April 08, 2015

Mark Your Calendars for These Opportunities to Strengthen Your Faith, Discern God's Calling, and Use Your Voice for the Common Good

 
April 17-19 
The Weekend is a discernment retreat intended to create time and space away from the daily hustle so that participants can listen for how and where God is calling them to use their gifts for the sake of the church and the world. Ever considered a vocation in the church? This retreat is definitely for you. For more information and to register, visit www.ltsg.edu/theweekend.
 
April 24-26
Faith Forming Faith Event at St. John's Lutheran Church, New Freedom
Join others from across our synod for this unique weekend-long opportunity to learn from Paul Hoffman's 20 years of experience forming disciples in a year-long journey to baptism. Strengthen your own discipleship and be equipped to teach others. Visit www.FaithandFontPa.com for more information.
 
April 27
LAMPa's Lutheran Day at the Capitol

Bring your faith to the table, and join Lutherans from around the state for worship, learning and advocacy on Lutheran Day at the Capitol, April 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill. The day will feature workshops on hunger, education funding, advocacy basics, minimum wage, immigration, trauma-informed schools and an update on the Empowering Opportunities statewide poverty study. Be informed on issues to which our faith speaks, be fed by word and sacrament, and be sent to bear the light of Christ in the public square.  For details and registration, click here or visit www.lutheranadvocacypa.org. Click here to download a poster.

 

Rev. David Lose September 10

Bishop's Convocation: Participatory Proclamation & Faith Formation with David Lose

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, York

All are invited--rostered leaders, lay leaders, those interested in faith formation and proclamation--to this day of worship, education, and fellowship. Our presenter is the Rev. Dr. David J. Lose, President of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He will focus on participatory proclamation and faith formation for our time and contexts. The day includes worship, time with Bishop Dunlop, two interactive sessions with Rev. Lose, light breakfast, and lunch. Click here for more information, a flyer, and to register.

 

Be sure to check our synod website and "Opportunities for Education" and "Leader Link" sections of Carings & Sharings for new events and updates!


GLOBAL NEWS & CONNECTIONS

Glocal Event at Gettysburg Seminary May 1-2
This year's Spring Academy Week at Gettysburg Seminary includes a GLOCAL EVENT May 1-2. Keynote presenters are The Rev. Dr. Barbara R. Rossing and Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, along with great music and workshops. ELCA Glocal events are wonderful opportunities for congregations to learn more about global mission resources, possibilities, and ministries. Why not bring a team from your congregation for this fun and educational event?
 

The Rev. Dr. Barbara R. Rossing, Professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago General will present the Saturday, May 2 Plenary: Landing Accompaniment: Just Peace. 


Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, The Martin Luther King, Jr., Professor of Justice and Christian Community and Director of Islamic Studies (Emeritus) at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota will present the Friday, May 1 Plenary: Accompaniment - A lens and methodology for dialogue.  


Register online and learn about the full week at: www.ltsg.edu/academics/lifelong-learning/spring-academy.


Interested in Global Missions?

Do you have an idea from your congregation that you'd like to highlight? Want to serve on this committee? Interested in sponsoring a missionary? E-mail Sharron Blezard, Committee Chairperson Pastor Bob Hoover, or contact any Global Missions Committee member. 

"ALT Year" (Abundant Life Together) Applications Now Being Accepted 

 

Calling all young adults (ages 18-25) who are looking for a "gap year" experience!  Consider applying for "ALT Year" - Abundant Life Together. This nine-month program, in one of two locations - Orange, CA, or Toledo, OH, is designed to help young adults explore their gifts, passions, and callings through relationship with peers in the support of a host community.  Participants live in intentional community together, and explore issues of faith and vocation while serving in their local communities.  Pastor Josh Graber is the ELCA mission developer organizing these experiences. You can find out more at www.altyear.org.  Be sure to watch the short video featuring highlights from the 2013-14 ALT Year Toledo.
 
A Look Back at ALT Toledo 2013-14 
A Look Back at ALT Toledo 2013-14
 
Applications for the 2015-2016 year are due April 15, though rolling admissions will apply after that as space is available. Learn, serve, grow, and explore God's calling through this "all-in" experience.

Called to Be a Living Voice: ELCA Worship Jubilee

Join with other worshipers, worship leaders, lay and ordained, musicians and artists, and everyone interested in the worship life of the ELCA for this event held in partnership with the Biennial Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and planned for July 19-23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

You'll have the opportunity to PARTICIPATE in worship, singing, presentations and workshops. You can INTERACT with those whose worship may be similar to yours and be a church together with those whose worship may differ. You will be able to ENVISION your congregation's observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. And, you can let your VOICE be heard as plans are shaped for the ongoing renewal of worship in the ELCA

Early bird pricing ends April 20, so register now! For more information, visit the event website at www.LivingVoice2015.org. For questions or to request a paper registration form, call the ALCM office at 800-624-2526.

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)

 

Plan a "Creation Sunday" for Earth Day

This April 22 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Why not celebrate the occasion with a special Earth Sunday or Creation Sunday worship on the April 19 or April 26? You can make it a celebration of the natural environment, or possibly a blessing of the seeds, farms, orchards, gardens and fields. Why not preach on how we must take better care of God's good earth? Here is a page that gives links to some excellent resources. Which ones would work in your congregation? 

 

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 19

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.

May 14

Ascension Day Eucharist and Luncheon 

for our synod's retired rostered leaders, spouses, widows, and widowers

St. Peter's Lutheran Church

Spring and Union Streets

Middletown, PA

11:00 a.m. worship followed by luncheon

R.S.V.P. to Marty Shifflett (800-692-7282 ext. 115) by May 11.


prayers
Prayers and Updates 
  
Our synod prayer list is updated frequently and posted on the website. To be redirected to the complete prayer list click here.

...prayers for hope and healing for Muriel Dunlop, mother of Bishop Jim Dunlop.

...prayers for the family of Sarabell "Kip" Dunlap, former LSS Council Member and wife of former LSS Stewardship Chair Wally Dunlap. Mrs. Dunlap died Friday, April 3. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in York. Details will be posted to our website when available.

...prayers for the families and friends of the nearly 150 Kenyan students massacred by Shabab gunmen at Garissa University College. We pray for an end to violence and yearn for peace.

Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at [email protected]. 

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. 

 

Rostered Leaders and Eligible Spouses: Please Take Your Health Assessment Today!

If you (and your eligible spouse if applicable) have already taken the 2015 Mayo Clinic Health Assessment, please accept our thanks. If you have not, please do so today. As of February 28, only 61 rostered leaders/spouses had completed the assessment. We need at least an additional 115 participants to meet our 65% goal and earn an estimated $55,000 in savings for our congregations. Click here to track our progress and that of other synods, churchwide units, and seminaries. Spouses--click here for detailed instructions about how to access the assessment.

 

The April 30 deadline will be here quickly, and it takes only a few minutes to work through the questions. This year it's even easier because you can access the assessment from the main Portico Benefits page by clicking here. Not only will you earn $150 in wellness dollars to offset deductibles and eligible medical expenses, you'll also help all participating congregations in our synod save money on premiums AND help us earn this year's rebate to help fund next year's wellness retreat. It's good stewardship of your health and resources. Thank you!


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.

books
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 12-13
Rostered Leaders' Retreat: Centered in Christ (Cancelled)
April 13-16
Called to be Stewards: Embracing our Leadership Roles Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA
April 16
Lunch & Learn Seminar: Cancer and the Church, a Cancer Companions Program, Hoss's Steak & Sea, 743 Wertzville Rd., Enola
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.
April 25
"World Ecumenism," sponsored by the Dr. Eric Gritsch Memorial Fund, George Peabody Library, 17 Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD.
April 26
The Open Table: From Poverty to Community, Trinity Lutheran Church, 9000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
April 27
LAMPa Lutheran Day at the Capitol, Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg

April 27 - May 2

Home and Away: Ministry with Those Coming Home and Ministry as the Global Church, Gettysburg Spring Academy, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary

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 [email protected]. 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.

Note: Due to high demand and need to keep worship-size optimal, our synod will be offering additional sessions of boundary training in the fall. 


 

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 [email protected].

 

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

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
2015 Commonwealth Interfaith Prayer Service: Prayers for Justice and Peace, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
Church Medical & Safety Training, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 947 N. George St., York
May 9
Underground Skate Park at Trinity Lutheran Church, 132 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg
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)

To Share: 

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 [email protected]. 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: St. John's Lutheran Church, Abbottstown
Position: Administrative Assistant (Posted 4/8/15)
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)

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,  [email protected].

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