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!

All are invited to participate in a book study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Zoom each Tuesday during Lent at 7:00 pm. The study will be led by Pr. Nathan Pile and Pr. Kevin Shock. Details on the study, including the Participant Guide and Zoom link, are available at the top of this page: https://sequanota.com/events/descriptions/

LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS TRAINING Have you ever thought about supporting the ministry of your congregation by taking Communion to people who cannot make it to worship? Lay Eucharistic Visitation has been an important part of the ministry of Christ's Church throughout history. All people in the Allegheny Synod who have an interest in this ministry are invited to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 E. Penn St., Martinsburg PA on Saturday, March 1, at 9:00 am for a special training session. We will discuss what Lutherans believe about Communion, as well as the logistics for taking Communion elements after worship and providing a short liturgy for the people you visit. Each participant will leave with a basic kit to carry your elements and a short service to use during your visit. Continental breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to Pastor Kevin Shock, Assistant to the Bishop, at kevin.shock@alleghenysynod.com  by February 25. A $5 donation is suggested to defray the cost of the home Communion kits. FREE COMMUNION WARE Geeseytown Lutheran has four silver Communion trays with glass Communion cups are available to any congregation that could use them. Please contact Pr. MJ Irvin-Stellabotte at 814-934-9941 or pastormartyjo@gmail.com . CHURCH SECRETARY JOB OPENING Zion Boalsburg is seeking a person to serve as a part-time Church Secretary/Administrative Assistant. Please see the attached document for more information. CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS FOR CONGREGATIONS In light of an ELCA congregation in Seattle recently experiencing public disruption during worship, Churchwide has provided a guide in how to manage communications in a time of crisis. HOPE IN A DIVIDED WORLD Join us for a weekend with Dr.  Lori Brandt Hale, president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section AND Amanda Tyler of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Discover how people of faith can authentically and humbly act at the intersection of civic life and faith, in contrast and response to the forces of Christian Nationalism, using the legacy and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a guide. We are grateful to partner with  United Lutheran Seminary’s Kindling Faith  to offer this event.  Friday, March 7, 6:00pm – Authors’ Reception and Dinner  – $75 Meet Dr. Lori Brandt Hale, president of the  International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section , and Amanda Tyler, lead organizer of  Christians Against Christian Nationalism  and executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. A reception at the Seminary Ridge Museum will allow visitors to talk with both authors and tour the museum that was used as a hospital for wounded from both sides at the Battle of Gettysburg. Tickets include an opportunity for attendees to visit the building’s historic cupola!  The dinner will feature a brief talk on the unfinished work of Reconstruction by the Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood, dean and vice president of student affairs at United Lutheran Seminary. Saturday, March 8, Chapel of the Abiding Presence  – Public Lectures and Panel Discussion  – $35; Optional Boxed Lunch – $20;  Livestream – $20 Registration is open now!  Register for Friday Reception Register for Saturday Lectures and Panel Discussion Register for Saturday Livestream SEQUANOTA TEND FESTIVAL BULLETIN INSERT Please use the attached inserts to promote the Tend Festival in your congregation. This year’s Tend Festival with gather at Sequanota June 29-22, 2025. SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY: HOW YOUR CHURCH CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION A one-hour free webinar will be presented by the Center of Addiction & Faith on February 26, 12-1pm CST. Guest presenter is Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, from the ATTC Network, a multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services fields. He will present church-based initiatives which have been effective in addressing substance use challenges, and share multiple ways churches can support recovery for individuals, families and communities impacted by addiction. Webinar host is the Rev. George A. Wood. The link to register is  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L67QnN2LSe-IumxdSlkRlg LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION AMBASSADOR-GRAM Find the latest news from LMM here: https://www.lutheranmeninmission.org/contact/synod-leaders-ambassadors/ PACIFIC LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DISCERNMENT WEEKEND Are you wondering if seminary might be right for you? Consider joining Signs Along the Way at PLTS in Berkeley, California to connect with others in discernment, get to know PLTS faculty, and explore what it’s like to be an online student in the MDiv, MA in Spirituality and Social Change, or Lutheran Year programs. PLTS is transitioning to only offer online study with in-person intensives, so this weekend is designed for those interested in online learning. PLTS covers lodging and meals during the event and can offer some travel assistance for those who need it. Visit plts.edu/signs  to learn more.

Have you ever thought about supporting the ministry of your congregation by taking Communion to people who cannot make it to worship? Lay Eucharistic Visitation has been an important part of the ministry of Christ's Church throughout history. All people in the Allegheny Synod who have an interest in this ministry are invited to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 E. Penn St., Martinsburg PA on Saturday, March 1, at 9:00 am for a special training session. We will discuss what Lutherans believe about Communion, as well as the logistics for taking Communion elements after worship and providing a short liturgy for the people you visit. Each participant will leave with a basic kit to carry your elements and a short service to use during your visit. Continental breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to Pastor Kevin Shock, Assistant to the Bishop, at kevin.shock@alleghenysynod.com by February 25. A $5 donation is suggested to defray the cost of the home Communion kits.

Please read the attached letter addressing recent news on the Department of Government Efficiency and Lutheran Services in America ministries.

Below please find the link to the online registration form for the January 21 – 23, 2025 Rostered Leader Gathering at Sequanota. Please note the registration deadline is Friday, January 10, 2025. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0-ANJbrJF5zIhndsfTsB9Y-vWE0oigPD2TRUPA-6zOzZuwg/viewform?usp=sharing Please contact the Synod office (814-942-1042 or office@alleghenysynod.com ) if y ou have any questions.