Congregation Information Week of January 30
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.