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What are YOU Doing for Christ the King Malaria Sunday?
The congregation of Christ Lutheran in New Bloomfield has planned a bake sale. Other congregations will hold "noisy offerings." Still others are eliminating "mosquitoes" from their sanctuaries in exchange for the purchase of mosquito nets. As gifts for her 46th birthday, Pastor Susan McCarthy (Benders and St. Paul, Biglerville) has challenged friends to collectively buy 46 mosquito nets with $10 donations to the Malaria Campaign.
The possibilities are as vast as your creativity. The point? Just do something! Help us reach our synod's goal of $500,000 to eliminate this deadly yet treatable and preventable disease. Click here for a bulletin insert.
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A Case for Attending Winterfest 2016
Would you like for youth in your congregation to attend Winterfest but are concerned about event costs and the accessibility of a weekend-long event in the winter sports season? If so, then worry no more! This year we've made Winterfest more affordable and accessible. Can't come for three days, come for two, or just for the Saturday evening dinner, show and community events (our Silver Celebration). Not in a position to pay for the whole weekend, maybe one night is more affordable. Perhaps you have one family who decides to join the rest of your congregational group just for the Saturday evening Silver Anniversary celebration. Maybe you have a team of Sunday school teachers who want only to attend for the adult learning tracks.
The bottom line is that we have created customizable options that are also affordable, with the hope of expanding the number of participants of ALL ages. But what makes Winterfest truly worth attending is the Christ-centered "community," our theme for this year. A cross-generational community, focused on worship, prayer, faithful conversation, fun and fellowship. It's a great way to start the new year! To learn more about the event, the registration options, the adult learning tracks, our Silver Celebration, or simply to register, visit: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/winterfest/.
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 Advent Offers Opportunity to Plan Legacy Gifts
As another Advent dawns upon us, our eyes, ears and hearts turn to consideration of the end of this time. With those thoughts are practical considerations of the end of this calendar year. If you are thinking about a special gift to change the world, consider gifting your congregation or ELCA ministry.
The ELCA Foundation offers a host of special giving opportunities. Transfer of stock, donations of life insurance, and Charitable Gift Annuities are among some of the many offerings you may make this tax year through the ELCA Foundation. These gifts can benefit you, the giver, and the  proclamation of Christ in the world. Call Pastor Liz Polanzke, Gift Planner for Central PA, 717-654-2334 to get started in time for those gifts to count in 2015!
The services of the ELCA Foundation Gift Planner are complementary to all congregations and donors through the generous partnership of your Synod, and the following: Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministry, Camp Mt. Luther, Diakon, Gettysburg College, Lutheran Camping Corporation, Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State, Lutheran Theological Seminary-Gettysburg, Luthercare, Sequanota Camp and Conference Center, SpiriTrust Lutheran, and Susquehanna University.
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 You are Invited...
December 6, 2015
Eucharist with the Rite of Ordination for Rachel Langford, Victoria Larson, and Possibly a Third Ordinand
Union Lutheran Church, 408 W. Market St., York
4:00 p.m.
The color of the day is red. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. All are invited to attend a light reception following the service. Information about open choir participation is forthcoming.
Parking: Besides the church's parking lots, parking is available for free along the streets, in the Farmer Market's lot to the east of the church on West Market Street, and in the Roosevelt Tavern's lot to the north of the church on Penn Street at West Philadelphia.
Ms. Langford has been called to serve as Associate Director of Admissions at Gettysburg Seminary. Ms. Larson has been called to serve as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Steelton. A third ordinand whose call vote is Nov. 29 may be added to the service. Look for an announcement in two weeks.
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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)
5 Things that Give Pastors a Bad Name with Unchurched People
O.K., so you're talking to a stranger in a supermarket, on the sidewalk outside your church, or in the dentist's waiting room. You're excited because the conversation is leaning toward faith and there's potential for an invitation to church. It's here that many Christians falter because they unwittingly follow patterns that turn off unchurched people. This article from Churchleaders.com, points out common mistakes and how to correct them. ( Click here to see the Leadership Link archives.)
December 10 TED Talk to Explore "Healthy Congregations"
Healthy Congregations is a way of looking at your church as a system of relationships, how it handles anxiety and conflict, and the crucial role of leadership in promoting health in the congregation. Pr. Dan Biles has served as a teacher of Healthy Congregations in our synod, and has taught understanding churches as systems at the Lutheran Seminary in Russia. Based on the teachings of Bowen Family Theory, Ed Friedman, and Peter Steinke, the program on December 10 will offer an overview of understanding how your church system works. Here's a flyer about Healthy Congregations.
Our synod's monthly TED (Theology, Evangelism and Discipleship) Talks cover topics of interest to congregational leaders free and open to anyone. They are held every second Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. - Noon in the lunchroom of the United Church Center (where our synod office is located), 900 S. Arlington Ave., Harrisburg. 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.
Looking for a prayer resource that is grounded in world events? Check out World in Prayer, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, CA .
Check out ELCA Prayer Ventures by clicking here and download daily prayer petitions each month.
Have prayer requests to share with others in our synod? Contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org.
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 WE ARE GENEROUS
CLICK TO GIVE: 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 top 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 and quickly support our work together. Make a one-time gift or set up a regular giving schedule. Give to the Always Being Made New Campaign, too! Use QR Codes to give? Try our synod's QR code to make a donation today.
WE ARE THANKFUL!
We are blessed to have many faithful volunteers who help accomplish the work of the church through our Lower Susquehanna Synod. We say THANK YOU to each one who serves on a committee, team, or task force and shares their expertise and time. This week we acknowledge the work of our Synod Council. Click here to meet your Synod Council members. Thank you for being our partner in mission and ministry.
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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WE LEARN
CLICK HERE to be redirected to our synod website for detailed information about upcoming events. We add events and update our website weekly.
NEW THIS WEEK...
Wrestling with the Gospel: Preaching Planning Workshop for Advent and Christmas: Need last minute preaching tips for Advent and Christmas? Here's a pay-per-view webinar from the Northwest Texas - Northwest Louisiana Synod, ELCA. Learn in the comfort of your own home or office. Click here for information.
COMING SOON...
November 28
Advent Retreat, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg. Click here for a flyer.
December 1
Peace Not Walls Convocation and Exhibition, Lutheran Theological Seminary Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
Be sure to check the Center for Faith Formation webpage for information about upcoming events and links for registration. Click here to be redirected. Don't forget about all the fun and educational events at our area Lutheran Camps! Click here to visit the Lutheran Camping Corporation website.
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WE CONNECT 
CLICK HERE to visit the Congregation Connections page on our synod's website where you'll find details about the many wonderful events happening in congregations across our synod.
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 website page. E-mail event information to sblezard@lss-elca.org.
NEW THIS WEEK
November 21
Holiday Craft Bazaar, Big Spring United Lutheran Church, 101 Crossroad School Rd., Newville
November 25
Thanksgiving Day Service with Holy Communion, Chapel of the Abiding Presence, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary
December 5
Journey to Bethlehem, an Interactive Christmas Adventure for Children and their Families,
Christ Lutheran Church, 66 S. Main St., Manchester
December 12
Cookie Walk (to provide scholarships for children of Agape Parish in Tanzania),
Shiloh Lutheran Church, 2201 Church Rd., York
COMING SOON...
November 21 Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne
November 22
Cornucopia of Sound: A Benefit Concert for Family Promise of the Harrisburg Capital Region, Zion Lutheran Church, 265 N. Enola Dr., Enola
November 29
Advent Wreath-Making Event, Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Main St., Hummelstown
December 4 Craft Show and Fair Trade Fair, Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola December 5 Cookie Walk for Konde, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Springettsbury, 25 W. Springettbury Ave., York
"Christmas is a Claus for Celebration" Breakfast, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" Richard A. Sultner, Sr. Music Scholarship Holiday Concert, Calvary Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
December 6 "Angels and Shepherds" Wheatland Chorale in Concert, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
December 13 Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES Ministry), St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
To Share:
Need hymnals, tables, Bibles, an organ, or choir robes? 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 our Lower Susquehanna Synod and the 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.
NEW THIS WEEK
Congregation: Union Lutheran Church, 408 W. Market St., York
Posted 11/18/15
Position: Nursery Attendants
Congregation: Quickel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 60 Canal Rd., York
Posted 11/16/15
Position: Administrative Assistant
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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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