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Synod Council voted on September 20 to amend the Compensation & Benefits Manual to reflect the new Portico health benefits plans. Council recommends either the Select Copay 2000 or the Select HDHP 2000. Council encourages all sponsoring organizations to speak with the members they sponsor to determine which plan works best for the member. Questions can be directed to Pr. Tara Lynn at tlynn@PorticoBenefits.org

FOR SPONSORED PLAN MEMBERS: Wednesday, August 20th, 10am If you are sponsored in the Portico Benefits plan, this webinar is for you. We will review the Portico bundle of benefits, the upcoming changes to the Portico ELCA-Primary health plan for 2026 and provide timely updates regarding annual enrollment. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/e2hmZf-GR9aSI-r84iCGuQ Once you register, you will receive a link to attend the meeting via ZOOM.   FOR SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS: Monday, August 25th, 6:30pm If you make decisions regarding benefit selections in your organization, this webinar is for you. We will review the upcoming changes to the Portico ELCA-Primary plan for 2026 and share other information that will be helpful as you prepare for annual enrollment. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NrmoghJuSRq9zrgyHlmY3w Once you register, you will receive a link to attend the meeting via ZOOM.   Both webinars will be led by our Region 8 Portico Regional Representative, Pastor Tara Lynn.

LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CURVE Join others from across the Allegheny Synod for dinner and a game at the Altoona Curve on Sunday, August 24. Ticket orders are due by Sunday, August 10. Please see the attached flyer for details. TRANSITION TEAM LOOKING FOR INPUT As the Synod Transition Team continues their work ahead of our Synod Assembly and Bishop’s election, they want to hear what your hope is for our Synod. You can email your hopes and thoughts to SynodTransitionTeam@gmail.com . ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY Please pray for our Churchwide Assembly meeting July 28—August 2, 2025 and for our Allegheny Synod voting members: Ms. Ann Ferry, Synod VP; Pr. Tyler Graham; Vr. Christy Harford; Mr. Ben Hoffman; Pr. Marty Jo Irvin-Stellabotte; and Pr. Kevin Shock. You can learn all about this year’s Assembly and find links to live-streaming of the event here: https://www.elca.org/about/leadership/churchwide-assembly . TWO UPCOMING WEBINARS FROM PORTICO BENEFITS FOR SPONSORED PLAN MEMBERS: Wednesday, August 20 th , 10am If you are sponsored in the Portico Benefits plan, this webinar is for you. We will review the Portico bundle of benefits, the upcoming changes to the Portico ELCA-Primary health plan for 2026 and provide timely updates regarding annual enrollment. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/e2hmZf-GR9aSI-r84iCGuQ Once you register, you will receive a link to attend the meeting via ZOOM. FOR SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS: Monday, August 25 th , 6:30pm If you make decisions regarding benefit selections in your organization, this webinar is for you. We will review the upcoming changes to the Portico ELCA-Primary plan for 2026 and share other information that will be helpful as you prepare for annual enrollment. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NrmoghJuSRq9zrgyHlmY3w Once you register, you will receive a link to attend the meeting via ZOOM.   Both webinars will be led by our Region 8 Portico Regional Representative, Pastor Tara Lynn.

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly is taking place this coming week in Phoenix, Arizona. Please hold all participants in prayer, especially those discerning the call for Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA, those leading and working behind the scenes, and our Allegheny delegation as they travel, join in conversations, worship together, and make decisions on our behalf. You can follow the actions of the assembly by clicking on this link ELCA.org/cwa .

The United Way Annual Diaper Drive will be Friday, June 20, 4pm to 6pm in Cambria, Somerset, and Blair County. This Diaper Drive will help local families, and the Allegheny Synod has been asked to spread the word. Please note they will accept open packs of diapers. Please see the flyer below.

Recently, your congregation may have received a postcard from the Pennsylvania Department of State regarding a non-profit annual report filing. The Synod office has received several inquiries about this filing. After speaking with the Churchwide office, we learned that this is a new requirement this year in Pennsylvania (most other states have required something similar for decades).  The filing is free for churches and is due by June 30.  If your congregation has received a postcard regarding this, we recommend that you complete this filing.   If you would like more information, please click on the link: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/business/types-of-filings-and-registrations/annual-reports.html .

Remember that all people involved with congregations and ministries in the Allegheny Synod are welcome to attend our Spring Conference Gatherings. There will be information shared about things happening in the life of the Synod and with the Go Tell It IN the Mountains Initiative. You will have opportunity for discussion about the upcoming Synod Assembly and Bishop's election in the Fall. Most importantly, you can get to know other people from congregations in your conference and across the Synod. Most people choose to attend the gathering on their conference's territory, but you are welcome to attend whichever of the gatherings is most convenient for you. Wednesday, April 23: Bedford Conference at St. Peter's Osterburg Wednesday, April 30, Nittany Conference at Trinity Lutheran in State College (Dinner at 6:00pm) Thursday, May 1, Johnstown/Laurel Highlands, St David's, Davidsville Wednesday, May 7, Blair-Huntingdon, The Hollidaysburg Home Wednesday, May 21, Clearfield Conference, St. John's Clearfield

Behold, I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:19) Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA (LAMPa) is hosting Lutheran Day in the Capitol 2025 on Tuesday, May 13. Join us for a day of learning, inspiration, advocacy, and celebration! Registration is open through May 6 at 5 pm. More information is here:  https://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/about/ld25/

Go Tell It IN the Mountains is seeking input from all people in our Synod to help guide the initiative in coming years. We need your assistance getting the Faith Formation survey in front of the people in your community. Please saturate your people with information about and links for the survey. You will find lots of resources to help you share this survey here: https://gotellitinthemountains.org/share-the-survey/ . Please use all the communication tools used by your congregation (bulletin, email, social media, etc.) to get the word out. As you share the information and survey link within your congregation, please try to include those who are served by your congregation, as well. The survey closes May 5. The survey is here:  https://www.research.net/r/gtimvideos A print copy is available and can be sent to: Rev. John Kratz c/o Allegheny Synod 916 Hickory St. Hollidaysburg PA 16648

Blessed Easter! A greeting from Bishop Collins and the Allegheny Synod Office of the Bishop is available here for you to use in bulletins and other congregational communications throughout the Easter season. You can also view a video Easter greeting from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3J-gpYlhaM Christ is risen indeed!