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Register Now for Lutheran Day at the Capitol
When: Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Meet at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA
Join Lutherans from around Pennsylvania for an inspiring day of worship, learning, advocacy and action. Highlights of the day will include:
- Worship to ground our advocacy and time together, Bishop Jim Dunlop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, preaching
- A keynote, "Empowering Opportunities -- Gateways out of Poverty" by Representative Dave Reed (R-Indiana), Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee
- Training in successful advocacy strategies
- A shuttle bus to the state Capitol to meet legislators and observe the General Assembly in action
- Workshops to further equip you and your ministry to take action to act for greater justice in your churches and communities.
Click here for more details and here to register.
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Lutheran World Relief Eco Palms = Good Stewardship
Americans purchase as much as $4.5 million worth of palms each year--most for church celebrations. Profits from those sales could do great things for the poor communities in Latin America where the palms are harvested. But via traditional trade channels, very little of that money reaches the palm harvesters and their communities. Instead, forests are depleted and palm-selling communities lose this important source of income. Make social and environmental justice part of your congregation's Palm Sunday celebration by using eco-palms from Lutheran World Relief. Order palms by March 21 to ensure on-time delivery.
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 You are Invited to Celebrate!
Robert Swartz will be ordained in the ministry of Word and Sacrament, Douglas Price will be commissioned to serve, and the Revs. Robert and Sharron Blezard will be installed during a Celebration of Holy Eucharist on Sunday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Dunlop will preach and preside at the Eucharist and the rite of ordination which will take place at First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle, PA.
Robert has been called to serve as pastor at Mannsville Lutheran, Elliottsburg, in the Perry Conference. Douglas has been called to serve as an Associate in Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, in the Chambersburg Conference. Robert and Sharron have been called to serve as Assistants to the Bishop.
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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You are cordially invited to attend a Worship Service of Holy Communion with the Installation of Pastor Susan McCarthy at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 Franklin Street, Biglerville, PA on Sunday, March 23, at 4:00 p.m. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is purple.
Following the service you are invited to share in a covered dish supper at the church; meats and beverages will be provided by the congregation at St. Paul's. Please bring a dish or dessert to share and join us for fellowship.
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You are cordially invited to a Celebration of Campus Ministry and the Installation of the Rev. Jayne M. Thompson as Campus Pastor of Thiel College, on Sunday, March 30, at 2:00 p.m. in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow the service. On Saturday night, March 29, Lost and Found will perform in concert at 7:00 p.m. in the William Passavant Memorial Center. The concert is free; donations to the ELCA Malaria Campaign and Thiel College campus ministry are welcomed. Click here to download an invitation.
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...prayer for Natalie Rimmer, her spouse the Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer, and their sons. The Rimmers have returned to the U.S. on a medical evacuation in order for Natalie to have a tumor removed from her leg. They now await pathology results to determine treatment. Cards and notes of encouragement would be welcomed. Send them to Natalie at 5109 Coronado Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609.
...prayers for the family of Pastor Peter Perella
(ELCA churchwide staff, rostered in our synod), who died February 24, 2014.
...continued prayers for leaders in our Synod who continue to grieve the loss of family members, including the Rev. Judith and the Rev. Thomas McKee, the Rev. Michael Cooper-White, the Rev. Virginia Cover, Joanne Wilhelm, and the Rev. Cheryl Hoffman.
...continued prayers for the families of the Rev. Rose Marie Benedict, the Rev. John Kammerer, the Rev. Russell Louis Stewart, the Rev. Robert L. Baughan, Jr., and the Rev. William C. "Bill" Karns, as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.
...prayers of thanksgiving for the safe arrival of Theodore Joseph (Teddy) Swartz, son of Pastor Robert (Mannsville) and Katie (Trinity, Mechanicsburg), and brother of big sister Penny. Teddy was born February 19, 2014.
...prayers for healing and hope for Pastor Donald Warner (retired), Pastor Peter Kuebler (retired, serving St. John's, Barners), Pastor Brenda Kiser (Memorial, Shippensburg), 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 ELCA missionaries in Senegal, for Pastor Kate Warn, who is serving in Rwanda, and for all other missionaries serving around the world. Click here for the Rimmer family's latest newsletter.
...prayers for our bishops--Elizabeth, Jim, and Israel-Peter--and all who serve the church
...prayers for all affected by natural disasters and winter storms in the U.S.
....prayers for those who are hungry and homeless in our midst.
...prayers for those still suffering the effects of the chemical spill into the water systems in West Virginia.
...prayers for those who are victims of violence in the Sudan, the Ukraine, and other areas around the world.
...prayers for women who are victims of violence and abuse.
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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Eat Fresh Produce and Feed the Hungry!
The Faith Formation Center of Zion Lutheran Church (Hummelstown), in partnership with Spiral Path Farm, is promoting good health and love of neighbor one vegetable at a time. Hershey-Hummelstown residents are invited to buy locally grown, 100% organic food, while at the same time providing wholesome nourishment to the Hummelstown Food Pantry. It's a win/win proposition for everyone.
Through a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) program, members opt into a half or full CSA share, and receive organic seasonal produce each week throughout the growing season (March - December). This new Moving Local Food Forward initiative simultaneously promotes healthful eating and moves food forward to area residents utilizing the Hummelstown Food Pantry. The green tithing component of th e Moving Local Food Forward initiative donates organic produce to Hummelstown Food Pantry participants.
"Often, families utilizing the Hummelstown Food Bank eat significant amounts of processed foods and simply cannot afford organic produce. This new program encourages Hummelstown residents to eat healthy while moving more healthful food onto our Pantry's shelves," explains Deacon Marsha Roscoe.
"Hoping to set an example for our community, we look forward to opening up Zion's chapel on Wednesdays to offer locally grown produce, keep local farmers in business and expand the shelves of our Hummelstown Food Bank," reports Senior Pastor Wayne D. Moritz.
Participants in the program will enjoy a wide variety of fresh, 100% organic produce that they pick up weekly on Wednesdays at Zion. A portion of the shares will be donated to the Hummelstown Food Bank and other local non-profits. Spiral Path Farm is a certified organic farm located in Perry County and provides recipes with the weekly produce and online.
To support the Moving Local Food Forward initiative tithing fresh food to Hummelstown Food Bank recipients, register online today at www.spiralpathfarm.com and select "Hummelstown #2 - Zion Lutheran Church" as your pick-up location and enjoy a full 36-week growing season. For more information, or to inquire about how to set up a similar program through your congregation, contact Deacon Marsha Roscoe at 717-566-2589.
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Give + Receive + Share = News to Use
Become a Prayer Partner with the Gettysburg Seminary community. Prayer resources, including videos about "Getting the Most Out of Lent" by Mark Oldenburg and "Teach Us To Pray" by Gerald Christianson are all available at www.Ltsg.edu/PrayerPartner. Daily prayers, videos, teaching tools, Five week series and more are available from the Seminary's website. Prayers are downloadable in pdf form and posted daily on the Seminary's facebook page.
Looking for a Congregational Lenten Resource?
Here's a wonderful Lenten Calendar Resource adapted by Pastor Caitlin Glass (St. Stephen. New Kingstown). It is designed to be printed two-sided on legal paper. The scripture readings are from the daily lectionary. It works well with the ELCA World Hunger cardboard coin banks. If you need it as a MS Word document that can be edited, please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard . Click here to download the PDF version. Thank you, Pastor Glass!
Online Lenten Devotions
Throughout Lent, the Lutheran Camping Corporation will be sending out daily devotions for your use. We invite you to read and reflect upon these devotions as part of your Lenten discipline.
You can read each day's devotion on our website (http://www.LutheranCamping.org) or from our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/lutherancamping). You can also sign up to receive a weekly email with the devotions attached by clicking here.
Upcoming Meetings
Criminal Justice Ministry Meeting
March 27, 2014
Synod Office, Noon - 1:30 p.m.
B.C. [Between Calls]
February 27, 2014
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Harrisburg (across from our synod offices)
2:00 p.m.
Whether you are a candidate; AIM; Deacon; Deaconess; Psalm; Lay-Pastor; etc. you are invited. Maybe you are fresh out of seminary; recently retired; searching; filling a pulpit pending a next call; completing a call? You are welcome. We are here for one another. Interested in more details or information, please contact Pr. Hope Knobler at ClaypotMinistry@aol.com.
Check the Synod Calendar on our website for a complete listing of meetings and gatherings. Inclement weather closings of our office are announced on the answering machine (ext. 100) and our Facebook page.
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 Additional Opportunities for Education...
Visit our synod website for details about each event!
March 8, 2014
Lenten Day Apart at The Wittel Farm
Begins with registration and gathering at 9:00 AM
Led by Pr. Jean Kuebler, the focus of the day will be on the book of Jonah as a fun way to think about Lent and the Pascha. Registration includes lunch and is $15 per person.
More Information at http://www.lutherancamping.org/events/lentdayapart.php
March 8 (March 10, online)
CONGREGATIONS: Where Old and New Communications Strategies Merge Social and "Old" Media for the 21st Century
Lutheran Theological Seminary Philadelphia
This course will explore how congregations can connect and communicate with the multiple generations that are being encountered in congregational life. The instructor is the Rev. Dr. Richard Stewart, Retired LTSP Associate Professor; Interim Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Upper Darby. This course is valuable to all leaders in congregational life who are responsible to communicate, those who must "Speak" on multiple levels in order to reach all of the Children of God. Participants will receive a certificate of completion or one CEU if requested. The cost for the course is $200 for individuals enrolling for flexible classroom or online study - a single registration covers both. The cost for congregational groups of two or more will be $275 per group. Click here for more information and registration.
March 24, 2014
Thinking about Jesus in a Post-Christian World
The 2014 Alice Pope Shade Presentation by the Rev. Dr. William H. Willimon
Susquehanna University, Degenstein Campus Center Theatre
7:30 p.m.
Note: Free and open to the public. No tickets required.
March 29, 2014
Group VBS FunShop: "Weird Animals"
Zion Lutheran Church, 2215 Brandywine Lane, York
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.M.
Hosted by the VBS team at Zion. Bring your VBS teams for VBS freebies! Hands-On Training! Teambuilding!
Register online TODAY! @ Group.com/VBSFunShop
Early registration is $20. Click here for a flyer.
April 5, 2014
Risk Assessment & Insurance Seminar
Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, PA
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
This seminar is sponsored by our Lower Susquehanna Synod Treasurer's Office and presented by representatives from James O. Bower Insurance Company. The event is free and open to anyone interested in the topic. Call Linda Lubold (ext. 108) or Cathy Paul (ext 107) in our synod office 717-652-1852 to reserve a place for this important event.
Day of Renewal
LSS Women of the ELCA
First Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, PA
9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Registration opens at 8:45 a.m.)
This year's theme is "Peace and Justice." The cost is $12 and includes the program and lunch. Click here for detailed information.
April 12, 2014
Lenten Pilgrimage at the Wittel Farm
1:00 p.m.
Join us for a contemplative walk, using the "Resurrection Trail" at The Wittel Farm. Similar to the Stations of the Cross devotion, the trail at The Wittel Farm has 32 stations that recall events from the life of Christ. Each stop includes silent reflection on a verse from scripture, a question for reflection, and silence. The entire walk should take about an hour and 15 minutes. This event is free, but please register online at:
http://www.lutherancamping.org/events/lentenpilgrimage.php
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.
May 12-16, 2014
Basic Education for the Practice of Intentional Interim Ministry (Phase 1)
St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, PA
The National Association of Lutheran Interim Pastors (NALIP) will offer Basic Education for the Practice Intentional Interim Ministry in our area. Phase III will occur during the week of November 3-7, 2014. Phase II is approximately six months of fieldwork at the participant's home site. Cost is $1,045.00 for the complete course (includes all three phases totaling 60 contact hours of CE). Lodging and meals are extra but very reasonable at St. Francis. For more details and registration, go to http://www.nalip.net/education.asp. This is a great chance to participate in valuable training while saving a great deal of money in travel costs.
Questions or concerns? Call Pr. Ray Hittinger at 610-866-1931 or Pr. Ken Ruppar, Ex. Dir. of NALIP at 804-564-5389. Trainers for this event include: Pr. Andy Carlsson (ELCA); Pr. Peter Alexander (LC-MS); and Pr. Ray Hittinger (ELCA).
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
March 9
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
4:00 p.m. (Pre-worship singing begins at 3:45 p.m.)
March 10
Poetry Reading with Irish Poet Michael O'Siadhail
Lutheran Theological Seminary, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, Aberly Room (Valentine 206)
7:00 p.m.
A graduate of Trinity College and the University of Oslo, O'Siadhail has received an Irish American Cultural Institute prize for poetry and the Marten Toonder Prize for Literature. His poetry often draws on religious faith and imagery. The event is sponsored by the Seminary Fine Arts Council.
March 15
Lutheran Men in Mission Pancake Breakfast
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 127 York Street, Hanover
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Proceeds will benefit camperships for children attending
St. Paul's Day Camp week, June 16 - 20, 2014. Click here for a flyer to share.
March 16
Organist Stephen Distad in Concert
Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N Queen Street, Lancaster
3:00 p.m.
Distad is organist at Houston's Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and a graduate of Eastman School of Music. His program includes works by Bach, Scheidt, Eben, Widor, and Liszt. A Pachelbel setting of "Ein Feste Berg" will follow congregational singing of that hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." An offering helps support this series and two music scholarships. Parking is available in the LGH Pavilion garage (follow signs) and at the former YMCA lot at Queen and Frederick Streets.
March 22
Ultimate Wellness Event, Connecting the Dots: Body, Soul, and Spirit
St. David's Lutheran Church, 1032 Musselman Road, Hanover
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ultimate Wellness's educational, interactive sessions include teaching on spiritual wellness,
transformed thinking, toxicity, exercise, nutrition, releasing stress God's way, relaxing with massage, and how to develop a wellness plan. A natural chef will be on hand providing a nutritious, real-food lunch and food preparation demonstration. Advance registration is required by March 8. Cost: $25/person that includes all sessions, catered lunch, healthy snacks, resource booklet, and food demo. For more information, call 717-632-1922, email ultimatewellness@embarqmail.com, or register online at UltimateWellness.jigsy.com.
March 30
Cellist Emilio Colon in Concert
Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N Queen Street, Lancaster
3:00 p.m.
Colon is Professor of Violoncello at Indiana University (IN) Jacobs School of Music. He maintains an active international career as performer, conductor, composer, and pedagog. He is joined by cellist, Cara Colon, and Grace organist, Murray Foreman, in works by Handel and Saint-Saens, and also plays two of Bach's unaccompanied suites for cello. Parking is available in the LGH Pavilion garage (follow signs) and in the former YMCA lot at Queen and Frederick Streets.
York County Junior Honors Choir Performance
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, York
7:00 p.m.
Click here to download an event poster. This is an amazing group of talented young people and an event you won't want to miss.
April 26
Lemonade Women's Gathering
Fellowship Hall, Lutheran Retirement Village, 1075 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg
9:00 am. - 3:00 pm.
Cost: $15/person (Includes continental breakfast, light lunch, and activity)
This event is hosted by the women of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gettysburg. Click here to download a bulletin insert, and click here for a printable invitation with detailed information.
Items to Share
Nortel Phone System
Available for donation. The system can handle 4 incoming lines and 16 handsets. It is in good working order - no issues. Contact Donald Main at MM Architects, Inc., Lancaster, 717-393-3211.
Church Pews
St. James Lutheran Church has approximately 200 pews free for the taking. They need to be removed between March 6-9. Some do need some work, especially re-padding, bolstering hymnal racks, and securing trim work. Dimensions are: Width 49", back height from seat 19", seat depth (front to back) 15", seat height from floor 16". Pencil/card holder on each back as well as hymnal rack. Contact Timothy E. Braband, Minister of Music, at 717-334-2012 ext. 209, or via e-mail at tbraband@stjamesgettysburg.org.
Hammond Organ
This organ is available at no cost to any church or individual willing to put it to good use. It is in perfect condition, about 50 years old, about 4 feet long x 2 feet 5 inches wide x 3 feet 4 inches high, with two ranks and a 3 foot bench. Contact Martha Baranek at (717) 652-9435 if interested.
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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: Zion Lutheran Church, Enola
Position: Organist/Adult Choir Director
Posted 3/4/2014
Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA), Enola PA, a musically passionate and warm congregation with average worship attendance of 75-80, seeks to welcome an organist/adult choir director to lead vibrant liturgical worship in this small suburban congregation. Resources include a 4-manual Allen digital organ, a devoted adult choir (8-10 persons), an enthusiastically singing congregation, a supportive worship and music committee and a very musical pastor who appreciates collaboration between musician and pastor. Needed is someone who views worship music as a ministry and who demonstrates musical and leadership skills. Part time: one Sunday service + choir rehearsals. Additional services during Advent, Lent and Holy Week. Position available immediately or no later than June 1. For a complete job description or to apply, contact Pastor Gwenn Trout at 717-732-9652 or pastorgwenn@verizon.net.
Congregation: Zion Lutheran Church, Hummelstown
Position: Part-time Church Secretary
Posted 3/4/2014
Working under the direction of the Senior Pastor, the Church Secretary will be part of the Staff Ministry Team and effectively manage the church office, membership information, volunteers, and scheduling. Office hours for this 28 hr/week position are Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The successful candidate will be hired with a six month probationary period. At the conclusion of the probation period, consideration for an hourly rate increase will be given. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume with three references to Pastor Wayne Moritz via e-mail at waynemoritz@zluth.org or hard copy mailed to 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036 by Friday, March 14th.
Congregation: Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
Position: Organist/Choir Director
Posted 3/4/2014
Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Road, Mechanicsburg, seeks an Organist/Choir/Handbell Director. We have recently completed a tonal refinishing of our Zimmer Pipe Organ. We have liturgical worship services which include 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sundays, Wednesday evenings during the Advent and Lenten seasons, and the customary additional holidays. Send résumé and references to office@trindlespringlutheran.org.
Congregation: St. John's Lutheran Church, Abbottstown
Position: Live-In Caretaker
Posted 2/19/2014
Caretaker sought to live in 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath older home, fenced yard, 2 car garage. Responsibilities include cleaning, light maintenance, cemetery and property mowing and trimming, sidewalk snow blowing, shoveling, and salting. Work should average 15-20 hours per week. Looking for extremely responsible individual/couple with experience and good references. Submit resume with references by mail or email only to: stjohnsatown@comcast.net or St. John's Lutheran Church, 100 E. Water St., Abbottstown, PA 17301
Congregation: First Lutheran Church, Carlisle
Position: Minister of Music
Posted 2/19/2014
In addition to serving as the organist for all worship services (Aeolian-Skinner organ), the minister of music is responsible for choral and bell choirs and collaborates in worship planning. Competitive salary and benefits are based on a 30-hour week. For job description or additional information contact Richard Bigelow at zakeyus@comcast.net or by telephone at 717-439-9818.
Congregation: Luther Memorial, York
Position: Administrative Assistant
Posted: 2/13/2014
To acquire a full position description or to send a resume and cover letter, please e-mail Pastor Liz Polanzke, at lpolanzke@yahoo.com.
Congregation: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Spring Grove
Position: Choir Director (Part-Time)
Posted: 1/06/2014
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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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