Welcome

Welcome to the Website of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, a geographical faith community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The Lower Susquehanna Synod is one of 65 synods in the ELCA and one of seven ELCA synods in Pennsylvania. We are located in the central part of the state and cover a nine-county area that reaches from rural Fulton County to the urban areas of Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster.

The synod is divided into 14 conferences. Our 250 congregations represent over 111,000 baptized members of the ELCA.
 



25th Annual Synod Assembly


May 31 – June 2, 2012
Messiah College – Grantham, PA

Our time will include:

  • Connections Café – a place for conversation, discovery and nourishment with displays, bookstore, Fair Trade store and refreshments
  • A Friday evening educational session open to ALL synod congregational members

Click Here for More Information.
Online Registration is closed.

“MISSION POSSIBLE”

Leadership Program for Musicians

It starts with a song. That is the familiar pattern of every event hosted by the Leadership Program for Musicians—a teaching ministry of the synod that gives musicians, pastors, and other church leaders the tools to enable congregations to sing well and take their part in the liturgy of the church.

Get a copy of the most recent release of the Mission Possible bulletin insert in color or black and white. To receive a reminder email about “Mission Possible” each month, please forward your email address to mshifflett@lss-elca.org.

   

Immediate Help and
Ongoing Prayerful Support Needed!

Our synod’s TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) candidate, Del Akech Del, is nearing the end of this first phase of studies at Gettysburg Seminary. Del is a leader of the Sudanese Worshipping Community and he and his family have several immediate needs. Read more and find out how you and your congregation can help Del, his family and community within the next six weeks.

  

Come to Companion Synod Day

Saturday May 19, 2012,
9am until 1pm
Camp Kirchenwald,
Colebrook, PA

Join your friends from around our synod to celebrate our companion relationship with the Konde Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. See More . . . .
      

LOWER SUSQUEHANNA SYNOD
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
900 South Arlington Avenue, Suite 220B    Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 652-1852    (800) 692-7282 (PA Only)   Fax: (717) 652-2504

Our web site is hosted as a community service by

Technical issues related to the website should be directed to the webmaster.
Questions regarding content should be directed to synod staff.

Web Site Highlights

2012 Salary Guidelines

The Rostered Leader's Compensation and Benefits Manual for 2012, adopted in June of 2011, is available in pdf format for review and download.
 

The Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will receive proposals from parties interested in owning the former Trinity Lutheran Church building at 1256 Rolleston Street in Harrisburg, PA. Deadline for receiving these proposals is Friday, June 29, 2012. Read more and download proposal guidelines. . . .
 

Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches

For an authoritative discussion on timely and accurate tax reporting compliance, and the impact of recent changes in the tax laws, follow this link.
 

Obtaining a 501c3 Certification Letter

Learn more on how to initiate the Group Ruling Exemption process for your congregation or other ELCA entity or organization.
 

Congregation Resources Now Available

Two important new Congregation Resources are now available online. At Risk to Risking Mission provides insights for churches going through difficult times. A Resource for the Closing of Congregations offers encouragement for congregations that are wondering about their sustainability, and provides practical guidance to congregations that are considering closure.