July 15, 2015

Check Out the National Youth Gathering via Livestream

Our synod youth and adult advisors are gathering in the Motor City for tonight's opening of the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering. They've traveled by plane, bus, van, and car to get there. They're ready to serve, to worship, to learn, and to have fun with the almost 30,000 Lutherans from across the U.S.--and youth from across the globe. Your prayers are needed, and you can follow along from home and experience the Gathering.  Click here to check out daily streaming from Detroit. You can also access social media from the Gathering website. Click here for the Gathering's Facebook page. Click here for highlights from our synod's Facebook page and here to be redirected to the Facebook page for LSS Office for Children, Youth, & Family Ministry.

For a recap of each day's events, information, and a "GoPro" eye-view of the Gathering, tune in to "Rise Up Together Tonight!" airing Wednesday through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the Gathering's website. There will also be a special morning edition on Sunday before closing worship.

Watch Bishop Dunlop live from Detroit!
Bishop Jim Dunlop will be a guest on the "Rise Up Detroit Morning Show" broadcast live from the ELCA National Youth Gathering on Thursday, July 16. The show begins at 8:00 a.m. each morning of The Gathering. Bishop Dunlop is scheduled to appear at approximately 8:15 a.m. You can watch the live feed on the Gathering webpage here: https://www.elca.org/YouthGathering.

Good Reading
Check out this article from the July 2015 edition of The Lutheran about the "act of faith" that led to the decision for the 2015 National Youth Gathering to be held in Detroit.

Cooking for a Cause: "Queens Who Cook" Fundraiser Returns

 

Once again this year, St. Paul Episcopal Church is sponsoring a Queens Who Cook fundraiser to benefit the St. Barnabas Center for Ministry. Organizers are looking for 50 queens who will cook their favorite recipe and provide sample portions of that dish for 100 people. The event will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  

 

Now celebrating 21 years of ministry, the St. Barnabas Center for Ministry nurtures the spiritual, educational, and social development of children and youth in Uptown Harrisburg. Programs include a summer camp and after school program. This is a collaborative ministry of Lutherans and Episcopalians and other community partners.

 

Are you willing to be one of the queens?  To volunteer, please call Carol Stevenson at 623-0335. Tickets will be available later for those who would like to attend and sample.  Adult tickets will be $20.00.  A fun prize raffle is part of the event, and donations of items for the raffle are also welcome. This is a fun (and delicious!) event for a great cause. Gather your friends and family and join us on September 12.


Global Missions News & Opportunities

A Year in Mbeya: Hammer Family Update

 

Andrew and Angie Hammer and their children are preparing to spend a year in the Konde Diocese (our companion synod) working, sharing, and learning. They're willing to come to your congregation and talk about their plans, help you make greater connections to your companion congregation, and invite you to join them in strengthening our partnership with our companion synod. Click here for a PDF document of opportunities to help support them in their efforts to raise funds for the trip. Check out the Star Wars movie opportunity; this would be a natural for youth groups in the eastern part of our synod.

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)

 

For many of us, Our Lord's "Great Commission" of Matthew 28 runs through our minds whenever we think of our church's highest goal: Make disciples!  And yet time and again of our best efforts fall short, failing to achieve the results we desire. Why is that so? This writer for Pastors.com suggests six important reasons. And a bonus: The reasons contain links to other resources where you can do some in-depth exploration. Share this article with your leadership team or peer group. Which of the reasons have you been guilty of? What can you do about it?
 


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 the friends and family of Josephine Haugen Senft, who died Monday, July 13. Mrs. Senft was the wife of Pastor Kenneth C. Senft (retired), mother of Pastor Catharine Geib (Tree of Life) and mother-in-law of Pastor Richard Geib (Tree of Life), and grandmother of Andrew Geib (an approved candidate for ordination, called to St. James, Gettysburg). Click here to be redirected to the obituary. 
...prayers for our LSS youth and adult leaders who are participating this week in the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit.
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 [email protected]. 

Baskets and Backpacks of Love Provide Hope to Returning Citizens

 

So you missed us at Synod Assembly? Perhaps you weren't able to attend Synod this year? It's not too late to make a real difference for returning citizens from the criminal or juvenile justice systems. Baskets and Backpacks of Love are also an easy and tangible way to introduce Criminal Justice System ministry to your congregation.

Baskets of Love provide essential items for hygiene and housekeeping for adults (male or female), and Backpacks of Love are filled with essential school supplies and hygiene items for male or female teens. Returning citizens are faced with many challenges, and a simple gift of a basket or backpack can make a real difference by providing encouragement to succeed in reentering school or the job market.

Click here to visit our Lower Susquehanna Synod Criminal Justice System Ministry page, or contact Pastor Beth George at [email protected] for more information about how your congregation or group can become involved or to request a speaker.

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.

 

Don't miss the opportunity to maximize your congregation's hunger ministry.

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Please reference "World Hunger Grant Question" in the subject box.

 

Summer Synod Office Schedule and Closings: Please Mark Your Calendar

Our synod office 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.

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.

 

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

October 23-26

"Lord, Let Our Eyes Be Opened: Breaking the Chains of Mass Incarceration," sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Red Lion Hotel, Harrisburg. Visit http://pachurches.org/ for more information.
 
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 (Save the date!)

April 14-17

"White Privilege Conference: Understanding, Respecting, & Connecting"

 Philadelphia, PA (Hold the date and click here for information)

"Psalms: A Journey of Prayer" 

 
 
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. (Note: The program began July 1, but feel free to join in at any time.)

 

 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.

 

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].

 

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 2
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
August 9
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!
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!

 

Lost & Found: Suit Jacket

We brought back a suit jacket that was left in Parmer Hall at Synod Assembly.  It is charcoal gray, Stafford Executive brand, made in South Africa of wool and cashmere. We cannot find a size. If this jacket belongs to you or someone you know, please give Marty Shifflett a call at 717-652-1852.


 

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: First Lutheran Church, Carlisle
Position: Part-time Financial Secretary (Posted 7/6/15)
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)

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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