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BASKETS OF LOVE SHARE CHRIST'S LOVE
 Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Christ lives. Christ loves.
Because Christ first loved us, we are called to love and serve.
Baskets of Love are a tangible way to show the love of Christ to some of our society's most marginalized individuals--returning citizens. People leaving prison face daunting challenges. The contents of one of these laundry baskets provide some of the immediate needs for personal hygiene and household supplies, but more importantly, each basket comes with a tangible message of care and love.
Some congregations in our synod have been making Baskets of Love for several years; others are just now beginning to assemble them. Our Lower Susquehanna Synod Criminal Justice System Ministry's goal for 2015 is to increase the total number of baskets to 237.............and you get the significance of that............one for each congregation in our synod.
WHAT ARE BASKETS OF LOVE? These are collections of basic hygiene, cleanliness and survival supplies.
WHO GETS THEM? They are distributed to men and women who are re-entering the community after being released from prison.
WHEN DO WE MAKE THEM? All year, any time of year
WHERE DO THEY GO? Criminal Justice Ministry has a registry of re-entry program homes, returning citizens groups, and individuals who minister in county prisons. Please know that we will gladly connect with any group serving people leaving prison.
Know this already? Don't know any of this, but find it intriguing? In either case, watch for more information, visit our table at this year's Synod Assembly, check out our page on our synod's website, or better yet, join us as part of the ministry team. (NOTE: Thanks to CJSM team member Joan Harmon for contributing this article.)
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Three Summer Concerts scheduled to Appeal to ALL Generations of Lutherans
Three artists who have been a part of the fabric of the Lutheran music scene for the past 12 years will all make stops in our synod over the next six months. We are dubbing it our "summer concert series." All three artists will also make main stage appearances at this summer's ELCA  Youth Gathering, but will join us for more intimate appearances, and at least one show is absolutely FREE!
Rachel Kurtz, appearing on Saturday, June 6, at Messiah College's High Center for the Performing Arts, at 7:00 p.m.
This concert is FREE! Rachel authored the song "Be The Change" that became the theme song for the 2012 Youth  Gathering, and in many ways last year's synod Assembly.
Lost & Found, The Farewell Tour, appearing as a part of the Summerfest celebration on Saturday July 25, at Camp Nawakwa, at 3:30 p.m.
Come for the entire day and enjoy a picnic meal, hiking, activities and games for all ages, worship and the concert. Adults $20, ages 12 & under $5, and pre-schoolers FREE.
Agape, appearing on Sunday, October 4, at St .Matthew, York, at 3:00 p.m.
 Agape has written new music for this summer's Gathering and a new CD. This is part of the "Rise Up Together post-Gathering Tour." David (Agape) Scherer will also appear at our annual Winterfest event on January 2, 2016, to help us celebrate the 25th Winterfest!
Check out details on all shows at our synod website: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/.
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Mark Your Calendars Now! Planned Giving 101 June Brown Bag Event
Bequests, Charitable Gift Annuities, Gifts of Stock, Gift Policies, Estate Planning...what is it?  Where do we start? Join us June 25 and find out!
How do we provide the means for congregants to create estate plans which protect assets for the people and ministries for which they have prayed and labored? How do we educate people about faithful stewardship of their legacy? Join us Thursday, June 25, in the Lower Level Dining Room of the United Church Center (where our synod offices are located), 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Harrisburg, 17109. The workshop begins at 10:30 and will end with brown bag lunch and conversation at noon.
Participants in this complimentary workshop will leave with an action plan and real resources to address these and the many questions related to offering Planned Giving strategies to your congregation. This event is designed for rostered leaders, council members, and stewardship committee members. Sign-up by June 19, through Regional Gift Planner, Pastor Liz Polanzke, at the ELCA Foundation's table at Synod Assembly or by e-mail elizabeth.polanzke@elca.org or by phone 717-654-2334.
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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)
Basic Instructions for Asset Mapping
In these times when our churches face challenges on so many fronts, it's easy for congregational leaders to focus on what their institutions lack. But there is an alternative. Asset mapping starts by focusing on what you have! Taking stock of your gifts, skills and resources provides a solid launching pad to begin planning mission strategies for the future. Here are some tips for leading a workshop to help your congregation map out its assets. How would this energize your congregation council and other lay leaders? The resource is from Pastor Dave Daubert of Day 8 Strategies, the author and consultant who led a workshop in our synod last year.
Stronger Together: Exploring Ways to Cooperate and Collaborate
 Hold the date for this very special Brown Bag Leadership Lunch scheduled for Thursday, May 28. Join Pastor Richard Jorgensen and Lutherans from across our synod who are engaged in innovative and faithful collaboration. Flexible models of working together to share assets that meet the needs of various contexts and community cultures abound. Bring your questions, your ideas, and prepare to be excited about new possibilities for the future.
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. Please call Cathy Deitrich (717-652-1852, ext. 104) to r.s.v.p. so that we'll have enough materials on hand.
(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...
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.
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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 rostered leaders who are preparing for the call to retirement and for their congregations who are entering the call process.
Note: The memorial service for Mary Bringman, mother of Daniel Bringman, Mission Investment Fund Board of Trustees Chair, and mother-in-law of Synod Vice-President Lucinda Bringman, will be held on Monday, May 18, 10:00 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with the Rev. Michael Allwein officiating.
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.
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.
May 17
A Conversation with the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb,
Tellus360, 24 E. King St., Lancaster (sponsored by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church)
June 9
Bread for the World Lobby Day, Washington, D.C.
July 26
Women's Active Faith Day at Camp Kirkenwald
July 29-31
Rethinking Confirmation: Signs of Life in Times of Change
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
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.
Coming up at Wittel Farm...
"Mark-ing" Scripture Together at the Wittel Farm in Elizabethtown, PA
This fall, Bishop Dunlop and Pastor Rob Myallis invite rostered leaders, worship planners, and faith formation leaders to gain insights, share ideas as we explore Mark's gospel together. All three sessions will be offered at the Wittel Farm from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
September 15 -"Mark-ing the end of Pentecost" Led by Bishop Dunlop
October 19 - "Mark-ing the Festivals" Led by Pastor Rob Myallis
November 16 - "Mark-ing Advent" Led by Pastor Rob Myallis.
Registration details coming soon.
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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.
May 8
Lutheran Night at the Harrisburg Senators (benefits Lutheran Camping Corporation)
May 9
Underground Skate Park at Trinity Lutheran Church, 132 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg
EM-POW-ER Through Education: Tree 4 Hope's 9th Annual Silent Auction and Evening of Endless Desserts, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg
May 10
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
May 14
Ascension Day Worship Service, Ascension Lutheran Church, 600 E. Penn Grant Rd, Willow Street
Ascension Day Worship Service with Blessing of Seeds and Soil, St. John Lutheran Church, Berrysburg
May 15
Music at Pine Street featuring the music of Ola Gjeila, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
May 16
7th Annual Highmark "Walk for a Healthy Community" (You or your team can benefit St.
Barnabas Children's Ministry) HACC Harrisburg
May 19
Forum on Racism (sponsored by the North York Conference of Lutheran Churches), Quickel Lutheran Church, 60 Canal Rd., Ext., York
May 20
Music Gettysburg! Welcomes Bethany College Choirs, Lutheran Theological Seminary Chapel, 147 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg
May 24
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to preach at 10:30 a.m. worship, Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg
May 31
Mission Partner Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 124 S. 13th St., Harrisburg
Tanzanian Welcome Picnic & Fundraiser, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
June 14- 19
"Heroes of the BIble" Day Camp, St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Dr., Mechanicsburg
July 9
2nd Annual Ladies' Tea Party, Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville
June 15-19
Heroes of the Faith: Bible Day Camp (Sponsored by Mechanicsburg Area Lutheran Churches), St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Dr., Mechanicsburg
July 26-31
Everest VBS, Calvary Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices" Sunday)
To Share:
Yamaha Electrone Organ
Free to a church or individual that will give it a good home. You must move it at your own expense. It needs to be moved quickly. For more information and photo visit the synod website or call Dennis Wertz at 717-235-4136 or cell 717-891-2360.
Choir Robes and Assorted Bibles
Zion Lutheran Church, Hummelstown has 35-40 washable turquoise choir robes in various sizes. they also have a large box of assorted Bibles to share. If interested, call Alicia Winey at 717-566-2589 or email www.office@zluth.org.
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).
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
Position: Part-time Director of Music (Posted 4/30/15)
Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Lancaster
Position: Part-time Director of Children's Ministries (Posted 4/30/15)
Congregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church, York
Position: Part-time (20 hrs./week) Secretarial Position (Posted 4/16/15)
Congregation: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, York
Position: Organist - Choir Director (Posted 4/16/15)
Congregation: St. John Lutheran Church, New Freedom
Position: Minister of Music, Choir Director, Instrumentalist (Posted 4/16/15)
Congregation: Memorial Lutheran Church, Shippensburg
Position: Director of Vocal Music (Posted 4/16/15)
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)
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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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St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover has long been involved in various global missions, and now they also have a companion congregation in the Konde Diocese. Last summer Pastor Kate Schroeder traveled to Tanzania with Bishop and Mrs. Dunlop and Pastor Cliff Eshbach.
information, stories, and photos.
