Updates for Congregations
LETTER ENCOURAGING CEASE FIRE IN GAZA
This past week, the ELCA Conference of Bishops issued a statement calling for a bilateral cease-fire in Gaza. The statement is below. I encourage you to send a letter to your Congressional Representatives, asking them to embrace this statement and exert their influence by calling for a cease-fire. I encourage you to take a moment and communicate your own thoughts to your representatives as well as President Biden. You may include the Conference of Bishops statement or craft your own. Regardless of one's political position, I am hopeful that one thing we can agree on is an end to violence. I ask for your help. Let us together articulate a voice of peace in this matter. You can find your representatives at this link: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
LUTHERAN DAY IN THE CAPITOL 2024
Registration is open for Lutheran Day in the Capitol on May 9, 2024. You may register at this link: https://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/about/lutheran-day-2024/
GO TELL IT IN THE MOUNTAINS INITIATIVE
The Steering Committee of the Go Tell It IN The Mountains Initiative has released the job description for the search for a Director of the initiative. You can find the job description here along with a link to the complete proposal. If you or someone you know is a good fit for this position, please share the description and follow the “how to apply” instructions in the document.
RENEWAL OF VOWS SERVICE
A Renewal of Vows service of worship will be held on March 19 at 10:30 am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Altoona. A light meal will be provided following worship. We will bless oil for your use. If you would like oil, please bring your own container. Pastors and Deacons, both active and retired, and seminarians are invited to participate.
NATIONAL QUILTING DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, March 16, 10-11:30 am at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Karthus. Quilts on display, a quilt in progress and light refreshments as quilters are honored and celebrated for their efforts to bring comfort and aid to global neighbors.
SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS
Please encourage anyone in your congregation to be present for the Spring conference meetings. There will be a presentation on the upcoming social statement on civic life and engagement as well as information about our upcoming Synod Assembly and in some conferences, a Deans election. Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings, voting members to Synod Assembly are especially encouraged to come.
April 8: Bedford Conference. 6:30 pm at St. Peter’s, Osterburg
April 10: Clearfield Conference. 6:30 pm. First, Phillipsburg.
April 16: Johnstown AND Laurel Highlands Conferences. 6:30 pm at St. David’s in Davidsville
April 17: Blair-Huntingdon Conference. 6:00 pm at The Lutheran Home in Hollidaysburg
April 22: Nittany Conference. 7:00 pm. St. Mark, Pleasant Gap
LAY WORSHIP LEADER AUTHORIZATION SERVICE
We will gather to celebrate the authorization of four new lay worship leaders in our Synod on Sunday, April 7 at 3:00 pm. Location to be determined. You are invited to attend and support these new leaders among us.
FREE ETCHED STEMWARE
Etched stemware is still available for pick up at the Allegheny Synod office. The items are FREE.