Spiritual Wellness Resources

Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton

Much of our faith and practice is about words--preaching, teaching, talking with others. Yet all these words are not enough to take us into the presence of God where we can hear God's voice. This book is an invitation to meet God deeply and fully outside the demands and noise of daily life. It is an invitation to solitude and silence. The beauty of a true invitation is that we really do have a choice about embarking on this adventure. This expanded edition includes a guide for groups to use both in discussing the book content and in learning to practice silence together.

Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God

by Ruth Haley Barton

This book is a gracious call to come away from the busyness of life and rest awhile in God! Encouraging us to seek a fresh encounter with the Lord through intentional withdrawal, Barton guides us on a personal exploration of seven practices that are designed to enhance the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of intentional retreat. 

To preview the resources, please contact Marty Shifflett at 

[email protected] or call 717-652-1852.

Podcast: From Dangerously Tired to Silence and Solitude with God

More and more of us find ourselves dangerously tired and burnt out. Jesus offers an alternate path. In this podcast, Deacon Marsha Roscoe explores a few of Ruth Haley Barton’s book resources which have shaped her ability to slow down and make space for solitude with God.

Listen to Podcast.

Spiritual Wellness Blog: Physical Activity and the Body of Christ

by the Rev. Jim Person

Learn how loving our neighbors as ourselves means taking the best care we can of both them and us, heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Read Blog.

Hunger Grants Available

The Lower Susquehanna Synod's World Hunger Committee announces the availability of hunger project grants made possible through our synod's Legacy Funds. Projects may be congregationally or community based, or involve collaboration among groups. Because funds are limited, proposals may receive partial or full awards. Grant applications are due by August 29, 2022. 

Apply Today.

Building a Culture of Generosity

Begins August 17, 2022

One of our greatest challenges for ministry today is our need to encourage a spirit of hope, gratitude, and generosity. As many congregations struggle and worry about their future, we invite you to discover new possibilities for ministry and mission together. Our call to share what God gives us opens possibilities to make our ministries more vital and more sustainable. Do not miss this important opportunity to strengthen your congregation's future.

We would like to ensure all LSS congregations have access to this programming. For partial or full financial assistance, please contact Deacon Marsha Roscoe.

Learn More.

Synod Youth Calendar

As you plan youth ministry programming for 2022-2023, please consider including annual synod youth ministry events to your schedule! 

• ALiVE - September 23-25, 2022 
• Middle School Youth Retreat at Camp Nawakwa
• Winterfest - January 6-8, 2023 (30th Anniversary Event)
• High School/Young Adult Retreat at Wyndham Resort, Lancaster
• LutheranHANDS Mission Trip - July 15-23, 2023
• Service Learning Trip to New Orleans, LA
• Leadership Training Camp - July 23-28, 2023
• Camp Nawakwa
• ALiVE - September 22-24, 2023
• Middle School Youth Retreat at Camp Nawakwa

To get updates on events and activities throughout the year, visit our synod website or ‘like’ us on Facebook at Lower Susquehanna Synod Office for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry. 

Lutherans Fight Hunger

York Revs vs. The Long Island Ducks: Saturday, August 20, 6:30 p.m. 

In partnership with the York Revolution and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Lower Susquehanna Synod Lutherans feed others as we have been fed by Christ. To support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, all guests will receive a $10 discounted group ticket, with $5 of every ticket donated directly to the mission of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Fans are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to the game or to make additional donations directly to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Learn More & Purchase Tickets.

New Justice Ministries Blogs

Praying For The Children of Guatemala by Deacon David Hope-Tringali

Deacon Hope-Tringali shares how the pandemic has affected the children of Guatemala.

Read Justice Ministries Blog.

Starting a Dis/ability Ministry Team by Jessica Davis

Exploring ways for your congregation to be more welcoming to those with dis/abilities? Consider these beginning steps.

Read Justice Ministries Blog.

Soul Care: Registration Open

Christ calls us into a resurrected life filled with grace, hope and love. As the Lower Susquehanna Synod, we are grounded in a loving relationship with God and one another. Many of us feel spiritually tired and drained, longing for connection with God and one another. As baptized children of God, we are called to care for one another. 

Partnering with the Rev. Dr. Gary Neal Hansen, author of Kneeling with Giants, for an intentional season of soul care, beginning late September, we will gather in-person and online for days of spiritual retreat and refreshment. This invitation is for anyone desiring to grow deeper in their relationship with God.

Spiritual wellness is one of our synod's top missional priorities. Because we want to ensure this initiative is accessible to all, partial and full scholarships are available. Please contact Deacon Marsha Roscoe to access the scholarship funds.  

Learn More & To Register.

August 20 Worship with Rite of Ordination

Susan Elizabeth Scott and Matthew Steven Folkemer-Leonard will be ordained into the Holy Office of Word and Sacrament Ministry during a Service of Word and Sacrament on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 44 W. Main Street, Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania.

While Bishop James S. Dunlop is on sabbatical, the Rev. William J. Gohl Jr., bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, will preside, and the Rev. Richard E. Jorgensen Jr., director for evangelical mission, will preach. You are invited to attend this service and roster ministers are invited to vest and process. The color for the day is red.

Susan Elizabeth Scott has been called to serve as pastor of the Bendersville Lutheran Parish (including Bethlehem, Christ Aspers, and St. James Wenksville). Matthew Steven Folkemer-Leonard has been called to serve as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson, Codorus. If you are unable to attend, your prayers are requested for these ordinands.

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 For July 2022

2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on August 8 - 12 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Meeting under the theme “Embody the Word,” the assembly will participate in plenary discussions to make decisions about the work of this church and spend time in worship and Bible study. The triennial gathering — the highest legislative body of the denomination — will be composed of more than 900 voting members serving on behalf of the 3.3 million members of the ELCA. Live video of the plenary sessions will be accessible at elca.org/CWA-2022. 

We invite your prayers for the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, including prayers for travel safety, spiritual discernment, and faithful participation of our Lower Susquehanna Synod voting members:

The Rev. Marissa Becklin, Rayne Debski, the Rev. Del Akech Del, Bishop Jim Dunlop, the Rev. Elizabeth Eckman, the Rev. Steve Herr, Kay Hinkle, Moses Kavishe, Karen Landry, Vice President Jen Lau, Wanda Neuhaus, Kate Nienstedt, Deacon Marsha Roscoe, the Rev. Beth Schlegel, Karl Segletes, Joe Stepansky, Byam Adiya Stout, Mike Swank, Laura Willoughby, and the Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson.

Installation of The Rev. Jay Eckman

Pastor Jay Eckman will be installed at Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, on August 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome.

The Great Resignation

ULS Retreat for Rostered Ministers in Discernment

According to Barna, as of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent. This is consistent with data from fall 2021, when Barna first reported a sharp increase in pastoral burnout, and confirms the growing number of pastors who are considering resignation—up 13 percentage points from 29 percent in January 2021. This retreat is designed for the weary and doubtful who are experiencing a season of the soul. It is a chance to rest, contemplate, share good food, beverage, and conversation with like-minded servant leaders.

Learn More.

Youth Group Flea Market

Benefitting Youth Ministry at St. Mark's Harrisburg

The youth of St. Mark's, Harrisburg, will hold their annual Flea Market on Saturday, July 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Clothes, home goods, books, furniture, and more! Stop by to support St. Mark's Youth Group!

Learn More.