Big School Kits Project
Messiah Lutheran, South Williamsport sends 825 School Kits to the Lutheran World Relief Quilts and Kits Ingathering By Kathy Wither We’ve said it before, but – Wow! Did we ever learn a lesson this year about not putting God…
Bishop’s Musings: December 5, 2025
A common complaint among some church leaders at this time of year goes something like this: “People in the congregation want to skip Advent and go right to Christmas.” I’ve been giving this some thought as I prepare a sermon…
Up and Down the Valleys: November 2025
On October 25, Washingtonville Lutheran Church (Vicar Diane Booth Bubb) welcomed the community to our Feast of Abundance dinner. Through this we raised funds to help support the Jane DeLong Memorial Center in their mission of providing community events and…
Third RIC Entity
The Table, Bloomsburg (Pastor Pam Meilands) is now a Reconciling in Christ partner. As part of the process to become RIC, the congregation adopted the following welcome statement: "All are welcome to pull up a seat at The Table. As…
Musings: November 15, 2025
Luke 21:5-19 As I read the texts for this penultimate Sunday in the Church Year, I find myself asking, “How long, O Lord?” To the question, “Teacher, when will this be?” Jesus responds with a litany of signs and…
Schaeffer next SU Chaplain
Pastor Stina Schaeffer, our assistant to the bishop for mobility and transition, is leaving that position and her call as pastor of Salem, Selinsgrove. Pastor Schaeffer is joining the Susquehanna University community as the next Chaplain and Director of Religious…
Pastoral Letter Regarding Hunger
Bishop Miller has written a letter about the hunger issues due to recent government funding impasses. Read that letter here: https://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025.10-hunger-letter.pdf
Prayer Petitions
Upper Susquehanna Synod Global Ministry Committee prepares intercessory prayer petitions for congregational use. Here are prayers for the First Sunday in Advent through the First Sunday in Lent: Nov 30 2025 to Feb 22 2026
Musings: Zacchaeus
Most of our congregations will celebrate All Saints this Sunday, but I wanted to look at the ordinary lessons for the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost. Because of the way we celebrate the two commemorations of the Reformation and All Saints;…
Up and Down the Valleys: October 2025
October 2 was the Fall Bishop's Day at St. John's, Northumberland. Nearly 40 clergy and lay leaders gathered to hear Pastor Angela Zimmann talk about how to preach in divisive times. They enjoyed fellowship, worship, and learned more about changes…