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Christmas Messages from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
 In her December column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reminds us that "all of our Christmas glorias are realized in Jesus' glorification on the cross." With Jesus we have peace, we have hope, we are loved-and not just at Christmas. Read her column at The Lutheran's website by clicking here, or download a PDF version by clicking here.
Click here to be redirected to the ELCA website where you can download a four-color PDF of Bishop Eaton's Christmas Message.
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GLOBAL NEWS & CONNECTIONS
Looking for that perfect gift for someone who already has everything? Want to make a lasting difference? Need something quickly and easily that won't force you to drive to the mall and fight traffic and long checkout lines?
Shop ELCA Good Gifts for gifts that grow the global church - and at the same time honor your family, friends and loved ones. For example:
A gift of $45 can develop leadership by purchasing a textbook for an international scholar. Click here to give.
A gift of $100 can help grow the church by supporting a congregation overseas. Click here to give.
Will you make a difference today in support of Christ's global church? Give an ELCA Good Gift to someone you love! An ELCA Good gift is a gift that keeps on giving for years to come.
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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.
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 New for WINTERFEST 2015!
Adult Learning Tracks Offered
New this year! Adults NOT registered for Winterfest may opt into one of two different adult learning tracks on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at the Lancaster Host Resort. Choose your workshops, enjoy lunch and large group keynote presenter Hugh Hollowell of Love Wins Ministries for a registration fee of $25. To register for a daylong adult track, notify Charlie Roberts (croberts@lss-elca.org).
Track 1: Faith Formation in the 21st Century
Workshops Presenter: Deacon Marsha Roscoe, Director of Resource Ministries
Workshop 1: Unlock the Mystery of Faith Formation (9:30 AM -11:00 AM)
The name itself might scare you, but fear not! Faith formation unveils its mystical nature right before your very eyes! Join your peers in discovering the truth about faith formation including key features of a lifelong faith formation network. Workshop bonus: Be the first to hear inside information on the 2015 Lower Susquehanna Synod's "Hungry for the Word" faith formation focus. Walk away... informed, reformed and transformed!
Workshop 2: Nixing the "C" Word: Real Life Faith Formation (1:30 PM -3:00 PM)
The "C" word have you down? Then get rid of it! Faith formation isn't necessarily about "change" - it's about responding to the spiritual needs right in front of us. The reality is simple -- the future of faith formation depends on how well we integrate all-inclusive faith formative opportunities that respond to the needs of our people. Faith formation calls us to actively respond to diverse life situations, spiritual and religious needs. Not sure where to start? Begin here. Experience firsthand how to expand the scope of Christian Education to reach and engage all ages in faith formation. Workshop bonus: Learn, play and grow in 15 minutes or less.
Presenter Bio: Deacon Marsha Roscoe, Lower Susquehanna Synod Director for Resource Ministries, helps others grow in their faith and commitment to Christ. As a spiritual director, teacher, workshop presenter and retreat leader, she has worked in all areas of faith formation for more than 16 years. She currently serves Elizabethtown College as an affiliated faculty member. Marsha serves on the roster of the ELCA as a consecrated diaconal minister.
Track 2: Congregational Youth & Family Practicum
Workshops Presenter: Chelle Huth, Youth Ministry Certification School Director, LTSG
Workshop 1: Sticks in A Bundle Are Unbreakable (9:30 AM -11:00 AM)
In a busy life we tend to go it alone to get tasks done because it's easier and more efficient (or so we think!) The exact opposite of our calling as Christians: "where two or more are gathered" says Jesus. This session will help you explore and discover ways to engage ministry partners (aka: volunteers) in ministry leadership. Get practical ideas to take back to your congregation and build your partner base.
Workshop 2: Go Praisy: Equipping & Nurturing Your Ministry Partners (aka: Volunteers) (1:30 PM -3:00 PM) Would you volunteer for you? This session will help you seriously look at that question and get strategies for building up, training and encouraging your ministry partners (aka: volunteers) so they are equipped for their work. Easy concepts and ideas to put into action immediately.
Presenter Bio: Chelle Huth, AiM, YM Certification School Director, is an experienced worker with youth, who has served as Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, New Cumberland, PA, Coordinator of Family & Youth Ministries at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, and Parish Associate at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shiremanstown, PA. Huth has served on the staff of national youth gatherings of the ELCA, taught in the seminaries' shared TEY programs, and Gettysburg Seminary's Youth Certification School, as well as other events in the region.
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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)
The Millennials - those born after 1980 - constitute the new mega generation. Right now there are about 80 million Millennials in America. This confident, connected and ethnically diverse generation is a major force to be reckoned with. They will be the dominant adult population for the first half of the 21st century and will be moving into positions of power and influence. Yet a serious concern for many church leaders today is the Millennial generation's indifference to organized religion. What will it take for churches to reach the Millennials and lead them to become faithful followers of Christ - equipped and empowered to make an eternal impact on the lives of others? This article from ChurchExecutive.com gives some ideas from pastors whose (non-Mainline) churches are reaching Millennials. What can we traditional Lutherans learn? Why not discuss the implications with your clergy peer group or at your next conference meeting?
Upcoming Brown Bag Leadership Lunch:
January 8 - Year Round Stewardship
Does your congregation need a financial boost? Plan on coming to the Brown Bag Leadership Lunch on Thursday, Jan. 8, when the topic will be "Year-Round Stewardship." We will explore strategies and resources to help make stewardship a 12-month effort that emphasizes how we use not only our financial gifts, but the cornucopia of abundance that God gives us. Assistant to the Bishop Rob Blezard will lead discussion and give all participants a DVD copy of the ELCA stewardship resource "Make It Simple" and other handouts. We gather at 10 a.m., work for a couple hours and then eat at about noon as we finish up our discussion. All congregational leaders are welcome. Registration is not required but it would be great if you could let Cathy Deitrich of the synod office (cdeitrich@lss-elca.org) know if you're attending so we can make sure to have enough materials.
(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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In Plain Sight
Sheds Light on Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking
In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom tells the compelling story of six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America. This new film, executive produced and narrated by singer Natalie Grant journeys to six U.S. cities in an effort to open viewers' eyes to what's happening down the street from our homes and congregations "in plain sight."
Compelling interviews with victims of sex trafficking shed light on the force, coercion, and deception of children and women who could be your neighbors or individuals you pass on a city street. In the midst of the darkness, stories of hope and freedom emerge as each survivor shares how she was impacted through the work of a sex trafficking aftercare home.
Join PUREhope Coffeehouse and the Lower Susquehanna Synod Global Mission Committee at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church (290 N. Union St. Middletown, PA 17057) on Sunday, January 18, 2015, from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. (Snow Date: January 25) for a screening of In Plain Sight in support of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. A brief time of discussion will follow, and donations will be accepted to support the work of featured restoration home The Samaritan Women in Baltimore, MD.
In Plain Sight is produced in cooperation with Hope for Justice. For more information, please visit: www.inplainsightfilm.com, www.thesamaritanwomen.org, and www.hopeforjustice.org, or email purehopecoffeehouse@gmail.com.
Thanks to Global Missions Committee and Synod Council member Stephanie Strauss for organizing this screening. Stephanie is the founder of Pure Hope Coffee House, an annual event featuring music, coffee, tea, gifts, and fellowship designed to make a difference.
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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. ...We pray for the family of the Rev. Dr. Edwin D. Freed (retired), who died December 12, 2014, in Wooster, OH, at the age of 94. Click here to be redirected to the obituary. ...We pray for hope and healing for Pastor Donald M. Bohn (retired).
...We pray for peace, justice, and reconciliation, not only for the community of Ferguson but also for the whole human family around the world that encounters violence, prejudice, and injustice.
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
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.
WEATHER-RELATED CLOSINGS OF OUR SYNOD OFFICES
A message will be posted on our Facebook Page and on our phone system voice mail if our offices are closed due to bad weather. The United Church Center Building follows the Central Dauphin School District closure policy.
NOTE: 2015 IRS MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:
- 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2014
- 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down half a cent from 2014
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs, such as gas and oil. The charitable rate is set by law.
CALENDAR NOTES: Our Synod Offices will observe the following closings:
December 24-26 (Christmas)
January 1 (New Year's Day)
HOLD THE DATE! Mark your calendars now for September 13, 2015 (first Sunday after Labor Day) and the third annual "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday. Look for more information, but start planning now how your congregation can use your hands to do God's work in your community and beyond.
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!
January 12
Stephen Minister Training (Continues through March)
Grace Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Rd., Harrisburg
January 14
Sneak Peek for VBS 2015
Synod Resource Cafe, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
January 17
Stephen Minister Training (10 consecutive Saturdays)
Luther Ridge Retirement Community, Chambersburg
January 29 Law and Gospel Seminar with Prof. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Jonestown
January 31 - February 1, 2015
Grace in Wellness Women's Retreat
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
March 1-3, 2015
34th Annual Rural Ministry Conference: Practicing Care in Rural Congregations & Communities
Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa
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.
December 19
Live Nativity Scene and Refreshments
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
December 20
Live Nativity Scene
Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg
December 21
Festival of Lessons and Carols
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle
Blue Advent Worship
Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne
December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Communion
St. James Lutheran Church, 180 West Market St., Hallam
Christmas Eve Family Worship and Candlelight Worship
Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne
January 1
Pork and Sauerkraut Benefit Dinner
Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola
Tree 4 Hope Pork and Sauerkraut Benefit Dinner
Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
January 2-4
Winter Youth Retreat at Camp Kirchenwald
January 4
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2795 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
January 6
Festival of the Epiphany Service of Word & Sacrament
St. Michael Lutheran Church, 118 State St., Harrisburg
January 11
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
January 21
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg
January 25
LARC (Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic) Vespers
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 125 S. Spruce St., Annville
Conversations with Bishop Dunlop
Zion Lutheran Church, 1905 Broad St., East Petersburg
January 27
One Synod - One Book Discussions on Finding God in a Bag of Groceries
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
February 8
Second Chance at Life Celebration and Health Fair
Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3700 Rutherford St., Paxtang (Harrisburg)
To Share:
Christ Lutheran Church, Filey's has nine 8' tables available for anyone interested. They are in fair shape but are very heavy. They are free to anyone who would like them. We could transport them if necessary.
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.
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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.
Organization: Myers-Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, Mechanicsburg
Position: Facilities Caretaker (Posted 12/4/14)
Organization: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
Position: Vice President for Mission Advancement (Posted 11/25/14)
Congregation: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, York Springs
Position: Part-Time Organist and Sr. Choir Director (Posted 11/25/14)
Organization: Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Position: Part-time Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care (Posted 11/25/14)
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville
Position: Organist (reposted 12/10/14)
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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