CURRENTS Upper Susquehanna Synod News and Information for You! August 15, 2008 IN THIS ISSUE… Sharing the World Hunger Story 6th Annual Mt. Luther Dandelion Trail Run—Aug. 30 The Bishop’s Conversation with Congregation Councils Liberian Fashion Show, Williamsport—Sept. 9 Come and See! Noted Evangelist Offers Workshop—Sept. 13 “The Scandal of the Jewish Jesus” Lecture at S.U.—Sept. 18 “Faithful Citizenship and the Public Church”—Sept. 29 Congregational Treasurers Workshop—Oct. 11 Stewardship in the Congregation Studying Biblical Stewardship in the Congregation Small Church Conf. Registration Now Open—Oct. 25 Synod-wide Reformation Sunday Service and New Members Reception—Oct. 26 Bishop’s Day for Confirmands—Mar. 29, ‘09 International Companion Program to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering USS Youth Council Announces 2008-2009 Calendar Comprehensive Youth Sexuality Curriculum Now Available 2009 Gathering in the East--POSTPONED Weekly E-Newsletter for Youth Ministers Free Blanket Sunday Envelopes Available ELCA Bishops to Visit Jordan & Holy Land Gettysburg Seminary Offers New Intensive Courses Toward A Certificate In Theological Studies Free Health Ministry Self-Study for Congregations Videos Show Church in Action Leave a Legacy for Ministry and Mission Covenant Players…a Ministry of Faith WORTH REPEATING… $100 Grants Available to Congregations: “Seeds for the Hungry” NYC Bus Trip Sponsored By Williamsport AIDS Resource Center—Sept. 27 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza—Feb. 6-9, 2009 Synod Resource Center Welcomes Contributions Future Dates for Congregational Leaders Health, Healing and Wholeness Article for September 2008 IN THIS ISSUE… Sharing the World Hunger Story It’s almost time to kickoff another year of Sunday School! Consider this idea used by several congregations: make it a Sunday School-wide project to collect quarters this fall for ELCA World Hunger. Set your sights on a fun, attainable goal—like “purchasing” a cow, chicks, or a goat through the Good Gifts Catalogue (http://archive.elca.org/scriptlib/DS/giving/express.html). Make up a poster of the animal’s shape, and have kids color it in gradually as the money is raised. Collect empty film canisters, plastic prescription bottles, or mini M&M containers, and cover them with a sleeve that promotes your cause. Distribute the containers to the Sunday School and congregation for collecting quarters. Invite people to donate their filled containers on a designated date, or in the offering plate as they’re filled. Publicize your project’s progress widely in the congregation, Sunday School, and local community newspapers. And don’t forget to apply for a $100 seed money grant to make your World Hunger project possible! (See “Worth Repeating” below.) 6th Annual Mt. Luther Dandelion Trail Run—Aug. 30 The Dandelion Trail Run, taking place at 9:00 AM, Saturday, August 30, is a 5 and 10K entry-level race benefiting Camp Mount Luther. Runners may decide on race day whether to do the 5 or 10K (double loop of the 5K) on camp trails. All miles are marked, with one water stop on the course. Timing is done electronically. The run was named in memory of Pastor Glenn Heasley, whose favorite “flower” was the dandelion. Kids Fun Run! Age 6 and under or 7-10. Fee for kids fun run is $1. Race pre-registration fee is $12 postmarked by Aug. 30. Race day fee is $15. Registration begins at 7:30 AM. Registration forms are available at www.campmountluther.org. Questions may be directed to Joel Heasley at 570-837-1222. The Bishop’s Conversation with Congregation Councils Encouraged by the Synod Council, Bishop Driesen has invited all Congregation Council members of our synod to evening events being held this year in each conference. The conversation, “Councils as Effective Servants of the Church’s Mission”, will explore these questions: * What is the unique role of a council within a congregation? * How can council members fulfill their God-given call to serve Christ and the mission he has entrusted to the church? * How can congregational structures serve the church’s mission? * How can council members be leaders within their congregations who encourage both the unity and the mission of the church at both healthy and unhealthy times in congregational life? * What does leadership mean for congregations during anxious times? * What are the responsibilities of officers and members of congregation councils, and how can the whole church support them as they carry out those responsibilities? Event dates have been set for the West Branch Conference (Sept. 30, 6:30 PM, St. John’s Brick, Montgomery); North Branch (Oct. 16, 7:00 PM, St. Luke, Bloomsburg); Buffalo Valley (Oct. 19, 6:00 PM, location TBA); and Middle Creek (Feb. 3, 2009, 7:00 PM, Beaver, Beaver Springs). Juniata and Tulpehocken Conference event dates TBD. No pre-registration is required. All congregation council members are encouraged to attend an event in any conference. Liberian Fashion Show, Williamsport—Sept. 9 You are invited to "come and see 'A Liberian Fashion Show'" at Messiah Lutheran Church (Shaheen Hall), South Williamsport, on Tuesday, September 9. A fellowship begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30. The speaker is Ruth Koble from Sunbury. She has been with seven USS work teams and will tell of her experiences working with ex-combatants and village women at the Lutheran Training Institute at Salayea. The event is sponsored by Messiah's Women of the ELCA. Come and See! Noted Evangelist Offers Workshop—Sept. 13 Outreach, evangelism, renewal, revival—no matter what you call it, every congregation needs it! Pastor Ernie Hinojosa, Mission Director for the North Carolina Synod, will share insights, tips, and a vision for outreach on September 13, 2008 at Washingtonville Lutheran Church, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Pastor Hinojosa is a highly regarded speaker and evangelist, and can offer your evangelism committee tools and inspiration for reaching out in your own community. The event is brought to you by this synod’s Lay Ministry Institute. Registration is $25, payable to “Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA”. Please register in advance, sending your name, address, phone number, congregation name, and registration fee to the synod office: LMI, Upper Susq. Synod, ELCA, PO Box 36, Lewisburg, PA 17837. “The Scandal of the Jewish Jesus” Lecture at S.U.—Sept. 18 Dr. Amy-Jill Levine will deliver the 2008 Alice Pope Shade Lecture at Susquehanna University on Thursday, September 18. Her topic will be “The Scandal of the Jewish Jesus.” Dr. Levine, who serves as the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University, describes herself as a “Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches New Testament in a predominantly Protestant divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt.” In her most recent book, The Misunderstood Jew (November 2007), Levine writes, “Jesus cannot be fully understood unless he is understood through first-century Jewish eyes and heard through first-century Jewish ears… Failure to understand the Jewish Jesus within his Jewish context has resulted in the creation and perpetuation of millennia of mistrust, and worse, between church and synagogue.” This event relates to Susquehanna University’s theme for its sesquicentennial year: Memory. Scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM in Stretansky Concert Hall, the lecture is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. For more information, call (570) 372-4303. “Faithful Citizenship and the Public Church”—Sept. 29 The PA Conference on Interchurch Cooperation presents “Faithful Citizenship and the Public Church”, the 2008 PCIC Ecumenical Forum at Sept. 29, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg. Two presenters will offer perspectives on the documents of their respective churches (ELCA and US RCC). Cost is $20. Registration deadline: Sept. 19. Register online at www.pachurches.org. Congregational Treasurers Workshop—Oct. 11 A workshop for anyone involved in church finance ministry in congregations of the Upper Susquehanna Synod will be held on Saturday, October 11th, 2008; 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon; Sharon Lutheran Church, 120 S. Market Street, Selinsgrove. Topics include: Church Finance 101 (Software Programs, Accounts Structure, & Internal Reporting within the congregation, Controls & Congregational Audit Guidelines, Synodical Remittances & Reports); an introduction to the synod’s Troubleshooter Team; and Clergy Tax & Compensation Issues. Cost: Free, but please register by October 1st so we may prepare enough materials. Early registration is encouraged—we will mail a packet of materials to you before the event. Any Questions? Contact Pastor Karl-John Stone, Assistant to the Bishop, (570) 524-9778; email: karljohn@uss-elca.org. Stewardship in the Congregation Are you looking for someone who can talk about biblical Stewardship in your congregation?  Roger Smith, the Stewardship Specialist for four synods of Region 8 of the ELCA, is available.  Since he serves on the Churchwide staff of the ELCA, the cost of his ministry is covered by mission support offerings.  Therefore, he brings his 30 years of experience as a Stewardship Specialist to your congregation at no cost.  Roger lives in Camp Hill, PA.  He can be contacted at: 717.761.0519 or rwsmith437@comcast.net. Studying Biblical Stewardship in the Congregation Are you looking for a good book on biblical stewardship that can be studied in a congregational setting?  Roger Smith, Stewardship Specialist of the ELCA, recommends Ask, Thank, Tell by Chick Lane.  It is available for about $11 a copy from Augsburg Fortress.  A study guide, as well as practical suggestions for improving stewardship ministry in your congregation, both written by the author, are available from the synod office.  Please contact Pastor Karl-John Stone if you are interested in receiving copies (karljohn@uss-elca.org; 570-524-9778). Small Church Conference Registration Now Open—Oct. 25 “How We Got Here…and Going Beyond Survival” is the theme of the Small Church Conference featuring Loren Mead, founder of The Alban Institute, on Saturday, October 25 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lewistown. The Small Church Conference is co-sponsored by the U.S.S., Allegheny Synod, and the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA. Cost is $10 per person, $25 per parish team. Attendance is limited to 80 people, so register early! A registration form is attached to this newsletter. Synod-wide Reformation Sunday Service and New Members Reception—Oct. 26 All USS members are invited to attend a USS Festival Reformation Service on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2:30 PM at Christ, Milton. The service will be followed by a reception for all in honor of our synod’s new members. Bishop Driesen will lead a discussion of “What Makes Us Lutheran?” in the social hall for those who are interested after the reception. The bishop seeks the names and contact information for all new members welcomed to your congregation in the past year, in order to invite them personally to attend the events this day. Please send your new members’ contact information by Oct. 1 to Brenda Jeirles at Secretary@uss-elca.org. Bishop’s Day for Confirmands—Mar. 29, ‘09 Bishop Driesen will again be inviting senior confirmands and their families to a special Bishop’s Day event on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 2:30 PM at Zion, Kratzerville. Pastors and catechists, watch for an announcement later this year requesting your confirmands’ contact information for personal invitations from the bishop! International Companion Program to the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering      The International Companion Program (ICP) is an opportunity to invite, host, extend hospitality, and grow through receiving the gifts of young people from the ELCA’s companion churches.  The one-month-long program includes three distinct components: programmatic orientation; time with a partnering ELCA congregation/synod; participation at the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the ELCA Youth Gathering.      The message of ICP is to celebrate, to share stories of God’s activity in the world through the ELCA and its global and domestic companions, and to send out participants challenged, and inspired to serve the “other” in the manner of Christ.      Each synod is being approached by Global Mission to partner with Global Mission and the Youth Gathering for the ICP.  Synods are being asked to provide a portion of the cost of each guest’s participation.  This will allow one international companion from each participating synod’s companion church.  The total cost for an international guest is $4,000.  Synods are being asked to contribute $2000.      The Upper Susquehanna Synod’s Global Mission committee has $500 that it can contribute towards this cost.  If there is a congregation(s) that is looking for an international mission project that would like to contribute the remaining $1500 for a young person from one of our companion synods to participate in the ICP, please contact Pastor Karl-John Stone (karljohn@uss-elca.org; 570-524-9778) at the synod office for more information. USS Youth Council Announces 2008-2009 Calendar Watch your congregation’s mail for registration information on these upcoming synod youth events! Grace: It’s Elementary date: Sunday, October 12th time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. grades: 1-5 and parents location: Faith Lutheran Church in Lewisburg Flood Camp Mount Luther date: Saturday, November 8th time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. grades: 6-12 and youth leaders location: Camp Mount Luther, Maple Village Flood Susquehanna University date: Sunday, January 4th time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. grades: 6-12 and youth leaders location: Susquehanna University Field House Synod 6th-12th Grade Retreat dates: Friday, Feb.20th – Saturday, Feb.21st time: 5:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. grades: 6-12, Bible study leaders, chaperones location: Camp Mount Luther, Maple Village Camp Cleanup date: Friday, May 16th – Saturday, May 17th time: 6:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. grades: 6-12 and youth leaders location: Camp Mount Luther, Maple Village Senior High Adventure Day Spring 2009: grades 9-12 Comprehensive Youth Sexuality Curriculum Now Available The draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality is out, the Churchwide Assembly is coming up—how do we safely engage our youth in the conversation? “Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk about Human Sexuality” is a comprehensive curriculum covering many topics on human sexuality, including: * When is sex okay? * Sexuality in the media * Sexual power and abuse * Sex for money * Sexuality is a gift from God Accompanied by an award-winning Web site: www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/youth, this curriculum is now available through Augsburg Fortress. 2009 Gathering in the East--POSTPONED On behalf of the members of the planning team for Gathering in the East (an annual regional event for youth ministry workers), we would like to thank you for participating in the past events.  For those of you who have not experienced our event; we look forward to seeing you in 2010.  We want to continue to provide what you need to develop a more faith inspired ministry that nurtures strength and confidence within yourself and the children and youth to whom you minister.  It takes many hours of volunteer effort to plan these events, and for this reason, we will not have an event in 2009 but will devote the entire year to planning the next Gathering in the East event - April 16-18, 2010 to be held in Harrisburg, PA. To meet your needs and make good use of our planning time, we ask two favors of you. 1. In October of 2009, visit our website at www.gatheringeast.org and honestly answer the survey. 2. For those who have attended:  Don't keep the event to yourself!  You can do this by sharing the positive experiences you have had at the Gathering in the East and recruiting others to join us in 2010. 3. For those who have never attended:  Make a commitment to give us a try.  The benefits you will receive from networking, workshops and large group sessions can not be put into words.  It has to be experienced.  Without you there would be no Gathering in the East.  We'll be in touch through our soon-to-be-newly-designed website at www.gatheringeast.org or through Facebook - check us out! Weekly E-Newsletter for Youth Ministers The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works in close partnership with the ELCA's youth ministry staff.  Our mission is to strengthen and empower adult youth ministry leaders in service to Christ as a part of God's mission.   The Network focuses on the renewal, education and connection of adults who work with youth in ELCA congregations. The Network is a 'membership based' organization.  With the exception of some small grants from the ELCA, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and other organizations, almost all of its funding comes from annual membership dues. The Network is best known for its annual conference, The Extravaganza.  Beyond that, we publish Connect, a quarterly journal of youth and family ministry, run a very active web site (www.elcaymnet.org), produce an annual salary survey, publish a membership directory, negotiate discounts from vendors for our members, are developing a new "online training" resource to be launched in the fall of 2009 and work to make other helpful resources available. Our weekly e-mail newsletter.  We send this newsletter out to 3500 adults who work with youth every week.  It includes a devotion and updates and new resources.  If you would like to receive this resource, click here, enter your e-mail address and when it asks you which newsletter you'd like to receive, click on "General Network News." Free Blanket Sunday Envelopes Available Blanket Sunday offering envelopes are yours for the “picking-up” at the synod office for use on Blanket Sunday, October 5. Blanket Sunday—designated for collecting offerings for Lutheran World Relief—is a joint effort of the Women of the ELCA and Global Mission. ELCA Bishops to Visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land A large majority of bishops in the ELCA’s Conference of Bishops have committed to attending the 2009 Bishops’ Academy in the Holy Land in January. Bishop Driesen will be among the ELCA bishops demonstrating through their visit this church’s solidarity and hope for Christians living in the Middle East. The USS Synod Council approved and supported Bishop Driesen’s participation in the event to take place Jan. 4-16, 2009. Your prayers are sought for this gathering of the Conference of Bishops and the church in the Holy Land. Gettysburg Seminary Offers New Intensive Courses Toward A Certificate In Theological Studies The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg has announced a new, non-degree program designed to give lay persons, professional church staff members and other interested lifelong learners access to a new general theological curriculum of 15 intensive (four and seven day) courses in the disciplines of biblical, historical and theological study. The seminary recently released the program schedule for distribution to synods and congregational publications to introduce its new non-degree lifelong learning program to lay persons in congregations and church volunteer and professional staff. The new educational initiative is made through a Certificate in Theological Studies program guided by the Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson. This series of 15 courses, taught by Seminary Faculty members of Gettysburg Seminary and other faculty members of the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries, is designed to capture the interest of informed lay members and congregational staff members wanting to take their theological study to the next level, but short of entering into full graduate degree work. Information, admission, cost and schedules for the courses are available on the seminary’s website: www.Ltsg.edu/programs/certificate . And information is available through the Seminary Admissions office, 1800-MLUTHER ext 3008. Free Health Ministry Self-Study for Congregations The Health Ministry Self-Study for Congregations (from Wheat Ridge Ministries, www.wheatridge.org) is a process to help congregations assess their involvement in intentional health ministry. The self-study process can help your congregation learn more about the concept of congregation health ministry, assess its current health ministry activities, and establish plans for the future. Your congregation's leaders can decide how to use the self-study document. Congregations desiring outside feedback can choose to complete the self-study and return the completed study to Wheat Ridge Ministries. Wheat Ridge will ask a knowledgeable individual to provide feedback and suggestions to the congregation, based on a review of the material.  Just follow the steps below: * Receive a copy of the self-study document by contacting Wheat Ridge Ministries or downloading a copy using the link below. * Complete the self-study process. This involves a review of congregation health ministry based on eight health ministry indicators. * Use the results of the self-study to develop plans for enhancing the congregation's health ministry. * Submit the completed self-study to Wheat Ridge Ministries for feedback (optional). Download the Health Ministry Self-Study Videos Show Church in Action Brett Nelson (ELCA Communication Services) created two short videos that are a "must see"! * "After the Floods" (ELCA Domestic Disaster Response) is a short video featuring Bishop Steve Ullestad and his predecessor Paul Werger. It is a powerful testimony to the ministry of Christ's people in disaster. Find "After the Floods," at http://tinyurl.com/5kx9p7 * "Bowling for Jesus" (LYO/ELCA World Hunger Appeal) features youth from Rocky Mountain Bowling for Jesus. Find "Bowling for Jesus" at http://tinyurl.com/6lc95d. Leave a Legacy for Ministry and Mission Think about the part you want to play in the Church’s future. You have the opportunity to support the ministries of the church in many ways. Naming your congregation or other ministries of the Church as a beneficiary in your estate plan or the making of an endowment gift can assure your continued participation in this ministry far into the future. For more information on how to include your favorite Church charities in your estate planning call Pr. Greg Kramer at the Lutheran Planned Giving Office at 570-374-2044 or call the Foundation of the ELCA, 800/638-3522, ext. 2970 or visit our website at www.elca.org/fo. Covenant Players…a Ministry of Faith Covenant Players is a traveling ministry in drama, with over 125 touring units, who have performed throughout 82 countries on 6 continents in over 20 languages.  In addition to live drama, the ministry includes live music, sound recording, video-cassettes and workshops in drama and communications.  The goal is to serve the Lord Christ by serving His church and the world.  A mission community which is—individually and collectively—serious about ministry, serious about commitment, and serious about joy.  Covenant Players is a non-endowed, non-profit corporation.  It is not affiliated with any church or other organization.  Its financial support is derived from the performing engagements and other donations.  Its repertoire includes dramas about the life of Martin Luther.  If you are interested in finding out more about this ministry, call Jan & Jim McGinnis and Deborah & Jason Fernandez (724.773.0474 home/office; 805.377.5967 cell), or email CP@covenantplayers.org. WORTH REPEATING… $100 Grants Available to Congregations: “Seeds for the Hungry” What could your congregation or youth group do for hungry people with $100? That’s the challenge attached to ten $100 “Seeds for the Hungry” Grants available to U.S.S. congregations. Applicants are invited to use their imagination to “grow” this seed money into hunger-related ministries of their own creation. Grants may be used for: 1) projects to raise awareness of hunger-issues in the congregation/community (i.e. fund a hunger-simulation exercise); 2) projects to raise funds for the hungry (i.e. starting a Mission Mall, buying ingredients for a bake sale, costs for a 30-hour Famine event, etc.); and 3) projects to feed hungry people (i.e. buying ingredients to provide a meal for a shelter, etc.). Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and grants will be awarded until they’re all gone! To apply, send your congregation’s name, contact person’s information, and a description of your hunger-ministry project to Pastor Carla Volland, World Hunger Taskforce Chair, at carlavolland@gmx.net. (Funded through a grant from the ELCA World Hunger program.) NYC Bus Trip Sponsored By Wpt. AIDS Resource Center—Sept. 27 The Williamsport AIDS Resource Center is sponsoring a bus trip to New York City. This trip will take place on Saturday, September 27th. The bus will leave the parking lot of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Williamsport at 6:00 AM; it will leave NYC at 7:00 PM. There is no agenda for this trip; it is simply an easy way for you to visit the city. The price is $45 per person. For reservations, contact Tim and Carol Steck at 326-9590. ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza—Feb. 6-9, 2009 The annual Extravaganza for volunteer and professional youth workers, sponsored by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, will take place in New Orleans on Feb. 5-9, 2009. The Extravaganza brings together some of the best names in youth and family ministry to inspire and teach, and give ample opportunity for networking/meeting others. Learn more about the YM Network and Extravaganza at http://www.elcaymnet.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=52. Synod Resource Center Welcomes Contributions The Synod Resource Center has moved to Church of the Savior, Williamsport, facilitated by Sandra Grier. Sandra invites your contributions to this somewhat sparse collection of materials that are available to be borrowed by any congregation in the synod. If your Sunday school class has finished using a resource, consider sharing it with others who might enjoy it, too! Materials for younger children are especially appreciated! Please e-mail (walkalongtheway@comcast) or call (570-220-5039) Sandra to arrange for transfer of your materials. (Note: please don’t consider this an opportunity to clean out the church bookshelves of outdated materials! If you wouldn’t recommend it, please don’t pass it on!) Future Dates for Congregational Leaders Mark your calendars! The following dates are announced for upcoming events that may be of interest to congregational leaders: * September 13, 2008: Pastor Ernie Hinojosa, Evangelist; Washingtonville (continuing ed. event) * October 25, 2008: Loren Mead on “Moving from Maintenance to Mission” at Small Church Conference; St. John, Lewistown (continuing ed. event) * February 6-9, 2009: ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza; New Orleans (continuing ed/training event for youth workers) * March 12, 2009: LMPC Exec. Director Richard Blackburn on “Leadership and Anxiety in the Church: A Family Systems Perspective”; location TBA (continuing ed. event) * April 17-19, 2009: Gathering in the East; Harrisburg (continuing ed/training event for youth workers) * June 19-20, 2009: Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove (W)holy, (W)holy, (W)holy Health, Healing and Wholeness Article for September 2008 In 1 Samuel 17, we are introduced to one mean dude by the name of Goliath, a Philistine, said to be - “six cubits and a span” - nearly ten feet tall. Goliath taunts the Israelites, shouting to them to send out their bravest warrior to fight him. The loser would earn the dubious distinction of seeing himself and his people, become servants to the victor. It would seem that even the Bible has its bullies. Just as displayed by Goliath, bullying is aggressive behavior – physical, verbal, psychological – that involves an imbalance of power. It is unhealthy, and should not be tolerated as “a normal part of growing up”; unfortunately some people never out-grow it. Bullies thrive on controlling others. If you were to imagine a “typical” bully, hitting, tripping, name-calling and insults would probably be the first behaviors that would come to mind. Bullying by children can take on many different forms ranging from social isolation – shunning, excluding, interfering in friendships, using other children to get what they want – to cyber bullying – sending hurtful messages, images, or sensitive personal information by IM (instant message), cell phone, or on web sites such as “My Space”, blogs and chat rooms. Typically, boys will use physical means of intimidation, versus the verbal or psychological methods often used by girls. Some bullies are cleaver enough to have henchmen do the dirty work for them, thus reducing the ring-leader’s sense of personal responsibility. The irony in all this is that it is not just the recipient who suffers, but the bully as well. Bullies are often victims of abuse themselves (examples: hitting, name-calling, insults); they may be depressed, or have an inability to express their pain and anger in productive ways. As a result they develop poor judgment and social skills; however unchecked revenge can lead to devastating consequences. Kids who display patterns of persistent defiant or aggressive behavior need help. These kinds of bad behaviors do not stop on their own, and call for professional counseling for the child as well as the family. The child needs to learn to handle strong emotions such as anger, hurt, and frustration without the use of fists or verbal attack. Unchecked this child could be heading toward serious academic, social, emotional and legal problems. If it is your child who is doing the bullying, take it seriously – speak to your pastor, parish nurse, or your employer to get a list of trained counselors. How do we manage if our child is the victim of bullying behavior? First, focus on the needs of your child – don’t blame him/her, or tell him to, “Just ignore it.” Listen and gather as much information regarding the episodes as possible. If you disagree with the way your child managed the situations, don’t criticize and don’t encourage physical retaliation. Learn what has been tried that didn’t work, and brainstorm possible responses to the taunting. In addition, check your own emotions – the anger and frustration you feel upon learning of the bullying can be mis-read by your child as anger toward him/her. If the problem persists, contact your child’s teacher and principal. Keep your emotions in check as you relay the information that you have been gathering – who, what, when, where, and how. Unless you are on good terms with the bully’s parents, do not go directly to them. When meeting with the school personnel, emphasize your desire for the problem to be resolved for the benefit of all children involved, and keep in communication with the school staff. Finally, help your child. Set a good example – examine how you handle conflict and problems – model positive ways of being assertive. Bolster their confidence by helping them develop their talents. Encourage them to develop a group of friends that are supportive, and get to know those friends and their parents. If the bullying is by email, print out copies, and report threats of harm to your local authorities. Above all, don’t underestimate the pain your child may be feeling – what they need at times like these is a safe and loving home to depend upon – a place where bullying is not excused or tolerated. Debbie Best, Program Coordinator; Diakon Family Life Services Congregational and Community Services Nurse’s Notes September 2008 September 7 It’s back to school time, so be sure to set aside time at the end of each day to discuss the day’s happenings. Anxiety and stress about starting school is normal, and should pass after a few weeks. If it continues past 2-3 weeks, speak to your child’s teacher about how you can help the process. If the anxiousness persists, consider getting some outside help from a counselor. September 14 Here are a few tips to help your child safely handle the weight of books in his/her backpack. Whenever possible, “pack light – organize the backpack to use all its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the pack. The backpack should never weigh more than 10-20% of the child’s body weight.”(American Academy of Pediatrics, as found on line at: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.cfm September 21 Here are a few helpful communication tips for couples, from the Relationship Research Institute: * State your needs. Your spouse is not a mind reader, so don’t blame him/her for not meeting your expectations. * Listen to your partner’s concerns. Listening and empathy are needed to move forward in a healthy relationship. * Solve problems as they arise. Avoiding conflict only allows resentment to bubble beneath the surface, leading to anger and hard feelings. * Learn to negotiate. Good relationships require give-and-take as people’s needs change. September 28 Allergic to dust mites? Replace your pillows every year. “Hair and body oils will have soaked into a pillow’s fabric and stuffing after a year of nightly use, making it a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites. Using protectors can double the life of your pillows.” (Prevention, August 2008) A note from the Editor: CURRENTS is an email newsletter of the Upper Susquehanna Synod.  Please edit, copy, and use this information in bulletins, newsletters, sermons, billboards, press releases, evangelism efforts, and/or spoken announcements where helpful.  If you would like to receive this newsletter and don't already (it is free, you know!), or if you have information to include in future editions, please email to with your name, congregation name and town, and that you'd like to receive Currents.  Or do it the old fashioned way and just call the office 570-524-9778.  If you do not wish to receive this email, please email the same address and share that message.  Your address will not be shared with anyone else, although you might get an occasional message that relates to the ministries of our synod from time to time.  The addresses are masked so that everyone receiving this newsletter does not have access to the other addresses.  Please share this information with others! 1