Lutheran Day at the Capitol
2022-04-28
LUTHERAN DAY IN THE CAPITOL MOVED TO APRIL 28, 2022
As LAMPA continues to move through the pandemic, they look forward and invite you to mark your calendar for Lutheran Day in the Capitol. They will gather in Harrisburg on Thursday, April 28, 2022. They have moved this annual event to partner with United Lutheran Seminary’s Spring Convocation, in prayerful anticipation of gathering safely once more. Here is information on ULS’s Spring Convocation that runs from April 25-28:
https://www.unitedlutheranseminary.edu/calendar/spring-convocation-preaching-perspectives-pentecost-and-ordinary-time-gettysburg-campus-livestream

Upper Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization Day of Learning/Renewal
2022-04-30 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
APlease consider joining other women for this event which will offer two learning experiences: “Protect Yourself from SCAMS and FRAUD” with Trooper Lauren Lesher, Community Service Officer, Troop F; and
Part 2: Mary Barr and Kathy Whitesel will be sharing pictures and experiences they had on short-term mission trips to the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. The time and labor invested in clean-up, gutting and rebuilding is secondary to meeting the people and listening to their stories, which will be evident in the presentation. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 a.m. and will end at about 2:00 p.m. It will be held at United Lutheran Church, 167 Seven Points Road, Sunbury. Cost is $10.00 which includes lunch. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 23, 2022. Call 570-850-8346 (Rita Avery) if you have questions. Please make checks payable to USSWO. Mail to: Rita Avery, 771 Foye Road, Sunbury, PA 17801 OR email your response to tnravery@ptd.net and bring your registration payment to the event.

Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament
2022-05-09 11:00 - 17:00
The annual Bishop Open’s Golf Classic is set for May 9, 2022, 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/2022/03/2022-Golf-Tournament-Flyer.pdf. The camp’s golf tournament committee is currently looking for hole 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!

Region 8 Radical Justice Training
2022-05-13 12:00 - 17:00, 2022-08-18 11:00 - 16:00
We are called to be a church that embraces each person and confronts racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, age, gender, familial, sexual orientation, physical, personal and class barriers that can manifest as unjust treatment, inequalities, exclusion, and violence. The ELCA’s Region 8 is committed to equipping leaders to recognize and understand the complexities and implications of racism and racial issues and is offering training in the areas of anti-racism and racial justice for leaders in partnership with synods, congregations, associations, and social service agencies.
Region 8’s Racial Justice Training equips leaders (rostered and lay) to face the challenges of racism in a diverse, complex and changing world by providing tools and resources that foster healthy and holy conversations. Each workshop addresses these aspects of racism:
1) Talking about Race: language and vocabulary
2) History and systemic racism in the United States, and
3) How to begin conversations and actions in your ministry context.
Each training is offered on Zoom using a combination of instruction and small group conversation. Facilitators will represent the region to the extent possible, spearheaded by the Reverend Carla Christopher Wilson. Cost is $25 per person; however, if cost is a barrier, please contact Marty Shifflett at mshifflett@lss-elca.org, or 717-652-1852, ext. 115. Because we want to make this training as accessible to as many people as possible, if two people from a congregation register, additional participants (beyond 2) from that congregation may attend at no cost. Those additional participants are required to register by contacting Marty Shifflett.
Region 8 is comprised of the following eight synods: Northwest PA, Southwest PA, Allegheny, Lower Susquehanna, Upper Susquehanna, Delaware/Maryland, Metro DC, and West Virginia/Western Maryland.
Racial Justice Training Opportunities
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 9AM-2PM
Friday, May 13, 2022, 12-5PM
Thursday, August 18, 2022, 11AM-4PM
Monday, November 7, 2022, 10AM-3PM
Click here to register
Attending this training fulfills the ELCA churchwide assembly’s directive that rostered ministers participate in racial justice training every two years.

Companion Synod Sunday
2022-05-15
On Sunday, May 15, the Global Mission Team encourages all congregations in the synod to honor our companion synods of Lutheran Church of Liberia and Kirchenkreis Ansbach-Wuerzburg. Here are attachments for our congregations and supply leaders for Sunday worship. They can be used for bulletin inserts, make power point presentations for online worship – however congregations choose to celebrate and honor our partner churches for May 15.
Litany for Companion Synod Sunday
Companion Synod Sunday 2022 Bulletin Insert
Here is a video made for May 15th, the celebration of our companion synod. Chris Wilhem of Evangelical, Reedsville, used pictures from the synod choir trip in 2005 to Leutershausen and ones from the German choir when they came here in 2007. https://youtu.be/pF5GGXvxsZc
Also, feel free to continue using prayer intercessions to recognize all our global ministries during the prayers of the church.

Boundary Training for Rostered Ministers
2022-05-17 09:00 - 15:00
Boundary training workshops provide an opportunity for rostered ministers to spend intentional time alongside colleagues considering boundaries so that we and others may thrive. This boundary training is a collaboration between the Upper and Lower Susquehanna Synods, facilitated by The Rev. Lisa Raylene Barnes and The Rev. Beth Martini. Synod clergy sexual abuse prevention policy requires that rostered leaders complete a boundary workshop at least once every three years.
This is a virtual one-day training on May 17, 2022, begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. Cost is $25.00 per person. Registration closes one week prior to the workshop. You will receive your ZOOM invitation via email prior to the event. For more information, please email Marty Shifflett at mshifflett@lss-elca.org or call 717-652-1852 ext. 115.
Register here: https://www.lss-elca.org/event/boundary-training-for-rostered-ministers-may-17-2022/

CML Spring Work Day
2022-05-21 08:00 - 13:00
Practice stewardship through service at camp at Camp Mount Luther at the Annual Spring Work Day on Saturday, May 21, 2022, 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 16 if staying for lunch to cml@campmountluther.org or 570-922- 1587. Promote it! https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Work-Day-Flyer.pdf

Office Closed
2022-05-30
The Upper Susquehanna Synod Office will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022, in observance of Memorial Day. 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.

Pre-Synod Assembly Hearing
2022-06-02
A hearing will take place via Zoom for voting members to gain understanding of certain items for this year’s Synod Assembly. These are not mandatory but are option for those who would like more information.
The hearing will provide information for first time voting members, review the bishop election process, and review the budget.
Topic: 2022 Assembly Hearings
Time: Jun 2, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89703697639?pwd=[REDACTED]
Remember to check the synod assembly web page regularly for updates and documents and videos related to the assembly.

CML Kars for Kamp
2022-06-11 09:00 - 15:00
Mount Luther is hosting the first Kars for Kamp Car Show to benefit camp. It will be held on June 11, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is June 12. All cars, street rods, trucks, jeeps and bikes are welcome. Pre-entry by 6/5/22 is $15 which includes a food ticket. To register, email dbrobst@dejazzd.com. Day of Show Registration is $20. Spectators are free. Registration will be 9:00 to 12:00. Awards Presented at 2:30. Music, 50/50 Drawing, Basket Auction and food will be available.
Classes:
Plaques for Cars 65 and Older, 66 to 79, 80 and Newer; Plaque for Street Rods, Trucks, Jeeps, Bikes; Plaque/Sheetz Card for Longest Distance Traveled
Trophy for Best of Show

CML Summer Camp Kickoff and Circle of Faith Dinner
2022-06-12 19:00 - 20:00
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, Camp Mount Luther will have a worship service at 7:00 p.m. at which time they will kick-off the 2022 Summer Camping Season. The worship service is open to anyone who would like to attend to support our synod’s outdoor ministry and this year’s summer staff. The service will be held outdoors, if the weather permits, so please bring a lawn chair. The worship will be immediately following the annual Circle of Faith Giving Club Dinner, which is by invitation.

Synod Assembly
2022-06-17 - 2022-06-18
The 2022 Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly will take place at Susquehanna University on June 17-18, 2022. The theme is “Abundance Together,” based on 2 Corinthians 9:8. This year is a bishop’s election so that will be the significant area of discussion and voting in 2022. Registration is still open. MEALS NEED TO BE ORDERED BY MAY 20. Please know that you will need to be able to use a voting app on a mobile device. All assembly reports will again be available online. More detailed information will be provided as it becomes available and will be posted at http://uss-elca.org/assembly. All rostered leaders and voting members from every congregation are expected to attend. Clergy need to write an excuse to the bishop if you cannot attend. Reports for the annual Bulletin of Reports are being posted on the assembly website and a special section of “the essentials” (what you need for the business meetings) will be posted the week of assembly.

Intercultural Development Inventory
2022-06-28 14:00 - 15:00
We are holding an Intercultural Development Inventory event for USS rostered leaders on June 28th, 2:00-3:00 pm at Milton Lutheran Church (100 Mahoning Street). Please call the synod office to put your name on the list of participants. Description is below:
We live in a world of marvelous cultural diversity, yet skillfully engaging cultural diversity can be fraught, especially in our polarized world. This interactive workshop will explore the theological and biblical foundations of intercultural work through the lens of the Intercultural Development Continuum. The Continuum can help us understand the various ways we navigate cultural similarity and differences, in both effective and less effective ways. It also provides a map for how we can grow in our intercultural skills in ways that honor the image of God in one another (similarities) while also celebrating cultural diversity and distinctiveness (differences). This workshop will be of interest to any congregation seekingto live into the fullness of the kin-dom of God.

CML Pick-An-Adventure
2022-08-01 - 2022-08-05
Camp Mount Luther is in full swing with their summer programs! There is still time to register for their Pick-An-Adventure Camp which will be from August 1-5. This is a week for you to come for a day (or more) and do the activities that you want to do. Our staff will lead your family or just your kids for the day from 9-3:30. Lunch will be provided. You will have time and space to talk, listen, grow, share, play, sing, and pray together. Enjoy GROW Time, camp activities, and rest in God’s creation.
Also available that week: Senior High Service and options for Juniors and Intermediates to sleepover!
For more information, visit the camp website at www.campmountluther.org or call 570-922-1587. Stay connected to camp this summer and find out what is happening during our various programs, visit Facebook (www.facebook.com/mountluther) and our blog (www.campmountluther.wordpress.com). We try to update these daily but please realize that our staff is quite busy and if updates are not posted, it’s because the campers and staff are so busy that they can’t get an update posted. And don’t forget, our daily First Light devotions will continue to be posted each weekday. Check them at www.cmlfaithformation.weebly.com.

Rostered Leaders Discussion on Supreme Court
2022-08-03 19:00
How do rostered leaders faithfully respond to the Supreme Court decision to rescind Roe v. Wade? United Lutheran Seminary will host a special virtual event for rostered leaders of the church on August 3 at 7:00 p.m. The Rev. Amy Reumann, Senior Director, ELCA Witnessing Society, will facilitate a review of this teaching. Learn more and register.

ELCA Churchwide Assembly
2022-08-08 - 2022-08-12
The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held in Columbus, Ohio, August 8-12, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The theme is Embody the Word. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the church, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members:

Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units;
Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies;
Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws;
Establish ELCA churchwide policy;
Worship together;
Adopt a budget; and
Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.

The Upper Susquehanna Synod’s voting members are: Bishop Collins, VP Holly Fry, Youth Rep. Taylor Brown, Young Adult Rep. Ali Wyland, Diane Bubb, Ray Huff, Rev. Gary Schaeffer and Rev. Tormod Svensson.

Celebration of Bishop Barbara J. Collins
2022-08-27 12:00 - 16:00
Join us as we celebrate the last six years of ministry of Rev. Barbara J. Collins as our bishop. A pizza party will be held at Camp Mount Luther on Saturday, August 27, 2022, starting at noon. In addition, the synod is providing Bishop Collins with two gifts, one for her and her husband and a monetary gift to Camp Mount Luther (at her request). If you or your congregation would like to add to that monetary gift, you can send a contribution to the synod office, the camp, or donate on the synod website. To register for the pizza party, email brenda@uss-elca.org, call the synod office, or click here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5401069

Active Shooter Training
2022-08-31 19:00
The Buffalo Valley Lutheran Parish will be hosting an active shooter training for churches. The event will be held on Wednesday August 31 at 7 p.m. at Christ’s United (4 Bells) in Millmont. If you or members of your congregation are interested in attending please RSVP by August 26th to pastorbuffalovalleyparish@gmail.com. There is no charge to attend.

Dandelion Trail Run at CML
2022-09-03 09:00 - 11:30
Camp Mount Luther will be holding a 5- and 10- kilometer trail run race at the camp on Saturday, September 3, 2021. This is an entry-level trail race on Mount Luther grounds with proceeds going to the camp. The start time for the race is 9:00 a.m. Runners decide on race day if they want to do a 5k or 10K (a double loop of the 5K) run. You must be registered by August 8 by 6:00 p.m. to receive a hoodie. Registration is $35. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Shower facilities are available after the race. All miles for the course will be marked and there is one water stop on the course. Timing will be electronically done. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mifflinburg/DandelionRun5k10kTrailRace. The Dandelion Run, begun in 2002, is organized by Joel and Shelley Heasley of Middleburg. It was named in honor and memory of Rev. Glenn E. Heasley, Jr., former Assistant to the Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Glenn’s favorite “flower” was the dandelion. Heasley’s widow, Shirley, is also involved in the planning of the race. A flyer/bulletin insert is available here: https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Dandelion-Run-Flyer.pdf

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
2022-09-11
On Sunday, September 11, congregations of the ELCA will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our annual day of service. We are a church energized by lively engagement in faith and life. As we continue our tradition of service to our neighbor, we remember the words of Martin Luther: “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.” With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in the name of Jesus Christ. As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has everything you need to plan and promote your day. Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 19. Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands. If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 11, please consider another day for your service activities. You work every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

CML Evening at Shade Mountain
2022-09-13 08:00 - 17:00
In October, Camp Mount Luther will have their annual Evening at Shade Mountain Winery. This is a fundraising opportunity to share fellowship, entertainment, and locally produced wine, all to benefit the camp. There will be a limit of 50 people for this year’s event, which will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022. Entertainment will be provided by Mark Alexander, a local acoustic musician. Menu to include heavy appetizers, desserts, and a complementary glass of wine. Make reservations at 570-922- 1587 or cml@campmountluther.org. Cost is a donation. Consider a donation equal or greater to the food and entertainment provided. If you choose to purchase any bottles of wine that evening, camp receives a portion of the proceeds.

Bishop Installation
2022-09-17 14:00
Here Livestreaming options:
Synod Facebook Page
Synod YouTube Channel

Please RSVP here
Share the Invitation

Click here for a single page bulletin insert.
Click here for a double page bulletin insert.
Installation of the Fourth Bishop of USS, Rev. Craig A. Miller, will take place September 17, 2:00 p.m. at Zion, Sunbury (5th and Market Streets). A time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service. Clergy and deacons are invited to process. The color of the day is red. Call the Upper Susquehanna Synod Office for more information. Masking is encouraged. Parking is available on the street and in the city lots between 4th and 5th Streets and one block north on 5th Street. NOTE: Carpooling is encouraged!
Join the installation choir
We are offering you an opportunity to participate in a celebration for the installation of Bishop-elect Craig Miller as Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA. The celebration will occur Saturday September 17, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury. We are encouraging you to be a member of the choir for this celebration. We will have 2 rehearsals on Sunday afternoons August 28 and September 11 in the Chapel at Zion Lutheran Church at 2:00 each afternoon and a warm-up and final rehearsal 9/17 at 12:30.
We will be singing “Praise the Lord” by Hal H Hopson SAB version and “You Are Holy” by Per Harling, arranged by John Helgen, SATB version. We will send you electronic copies of the music so you can rehearse in advance. If getting to rehearsals is a problem, we can discuss it. The choir will be leading the congregational singing.
Please respond with the following information:
Name ________________ Part ________________ email _________________
Please email dreier@ptd.net or phone 570-847-3435.

Mission/Work Trip
2022-09-18 - 2022-09-24
SINDR (Upper Susquehanna Synod & Northumberland Presbytery) is going back to Western Kentucky, the site of last year’s destructive tornadoes to do mission work. All levels of experience are needed. The work trip will be held September 18 -24, 2022, in and around Madisonville, Hopkins County, Kentucky. The cost is just your contribution toward travel and meals. We won’t know exactly until we get there what type of work, but anticipate general repair and construction rebuilding after the destructive tornadoes of last December. Every level of building experience will be needed. Don’t let your lack of building experience keep you from joining us in this effort. There will be ways that you can help. For more information, contact Clair Kline at clairsally@verizon.net or 570-374-4481. Here is a poster and a bulletin-sized insert that give you the information.

Young Adult Fellowship
2022-09-28 20:00 - 21:00
You’re a young adult. You feel disconnected from the church. You want a community of people close to your own age who love Jesus and know what Tik Tok is. If any of these things are true for you, then we have good news. Jim Vitale, Camp Mount Luther’s new outreach director, is starting a Young Adult Fellowship and we want you to be a part of it! We will gather on the last Wednesday of each month, (starting September 28 on Zoom) to talk about life, faith, and whatever we want! You may have heard that the new Lord of the Rings series is out on Amazon, and it signals, so Jeff Bezos hopes, the beginning of a new extended universe to rival Marvel or Star Wars. While fans wait to see if Rings of Power can top the Fellowship of the Ring, why don’t we go ahead and start a fellowship of our own? We’ll see you Wednesday, September 28th at 8 p.m.! Email jim@campmountluther.org for the link!

Upper Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization Fall Retreat
2022-10-15 09:00 - 15:00
Come to Camp Mount Luther for a day of renewal in the beautiful setting it provides. This one-day retreat will include the sessions focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit led by Pastor Stina Schaeffer. Light morning refreshments and lunch will also be provided. The fee for the day is $30.00. The retreat will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register, please complete and detach the bottom portion of the registration page (https://www.uss-elca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Fall-Retreat-Registration-Form-2022.pdf) and mail with a check for $30.00 (made payable to USSWO) by Friday, September 30, 2022, to Tonya Tabb, 159 Swamp Road, Mifflintown PA 17059. You may also email your registration to tabbtonya@gmail.com and pay of the day of the event.

Come and See: Seminar on the Catechumenate
2022-10-24
Come and See, a seminar on the catechumenate, will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at
Christ Lutheran Church, Elizabethtown, PA. This seminar is for pastors, deacons, directors of Christian Education and other “rostered leaders” in the parish. One of the planning group members is Rev. Kenneth Elkin, a retired pastor of our synod. Click here for more information and registration details.

CML Evening at Shade Mountain
2022-10-28 18:00 - 20:00
In October, Camp Mount Luther will have their annual Evening at Shade Mountain Winery. This is a fundraising opportunity to share fellowship, entertainment, and locally produced wine, all to benefit the camp. There will be a limit of 50 people for this year’s event, which will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022. Entertainment will be provided by Mark Alexander, a local acoustic musician. Menu to include heavy appetizers, desserts, and a complementary glass of wine. Make reservations at 570-922- 1587 or cml@campmountluther.org. Cost is a donation. Consider a donation equal or greater to the food and entertainment provided. If you choose to purchase any bottles of wine that evening, camp receives a portion of the proceeds.
Click here for a flyer/bulletin insert: https://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Shade-Mountain-Winery-Flyer.pdf

75th Anniversary Celebration
2022-10-30 10:00
This year, Mountain Grove Lutheran Parish, Bloomsburg is celebrating 75 years of shared ministry. There will be a service of thanksgiving on Oct. 30, 10:00 a.m. at Trinity (Mt. Grove) and a meal following worship. Everyone is invited to join us, in person or in prayer, as we give thanks for all God has accomplished through this partnership.

42nd IMN Annual Conference
2022-10-31 - 2022-11-04
The Interim Ministry Network Annual Conference showcases the best thinking in transitional ministry. IMN’s Conference continues for a third year in a virtual format. This is not just for Interim Clergy. Transition is all around us and it happens every day in all faith communities. IMN provides directly applicable information and best practices for all clergy and lay leaders who are leading faith communities during any times of transition. Practitioners lead workshops; keynote/plenary speakers offer wisdom, expertise and passion; participants share their experiences; new friendships are formed; and all participants leave with nourishment and enhanced courage for their next transition. All registered conference participants will receive access to the IMN Conference Participant Webpage (CWP) Monday, October 10th at noon Eastern. All participants are encouraged to view the pre-recorded content videos and resources prior to the conference. This access will be available through May 31, 2023. For more information: https://imnedu.org/annual-conference/2022-annual-conference/
