Committees, Ministry Teams and Task Forces
Ansbach-Würzburg Kirchenkreis Task Force
Ansbach-Würzburg Kirchenkreis Task Force coordinates this synod’s relationship with our Bavarian counterpart in Germany. The Task Force has organized exchanges of choirs and young people between our synods. Educational opportunities for German theological students and other avenues of cooperation have also been arranged.
Chairperson: Rev. Dr. Lois Martin
Lo7Mrt@aol.com
Bishop’s Committee on Ecumenical Relations
Bishop’s Committee on Ecumenical Relations assists the bishop in fulfilling his responsibilities as the chief ecumenical officer of this synod. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America currently is in full communion with the following denominations: The Episcopal Church USA, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church, and Moravian Church. I
Chairperson: Pastor Karl-John Stone
570-524-9778
karljohn@uss-elca.org
Bishop’s Committee on Worship
Bishop’s Committee on Worship assists the bishop in preparing worship for synodical events such as the Bishop’s Retreat and the Synod Assembly. It is not a resource for congregational worship.
Chairperson: Pastor Beth Ann Stone
570-524-9778
bethann@uss-elca.org
Bishop’s Task Force on the Weekly Eucharist
The Bishop’s Task Force on the Weekly Eucharist is a resource team of ordained ministers available to assist congregations desiring to explore historical, theological, and practical issues related to celebrating the Eucharist weekly in Sunday worship.
Contact: Pastor Karl-John Stone
570-524-9778
karljohn@uss-elca.org
Campus Ministry Team
Campus Ministry Team gathers together the various persons on the territory of this synod who are responsible for ministry on the campuses of the colleges and universities with whom this synod has a relationship. Campus pastors and others regularly meet with synodical support for support and conversation.
Contact: Pastor Beth Ann Stone
570-524-9778
bethann@uss-elca.org
Candidacy Committee of the Upper Susquehanna Synod
Candidacy Committee of the Upper Susquehanna Synod recruits persons for the professional ministry in the Church, both ordained and lay; approves, guides, and assists them in the preparation for such service; and examines and recommends persons for ordination or for certification as associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.
Chairperson: (to be appointed)
Synod Administrator: Pastor Beth Ann Stone
570-524-9778
bethann@uss-elca.org
Care of Creation/Social Justice Task Force
Care of Creation/Social Justice Task Force works on issues connecting faith, care of creation, and social justice.
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Yenchko
(570-524-9778)
eyenchko@uss-elca.org
Committee on Discipline
Committee on Discipline administers the constitutionally established processes for the resolution of controversies and for the discipline of ordained ministers, other rostered leaders, and congregations of this synod
Chairperson: To be appointed should the need arise for this committee to meet.
Constitution Committee
Constitution Committee reviews and approves the constitutions of both this synod and the congregations of the synod. It also serves as a resource to those considering updating or revising their constitutions.
Chairperson: Pastor Adrian Shearer
570-473-9948
AJSREV@aol.com
Consultation Committee
Consultation Committee serves as this synod’s means for adjudicating disputes within congregations. Other avenues for reconciliation are sought first, but this committee can be convened if other efforts have failed the resolve the difficulties.
Chairperson: To be appointed should the need arise for this committee to meet.
ELCA World Hunger Task Force
ELCA World Hunger Task Force coordinates the efforts of this synod to support the ELCA’s World Hunger efforts through its congregations.
Chairperson: Pastor Carla Volland
570-546-6381
carlavolland@gmx.net
Fiscal Management Ministry Team
Fiscal Management Ministry Team prepares an annual synodical budget that is submitted to the synod assembly and monitors both the synod’s spending and investments.
Chairperson: Synod Treasurer Stephen Schlesing
570-322-0749
saschlesing@verizon.net
Global Mission Ministry Team
Global Mission Ministry Team oversees all aspects of this synod companion relationships with our overseas partners. This synod currently has relationship with the Lutheran Church in Liberia and the Ansbach-Würzburg Kirchenkreis in Germany.
Contact: Pastor Beth Ann L. Stone
bethann@uss-elca.org
Lay Ministry Institute Board
Lay Ministry Institute Board administers the programs of the Lay Ministry Institute whose mission is to educate and equip lay people for theologically sound ministry. The Lay Ministry Institute is under the office of the bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod which provides oversight and accountability to its programs, and which authorizes lay leaders for ministry in our congregations.
Chairperson: Pastor Wayne Muthler
(570) 743-3052
pwayne@ptd.net
Coordinator: Pastor Melody Sell
(570) 437-2652
pmsell@chilitech.net
LEARN Team
LEARN Team supports the learning ministries of USS congregations, and includes the participation of this synod’s Authorized Lay Christian Educators.
Contact: Pastor Karl-John Stone
570-524-9778
karljohn@uss-elca.org
Liberia Companion Synod Committee
Liberia Companion Synod Committee coordinates this synod’s relationship with the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL). The committe4e has organized many work teams to assist in the reconstruction of this war-torn nation and has sent numerous cargo containers to the LCL . Educational opportunities for Liberian pastors and other avenues of cooperation have also been arranged.
Chairperson: Pastor Beth Ann Stone
570-524-9778
bethann@uss-elca.org
Mission Interpretation Task Force
Mission Interpretation Task Force interprets for congregations the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and this synod. It seeks creative ways to inform our congregations and their members about how we are sharing in “God’s work” using “Our hands.”
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Yenchko
(570-524-9778)
eyenchko@uss-elca.org
Personnel Ministry Team
Personnel Ministry Team has the responsibility of working with synodical staff. It interviews and hires new staff members.
Chairperson: Mrs. Dorothy Anderson
andersod@INTUNEWIRELESS.NET
Reconciliation Team
Reconciliation Team works with congregations who desire to manage conflicts in their faith communities, working toward reconciliation of all parties. The Team consists of lay and ordained members who have trained to consult with and support congregations engaged in this process.
Chairperson: Pastor Bill Henderson
(570-524-0745)
pastorcelc@gmail.com
Small Church/ELCMA Ministry Team
Small Church/ELCMA Ministry Team assists congregations and rostered leaders as they address both the joys and challenges of small congregations. It also seeks to be supportive of this synod’s outreach/evangelism efforts.
Contact: Pastor Dan May
(570-649-5822)
revdan@dejazzd.com
Stewardship Ministry Team
Stewardship Ministry Team assists congregations and this synod as we seek to be faithful stewards of all of life, including the care of creation.
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Yenchko
(570-524-9778)
eyenchko@uss-elca.org
Synod Youth Council
Synod Youth Council coordinates the youth ministry of this synod. For more information, contact either
Contact: Pastor Karl-John Stone
(570) 524-9778
karljohn@uss-elca.org
Contact: Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director
922-1587
chad@campmountluther.org
Tranformational Ministry
Transformational Ministry works with congregations engaged in a process of discerning their callings to serve God in their own contexts.
Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Yenchko
(570-524-9778)
eyenchko@uss-elca.org
