Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA

Next Faith Formation Saturday, July 10, 10 am - 12 noon (this session only): The First Article of the Creed: Creation - Since the First Article of the Creed focuses on God as Creator, we will explore biblical accounts of creation, both in Genesis and elsewhere in the Bible. Part of the presentation will be a study guide for a confirmation class on the Genesis creation accounts. Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Roger E. Timm is a retired ELCA pastor. He received an M.Div. from Co...ncordia Seminary and an M.A. in philosophy from Washington University, both in St. Louis, and a Ph.D. in religious studies in a joint program with Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University in New York. Ordained in April 1971, Roger has served in both parishes and campus ministry settings. During the 1980's Timm was assistant chaplain and assistant professor of religion at Muhlenberg College. See more

Since the start of the pandemic, the ELCA has been a partner in the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments, publishing guidance for safe worship practices. On Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30 pm Eastern, the Consultation will host a webinar titled Leading the Church in a Lingering Pandemic, a roundtable with public health experts and pastors in this a time of progress and uncertainty. How will congregations minister to those who are vaccinated and those who are not in multigenerational settings? What church activities should we continue to adapt or avoid, such as congregational singing or shaking hands? Registration link: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wpYj60aATIu8XxHysK1fxA

Miss something at the Assembly? Want to watch Bishop deForest's installation? Follow the link below to access our Synod Assembly recap page, which will provide you with all the recordings from Synod Assembly 2021: Growing Young & Vital! Also, this link will give you access to relevant documents so you can continue learning about Growing Young and MinLab 2021. Link: nepasynod.org/9364-2/

It’s Streams and Stories Day! Our Synod is absolutely and wonderfully BLESSED to have this camp let’s help BCC and our campers have a wonderful summer back in camp. Support BCC this morning by making a donation today donations are being MATCHED this morning for the first $2,000! Donate here: bearcreekcamp.org/donate

Bishop Eaton's Keynote from NEPA Synod Assembly - Visit the link below to view Bishop Eaton's remarks, and keep an eye out for more highlights from Synod Assembly 2021. youtu.be/_ybKHgxNHys

God's Work Our Hands Sunday: September 12, 2021. GWOH Sunday is an annual ELCA-wide initiative to participate in a day of service. For more information go to www.elca.org/dayofservice

It's hard to imagine all the ways in which mission support dollars impact our world. We often think of mission support money and its global impact, but mission support money reaches our local communities as well, and is being used throughout our NEPA Synod territory. Check out the 2021 Mission Support Ministry brochure at the link below, available in PDF and flipbook: nepasynod.org/synod-ministries-brochure-2021/

We have a bishop! Blessings Rev. Christopher deForest!

"There is no God-forsaken place in creation. There is no place where God is not."

A small sampling of the many wonderful banners that are a part of Rev. deForest’s installation service. Thank you to our congregations who sent banners to be a part of our day. We may not be all together in person, but your spirit surrounds and abounds!

Did you catch NEPA yoyofa's Growing Young Virtual Summit commercial at the Synod Assembly? If not, check it out below and don't forget to sign up THIS WEEK for NEXT WEEK's Summit! More details and registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-young-in-a-changing-wo

Applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 program year. YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2021 after placement in one of the country programs. As YAGM monitors the ongoing Covid-19 situation and communicates with global companions, please know that the list of country programs for the 2021-22 service year may change. Through YAGM, young adults learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompanime...nt as they walk alongside global church companions. They are immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. They confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all seen through the lens of faith. If you know young adults ages 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of January 15, 2021. Talk to them personally about what this opportunity could mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world. See more: www.elca.org/yagm See more

Agreement with Saxon Church - Representatives of the NEPA Synod and of the Löbau-Zittau church district signed a partnership agreement on October 22 as part of a video conference in the regional church office in Dresden. The agreement with this Lutheran regional church goes back to a longstanding relationship of mutual visits. Representing our synod were Bishop Zeiser, Vice-President Kristen Edelman-Weiner, Ecumenical Advisor Kurt Garbe, and other members of Saxony Committee. On the Saxon side, the Löbauer superintendent Antje Pech and the chairman of the district synod Christian Menzel signed in the presence of those committed to the partnership. See more: img.rbsend.net///original/2020-10-Agreement-Saxony-USA.pdf

We Are Church Together. And a musical church at that! Thank you to St. John's in Whitehall for modeling this truth and sharing your ministry for our Assembly last week. While it did not make the final cut, we share it here so ALL know they can join at any drum session. No experience or drums needed! Check out St. John's Drum Circle Worship for regular updates or contact Pastor Martha ([email protected]) with questions. Spread the word and tag a friend below who might need this!

Have you checked out the Synod YouTube page recently? Besides great videos of past Synod events, Sammy Kelly is currently in the process of uploading the videos from the 2020 Synod Assembly (plenary sessions, plus other presentations and "We Are Church" videos). Like and subscribe, and you'll get notifications when new videos get posted. #WeAreChurch www.youtube.com/user/NortheasternPASynod/videos

As Assembly 2020 passes into history, let us pause to give thanks to our Synod VP and an excellent moderator, Kristen Edelman-Weiner. Well done! So say we all.

Bishop Elect Chris deForest addresses the Assembly https://youtu.be/BqBfBDBVfAQ

Pastor Christopher deForest has been elected bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. He will be the fifth bishop of our synod, and his term of office begins on January 1, 2021. nepasynod.org/bishop-elect-christopher-deforest/

Synod Assembly Plenary Session 5 begins Oct 24 at 1:30 pm at this link: youtu.be/AW2rxC0Wa0I

Plenary Session 4 is live now! https://youtu.be/FWjbbp-g6-Y

Available NOW: Watch pre-recorded session with the seven candidates for bishop answering a series of questions. youtu.be/Vb9mRbdhj8w (Note, video starts at the 1 minute mark)

Living Lutheran: Discipleship in a Democracy - In Living Lutheran’s October issue, the lead feature answers the question How should Lutherans be involved in politics? The divisive political climate in our nation can cause tensions in our congregations. Being faithful followers of Jesus, civically engaged citizens AND folks who love their neighbors as themselves is a balancing act, but our Christian faith and the Lutheran tradition give us some helpful insights. Read the full article here...

November 10 & 11: Growing Young in a Changing World Virtual Summit. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to help us all become more welcoming and engaging to the youth and young people in our midst. Jake Mulder from the Fuller Youth Institute will lead us through multiple sessions as we engage the Growing Young concepts and create plans forward for our churches and mission districts. ALL synod church staff, rostered ministers and members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The cost is $40 per person. Register at the link below...

We had a wonderful We Love... event on Saturday! Thank you to ALL workshop leaders, attendees, and planners. We raised over $850 as well as our own understanding and skills for welcoming LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. You can still donate at the link below until this Saturday, October 24th. All money raised will be split between Queer NEPA, the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, and Bradbury Sullivan which are 3 community based LGBT+ centers on our synod's territory. To dona...te online, click this link and follow the instructions below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-love-tickets-114440101424# Click "view details" on the right. Scroll and click the "details" button on the right. Continue entering your donation amount and information. OR mail a check to "Northeastern PA Synod" with "We Love..." in the memo line by the end of this week and your donation will be added into the overall gift. 2354 Grove Rd. Allentown, PA 18109-3044