is already underway in the affected regions. Donate now.
View a video message from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson:
 | | Hurricane Sandy - A Bishop's Response |
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 Bishop Hoover and his staff wish you a joyous Christmas season and a peace-filled New Year.
Our Synod Offices and Resource Center will be closed:
- Monday, December 24
- Tuesday, December 25
- Monday, December 31
- Tuesday, January 1
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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. Click here for a complete list of employment opportunities. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.
Agency: Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
Position: Director, Family Life Services/Church and Community Programs Ministry
Posted: 12/4/12
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries is seeking a director for its Diakon Family Life Services/Church & Community Programs Ministry. The successful candidate will be a member of an ELCA or full-communion partner congregation, and may or may not be rostered; will have a Master's Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, or Theology; will develop and implement programs for congregations, church professionals, and community groups; and will promote this ministry to the various expressions of the church and community. The person will have experience working in an environment of committed church leaders and will be comfortable interacting with members of a variety of denominations. This office is currently located in Topton, Pa. Applicants may apply on line at www.diakon.org/employment/ Please contact the Rev. John Richter by email at richterj@diakon.org with questions.
Organization: Lutheran Camping Corporation
Position: Capital Campaign Director for congregational gifts
Posted: 12/12/12
Lutheran Camping Corporation is seeking a capital campaign director for congregational gifts. This is part time position with a term of 12 months beginning in January. The congregational campaign director shall be the primary staff advisor to the campaign steering committee regarding the congregational gifts division of the Seeding the Future campaign. The congregational campaign director will have the services of a campaign coordinator through March 2013. Candidates should possess strong administrative, organizational, planning and leadership skills. The complete job description with responsibilities and qualifications is available at the Lutheran Camping Corporation Web site.
To apply for this position send resume and cover letter to Lutheran Camping Corporation; P.O. Box 459; Arendtville, PA 17303 or to myouse@lutherancamping.org
For additional information please contact Mike Youse at the email listed above or call 717-677-8211.
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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. |
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