Lower Susquehanna Synod ELCA

06/24/2026

News from ELCA Advocacy

More than 250 Christians gathered at the U.S. Capitol May 5-7, calling for an end to violence in the Middle East. Churches for Middle East Peace, alongside co-sponsors that included the ELCA, hosted the Joint Christian Advocacy Summit. Panels and workshops focused on the theme “Do Right; Seek Justice (Isaiah 1:17): Christians Uniting Against Oppression in Palestine/Israel,” to challenge and equip faith leaders to advocate for U.S. policies that promote justice in the Holy Land. Participants from across the country urged legislators to support measures that protect humanitarian services for Palestinian refugees and limit the transfer of defense weapons to Israel.

Learn More: https://www.livinglutheran.org/mission-ministry/news-from-elca-advocacy-27/

Photo: ELCA Witness in Society — Faith leaders—including speaker Nathan Pipho, ELCA New England Synd Bishop—gathered at the U.S. Capitol May 5-7 for an interfaith prayer vigil, calling for an end to violence in the Holy Land.

06/23/2026

Finding Holy Rhythms in Busy Seasons: Simple spiritual practices for stress, exhaustion, and everyday life
August 27 | 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Zoom

As summer winds down, many of us find ourselves looking ahead to a fuller season. School schedules return, church programs begin again, meetings fill the calendar, and the pace of life starts to accelerate. Before fall ramps up, take an evening to pause, breathe, and consider how you want to move into this next season.

Deacon Marsha Roscoe will lead a practical and encouraging conversation about creating healthy rhythms to help us stay connected to Christ in the midst of everyday life. Together, we’ll explore simple spiritual practices that can help us navigate stress, avoid exhaustion, and approach busy seasons with greater intention.

Learn More & Register: https://www.breathinginchrist.com/events/finding-holy-rhythms-in-busy-seasons/

06/22/2026

Tending the Inner Garden: How Faith, Awareness and Practice Create Real Change
June 24, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET

Join a one-hour free webinar titled “Tending the Inner Garden: How Faith, Awareness, and Practice Create Real Change” with Author Karen Rubinstein hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Karen Rubinstein will explore how lasting change happens in recovery. Learn why our reactions often stem from old fears rather than the present moment, how emotional patterns shape our decisions, relationships, and recovery, and how truth, faith and practice help create lasting change.

Register.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: June Webinar with Karen Rubinstein: Tending the Inner Garden: How Faith, Awareness, and Practice Create Real Change. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

06/22/2026

Homeless Memorial Blanket Initiative 2026
December 21, 2026 | New York City

For the past five years, the Homeless Memorial Blanket Initiative has gathered people together on December 21 - the longest, darkest night of the year - to remember lives lost, honor human dignity, and respond with compassion to those experiencing homelessness. Each year, hundreds of handmade blankets are created and shared with people who need warmth. This year we are adding a new one-time initiative!

Backpack Challenge: New for 2026
At Synod Assembly, congregations were invited to take a backpack and accept the challenge of filling it and returning it to the synod office as soon as you have it filled, or by the end of September. What should go inside? That is up to you. We invite you to begin with one question: “If I suddenly lost my home, what would I hope I could carry on my back?”

Maybe it’s warm socks, granola bars, hand sanitizer, a reusable water bottle, a fast-food gift card, sunscreen, basic pain relievers, a can opener, gloves, toiletries and perhaps most importantly zip lock bags. Because when your important papers - your birth certificate, Social Security card, or identification - are exposed to rain and weather, something as simple as a plastic bag can protect what little stability remains. 

Blankets Still Needed
Of course, blankets remain at the heart of this initiative. We are once again inviting individuals, congregations, quilting groups, schools, scout troops, families, and community organizations to make blankets for distribution this December. Every blanket helps. Every backpack makes a difference. Every act of compassion matters to God.

Learn More at https://memorialblanket.org/

06/21/2026

50th Year Anniversary of Ordination Celebration for The Rev. Hans-Peter Helmers
July 1, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.

You are invited to join for a church service celebrating 50 years of ordination for the Rev. Hans-Peter Helmers, starting at 6:00 p.m. on July 1, in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hoernerstown Road, Hummelstown. Dinner will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.

06/20/2026

Today, we give thanks for our nonbinary siblings as we continue to celebrate Pride Month and honor the diversity of God’s people.

God, who transcends all genders and identities, we remember Matthew 25:40, where you remind us that how we treat the vulnerable reflects how we treat you. In a world that often chooses violence over compassion, we pray for safety for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community who are so often made vulnerable. Inspire us to be bearers of grace and peace. Move us toward care through action by respecting the names and pronouns people share with us, advocating for justice and equity, and helping us to honor the sacred humanity of those in our lives.

06/19/2026

Installation of The Rev. Alex Sheppard-Witt

The Rev. Alex Sheppard-Witt will be installed as pastor for St. Michael Lutheran Church, 118 State Street, Harrisburg, on behalf of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, and St. Peter Lutheran Church, Highspire, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. All are invited to attend. The liturgical color of the day is green.

06/19/2026

We commemorate Juneteenth (June 19) as a vital day of reflection, repentance, and celebration of freedom. The church acknowledges the end of legalized slavery while actively engaging in collective work against racism, providing resources for synods and congregations to observe the holiday.

ELCA Juneteenth Observance Resources: https://resources.elca.org/worship/juneteenth-observance-pdf/

06/18/2026

Juneteenth | Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration

An Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at historic Christ Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, with an open house beginning at 2:00 p.m. The program invites the community to gather for a special Juneteenth observance reflecting on the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation and its lasting impact on the American journey toward freedom.

Learn More:

Part of the Official Juneteenth 2026 Programming