Upper Susquehanna Synod

Mission Trip
2018-05-20 - 2018-05-27
Susquehanna Valley Interfaith Disaster Relief, a joint effort of the Upper Susquehanna Synod – ELCA and the Presbytery of Northumberland, is organizing a trip to Daytona, Florida, May 20—27, to help in the recovery from hurricane damage in Volusia County. The team of six to twelve members will stay at the Union Congregational Church (UCC) in Holly Hill in dormitory style rooms and work with the Florida Volusia Interfaiths/Agencies Networking in Disaster (VIND). Cost for the trip is approximately $325. Those interested must complete the registration forms and submit a deposit of $150. Registration will close May 1 or when the maximum number of participants has been reached. More information and registration forms are here: http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018-5-20-Work-trip-forms.pdf

Synod Council Meeting
2018-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
At Synod Office; Executive Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m.

Bishop's Open Golf Classic
2018-05-14 11:00 - 18:00
The annual Bishop Open’s Golf Classic is set for May 14, 2018, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club in Shamokin Dam. The tournament benefits Camp Mount Luther and the camp’s annual fund. A flyer/bulletin insert containing information and registration form is available here: https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-Golf-Tournament-Flyer.pdf. The camp’s golf tournament committee is currently looking for hole sponsors, door prize sponsors, silent auction items, and golfers. If you can help, please contact the camp office at 570-922-1587 or cml@campmountluther.org. Congregations are also encouraged to become hole sponsors. Get involved and help our synod’s outdoor ministry!

CML Spring Work Day
2018-05-12 08:00 - 13:00
Practice stewardship through service at Camp Mount Luther at our Annual Spring Work Day on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We need your help getting the camp grounds and facilities ready for summer. There will be plenty to do and everyone in the family can help! Please bring supplies to do cleaning, mulching, raking, and light construction projects such as step ladders, buckets, rakes, etc. A light lunch will be served. RSVP by May 7 if staying for lunch to cml@campmountluther.org or 570-922-1587. To download a bulletin insert/flyer, click here: https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-Work-Day-Flyer.pdf

Youth Ministry in a Scientific Age
2018-05-07 - 2018-05-08
The youth ministry conference, “Jesus Rode a Dinosaur and other Silly Tales,” looking at faithful youth ministry in a scientific age, will be held on May 7-8, 2018. Cost is $99 and will be held at Colonial Church of Edina in Minnesota. Speakers include Krista Tippett, “Science Mike” McHargue, and Kenda Dean. For more information, visit ScienceYM.org

Bishop’s Retreat for Rostered Leaders
2018-05-02 - 2018-05-04
The registration deadline is fast approaching for this year’s Bishop Retreat. Those attending need to inform the synod office by Monday, April 16th. The annual bishop’s retreat will be held on May 2-4 at Camp Hebron, Halifax PA. Rostered leaders are asked to mark their calendars and plan to attend the retreat. If spouses are interested in attending, please let Bishop Collins know. Information and a registration form is available here: http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-Bishops-Retreat.pdf. You can read an article by the speaker, Pastor Chamelin, in the Seminary Ridge Review here: http://seminaryridgereview.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SRR_Autumn_2017_issue.pdf

An Evening with Nadia Bolz-Weber in Central PA
2018-04-28 19:00 - 20:00
Lutheran Pastor and bestselling author, Nadia Bolz-Weber, takes an unusual approach to church. Heavily tattooed and often profane, she is part of what scholar and writer, Diana Butler Bass, calls the “new Reformation.” A recovering addict, Bolz-Weber has created a congregation that is open to those struggling with addiction, as well as persons who are uncomfortable in traditional churches. Bolz-Weber will speak about her own faith journey and her vision for the changing church. Tickets are $35. The event will be held at the Lampeter-Strasburg High School’s Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, PA. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, please go to www.parishresourcecenter.org or call 717-299-1113.

Messiah, South Williamsport, Anniversary Celebration
2018-04-28 14:00 - 17:00
Messiah Lutheran Church, South Williamsport, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2018. On Saturday, April 28, a Festive Eucharist liturgy will be held at 2:00 p.m. Clergy are invited to vest and process; the color of the day is red. Preaching will be The Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, Executive Director, Domestic Mission, ELCA, and former bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod. Bishop Barbara J. Collins, Upper Susquehanna Synod, will also take part. A dinner will be held, catered by Hillside Catering, at which former staff members will be invited to speak, and a video presentation of the congregation’s history will be shared. Contact the church office at 570-326-9171 or messiahoffice@comcast.net for information on the dinner. Reservations are needed by April 20.

GROW Writer’s Retreat
2018-04-25 10:00 - 14:00
Anyone wishing to come and write devotions for Camp Mount Luther’s First Light Digital Devotions is welcome to join other writers on April 25, 2018. The retreat will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Evergreen Center. It will be a day of writing and sharing resources for devotional writing. Please RSVP to the camp office at cml@campmountluther.org or 570-922-1587.

Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry
2018-04-24 - 2018-04-27
This forum gathers Christian leaders who are passionate about young people and the church. Youth ministers, Christian educators, pastors, ministry innovators, and emerging scholars from the USA and beyond gather annually for this 4-day event on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. This year, the theme is IMAGE. They will explore what it means to practice youth ministry in a visual age. Hear from speakers like Matthew Milliner, Brian Bantum, and Katie Douglass. Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul. For more information, visit http://iymforum.com.

Camp Mount Luther Spring Open House
2018-04-22 14:00 - 16:00
Have you ever wanted to see Mount Luther’s site and facilities? Do you miss camp and want to visit in the springtime? Are you interested in coming to camp this summer but want to get more information and see the place first? Well, this is your chance. The Camp Mount Luther Spring Open House will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2018, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. You can ask questions, tour camp, and see what it’s like to be a camper! First time campers who are not yet registered for the summer and who attend the event can get a $30 discount on their summer registration! To download a flyer for the event, click here: https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-CML-Spring-Open-House-Flyer.pdf.

WELCA Day of Learning and Renewal
2018-04-21 09:30 - 14:00
The Upper Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization presents their Day of Learning Renewal on April 21, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Christ, Milton. The theme is “Bring Peace” and the presenter is Mary Woods. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $5. The registration deadline is April 10, 2018. Lunch will be provided.

Retirement Planning Seminar
2018-04-16
Retirement planning can seem daunting without someone to walk you through it. Portico’s day-long pre-retirement seminar for plan members age 50+ does just that. And it’s coming to your area soon! The seminar covers many facets of retirement planning in understandable terms — from establishing a retirement budget to reviewing health care options. You’ll breathe easier when you know the steps to take to retire with confidence. Take advantage of this opportunity by attending the seminar on April 16, 2018 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Go to https://www.porticobenefits.org/NewsEvents/Events/Pre-RetirementSeminars to register! Cost is $35/person or $70/couple.

Bradnick Speech
2018-04-15 19:00
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Reedsville presents an evening with Mrs. Peggy Jackson on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Jackson is better known throughout Central Pennsylvania as Peggy Ann Bradnick. As a 17-year-old girl, she was kidnapped during the spring of 1966 near Shade Gap, PA. Please join them as Peggy tells her story about the tragic events surrounding her kidnapping and its impact upon her life over the past 52 years. The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reedsville.

Lutheran Youth Day
2018-04-14 09:00 - 17:30
Bring your youth group to Susquehanna University for Lutheran Youth Day, where we will find new ways to rise up in service to our community. The day’s events include projects with LutheranHands, faith formation fun, community building, worship at the end of the afternoon, and music by Dave Scherer from AGAPE*. Scherer will be there throughout the day providing music at the large group sessions and the concluding concert. He has inspired youth from Brooklyn to Bosnia with his relational ministry “Hip Hop Outreach.” Combining rapping, dancing, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish, AGAPE* connects with his listeners in a way that they really “Get it”. His energy is contagious, and his stories of faith transcend differences. Also, Joe Davis will be in attendance during the day. Davis is a spoken word artist and has performed across the country including the “Rise Up Together” tour alongside AGAPE* in partnership with ELCA World Hunger Walk for Water. Raising funds to equip communities around the world with clean drinking water. Joe has a gift for bringing people together around honest poems, stories, and songs. The cost is only $10 per person, which includes lunch and the concert. (What a deal! But if that sum would prevent any of your youth from participating, please contact the chaplain’s office. They can reduce or waive the fee for youth with financial need.) Also, the SU’s Lutheran Student Movement is selling t-shirts for the day. The shirts MUST be pre-ordered. Shirts will not be for sale that day. Registration is from 9:00- 9:45 a.m. in Horn Lobby of Weber Chapel with the opening session at 10 a.m. The event ends at 5:30 p.m. Contact the SU Chaplain’s office with any questions. (musser@susqu.edu or 570-372-4303). Registration must be submitted by April 10 and T-shirt orders must be submitted by April 4.
To download a flyer, click here: http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-Poster.pdf
To download a registration/T-shirt order form, click here: http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Registration-Form-and-t-shirt-ordering.xlsx

Refreshing Parish Worship
2018-04-14 09:00 - 15:30
Our worship resources are entering “middle age.” What can we do to refresh and enliven our weekly liturgies? A workshop, “Refreshing Parish Worship,” is designed for parish musicians, pastors, and others interested in worship and worship planning. It will be held on the Gettysburg Campus of United Lutheran Seminary on April 14, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Click the link for more detailed information and to register: https://alcm.org/event/gettysburg-pa/

Pre-Youth Gathering Event
2018-04-08 14:00
Charlene Rineer, the synod’s coordinator for the ELCA Youth Gathering, will hold a pre-youth gathering event on Sunday, April 8, 2018. It will be at Camp Mount Luther’s Evergreen Center starting at 2:00 p.m.
It is for all the leaders and youth from the synod who are going to the ELCA Youth Gathering. This pre-gathering will be a time to meet and to get to know each other and to hear more about the gathering. Questions will also be answered.

Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend
2018-04-06 - 2018-04-08
Your marriage relationship is one of the things in life that provides the greatest potential for happiness. Is yours living up to this potential? Please make 2018 the year you resolve to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend to learn how to maximize the joy and intimacy that God intends for your marriage. The following weekends have been scheduled with one more to be added in Massachusetts in the fall.

April 6-8, 2018, at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College PA. A peaceful resort surrounded by a golf course and nestled in the woods in the center of PA.
September 14-16, 2018, at Spruce Lake Retreat in Canadensis, PA. A lovely hotel-style facility In a wooded area of the Poconos, an hour north of Allentown.
October 19-21, 2018, at Olmsted Retreat Center. A stunning, hotel-style retreat next to Olmsted Mansion in Allegheny National Forest, 2 hours north of Pittsburgh.

Two nights lodging, five meals for each of you, and all supplies are included with your $100 per couple registration fee, plus toward the end of the weekend you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution of whatever amount you wish toward the continuation of the program. To be sure to get the Weekend of your choice, sign up at your earliest convenience by going to the website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org and paying the registration fee with your credit card, or marking the option to mail a check. For questions, or if you would like a brochure with registration form mailed to you, contact Northeast US Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at 724-325-3166 or fjschamber@comcast.net.

Rally to End Racism
2018-04-03 - 2018-04-05
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for Act Now: Unite to End Racism April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally April 4 on the National Mall. The event, organized by the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA, will bring together many ELCA members from across the country. The ELCA is a founding member of the council. The rally’s call to action emphasizes three key points: awaken to the truth that racism is evil and hurts us all; confront racism through truth-telling and action to right the wrong; and transform the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and institutions. Events begin April 3 with an ecumenical worship service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral and will be capped off by a lobby day on Capitol Hill April 5. All are invited to join Bishop Eaton at the event. Learn more at http://www.rally2endracism.org/. If you or your congregation plans to participate, contact Craig Miller, Assistant to the Bishop, prcmiller@uss-elca.org.

Synod Office Closing
2018-03-30 - 2018-04-02
The Upper Susquehanna Synod Office will be closed on Friday, March 30, and Monday, April 2, 2018, in observance of Good Friday and Easter. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. If you have an emergency, please call the synod office (570-524-9778) and the voicemail will give you phone numbers that you can call.
A blessed weekend to all!

Hurricane Response Work Teams Meeting
2018-03-24 10:00 - 14:00
The Upper Susquehanna Synod and the Presbytery of Northumberland have come together to plan two work trips to Daytona, Florida. The first of these trips will take place May 20-27. You need not have any particular skills to participate in this trip, just a will to help those who have suffered loss from last year’s hurricanes. Anyone interested in this or future trips is invited to attend a gathering on Saturday, March 24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Upper Susquehanna Synod offices, 500 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg.
Our 2018 trips will cost approximately $325, including travel by van, meals and lodging. We will work with the Florida Volusia Interfaiths/Agencies Networking in Disaster, a long-term recovery organization established to coordinate response to the hurricanes. Volunteers are housed in dormitory style rooms with bunk beds in the Union Congregational Church (UCC) in Holly Hill, Florida. Use this link to register for the gathering on March 24: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susquehanna-disaster-relief-work-teams-tickets-43671138551 Registration does not mean you will join the work team. Anyone planning to join the work trip should bring a deposit of $150 to the gathering. For questions or information contact Craig Miller, Assistant to the Bishop, prcmiller@uss-elca.org.

LARC Luncheon
2018-03-22
Our synod has participated in Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic (LARC) dialog since its inception. Together with the Lower Susquehanna Synod, Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, and Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, we entered into covenant in 1993, committing ourselves to “leading the church to greater unity”. The commitments we made in that covenant continue to be lived out in our congregations and in bi-monthly lunch dialogs at the Diocese of Harrisburg Keeler Center. Anyone interested in joining the conversation may attend these lunches – contact Rev. Craig Miller for more information or to be added to the notification list. Dates for 2018 include March 22, May 22, July 26, September 18, November 15.

Multi-Point Pastors Gathering
2018-03-21 11:00 - 13:00
Multi-point pastors gathering from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the synod office.

Synod Council Meeting
2018-03-17 09:00 - 14:00
At Synod Office

Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend
2018-03-16 - 2018-03-18
Your marriage relationship is one of the things in life that provides the greatest potential for happiness. Is yours living up to this potential? Please make 2018 the year you resolve to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend to learn how to maximize the joy and intimacy that God intends for your marriage. The following weekends have been scheduled with one more to be added in Massachusetts in the fall.

March 16-18, 2018, at Heritage Hotel Lancaster in Lancaster, PA. A newly-renovated hotel, home of the unique treehouse-inspired restaurant, “Loxley’s.”
April 6-8, 2018, at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College PA. A peaceful resort surrounded by a golf course and nestled in the woods in the center of PA.
September 14-16, 2018, at Spruce Lake Retreat in Canadensis, PA. A lovely hotel-style facility In a wooded area of the Poconos, an hour north of Allentown.
October 19-21, 2018, at Olmsted Retreat Center. A stunning, hotel-style retreat next to Olmsted Mansion in Allegheny National Forest, 2 hours north of Pittsburgh.

Two nights lodging, five meals for each of you, and all supplies are included with your $100 per couple registration fee, plus toward the end of the weekend you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution of whatever amount you wish toward the continuation of the program. To be sure to get the Weekend of your choice, sign up at your earliest convenience by going to the website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org and paying the registration fee with your credit card, or marking the option to mail a check. For questions, or if you would like a brochure with registration form mailed to you, contact Northeast US Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at 724-325-3166 or fjschamber@comcast.net.

Camp Mount Luther is Helped by Raise the Region
2018-03-14 18:00 - 2018-03-15 23:59
Camp Mount Luther is participating in “Raise the Region” on March 14-15, 2018. The event, coordinated by The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, helps the community support local nonprofit organizations’ fund raising efforts. FCFP, in partnership with Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, will be launching the 30-hour fundraising event on March 14 and 15, 2018, starting at 6:00 p.m. on March 14 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on March 15. Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships has donated $150,000 that will be used to stretch a portion of donations made to pre-registered nonprofits. Additional monetary prizes and incentives will be awarded throughout the entire event. This program is designed to help organizations, like Camp Mount Luther, kickoff our 2018 fundraising campaigns and increase donor bases. Proceeds from this event will go to camp’s Annual Fund, unless a donor gets in touch with the camp office to designate it for another camp cause. How It Works:

On March 14 and 15, donors will visit raisetheregion.orgfrom a computer, smart phone, iPad, etc. to learn more about the nonprofits participating and how their work is impacting our community.
You can then make an online donation to support one or more of those nonprofit organizations on the Raise the Region website. Running totals will be shown throughout the day at the Raise the Region website.
At the end of the donation period, a pro-rated match per gift will be determined and the Community Foundation will send checks to all participating nonprofits with the amount raised, the pro-rated match, and any EXTRA money from prizes awarded throughout the day.

Camp Mount Luther has participated in Raise the Region for five years and has garnered about $65,000 in donations during this event. The camp hopes you will help us to have another successful year!

"New Tax Law: New Giving Opportunities" Information Session
2018-03-11 14:00 - 15:00
“New Tax Law, New Ways to Give” is a workshop that will look at how the new tax laws might affect you. If you currently take the required minimum distribution from an IRA or are a church leader concerned about how the new tax law will affect congregation giving, this one-hour session hosted by our synod’s Gift Planner is for you. The workshop will be presented by Rev. Elizabeth Polanzke, ELCA Regional Gift Planner. It will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Camp Mount Luther, 355 Mt. Luther Lane, Mifflinburg. For more information, please contact Pastor Liz Polanzke at 717-654-2334 or elizabeth.polanzke@elca.org. To download a flyer for this event, click http://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/USS_Giving_Poster.pdf

Radical Inclusion
2018-03-07 - 2018-03-09
Progressive Youth Ministry presents “Radical Inclusion” on March 7-9, 2018. Cost is $199 and will be held at the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina. Keynote speakers include Andrew Root, Monica Coleman, Ben Connor, and Abbi Long. Preachers include Ashley Birt and Alice Conner. For more information, visit ProgessiveYouthMinisty.org.

Jonathan Rundman Concert
2018-03-03 19:00 - 20:00
Jonathan Rundman, contemporary rock/folk musician, will perform at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lancaster on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. This is part of the Musical Arts series at St. Peter’s. Come for what promises to be an uplifting evening of beautiful music. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/343210709443562/. Come back Sunday, March 4th as Jonathan will be helping to lead worship at their New Day service, too.

Church Pot Pie Supper in Western Union County
2018-03-03 15:30 - 17:00
Christ’s United, Millmont, will be holding their spring Pot Pie Supper on Saturday, March 3, 2018, starting at 3:30 p.m. Ham, Chicken and Beef Pot Pie will be available. Meals include applesauce, pickled cabbage, roll, beverage and cake. Dinners and quarts of pot pie are available for take-out. For more information call us at (570) 922-1860, email potpie@4bellschurch.com or visit www.4bellschurch.com.
