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2015 Bishop's Convocation: Participatory Preaching with David Lose
 Have you ever looked around your church building and wondered "Where did all the people go?" Do you ponder the decline of the church so often touted in the media and reflected in empty pews and parking lots? Are you curious about the reasons people come or choose not to come to worship? Maybe you'd like to learn more about the role of faith formation in preaching. If you only have an hour each week, how can you maximize proclamation and worship to form faithful disciples? Bring your questions and an open mind to this year's Bishop's Convocation, Thursday, September 10, 2015, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in York.
Keynote speaker and leader David J. Lose will lead participants in exploring these and other questions pertaining to participatory preaching and faith formation. This event is for rostered leaders, congregational leaders, and all people interested in the future of faith formation and stronger, more vital congregations that address the reality of a changing world.
 The Rev. Dr. David Lose is President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Before returning to his alma mater, Lose taught on the faculty of Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) for fourteen years. While there, he also served a term as Academic Dean, was the founding director of the Center for Biblical Preaching, and led the creative team that developed WorkingPreacher.org. Author of Preaching at the Crossroads (2013) and the popular Making Sense series of books and resources from Augsburg Fortress, Lose has also written for the Huffington Post, Patheos, and The Christian Century. You can find his daily bible devotions and other writings and reflections on connecting faith to daily life at "...In the Meantime" (www.davidlose.net). A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College (B.A.), LTSP (M.Div., S.T.M.), and Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), Lose speaks throughout the US and abroad on preaching, leadership, Christian faith in a postmodern world, and biblical imagination. But his favorite thing to do is hang out with his family in Kennett Square, PA, where he can play tennis, root for the Eagles, or get wrapped up in a game of Settlers of Catan with his kids.
 Session 1: "Where Did All the People Go?"
Most of us not only know about, but have experienced firsthand, the decline in congregational attendance and participation over the last several decades. In this session, we'll explore the root causes of congregational decline both in terms of changes in the larger culture and as a result of some unintended consequences of our central congregational practices, all with an eye to understanding why people come, or don't come, to church.
Session 2: "Preaching as Proclamation & Faith Formation"
Lutherans have been very clear about the need to proclaim the word so as to create faith. But what happens when we live in a world that has moved far enough from the Christian story that our people don't necessarily understand the word we proclaim? In this session, we'll reclaim the catechetical dimension of preaching as essential to forming vibrant faith in a post-modern, post-Christian world.
Click here for a flyer to post and share. Click here to register for the event.
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Don't Miss the Deadline for Synod and ELCA Hunger Grants!
 Is your congregation working on a hunger project or collaborating with other community non-profits to alleviate hunger in your area? If so, now is the time to apply for funding from our Synod's World Hunger Legacy Grant program and from ELCA World Hunger. World Hunger Legacy Grants may be used as matching funds for the ELCA grants, so be sure to complete your applications by the deadlines listed here.
Click here for information about ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants. The deadline for these applications is July 10, and the process is now entirely online.
Click here to download an application for this year's Lower Susquehanna Synod World Hunger Legacy Grant program. The Legacy Fund grant application is due August 30. Please download a copy of the application, fill it out, save it as a PDF and email it to sblezard@lss-elca.org. Please mail a copy of the signature page only (postmarked by August 30) to Pr. Sharron Blezard, Lower Susquehanna Synod, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 220B, Harrisburg, PA 17109. Grant recipients will be announced no later than September 30, 2015.
Have questions about the grant process? Contact World Hunger Committee Chairperson Cheryl Burns at cherylsburns@gmail.com. Please reference "World Hunger Grant Question" in the subject box. |
Global Mission Opportunities
Konde Diocese Delegation Visits Lower Susquehanna Synod, Attends 2015 Assembly
From May 29 through June 11, four leaders from the Konde Diocese, our Companion Synod in Tanzania visited the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Representing the Diocese were the Rev. Samwel  Mwansasu, Director for Health Services and Hospital Secretary; Dr. Christopher Mwasongela, Doctor in Charge at Matema Lutheran Hospital; Mr. 0wen Jackson Lazaro, Director of Planning and Development for the Diocese, and Mr. Stephen Mwakyolile, Senior Nurse at Itete Lutheran Hospital. The main purpose for the visit this year was to strengthen ties with the health-related ministries and to report on progress of the Matema Beach Resort renovations.
The Konde Committee partnered with Tech4tanzania, and through their involvement expanded the partnership to members of Slate Hill Mennonite Church and Messiah College. Randy Barr and other Tech4tanzania partners welcomed the Konde delegation members into their homes and hosted a welcome picnic and fundraiser at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in New Kingstown. About $1,000 was raised at this event for mission and ministry to Tanzania.
Delegation members visited family medicine practitioners, reviewed global health initiatives from Penn State Hershey, and toured the hospital and simulation labs. They visited the Nursing Department at Messiah College and began initial conversations about working with the College's Collaboratory program, including the possibility of an initial exploratory visit to the Diocese in May, 2016.
On Wednesday, June 3, the delegation visited Mission Central of the United Methodist Church,  where they were able to identify and take needed medical supplies and equipment, along with extra suitcases to carry the supplies home. Thanks to the partnership between Tech4tanzania and Mission Central, each delegation received a personal laptop computer and a Kindle reader.
On Thursday, June 4, the delegation visited Pinnacle Health, where they were able to secure thousands of dollars worth of hospital equipment and supplies that will be transported later this year to Tanzania in a container. On Friday they visited two Christian radio stations and met with Dick Schlenker to look at PET (Personal Energy Transportation) vehicles for possible use at Matema and Itete Hospitals.
The delegation was present at our Synod Assembly and provided a lunchtime forum on Saturday with presentations about Itete and Matema hospitals. Andrew and Angie Hammer were also on hand to talk about their upcoming exchange/shared mission year in the Diocese. Dr. Mwasongela  and Mr. Mwakyolile served as gift bearers for Sunday's Assembly worship, and they also brought brief greetings.
Delegation members were guests of St. Peter (Lancaster) and Zion (East Petersburg), enjoying time with host families, visiting with congregation members, and touring the area. On Tuesday night, they attended a baseball game in York, and on Wednesday, they met with the Konde Committee for a luncheon and presentation about the renovations at Matema Beach Resort. The group also celebrated Pastor Mwansasu's birthday. On Thursday, June 11, the group enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C., including a stop at the Tanzanian Embassy and a visit to the Lincoln Memorial.
Look for more information about upcoming travel opportunities to Tanzania, about ways to start or strengthen Companion Congregation relationships, and about the Hammer family's upcoming year in the Diocese.
Preaching from Tanzania
Pastor Evan Houck will be preaching from Tanzania via Skype to the congregation of Grace Lutheran (Camp Hill) on Sunday, July 19. We give thanks for the gift of technology that strengthens our Konde partnership.
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 Hope in Haiti is the name of our synod's shared ministry with the community surrounding Institution Univers (IU) Chjristian School in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. For over ten years we have been building a relationship with the children and families of that school, the medical clinic, library, and farms now growing up in that region. We have hosted exchange students, sent a bus load of supplies to the region, and traveled a few times annually to IU, to help with their summer camps. Families in that community rely on the school to help provide daily meals for their children, as well as an education. Please be in prayer for our multi-generational group of servants traveling to spend a week with our partners in Haiti, beginning this July 4th weekend. Watch our website and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lower-Susquehanna-Synod-Office-for-Children-Youth-Family-Ministry/, for photos and updates. Summerfest Deadline Fast Approaching  Don't miss Summerfest! A one-day celebration at Camp Nawakwa, scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2015, featuring food, games, live music and worship, it's fun for all ages. Our featured band this year is Lost & Found, veterans of the Lutheran Christian music circuit, they are on their farewell tour, and will be coming off the ELCA Youth Gathering, the weekend before rolling into Nawakwa for their last stop in central PA. The day begins at 11:00 AM, with a BBQ lunch meal at 12:00 N, and a full day of games and activities, including pool time, all culminating with worship at 5:00 PM. Come for the whole day or just a portion of it. Pre-schoolers can attend for free, children under 12 are $5, and adults attend for $20. Registration is easy and you can pay at the door. Download the registration form at: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/summerfest/, and send us the names or simply the numbers you plan to bring.
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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)
Across our synod are 237 worshiping communities with the same goal: We all want to grow -- in membership, in discipleship, in stewardship and every other good way. But only a fraction of our congregations are, in fact, growing. The reasons are many, but this hard-hitting article from ChurchLeaders.com may offer some insights. Share this article with your church leadership team. Which reasons apply to you? What can you do about it?
Brown Bag Series Takes a Break
The Brown Bag Lunch Leadership series will break for the months of July and August. Look for a new series of Leadership Events called T.E.D. (Theology, Evangelism, & Discipleship) beginning in September.
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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 Lottie Finger, mother of Irene Wegehoft and mother-in-law of Pastor Bob Wegehoft (retired), who died June 23 at St. Anne's Retirement Community in Columbia,
...prayers for the families of Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, the Hon. Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., the Rev. Sharonda Singleton, and Myra Thompson, who died June 17 in the shootings at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., and for that community. We pray, too, for alleged shooter Dylann Roof, his family, and the congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Columbia, S.C. We pray for an end to the brokenness and sin of racism and the inequity that divides us.
...prayers for all who are traveling to Haiti with Hope for Haiti this week and for other mission trips both in the U.S. and abroad in which Lower Susquehanna Synod Lutherans are involved.
Click here for a commissioning litany and prayers for youth and adults attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit next month.
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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Annual Coptic Bazaar Offers Chance to Meet and Learn
 Want to meet our sisters and brothers in Christ at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church (former location of Memorial Lutheran Church) and learn more about their faith and culture? Join them for the annual Coptic Bazaar, July 25-26, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tour the church and see the beautiful icons, visit the library, and enjoy some delicious Egyptian food (falafel, stuffed grape leaves, macaroni and bechamel, desserts and more), and good fellowship. St. Mark is located at 1701 State St., Harrisburg, PA 17103
(Pictured are Lower Susquehanna Synod Lutherans and members of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church at a recent Children's Festival and Picnic. Thanks to Vicar Jennifer Crist, Pr. Rochelle Lewis, and Zach Weiss of Lutheran Camping Corporation for leading the planning and organizing for this event!)
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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.
Women of the ELCA, Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women's Organization News
 The July/August edition of News & Views is now available (click here to be redirected). The front page has reminders of deadlines and other pertinent information about the upcoming 28th Annual Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women's Convention, August 14-15 at Memorial Lutheran Church, Shippensburg.
Norma Good brings us some important information about LWR Quilts and the proper way to fill the quilts. Also, there is a list of the items and the numbers that were brought to synod assembly and delivered to New Windsor.
Board members are needed for the 2015-2016 term. Check out the notice on page 6 of your newsletter - perhaps the Lord is leading you to serve in one of the areas that is needed.
See pages 9-10 for the registration form for on 26th Annual Retreat at Camp Hebron, to be held Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1. Registration form includes the theme for the weekend, as well as a biography of our leader, Rev. Carol Bowman.
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.
July 15
Spiritual Fitness Training for Military Faith Providers
Click here to register. Click here for a flyer.
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
August 29
Growing Faith in our Home: A Day Retreat for Leaders and their Families
Camp Nawakwa, 1033 Nawakwa Rd., Biglerville
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 5-7
Celebration of Biblical Preaching: The Courage to Preach
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
October 13-14
Parish Secretaries' Seminar: "Checks & Balances"
Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, Bird-in-Hand, PA
November 1
Luther Rose Lectures "Martin Luther: Then & Now" with the Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson
Palm Lutheran Church, 11 W. Cherry St., Palmyra
January 31 - February 2
LSS Rostered Leaders' Wellness Retreat
Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, PA
"Psalms: A Journey of Prayer" Begins July 1
Join Pastor Rob Myallis, the congregation of Zion's Lutheran Church, Jonestown, and others across the digital world in a six month reading, sharing, and study of the Psalms. Click here to join the Facebook group, and click here to visit the congregation's website where you'll find a host of useful resources to help you with this study, including an introductory video.
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.
Be sure to check the Center for Faith Formation webpage for information about upcoming events and links for registration. Added recently are . Click here to be redirected.
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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.
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 11
Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State Arts Festival Picnic, Sunset Park, State College
July 12
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
August 1
Underground Skate Park (a collaborative effort of Trinity, St. Mark, St. Peter, St. Stephen, and Trindle Spring Lutheran Churches), Trinity Lutheran Church, 132 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg
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!
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
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!
New this week to share: Assorted Bibles from St. Paul, Littlestown. Check the website for details.
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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: Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
Position: Choir Director and/or Organist (Posted 6/24/15)
Congregation: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, York Springs
Position: Part-time Organist and Sr. Choir Director (Posted 6/24/15)
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)
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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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