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Here's the Latest from LWF! 
It will soon be time to gather and ship Lutheran World Relief kits and quilts, and our Synod Volunteer Coordinator for Relief Projects, Norma Good, is ready to provide your congregation with a wealth of information (including important dates, locations, and instructions), educational tools, and the latest news from LWR. Click here to access the information packet and here to access a flier to share and the "how-to" guide on our Lower Susquehanna Synod website. Together we can make a real difference through the combined efforts of LWR while sharing God's love with our neighbors around the world.
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YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED...
What: St. Barnabas' 20th End-of-Summer Camp Ceremonies
When: Thursday, Aug. 1st @ 5 p.m.
Where: St. Paul's @ 248 Seneca Street, Harrisburg
Note: No RSVP is required
 Come if you can to celebrate a wonderful summer, meet new Executive Director Rodger Hines and the wonderful counselors, staff and volunteers, and some amazing young people of Uptown Harrisburg.Partnering with the Rain Barrel Coalition campers helped to complete the decorating of rain barrels. Students met a group of college students from Bike & Build (students riding bicycles across the country, donating their time to help others). Other activities have included a tour of the Joshua Farm Field, a visit by a Harrisburg fireman complete with a tour and demonstration of equipment, and reading projects with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members.
We'll be sharing more with you about this important ministry in the future, but why not go see for yourself on Thursday, August 1?
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Ordinations & Consecration
Alex R. Martini, Tina M. Melusky, and George B. Scott will be ordained in the ministry of Word and Sacrament and Laura L. Ramsey will be consecrated in the ministry of Word and service during a Celebration of Holy Eucharist on Friday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Hoover will preach and preside at the Eucharist and the rites of ordination and consecration which will take place at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York, PA.
Alex has been called to serve as pastor at St. Paul, Littlestown, in the Hanover Conference. Tina has been called to serve as pastor at Grace, Red Lion, in the South York Conference. George has been called serve as pastor at Trinity, East Berlin, in the Hanover Conference. Laura has been called by Synod Council to serve as staff chaplain at Women and Babies Hospital at Lancaster General Health.
Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception will follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall.
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Support Group of Hope for Rostered Leaders
 With the synod's approval and backing, Rev. Sadie C. Pounder would like to start a Support Group of Hope for any rostered leaders with serious illness (physical or mental health), current or in the past, or who are the caregiver for someone with these life challenges. If interested, please contact Pr Pounder at spounder718@yahoo.com or 717 357-2779. Day and time of group will be determined by participants.
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Important Alert...
If you receive an e-mail from bishoptz@yahoo.com<mailto:bishoptz@yahoo.
com>, it is not from Bishop Israel Peter Mwakyolile, bishop of our companion diocese. Please ignore it and delete it from your computer.
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...for Omega Allen Kenan, international counselor from the Konde Diocese serving this summer at Camp Kirchenwald, who is a patient at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon and scheduled for release on Wednesday, 7/31.
...for Rev. Robert (retired) and Evelyn Seibold on the death of their daughter Lorie. Services were held on Tuesday, July 16. Notes of care and condolence may be sent to the Siebolds at 613 Glenn St. Shippensburg, PA 17257.
...for Pastor Jay Eickhoff (Christ, New Bloomfield/Perry Conference), whose 58-year old brother, Gary K. Eickhoff, died suddenly Wednesday, July 10, of a massive heart attack. Notes of care and condolence may be sent to Pastor Eickhoff at padrejay@pa.net or 147 South Second Street, Newport, PA 17074.
... for Pastor Betsy Lartz, who is now a resident at Hamilton Arms in Lancaster. The address for those who are able to visit is 336 South West End Avenue, Lancaster, 17603.
Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org
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Follow our Synod into Mission & Ministry!
Pr. Chad & Natalie Rimmer, Missionaries to Senegal
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Pr. Chad Rimmer (3rd from left) with pastoral students of the pastoral formation program
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You may remember the Rimmers from their days in our synod. Now they are serving as ELCA missionaries to Senegal, and four congregations in our synod (St. John's, New Freedom; St. Matthew's, York; Tree of Life, Harrisburg; and Zion, Harrisburg) are among their sponsors. You can keep up with Pr. Chad and Natalie by visiting their website www.therimmers.org. You'll be able to read their blog, view photos, and send them a message. Please keep their family and their ministry in your prayers.
Lantern Hill Ministries in Mexico
A multi-generational group from Lower Susquehanna Synod is traveling
toand serving along side Lantern Hill Ministries in Mexico during the week of August 10th. Follow the exploits of this 28 member team from St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover, PA and see photos from their trip on their daily blog at: stmattmission.wordpress.com
LutheranHANDS in Alabama
A multi-generational group from Lower Susquehanna Synod traveled and served with LutheranHANDS in Alabama, the week of July 15. Read about their trip and see photos on their blog at: http://www.michaelbricker.com/Blog/Blog.html
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"God's work. Our hands." Sunday Updates/Opportunities
 Click here to go to our Synod's Year of ReFORMation website to share your ideas, your hopes, your plans, and/or your desire to collaborate and form partnerships for this very special day.
Visit the ELCA website and download flyers, bulletin inserts and a toolkit to help prepare your congregation's dedicated day of service.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Chambersburg
Trinity members and leadership have approached the Chambersburg Borough about a project to benefit the park near their building. They are still finalizing plans, but it sounds like they'll be rolling up their sleeves to make their neighborhood an even better place to be. More details to follow!
Please share what your congregation is doing on September 8! Contact Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org or post an update to the Year of ReFORMation website blog.
And you don't have to stop when the day is done...
God's Work. Our Voices. Monday. LAMPa is launching this initiative to continue the conversation. Consider adding an advocacy component to your September 8 plans, to enhance and deepen your service. Writing letters to legislators, conducting advocacy training, sending letters to the editor are all ways to raise your voice to support policies that fight hunger and persistent poverty. Contact the LAMPa office for advocacy ideas related to your area of service, or use one of the following LAMPa resources to take action on specific issues. Click here for more information and specific details about how your congregation can be involved.
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Mark Your Calendar!
2013 Bishop's Convocation for Rostered and Lay Leaders
 | | Charles "Chick" Lane |
Presenter: Charles "Chick" Lane, author of Ask, Thank Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in your Congregation, and Director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary Congregational stewardship ministry provides incredible opportunities for spiritual growth. Leading congregational stewardship ministry can be a challenge. Presenter Chick Lane will lead two sessions describing the opportunities, naming the challenges, and providing practical suggestions for strengthening the stewardship ministry of the congregation you help lead and serve.
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, York, PA Specific information about how to register and additional program details will be sent via separate e-mail. The deadline for registration is September 3, 2013.
Safe and Healthy Congregations Training
Date: October 16-18
Place: Harrisburg, PA
Designed to help congregations address domestic violence and sexual abuse through the lens of faith with particular attention to Lutheran theology, this training event is sponsored by Lutheran Community Foundation in partnership with the Faith Trust Institute and ELCA Safe and Healthy Congregations. Space is limited, so register soon. Click here for an application. More details and information will follow
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Visit the Congregation Connections page on the synod website to keep up with the details of the many good things happening in the worshiping communities of our synod. Please keep us posted about the events and activities taking place in your congregation.
August 3
Brett Rush at Quickel Lutheran Church
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Brett Rush
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On Saturday, August 3, at 7:00 p.m., pastor and worship leader Brett Rush will lead a live worship experience based on the Everything I Am and Invitation projects. A freewill offering will be collected, and all are welcome. Click here to download a PDF flyer for your bulletin board or to include in your church bulletin. For more about Brett Rush, visit www.brettrushmusic.com. Quickel Lutheran Church is located at 60 Canal St. Ext. in York, PA 17406.
August 3
Lobsterfest
Tree of Life Lutheran Church
1492 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg
11 am - 6:30 PM
Benefits ELCA Malaria Fund and local benevolence
On line order forms: www.tree-of-life.us or call the church office at 238-8733.
August 4
JUST FRIENDS and POTTER'S CLAY in Concert
"Music in the Grove" Series
St. John Center Lutheran Church
599 Reading Road (Rt. 625), East Earl, PA 17517
6:00 p.m. (freewill offering)
For more information visit www.sjclutheran.org.
August 11
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
4:00 PM (pre-worship singing begins at 3:45 PM)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
30 W. Main St.
New Kingstown, PA
The Rejoicing Spirits ministry reaches out to enrich the spiritual lives of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities along with their families, friends and other supportive community members. God's message of love is shared through a meaningful and adapted Christian worship service and fellowship time. Individuals are free to be themselves while actively participating as contributing members in an inclusive faith community. The ministry shares the Rejoicing Spirits mode of spiritual inclusion with disability and faith-based organizations. For more information, contact Rose Hlavac at sslcRejoicingSpirits@gmail.com or 717.258.5666.
August 11
BlueGRACE in Concert
"Music in the Grove" Series
St. John Center Lutheran Church
599 Reading Road (Rt. 625), East Earl, PA 17517
6:00 p.m. (freewill offering)
For more information visit www.sjclutheran.org. August 18
CHESTNUT RIDGE in Concert "Music in the Grove" Series St. John Center Lutheran Church 599 Reading Road (Rt. 625), East Earl, PA 17517 6:00 p.m. (freewill offering) For more information visit www.sjclutheran.org.
August 21
Summer Short Stories
6:00 p.m.
St. Michael Church, Harrisburg
SUMMER SHORT STORIES-Where do you listen for God? In this collection of stories and essays, LISTENING FOR GOD (VOL. 1): CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE AND THE LIFE OF FAITH, the challenge is to pay attention everywhere. Listening for God is intended to help readers investigate how life and faith merge in surprising ways and places. Contemporary American literature may not be the most predictable place to listen for God, but it may well turn out to be among the most rewarding.
August 25
El Salvador Summer Academy Program
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown
 Sunday, August 25, St. Stephen Lutheran Church will host a program to share information about their ministry of accompaniment in El Salvador. The event is open to the public and will take place from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Children are welcome to attend. St. Stephen is located at 30 West Main Street, in New Kingstown, PA 17072.
August 25
A Service of Celebration of Retirement and Thanksgiving to God
for the ministry of Bishop B. Penrose Hoover
Sunday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
31 S. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA
August 25
AL & JEAN SHADE in Concert
"Music in the Grove" Series
St. John Center Lutheran Church
599 Reading Road (Rt. 625), East Earl, PA 17517
6:00 p.m. (freewill offering)
For more information visit www.sjclutheran.org.September 14Financial Freedom One-Day EventParadise Lutheran Church3241 Church Road Thomasville, PA 17364 9:00 a.m. - noon For more information or to register call 259-9547. Sponsored by the Hanover Conference of Lutheran Churches. Click here to download a PDF poster to spread the news in your congregation.
Vacation Bible School Opportunities 
August 4-8
God's Backyard 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Lebanon Area Lutheran Churches will have VBS "God's Backyard" at Trinity Lutheran Church of Colebrook from Sunday August 4 to Thursday August 8 from 6-8 pm. Kids will be bused from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 723 Lehman St in Lebanon to Trinity Colebrook at 58 Church Road, Manheim (2 miles outside of Colebrook)
- Bus leaves at 5:30 and will return at 8:30 each night. Call 717-665-6670.
Immediate Need for Kitchen/Laundry Appliances!
A number of congregations are working together to provide a concurrent internship opportunity for Pastor Del Akech Del at St. Peter Lutheran Church, York, in conjunction with his ministry to the Sudanese Worshiping Community which meets at Tree of Life Harrisburg. Grace Lutheran Church, York, is offering their parsonage to him. However, the parsonage needs a refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher. If anyone would like to donate one or more of the above appliances, please call Pastor Beth Schlegel at 854-0589 or email her: Pastorschlegel@live.com
Available
There are individual burial plots (including Masonic section) available in the Rolling Green Memorial Park. Current prices for spaces are below market pricing for quick sell. Contact Pastor Lewis for additional information and purchase. 717-579-5209.
Ten red cinctures, one cassock (lg) available at no cost. Contact Pastor Lewis at 717-579-5209.
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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 Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.
Visit the Employment Opportunities page on the synod website for a complete list of current job openings.
Congregation: Union Lutheran Church, York
Position: Soprano Soloist/Section Leader
Posted: 7/23/13
A soprano soloist/section leader is needed for the adult choir at Union Lutheran Church, 408 W. Market St. York, PA. This is a paid position. High school age through adults are welcomed to audition. Please call the Church office if you are interested or know someone who might be interested. Phone: 717-843-7897 to speak to Jennifer Noel, Director of Music.
Congregation: Zion Lutheran Church, York
Position: Traditional Music Director
Posted: 6/11/13
Zion Lutheran Church is seeing a Traditional Music Director. We are looking for either a Traditional Music Director or Organist and Choir Director. All positions would be part-time employees; hours, salary and benefits would be determined on position, education and experience. Preferred education is a BS in Music or equivalent experience in the field. Zion's organ is an American Classic Organ built by Aeoline-Skinner and there are two choirs and the potential for a Youth Choir. Qualified candidates would possess knowledge of ELCA's religious beliefs and Lutheran liturgy. For more details go to http://www.zionyork.org/?page_id=79. If you have strong skills in the above and are looking to join a dedicated staff and exciting congregation, submit your resume indicating the position in which you are interested to the attention of Denise Moyer, Parish Administrator, at dmoyer@zionyork.org. Please include salary requirements.
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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 Sharron Blezard, editor, sblezard@lss-elca.org. |
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