|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Easter Message from Bishop Dunlop
So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8
Fear, flight and silence: not a very good way to respond to the Good News of the resurrection it would seem. Yet this is exactly where the abrupt shorter ending of Mark's gospel leaves us. It is not an ending for the faint of heart, and these are hardly words we associate with Easter festival worship.
Yet, perhaps Mark's ending really does speak more effectively to our 21st century North American Christianity. Fear, flight, and silence are indeed responses of the contemporary church as we watch much of that which we have loved, celebrated, and treasured eroding away. Our lovely houses of worship need more and more maintenance to serve smaller and smaller gatherings. In our culture, Sunday is no longer held sacrosanct for the church's gatherings. Membership is not an end goal for many seekers, and suspicion of organized religion continues to rise. Finally, conflicting priorities mean fewer dollars are available for mission.
We know, however, that the women who ran from the tomb did not remain silent. We know that the disciples eventually overcame their fear, and we know that the early church flourished through the work of the Holy Spirit and the faithful disciples who lived and spread the Good News of Jesus.
For this reason, the abrupt ending of Mark's gospel suits our time. Those words were not the end. This present time of change within the church is not the final act of Christianity. Jesus continues to do a new thing in us, to breathe fresh life into stale institutions and new hope into flagging ministries.
Now is a great time to be the church together. There are new possibilities, and the number of people who do not know the Good News of Jesus Christ has never been greater. It could be easy to fall into fear and tell no one anything. Mark's gospel ends this way to remind us that we are to spread the Good News, that Christ is alive and everything has been changed, everything is new. Fear may be part of our present reality in the church, but this is not the last word. Mark's sudden ending invites us to write the next chapter, just as it invited those first disciples and faithful folk of all time and every place to be Christ's body on this earth.
Dear friends, we are a church of resurrection hope. Yes, these are uncertain times, and we could be fearful, but our Lord never abandons us. So be ready this Easter Sunday to write the next chapter of your own faith walk, of your congregation's story, of our synod's mutual work and growing hope, of our ELCA's expression of church together, and of our Lord's promise to do a new thing-a new thing again and again and again, until all of creation is made right in the already and not-yet reign of God.
Blessings on your Holy Week journey and on the promise of life abundant made manifest in the resurrection and empty tomb.
In Christ,
+ Bishop James S. Dunlop
|
 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)
Signs You have a Bad Disciple-Making Strategy
How do you know you have a bad strategy for making disciples? Well, just look at the results. Remember, "your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing." If you want different results, you have to change what your congregation is doing. This article from Pastors.com gives some good insight into how to chart a new course. What would work in your ministry?
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.)
|
You are Invited...
April 19
Installation of the Rev. Dr. Holger Roggelin
Messiah Lutheran Church
901 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg, PA
3:00 p.m.
April 23
Installation of the Rev. Titus D. Clarke
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
700 E. Market St., York, PA 17403
3:00 p.m. (prelude music begins at 2:40 p.m.)
Worship will be followed by dinner. Rostered leaders are invited to vest. The color of the day is white. Letters of greeting may also be sent to the above address c/o Mrs. Cheryl Gazan, President, and will be incorporated into the service.
|
Our synod prayer list is updated frequently and posted on the website. To be redirected to the complete prayer list click here.
Prayers for the family of Susan Schmidt, sister of Pastor George Scott (Trinity, East Berlin), who died Tuesday, March 31. Services are planned for Tuesday, April 7, in Pittsburgh.
Prayers for healing and hope for former LCA Bishop Jim Crumley.
Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org.
|
|
 CLICK TO GIVE AN EASTER MISSION GIFT:
It's Easy 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. You can also use this QR Code to make your gift. Thank you for your partnership!
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!
to be redirected to our website for detailed information about upcoming events.
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 this year's 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.
Tuesday, May 5
(Deadline to register: April 30) St. Paul Lutheran Church, 20 Franklin St., Biglerville
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
|
|
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.
April 2
Seder/Passover Meal & Worship, Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus
Maundy Thursday Soup Supper & Worship, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 320 Market St., Newport
April 3
Stations of the Cross, Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola
April 5
Easter Sunrise Service & Breakfast
,
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 320 Market St., Newport
Easter Festival Worship, St. James Lutheran Church, 180 W. Market St., Hallam
April 7
An Evening with Chaplain Steve Cruys, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
Taiko Japanese Drums Performance, Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola
April 11
Lebanon Lutheran Mission Team Dinner Dance Fundraiser, Eagles Auditorium, 116 N. Eighth St., Lebanon
April 12
LifeSong Singers 40th Anniversary Tour, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 947 N. George St., York
Christ Lutheran Church Sanctuary Series: A Birthday Bash Concert, 29 S. George St., York
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 14 (runs through May 19)
Good Sense Money Management Class, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
April 16
Dining with DIAKON for Youth Services, Harrisburg Hilton
April 19
St. Barnabas Center Benefit Luncheon & Fashion Show, Radisson, Camp Hill
END MALARIA African Dinner, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
April 27
Lutheran Day at the Capitol. Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg. Click here to be redirected to the LAMPa website.
May 1-3
"Beginning Experience" Weekend (for those dealing with the pain of divorce, loss, and grief), Doubling Gap Center, Newville
May 3
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
May 4
Church Medical & Safety Training, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 947 N. George St., York
May 16
7th Annual Highmark "Walk for a Healthy Community" (You or your team can benefit St. Barnabas Children's Ministry) HACC Harrisburg
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices." Sunday)
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!
|
|
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).
Congregation: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Harrisburg
Position: Administrative Assistant (posted 3/25/15)
Congregation: Zion Lutheran Church, Etters
Position: Part-time Administrative Assistant (posted 3/25/15)
Organization: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Position: Director for Congregational Support (posted 3/18/15)
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)
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
