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Congregation News and Updates

INTERIM BISHOP NAMED

The Allegheny Synod Council has appointed Bishop Barbara Collins as the interim bishop of the Allegheny Synod. She will begin her appointment on October 1, 2024. Bishop Collins retired from serving as the bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod in 2022. She will be serving part-time in the interim capacity through the election of a new bishop at the June 2025 Allegheny Synod Assembly. You will be able to read more about Bishop Collins’ ministry in the September/October issue of The Lutheran Letter.

 

LUTHERAN LETTER DEADLINE

If your congregation has news you would like to have published in the Lutheran Letter, the deadline for the November/December issue is October 20. Send stories to editor Rick Kazmer at r9remzak@hotmail.com 

 

LYNN MCCORMICK PASSED AWAY

 

BONHOEFFER CURRICULUM NOW AVAILABLE! SHARE THE NEWS!

LAMPa is excited to announce that the curriculum, "Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire" is now available! It's free for congregational use! Mark your calendar and plan to join us for related events with author Dr. Lori Brandt Hale Oct. 18-19 in Gettysburg. Details coming soon!

 

CHOICES AND VOICES FOR PEACE

ELCA Lutheran Bishops of Pennsylvania will gather in Harrisburg on Thursday, September 5, to deliver together a statement called “Choices and Voices for Peace.”  The intent of this joint statement is to call for peace in a time when the fraught political climate in our country is leading some people to choose violence and hate.  Because it is important for us to stand together in a call for peace as an exercise of leadership in caring for the people of our Commonwealth, you are invited to join us in the Capitol Rotunda. The statement will be made shareable in the coming days.

 

RESOURCES FOR DISCIPLESHIP IN A DEMOCRACY 

 

STORIES OF FAITH IN ACTION (SOFIA)

The publication Stories of Faith in Action and the resources that go along with it are designed to share how important your weekly offering in your congregation is in sustaining and growing God’s mission. The portion of your offerings that support the ELCA’s synodical and churchwide ministries is called Mission Support. The publication and resources found here help explain and answer questions about Mission Support and tell the story of those gifts in action. You can read stories here: https://www.livinglutheran.org/sofia/. If you want to share a story, feel free to reach out to Karen Kretschmann at karen.kretschmann@elca.org.

 

ELCA ELECTION ACTIVATORS

Are you interested in what you can do as a non-partisan influence in this election cycle? Take your energy to the #ELCAElectionActivator network - an opportunity for individuals and our congregations to share in our communities love in action.

 

ELCA Election Activators from various parts of our ELCA faith community are invited to a call once-a-month to for updates and to hear from each other about local initiatives. Because the ELCA does not endorse a particular candidate, party or form of government or strive for a Christian one, participation requires sign-up and a non-partisan pledge. "Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life" (from ELCA social message "Government & Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy").

Our next virtual meeting is Aug. 27. Learn more today! https://blogs.elca.org/advocacy/elca-election-activator-network/

 

Also of note, in the online Living Lutheran our “ELCA Advocacy Column – August” will feature a description of the first meeting with an invitation. I don’t know the publication date, but it will turn up at https://www.livinglutheran.org/?s=advocacy and other locations.

 

FAITH + LEAD OFFERS WORKSHOP

Faith + LEAD is offering Preaching in an Age of Polarization - Faith+Lead this week. Click the link to register and for more information

 

VIRTUAL DISCERNMENT EVENT

Have you ever wondered about theological education? The ELCA seminaries would like to help you learn more about your seminary options and explore with you where God might be calling you next. Join all seven seminaries of the ELCA on Sunday, September 15th from 1:00-3:30 (PT), 2:00-4:30 (MT), 3:00-5:30 (CT), or 4:00-6:30 (ET) for a Joint Virtual Discernment Event. Click here to learn more and register.

 

Turks & Caicos Journey for Women in Ministry

January 6-12, all women in ministry are invited to escape winter and routine and come on a journey to Turks & Caicos! Are you a woman in ministry leadership and looking for a time apart for renewal, learning, and connection in a beautiful location? ConseCrate & Sunlight Tours, two woman-owned, clergy-owned businesses, are leading this time of relaxation, spiritual exploration, dwelling with others, exciting expeditions, great food, yoga, sunshine, and so much more! Deacon Michelle Walka will be guiding us in learning and practice around the themes of rest, discernment, and creative expression along the way. It’s a continuing education/vacation like no other. Grab your seminary besties & let’s go!  Find out more & sign up before registration closes October 1: sunlighttours.org.

 

OCTOBER IS CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH

ConseCrate Subscription Box is a woman-owned, clergy-owned business created by ELCA pastor Reverend Dr. Ruth E. Hetland.  They have been sending out fun, encouraging, inspiring boxes to ministers around the world since 2020. Many congregations give a ConseCrate subscription to their ministers as a way of saying “thank you” to them with a monthly surprise. The items included in the ConseCrates are always a surprise and curated from creative ministers and other small businesses.  Examples of items we have included over the years: Coffee roasted by a pastor/coffee roaster in Oregon, Honey from a pastor/beekeeper in Kansas, Hand poured candles from a youth minister/candlemaker in Georgia, Book from a pastor/author in Minneapolis, Earrings from a deacon/jewelry-maker in Oklahoma, Contemplation deck from a Spiritual Director/artist in Minnesota The ConseCrates always include 4-6 items and correspond with the church season. They often also include special offers from spiritual directors, curriculum-creators, life coaches, and others who understand the unique calling of ministry. Find out more about ConseCrate and order something special for your ministers this Clergy Appreciation Month at consecrate.cratejoy.com.

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