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The March on Selma: Far-Reaching Effects for One PA Lutheran Leader
 (The following reflection was offered by Dr. Nancy Gable, diaconal minister and ELCA Region 8 Coordinator at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Holland, on the 50th anniversary of the March on Selma. Gable's Sunday School experience was important in her lifelong faith formation, and she offers thanks to the teachers who helped nurture and shape her faith while also opening her eyes to issues of social justice that would later inform her ministry.)
Fifty years ago today (March 7, 1965) was 'Bloody Sunday,' or, 'The March on Selma'; reflecting on news reports recalling those days I suddenly appreciated that a part of Trinity's life and my personal faith formation is far more significant than I previously realized. Former members of Trinity, Harold and Norma Good, were my eighth grade Sunday School teachers ... that means it was 1968-69.
During the spring and summer of 1968, we had a class project to clean up an old cemetery in the Welsh Mountains - an historic cemetery of the black community on the Mountain that was located just off Route 897. I vaguely recall expressions of concern for us (even the question of whether, or not, it was appropriate for us to be there) as we went about the task of clean-up; to my naive and young ears this was difficult to understand. After all, I was in my backyard, not much more than 5 miles from home. Today I FINALLY realize just how monumental this was in the lives of folks at Trinity, indeed the life of this country. Not four years after this historic March on Selma a group of young teenagers in rural southeastern Pennsylvania ventured into an unknown community of 'the other' for a service project that eventually included playing with the children of the black community and a joint picnic on the Mountain.
Today I realize how essential this experience was in my faith formation and sense of social justice - something that is a promise of commitment during the Sacrament of Baptism and something we all promise to embody in our Affirmation of Baptism. In the Rite of Consecration for a Diaconal Minister (the role in which I serve the ELCA) I promised not only to equip and lead others in living out their baptism, but, also, to cross every barrier that stands between the Church and its ministry in the world. Today I thank you all, the ever-faithful community at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland, for living what you say you believe and for being such a foundational part of my faith formation. I thank God for the great cloud of witnesses who serve as Sunday School teachers and youth group advisors (especially Harold and Norma Good) who volunteer to nurture the faith of the children of God. It is my prayer that you are continually blessed with faithful folk who reach out in faith to 'the other' and that you carry on the call of baptism, finding ways to 'cross every barrier that stands between the Church and its ministry in the world'. Thank you and thanks be to God.
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 Congregations Encouraged to Recommend Young Leaders for
Annual Leadership Camp
The Office for Children Youth and Family presents our 23 rd annual synod-wide Leadership Training Camp (LT Camp) at Camp Nawakwa, scheduled for July 26 - July 31, 2015. Congregations are invited to recommend young leaders in grades 9 through their freshman year in college to attend the camp for FREE, thanks to generous grants by the Lamb and Grant families and the gifts of camp alumni. Young leaders will explore their gifts for leadership and how to apply them in service to God and others, all while enjoying the beauty and fun of camp in community with their peers. First-year participants are eligible for the full scholarship but must be recommended by a congregational pastor or youth leader. An application is attached as a pdf document or at the synod website: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/leadership-training-camp/. Application deadline is July 1, 2015.
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 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)
Best Practices for Year-Round Stewardship
It takes effort to make stewardship a part of your church culture 365 days a year, but congregations that take steps in year-round stewardship generally see an increase in offerings, the United Church of Canada reports. In this free PDF download pamphlet, the United Church lists six practices that can move a congregation in that direction. It advises congregations to try implementing one every month. Which ones would work for your congregation? Why not discuss it in your colleague group or conference?
Brown Bag Leadership Lunch: Mandated Reporting Law, April 9
 Because of sweeping state laws that took effect on Jan. 1, Pennsylvania congregations are required to implement big changes to how they retain, recruit and screen employees and volunteers who work with children. The laws, passed in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal, require criminal and child-abuse history clearances for all employees and volunteers who work with children. It also classifies them as mandated reporters who have legal obligations to report suspected child abuse.
The April 9 Brown-Bag Leadership Lunch will provide an overview of the new laws, how they impact volunteers and how congregations can work to get into compliance with the laws. Topics covered will include background clearances, confidentiality, safe record-keeping and assisting in finding education and training for mandated reporters.
The lunch is designed for congregational leaders who are responsible for ensuring their congregation is in compliance with the new law.
Discussion starts at 10:00 a.m. in the lunchroom of the Synod Office, 900 S. Arlington Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109. We will eat lunch and begin wrapping up at about noon. The event ends at 1:00 p.m.
(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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 LutheranHANDS: An Opportunity to Help Others Make a Real Difference
LutheranHANDS has a major project under way to stock our tool trailer with tool kits so volunteers are better equipped to paint and dry wall. Over a period of years, we have led  thousands of youth to rebuild and remodel in areas ravaged by natural disaster or simply in need due to a declining economy. Having the right tools at hand serves to make us productive immediately upon arrival at the job site.
This summer, several hundred Lutheran youth from our synod and beyond will travel with LutheranHANDS to Detroit, using their skills and these tools to make a difference. Some of our work in Detroit will target hungry families in need as well. Kits like the one pictured here can be sponsored for $75 each. These tools will remain in the LutheranHANDS inventory and equip our volunteers for this kind of work for years to come. Our goal is to be better prepared to do God's Work with Our Hands.
If you, your organization or congregation are willing to sponsor one of these kits, please contact Kay Hinkle at khinkle@lutheranhands.org. For more information on LutheranHANDS and volunteer opportunities please see our website at www.lutheranhands.org, or call Kay directly at 717-495-7793. Kay is the Director of Outreach for LutheranHANDS.
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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.
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.
 March/April News & Views Available Now on our Synod Website!
Included in the March/April News & Views, the newsletter of the women of the ELCA, Lower Susquehanna, Synodical Women's Organization, is the registration form for the Day of Renewal, to be held, Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Penbrook. Both the registration form and driving instructions are found on pages 3 and 4 of the newsletter. Norma Good has included some up-to-date information on Lutheran World Relief, and the work being done worldwide by the organization. Other articles include prayer ministry, a ready-made program for units to lead in their church on Human Trafficking, as well as other pertinent information. Click here to be redirected to the newsletter.
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!
to be redirected to our website for detailed information about upcoming events.
March 21
Crucified Love: Life Rooted in the Paschal Mysteries (A Lenten Retreat) St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
March 24
Building Faith and Community with the Arts, Lower Susquehanna Synod Offices, Harrisburg
March 24-26
Staying Fresh in a Long Small Church Pastorate Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA
April 12-13
Rostered Leaders' Retreat: Centered in Christ, Camp Kirchenwald, Lebanon. Click here to register or for more details.
April 13-16
Called to be Stewards: Embracing our Leadership Roles Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA
April 18
An Evening with Rachel Held Evans, Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster
April 23
Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness and their Families: Understanding Depression and Anxiety Disorders Lutheran Retirement Village at Utz Terrace, Hanover.
April 24-26
Faith Forming Faith Weekend Immersion Training St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 175 E. Main St., New Freedom. Click here to register and for more information. Seminarian scholarships available.
Bible Study Series at The Wittel Farm (Wednesdays during Lent)
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.
Saturday, March 14
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.
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Visit the Congregation Connections page on our synod's website to keep up with the specific details (including event times, contact information, publications, and registration information) of the many good things happening in the worshiping communities of our synod. (Click the blue hotlink at the beginning of this paragraph to be redirected.)
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.
March 15
Music from the Cathedrals, Trinity Lutheran Church 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
March 21
Group's Everest VBS FunShop, Zion Lutheran Church, York
The Joy of Easter Bazaar, St. David's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1032 Musselman Rd., Hanover
March 22
A Visit with Katie Luther & Dinner, Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg
"Seeding the Future" Dinner and Silent Auction -- A Camp Nawakwa Benefit, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
March 28
Youth Group-Sponsored Coffeehouse Benefit, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Lingelstown Rd.
April 2
Seder/Passover Meal & Worship, Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus
April 7
An Evening with Chaplain Steve Cruys, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
April 12
Benefit Concert for Safe Harbour featuring the Dickinson College Collegium and Orchestra, First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
April 19
St. Barnabas Center Benefit Luncheon & Fashion Show, Radisson, Camp Hill
May 1-3
"Beginning Experience" Weekend (for those dealing with the pain of divorce, loss, and grief), Doubling Gap Center, Newville
May 3
Healing Service and Open House, SpiriTrust Lutheran LIFE Center, Enola
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices" Sunday)
To Share:
Needed: A well-preserved box of metal clip letters and numbers (2 1/2" x 1 1/2" with black background and white block letters) no longer needed by your church. Messiah Lutheran Church in Halifax will gladly give them a good home and put them to use. Contact Pastor Mike at 717-649-3532.
Need hymnals, tables, a video camera, or light bulbs? Check the Congregation Connections page of our Synod's website for a list of offerings by congregations who are willing to share what they no longer need. Have something to share with others? Let us know!
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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.
Visit the Employment Opportunities page on our website for a complete list of current job openings with more details (including jobs that have been extended).
Organization: Thrivent Financial for Christians
Position: Thrivent Financial Representative (posted 3/5/15)
Congregation: St. Mark Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
Position: Part-time Christian Education and Youth Director (posted 2/25/15)
Organization: Frey Village, Middletown
Position: Organist, part-time (posted 2/18/15)
Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church (Neffsville), Lancaster
Position: Director of Music, part-time (Posted 2/4/15)
Congregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church, York
Position: Administrative Assistant/Secretary (Part-time) (Posted 2/4/15)
Congregation: Zion Lutheran Church, York
Position: Traditional Music Opening/Organist (Posted 1/22/15)
Organization: Lutheran Camping Corporation
Positions: Various Summer staff positions (Posted 1/14/15)
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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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2015 Synod Assembly Registration is Now Open
