Grace News June 6, 2023

A Few Synod Assembly Highlights From Angie Rabbe

This year the church wide representative at the Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly was Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Bishop Eaton preached at closing worship on Saturday evening. During her sermon she reminded all of us of the many things that make us Lutheran including our fiercely held belief that God chooses us, not the other way around.

Our assembly passed an historical by-law…next year and every year going forward congregations will be able to send a voting youth delegate and may also send a voting delegate who is a person of color and/or whose native language isn’t English. This is in addition to the voting delegates congregations already send to assembly each year. There was much heated debated over the wording of the by-law, but in the end it passed with more than a 2/3 majority! Shortly after we passed the new by-law Bp. Eaton informed us that we are the first synod in the ELCA to have such a by-law and congratulated us for taking such a faithful step forward and for being open to go where God is guiding us. There will more information about this when the final report from Synod Assembly is sent to congregations.

As many of you saw in Pastor’s e-mail this weekend, my husband, the Rev. Dr. Carl P. Rabbe, was elected Synod Secretary. His term will begin in September of this year. We give thanks for the service of Rev. Beth Schlegel who is the current Synod Secretary and we ask that you pray for us as we enter into this new season of church life together.

Christian Formation

Vacation Bible School 2023

Soul Food: How God Feeds Us
A time to unplug and gather around the table
June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 2 from 6– 8 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Kathryn Verkouw (verkouw@gmail.com) or Megan Supeck (pmsupeck@gmail.com) or call the church office at 717-397-2748.

We will begin each evening with dinner together! There will also be time for teens and adults to play some fun games together. Let the laughter begin! Of course we will also provide the great VBS activities for our Pre-K through 6th grade age groups.

Weekly Reflection

Jesus remains present in the world through the presence of the Holy Spirit… In this name [Jesus], people are baptized, experience healing, and receive forgiveness. To act and speak in Jesus’ name is to operate as his representatives. It is to identify with him by participating in communities that the creates and denies. In this way, Jesus’s followers continue Jesus’s ministry not just by doing the same things he once did but by operating under his influence and mediating his presence through words and deeds. Where is Jesus? Present in the life, worship, and ministry of his followers as well as the places they will go.
Matthew Skinner (Intrusive God, Disruptive Gospel pg. 29)

Our Grace Family

Congratulations to the Class of Fall 2022!

Sarah Gochnauer graduated from Salus University in October of 2022. She is working at Lancaster General Penn Med as a Physician Assistant.

Sarah is the daughter of Grace members Lisa Schneider & Dean Gochnauer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Kai Foreman graduated from JP McCaskey High School.

Kai is the grandson of Grace members Murray Forman and Pam Joy.

Nataleigh Paige Roberts graduated from New Oxford High School. She will attending Penn State University-Main Campus in the fall.

Nataleigh is the granddaughter of Grace members Jim & Sue Pacelli.

Logan Roberts graduated from Millersville University.

Logan is the grandson of Grace Members Jim & Sue Pacelli.

Kaylah Miller graduated from Manheim Central High School.

Kaylah is the daughter of Grace members Todd & Theresa
Miller.

Luc Ries graduated from Hempfield High School.

Luc is the son of Grace members Annabel and Chris Ries.

Ellie Hershey graduated from JP McCaskey High School. She will be attending the University of South Carolina to study Sprots and Entertainment Management.

Ellie is the daughter of Grace members Linda Lee and Trevor Hershey.