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     Weekly E-News ArchivesFrom previous editions of E-News (date posted)
Celebrating Our Faith through the Arts
Join Lutherans (8th graders through adults) from around the synod on
April 28 to Celebrate Our Faith through the Arts. This event
will give participants an opportunity to observe and experience how
faith can be deepened and enriched through art - our creations.
Celebrating Our Faith through the Arts will focus on Psalms through
drama, music, visual arts, creative writing, and liturgical dance. Class Action Suit Regarding Church InsuranceIf your congregation had property or liability insurance through the ELCA program provided by Charity First between August 26, 1994, and September 1, 2005, you may be entitled to receive part of a class action settlement. You can find more information about this settlement on the ELCA website at www.elca.org/legal. Click the Announcement link in the right column under Class Action Settlement. If you are part of the affected group, you must file a claim form (available under Class Action Settlement) before February 20, 2012. Clergy, Churches, and Pennsylvania's 'Mandated Reporter' Law
The recent allegations of the sexual abuse of children at Penn State
serve as a reminder that pastors and church workers who have contact
with children are required to report suspected child abuse.
Synod Pictorial Directory
It has been six years since the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod put
together a pictorial directory of synod rostered leaders, staff, and
officers. The planning committee for the 2012 synod assembly is
considering inviting a church pictorial directory company to the
assembly to create such a directory and seeks your help in selecting a
company. 2012 Youth Gathering Update
The "Getting Ready" materials are now available on the
Gathering
website. To find the materials, click "Planning for the Gathering"
in the left-hand column, then scroll down to and click on the "Getting
Ready User's Guide."
Session A is the lesson plan for the first session with youth from
the congregation. Back Basics: Register Now!
Registration for Lutheran Basics (led by Cheryl Statham, Betsy Frey, and
associates in ministry Marlane Druckenmiller and Leesa Wimmer) and
How the Bible Came to Be: From Papyrus to iPad (led by Pastor Greg
Frey) is now open! The two workshops will be presented at two different
times and two different locations this year: March 17 at the
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus, and August 25 at
Christ's United, Ashland. The cost is only $10. Pericope Study GroupThe new pericope study group will meet in the conference room at the Lutheran Center beginning Tuesday, January 24, from 9-10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. The group will be looking into the lessons for Sunday, January 29. Come out and share you faith! 2012 Mission Support FormPlease remember to return your 2012 congregational mission support form this month. If you don't have the copy that was in a fall mailing, you can download and print a copy from this website. Synod Minutes Book Available
Most of the material contained in the synod Minutes Book is available on
our website. (Rostered leaders and congregations have received
information about how to obtain the rosters, and copies of the auditors'
report may be requested from the synod office.) A Time Apart: Tending to the Holy, a Lenten Prayer Day
Throughout the year, the synod Spirituality Ministry Team will be
hosting "a time apart" days for rostered leaders. These days will give
leaders an opportunity to take time away from the everyday routine for
rest, renewal, and growth in their relationship with God. Try Out for the Dome House Band at the Youth Gathering
Imagine singing to 36,000 high school students, just like yourself, in
the Mercedes Benz Superdome at the ELCA Youth Gathering! The Dome
Creative Team is searching for creative and talented Lutheran high
school and college students to be vocalists in the Dome House Band. LTSP Not-for-Credit Course Offerings
This spring semester, The
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia is offering a
not-for-credit course in Basic Spanish, along with a series of five
one-day seminars/workshops exploring various facets of educational
ministries in congregations. The Spanish course is taught by LTSP
Professor Nelson Rivera - no previous Spanish experience required. Each
day-long educational ministries seminar is taught by a qualified
practitioner and aims to provide a concentrated focus on a theme. The
seminars are open to students (for credit) and to interested pastors and
Christian educators (for non-credit or continuing education credit). Pre-Lent Workshop 2012
Matthew in Lent and Holy Week will be the topic of an IJCU
Pre-Lent workshop on Thursday, February 2, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
in Seegers Union at Muhlenberg College. Dr. Aaron Gale, West
Virginia University, editor of Matthew in the Jewish Annotated New
Testament and an expert on Matthew's gospel, will lead a workshop on the
Year A texts of Matthew for Lent and Holy Week. Dr. Gale will highlight
his talk with slides from Jerusalem and from his work as an
archaeologist at the Bethsaida site. Looking for Hosts for Camp Noah Camps
Given the widespread devastation from flooding in Pennsylvania in the
fall of 2011, it is hoped that many Camp Noah camps will be offered in
our state this year. Setting up a camp involves the national Camp Noah
office (LSS Minnesota), a host site (in the impacted area) and a
national team (trained volunteers who lead the camp). The Board of Pensions Is Changing Its Name
The Board of Pensions is changing its name from the Board of Pensions to
Portico Benefit Services to be clear about who they are and what they do
as a ministry of the ELCA. Stories of Faith in Action
Stories of Faith in Action is a free resource full of dynamic
stories of how God is changing lives around the world through the
mission and ministry of the ELCA. You'll also find information on
Mission Support (the financial contributions given by synods and
congregations to fund churchwide ministries), including budget numbers,
and more. This is a very useful resource for the Epiphany season and for
congregational meetings. Leaders for Worship Services at Country MeadowsCountry Meadows of Bethlehem is in need of pastors to do half-hour services in February for the residents at the rate of $75. If interested please call Rev. Rick Tunis at 484-554-6225. IRS Updates 2012 Business and Ministry Mileage RatesThe Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2012 mileage rates that can be used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning January 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be 55.5 cents per mile for business activities, 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile in service of charitable organizations. The rate for business miles is unchanged from the midyear adjustment that became effective July 1. The medical and moving rate has been reduced by 0.5 cents per mile. Augsburg Fortress E-Newsletters
Did you know that Augsburg Fortress has several e-newsletters for people
working in the areas of children and youth, adults, and/or music? These
free e-newsletters can be helpful resources for learning about products,
specials, discounts, events, and more. 2012 Global Mission Map Brochure
Order the new 2012 Global Mission Map Brochure now! Youth: Put THIS on Your Calendar!The annual LYF Assembly will be held on June 22-24 at Muhlenberg College, Allentown. The theme is Leaning, Lifting, Leading. More information will be coming soon. Family Faith Challenge
The synod's Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry Team is developing a
wonderful new resource for you and your family - the "Family Faith
Challenge." WELCA Spiritual Growth Retreat
For your calendars: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Women of the
ELCA spring spiritual growth retreat will take place on Saturday, March
17, 2012 (snow date, March 24) at Nativity Lutheran Church, Allentown.
The theme is Kindness and Compassion and the guest speaker is Bruce
Becker, author of Kindness and Compassion, the story of the Nickel Mine
tragedy. The registration fee of $20 includes lunch. Farm Family Appreciation Celebration
The annual Farm Family Appreciation Celebration will be held on
Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the Hamburg Field House. This has been
a popular, uplifting, and entertaining event for over 11 years. There
will be a dinner buffet from 7- 8:00 p.m., followed by a hoedown,
classic and modern country music by "The Outlaws," and line dance music
during intermissions from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tanzanian ScamWe have heard of a few synods that have received a letter from a Pastor William Maheka Parmui of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dar es Salaam asking for financial contributions. The ELCA's regional representative in Tanzania has confirmed that this is a scam. You would be well advised to ignore such requests. For Your Calendar: 2012 Bishop's Conference
The 2012 Bishop's Conference will be held Tuesday through
Thursday, November 6-8, 2012, at Skytop Lodge. The theme
will be Preaching, Teaching and Leading in a Post-Modern World in
Ways that Matter to God. The presenter will be The Rev. David J.
Lose. Lose holds the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching
at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he has also served as
Academic Dean. He is the author of Making Sense of Scripture, Making
Sense of the Christian Faith, Making Sense of the Cross, and Confessing
Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World. The Rev. Kelly Denton-Borhaug,
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Moravian College, will lead
a Bible study. Synod Task Force on BullyingWe're looking for people to serve on the new Synod Task Force on Bullying. Help us develop resources to educate congregations about issues related to bullying. We plan to meet quarterly and are especially looking for rostered leaders, educators, coaches, community youth leaders, young people, and people interested in advocating for and teaching Christ-like ways to show respect for self and others. If interested, please contact Paulette Obrecht (pkobrecht@gmail.com or 610-863-4332). Bike for World Hunger Is Back!Do you miss the Bike for World Hunger event? We do, too! So the synod's World Hunger Task Force is planning to hold a bike-a-thon in the spring. If you or someone from your congregation would be interested in helping to plan this event, please send an e-mail to nepsbike4hunger@gmail.com with your contact information. A member of the task force will be in touch with you shortly. Serving the Community after a Disaster
How can your congregation serve the community after a disaster?
Lutheran Congregational Services has some suggestions and ideas
about ways your congregation can serve your community during and after a
disaster. 2012 Synod Assembly Dates and LocationThe 2012 synod assembly will be held June 15-16, 2012, in the Sovereign Center in Reading. This is a change of date from the date previously approved by the synod council. The date was changed because of a schedule conflict at the Sovereign Center (the arena, not the Performing Arts Center). Synod Musician Attends Lutheran Summer Music Academy
Harold Saxe of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wilkes-Barre was
one of 151 students accepted into the Lutheran Summer Music (LSM)
program, one of the nation's premier music training programs for young
people. Harold participated in the 29th Annual LSM Academy at Luther
College in Decorah, Iowa, from June 26 to July 24, 2011. Continuing Education Grants Available for Rostered and Lay Leaders
The Leadership Development Ministry Team offers a matching fund grant of
up to $250 to rostered and lay leaders for continuing education. Just Pick It Up: A Tip from Bear Creek CampOne of the most basic yet important things Bear Creek Camp staff teaches campers is to leave an area cleaner than they found it. Each day counselors model picking up litter to their campers in hopes that the habit will stick. What would happen if each camper challenged two other people to pick up just two pieces of trash a day? What if you did that, too? Let's try it out! Entrance to the Lutheran CenterWhen visiting the new Lutheran Center, please enter via the main entrance doors on the Grove Road side of the building, where the portico is located. You may park in the small parking lot to the east of the building or in the lot to the rear of the building. Note that the only doors that are unlocked during the day are the main entrance doors. Permission Needed to Use PoemFrom Church Mutual Insurance Company: Over the last few years,
nine Church Mutual customers have been threatened with copyright
infringement litigation regarding unlicensed use of a poem entitled The
Dash. Those claims have resulted in demands for financial compensation. Check Out Pictures from the Hunger Lock-In!
Last Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, over 125 youth
and adults gathered at 8 different locations across the Northeastern
Pennsylvania Synod for a hunger lock-in. During the lock-in,
participants raised money for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, put together
personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief, packaged food for a local
food bank, participated in Bible study, played games, and - a highpoint
of the event - Skyped with Amanda Tompkins, a Young Adult in
Global Mission serving in South Africa, and David Creech of ELCA
World Hunger. Enrich Your Faith L.I.F.E.!
Looking for ways to deepen your understanding of the connections between
faith and the concerns, routines and events of daily life? Want to grow
in faith, develop spiritual gifts, and discern what God might be up to
in your life? Then L.I.F.E. is for you!
L.I.F.E. curriculum consists of twelve courses offered in a
two-year cycle. Participants may take as many or as few classes as they
desire. Each course is five weeks in length and meets once a week for
2-2˝ hours. Congregational Resource Representative
Did you know that we have a congregational resource representative, one
of a group of representatives that serve ELCA and full communion partner
customers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico? God Is on the Loose!
Last December, the synod staff began a blog entitled
Potluck
Postings so that they could "share with you all of those places
where we see God on the loose, moving through our congregations and
people, touching lives and doing exciting things." In the meantime, the
Youth, Young
Adult and Family Ministry Team began a Facebook page,
God Sightings in the Northeastern PA Synod, to invite folks to share
stories of where they see God active in daily life, asking "What are
your 'God sightings?' Where do you see God on the loose? Where is God
calling you to act with God?" IRS Raises Mileage Reimbursement RateThis week the Internal Revenue Service announced a special adjustment to the standard business mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011. This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2011, In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2011. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year. Your Mission Support at Work
See your congregation's mission support at work! Augsburg Fortress Little Red BookThe Augsburg Fortress Little Red Book for 2012 is now available as a free downloadable resource in a variety of formats at www.augsburgfortress.org/redbook. Rostered Leaders: Please Note!Please be sure to notify Brenda Stauffer (brenda@nepsynod.org) at the synod office as soon as possible when you change your address, phone number, email, and other important contact information. Postal Regulations and Bulk MailNot all bulk mail addresses are required to include "Or Current Resident." Mail that meets certain Postal Service regulations for updating addresses does not need to have this wording. If you are uncertain if your congregation is meeting the requirements, check with your local post office. Financial Assistance for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering, July 18-22, 2012, in New Orleans
Applications for financial assistance for the 2012 ELCA Youth
Gathering will be available beginning May 15. New Tools Help Congregations Become Connectors Among Young Adults
Project
Connect has created an assessment tool that helps congregational
leaders evaluate their ministries with 18-30-year-old young adults. The
assessment weighs 17 factors and provides 12 concrete steps for growing
the congregation's work with and among young adults. Living LutheranGrab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join us at the table for a
conversation about what it means to "live Lutheran." Resources on Keeping Youth Safe
Increasingly, insurance companies are requiring congregations to have
policies in place to protect children and youth from abuse. Even if your
insurer hasn't asked for this yet, we encourage you to do it for the
sake of your children. Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Applies to Churches
The IRS recently announced that the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
included in the health care reform of 2010 is available to churches that
obtain coverage through self-funded denominational church health plans.
This is a reversal of the IRS ruling last spring. It means that
congregations may be eligible for a tax credit of up to 25% of the
premiums they pay for their employee's health insurance. Guidebook on Early Lutheran ChurchesThe Lutheran Historical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia are happy to announce the publication of the book, Colonial Lutheran Churches and Historic Sites in Eastern Pennsylvania 1638-1775. This book takes a look at 135 of our earliest Lutheran churches and can be used for self-guided tours to the sites. In most cases, active congregations still worship at the churches. Photographs of each church are included, along with an address, phone number, and brief directions. This helpful new guidebook takes us back for a look at our rich church heritage in eastern Pennsylvania. Copies may be purchased by completing the order form available here. The cost of the book is $15.00 plus $5.00 postage. Word of the Day: Scareware
Scareware is malicious (or, at best, useless) software sold by unethical
means. The latest type takes you to legitimate-looking browser warning
pages and then offers to sell you fake antivirus software. The scareware
is able to identify the Internet browser you're using, and then displays
a fake warning page that states the site you're browsing may be infected
with a virus. The fake web page warning then offers a "solution" to fix
the problem, providing a direct download to fake antivirus software. If
users continue, the antivirus program reports "severe" issues with the
computer and then offers to "fix" the problems for a fee. All web
browsers are susceptible to the attack. Faith Formation Resource Team
Are you gearing up for the spring Sunday school program yet? Are you unsure
of what curriculum to use? Could you use some teacher training? Do you
want to look at some ideas for strengthening your Christian education
program? Invitation from the A-Team
The Accessibility Ministry Team (A-Team) in our synod is seeking
new individuals to join our team. Presently we do not have
representation from the Pocono, Schuylkill, or Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre
mission districts, but we are certainly open to people from other
mission districts, too.
Please contact the current A-Team chair, the Rev. William (Bill) M. Horn at whorn@gsrh.org or 610.776.3139 with your suggestions. Healthy Practices during Flu Season
What are you doing to cut down on the chance of spreading the flu in
church? Looking for Grant Money for a Congregational or Cluster Project?
The key priority assigned to the
Witness and Service
Ministry Team is to assist our synod to renew our passion for sharing
the Good News. Honorarium Guidelines for Supply PastorsThe Committee of Deans recently approved new guidelines for fees for supply pastors. Congregations are encouraged to begin using these guidelines immediately. They became the expected amounts January 1, 2009. The recommended minimum honorarium amounts are as follows:
In addition, if one of these services is on a day other than Sunday, an additional $50 should be added to the rate for the total number of services. Fidelity Bond CoverageThe synod office regularly gets phone calls asking about bonding of treasurers and others who handle money. This was a service that was once provided to congregations by the ELCA. Please be aware, however, that the ELCA has not provided fidelity bonding since March 31, 1995. Each congregation must make its own arrangements for bonding. Your insurance company can provide you with information about this coverage. Communion Ware Journey ContinuesThe communion ware given to ELCA synods by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Lands is still available for your congregation to use. It provides an opportunity for you and your congregation to learn about and pray for Palestinian Christians and their Muslim and Jewish neighbors. Use these vessels in Holy Communion as a reminder of and a witness to our partnership in mission with our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. If you are interested in borrowing the set (a chalice and paten), contact Pastor Catherine Ziel (Catherine@nepsynod.org) at the synod office. Listing Your Congregational Website on ELCA and Synod Web PagesDoes your congregation have a website? Is it listed on the ELCA website? You can check to see if your site is listed by clicking the link about congregations on this web page on our website. If your congregational website is not listed or is listed incorrectly, you can update the information by clicking this link. Worship and Spirituality Ministry Team GrantsThe Worship and Spirituality Ministry Team is offering grants for local initiatives related to their purpose, to help the people of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod "deepen their relationship with God." For information on the criteria for grants and for a grant application, go to the Worship and Spirituality Ministry Team web page and click on the grant information and application links. Prayers for Peace in the Middle EastThe ecumenical prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East that began in 2000 continues across the USA, on the same day each month in each state, until there is an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The day of the month for Pennsylvania is the 9th of the month. We will include the reminder in the monthly prayer list that is posted online each month.
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This Month's News Weekly E-News Partners in the Spirit Synod News Thanks to You Monthly Prayers Last Updated On: Sign up nowPastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and
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