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Beard Leads Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) in our Synod
Disaster can take many forms--floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes--but when it happens response time is critical. Our Lower Susquehanna Synod Lutherans have responded generously in the past when disaster strikes our neighbors, but the lag time between when the word gets out  to congregations and when the donations get to relief workers presents significant challenges to providing much-needed assistance.
Thanks to the Always Being Made New Campaign, our synod is poised to benefit from a local Disaster Response Fund with a goal of $100,000. "Having a well prepared disaster response network within the territory of the Lower Susquehanna Synod is critical in providing quick, effective support to those who are the victims of disaster, whether natural or man-made," said the Rev. Glenn Beard, LDR Coordinator of Disaster Response for the Lower Susquehanna Synod.
"The church is a place where countless resources are available to assist those in need. Being able to bring the resources and assets of the members of our congregations to the table in disaster response is huge," Beard said. "We are a multi-talented and diverse group of people who can do incredible things when we work together. Good disaster response is always a case-study in ecumenism at its finest! Having said that, LDR is recognized as a leader in disaster response locally, nationally and internationally."
Beard first became involved with LDR after Hurricane Katrina, leading disaster response trips to the Gulf Coast and becoming part of the Lower Susquehanna LDR Network as a member of the leadership board. Schooled by founding director of the Lower Susquehanna Network, Tim Brown,  Beard was a natural choice to step in when Tim wanted to "retire" from his role as director. Then in March, Diakon, where Beard serves as Luthercare's Director of Church Relations and Pastoral Care, became the lead affiliate Social Ministry agency responsible for disaster response in our synod. It was a natural fit, and Diakon was able to make a significant commitment to LDR by affording Beard the time for this work.
When disaster strikes and a Federal disaster is declared, Beard and his team will be ready to move, starting with funds from our Synod's Disaster Response Fund and quickly followed by those of LDR in Chicago and other sources. Diakon, as lead affiliate agency and fiduciary agency receives the funds and distributes them for use in our synod at the request/suggestion of Beard and in consultation with Bishop Dunlop.
"As we move forward it is my goal to work directly with the Deans of our synod in identifying a leader or leaders from each of the conferences to serve on the synod's Disaster Response Network Task Force," said Beard. "That group of leaders will assist in identifying local assets and other leaders from their local areas in order to develop the most prepared network of local leaders we can." Beard hopes to begin meeting with Deans and local conference leaders this fall.
If you are interested in learning more about Lutheran Disaster Response in our synod and how you can help, contact Pastor Beard at Luthercare (717) 626-1171 X 1669, mobile (717) 471-1067, or email at gbeardjr@ptd.net.
Meet Glenn Beard 
The Rev. Glenn Beard received his undergraduate degree in Special Education from Millersville University and his M.Div. from Gettysburg Seminary. He is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and he recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination. He served for 12 years as a parish pastor in congregations in Upper and Lower Susquehanna Synods, was a hospice chaplain for twelve years, and will his first year here at Luthercare this fall. Beard also manages the Heidelberg Brass Band. For the first time in over 60 years, the band has begun offering its services to congregations interested in having a Polka Mass. Beard and his wife, Lisa, will be married 26 years on August 19th.
Make a Gift to the Disaster Response Fund
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 You are Cordially Invited . . .
Friday, August 28, 2015
7:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 47 W. Main St., Mount Joy, PA
Ordination of Andrew Geib and Commissioning of Micki (Marilyn) Kautz.
Andrew is called to serve as Associate Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church (Gettysburg). Micki will serve St. Michael's (Rossville) and St. John's (Franklintown) Lutheran Churches as an Associate in Ministry under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Roy Stetler, Faith United Lutheran Parish.
The color of the day is red. All rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. A reception will follow worship.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
4:00 p.m.
Installation of the Rev. Aaron Erdley as Lead Pastor of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Rd., Mechanicsburg. The color of the day is green. All rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. A dinner reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
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Registration Open for our Annual Middle-School Youth Event
Middle-school youth are looking for a place to be accepted for who they are, and often our youth ministry programs afford them that opportunity. One place where they can find the  unconditional love and acceptance they yearn for is our annual synod middle-school retreat called ALiVE!. Scheduled for September 25-27, 2015, at Camp Nawakwa, this year's theme is "Community." We will explore what it means to be part of a larger community of faithful believers and how community shapes us in our own lives as followers of Jesus.
The weekend includes lots of fun, fellowship and inspiring worship, as well as small group conversations around the theme, where youth get to know peers from across the synod. If you haven't attended in a while, give ALiVE! another look. The registration process has been radically simplified to make it easier for youth workers to collect participants with fall approaching and Rally days scheduled in many congregations.
Please visit our synod website to watch the promo video, get more details on the event, or to grab the new one-page registration form: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/alive/. Plus, look for our 2-Year Youth Ministry Calendar that includes our full fall/winter event calendar for 2015-2016.
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Global Missions News & Opportunities
 Stoles to Tanzania
Last month Pastor Evan Houck and his brother traveled to the Konde Diocese. Pastor Amani Mwaijande served as host and guide to the brothers. Pastor Amani, a former graduate student at LTSG, was dean of students and taught at the Lutheran University in Mbeya until reassigned by his bishop to the largest Lutheran church in Mbeya.
Pictured above are Pastor George Mwakanyamale (left) and Pastor Amani Mwaijande. Pastor George is the District Pastor for the Southern District of the Konde Diocese. District Pastor is a full time position with responsibilities similar to those of our Conference Deans. Prior to this assignment Pastor George taught at the Bible School in Matema and before that was pastor of a parish on the Tanzanian/Malawi border. His wife is a primary school teacher in Matema. Pastor George will be attending Gettysburg Seminary this Fall, and he was thrilled to receive stoles from the late Pastor Russ Siler, whose work in advocacy and global missions was well known and whose desire was that his stoles be given to African pastors.
Other stoles and clerical clothing will be distributed by Pastor Amani to other District Pastors at their October meeting. Look for another update from Pastor Houck in a future issue of Carings & Sharings.
Want to find a way to love your neighbor through involvement in global missions? Contact Pastor Sharron Blezard or any member of the Global Missions Committee.
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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)
The Church is a Leadership FactoryDoes your congregation have any strategy for developing leaders? Far too many congregations serve as auditoriums that gather people behind a leader, when they really should see themselves as leadership factories that stir up the gifts of God in people, says writer J.D. Greear in thegospelcoalition.org. Good point, but how do we do that? Greear has some suggestions. Which would work in your congregation? Talk about it with your lay leadership or colleague group.
Fall Stewardship TED Talk, Sept. 3
Our synod's monthly Brown Bag Leadership Lunch program has been rebranded "TED Talks," which in our case stands for Theology, Evangelism and Discipleship. We'll offer monthly conversations about topics of interest to congregational leaders.
Far too many of our congregations lack a strategy to invite its members to participate more deeply in the life of the congregation through thoughtful, prayerful financial giving. And year after year, many of these congregations suffer from a shortage of resources that could help their ministries thrive. If your congregation still has no plans for a fall stewardship campaign, it's no too late. Come to our TED Talk on Sept. 3 and we'll review a number of ideas, strategies, as well as several resources that can get your congregation going. The leader is the Rev. Rob Blezard, assistant to the bishop. The TED Talk takes place from 10 a.m. - Noon on Sept. 3 in the boardroom of the United Church Center (where our synod office is located), 900 S. Arlington Ave., Harrisburg, Pa. Bring a lunch and we can share a fellowship meal and talk afterwards. In order that we have enough resources to go around, please RSVP to Cathy Deitrich at the synod offices, cdeitrich@lss-elca.org.
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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 Patrick Brennan, grandfather of Vicar Victoria Larson (St. John, Mercersburg), who died August 11.
Check out ELCA Prayer Ventures by clicking here and download daily prayer petitions each month.
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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 It's time once again for the annual Lutheran World Relief Ingathering. You can access a congregational packet by clicking here. You can also visit the Lower Susquehanna Synod Website Ingathering page by clicking here. There's a way for every congregation to participate--from quilts to kits to soap and/or donations of money for shipping--no congregation is too small to make a difference. Please help LWR provide basic necessities for our neighbors around the world. Have any questions? Contact Norma R. Good, Lower Susquehanna Synod Volunteer Coordinator for Relief Projects at nrgood@comcast.net or 717-399-7697.
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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.
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 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.
Summer Synod Office Schedule
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.
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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.
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 26
Climate Disruption is a Moral Issue: Interfaith Climate Advocacy Training, Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1280 Clover Lane. Sponsored by Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light.
August 29
Growing Faith in our Home: A Day Retreat for Leaders and their Families (Rescheduled for October 15, 2016--mark your calendar)
September 5
"Survey of the Lands of the Bible" free online course
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg (For more information or to enroll click here.)
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.
September 17-19
ELCA Networks for Mission Event: We are Church Together
Capital Retreat Center, Waynesboro, PA
Click here for more information and to register.
September 26
Seminary for a Day
Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA
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.
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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.
August 23
Annual Ice Cream Social, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 North Main St., Dover
August 25
French Boys' Choir in Concert, Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg
August 29
"Chicken for Chickens" BBQ to Benefit World Hunger, St. John Lutheran Church, 111 Walnut St., Boiling Springs
"Lobster Fest", Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
September 6
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
September 12
"Queens Who Cook" Fundraiser to benefit the St. Barnabas Center, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices" Sunday)
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
September 27
5th Annual Pet Sunday and Blessing, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1398 Moulstown Rd., N, Hanover
October 4
Rise Up Together: The Tour (featuring Rachel Kurtz, Agape, and Joe Davis), St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
November 7
Sorensen in Concert at the Grove Community Coffee House, Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus
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!
Needed: Accompanist's Book for With One Voice. Have one you would be willing to donate? If so, contact Pastor Susan McCarthy at pastorsusan@yahoo.com or call her at 717-357-3223.
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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).
Organization: Cumberland County Prison (Carlisle Area Religious Council)
Position: Full-time Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care (Posted 8/12/15)
Congregation: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown and St. Mark, Mechanicsburg
Position: Youth and Family Ministry Director (Posted 7/28/15)
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)
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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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