2025 Chrism Mass & Affirmation of Call

2025 Chrism Mass & Affirmation of Call On Tuesday, April 15, leaders and members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod gathered at the Lutheran Center in Allentown, for the annual Chrism Mass and Affirmation of Call. This moving worship service brought together Pastors, Deacons, Synodically uathorized Lay Ministers, Licensed Lay Ministers and Pastoral Care Providers to…

On The Way: Recollection and Resurrection

Recollection and Resurrection This change of seasons brings a bounty of memories, feelings, hopes and expectations. Winter into spring into summer. Ash Wednesday into Lent into Holy Week. Maundy Thursday into Good Friday into Easter. Life into death into life eternal. God goes with us through it all. The Father’s love. The Son’s grace. The…

New Grant-Funded Project to Support Women and BIPOC LGBTQ+ Leaders

New Grant-Funded Project to Support Women and BIPOC LGBTQ+ Leaders By Pastor Kim Truebenbach   During the fall of 2024, the ELCA made available donor-funded grants to improve the quality of call for women in ministry. The email was forwarded to me to see if this was something I would be interested in pursuing. I…

On The Way: Ten Years, Nine Souls, and Eight Kids from Mahoning

Ten Years, Nine Souls, and Eight Kids from Mahoning  Ten years ago, I was co-pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Mahoning, near Lehighton. We had a large confirmation group that year – eight of them – and we took a weekend field trip to Philadelphia, with the theme “Faithful Philly.” On Friday, we visited…