Resources

The following resources have been compiled primarily for use by rostered leaders of our synod. Please also see “Resources” under “For Congregations” for additional items of interest. New resources may be added at any time, so please check frequently for new tools for ministry!

Call Process

• The “Guide re: Pastoral Vacancies for Congregation Councils” describes the congregation council’s responsibilities from the time a pastor resigns until a new pastor is called and installed.  Click here for the PDF file version.
• “Call Process at a Glance” outlines the Call Process for a congregation calling a new pastor.
• “Frequently Asked Questions about the Call Process”
• “About the ELCA Call Process, from a Synod Staff Member’s Perspective” offers information and advice to rostered leaders about to complete their Rostered Leader Profiles.  Also available as PDF file here.

Church Administration

• The “Congregational Constitutions” resource guides congregations in updating, amending, or replacing their congregational constitution.
• The “Congregational Leaders Form (2010)” is to be updated annually for each congregation, and returned to the synod office to facilitate communications between the synod and a congregation’s leaders.
• Statement of Intent 2010 Mission Support [ PDF ] is a “fillable” form for use by pastors, lay presidents and treasurers to inform the synod of their mission support giving intents for the coming year.
• “Guidelines for Using the ELCA Brand Mark” offers general guidelines for using the “God’s Work. Our Hands” brand mark of the ELCA.
• The “2012 Rostered Persons’ Compensation and Benefits Guidelines Manual (corrected)” (Word version) (PDF version)  is a resource distributed annually to USS rostered leaders and congregational treasurers.  (Note: The ”2011 Rostered Persons’ Compensation and Benefits Guidelines Manual” is still available.)
• Ms. Sandra Grier serves as this synod’s Social Ministry Project Coach–a resource person available to our congregations who wish to launch new social ministry projects.  Her ministry is supported by a grant from Diakon Lutheran Social Services.  To contact Sandy, please cal l570-220-5039 or email her at sandygrier@comcast.net.

Healthy Congregations

• “The Reconciliation of Conflicts within a Congregation” describes this synod’s expectations for reconciliation, resources and avenues for dealing with conflict, and introduces the synod’s Reconciliation Team.
• “Assessing Your Congregation’s Culture” is a tool to assist you in learning more about the culture of your congregation-things perhaps not made evident in the Congregation Profile.
• “Mutual Ministry Handbook” (MS Word version) is a tool for congregational mutual ministry teams to use in beginning their ministry together or to engage in evaluating their congregation’s mutual ministry.  Click here for PDF version.

Other

• “A Resource for the Closing of Congregations” (MS Word version) offers support, encouragement, and resources for congregations making a choice to close.  Click here for PDF version.

Rostered Leader Handbook

• “Annual Reports” describes how to file the annual congregational report (a.k.a. “parochial report”, Forms A & C) and the rostered leader’s confidential report to the synod bishop.  LINKS to both are included on this page.
• “The Clergy-Communicant Privilege in Pennsylvania” explains the Commonwealth laws regarding confidential information and mandatory reporting for clergy.
• “Congregational Audits” suggests practices for conducting annual financial audits.
• “Congregational Records” and Pastoral Care Files require special care. This resource offers guidance on good management techniques.
• “Constitutions for Congregations and the Need for Continuous Revisions“
• 2011 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations
• “Criteria for Continuation of On-Leave-from-Call Status“
• “Ecumenical Relations” describes the ELCA’s ecumenical relationships, and implications for “Full Communion” and “Interim Eucharistic Sharing”.
• “The First Call: Preparing for Successful Ministry” prepares a first call pastor, the calling congregation, and the synod for a successful transition into ministry together.
• “First Call Theological Education” describes our synod’s practices/expectations regarding theological education for rostered leaders in the first three years of their first call.
• “HIPAA Guidance for USS Leaders” offers clarification of how the HIPAA laws and pastoral care do and don’t intersect.
• “Intentional Interim Ministry: What it Is and What it is Not“
• “Leave for Pastors” describes this synod’s recommendations and policies regarding sabbatical leave, vacation, family leave, and holidays.
• “Sabbatical Leave Policy” was adopted by Synod Council in January 2011 and gives further explanation and guidelines for a pastoral sabbatical.
• “Maternity-Paternity Leave” at the time of either a birth or adoption within a rostered clergy family outlines the synod’s expectations/practice in this event.
• The “Normative Ethical Practices for Ordained Pastors of the Upper Susquehanna Synod” was adopted by the Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly in 1996.
• The “Supply Pastors” resource describes how pastors may arrange for Sunday morning supply preachers in the event they are not able to be present for worship.
• “Transition into a New Call” highlights six areas for consideration for a newly called pastor and a congregation.