ELCA CANDIDACY RESEARCH UPDATE You are invited to virtual hearings on the most recent ELCA Candidacy process update. For more information, click this link:https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=a9e5b549-cf08-4eca-8fc0-d16c51c75769&trid=a9e5b549-cf08-4eca-8fc0-d16c51c75769 LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CURVE Publicity and information about Lutheran Day at the Curve is below.. PUBLICITY FOR THE WELL FESTIVAL AT CAMP SEQUANOTA Visit this link: Well (sequanota.com) for posters, bulletin inserts and other registration information. SYNOD ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 24. SYNOD ASSEMBLY EVENTS Sunday, June 11, 4:00 pm: Synod-wide Pre-Assembly Worship First Lutheran Church (1401 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601) Reception will follow. All are invited to attend Tuesday, June 13, 6:00 pm: Bible Study #1 “Christ Unites Us” with Churchwide Representative Kristen Opalinski via Zoom All are invited to attend Thursday, June 15, 6:00 pm: Bible Study #2 “Christ Unites Us” with Churchwide Representative Kristen Opalinski via Zoom All are invited to attend Saturday, June 17, 8:30 am Allegheny Synod Assembly (in-person event) Blair County Convention Center (1 Convention Center Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602) FREE PULPITS Two free pulpits available. See attached pictures. Contact Pastor Marty Jo Stellabotte if interested (814-934-9941).

PUBLICITY FOR THE WELL FESTIVAL AT CAMP SEQUANOTA Visit this link: Well (sequanota.com) for posters, bulletin inserts and other registration information for the Well Festival at Camp Sequanota. YOUTH LEADERSHIP LAB With youth ministry becoming more challenging to execute, we need supports for congregations to give students space to grow in faith. Leadership Lab is one of those supports. This is a week-long camp grounded in faith formation and leadership skills. Students can start attending after their 9th grade year, and continue to attend all the way through adulthood. We have 4 distinct levels, lower high school, upper high school, crossroads (college age), life-long lab (23 and up) as well as a youth ministry training tract for lay leaders (adult lab). We are rooted in Lutheran Theology, have an open door policy, and have staff who have been Safe Gathering trained and background checked. We gather for celebration worship geared for youth, with current music, testimony, messages, hands on interactive tasks, and TED like talks. Students learn and grow with their small group of 10-15 for the week, with their small group guides. They are challenged through team building activities, small group lessons, and discipleship experiences. The mission of lab is for students to learn leadership skills while experiencing the love of Christ's community. Lab forces students to step away from the distractions of life and really live into God's love. They experience the equivalent of 20 weeks of Sunday morning worship, 28 weeks of weekly youth group, and 14 meals with caring friends and leaders. Our Theme this year is At the Table, we will be looking at the text of Mark 2:1-27 We are the sinners at the table. Who is at the table and who is not, with an emphasis on teaching about the different disciples around the table. Theme text : Mark 2:15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. If you have a student or an adult you would like to send, or you would like your own child to participate please register at Leadershiplab.net, you can reach out to Marissa Metevelis or Doug Dill both located in Grand Canyon Synod or email leadershiplabdirectors@gmail.com. Cost $275 for up to 2 people from a new church or $400, one free adult registration with 5 paying students. Grand canyon sponsorships are available please reach out to Jacqui Pagel. Location: Rock Island Illinois, travel into any Chicago Airport or the quad cities airport. Once Lab starts all meals and housing is covered. Dates July 23-16, 2023. LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION The Lutheran Men in Mission Newsletter can be found here: LMM 2023 Spring Ambassador Gram ECUMENICAL AND INTER-RELIGIOUS RELATIONS NEWS FROM THE ELCA Follow this link for the newsletter: https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=cf3e83b4-555b-48d8-abce-279cd0a4db64&trid=cf3e83b4-555b-48d8-abce-279cd0a4db64 WORLD REFUGEE ADVOCACY DAY Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) is hosting World Refugee Advocacy Day. More information can be found here: World Refugee Day 2023 | LIRS SAVE THE DATE: LUTHERAN DAY IN THE CAPITAL Lutheran Day in the Capitol and 45th anniversary celebration will be held May 9, 2024. Bishop Eaton will be present as we celebrate 45 years of advocacy. SYNOD ASSEMBLY EVENTS Sunday, June 11, 4:00 pm: Synod-wide Pre-Assembly Worship First Lutheran Church (1401 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601) Reception will follow. All are invited to attend Tuesday, June 13, 6:00 pm: Bible Study #1 “Christ Unites Us” with Churchwide Representative Kristen Opalinski via Zoom All are invited to attend Thursday, June 15, 6:00 pm: Bible Study #2 “Christ Unites Us” with Churchwide Representative Kristen Opalinski via Zoom All are invited to attend Saturday, June 17, 8:30 am Allegheny Synod Assembly (in-person event) Blair County Convention Center (1 Convention Center Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602)

MAY/JUNE LUTHERAN LETTER The May/June issue of The Lutheran Letter is below. . SYNOD ASSEMBLY REQUEST Voting members MUST register individually and use their own unique e-mail address for voting purposes. Each person needs their own registration so that credentials may be sent directly to them for voting. And, this is an IN-PERSON Synod Assembly. If you are a voting member, you will be expected to attend the Assembly in-person. There is no hybrid option for this event. SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS We will gather on the following dates for our annual Spring Conference Meetings. Please strongly encourage voting members to attend. The conference meeting is open to anyone in the conference. If your conference is conducting a Dean’s election, please encourage attendance. Synod Assembly information will be presented—including a possible amendment to the budget. All meetings will begin at 7:00 pm. except for Blair-Huntingdon will begin at 6:30 as noted below. Clearfield Conference: April 26, St. John, Clearfield Nittany Conference: May 2, St. John, Bellefonte Blair-Huntingdon Conference: May 3, Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg (6:30 pm) SYNOD YOUTH MISSION TRIP Register now for the Synod Youth Mission Trip to Luther Springs Camp in Sarasota FL. The trip is July 1-8 for ages 15-18 and will include continued clean up and rebuilding after Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Contact Pastor Drew McCaffery with questions at pastordrew0604@gmail.com. Adult supervision will be provided by trip organizers and Luther Springs staff, so please encourage youth to attend, even if your congregation does not have chaperones available. Lutheran Historical Society to Offer Free Advice on Record-keeping “Church Record Keeping through Transitions: What Should We Keep?” will be a major theme of the annual meeting of the Lutheran Historical Society of the MidAtlantic, on Sat., Sept. 9 at the Gettysburg campus of United Lutheran Seminary. Church historian Maria Erling and archivist Victoria Jesswein will help congregations and agencies decide what information and resources to preserve and how – an important topic as we seek to remember how we lasted through COVID. The day will also include an address by Matthew Borrasso, winner of the St. Paul, Biglerville Prize for his book on the work of biblical scholar and hymnist Martin Franzmann. Registration for the morning events is free and open to all, and lunch is available for $10. To register for the event and for more information, see 2023 Annual Meeting and Program – Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid Atlantic. Attention Lutheran History Buffs The Lutheran Historical Society of the MidAtlantic is seeking submissions for the Wentz Prizes in American Lutheran History, in four categories. This prize, named for Abdel Ross Wentz, will honor the best history paper on a topic related to Lutheranism in America. The prize is in the amount of $2,500 and can be awarded in four categories: seminarians; MA or PhD graduate students; those who have received seminary or graduate degrees; and amateur historians who don’t fit in the other categories. Deadline for submission of papers is September 30, 2023. More information is available at Abdel Ross Wentz Prize – Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid Atlantic COMMISSION FOR A RENEWED LUTHERAN CHURCH UPDATE The ELCA Church Council met on April 20 and discussed the appointments for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). The council appointed 35 voting members to the commission. There were 21 members selected from the synod nominees (2 of whom were appointed in the at-large category). The remaining 15 members (6 of whom were appointed in the at-large category) were selected from the open nomination process. Here is the Church Council action that was adopted: To appoint the following members to the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church: Mr. Roberto Lara Aranda, the Rev. Sean Avery, Ms. Felecia Boone, Mr. Michael J. Chan, the Rev. Tiffany Chaney, Mr. Don Corson, Mr. Antoine Cummins, Mr. Ralston Deffenbaugh, the Rev. Elizabeth Friedman, the Rev. Charlene Guiliani, the Rev. Gail Hagerty, Bishop Regina Hassanally (at-large), Mx. Ruth Ellen Howard, Ms. Thelma Pruitt Jacks, Mr. Ryan Johnson (at-large), Ms. Stacy D. Kitahata, the Rev. Kristin Johnston Largen, Mr. David M. Lenz (at-large), Ms. Alexandra Mack, Mr. Thomas Madden (at-large), Ms. Susan Wilds McArver, Ms. Candy McCorkle, Mr. Evan Moilan (at-large), Ms. Sarah E. Morris, Ms. Laurel Muhly-Alexander, Mr. Anthony Ormsbee-Hale, Bishop Matthew Riegel (at-large), Mr. Leon Schwartz, Deacon Dallas Shealy (at-large), the Rev. Adam Sornchai, Ms. Melody Stachour, Ms. Cheryl Stuart, Ms. Loni Taylor (at-large), Ms. Linda M. Timmons, and the Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson; and To authorize the Executive Committee to appoint members as necessary if a vacancy occurs. Please hold the commission’s work in your prayers as they seek to live into the ministry and mission God is calling for the ELCA. ELCA Worship News can be found here: https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=4f8a6d9e-4e90-40d6-9e56-01e8ce6690cf&trid=4f8a6d9e-4e90-40d6-9e56-01e8ce6690cf

Below is an Easter message from the Office of the Bishop. You may duplicate it in your bulletins or newsletter.

Please click the link below to view the Spring Edition of the Allegheny Synod Women's Organization newsletter.

Upcoming Stewardship Webinar: Abundance over Scarcity What does it mean to believe and trust that God has given you and your community all you need to fulfill your mission? How can we focus on the abundance around us rather than react to the fear of scarcity? On May 15 the ELCA and the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving will host a webinar to help leaders talk openly, honestly and inspirationally about stewardship and generosity through the lens of God’s abundance, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Carlos Perkins and the Rev. Tim Brown. Mark your calendar: Being Equipped to Talk About Stewardship Monday, May 15, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern time Zoom Link Meeting ID: 835 7971 8246 Password: 000320 One tap mobile: +13017158592,83579718246# US (Washington DC) Stewardship Conference: “Stewardship Kaleidoscope — Minneapolis” In partnership with the Presbyterian Foundation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the ELCA Stewardship and Generosity team is proud to present “Stewardship Kaleidoscope — Minneapolis,” a three-day conference digging deeply into stewardship and generosity, with workshops and plenaries that will highlight diverse and authoritative voices from across the PCUSA, the ELCA and partner-church bodies. “Stewardship Kaleidoscope — Minneapolis” offers real tools for real ministry and is perfect for both rostered and lay leaders. The conference organizers hope to ignite generosity, provide practical tools for cultivating congregational generosity, expand the leadership capacity of stewardship leaders, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission throughout the world. Limited partial scholarships are available; contact the Rev. Tim Brown at Tim.Brown@elca.org. For information and registration go to Annual Conference — Stewardship Kaleidoscope ALSM ANNOUNCEMENT If you have not yet received in the mail the announcement from ALSM, it is below. SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS We will gather on the following dates for our annual Spring Conference Meetings. Please strongly encourage voting members to attend. The conference meeting is open to anyone in the conference. If your conference is conducting a Dean’s election, please encourage attendance. Synod Assembly information will be presented—including an amendment to the budget and constitution. Meetings will begin at 7:00 pm. Bedford Conference: April 25, St. Peter’s, Osterburg Blair-Huntingdon Conference: May 3, Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg Clearfield Conference: April 26, St. John, Clearfield Johnstown Conference: April 19, Mt. Calvary, Johnstown Laurel Highlands Conference: April 24, Friedens, Friedens Nittany Conference: May 2, St. John, Bellefonte Comment on Fair Housing Rule by April 10 In February, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took new steps toward addressing patterns of segregation and expanding fair access to housing by proposing a change in policy through a proposed rule. The “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH) proposal is currently available to be commented on through April 10 by the public as it makes its way through the federal rulemaking process. The proposal would create more accurate maps of existing segregation in our communities and facilitate local plans to help proactively lower housing discrimination in our communities. Unlike most ELCA Action Alerts, you must use the federalregister.gov page to submit your public comment. Submit your public comment here in support of this housing rule! Instructions for writing a public comment: We suggest you read more about the rule, reference the talking points below, as well as reflect on your own ministry, spiritual grounding and/or experience related to how unfair access to housing and discriminatory practices in homeownership impacts your community. While your comment doesn’t need to be very long—it does need to be in your own words. Deadline: Submit your comment no later than April 10. HUD is required to review and respond to comments and take them into consideration in finalizing the rule. If you choose to upload a PDF in the comment portal, please include the docket number "[Docket No. FR–6250–P–0]” in the text of your document. Please note: your comment is entered into the public record. Take Action Now General Talking Points · Possible opening: As an active member of [your local congregation, city], I am writing in support of this proposed rule. People of faith hold profound concern over discriminatory barriers to housing and have long held accounting for diversity is beneficial for the wellbeing of our communities. · The ELCA social statement Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture boldly states that the church should be mindful of how economic forces have worked against marginalized communities and pursue justice on matters of fair housing. As it affirms, “this church will support legislation, ordinances, and resolutions that guarantee to all persons equally… the right to rent, buy, and occupy housing in any place” (p. 7). Therefore, we are committed to public policy advocacy that seeks to eliminate housing discrimination in all its forms. · During the Civil Rights era in the 1960’s, Lutherans were active in addressing segregation in our communities, including by advocating against segregation laws and by empowering families seeking mortgages and home ownership in their communities with financial support. · Access to safe and affordable housing is a vital need for the wellbeing of the whole human person. Housing impacts many aspects of our lives, including hunger and nutrition, health, education, employment and more. More About the Proposed Rule: The proposed rule would enforce a long neglected provision of the Fair Housing Act that requires the federal government to affirmatively further fair housing. The current text of the rule would help HUD build a better map of areas where segregation is still a prevalent issue in the United States. HUD would also set up a system for major recipients of federal housing funding to set up their own plans to address fair housing inequalities—plans which often include strategies like consultation with local faith leaders and other community stakeholders. ELCA WORSHIP NEWS:https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=0d29bf40-280f-4f72-8051-a9e537ab472b&trid=0d29bf40-280f-4f72-8051-a9e537ab472b WARTBURG SEMINARY CONSIDER YOUR CALL WEEKEND If you know anyone who is discerning a call to rostered ministry, share this link with them: Considering Your Call Weekend - 3/24/23 - 3/26/23 - Wartburg Seminary ELCA DISABILITIES MINISTRY UPDATES: https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=fe18eddd-929a-4b0c-96e7-79b29758bda6&trid=fe18eddd-929a-4b0c-96e7-79b29758bda6 SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES Deadlines for Synod Assembly 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. SYNOD YOUTH MISSION TRIP Registration is open for the Youth Mission Trip in July for youth aged 14-18. Contact Pastor Drew McCaffery with questions at pastordrew0604@gmail.com. Adult supervision will be provided by trip organizers and Luther Springs staff, so please encourage youth to attend, even if your congregation does not have chaperones available. Registration Form is in last week's news. LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CAPITOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN Lutheran Day at the Capitol is April 27 Registration is now open. Here is the link.

ELCA FOUNDATION RESOURCES New resources from The ELCA Foundation are contained the PDF below. Note that some of their trainings include continuing ed hours. SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES Deadlines for Synod Assembly 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. SYNOD YOUTH MISSION TRIP Register now for the Synod Youth Mission Trip to Luther Springs Camp in Sarasota FL. The trip is July 1-8 for ages 14-18 and will include continued clean up and rebuilding after Hurricane Ian in September 2022. A registration form is below. Contact Pastor Drew McCaffery with questions at pastordrew0604@gmail.com. Adult supervision will be provided by trip organizers and Luther Springs staff, so please encourage youth to attend, even if your congregation does not have chaperones available. SYNOD ASSEMBLY NOMINATIONS Attached to this message is the Synod Assembly Nomination Form for Synod Council and other committees. If you or someone you know has the gifts to serve in this way, please complete the form and return it by April 24. Also attached is a bulletin insert for your use. LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CAPITOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN Lutheran Day at the Capitol is April 27 Registration is now open. Here is the link. LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CAPITOL PUBLICITY REQUEST FROM LAMPa: 1. If you are a rostered leader or congregational leader, please share the graphic below in any communications -- such as a FaceBook page. 2. Please consider sharing the post on LAMPa's FB page to your personal, congregational or other related ministry page. 3. Create a blurb to run in your own congregation's newsletter with an invitation to join you. Or make a poster to encourage sign-ups! 4. Invite friends. There's a discount rate for people coming as part of a team of three or more from a congregation. People don't have to register together to get the rate. If they list their congregation and city as prompted during the registration, we will figure it out on this end. 5. There are a limited number of scholarships available for folks who might wish to come but for whom the cost is prohibitive, especially for those who may know hunger or housing insecurity (topics of our legislative visits) from lived experience. If you have someone who needs a scholarship, contact LAMPa for a registration code. 6. If you know someone who may wish to offer such a scholarship, they can donate directly to LAMPa and mark it as a scholarship. (There is a donation option during registration.) 7. CONTINUING ED units are available for Rostered Ministers attending the event. SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS We will gather on the following dates for our annual Spring Conference Meetings. Please strongly encourage voting members to attend. The conference meeting is open to anyone in the conference. If your conference is conducting a Dean’s election, please encourage attendance. Synod Assembly information will be presented—including an amendment to the budget. Meetings will begin at 7:00 pm. Bedford Conference: April 25, St. Peter’s, Osterburg Blair-Huntingdon Conference: May 3, Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg Clearfield Conference: April 26, St. John, Clearfield Johnstown Conference: April 19, Mt. Calvary, Johnstown Laurel Highlands Conference: April 24, Friedens, Friedens Nittany Conference: May 2, Location TBD

Register now for the Synod Youth Mission Trip to Luther Springs Camp in Sarasota FL. The trip is July 1-8 for ages 15-18 and will include continued clean up and rebuilding after Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Below please find the flyer as well as a link to the registration form. Adult supervision will be provided by trip organizers and Luther Springs staff, so please encourage youth to attend, even if your congregation does not have chaperones available. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Drew McCaffery 814-538-9036 or pastordrew0604@gmail.com.

LIRS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR FRESH CHANGE PROGRAM In partnership with Border Servant Corps, the LIRS network welcomes them with dignity, offering a place to stay, a warm meal, and, with your help, a fresh change of clothes. The new Fresh Change program offers an opportunity to welcome immigrants with a bag of new clothing. Using our toolkit, volunteers can pack as many bags as they’d like and send them to our neighbors at the border. You can even host a Fresh Change packing party! CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY Why we should care about Luther – Martin Luther on the Holy Spirit and the Christian Life. This is a free, online, spiritual enrichment opportunity open to pastors, followers, and parishioners alike. Dr. Candace Kholi will lead this dynamic course over 4 Sundays, beginning on February 26, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm CST or you can join a facilitated session using Sunday’s recording, beginning on Wednesday, March 1, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm CST. Explore Luther’s ideas, legacy, and learn why Luther’s cool for multiple reasons. His ideas are totally revolutionary, and they literally changed the world. Coming away from this experience we hope you will see how your ideas can be revolutionary. For more information about the LSTC Learning Community, subscriptions, and our formation programs, please click here. SYNOD ASSEMBLY INFORMATION The 35th Assembly of the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held in person Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:30am to 5pm at the Blair County Convention Center. The theme is Christ Unites Us. Registration is open. The information packet sent via e-mail to all leaders and congregations contains important instructions for the online registration process and payment as well as other important deadlines and details regarding the Assembly. The packet may also be found on the Synod’s web page by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact the office 814-942-1042. REGISTRATION LINK: https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?id=snE/1xTOwuzoJBcYq7iX6g==&site=141249&ReturnUrl=events%2fwz_people.aspx&ChurchID=7232&EventID=224605&sn=141249 SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES Deadlines for Synod Assembly 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. SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS We will gather on the following dates for our annual Spring Conference Meetings. Please strongly encourage voting members to attend. The conference meeting is open to anyone in the conference. If your conference is conducting a Dean’s election, please encourage attendance. Synod Assembly information will be presented—including an amendment to the budget. Meetings will begin at 7:00 pm. Bedford Conference: April 25, St. Peter’s, Osterburg Blair-Huntingdon Conference: May 3, Location TBD Clearfield Conference: April 26, St. John, Clearfield Johnstown Conference: April 19, Mt. Calvary, Johnstown Laurel Highlands Conference: April 24, Friedens, Friedens Nittany Conference: May 2, Location TBD

Below is the link to the Bishop's Ash Wednesday video message. https://youtu.be/GXS4J-SBE2c

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION BY LAY PEOPLE There have been questions and concerns surrounding the distribution of communion by lay people. Below is a letter that will be sent to lay worship leaders and congregations. This simply outlines a procedure. Our hope is to continue clarifying the procedure and try to support congregations without called ministers in their desire to receive the Sacrament. If you are asked to provide an Extended Table, please do not consecrate whole boxes of wafers and gallons of wine. One or two weeks’ worth is the limit. CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY Why we should care about Luther – Martin Luther on the Holy Spirit and the Christian Life. This is a free, online, spiritual enrichment opportunity open to pastors, followers, and parishioners alike. Dr. Candace Kholi will lead this dynamic course over 4 Sundays, beginning on February 26, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm CST or you can join a facilitated session using Sunday’s recording, beginning on Wednesday, March 1, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm CST. Explore Luther’s ideas, legacy, and learn why Luther’s cool for multiple reasons. His ideas are totally revolutionary, and they literally changed the world. Coming away from this experience we hope you will see how your ideas can be revolutionary. For more information about the LSTC Learning Community, subscriptions, and our formation programs, please click here. ICON WRITING WORKSHOP Noted iconography Mary Kay Laplante is holding an icon writing workshop at Grace March 5-10. The class is limited to 10 participants. You will end up with a beautiful icon of John the Baptist. Flyer with more information is below. Poetry Showcase March 17 in the evening Grace, State College will host a Poetry Showcase and Open Mic night with Gretchen Rockwell. Time and other information will be available soon. Contact Pastor Carolyn Hetrick for more information. ORGAN AND PIANO MUSIC FOR SALE A variety of music for organ and piano is being offered for sale by Brenda Gregory. If interested, call 814-215-6108.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY INFORMATION The 35th Assembly of the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held in person Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:30am to 5pm at the Blair County Convention Center. The theme is Christ Unites Us. We ask that you please thoroughly read the attached Synod Assembly Information and Registration material prior to using the online registration link below. The packet contains important instructions for the online registration process and payment as well as other important deadlines and details regarding the Assembly. The attached documents may also be found on the Synod’s web page by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact the office 814-942-1042. Please share the nomination form with your members. REGISTRATION LINK (ONLY VOTING MEMBERS NEED TO REGISTER): https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?id=snE/1xTOwuzoJBcYq7iX6g==&site=141249&ReturnUrl=events%2fwz_people.aspx&ChurchID=7232&EventID=224605&sn=141249 SYNOD ASSEMBLY DEADLINES Deadlines for Synod Assembly 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. SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS We will gather on the following dates for our annual Spring Conference Meetings. Please strongly encourage voting members to attend. The conference meeting is open to anyone in the conference. If your conference is conducting a Dean’s election, please encourage attendance. Synod Assembly information will be presented—including an amendment to the budget. Bedford Conference: April 25, St. Peter’s, Osterburg Blair-Huntingdon Conference: May 3, Location TBD Clearfield Conference: April 26, St. John, Clearfield Johnstown Conference: TBD Laurel Highlands Conference: April 24, Friedens, Friedens Nittany Conference: May 2, Location TBD IN MEMORIAM Retired Synodically Authorized Minister Richard Steuernagle died on Friday, February 3. He had served as Synod Vice President, Assistant to the Bishop, and Synodically Authorized Minister in our Synod. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday, February 9 at 11:00 am at Baronick Funeral Home in DuBois. Please keep his family in your prayers. ELCA GLOBAL LINKS The ELCA Global Links newsletter can be found here: https://community.elca.org/emailviewonwebpage.aspx?erid=c82925a4-231c-41a5-a311-10e20043280b&trid=c82925a4-231c-41a5-a311-10e20043280b EDUCATIONAL EVENT FROM LSTC The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) is hosting an upcoming faith-based learning series called Why we should care about Luther – Martin Luther on the Holy Spirit and the Christian Life. We would very much like you to join us; this is a free spiritual enrichment opportunity you don't want to miss. This series is directed by esteemed Luther scholar and LSTC faculty member Dr. Candace Kohli. Together via Zoom, parishioners from Lutheran churches nationwide will deeply investigate what it means to call ourselves Lutherans and find out more about how Luther’s ideas changed the world. This dynamic course will be held over 4 Sundays, beginning February 26, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm or you can join a facilitated session using Sunday’s recording on Wednesdays, beginning March 1 on from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. We hope you will take this opportunity to explore Luther’s ideas as they translate to our contemporary world and maybe even meet some like-minded people! While participation in these events is of no cost to participants, there is an opportunity to become a subscriber to LSTC's Learning Communities. For more information about the LSTC Learning Community, subscriptions, and our formation programs, please click here. JESUS AND JUSTICE IN PUBLIC A study guide from the Wisconsin Council of Churches: Jesus & Justice in Public – Wisconsin Council of Churches (wichurches.org)