IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR - ROSTERED LEADERS IN THE ELCA
September 20-21, 2010
Antiochian Village

SPIRITUAL RETREAT - OPEN TO ALL
October 16-17, 2010
First Lutheran Church in New Kensington

PREACHING SEMINAR - OPEN TO ALL
November 6, 2010
Trinity Lutheran Church in Wexford





MINISTRY, THE BUILDING BLOCK FOR CHRIST'S CHURCH

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
This declaration begins our ministry.

The Ministry Committee of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod assists laity, pastors, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, and deaconesses to fulfill Jesus' command to baptize, teach and make disciples. Members of the Ministry Committee and its sub-committees work to train and support people who desire to grow in faith and service in the church, including those who respond to the call to serve in ordained, commissioned, and consecrated ministries.

Leadership Support

Under the area of Leadership Support, pastors and rostered lay persons are offered continuing education opportunities. Each October, the Theological Convocation gathers church leaders for a time of learning, worship, fellowship, and renewal. Other continuing education events are offered from time to time. Laity are invited annually to the Lay School of Theology which is held at Thiel College on the last weekend in June.

Discernment

Encouraging individuals to discern God's direction in their lives is the major task of the Recruitment Committee. Retreats, discernment counselors, and Church Career Days are available for those who are exploring church vocation. The Recruitment Committee continues to seek contributions to the synod's Seminarian Recruitment and Support Fund so that special help can be given to seminary students and recruitment efforts can be expanded so that there will be seminary students in the years to come. For more information about recruitment, contact Pastor Joyce Dix-Weiers at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Candidacy

The Candidacy Committee works jointly with the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to examine and support those people who are preparing for ordained ministry and rostered lay ministries. The committee offers prayers, aid, and guidance to those preparing for a call. The Candidacy Committee also examines those people seeking reinstatement or transferring from another denomination.

The first step in the Candidacy process is to meet with Pastor Sandy Kessinger at the synod office.   Her email address is This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Helpful information about the ELCA Candidacy process can be found on the ELCA Website. Look under the Division for Ministry.

Lay Worship Leaders

Lay Worship Leaders are persons who have been trained and approved by the Ministry Committee for service as worship leaders when a pastor is not present. The service of Lay Worship Leaders is scheduled through the synod office for congregations without a pastor under call. Pastors serving congregations and needing the help of a Lay Worship Leader may make a direct contact. Lay Worship Leaders preach and lead non-sacramental worship services. A current list of Lay Worship Leaders can be found on this website by going to Documents.

Normally, new Lay Worship Leaders are added every few years.
Interested persons may contact Pastor Sandy Kessinger at the synod office.

• Preaching Seminars for each season of the church year
• Aaron's Ministry Program and Lay Training - We want to offer a gifts inventory for those who have gone through the program.  We want to use the Resource Center to provide information about on-going continuing education opportunities in our congregations.  
• We will make the Ethics Book available on the synod web site and copies will be made available in the Resource Center. 
• Provide support to congregations who are developing Mutual Ministry Committees
• Provide support for clergy in specialized ministries and for lay rostered leaders
• Offer a sexual boundary workshop training in 2010

Members of the Ministry Committee include:
Pastor Gerry Sanders, Jr. - Chairperson
Kimberly McCoid - Secretary
Pastor Heather Lubold - Synod Council Representative

Jeannette Christensen
Roxie Costanzo
Janet Franzen
Denise Hegemann - Associate in Ministry
John Kepple
Linda Schaeffer
Pastor Patricia Schneck
John Wilver 

Pastor Sandy Kessinger - Synod Staff Liaison