The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

We are —

• Lutheran
• One of 7 synods in Region 7
• Made up of 291 congregations, 9 mission districts, and 152,000 people
• A wide variety of people—many ages, cultures, languages and lifestyles
• Involved in the life of our communities—cities and suburbs, towns and villages
• Located in a 14-county area of the state—from the Delaware River to the mountains of Sullivan County and from the Lehigh Valley and the Reading area to the New York border

Lutherans believe —

• God's love is unconditionally guaranteed—a promise for life!
• The Bible is God's Word for us—our guide for living in the world today.
• We are all both saints and sinners—imperfect, but forgiven.
• The gospel is unchanging—God's Word revealed in Jesus Christ.
• The church is ever reforming—responding to a changing world.
• We are called to minister in our daily lives—at work, at home, at play.

Read more about Lutherans and Christianity on the ELCA website.

What Is a Synod?

The word synod, from the Greek words syn and hodos, means walking together. This name for the 65 entities of the ELCA offers a good description of their purpose. In and through synods, congregations and other ministries walk together. Synods coordinate the work of congregations within their territories and plan for the Church's mission in their area.

Some Facts about the Synod

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod consists of 291 congregations, 151,738 baptized members, 447 rostered leaders (pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers), and nine mission districts.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, in partnership with the churchwide organization, bears primary responsibility for the oversight of the life and mission of the church on the territory of the synod.

Our vision as God’s people in northeastern Pennsylvania is that we are rooted in the Gospel, connected with one another as members of the Body of Christ, transformed by the Holy Spirit to live in hope, and sent to share the message of God’s love with all people.

The structure of the synod bears witness to this vision. In June 2000, after a year-long conversation among members of the synod regarding the role of the church in northeastern Pennsylvania, the synod assembly adopted four priorities for its mission. In 2001, the assembly adopted a structure built on the vision and priorities.

Bishop Samuel R. Zeiser, as the synod's pastor, has primary responsibility for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the synod and its congregations and provides pastoral care and leadership for the synod, its congregations, its ordained ministers, and its other rostered leaders.

The office of the bishop includes staff persons who are elected by the synod council upon nomination by the bishop.

The main office of the synod is in Wescosville. For directions, office hours, and telephone numbers, click here.

For more information and statistics on the synod, click on this link to the ELCA page about synods, select the kind of report you'd like to see, then click on the link to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod (7E).

© 2008 Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. All rights reserved.