|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Congregational Treasurer Seminar
Join other treasurers and financial offers from across our synod for an opportunity to converse and network with one another and with our synod Treasurer's Office staff. The seminar will be held Saturday, October 18, at St. James Lutheran Church, 53 Chestnut St., Lebanon, PA, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Synod Treasurer Bruce Seagrist will discuss a number of topics including Synod finances, audits, compensation, best practices, fidelity bonds, sales tax, and other questions from those gathered.
|
|
You are Invited...
Please join us to celebrate the installations of the following pastors and the beginnings of these new ministries.
Sunday, October 26, 3:00 p.m.
Installation of Sister Dottie Almoney and the Rev. Sarah Teichmann
Pastor Teichmann and Sister Almoney are called to serve St. Peter Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster.
Sunday, November 16, 3:30 p.m.
Installation of the Rev. Alan Watt
Pastor Watt is called to serve Christ Lutheran Church, 29 S. George St, York.
Light refreshments will follow the service.
Sunday, November 16, Time TBA
Installation of the Rev. David Sensenig
Pastor Sensenig is called to serve Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Liverpool, PA.
Sunday, November 23, 10:45 a.m.
Installation of the Rev. Jane Nicholson
Pastor Nicholson is called to serve First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43 W. Washington St., Chambersburg
|
|
GLOBAL NEWS & CONNECTIONS
 Our LSS Global Mission Committee is Here to Serve
The Lower Susquehanna Synod has three committees assigned to different aspects of our church's presence in global mission. In addition to the Global Mission Committee, the other two, which will be featured in future articles, are the World Hunger and Konde Diocese Committees. The Rev. Sharron Blezard, assistant to Bishop James Dunlop, serves as staff liaison to all three groups.
The Global Mission Committee serves at the pleasure of Bishop Dunlop and for everyone in our synod. Our responsibilities are to raise awareness of global missions across our synod, to cooperate with the ELCA Global Mission Unit, helping to recruit mission personnel and the financial support that they will need, and to work to establish synod and church partnerships with other countries, synods, or churches in shared missions.
Current members of the committee are:
Rev. Robert Hoover, from Luther Memorial Church, York, current chair
James Druckenbrod, from Trinity Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, secretary
Joyce Saeger, from Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster
Rev. Elizabeth Polanzke, from Luther Memorial, York
Rev. Faye Snyder, from St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hanover, and
Jan Davis, also from St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hanover.
Stephanie Strauss, from St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Highspire, and Sue McDonald from St. Michael Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, are our Synod Council liaisons to this committee.
In addition we are honored to have two consultants: Chris Durand, from Tree of Life, Harrisburg, who is heading up the LSS Malaria Campaign, and Richard Sarker, a past ELCA missionary to Bangladesh.
This year in Carings and Sharings, we hope to highlight and update all of the global mission activities within our synod, both those involved in partnership with the ELCA, and those independent of the ELCA. The purpose is not only for awareness of all that the 237 churches actually do, but also to be a forum that will allow both churches and individuals having similar mission ideas or interests to share and perhaps join each other for stronger impact.
We will need your help to learn what mission activities or interests you or your church may be involved in. Please notify either Rev. Sharron Blezard, or any one of us, and together, we can highlight your global mission interest in Carings and Sharings. We also welcome addition committee members who might wish to serve the church in this capacity.
Note: Do you have an idea from your congregation that you'd like to highlight? E-mail Sharron Blezard or contact any Global Missions Committee member. Thanks to Jim Druckenbrod for contributing this article.
|
|
"Hungry" for Winterfest?
Our annual synod-wide retreat for high school and college-aged youth, Winterfest is scheduled for January 2-4, 2015, at the Lancaster Host Resort. This year's theme, "Hungry," will challenge youth to consider the ways we are fed by Christ and called, equipped and sent out to feed others in Jesus' name. Youth and their advisors can look forward to much of the same fellowship, inspired worship, and learning opportunities they have come to expect at this event, and more.
|
Discounted Rate and Free Shipping for One Synod. One Book. Available Now!
 Hearts & Minds Bookstore in Dover is offering an extremely generous discount for Finding God in a Bag of Groceries, the first book in our One Synod. One Book. reading program. The normal retail cost is $15.99, but they are offering copies at $13.00 (for 1-4 copies), and $12 for 5 or more with FREE shipping. They expect the books to arrive in about two weeks. If you'd like to take advantage of this great offer, contact Hearts and Minds Bookstore at 717-246-3333.
About Willis' Finding God in a Bag of Groceries
The book describes how while working in a food pantry Willis "discovered a world of neighbors she never knew: the lonely, unemployed, chronically poor families, and middle-class folks surprised to be struggling in a great recession. To each, she offered a bag of groceries, a compassionate ear, and a heart of love. And from each, Willis learned about her own hunger for God, realizing her calling card-a bag of groceries-could change lives, including her own." The book challenges us all to see our faith in new ways. Please consider Finding God in a Bag of Groceries for your next study session.
Free Study Guides Available Online
The author's website contains free study guides that can help us wrestle with the issues (http://www.lauralwillis.com/#!studyguides/c1vv5).
More information about "One Synod. One Book": http://www.lss-elca.org/blog/one-synod-one-book/
|
|
Leadership Link of the Week
 Our synod grows stronger because its dedicated leaders continue to learn new ways of approaching ministry and serving God's people. Check here each week for a link to a video, article, podcast, powerpoint presentation or other media that will help our leaders embrace new ideas and learn new insights into ministry. (Photo: Chris Carter, Creative Commons)
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Simon Sinek encourages us to begin with determining why we do something before launching into what we want to accomplish and how we'll get there. Explaining the why makes our beliefs and actions more meaningful to others. You can hear his 2010 Ted Talk on the importance of why here.
Don't miss our next Brown Bag Leadership Lunch, set for Oct. 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Lunchroom of the Synod Offices, 900 Arlington Avenue S, Harrisburg. Rob Blezard , Assistant to the Bishop, will lead the discussion. Bring a lunch, your questions, and an open mind.
To get to the lunchroom from the lobby of the Synod Office's main entrance, follow the corridor that goes off to the left. Just before the end, take the stairway at the left. On the ground floor, the lunchroom will be on your left.
|
Our synod prayer list is updated frequently and posted on the website. To be redirected to the complete prayer list click here.
This week's changes include the addition of Pastor Kathy Swords (Shiloh, York) who underwent surgery; thanksgiving for the birth of Lydia Susan Martini, daughter of Pastors Beth and Alex Martini; a change of status for Chaplain Sadie Pounder, who is now enrolled in Hospice; and the addition of Rebecca Guldin, a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) from our synod who is serving this year in the United Kingdom. Check out Becky's blog of her year in the UK by clicking here.
Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org.
|
|
Give + Receive + Share = News to Use from our Synod Office
Click to Give: It's Easier Than Ever to Make a Difference with your Mission Support!
 It's easier than ever to make a gift to support the mission of our Lower Susquehanna Synod. All you have to do is visit our website (www.lss-elca.org) and click the "Donate Now" button on the bottom right side. It will take you to our secure donation site (the same one that hosts Thrivent's Simply Giving) so that you can easily support our work together. Make a one-time gift or set up a regular giving schedule. Together we are stronger and better able to feed others as we have been fed by Christ.
Rostered Leaders Wellness Retreat Registration Opens
Looking for a way to beat those winter blahs? Want to enjoy a time of renewal that will help you integrate faith and help? Sign up now for "Renewing our Spirits: Jesus' Spirituality as a Model of Wholeness" at the Hotel Hershey, February 2-3, 2015. Click here for a flyer with details. Click here to register. This retreat is subsidized by the Portico Health Assessment rebate and Thrivent Financial.
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop Scheduled
Bishop Dunlop is on the road again and coming to a congregation near you. This year, in addition to bringing you news about events and happenings across our synod, Bishop Dunlop will be leading a study on the ELCA document "The Use and the Means of Grace" and facilitating a conversation about communion practices in the ELCA and how that informs who we are as Lutheran Christians.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has asked the congregations and rostered leaders of the ELCA to engage in a vigorous conversation about this document in response to a resolution at the Churchwide Assembly in 2013 that asked the ELCA to re-think communion practices. There is a task force working on resources, but congregations are asked to grapple with some of these important issues surrounding the sacrament of Holy Communion. A great place to start is with "The Use of the Means of Grace." You can find this document on the ELCA website here as a downloadable PDF and additional resources for study at www.elca.org/worship. Join Bishop Dunlop at one of this year's Conversations to discuss this central issue of our faith and practice.
Sunday October 19
Trinity Lutheran Church, 132 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 20
St. John's Lutheran Church, 175 East Main Street, New Freedom
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 4
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 North Front Street, Liverpool
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Janurary 25
Zion Lutheran Church, 1905 Broad St., East Petersburg
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders and Professional Ministry Workers
Three workshops are planned across our synod this year so that rostered leaders and professional ministry workers receive the necessary training and education hours required by many church insurance policies and by our synod guidelines. All leaders should complete this workshop at least once every three years. All rostered leaders are expected to attend one of these events. Compensated youth workers and musicians are encouraged to attend. To register, call Cathy Deitrich at 717-652-1852, ext. 104 or e-mail her at cdeitrich@lss-elca.org. There is no charge for the training. A free-will offering will be collected to defray lunch costs.
Saturday, November 1 (Deadline to register: October 29)
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 20 Franklin St., Biglerville
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 15 (Deadline to register: January 12)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3700 Rutherford St., Harrisburg
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 (Deadline to register: March 11)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 750 Greenfield Rd., Lancaster
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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.
|
 Opportunities for Education...
Visit our synod website for specific details and registration information about each event!
October 4
Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic Fall Program
Paul's Run Liberty Lutheran Campus, 9896 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia
Making Mutual Ministry Work Seminar
Hanover Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville, PA 19525
October 5
CJS Forum Discussion with the Honorable David L. Ashworth, Judge, Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Adult Drug Court
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke St., Lancaster
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
October 10 - 11
Lebanon Countywide Men's Overnight Retreat
October 25
Renewing the Church from the Inside Out: A Day with Dave Daubert
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
October 27
LARC Day of Dialogue
Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg
NOTE: The registration deadline is October 7.
October 27-30
Fall Academy: Reforming! From Conflict to Communion and Reconciliation
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, 61 Seminary Ridge
October 30
Preaching Perspectives: From Cow Stall to Cosmos: Christ, Light for the World
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary
November 10
Witness in Common: An Exploration of Full Communion Agreements
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA
November 13-15
The Abundant Life: Empowering Youth as Agents of Change
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ
Check out the many education offerings at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. Events and conferences are sponsored by the Leadership Institute. Click here to visit their website for a complete listing.
|
|
Visit the Congregation Connections page on our synod's website to keep up with the specific details of the many good things happening in the worshiping communities of our synod. We have so many wonderful events and activities taking place that we can't list all the details in this e-newsletter format!
Please keep us posted about what's happening in your congregation and community. We are able to post photos, pdf documents and flyers, and contact information on our Congregation Connections page. E-mail event information to sblezard@lss-elca.org.
October 4
St. Francis Blessing of the Animals
Christ Lutheran Church, 125 East High St., Elizabethtown
St. Francis Service and Blessing of the Pets
St. John (Barner's) Lutheran Church, 5 Barner Rd., Liverpool
AGAPE Concert
St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg
October 5
Blessing of the Animals
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 W. Louther St., Carlisle
Festival of Keyboards
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2795 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
October 6-8
Archeological Dig at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church
October 8
Mitch McVicker in Concert
Zion Lutheran Church, 2215 Brandywine Lane, York
October 9
LYRA Vocal Ensemble Concert
Christ Lutheran Church, 125 East High St., Elizabethtown
October 10
2nd Annual Memory Cafe
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
October 11
65th Annual Apple Butter Boil & Dutch Dinner
St. John (Barner's) Lutheran Church, 5 Barner Rd., Liverpool
October 12
45th Annual York Metro Crop Walk for the Hungry
John Rudy Park
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
October 18
St. Stephen's 44th annual Apple Festival
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
Rusty Banks in Concert
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1905 Broad Street, East Petersburg
October 25
Beyond Hunger, Communities of Change: Heifer International
Manheim Farm Show Complex, 502 East Adele Avenue, Manheim
Third 3rd of Life: Issues in Aging
Zion Lutheran Church, 85 Brandt Blvd., Landisville
October 26
SIMPLE GIFTS in Concert
First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle
November 1
Meal-Packing Event Sponsored by Youth Encounter
Solomon's Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Rd., Chambersburg
November 2
SERRV Fair Trade Fair - sponsored by St. Luke Women of the ELCA
St. Luke Lutheran Church, East Main Street, Schaefferstown, PA
November 9 Sunderman Wind Quartet in Concert First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle November 16 The Grove Coffeehouse #15 (Located in the Grove Activity Building behind the church) Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus November 23 Service of Healing with Bishop Dunlop LIFE Lutheran Services, 1920 Good Hope Rd., Enola To Share: Available to Church Quilting Group for making relief quilts, blankets, and/or school kits: several boxes of varied fabrics (scrap and yardage) that is all usable. If interested, please contact Lucretia Crum (Zion Lutheran, Dauphin) at lcapower@yahoo.com or 717-343-8612.
|
|
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, contact information, 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.
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville, PA
Position: Organist (posted 10/2/14)
Congregation: Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill, PA
Position: Music Director (posted 9/12/14)
Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Highspire
Position: Part-time Organist (posted 9/4/14)
Congregation: St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Cumberland
Position: Administrative Assistant, part-time (posted 9/4/14)
Congregation: First Lutheran Church, New Oxford
Position:
Organist/Choir Director
(posted 8/20/14)
Congregation: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown
Position: Youth and Family Ministry Director (reposted 10/2/14)
|
|
| 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. |
|
Stay connected to Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
