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SELINSGROVE -- The 35th Annual Assembly of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was held at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove on June 17 and 18. The theme of this year's assembly was "Abundance Together," using the Bible verse," And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8). The Assembly elected the synod's fourth bishop and honored its retiring bishop with several presentations and affirming words of her six-year ministry. A new partnership agreement with a companion synod in Germany was also signed and the assembly passed the 2023 Budget and Salary, Housing, and Health Benefit Guidelines for pastors and deacons.
The Rev. Craig A. Miller, Mifflinburg, was elected to serve a six-year term as bishop, beginning Sept. 1.
He succeeds Bishop Barbara J. Collins, who is retiring on Aug. 31. Miller was elected on the fifth ballot, with 103 votes to 91 votes for the Rev. Stina Schaeffer, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Selinsgrove. The bishop-elect has served as assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission in the synod since 2016. He served as pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., from 1996 to 2016. Miller earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1985 and his Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 1996. He will be installed on Sept. 17 at Zion Lutheran Church, Sunbury.
Miller addressed the members of the synod after his election. "I will always be praying for you and will always have you in my heart. I look forward to loving you for the next six years," Miller said.
Rostered leaders with significant ordination anniversaries were honored as well: Rev. Joel Zeiders (25 years); Rev. Viking Dietrich, Rev. Robert Doll, Rev. Karen Minnich-Sadler; Rev. Gilson Waldkoenig (30 years); Deacon Constance Fladland, Deacon Barbara Hoffman, Rev. Thomas Martin (35 years); Rev. William Esborn, Rev. Anna Ritter-Esborn (40 years); Rev. Ken Elkin, Rev. John Fenton, Rev. Ralph (Mike) Sigler (45 years); Rev. Bruce Amme (50 years); Rev. Ed Rehrauer (55 years); Rev. Hugo Schroeder, Jr. (60 years); Rev. Stuart Lengel (65 years). Recognition of congregations celebrating significant anniversaries included St. Luke Lutheran, Williamsport, and Trinity Lutheran (Ridge), Northumberland (125 years); Salem Lutheran, Liberty (175 years). A new congregation was also recognized. The Milton Lutheran Church was formed from the former Trinity Lutheran and Christ Lutheran, both in Milton. Recognition of Holy Closures of two congregation was held on Saturday for the ministries of Trinity Lutheran, Shamokin, and Grace Lutheran, Sunbury.
Friday evening at the Synod Assembly featured a barbecue on the lawn of Degenstein Campus Center. A reception with
Hors d'oeuvres with United Lutheran Seminary President Guy Erwin was held prior to that event. KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner provided acoustic music.
On Saturday, July 2, conference deans and secretaries were installed. During the closing service on Saturday afternoon, Rev. David Hauck and Deacon Barbara Smillie were remembered posthumously for their service to the church. Those attending the ELCA Churchwide Assembly were blessed and sent to do their work later this summer. An in-gathering offering was divided between the synod Fund for Leaders and Lutheran Disaster Relief for Ukraine totaling $4,000.
Elected to a three-year term on Synod Council was Rev. James Park Bricker, Wendelin Davis, and Mike Dock. Elected to a two-year term on Synod Council was Rev. Justin Lingenfelter. Elected to a three-year term for young adults on Synod Council was Jonathan Moser.