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Tuesday, February 19, 2013 | |
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Bishop Hanson, Bishop Hoover and Pastor Barbara Barry celebrate communion at Quickel Church.
(photo by Shane Keller) |
Bishop Hanson shares congratulations, a warning and a tool
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson came to town to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Quickel
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(photo by Shane Keller) |
Church, York, on Sunday, February 3. "When I come to celebrate milestone anniversaries like yours I always make sure to mention a warning as well as congratulations," he said in his greeting to the congregation. "You need to be aware that you are in danger of contrating a serious virus. The virus called 'nostalgia.'" "The problem with nostalgia," Bishop Hanson further explained, "is that you're longing for something that actually never existed. Nostalgia can be a way to escape the challenges of the present."
In his sermon, Bishop Hanson gave the congregation a tool to remember their baptisms as an antidote to fear, especially the fear of futility. He encouraged the listeners to stand daily in front of a mirror and place their hands on their heads and say the following words, "I am baptized; I am chosen; I am a child of God; I belong to Jesus Christ." "And follow those words by making the sign of the cross," he concluded. |
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 Prayer Requests
We pray for God's healing and comfort for the Rev. Julie Hart (retired). Pastor Hart will undergo surgery for treatment of colon cancer on Wednesday, February 20, in Annapolis, Maryland. Messages of care and concern can be sent to Pastor Hart at
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Use It or Lose It
What's In Your Worship Tool Box?
Helping leaders identify assets in their congregation and in the community beyond their walls
An event for
pastors, musicians, worship and evangelism committees
Sponsored by Parners in Worship - Lower Susquehanna Synod
Presenter: Pastor Ben Leese
Saturday - April 13
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
St. Peter Lutheran Church - Middletown
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Ecumentical Updates
National Workshop on Christian Unity
April 8-11
Columbus, Ohio
This is an important annual event that provides an experience, networking, and education about current developments in ecumenism. Read the informational brochure and register online.
 Jewish-Christian Dialogue Luncheon Series
Bread, Water, and Light
A dialogue around imagery used in the Gospel of John.
Luncheon dates - Wednesdays
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Temple Oheve Sholom - Harrisburg
- February 20
- February 27
- March 6
Read more...
Sponsored by The Religion and Society Center |
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Money Available for Young Adult Ministry!
Are you currently ministering with and for young adults in your congregation or conference? Do you have a college or university campus nearby that your congregation could easily connect to? Can grant money provide the support your ministry needs to foster a culture of call among young adults in your area?
Then take a moment to apply for a grant through the Project Connect Taskforce of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Our desire is to provide initial financial support to congregations and institutions where young adult networks are the strongest, and/or where the current leadership has gifts and interested in young adult discernment ministry within the territory of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Grant monies could be used to host meals for young adults, invite guest speakers to talk about theology, faith, scripture, or even to be able to say "the coffee's on us!" for young adult events.
Applications for grant monies are due by April 1 to Rev. Virginia J. Cover at vcover@lss-elca.org. The Project Connect Taskforce of our synod will review the applications at their April meeting, and decide which ministries will receive money and how much they will receive. Currently upwards of $4,000 is available for disbursement to eligible ministries!
Click here to start your application.
Questions? Please contact Rev. Virginia Cover at the bishop's office: 717-652-1852x102 or vcover@lss-elca.org.
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 ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2013August 12-18
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, PA
So, what do volunteers do? They provide hospitality by:
- Greeting visitors at the airport
- Providing directions and answering questions
- Assisting with worship
- Registering voting members and visitors
Learn more and register on the Churchwide Assembly Volunteer Web Page. Download a print-friendly bulletin insert. |
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Congregation Connections
The Life of Jesus: Hymn Festival (new!)
 First, Carlisle
The Spring Garden Band
St. Matthew, York
Youth Encounter Captive Free Team
Family and Youth Night
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacobus
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Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waynesboro
Susquehanna University Choir and Chamber Singers (new!)
St. James, Gettysburg
Women's Retreat
Flohrs Church
Thiel College Choir Concert
St. Mark, Hanover
Cormorant's Fancy
St. Patrick's Day Concert and Dinner
St. Mark, Hanover
Read more on the Congregation Connections page.
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! |
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Is Your Congregation Engaged in Global Mission?
Take the survey
 The Lower Susquehanna Synod Global Mission Committee wants to hear from you! Take the Global Mission Survey and help us map a plan that will best support global mission in synod congregations.
The Global Mission Committee supports global involvement in our country, out of our country, through ELCA-related or independent ministries, in partnership with synod congregations, or in partnership with congregations outside the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Members of the committee will use information gathered from the survey to connect congregations with resources and opportunities that will enhance their global engagement.
How can your congregation participate in the survey? Choose the method that works best for you:
- Download a copy of the survey of the survey and mail it to us.
- Complete the online survey (made available to congregations via email in late April).
A summary of the survey results will be available at Synod Assembly, June 6-8, 2013. Stop by the Global Mission Committee table in the display area and learn more about our synod's global involvement. |
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 Resource Exchange
Need a piano?
Trinity Lutheran Church, Steelton, has an upright piano (good condition) available, free of charge. New owner will be responsible for moving the instrument.
For more information and to arrange for pick-up, call the church office at 717.939.4998.
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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 the 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 Website (if desired). Send information to Pam Drenner at pdrenner@lss-elca.org. Complete listings are posted on the Employment Opportunities page of the synod Website. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.
Current Job Listings
- Youth and Family Ministry Director - St. Stephen, New Kingstown
- Organist/Choir Director - Mt. Eden, Quarryville
- Executive Director - St. Barnabas Center for Ministry
- Director of Music - Zion, Dauphin
- Organist/Music Director - St. Michael, Strasburg
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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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Stay connected to Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA
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