2025 Year in Review

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

Synod Assembly: The 38th Annual Assembly was held at Camp Mount Luther in June. The theme was “Living in the Good News.” The assembly elected a new secretary, synod council and committee on discipline members, dedicated Camp Mount Luther’s new Maple Village Bathhouse, and blessed participants of the Churchwide Assembly.

Churchwide Assembly: Approximately 800 met for the triennial ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, AZ. The Churchwide Assembly is the highest legislative body for the ELCA. Eight members of the synod attended as voting members: Bishop Miller, Pastor Chad Hebrink, Linda Everitt, Bev Hoffman, Jacob Craig, Pastor Karen Ward, Mark Giesen, and Noah Roux.

Staff Changes: Pastor Stina Schaeffer, our assistant to the bishop for mobility and transition, left that position and her call as pastor of Salem, Selinsgrove. Pastor Schaeffer joined the Susquehanna University community as the Chaplain and Director of Religious & Spiritual Life.

New Logo: The synod unveiled a new logo in 2025. Jim Vitale, Camp Mount Luther’s Associate Director designed the logo which features a cross, mountains, and a river. These were identified by synod staff as the most representative images of our synod.

Seafarer Bags: In early November, volunteers packed 938 bags for Seafarers and International House for this year’s Christmas at Sea distribution. Bags were loaded up at the synod office into two vans to be taken to New York City. They were collected by 60 of our synod congregations and one individual.

CaSTLE Grant: Wartburg Seminary awarded a $20,000 grant to support renewal in small town and rural congregations. The Priesthood of All of USS, further equips lay worship leaders to inspire people to live into mission beyond weekly worship time and to help start two new worshipping communities. One of those communities, CaTALYST, is designed by and primarily for young adults.

Youth Initiative: In a purchase of service with Camp Mount Luther, the synod youth initiative continued with a trivia night, game night, mystery afternoon, ping pong tournament and Christmas party. Two youth and three adults attended Winterfest, a large youth gathering in Lancaster. In its third year, this program continues to build.

Summer Camp: Camp Mount Luther had around 345 participated during the seven-week session in both on and off-site programs.  This year’s theme at Camp Mount Luther was “Who are You, Jesus?” Campers and staff explored four images as part of Jesus’ “I Am” statements.

ALWLs Commissioned: An LMI day of learning in May featured the commissioning of two new Authorized Lay Worship leaders. Amber Keefer (Good Shepherd, Berwick) and Chad Hershberger (Christ’s, Lewisburg) were commissioned.