Current Echo News & Announcements
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY 2012
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR MAYO CLINIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT BY APRIL 30!
ELCA employers (i.e., congregation, seminary, organization) earn a 2% discount on the current year's ELCA health benefit contribution payments if 65% or more of the ELCA-primary plan members and eligible spouses within a synod, seminary or churchwide ministry take the online Mayo Clinic Health Assessment between January 1 and April 30 of that year.
In addition, by taking the assessment, members earn $150 personal wellness account credit (both plan member and eligible spouse can earn credit!) Going on to complete other activities can earn you an additional $350 credit to be used toward your eligible out-of-pocket health care costs. This is a wonderful opportunity to save money for your congregation and for yourself in addition to enhancing your personal health and wellness.
To take the assessment online, go to: https://www.elcabop.org/Home/RedirectorMayo.aspx.
For more information about the assessment and personal wellness credit, go to https://www.elcabop.org/UnderstandMyBenefits/Health/ELCAPrimary/PWA/Over...
(Active links available on our website: www.swpasynod.org.)
LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP AVAILABLE
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Uniontown has available LBW’s that are in good shape. They are free for the taking. Contact the church at 724-439-4730 if interested.
BOOKS AVAILABLE
Pastor Wilfred Goetze (Seaman Memborial, Zelienople) has about 30 copies of a nice hardback book that you might find useful --- and they are free:
The Role of the Church in Aging: Implications for Policy and Action Michael C. Hendrickson, Editor c. 1986
If you are interested please contact Pastor Goetze at 724-452-3594 or wgoetze@lutheranseniorlife.org
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION WITH YOUTH
TEY is accepting applications for its two summer programs: the Crossroads Event (current 9th& 10thgraders) and the Summer Theological Academy (current 10th& 11thgraders). TEY is a joint program of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. TEY engages high school youth in a critical, conscious, and reflective practice of Christian theology.
More information and applications can be found at www.theologicaleducationwithyouth.com.
Please encourage youth you know to apply!
Questions can be directed to Chelle Huth, Director of TEY at chuth@ltsg.eduor 1-800-MLUTHER ext. 3038. Blessings and prayers on your ministry!
YOUTH MINISTRY CERTIFICATION SCHOOL
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg presents a certification course designed to equip adults accompanying youth and families in the congregation. This 14-day crash course in youth and family ministry includes four days of adventure education emphasizing small groups, community development and relational youth ministry. The 10 days of classroom work includes Biblical and theological training, cultural analysis, long range planning, family ministry, Christian Education and lots of how-to strategies. The course is held over four days in August, followed by five two-day courses in the fall and winter and is designed for pastors, professional youth staff, volunteers, and part-time leaders. For some congregations it is an opportunity to “grow their own” youth leaders, combining the gifts of caring adults who have a heart for youth ministry with an intensive balance of theoretical, theological and practical youth ministry education. Our alumni range in age from 20-70 and come from a variety of experience levels. Some have doctorates when they begin while some are high school grads. If you feel God is calling you to serve young people of the church, you may want to apply.
For more information and printable brochure please go to www.ltsg.edu/academic-programs/Certificate-Studies/Youth-Ministry-Certification-School.
Questions can be directed to Chelle Huth, Director of Youth Ministry Certification School at chuth@ltsg.eduor 1-800-MLUTHER ext. 3038.
GLADE RUN ADVENTURES / THE FRUIT TREE PLANTING FOUNDATION
I am excited to tell you that Glade Run Adventures has been selected as one of 100 nationwide finalists to win a fruit tree orchard from The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and Edy’s Fruit Bars!
All we need now are your votes!
Starting today, we ask you to visit www.communitiestakeroot.comdaily (through May 30) and vote for Glade Run!
You will have to register the first time, which takes a minute, but after that you quickly and easily log on daily to cast your vote!
An orchard would be such a benefit to our agency and to the kiddos we serve. It would provide vocational opportunities as well as fresh fruit!
Please share via Facebook, forward to friends, and keep on voting!
Thanks!
Sheila Talarico
Executive Director | Glade Run Foundation
ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN CHURCH MUSICIANS
Attention Pastors & Church Musicians: Region 1 of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians will hold its biennial conference June 27-29 in historic Bethlehem, PA. Titled “God Made Manifest: Liturgy, Song, Life” this conference includes workshops on practical topics with appeal to both musicians and clergy, a hymn festival, inspiring worship, and an opportunity to experience some Moravian music. Visit www.alcm.orgfor more information and to register. Resonable rates include a deep discount for full-time students. Registration rates for non-ALCM members include a one-year membership at half price.
Early registration has been extended to April 22.
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is a service and professional organization dedicated to strengthening the ministry of worship and music in the Lutheran church. ALCM serves through a wide range of publications, conferences, and local, regional, and national events. Membership is drawn from all major Lutheran bodies and is open to all church musicians, pastors, congregations, and lay people who share the goals of the organization.
OBITUARY
Pastor J. Sam Johns, ordained in the WP-WV Synod on June 13, 1963, died in San Antonio TX on Good Friday, April 6, 2012. Pastor Sam was a graduate of Thiel College, 1960; and Gettysburg Seminary, 1963. Pastor Sam was born in Latrobe, the son of Pastor and Mrs. Johns. His sister Ann married Pastor William Bruggemann who was also from this synod. His mother was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Connellsville.
Pastor Johns served the Coudersport Parish, Grace Lutheran Church, Butler, then moved to the CDC Parish in the Kittanning-Indiana rural areas before moving to the San Antonio TX area where he served as a mission developer. Pastor Sam’s wife Carol Sue was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Latrobe. Their sons and grandchildren were nearby at the time of his death.
Pastor s Larry Camberg and Herb Dubler were classmates of Pastor Sam Johns at Gettysburg Seminary 1960-1963…along with Pastor Howard Ravenstahl.
A SYNODWIDE CELEBRATION of
Worship and Witness
Saturday, November 3, 2012
At California University’s new
Convocation Center
More details to come. Keep watching your ECHO!
DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ECHO
MAY 18, 2012
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APIL 2012
SORRY
Congratulations to Associate in Ministry Andrea Dubler in celebration of 25 years of faithful service as an AIM. We give thanks to God for Andrea and for her dedicated service in our synod. We pray that God will continue to bless Andrea and her ministry. Our sincere apologies are extended because the 2012 Rostered Leader Anniversary List published in the ECHO last month unfortunately did not include Andrea’s name.
ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES:
Could your marriage use improved communication and a rekindling of the romance? A few openings remain for the April 20-22 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend at the Park Inn by Radisson-Sharon in West Middlesex, PA--an hour north of Pittsburgh. Weekends run from Friday night at 8 PM to Sunday afternoon around5 PM and are designed to enrich ALL MARRIAGES. There is a 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 continuation of the program. To sign up, simply go to the website:www.GodLovesMarriage.organd register online using your credit card. Or for questions, or if you would like a brochure with a registration form mailed to you, contact Pennsylvania Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, atfjschamber@comcast.netor 724-325-3166.
PART-TIME CUSTODIAN
Perry Highway Lutheran Church in Wexford is currently seeking a part-time custodian (approximately 20 hours per week). Responsibilities include general cleaning, set up and tear down for events and light maintenance. For detailed information call 724-935-1226.
TRAINING EVENT FOR “OFFERING OF LETTERS”
A training event for Offering of Letters sponsored by Bread for the World will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4503 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville PA 15146. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
An Offering of Letters is a collection of letters received by congregations from their members written to the members of the United States Congress addressing specific legislation lifted up each year by the Bread for the World organization. Bread for the World is an ecumenical Christian advocacy organization. Offerings of letters has influenced legislation relative to hunger and poverty.
“WITH ONE VOICE” BOOKS NEEDED
Our Saviour’s in North Huntingdon is in need of some “With One Voice” books. If you are looking for a good home for the “With One Voice” books you are no longer using contact Pastor Janice Altenburger at 724-863-2591 or RevJan04@gmail.com.
STEWARDS FOR STEWARDSHIP TRAINING OFFERED AGAIN
Have you ever thought it would be helpful to have someone in your congregation trained to lead an annual stewardship campaign? What if they already knew the key biblical passages that support stewardship ministry? What if they already had a plan of how to guide a year-round stewardship education program? What if they were already provided with useful stewardship resources that have worked in congregations across the country?
The Stewardship and Financial Support Committee is sponsoring again this year aspecial stewardship training to provide a Steward for Stewardship for every congregation in our synod.
The first of this year’s two workshops will be held on April 21, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The location will be St. John’s of Highland Lutheran Church, 311 Cumberland Road, Pittsburgh, 15237.
The only cost will be for a catered lunch ($8.00). Any additional resources will be provided through the grant money.
You may send one lay person, a team of lay persons, and the pastor is welcome to accompany them if she or he so chooses. To register contact Pastor Blair Morgan at the Synod Office by e-mail blair.morgan@elca.orgor by phone at 412-367-8222 by April 13.
MYTHBUSTERS: LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT PENDING PA IMMIGRATION LAWS
Thursday, April 12 7:30 p.m.
Location: Synod Office
The Immigration Taskforce (a new taskforce of the Church and Society Committee) invites everyone to learn about anti-immigrant and pro-immigrant legislation which has been introduced in Pennsylvania. These bills have impacts for our members, our neighbors and – as the anti-immigrant legislation in Alabama and Arizona have demonstrated – some can cause great difficulties for basic ministries of food, shelter and care for those in need.
Presenters will provide real life stories, basic background on legal and “illegal” immigration in the United States and the variety of bills which have recently been introduced in Pennsylvania. We will also discuss what our response, as people of faith and followers of Jesus, should be.
CAN YOU HELP??
The Deaconess Community of the ELCA is holding their conference in Pittsburgh September 23-26, 2012. Barbara Swartling, Executive Director of the Deaconess Community is asking for someone in the synod to serve as their parliamentarian and someone to serve as their recording secretary during the conference. It would be for approximately 8 hours over a 2 day period. If you are interested please contact Barbara at 773-380-1703 or 1-800-638-3522 ext. 1703.
DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ECHO
APRIL 13, 2012