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Dollars 4 Diapers Drive Meets Immediate Need
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Photo: University Herald
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Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink...
This familiar saying rings all too true right now in the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, where a chemical leak into the Elk River has left almost 300,000 people in nine West Virginia counties without water for drinking, cooking, or bathing. Although water is slowly being restored, the effects will be long-lasting, particularly for the state's poorest workers. Food service employees, many of whom earn less than minimum wage and rely on tips to make up the difference, were among the hardest-hit economically by this disaster. Without water, restaurants and related industries closed their doors, leaving these workers without earning capacity.
What does contaminated water have to do with diapers?
Good question! The answer is a lot. Asked what our synod could do to help, Lutheran Community Partners, Inc. (a ministry of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod) requested diapers--an expensive item that many of the poorest workers need for their children. Without income, they are forced to make difficult choices about whether to pay rent, put food on the table, or buy items such as diapers, toiletries, and medicine.
To meet this immediate need, Bishop Dunlop asks that each congregation consider a special "Dollars 4 Diapers" offering this Sunday. Imagine how many diapers we could provide to needy families if every Lower Susquehanna worshiper
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Photo: miguelb
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gave at least one dollar!
Congregations and individuals may make donations to Community Lutheran Partners, Inc. by visiting their website at http://www.clp-online.org/html/contribute.html or by mailing contributions to CLP, P.O. Box 3054, Wheeling, WV 26003. You can earmark your contributions for diapers and help clothe our tiniest and neediest neighbors. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to assist our neighboring synod.
Click here to download a bulletin insert providing information about this special offering.
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Meetings & Gatherings
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 23
LSS Criminal Justice Ministries Meeting
Synod Office, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Harrisburg
Noon (Bring lunch!) All are welcome.
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 ClaypotMinistry@aol.com.
Note: Check the Synod Calendar on our website for a complete listing of meetings and gatherings.
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...prayers for the family of the Rev. Robert L. Baughan, Jr. (retired), who died January 8, at the age of 94. Click here to read the obituary. Condolences may be shared on www.Since1853.com.
...prayers for Joanne Wilhelm (synod staff, retired) and her family. Joanne's mother died January 8, 2014. Arrangements are still pending. Notes of care and concern may be addressed to Joanne at 894 Country Lake Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
...prayers for the family of Richard "Dick" Hoffman (spouse of Pastor Cheryl Hoffman), who died December 30 following an extended illness. Services were this past Saturday, January 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in Marietta. 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 pstrhffmn@comcast.net.
...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 hspomer@pa.net.
...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 left Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lebanon, 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 sblezard@lss-elca.org
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 You are invited to join your Lower Susquehanna Synod staff for worship with Holy Communion on Wednesdays in the office chapel at 9:00 a.m. Visit the Resource Center while you're there. We're always glad to see you and look forward to having the opportunity to worship with with you in the near future. Check the calendar on our synod website for other special worship opportunities.
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 A Birthday Wish to Feed the Hungry
While most thirteen-year-olds wish for new a new phone, clothes, concert tickets, or video games for their birthdays, Victoria "Tori" Hutchison had another birthday wish in mind. This young member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church near Chambersburg decided that feeding the hungry would be a great way to celebrate her thirteenth birthday on January 4, 2014. Tori asked the congregation and community to fill 13 boxes of canned goods and other non-perishable items to donate to a local food pantry in honor of her special day. The response? Wish granted!  "Tori is a first year confirmation student and acolyte," said Pastor Warren Heintzelman, "and she's an inspiration and example of youthful discipleship." Happy Birthday, Tori! Thanks for challenging your faith community--and all of us--to feed others as we have been fed by Christ. |
 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
February 15, 2014
"Hymns and Hymn Playing"
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Neffsville
9:30 a.m.
An event sponsored by the Lancaster Chapter, American Guild of Organists, held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Neffsville (10 Delp Road), Saturday, February 15. Continental breakfast is served in the choir room at 9:30 followed by two sessions around the church's Schantz organ at 10:00 and 11:00. The presenter is Dr. Karl E. Moyer, retired from music faculty at Millersville University and previous music director in three local Lutheran parishes. The main focus is on how best to use the organ to lead and support the people's singing of hymns. Discussion will cover basic to advanced analyses and playing skills, and will include all ages and levels of skill. All interested persons are welcome.
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
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 ronrv@comcast.net.
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.
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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 19
Simple Gifts: Folk and World Music Concert
Grace Lutheran Church, 220 North Charles St., Red Lion
4:00 p.m.
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!
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
4:00 PM (pre-worship singing begins at 3:45 PM)
 | | St. Stephen Rejoicing Spirits: Celebrating Three Years of Rejoicing Together |
February 15
"Hymns and Hymn Playing"
St Peter's Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Neffsville
9:30 a.m - noon
Sponsored by the Lancaster Chapter, American Guild of Organists. All interested persons are welcome.
February 16 
Peter Griggs in Concert "500 Years of Music for Guitar"
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
4:00 p.m.
Items to Share
Rubber Candle-holders and Burgundy Choir Albs
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg has available, free to a congregation in need, approximately 150 rubber candle-holders and approximately 25 burgundy choir albs. Interested persons can contact St. Peter at 717-766-2701 or by email at stpeter@epix.net.
Copies of the Lutheran Book of Worship
St. Matthew, York, has 309 copies of the green Lutheran Book of Worship to share with a congregation or congregations who might have use for them. Please contact Sue Folkemer at
717.845.2721 or e-mail her at office@stmatt.org.
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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 with more details.
Congregation: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Spring Grove
Position: Choir Director (Part-Time)
Posted: 1/06/2014
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
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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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