"God’s work. Our hands.” (GWOH) 2026 Invite

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry

Through our acts of service, we bear witness to the love and concern God’s people have for one another. Our congregations do this every day, accompanying their neighbors and addressing community needs. We are connected through this shared work. These ministries belong to all of us in the ELCA.

The Rev. Yehiel Curry

Presiding Bishop

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

ALIVE Registration Open Now!

Our MC for Alive 2026, Elena Erdley, is here to encourage you to sign up for Alive today!

Alive, our synod’s annual retreat for middle-school youth and advisors is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026 at Camp Nawakwa. This event brings together youth and adult leaders from over 30 congregations for a weekend of faith formation, fun, fellowship and inspired worship, all in the beauty of an early fall weekend at camp!

This year’s theme, "Rhythm," will explore the rhythm of God in our world and how we can tap into that rhythm and incorporate those rhythms into our daily lives. Youth entering grades 6-8 this fall and their advisors are invited to attend. Registration is now open, and more information, including promotional materials, is available on our synod website.

Learn More & Register.

Back to School, Back to Ministry

Is Your Congregation Ready to Keep Children Safe?

Backpacks are packed. School buses are back on the road. Calendars are filling again. And in many of our congregations, fall also means the return of Sunday school, confirmation, youth group, children’s choirs, after-school programs, retreats, and other ministries that bring children and caring adults together. As we prepare lesson plans, recruit volunteers, organize classrooms, and fill the church calendar, there is another essential piece of preparation: making sure our ministries are safe places for every child and young person entrusted to our care.


If your congregation already has a child protection policy, now is a good time to review it, make sure your practices reflect it, and ensure that staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities. If your congregation does not have a written child protection policy, we strongly encourage you to make developing and implementing one a priority.


Creating safe spaces for children and youth is part of the sacred trust placed in us by children, families, and the communities we serve and congregations do not have to do this work alone. We have resources available to help congregations develop, review, and strengthen their child protection policies and practices.

Learn More.

We're Calling an Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission

Applications Open Now

The Lower Susquehanna Synod is seeking to call an Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Vitality & Collaboration and Director for Evangelical Mission to join our synod staff. This leader will work alongside congregations, rostered ministers, lay leaders, and ministry partners to strengthen congregational vitality, encourage collaboration, and imagine new possibilities for sharing the Gospel in our communities. The role will help congregations explore partnerships and new approaches to ministry, identify and equip leaders, develop new mission opportunities, and deepen connections across our synod and the wider church. We are seeking someone grounded in faith in Jesus Christ who brings a collaborative spirit, a heart for congregations and their communities, and a willingness to help the church faithfully respond to a changing ministry landscape. Please note that applications are being accepted through October 9, 2026. We are working with the ELCA to extend the date currently listed on their webpage as September 4.

Learn More & Apply.

Meet Communications Intern Alma Gimbel

We are excited to share that this fall, Susquehanna University creative writing communications intern, Alma Gimbel, will be contributing stories across the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Focusing on creative nonfiction techniques, she hopes to make the efforts of these congregations come to life on the page and inspire churches to continue doing God’s work. Alma is a member at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg. Please keep her in your prayers!

Facilitating Conversations on the ELCA’s Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Reconsideration Process

Recorded on Thursday, August 13, 2026

As congregations across our synod engage the ELCA’s ongoing reconsideration of portions of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, on August 13, 2026, we recorded a session on facilitating conversation on the social statement. This session is designed for those who may be facilitating the ELCA's study in their congregation or local ministry setting, led by Father Wicky Barnes, pastor of Shells Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grantville and a member of the ELCA's Human Sexuality Social Statement Reconsideration Task Force. Drawing on his experience as a member of the task force, he provides background on the current reconsideration process and offer helpful insights for facilitating local conversations.

The ELCA is requesting all leaders and participants who engage in these discussions to complete the online survey by September 30. Learn more about the reconsideration process and access the study materials at the ELCA's Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust reconsideration webpage here.

Reconsideration of ELCA Homelessness Social Message

Your input needed!

In 1990, the ELCA Church Council adopted the social message “Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment.” You can read this official 1990 social message under "Learn More." below. Since that time, much has changed in our experience and understanding of homelessness and housing insecurity in the United States.

Aware of these many changes, the ELCA Church Council has authorized a substantive reconsideration of two sections of the “Homelessness” social message, “with attention to contemporary and systemic issues affecting housing in the United States and impacting individuals experiencing homelessness.” The two sections are “Remembering the Reality” (pages 1-2) and “Walking with People Who Are Homeless” (pages 2-3).

Reconsideration of a social message is a formal process in which the whole church is invited to participate. While this reconsideration for revision may lead to substantive changes, there is no pre-determined outcome for the process.

A draft version of the reconsidered social message is now available for public comment. A survey is open now through November 30, 2026.

Learn More.

Upcoming Synod Events

Make sure to mark your calendars and learn more about these upcoming Lower Susquehanna Synod events!

• August 31 - Your Church’s Digital Front Door Zoom Workshop
• September 13 - "God's work. Our hands." Sunday 2026
• September 14 - 16 - Bishop's Convocation Retreat at ULS Gettysburg
• September 23 - Creating Practical Council Leadership Guides Zoom Gathering
• September 26 - Listening for God’s Invitation Discernment Retreat
• November 11 - LARC Day of Dialogue

2027 Portico Benefit Rates and Resources

As congregations begin looking ahead to 2027 and preparing budgets for the coming year, we want to make sure our rostered ministers and congregation leaders are aware that Portico Benefit Services has now released its 2027 benefit rates and plan information. We encourage you to take some time to review the information and resources available through myPortico. In addition to details about 2027 health plan rates, benefit options, and out-of-pocket costs, Portico has provided helpful videos explaining the changing health care landscape and the factors influencing costs for the coming year. For congregations working on their 2027 budgets, Portico’s Benefit Cost Estimator is now available to help estimate benefit contribution costs for the coming year. We know that changes in health care costs affect both our rostered ministers and the congregations they serve, and we encourage you to review these resources as you begin planning for 2027.

We are also pleased to share that Pastor Tara Lynn, our Portico Regional Representative, will be with us at the Bishop’s Convocation, September 14–16, at United Lutheran Seminary’s Gettysburg Campus. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for rostered ministers to connect with her, ask questions, and learn more about the benefits and resources available through Portico.

Below, you’ll find additional information directly from Portico about the 2027 changes and resources available to you.

From Portico Benefit Services

2027 Benefit Costs Are Here: Review Now to Make Informed Choices This Fall

Health plan rates, benefit option details, and out-of-pocket limits for next year are now available on myPortico. Recently approved by Portico's Board of Trustees, these updates reflect Portico's commitment to preserving meaningful health benefits while responding responsibly to a challenging health care environment. Due to the significant rise in medical costs, organizations will see a baseline 15% increase for ELCA-Primary health benefits. Encourage your employer to use our Benefit Cost Estimator tool to see their projected contribution costs.

Understanding the 2027 Health Care Landscape

Watch our President and CEO, Chris Johnson, and our Head of Products, Laura Weiglein, discuss the trends affecting costs and how Portico continues to balance affordability, access to care, and long-term sustainability.

Review your options carefully. Taking time to review deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, and prescription drug costs can help you understand which option best fits your needs.

Updates From Across our Synod

Second Quarter Congregation Statements

This statement reflects the amounts received from your congregation by our office for the second calendar quarter of 2026. Please visit our synod’s finance page and scroll down to the section titled, 2nd Quarter Congregations Statements. There you will find a link to access your congregation’s statement. These statements are provided as part of our fiduciary duty to your congregation. Please take a few moments to verify that the information is accurate. 

Call Committee Zoom Gathering | September 14, 2026

Members of congregation call committees are invited to join our next monthly Call Committee Zoom Gathering on Monday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m. These monthly gatherings provide an opportunity to receive updates, ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others who are serving in the call process. If you do not have the Zoom link, please contact our office at 717-652-1852.

Synod Office Closure & Office Schedule

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, please note our synod office will be closed on Monday, September 7. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. Following the Labor Day holiday, the synod office will resume normal office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2026-27 Pastoral Care Series

ULS Kindling Faith

• October 12 & 15 - Beyond Spiritual Bypassing: Cultivating Spiritual Resources and Resilience in the Practice of Spiritual Care
• November 9 & 12 - Seeing the Person Beyond the Diagnosis: Spiritual Care for Individuals and Families Living with Schizophrenia
• January 11 & 14 - Spiritual Care for Citizens Living in a Dopamine Nation
• February 8 & 11 - Spiritual Care and the Art of Embracing Hopelessness
• March 8 & 11 - Spiritual Care with Transgender Children, Youth, and Their Families
• April 12 & 15 - Understanding and Engaging Eating Disorders in Spiritual Care and Ministry

Presenter: Reverend Beth Toler, M.Div. Th.D., LMFT

Monday sessions start at noon EST and Thursday sessions are at 7pm EST.

Learn More & Register.

We Pray Together

We are a synod that prays together and for one another. Be sure to visit our website prayer page each week.

Prayer Lists.

Interim Ministry Association (IMA) Event

Please join IMA for their annual fall education event and meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET. Their topic this year is Preaching in Turbulent Times to Transitional Places. The presenter will be the Rev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver, Senior Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, DC. He holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology with a specialty in Homiletics from Princeton Theological Seminary. Many had the extraordinary pleasure of hearing him preach at the installation of Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry last year.

This will be webinar on ZOOM. The link to the ZOOM meeting will be sent upon registration.

The cost for this event is $10.00. IMA members may attend for free. You can sign up for a year of IMA membership at the discounted price of $40.00 and attend the event for free.

Register.

ELCA Advocacy Connections

The August 2026 edition of the ELCA Advocacy Newsletter is available now! Access action alerts, resources, and upcoming events.

Read More.