January 7, 2014

Forgiveness & Faith
 
Imagine finding out that one of your own children has done the unthinkable--taking the lives of innocent children. Such was the news that greeted Strasburg resident Terri Roberts on October 2, 2006. 
 
"I saw the emergency  vehicles go by, prayed, not knowing our very own son was the cause of an unspeakable tragedy occurring nearby at that very moment," says Terri Roberts, mother of the Nickel Mines school shooting perpetrator.
 
A lone gunman entered the one room school house, and at the end of the day, 10 young Amish girls ranging in age from six to 13 had been shot, and the shooter had committed suicide. Five of the 10 girls died as a result of the attack. 
 
Terri Roberts brings her story to our synod on Saturday, February 22, in an event hosted by the Lower Susquehanna Synod Criminal Justice System Ministry. We hope that you will join us to hear this story of walking through unthinkable circumstances, and by the grace of God and the love of family, friends, and neighbors, Roberts found strength and even joy along the journey to forgiveness and healing. 
 
This is an event you will not want to miss. Invite your entire congregation, your friends, and anyone who wonders about issues of faith and criminal justice. There is no charge, but we ask that you r.s.v.p. by e-mailing Chaplain Sadie Pounder at [email protected]. The event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA, 17011. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m., and the event will end around 11:30 a.m. 
 
For more information, please click here to download a tri-fold brochure,here for a bulletin insert, and here for a poster for use in spreading the word in your congregation and community.

Meetings & Gatherings  

 

January 8

Please note: The Global Mission meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the Synod Resource Center has been cancelled and is rescheduled for Wednesday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m.

 

January 13

OLfC -- Ecclesiastical Endorsees - One Gospel - Another Path!

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 4200 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg

11:30 a.m.

If you are On Leave from Call and are discerning next steps, come and join us to experience support and a listening ear. We meet in the Bridal Room at St. Mark's Lutheran Church (across from our synod offices). Everyone is encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Anyone interested in additional information or participating in the group may contact Pr. Hope Knobler at [email protected].

 

January 19

Annual LARC Vespers  Service

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Grace Lutheran Church, 10 South 7th St., Shamokin, PA

5:00 p.m.

Light reception to follow.

Click here for a bulletin insert and here for a flyer. 

 

January 27

On Leave from Call (OLfC) 

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 4200 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg

11:30 a.m.

 Whatever the reason you find yourself on leave from call, if you have an interest in meeting with others to be of support to one another, your participation is welcome. We meet in the Bridal Room at St. Mark's Lutheran Church (across from our synod offices). Everyone is encouraged to bring a sack lunch along. Anyone interested in additional information or participating in the group may contact Pr. Hope Knobler at [email protected].

 

 Note: Check the Synod Calendar on our website for a complete listing of meetings and gatherings. 


prayers
Prayers and Updates 
 
...prayers for the family of  Richard "Dick" Hoffman (spouse of Pastor Cheryl Hoffman), who died December 30 following an extended illness. The family will receive friends this Saturday, January 11, from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Marietta. Services will follow immediately. Click here to read the obituary. Notes of care and concern may be addressed to Pastor Hoffman at 591 Blossom Trail, Mount Joy, PA 17552, or via e-mail [email protected].
 
...prayers for the family of the Rev. William C. "Bill" Karns, Jr. (retired), who died December 29, at the age of 104. Click here to read the obituary.
 
...prayers for the family of Carla Spomer (spouse of Pastor Herb Spomer, retired) who died December 24. Click here to read the obituary. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Notes of care and concern may be addressed to Pastor Spomer at 2751 St. Joseph Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202, or via e-mail to [email protected].
 
...prayers for the family of Evelyn Seibold (spouse of the Rev. Dr. Robert Seibold, retired), who died Thursday, December 19. Click here to read the obituary. Notes of care and concern may be sent to Pastor Seibold at 613 Glen St., Shippensburg, PA  17257. 
 
...prayers for healing and hope for Pastor Peter Perella, Pastor John Kammerer (retired), Pastor George Buechner (retired), Pastor Craig Dorward, Sharon Kaya (Latino Missioner, worship leader St. John's, Hampton), Glenn Snyder (spouse of Pastor Patricia Synder), Pastor Linda Trout, and Pastor Nancy Werner
  
...prayers for Pastor Chad Rimmer and family, serving as an ELCA missionary in Senegal, and for all serving as missionaries around the world. Click here to read and/or download the Rimmer's latest newsletter.

...prayers for Pastor Kate Warn, who is preparing to leave later this month to serve through ELCA Global Missions in Rwanda. 
 
...prayers for those who are hungry and without shelter in our midst. 
Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at [email protected]

Partners in Mission and Ministry around the World
  

Celebrate a growing global community of light during Epiphany
Because ELCA missionaries have helped establish churches throughout the world, we are now part of a much larger story - a global community of more than 70 million Lutherans in 79 countries. Now we are building up God's global church - together. To find out how you can be engaged in this global church, see
www.ELCA.org/globalchurch.  

 

Mission in El Salvador

St. Stephen Lutheran Church in New Kingstown is partnering for mission and ministy in Central America. In January and February a group will join local Rotary members and travel to Metalillito, El Salvador, to see firsthand the results a long-term cooperative effort between Mechanicsburg Salvadoran Rotarians to help a marginalized community of 3000 to obtain a sanitation project. The end result should significantly decrease diseases such as dysentery especially in the children.

Additionally, a nearby church asked for help in planning a mission trip to El Salvador in summer of 2015. Interested in being part of this effort? Contact Pastor Emeritus Donald J. Seiple, [email protected],


The Ball's in our Court to Eradicate Malaria... 
...and you're invited to get in the game!

WHAT:  March Mania for Malaria

 

WHEN:  During March, 2014

 

WHO:  Your congregation, your youth group, your entire conference, or neighboring ecumenical partners

 

HOW:  You decide!  Be creative! Possibilities include:

  • Host a "net ball" game, tournament, or activity to raise awareness and funds for our synod's goal  to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign (Basketball 3-on-3, volleyball, badminton, indoor pickleball tournament -at your church fellowship hall or community rec facility or fitness center) 
  • Have a Malaria-themed Lenten Supper - use nets, mosquitoes, African music and food
  • Commit to a Lenten theme of eradicating malaria in our lifetime - Resources are available at http://www.elca.org/malaria and http://www.lss-elca.org/mission/global/malaria-campaign/, or contact Christine Mummert at [email protected]
  • Partner with other congregations in your conference or make it ecumenical and challenge neighborhood churches to a "net ball" play-off to "beat the bug" that is causing so much sickness and needless death among our African brothers and sisters

WHERE: Your congregation or a rec/community/fitness center

 

WHY: To raise awareness and funds towards the ELCA Malaria Campaign and LSS's commitment of $500,000 towards this campaign. We already have topped over the $200,000 mark. We have TWO MORE YEARS to reach our own synod's goal.

   

Calling all Lower Susquehanna Women of the ELCA... 

 

Our page on our synod website has a fresh, updated look with new information. Be sure to check it out! You'll see photos, an explanation of who we are and what we do, and the most recent photos from Camp Hebron. You'll also find the January/February issue of the newsletter available to view online or download. Additional resources are also located there. 
 
Check back frequently for updates and refer your friends who might be interested in our work together. Click here to be redirected to our page.

books
Additional Opportunities for Education... 
Visit our synod website for details about each event! 

 

February 9 - 11, 2014

Tangle-Free Ministry: Leading with Focus

Women's Clergy Leadership Colloquium

Lutheran Theological Seminary Gettysburg

Register online at:  http://www.cvent.com/d/74q9l5. Click here for a brochure with detailed information. 
 
February 22, 2014
Criminal Justice Systems Ministry Event: Forgiveness & Faith
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Terri Roberts, mother of the Nickel Mines perpetrator
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
Click here for a brochure. Click here for bulletin inserts. Click here for a poster. Please share this information widely!

 

February 23-24, 2014

No Gimmicks: Back to the Bible on Money and Stewardship

A Rostered Leaders' Retreat with Mark Allan Powell

February 23-24, 2014

Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville, PA

Registration Fee:  $75.00

Online registration link:  http://www.cvent.com/d/b4q9n0

 

March 2-4, 2014

33rd Annual Rural Ministry Conference: Revitalizing Rural & Small Town Ministries

Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA
This conference addresses issues and themes pertinent to the well-being of rural communities and the ministry of rural churches. The theme for 2014 is Revitalizing Rural & Small Town Ministries, and the keynote speaker at this year's conference is Rev. Nancy Nyland, Director for Evangelical Mission in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA. The conference will include worship, speakers, workshops, and Bible study, and offer participants a unique opportunity to network with others who are active in and concerned about rural ministry. Presenters come from a variety of denominations. Click here to learn more.

 

March 15, 2014

CTIM: Radically Authentic. Everyday Disciples.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hanover, PA

9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Click here for more information about registration and program.

 

July 7-11 and July 21-25

Summer Seminars at Calvin College 
Grand Rapids, MI

Looking for a summer seminar opportunity? Check out the offerings at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Three seminars are available for leaders and teachers: "Leadership and Christian Formation in the Early Church" (July 7-11), "The Next Generation: World Christianity, Immigration, and the Transmission of Faith" (July 21-25), and "Cruciform Compassion in Christian Preaching and Worship" (July 21-25. Click here for more information about each program and how to apply for admission and funding.

 

August 4-14, 2014

"Lands of Luther Tour"

This tour, led by Pastor Ron Reaves and Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane, will include many of the landmark locations of the Reformation. Included in the $3559 cost is airfare from Washington, D.C., first class hotels, most meals, taxes and surcharges. For more information contact Pr. Reaves at (301) 663-9566 or [email protected].

 

Preparing to Preach Lent at Sea with the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee

Leave January 25, 2015 from New Orleans to cruise the Caribbean aboard the Carnival Dream. Click here for a brochure providing more details. 


  





Visit the Congregation Connections page on the synod website to keep up with the specific details of the many good things happening in the worshiping communities of our synod. Please keep us posted about the events and activities

  

January 11 
The Annual Grace Coffeehouse
Grace Lutheran, 1610 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill
Following the 6:00 p.m. worship service 
$5 admission includes bottomless cups of hot chocolate, a variety of coffees and other specialty drinks!  All proceeds benefit The Hope Express and Mission Trips @ Grace.  If you would like to participate musically in the event or have any other questions please email Jesse Woodrow at [email protected]  
   
January 12 
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
4:00 PM (pre-worship singing begins at 3:45 PM)
Note: December's service was cancelled due to weather. We'll be celebrating Christmas at our January service. 
 
 
February 9
Music, Gettysburg! Presents Felix Held, organist
Chapel of the Abiding Presence, Lutheran Theological Seminary
4:00 p.m.
The pride of Baltimore returns to the chapel for his annual performance - always a magnificent event! 
 
February 16 
Peter Griggs in Concert "500 Years of Music for Guitar"

Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill

4:00 p.m.
For more information: Call (717) 737-8635 or visit  www.trinitycamphill.org  
 
 

 

  

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 [email protected].  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 with more details.

 

Congregation: Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Harrisburg

Position: Part-Time Assistant Youth Director

Posted: 11/25/2013 

 

Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, York  

Position: Choir Director (Part-time) 
Posted: 11/21/2013    

 

Congregation: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, York

Position: Part-time Bookkeeper (apx. 10 hrs./week)
Posted: 11/21/2013

 

Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Lancaster

Position: Parish Administrator

Posted: 11/14/2013

Click here for complete job description.

 

 


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, [email protected].

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