Bishop Installation Video:

Please click HERE to watch the video of the Holy Eucharist with the Rite of Installation for the Rev. Paula J. Schmitt as Bishop of the Allegheny Synod.

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The message below is from Bishop Paula regarding further limitations for the Bishop’s Installation.

  

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

In the last week I have had to make some difficult decisions regarding my installation. These decisions are based on safety and well-being with input from your Deans. This is not what I had hoped for this day. I am disappointed and some days even angry about the limitations that we have had to live into in this last year and a half and the way these limitations have contributed to distance in relationships.

 

Because of the continued rise in cases and transmission of Covid-19 and its variants in all of our counties, the Ministerium of the Allegheny Synod will be represented at the Installation by your Deans. To be clear, I would like very much if all of you were able to attend, but given the latest information about transmission in our counties, it is best if attendance is further limited. There are three leaders who are participants and that will remain the same. I know this is not a popular decision. I don’t like it, but it is what is best for the health and safety of the those involved.

 

The smaller in-person gatherings scheduled the week following the installation will be held as planned at this point and will be outdoors when able. I hope that you will attend one of those gatherings. I would like to see you.

 

Publicity for the installation will begin appearing on the Synod Facebook page and list only the livestream information and the scheduled gatherings. Please convey this information to your congregation.

 

Thank you for all your support.

 

With you in Christ,

Bishop Paula

 

The dates, locations and times for the smaller in-person gatherings are as follows:

 

Monday, September 20th 6:00 pm

Grace Lutheran Church, State College. Narthex and Upper Commons

 

Tuesday September 21st, 6:00 pm

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Duncansville. Social Hall

 

Wednesday, September 22nd, 6:00 pm

Friedens Lutheran Church, Friedens. Friendship Hall.

 

Thursday, September 23rd, 6:00 pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lanse. Narthex.

 

 

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