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 From Tiny Seeds to Abundant Harvest
The crisp winds of October are ushering in cool Autumn rains and blowing the colorful leaves from the trees. Across our synod congregations are finishing up the harvest from their community gardens and putting the beds and fields to rest for the winter. Gardeners from Barren's and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches, two of the three congregations that comprise Faith United Parish in Dillsburg, once again donated hundreds of pounds of fresh produce from their "Garden of Hope" to New Hope Ministries, ensuring that local residents dealing with food insecurity have spinach, radishes, cabbage, onions, beets, beans, turnips, corn, melons, and other fresh vegetables on their plates.
"A neat thing about the Garden of Hope is that it is dependent on folks from both Emmanuel and Barren's, a truly joint effort," said Pastor Roy Stetler. The garden began when Emmanuel church member Loren Swivel was riding her horse down the farm lane and decided that there was plenty of room along the border of one of the fields to plant a garden instead of watching weeds grow.
"Since we started in 2009, we have given New Hope Ministries about 3380 pounds of fresh vegetables," said Swivel. "We received a grant of $600.00 from our synod to get started, but since then we have donated the plants and seeds or received some donations from a local business and our high school agriculture department.
"Almost anyone can start a community garden," added Swivel. "and I'd be happy to help congregations get going with a project."
 In 2013, on the other side of the Westshore Conference, members of St. Paul's, Wertzville Rd., started a potato garden, partially in response to a World Hunger Appeal that asked churches to create box gardens on their parking lots to feed a hungry world. The garden was a success, becoming a Sunday School/after-school program project that inspired the grown-ups of the church to match the children's efforts 10 to 1. For every pound of potatoes the garden yielded, the grown-up members of the church pledged to provide 10 pounds of canned and dried goods.
"This year, shortly after we planted the potatoes," said Pastor Anne-Rose Reeves, we heard from New Hope Ministries in Mechanicsburg that they were teaching cooking and nutrition classes to their clients and needed as much fresh produce as they could get."
The congregation decided to expand their garden for 2015, but they needed fencing to keep deer and other wildlife from enjoying an endless fresh buffet. The congregation applied to Community Aid for a grant to help buy and install fencing, as well as buy more lumber for the garden boxes and additional topsoil, and they received $5,000. "This is turning out to be a true community effort," said Reeves. "I can't wait to see what we'll do next year!"
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You are Invited...
Sunday, October 26, 3:00 p.m.
You are invited to the installations of Pastor Sarah Teichmann (LTSG '10) and Sister Dottie Almoney on Sunday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m., St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd. Lancaster. LTSG graduates the Rev. Craig Ross and the Rev. Thomas Slater will lead the service. Come celebrate and stay for fellowship during St. Peter's annual Reformation Dinner at 5:00 p.m. The color of the day is red. Rostered leaders are invited to process.
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 2:00 p.m.
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.
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GLOBAL NEWS & CONNECTIONS
Fair Trade: Consumption with a Conscience
 | | From Crop to Cup: The LWR Coffee Project |
Finding its roots in the Mennonite Central Committee, fair trade began in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler began to sell lace created by women living in poverty in Puerto Rico to people in the US and returned the money directly to the women. This idea of creating partnerships, encouraging entrepreneurship, and bringing people out of poverty forms the basis of fair trade.
Fair trade provides change in artisan and farming communities through ensuring fair treatment, including fair wage and work environment. People, especially women, are empowered and can bring the change their communities so desperately need. Simple changes in consumer habits make a great impact.
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) provides many avenues to change consumer habits. Through Equal Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate, one can be ensured that their coffee, tea, and cocoa were harvested by individuals who are treated as human beings. Fair trade is one step of many to eradicate human trafficking, modern-day slavery. In addition, LWR provides Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday celebrations.
LWR and many organizations exist to provide opportunities for consumerism with a conscience. Byler went on to begin Ten Thousand Villages, now the largest fair trade retailer in North America of fairly traded clothing, food, home décor, jewelry, toys, and much more. SERRV (Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation) International maintains business practices similar to Ten Thousand Villages. Started in the 70s and 80s, the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization exist to advocate for fair trade, improve lives, and exchange ideas. For more information, visit www.fairtradefederation.org, www.lwr.org/getinvolved, www.tenthousandvillages.com, or www.serrv.org.
Please remember our sisters and brothers who are affected by the Ebola crisis, particularly in Liberia (where the companion synod of the Upper Susquehanna Synod is located) and Sierra Leone. Click here to learn more about our response as the ELCA. Click here to give.
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 Synod Council and Global Missions Committee member Stephanie Strauss for this week's article on fair trade!
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Grace in Wellness Women's Retreat
 Winter and wholeness meet at the Hotel Hershey for a Grace in Wellness women's retreat Saturday, January 31, 2015 and Sunday, February 1, 2015. Women are invited to explore the intersection of God's grace with our wellness -- hearts, minds, souls, relationships and life circumstances. Sponsored by Thrivent Financial, cost is $195 which includes a double-occupancy room with full access to hotel amenities, lunch on 1/31 and breakfast on 2/1. Dinner options provided for the evening of 1/31 at the expense of retreat participants. The retreat concludes after worship on Sunday, February 1 around noon. Retreat leaders: Deacon Marsha Roscoe, Director of Resource Ministries for the Lower Susquehanna Synod and Pastor Nicole Wachter of Zion Lutheran Church in Dauphin.
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 Hungry for Winterfest?
Our annual synod event for senior-high youth, young adults and their advisors, Winterfest, is scheduled for January 2-4, 2015. This year's theme, "hungry," will help youth focus on the ways they are fed by Christ, and equipped to go out to feed others. New this year are our video and social media challenge we call "Fed to Feed," plus learning tracks for adults led by the Youth Ministry Certification School team at Gettysburg Seminary and by new synod Resource Network Director, Marsha Roscoe. Come learn about the new Center for Faith Formation at Lower Susquehanna Synod, and how we can help you with education ministries across all generations. All this, and the great fellowship and faithful conversations that Winterfest offers. Registration is open. Learn more or register at: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/winterfest/.
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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)
Personal Finance Basics
Many of God's people simply can't afford to give more to the church because their own finances are out of sorts. In response, some wise church leaders are providing financial literacy help to their parishioners. Here's a resource you can steer people to: From Kiplinger's, the financial magazine, a page with good resources on how to get household finances in shape. Just about every topic is covered, from getting out of debt to buying a car to crafting a household budget.
Nov. 13 - Brown Bag Leadership Lunch: Talking About Same-Sex Marriage
This year Pennsylvania became another state where same-gender couples may tie the knot. For many of our congregations this has stirred old controversies and raised new questions. The November Brown Bag Leadership Lunch will explore raising and handling the issue within a congregation. In our discussion we'll review the Guidelines on Same-Gender Marriage adopted by our Synod Council, as well as our denomination's 2009 Statement on Human Sexuality. Led by Assistant to the Bishop Rob Blezard.
The Brown-Bag Leadership Lunch is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 in the Lunchroom of our Synod Offices. Bring lunch and we'll have discussion and a meal together. Registration unnecessary.
(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.)
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Our synod prayer list is updated frequently and posted on the website. To be redirected to the complete prayer list click here. Updates to this week's prayer list ...the family of Dan Kreischer (husband of Jane Kreischer, long time employee in the Augsburg Fortress store in the United Church Center), who died October 17. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Harrisburg. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. ...the Rev. Dr. Fred Wentz (retired) and Pastor John F. "Jack" Lose (retired).
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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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.
Resource Center Closed
The Resource Center will be closed on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24 as Marsha Roscoe and Marty Shifflett attend the 2014 Association of Lutheran Resource Centers Conference in Chicago.
Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders & Professional Ministry Workers
"For those of us who have been given the privilege of being messengers and teachers, we do carry a burden of responsibility. Our people do not expect us to be perfect. But they should expect us to be consistent in our words and deeds. This is what it means to be faithful to our calling." -- the Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune, FaithTrust Institute
We want our congregations to be safe and healthy space for all God's children, so our synod staff is providing three opportunities for rostered leaders and professional ministry workers to receive the necessary training and education hours required by many insurance carriers--and by our synod and ELCA guidelines. ALL LEADERS should complete the basic workshop every three years and are expected to attend one of these workshops or provide verification of comparable training received elsewhere.
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.
Reminder: Rostered Leaders Register for the Wellness Retreat by 12/01/14
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. NOTE: The deadline to register for this event is December 1, 2014, AND all payments must be postmarked by December 31, 2014.
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop: November 20 at St. John's, New Freedom
Join Bishop Dunlop for a brief Bible study, updates about exciting events across our synod, and a conversation about the ELCA document, "The Use and the Means of Grace" that addresses communion practices in the ELCA and how that informs who we are as Lutheran Christians. You can find this document on the ELCA website here as a downloadable PDF and additional resources for study at www.elca.org/worship. Check the Congregation Connections page on our synod website for dates, locations, and times.
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 regular 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. If you'd like to take advantage of this great offer, contact Hearts and Minds Bookstore at 717-246-3333.
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/
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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 Opportunities for Education...
Visit our synod website for specific details and registration information about each event!
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
November 17-19
Clergy coaching for change and resilient leadership: A Pastoral Excellence Network training for new & experienced clergy coaches
The Retreat Center at Bon Secours, Marriottsville, MD
January 31 - February 1, 2015
Grace in Wellness Women's Retreat
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
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.
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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 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
Oktoberfest Sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church
Chambers Hill Fire Co. Social Hall, Steelton
October 26
Reformation Sunday Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner
Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg
Reformation Concert
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman St., Lebanon
SIMPLE GIFTS in Concert
First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle
October 31
Windsbacher Knabenchor presented by Music, Gettysburg!
Chapel of the Abiding Presence, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary
November 1
SERRV Fair Trade Fair - sponsored by St. Luke Women of the ELCA
St. Luke Lutheran Church, East Main Street, Schaefferstown, PA
Meal-Packing Event Sponsored by Youth Encounter
Solomon's Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Rd., Chambersburg
November 2
Annual Quilt Auction at Camp Nawakwa
Arendtsville, PA
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2795 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
"For Us the Living - A Requiem" Candlelight Vespers for the Festival of All Saints
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
November 7-9 Women's Craft Retreat Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville, PA November 9 Come Stew with Us! (To Benefit Tech4Tanzania)
Slate Hill Mennonite Church, 1352 Slate Hill Rd., Camp Hill
Sunderman Wind Quartet in Concert First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle November 12 Bible Study at the Wittel Farm November 13-14 Annual Bazaar Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman St., Lebanon November 16
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
The Grove Coffeehouse #15 (Located in the Grove Activity Building behind the church) Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus
November 20
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
St. John's Lutheran Church, 175 East Main Street, New Freedom
November 23 Service of Healing with Bishop Dunlop LIFE Lutheran Services, 1920 Good Hope Rd., Enola
November 27
Tree 4 Hope Turkey Day 5K
Harrisburg Hospital Grounds
December 4
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 North Front Street, Liverpool
December 6
Advent Day Apart
The Wittel Farm
December 12-13
Advent Family Retreat
Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville, PA
January 2-4
Winter Youth Retreat at Camp Kirchenwald
January 21
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg
January 25
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Zion Lutheran Church, 1905 Broad St., East Petersburg
To Share:
Free to a Good Home: Hammond Chord Organ with Stage II Rhythm. Excellent condition, with auto chords and various rhythm settings. One octave pedals. Sounds great! Contact Cindy Brookhart at brookha@embarqmail.com or by phone at 717-582-8150. The organ is currently at Christ Lutheran, Duncannon.
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.
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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, 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: Joyful Noise Preschool at Zion Lutheran Church, York
Position: Director (Posted 10/8/14)
Congregation: St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Broadway) Hanover
Position: Part-time Church Secretary (posted 10/8/14)
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
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
(reposted 10/20/14)
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, Steelton
Position: Director of Music
(reposted 10/8/14)
Congregation: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown
Position: Youth and Family Ministry Director (reposted 10/2/14)
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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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