Up and Down the Valleys: June 2025

The annual memorial service at Old Immanuel Church, Williamsport was held in early June. Pastor Carol Johnson (Redeemer, Williamsport; St. Michael’s, Cogan Station) presided. Old Immanuel is the mother church for several Lutheran congregations in Lycoming County.

Milestones:  Congratulations to the following rostered leaders who celebrate anniversaries of years in ministry: Pastor Karen Ward (Trinity, McAlisterville), 10 years on June 4.  Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity (Augsburg Fortress), 10 years on June 19. Pastor Carla Volland (Evangelical, Reedsville and Holy Communion, Yeagertown), 20 years on June 18. Pastor Gordon Smith (St. John, Espy), 40 years on June 2. Pastor Steve Middernacht (retired), 60 years on June 9. Pastor David Harris (retired), 65 years on June 26.

Archer Barlett received his first Holy Communion on June 8 with his family at Trinity, Hughesville (Diane Booth Bubb, SAM). Welcome to the Lord’s Table, Archer.

From Seafarers International: This summer consider gathering your family, friends, school group, colleagues, or congregation to prepare Christmas-at-Sea gift satchels. You can chill with your group in the heat of summer and think cool Christmas thoughts, – imagining the joy you bring to isolated seafarers when they receive your satchel with knitted items, warm clothing, and your holiday greetings during the Holiday Season. If you are a Thrivent client, you may apply for $250 in seed money for your Christmas-at-Sea project at www.thrivent.com/about-us/membership/thrivent-action-teams.  For instructions and knitting patterns go to their web site at https://www.sihnyc.org/christmas-at-sea. To request empty satchels, please contact Jeni Janis: jeni@sihnyc.org or 212-677-4800 ext. 7218. Don’t have time? Order items through our Amazon Wish List (and don’t forget to identify yourself on the Amazon order so we know you sent these items) or donate $40 per satchel (click button below) – we do the rest.

In early June, volunteers from United In Christ, West Milton (Pastors Justin Lingenfelter and Katy Moran) and Milton Lutheran (Pastor Gary Schaeffer) trekked up to Williamsport to pack MilitaryShare food boxes with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank!