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God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices.
The elections may be over, but there will always be much advocacy work to be done. The old  saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" reminds us that using our voices as well as our hands helps God's work to get done both at home in our communities and statehouse, in our nation's halls of government, and across the world.
It's easy to say "My one vote and my small voice don't amount to much." Yet when we combine our voices and respond to the cries of our neighbors who lack voice and resources to advocate for their basic needs and rights, we are able to make a real difference. Lutherans have a long history of advocacy on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and we in the Lower Susquehanna Synod have many good resources available to help us do this. Check out the websites and work of the four organizations below and explore the tools they provide to help individuals and congregations work for good and just government and to make our world a better place for all of God's children.
 LAMPa was the first Lutheran state advocacy office in the country and served as a model for the ELCA. Formed in 1979 as the Lutheran Coalition on Public Policy, this ground-breaking group was the result of strategic conversations and partnerships among Pennsylvania Lutheran synods, social service organizations, congregations, and the Division for Mission in North America (DMNA) of the Lutheran Church in America. Click here to read more about LAMPa's mission and ministry, grounded in their mission statement: " In response to God's love in Jesus Christ, we advocate for wise and just public policies in Pennsylvania that promote the common good." The LAMPa office is in the United Church Center in Harrisburg, right down the hall from our synod's offices.
 The ELCA Washington Office (D.C.) fulfills the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's witness for social justice on domestic and foreign policy issues facing the nation, and through it, the world. With a commitment to a prophetic vision which stands with the poor and the powerless, the office represents the church's positions within the complex arena of public debate. To achieve effective interaction between the whole church and the federal government, the office educates, informs, and enables full involvement of the church in this ministry. Click here to be redirected to the ELCA Advocacy Blog.
 The PA Council of Churches Ministry of Public Advocacy is dedicated to empowering people of faith, through education and skill-building, to make a difference for the common good in the public square and advocating on behalf of the Council's member church bodies before Pennsylvania's legislative and administrative branches of government. Through their website you can sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter and action alerts.
 Founded by Lutheran pastor and economist David Beckmann, Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, Bread for the World provides help and opportunity through letter writing campaigns, education, advocacy, bipartisan work, and information sharing.
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GLOBAL NEWS & CONNECTIONS
Tree 4 Hope Changes Lives in Guatemala
Tree 4 Hope is a young non-profit organization that formed within Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Harrisburg. Focusing on education, health, and wellness, Tree 4 Hope provides volunteer support and humanitarian aid to two orphanages, an elder center, and three inner-city schools in Guatemala.
 The guiding principle of Tree 4 Hope's work is its emphasis on relationships. Through team trips and donation campaigns, the organization works hard to provide tangible improvements in these communities' lives. For example, at the orphanages Hogar Miguel Magone and Hogar Maria Auxiliadora, Tree 4 Hope vaccinates children, supplies fresh fruits and vegetables, funds psychological counseling, subsidizes a music program, and provides other, miscellaneous services as needed.
Moreover, going beyond tangible acts of service, creating community across national lines is an integral part of Tree 4 Hope's impact. According to director Charley Allegar, they seek to be with their partners, in times of both joy and suffering, in pursuit of these communities' physical, economic, and emotional well-being. By bringing Americans and Guatemalans together on team trips, God has enabled both groups to give and receive hope, caring, and new perspective.
It is through this lens that Allegar and Tree 4 Hope founders Jennifer and George Crist dream of establishing a school to educate the girls at Hogar Maria Auxiliadora. Their vision is to educate, house, and care for these girls through sixth grade, merging Latin American and Western teaching methods and emphasizing mental health and female empowerment in the curriculum. They are excited for the road ahead.
If you are interested in participating in a Tree 4 Hope team trip or becoming a partner in the girls' school vision, they welcome your emails at info@tree4hope.org. Visit the website, www.tree4hope.org, and find Tree 4 Hope on Facebook to learn more.
Interested in Global Missions?
Wondering how you can make a difference right here in our Lower Susquehanna Synod? Join our Global Missions Committee and help tell the stories and share the good news about the work God is doing through our hands and those of missionaries like the Zimmermans, the Rimmers, Kate Warn, and many more. E-mail Pastor Sharron Blezard or any member of the committee for more information.
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 Committee and Synod Council member Stephanie Strauss for this week's article about Tree 4 Hope!
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What do you "Hunger" for?
Winterfest 2015 is coming! The annual synod event geared towards high school youth and young adults is scheduled for January 2-4, 2015, at the Lancaster Host Resort. There are some exciting new impulses planned for this year's event, including the "Fed to Feed" video and social media initiative, a partnership with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of PA (LAMPa) that includes a hands-on service learning component, and new adult learning tracks! To learn more or register, visit our Winterfest web page: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/winterfest/. Event fees for 2015 remain at $215/person, and the registration deadline is December 15, 2014!
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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)
Easy ways to share gratitude this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving comes every fourth Thursday in November, but thanking God for our blessings is a spiritual discipline that should not be limited to a single day. Giving thanks is as essential to our spiritual growth as prayer. Here, from the United Methodist Church, are some creative ideas not only to develop an attitude of thankfulness but also to reach out to our neighbors. Why not implement them in your congregation or pass them along to members for their personal use?
Upcoming Brown Bag Leadership Lunch:
December 11 - The Use and the Means of Grace & Eucharistic Practice
The December Brown Bag Leadership Lunch will discuss 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. Looking for tips on how to facilitate conversations in your congregation? Want to talk with others and share ideas? Join us on December 11. You can find this document on the ELCA website here as a downloadable PDF and additional resources for study at www.elca.org/worship.
Brown-Bag Leadership Lunches take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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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You are Invited...
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.
Friday, December 5, 7:00 p.m.
Ordination of Edwina Landry
Paradise Lutheran Church, 3241 Church Rd, Thomasville, PA
Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception will follow the service. Ms. Landry, a graduate of Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, is called to serve Christ Lutheran Church, Manchester.
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Have You Registered for our "Renewing Your Spirits" Leadership Retreat?
The December 1 registration deadline is swiftly approaching. Your subsidized cost is only $75 for double-occupancy. This rate applies to all full-time and part-time ministry leaders under call or contract (regardless of whether or not you receive Portico Insurance Benefits) & all ministry leaders covered under 2014 Portico Insurance. Please select  the "Active Rostered Leader Under Contract or Call" registration type on the registration page to receive this subsidized rate. Please note the full cost of $375 applies only to those serving a church or organization without a contract or call (i.e., youth workers, choir directors, et al.)
Recognizing the significant amount of energy you expend serving in ministry, we invite you to renew and restore your spirit at The Hotel Hershey on Feb. 2 and 3. This retreat is designed to enhance wellness by integrating our faith and health. Looking to Jesus as the model for our spiritual wholeness, the retreat will focus on living well in Christ. Come and enjoy sacred space for rest, self-discovery, and renewal. Return refreshed, with wellness tools for you, your family, and those you serve. Click here to register today.
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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.
...prayers for peace, healing, and hope for James Fischer, son of
Mark and Sherry Fischer.
It's time to plan for the 2015 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a longstanding expression of the ecumenical movement -- a worldwide movement to heal divisions within the Church, to promote dialogue among churches and Christian communities, and to encourage Christians everywhere to better understand and reflect the implications of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Visit the Week of Prayer website by clicking here. You may also wish to visit our ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious website here.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
Help Christ Lutheran Health Ministries Help Others
As cold weather blows into Central Pennsylvania, many of our neighbors face even more daunting challenges to keep warm, find shelter, and stay healthy. Christ Lutheran Health Ministries in Harrisburg saw over 900 patients last year dealing with upper respiratory problems, and 3,500 people came to the clinic solely to use the phone, bathroom, or to have a hot beverage. You can help this ministry meet the needs of our neighbors by stocking their supply room with these commonly needed items (Generic medicines from Dollar Stores or other low cost stores work as well as higher priced brands.): cough medicines, decongestants, antihistamines, cough drops, personal-sized hand sanitizers, single-sized packets of hot chocolate mix, disinfecting wipes, adult toothbrushes, Similisan brand "Irritated Relief" eye drops.
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.
CALENDAR NOTE: Our Synod Offices will be closed November 27-28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
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!
November 29
Advent Waiting:
Making a Hermitage in your Heart
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg (beside Luther Ridge Community)
January 17 Stephen Minister Training (10 consecutive Saturdays) Luther Ridge Retirement Community, Chambersburg
January 31 - February 1, 2015
Grace in Wellness Women's Retreat
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
Boundary Training for Rostered Leaders & Professional Ministry Workers
ALL LEADERS should complete an approved boundary 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.
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.
Tuesday, May 5
(Deadline to register: April 30) St. Paul Lutheran Church, 20 Franklin St., Biglerville
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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.
November 22
Annual Bazaar and Indoor Yard Sale
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Spring and Union Streets, Middletown
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
November 23
Kevin Smith in Concert (on the Allen Quantum Organ)
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 S. Main Street, Spring Grove
November 26
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Services
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
November 27
Tree 4 Hope Turkey Day 5K
Harrisburg Hospital Grounds
December 3, 10, 17
Advent Midweek Holden Evening Prayer
St. David's Lutheran Church, 1032 Musselman Road, Hanover
December 4
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 North Front Street, Liverpool
December 6
Advent Day Apart
The Wittel Farm
Annual Christmas Bazaar
Brickerville United Lutheran Church, 340 E. 28th Division Hwy., Lititz
Cookie Walk to Benefit Tech4Tanzania
Slate Hill Mennonite Church, 1352 Slate Hill Rd, Camp Hill
1st Annual Cookie Walk (to benefit "Companion in Christ" congregation in Mbeya, Tanzania)
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 West Chestnut St., Hanover
Richard A Sultner, Sr. Music Scholarship Concert ("Twas the Night Before Christmas")
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
Harrisburg Singers Present
Holiday!
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
December 7
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2795 Luther Drive, Chambersburg
December 12
Giving the Gift of Art: Hope for the Homeless (to benefit Family Promise)
AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg
December 12-13
Advent Family Retreat
Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville
December 13
Cookie Walk (to provide scholarships for children of Agape Parish, Tanzania)
Shiloh Lutheran Church, 2201 Church Rd., York
December 14
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main Street, New Kingstown
Christmas at Trinity
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
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:
Zion Lutheran Church, Hummelstown recently converted the lighting in the sanctuary to LED. Subsequently, they have 29 GE Incandescent Lamp bulbs with a Mogul screw base, 300 watts, 130 volts, 5200 lumens, 1000 hours. Please contact Zion's church office 717.566.2589 if you are interested.
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.
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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: Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Position: Organist (posted 10/2/14)
Congregation: First Lutheran Church, New Oxford
Position:
Organist/Choir Director
(reposted 10/20/14)
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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