Headwaters

October 31^st, 2008

Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA, PO Box 36, Lewisburg, PA 17837 Pastor Beth Ann L. Stone, editor; e-mail: bethann@USS-ELCA.org

Celebrating Milestones

Pastor Kerry Maurer (St. Luke, Bloomsburg) has accepted a call to serve as pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia, effective Dec. 1, 2008. His ministry at St. Luke concludes Oct. 31. Pastor Jeff Bohan is now serving as the interim senior pastor at St. Luke. Our prayers are with the Maurer and Bohan families, the people of St. Luke, and the people of Christ the King in this time of transition.

Pastor Gordon Smith (St. John, Espy) is now serving as acting dean of the North Branch Conference (per the departure of Dean Kerry Maurer) until the election of a new conference dean in the spring of 2009.

Pastor Sarah Hershberger (Intentional Interim, Stone Valley Parish) was recently appointed by Diakon to serve as the synod’s Disaster Response and Preparedness Coordinator, a part-time position. Inquiries about disaster response may be directed to her at: sarahvhershberger@yahoo.com.

Ronald Montgomery has accepted a call to serve as pastor of St. John’s Parish, Unityville. His ordination will take place at a Service of the Eucharist on Saturday, December 13, 2:00 PM at the church. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. RSVP by Dec. 1 by phone 570-584-4465 or email rgmontgomery@windstream.net. Congratulations!

Pastor Gregory Davidson will be installed as pastor of Faith, Lewisburg on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 PM. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is white.

Pastor Mary Peterhaensel will retire as pastor of Salem, Salem and St. Peter, Kreamer effective January 1, 2009. Blessings!

Pastor Hugo Schroeder (retired) begins serving as interim pastor and stated supply of St. Paul, Middle Creek Dam on Nov. 1.

News of the retirement of Pastor Louise Williams was premature! She will continue to serve as pastor of Pastor of Grace and St. Luke, Sunbury, through the end of 2008.

CSS Publishing Co has published a volume of the ten Christmas Candlelight sermons preached by Susquehanna University Chaplain Mark Radecke between 1997 and 2006. (See http://www.csspub.com/prod-0788025597.htm) Mark reports that should people care to purchase copies, they are available either from CSS or from his office at $9.95 per copy, including shipping. If purchased from Mark’s office, the proceeds ($3.15 per copy) are donated to an orphanage in Nicaragua.

With thanks to God for his ministry, we celebrate with the following child of God the anniversary of his ordination in November:

5 years – Pastor Michael Ware (Christians United Cooperative)

U.S.S. Conference Happenings

Buffalo Valley Conference
Dean: Pastor John Yost (pastorjohn@4bellschurch.com)
Secretary: Pastor Jill Seagle (pastorjills@windstream.net)

Next ministerium meetings:
Thu. Nov. 6, 9:00 AM Worship, 10:00 AM Conference Meeting; First, Mifflinburg.

Thu. Dec. 4, 9:00 AM Worship, 10:00 AM Conference Meeting; Holy Spirit, Turbotville.

Reminder: please submit your Advent devotions to the dean as soon as possible!

Juniata Valley Conference
Dean: Pastor David Pennebaker (pastordave3@verizon.net)
Secretary: Pastor Erin Bovendam (ebovendam001@luthersem.edu)

Next ministerium meeting:
Mon. Nov. 17, 10:00 AM, Evangelical, Reedsville. Bishop’s Conversation with Congregation
Council members: TBA.
Pericope study: Thursdays, 10:15-11:30 AM, meeting at Messiah, Mifflintown in November.

Middle Creek Conference
Dean: Pastor Breen Marie Sipes (breenmarie@hotmail.com)
Secretary: Pastor Patrick Sipes (sgtmuddy@gmail.com)

Next ministerium meetings:
Wed. Nov. 12, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Salem Lutheran Church, Salem.
Wed. Dec. 10, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Beaver Lutheran Church, Beaver Spr. Pericope study: Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, Emmanuel, Middleburg.
Class for all: “The Good News Too Often Believed to Be Bad News” with Bishop Driesen: 11/12 and 11/19 from 7-8:30 PM at Emmanuel, Middleburg. Bishop’s Conversation with Congregation
Council members: Feb. 3, 2009, 7-9 PM, Beaver, Beaver Springs.

North Branch Conference
Acting Dean: Pastor Gordon Smith (gordotad555@aol.com)
Secretary: Pastor Gordon Smith (gordotad555@aol.com)

Next ministerium meetings:
Wed. Nov. 19, 9:30 AM Worship, 10:30 AM Boundaries Training 3, St. Luke, Blooms.
Wed. Dec. 17, 9:30 AM Worship, 10:30 AM Boundaries Training 4, St. Luke, Blooms.

Tulpehocken Conference
Dean: Pastor Michael Ware (wrathmaster777@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Pastor Christophe Teille (christoph_teille@hotmail.com)

Next ministerium meetings:
Tue. Nov. 11, 9:00 AM Pericope study, 10:00 AM Boundaries Training 2 & 3, United, Sunbury.
Tue. Dec. 2, 9:00 AM Pericope study, 10:00 AM Boundaries Training 4, Zion, Sunbury Bishop’s Conversation with Congregation Council members: TBA.

Boundary Training Events

Newly scheduled and changed events are underlined below.

All USS rostered leaders who continue in active service (called or retired) are expected to choose some of many opportunities to attend four-session training events on maintaining healthy boundaries in ministry before Pentecost, 2009. “A Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers” was created by FaithTrust Institute. FaithTrust Institute, founded by the Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune in 1977, is an international, multi-faith organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. They provide communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse.

Participants may attend Sessions 1-4 in any location, preferably in order. Events are being offered in every conference and at the synod office on select Saturdays. After completing the course, participants will receive a certificate, a copy of which will be placed in their personnel file with the synod.

Additional dates/locations will be listed in this publication as they are scheduled. Please check this schedule each month for possible changes and additions.

• Tu. Nov. 11– Sessions 2 & 3, 10:00 AM, United, Wolf’s Crossroads (Sunbury) (9:00 AM optional pericope study with Tulpehocken Conference)
• Wed. Nov. 19 – Session 3, 10:30 AM, St. Luke, Bloomsburg (9:30 AM optional worship with North Branch Conference)
• Tu. Dec. 2 - Session 4, 10:00 AM, Zion, Sunbury (9:00 AM optional pericope study with Tulpehocken Conference)
• Sat. Dec. 6, Synod Office, Lewisburg
• Session 1, 10:00 AM
• Session 2, 11:00 AM
• Session 3, 1:00 PM
• Session 4, 2:00 PM
• Tu. Dec. 9 – Sessions 3 & 4, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, St. Matthew, Williamsport (9:00 AM optional worship service with West Branch Conference)
• Wed. Dec. 17 – Session 4, 10:30 AM, St. Luke, Bloomsburg (9:30 AM optional worship with North Branch Conference)
• Middle Creek Conference Retreat at cabin in Aaronsburg—others also welcome for Boundaries sessions (contact Pastor Breen Sipes--breenmarie@hotmail.com)
• Wed. Jan. 7 – Session 1, 4:00 PM
• Wed. Jan. 7 – Session 2, 7:00 PM
• Thu. Jan. 8 – Session 3, 10:00 AM
• Thu. Jan. 8 – Session 4, 1:00 PM
• Sat. Jan. 10, 2009, Synod Office, Lewisburg
• Session 1, 10:00 AM
• Session 2, 11:00 AM
• Session 3, 1:00 PM
• Session 4, 2:00 PM

SATURDAY SESSIONS AT SYNOD OFFICE

Note: “Registration” is not necessary for the Saturday sessions at the synod office. However, in case of possible cancellation due to dangerous weather, it will help us to know who is planning to come. If you plan to attend a session on either December 6 or January 10, please email one of the Stones at bethann@usselca. org or karljohn@uss-elca.org. And if the weather’s fine and you just want to show up that day, feel free!

“The Power of the Enneagram”—Nov. 16

The Spiritual Care Division of the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, is excited to collaborate with psychologist, Linda Candlish, in presenting an introductory workshop on the power of the Enneagram for personal and spiritual transformation, Sunday afternoon, 2:00-5:00 PM, Nov. 16, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Main & Iron Sts, Bloomsburg. Instructor: Linda Candlish, Psychologist & Enneagram Teacher. To register call Tina or the voice mail at 570-271-3700 and leave the workshop title, your name, contact phone number and email address in a slow, clear voice. Course Fee including all materials: $10.00

First in the development of the Enneagram, a Bolivian mystic in the mid-twentieth century synthesized traditional wisdom traditions of the past. Secondarily these were developed and refined by the American psychiatrist, Claudio Naranjo. The Enneagram has subsequently been a prominent psychological tool employed by spiritual directors, major seminaries and CPE programs into the present. As emphasized by Sr. Suzanne Zuercher, OSB and the popular Franciscan retreat master, Fr. Richard Rhor, the Enneagram helps a person move from ‘compulsion to contemplation’ through portraying the ways ‘we hide from ourselves’ and therefore ‘hide from God.’

Fr. John Dear: “Nonviolence in a World of Violence and War”—Nov. 18

Father John Dear will present a free lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7:00 PM at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Professional Development Center in Williamsport. Fr. Dear is both a Nobel Peace Prize and Gandhi Peace Award nominee, and is an internationally recognized voice for peace and nonviolence. A Jesuit priest, pastor, peacemaker, and author, he served for years as the Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organization in the U.S. After September 11, 2001, he was a Red Cross coordinator of chaplains at the Family Assistance Center in NYC where he counseled thousands of people. The event is sponsored by United Campus Ministry.

Holiday Bookfair and “A Greater Gift” Sale—Nov. 22

Along The Way Books will host a bookfair and sale of SERRV/A Greater Gift items on Saturday, Nov. 22, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Chapel (first floor) at Church of the Savior, 522 North Grier Street, Williamsport. The focus will be on holiday items including Thanksgiving books as well as Advent/Christmas. SERRV items will include holiday items plus jewelry, jewelry boxes, children’s items, etc. Prices begin at $.99 and up. For every in-stock SERRV and holiday book sold, 20% of the sale will be donated to the synod resource center for new purchases. Come to the fundraiser, get a wonderful gift for loved ones for the holidays, support a good cause, and visit the newly relocated synod resource center!

Living Liturgy weekend conference— Feb. 19-21, 2009

St. Mary's Lutheran Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin The Living Liturgy weekend is an opportunity for Lutheran worship leaders to experience, study and reflect on ways to help their communities pray with power, integrity and meaning. Presenters: Mary Preus, Tom Witt, Ben Stewart, Marty Haugen, and Susan Briehl. Who should attend this event? All those involved in leading worship: pastors, presiders and assisting ministers, music directors, organists, choir directors and members, those who play in worship bands, and ministers of the word. The workshop is structured to offer practical and easily implemented techniques for all ministries, as well as deep theological, scriptural and liturgical support for worship planning and renewal in these rapidly changing times. The event takes its shape from the four-fold pattern of the liturgy: Gathering, Word, Meal, Sending. For more information, go to: http://livingliturgy.com/index.html

LAMPa Director Accepts ELCA Renewed Evangelizing Congregations Position

The Rev. Neil Harrison, director for the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa), has accepted a Call to serve as the Director for Renewed Evangelizing Congregations at the churchwide office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Chicago effective December 1, 2008. LAMPa is a partnership of the ELCA Church in Society Program Unit, the seven ELCA synods in Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania ELCA agencies and institutions, including social ministry organizations, colleges, seminaries and outdoor ministries.

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Larson, executive director of the ELCA’s Church in Society program unit, said, “During his tenure as director for the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, Rev. Harrison has been a strong personal and public leader. Working closely with the LAMPa policy council, he has strengthened this program.”

Harrison began his work with LAMPa in fall 2006, moving from Loveland, Colorado, where he was in parish ministry.

With nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and nearly five million members, the ELCA has 19 state public policy offices that advocate at state legislatures with and on behalf of those without economic or political power. State office work is directed to hunger-related causes such as food and nutrition, shelter and affordable housing, environmental stewardship and justice, employment and income, access to preventative and primary health care, in addition to other issues grounded in the social statements of the ELCA. LAMPa was the first of these offices, begun 30 years ago. Its office is located in Harrisburg, the state capital. This ministry is supported by the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, the Pennsylvania synods, church affiliated institutions and agencies of the ELCA, and other partner organizations.

LAMPa Director Position Posting Deadline for applications 10/31/08

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for the position of director of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania.

This position directs the day-to-day operations of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa), in close collaboration with the policy council, synods, social ministry organizations, seminaries, colleges and universities, and the ELCA Washington Office. Advocates with state government; works to develop advocacy networks; nurtures the Lutheran community in what it means to be a public church; serves as the public voice for this office; and administers the office, budget, and personnel. Qualifications: commitment to the ELCA's vision of public policy advocacy; experience in direct legislative engagement and coalition advocacy; experience working with synods, social ministry organizations, and educational institutions; knowledge of social issues; ability to help diverse groups find common voice; proven ability to work with ecumenical and human service coalitions; flexible; ability to work under pressure. Harrisburg, PA-based.

For more information and an application go to the ELCA Human Resources Web page

or contact: Lynette Engelhardt Stott, director, State Public Policy Advocacy 507-254-5119 Lynette.Stott@elca.org

CHURCHWIDE NOMINATIONS

Nominees from the Upper Susquehanna Synod are now being received for the following churchwide offices to be elected at the August 2009 Churchwide Assembly. We are underrepresented at the churchwide level, so please give these nominations serious consideration.

Program Committees for...

• Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Clergy and Lay Male
• Global Mission Unit Clergy and Lay Female
• Vocation and Education Unit Clergy and Lay Female
• Church in Society Unit Clergy
• Multicultural Ministries Unit Clergy

Board of Trustees of the Publishing House Clergy, Lay Male and Lay Female

Board of Trustees of Mission Investment Fund Clergy, Lay Male and Lay Female

Board of Trustees of Board of Pensions Clergy, Lay Male and Lay Female

Committees on Discipline/Nominating/ Appeals Clergy, Lay Male and Lay Female

To make a nomination, please use the applicable on-line nomination form.

To learn more about these units and boards, and their respective responsibilities, go to the ELCA Website and search the ELCA Constitution. If more information is desired, do a search for the specific body, such as “Committee on Discipline.”

ELCA Pension/Benefits Program Open Enrollment Period Nov. 1 - 30

The ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program open enrollment period for 2008 is Nov. 1 - 30, with benefits effective Jan. 1, 2009. The open enrollment period is available for eligible employees, retirees and their dependents who would normally be subject to a six-month wait for ELCA health coverage because they are:

• enrolling 60 days after meeting the program’s eligibility requirements or
• reactivating ELCA health coverage more than 60 days after terminating other employer-provided group health coverage.

Those enrolling during open enrollment will not have a six-month wait for health coverage, and the preexisting condition exclusionary period for disability and survivor benefits for eligible employees will be six months rather than 18 months.

Learn more and download the appropriate coverage election form at www.elcabop.org, or contact the BOP Service Center at 800-352-2876 or mail@elcabop.org.

Worship at the Center: Journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter—Summer 2009

Evangelical Lutheran Worship invites us to keep Ash Wednesday through Easter in a new–old way. At the ELCA summer worship retreats, we will worship using the services for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. We join in reflection, study, and discussion of the cross and empty tomb, baptism and Bible – the meaning of this journey for ourselves and the world.

• Monday-Thursday, June 15-18, 2009 St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
• Monday-Thursday, June 29-July 2, 2009 Baldwin-Wallace College and St. Paul’s Church, Berea, Ohio
• Tuesday-Friday, July 7-10, 2009 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California

Registration will open in February, but plan your budget now. Register before April 1 for discounts: regular registration ($225 by Apr. 1, $250 after), second from same congregation ($175/$200), student/senior ($150/$175).

With a Little Help from My Friends... --by Pastor Patrick Sipes

In the hopes of sharing best practices with colleagues I submit the following headline to you: In a two-week period, Arbogast's and Leininger's Parish, combined average worship attendance of 80 people, collected over 950 items and close to $1300 to donate to the Juniata County food pantry. If matching funds from our local Thrivent chapter come through we will be donating over $1700 in the end.

I offer this news not to brag, and not to say how great we are, but rather to share the how-to's so such a ministry could be repeated in other places where food and finances are needed.

The recently completed food drive had its origins in a newspaper article that one of my parishioners brought to my attention. The short version was that the Juniata County Food Pantry had been receiving greater than usual demand and less than usual donations. This has left them short on food and money. My thought was that, yes, we as a church could do something to help them out. I thought we could easily take donations and a special offering and see what we could get. But as I thought about it, I felt very spirit-led that we could do a little more than that. "A goal," I thought, "five hundred items and five hundred dollars maybe?"

And the Sprit replied, "Think bigger!"

"How much bigger?" I asked. And then the number hit me: 2500 items and $2500. But for those numbers I asked a simple question, "How?"

"You've got stuff to give, and you've got friends," the Spirit replied, "ask them to join you!" So I did. I decided that I would give ten dollars and ten items to this cause and I asked five of my friends from outside the walls of the church to do the same. With their help I soon had 60 items and 60 dollars, and a challenge for my congregation: to decide what they might be able to give and to ask their friends from outside the church to match their donation. An hour's work and a little out of their own pockets and pantries, and small amounts of food would multiply. And if people couldn't think of the words to say I even provided them with a short script to help tell about the issue and about the project.

The challenge was, in short, a way for my congregation to share their faith with people they had known for years but had maybe never talked about religion with them. It was a non-threatening way to say, "My church (Christ's Church) is doing this great project, would you like to help?" Further, in sharing their faith it was a way for the members of my congregation in a non-threatening way to invite others who maybe had not been to church in a long time or maybe had never been to church in their lives, to experience for themselves, if ever so briefly, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

U.S.S. Congregations in Transition

October 31^st, 2008

Called Pastor

Trinity, McClure
Messiah, Troxelville
Grace, Point Township

Intentional Interim

Beaver, Beaver Springs
Sharon, Selinsgrove
Stone Valley Parish

Preparing Congregational Materials

Nittany Valley - Sugar Valley Parish
Trinity & Mt. Zion, Hughesville

Ready to Interview

East Kishacoquillas Parish First, Watsontown

Interviewing

Himmel’s Church, Rebuck
(ELCA/UCC)
Trinity, Sunbury

Ready to Call a Pastor

Grace, Shamokin/St. Paul, Gowen City

Synod Staff in Congregations

The bishop and his assistants would like to make “synod visits” on Sunday mornings in congregations. The bishop prefers to both preach and preside; the assistants can preach and may preside. The home pastor is usually also present for these “synod visits”. Please schedule with at least 6 months notice with the bishop; less advance notice is required for his assistants.

SABBATICAL GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE

Wheat Ridge Ministries is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations that are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries.

Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support professional church worker health and wellness. Ministry sabbaticals can help staff persons stay healthy in the midst of the pressures and complexities of serving others.

Any Lutheran congregation developing a sabbatical plan for a pastor or other church worker within the grant guidelines may apply. The maximum amount per grant is $7,500 per congregation and the congregation must match the grant amount provided. During the pilot phase of this grant, up to ten grants will be available annually and no more than one grant will be provided to a congregation.

The grant is to be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience. The grant may not be used for general congregation operating expenses, purchase of equipment or any other expenses that are unrelated to the sabbatical plan.

Congregations interested in applying for a Wheat Ridge Sabbatical Grant can visit www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalgrants to review the requirements and determine whether the grant is appropriate for their needs and to download a grant application. Any questions may be referred to the Wheat Ridge office at 800.762.6748.

Wheat Ridge is also pleased to provide many other valuable resources for sabbatical rest and renewal through its Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center online at www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalresourcecenter. For questions regarding the sabbatical process in general or for information about the need for coaching regarding the development of a sabbatical plan, please contact Pastor Timothy Fangmeier at tim@giftedpeople.org.

Upper Susquehanna Synod

PO Box 36, 500 Reitz Blvd. Lewisburg, PA 17837
Email: office@uss-elca.org Phone: 570-524-9778 Fax: 570-524-9757 Website: www.uss-elca.org

• Bishop Robert L. Driesen bishop@uss-elca.org
• Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Beth Ann L. Stone BethAnn@uss-elca.org
• Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Karl-John N. Stone KarlJohn@uss-elca.org
• Admin. Asst. to the Bishop Virginia Frantz Virginia@uss-elca.org
• Secretary Brenda Jeirles Secretary@uss-elca.org

"With a Little Help" continued...

You can tell by the numbers I've presented that we didn't quite reach the goal that came to my mind. In the end I don't quite care about that though, because looking at the numbers I also know that we gathered more than we would have on our own. I know that every man woman and child in my congregation did not give 11.8 items apiece, and I know every man, woman and child in the congregation did not give $16.25 apiece.

I know that we collected what we did because the invitation went out from the members of my congregation to others in the community to come and be disciples of Jesus, because in the ministry of Christ's church we always need a little help from our friends.

If you would like more information or a ready-made handout to edit for your congregation's use, please contact me (Pastor Patrick Sipes) at sgtmuddy@gmail.com.

“All members of the Upper Susquehanna Synod growing as disciples of Jesus, serving together to make Christ known.”