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Thanks and Congratulations to our Youngest Synod Assembly Participants
Please join us in giving thanks to all the youth and young adults who contributed to our annual Synod Assembly, both as Voting Members and as Assembly Pages. We also give thanks for and appreciation to our four new Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) Leadership Team Members, who were installed at the Assembly. Congratulations to Justin Myers (president), Theresa Hanley (Director of Events), Zach Rago (Director of Service), and Katie Null (Director of Communications), who will serve for the next year as the primary leadership team for our synod youth. Know a young person looking to get involved on LYO? ALL youth in grades 7-12 are eligible to participate. Contact the Office for Children, Youth & Family today at 717-652-1852, ext. and recommend your young leaders to serve on our board that helps plan and implement all our synod youth events and programming.
(Above, L to R, are Zach Rago, Katie Null, Theresa Hanley, Justin Myers, Pastor Thomas McKee and Bishop Jim Dunlop during the installation at the Assembly opening worship on Friday evening. Thanks to Pastor Steve Herr for the photo.)
Now is the Time to Register
for Summerfest!
Our synod's annual multi-generational summer event called Summerfest is scheduled for July 25 at Camp Nawakwa. With something for all ages, the day features a picnic-style grilled lunch, live music throughout the day, games and activities including guided labyrinth walks, large-group games, a water slide, pool-time, hiking and more. The day is capped by a mini-concert featuring Lost & Found on their Farewell Tour this summer, and a closing worship service. Seminarian Jay Eckman preaches at this year's service! Registration is easy: just send along names or even simply numbers of those participating using the handy form found on our website: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/summerfest/. In addition, you'll find a bulletin insert to help promote the event and details on cost. The event is free to pre-schoolers and children under 12, get in for $5, so bring the whole family!
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Global Mission Opportunities
Host our International Camp Counselor for a Weekend Visit!
We still have a few dates open to host Pastor Samwel Baraka, pastor of Mbalizi Congregation in the Konde Diocese and this year's international camp counselor at Camp Kirchenwald. Interested congregation members are invited to host Pastor Baraka for a weekend sometime this summer from Saturday late morning until Sunday after lunch. Visiting a local family provides an opportunity for rest, relaxation, visiting our congregations, and a chance for home cooking and time to do laundry. For more information or to schedule a potential visit in June or July, please contact Sharron Blezard, liaison to the Konde Diocese Committee, at 717-652-1852 ext. 102, or email her at sblezard@lss-elca.org. (Thanks to the individuals and families that have responded with interest! We are working on the schedule now.)
Stoles to Tanzania
Pastor Evan Houck (Grace, Camp Hill) would like to thank everyone who donated stoles and other items for him to deliver and share with clergy in the Konde Diocese. Please keep Pr. Houck and his brother in prayer as they travel this month. We look forward to sharing their story when they return.
Make a YAGM's Day!
Rebecca (Becky) Guldin is serving as a YAGM in the United Kingdom this year. She's almost finished, but it would be wonderful if you could send her a letter: Rebecca Guldin, 19 Oatlands Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8JT UK. Check out her blog at https://beckyintheuk.wordpress.com/. Next week meet our 2015-16 YAGM, Megan Kingsborough, and learn how you can help make her year of formation and ministry a reality!
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 Confirm your commitment by July 15, 2015
The Lower Susquehanna Synod's Center for Faith Formation, in partnership with John Roberto, offers a Reimagining Faith Formation initiative to guide churches toward:
· creating a faith formation network for age groups and families in the church community
· building a website for faith formation
· learning how to use the new digital media and resources in faith formation
· developing skills for curating religious content and experiences for all ages and generations
To engage in this intentional faith formation project, there is a one-time cost of $250 per congregation due by July 15. The nominal fee covers workshop expenses for the congregation's leadership, six months of resourcing, coaching and consulting with John Roberto and the Synod's Center for Faith Formation staff. Click here to learn more about the initiative. Congregations interested in participating should contact Deacon Marsha Roscoe at 717-652-1852, Ext. 103 or via email at mroscoe@lss-elca.org by June 30.
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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)
Learning the Art of "Strategic Neglect"
Ministers today face so many pressures. The intensity of the job itself, added to the high rates of unrealistic expectations from church memberships or even leadership, can set up ministers to burn out quickly and, often, to live with a great burden of guilt, frustration, and disillusionment. "Strategic neglect" may be a way for ministers to cope by taking a new look at putting first things first by better managing their competing commitments and finding homeostasis in their spiritual, personal, and professional lives. Here are some tips from Ministry magazine, the publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Which would work to help reduce your stress load and increase productivity?
Planned Giving 101
Join us June 25 for an informative introduction to how congregations can navigate the land of planned and legacy giving. You'll learn about bequests, gifts of stock, and charitable gift annuities. You'll leave with an action plan and ideas for a gift acceptance policy. Pastor Liz Polanzke, our Regional Gift Planner for Central PA for the ELCA Foundation will lead the workshop and be available to answer your questions and/or set up a visit to your congregation. Sign-up by June 19, through Regional Gift Planner, Pastor Liz Polanzke, by e-mail elizabeth.polanzke@elca.org or by phone 717-654-2334.
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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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 Ella Maloney, mother of Barbara Eshbach and mother-in-law of Pastor Cliff Eshbach (Holy Spirit, Lancaster), who died June 14. The funeral will be held Thursday, June 18, at Advent Lutheran Church, York, at 11:00 a.m. Click here to be redirected to the obituary.
...prayers for the family of Bernice Riehl, mother of Lorraine Moore and mother-in-law of Pastor Rob Moore (St. Paul, Carlisle), who died June 14. The funeral will be held Wednesday, June 17, in Southampton, PA. Click here to be redirected to the obituary.
...prayers for hope and healing for Pastor Brenda Kiser (Memorial, Shippensburg) and Pastor John Brock (Trinity, Camp Hill) as they both face surgery.
Click here for prayers for our Lutheran Camping Corporation campers and staff.
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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CHILD PROTECTION UPDATE: Yes, There's More
New Form Available!
The Commonwealth now has an official disclosure form for volunteers to use. You may access that form by clicking here. Visit http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/ for more information about this and other updates that may happen in coming months. As changes and updates may continue to occur, please encourage your volunteers, safe church teams, and councils to be patient and flexible as we continue to live into this new reality and full compliance. Our ultimate aim is the protection and safety of the most vulnerable among us so that all of God's children may experience the church as a safe and welcoming place.
Need Mandated Reporter Training Materials for your Congregation?
Thanks to Associate in Ministry Chelle Huth, director of Youth Ministry Certification School and Theological Education with Youth (a collaborative effort of our Lutheran Seminaries at Gettysburg and Philadelphia), we are now able to provide you with a short informative video to use with your congregational volunteers. Click here to access the video, or watch it below. We also offer thanks to Pastor Caitlin Glass (St. Stephen, New Kingstown) for sharing this handy worksheet and answer key for use with the video.
Update and Correction on Governor Wolf's Announcement
The effective date for background check payment waiver for volunteers is July 26, not July 1, as stated in last week's Carings & Sharings. Please note that many things are still unclear as legislation is withdrawn and amended. We will keep you updated as we receive information. In the meantime, please check the LAMPa website frequently for updates. Click here to read Gov. Wolf's complete news release.
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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.
Synod Assembly Evaluation Survey
Didn't receive a link to the 2015 Synod Assembly Event Evaluation Survey? We could send links only to the emails used for registration, so some of you may not have received the survey. Click here to be redirected so that you can provide us with feedback. We value your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback. Thank you!
Summer Synod Office Schedule and Closings: Please Mark Your Calendar
Our synod office summer hours begin this week. Summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 8:30 - 4:00 p.m. The office is closed on Friday. Emergency contact information will be available on the main number answering machine. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, September 8.
NOTE: Our office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
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.
June 23
LAMPa Rally for Fair Education Funding, Messiah Lutheran Church, 901 N. Sixth St., and the State Capitol.
July 26
Women's Active Faith Day at Camp Kirkenwald
July 26 - August 1
Lay School of Theology "Traveling Grace: Land and Spiritual Geography"
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary Click here for more information and to register.
July 29-31
Rethinking Confirmation: Signs of Life in Times of Change
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
August 5-8
2015 Festival Gathering of Biblical Storytelling
National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, MD (Near Washington, D.C.)
August 15
Mental Health First Aid - Youth (Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
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.
October 13-14
Parish Secretaries' Seminar: "Checks & Balances"
Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, Bird-in-Hand, PA
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.
June 20
St. Peter 20th Annual Yard Sale, St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Dr., Mechanicsburg
June 26
A Great Night Out with Mark Cable, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
June 27
Community Waterslide Day, Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola
June 28
Guest Speaker: Chaplain at Ground Zero after the 9/11 Attacks, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
Free Summer Kickoff Party, (a community event), Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
July 5
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
July 9
2nd Annual Ladies' Tea Party, Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville
July 12
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
August 21-22
Travel with St. Matthew Lutheran (Hanover) by chartered coach to the Women of Faith Conference in Philadelphia.
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices" Sunday)
Vacation Bible School Round-Up
Here's what we've heard from congregations hosting VBS this year. Check our website for more information. Don't see your VBS listed here? Send us the information!
Thailand Trek VBS, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hershey
Heroes of the Faith: Bible Day Camp (Sponsored by Mechanicsburg Area Lutheran Churches), St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Dr., Mechanicsburg
June 22-26
SonSpark Labs, Bloserville Fellowship VBS, St. Peter Lutheran Church, 210 Brick Church Rd., Newville
July 19-23
G-Force Joint VBS, St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Adamstown) and Peace UCC 37 E. Swartzville Rd., Denver
July 20-24
Everest VBS, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill
Everest VBS, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
July 26-30
Catch the Buzz VBS, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
July 26-31
"G-Force" VBS, Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg
Everest VBS, Calvary Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
July 27-31
"The Spirit Moves Me: An Examination of the Book of Acts (VBS for Adults), Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg
Need a Helping Hand ... and Ear
Faith United Lutheran in Denver has a 1912 building where the sound system is not helping our seniors enjoy the full worship experience. We are seeking the experiences from other churches who may be able to help us analyze how to improve our sound system, especially where your effort involved helping people using hearing aids and that was a factor to choices that were made.
Please contact Pastor Joseph Veres at 717-336-2141 or email him at jveres53@gmail.com. Please note the firm(s) you have used, your contact person at the firm (with their contact information), and your impression (good or bad) if they solved the sound issues you faced. Please indicate and give a phone number to Pastor Joe for a person who can discuss that information from your church or organization. We will gather resources so other churches may benefit by this work and may offer a way to better steward resources on this common issue.
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!
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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: St. Michael Lutheran Church, Harrisburg
Position: Congregation Secretary (Posted 5/15/15)
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)
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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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