Congregation News and Updates

SOCIAL STATEMENT ON CIVIC LIFE AND FAITH HEARINGThe ELCA is developing a social statement on civic life and faith, the relationship of church and state, and related matters, as called for by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Social statements are developed by task forces, using an established process of study and widespread participation across the church to guide theological and moral deliberation.

At this time the task force encourages you to study and give feedback on a draft version of the social statement. You can participate by filling out a survey, found here, or by participating in a hearing ON Friday, June 14 at 5:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Hollidaysburg. Hearings are public gatherings where participants share their specific affirmations or concerns about a draft statement. The feedback period will be open until Sept. 30, 2024. To download a copy of the draft social statement, click here. We are unable to offer printed versions at this time.

GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day.

This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.

If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Synod Worship will be held on Friday, June 14 at 6:00 pm at Zion, Hollidaysburg. Synod Assembly will be held Saturday, June 15 at the Blair County Convention Center. Registration opens at 7:30 am. As a reminder, you will need to physically sign in at the registration desk to be able to vote using our VPoll app. YOU MUST HAVE PRE-REGISTERED. THERE IS NO ONSIGHT REGISTRATION. More information with credentials will be sent via e-mail. Voting members are asked to be seated in the plenary hall at the Convention Center at 8:30 am so we can begin on time. We have a full day of reports planned and hope to end our day by 4:30 pm. All the information we currently have for Synod Assembly can be found in the Synod Assembly tab on the Allegheny Synod website. Nominations are still open. We can receive Nominations on the day of the Assembly, but a nomination form will not appear in the Bulletin. The form will be available at the registration desk. If you have questions, contact the Allegheny Synod Office.

ONLINE DISCERNMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Do you feel like God might be calling you to public ministry as a deacon or pastor in the ELCA? Would you like some support on your discernment journey?

Sign up for a free, online discernment group! You will join 2 or 3 others for 3 or 4 sessions, led by an ELCA rostered minister (pastor or deacon). Topics covered include grounding in the God who calls all people, your particular gifts and passions, and an exploration of what the candidacy process to become a rostered leader in the ELCA looks like.

To sign up for an online discernment click here: https://elcaseminaries.org/contact/

To explore Journi.Faith click here: https://www.journi.faith

Questions? Email Pastor Jordan Miller-Stubbendick at Jordan.Miller-Stubbendick@elca.org

ELCA FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

The ELCA Foundation newsletter, Insights, can be found here. 

UPCOMING ORDINATION Allen Stump will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, June 2 at 4:30 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 6567 Glades Pike, Somerset. You are invited to attend. Clergy may vest and process. The color of the day will be red. Refreshments will be offered following worship in the social hall.

PIANIST NEEDED

Mt. Olivet in Altoona is seeking a pianist for one service each Sunday at 9:15 am. For more information, contact Darlene Shaffer at 814-943-2092.

LAY WORSHIP LEADER TRAINING CONTINUES

The Worship class for Lay Worship Leader training begins soon. A registration form and information form can be found here: https://www.alleghenysynod.org/ignite

LEAD presents Good Soil Online Summer Seminar on Thursday, June 13th! This is a great online learning event for deacons, pastors, and all leaders within your faith community. Topics/speakers: Leading with Love (Rozella Haydee White), Teamwork Works (Pastor Brad Otto), Know Your Neighbors (Deacon Jessica Noonan), Communication Clarity (Deacon Peggy Hahn). Cost is $45 per seminar for 150 minutes of learning! Share the flyer and promo video with your friends on this page. Questions, contact LEAD at LEAD@leadconnects.org 

LAMPA ANNOUNCES GRANT AND FELLOWSHIP

LAMPa is honored to announce it has received one of the inaugural awards for the Jackie Maddox Racial Justice Grant from ELCA Witness in Society. This grant is for a three-year project entitled "Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship: Empowering Lutheran Youth in Pennsylvania for Racial Reconciliation."

Building on the prophet Isaiah’s vision of those who “will be called repairer of the breach, restorer of the streets to live in,” this fellowship empowers recipients to address racial injustice and enact reconciliation at the grassroots level. Up to 3 fellowships will be awarded each year.

Each recipient is paired with a clergyperson of color to serve as mentor to bring the project to fruition. Monthly check-ins with mentors and LAMPa staff, and participation in antiracism training are required parts of the fellowship.  Fellows will present on their project and fellowship experience at Lutheran Day 2025 (date TBD).  Fellows who successfully complete their projects will then receive $1,000 for college tuition or continuing education.  With this fellowship, LAMPa hopes to encourage and empower young people in the Church to further lead us all in the way of antiracism and reconciliation, building up the beloved community with our voices and our actions.

Application Requirements:

Youth and young adults (under 25) in Pennsylvania are welcome to apply with a proposed project to further racial justice and reconciliation in their local communities. All projects must include an advocacy component around one of LAMPa’s issue priorities (e.g. hunger and poverty, housing, creation care, human rights) as well as engagement with LAMPa and ELCA Witness in Society. A letter of recommendation from an ELCA rostered minister (pastor or deacon) committed to supporting the applicant in their project is required.  Find out more and apply here.