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: Pastor 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.

Chairperson: Pastor Detlef Huckfeldt
(570) 998-3106
huckfeldt.de@gmx.net

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: Dr. Karla Bohmbach
(570) 372-4167
bohmbach@susqu.edu

Synod Administrator: Pastor Beth Ann Stone
(570-524-9778)
bethann@uss-elca.org

Christian Education Team

Christian Education Team provides assistance to congregations in their various educational ministries.

Chairperson: To be determined.

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.

Economic Task Force

Economic Task Force explores and promotes ways for congregational leaders to minister in the midst of challenging economic times.

Chairperson: Pastor John Yost

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.

Chairperson: Ms. Deborah Bernhisel
magistra@uplink.net

The Inter-synodical Commission for Higher Education

The Inter-synodical Commission for Higher Education maintains relationships between this synod, the Lower Susquehanna Synod, the Allegheny Synod, and higher education ministry at Gettysburg College and Susquehanna University and at campus ministry sites.

Contact: Pastor Detlef Huckfeldt
(570) 998-3106
huckfeldt.de@gmx.net

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

Liberia Taskforce

Liberia Taskforce coordinates this synod’s relationship with the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL). The Task Force 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:  Dr. Robert Bradford
(570) 473-9505
bradford@evenlink.com

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.”

Chairperson: Pastor Josh Reinsburrow
(570) 752-2289
PastorRELCA@gmail.com

Mutual Ministry Team

Mutual Ministry Team seeks to give encouragement by its concern for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of the full-time salaried officers of this synod.  It offers support and allows for open communication concerning attitudes and conditions within this synod.

Passing On Faith Network

Passing On Faith Network is comprised of those congregations and individuals who seek to pass on the faith by utilizing the approach of the Youth and Family Institute. Current members include: Bernadette Jones, The Rev. Eric Deibler, Sharon Comini, The Rev. Steve Shipman, The Rev. Karl-John Stone

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

Small Church/Outreach Ministry Team

Small Church/Outreach 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.

Spirituality Task Force

Spirituality Task Force explores and promotes resources to enhance the spiritual life of rostered leaders.

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.

Synod Youth Council

Synod Youth Council coordinates the youth ministry of this synod.

Chairperson: Pastor Patrick Sipes
(570) 374-0594
sgtmuddy@gmail.com