Up and Down the Valleys: November 2026

United, Sunbury (Pastor Andrew Weaver) dedicated new stained glass windows this summer. New Hope (PA) Stained Glass and artists Jill and Dan Burstein produced thirteen windows. The art includes images of Jesus, Word and Sacrament ministry, the calling to be a living church, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

In August, St. John’s, Danville (Interim Pastor Sarah Hershberger), had their annual Tractor Sunday.  It’s an opportunity to drive your tractor to church and have them blessed.  After church the congregation gathered for a meal and fellowship after blessing 11 tractors.

The latest monthly Synod Youth Group gatherings gathered middle and high school youth. The first was a. game night in Lewisburg followed by a Halloween Party in Williamsport and a Ping-Pong Tournament in Selinsgrove. The Synod Youth Initiative is sponsoring monthly activities for synod youth to gather and experience fellowship, recreation, outreach, and growth.

Linda Romanak and a middle school youth from Good Shepherd Berwick attended “ALIVE- Rhythm” at Camp Nawakwa the weekend of September 25-27.  About 110 middle schoolers and 40 to 50 adults and young adults attending the event. It’s an annual event offered to middle school youth (6th-8th) by the Lower Susquehanna Synod.

The USS Youth Team is looking to send as many youth as we can to Winterfest on January 8-10, 2027, at the Wyndham Resort in Lancaster. This is a great weekend of faith formation, fun, and fellowship with fellow youth, sponsored by the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Encourage youth to attend and consider being an adult chaperone. Reach out to cml@campmountluther.org by November 30 if you are interested and/or need a scholarship.