Bulletin of Reports 2021

2021 BULLETIN OF REPORTS

ASSEMBLY

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD of the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

34th Annual Synod Assembly Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA June 4-5, 2021

2021 Online Synod Assembly Program

Friday, June 4, 2021

1:30 2:00 PM Gathering Music

2:00 2:45 PM Opening Festival Worship

3:00 - 4:30 PM Plenary Session One

Order for Opening Assembly Adoption of the Program Introduction of Guests Report of the Bishop “Growing Young” Report of the Nominating Committee and First Ballot First Report of the Committee of Reference and Counsel Announcements

6:30 7:00 PM Gathering Music

7:00 9:00 PM Plenary Session Two

Opening Prayer Greetings from Portico Theme Focus – “Heal the Hurt” Report of the First Ballot, Second Ballot Comments by Mr. Jim Jennings, ELCA Church Council Address by Ms. Jodi Slattery, Churchwide Representative Report of the Treasurer Presentation of 2022 Spending Proposal

“Growing Young” Introduction of Candidates to the Roster Acknowledgements: New to the Synod Roster, Recently Retired Roster Anniversary Video Announcements

Saturday, June 5, 2021

8:30 - 10:20 AM Plenary Session Three

Opening Worship Greetings from United Lutheran Seminary Theme Focus – “Love the Land” Report of the Vice President Second Report of the Committee of Reference and Counsel “Growing Young” Report of the Secretary Constitution Committee Report Announcements

10:35AM - 12:15 PM Plenary Session Four

Opening Prayer Greetings from Women of the ELCA Theme Focus – “Engage the Stranger” Companion Synods Report Presentation of the 2022 Compensation Guidelines “Growing Young” Report of the Second Ballot; Third Ballot Unfinished Business Preview of Ministry Laboratory Other Reports Announcements Order for the Closing of an Assembly Closing Worship

3:00 - 5:00 PM Bishop deForest’s Installation

REPORT OF THE BISHOP

It seems odd, that I am writing this, and we are preparing now to hold a Synod Assembly, a mere 7 or so months after the last Assembly closed. But for all of us passing through this time of pandemic, panic, protest and political division – everything seems odd at best; horrific at worst. Not since the civil rights era, or World War II, or the Great Depression, or the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic, or the First World War – perhaps even the Civil War – have so many challenges and calamities piled on at once. So many of us are exhausted, scared, uncertain, and in grief. And the weight in the church has fallen particularly on our congregational leaders, their councils and staff, and especially our pastors and those serving in pastoral leadership. I have spoken with many who have suffered greatly, and who suffer still.

And yet, we still get up in the morning. Still go to work. Still plan and conduct worship. Still run and attend meetings, many still on “Zoom.” Still baptize, still preach, still offer communion in ways that are safe and faithful. Still visit the sick and the homebound, through windows or wearing masks. Still offer life-giving ministries. Still care for loved ones, neighbors, even total strangers. Still teach and still make music unto the Lord. Still get our kids to school, and babysit our grandchildren, and do our vocations in offices, schools, hospitals, construction sites, military bases, prisons, police barracks, in the streets and on the road. Many of us are retired, but you’d never know it, because we still serve and work and give back. Many of us are on disability, and strive to stay connected, but feel disconnected or left behind. And so many of us still volunteer, create, dream, and encourage others. Many, many of us are completely “behind the scenes,” uncelebrated, unsung, even unknown – and yet, we get up and do it all again, would do it all over again, for the glory of God alone.

Can we pause – even as you read this, and I write it – can we please pray THANK YOU to God for our pastors, our deacons, our bishops, our cantors, our youth workers, our councils and committees, officers and chairs, administration and office support, our faithful volunteers and daily members and prayer warriors, past and present – who BY THE POWER OF GOD and FAITH have gotten us through everything – especially this time of pandemic? AMEN!

And so, here we are. What’s next? Let us dare to ask that question, not with impending doom and gloom, but with boldness of faith, and brightness of eyes, and joy in our hearts. Let us be GOD-RELIANT! Let us be CHRIST-CENTERED! Let

4 us be SPIRIT-LED! Never forgetting the Gospel of Jesus, the Mystery of Faith: CHRIST HAS DIED. CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN!!!

This 2021 Synod Assembly, in all three of its big moments – the Online Assembly, June 4-5; the Installation Service, June 5; and the August 14 “Ministry Laboratory,” or “MIN-LAB” – has one theme: “GROWING YOUNG AND VITAL.” This theme recognizes an overall goal that God has for our Synod, and for all of us and our congregations: we seek to invite and inspire young people to share their needs and concerns, joys and passions; and to take their place with all of us, in making and re-making the church as Jesus-centered community for today and tomorrow.

“GROWING YOUNG” is a movement rising up across the nation, across denominations, and it has been active and vital here in NEPA Synod for over a year already. It is one of three VITAL SIGN GOALS taking us into the next several years, to 2026 and beyond. The second Vital Sign Goal is named “GAINING STRENGTH.” It calls for every congregation and every leader to affirm and identify their strengths, and to find a partner or partners to combine strengths and shore up weaknesses by working together. And the third Vital Sign Goal is called “GOING BEYOND DEATH TO LIFE.” This Goal seeks to create an overall strategic plan for stuck, struggling, or finishing congregations to live well, serve well, and when they ready, to end well – leaving a lasting, faithful, purposeful legacy.

These three VITAL SIGN GOALS will take time; at least 6 years of focused effort, teamwork, and clear goals and outcomes. Our Synod staff in new positions will be tasked with helping to form and support the teams and task forces who get to work on each of these three Goals. These wise and creative volunteers, working with me and the Synod Council, will lead us to real solutions, to ways that work for addressing the real problems that real congregations face.

That’s the plan for the long run; but what about our immediate needs and concerns? What is God calling us to act on, today – and how has God already been at work in and through the people and congregations of this synod? These questions are why, we are also focusing this Synod Assembly on what we call “VITAL SIGNS FOR NOW.” What are the ways we have already been: HEALING THE HURT? LOVING THE LAND? And ENGAGING THE STRANGER? At this Synod Assembly – June 4-5 online, and in-person on August 14’s MIN-LAB – we will be sharing what we do, and inspiring each other to answer these questions. All coming from the big question: “WHAT ARE OUR

VITAL SIGNS?” As the Body of Christ, we are all called to share his love and life. As we do this, let’s also share ideas, and partner with each other to go even further.

To be sure, the challenges we face are difficult and immense. But our God is bigger and stronger, and our Christ Jesus has already gone before us, to show the way. And by the Holy Spirit, we will all be well led – if we but listen and follow.

With joy and gratitude, I am… Christopher deForest, Your Bishop

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY (The following changes took place between September 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021.)

ROSTER CHANGES FOR MINISTERS OF WORD AND SACRAMENT

Ordinations Koerner, Elizabeth, April 23, 2021

Received from Other Synods Button, Michael, retired, from Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, February 2, 2021 Smith-Levan, Eileen, retired, from Sierra Pacific Synod, November 1, 2020.

Transferred to Other Synods Albright, Althea D., Friedens, Kempton, to New Jersey Synod, November 15, 2020. Bohan, Jeffrey G., on leave from call to Upstate New York Synod, October 30, 2020. Hand, Harold L., retired, to Lower Susquehanna Synod, February 2, 2021. Johnston, Christina M., on leave from call to Montana Synod, June 1, 2020. Laubach, Harry M. Jr., retired to Rocky Mountain Synod, November 1, 2020. Newhart, David C., retired, to Lower Susquehanna Synod, February 2, 2021.

Resigned from the Roster Kulp, Gerald S., February 24, 2021.

Removed from the Roster None

Deaths* Billeck, Donald R., December 1, 2020. Hassler, Larry R., November 29, 2020. Hein, George E., Jr., April 16, 2021. Horn, William W., January 14, 2021. Spieker, George F., April 10, 2021

Stauffer, Andrew, April 22, 2021 Uhler, Willard J., November 27, 2020. Weiser, William H., February 18, 2021. Wolford, Phyllis J., January 4, 2021.

*The deaths of William W. Ennis (September 19, 2020) and Gene E. Handwerk (October 2, 2020), were included in the report to the 2020 assembly. ______

The Rev. Donald R. Billeck, son of Joseph and Helen (Kujanpaa) Billeck, was born October 28, 1944, in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from Wagner College (1966) and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1970, 1985). Following his ordination in 1970 by the Metropolitan New York Synod, Pastor Billeck served St. Paul, Kingston, New York, and Calvary, Rudy, New York. From 1973 to 1980 he served Grace, Greenwood Lake, New York; St. Michael, Amagansett, New York (1980-1982); St. Paul, Williamsport, Pa. (1982-1985); and Zion, Takoma Park, Maryland (1985-1989). In 1989 Pastor Billeck entered this synod when he was called to serve St. Paul (Smithfield) in Craigs Meadows. Receiving certification as an intentional interim, he served as interim pastor for St. Luke (Old Williams), Hellertown; St. Paul, Bethlehem; Holy Trinity, Kingston; Trinity, Lehighton; Jerusalem, Trachsville; Arndt’s, Easton; St. Peter, Plainfield Township; and Hope, Tatamy. After retiring in 2007 Pastor Billeck continued to serve as the interim pastor of several synod congregations, including St. John, Effort; St. Paul Third, Easton; Cedar, Cetronia; and St. John, Pen Argyl, where he was serving at the time of his death.

Pastor Billeck was married to Joyce Ann Behr on May 23, 1970. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons David, Stephen, and Timothy. ______

The Rev. Larry R. Hassler, son of Leroy and Esther (Rohrbach) Hassler, was born on June 5, 1940, in Lyons Station. He graduated from Kutztown University (1962) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1965). . Ordained by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod in 1965, he served Alsace Lutheran Church, Reading, as their assistant pastor (1965-1970); the Rehrersburg-Bethel Lutheran Parish (1970- 1979); and St. John’s, Pine Grove, and St. Matthew’s, Ravine (1979-1997). He retired in 1997, after which he continued to serve as a supply pastor in a number of synod congregations.

On October 17, 1965, Pastor Hassler was married to Peggy Deborah Angstadt, who survives him along with their son, the Rev. John P. Hassler.

______

The Rev. George E. Hein Jr, son of the late George E. Hein Sr. and Tillie I. (Stauffer) Hein, was born in Whitehall on March 19, 1933. He graduated from Muhlenberg College (1955) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1958).

Following ordination on May, 25 1958, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, he served the following congregations: New Ringgold Parish (1958-1962); Mahoning Parish (1962-1965); Belfast-Wind Gap Parish (1965-1971); Allegheny, Alleghenyville (1971-1980); Rehrersburg- Bethel Parish (1980-1991); and Christ, Penn Forest Township (1991-1995). After retiring in 1995, he continued to serve as Visitation Pastor at Jordan, Orefield (1996-2003).

On August 20, 1955, Pastor Hein was married to Loretta Huber, who survives him along with their sons Wilson and Daniel.

______

The Rev. William W. Horn, son of the Rev. Dr. Henry E. Horn and Catherine (Stainken) Horn, was born in Marion, Virginia, on November 19, 1944. He graduated from Gettysburg College (1966) and the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia (1970). After his ordination he earned an MA in counseling from Marywood University.

Following his ordination by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod on June 7, 1970, Pastor Horn served Zion, Minersville (1970-1976) and St. John, St. Johns (1976 to 1979). Following study as a student chaplain at Philadelphia State Hospital (Byberry), he was then called to serve as Chaplain of the Good Shepherd Home, Allentown (1980-2010). During his time at Good Shepherd, Pastor Horn was honored with both the Raker Memorial Award and the Raker Spirit Award. Following his retirement in 2010, Pastor Horn served both as interim pastor at Zion, Northampton and as a consultant to the Northampton congregations as they considered their future.

On June 21, 1969, Pastor Horn was married to Lorraine Shade, who survives him. He is also survived by their children William, Rachel Gohman, and Sarah Croft. Their son Christian died in 1978. ______

The Rev. George F. Spieker, son of the Rev. Paul and Marian (Stager) Spieker, was born in Emmaus on May 9, 1930. He served in the U.S. Army (1952-1954), including in Korea, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He graduated from Muhlenberg College (1952) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1957).

Pastor Spieker was ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania on May 26, 1957, the fourth consecutive generation of Lutheran pastors in the Spieker family. He served St. Paul’s, Gordon (1957-1959); Robeson, Plowville (1959-1972); and St. John, Coplay (1972-1993). Following his retirement in 1993 he served as dean to the retired pastors in the Lehigh Valley and also served St. Peter, Bethlehem, as a visitation pastor until 2012. He was registered with the Boy Scouts for more than 55 years and held many positions and received many awards, such as the Lamb Award.

On August 11, 1956, Pastor Spieker was married to Rebecca Ann Keller, who survives him along with their children David and Jane Ann. ______

The Rev. Andrew Stauffer, son Charles B. and Verna A. (Boyer) Stauffer, was born on January 26, 1940, in Topton. He graduated from Muhlenberg College (1961) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1965).

Following his ordination by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod on May 30, 1965, Pastor Stauffer served the Mt. Bethel Lutheran Parish in Bangor (1965-1968); St. James, Geigertown (1969- 1972); St. John, Tremont (1972-1980); the Lobach's-Shalter's Lutheran Parish in Oley (1980- 1988); St. Paul, Lobachsville (1989-1991); and Christ Stone Church, Mt. Bethel (1991-2002). Following his retirement, he has served the synod as a frequent supply pastor for congregations in transition.

On October 21, 1961, Pastor Stauffer married Sharlene A. Moyer, who predeceased him on April 8, 2020. They are survived by their two daughters, Jennifer Weil and Bethany Kline.

______

The Rev. Willard J. Uhler Jr., son of the late Willard J. and Marjorie A. (Snyder) Uhler, was born in Abington on December 9, 1947. He graduated from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin (1970) and Hamma School of Theology, Springfield, Ohio (1974).

Following his ordination by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod on May 24, 1974, Pastor Uhler served St. Luke, Archbald and St. Paul, Carbondale (1974-1978); St. John, Tamaqua (1978-1990); and St. John, Hamburg (1990-2014), where he was Pastor Emeritus. He retired in 2014.

On June 14, 1969, Pastor Uhler was married to Charlotte E. Paulson, who survives him along with their two children, Christian and Meridith Saul.

______

The Rev. William H. Weiser, son of Ralph and Dorothy (Stover) Weiser, was born in Harrisburg on November 29, 1960. He was a graduate of Susquehanna University (1982) and of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (1986).

Following his ordination on June 13, 1986, by the Central Pennsylvania Synod, Pastor Weiser served Christ’s United, Millmont (1986-1995). He served Trinity, Robesonia, from 1995 to the time of his death in 2021.

On November 10, 1984, Pastor Weiser was married to Gwen H. Hammaker, who survives him along with their children Sarah K. McGrory, Timothy, Matthew, and Phillip.

______

The Rev. Phyllis J. Wolford, daughter of Marvin and Minnie (Greene) Wolford, was born on October 27, 1946, in Palmerton. She graduated from Bryant College, Rhode Island (1969), and

9 the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1995). Prior to entering seminary Pastor Wolford worked for the Palmerton Area School District (1969-1972) and as an administrative assistant for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit (1972-1991). She was elected to the school board of the Palmerton Area School District in 1989.

Following her ordination on June 9, 1996, by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Pastor Wolford served Zion, Minersville (1996-2000); St. Matthew, North Weissport (2001-2007); and St. John, Tamaqua (2008-2021).

______

2019-20 Pastoral Changes Diefenderfer, Lee A., on leave from call to retired, November 1, 2020. Dietz, Rachael C., St. John, Mohnton, to Executive Associate to the Bishop for Leadership, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, February 8, 2021. Garbe, Kurt E., Associate of the Bishop, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, to retired, December 31, 2020. Koerner, Elizabeth, newly ordained to St. John, Stroudsburg, April 23, 2021. Kulp, Gerald S., St. Peter, Bethlehem, to resigned from the roster, February 24, 2021. Langensiepen, Elizabeth C., St. Peter, Allentown, to retired, September 1, 2020. Laufer, Mary E., St. Mark’s, Wilkes-Barre, to retired, October 1, 2020. Milne, Martin A., Zion, Old Zionsville, to Christ, Dryville, September 20, 2020. Osterhout, Bruce G., on leave from call to Bethany, West Reading, February 1, 2021. Wenzel, Carl A., on leave from call to retired, September 1, 2020. Wimmer, Mark A., VP for Church Relations, Diakon, to retired, February 1, 2021. Wuertle, Peggy M., Associate of the Bishop, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, to retired, December 31, 2020. Zeiser, Samuel R., Bishop, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, to retired, December 31, 2020.

ROSTER CHANGES FOR MINISTERS OF WORD AND SERVICE

Received from Other Synods Woodfield, G. Travis, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, February 1, 2021.

Transferred to Other Synods None.

Resigned from Roster None

Removed from Roster None

Deaths

None

Changes in Positions Saylor, Bruce, on leave from call to retired, June 1, 2018. Woodfield, G. Travis, to Director of Congregation Legacy and Purpose, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, February 1, 2021.

CONGREGATIONAL CHANGES

St. Mark, Wilkes-Barre, closed September 28, 2020.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carl D. Shankweiler, Secretary

REPORT OF THE SYNOD COUNCIL

The Synod Council met twice since the October 2020 assembly: January 30, 2021, and April 24, 2021. The final version of the Report of the Synod Council for the 2020 assembly included the actions of the July and September 2020 council meetings, which could be reported in 2020 because the 2020 assembly came so late in the year.

The numbers preceding the resolutions indicate the year, month, and sequence of the resolution. Hence, (2021.04.05) means the fifth resolution adopted at the April 2021 council meeting. Council resolutions that are recommendations for assembly action appear in bold face.

Occasionally the Synod Council needs to act between regular meetings by email vote; actions of that nature are reported at the next regular meeting of the council, assigned a number, and included in the minutes of that meeting.

Except for purely procedural resolutions (such as a motion to adjourn or to approve the minutes of a previous meeting) all resolutions adopted by the above-listed council meetings or reported thereto following email adoption are presented here for review by the assembly. The complete minutes of the council meetings are posted on the synod’s website and/or are available upon request from the synod secretary.

ASSEMBLY

(2021.04.06) Resolved, That the following resolution concerning the 2021 assembly program be recommended to the 2021 Synod Assembly: Resolved, That the 2021 Assembly program (as printed in the Bulletin of Reports) be adopted.

(2021.04.09) Resolved, That the 2021 Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod be held on June 4-5 virtually.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

(2021.01.04) Resolved, That a loan in the amount of $35,000 be made from the Church Loan Development Fund to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Birdsboro, for the purpose of technology upgrades. The terms of the loan will be $35,000 with a seven-year repayment schedule at two percent interest.

(2021.01.05) Resolved, That the portion of Christopher deForest's 2021 salary (beginning January 1, 2021) to be designated as housing allowance be $25,000.

(2021.01.06) Resolved, That the Synod Council of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod (a) accept the cash offer of $1,005,000.00 for the property identified as 1345 Minesite Road, Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County, as arranged through Atty. Blake C. Marles and (b) authorize Atty. Marles to complete the sale on the synod's behalf as soon as possible at terms and conditions that he deems appropriate.

(2021.01.07) Resolved, That 2021 Executive Staff compensation be set in accordance with the following schedule, reflecting (1) total compensation, and (2) for ordained staff members the amount of base salary, social security allowance, and housing allowance. The amounts designated as housing allowance shall apply to calendar year 2021 and all future years unless otherwise provided by this Synod Council. (Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar.)

NAME*** BASE SALARY HOUSING SS TOTAL deForest $67,350 $25,000 $ 7,650 $100,000 Dietz $35,000 $30,000 $ 4,973 $ 69,973 Woodfield $ 2,295* $ 30,000 Wolfe Blatt $ 6,000 *** Ash-Flashner $ 16,236 Bennethum $ 7,500** Grube $ 16,236 Huber $ 23,236 Drennan $ 16,236 Gombert $ 1,836* $ 24,000 Shankweiler $ 1,000 * Employer’s required portion of Social Security. 12

** Pastor Bennethum’s salary as DEM is paid by the ELCA Churchwide Organization. This amount represents additional compensation to bring his benefits into alignment with synod guidelines.

*** Compensation for the associate serving the Pocono Mission District and a portion of the compensation for the Director of Communications and Events is paid to their congregations under a purchase of services arrangement. [Note: The 2021 cost for support staff will be $113,898]

(2021.04.05) Resolved, That the following resolution concerning the 2022 spending proposal be recommended to the 2021 Synod Assembly: Resolved, That the 2022 spending proposal (February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023) be adopted. The Synod Council is hereby authorized to establish the 2022 spending proposal no later than its January 2022 meeting, making any necessary adjustment to the proposal in light of both realistic anticipation of receipts and synod priorities (in consultation with the ELCA Treasurer with respect to the ELCA portion thereof.) .

(2021.01.09) Resolved, That the following persons be approved as signers for synod financial accounts: Bishop Christopher deForest, Donald Dillman, Kristen Edelman-Weiner, Carl Shankweiler, Rachael Dietz, D. Michael Bennethum.

(2021.01.10) Resolved, That the following resolution be adopted and added to Chapter II of the synod’s Continuing Resolutions and Other Resolutions of Ongoing Impact: The Prosser, Pahse, Mission Fund shall be renamed the Mission Development Fund and, to the fullest extent possible, the annual reports of that fund shall indicate the contributions that have gone into that fund specifying (a) the donors, (b) the original amounts given, and (c) the calendar years in which those gifts were made.

(2021.01.11) Resolved, That the Resolutions of Ongoing Impact that refer to the Prosser, Pahse, Mission Fund (Chapter II, Nos. 6, 7, and 8) be amended so that they read as follows:

6. The treasurer shall be authorized to place earned income that has not otherwise been designated for spending into a common fund (currently the Mission Development Fund) to be used for special projects or for synod budget items as designated from time to time by the Synod Council. Should an emergency arise between meetings of the Synod Council, the treasurer shall be authorized to expend up to $5,000 from the fund upon unanimous consent of the other officers and the chairperson of the Finance Committee.

7. The assets from dissolving congregations, including the proceeds from selling their real estate holdings, shall be added to the Mission Development Fund with the exception that the Synod Council may entertain requests by the congregation councils of dissolving congregations that a portion of their assets be directed to other specific benevolent causes related to the ministries of the Synod and the ELCA.

8. The Synod Council shall set an annual spending policy for the Mission Development Fund, the Student Education Fund, the Leadership Development Fund, and the Social Ministry Fund based on the percentages of the funds’ average asset values over the

previous five-year period.

CALLS, APPOINTMENTS, AND ROSTER MAINTENANCE

(2021.01.01) Resolved, That the Rev. Rachael C. Dietz receive a call to special service as Executive Associate of the Bishop for Leadership, effective February 8, 2021.

(2021.01.02) Resolved, That Deacon George Travis Woodfield receive a two-year part-time call to special service as Director of Legacy and Purpose, effective February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2023.

(2021.01.15) Resolved, That a call to special service be issued to the Rev. Thomas Daniel Clayborne to serve as transitional pastor of Emmanuel, Emanuelsville, effective July 1, 2019.

(2021.01.12) Resolved, That in accordance with sections 7.31.16. and 7.52.22. of the ELCA Constitution, “on leave from call” status be approved as follows: Clergy (first year): The Rev. David Newman Deacon (second year): Deacon Patrice Kidd Deacon (third year): Deacon Jacqueline Grauel

(2021.04.08) Resolved, That in accordance with sections 7.31.16. and 7.52.22. of the ELCA Constitution, “on leave from call” status be approved as follows: Clergy (second year): The Rev. Thomas F. Irwin Jr.

(2021.01.13) Resolved, That in accordance with ELCA bylaw 7.41.17. and upon endorsement by the bishop, the following rostered leader be granted the roster status of “retired”: Deacon Bruce Saylor (June 1, 2018) The Rev. Mary Laufer (October 1, 2020) The Rev. Lee Diefenderfer (November 1, 2020) The Rev. Mark Wimmer (January 9, 2021)

(2021.04.07) Resolved, That in accordance with ELCA bylaw 7.41.17. and upon endorsement by the bishop, the following rostered leader be granted the roster status of “retired”: The Rev. Lesley Hand (July 1, 2021)

CONGREGATIONS

(2021.01.14) Resolved, That the Common Ground Recovery Community, housed at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd, Wyomissing, PA 19610, be reauthorized as a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

BEAR CREEK CAMP

(2021.04.03) Resolved, That the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Council approve the proposed Supplemental Right of Way Agreement of 2021 between the Eastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Camp Corporation (the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America f/k/a Eastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America) and the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC.

UNITED LUTHERAN SEMINARY

(2021.04.02) Resolved, That in accordance with BLS10.03. David A. Russell be elected to a second three-year term on the United Lutheran Seminary Board of Trustees with this term expiring on June 30, 2024.

SYNOD ORGANIZATION AND POLICIES

(2021.04.01) Resolved, That in accordance with S10.03. the Synod Council fill the vacancy on the council of the position of female youth member by electing Cassandra Teter to serve in that capacity until the 2021 Synod Assembly.

(2021.04.04). Resolved, That in accordance with S9.07. Donald Boyer be nominated for the office of treasurer for a four-year term. (2021.01.03) Resolved, That the Synod Council affirm the "three-lane path" of synod vital sign goals and strategies--together with the staffing plan to address these goals and strategies--as presented to the synod in January 2021 by Bishop Christopher deForest, those "lanes" being (1) (2021.01.08) Resolved, That the following bylaw addition be presented to the 2021 Synod Assembly for action: BLS10.01. An in-person, electronic, or telephone meeting of the Synod Council may be called by (a) the Synod Council itself by taking action at any given meeting to set a future date on which to meet again; (b) the bishop, (c) the vice president, or (d) any third of the members of the council. Although notice of at least two weeks should be provided if the timeliness of the projected business allows, there is no minimum time required for notification provided that all council members currently within the synod's territory have been notified prior to the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Carl D. Shankweiler, Secretary

MISSION INTERPRETATION MINISTRY REPORT

Mission Interpreters share stories and communicate with congregations on how we are using our hands to do God’s work. Due to the pandemic restrictions, no in person visits were made during 2020 and 2021 to date with congregations to say thank you and help congregations understand how their Mission Support commitments fulfill many ministries.

Volunteers, Charlotte Gross and Georgia Suranofsky work together to coordinate the ministry. Charlotte focuses on the Lehigh and Northern Lehigh Mission Districts. Georgia focuses on Bethlehem-Easton and Pocono Mission Districts. We both service the other districts upon request. We also are available to make presentations to congregational councils and stewardship committees.

We continue to build the Synod team of Mission Interpreters. More information can be found on the Synod website and our facebook page about this ministry. A monthly informational email is sent to the interpreters, Deans and Associates of the Bishop. If you would like to receive the email, please contact Georgia at [email protected].

During 2020 we met other coordinators throughout the ELCA virtually over 4 months to share ideas and learn more about the ministries we support. We held a gathering in March of 2021 with synod mission interpreters via zoom entitled “God’s Work. Sharing the Stories. The gathering focused on the resources and stories available.

A brochure with stories of several ministries that have been supported through congregational giving was not published in 2020. However, 4 video stories were shown during the 2020 synod assembly for ministries supported by mission support giving. A 2021 version of the brochure will go digital as a flipbook and be available after the assembly.

The Mission Support Table provides guidance for the Mission Interpreter Ministry year. Both Charlotte and Georgia are members of the Table. The Table completed a video and thank you letter in March of 2021 for the 2020 giving to be shared with congregations.

Submitted by: Georgia Suranofsky

Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod 2022 Proposed Spending Plan

SPENDING PLAN

2020 2021 2022 Account Account Approved Actual Approved Proposed Number Description Budget Revenue Budget Budget Expenditures

Deferred Revenue Available for Appropriations 41,850

REVENUE

50100 Interest Earnings 200 14,566 15,000 15,000 51000 Rental Income 2,400 2,400 14,400 2,400 52000 Events Income 6,285 15,635 16,000 24,000 54000 Mission Support 2,000,000 1,975,489 1,850,000 1,800,000 54600 Candidacy Operations 0 1,500 0 0 54700 DEM Support Grant 0 10,000 10,000 110,000 55100 Estate Donations 0 94 0 0 55200 Youth Ministry 0 0 0 0 55410 Resource Center Operations 0 0 0 56015 Witness and Service Operations 0 680 0 0 59310 Synod Assembly 90,000 45,970 50,000 50,000 59810 Miscellaneous Income 0 2,887 5,000 5,000 TOTAL REVENUE 2,098,885 2,069,221 1,960,400 2,006,400

Total Funds Available for Approprations 2,048,250

EXPENDITURES

WORKSHOPS 62000 Other Workshops 0 663 2,000 2,000 62001 Boundaries Workshop 0 0 0 0 Total 0 663 2,000 2,000

MISSION SUPPORT 64100 ELCA Mission Support 940,000 947,400 869,500 47% 846,000 Total 940,000 947,400 869,500 846,000 GRANTS 64480 Wellness 0 13,480 0 0 17

Total 0 13,480 0 0

WORSHIP TEAM 65000 Worship Team 400 0 400 400 Total 400 0 400 400

FAITH FORAMATION RESOURCE TEAM (See Footnote 1) 65100 Faith Formation Resource Team 200 0 200 400 Total 200 0 200 400

YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT, AND FAMILY TEAM (See Footnote 1) 65200 Youth Ministry 2,000 1,562 4,900 4,900 65220 Young Adult Ministry 0 65250 LYF Board 0 65290 Youth Events Scholarships/Grants 0 Total 2,000 1,562 4,900 4,900

RESOURCE CENTER OPERATIONS 65410 Resource Center Operations 2,550 383 1,000 1,000 Total 2,550 383 1,000 1,000

CONNECTION BUILDING TEAM (See Footnote 1) 65530 Communications 1,100 100 1,000 1,000 Total 1,100 100 1,000 1,000

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM (See Footnote 1) 65600 Professional Leadership Grants 600 78 3,500 3,500 65615 Leadership Development Team - Other 0 65815 Leadership Development for Youth 0 Total 600 78 3,500 3,500

WITNESS & SERVICE TEAM 66000 Witness and Service Teams 45,450 21,807 54,000 0 66015 Witness Service Operations 0 0 0 200 66120 Gay & Lesbian Ministry TF 0 0 0 100 66130 Accessibility Team 0 0 0 100 66140 World Hunger Advocates 0 0 0 100 Care of Creation Task Force 0 0 0 100 66150 Witness & Service Grants 0 0 0 9,150 66160 Support Intern & Other Leaders 0 0 0 5,500 66310 Ministry Adjustment/Development 0 0 0 17,000 66400 Multicultural Ministry 0 18

66430 Common Ground 0 0 17,000 17,000 66440 Hope's Table 0 0 12,000 12,000 66800 Campus Ministry 0 0 0 20,000 67110 Leisure Ministry 1,500 67310 Global Mission 250 Total 45,450 21,807 83,000 83,000

TEAM TOTALS 52,300 23,930 94,000 94,200

INSTITUTION & AGENCY SUPPORT 67500 INSTITUTION SUPPORT 18,000 17,389 0 0 67515 Diakon 0 0 5,550 0.3% 5,400 67525 Lutheran Congregational Services 0 6,611 5,550 0.3% 5,400 67535 Good Shepherd 0 10,777 5,550 0.3% 5,400 Total 18,000 17,389 16,650 16,200

67500 AGENCY SUPPORT 67505 Social Ministry Institution Grants 0 0 3,000 0.0% 0 67510 United Seminary 96,000 94,820 92,500 5.0% 90,000 67520 Bear Creek Camp 28,000 27,656 25,900 1.4% 25,200 67540 Muhlenberg College 6,000 5,926 5,550 0.3% 5,400 67550 PA Conference of Churches 4,000 3,951 3,700 0.2% 3,600 67560 LAMPA 4,000 3,951 3,700 0.2% 3,600 67560 IJCU Muhlenberg 0 73 0 0 Total 138,000 136,377 134,350 8.0% 127,800

TOTAL SUPPORT 156,000 153,765 151,000 144,000

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 68110 Candidacy 10,000 6,161 15,000 15,000 68200 Archives 6,000 6,000 8,000 6,000 Total 16,000 12,161 23,000 21,000

ADMINISTRATION BISHOP'S OFFICE 69110 Bishops Discretionary Fund 500 1,500 1,500 1,500 69120 Consultations-Cong/Professional Ldrs. 2,000 0 2,000 2,000 69130 Interim Ministry 500 0 500 500 69160 Bishop Conference 0 18,564 23,000 23,000 69170 Ecumenism 0 57 100 100 69180 Stewardship 1,300 2,207 2,600 2,600 69195 Assignment Travel Pool 1,500 0 1,500 1,500 19

69190 Miscellaneous Expenses 200 542 1,500 1,500 Total 6,000 22,869 32,700 32,700

ADMINISTRATION 69200 Administrator Office Expenses 200 742 1,000 1,000 69310 Assembly Expenses 50 45,353 50,000 50,000 69410 Synod Council Expenses 200 115 200 200 69430 Legal Services 1,990 1,136 2,000 2,000 69450 Contract Services 33,840 33,826 35,000 30,884 Total 36,280 81,172 88,200 84,084

SYNOD STAFF 69500 Executive Staff 371,905 365,785 360,000 399,822 69560 Travel - Executive Staff 28,000 27,320 30,000 30,600 69600 Support Staff 216,900 151,812 141,200 116,545 69660 Travel - Support Staff 16,000 354 3,000 1,500 69700 DEM Staff 0 0 0 110,000 Total 632,805 545,271 534,200 658,467

BUILDING AND OFFICE 69700 Building Expenses/Occupancy 50,000 74,610 81,300 81,300 69800 Office Expenses 61,000 42,814 40,000 40,000 69910 Computer Expenses 6,500 4,800 6,500 6,500 69920 Auditors 20,000 30,000 25,000 25,000 69930 Major Capital Improvements/Maintenance 0 0 12,500 12,500 6999 Miscellaneous Expenses 28,000 866 500 500 Total 165,500 153,090 165,800 165,800

ADMINISTRATIVE TOTAL 840,585 802,402 820,900 941,050

TOTAL PROPOSED SPENDING PLAN 2,004,885 1,953,801 1,960,400 2,048,250

TREASURER’S REPORT Synod Assembly - 2021

As we near the end of the COVID 19 pandemic, I wish to share two important financial matters concerning the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod during the pandemic.

I am pleased to report that the Synod received a 2020 Payroll Protection Program loan in the amount of $84,800.00. The funds were used to pay all staff personnel, both rostered as well as support staff, thus avoiding the necessity to furlough or terminate staff. The synod received notice from the Small Business Administration that the loan was approved as a grant and it was not necessary to return any or all of the monies received. A special thank you to the Rev. Michael Bennethum and Mr. Eric Gombert for all their work in securing the loan and provided the necessary documents to secure the forgiveness of the loan.

Like many of the congregations of the synod, the Finance Committee and the Synod Council were concerned about the receipt of mission support funds during the pandemic. While many programs were reduced or eliminate in 2020, there were still salaries, benefits, utilities, and insurance expenses that needed to be paid. Through you generosity we received 97%, or $1,793,973.42 of the mission support budgeted for 2020, thus permitting us to meet our goals and obligations to the national church and the many organizations we support annually. On behalf of the Finance Committee and Synod Council, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your most generous financial support of the work of the synod and ELCA during these trying times.

It has been a pleasure serving as Synod Treasurer and working with you in doing God work in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

Yours in Christ;

Donald R. Dillman Treasurer

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS

The Committee of Deans met frequently since the last synod assembly. Consideration of roster matters was an ongoing task of the deans at most of their meetings.

At its October 2020 meeting, Bishop Zeiser welcomed newly elected Deans Rachael Dietz and Lauren Wolfe Blatt. He highlighted the creation of the racial justice task force, led by Deacon Deborah Graf. The deans prepared for the online mission district caucuses, set to take place during the Assembly.

In December, Bishop Zeiser made concluding remarks and the deans thanked him for his many years of service to the Church. They received Bishop-elect Christopher deForest’s initial welcome and greeting. The deans discussed worship practices and the concern for wearied rostered ministers.

In February 2021, the deans welcomed Bishop deForest and Ryan Hersch, the interim dean of the West Berks Mission District. Bishop deForest heard from the deans their concerns and challenges. The deans also gave the Bishop feedback on his January letter concerning the pandemic.

In March, the deans planned a basic sketch of the spring Mission District Assemblies. Bishop deForest plans to attend the beginning of each one, taking time to lay out his vision for the Synod. The deans plan to meet on the 2nd Wednesday every other month on Zoom.

Anniversaries of Rostered Service

2021 marks the 15th anniversary of service for:

June E. Bair Nancy L. Moore Rachael C. R. Dietz Deacon Bruce R. Saylor Deacon Tammy L. Rade

The following leaders are celebrating 25 years of service:

Jeffrey J. Butz Steven C Claycomb Mary K. Owens Deborah M. Wagner

Observing their 40th anniversary of ordination or commissioning are:

Bruce D. MacLaughlin Catherine A. Ziel Cheryl Meinshein Hausman

David R. Rowe Gary L. Walbert James C. Covert Jerel W. Gade John E Houck John F. Hazel, Jr. Lynda R. Haring Mary W. Gade Phillip K. Smith Robert C. Reier Deacon Michael E. Krentz

Celebrating their 50th anniversary of ordained service are:

Arthur B. Wyse Clark W Kuntz II David R. Strobel John W. Tomlinson, Jr. Roger E. Timm

Marking 55 years of rostered ministry are:

Frederick I. Fisher George B. Zacharda, Jr. Gilbert B. Furst Rudolph K. David

Celebrating their 60th anniversary of ordination are:

Carl R. Adams Curtis L. Olson Frederick S. Foerster Richard L. Hinkle William B. Fryer, Jr.

Celebrating their 65 years of ordained service are:

Franklin Sherman Helmut Kaffine Victor A. Kroninger, Jr.

Marking 70 years of ordained ministry are:

Augustus V. Tietbohl Lawrence P. Delp

THE REV. CLARK WEBSTER KUNTZ II, the son of Clark and Hazel (Eck) Kuntz, was born on December 17, 1945 in Northampton. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1967 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1971. In 1981, he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Following his ordination by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on June 6, 1971, Pastor Kuntz was called to serve Jacobs-Outwood Parish, Pine Grove. He then served St. Peter’s, Allentown, from 1977 to 1986. He accepted the call as pastor of Hope, Cherryville, from 1986 until his retirement in 2008. In his retirement, he has assisted with visitation at St. John, Allentown, and Lutheran Manor in Bethlehem.

Pastor Kuntz was married to Maureen (Nolan) Kuntz on January 27, 1973. They are the parents of three children— Katherine Anne, Elizabeth Mary, and David John.

THE REV. ARTHUR BENJAMIN WYSE was born on October 26, 1936, in Managua, Nicaragua. After high school, he enlisted in Marine Corps, specializing in intelligence. He graduated from Capital University in 1967 and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1971.

Ordained on October 26, 1971, by the American Lutheran Church, he first served as a missionary pastor in Colombia, South America from 1971-1977. From 1987-1981, he was pastor of Ascension Lutheran in Milwaukee, WI. In 1981, he was called by the Division for Mission in North America of the Lutheran Church in America as Pastor/Developer of Iglesia Luterana San Juan in Worchester, MA (1981-1987). Remaining to the New England Synod, he served at St. Mark Lutheran in Bridgeport, CT from 1987-1997. He came to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod to serve St. Luke Lutheran in Reading from 1997-2006. Since his retirement, he has been an interim pastor and currently serves as Visitation Pastor at Atonement Lutheran in Wyomissing.

Pastor Wyse married Milly J. (Sund) Wyse on August 13, 1966. They are the parents of two children—Marit Sund and Jon-Erik Sund.

THE REV. JOHN WORTHINGTON TOMLINSON JR. was born on September 20, 1934 to John W. Tomlinson Sr. and Madaline (Conner) Tomlinson. He graduated from Temple University in 1969 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1971.

He was ordained by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on June 27,1971. He served the New Ringgold Parish from 1971-1976, Messiah/St. Mark Lutheran in Wilkes-Barre from 1976-1982, and Friedens, Center Valley, from 1982-1999. Following his retirement, he served on the board of Lutheran Congregational Services and as Visitation Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in Allentown.

Pastor Tomlinson married Dorothy (Wert) Tomlinson on November 19, 1965.

THE REV. DR. ROGER EDWIN TIMM was born on April 2, 1945, a son of Edwin August and Paula (Rathjen) Timm. He graduated from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary in 1975.

Dr. Timm was ordained on April 25, 1971 by the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

He served St. John-Concordia Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY from 1971-1973, Assistant Professor at Concordia, Bronxville, NY from 1973 to 1974, and University Lutheran Chapel at UCLA from 1975 to 1980.

Received by transfer into the Northeastern PA Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, Dr. Timm served as the Assistant Chaplain and an Assistant Professor of Religion of Muhlenberg College from 1980 to 1985. He became a full-time faculty member in 1985. From 1998 to 1992, he served as Campus Pastor and Associate Professor of Religion at Carthage College, Kenosha, WI, an ELCA-affiliated institution. He served St. James Lutheran Church, Naperville, IL, from 1993 to 2000. Dr. Timm served Ascension Lutheran Riverside, IL from 2000 until his retirement from active ministry in 2011.

He married Marilyn Louise (Rodenbeck) Timm on June 18, 1967. They are the parents of two daughters — Sarah Christine and Anne Louise.

THE REV. DAVID RICHARD STROBEL was born August 14, 1945, a son of Herman R. and Leona H. Strobel.

He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1967 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1971. He earned a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from the University of Chicago in 1980.

Ordained by the Northeastern PA Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on September 8, 1971, he served Hope Lutheran, Hyde Park, PA and Reformation, Vandergrift, PA from 1971 to 1974. While pursing graduate studies, he served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran, Park Forest, IL.

He served Zion Lutheran, Maxatawny, from 1980 to 1985; St. Timothy, Allentown, from 1985 to 1994; and Trinity Lutheran, Reading, from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, Pastor Strobel was elected Bishop of the Northeastern PA Synod, a call in which he served two terms before retiring in 2008. He married Doris J. (Reiner) Strobel on November 21, 1970. They are the parents of two children—Kurt Richard and Erika Lee.

The Rev. Rachael C. R. Dietz Executive Associate of the Bishop for Leadership

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT, AND FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY REPORT

In 2020, we tried “a new thing."

No, I don’t mean all of the new things that were forced on us during covid-19. I am talking about the position I have been honored to serve you within.

At the start of 2020, I walked into a newly created 19-month position to see how God might work through me and those I have worked with for the benefit of the youth, young adults, families, and faith formation of our synod.

Throughout this year and a half, God showed up. Yes, despite the world being turned on its head just 2.5 months into this “new thing,” the Spirit continued to move and surprise us.

God has given us a gift in connection with others. One of the first things we did in 2020 was to develop some structure for this connection. YoYoFa started funneling youth-related announcements through biweekly email announcements, scheduling monthly gatherings for youth leaders, re-doing our YoYoFa webpage to add relevant resources and links, and increasing engagement and activity on new and old social media platforms.

This improved communication made it possible to adapt as the coronavirus continued on. Online alternatives such as the 2020 STAY May Play Day and 2020 Online Baccalaureate service were born. More lay folks, rostered ministers, volunteers, and synod church staff were connected through conversations, trainings, and events such as We Love..., Youth Leadership Summit, Learning Ministries Day, Extravaganza, Independent Confirmation Project, and more.

Slowly but surely, the Spirit led us to dip our toes into what it means for us to “Grow Young” as a synod – a pedagogy from a Fuller Youth Institute book that helps churches better engage and love people of all ages. What started as trainings and book clubs for leaders transformed into an entire Virtual Summit and has trickled down into the leaders themselves leading congregational book clubs. This is a culture change which is only just beginning.

My favorite part of this time together has been the people I have worked with along the way. Pastor Lauren Applegate and Pastor Becca Middeke-Conlin have

26 been incredible colleagues and guides along this journey. I wouldn’t be writing about these endeavors without their constant encouragement and collaboration. Additionally, it has been a joy to walk with the Faith Formation Team community and assist them in making their efforts a reality.

If the experiment of this position has taught us anything, I hope it was that there is value in trying something new… something where we aren’t sure where God is leading us. Through this year and a half, God has led us to more defined communication and more frequent connection (even digitally!). God has led us to Growing Young and the principles that are already helping our leaders better love and engage the people in our midst. God has raised up new leaders through Baccalaureate services, book clubs, event planning, and national church opportunities.

My hope is that we do not let this improved connection, pursuit of Growing Young, and raising up of others fade away, but serve as a foundation for wherever God is leading to us next.

While I do not know if that would be best served by another person filling this role, a new role altogether, or another path, I do know that we were blessed in taking a risk and trying something new. I hope that whatever group gathers to discern the future of the ministries I have engaged in my short time with you all is open to “a new thing” as the Spirit moves us along our way.

Thank you all for your welcome, collaboration, and encouragement over the past year and a half.

I cannot wait to see where God takes you from here.

God’s peace,

Sammy Kelly Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Faith Formation Ministries

WITNESS AND SERVICE TEAM REPORT

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

The Witness & Service Team continues to support ministries in our synod that demonstrate that love, share the Good News, and serve the needs of our communities. In the past, we have supported (in the form of a grant or in some cases direct financial support): Community Gardens and Food Distribution; Mission Trips to rebuild after natural disasters; Literacy Programs—summer, after school, or adult; Community Aid—winter coats, school backpacks, holiday cheer; Online Access—hardware and software for developing online participation for those without access to the internet; Worship and Gathering Places for underserved communities.

We invite your good ideas! An application can be found on the Synod website. On the application you will be asked to present your ministry plan, budget, goals, and projected outcomes. A Witness and Services Team grant amount typically does not exceed 1/3 of total project budget and is limited to $3,000 for a single applicant or $5,000 for a collaborative project. In our effort to encourage new ideas and emerging ministries, we do not fund the same project for more than three consecutive years. In three years, your new idea has had time to grow and prosper; be communicated to the larger community; earn respect, new friends, new partners, and support. So as your congregation returns to a new normal, we look forward to learning about how you are reimagining ministry—a ministry of love to one another.

The Witness and Service Team is also made up of smaller and more focused subgroups and task forces. Team members are available to reach out to these areas of ministry to learn of successes, challenges, plans, and how we can work together. We invite you to learn more about our team, and its subgroups and task forces online at: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod » Witness and Service Ministry Team (nepasynod.org)

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Maxon, convenor

NEPA COACH NETWORK

Did you know that one of the emphases within the ELCA is on coaching? There is a growing network of coaches trained using the resources of the ELCA and partnerships with professional coach training programs. Coaches receive both general instruction using ICF (International Coach Federation) core competencies and standards of ethics along with more specific training in the areas of Faith Formation, Stewardship, Congregational Vitality/Redevelopment, Mission starts and Care of Creation.

Our role is to accompany rostered and congregational leaders using a process that supports them in identifying stumbling blocks in their ministries and then, developing goals and action plans that help to effectively deal with these challenges and move forward. We journey with our clients through the creation of realistic options and measurable action steps lifting up progress, both big and small, along the way.

As the training has evolved so has the emphasis on establishing a coaching network within each of the synods of church. We began exploring coaching in the NEPA Synod in 2017 and were able to provide coaching to several leaders on our territory. Today we are part of a churchwide process for equipping synodical DEMs and Coach Coordinators with the training and resources to effectively grow our coaching network.

Currently, a Coach Champions Team is being formed to help drive this process which we are hopeful will be integrated into the process of supporting Bishop deForest’s Vitality Vision for the synod. Our Bishop and staff have enthusiastically embraced the value of coaching and are working with us to make this ministry as prosperous and effective as possible. We humbly ask your prayers for this ministry that it may be a blessing to our Bishop, synod staff, and rostered and lay leaders throughout the NEPA Synod.

If you want to know more about becoming a part of our network please contact me using the phone number or email listed below. Thanks!

Submitted by:

Pr. Tom Lang NEPA Coach Coordinator St. Paul's Lutheran Church Fleetwood, PA 610.944.8388 (church) [email protected]

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY TEAM

The Leadership Development Ministry Team centers on the following priorities: is to identify candidates for and encourage lay and rostered leaders in the church, to develop and grow their gifts for ministry and to support them siblings in Christ. To accomplish this, we commit to provide and communicate opportunities for leadership development in the congregation, the synod, and the whole Church. The team maintains and reviews the salary and compensation guidelines found in the bulletin of reports.

The global pandemic has certainly propelled us all into new ways of leading. Online giving, worship via Zoom, YouTube, or Facebook Live. A chance to meet our neighbors, sometimes for the first time. Since our last Assembly in October 2020, most of the Leadership Development Team’s focus has been being a resource for leaders during the pandemic.

Cultivating a culture of adaptive leadership takes time, energy, effort, and lots and lots of practice! Thank YOU for the ways you embraced change so that our communities experience the grace of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Spirit.

Many thanks to the current team members for their hard work and dedication to developing leaders: the Rev. Lauren Applegate and the Rev. David Blitch. We especially thank Rev. Kurt Garbe for his many years of staff support and wish him well in retirement. Consider joining our team as we support leadership development!

Submitted by Rev. Rachael Dietz, convener

2022 MINIMUM COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

These guidelines represent a 2% increase over 2021.

ROSTERED PASTORS 2022 Minimum Salary Guidelines

Resolved that: 1) The 2022 minimum base salary for Ministers of Word and Sacrament (Pastors) in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA be in agreement with the following guidelines:

Years completed 2022 2022 Service in ordained Recommended Salary Range Recommended Salary Range Ministry (including housing allowance) (parsonage provided) Low High Low High 0-1 55,694 61,284 38,708 42,579 2-3 56,926 62,149 39,941 43,942 4-7 58,160 63,977 41,179 45,294 8-10 60,594 66,691 43,655 48,010 11-15 62,481 74,977 45,496 50,045 16-20 65,566 78,678 47,629 57,156 21+ 68,652 89,248 51,668 67,168 2) It is the responsibility of each congregation to provide housing for its pastor(s). This may be accomplished in either of two ways:

a) Housing Allowance. A portion of the pastor’s salary may be designated as a housing allowance. This amount will vary, depending upon location and the needs of the pastor. Congregations and pastors should check current tax laws in establishing this figure. This amount should be established before the beginning of each year by a resolution of the Congregation Council or the listing of an amount in the congregation’s budget.

b) Parsonage. This is free use of a church-owned house, including utilities. A portion of the pastor’s base salary may be set aside for furnishings and other housing expenses according to the IRS code. An annual equity allowance of a minimum of 3%-5% of salary is recommended for all parsonage situations.

3) Congregations should remember that the figures in the grid are minimums. Congregations are encouraged to exceed these minimum guidelines. Additional compensation should be provided based on criteria such as continuing education, special skills, responsibilities, merit, and local conditions.

4) Each congregation shall establish a Mutual Ministry Committee to facilitate the discussion by which these criteria are evaluated (as well as for carrying out the other functions of mutual ministry).

5) A congregation that fails to meet the synodical guidelines shall submit a report to the bishop on a form to be provided, detailing the reasons why these minimums are not being met and the steps that will be taken to establish these minimums as soon as possible.

The following minimum benefits should be provided in addition to salary:

1) A Social Security Allowance equal to one half of the pastor’s social security liability. This allowance is taxable for income tax purposes. For 2022, the Social Security liability is expected to be equal to 15.3% of the combined base salary and housing provision. (Parsonages are subject to this tax at their fair rental value.)

2) An Automobile Allowance equal to IRS guidelines per mile for business travel. Pastors reimbursed for auto expense on a per mile basis do not have to report this allowance as income if they submit written mileage reports to the calling institution.

3) Continuing Education provisions including a congregation/agency providing at least $550 for tuition, books, etc., and two weeks of time (not vacation), and the pastor providing at least $250. It is recommended that this money be deposited in the synod’s PLACE program. (Programs that include Sundays must be negotiated with the congregation council.) It is encouraged that congregations/agencies and pastors work towards a partnership goal of $1,000.

4) Four full weeks of vacation time annually.

5) On the occasion of birth or adoption, Congregations shall provide 6-12 weeks of parental leave depending on the needs of the parent and family with full pay and benefits.

6) One to two days off per week, and, at least once a month, two consecutive days off.

7) For the purposes of Worker’s Compensation, pastors are considered to be employees of the congregation and therefore should be included in Worker’s Compensation insurance.

8 Health and pension benefits according to the guidelines of the ELCA, including a 12% pension provision shall be provided for by the congregation or calling agency. The Leadership Development Team of the NEPA Synod supports the recommendation of ELCA Church Council, and urges all synod congregations to offer the Gold + option (or its equivalent) for rostered ministers and church workers each year, unless the Silver+ option provides more savings for the member.

9) Congregations may also reimburse the pastor(s) for professional expenses such as dues, entertainment, supplies, and malpractice insurance.

PASTORS WITH PART TIME CALLS

Pastors with part time calls should be compensated on a prorated basis in line with the above guidelines, in consultation with the Office of the Bishop. Vacation and continuing education provisions should be prorated, as well. Pension and health benefits are according to the guidelines of the ELCA, including a 12% pension provision.

ROSTERED DEACONS 2022 Minimum Salary Guidelines

Resolved that: 1) The 2022 minimum salary for Rostered Ministers of Word and Service (Deacons) in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA be in agreement with the following guidelines:

Years completed 2022 2022 Service in rostered Recommended Salary Range Recommended Salary Range ministry With Bachelor’s Degree With Master’s Degree Low High Low High 0-1 37,910 41,767 40,350 44,384 2-3 39,300 43,228 42,897 47,186 4-7 40,628 44,691 44,225 48,647 8-10 43,286 47,614 46,881 51,570 11-15 45,278 54,332 48,876 58,650 16-20 48,599 57,725 52,197 62,636 21+ 51,921 67,500 55,520 72,175

2) Congregations should remember that the figures in the grid are minimums. Congregations are encouraged to exceed these minimum guidelines. Additional compensation should be provided based on criteria such as continuing education, special skills, responsibilities, merit, and local conditions.

3) Each congregation shall establish a Mutual Ministry Committee to facilitate the discussion by which these criteria are evaluated (as well as for carrying out the other functions of mutual ministry).

4) A congregation that fails to meet the synodical guidelines shall submit a report to the bishop on a form to be provided, detailing the reasons why these minimums are not being met and the steps that will be taken to establish these minimums as soon as possible.

The following minimum benefits should be provided in addition to salary:

1) An Automobile Allowance equal to IRS guidelines per mile for business travel. Rostered ministers reimbursed for auto expense on a per mile basis do not have to report this allowance as income if they submit written mileage to the calling institution.

2) Continuing Education provisions including a congregation/agency providing at least $550 for tuition, books, etc., and two weeks of time (not vacation), and the minister providing at least $250. It is recommended that this money be deposited in the synod’s PACE program. (Programs that include Sundays must be negotiated with the congregation council.) It is encouraged that congregations/agencies and rostered minister work towards a partnership goal of $1,000.

3) Four full weeks of vacation time annually.

4) One to two days off per week, and, at least once a month, two consecutive days off.

5) On the occasion of birth or adoption, Congregations shall provide 6-12 weeks of parental leave depending on the needs of the parent and family with full pay and benefits.

6) For the purposes of Worker’s Compensation, deacons are considered to be employees of the congregation and therefore should be included in Worker’s Compensation insurance.

8) Congregations may also reimburse the deacon(s) for professional expenses such as dues, entertainment, supplies, and malpractice insurance.

FAITH FORMATION RESOURCE MINISTRY TEAM

As it was for everyone, 2020 was a difficult year for Faith Formation team. Our plans for a one-day Ministry Fair had to be cancelled. We all had to have a crash course in how Zoom worked so we could continue to meet and plan for any future events. Everything we wanted to do need to be re-evaluated and decisions made on how we would move forward.

That planning during 2020 led to our first, and hopefully last, completely remote Learning Ministries Day in January 2021. Our keynote speaker joined us on Zoom from her home in Seattle. We used breakout rooms for our many workshops and Mike Bennethum kept everything running smoothly. It was heartening that we were able to have Learning Ministries Day in the midst of this pandemic, even though it was not in its usual format.

Our team has also found a way to offer the Ministry Fair that we had planned for 2020, moved to 2021 instead. We are using zoom to offer monthly workshops on the basics of the Lutheran Faith, instead of an in-person event. Planning for this change took place during our many Zoom meetings during 2020.

We are still doing our mission in helping congregations to offer timely and meaningful Christian Education for their congregations, assessing curriculum for all age levels and offering our services to anyone who comes to us for help. We will continue to do this even during the extraordinary times we find ourselves in.

Cheryl Statham

Convenor

CONNECTION BUILDING MINISTRY TEAM

The work of the Connection Building Ministry Team is to build and maintain good communication throughout the Synod. Our primary goal is to promote and lift up the ministries and events of the NEPA Synod, our Mission Districts, and our individual congregations and ministries.

To do this, we rely primarily on the NEPA Synod website (http://nepasynod.org/), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NEPSYNOD/), and Instagram account (www.instagram.com/nepsynod/). We also rely on all members, lay and rostered leaders, of NEPA congregations and mission districts. We continue to ask that if any Synod congregation has an upcoming event they would like to promote, or a ministry or ongoing project to share about, us put it on NEPA Synod Social Media! Send a write-up with at least ONE picture to The Rev. Samantha Drennan ([email protected]) and The Rev. Lauren Wolfe-Blatt ([email protected]) and they will create a post. Your text MUST be accompanied by at least one picture. Great things are happening, so let’s share them! God’s Work, Our Hands.

Goals for 2020 included holding a technology learning day with a computer lab to allow for hands-on activity. Obviously, this didn’t happen due to the pandemic. However, we did have a session on recording and streaming at the January 2021 Learning Ministries Day via Zoom.

As we did in 2020, the team curated a Lenten Devotional for 2021. We put out a call for volunteers to write a reflection and short prayer based on a set list of scripture readings. Because we no longer use the ELCA guidebook app, this time around it was posted to the Synod website and Facebook page, with a photograph to illustrate each one. Thank you to everyone who contributed. We are very pleased with the outcome.

Coming up next, a whole new look for the Synod website. Stay tuned! And please keep sending in your content.

The Connections Building Team is Michele Barra, The Rev. Samantha Drennan (convener), Stephanie Druckenmiller, Kristen Edelman-Weiner, Sammy Kelly, and The Rev. Lauren Wolfe-Blatt.

A-TEAM (DIFFERENT ABILITY RESOURCE TEAM)

The "A Team" mission is to "…encourage and assist congregations of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod to open their hearts, minds, and doors to all of God’s people by removing barriers of architecture, communication, and attitude that exclude any person from full and active participation in the life of Christ's Church." The Team typically meets several times throughout the year. The pandemic has limited meetings.

Please watch for information and ideas to use October 10th, Synod Disability Awareness Sunday. The A-Team continues to work on redesigning its web page in the Synod website: www.godslove.org. “Accessibility Basics” is a resource on ‘different Abilities’ inclusion and ministry available for congregational leaders. The team is apprised of churchwide Disability Ministry and its work with Grant Proposals, Faith Formation and Localized Active Ministries committees.

The A-Team members are: Rev. Allen Forsman, Rev. Timothy Garman, Rev. David Kistler (Secretary), and Jean Sandberg (Convener). We recognize Barbara and Richard Hartman, Members Emeritus. We remember with gratitude Rev. William Horn, Ms. Mary Smith and Ms. Carolyn Volk. We give thanks to God for their insight, leadership and years of service to disability ministry in the Synod. The team is seeking new members who have a passion for inclusive ministry.

A-Team members are available as a resource to provide support and to offer presentations and discussions for various age groups. Contact Jean Sandberg via e- mail at [email protected] with inquiries or for interest in volunteering on the A-Team.

Jean Sandberg, Convener

CANDIDACY COMMITTEE

Greetings and blessings to you from the NEPA Candidacy Committee of the ELCA. My name is Pastor Jennifer Heavner—I’m honored to serve as the chairperson of your Candidacy Team alongside Pastor Rachael Dietz, the Executive Associate to the Bishop for Leadership. The Candidacy Team is a group of thirteen lay leaders, pastors, and deacons from throughout our synod territory charged with the task of shepherding candidates for the rosters of Word and Service and Word and Sacrament through the candidacy process. This process begins with a person feeling a sense that God just might be calling them to serve Jesus’ Church as a deacon or pastor. From discernment conversations, initial interviews, and lots of paperwork, to selecting and entrance into seminary…to the excitement of chaplaincy rotations, internship, and final approval, our team is committed to accompanying and supporting our candidates through the joys and rigors of their journey to answer God’s call to rostered leadership in the ELCA. This year we’ve joyfully approved Andrew Berdahl for ordination to the roster of Word and Sacrament. We currently have sixteen candidates for both rosters at varying stages of the candidacy process. We ask that you and your worshiping communities hold them in prayer. And, we have another important, holy task for you, our siblings in Christ in NEPA—to discern! Discernment is the process of prayerfully looking for the sparks of the Holy Spirit on the move in our world and asking for the wisdom to know where the Spirit is leading—I call it being detectives of divinity! And each and every one of you, Jesus’ Church, are called to this task. Specifically, your candidacy team asks you help discern people who just might have the gifts for leadership as a deacon or pastor. Do you know someone in whom you see the gifts for ordained leadership? Well, tell them and invite them into a conversation with your church pastor or deacon about it. Or have you felt tugs or twinges of the Spirit at some point in your own life saying “you know, I feel or have felt called to ordained ministry”? If so, no matter where you are in life’s journey, your candidacy team stands ready to talk with you about the possibilities and different avenues towards answering that call. Pastor Rachael and I would be delighted to speak with and pray alongside any of you who feel they may be discerning a call to the holy work of ordained leadership. We’d be honored to discern with you. In closing, your Candidacy Team is excited to assure you that God is indeed doing new and exciting things through the dynamic future rostered leaders in NEPA Synod. Thanks be to God! We pray you are blessed through your time here at Synod Assembly. Now, get down to holy detective of divinity work! Rev. Jennifer Heavner, Chair

Greetings from Bear Creek Camp, the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry for the Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania Synods of the ELCA.

Thank you Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and congregations for your ongoing support of the ministry at Bear Creek Camp. We are grateful to work in partnership with each of you and to be an extension of your ministries near Wilkes-Barre, at arguably the most beautiful 3000 acres in the world. The community enthusiasm for the ministry of Bear Creek Camp continues to remain strong and we are very excited about the months and years to come.

In the Summer of 2020, we made the difficult decision to suspend our typical youth residential camping programs. In Summer 2021, we are primed to return to offering residential summer camp for youth and families across our region. Though our programs will necessarily include some modifications and adaptations for this year, we remain committed to providing enriching experiences while ensuring the health and safety of our campers, families, and staff. Our theme for 2021 is “Continuing Promise” and we look forward to living out Psalm 100:5 “The Lord is good! God’s love and faithfulness will last forever.”

Your financial and prayerful support of Bear Creek Camp as a synod and as individual congregations is vital to our success, especially in a time of such greatly reduced revenue. Your investment is just that – an investment. Research shows that youth that attend a Christian camp, experience measurable change in their commitment to personal faith, their desire to participate in faith practices in their home, and their sense that being a part of a faith community like a church is important to their life. These self-described changes aren’t just being felt the week after a camper comes home from camp, but continue six months after a camp experience. We are building up young people and leaders to be active members of our synod’s congregations to strengthen the church and the world. Thank you for joining us in this mission.

Throughout the year, we host groups and events including youth and confirmation retreats, men’s and women’s retreats, work groups, school field trips, disaster relief trainings, family reunions, and more. The amount of lives that are positively impacted directly and indirectly through a Bear Creek Camp experience is overwhelming!

When I think of each of the people and families behind those numbers above, I think of the good that is happening in the world because of them. Bear Creek Camp is an amplifier—an opportunity to expand and grow upon the work of the congregation and the family in making a positive difference at a time when that is needed more than ever.

Please continue to pray for Bear Creek Camp as together we explore, celebrate and grow in God’s creation.

Respectfully submitted, Collin Grooms Executive Director

GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NETWORK

March 2020 to February 2021

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit rehabilitation leader committed to transforming lives through expertise, innovation and compassion. Good Shepherd provides an exceptional patient experience for all ages and stages by developing leading-edge solutions, often for complex medical situations; serving as a test site for the newest rehabilitation technologies; and inspiring hope in all we do.

Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd also partners with Penn Medicine to provide rehabilitation and specialty services in the greater Philadelphia area and New Jersey through Good Shepherd Penn Partners.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a variety of challenges, but Good Shepherd Associates displayed deep resolve and delivered safe, innovative solutions to take care of our patients, residents and one another.

2020-2021 Accomplishments

· Following an extensive national search, Good Shepherd’s Board of Trustees appointed Michael Spigel, PT, MHA, as President & CEO. Spigel’s tenure started August 3, 2020. He previously served as President & Chief Operating Officer at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Florida. Spigel replaced Gary Schmidt, who served as Interim President & CEO. Schmidt remains chair of Good Shepherd’s Board of Trustees.

· Good Shepherd announced plans to construct a four-story, 75-bed inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The 123,000-square-foot facility will feature all private rooms and serve as a leading-edge destination for patients needing inpatient rehabilitation for complex conditions and injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, major accidents, amputation, neurodegenerative diseases and more. The new hospital, slated to open in 2023, will replace Good Shepherd’s South Allentown-based Rehabilitation Hospital. Good Shepherd is conducting a feasibility study to analyze re-use options for the current hospital and fully intends to maintain a strong presence in South Allentown, including keeping administrative offices, supports services and other patient and resident services on the campus.

· Newsweek magazine named Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital as one of the nation’s “Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers 2020.” Good Shepherd ranked fifth overall in Pennsylvania, and the best in the Lehigh Valley.

· Good Shepherd Pediatrics added two new sizes of the Trexo Plus robotic exoskeleton to its world-class collection of rehabilitation technologies. The Trexo allows children to walk — maybe even for the first time in their lives. A “Center of Excellence” in the United States for pioneering the wearable technology, Good Shepherd Pediatrics is the only provider on the

East Coast to offer small, medium and large sizes for children from age 1 to late teens. The devices are the subject of an ongoing research study conducted by Good Shepherd clinicians.

· In response to the pandemic, Good Shepherd designed and deployed a brand-new telehealth program. Launched in April 2020, Good Shepherd began providing telehealth rehabilitation for adult and pediatrics patients. Patients gained virtual access to care from Good Shepherd’s physical, occupational and speech therapists, physicians and clinical psychologists via smartphone, tablet or computer.

· In line with Good Shepherd’s mission to “inspire hope,” the network spearheaded a social media effort known as #PicturesForPatients that encouraged the community to draw, color or paint pictures for Good Shepherd’s adult and pediatric patients and long-term care residents, all of whom could not receive visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions. The grassroots effort uplifted spirits during a time of uncertainty, and provided a boost to physicians, nurses, therapists and other health-care staff as well.

· Good Shepherd shifted educational events and support groups virtually to continue providing knowledge and resources for patients, staff, community and other clinicians. These efforts included: o Virtual information session with a physical therapist and the director of the Good Shepherd Psychology Group on how to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, in the winter. o Virtual support groups covering conditions/situations ranging from concussion and stuttering to tinnitus and caregivers. o Virtual events with Good Shepherd nursing managers that allowed students, seasoned nurses and people interested in a career change to learn what it’s like working in inpatient rehabilitation, home health and long-term care at Good Shepherd.

· Jessica Cooper assumed the role of Executive Director at Good Shepherd Penn Partners (GSPP), Good Shepherd’s joint venture with Penn Medicine, in September 2020. GSPP provides rehabilitation specialty services at 30-plus locations in the greater Philadelphia area and New Jersey. Prior to joining GSPP, Cooper served as Chief Administrative Officer for Penn Medicine’s Neuroscience service line.

· Additionally, Newsweek magazine named the Penn Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine among the nation’s “Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers 2020.” Staffed by GSPP employees, the Penn Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine ranked second overall in Pennsylvania for inpatient rehabilitation, and first overall in the Philadelphia area.

· The Good Shepherd Multiple Sclerosis Wellness Program celebrated 20 years of existence. In the two decades since its inception, the MS Wellness Program has grown from three original members to 30 active participants on average. The program has impacted thousands of lives over the years through outpatient therapy, community support groups and weekly meetings.

· The Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital (GSSH), a long-term acute care facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, known for expertise in ventilator weaning and respiratory care, marked its 20th anniversary in 2020. GSSH helps patients who are too medically fragile to transfer to a skilled nursing facility, acute rehabilitation hospital or their home after a hospital stay.

· In addition to celebrating a 20th anniversary of its own, U.S. News & World Report named Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem a “Best Nursing Home” in its 2020-2021 rankings. Of the 13,443 nursing facilities receiving a Long-Term Care rating, only 1,139 nationwide (or 15 percent) ranked as High-Performing — including Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem.

· Good Shepherd at Home was named the Best Home Care Agency in the Lehigh Valley by Lehigh Valley Business' 2020 Reader Rankings. Good Shepherd at Home provides medical care in patients' homes to increase good health and promote function and independence.

Your continued support allows Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to further our mission of compassion and recovery and to honor the legacy of our founders, the Raker family. On behalf of every Good Shepherd Trustee and Associate, thank you.

MUHLENBERG COLLEGE

2020 Spring Semester

2020 started as a very promising year on the campus of Muhlenberg College packed with all the usual excitement of regular activates, classes, lectures, events, theater productions, sports, exams, outdoor and indoor pop-up festivities.

All in person student, faculty, and staff gatherings stopped when the news that a life- threatening pandemic was rapidly spreading throughout our nation and the world. Like all schools, colleges and universities, Muhlenberg was mandated to shut down on less than a week’s notice

On March 11, 2020, students living on campus were alerted to pack up their belongings and return home to await news for a safe return in some unknown future. Everyone hoped it would only be a few weeks. For most it would be a year before they returned to the Muhlenberg campus in Allentown. Every single aspect of college life and education needed to be re-adjusted to this new and uncertain reality.

Many students were able to adjust to hybrid or remote classes, however online learning was particularly challenging for students with learning differences, those from less privileged backgrounds, or students with difficult family situations. Faculty used to active in person learning, with occasional online segments, were immediately challenged to change all their familiar pedagogies to online learning.

College staff and essential employees also found their workload increased due to the need to offer dual services and programming. Essential employees worked tirelessly to implement new cleaning protocols, increase campus safety patrols and maintain campus grounds and facilities, at times with a reduced work staff.

Commencement was totally online in May of 2020, which was particularly difficult for seniors and their families desiring to celebrate their well-deserved accomplishments.

At the June Board of Trustees meeting Kathleen E. Harring, Ph.D. was unanimously elected President of Muhlenberg College. Our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Samuel Zeiser was one of the three Bishop trustees who affirmed Dr. Harring's selection. We welcome with celebration and gratitude our new Bishop Christopher deForest!

Board Chair Richard Crist praised Dr. Harring’s wisdom, experience and energy.” When Dr. Harring was named interim president a year ago, none of us could have

42 imagined what the next 12 months would hold. Kathy’s performance in real time during unprecedented conditions made it clear to the Board that Kathy was the best possible candidate to lead Muhlenberg College.”

President Harring has held many important roles in her 36 years as a gifted professor at Muhlenberg. She co-chaired Muhlenberg’s 2017 strategic planning process, served as the College’s provost, held the roles of vice president and dean of institutional effectiveness & planning, served as dean of institutional assessment & academic planning, among many other positions of scholarship and leadership. Dr. Kathy Harring is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church In Lansdale Pa, a member congregation of the SEPA Synod of the ELCA.

Summer/Fall 2020

By summer it was clear this virus was spreading, not diminishing. A wave of racial and civil unrest, along with protests denouncing systemic racism in cities and towns around the nation added another layer of discontent and dis-ease on campuses and communities across our nation.

Comprehensive planning and agile decision-making led to a successful fall semester in the midst of a global pandemic.

COVID testing, surveillance and tracing was ramped up in August in order to allow the First-year students and international students to live on campus for the Fall Semester. Everyone else was still learning and living remotely. As quiet as the campus seemed with only 602 students in residence and most faculty and staff working online, virtual work, learning and bonding was robust and non-stop through Thanksgiving.

It was late October when President Harring called to ask if I would consider serving as the interim chaplain at Muhlenberg while they began a nationwide search for a new chaplain.

A surprise request for sure, but having served on the Muhlenberg Board for 12 years as (former) bishop of the SEPA Synod, I was honored and pleased to be considered. Immediately, I had to get onboard with remote working, worshipping, meeting, planning, and learning unfamiliar technologies.

The Muhlenberg Candlelight and Carols Advent Service has been a beloved highlight of the Christmas Season for 62 years. Many SEPA Synod alumni have attended over the years and tickets for three services max out at about 1,500 people at this annual worship service. The chapel, music, vocal and theater depts did not want 2020 to be

43 the year the music and worship stopped, so early in the Fall semester a virtual Candlelight and Carols Service was created for the 63rd year. The delightful result of this three-month labor of love , was a service open to all with no physical restrictions, and an attendance of almost 4,000 viewers!

Learning how to lead Zoom worship services, give pastoral care, welcome new people, invite participation, and plan for the future during a pandemic, was a challenge all congregations, synods and church leaders had to navigate for more than entire year.

Winter/Spring 2021

All students were invited back on campus with classes beginning February 8, 2021. Approximately 1,500 students returned to campus, with another 500 choosing to live off campus or attend remotely.

COVID 19 Testing was required for every single student for three full weeks, at the beginning of the semester with surveillance and tracing and additional testing safeguarding their return and living on campus.

The search committee for new chaplain was actively seeking candidates by January. Attached is the position description. https://muhlenberg.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en- US/MuhlenbergCareers/job/Egner-Memorial-Chapel/Chaplain_R0000455-1

Now that I have been on staff at Muhlenberg I have come to enjoy the energy, intelligence and imagination of 18-21-year-olds, the wisdom of the faculty, the welcome of the staff and President’s council, and the increasing diversity on the campus of Muhlenberg. Progress on diversity, inclusion and anti-racism initiatives have not stopped or slowed in the slightest in spite of a pandemic. I have been working on the President’s Diversity Advisory Council (PDAC) that is leading a process involving faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees to identify the College’s core strengths and foundational values for diversity, equity and inclusion.

I was particularly delighted to see recent updates on the religious, racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ communities working and learning together at Muhlenberg.

18-20% of Muhlenberg Students identify as Black or African American, Asian, or Pacific Islander, and Latinx or Native American or Indigenous. Muhlenberg is a welcoming community for LGBTQ+ Students, faculty and staff.

The percentage of students receiving Federal PELL grants is 18%. A recent survey of the students for this Spring Semester highlights the increasing religious and non- religious diversity at Muhlenberg. Students self-identified in the following ways.

The Ecumenical Christian Community (Protestant) is 20%, Roman Catholic 23.3%, Jewish 21.5%, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, 1.2%, Agnostic 4.1%, Atheist 2.4%, and No Affiliation as the largest single group at 26.7%.

My work as chaplain engages all the students, faculty and staff regardless of religious or no religious identification. The religious groups also intersect with all the other racial, ethnic, multicultural and LGBTQ+ communities on campus.

All the people on and off the Muhlenberg Campus offer exciting and enriching educational and relational opportunities, and a chance to participate in hopes and dreams and leadership of a new young adult generation.

It has been an honor to serve our ELCA Higher Education ministry, to relate to the synods of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and the Slovak Zion Synod that relate to the mission and ministry of Muhlenberg College. I look forward to passing this calling to our next chaplain.

Peace, Shalom, Salaam, Shanti, Nimrata,

Rev. Claire S Burkat

Interim Chaplain

April 2021

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

REPORT ON THE COUNCIL’S WORK IN 2020

The Pennsylvania Council of Churches is church bodies and agencies representing Anabaptist, Episcopal, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and Protestant communions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania working together for Christian unity for the sake of the world. [John 17:23]

IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Looking Ahead. The search for a new Executive Director conducted in the latter half of 2020 resulted in the hiring of the Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens as of January 1, 2021. Now that he is on board, the Council will move forward with a visioning and planning process aimed at guiding the Council’s efforts moving forward. This work will include improvements in the Council’s communications, including the website and social media. Conferences and Meetings. The year began with a “Solidarity Not Solitary” program in Harrisburg in early February, followed by a weeklong event at Pennsylvania’s Capitol to display a solitary confinement cell replica and educate legislators and visitors about solitary and criminal justice reform. COVID-19 curtailed initial to do a statewide tour with the cell to do informational programs on solitary/criminal justice reform and training on advocacy and moved all events for the remainder of 2020 to Zoom. In lieu of solitary programming Episcopal Service Corps fellow Emily Schmid planned and carried out online book studies on the books White Fragility and Just Mercy. She also planned and conducted a virtual prayer gathering for those incarcerated during the pandemic. We co-sponsored and helped to facilitate a program with the CeaseFire PA Leadership Institute to introduce participants to gun violence reduction legislation and advocacy. We also held a virtual gathering to pray for the reduction of gun violence. Other prayer gatherings that we participated in involved: valuing Black and Brown lives/peace in our communities; prayers for a peaceful election; prayers for a peaceful transfer of power; and prayers for all people dealing with a pandemic over the holidays. Working with Episcopal Service Corps fellow Kelsey Reyes, we planned and carried out two discussion events on the 2020 election and COVID-19. We continued supporting vigils for immigrant families detained at the Berks County Residential Center and held the 12th annual Commonwealth Interfaith Service: Prayers for Justice and Peace remotely for the first time (view at https://www.facebook.com/PAChurchesAdvocacy/live). In an event co-sponsored by the Council with faith partners, Pennsylvania’s Senior Senator Bob Casey joined clergy and faith leaders from across the Commonwealth on August 28 to answer questions reflecting concerns within the state’s faith community around the pandemic. And on October 7, 2020 the Council hosted “An Evening with Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis,” co-chair of the national Poor People’s Campaign. She spoke of the Campaign’s work to turn out poor and low- income voters and answered questions from the viewers (view at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCunqnFIOcrIn_o715zhlTlA).

Grant Funded Efforts. The Council has worked on the following issues based on grant funding received. • An agreement was made with the Mennonite Central Committee to continue work on criminal justice reform, immigration, gun violence reduction, education, and climate change until remaining funds are spent. • Work continued on education funding with funds from the William Penn Foundation. • Criminal justice reform efforts, primarily around solitary confinement, continued under grant funds from the Van Ameringen Foundation. Some of the work underway has already been described above. Episcopal Service Corps Fellow Kelsey Reyes took over as point person in September after Fellow Emily Schmid completed her year in July. Other Activities • The Council offered official greetings to the Penn West Conference of the United Church of Christ. • Both Council websites, www.pachurches.org and www.pachurchesadvocacy.org, have continued to evolve. • The Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach worked with the Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission and with partners to provide education around the 2020 election. She also completed a sabbatical where she visited or held Zoom meetings with counterpart state councils across the country. During those meetings she gleaned several ideas that have worked for others and looks forward to working with a newly formed Commission on Unity and Relationships to determine what our own council will do moving forward. • The Council prepared and distributed a series of statements, including: A Pastoral Statement at a Time of Global Pandemic (3/27/20); A Pastoral Call to Dismantle Racism and End Violence Against People of Color (6/2/20); Pennsylvania Council of Churches’ Statement on 6/18/20 Supreme Court DACA Decision (6/18/20); and A Statement Calling for a Peaceful 2020 Election (10/28/20). All are available at https://www.pachurches.org/about- us/statements/. • The Council provided resources aimed at helping church bodies, congregations, and people of faith (and others) with important issues facing the state and country, building resource pages around COVID-19, the 2020 Census, and the election. • The Council prepared a Lenten devotional guide, 40 Days of Solidarity, to address solitary confinement and other criminal justice reform issues.

COUNCIL MINISTRIES Commission on Public Witness & Public Witness Ministry. The Council’s advocacy efforts in 2020 focused on the following areas: • Advocacy for a Pennsylvania budget with sufficient revenues that addresses the concerns of people of faith. • Human needs/poverty-related work. • Efforts to raise the minimum wage, primarily in coordination with the Raise the Wage PA Coalition. • Criminal justice reform, primarily in coordination with the Abolitionist Law Center and

other partners. • Immigration, particularly around calling for the closure of the Berks County Family Detention Center that is holding refugee families for long periods of time, and for ending the separation of families at the border. • Environment, primarily climate change and protecting water resources, in coordination with several organizations. • More equitable public education funding. • Advocacy around COVID-19 needs/relief, and sharing of information about COVID-19, including resources. • Distribution of regular updates with actions, events, resources, opportunities, and news. The Commission continues to work on efforts aimed at improving the lives of people on the margins and addressing problems with our political system. Commission on Unity & Relationships. The Council began an effort to rebuild the commission with ecumenical officers from our ecumenical partners by holding a Zoom meeting with those who had agreed to participate. Others will be added in 2021, and the group plans to convene to consider approaches for building relationships across the Council’s membership, congregations, individuals, and interfaith partners. We also held an initial convening of local and regional ecumenical representatives and hope to consider how these partners and the Council can work together in the future. Commission on Common Ministries. The Council has continued to provide support to its Trucker Traveler Ministry, Campground Ministries, and Farmworker Ministries. Jim Gould joined to become the new Campground Ministry coordinator in 2020 and has been working to update the program and this portion of the Council’s website. Long time coordinator for the Fruitbelt Farmworker Christian Ministry Roddy Runyan retired in 2020, and a new coordinator, Christian Aguilar came on board.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Council staff continue to discuss activities and areas where the Council might engage to be of service to our members, the wider faith community.

Note: There is a more expanded and detailed report available for those who are interested.

Unifying, Learning, Serving

Psalm 46 reminds us that “God is our strength, a very present help in trouble. We will not fear, though the earth be moved.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, it seems as if the ground moves under our feet every day. The seminary has adapted quickly to this new reality, using our pre- existing technology that used to join real classrooms in Philadelphia and Gettysburg to a now- totally virtual learning environment. Also, we encounter the risen Christ together as a community through our zoom worship services, a blessing that has truly unified our students, staff, and faculty across the miles.

President Guy Erwin arrived in last August to begin a new chapter in the seminary’s story, introducing a fresh perspective on the needs of the church during such a time as this. Along with Dean Sebastian and the faculty, he welcomed 85 new members to the ULS student body. In January, we welcomed an additional 39 new students. Our overall enrollment is strong: 360 students, including 177 in the Master of Divinity Program (Word and Sacrament), 19 Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership (Word and Service), and 82 Doctor of Ministry Candidates. Other students are enrolled in the MA, MAPL, STM, and PhD programs. Currently, 56 of our students are concluding their internships. Seventy-five students received diplomas this Spring, enabling them to continue servant leadership in the church. We also celebrate the gifts and service of non- degree students including 24 Affiliates and 33 Certificate course enrollees (CTS, TEEM, CCFF, UTI, and Anglican Studies). We welcomed the regional Bishops to a virtual visit this past February where they met with members of the seminary community and spend time in worship and prayer. We will hopefully return to in-person learning in this coming fall, with events featuring convocation, colloquy, and Dr. Erwin’s inauguration (go to www.uls.edu for more information). We strive to be a community that celebrates God’s diverse Creation, with intentional focus on inclusivity and equity for all. Last Fall, we created the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in keeping with a Board of Trustees mandate. Our own Brother Ed Henry was promoted to become VP in this new office.

We are grateful to the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, our partner congregations, alumni, individual donors, and synodical support. Thanks to all of our donors, we continue to offer up to full tuition for our degree-seeking students with plans to prayerfully provide in decades to come. As a higher educational institution, we were able to receive federal PPP loans/grants which have helped to sustain us despite the economic hardships in our midst. We strive to be faithful stewards of our resources, looking to guidance from the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Board to help with sound fiscal and resource advice. We welcomed Buff Carlson, the Chief Financial Officer, who began working at the seminary in February of 2020, a few days before the pandemic upended our patterns and routines. He continues to work with Advancement team to forge a sustainable financial strategy for faithful ministry to our students now and in the future. In March, 51 we thanked the Rev. Dr. Zimmann for her years of faithful leadership as she departed for a new position as VP of Advancement at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

We are thankful for the ELCA synods of Regions 7 & 8 for their faithful accompaniment during these times. Though the earth is always moving, we will not fear, because our partners continue to remind us that God is present amid the challenges we face as we equip the saints for the work of ministry. May God bless you in this moment and strengthen you in the days to come as we continue to encounter Christ when and where we least expect him, but always where he is most-needed.

Rev. Dr. Martin Otto-Zimmann, Director of Church Relations

DIAKON LUTHERAN SOCIAL MINISTRIES & DIAKON CHILD, FAMILY & COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

We express deep appreciation for our partnership with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and its congregations. Through Many Hands, guided by One Heart, Diakon serves people in need of all ages, especially those with limited financial resources. Mark Pile, president/CEO since 2010, retired the end of 2020. The Diakon board of directors named Scott D. Habecker as president/CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

In 2020, Diakon provided $20.2 million in benevolent care, including $6.4 million within the synod.

Along with other Diakon senior living communities, both The Lutheran Home at Topton and Luther Crest in Allentown focused throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on keeping staff members and residents safe. Measures included cohorting of positively testing residents, self-quarantining for staff who test positive, use of personal protective and negative air-pressure equipment and in-person visitation limitations. In early spring 2021, the senior living communities reopened to visitation for the second time, under new governmental guidelines. All precautions, of course, remain in effect.

We certainly want to uphold all the front-line caregivers—certainly heroes during this very challenging time—for their dedication and commitment to those we serve. That same accolade goes to all our staff members, who developed varying ways to maintain service to those in need despite the continuing strictures of the pandemic.

In spite of these challenges, the two senior living communities served more than 2,500 people through independent-living accommodations, personal care communities and

52 skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, both short- and longer-term. Both senior living campuses maintained emphases on specialized programming in memory support, including for family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or similar cognitive impairments.

Diakon-sponsored Girls on the Run – Lehigh Valley, a physical activity-based youth program that teaches life skills through interactive lessons and running games for girls in third through eighth grade, experienced a significant reduction in direct service because of the pandemic. For example, some 700 students had registered for the spring 2020 program, canceled one week into the sessions. However, 55 of those girls took part in GOTR Connect, a virtual program, with additional online opportunities offered throughout the spring and summer. The program returned to safe in-person sessions in the fall, with 58 participants from six sites within the Bethlehem Area School District. Registrations are running well for 2021 sessions.

Diakon Adoption & Foster Care served nearly 3,000 children, youths and families within the synod, adopting virtual methods for holding information and training sessions. Physically distant and safe methods were used for other family interactions, however. The program continued to emphasize child-specific recruitment/family- finding programs, foster care for medically fragile children and kinship care—gaining an additional county contract to do all kinship placements for that county. In terms of growth, the regional Diakon Adoption & Foster Care office provided 77,406 days of foster care in 2020, compared to 71,348 the previous year.

Separately, Diakon manages Pennsylvania’s Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network, or SWAN, meaning the Diakon organization plays a role in all public adoptions. In 2020, that work had an impact on the lives of 4,173 children and youths, as well as 2,076 family members, within the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod region.

In addition, Diakon Family Preservation & Reunification Services and Diakon Youth Services aided children, youths and families from the area.

The family preservation and reunification programs are designed to prevent children from being referred for an out-of-home placement or to assist families in the midst of reunification with children and youths returning from a placement. Originally offered in Bucks County, the service has expanded to other counties, including Lehigh and Northampton. In 2020, the local programs aided 165 children and families.

Based at the Diakon Wilderness Center near Boiling Springs, Diakon Youth Services’ Weekend Alternative Program served 11 adjudicated youths from Berks County and one from Lackawanna County by providing weekend-based supervision and

53 challenge-related activities during a time they might otherwise be affected by peer pressure.

Diakon Community Services continued to offer a range of services—health-related programs, health-insurance counseling, community-based senior centers, Diakon Living & Learning, volunteer programs and meals on wheels—to people in Schuylkill County and, through expanded APPRISE contracts, in Pike, Luzerne and Wyoming counties and, through RSVP programs, in Berks, Pike and Wayne counties. However, the pandemic had a significant impact on programming. For example, Diakon Community Services was not able to hold its annual Senior Expo in Schuylkill County, the APPRISE TeleCenter was closed for nearly six months and the five senior community services in Schuylkill County were closed for much of the year. The number of Meals on Wheels deliveries, however, rose in the county. In all, Diakon Community Services still helped more than 8,900 people last year.

We thank God for the gifts of staff, volunteers, congregations, donors, and board members who, together, enabled us to directly serve nearly 19,000 people in the synod last year.

Scott D. Habecker, CPA, CGMA

President/CEO

Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia

2021 President’s Letter to Synod Assemblies

Nearly a year ago we sent out greetings to your Synod Assembly from the staff and the board of the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia little knowing how different the world would be a mere few weeks later. In many ways the world is a different place than it was a year ago. We lost too many lives due to Covid-19, and many more folks were, and still are, sick from this deadly virus. In terms of our churchly gatherings, virtual worship services and virtual Synod Assemblies replaced in-house services and Assemblies. At the Archives Center our Board was able to continue to meet through Zoom. Nonetheless, despite the lock-downs that went into effect across our country in March of 2020, we at the Archives Center continued to do what we were chartered to do in 1979, when the Synods of the northeast region of the then Lutheran Church in America organized to work together to preserve the archival heritage of the Lutheran Church. As you will see in the accompanying issue of the Archives Advocate, the work of your regional Archives has gone on, albeit, somewhat differently because of the imposition of various public health restrictions. We at the Archives Center are continuing the work that was initiated back in the year 1792, when the Ministerium of Pennsylvania officially recognized the archives as an integral part of that church body. While our staff continues to labor in the Archives, we are grateful for the work of our Executive Director, Lisa Minardi, our staff Archivist, Sheila Joy, as well as our other staff and volunteers who help to process the archival materials that come to us from closed congregations and from other agencies and ministries within our region.

Your regional Archives Center is funded through contributions from our constituent Synods, fees from closed congregations, bequests, endowment income, as well as donations from individuals and congregations. As you read this copy of the Archives Advocate know that we feel privileged to preserve the archival heritage of the Lutheran church in the Northeast, and we appreciate our partnership with you in this important work.

We wish you a blessed Synod Assembly, and we invite your prayers and continued support, and when permissible, your visits!

The Rev. J. Francis Watson, PhD President of the Board, Lutheran Archives Center

P.S. The following pages show the most recent Archives Center publication. To be on our mailing list, contact us at 215-248-6383.

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA

In response to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we advocate for wise and just public policies in Pennsylvania that promote the common good. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania is a shared ministry of seven Pennsylvania synods, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Pennsylvania ELCA agencies and institutions. Through LAMPa, Lutherans who are working to eradicate hunger are supported to voice their faith convictions in the public square with and on behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors and the world we share, while seeking to create a more just Commonwealth. This shared ministry has perhaps never been so vital as now, in the face of pandemic, urgent challenges that threaten our communities here and around the globe, and a dangerous “othering” that prevents us from encountering Jesus in our neighbor and, possibly, preventing our neighbors from encountering Jesus in us.

Since the last in-person assembly, LAMPa celebrated 41 years of advocacy ministry that supported and deepened your congregational efforts to address hunger, poverty, racial injustice, health care, human trafficking, election integrity, immigration, discrimination and hate crimes, criminal justice, environmental threats to health and safety, and an accurate Census. Our decades of advocacy on these issues have enabled us to lift up the needs of your ministries and communities to secure emergency food, shelter, access to medical care and other relief in response to COVID-19. Through these efforts, Lutherans in this synod spoke up with and on behalf of those who are suffering and whose interests were most likely to be overlooked in a time of chaos. LAMPa shared vital information with synods and our network about opportunities to access grants, assist people in applying for benefits and to offer resources in the state’s emergency response. Though much of our work has unleashed assistance directly to those in need, some – in the form of meals or other aid -- has gone to your ministries, enabling you to be the visible presence of Christ as you encounter Christ in your neighbor at your doorstep and in each other as you continue teaching, preaching, singing and praying together virtually.

In its work of equipping disciples, growing leaders and supporting vital congregations, LAMPa staff continued teaching virtually – in congregations, seminary classes and synod events. We hosted a virtual hearing on the draft social statement on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in Democracy and will host listening sessions on the related social statement in this synod in the coming months. We are working with congregational leaders to prepare for God’s work. Our hands. Our voices. Sunday in September and look forward with hope that we might be able to work side by side on that day.

We give thanks to God for you and for the support of our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Policy Council representatives, the Rev. Inge Williams and the Rev Richard Baumann.

With deep gratitude for all the ways in which you support LAMPa’s ministry,

Tracey DePasquale

Director

LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 2021

Lutheran Congregational Services (LCS) continues, as it has for over 45 years, to creatively help congregations live out their missions of faith and service. As we partner with communities of many kinds throughout eastern Pennsylvania, we continue to be encouraged by how God calls people together to support those who are hurting and most vulnerable, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the Liberty Lutheran family of services, our programs include disaster response, Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training, bereavement support programs, and consulting. o Lutheran Disaster Response - Eastern Pennsylvania. LCS serves as the ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate in the 19 counties of eastern PA.

o Long term recovery from Tropical Storm Isaias. In early August 2020, Isaias left a path of destruction as it came up the Delaware Bay, and then roughly the northeast extension of the PA Turnpike through to the Poconos. The areas most affected have been Lehigh and Northampton Counties and the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. Lutheran Congregational Services has coordinated the recovery effort among partner agencies like Southern Baptist Disaster Response, UCC Disaster Ministries, Team Rubicon, and local authorities and community partners. LCS is also responsible for the case management portion of the process. We have been able to do this in part thanks to a grant from the ELCS/LDR for $20,000. Those funds are also helping to purchase heaters.

With our partners we’ve made some 300 calls back to families impacted and continue to work with 60+homeowners in need of heat or rebuilding. UCC Disaster Ministries is leading the volunteer team effort for rebuilding. Please contact Julia Menzo, [email protected] if you would like to donate or volunteer for this effort. We anticipate at least another $300,000 will be needed to help with this recovery.

o COVID-19. With partners in PAVOAD (Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) our covid response focus has shifted in large part to supporting county requests for volunteers at vaccine sites and advertising volunteer needs.

o Congregations interested in making cards for those in our senior communities, making self-care kits for homeless following covid vaccines, assembling cleanout kits, or who have teams who can support flood recovery, please contact Julia Menzo. o Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training (LEVT)

o LCS is providing a virtual training this spring on May 8 and 22. Within the training are new segments related to how to minister and deliver Communion in the time of social distancing.

o Bereavement Ministries

o Despite the coronavirus pandemic, LCS will host a virtual "Journeys through Grief," program May – June 2021.

o We also offer a closed Facebook group for those who want a more informal setting or who wish to stay connected to others after the traditional 6 week session concludes. Led by our Bereavement Ministries Coordinator Sylvia Havlish, the page currently has over 250 members. Find it on Facebook by searching for “Journeys through Grief.” o Church consultation

o The LCS network of providers is available for Adult Forums, discussions with church groups, Temple Talks, workshops and more to inspire dialogue around topics related to church preparedness, personal and community resiliency, church security, disaster and climate change, and more.

In 2021, LCS continues to be well aware that climate change is having an impact on our work in disaster response, and we continue to become more and more aware that inequity plagues all of us in all contexts of our lives, regardless of our skin color or abilities. Remembering that Jesus is our redeemer motivates us to respond in love, and while we will fall short, love is our intent!

LCS is led by Director of Community Outreach, Julia Menzo. Programs are administered by a network of contracted employees, part time staff, the LCS Advisory Committee, volunteers, the public relations and advancement departments at Liberty Lutheran, and through a vast network of congregational and community partners across eastern PA.

LCS is a ministry of the Liberty Lutheran family of services. The entire family of Liberty communities— Artman, Paul’s Run, The Hearth at Drexel, The Village at Penn State, and The Manor at York Town— continue to be devoted to an approach of care and service that focuses on each resident’s unique preferences and activities. As a result of that devotion, residents’ lives are filled with meaning, connection and purpose. Liberty services, including Lutheran Congregational Services, The Becoming Center, LCFS-West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, Liberty Lutheran Foundation, and Liberty at Home, continue to foster relationships and collaboration with partners to enrich the lives of those we serve. These family of services have all been affected by COVID-19 and your prayers for our residents, staff, communities, and all of those we serve, are greatly appreciated.

We welcome conversations with pastors and congregational members. Find information about LCS on our website at www.libertylutheran/lcs, and on the Northeastern Penn Synod website. Follow us on Facebook @LutheranCongregationalServices.

Respectfully submitted, Julia Menzo Director of Community Outreach Lutheran Congregational Services [email protected], 267-464-7740

BETHLEHEM-EASTON World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

BETHLEHEM, HOLY CROSS-2002 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM, ROSEMONT-2005 365.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM, ST. JOHN WINDISH-2007 500.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM, ST. MARK-2008 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM, ST. PAUL-2010 418.00 0.00 333.00 4,000.00 1,332.00 3,800.00 BETHLEHEM, ST. PETER-2011 818.00 0.00 200.00 10,220.00 9,185.29 9,265.00 BETHLEHEM, ST. STEPHEN-2012 1,080.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 EASTON, ARNDTS (FORKS TWP)-2015 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 0.00 EASTON, GOOD SHEPHERD-2017 0.00 1,416.70 0.00 7,500.00 4,607.94 0.00 EASTON, ST. ANDREW-2018 0.00 0.00 0.00 22,500.00 22,500.00 22,500.00 EASTON, ST. JOHN-2019 32.50 0.00 0.00 16,500.00 16,500.00 14,000.00 EASTON, ST. PAUL-2020 291.00 522.00 194.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 0.00 EASTON, ST. PAUL THIRD-2021 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,000.00 5,964.00 0.00 HELLERTOWN, CHRIST-2025 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 16,250.00 0.00 MARTINS CREEK, GOOD SHEPHERD-2027 0.00 0.00 0.00 306.00 100.00 0.00 WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, ST. JOHN-2028 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 1,315.96 1,500.00 SAUCON VALLEY, NEW JERUSALEM-2030 1,500.00 0.00 500.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 TATAMY, HOPE-2031 3,878.00 1,500.00 0.00 0.00 5,782.02 7,291.00 WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, ST. LUKE.-2032 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 746.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM, LIGHT OF CHRIST-2033 5,577.56 0.00 532.00 15,000.00 15,499.92 15,500.00 BETHLEHEM, STAR OF BETHLEHEM-2034 0.00 2,085.00 260.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 0.00 BETHLEHEM-EASTON DIST. MISC. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 14,460.06 5,523.70 2,019.00 125,026.00 127,283.13 76,856.00 Total churches responding 22 22 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

EAST BERKS World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020 BECHTELSVILLE, TRINITY-3001 3,198.50 0.00 0.00 4,000.00 8,175.00 0.00 BLANDON, MAIDENCREEK-3002 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 4,750.00 0.00 BOWERS, HOPE-3003 0.00 0.00 0.00 400.00 334.00 400.00 BOYERTOWN, ST. JOHN-3004 1,431.00 1,514.00 888.00 25,000.00 28,000.00 0.00 MOHRSVILLE, (SALEM) BELLEMAN'S-3005 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,500.00 4,163.50 3,500.00 DOUGLASSVILLE, ST. PAUL-3007 4,618.00 0.00 1,595.00 46,200.00 46,200.00 46,200.00 DRYVILLE, CHRIST-3008 2,496.00 0.00 0.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 0.00 FLEETWOOD, ST. PAUL-3009 2,238.29 0.00 0.00 12,000.00 14,500.00 12,000.00 HAMBURG, ST. JOHN.-3010 97.75 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 16,987.50 0.00 HAMBURG, ST. MICHAEL-3011 208.00 398.00 489.23 0.00 1,119.00 0.00 HAMBURG, ST. PAUL-3012 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,400.00 800.00 0.00 BOYERTOWN, ST. JOSEPH (HILL) - 3013 2,832.00 26.00 0.00 12,000.00 12,000.00 0.00 ALBURTIS, HUFFS, - 3014 103.00 30.00 100.00 0.00 11,019.00 10,000.00 FLEETWOOD, NEW JERUSALEM-3015 5.00 0.00 125.00 2,000.00 2,389.00 0.00 KEMPTON, NEW BETHEL-3017 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 750.00 0.00 STONY RUN, FRIEDENS-3018 640.00 200.00 0.00 5,000.00 5,200.00 0.00 KRUMSVILLE, MT. ZION-3019 123.00 100.00 0.00 1,200.00 1,679.10 0.00 KUTZTOWN, ST. JOHN-3020 240.00 0.00 0.00 8,000.00 8,000.04 7,600.00 KUTZTOWN, TRINITY-3021 2,312.42 0.00 613.00 22,440.00 22,440.00 0.00 OLEY, ST. PAUL (LOBACHSVILLE)-3023 0.00 0.00 1,035.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 FLEETWOOD, SALEM.(SHALTERS)-3024 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 2,920.00 2,500.00 MAXATAWNY, ZION-3025 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 10,855.39 10,000.00 MERTZTOWN, ST. PAUL-3026 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 KUTZTOWN, ZION MOSELEM-3027 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 FLEETWOOD, ST. PETER (BECKERS)-3028 0.00 0.00 250.00 2,020.00 2,020.00 2,000.00 OLEY, FRIEDENS-3029 2,105.00 405.00 200.00 20,000.00 20,371.10 0.00 PERRY TOWNSHIP, ZION -3030 2,861.00 0.00 0.00 11,000.00 11,000.00 0.00 SHOEMAKERSVILLE, ST. LUKE-3031 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 700.00 0.00 LEESPORT, ST. JOHN. (GERNANTS)-3032 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 0.00 OLEY, CHRIST (SPANGSVILLE)-3033 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,800.00 1,800.00 0.00 READING, ZION SPIES-3034 659.00 0.00 40.00 7,000.00 7,437.68 0.00 TOPTON, TRINITY-3035 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,125.00 3,125.00 6,041.67 TOPTON HOME, GRACE-3036 875.00 500.00 375.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 0.00 LEESPORT, HOLY TRINITY-3037 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 6,000.00 0.00 SHARTLESVILLE, FRIEDENS-3038 0.00 0.00 0.00 6,000.00 7,070.66 0.00 EAST BERKS DISTRICT 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 28,042.96 3,173.00 6,710.23 259,085.00 289,805.97 100,241.67 Total churches responding 36 36 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

HAZLETON-LEHIGHTON World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Hunger 2020 Agencies 2020 ELCA 2020 Commit Response Commit ASHFIELD, DINKEY MEMORIAL-4001 3,581.00 0.00 0.00 2,800.00 2,800.00 2,800.00 BIG CREEK, ST. PAUL-4002 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 400.00 0.00 AUDENRIED, SALEM-4003 344.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 882.00 1,000.00 BEAVER MEADOWS, ST. PAUL-4004 90.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,145.00 0.00 BOWMANSTOWN, TRINITY-4005 679.00 51.09 0.00 3,500.00 999.00 1,400.00 PENN FOREST. TWP, CHRIST-4006 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,500.00 0.00 CONYNGHAM, CHRIST-4007 11,493.25 0.00 0.00 52,000.00 55,660.00 0.00 MAHONING, ST. JOHN-4008 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 750.00 0.00 FREELAND, ST. LUKE-4009 0.00 0.00 0.00 125.00 125.00 0.00 HAZLETON, CHRIST-4011 1,703.69 0.00 321.00 20,500.00 20,576.00 20,500.00 HAZLETON, TRINITY-4012 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,252.75 0.00 JIM THORPE EAST, ST. JOHN-4013 345.50 0.00 510.00 5,000.00 4,642.00 0.00 JIM THORPE HGHTS, ST. JOHN-4014 212.00 0.00 0.00 7,608.00 7,608.00 0.00 LANSFORD, TRINITY-4015 160.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,805.00 5,000.00 LEHIGHTON, TRINITY-4016 3,975.00 0.00 2,087.00 12,000.00 10,512.69 12,000.00 LEHIGHTON, GRACE-4017 490.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 1,230.50 0.00 PACKERTON, ZION-4018 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,500.00 0.00 MAHANOY CITY, CHRIST-4019 222.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 NEW RINGGOLD, FRIEDENS-4022 807.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,105.00 0.00 N WEISSPORT, ST. MATTHEW-4023 458.00 404.00 0.00 4,554.00 3,981.00 4,554.00 NUREMBERG, EMMANUEL-4024 0.00 0.00 120.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 ZION GROVE, MT ZION-4025 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,200.00 4,099.98 0.00 PALMERTON, HOLY TRINITY-4026 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 2,004.00 0.00 BARNESVILLE, CHRIST-4028 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 RINGTOWN, ST. JOHN-4029 1,571.00 0.00 40.00 8,800.00 8,945.00 8,900.00 BRANDONVILLE, ST. JOHN-4030 0.00 0.00 0.00 6,100.00 6,125.00 0.00 SAINT JOHNS, ST. JOHN-4031 2,586.00 0.00 618.00 5,500.00 5,500.00 0.00 SHENANDOAH, ST. JOHN-4032 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 SUMMIT HILL, ST. PAUL-4033 105.00 70.00 0.00 0.00 2,363.00 0.00 TAMAQUA, ST. JOHN-4035 1,522.00 0.00 670.00 8,500.00 10,044.00 0.00 TAMAQUA, ZION-4036 1,682.00 0.00 0.00 6,000.00 6,401.00 0.00 TOWAMENSING, ST. JOHN-4037 229.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 0.00 TRACHSVILLE, JERUSALEM-4038 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,400.00 2,600.00 0.00 WEATHERLY, ST. MATTHEW-4039 75.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 WEATHERLY, ZION-4040 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 0.00 0.00 WEST HAZLETON, TRINITY-4042 104.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,875.00 0.00 MANTZVILLE, ST. PETER-4043 0.00 279.50 0.00 7,500.00 7,601.00 0.00 WEST PENN, ZION STONE-4044 500.00 500.00 500.00 2,000.00 500.00 0.00 WHITE HAVEN, ST. PAUL-4045 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,500.00 5,500.00 0.00 HAZLETON-LEHIGHTON MISC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 32,935.17 1,304.59 4,866.00 217,787.00 213,031.92 66,154.00 Total churches responding 40 40 67

LEHIGH World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

ALBURTIS, ZION LEHIGH-1001 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 0.00 ALLENTOWN, CHRIST-1002 960.00 0.00 1,547.00 45,000.00 41,250.00 41,000.00 ALLENTOWN, REDEEMER-1005 1,955.00 1,175.00 10,115.00 0.00 4,515.65 0.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. JOHN-1007 0.00 0.00 0.00 28,000.00 28,000.00 28,020.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. LUKE-1009 10.00 500.00 0.00 250.00 555.00 0.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. MARK-1010 35.00 100.00 0.00 1,500.00 1,739.00 0.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. PETER/HANOVER-1014 42.00 0.00 0.00 2,400.00 2,400.00 0.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. TIMOTHY-1017 4,440.00 0.00 600.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 6,500.00 ALLENTOWN, TRINITY MEMORIAL-1018 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 CETRONIA, CEDAR-1019 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,224.00 12,649.22 0.00 COOPERSBURG, ST. JAMES-1020 387.00 1,149.00 300.00 23,000.00 26,666.00 1,917.00 COOPERSBURG, ST. PAUL-1021 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 0.00 0.00 EMMAUS, HOLY SPIRIT-1022 2,387.50 0.00 3,675.00 33,000.00 33,000.00 33,000.00 EMMAUS, ST. JOHN-1023 1,950.00 0.00 110.00 12,942.00 10,276.74 0.00 FOGELSVILLE, ST. JOHN-1024 302.00 1,907.14 610.00 6,500.00 5,970.17 0.00 FRIEDENSVILLE, FRIEDENS-1025 390.00 0.00 450.00 1,760.00 1,760.00 0.00 MACUNGIE, GRACE-1027 385.00 1,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 OLD ZIONSVILLE, ZION-1028 131.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16,817.51 0.00 EAST SALISBURY, JERUSALEM-1030 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 0.00 SUMMIT LAWN, ST. ANDREW-1031 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 901.00 0.00 BREINIGSVILLE, ST. PAUL-1032 0.00 2,040.00 0.00 20,100.00 20,100.00 20,100.00 MACUNGIE R. D., ST. PETER-1033 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 1,000.00 WEST SALISBURY, JERUSALEM-1034 1,000.00 200.00 200.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 ALLENTOWN, ST. MICHAEL/NATIVITY-1037 5,029.00 0.00 50.00 44,188.00 37,349.33 35,281.00 LEHIGH DISTRICT, MISC. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 19,403.50 8,071.14 17,657.00 258,364.00 269,449.62 166,818.00 Total churches responding 25 25 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

NORTHERN LEHIGH World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

BATH, ST. JOHN-5001 0.00 0.00 100.00 3,500.00 5,158.00 4,000.00 CATASAUQUA, HOLY TRINITY-5002 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 9,000.00 CHERRYVILLE, HOPE-5004 1,358.13 0.00 190.00 38,100.00 38,100.00 38,500.00 COPLAY, ST. JOHN-5005 888.00 2,499.84 0.00 10,700.00 10,700.04 0.00 EMANUELSVILLE, EMMANUEL-5006 2,207.00 0.00 0.00 37,000.00 37,000.00 33,500.00 HEIDELBERG, HEIDELBERG-5007 129.00 727.00 62.00 500.00 500.00 0.00 SLATEDALE, HOLY TRINITY-5008 0.00 200.00 0.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 1,500.00 KREIDERSVILLE, GOOD SHEPHERD-5010 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,750.00 4,750.00 5,000.00 LOWHILL TWNSP, MORGENLAND-5011 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 NAZARETH, ST. JOHN-5013 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 SCHNECKSVILLE, UNION-5014 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 NEW TRIPOLI, NEW LIFE-5015 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,460.00 745.00 0.00 NORTHAMPTON, HOLY TRINITY-5016 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 0.00 NORTHAMPTON, ZION-5017 3,331.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,400.00 0.00 NORTHAMP HOLY TRINITY SLOVAK-5018 280.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 SLATINGTON, ST. JOHN-5019 250.00 0.00 170.00 2,500.00 1,063.55 2,500.00 OREFIELD, JORDAN-5020 2,933.71 1,250.00 1,791.67 20,000.00 18,333.37 0.00 WEISENBERG TWP, WEISENBERG-5021 1,009.26 1,794.00 1,000.00 0.00 17,605.00 0.00 WEISENBERG TWP, ZIEGELS-5022 1,663.00 4,200.00 0.00 17,000.00 17,000.00 0.00 WHITEHALL, FAITH-5023 1,178.00 2,750.00 110.00 22,800.00 21,999.96 0.00 WHITEHALL, SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS-5024 3,453.00 875.00 331.31 13,571.00 13,571.00 0.00 BELFAST, GRACE-5026 1,080.00 600.00 185.00 4,600.00 4,600.00 0.00 WHITEHALL, ST. JOHN-5027 928.00 200.04 0.00 16,560.00 16,919.00 16,625.00 HECKTOWN, TRINITY-5028 370.00 500.00 372.05 0.00 14,004.00 0.00 KEMPTON, JERUSALEM (RED)-5029 0.00 0.00 300.00 2,400.00 2,100.00 0.00 NORTHERN LEHGH VALLEY MISC.-5099 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 22,058.35 16,595.88 4,612.03 238,041.00 275,048.92 141,825.00 Total churches responding 26 26 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

POCONO World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

ALBRIGHTSVILLE, ST. PAUL-6001 29.00 900.00 0.00 0.00 5,208.00 0.00 APPENZELL, ST. MARK-6002 213.65 0.00 0.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 0.00 BANGOR, TRINITY-6003 1.70 0.00 0.00 4,500.00 500.00 0.00 BLAKESLEE, FAITH-6005 982.00 0.00 20.00 0.00 5,250.00 0.00 BRODHEADSVILLE, ZION UNITED-6006 345.40 157.53 0.00 6,200.00 3,000.00 6,200.00 SMITHFIELD, ST.PAUL-6007 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 0.00 DINGMANS FERRY, HOLY TRINITY-6008 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,600.00 3,600.00 0.00 EFFORT, ST.JOHN-6010 25.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 GOULDSBORO, GRACE-6011 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,900.00 2,900.00 2,900.00 GREELEY, ST. LUKE-6012 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 184.00 0.00 HAMILTON SQUARE, CHRIST-6013 390.00 0.00 440.00 0.00 975.00 0.00 HAWLEY, ST. PAUL-6014 321.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 0.00 HONESDALE, ST. JOHN-6015 53.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,500.00 0.00 JOHNSONVILLE/PRINCE OF PEACE-6016 808.00 196.00 570.00 18,500.00 18,765.98 17,575.00 KRESGEVILLE, SALEM-ST. PAUL-6017 633.53 0.00 0.00 6,500.00 6,065.00 6,500.00 MINISINK HILLS, ST. MARK-6019 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 0.00 PEN ARGYL, ST. JOHN-6020 300.00 225.00 100.00 0.00 0.00 600.00 PLAINFIELD, ST. PETER-6021 1,590.83 1,238.00 957.13 16,000.00 15,999.96 0.00 SCOTRUN, ST. JOHN-6023 353.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,600.00 0.00 SHOHOLA, ST. JACOBI-6024 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,020.00 1,020.00 0.00 STONE CHURCH, CHRIST-6025 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 STROUDSBURG, ST. JOHN-6026 4,105.00 450.00 1,040.00 8,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 TANNERSVILLE, ST. PAUL-6027 378.00 0.00 0.00 2,500.00 2,600.00 0.00 POCONO DISTRICT 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 10,530.26 3,166.53 3,127.13 88,120.00 97,567.94 34,975.00 Total churches responding 24 24 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

SCHUYLKILL World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

ASHLAND, GOOD SHEPHERD-7001 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,447.00 0.00 AUBURN, ST. JOHN-7002 0.00 0.00 0.00 856.00 890.00 0.00 FRACKVILLE, ZION-7003 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,500.00 4,794.00 5,000.00 FRIEDENSBURG, ST. JOHN-7004 0.00 298.00 0.00 5,000.00 4,915.00 0.00 ASHLAND, CHRIST. UNITED-7005 17.00 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 11,650.75 0.00 HEGINS, FRIEDENS-7006 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,800.00 1,800.00 0.00 PITMAN, ST. JAMES-7007 4,675.50 0.00 0.00 8,000.00 7,702.32 8,000.00 LLEWELLYN, FRIEDENS-7009 82.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 245.00 800.00 MINERSVILLE, ZION-7010 585.40 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 1,321.50 0.00 BUCK RUN, TRINITY-7012 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,200.00 2,200.00 0.00 ORWIGSBURG, ST. PAUL-7013 0.00 0.00 50.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 ORWIGSBURG RD, ZION-7014 200.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 0.00 PINE GROVE, ST. JOHN-7015 600.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,570.00 0.00 PINE GROVE, ST. PETER-7016 2,131.00 0.00 0.00 3,800.00 2,400.00 0.00 PINE GROVE RD 1, JACOBS-7017 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 2,037.00 2,100.00 PINE GROVE RD 1, OUTWOOD-7018 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,815.00 1,815.00 1,800.00 PINE GROVE, SALEM-HETZELS-7019 1,697.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,000.00 0.00 PORT CARBON, ST. PAUL-7020 443.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 MIDDLEPORT, ST. PAUL-7021 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 480.00 0.00 POTTSVILLE, TRINITY-7022 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 RAVINE, ST. MATTHEW-7023 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 REINERTON, ST. PETER-7024 1,121.00 0.00 20.00 1,200.00 1,515.00 0.00 SUMMER HILL, ST. PAUL-7027 2,000.00 0.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 5,080.27 0.00 TOWER CITY, ST. PAUL-7028 482.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 364.00 0.00 TREMONT, ST. JOHN-7029 385.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 400.00 VALLEY VIEW, TRINITY-7030 1,060.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,404.00 0.00 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, JERUSALEM- 7033 1,480.00 0.00 0.00 14,000.00 11,688.86 0.00 SCHUYLKILL DISTRICT MISC. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 16,959.02 298.00 1,070.00 78,671.00 86,619.70 19,600.00 Total churches responding 28 28 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

SCRANTON-WILKES BARRE World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Commit Response Commit Hunger Agencies ELCA 2020 2020 2020

ARCHBALD, ST. LUKE-8001 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DUSHORE, SHEPHERD OF HILLS-8003 882.00 385.00 100.00 9,241.00 9,240.96 9,620.00 HOBBIE, ST. JAMES-8004 675.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 4,135.00 0.00 POND HILL, ST. MARK-8005 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,825.02 0.00 KINGSTON, HOLY TRINITY-8006 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 MOUNTAINTOP, ST. PAUL-8007 1,428.31 0.00 299.97 6,500.00 4,875.03 0.00 NANTICOKE, ST. JOHN-8008 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,300.00 0.00 ZENITH, ST. JAMES-8011 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 1,340.75 0.00 HUGHESTOWN, ST. PETER-8012 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 SAYRE, ST. JOHN-8013 1,769.00 0.00 1,100.00 3,500.00 2,646.00 0.00 NESCOPECK, FAITH UNITED-8016 495.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 5,628.00 0.00 SCRANTON, ST. PETER-8017 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 400.00 0.00 DALLAS, ST. PAUL-8018 1,287.40 900.00 1,152.09 13,816.00 13,816.00 14,753.00 TOWANDA, TRINITY-8019 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,075.00 4,075.00 0.00 WILKES-BARRE, GOOD SHEPHERD-8020 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 WILKES-BARRE, ST. JOHN-8022 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 500.00 WILKES-BARRE HGTS, ST. MARK-8023 0.00 1,250.00 0.00 0.00 1,250.00 0.00 SCRANTON, ST. MATTHEW UNITED-8025 116.92 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,920.00 0.00 SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE MISC. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 DISTRICT TOTALS 6,653.63 2,535.00 2,952.06 48,632.00 62,951.76 24,873.00 Total churches responding 18 19 Note: Amounts above do not include benevolences sent directly to agenices.

WEST BERKS World Homes & Other 2020 2020 2021 Hunger 2020 Agencies 2020 ELCA 2020 Commit Response Commit KNAUERS, ALLEGHENY-9001 1,070.00 0.00 0.00 15,300.00 15,300.00 15,300.00 BERN TOWNSHIP, BERN-9002 1,500.00 0.00 1,300.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 6,400.00 BERNVILLE, FRIEDENS-9003 930.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 BIRDSBORO, ST. MARK-9004 1,260.00 0.00 153.00 5,500.00 5,648.36 0.00 GEIGERTOWN, ST. JAMES-9005 3,695.20 100.00 150.00 5,000.00 2,659.50 0.00 GOUGLERSVILLE, TRINITY-9007 0.00 0.00 0.00 600.00 600.00 600.00 GRILL, CHRIST-9008 0.00 0.00 0.00 700.00 1,400.00 0.00 JACKSONWALD, SCHWARZWALD-9009 304.04 0.00 50.00 10,868.00 10,868.00 10,868.00 LAURELDALE, CALVARY-9010 195.00 0.00 479.76 11,000.00 13,235.00 0.00 MOHNTON, ST. JOHN-9011 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,300.00 7,612.00 8,300.00 MT PENN, FAITH-9012 0.00 0.00 4,701.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,300.00 PLOWVILLE, ROBESON-9013 1,589.00 0.00 250.10 6,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 READING, CHRIST-9015 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 4,999.99 5,000.00 READING, GOOD SHEPHERD-9016 80.28 0.00 0.00 4,800.00 4,800.00 4,800.00 READING, GRACE-9017 86.00 0.00 0.00 3,200.00 3,466.67 0.00 READING, HOLY SPIRIT-9018 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,400.00 2,400.00 0.00 READING, HOPE-9019 908.30 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 2,810.32 0.00 READING, INCARNATION-9020 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 READING, NATIVITY-9021 330.00 0.00 2,248.00 3,500.00 3,555.00 3,500.00 READING, PEACE-9022 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 500.00 0.00 READING, ST. JOHN-9024 0.00 0.00 0.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 0.00 READING, ST. LUKE-9025 110.00 0.00 0.00 1,325.00 1,300.00 0.00 READING, ST. MARK-9026 197.00 0.00 0.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 0.00 READING, ST. PAUL-9027 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,560.00 2,560.00 0.00 READING, TRINITY-9028 0.00 0.00 0.00 56,000.00 56,000.00 56,000.00 BETHEL, SALEM-9030 0.00 0.00 0.00 550.00 1,363.20 0.00 REIFFTON, REFORMATION-9031 2,598.00 0.00 10.00 21,491.00 19,773.30 20,000.00 ROBESONIA, ST. DANIEL-9032 2,438.00 0.00 1,200.00 13,800.00 11,700.00 0.00 ROBESONIA, TRINITY-9033 1,516.00 0.00 3,000.00 62,000.00 62,000.00 0.00 SHILLINGTON, GRACE-9035 200.00 0.00 0.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 SINKING SPRING, ST. JOHN-9036 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,071.02 8,071.02 0.00 STONY CREEK MILLS, BETHANY-9037 0.00 0.00 0.00 250.00 1,203.00 0.00 STOUCHSBURG, CHRIST-9038 1,240.00 0.00 450.00 400.00 400.00 0.00 WERNERSVILLE, TRINITY-9042 1,403.00 0.00 0.00 17,982.00 18,333.00 19,686.00 WEST LAWN, ADVENT-9043 5,635.00 0.00 0.00 23,000.00 23,004.00 0.00 WEST READING, BETHANY-9044 250.00 500.00 250.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00 WOMELSDORF, ZION-9045 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,700.00 3,700.00 0.00 WYOMISSING, ATONEMENT-9046 1,155.00 0.00 0.00 54,000.00 49,500.00 54,000.00 WYOMISSING, COMMON GROUND 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 0.00 READING, HOPE'S TABLE - 9050 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 READING. COMMON GROUND 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 READING, HMONG COMMUNITY 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 WEST. BERKS MISC 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL WEST. BERKS 28,689.82 600.00 14,241.86 405,697.02 398,962.36 223,954.00 Total churches responding 43 43 73

33rd Annual Synod Assembly Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA October 16, 18, 23, 24, 2020 Held Online

2020 Synod Assembly Minutes

PLENARY SESSION ONE

Friday, October 16, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

OPENING WORSHIP. The 2020 Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), meeting electronically, began at 6:00 p.m. on October 16, 2020, with opening worship, the Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Zeiser, Bishop, preaching. The musician for the service was Deacon Michael E. Krentz.

This is the text of Bishop Zeiser’s sermon.

Gatherings like ours tonight cannot hear this story too often. If we were gathered in one place and I’d blurt out, “The ten lepers!,” plenty of you are rowdy enough that you’d shout back, “Go and show yourselves to the priests,” prompting others to shout, “The other nine, where are they?” until finally the late adapters would speak up more sedately, “Get up, your faith has made you well.” You know this story. We’re talking classic gospel!

Now, if I were preaching to a group, say, not well informed biblically, I’d want to include some story details, details we set aside as we grew more, well, biblically well informed. They’d need the details to get the fuller picture of Jesus’ ministry that is so important to understand early in faith development.

For sure, one detail I’d lift up comes early in the story, very early: “On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.” Jesus is on the move. This is a detail added by Luke to the ten-leper story already circulating by way of mouth. Luke’s insistence on including it in the only official version of the story we have means it cannot be set aside recklessly—unless you’re content with an incomplete picture of Jesus’ ministry.

With a group less biblically well informed, I’d pursue this detail like a leper seeking a cure. We’d explore the question, Why go all the way to Jerusalem when all the hope and healing and trust being generated right here in Galilee/Samaria is needed right here? Unless Jesus is taking some kind of watercraft down the Jordan River, best guess is he’s got to cover close to one hundred miles over uneven terrain. The biblically well informed know that “going through the region between Samaria and Galilee [to get to Jerusalem] is confusing to a careful map reader.”1 You knew that, right?

Now relax, I’m not questioning your biblical literacy. I just get animated when the fullness of

1 David L. Tiede, Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Luke (Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis; 1988), p. 295.

Jesus’ ministry gets a chance to shine. You know what that’s like. You’re a Lutheran from a congregation in the Northeastern PA Synod. You agreed to be a synod assembly voting member. You’re watching the bishop rant on a screen in your home or at a watch party wondering, Are we really going to pull off the election of a new bishop this way?

It’s no secret there were synod-wide Zoom meetings to get people ready, practice sessions for those responsible for making this happen, orientation sessions for all 525 voting members. You see, the assembly planning team attended to the details.

Luke’s detail about Jesus on his way to Jerusalem deserves to be one of the responses shouted out when I say, “The ten lepers.” Jesus’ ministry, the ministry of your congregation, cannot be fully understood without taking his journey to Jerusalem into account.

We can all thank Luke for that insight and for the way he raised it up as far back as Chapter 9, verse 51. [READ IT] It’s worth devoting morning meditation time to Luke’s stunning portrayal of Jesus reaching a profound self-understanding. Looking back over the preceding weeks, Jesus began to add up the effects of a public ministry that was spontaneously unfolding as he went. There was • The return of his 12 closest followers from a mission trip; • The feeding of 5,000, right there out in the open at Bethsaida; • That transfigurative, mountain-top event with only Peter, James, and John present—they hardly kept their mouths shut; • The making of a child the symbol of greatness; • The exorcism of unclean spirits right in front of crowds.

Word spread about all these occurrences and more without a trip to Jerusalem. No surprise then, that even Herod was getting nervous. With a bad moon on the rise, Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Those paying close attention could hear the alarms going off in the citadel across the street from the Temple in that city on edge.

“He set his face to go to Jerusalem.” After those words in Luke’s gospel account, every parable, each healing, all encounters become a new thing; every parable, each healing, all encounters would reveal in Jesus the unimaginable grace of God hinted at in the psalmist’s words (“what are human beings that you are mindful of them . . . that you care for them?”) and the reconciling purpose of God’s will for all creation hinted at in “Creation Story #1” (“God saw everything that [God] had made, and indeed, it was very good”). Then, at Luke 24, tied to the broken body of Jesus that would be pried from a cross outside Jerusalem, every parable, each healing, all encounters would rise never to die; would rise to gather all those whose faith prompted a response of humility, praise, and thanksgiving. Now, one who responds so overwhelms nine who do not.

For him, Jesus’ compassion went beyond the healing of his dreadful pathological defect. Jesus’ compassion revealed the power of God to make things new. He, of the ten, knew he had not only been healed, but more he was now well.

Luke 17:11-19 matters today because Jesus reached Jerusalem, and yet one more troublesome outcome in that city of political intrigue and religious consequence came to pass. Fulfilling an ancient promise God then acted to overturn the usual political/religious dynamics that always seemed to produce troublesome outcomes in Jerusalem.

Having explored just one detail of the story of the ten lepers on the threshold of online Assembly

2020, we are emboldened with the assurance that this moment in God’s time is embraced by the fullness of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus is on the move with us. Baptized into the troublesome Jerusalem outcome turned on its head, we can imagine with confidence that Luke might now write: “On his way from Jerusalem, Jesus was going through the territory of the Northeastern PA Synod. As he went, 525 voting members of Synod Assembly 2020, approached him and they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, we’re doing Assembly 2020 online! Have mercy on us.’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go, avail yourselves of the constitution and Robert’s Rules of Order.’” And we too will be made well.

ASSEMBLY OPENING. Bishop Zeiser called the first plenary session of the assembly to order at 7:00 p.m. and invited the assembly to join in the Order for the Opening of a Synod Assembly. Asserting that “we are church together” is manifest through the presence of a representative from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECA), he introduced Mr. William Horne II, Vice President of the ELCA. He also expressed his appreciation for all of the persons involved in making arrangements for the assembly, including the Rev. Christopher deForest and all others on the Assembly Planning Team, most notable Edward C. Cool and George Freestone; the Rev. Kurt E. Garbe, assembly coordinator; the technical staff from Events Staging and Lumi; the members of the synod’s Worship Team including assembly musician Deacon Michael E. Krentz; and the synod’s support staff “working behind the scenes.”

VOTING PROCEDURES. Vice President Kristen Edelman-Weiner explained how to vote online using the voting app provided by Lumi. She turned to the approval of the assembly agenda as a test for this app, calling upon the Rev. Carl D. Shankweiler, Secretary, to present the following resolution on behalf of the Synod Council of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod: Resolved, That the 2020 Synod Assembly Program (as printed in the Bulletin of Reports) be adopted. The motion was adopted on a vote of 431 Yes, 4 No.

Secretary Shankweiler reported that copies of the 2019 Assembly Minutes have been certified by the bishop and secretary and prepared for deposit in the archives, with the 2019 assembly minutes included on pages 74 to 82 of the 2020 Bulletin of Reports and with the 2019 Minutes Book available on a print- on-demand basis because of the pandemic’s ending in-person assemblies where these books could have been distributed in greater numbers.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS. Bishop Zeiser again welcomed Mr. Horne and explained that Mr. Cool was present to assist with the election process. He also pointed out that at various points in the election process the assembly would be led in prayer by specific people chosen from throughout the ELCA.

Mr. Horne expressed his reflections on the process of electing a new bishop, explained the process, and brought the assembly to the point of the first ballot. He described a bishop as a pastor, a servant, a person who reminds us of the unity of the ELCA and the wider Church, the CEO of the synod, and a unique public leader speaking to the church and the world. He asserted that the bishop will need “your ongoing prayers and support.”

Deborah Frey then gave the credentials report: of the 525 persons registered for the assembly, sixty-one percent (321) were lay and thirty-nine percent were ordained (184 pastors and 20 deacons).

Mr. Cool explained how to proceed with the first ballot with the preliminary prayer offered by Elizabeth Leibenguth. The assembly then voted.

LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES. A video was then shown of Julia Menzo, Director of Community Outreach, who explained the ministries of Lutheran Congregational Services, highlighting work related to COVID-19, flooding, lay eucharistic visitor training, and bereavement ministries. She drew the assembly’s attention to the LCS report in the Bulletin of Reports.

BISHOP’S REPORT. Bishop Zeiser presented his report as found in the Bulletin of Reports and added verbal comments. ● He thanked the synod’s congregations and rostered leaders for the call to be bishop. ● He thanked and named the synod’s four support staff members and noted their adjusting to changing circumstances. ● He expressed his gratitude to the associates of the bishop, whom he named, including the Revs. Paul Braden and Michael Bennethum, for serving with him as “superb colleagues, gifted servants of Christ, and advocates for the mission districts in which they serve.” ● He expressed his gratitude for the people who have extended expressions of support and the people who accept tasks as volunteers. ● He expressed appreciation for our partners around the globe, stating the wish that every pastor could serve as bishop and see the extent of the Church. ● He expressed his opinion that the new bishop will be the “synod’s chief missioner,” noting that many congregations are losing their ability to maintain themselves and find it difficult to remain viable. “We all need to take risks in the name of Jesus.” ● He thanked God for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament of which he could be a part while also looking forward to retirement as a time for “Linda and me” to be together.

INFORMATION GATHERING TEAM. Bishop Zeiser invited George Freestone to address the assembly by way of a video in order to explain the work of the Information Gathering Team. Mr. Freestone identified the members of this diverse team: the Rev. Nelson Quiñones, Deacon Janet Stump, Todd Gimbi, Jaime Taylor, and himself. The team also received assistance from the churchwide staff in the persons of John Hessian and Dr. Deborah L. Coe. He explained that the first surveys generated 150 responses; an online approach brought 120 more. The findings have been published on the synod’s website; every text response is given. The question is what the next bishop should make her or his focus. The online summary of the findings has been viewed 145 times. He explained that because of COVID-19 one series of area meetings could not be held. He thanked everyone who responded and “dug in.”

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND REPORT OF THE SYNOD COUNCIL. Ms. Edelman- Weiner added her thanks to those of Mr. Freestone and thanked his task force. She drew the assembly’s attention to the Report of the Vice President in the Bulletin of Reports, adding to that a story of her experience with a tree line on their property and comparing the synod to her attempts to improve that line of trees. Her findings? New growth happens but is not always easy. More time needs to be spent nurturing new growth. We need to change our old expectations along with the world; different is OK. Neglect is not a strategy for the long term; we are, and must be, caretakers of each other as congregations. She observed that the synod consists of 251 congregations and three authorized worshipping communities and expressed the wish that everyone could work with the synod. “You don’t need to be special,” and we can “learn from failure.” She highlighted the resource Growing Young and encouraged people to find “new growth in ourselves, too.” She ended her own report with prayer and then drew the assembly’s attention to the Report of the Synod Council, found in the Bulletin of Reports.

VIDEO OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY. The assembly watched a video about an intergenerational ministry, Interwoven, at Allegheny, Knauers. The speakers were the Rev. R. Zachary Labagh and Kristen Kelly, Director of Youth and Mission. This ministry received a grant from the synod. Originally the group met two times a month for a variety of activities; now they meet once a month by Zoom because of COVID-19.

SECRETARY’S REPORT. Pastor Shankweiler drew the assembly’s attention to the Report of the Secretary and requested corrections.

VIDEO ABOUT DIAKON. The Rev. Mark Wimmer expressed greetings from Diakon, a social ministry organization with more than 150 years of history and last year serving 102,000 people, including 30,000 on the territory of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. He listed many of Diakon’s ministries and explained how 2020 has been a difficult year, such as the need to stop visiting in facilities, some deaths, staffing disruptions, and many other challenges. He thanked the synod for its support. He spoke as well about the agency’s dealing with issues of racial justice, especially in adoption and youth work. He affirmed Diakon’s openness to working with all kinds of people.

50.40.10 ANNIVERSARY. Ms. Edeman-Weiner introduced a video concerning the 50.40.10 Anniversary, noting that “we have a lot to celebrate.” The video showed women in ministry and included prayers for women and LGBTQ+ people who have had difficulties because of who they are. The program ended with a hymn.

REFERENCE AND COUNSEL. Bishop Zeiser called on the Rev. Brandon Heavner to introduce the work of the Committee on Reference and Counsel. Pastor Heavner listed the members of the committee and read the resolves of the first resolution as submitted to the committee as well as the committee’s response.

I. The following resolution was received from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mission District Task Force on the SALM/Similar program.

THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE SALM OR SIMILAR PROGRAM.

Whereas, the NEPA Synod desires to have all congregations of the Synod have access to pastoral services; and

Whereas, more congregations, including vacant ones, are opting for weekly Eucharist services; and

Whereas, the NEPA Synod cannot adequately fill vacant congregations with appropriate ordained pastors; and

Whereas, many smaller congregations cannot adequately compensate ordained pastors; and

Whereas, the number of pastors who would desire a move are limited as are retired pastors who desire to travel, and the number of available seminary graduates is also limited; and

Whereas, the SALM program proved to be a valid method to provide pastoral services to vacant congregations; and

Whereas, there are lay persons available who could be trained to function as SALMS, lay pastors and/or designated eucharistic celebrants in congregations including vacant ones;

Therefore, be it resolved, That the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mission District memorialize the NEPA Synod to reinstate the SALM or similar program and provide the training for such persons who participate in these programs; and

Be it further resolved, That those who enter and complete the training be utilized in vacant congregations as SALMS, lay pastors, and/or designated eucharistic celebrants; and

Be it further resolved, That said persons be authorized to provide pastoral services including the sacraments only in the congregation to and with which they serve as a SALM, lay pastor, and/or designated eucharistic celebrant; and

Be it further resolved, That the NEPA Synod memorialize the ELCA to adapt the same or similar resolution and program as defined in this resolution.

Response of the Reference and Counsel Committee In light of the fact that the ELCA has a Synod-Authorized Minister program (Manual of Policies and Procedures for Management of the Rosters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, page 76) and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod has a Pastoral Care Provider Program that serves as the successor to the SALM Program, the Committee recommends that this resolution be received by the Assembly as an expression of support for these initiatives, and that promotional materials be developed to make congregations aware of this resource.

Discussion began concerning the recommendation of the committee, which was before the assembly for action. Lisa Traugott asked what SALM stands for (Synodically Authorized Lay Minister); the Rev. Peggy Wuertele explained that there are procedural issues inherent in this matter, such as the need for psychological testing and background checks. She suggested that an amendment be made to deal with requirements and process issues. At that point, due to time constraints, Bishop Zeiser closed discussion and noted that there were additional persons in the queue wanting to speak; they would be the first persons recognized when this matter again comes before the assembly.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE. The Rev. Kenneth Melber spoke for the Elections Committee, explaining the need for nominees for the Synod Council and Discipline Committee.

With no nominations being made from the floor, Bishop Zeiser declared those persons running unopposed for offices to be elected by acclamation: the Rev. Michael Ware for the Discipline Committee (six-year term) and Margaret (Peggy) Rapp for the Discipline Committee (six-year term).

Pastor Melber explained that the ballot for a three-year term for a lay female for the Synod Council would be taken on the afternoon of October 18.

Mr. Cool was called upon to give a report on the first ballot for bishop. He said that there was a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number of votes being shown for individuals, meaning that no report could be made immediately and explaining that the results will be posted on the synod’s website and that everyone who received at least one vote would be contacted in order to determine if he or she wants to stand for election on the second ballot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms, Edelman-Weiner called the evening’s business to an end and asked Pastor Shankweiler to make the concluding announcements. He drew the assembly’s attention to two offerings requested of the assembly and that that could be supported through the synod’s website: (1) the offering for the ELCA’s World Hunger Appeal, as required at every assembly, and (2) the call for donations to the Samuel and Linda Zeiser Fund for Leaders in Mission Scholarship, as called for by the Synod Council.

At 9:13 p.m. the session was declared to be in recess. Shortly after the session ended, the results of the first ballot for bishop were posted.

Report of the First Ballot for Bishop

Number of ballots cast: 314 Number of legal ballots cast: 310 Number of illegal ballots cast: 4 Number of votes required for election: 233

1 Grube Charles H. 25 8.06% 2 Bennethum D. Michael 22 7.10% 3 deForrest Christopher 16 5.16% 4 Cox Colleen E. 13 4.19% 5 Ruggles Susan D. 12 3.87% 6 Quinones Nelson 11 3.55% 7 Hersch Ryan M. 9 2.90% 8 Middeke-ConlinRebecca E. 9 2.90% 9 Possinger Jami L. 9 2.90% 10 Drennan Samantha L. 8 2.58% 11 Dietz Rachael C. 7 2.26% 12 Machamer Robert D. Jr. 7 2.26% 13 Dolich Maritza Torres 6 1.94% 14 Frey Gregory W. 6 1.94% 15 Kaufman Michele D. 6 1.94% 16 Pagotto Anthony P. 6 1.94% 17 Richter John C. 6 1.94% 18 Shankweiler Carl D. 6 1.94% 19 Butz Jeffrey J. 5 1.61% 20 Csellak Laura A. 5 1.61% 21 Garbe Kurt E. 5 1.61% 22 Nielsen Niels H. 5 1.61% 23 Sipe Martha S. 5 1.61% 24 Lose David 5 1.61% 25 Huber Jean L. 4 1.29% 26 Spohn Philip C. 4 1.29% 27 Ware Sonja 4 1.29% 28 Albers Jira A. 3 0.97% 29 Blatt Lauren A. 3 0.97% 30 Brettell Daniel W. 3 0.97% 31 Camp Gordon A. 3 0.97% 32 Kulp Gerald S. 3 0.97% 33 Lingenfelter Scott W. 3 0.97% 34 Osterhout Bruce G. 3 0.97% 35 Osterhout Julie G 3 0.97% 36 Rivera Garcia Nelson 3 0.97% 37 Scheffey Deborah K. 3 0.97% 38 Williams Inge M. 3 0.97% 39 Wolfe Mary E. 3 0.97% 40 Claycomb Steven C. 2 0.65% 41 deForrest Allison R. 2 0.65% 42 Hamm MaryAnn 2 0.65% 43 Labagh R Zachery 2 0.65% 44 Lupole Wayne T. 2 0.65%

45 Milne Martin A. 2 0.65% 46 Riedy Brian S. 2 0.65% 47 Siegfried Dody S. 2 0.65% 48 Hetrick Carolyn 2 0.65% 49 Bair June E. 1 0.32% 50 Blitch David W. 1 0.32% 51 Dresher Norman E. 1 0.32% 52 Druckenmiller Chris A. 1 0.32% 53 Frost Michael A. 1 0.32% 54 Goodwin Virginia A. 1 0.32% 55 Hand Raymond J. 1 0.32% 56 Hittinger Raymond C. 1 0.32% 57 House Donna E. 1 0.32% 58 Kaufman Wayne R. 1 0.32% 59 Knox Rebecca W. 1 0.32% 60 Kuntz Clark W. II 1 0.32% 61 Kuritz Peter D. 1 0.32% 62 Lyon Katie E. 1 0.32% 63 Maxon William S. 1 0.32% 64 Meinschein Cheryl F. 1 0.32% 65 Melot Elizabeth Ann 1 0.32% 66 Metzloff Paul W. 1 0.32% 67 Moore Nancy L. 1 0.32% 68 Recher Julie P 1 0.32% 69 Rowe David R. 1 0.32% 70 Schlegel James W. 1 0.32% 71 Scholtes Michael J. 1 0.32% 72 Ware Michael W 1 0.32% 73 Wimmer Mark A. 1 0.32% 74 Zeiser Samuel R. 1 0.32% 75 Ziel Catherine A. 1 0.32% 76 Gordy Anne 1 0.32% 77 Staub Scott 1 0.32% 78 Tjornehoj Susan 1 0.32% TOTAL VOTES 310

PLENARY SESSION TWO

Sunday, October 18, 2020, 2:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER AND WORSHIP. After Deacon Krentz led the singing of We Are Church Together, Ms. Edelman-Weiner called the assembly to order at 2:00 p.m., with the Worship Ministry Team leading the assembly in worship.

REPORT OF FIRST BALLOT FOR BISHOP AND SECOND BALLOT. Mr. Cool gave the report of the first ballot for bishop, in which there were 310 legal votes cast, meaning that 233 votes were needed for election. With no one receiving that many votes, Mr. Horne explained that the assembly

81 would proceed to the second ballot. For that ballot, explained Mr. Cool, of the seventy-eight persons nominated on the first ballot, nineteen remained in consideration after forty-nine persons withdrew. Mr. Horne asked Bishop Patricia Davenport of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to offer prayer. The second ballot was then taken. The persons whose names appeared on the ballot were

LAST NAME FIRST NAME VOTES RECEIVED ON 1ST BALLOT Grube Charles 25 deForrest Christopher 16 Ruggles Susan 12 Quinones Nelson 11 Hersch Ryan 9 Middeke-Conlin Rebecca 9 Drennan Samantha 8 Nielsen Niels 5 Sipe Martha 5 Osterhout Bruce 3 Osterhout Julie 3 Rivera Garcia Nelson 3 deForrest Allison 2 Milne Martin 2 Blitch David 1 Scholtes Michael 1 Gordy Anne 1 Staub Scott 1 Tjornehoj Susan 1

BISHOP ZEISER AND JAMES JENNINGS. Bishop Zeiser commended the persons who prepared the 50.40.10 video shown during the previous session, a “reminder of the blessings given to the church.” He then invited James Jennings, a member of the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Prince of Peace, Johnsonville, to report to the assembly.

Mr. Jennings spoke about the impact COVID-19 has had on the ELCA, pointing to the ELCA churchwide staff and synods as providing steady support. He pointed to Zoom as a key resource for these times and the experience of worship taking place online. He spoke of remote assemblies and churchwide meetings taking place online, with the Church Council now also meeting remotely. He reported that there have been five rounds of ELCA COVID-19 Response Fund relief grants and Daily Bread grants. The ELCA appeal for assisting ministries in other countries has raised $1.5 million, and Lutheran Disaster Response has been at work. He mentioned the Future Church Design project as helping the ELCA to be more efficient and effective. He observed that this will probably be his last official meeting with Bishop Zeiser and thanked him for his help and guidance, also wishing all to be safe.

ELCA REPORT. Mr. Horne presented the report of the ELCA. First, he presented a video in which Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton referred to the ELCA as a “thriving church.” Although the video was prepared shortly before the pandemic, she asserted that “we will continue to thrive.” The video showed a variety of ministries. “How are you thriving?”

Mr. Horne then gave his own presentation, extending greetings from Bishop Eaton as well. He spoke about the position that he fills as Vice President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He talked about Mission Support and how that money is used, thanking the synod for its participation. He asserted the need to help synods, members, congregations, and partners in this time of COVID-19. He pointed to ELCA.org/publichealth and #ELCAChurchTogether as sources of information and stories. The

82 impact of COVID grants can be viewed online. He spoke about Lutheran Disaster Response, with thirty- nine countries being helped. Highlights from 2019, especially of ministries assisted in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, were Common Ground, Atonement Common Ground, and Hope’s Table; a Vitality grant given to a synod congregation; the three scholarships from the ELCA Fund for Leaders given to synod members (Roger Berger, Cody Danner, and Luke Swanson); the four Young Adults in Global Mission from the synod with Mr. Horne listing as well all of the missionaries supported by the synod; the International Young Women’s Program; ELCA World Hunger grants ($23.4 million, resulting in seventy- seven grants in sixty-three synods plus 263 grants in sixty-two countries, including grants in this synod); Lutheran Disaster Response ($11.3 million in 2019 with activities in forty countries and twenty states); $6.15 million given through ELCA Good Gifts; Seeds Monthly, a mailing with news and resources going to 83,000 people. He reported that the next ELCA Youth Gathering has been moved to July 24-28, 2022. He held up Growing Young as offering strategies “for any church to engage teens and young adults,” and he pointed to the ELCA Innovation Lab (https://blogs.elca.org/innovationlab) as a way to share creative ideas. He thanked those members of the synod who are engaged in ELCA churchwide work, including Mr. Jennings on the Church Council and the Rev. Cheryl Meinschein as serving on the Committee of Appeals. He noted the Rev. D. Michael Bennethum as the Director for Evangelical Mission for the synod. He thanked Bishop Zeiser for inviting him and noted that a lot of responsibility is placed on bishops. He expressed his excitement about the ELCA as a prophetic word in our world and noted that “our strength is our unity in Christ.”

TREASURER’S REPORT. The synod’s treasurer, Dnald Dillman, spoke to the assembly by Zoom. His written report in the Bulletin of Reports was referred to, and he spoke about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as having helped the synod to avoid layoffs. He thanked the congregations of the synod for their support in a difficult time.

2021 SPENDING PROPOSAL. Dr. Donald Boyer presented the Fiscal Year 2021 Spending Proposal on behalf of the Synod Council. He, too, thanked the congregations for their support. He also thanked Pastor Bennethum, Mr. Dillman, and synod staff person Eric Gombert for their work in securing a PPP loan for the synod. He also thanked Bishop Zeiser for the fiscally responsible way he has led the synod, and he thanked the synod’s Finance Committee, indicating that new members would be welcome. He recommended a recent paper by Pastor Shankweiler about synod finances, “Fifty Years of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Finances,” and pointed as well to a message in the September 2020 Living Lutheran by Presiding Bishop Eaton (p. 50): “It’s unlikely that Luther could see with certainty in 1527 how his work would turn out.” Dr. Boyer added, “That’s the way I feel about the 2021 spending plan.” In discussing that plan, he pointed to the fact that in 2021 the synod will again have a three-day assembly. The plan is balanced with $869,500 designated for the ELCA as part of the total plan of $1,960,400. He spoke about the uncertainties in the plan, especially the $820,900 designated for salaries because of not knowing what the new bishop will want as priorities. He pointed to the need to look at Luther’s call to “pray constantly.”

The resolution from the Synod Council concerning the spending plan was then placed before the assembly: Resolved, That the 2021 spending proposal (February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022) be adopted. The Synod Council is hereby authorized to establish the 2021 spending proposal no later than its January 2021 meeting, making any necessary adjustment to the proposal in light of both realistic anticipation of receipts and synod priorities (in consultation with the ELCA Treasurer with respect to the ELCA portion thereof).

There were two questions and comments concerning procedures. The assembly then voted, with 434 voting for the resolution and 10 voting against. The motion was adopted.

The assembly took a short break.

BEAR CREEK CAMP. A video was shown about Bear Creek Camp and the new director, Collin Grooms; the video reported that there was no regular summer season but that family camping did attract over one hundred families. Some summer staff were on site to do maintenance, and there were some online events as well.

MISSION INTERPRETERS. The next video featured Georgia Suranofsky and the Mission Interpreters program. The story told in the video was about God’s Garden of Grace sponsored by St. Peter, Plainfield Township, and Jim Sandt. St. Peter sponsors this community garden in order to support local ministries to combat hunger, with Mr. Sandt using his own property as well to raise even more food.

REFERENCE AND COUNSEL . Pastor Heavner continued the report for the Committee of Reference and Counsel, returning to consideration of the first resolution dealing with the SALM and similar programs. He read again the original resolution brought to the assembly as well as the committee’s response, explaining the response as affirming the program that the synod already has in place concerning lay pastors and asking for support of that program. James Parks, one of the authors of the original resolution, stated that the authors generally agree with the committee’s response but believe that congregations are not informed well enough about the existing possibilities. The Rev. Grant Wickert pointed out a discrepancy between the wording of the committee’s recommended resolution as shown on the assembly screen and in the shared documents, with Bishop Zeiser and Pastor Heavner clarifying that the word in question is resource, not recourse, as shown above in these minutes. The Rev. Dennis Ritter, seconded by Pastor Shankweiler, then moved the previous question in order to close debate and proceed to vote. The vote to close debate was 435 in favor to 12 opposed. Debate was closed, and the assembly proceeded to vote on the resolution, i.e., the recommendation of the Committee on Reference and Counsel. That resolution was adopted by a vote of 410 in favor to 38 against.

Pastor Heavner then read the second resolution presented to the committee.

II. The following resolution was received from Rev. Joseph Veres and pastors and Council of the Pocono Mission District.

RESOLUTION TO ENGAGE THE CURRENT DIMINISHING NUMBERS OF THOSE SERVING AS ROSTERED LEADERS

Whereas, the ELCA is facing a crisis in pastoral rostered leadership due to the retirement of pastors wherein alone something over 200 pastors (without regard to other rostered individuals) are coming to retirement age over the number of new individuals who are approved to serve in congregations; and

Whereas, the number of congregations who can afford pastoral leadership are growing faster than the pastors are becoming available to serve; and WHEREAS, the commitment of all the congregations is necessary to help answer this issue; and

Whereas, by the small collective action of all churches within the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod an example may be set to help the financial ability of additional individuals to consider ministry within the church; and

Whereas, we proclaim “God’s work, our hands” as a reflection of our stewardship for the mission of this church by choice;

Therefore, be it Resolved, That every congregation commit itself to providing $5.00/month in support for three new seminarians (a total of $180.00 for the year) to be given to the United Lutheran Seminary to advance its mission and to start the process to redress the shortage of rostered leaders creating a crisis in leadership.

Response of the Reference and Counsel Committee The committee recommends that each congregation of the synod be encouraged to make a generous annual gift to the Samuel and Linda Zeiser Fund for Leaders Scholarship.

Pastor Heavner then explained that the committee felt that support should be given to the Zeiser Fund in order to support persons preparing for ordained ministry and recommended removing the dollar amounts shown in the original resolution.

The Rev. Joseph Veres then spoke against the committee’s recommendation, stating that the committee missed the point of the original resolution. He explained that from his point of view the problem is not solved by providing scholarships but by partnering with seminaries. We “need to change the dynamics,” pointing every congregation to this issue and needing to work together. He asked, “Have you visited a seminary?” He also asserted that not all seminarians receive help and that he had classmates with over $100,000 of debt. He supports scholarships, but that is not the issue and so spoke in favor of the original resolution.

The Rev. Kim Treubenbach asked how the resolution would be enforceable and not be a burden on smaller membership congregations. Bishop Zeiser ruled the question out of order in that the matter before the assembly was the committee’s response and not the original resolution.

Pastor Ritter said that both the resolution from the committee and the original resolution miss the point. “I became a pastor because my pastor encouraged me to do so,” he stated, claiming that the matter extends beyond finances. He spoke against both the resolution from the committee and the original as missing the mark.

The Rev. Thomas Irwin then moved to substitute the original resolution for the committee’s response. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Jimmy Lee Werley. Pastor Irwin stated that he was persuaded by Pastor Veres’ comments and wanted to consider the original resolution. The vote to substitute was adopted on a vote of 264 affirmative, 165 negative. Bishop Zeiser called an end to this second report of the committee because of time constraints and indicated that the matter before the assembly, i.e., the original resolution, would return on Saturday afternoon.

2021 COMPENSATION GUIDELINES. On behalf of the synod’s Leadership Development Ministry Team, the Rev. Lauren Applegate presented the “Rostered Pastors 2021 Minimum Salary Guidelines” as found in the Bulletin of Reports. There was no discussion, and the vote that was taken was in the affirmative, 424 to 28, with the resolution being adopted.

The resolution dealing with “Rostered Deacons 2021 Minimum Salary Guidelines,” also found in the Bulletin of Reports, was next brought before the assembly and adopted by a vote of 426 to 24.

Pastor Applegate thanked the assembly and the congregations for their support of rostered leaders.

ELECTIONS. Bishop Zeiser indicated that it was time to vote for the three-year lay female position on the Synod Council for which there were two nominees. The vote was taken and results were 156 (39.29%) for Vivian Brown and 241 (60.71%) for Louise A. McCloughan. Bishop Zeiser declared Ms. McCloughan elected to a three-year term on the Synod Council.

PORTICO. The assembly saw a video presentation by Portico, which stressed the idea of service. Portico serves the church by providing health, retirement, and other benefits. A Portico tool called Being encourages wellness. The presentation said that a person needs to care for her/himself so that he/she can be there for others.

REPORT OF SECOND BALLOT. Mr. Horne called on Mr. Cool to give the report of the second ballot for bishop. Mr. Cool reported that there were 461 ballots, all valid, and showed the results on the assembly screen. Mr. Horne reported that there was no election and so the top seven candidates would advance to the third ballot. Mr. Cool said that all seven have been contacted and asked to provide a biographical information sheet by Tuesday (October 20). Mr. Cool also announced that a video presentation by each candidate will be available on the synod’s website by Friday (October 23), 8:00 a.m. The full report was as follows:

Report of the Second Ballot for Bishop Number of ballots cast: 461 Number of legal ballots cast: 461 Number of illegal ballots cast: 0 Number of votes required for election: 346

LAST NAME FIRST NAME NUMBER OF VOTES PERCENT OF VOTES Grube Charles 164 35.57% deForest Christopher 65 14.10% Ruggles Susan 54 11.71% Quiῆones Nelson 50 10.85% Middeke-Conlin Becca 28 6.07% Hersch Ryan 21 4.56% Sipe Martha 19 4.12% Nielsen Niels 16 3.47% Drennan Samantha 14 3.04% Osterhout Julie 6 1.30% Scholtes Michael 6 1.30% deForest Allison 3 0.65% Rivera Garcia Nelson 3 0.65% Staub Scott 3 0.65%

Osterhout Bruce 2 0.43% Blitch David 2 0.43% Gordy Anne 2 0.43% Tjornehoj Susan 2 0.43% Milne Martin 1 0.22% 461 100.00%

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Pastor Shankweiler reported that the offering for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal has so far generated $1,995.00 in online donations. He encouraged the making of donations to the Samuel and Linda Zeiser Fund for Leaders in Mission Scholarship.

CONCLUSION. At 4:33 p.m. Ms. Edelman-Weiner declared the assembly to be in recess until Saturday morning, October 24, at 9:30 a.m. The videos of the seven remaining candidates will be streamed at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, as well as being available from 8:00 a.m. that same day on the synod’s website.

PLENARY SESSION THREE

Friday, October 23, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER. This session was a virtual session which could be watched either at the designated time of 7:00 p.m. or at any time during the day. The convener for this session was Sammy Kelly, who is in contract with the synod for work with the Faith Formation and the Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry Teams.

She began the session by explaining her work and the events that have been, or will be held in connection with her work with those two teams. She encouraged use of the book Growing Young and attendance at a workshop on November 10-11 led by one of the authors, Jake Mulder.

She then moved to explain the session’s process to assist voting members become more informed about the candidates. After providing each candidate with two minutes for a self-introduction to accompany the printed biographies available on the synod’s website, she asked six questions, which were not revealed beforehand to the candidates. The order in which the candidates spoke was altered from question to question.

The seven candidates—taking their names as given in the biographical informat6ion—were Charles Grube, Chris deForest, Susan Ruggles, Nelon Quiñones, Rebecca (Becca) Middeke-Conlin, Ryan Hersch, and Martha S. Sipe.

The six questions were all answered by all seven candidates, with each candidate having one and one half minutes per question. The questions were selected from those provided by the synod’s mission districts.

1. Related to the theme of organization, the first question was “What do you see as the primary purpose of the synod?”

2. Related to the theme of vision, the second question was “How would you go about helping to discern God’s vision for the synod?”

3. Related to the theme of welcoming, the third question was “How would you inspire the congregations of our synod to more authentically include strangers, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ persons as full and equal siblings in our faith communities?”

4. Related to the theme of service, the fourth question was “How will you help encourage and improve youth ministry in our synod?”

5. Related to the theme of change, the fifth question was “What are some of the tough changes that you are envisioning the synod needs to make in the next six years and beyond?”

6. The final question was “What are your greatest strengths as a Christian and as a pastor?”

The session ended at 8:38 p.m.

PLENARY SESSION FOUR

Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9:30 a.m.

MISSION DISTRICT CAUCUSES. The nine mission districts held individual virtual meetings to discuss the candidates for bishop. The normal procedure was for the district deans, if not candidates for bishop, to chair these meetings.

SESSION FOUR CALLED TO ORDER; THIRD BALLOT. Bishop Zeiser called the fourth plenary session of the 2020 assembly to order at 10:30 a.m. and called upon Mr. Horne to proceed to the third ballot for bishop. Mr. Cool explained the next steps in voting; and the Rev. David Bennett, President of the Eastern District of the Northern Provence of the Moravian Church, speaking by video, led the assembly in prayer. This ballot listed the seven finalists in order of the number of votes received on the second ballot.

As the votes were being verified, a video presentation was shown of a ministry of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Easton: Open Arms Senior Connection and one of its program directors, Alice Lefebvre.

Mr. Cool then reported the results of the third ballot for bishop.

Number of ballots cast: 471 Number of legal ballots cast: 471 Number of illegal ballots cast: 0 Number of votes required for election: 314 (two-thirds of the legal ballots)

The Rev. Christopher deForest, 140 The Rev. Ryan Hersh, 106 The Rev. Charles Grube, 78 The Rev. Rebecca Middeke-Conlin, 68 The Rev. Martha Seip, 41 The Rev. Nelson Quinones, 23 The Rev. Susan Ruggles, 20

Mr. Horne then stated that there was no election and that the three candidates receiving the most votes should come in person to the synod office in order to address the assembly: Pastors deForest, Hersh, and Grube.

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE. Ms. Edelman-Weiner called upon Pastor Shankweiler to make the report of the Constitution Committee. He spoke about the changes to the Model Constitution for Synods that were adopted by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. He indicated that the amendments to the required provisions were incorporated into the synod’s constitution automatically, in accordance with *S18.11. He also stated that the synod’s Constitution Committee recommends the adoption as well of the proposed amendments to non- required provisions as found on pages 57-59 of the Bulletin of Reports. He then moved the adoption of these amendments; the motion was seconded and adopted on a vote of 427 in favor to 7 opposed.

UNITED LUTHERAN SEMINARY. The Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin, President of the United Lutheran Seminary, spoke to the assembly by video, thanking the synod for its generous support of the seminary and explaining the full tuition program. He also spoke about direct support received from congregations, inviting additional congregations to join in these efforts, and about the assistance provided by the synod’s designated Kelchner Fund. President Erwin acknowledged the coming retirement of Bishop Zeiser and presented him with an antique catechism.

ANNIVERSARIES OF ROSTERED LEADERS, ROSTERED LEADERS NEW TO THE SYNOD, RETIREMENTS. Ms. Edelman-Weiner introduced a video presentation about the six synod pastors who are celebrating their 50th anniversaries of ordination: The Revs. Donald Billeck, Fred Crawford, William Horn, David Newhart, David Werley, and Grant Wickert. She indicated that a list of all rostered leaders observing significant anniversaries of ordination, consecration, or commissioning could be found in the Report of the Deans on pages 40-44 of the Bulletin of Reports and on the assembly’s website. She also read scripture readings recommended by two of the fifty-year pastors (1 Corinthians 15:58, Psalm 139:7-10, Romans 8:37-39) and led the assembly in prayer.

Ms. Edelman-Weiner announced the names of the rostered ministers received from other synods or church bodies by ordination, consecration, or transfer since the last assembly: The Rev. Scott Hall, Deacon Jennifer Hall, the Revs. William Zimmermann, Burlington Latshaw III, Aaron Decker, and Theodore Zimmerman.

She also acknowledged rostered ministers who have retired since the last assembly while noting that many retirees continue to serve the synod as interim pastors and Sunday pulpit supplies: The Revs. Donna Deal, Thomas Cvammen, Russell Haab, John Minnich, Raymond Hand, Cheryl Meinschein, Jerel Gade, Deacon Jane Elliott, the Revs. Elna Stratton, Elizabeth Langensiepen, and Carl Wenzel.

GROWING YOUNG VIRTUAL SUMMIT. Ms. Edelman-Weiner noted that the 2020 Bishop’s Conference needed to be cancelled as an in-person event because of the pandemic and

89 that instead a virtual event about the congregational renewal process Growing Young will be held on November 10-11. A video presentation about this event was shown.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ZEISER RESOLUTION. Pastor Shankweiler made the session’s final announcements. During this time he gave prank gifts to Bishop and Mrs. Samuel Zeiser, reported about the Fund for Leaders appeal being made in their names as the synod’s formal recognition of their service, and presented the following resolution, which was seconded:

Whereas, Since his election as Bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod on May 31, 2008, Samuel R. Zeiser has exhibited exemplary commitment to his responsibilities as bishop and his role as a leader in Christ’s church; and

Whereas, During his tenure as bishop this synod and nation have seen major changes, both good and ill, requiring Bishop Zeiser to lead the synod in new directions for which the challenges could seem overwhelming were it not for the strength and grace of God; and

Whereas, Bishop Zeizer’s commitment to his calling required sacrifice not only from him but also from his devoted wife, Linda Zeiser, and their family; and

Whereas, Bishop Zeiser graciously extended his time of service to the end of 2020 because of the disruptions to the synod’s schedule because of the coronavirus pandemic; and

Whereas, Bishop Zeiser not only carried out his responsibilities within this synod faithfully and with skill and grace, but also took his responsibilities to the wider church seriously;

Resolved, That the Rev. Samuel R. Zeiser, Ph.D., be named Bishop Emeritus of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as a token of the synod’s respect for his dedicated and beneficial service and the synod’s affection for him as a person and for his wife, Linda Zeiser, and their family.

In the discussion about this resolution, caution was given by the Rev. Lauren Applegate concerning designating retired persons emeritus because of the interference they can make in current church life. The Rev. June Bair spoke in favor of that term and her experience of its not causing problems. On a request for information by Elizabeth Leibenguth, Pastor Shankweiler explained that this proposal is honorary and does not convey any additional power or authority. The Rev. Gerald Kulp moved to close debate on this motion, Pastor Bennethum seconded the motion to close debate, and that motion carried 430 Yes to 8 No. The vote on the original resolution was then taken, resulting in 412 votes in favor and 20 votes against. The motion was adopted.

At 11:15 a.m. Ms. Edelman-Weiner declared the session to be in recess until 1:30 p.m.

PLENARY SESSION FIVE

Saturday, October 24, 2020, 1:30 p.m.

SESSION OPENING. Deacon Michael Krentz led the singing of “We Are Church Together.” Ms. Edelman Weiner called the assembly to order at 1:30 p.m. and invited the Worship Team and Mr. Horne to begin with worship. A video of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” was played, after which Mr. Horne read Philippians 4:4-9 and offered prayer. These devotions ended with a hymn.

PROCESS TO ELECT A BISHOP. Mr. Horne moderated the process by which the remaining three nominees for bishop, whose names would appear on the fourth ballot, were invited to speak. The candidates addressed the assembly in this order: Pastor Hersh, Pastor deForest, and Pastor Grube.

Mr. Cool gave the instructions for casting the fourth ballot, prior to which the assembly was led in prayer through a video of the Rev. Walter May, ELCA Director for Synodical Relations. While the votes were being tabulated, a video was shown of Ronald Mordosky telling a story about an African refugee who said that “Lutherans were his friends” as he was being resettled in America after spending eleven years in a refugee camp in Burundi. Mr. Mordosky expressed thanks for offerings that assist Lutheran World Relief in providing this kind of support. After the video, Georgia Suranofsky’s name and email address were listed so that interested persons could contact her for visits by the synod’s Mission Interpreters, who are trained to tell similar stories.

CANDIDACY COMMITTEE. Bishop Zeiser directed the assembly to watch a video report by the Candidacy Committee and its chairperson, the Rev. Paul Metzloff. The five candidates approved since the 2019 assembly were introduced with each person providing a video address to the assembly: Tami Reichley (Word and Sacrament), Chad Butz (Word and Sacrament), Matthew Kayhart (Word and Sacrament), Dawn Tally (Word and Service), and Patrick Wesley Poole (being reinstated to the Word and Sacrament roster).

Bishop Zeiser indicated that two first call pastors from other synods were assigned to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod: Adam Reinhardt (to St. John, Honesdale) and Tom Busteed (to Faith, Whitehall) with the assembly seeing a video greeting from Pastor Busteed. Following the report, Bishop Zeiser expressed appreciation to Pastor Metzloff, who was concluding his service as chairperson of the Candidacy Committee.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA. Ms. Edelman-Weiner introduced the video report of Lenna Harris, President of the synod’s Women of the ELCA. Ms. Harris spoke about the purpose of this organization and how 2020 was a challenging year for them. After a successful fall in 2019, in 2020 events were cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic. New activities included making donations to various food banks.

FOURTH BALLOT RESULTS. Mr. Horne called upon Ed Cool for the results of the 4th ballot. He reported the following results:

Number of ballots cast: 481 Number of legal ballots cast: 481 Number of illegal ballots cast: 0 Number of votes required for election: 289 (60% of the legal ballots)

The Rev. Christopher deForest, 210 The Rev. Ryan Hersh, 193 The Rev. Charles Grube, 78

Mr. Horne responded that based upon the report of the fourth ballot, there was no election and that Pastors deForest and Hersh would appear on the fifth ballot. Mr. Cool gave instructions for that ballot; and Bishop Tracey Bartholomew of the New Jersey Synod, Chairperson of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, by video, led the assembly in prayer. The fifth ballot was then taken, after which Ms. Edelman-Weiner declared a fifteen-minute break.

REFERENCE AND COUNSEL. Following the break, Chairperson Heavner of the Committee on Reference and Counsel read the committee’s second resolution, from Pastor Veres (see Session Two for the text). Pastor Veres spoke in favor of his resolution, noting that small amounts of support can be combined to help the church and that the costs faced by students are more than tuition. The assembly then voted on the resolution as presented by Pastor Veres and it was adopted, 316 in favor to 137 against.

The third resolution from the Committee on Reference and Counsel was then presented, and it was adopted 378 in favor to 80 against. The resolution and the committee’s response are as follows:

III. The following was received from the Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry Team; the Rev. Lauren Applegate, New Life, New Tripoli; the Rev. Colleen Cox, Grace, Shillington; and the Rev. Becca Middeke-Conlin, St Paul’s & Good Shepherd, Easton.

A RESOLUTION REGARDING YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT, PERSONS OF COLOR, AND/OR PERSONS WHOSE PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS OTHER THAN ENGLISH REPRESENTATION AT SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Whereas, Youth, young adults, persons of color and persons whose primary language is other than English are a vital and active part of the membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and

Whereas, Youth, young adults, persons of color and persons whose primary language is other than English themselves, and thus their voices, experiences, and perspectives, are underrepresented in the membership of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly; and

Whereas, The involvement of youth, young adults, persons of color and persons whose primary language is other than English in decision-making as members of the Synod Assembly deepens their commitment to and understanding of the Church, develops their gifts for leadership and ministry, and strengthens them in their faith; and

Whereas, Youth, young adults, persons of color and persons whose primary language is other than English serve faithfully and capably in numerous leadership roles in their congregations, campus ministry sites, outdoor ministry sites, social ministry organizations, and boards, committees, and other ministries of this synod and of the ELCA; and

Whereas, The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod constitution calls for a goal of the synod to have 10 percent of synod assemblies, councils, committees, boards and/or other organizational units of this synod be persons of color and/or persons whose primary language is other than English established in S6.04.01; and

Whereas, The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod constitution calls for a goal of the synod to have 10 percent of the voting members of the Synod Assembly, Synod Council, committees, organizational units of this synod be youth and young adults established in S6.04.02;

Therefore, be it resolved, That, in addition to the voting members to Synod Assembly established in S7.21 of the synod constitution, and determined by the Synod Council through a formula as per S7.21.c, each congregation may send one additional voting member as long as at least one of the voting members from each congregation is a person under the age of thirty, a person of color and/or whose primary language is other than English; and

Be it further resolved, That the Synod Council is directed to adjust the formula described in S7.21.c of the synod constitution to include this voting member in addition to the regular allotment of lay voting members necessary to reach a minimum of 60% of the Synod Assembly.

Response of the Reference and Counsel Committee. The committee recommends that the assembly affirm the intent of the resolution and direct the Constitution Committee to craft an appropriate bylaw to address its concerns, bringing that proposed bylaw to the 2021 synod assembly for action.

REPORT OF THE FIFTH BALLOT AND ELECTION. Mr. Cool presented the report of the fifth ballot for bishop.

Number of ballots cast: 482 Number of legal ballots cast: 482 Number of illegal ballots cast: 0 Number of votes required for election: 242

The Rev. Christopher deForest, 260 The Rev. Ryan Hersh, 222

Mr. Horne declared that based upon the report of the fifth ballot, the Rev. Christopher deForest was elected Bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Bishop-elect deForest then addressed the assembly, promising to be God reliant, Christ centered, and Spirit led. He spoke of the implications for the synod that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again, meaning that even if we may fail, we cannot lose. He thanked Bishop Zeiser and called on the Spirit to come so that the synod can feel the power and go into the future.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Edelman-Weiner announced that the bishop-elect would assume office on January 1, 2021. She also informed the assembly that the bishop-elect’s installation service would take place on December 5, 10:00 a.m., at the Lutheran Center in Allentown. [Note: the service could not be held in even a limited way because of the COVID-19 pandemic.] She also announced that the 2021 assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod would be held at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions on June 3-5, 2021. [Note: it was later determined that the 2021 assembly could not be held in person at Kalahari because of the pandemic.] A video was shown about the 2021 assembly.

Secretary Shankweiler made the concluding announcements, including reporting the amounts received to date (a) for the assembly’s offering for the World Hunger Appeal and (b) for the Samuel and Linda Zeiser Fund for Leaders in Mission Scholarship. He encouraged the giving of contributions to the Zeiser fund and explained how contributions could be made electronically though the synod’s website. He moved, seconded by Ms. Edelman-Weiner, that the assembly adjourn, which was adopted 378 in favor to 4 against.

The closing worship began with a farewell to Bishop Zeiser, including the hymn “O Day Full of Grace,” the reading of Isaiah 43:1-3, and the following prayer: “Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant, Samuel Zeiser, who has enriched this synod and shared his gifts with our pastors, deacons, other leaders, and congregations. Now bless and preserve him, his wife Linda, their daughter Samantha, and the rest of their family at this time of transition. Day by day, guide him and give him what is needed, friends to cheer his way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling him. By your Holy Spirit be present in his pilgrimage, that he may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Bishop Zeiser then led the assembly in the Order for the Closing of an Assembly, which concluded at 3:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carl D. Shankweiler, Secretary

CONTENTS

Assembly program 2-3 A-Team 36 Bear Creek Camp 38-39 Bishop, Report of 4-6 Candidacy Committee 37 Coach Network 29 Connection Building Ministry Team 35 Deans, Report of the Committee of 22-25 Diakon 52-54 Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Faith Formation Ministry 26-27 Faith Formation Resource Ministry Team 34 Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network 39-42 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania 62 Leadership Development Ministry Team 30 Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia 55-61 Lutheran Congregational Services 63-64 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service 47 Minimum Compensation Guidelines, 2022 31-34 Minutes, 2020 Assembly 74-94 Mission Interpretation 16 Muhlenberg College 42-45 Pennsylvania Council of Churches 48-50 Portico 46 Secretary, Report of 6-11 Spending Plan, 2022 17-20 Synod Council, Report of 11-15 Treasurer, Report of 21 Treasurer’s Acknowledgements 65-73 United Lutheran Seminary 51-52 Witness and Service Team, Report of 28