Easter Reflection From Bishop Dunlop

As we prepare to celebrate a joyous Easter, Bishop Dunlop reflects on our need to watch, witness, and listen to marginalized voices and God's action in the world.

Bishop Eaton Issues Statement on Anti-Transgender Legislation

"Let us recognize and affirm the humanity of our transgender and nonbinary siblings. Let us advocate for their dignity. Let us continue to be guided by God's love and compassion as we seek justice and equality for everyone."

- Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Read Full Statement.

2023 Synod Assembly Updates

Early Bird Registration Closes March 31

Early Bird Registration for the 2023 Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly closes on March 31! Standard registration will be open from April 1-30.

Learn More & Register.

Edification Day

Edification Day, the equipping and education sessions of Synod Assembly, will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Based on this year’s assembly theme, Created for Community, forums will be offered around our six missional priorities with a keynote presentation from the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Hope-Tringali. Edification Day is included as part of assembly registration. Not attending Synod Assembly? No need to miss out on this wonderful day of education and formation! For $25, you can register for Edification Day here.

Find out more about the forums here.

Leadership Training Camp Registration Open

Is there an emerging young leader in your midst? A young person who displays leadership gifts and skills in your congregation setting, in school, at home, or in your community? Perhaps they are a candidate for Leadership Training Camp (LT Camp)! For 31 summers, our synod's Office for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry has offered a week-long camp for young leaders that helps build confidence and develops leadership skills. Practicing Christian leadership in all aspects of their lives, they are immersed in a community with fellow emerging leaders, a staff of teachers, rostered ministers, and youth workers. Putting leadership into practice, they will learn techniques for leading in a variety of settings while building a strong and lasting network with their peers.

Offered at NO COST to first-year applicants who must be recommended by a rostered minister or youth leader. Youth who have recently graduated from 8th - 12th grades are eligible to attend. The recommendation form and other valuable information about the camp are available at: https://www.lss-elca.org/faith-formation/leadership-training-camp/.

Registration has opened for this summer's camp, scheduled for July 23-28, at Camp Nawakwa. Youth are welcome to return to camp for an 'Alumni' year with a second-year track that explores even more deeply the ways young leaders can share their gifts for leadership with our congregations and the world. 

LSS Blog Posts

Resources for Honoring Earth Day

by Stephanie Lower

Read to discover some excellent resources for congregations and groups organizing Earth Day events.

Read Blog.

Hope for Konde Widows

by Deacon April Trout

Deacon April Trout shares an update from the Konde Diocese, explaining the impact of the Lower Susquehanna Synod's partnership on marginalized groups in Konde, including widows.

Read Blog.

Employment Listings

Opportunities With the Lutheran Camping Corporation

Summer staff interviews are happening now for outdoor ministry sites at Camps Kirchenwald and Nawakwa. Zach Weiss and Mike Youse would appreciate hearing from you if you know of youth or young adults looking for a great summer employment opportunity! The best part about being a summer camp staffer is the relationships you form in the wonderful natural settings at camp; however, your room and meals are covered for the summer, so you can save your pay for the fall and winter months.

In addition to summer staff, Camp Kirchenwald is also searching for a year-round Maintenance Manager. Learn more about the various positions with the Lutheran Camping Corporation, as well as other employment opportunities around our synod, on our Employment Listings page.

YWCA 21-Day Challenge

The LSS Toward Racial Justice Task Force strongly encourages congregations and their racial/social justice teams to participate in this year’s YWCA 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge starting April 3, 2023 and ending April 29, 2023! 

Learn More & Register.

Living Out the Gospel in Tangible Ways

Living Lutheran

“According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ‘on any given night, more than half a million people sleep in shelters and unsheltered places not meant for human habitation, such as cars and encampments,’” writes Stephanie Grimoldby. In the lead feature from the March-April issue of Living Lutheran, learn how God’s people around the country are raising awareness of this crisis, providing safe places to sleep, serving meals, creating welcoming environments, and more.

Download the study guide.

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.

Earth Day Resources

Lutherans Restoring Creation Worship Service

All are welcome to join and share a creation-focused worship service offered by Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) and celebrates Earth Day which offers prayer from across the nation. The Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin, president of United Lutheran Seminary, will provide a sermon based on the lectionary readings for April 23. All components of this full, noncommunion service will be available for download by April 9 for congregations who register ahead of time at bit.ly/2023LRCEarthDay. The service will also premiere on YouTube at 9:00 a.m. ET on April 22; be sure to subscribe to LRC’s channel.

Creation Care

The Earth Day Sunday Resource is here! This year's resource is titled "Sowing Seeds: Prophetic Action to Climate-Changed Lands." Learn about the connections between climate and our food system, as well as the actions churches can take to address these issues. 

Download the resource here.

ULS Spring Convocation

April 26, 2023

Join United Lutheran Seminary for conversation with eco advocates from the three Abrahamic faiths as they explore commonalities in our understanding of ecological stewardship. Gathering under this year’s theme, “Children of Abraham: Stewards of Creation,” you will discover what happens when a Rabbi, an Muslim, and a Lutheran Professor share their respective eco-theologies.

Learn More & Register.

LuTMA 2023 Annual Conference

June 27-29, 2023, at the Maritime Conference Center, Linthicum Heights, Maryland for Leaders in Permanent or Interim Calls

Lutheran Transitional Ministry Association (LuTMA), which continues for more than twenty-five years to be a training and continuing education resource for Lutheran pastors and lay leaders who wish to serve as transitional and intentional interim ministry leaders in congregations, schools, camps, and other settings, opened registration for its annual conference. This year’s annual conference topic is Transition and Transformation: Leadership in Deeply Disruptive Cultural Crises, with the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger, Senior Congregational Strategist and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation, California State University, as main presenter. First time attendees’ rate is $200. 

For more information or to register.

Becoming Welcoming Communities

2nd Edition of Immigration Study Guide Released

The second edition of Becoming Welcoming Communities has been newly updated with new resources, including videos, interviews, worship resources, and more. It is designed to help congregations respond to immigrants and immigration in light of biblical faith. The curriculum includes lesson plans for six, 45-minute study sessions that weave together Wisconsin history, Bible passages, personal stories, information on immigration policies, and suggestions on how to take action to support today’s refugees and immigrants.

Download Resource.

Lead with Healthy Minds in Mind

Resource from Portico

A mentally fit employee is able to be more present with the people you serve. May is officially Mental Health Awareness Month, but isn’t being of sound mind important every day of the year? Taking care of mental health can improve relationships and productivity, both of which are critical in any workplace. Remember, even if it appears that people are doing okay on the surface, there may be something or someone outside of work they are worrying about.

Learn More.