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Thursday, August 15, 2013
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Elizabeth Eaton Elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA
 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Wednesday (August 14) elected the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton as our denomination's fourth presiding bishop. Eaton received 600 votes, and current Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson received 287. She was elected on the fifth ballot. Eaton currently serves as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod (elected in 2006) and is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She is married to the Rev. Conrad Selnick, an Episcopal priest and has two daughters. Prior to becoming synod bishop, Eaton served as pastor for ELCA congregations in Ohio, most recently at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ashtabula, Ohio, for 15 years. She earned a Master's of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., and a Bachelor's degree in music education from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. "We are a church that is overwhelmingly European in a culture that is increasingly pluralistic. We need to welcome the gifts of those who come from different places, that is a conversation we need to have as a church," Eaton told the assembly shortly after the election.
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Region 8 Global Mission, World Hunger, and Companion Synod Gathering September 9-10 in Gettysburg
Please join us for the 2013 Region 8 Global Mission, World Hunger and Companion Synod Gathering. This year's meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2013 (beginning at 9 AM) through Tuesday, September 10, 2013 (ending mid-afternoon) at The 1863 Inn of Gettysburg in downtown Gettysburg, PA.
Registration is now open, and you may access the event page by clicking on the link below. We urge you to save this homepage as a 'favorite' so that you might return to it and stay abreast of additional details for the gathering.
This year there is a $40 registration fee; there is also a $25 fee to change an existing registration. Registration closes on Friday, August 30, 2013.
Thank you for your dedication to the ELCA's work in the important areas of Global Mission, World Hunger, and Companion Synods; your efforts in the Malaria Campaign are also deeply appreciated around the world.
Please click here to register for this exciting event.
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Safe and Healthy Congregations Training to be Offered in Harrisburg in October  The Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF) Ending Family Violence Initiative grew out of collaboration between the LCF and Lutheran synods and social ministries. It aims to end an enduring epidemic of domestic violence with resources, education and awareness through congregations. The collaboration - Lutheran Advocates for Safe Families (LASF) - was created to inspire and refocus the movement within our faith community to address domestic and sexual violence. Safe and Healthy Congregations is the initiative's first project, and its goal is to prepare clergy and lay leadership to intervene in and prevent family violence, as well as create safe congregations and facilities. Through the LCF Ending Family Violence Initiative and in partnership with the ELCA Justice for Women in Church and Society, five Safe and Healthy Congregations Workshops took place in Baltimore (September 2009), Chicago (October 2010), San Francisco (February 2011) and Minneapolis (May 2012). The next workshop will take place in Harrisburg on October 16, 17 and 18. Through this workshop, 100 people from 25 ELCA congregations from our synod and the surrounding area will be trained and returned home to prepare their congregations to be safe places for the most vulnerable. These workshops are facilitated by the Faith Trust Institute and are designed to help Lutheran ministers and lay leaders understand the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, and better equip them to respond to victims/survivors and abusers. Participant feedback indicates very high satisfaction with the training and high energy as they determine their next steps as a congregation. The LCF is committed to making this training available to as many congregations as possible and to that end will cover room/board/training expenses up to $1,100 per each person attending. "Abuse is so often hidden and secret; survivors can feel terrified and alone. We are called to end this harm," said Mary J. Streufert, Ph.D., Director of Justice for Women, Office of the Presiding Bishop, ELCA. "Policies, practices, and theology can all work together to serve survivors of abuse-and to prevent it in the first place. Please join others in your area for professional workshops funded by the Lutheran Community Foundation this October." Applications will be accepted through August 28th. Direct question to Susan M. Hayes at susan.hayes@thelcf.org. Click here for an application. |
CALLING ALL MUSICALLY INCLINED ROSTERED LEADERS!
The liturgy celebrating the retirement of Bishop Hoover on Sunday, August 25 will conclude with a sung benediction by a "pick up" choir of rostered leaders. If you are planning to attend the service and wish to be part of the choir to honor Bishop Hoover, please contact Pastor Gwenn Trout at 732-9652 or at pastorgwenn@verizon.net to receive a copy of the music. It would be helpful, also, if you could indicate which part you sing. A rehearsal will be held that day at 5:30 pm in the choir room, where rostered leaders are invited to vest for the service.
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CONGREGATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
At Camp Kirchenwald
Saturday, September 14
Bump, Set, Spike! It's the return of Kirchenwald's congregational volleyball tournament. Recruit a team of four to six to represent your church on Saturday, September 14 (teams larger than six will be allowed to rotate players in and out during the game). Games start at 10am and will be followed by lunch and a short campfire worship. We'll light up the grills for hotdogs and sausages. All you need to bring are cold side dishes and snacks for all to share. Drinks will also be provided.
Registration fees are $40 per team ($7 for each additional player for teams larger than six), with proceeds benefiting the Kirchenwald program fund. Click here for more information.
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Definitely-Abled Event 
The Delaware-Maryland Synod is hosting the first annual DALE (Definitely-Abled Leadership Event) on Saturday, October 26 from 9:30am - 3pm at St. Luke Lutheran Church (7001 Harford Rd., Baltimore). The theme is "Embracing Hospitality" and focuses on inclusion and other special needs issues.
The day will be a chance for special needs individuals and their families/caretakers, as well as church leaders, to participate in workshops, hear inspiring speakers, and participate in worship. Cost is $20 per person before October 1 (or $25 after) and includes lunch. Bonus: the cost is only $15 (or $20 after October 1) each for additional people in the same party. This event is sponsored by the Definitely-Abled Advocacy Resource Team. Click here for a registration form.
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Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament for Joanna Marie Hertzog, September 5, 2013
A worship of Holy Eucharist with Ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament for Joanna Marie Hertzog is planned for Thursday, September 5 at Muddy Creek Lutheran Church, 11 South Muddy Creek Road, Denver. Joanna is a member of Muddy Creek and has been called to serve as the Associate Pastor at St Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, Rhode Island. She will be the second member of Muddy Creek to be ordained in the past nine years.
Bishop James Hazelwood, New England Synod, and Bishop-elect James Dunlop will be presiding with Pastor Thomas Omholt, St Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington DC, preaching.
Clergy are invited to vest, and the color of the day is red. A dessert reception will follow in Grace Chapel located on the northeast perimeter of the church grounds.
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... for Pastor Richard Starr, retired, currently serving as interim at Christ (Starview), Mount Wolf. Pastor Star was admitted to York Hospital on Sunday, August 11. Please pray for healing, hope, and comfort for Pastor Star and his family.
... for Pastor Mary Anne Kingsborough and Seminarian David and Megan Kingsborough on the death of father and grandfather, the Rev. Warren L. Bieber (retired). Pastor Bieber died on Wednesday, July 31st in Pittsburgh, PA. The funeral was held today (August 6) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Glenshaw.
Notes of care and condolence may be sent to Pastor Mary Anne Kingsborough at pastormaryanne@embarqmail.com or 40 Malvern Drive, Manchester, PA 17345.
... 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
 | | Luke Rimmer's drawing of getting his vaccinations. |
We've reported that five congregations in our synod (St. John's, New Freedom; St. Matthew's, York; Tree of Life, Harrisburg; and Zion, Harrisburg, and St. Matthew, Hanover) are sponsors for ELCA missionaries Pastor Chad and Natalie Rimmer and family. We've learned that St. Paul, Carlisle is also a sponsor for the Rimmers. Sorry for the oversight, St. Paul! Thanks for your support of ELCA global missions and the Rimmers! Any other congregations in our synod sponsoring the Rimmers or other ELCA missionaries? If so, please let us know so we can share the news! Interested in helping to sponsor the Rimmers and/or other ELCA missionaries? It's easy! Click here for more information. Keep up with Pr. Chad and Natalie by visiting their website www.therimmers.org, where you can read their blog, view photos, and send them a message. Please keep their family and their ministry in your prayers. Susan Smith visits TSLC!
On August 4th, we were honored to welcome Susan Smith to Trindle Spring Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg with a Sunday School hour reception. Susan is one of the missionaries TSLC sponsors through the ELCA Global Missions. She was on vacation in the area visiting her parents and added a visit with TSLC to her itinerary. During the Sunday School hour she presented a program about her life in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Cameroon and explaining her work developing educational programs for Sunday schools, Bible school, adult literacy programs and elementary schools in the villages. She also preached in worship at the 10:30 service.
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
Celebrate Global Church Sunday
This fall, ELCA congregations and ministries are invited to pick a day to celebrate our connections and common mission in Christ's global church. For worship, educational, communication, ecumenical, global, and fellowship resources, visit www.ELCA.org/GlobalChurchSunday or to view and "share" like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GlobalLinks.
Have a mission trip or event to share with Carings & Sharings readers? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org.
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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.
Quickel Lutheran Church, York
Quickel is going to have "Barefoot Sunday" where we will support the Northeastern clothing bank with needed new or gently used shoes and packages of new socks on Sept 8. The congregation will be invited to attend worship in socks or bare feet in solidarity with those who don't have what we have. Not only are we celebrating our association with the ELCA world-wide church for 25 years but we are celebrating 250 years of ministry in Zions View.
Diakon Wilderness Center, Boiling Springs, PA
The Diakon Wilderness Center is offering an opportunity for interested congregations to volunteer that Sunday (or other days as appropriate) at the center near Boiling Springs, Pa. Project opportunities on the site for at-risk youths include trail maintenance, painting and staining, and landscaping. If your congregation is interested, please contact Rob Kivlan by email at kivlanr@diakon.org or by cell at (717) 903-5102.
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.
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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 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)
August 21
Summer Short Stories
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 24
5th Annual Fiesta Neighborhood Block Party
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
38 N. High Street
Arendtsville, PA 17303
Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville, invites everyone to it's Fifth Annual 'Fiesta,' a neighborhood block party celebrating the boro's diverse community, with special emphasis on the culture of our Latin American brothers and sisters. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 in the parking lot of the church. The Fiesta features games, foods from Latin and North America, live music from three musical ensembles, a "cakewalk," prizes, informational displays, a "bounce house" for the kids and more. And it's free (thanks in part to a generous gift from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans).
August 24
An Olde Fashioned Lutheran Tent Revival and Antique Car Show
4:00pm
St. Peter Lutheran Church
130 Nittany Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
St. Peter Lutheran Church is celebrating their 50th anniversary - they have proclaimed it to be The Year Of Joy and are sharing that Joy in various ways within the congregation, with their community, and with the world by holding events and setting monetary goals for Lutheran World Relief and food and monetary goals for New Hope Ministries.
All are invited to share in the Joy at St. Peter on August 24th at 4:00pm with an Olde Fashioned Lutheran Tent Revival and Antique Car Show - come to see some unique cars and stay for some singing, fellowship, faith story sharing, and lots of "amens!"
Bring your lawn chair and joyful spirit! A free will offering for Lutheran World Relief will be collected. For more information contact Pr. Naomi Carricker at revcarriker@gmail.com.
August 24
MuZette in Concert
Music at Zion Concert Series
7:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church
1905 Broad Street
East Petersburg, PA 17520
Since 1992, MuZette, the husband and wife duo featuring Tom and Laurie Reese, has worked to develop a unique musical sound. Tom's extensive background in jazz flute, combined with Laurie's classical cello training and their mutual love of Celtic music, have led them to develop a new sound they call "Folk Fusion." The program includes the showing of the silent film Light of Faith, with a new original score written by Tom and Laurie Reese. A free-will offering will be taken to support Music at Zion. Click here for a PDF poster to share. Call (1717) 569-1359 for more information.
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
Summer Sundae Concert Series Finale
5:30 p.m. (picnic) 6:30 - 7:30 (concert)
Trinity Lutheran Church
2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
Trinity's praise band, FaithX, will perform familiar music from the contemporary Christian repertoire. Free ice cream sundaes will be served to enjoy during the concert. Bring your own lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the picnic and concert will be held indoors. For more information, please call the church office at 717.737.8635 or check the church's website, www.trinitycamphill.org. 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 7  32nd Annual Country Fair Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg 8:00 am to 3:00 pm On Saturday, September 7th, Trindle Spring Lutheran in Mechanicsburg, will be holding their 32nd Annual Country Fair.The fair runs from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, rain or shine. All craft items are handmade by church members. There will also be a rummage & garage sale. In addition, a large variety of home baked and home canned items and homemade chicken corn and vegetable beef soups will be available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by the Mechanicsburg Singer Band, plus hay rides and will be available for the children. The Central PA Blood Blood Mobile will be accepting blood donations between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the church at 766-7091. September 12Bishop's Convocation for Rostered and Lay LeadersSt. Matthew Lutheran Church 839 W. Market Street, York, PA 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Presenter: Charles "Chick" Lane, author of Ask, Thank, TellCost: $25 to cover meals and materials Click here to download a PDF copy of the brochure and mail-in registration form, and click here to register online.
Note: The deadline for registration is 9/3/2013.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. September 28Live Auction & 50th Anniversary EventSt. Peter Lutheran Church Mechanicsburg, PA 4:00 p.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit New Hope Ministries. For more information please contact the church office.
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: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, York
Position: Assistant Financial Secretary
Posted: 8/07/13
This part-time position will average 16 hours a week, Monday, Tuesday and Friday, with the possibility of more hours and days during busy seasons. Requires a basic understanding of accounting procedures; experience with accounting software and payroll software; proficiency in Microsoft Word-Excel-Outlook; excellent organizational skills, communication skills and discretion. Send resume by August 30 to lsmith@stmatt.org or to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St. York, PA 17401.
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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