Congregation News Week of February 21
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:
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