Upper Susquehanna Synod

Dandelion Trail Run at CML
2017-09-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg will be holding a 5 and 10 Kilometer trail run race at the camp Labor Day Weekend. This is the fifteenth year for the event at the camp, located five miles west of Mifflinburg. This will be an entry-level trail race on Mount Luther grounds with proceeds going to the camp. It is being organized by Joel and Shelley Heasley of Middleburg. The Dandelion Run 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. The date of the race is Saturday, September 2, 2017. 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. Age group awards will be presented and pre-registered participants will receive a drawstring sports pack. (A limited number will also be available on race day.) Price for entry is $20 if you pre-register before August 12th. Race day registration is $25. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Spectators are welcome as well. A kid’s fun run (registration for that is one dollar) and a one-mile fun walk will also be held. The same registration fees and amenities apply for the fun walk which will take place on a dirt road. Awards will be given for overall male and female race time, three awards for each age group and an overall master’s for male and female in both the 5K and the 10K. The awards ceremony will be immediately following the race. All miles for the course will be marked and there is one water stop on the course. Timing will be electronically done. To download a registration form, visit http://midpenntrailblazers.com/trail-race-events/dandelion-run/dandelion-run-application.pdf or you can contact Joel Heasley at 570-765-0267. Shower facilities are available after the race. All proceeds from this event will benefit the camp’s general operating fund.

Rostered Ministers Gathering
2017-08-07 - 2017-08-10
The ELCA will hold its first ever Rostered Ministers Gathering in Atlanta at the Sheraton Downtown. This will be an opportunity for Rostered Ministers to assemble for worship, education, and fellowship. The theme will be “On the Way…Together,” using the Road to Emmaus story. There will also be two pre-gathering events for federal chaplains and young rostered ministers (20’s and 30’s). Early registration is open now and will be $245 per person which includes coffee breaks, four meals, keynotes, Bible studies, workshops, evening concert, worship, and interaction center. Registration fee increases on June 1 to $295 per person. Room rates will be $119 per night (plus taxes). Questions about this event can be sent to 2017MinistersGathering@elca.org or you can call 1-800-635-3522.

Summer Lay School of Theology at Gettysburg
2017-07-23 - 2017-07-29
Gettysburg Seminary’s Summer Lay School of Theology is on July 23-29, 2017. The theme is Congregational Renewal for Lay People and the presenter is Deacon Marsha Roscoe who is the Director of the Center for Faith Formation and Resource Ministries of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Here is the link for the brochure and registration: http://www.ltsg.edu/images/upload/2017_LaySchoolBrochure_web.pdf
In addition to scholarships from the seminary, those who wish to attend may apply to the synod office for assistance. Send a request to Pastor Craig Miller (prcmiller@uss-elca.org) indicating your need.

USSWO Convention
2017-07-22 07:30 - 16:00
The Upper Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization Annual Convention will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at the Evergreen Center at Camp Mount Luther, 355 Mt. Luther Lane, Mifflinburg. Women are asked to be present for this one-day convention as it brings an excellent opportunity for you to meet your sisters from neighboring churches and become informed about the workings of the Women of the ELCA. The theme for this year’s convention is “All Anew—Renewal of Spirit and Hope.” Churchwide Representative Dawn Smith will speak about the ministries of the Women of the ELCA and Sandy Nelson will speak about her recent trip to Liberia. The Bible study leader will be Jodi Ellis and worship will be led by Bishop Collins and Peggy Bohart. Registration forms are available at http://www.uss-elca.org/upper-susquehanna-synodical-womens-organization/

Synod Council Meeting
2017-07-20 17:30 - 19:30
At Camp Mount Luther
5:30- dinner
6:30- meeting

Celebrate Christmas in July at Camp!
2017-07-16 18:30 - 19:30
The Camp Mount Luther Staff invites everyone to attend their Campfire and Worship Service celebrating Christmas in July on July 16, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. The program will be held outdoors, weather permitting, so bring a lawn chair. In addition, there will be a Christmas carol sing either as part of worship or just after worship is over. There is no need to RSVP. Just show up ready to celebrate our savior’s birth at camp in the middle of the summer!

Mission Strategy Table Meeting
2017-07-08 10:30 - 14:00
The Upper Susquehanna Synod Mission Table will meet on July 8, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Synod Office. The Mission Strategy Table includes members of the Mission Table and Mission Support Table. They meet to develop strategy for mission in the synod and to propose implementation actions. Everyone is welcome! Meetings will also be held October 14 and January 13.

Mission Support Table Meeting
2017-06-27 19:00 - 20:30
The Upper Susquehanna Synod Mission Table will meet on June 27, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit, Turbotville. The Mission Support Table includes members of the Stewardship and Mission Interpreters Teams. They meet to discuss support for mission in the synod and to the ELCA. Everyone is welcome! A meeting will also be held on November 29.

Mission Table Meeting
2017-06-20 18:30 - 20:00
The Upper Susquehanna Synod Mission Table will meet on June 20, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at the Synod Office. The Mission Table includes members of Small Church and Transformational Ministry Teams. They meet to discuss mission in the synod and to coordinate work of missional committees. Everyone is welcome! Meetings will also be held September 21 and November 27.

Synod Assembly
2017-06-16 - 2017-06-17
The 2017 Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly will take place at Weber Chapel on the campus of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, on June 16-17, 2017. Guest speakers and musicians from the ELCA’s Global Mission Team will be with us, including Sunitha Mortha as our ELCA Churchwide representative. More information will be provided as it becomes available and will be posted at http://www.uss-elca.org/our-synod/synodassembly. Remember, we are striving to go paperless this year with the bulletin of reports so materials will be available for download from the website listed here.

Steward Leaders Gathering
2017-06-10 10:30 - 13:30
The Upper Susquehanna Synod invites all steward leaders to a gathering on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Christ’s United (4 Bells) Lutheran Church, 13765 Old Turnpike Road, Millmont PA. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Steward leaders may include council members, Stewardship Committee members, pastors, or anyone in the congregation interested in caring for what God has given to us. Our gathering will provide an opportunity to network and to share best practices in Stewardship. Through Bible study and conversation we will learn about how stewardship happens in our synod. Lunch is included. RSVP by June 2, 2017, to Brenda Krouse (Brenda@uss-elca.org or 570-524-9778).

“11 Steps to Increase Giving in Your Church” Webinar
2017-06-06 13:30 - 14:30
Jennifer Perrow will present the workshop “11 Steps to Increasing Giving in Your Church” on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. Scripture doesn’t shy away from conversations about money, but church leaders often do. Learn some simple and effective ways to create a culture of increasing generosity in your church, including suggestions for joyfully engaging givers at every age and stage of life. They’ll talk about transforming your weekly church offering into a time of celebration, coaching church leaders to effectively talk about stewardship, creative ways to thank your givers, why a major gifts strategy makes sense for churches, how to keep your offering numbers steady during the summer, and more. The webinar is being sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Development Executives. If you can’t attend live, you may still register for the webinar and receive a recording. Webinars cost $75. Register at http://tinyurl.com/n8e4yfu.

A 27-Minute Stewardship Consultation
2017-06-06
Is your congregation ready to grow? Would you like to train one or two local stewardship leaders? Is now a good time to train stewardship leaders and if so, why? Qualifying congregations will be invited to participate in Moving to Thriving 2017: A Stewardship Initiative for Congregations. What is it about? Is this worth your time? How can you measure results? Join Dr. Ed Kruse for the free “A 27-Minute Stewardship Consultation” which covers these areas:

Why stewardship is painful for some congregations
The worst outcome people can request
Getting relief from the pain

Register now at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1335556266221976578 for the webinar on June 6 at 11:00 a.m. EDT or at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7379675038199651586 for the webinar at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Evergreen Center Mortgage Burning and Circle of Faith Dinner
2017-06-04 19:00 - 20:00
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, Camp Mount Luther will have a worship service at 7:00 p.m. at which time they will burn the mortgage on the Evergreen Center debt. The worship service is open to anyone who would like to attend to commemorate a milestone in the camp’s history. The service will be held outdoors, if the weather permits, so please bring a lawn chair. This will give the synod’s outdoor ministry a chance to thank those who helped achieve the goal of paying off the debt early and celebrate the opening of camp for the 2017 season.

LAMPA Lutheran Day
2017-05-22
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA will hold their annual event on May 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill. We mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in a time of great upheaval and division at home and around the globe. On May 22, we gather to consider how the Holy Spirit is re-forming us as the Word of God continues to change and renew the world. How can we be Church Together, for the sake of the world, in Pennsylvania? Bring your faith to the table, and join advocates from across the Commonwealth for a day of worship, learning and inspiration to ground and deepen your call to faith-rooted advocacy. The day will feature a keynote address by Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Professor of Theological and Social Ethics, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University, legislative briefing and visit training, issues and faith formation workshops, a continental breakfast, lunch and special advocacy celebration. Come to be inspired, prepared and equipped to act on issues that matter. Bring a team from your congregation, or partners from other traditions in your community. You don’t have to be Lutheran to benefit from the issues and advocacy training! Most other bodies do not have their own state advocacy offices, and many would appreciate this opportunity.

To learn more and register, click here: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event;jsessionid=17463E35FB25ECEAF7D5944045D62165.worker_registrant?llr=lvflt5dab&oeidk=a07edukmq05a668eb65

Healthy Congregation Workshop #3
2017-05-20 09:00 - 15:00
The third Healthy Congregation Workshop follows the first two workshops in providing a deeper understanding of the qualities and traits of healthy congregations. This workshop will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Williamsport. The third workshop focuses on healthy leadership in healthy congregations. This workshop will give insights that will:

Equip leaders to promote health through their presence and functioning.
Equip leaders to challenge people.
Equip leaders to build resilience in their congregation for the sake of mission.

Together, the six Healthy Congregation workshops enable leaders to:

Gain a renewed sense of mission and vision.
Cultivate strong leadership capacities to challenge the congregation.
Learn how to develop healthy patterns of living together in community.
Learn to focus on strengths, resources and options for the future.
Boost confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities.
Learn how to lead calmly and with thoughtfulness.
Reflect theologically about relationships.
Move the congregation toward even healthier functioning.

Please sign up at the synod office either by emailing or calling. The cost is $20 per person. The fee includes workbook and lunch. Registration deadline is May 8.

CML Spring Work Day
2017-05-20 08:00 - 15:00
Practice stewardship through service at Camp Mount Luther at their Annual Spring Work Day on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They 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 12 if staying for lunch to cml@campmountluther.org or 570-922-1587.

Pre-Retirement Seminar
2017-05-17 08:30 - 18:00
Together with their partner, Ernst & Young, Portico is holding a day long pre-retirement seminar. They will cover all phases of retirement planning in simple, understandable terms — from establishing a retirement budget, to discussing investment strategies, to reviewing health care options. And, they leave plenty of time to address your retirement questions. The event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2221 N. Oak Lane, State College, PA, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 6:00 p.m. Register at https://myportico.porticobenefits.org/NewsEvents/Events/Pre-RetirementSeminars. Once registered, you’ll receive an invoice for $35 per person. Please make your check payable to Portico Benefit Services and mail the check or bring it to the seminar.

Synod Council
2017-05-16 19:00 - 21:00
At Synod Office

Adam Miller Concert in Belleville
2017-05-12 19:00 - 20:00
Adam Miller, a legendary folksinger, storyteller, and autoharp virtuoso will present a concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belleville. The concert will be held on May 12, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. A freewill donation will be taken to benefit St. John’s Christian Day Care and Preschool.

Bishop's Open Golf Classic
2017-05-08 11:00 - 17:00
The annual Bishop Open’s Golf Classic is set for May 8, 2017, 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: http://www.campmountluther.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-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!

Bishop's Retreat
2017-05-03 - 2017-05-05
The annual bishop’s retreat for rostered leaders will be held on May 3-5 at Camp Hebron, Halifax PA. The focus of the retreat will be: Relationship with God. Relationship with each other. Relationship with the world. Cost for the two and a half days, meals included, is $115/person for double occupancy and $225/person for single occupancy. The registration date has passed, but if you are interested in attending, contact the synod office ASAP to see if space is available. Spouses are invited to attend this event.

CML Spring Open House and Future Directions Meeting
2017-04-23 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 23, 2017, 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 $25 discount on their summer registration! More details will be shared on their website at www.campmountluther.org!
Following the Open House (at 4:00 p.m.), there will be a future directions meeting at the camp. The Camp Mount Luther Board of Directors has begun a process to look forward to the future of the synod’s outdoor ministry and to build a vision and ministry plan to serve children, families, congregations and our greater community for generations to come. The board is holding several “cabin meetings” in various areas of the synod to talk about opportunities, challenges, and a new vision for Camp Mount Luther. At those meetings, the process will be outlined, questions will be answered, and the opportunity will be given for folks to fill out a survey to help the board as they plan for the future. Your advice and counsel are vital to the camp ministry’s future. Please plan to attend and give your input.

Future Directions Meeting for Mount Luther
2017-04-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2017-04-06 19:00 - 20:00
The Camp Mount Luther Board of Directors has begun a process to look forward to the future of the synod’s outdoor ministry and to build a vision and ministry plan to serve children, families, congregations and our greater community for generations to come. The board is holding several “cabin meetings” in various areas of the synod to talk about opportunities, challenges, and a new vision for Camp Mount Luther. At those meetings, the process will be outlined, questions will be answered, and the opportunity will be given for folks to fill out a survey to help the board as they plan for the future. Your advice and counsel are vital to the camp ministry’s future. Please plan to attend and give your input. Meetings will be held April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg; April 9 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lewistown; and April 23 at 4:00 p.m. at Camp Mount Luther, Mifflinburg.
