november/december 2015 northwestern pennsylvania synod...

1

Prayer Labyrinth 2-3

Calendar 4

Synod Jackets 5

Malaria Campaign 6

World Hunger 7

Vocations Cont’d 8

Commitments 9

Faith Formation 11

Hannah Spahn 12

Wrestling with Jake 14-15

AIDS Orphan 16-17

Local Happenings 18

Inside this issue:

November/December 2015

NWPA SYNOD

Volume 1, Issue 1

Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod Newsletter

Vocation: A Theological Perspective, Part 1

Pastor Sandra Jones

Adapted from an independent study paper first written for the

Graduate Theological Foundation, October 2012

The concept of vocation is central to my work in the areas of discernment, clergy

leadership, and career development. The opportunity for study of the classic and

newer literature in the field of vocation and the theology of work has provided a

broader view and a stronger foundation for my continuing exploration of these dis-

ciplines.

The intent of this 3-part article is to summarize briefly the wide range of ways that

vocation has been understood and applied in the Christian tradition. In this and the

next two newsletters, I will review the use of the word vocation, the insights from

four major historical periods, and a more contemporary refocus from a doctrine of

vocation to a theology of work. It is my hope that these articles will also provide a

good foundation and a conversation piece as we promote the Life of Faith Initiative

across the synod.

Vocation, a word with many meanings

The term vocation, which comes from the Latin vocatio, meaning calling has had

varied usage affected by language, religious intent, and historical context. The He-

brew and Christian scriptures provide accounts of individuals and communities who

experienced a calling from God to go or to stay, to lead or to follow, to proclaim or

to be silent, but always, to be God’s people. Some of these callings were about oc-

cupation or a particular task in God’s service, some involved family and relation-

ships, some required a change of residence, but all required commitment. Biblical-

ly, vocation encompasses obedience to a summons from God, a conscious decision

of the intellect, and the passion known to a believer’s heart. *Continue pg 8..

2

Mark Kingston and his team

from Allegheny Valley Land-

scaping broke ground on the

Synod Prayer Labyrinth on

September 22, 2015. Ground

preparations including tree

removal, measuring and site

surveys took place prior to

breaking ground. Like many

others, we had an

abundance of rain

here at the NWPA

Synod office at the be-

ginning of the summer

season, so our time

frame was pushed fur-

ther back than originally esti-

mated. Mark and his team

wasted no time once they got

started. Completing the dig-

ging portion of the Labyrinth

Prayer

Labyrinth


in just a few days. Next came the preparations for

laying down the pavers. First a solid layer of gravel

had to be poured and tamped down tightly. Next

came the sand, pouring and smoothing several times

to create a

smooth even base

for the pavers to be laid evenly. After measuring, and

measuring again, the first pavers could be placed.

Brick by brick they measured, cut, and placed each

paver in its exact position.

Several pavers needed to be cut to exact measurements to

allow for the pattern to be placed in a smooth and even

path. The dark grey pavers that make up the outline of

the pattern are called “twinkies” assuming it’s because of

their unique Twinkie snack food like shape.

3

Three bench pads have been built. One lo-

cated at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock.

Each bench pad is roughly 4 1/2 feet long

and 6 feet wide. The Prayer Labyrinth is 26

feet in diameter.

Walkway is roughly 50

feet long and 3 feet wide,

making the Labyrinth

ADA Accessible

A dedication ceremony will be scheduled for late

spring 2016, giving the grass time to grow to allow for

a more memorable ceremony.

4


Calendar

November

1— Installation of Pastor Erik Young, 6PM St. Johns Erie

7— SWO 10 AM

8-Installation of Pastor Kim Hirsch at Lamb of God 10:30 AM

10-12 FCTE Conference @ Waynesboro

13— Leadership Support Committee Meeting 5PM Denny’s Brookville

14— LWL Stewardship w/ Pastor Jake 9:30-3:00

16— World Hunger 10 AM

21— Committee on Church Vocations 9-5

21— Intro to Old Testament w/ Dr. Rev. Ralph Jones 9-4

26— Thanksgiving Office Closed

27— Friday Office Closed

29— First Sunday in Advent

December

9— IME Advisory Council 1 PM Diocesan Church House, Erie

24— Christmas Eve

25— Christmas Day

Jan 1st—New Years Day

Office will be closed Dec 24– Jan 3 and will reopen Monday Jan 4th.

5

NWPA Synod Fleece Jackets

Anyone interested in ordering a warm and cozy fleece jacket with our new logo on it (see

picture below) may contact Ellen at the Synod office. These jackets are available in a vari-

ety of colors and sizes. The cost is roughly $32.00 a piece, but the more jackets we order,

the less they cost. Please have your order in by Dec 1, 2015. Money will be collected after

order is placed to get correct amounts. When ordering please indicate color and size.

Men’s sizes: XS-6XL LargeTall-4XLT Available colors:

Black Brown Taupe Dark Chocolate

Iron Gray Maroon Forest Green

True Navy True Red True Royal

Women’s sizes: XS-4XL Available colors:

Black Winter White Pink Blossom

Iron Gray Maroon Forest Green

True Navy True Red True Royal

Teal Blue

The logo will appear on the upper left chest

Made from 23oz. 100% polyester fleece .

Made for comfort with a twill-taped

neck, chin guard, interior pockets, and

zippered front pockets.

6


Malaria Campaign

The ELCA Malaria Campaign just reached its fund-

raising goal of $15 million! Thank you for being a part

of this monumental milestone and helping us protect

countless lives from this preventable, treatable dis-

ease. We couldn’t have done it without you! Five years

ago ELCA members, congregations and synods came

together, dreamed big with our Lutheran companion churches and part-

ners, and set out to raise $15 million for malaria programming. Today we

celebrate all that we have accomplished together. Working with our Luther-

an companions and partners in 13 African countries, we have brought about

lasting change. But our work is not over. While the ELCA Malaria Cam-

paign will officially come to an end on Jan. 31, 2016, our commitment to

ending deaths from this disease will not. In the coming years, support to

our companions and partners to address malaria will come through gifts to

ELCA World Hunger, which has a long history of supporting health-related

work. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for

your prayers, your partnership and your generosity.

• Educated 2 million community members.

• Distributed 50,000 insecticide-treated bed nets.

• Tested 160,000 people for malaria, and if positive, provided treatment.

• Trained 10,000 local volunteers in prevention and treatment.

• Empowered 12,000 households to be economically stable

• Provided 32,000 pregnant women prevention medication

The Malaria Campaign has helped to do the following:

Attached is an insert available for Congregations to spread the word about reaching our goals and

a certificate of appreciation from the ELCA for the support they received from our congregations

within our synod.

7

World Hunger

Dear Pastor and Hunger Leader:

Thank you for all that you do to help erase hunger both locally and

around our world. Through July 2015 the NWPA Synod, ELCA has

given $57,663 to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal which is helping to eradicate

hunger throughout our global village. The Synod Committee on Hunger is hop-

ing that we can again raise $100,000 or more this year.

November is the last five Sunday month in 2015. I trust that you will continue

your fine support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal on November 29. Inserts

lifting up the appeal are available at the synod office. Contact Ellen at the of-

fice (814-589-7660) if you need these inserts in quantity. You may also down-

load a copy from the Synod's website and run your own copies.

Again, thank you for all that you do for the hunger ministry of our Synod and

the ELCA. My prayers are with you in your ministry in your community.

In Christ,

Pastor J. Kenneth Laber, Chair, NWPA Synod Committee on World Hunger

World Hunger Giving as of August 2015

$60,386.97

Attached is a copy of the 5th Sunday World Hunger insert. If you

would like copies made please contact Ellen at the Synod office.

814.589.7660

8

The New Testament describes how we have been called to faith through the Gospel

(2 Thess 2.11, 14) and how God calls us to a particular office or way of life (1 Cor 1.1-2, 26; 7.15-20). Here,

the word call, often klesis in Koine Greek, is used to refer to the call to follow Jesus or the call to believe the

gospel and to describe the way in which Christians are disciples in their everyday lives. The apostle Paul ex-

panded the understanding of Christian calling to include the use of the spiritual gifts given by God for the

building up of the church (1 Cor 12), as well as the activities of daily life done in service to Christ when he

wrote, Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters… (Col 3.23).

In the early centuries of the Christian church, especially in times of massive growth and during the Roman

era, reform movements began to speak of those who were called to a stricter righteousness – people who ac-

cepted a call to keep the Ten Commandments and all of Jesus’ teachings through a higher calling. Vocation

became the word referring to the service or work of a monk, a nun, or a priest, which required taking a life-

long vow of obedience, celibacy, and faithfulness to the Church (Kolden, 2002). Ordinary occupations of

life were considered necessary and worldly, but not spiritual or holy.

The religious and social movement of the Reformation, particularly Martin Luther’s teaching of the priest-

hood of all believers taught that all Christian believers, clergy and laity, have vocations or callings that in-

clude God-given and holy responsibilities, authorities, and blessings of their own. In God at Work, Gene

Veith, Jr. writes:

The priesthood of all believers’ did not make everyone into church workers; rather, it turned every

kind of work into a sacred calling (2002, p. 19).

Luther used the Latin and Greek terms for call, in addition to the German Beruf, to interpret vocation from a

broad perspective (Wingren, 1957/2004, pp. 1-3).

For Protestant Christians since the time of the Reformation, the word vocation came to mean the work and

relationships of life that they carried out in obedience to the call to live as disciples of Jesus. John Calvin and

his followers emphasized the Christian’s vocation in the world through their work, and using the writings of

the apostle Paul, added their unique contribution of the discernment of spiritual gifts in aiding a believer to

make wise and faithful responses to their call (Ray, 2011). The Puritans applied the doctrine of vocation

with a diligence and intensity that shaped American culture. (Veith, 2002, p. 20).

Christians with a contemplative manner have sometimes interpreted the Latin vocatio as the word meaning

voice, demonstrating that one must listen for and hear the voice of God speaking internally or externally, in

order to follow as an act of will. Parker Palmer writes:

Vocation does not mean a goal that I pursue. It means a calling that I hear. Before I can tell my life

what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am. I must listen for the truths and

values at the heart of my own identity, not the standards by which I must live – but the standards by

which I cannot help but live if am living my own life…Vocation does not come from a voice “out

there” calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice “in here” calling me to be

the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God (Palmer, 2000,

pp. 4-5, 10).

In more secular times and places, the word vocation has lost its theological richness and has been used syn-

onymously with words like job, occupation, or skilled trade, as in vocational training or vocational educa-

tion.

It seems as though Christians of all persuasions have struggled to find a way to define and explain vocation


9

Commitment Forms

Attention ALL Congregations:

You will be receiving your 2016 commitment forms. They will be accompanied by Pas-

tor Jakes commitment letter. Please have these commitment forms back to the Ellen

at the Synod office no later than February 29,2016. Not only do these forms allow us

to prepare the synod budget and to determine our yearly giving, but they also enable

us to determine whether a congregation is eligible to receive a Commitment Certifi-

cate at Synod Assembly.

Criteria for Commitment Certificates:

Must submit a completed Commitment form

Must meet or exceed promised commitment

It seems as though Christians of all persuasions have struggled to find a way to define and explain vocation as

something somewhere between just a job and a miraculous voice from the heavens telling me what I should

do with my life. This indicates to me that people with faith in God and in God’s active hand in the lives of

human creatures, desire a life of meaning and direction that is as unique and purposeful as the individuals

God has created.

References

Kolden, M. (2002). Christian’s Calling in the World. St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary.

Metzger, B. & Murphy, R., (Eds.). (1991). The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version. New York, NY: Oxford University

Press.

Palmer, P.J. (2000). Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the voice of vocation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Ray, D.K. (2011). Working. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Veith, G. E., Jr. (2002). God at Work: Your christian vocation in all of life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

Wingren, G. (1957/2004). Luther on Vocation. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers.

10

Do you feel called to share the central message of the work of the World Hunger Appeal? Do you seek to be part of a network of persons who communicate educational and fundraising ideas for raising awareness and support for the World Hunger Appeal? Then the Synod Com-mittee on World Hunger could use your gifts as a congregational contact! The role of a congregational contact is to share the work of the World Hunger Appeal with your congregation and to share your congregation’s hunger ministries with the synod com-mittee and other congregations. For example, on the four designated “5th Sundays for World Hunger,” a congregational contact will announce the work of the World Hunger Appeal to his/her congregation. A congregational contact is the person who makes sure informational materials are available in the narthex or on the bulletin board of the church. A congregational contact might share the story of a fundraising or educational event held in his/her congrega-tion that supported the World Hunger Appeal. The goal is to develop a two way network of sharing information concerning the work of the World Hunger Appeal. The Synod Committee on World Hunger is looking to update its congregational contact list. If you are already a congregational contact and wish to continue this role, please contact the World Hunger Committee. If you are interested in becoming a congregational contact, please contact the World Hunger Committee with your information. You may contact Pastor Maureen Seifried at [email protected] or 814-938-5980.

Rev. Maureen L. Seifried Punxsutawney Lutheran Parish - Pastor (Mount Zion and First English Lutheran Churches)

World Hunger Congregational Contacts


11

Every healthy congregation wants to share its greatest treasure, the Gospel of

Jesus Christ. Thing is, these days it’s harder and harder to do that. Many of the

assumptions by which congregations operated around “welcoming new mem-

bers” in a by-gone era no longer work for “raising up disciples” in the present.

Most men and women who come seeking something need time to raise ques-

tions, learn to know who Jesus is and why that matters to them, and thought-

fully prepare before plunging into baptismal waters and becoming disciples.

Faith Formation – A Practical Guide to Discipleship is designed to introduce

congregations to a process in re-tooling their ministries to welcome persons into

a community of faith and prepare them for a life-long journey of discipleship be-

ginning with baptism. It’s modeled after the ancient catechumenal process that

the early church used to go and make disciples.

FAITH FORMATION:

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DISCIPLESHIP

A One Day Retreat

Saturday January 9, 2016 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Luther Memorial Church 225 West Tenth Street Erie, PA

16501 (814.454.0106) Cost = $10 (Includes lunch) Sponsored

by Luther Memorial and St Paul’s Lutheran Churches

See attached flyers and inserts for more information regarding registration and specifics on

this event. You can also read more about this and other events at www.nwpaelca.org!!

FAITH FORMATION – BONUS


Friday Morning – January 8th

Clergy meet with Paul Hoffman Author of Faith Forming

Faith and Faith Shaping Ministry 9:00AM

The Erie Club 524

Peach St Erie, PA

16501 Followed by

LUNCH at noon

12


Our local Post Office here in Pleasantville, PA has brought it

to our attention that they have been having difficulty with

sorting our mail.

Turns out that since we use a PO BOX some of our mail is

getting backed up. Some days we have no mail, other days

our little box is overflowing.

So we ask if you could please make an adjustment to your mailing labels.

When mail is sent to us here at the Synod Office, please list the address as follows:

Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod Office, ELCA

22598 Titusville Road

P.O. BOX 43

Pleasantville, PA 16341-0043

Postal Changes

Hannah Spahn

Final Newsletter from our YAGM in South Africa

THE EFFECTS OF YAGM

This newsletter, my final newsletter, was supposed to be sent out by September

1st. Over a month late, I’m attempting to sit down and write it. This newsletter

has been the hardest one for me to do. The trouble has been this: what am I sup-

posed to write? Am I supposed to tell you about how I’m transitioning back to life

in the States? Is it okay for me to

admit how hard it has been? How I’ve struggled with moving

to a new city, starting school and a new job? Should I explain

how seeing the consumerism/expected instant gratifica-

tion/wastefulness at my job in food service has left me in bit-

ter tears many times? How school is a struggle because of the

way it is theoretical and emotionless (a fitting description

from one of the YAGM staff)? How my body is still struggling

13

to adjust back to the food? How I am struggling with the fact

that my sense of safety is gone?

I won’t sugarcoat or deny it; I AM struggling with all of this,

but I wouldn’t trade my year in South Africa for anything. I

have grown and changed in ways I haven’t even discovered yet.

I recently returned from a four day YAGM ReEntry/Transition Retreat where we

gathered with the program leaders and alum and talked about some of our

struggles and joys. One morning, I was awake early and sat down by the water.

As I was sitting there, the wind picked up. I watched the leaves of the trees

shake and the waves on the lake. I began reflecting on that wind. I thought

about how wind is an invisible force. We can’t ever actually see the wind, but we

see the effects of the wind through the movement of the leaves and the waves on

the water. I was really struck by this thought. While you have accompanied me

on my YAGM journey via newsletters, emails, and my blog, you weren’t able to

see the “wind” in my year.

When people see me now, they are seeing the effects my year in South Africa

had on me. I am the rustling leaves and waves. But the wind causing these

changes in me is invisible. The 62 other YAGM each have had their own winds

this past year, and while they vary from my winds, the winds are connected. We

understand each other on a deeper level, and I have never experienced such a

community before. The YAGM, alum, and staff have become a family to me.

They are such a joy in my life, and I cherish them. Even though we are once

more spread far and wide across the United States, I carry them in my heart.

They share in my joys and sorrows; they make me laugh and have dried my

tears. There is so much from my YAGM year that I will forever carry with me. I

have learned much and grown in ways I

never could have imagined before. I am not

the same person I was going into my year,

and part of that is due to my fellow YAGMs.

We will be forever connected through our

year of service; they will forever be the wind

that allowed me to fly.

—Hannah Spahn

Maija, Hanna, and Maddie

14


Wrestling with Jakob

A word from Pastor Jake Jacobson

How Many Lutherans Does it Take to Change…?

In the last issue of Wrestling with Jakob I talked about the changing face of leadership today.

Quoting from Peter Block’s book, Community, I cited three tasks facing leadership today:

1. To create a context [environment] that nurtures an alternative future, one based on gifts,

generosity, accountability, and commitment [sounds a lot like discipleship].

2. Initiate and convene conversations that shift people’s experience, which occurs through the

way people are brought together and the nature of the questions used to encourage them.

3. Listen and pay attention.

Since that time I have been asked by several people about the nature of this “conversation” and

how to do it. The “how to” can be found in Block’s book. I have a limited number available if

you are truly serious about engaging in this style of leadership. A helpful resource to help

guide the conversation is the work of Karl Vaters (newsmallchurch.com) and The Grasshop-

per Myth (I am distributing copies to all small-membership congregation pastors).

One particular article of his has proved very effective in working with congregations around

this new conversation, “Adapt or Die: 6 ways to Create Change in Your Church.” It is not so

much a “How To” article as it is identifying the areas around which a conversation should cen-

ter.

His six “ways” are:

1. Figure out how to say “yes” to new ideas. What is necessary to open up space for new

ideas to breathe for a while instead of invoking: “Tried it. Didn’t work.” or “We’ve never done

it that way before!”?

2. Move from a destination mindset to a change process. Instead of looking for the ideal

program, curriculum or pastor develop a process of how the congregation will continue to

change and how it will evaluate necessary changes.

3. Provide and promote stability zones. In a culture that is changing as rapidly as ours the

need for safe and stable spaces in which to reflect and assess is critical. Appropriate change

often takes time.

15

4. Follow the change pattern of Jesus. Jesus time and again validates the core of the

Jewish faith then strengthens its purpose with a new teaching.

5. Communicate the need for and nurture change. No surprises! Careful articulation of

the need for change and the process of change are essential.

6. Lead by example. As Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

An adaptable church is only possible when it’s lead by an adapting leader.

My process: I share these six “ways” with a group, council or cluster and we clarify how

we understand each of them. I then encourage them to work on choosing three of them that

they feel the congregation demonstrates well (it is unhelpful to continually focus on what is

wrong). When they are reconvened each person is asked to identify their three with a tally

being kept. (First and second choices usually are clarified quickly whereas number three

may be close or even have several possible choices. For example the top two choices of the

group might be clearly identified as: Communicate the need for and nurture change and

Provide and promote stability zones. But when they move to number three they may

have Follow the Change Pattern of Jesus and Figure out how to say “yes” to new ideas

tied. It is important to acknowledge all the choices and not dismiss one to make the task

easier). The next piece of homework is to take those three (or four) and to identify within

the life of the congregation/cluster how these ways are demonstrated well.

What I have found is that not only are the present realities of the congregation/cluster en-

gaged but so is the future in a new way. Instead of identifying a problem that we need to

find a solution for a positive behavior is described and the question that arises is, “How can

we build on this to make the congregation more effective?” It may sound like semantics

but it is a profound shift in how we view and embrace change. It is a new conversation

about the future.

I am more than willing to help your congregation with this process or to provide resources

to aid you in your own conversation. Do not hesitate contacting me (814) 229-0999 or

[email protected].

—Pastor Jake

16

Kihinga’s story

Kihinga’s story is one of hope, initiative, and persevering with the help of many. He was an orphan living with an abusive grandfather. His caseworker identified him as a particular needy case and a child having great potential for academic achievement. Beginning in 2004, donations from sponsors through the orphan pro-gram enabled the AIDS Control Office to find a foster mother (a school teacher) for him and support his education costs. Kihinga thrived in this environment, go-ing on to earn top scores in his high school and now poised to begin university in

Tanzania, with hopes of becoming a pharmacist.

Producer and journalist Kirston Cook interviewed Kihinga extensively during the filming of her documentary It Takes a Village about these orphans. The oppor-tunity for education is never guaranteed in Tanzania, where one must compete

with the best students country-wide and pay to attend a good secondary school. A good secondary school (high school) is crucial to preparing for the very competitive university admission process. Without tuition money, many Tanzanian youths have no op-portunity to earn a high school diplo-ma or learn English, thus leaving them without the means to find a de-cent job or make important connec-tions in the future. Kihinga now hopes to find a sponsor to help him

pay for his university training. He can obtain some loans to help but they will not cover all of his living and university ex-

penses.

The photo includes Alisen Beyanga, and twins Ana-

grace and Anagreth Katatumba (in yellow) plus

Kihinga George on the left. All have lost parents to

AIDS. They are joined in this picture by Mr. Venant

Mugenyi, orphan program coordinator for Karagwe

Diocese and Dr. Linda Winkler, donor and Lutheran

from Pennsylvania. The school that they attend

(Kareseco Lutheran Secondary School) requires pay-

ment of fees and tuition and uniforms which have been

provided by donors to this fund. Kihinga 2015

17


Kihinga meeting with Bishop and Pastor

Jones at the Synod Office Oct. 2015

As Lutherans, we are part of a long heritage of supporting education and development of human potential. Our ministries in this area are fostered through our colleges, seminaries, national, syn-odical, and local church activities, and through our commitment to mission and outreach in our

own local neighborhoods and beyond.

These ministries include an ongoing project of our own synod in partnership with our sister synod in Tanzania, the Karagwe diocese of the ELCT, to support orphans in educational training and with basic needs. This particular ministry has yielded a rich harvest of human hope and opportunity. Since 2003, donors and churches have been supporting orphaned children by paying school fees and tuition and in some cases, helping to pay for food and clothing. Over the last twelve years, more than 40 children have benefited from generous donations to this orphan fund. The young people we have supported have become teachers, a nurse, an electrician, a brick layer, and

mothers who pass along the value of the education that they have received.

One of these individuals, Kihinga George is visiting the USA via the generous support of a donor in October 2015. He hopes to pursue a career in health care if he can obtain admission and sponsor-ship to a university in Tanzania. You can read Kihinga’s story below. Several others are still in high school with aspirations for careers in health care and teaching and need donations and sup-

port to reach these dreams.

In order to have the best opportunity for education, the private schools including the Lutheran high schools (Kareseco and Bwerenyange) are the best choices for these orphans. In these schools, they receive an excellent education plus food, lodging, and guidance. Although these schools are no substitute for parents, through the grace of God and the efforts of committed teachers, they provide opportunity, hope, and education for a future. All of the supported children in this pro-gram have benefited greatly from the support. Without it, they face a future devoid of education,

poverty, and lack of career possibilities.

If you or your congregation is willing to make a donation, please send it to the AIDS orphan fund

at the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA, 2598 Titusville Road

PO Box 43 Pleasantville, PA 16341-0043.

f you are interested in learning more about the pro-gram, for a donation of at least $25, we can share a documentary about some of these orphans and the orphan support entitled It Takes a Village. Please send requests for this documentary and checks made out to the Northwestern PA Synod of ELCA to Dr. Lin-

da Winkler, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre PA 18704.

18

22598 Titusville Road P.O. BOX 43 Pleasantville ,PA 16341-0043 Phone: 814-589-7660 Fax: 814-589-7566 E-mail: [email protected]

Northwestern PA Synod, ELCA

NWPA SYNOD

Local Happenings

www.nwpaelca.org

Train departs Perry Street Station

at 1:00 PM on

Saturday, November 28

and

Saturday, December 5.

*** Special Ticket Prices Apply ***

Adults - $22.00 each

Seniors (age 60 +) - $20.00 each

Kids (ages 1 to 12) - $15.00 each

First Class (Regardless of Age) - $35.00 each

Ride with Santa Claus through the

snow-covered Oil Creek valley.

Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies at

Perry Street Station at the end of the ride

AA Word from Ellen

Handel's Messiah

Friday, December 18, 2015 7:30 PM Barrow-Civic Theatre

Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music’s most cherished works. Handel’s Mes-

siah continues to captivate generations of music lovers with iconic refrains from

“Comfort ye, my people” to the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Composed in a mere 24 days, Messi-ah is considered to be one of George Frideric Handel’s most popular pieces and may very

well be the most performed classical presen-tation of all time.

December 18 at 7:30pm

Tickets $16/$14

Hello everyone!!! Seasons Greetings! I cannot believe I am saying that again.

The time of year for holidays, family, faith, and food is upon us once again. As

the leaves change and the temperature goes from sunny and warm to wet and

cold, it’s hard to imagine that it has been year already since I first started my

position here at the Synod Office. I have truly enjoyed my first year and look

forward to continuing my path. My year has been full of changes and excite-

ment on top of my wonderful experiences at the office. I went to Disneyworld

for the first time in March, where my now wonderful Fiancé proposed at the

Beauty and the Beast inspired restaurant “Be Our Guest”. We have begun the

planning process for our wedding next fall and have recently purchased a

home near the Synod office. Needless to say I look forward to many more years

here at the Synod office, and I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful

community full of gracious and warm folks like yourselves. I hope your holi-

days are warm, happy and full of grace. As usual if anyone would like any-

thing placed in the next edition of the Synod Newsletter, please send it my

way.

Thank you,

Ellen

The NWPA Synod Committee on Leadership Support invites you to share your

understanding of Christian vocation, your call story, or the story of another

person of faith who lives out their baptismal vocation in their profession or daily

life.

We are collecting such stories, in written or video format, to be shared in

upcoming issues of the synod newsletter and on the synod website’s Life of Faith:

God’s Call. Your Vocation. page. We will, with your permission, share excerpts or

shorter samples on the synod’s Facebook page, with photos or artwork whenever

possible.

We hope to get you thinking, writing, and talking with the members of your

congregation about your vocation, their vocation, and the life of faith we share as

we follow God’s call to serve in Christ’s name.

Please send your written or recorded entries to Sandra Jones at

[email protected] or Ellen Shulin at [email protected].

If you have any questions, please contact any member of the Committee on

Leadership Support:

Jim Steingass Maureen Seifried Tedd Cogar

Brian Riddle Kristen Papson Sandra Jones

Thank you for your participation!

mailto:[email protected]


ELCA WORLD HUNGER NEWS

We are gaining in eradicating world hunger. However, the facts still remain:

868 million people – that's 1 in 8 – are chronically hungry and cannot lead daily active lives.

1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.25 per day.

In the United States, more that 50 million people do not know where their next meal will come from.

46.2 million Americans are living in poverty.

The ELCA has an approach to solving these troubling problems.

By providing immediate relief to those who are hungry, we meet basic needs and recognize the universal right to food. But ending hunger is about more than food. By connecting people with resources they need to produce food and gain access to clean water, education, health care and sources of income, long term, and sustainable change can be accomplished.

Working through ELCA congregations, global companion churches, The Lutheran World Federation, and other partners as Bread for the World, Church World Service (CROP Walk), Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran World Relief, the ELCA reaches more places more effectively than we could ever do alone. In addition to funding relief and development projects that assist our brothers and sisters in need, we engage members of the ELCA in education and advocacy to help change systems that perpetuate poverty.

With your continued prayers and financial offerings we will make a difference!

ELCA WORLD HUNGER NEWS

We are gaining in eradicating world hunger. However, the facts still remain:

868 million people – that's 1 in 8 – are chronically hungry and cannot lead daily active lives.

1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.25 per day.

In the United States, more that 50 million people do not know where their next meal will come from.

46.2 million Americans are living in poverty.

The ELCA has an approach to solving these troubling problems.

By providing immediate relief to those who are hungry, we meet basic needs and recognize the universal right to food. But ending hunger is about more than food. By connecting people with resources they need to produce food and gain access to clean water, education, health care and sources of income, long term, and sustainable change can be accomplished.

Working through ELCA congregations, global companion churches, The Lutheran World Federation, and other partners as Bread for the World, Church World Service (CROP Walk), Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran World Relief, the ELCA reaches more places more effectively than we could ever do alone. In addition to funding relief and development projects that assist our brothers and sisters in need, we engage members of the ELCA in education and advocacy to help change systems that perpetuate poverty.

With your continued prayers and financial offerings we will make a difference!

ELCA MALARIA CAMPAIGN: WE DID IT! ELCA MALARIA CAMPAIGN: WE DID IT!

SEPTEMBER 2015 www.ELCA.org/malaria SEPTEMBER 2015 www.ELCA.org/malaria

Together we have made a great impact!

Your gifts have helped educate more than 2 million

people, distribute 50,000 nets, test 160,000 people

and treat if positive, empower 12,000 households

economically, provide 32,000 pregnant women

prevention medication, and so much more.

Thank you!

We have incredible news! The ELCA Malaria Campaign just reached its fundraising goal of $15 million! Thank you for being a part of this monumental milestone and helping us protect countless lives from this preventable, treatable disease. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Five years ago ELCA members, congregations and synods came together, dreamed big with our Lutheran companion churches and partners, and set out to raise $15 million for malaria programming. Today we celebrate all that we have accomplished together.

Working with our Lutheran companions and partners in 13 African countries, we have brought about lasting change. But our work is not over. While the ELCA Malaria Campaign will come to an end on Jan. 31, 2016, our commitment to ending deaths from this disease will not. In the coming years, support to our companions and partners to address malaria will come through gifts to ELCA World Hunger, which has a long history of supporting health-related work.

Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for your prayers, your partnership and your generosity.

!

n

Together we have made a great impact!

Your gifts have helped educate more than 2 million

people, distribute 50,000 nets, test 160,000 people

and treat if positive, empower 12,000 households

economically, provide 32,000 pregnant women

prevention medication, and so much more.

Thank you!

We have incredible news! The ELCA Malaria Campaign just reached its fundraising goal of $15 million! Thank you for being a part of this monumental milestone and helping us protect countless lives from this preventable, treatable disease. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Five years ago ELCA members, congregations and synods came together, dreamed big with our Lutheran companion churches and partners, and set out to raise $15 million for malaria programming. Today we celebrate all that we have accomplished together.

Working with our Lutheran companions and partners in 13 African countries, we have brought about lasting change. But our work is not over. While the ELCA Malaria Campaign will come to an end on Jan. 31, 2016, our commitment to ending deaths from this disease will not. In the coming years, support to our companions and partners to address malaria will come through gifts to ELCA World Hunger, which has a long history of supporting health-related work.

Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for your prayers, your partnership and your generosity.

!

n

FAITH FORMATION – BONUS A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DISCIPLESHIP


Clergy meet with Paul Hoffman Author of Faith Forming Faith and Faith Shaping Ministry

9:00AM

The Erie Club

524 Peach St

Erie, PA 16501

Followed by LUNCH at noon.

Small Group time with Paul discussing how the

discipleship process modeled after the ancient

catechumenate might work in your congregation.

Teaching, Bible Study, and Open Discussion

Receive a FREE copy of Paul’s book!

Cost = $30 (Includes lunch)

Registration Deadline:

Monday, January 4, 2016

FAITH FORMATION – BONUS A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DISCIPLESHIP


Clergy meet with Paul Hoffman Author of Faith Forming Faith and Faith Shaping Ministry

9:00AM

The Erie Club

524 Peach St

Erie, PA 16501

Followed by LUNCH at noon.

Small Group time with Paul discussing how the

discipleship process modeled after the ancient

catechumenate might work in your congregation.

Teaching, Bible Study, and Open Discussion

Receive a FREE copy of Paul’s book!


Registration Deadline:

Monday, January 4, 2016

Questions – Please contact Pastor Scott Maxwell ([email protected])

or Pastor Bill Coleman ([email protected])

Questions – Please contact Pastor Scott Maxwell ([email protected])






FAITH FORMATION A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DISCIPLESHIP

A One Day Retreat Every healthy congregation wants to share its greatest

treasure, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thing is, these days it’s harder and harder to do that. Many

of the assumptions by which congregations operated around

“welcoming new members” in a by-gone era no longer work

for “raising up disciples” in the present.

Most men and women who come seeking something need

time to raise questions, learn to know who Jesus is and why

that matters to them, and thoughtfully prepare before

plunging into baptismal waters and becoming disciples.

Faith Formation – A Practical Guide to

Discipleship is designed to introduce congregations to a

process in re-tooling their ministries to welcome persons into

a community of faith and prepare them for a life-long journey

of discipleship beginning with baptism. It’s modeled after the

ancient catechumenal process that the early church used to go

and make disciples.

Saturday

January 9, 2016

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Luther Memorial Church

225 West Tenth Street

Erie, PA 16501

814 / 454-0106


Sponsored by Luther Memorial

and St Paul’s Lutheran Churches

should

attend this retreat?

Individuals – pastors, rostered leaders,

and laypersons – who desire to deepen

their faith through an ancient process

applied to today’s culture.

Leaders who are seeking a concrete way

to integrate new disciples into the

congregation, in an intentional and

purpose-filled way.

For all those who are called to go and

make disciples and are looking for a

structured process to do just that.

Keynote

Speaker Paul E. Hoffman

Based on 20 years of

experience as pastor at

Phinney Ridge Lutheran

Church in Seattle,

Washington - Paul will

share his experiences of

bringing men, women, and

children to the waters of

baptism through this

discipleship process.

REGISTRATION

Online at www.stpaulserie.org or return postcard with

payment to (make check to St Paul’s Lutheran Church):

St Paul’s Lutheran Church

3108 Sterrettania Rd

Erie, PA 16506

Registration Deadline: Monday, January 4, 2016

QUESTIONS

Please contact Pastor Scott Maxwell ([email protected])


http://www.stpaulserie.org/



FAITH FORMATION


A One Day Retreat—$10 Saturday, January 9, 2016 | 9AM-3PM

Name: _____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________________ Street Address: ____________________________________

City, State, Zip: ____________________________________

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Make checks payable to: Luther Memorial Church

FAITH FORMATION



Name: _____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________


City, State, Zip: ____________________________________



FAITH FORMATION



Name: _____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________


City, State, Zip: ____________________________________



FAITH FORMATION



Name: _____________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________


City, State, Zip: ____________________________________



november/december 2015 northwestern pennsylvania synod...

Documents