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…
For the Life of the World
Approximately 800 voting members as well as support staff, invited guests, representatives from seminaries, colleges, and universities, and staff from affiliated organizations met for the triennial ELCA Churchwide Assembly met in Phoenix, AZ, from July 28 – August 2. The…
Musings: Persistence and Faith
St. Paul’s words of farewell to Timothy (2 Timothy 3 & 4) call for persistence in proclamation and teaching: “continue in what you have learned” “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time if favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke,…
Synod Unveils New Logo
There’s a new logo for the Upper Susquehanna Synod! In the past few months, we’ve slowly rolled out the new design which has been under development most of this year. You may have seen it first on graphics on the…
Musings 9/17/25
“Hear this, you that trample on the needy and bring the poor to ruin.” Amos 8 “I urge supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and for all who are in high positions.” (1 Timothy 2) What a…
Up and Down the Valleys: September 2025
Follmer Lutheran Parish, (Follmer, Milton, and St. John’s, Potts Grove) gathered Sunday, Aug. 3, for their annual parish worship and picnic. This year the event was held in the grove at Follmer with members of Washingtonville and Oak Grove churches…
Live A Life Worthy of Your Calling
By Rev. Karla Leiby, Assistant to the Bishop Ever hear the phrase “born leader” and think you know someone who is a natural born leader? While God does give each of us unique gifts and abilities, some of which are…