​Bishop’s Notes 13 June 2022

• These notes can either be considered late from last week or early for this week. Last week was of course our synod assembly and this week I will be attending the Upper Susquehanna synod assembly. There will be no bishop’s notes next week as I will be on vacation with Patti and Christopher.
• The current email list has reached over 100 individuals in our synod. Please share the information and send me the names and email address of individuals who want to be placed on the list.
• Our Synod Assembly was held on Friday, June 10 at Thiel College. Highlights of the assembly were Worship, the reelection of Pr. Mark Fischer as Synod Secretary and Mr. Ron King as Synod Treasurer. The passing of the 2023 budget, constitutional updates, and three memorials to the churchwide assembly were passed – gun violence; churchwide restructuring and governance; and reduction in greenhouse gas. Additionally, we received greetings from Thiel College president Susan Traverso and Rev. Christopher Otten our churchwide representative, a presentation by Rev. Brenda Martin on Camp Lutherlyn’s “family” connection to the Ukraine (an article will be in the August Living Lutheran) and Rev. Jake Jacobson and Rev. Doug Dyson rolling out a process to develop leaders in congregations and deepening faith.
• New News From ULS: With deep gratitude to Deacon Chelle Huth for her many years of dreaming faith into education and action, ULS announces an expanded opportunity for continuing education... https://bit.ly/3tyrEbW.  Also, the registration deadline for Theological Education with Adults has now been extended to June 20th. This year’s program is entitled “Worship after Corona: Singing, Speaking and Spaces of Community” with Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Gail Ramshaw, and seminary musician, Cathy Elkiss. Both zoom and in-person options are available. See the attached PDF for more information.
• Summer Book Study: If you did not pick up a copy at Assembly, please watch your mail for the book. If you do not receive it by the end of June please let me know. If you are interested in joining the book study I have a few extra copies. Again, please let me know. We will start the study in July.
• The following is a list of upcoming events I will be attending in person. If I am in your area and you would like to go to lunch, coffee, have a chat, etc. let me know.​
• 15 June at Synod Office
• 17-18 June Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly
• 19-26 June Family Vacation
• 29 June at Synod Office
• 6 July at Synod Office
• 7 July Lutheran Home at Kane Board Meeting
• 9-10 July Chicago, IL Army Reserves
• 11-14 July working remotely Indianapolis , IN
• 16 July Synod Council
• 17 July Gethsemane , Port Allegany
• 20 July at Synod Office
• 21-24 July Chicago, IL Army Reserve Command Conference
• 23 July Vocations Committee
• 27 July at Synod Office
• 28-31 July Chicago, IL Army Reserves
• 3 August at Synod Office
• 6-7 August Chicago, IL Army Reserves
• 8-12 August Churchwide Assembly, Columbus, OH
• 17 August at Synod Office
• 19 August  University Hospital, Cleveland One Year Anniversary Stem Cell Transplant Check Up
• 21 August Luther Memorial
• 24 August at Synod Office
• 28 August St. John, Girard
• 31 August at Synod Office

 

• Sunday Supply Dates: August 14; October 9, 23*; November 13, 27; December 11. *Mercer/Crawford only.
• Fall Convocation. The dates for Convocation are tentatively set for 24-26 October. Location is TBD.
• If you know of a young adult (18-30) who is interested in serving on Synod Council let me know.
• The following congregations have active ministry site profiles:
• Christ, Sharon and Holy Trinity, Hermitage. The congregation councils are working to develop a model for shared pastoral ministry.
• Faith, Venus and Holy Trinity, Shippenville. The congregation councils are finalizing a model for shared pastoral ministry.
• Grove Chapel, Indiana and Harmony Grove, Creekside. Two-point parish.
• Immanuel, Erie
• Zion, Mayport
• Luther Memorial, Erie

 

• The most memorable line from my synod assembly sermon? “Roller coasters are like cooked brussel sprouts. Every so often I have to remind myself why I don’t like them.” I fear future congregational visits.

 
 
Called to Serve,
 
Bp. Lozano
 
 
 
Rev. Michael L. Lozano, Bishop
Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
22598 Titusville Road
PO Box 43
Pleasantville, PA 16341
 
[email protected]
(o) 814.589.7660