• 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
 
bplozano@outlook.com
(o) 814.589.7660

​Bishop’s Notes 26 May 2022
Ascension of Our Lord
 

• Assembly Registration: As of today there are 65 registered voting members of synod assembly. There are 73 congregations in our synod with each having two lay voting members, so we are far short of the total number of voting members. Remember There will be no day of registrations so please registered as soon as possible. A letter will be sent out to all registered assembly voting members tomorrow containing some pre-assembly information.

 

• 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.

• 1 June Harrisburg, PA Region 8 Bishop’s Meeting
• 3-5 June Chicago, IL Army Reserves
• 6-8 June Pre Assembly Zoom Forums
• 8 June Synod Office
• 9 June Thiel College
• 10 June Synod Assembly
• 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
• 23 July Vocations Committee
• 24 July Good Hope, Oil City
• 27 July at Synod Office
• 28-31 July Chicago, IL Army Reserves

 

• Sunday Supply Dates: August 14, 28; October 9, 23*; November 13, 27; December 11. *Mercer/Crawford only.

 

• Last call for the “book club.” We will be reading together: Becoming A White Antiracist website by Brookfield and Hess. if you are interested please let me know by June 1, 2022 so I can order the books and have them in time to hand out at our Synod Assembly.

 

• The Rev. Dr. Martin Otto-Zimmann writes: ULS is once again sponsoring a hybrid Theological Education with Adults event in mid-July featuring Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein Guerrero, Gail Ramshaw, and Cathy Elkis entitled: Worship after Corona: Singing, Speaking and Spaces of Community. Details and links are in the attached PDF (see attachment). Please share in your synod emails and newsletters.

 
He continues: Looking ahead, I will be creating a fall Zoom Book Club featuring various faculty members sharing their favorite reads and an early September event for Deacons and Pastors who simply need space to relax, share, and discern with mutually exhausted colleagues. Information will be forthcoming. If you have ideas for continuing education, please email them to learningwishlist@uls.edu.

• Fall Convocation. The dates for Convocation are tentatively set for 24-26 October. Location is TBD. Something to consider is holding the event in the Greater Erie Area or in downtown Erie near the waterfront and Presque Isle. Perhaps starting it on a Sunday evening. Having spouses attend. Proving more open time to have conversation or tour/walk the area. Having several keynote speakers and workshops on a variety of relevant topics. Moving Fall Convocation around the synod with Conferences “hosting” the event. If you have thoughts or suggestions regarding topics, or an interest in planning the event please send me a note with the subject line “Fall Convocation.”

 

• If you know of a youth (confirmation to age 18) or young adult (18-30) who is interested in serving on Synod Council let me know.

 

• Bishop Paula Schmitt of the Allegany Synod is seeking a retired pastor or Authorized Lay Worship Leader who might be able to support the congregation of Grace, Curwensville. If you are or know of someone on the eastern side of our synod who is able to help our neighbors please 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

 

• Please hold Ellen, Jake and Doug, our synod staff, in prayer especially as we approach our Synod Assembly. It’s only one day, but there is still much to do in preparation for the Assembly.

 

• We pray for those who have family with health issues and for those who await test results.

 

• We pray this week for our graduates and our educators and for those who support them by their love, prayers, finances and presence.

 

• We pray for action rather than words to end gun violence in our nation.

 

• We pray for the families and friends who this weekend will call to mind their loved ones who have lived and died in service to our nation.

 

• A juxtaposition of thought. We remember those who died in service to our nation in order to protect our constitutional rights. Our constitutional right to bear arms allows for violence against our fellow citizens. Our both/and theology places us and these secular rights in tension.

 

• Yesterday I found myself in St. Marys, PA. Home of the Eternal Fountain of Beer. (Yes, a few years back I drank from the fountain, but not yesterday.) How many synods can lay claim to an eternal fountain of beer? Or the house where the movie Amityville Horror was filmed. Or the steel mill in Warren that produced the pieces to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO? I wonder what other fun facts or hidden gems there are about our synod?

 
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
 
bplozano@outlook.com
(o) 814.589.7660
(c) 724.931.4848
 

Bishop’s Notes 12 May 2022
 

• Thanks for the feedback from last week’s Notes. Remember if you want to be removed let Ellen and I know.

 

• Health Note: I am in remission and on a maintenance oral/injection chemotherapy regimen for the next two years. I have also started receiving my childhood and adult vaccinations to rebuild my immune system. My oncologist did not like my idea of going to a local day care and spending a week playing with the children and picking up everything they could give me. So I’ll just have to take it slow. Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers.

 

• In the weeks ahead I will be expanding the email list to our Authorized Lay Worship Leaders, then more broadly to congregational leadership. But don’t let this stop you from sharing these notes with others.

 

• Assembly Registration: So talk about communication and hearing what is said! Ellen is rolling out Assembly Registration in phases so as to not bog down the online registration system. I heard, Assembly Registration is open. So, please register for our synod assembly as you are notified. You should receive or have received an email or mail notice for the assembly.

 

• Rev. Ben Austin’s installation as pastor of St. Paul, Drake’s Mill is Sunday, May 15 at 3:00pm. Please RSVP if you are attending. Please hold Pr. Austin and the community of believers in prayer as they together enter into this new ministry.

 

• 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.

• 14 May Synod Council
• 15 May Pr. Austin Installation
• 17 May Punxsutawney
• 19 May Lutheran Home at Kane Board Meeting
• 22 May Indiana/Jefferson congregations meeting
• 25 May at Synod Office
• 1 June at Synod Office
• 3-5 June Chicago, IL Army Reserves
• 8 June Synod Office
• 9 June Thiel College
• 10 June Synod Assembly
• 15 June at Synod Office
• 17-18 June Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly
• 19-26 June Family Vacation
• 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
• 23 July Vocations Committee
• 24 July Good Hope, Oil City
• 27 July at Synod Office
• 28-31 July Chicago, IL Army Reserves

 

• Sunday Supply Dates: August 14, 21, 28; October 9, 23* 30; November 13, 20, 27; December 11, 18. *Mercer/Crawford only. Note: There are some Sundays not on the list of open dates. As an example the day of Pr. Austin’s Installation is open but I would need to stay to the western side of our synod. Similarly May 22 is open but I would need to stay towards the eastern side of our synod.

 

• Monday and Tuesday Rev. Tedd Cougar and I were at the ULS Philadelphia campus for the Spring Board meeting. A couple of highlights were: ULS is in a good place financially, enrollment is steady, but could improve, both campuses continue to have more open housing as students are opting to commute or attend classes via the “digital third campus,” a new faculty member was hired, a set of sabbaticals are in the offing for other faculty, and graduation is set for Friday, May 20th. Also the Board is starting a strategic planning process. Check out ULS and Ridge Museum

 

• While at ULS Dr. Kyle K. Schiefelbein-Guerrero (Dr. KSG) mentioned a book Becoming A White Antiracist website by Brookfield and Hess. He noted the faculty had read the book together as part of their continued effort to address racism and thought others might find it a good read and discussion as well. Pr. Cougar and I thought this idea might work in our synod. If you interested joining a “book club” send me a note. I believe I can find funds to purchase the book and have copies available at Assembly for distribution. As this project develops watch for more information in Notes to come.

• Fall Convocation. The dates for Convocation are tentatively set for 24-26 October. Location is TBD. Something to consider is holding the event in the Greater Erie Area or in downtown Erie near the waterfront and Presque Isle. Perhaps starting it on a Sunday evening. Having spouses attend. Proving more open time to have conversation or tour/walk the area. Having several keynote speakers and workshops on a variety of relevant topics. Moving Fall Convocation around the synod with Conferences “hosting” the event. If you have thoughts or suggestions regarding topics, or an interest in planning the event please send me a note with the subject line “Fall Convocation.”

 

• Please pray for our Synod Council which meets this Saturday: Rev. Jeff Ewing and Dennis Yarian, Rev. Stephen Fair and Rob Sundberg, Rev. Ben Travis and Anne Baver, Rev. Kristen Papson and Jacque Holmberg, Rev. Tedd Cougar and Beth Grafton.

 

• Also, if you know of a youth (confirmation to age 18) or young adult (18-30) who is interested in serving on Synod Council let me know.

 

• Please hold Ellen, Jake and Doug, our synod staff, in prayer especially as we approach our Synod Assembly. It’s only one day, but there is still much to do in preparation for the Assembly.

 

• When asked how he was doing, he replied, “I’m tired.” Continuing, he reflected that it seems now that the pandemic is endemic we picked up where we left off two years ago. Those years of not traveling, almost standing still, it’s a lose of stamina. I’ve thought and said something similar myself. I know the feeling. My prayers continue for you who are tired before the pandemic, for working through the pandemic and now in this endemic time. You are not alone.

 
Called to Serve
 
Bp. Lozano