2017 Year in Review. News of God s People in Action. January 2018

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1 c News of God s People in Action January 2018 God s work. Our hands. + Upper Susquehanna Synod + Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2017 Year in Review Here is the USS Ark s look back at the past year s highlights: WORDS COLLECTED: The Synod's Mission Strategy Team asked congregations for input, sharing words about the synod. The words were what those folks thought of when they heard the word synod and those they hoped to hear in the future. The responses will be used to create word clouds and a mission plan this year. REFORMATION OBSERVED: Many congregations held observances of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation. In addition, the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic (LARC) Day focused on the Reformation with a worship service at the United Lutheran Seminary/Gettysburg campus. Retired Bishop Donald McCoid presented information on the current state of ecumenical dialog. The bishops of those bodies recommitted these church bodies to the LARC covenant agreement. SYNOD ASSEMBLY: The Upper Susquehanna Synod connected to the world through song, work, and word during the 30 th Annual Assembly, held on June 16-17, 2at Susquehanna University. A Glocal Team of musicians and presenters from the ELCA shared global songs on a local level and helped the assembly look at how to connect to current contexts and how to accompany those doing mission. Bishop Barbara J. Collins led the proceedings, her first Synod Assembly since being elected as bishop in Melvin Stojakovich, Jr., of Bloomsburg was elected as Vice President; Rev. Thomas Glasoe of Milton was elected as Secretary. NEW WEBSITE: The synod s new website ( debuted in early March. New features on the website include a featured congregation as well as the ability to post blogs right on our website. Some new organizational items were added to make the website easier to navigate and updates continue to be made. CAMP MOUNT LUTHER: The camp celebrated the retirement of their debt on the camp s dining hall and, the Evergreen Center. Through the support of some generous alumni staff donors at the end of 2016, the camp raised enough money to pay off the debt on that building project, over two and a half years ahead of schedule. The camp held a mortgage burning celebration at the beginning of their successful summer season. The board also began a process to determine opportunities, challenges, and future directions for the camp. SYNOD YOUTH RETREAT: The synod youth retreat, GROW in the Snow, was held in February, looking at Our Way of Life, exploring faith practices and living a Christian life. Eighty-five youth and leaders enjoyed the weekend of study, worship, crafts, service projects, and games. LAY MINISTRY REUNION: The Lay Ministry Institute held a reunion in May for those who went through the program over its nearly 20 years. They remembered good times and shared a meal at Mount Luther. Pastor Melody Sell who serves as the LMI director, gave a history of the institute to those in attendance. 7 th SEAFARERS COLLECTION: Members in 43 synod congregations and three individuals filled a total of 564 Christmas At Sea gift bags for the ministry of Seafarers International House. The bags are given to merchant seamen who come into port to off-load their cargoes during the Christmas season. This is a ministry of the ELCA whose port chaplains go aboard ships to distribute the gift bags, conduct worship services, and to offer other forms of assistance and hospitality to the crews. BISHOP EMERITUS HONORED: As part of the Gettysburg Seminary Spring Academy, Bishop Emeritus Robert L. Driesen was presented with the Celebrated Lifetime Ministry Award. The presentation was made at the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award Service of Thanksgiving, held in the Chapel of the Abiding Presence. GOD S WORK. OUR HANDS DAY OF SERVICE: As part of a national observance of the ELCA, several synod congregations participated this year in God s work. Our hands Day of Service in September. Volunteers took time to offer service to others in their community. FRYER SPEAKS ON RACISM: In mid-october, author, former ELCA pastor, and professor Kelly Fryer came to the synod to discuss racism. Fryer presented a program titled, Cries from the Wilderness: A Down to Earth Conversation about Racism and Our Role in Ending It. Fryer shared what she has learned in the wilderness and lead conversation about racism, the ways in which it harms us, and what church leaders can do to end it.

2 Report on Fall Trip to Germany On September 26, a group of 34 excited people began their journey to Berlin, Germany, from several airports on the East and West Coast. The USS trip to visit Lutherland for the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation was planned by Pastor Lois Martin. The group gathered at Berlin s Tegel Airport and began the tour by visiting important historical sites in Berlin. The The USS group with Bishop Gisela Bornowski first night was spent in Wittenberg and despite the long hours of travel, most people explored a bit of Wittenberg before retiring that first night. The days in Wittenberg included visits to the Luther House, and Melanchthon House Museums, the Town Church and the Castle Church where the Ninety-five Theses were posted on the church door. Two presentations were heard by the group, one by Hans Kasch, director of the Lutheran World Federation Wittenberg Center, discussing Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon; and a presentation by Pastor Heidrun Herfurth and her personal story of church life in East Germany during the Communist Era. The next two days featured a tour of Leipzig (with the hearing of a Bach Motet and a lecture by a local pastor of the Peaceful Revolution ) and a visit to Halle for worship and a tour of Eisleben, the city of Luther s birth and death. On Monday, October 2, they took leave of the city of Wittenberg and headed toward Erfurt. Along the way, they traveled through Weimar and then visited Buchenwald and the former concentration camp, now a memorial and museum. The following day, the group was greeted by the synod s partnership Bishop, Gisela Bornowski; her husband, Steven; and her Assistant, Dr. Phillip Hauenstein. They toured with them, seeing the former Augustinian Monastery where Martin Luther was a monk. Afternoon discussion over lunch included renewing plans for the partnership and enjoying the company of mutual friendship in Christ. The trip continued the next day with a drive to Eisenach and Dresden. In Eisenach, they visited the Wartburg castle and were reminded of the perilous conditions for Martin Luther as his life was threatened, taking risks for the truth to be made known. The small room in the castle where he began the translation of the New Testament into German was a reminder that it is a privilege to read the sacred texts in our own languages. They also visited the Church of St. George where J.S. Bach was baptized and a museum house exhibiting many of Bach s works, with a short concert on period instruments. Most of the group continued on a trip extension that included the historic cities of Dresden and Meissen and traveling across the German border to Prague in the Czech Republic. Pastor Martin reflected, This trip was a reminder to those who traveled together that we learn from the past while looking back, but are given hope and promise as we are called forward. Up and Down the Valleys Bishop Collins is interested in praying for you! She wrote in a recent Facebook post: So here's the thing...we have been saying that it is all about relationships. Our relationship with God, our relationship with each other, and our relationship with the community, the world. It's time to DO something intentional about these relationships if we expect change to happen in our midst. So let me begin with this: How may I pray for you and/or your congregation? Post your request here, private message me, or send me an . And if the request is for the congregation, please note which congregation since we have multiples of the same name. Prayer is powerful, life giving, and establishes a web of relationships...so let's get started! How may I, your Bishop, pray for YOU? Prayer petitions are prepared and shared by the synod s Liberia Committee for use in congregation to lift up our companion synod program. You can include them in your intercessory prayers or print them in your bulletin or newsletter. Prayers for the next three months are available on our website at the following link: FREE CHOIR GOWNS: Trinity Lutheran, McClure, has choir gowns/robes of all sizes, children to adults, free to anyone who can use them. If interested, please contact Pr. Lisa Schuster at USS ARK is a publication of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA. Permission is granted for congregations to reproduce this newsletter. Send mission stories and ministry ideas by the first of the month to Chad Hershberger, Director of Communications, at news@uss-elca.org. The Rev. Barbara J. Collins, Bishop Upper Susquehanna Synod PO Box 36, Lewisburg, PA

3 Upper Susquehanna Synod Events Calendar Annual Report Covers Available You can now download an annual report cover from the ELCA. It is available here: Hard copies can be ordered by calling January 21, 2018: Camp Mount Luther Camperson Meeting The annual meeting for Camp Mount Luther Campersons is Sunday, January 21, 2018, starting at 3:00 p.m. The camp is an extension of local congregational ministry and wants every member of the Upper Susquehanna Synod to know what is happening with this important ministry. To do that, Mount Luther has CAMPERSONS! A camperson is a liaison between CAMP and your CONGREGATION, who is interested in camp and wants to regularly share camp news with others. Parents of campers, past campers or staff, or someone with a genuine interest in outdoor ministry makes a great camperson. Campersons are ambassadors and promote camping ministry in your congregation. Each synod congregation is asked to send a representative to this event to learn more. Campersons will Share Information Plan and Coordinate a Camp Sunday Recognize Campers Reach Out to promote outdoor ministries Support camp fundraising efforts Here is a bulletin insert/flyer to promote this event in your congregation: Camperson-Meeting-Flyer.pdf. Each congregation who sends a camperson to this event will receive Camel Bucks for the camp store for each camper. For more information, visit January 21, 2018: Camp Mount Luther Turkey Benefit Dinner This event will celebrate Benjamin Franklin s Birthday. Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of our country. Camp Mount Luther thought it would be fitting to have a turkey dinner to honor his January birthday! You are invited to come to his birthday party and support camp at the same time! The dinner will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Evergreen Center at Mount Luther. The menu will consist of turkey and all the trimmings. Cost for the meal is $14 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the camp office at (570) or cml@campmountluther.org. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. To download a bulletin insert/flyer at the dinner, click here: Flyer.pdf February 10, 2018: Disaster Response Meeting NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Those interested in participating in Disaster Response Work Teams are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at the synod office (500 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg) on Saturday, February 10, 2017, from 10:00 a.m.-noon. Plans are underway to arrange for up to four ecumenical work trips this year to places such as Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico. For information, contact Craig Miller, Assistant to the Bishop. February 9-10, 2018: GROW in the Snow This year s synod youth retreat at Camp Mount Luther will be held on February 9-10, All youth in 6-12th grade and their youth leaders are invited to attend. The theme of this year s retreat is Hello God, It s Me, dealing with prayer. Experience your Creator, play winter games and find refreshment in the peace of camp in winter. The retreat is from Friday night to Saturday afternoon, but there is an option for youth and leaders to come just for the day on Saturday. Cost is $59 (whole program) or $40 (Saturday

4 only) if registered by January 30, A late fee of $25 added after that date. No refunds will be given after the January 30 deadline. Each registered group should provide one adult (21 or over) for every seven youth and at least one adult for each gender represented. Cabin assignments will be made based on available adults and number of youth attending. Contact Chad Hershberger at chad@campmountluther.org with questions. Click here for a flyer and registration form: Snow-Flyer.pdf. February 11, 2018: Mount Luther Sunday The Upper Susquehanna Synod Council has designated that Transfiguration Sunday each year be recognized as Mount Luther Sunday to help promote outdoor ministries in the synod. Members of USS congregations are encouraged to celebrate outdoor ministries on this day, February 11, Mount Luther is an extension of the ministry that is done in local Lutheran congregations. The camp asks that congregations promote the camp on that Sunday or designate another Sunday this spring to do so. Ways to promote the camp include bulletin inserts to share with congregation members, Temple Talks, camper testimonials, bulletin board displays, special camp music during Sunday school and church services, as well as special offering being collected. Ideas are available here: Sunday-Flyer.pdf. For a bulletin insert to put in your church bulletin, click here: Insert.pdf February 16-17, 2018: Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training Interested in investing in your own leadership and the vitality of your congregation? Our synod will host a two-day training for those interested in becoming facilitators for Healthy Congregations. This training will take place at the synod office 500 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg. Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training provides faith communities with the perspective and challenge that contribute toward health and thoughtful mission and ministry in these exciting and transformative times. An introduction to the thinking behind the workshops will be offered as well as an overview of the resources that facilitators will have access to following the training. Although the registration will indicate that the event is free, the online registration is only to get names and information. Anyone who would like to learn more about Healthy Congregations, or use this as continuing education, may attend this event for the cost is $450. Those who are willing to serve as a facilitator for the synod will be offered a grant to cover the fee for this continuing education opportunity. When you register, you will receive a schedule for the days and some preliminary materials, as well as a statement of invoice. Registration is available here: February 28- March 3, 2018: ALDE IGNITE in Minneapolis Learn how to take your mission to the next level at IGNITE: Minneapolis 2018, February 28-March 3. This conference will include top-notch keynote speakers as well as rich curriculum sessions and network building opportunities for those with congregational leadership, fundraising, communications, or marketing roles. If you are looking to grow an already vibrant organization, need to reenergize a once-thriving program or are guiding an organization that s just in its infancy, ALDE is here for you. View the curriculum. Find out more at ignitespark.org. Register now at Early Bird Rates expire January 10. Please note that it is less expensive to become an ALDE member, and then register as a member, than it is to attend as a nonmember. So, you might as well join and take advantage of all ALDE offers year-round. Why ALDE? Click here and find out! Who attends this conference? People just like you who are ready to learn, connect and experience career and mission changing curriculum. In 2017, attendees held such titles as: Pastor, Principal, Board Member, Chief Development Officer, Major Gifts Officer, CEO, Executive Director Consultant, Annual Fund Director, Special Events Coordinator, Director of Marketing, and many more so you are certain to make a strong peer connection at this event. The conference offers content for every area of the development profession, and for congregational leaders. Can't make it to the full event, or looking to save money? Try the day rate! Attend just one day for a very reduced price. March 1 offers several curriculum sessions designed with pastors and congregational leaders in mind. Topics include: Igniting Donor ATM (Abilities, Time, and Money); Kindling the Spiritual Meaning of Philanthropy; and IGNITING Planned Giving for Churches and Schools. Other days highlight

5 additional focus points. There s even more you can gain from attending IGNITE. We are offering the chance to win a Pro Bono Consultation from Gronlund Sayther Brunkow to someone who is new to ALDE, or has been a member for less than five years. This could be you, but you must attend IGNITE! Learn about the opportunity and sign up now to win at bit.ly/aldegrant (case sensitive). ALDE inspires, educates and mentors the Christian fundraising community to spark generosity for mission. We are an international community of fundraising and communication professionals rooted in the Lutheran tradition of the Christian faith and dedicated to serving God s people in the church and the world. March 7-9, 2018: Radical Inclusion Progressive Youth Ministry presents Radical Inclusion on March 7-9, 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 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends Announced 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: 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 or fjschamber@comcast.net. April 22, 2018: Camp Mount Luther Spring Open House 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: House-Flyer.pdf. May 7-8, 2018: Youth Ministry in a Scientific Age 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, 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

6 Camel Tracks January 2018 Celebrate Outdoor Ministries with a Camp Sunday The Upper Susquehanna Synod Council has designated that Transfiguration Sunday be recognized as Mount Luther Sunday to help promote outdoor ministries in the synod. Members of USS congregations are encouraged to celebrate outdoor ministries on February 11, The camp asks that congregations promote the camp on that Sunday or designate another Sunday this spring to do so. Ways to promote the camp include bulletin inserts to share with congregation members, Temple Talks, camper testimonials, bulletin board displays, special camp music during Sunday school and church services, as well as a special offering being collected. If you can t celebrate on February 11, please consider using another Sunday to promote camping in your congregation. Executive Director Chad Hershberger is beginning his spring tour of congregations in February and would love to come visit your church. Contact him at chad@campmountluther.org. Other ideas are available here: Creation Care Tip Put one food in front of the other. You may have made a resolution to get fit this year. Walking can help that. A hundred years ago, almost everyone got by without cars. They took the train, they lived near their workplace, and they walked. Using fuel-efficient cars is important, but we can save even more fuel by simply driving less. Our campers walk everywhere! Start walking now and get in shape for when you are here at camp this summer. Come to Camp on January 21 Two important events are happening at Mount Luther on January 21. First, at 3:00 p.m. in the Evergreen Center, we ll have our annual Camperson Meeting. This event gives participants the chance to find out what s going on at camp and tell the story to others! Mount Luther wants every member of the Upper Susquehanna Synod to know what is happening with this important ministry. To do that, campersons serve as a liaison between your congregation and camp. They are individuals who are interested in camp and want to regularly share our news with others. Parents of campers, past campers or staff, or someone with a genuine interest in outdoor ministry make great campersons. Campersons are to be ambassadors and promote our camping ministry in your congregation. Each congregation in the Upper Susquehanna Synod is asked to send a representative to this event. Each congregation who sends a camperson will receive Camel Bucks for the camp store for each camper. Campersons are also invited and encouraged to attend the camp's annual Turkey Dinner, starting at 4:00 p.m. that day. From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on January 21, we ll celebrate Ben Franklin s birthday with a turkey dinner. Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of our country. We thought it would be fitting to have a turkey dinner to honor his January birthday! You are invited to come to his birthday party and enjoy a winter evening at camp! The price is $14 per person. The menu will consist of turkey and all the trimmings. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the camp office at cml@campmountluther.org or (570) Deadline for ordering is Tuesday, January 16, at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Annual Fund Appeal.

7 Gearing Up for Summer Now is the time to think about being part of the Camp Mount Luther s summer programs in the coming year. The brochure for Summer 2018 has just been published to the camp s website ( in the summer camp section. GROW in the Snow in February This year s synod youth retreat at Camp Mount Luther will be held on February 9-10, All youth in 6-12th grade and their youth leaders are invited to attend. The theme of this year s retreat is Hello God, It s Me, dealing with prayer. Experience your Creator, play winter games and find refreshment in the peace of camp in winter. The retreat is from Friday night to Saturday afternoon, but there is an option for youth and leaders to come just for the day on Saturday. Cost is $59 (whole program) or $40 (Saturday only) if registered by January 30, A late fee of $25 added after that date. No refunds will be given after the January 30 deadline. Each registered group should provide one adult (21 or over) for every seven youth and at least one adult for each gender represented. Cabin assignments will be made based on available adults and number of youth attending. More information is on our website. This year s summer camp season will begin on June 17 and run until August 16. There are programs for all ages from preschool to senior high, and for adults and families. Camp Mount Luther is a special place where kids and families come together to grow with God and serve with smiles! Camp provides a safe place for people of all ages to relax and unwind in nature, discover God s love, sing around the campfire, learn more about themselves, and make new friends while at the same time being renewed in mind and spirit. Executive Director Chad Hershberger says this summer is shaping up to be one that affects even more campers lives. At Mount Luther, you ll make new friends and get unplugged from home, focusing on developing life-long relationships. We do this through small group camping, where a cabin of boys and their counselor works with a cabin of girls and their counselor and forms a tight-knit community for the week. Our well-trained college-age staff and volunteer chaplains serve as role models. You live and play outside, eat good meals, get good rest, and use leisure time effectively. We are excited that again in 2018 we will be in many Lutheran congregations of this area, providing day camp programming in local congregations as we bring the camp experience to your neighborhood. I hope everyone takes advantage of all that Mount Luther has to offer in the coming year, as they grow with God and serve with smiles! Hershberger said. Join a Camel Crew This year, we are going to try something new with our committees. We re going to have some short-term Camel Crews. They are groups of people who gather for one to three times to do a specific task for camp. The leader of the crew will be called the Camel Driver! We anticipate them being service-oriented, doing work for camp to help us grow. In March, we d like to gather a group of folks to be part of a Marketing Camel Crew. They would look at how we market camp and come up with some plans for future marketing and branding. If you have an interest in helping out with this, contact chad@campmountluther.org. Be looking throughout the year for other opportunities to be part of Camel Crew. If you have an idea for one, please contact Chad, too.