2024 Year in Review

Here is a look back at the past year’s synod highlights:

Synod Assembly: The 37^th Assembly was held at Susquehanna University on June 14 and 15. The theme of this year’s assembly was “Fed by Jesus to Feed the World.” The assembly elected synod council members and voting members to the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, blessed participants of the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering to be held in July in New Orleans, and passed resolutions regarding quorum and voting membership. They also voted to make a gift on behalf of the synod to Mount Luther’s capital campaign.

14 Years of Seafarers: In total, 1,013 Seafarers Bags were loaded up into two vans to be taken to Seafarers International House in New York City in early November. They were collected by 52 of our synod congregations.

New Website Debuts: In February, the latest redesign of uss-elca.org debuted. The goal of the redesign was to streamline information and make it more user- friendly to navigate. This is the fourth redesign of the synod website in the last 20 years.

Youth Initiative: In a purchase of service with Camp Mount Luther, a new synod youth initiative kicked off in 2024. Youth led the annual GROW in the Snow retreat in March, exploring the theme “Break Forth in Song,” looking at music. In the fall, monthly events were held including a Game Night, Mystery Afternoon, Ping Pong Tournament and Christmas Party.

Summer Camp: Camp Mount Luther had 336 participants take part in programs during the summer. 178 campers enjoyed on-site programs including mini, day, weeklong, and family camps. This year’s theme at Camp Mount Luther was “Created to Be,” exploring how God gives us freedom to be our authentic selves and what it means to be siblings in Christ—humans who are brave enough to encourage and stand up for each other, sharing burdens as well as joys.

ELCA Youth Gathering: Youth from our synod attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. They gathered for a synod day and had dinner out together. The theme was “Created to Be.”

Council Visioning Retreat: Members of the Synod Council and the synod staff met in September recently in retreat to do some prioritizing for the mission of the synod. Rev. Dione Klepetka from St. John’s Herr Estate, a Luthercare Community in Columbia, PA, was the facilitator. The council spent time discussing the synod’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and external threats.

ALWLs Commissioned: Bishop Craig A. Miller commissioned four new Authorized Lay Worship Leaders during a worship service at St. John’s, Northumberland (Pastor Karla Leiby) on Saturday, May 4. The service ended a day of continuing education for other Authorized Lay Worship Leaders.

Church Reopens: Salem, Selinsgrove (Pastor Stina Schaeffer) celebrated the reopening of their church building after a devastating fire during Holy Week 2023. In July, they had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. Guests enjoyed a tour of the beautifully restored church along with some delicious snacks and refreshments.

Holy Closure: Members of St. Luke, Sunbury (Pastor Ann Zimmerman), closed their congregation on May 19. Emmanuel, Thompsontown, had their final service on June 20. On December 1, Hidlay Lutheran Church (near Bloomsburg) celebrated its final worship.