SYNOD ASSEMBLY INFORMATION The Allegheny Synod Assembly will be held in-person on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Blair County Convention Center. Our theme is Christ Unites Us. We are doing something a little different this year. The opening worship service will be held on Sunday, June 11 at 4:00 pm at First, Altoona with a reception following the service. On Tuesday June 13 and Thursday, June 15 we will host online Bible study with Kristen Opalinski, the Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations manager for the ELCA and our Churchwide representative for the Assembly. Bible studies are open to anyone in the Synod and Zoom information will be published closer to the time of the event. An in-person Bible study will be held at the Assembly as well as the opportunity to hear more about Kristen’s work with the ELCA around the world. The first mailing which includes information about registration will be sent via e-mail later this week and will be posted on the Allegheny Synod website in the Synod Assembly tab. Spring conference meetings will be scheduled this week and more information will be publicized about how you can participate. SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES The first mailing for the Synod Assembly is being finalized. Please secure voting members and ask them to register online. Deadlines for material are as follows: Reports for the Bulletin of Reports are due no later than March 27. Resolutions or Memorials are due no later than March 27. Nominations for Synod Council and Synod Committees are due no later than April 24. The nomination form can be found on the Allegheny Synod website in the Synod Assembly tab. Event, meal and childcare registration are due no later than May 17. If you wish to provide information for the information table, 75 copies of the information should be brought to the Allegheny Synod office no later than May 17. YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO FLORIDA Youth and adults from our Synod are planning a mission trip to Florida in July to assist with hurricane clean-up. The Synod Council has provided some initial help with funding, but the group is seeking support from the whole synod. Donations can be made on the Allegheny Synod website. Click the donate button and then choose Youth Mission Trip. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ALTOONA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Below is a flyer for the Altoona Jewish Film Festival. The events are held in Altoona but open to anyone interested. KINDNESS PROJECT If you would like to participate in the Kindness Project by The Montague Workshop. You can read more about it here: Show! — Montague Workshop and download the flyer to share. NEED HELP? CALL OR TEXT 2-1-1 in CAMBRIA OR SOMERSET COUNTY The United Way's crucial PA 211 service is a 24/7, professionally staffed regional call center that links people to resources for health and human services needs, including help paying utility bills, rent assistance, accessing programs to support an aging relative, and more. Take some time to learn more about this service as we near PA 211 Day on Feb. 11 by clicking here: PA 211 Campaign | United Way of the Laurel Highlands (uwlaurel.org) ELCA “TALKS AT THE DESK” SEASON 2 BEGINS IN FEBRUARY ELCA African Descent Ministries celebrates Black History Month with season two of “Talks at the Desk,” a four-part video series exploring diverse expressions of the church. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm Central time. Watch them live on Facebook, stream them on YouTube or download them at elca.org/adm. Join to see youth, young adults, elders, rostered leaders and friends of ELCA communities share their own sacred stories. Learn more at elca.org/talksatthedesk. LIVING LUTHERAN WILL CEASE PUBLICATION An announcement was made on Tuesday that the Living Lutheran magazine will publish its last issue in December 2023. They will move to a completely online format. You can visit www.livinglutheran.org to subscribe to their e-zine and manage how you would like to receive the content they provide. PORTICO UPDATE Meet your new Portico Regional Representative: After 15 years serving the ELCA as a Portico Regional Representative, Barb Debski put into practice much of what she’s been teaching and entered retirement. As of Jan. 9, our synod’s new Regional Rep is Pastor Tara Lynn. Tara most recently served as an interim pastor for two congregations in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. While the Portico Customer Care Center (800.352.2628) remains the primary point of contact for benefit questions and processes, Portico’s Regional Reps provide education, encouragement, and a personal connection. Tara can be reached at tlynn@PorticoBenefits.org Lutheran Day At The Capitol 2023 Lutheran Day At The Capitol 2023 will be held Thursday, April 27. Registration is available on their website.

Today begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. “The theme is from Isaiah 1:17, “Do good; seek justice.” The entire scriptural passage for the theme is Isaiah 1:12-18, lamenting a lack of justice among the People of God. Yet, it also promises redemption by encouraging acts of justice. The 2023 theme was developed with the assistance of a group of Christians in Minnesota, USA, convened by the Minnesota Council of Churches. Minneapolis, MN became a flashpoint for calls for racial justice and equity during the responses of communities to the George Floyd murder. This received world-wide attention. In its Introduction to the Theme, the organizers write: “Today, separation and oppression continue to be manifest when any single group or class is given privileges above others. The sin of racism is evident in any beliefs or practices that distinguish or elevate one “race” over another. When accompanied or sustained by imbalances in power, racial prejudice moves beyond individual relationships to the very structures of society – the systemic perpetuation of racism. Its existence has unfairly benefitted some, including churches, and burdened and excluded others, simply due to the color of their skin and the cultural associations based upon perceptions of ‘race’.” Calling to mind our common Christian commitment to justice and mercy, we pray that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2023 will be full of moments of conversion of heart through our ecumenical encounters, so that “all may be one.” (Information from the website: 2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Theme Announcement - Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (geii.org)) Let us pray: O God of justice, God of peace, One in the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enliven the unity of your Church on earth. Help us to see that our unity goes beyond unity in doctrinal essentials to an active unity of humanity with you and with one another. Forgive us for not remembering we are siblings in equity and justice under your law of love. Help us remember that each of us is created in your Divine image and that we share the dignity of being your children. Temper your justice, O Lord, with mercy to forgive and heal our broken relationships. Unite us in a fellowship that recalls our baptism, which has conquered sin and death, hate and division in the power of the Paschal mystery of Jesus Christ. Grant all this, O Lord, in Jesus name and by the power of your Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen. (Prayer edited for more inclusive language). SYNOD-WIDE WORSHIP ON JANUARY 29 A worship service of Word and Sacrament Celebrating Unity and Witness among us will happen on Sunday, January 29, at 4:00 pm in two locations: St. David’s Lutheran in Davidsville and Trinity Lutheran in State College. We gather in prayer and song around God’s gifts of Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion to remember and renew our commitment to sharing Good News with one another and the world. The same liturgy will happen in both places with different leaders; please attend the service closest to you. A time of refreshment and fellowship will follow worship in each location. You are invited to participate and invite others! YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO FLORIDA Youth and adults from our Synod are planning a mission trip to Florida in July to assist with hurricane clean-up. The Synod Council has provided some initial help with funding, but the group is seeking support from the whole synod. Donations can be made on the Allegheny Synod website. Click the donate button and then choose Youth Mission Trip. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Lutheran Day At The Capitol 2023 Lutheran Day At The Capitol 2023 will be held Thursday, April 27. Registration for that will go live next week. ELCA Stewardship Newsletter: https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=0f79b763-5ff0-41ea-99d6-0485b972965f&trid=0f79b763-5ff0-41ea-99d6-0485b972965f CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY AND INNOVATION GRANTS Thanks to all who submitted applications for the Congregational Vitality and Innovation Grants. Due to the volume of applications we received, the recipients will be announced later in January. We look forward to hearing about the ministry that comes from this initiative. A VISIT WITH POET MARIE CAMERON Marie Cameron, whose poetry book I Have No Name, was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for poetry, will be at St. Mark Lutheran, 850 Snydertown Rd., Howard PA at 10am Saturday, January 28 for a talk and discussion. I Have No Name was a compilation of Holocaust stories survivors told Cameron, who survived the Holocaust herself having lived in Nazi Germany. Her latest book, I Have No Name — Threads — L’Chaim (To Life), is “the final comprehensive collection of her poetry,” and in it “she explores being an observer in this rapidly changing world.” She says she will request those attending to choose particular decades, and she will read poetry from that period. She will bring copies of her book to purchase and for her to sign. WELL A festival-like event building on mission and community titled Well will be held June 22-25 at Camp Sequanota. More information will follow. Make plans to take part in this event and hear from speakers, musicians, artists and others about faith. SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES The first mailing for the Synod Assembly is being finalized. Please secure voting members and ask them to register online. Deadlines for material are as follows: Reports for the Bulletin of Reports are due no later than March 27. Resolutions or Memorials are due no later than March 27. Nominations for Synod Council and Synod Committees are due no later than April 24. The nomination form can be found on the Allegheny Synod website in the Synod Assembly tab. Event, meal and childcare registration are due no later than May 17. If you wish to provide information for the information table, 75 copies of the information should be brought to the Allegheny Synod office no later than May 17.

THE CHOSEN VIEWING AND STUDY St. Mark Lutheran Church in Snydertown (Nittany Conference) will begin a viewing and discussion of The Chosen, the multi-season program that looks at the life and ministry of Jesus, His followers, and those He met. Both an in-person gathering as well as a Zoom offering will be offered to watch and discuss the show. The study begins at 11:00 am Wednesday, January 18 with an in-person viewing of Season One, Episode One, “I Have Called You By Name,” in St. Mark’s Fellowship Room. The Zoom viewing and discussion of the same episode will be 6:30 pm Thursday, January 19. This is for anyone to join whether part of St. Mark or not! Zoom info will be sent for anyone who is interested. In-person meetings will be 11:00 am Wednesdays each week, with Zoom gatherings happening at 6:30 pm Thursdays for most weeks (when council has its monthly meeting on the second Thursday of each month, the Zoom meeting will be on Wednesday of that week). Here is the upcoming schedule for the first few episodes of Season One (subject to change): Episode One: “I Have Called You By Name” Wednesday, January 18 (11am in Fellowship Room) Thursday, January 19 (6:30pm Zoom) Episode Two: “Shabbat” Wednesday, January 25 (11am in Fellowship Room) Thursday, January 26 (6:30pm Zoom) Episode Three: “Jesus Loves The Little Children” Wednesday, February 1 (11am in Fellowship Room) Thursday, February 2 (6:30pm Zoom) Episode Four: “The Rock On Which It Is Built” Wednesday, February 8 (11am in Fellowship Room) Wednesday, February 8 (6:30pm Zoom) CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY AND INNOVATION GRANTS Thanks to all who submitted applications for the Congregational Vitality and Innovation Grants. Due to the volume of applications we received, the recipients will be announced later in January. We look forward to hearing about the ministry that comes from this initiative. A VISIT WITH POET MARIE CAMERON Marie Cameron, whose poetry book I Have No Name, was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for poetry, will be at St. Mark Lutheran, 850 Snydertown Rd., Howard PA at 10am Saturday, January 28 for a talk and discussion. I Have No Name was a compilation of Holocaust stories survivors told Cameron, who survived the Holocaust herself having lived in Nazi Germany. Her latest book, I Have No Name — Threads — L’Chaim (To Life), is “the final comprehensive collection of her poetry,” and in it “she explores being an observer in this rapidly changing world.” She says she will request those attending to choose particular decades, and she will read poetry from that period. She will bring copies of her book to purchase and for her to sign. updates and announcements regarding the annual congregation report process. As in previous years, all ELCA congregations, synod authorized worshiping communities (SAWCs), and new starts will receive an annual congregation report packet through the mail. This packet should arrive during the second week of January. It will contain paper copies of Form A and Form C, instructional documents on how to complete these forms, and the password that congregations or communities will use to file their reports online. The online system for Congregation Report Forms A & C for 2022, accessible at elca.org/congregationreport, will open during the second week of January. New this year will be the addition of email communication with ELCA congregations and worshiping communities. On December 13, the ELCA churchwide organization will send out an email describing the annual congregation report process and key dates for the new data year. The email will also provide a link to generic versions of Form A and Form C, so congregations that wish to begin compiling their data can do so. This email will not contain the password for the online system. If any congregations still wish to file 2021 reports, they must do so before the online system for filing Form A and Form C for 2021 shuts down on Wednesday, December 21. By way of reminder, synods are responsible for keeping copies of 2021 reports. Please print or save any remaining 2021 reports now as they will not be accessible after the shutdown. As in previous years, the Office of the Secretary will send the passwords to you as synod statisticians. This information will be distributed following the closure of the online system for 2021 data. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at adam.dehoek@elca.org or 773-380-2445. WELL A festival-like event building on mission and community titled Well will be held June 22-25 at Camp Sequanota. More information will follow. Make plans to take part in this event and hear from speakers, musicians, artists and others about faith. YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO FLORIDA Youth and adults from our Synod are planning a mission trip to Florida in July to assist with hurricane clean-up. The Synod Council has provided some initial help with funding, but the group is seeking support from the whole synod. Donations can be made on the Allegheny Synod website. Click the donate button and then choose Youth Mission Trip. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. HYMNS AND HOPS Gather on the 4th Sunday each month at 4 pm at Pine Grove Hall for Hymns and Hops with St Paul Lutheran, Pine Grove Mills (Nittany Conference). JANA MARIE FOUNDATION EVENTS January 23 (grades 6 – 12) and February 20 (grades 2-5) 9 am – 1 pm at St Mark Lutheran, Snydertown. JAM sessions helping young people build self-confidence and develop healthy relationships through the use of creative expression SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES The first mailing for the Synod Assembly is being finalized. Please secure voting members and ask them to register online. Deadlines for material are as follows: Reports for the Bulletin of Reports are due no later than March 27. Resolutions or Memorials are due no later than March 27. Nominations for Synod Council and Synod Committees are due no later than April 24. The nomination form can be found on the Allegheny Synod website in the Synod Assembly tab. Event, meal and childcare registration are due no later than May 17. If you wish to provide information for the information table, 75 copies of the information should be brought to the Allegheny Synod office no later than May 17. YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION (YAGM) PRIORITY DEADLINE APPROACHING The priority deadline to apply for Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is one week away, on Jan. 15, 2023. The final application deadline is Feb. 1, 2023. This is your last chance to encourage young adults to apply! Now even more communities are ready to welcome you. The YAGM team recently announced that the Mexico and Central Europe country programs will be reopening in 2023. Volunteers will have the opportunity to serve there and in the four other country programs that reopened in 2022. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM . Do you know a young adult who is ready for a transformative journey of service and fellowship? Tell them about YAGM today! LAMPa POLICY AGENDA SURVEY DEADLINE APPROACHING How are we being called to be church together in the public square? Every two years, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) surveys ELCA members and ministries about where they are being led to serve and seek justice as the church together in Pennsylvania. LAMPa's policy council meets later this month to establish policy agenda priorities as the Commonwealth welcomes a new Administration and General Assembly. Help inform their work by completing this survey, if you have not already done so, by January 20.YOU LAMPa JOB OPPORTUNITY LAMPa is seeking a communications and advocacy engagement manager to create and implement communications strategies for supporting productive relationships with internal and external partners as well as effective advocacy with policymakers. The manager will equip Lutherans for public witness and advocacy campaigns that include voices from and encourage accompaniment of communities and individuals who are most affected by public policies, yet often neglected in policy formation. This full-time position has responsibilities that will require being in the capital area (Harrisburg) on a weekly basis. This could mean 1-2 days most weeks and possibly more, as events require. This person would serve within the ELCA Service and Justice unit. Learn more and apply. Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates this church’s engagement in service and promotes efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries [serving as the means through which churches in other countries engage in mission to this church and society]; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice. Witness in Society encompasses some of the work and ministry the ELCA does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity. Witness in Society equips advocates across the ecology of the ELCA and engages them in advocacy activity coordinated from the ELCA’s federal hub in Washington, D.C. alongside the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations in New York City; Lutheran state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; and more than 15 directly affiliated locations serving even more states; and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. RESOURCE Lent in a Box resource from Church Anew: Lent in a Box Event 2023 — Church Anew

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY: DEADLINE TODAY! Friday, January 6th, 8-9:30PM* Sequanota Bowersox Center Viewing of "One Nation Under God?" The Bible For Normal People is presenting a one night class about Christian Nationalism entitled "One Nation Under God?" on Friday, January 6th from 8:00-9:30PM. A group plans to gather together to watch and discuss this presentation at the Bowersox Center at Camp Sequanota. Dinner will be served at 5PM; overnight accommodations with breakfast are available for those who don't wish to travel late at night afterwards. The recommended fee of $25 to access the class is already paid; as the class is billed as "pay as you can" you may make an additional donation to The Bible for Normal People if you choose. If you know of lay members in your congregation or others who may be interested, feel free to pass this invitation along to them. From The Bible for Normal People: What does the American flag have to do with the cross? To adherents of Christian nationalism, the answer is everything. Join Sam Perry for a one-night class for a glimpse into the sociocultural phenomenon of white Christian Nationalism and how the Bible is being used to support ideologies that are diametrically opposed to the teachings of Jesus. Topics: Debates over gender translation in evangelical Bibles; Use of niche Christian nationalist Bibles; Use of actual biblical tests to justify Christian nationalism; How folks use the Bible to justify anti-democratic violence Please email alleghenysynodfaithformation@gmail.com by Wednesday, January 4th if you plan to attend so we have an accurate count for dinner. Please contact Sequanota at 814-629-6627 or contact@sequanota.com to reserve an overnight room and be included in the count for breakfast. A VISIT WITH POET MARIE CAMERON Marie Cameron, whose poetry book I Have No Name, was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for poetry, will be at St. Mark Lutheran, 850 Snydertown Rd., Howard PA at 10am Saturday, January 28 for a talk and discussion. I Have No Name was a compilation of Holocaust stories survivors told Cameron, who survived the Holocaust herself having lived in Nazi Germany. Her latest book, I Have No Name — Threads — L’Chaim (To Life), is “the final comprehensive collection of her poetry,” and in it “she explores being an observer in this rapidly changing world.” She says she will request those attending to choose particular decades, and she will read poetry from that period. She will bring copies of her book to purchase and for her to sign. ALSM CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER The December issue can be found here. NOMINATIONS FOR THE COMMISSION FOR A RENEWED LUTHERAN CHURCH A letter from Bishop Paula regarding the nomination process for the Commission For A Renewed Lutheran Church and the form can be found on the Allegheny Synod website in the News and Calendar tab. If you have questions, please contact the Synod office. UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT CONGREGATIONAL REPORTING As in previous years, all ELCA congregations, synod authorized worshiping communities (SAWCs), and new starts will receive an annual congregation report packet through the mail. This packet should arrive during the second week of January. It will contain paper copies of Form A and Form C, instructional documents on how to complete these forms, and the password that congregations or communities will use to file their reports online. The online system for Congregation Report Forms A & C for 2022, accessible at elca.org/congregationreport, will open during the second week of January. New this year will be the addition of email communication with ELCA congregations and worshiping communities. On December 13, the ELCA churchwide organization will send out an email describing the annual congregation report process and key dates for the new data year. The email will also provide a link to generic versions of Form A and Form C, so congregations that wish to begin compiling their data can do so. This email will not contain the password for the online system. If any congregations still wisH to file 2021 reports, they must do so before the online system for filing Form A and Form C for 2021 shuts down on Wednesday, December 21. By way of reminder, synods are responsible for keeping copies of 2021 reports. Please print or save any remaining 2021 reports now as they will not be accessible after the shutdown. As in previous years, the Office of the Secretary will send the passwords to you as synod statisticians. This information will be distributed following the closure of the online system for 2021 data. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at adam.dehoek@elca.org or 773-380-2445.

IN MEMORIAM The Rev. John (Jack) Timm died on Friday, December 16 in Hagerstown, MD where he lived with his wife Barbara for several years. Jack served in many ways in the Allegheny Synod including with Camp Sequanota, on the Synod’s Reconciliation Team and in several of our congregations as the called pastor and an interim. A memorial service will be held in the Spring. We will notify the Synod when the arrangements are confirmed. If you would like to send a note of condolence to Barbara, their address is: 1144 Luther Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Please keep Barb in your prayers as she was hospitalized this past week with a back issue. Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA). Below is a brochure for the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association. For more information, visit https://elpna.org/There one can find valuable information for nurses and leaders in congregations/communities. One benefit for member faith community/parish nurses is access to member’s only resources such as a program library, bulletin inserts, and evidenced based programs to support congregational health. NOMINATIONS FOR THE COMMISSION FOR A RENEWED LUTHERAN CHURCH The nomination process for the Commission For A Renewed Lutheran Church is open. The nomination for and other information is located on this page under the calendar. If you have questions, please contact the Synod office. updates and announcements regarding the annual congregation report process. As in previous years, all ELCA congregations, synod authorized worshiping communities (SAWCs), and new starts will receive an annual congregation report packet through the mail. This packet should arrive during the second week of January. It will contain paper copies of Form A and Form C, instructional documents on how to complete these forms, and the password that congregations or communities will use to file their reports online. The online system for Congregation Report Forms A & C for 2022, accessible at elca.org/congregationreport, will open during the second week of January. New this year will be the addition of email communication with ELCA congregations and worshiping communities. On December 13, the ELCA churchwide organization will send out an email describing the annual congregation report process and key dates for the new data year. The email will also provide a link to generic versions of Form A and Form C, so congregations that wish to begin compiling their data can do so. This email will not contain the password for the online system. If any congregations still wish to file 2021 reports, they must do so before the online system for filing Form A and Form C for 2021 shuts down on Wednesday, December 21. By way of reminder, synods are responsible for keeping copies of 2021 reports. Please print or save any remaining 2021 reports now as they will not be accessible after the shutdown. As in previous years, the Office of the Secretary will send the passwords to you as synod statisticians. This information will be distributed following the closure of the online system for 2021 data. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at adam.dehoek@elca.org or 773-380-2445. CONGREGATIONAL GRANTS AVAILABLE Attached to this message you will find an application for Congregation Vitality and Innovation grants offered by the Allegheny Synod. Grants of $250-$1000 will be awarded. A Vitality Grant will be used to expand or enhance an existing ministry. An Innovation Grant will be used to try a completely new ministry project. If you have questions, please contact either Pastor Kevin or Bishop Paula. See request form below.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At our Synod Assembly in June 2022, voting members approved a recommendation to the Churchwide Assembly a memorial about restructuring the Church. The Churchwide Assembly, which met in August 2022, agreed that it is time to review the ELCA’s governing documents and structures given the changes in our world and in the Church. In November 2022, the ELCA Church Council responded to the memorial. You can read the Church Council’s response on the back of this letter. This is important and critical work in the life of our Church. The Allegheny Synod Council will consider nominations from our Synod through February 10, 2023. The Synod Council will meet to consider the nominations and make a recommendation in March, 2023. We will use the nomination form commonly used for nominations in our Synod Assembly work. It can be found on our Synod’s website in the News and Calendar tab. If you or someone you know has the wisdom and insight for this important work, please enter the nomination process. If you plan to nominate someone for this work, please be in contact with them before submitting their name. This work will help shape the future of our Church for generations to come. Even if you are not a person who will be nominated for this work, please join me and others in praying for those who will.

ITEMS FROM GRACE, STOYSTOWN Grace, Stoystown has a number of items to donate that may be helpful for Christmas or other times of the year. You can view the items here: https://alleghenysynod-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/p/bishop_paula/ElXsBNPirWlNpe2O12gbeW4BkiPIlZHKcHjdAUfPhBuOog?e=22BEjs. If interested, please contact Becky Whipkey at becky.whipkey@gmail.com or (home ) 814-445-3414 or (cell) 814-483-6431 SAVE THE DATE: SYNOD-WIDE WORSHIP Another Synod-wide Worship opportunity is happening Sunday, January 29, 2023, 4:00 pm. There will be one worship service in two different places that day: at St. David’s in Davidsville and Trinity in State College. If there is concern about the weather that day, the worship service will move online. Please mark your calendars and spread the word in your congregations. CDC GUIDELINES I am sure we all thought we were getting past new CDC guidelines; we aren’t. Last week the rise in flu, RSV and Covid cases that require hospitalization is on the rise. As you prepare to gather with friends and family and more people in the pews, the CDC recommends masking indoors. We would add: wash your hands more than you think you need to and stay hydrated. SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES The following are deadlines for material for the Allegheny Synod Assembly. The first mailing for registration and other information will be sent in January. Deadline for Reports: March 27, 2023. Nomination Deadline: April 24, 2023 Bulletin of Reports published: May 15, 2023 All-Synod Worship: Sunday, June 11, 2023. 4:00 pm, Location to be determined Synod Assembly Online Bible Study: June 13 and June 15. 6:00 pm via Zoom CONGREGATIONAL GRANTS AVAILABLE Congregation Vitality and Innovation grants are being offered by the Allegheny Synod. Grants of $250-$1000 will be awarded. A Vitality Grant will be used to expand or enhance an existing ministry. An Innovation Grant will be used to try a completely new ministry project. If you have questions, please contact either Pastor Kevin or Bishop Paula. PA HEALTH EQUITY SURVEY OPEN UNTIL DEC. 31 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) is asking people to fill out the Health Equity Survey for the region in which you reside. The link can be shared with any resident of the Commonwealth. See the information that follows and click on the link for your region. NW region: Clearfield: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BF9VZBN NC region: Centre: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYRCC6J SW region: Cambria, Somerset: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WXVWXZD SC region: Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQVY7GL Pennsylvania's regional health equity action teams have developed surveys that are open until Dec. 31 to identify and prioritize the most severe health issues experienced in your communities, such as; chronic disease, environmental hazards, community violence, substance use disorder, and mental health. The survey includes questions related to the barriers people face when trying to access health resources. The results of these surveys will help the Commonwealth work toward better health for all people statewide. We invite you to take the survey at the link below and to share with all in your community. Learn more about this effort here. NEW BIBLE DISCUSSION PODCAST AVAILABLE tend: a bible podcast is a new project of the Allegheny Synod and Sequanota Camp and Conference Center intended to invite all people into discussion with scripture. Each week, Pastors Nathan Pile and Kevin Shock ask three questions about a text and discuss. The podcast can be used as a tool for personal reflection or for group discussion in congregations or elsewhere. The podcast can also be accessed on these platforms: Apple listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-apple Spotify listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-spotify Website listeners: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2071358.rss ELCA DISABILITIES MINISTRY GRANTS Grant applications will be received Dec. 12 and will officially close the application process on Feb. 15, 2023. Consideration will be given to the first 30 grant applications received through the application process in GrantMaker. Once that number is met, correspondence will be sent out through ELCA Disabilities Ministry newsletter and blog. Please note that this may happen before the Feb. 15 deadline. Of those 30 received, the review team will approve up to five grants of up to $10,000 for projects. Applicants for this grant can be congregations, synods or other ELCA organizations. To be eligible for a grant, your project and proposal must reflect at least two of the three commitments of ELCA Disability Ministry: Preparing leaders for serving people with disabilities, raising up people with disabilities for leadership positions, and encouraging the participation of those with disabilities in the wider church; Equipping our synods, congregations and members with relevant and practical information that enables them to welcome and support individuals with disabilities so that they might participate fully in the life of the congregation and that, together, all might experience being the body of Christ; Gathering and connecting those with disabilities and various groups within the church so that they might help us become an inclusive, supportive and whole community of faith. A successful grant proposal must supply the following pieces of information, which will be put together in the application on the ELCA GrantMaker system: Project leader information; a detailed summary plan that includes your project’s name, location, timeline, targeted audience, etc.; Goals and objectives; budget and budget narrative detailing how the grant funding will be spent; Synod support (letter and/or financial); proof of other funding sources outside the grant. The ELCA Grants Management Team has made a tool to help grantees with the registration process on GrantMaker. You can find it here. The team has also included a document to help you navigate the tool: Managing the Grantee Tool. For more information, you can email Disability.Ministry@elca.org or the director at lisa.heffernan@elca.org. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDING BISHOP EATON A Christmas message from Presiding Bishop Eaton can be found here. ELCA GLOBAL LINKS NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE The ELCA Global Links newsletter can be found here. CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM OFFICE OF THE BISHOP The Christmas greeting from the Office of the Bishop:

CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM OFFICE OF THE BISHOP The Christmas greeting from the Office of the Bishop can be found here. SAVE THE DATE: SYNOD-WIDE WORSHIP Another Synod-wide Worship opportunity is happening Sunday, January 29, 2023, time to be determined. There will be one worship service in two different places that day: at St. David’s in Davidsville and Trinity in State College. If there is concern about the weather that day, the worship service will move online. Please mark your calendars and spread the word in your congregations. PA HEALTH EQUITY SURVEY OPEN UNTIL DEC. 31 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) is asking people to fill out the Health Equity Survey for the region in which you reside. The link can be shared with any resident of the Commonwealth. See the information that follows and click on the link for your region. NW region: Clearfield: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BF9VZBN NC region: Centre: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYRCC6J SW region: Cambria, Somerset: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WXVWXZD SC region: Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQVY7GL Pennsylvania's regional health equity action teams have developed surveys that are open until Dec. 31 to identify and prioritize the most severe health issues experienced in your communities, such as; chronic disease, environmental hazards, community violence, substance use disorder, and mental health. The survey includes questions related to the barriers people face when trying to access health resources. The results of these surveys will help the Commonwealth work toward better health for all people statewide. We invite you to take the survey at the link below and to share with all in your community. Learn more about this effort here. CONGREGATIONAL GRANTS AVAILABLE Attached to this message you will find an application for Congregation Vitality and Innovation grants offered by the Allegheny Synod. Grants of $250-$1000 will be awarded. A Vitality Grant will be used to expand or enhance an existing ministry. An Innovation Grant will be used to try a completely new ministry project. If you have questions, please contact either Pastor Kevin or Bishop Paula. Complete this request form: SNOW CAMP 2023 Snow Camp will be held January 27-29, 2023 at Camp Sequanota. For more information or to register, e-mail: alleghenysynodfaithformation@gmail.com BLANKET THE CAPITOL LAWN AND BLANKET OUR NEIGHBORS WITH CARE The ELCA Witness in Society office is partnering with several synods, advocates and foundation partners to organize a Homeless Remembrance Blanket awareness event in Washington D.C. on December 21, the longest night of the year. The event, which includes invited bishops, members of Congress, Administration officials, dignitaries and nonprofit advocacy organizations, will be gathering hundreds of blankets from across the country in a symbolic art installation on the U.S. Capitol lawn near the Christmas tree. The event will bring greater attention to those of us struggling with homelessness on the coldest nights of the year. Interested advocates are welcome to participate in-person at the U.S. Capitol, or join the full-day event virtually. Blankets will be arriving from each state in the country, with letters and invitations to lawmakers to visit an agency or ministry with those experiencing homelessness in their district. Please consider donating a blanket or joining us in the nation's capital on Dec. 21 for the event, or on Jan. 4, to deliver blankets and letters to members of Congress. If you would like to connect with other Lutherans in attendance, or to help — by making a blanket, writing a letter, stitching donated squares, setting up and tearing down the art installation or delivering blankets to members of Congress in January for delivery in their districts — please email LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPA.org with “Blanket” in the subject line. Pastor Jaime Olson will be traveling to Washington on 12/21 and is willing to deliver blankets. If your congregation would like to send any, please deliver them to Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church or contact Pastor Jaime. NEW BIBLE DISCUSSION PODCAST AVAILABLE tend: a bible podcast is a new project of the Allegheny Synod and Sequanota Camp and Conference Center intended to invite all people into discussion with scripture. Each week, Pastors Nathan Pile and Kevin Shock ask three questions about a text and discuss. The podcast can be used as a tool for personal reflection or for group discussion in congregations or elsewhere. The podcast can also be accessed on these platforms: Apple listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-apple Spotify listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-spotify Website listeners: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2071358.rss Kindling Faith continuing education events from United Lutheran Seminary Visit Gettysburg with your church group! Our facility is a great place for a day outing or a two-day stay. We can offer Bible studies, conversations with the Admissions office, tours of the campus, library archives, and our award-winning museum (https://www.seminaryridgemuseum.org/). In addition, people can take advantage of the many attractions in the greater Gettysburg community (https://destinationgettysburg.com/). Preaching Perspectives from the Middle East, January 9, 2023, 9 am – 1 pm EST via zoom. Log on to meet with Pastors Imad Haddad, Ashraf Tannous, and Fursan Zumot as they discuss the RCL readings for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter from a Palestinian Christian Perspective. These pastors are pursuing their DMin degrees at ULS as part of our ongoing relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Combating Online Harassment, January 24, 2023, at 7 pm EST via Zoom. The church has an essential role to play in offering alternatives to a toxic online environment. Presented by Lauren Krapf, Esq. of the Anti-Defamation League (www.adl.org ). Save These Dates: ULS Book Club with President Erwin, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th at 7 pm EST via zoom. Dr. Erwin discusses Flowers of the Killer Moon and his perspective on Osage culture in this novel based on true events. The film version directed by Martin Scorcese will be released in May of 2023. Nolde/Lazareth Lecture, March 20, 2023 at 7 pm on the Philadelphia campus and Livestream. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, Dean of Union Theological Seminary discusses her new book The Psychology of Christian Nationalism. Our American Muslim Neighbors: Christian Reflections on Islam, March 2, 9, 23, 30 (on zoom) and April 1st on the Philadelphia campus with a field trip to a local mosque with Dr. David Grafton of Hartford International University. Spring Convocation, April 26, 2023 on the Gettysburg campus. This year’s theme, “Children of Abraham: Stewards of Creation.”

YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! This year, for the first time since early 2020, YAGM participants are walking alongside our international neighbors. Now, it’s time for the YAGM team to find the next volunteers ready to step out into the world. Do you know one of them? Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year. If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) Through YAGM, young adults will learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as they walk alongside global church companions. They’ll become immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. And they’ll confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM. SNOW CAMP 2023 Snow Camp will be held January 27-29, 2023 at Camp Sequanota. For more information or to register, e-mail: alleghenysynodfaithformation@gmail.com CONGREGATIONAL GRANTS AVAILABLE Congregation Vitality and Innovation grants are being offered by the Allegheny Synod. Grants of $250-$1000 will be awarded. A Vitality Grant will be used to expand or enhance an existing ministry. An Innovation Grant will be used to try a completely new ministry project. If you have questions, please contact either Pastor Kevin or Bishop Paula. The application form can be found here GUIDELINES FOR MULTI-RELIGIOUS MINISTRY The ELCA offers several resources to guide our ministry with our neighbors of other faiths. "ELCA Guidelines for Ministry in a Multi-Religious World" is a helpful starting place for our inter-religious relationships. These guidelines were called for as part of "A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment," adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and are consistent with the church's policy as expressed in the declaration. LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY, JUNE 25–JULY 23, 2023 Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) transforms lives. Hear the impact directly from first-year students at the beginning and end of LSM 2022 as they share their experiences through personal testimonies. The primary way prospective students learn about LSM is through encouragement from someone such as you. Whether you are a church musician, pastor, teacher, relative, or friend, your connection in telling the young people in your life about LSM is what sustains the future and carries forward life-changing impact to each new student. Now is the time to invest in students and nominate them for LSM 2023. Registration is open! SAVE THE DATE: WELL FESTIVAL On June 23-25, 2022 The Allegheny Synod in cooperation with Camp Sequanota will offer a retreat-like festival focused on faith, creation and mission. This festival is for anyone who is interested in exploring expressions of their faith and the life of the church in community with others. SAVE THE DATE: SYNOD-WIDE WORSHIP Another Synod-wide Worship opportunity is happening Sunday, January 29, 2023, time to be determined. There will be one worship service in two different places that day: at St. David’s in Davidsville and Trinity in State College. If there is concern about the weather that day, the worship service will move online. Please mark your calendars and spread the word in your congregations. NEW BIBLE DISCUSSION PODCAST AVAILABLE tend: a bible podcast is a new project of the Allegheny Synod and Sequanota Camp and Conference Center intended to invite all people into discussion with scripture. Each week, Pastors Nathan Pile and Kevin Shock ask three questions about a text and discuss. The podcast can be used as a tool for personal reflection or for group discussion in congregations or elsewhere. The podcast can also be accessed on these platforms: Apple listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-apple Spotify listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-spotify Website listeners: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2071358.rss BLANKET THE CAPITOL LAWN AND BLANKET OUR NEIGHBORS WITH CARE The ELCA Witness in Society office is partnering with several synods, advocates and foundation partners to organize a Homeless Remembrance Blanket awareness event in Washington D.C. on December 21, the longest night of the year. The event, which includes invited bishops, members of Congress, Administration officials, dignitaries and nonprofit advocacy organizations, will be gathering hundreds of blankets from across the country in a symbolic art installation on the U.S. Capitol lawn near the Christmas tree. The event will bring greater attention to those of us struggling with homelessness on the coldest nights of the year. Interested advocates are welcome to participate in-person at the U.S. Capitol, or join the full-day event virtually. Blankets will be arriving from each state in the country, with letters and invitations to lawmakers to visit an agency or ministry with those experiencing homelessness in their district. Please consider donating a blanket or joining us in the nation's capital on Dec. 21 for the event, or on Jan. 4, to deliver blankets and letters to members of Congress. If you would like to connect with other Lutherans in attendance, or to help — by making a blanket, writing a letter, stitching donated squares, setting up and tearing down the art installation or delivering blankets to members of Congress in January for delivery in their districts — please email LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPA.org with “Blanket” in the subject line. Pastor Jaime Olson will be traveling to Washington on 12/21 and is willing to deliver blankets. If your congregation would like to send any, please deliver them to Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church or contact Pastor Jaime.

The application for Congregation Vitality and Innovation grants offered by the Allegheny Synod can be obtained by e-mail request to office@alleghenysynod.com. Grants of $250-$1000 will be awarded. A Vitality Grant will be used to expand or enhance an existing ministry. An Innovation Grant will be used to try a completely new ministry project. If you have questions, please contact either Pastor Kevin or Bishop Paula.

tend: a bible podcast is a new project of the Allegheny Synod and Sequanota Camp and Conference Center intended to invite all people into discussion with scripture. Each week, Pastors Nathan Pile and Kevin Shock ask three questions about a text and discuss. The podcast can be used as a tool for personal reflection or for group discussion in congregations or elsewhere. The podcast can also be accessed on these platforms: Apple listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-apple Spotify listeners: https://tinyurl.com/tendbiblepodcast-spotify Website listeners: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2071358.rss