CHARLIE: (Background Information about the Synod)

RHONDA: The assembly was opened with a Thursday evening worship at First Lutheran Church. Everyone was invited - it was very well attended. The handbell choir, chancel choir and brass choir provided beautiful music. We celebrated with Word, Sacrament and Song that we are Living in God's Amazing Grace - Thanks be to God - the theme for the assembly. The new conference deans were installed. Our dean is Pastor Denise Arpino from Simpson-Temple United Parish.

We celebrated with Word, Sacrament and Song that we are Living in God's Amazing Grace.

There were two ordinations. Both ordinands graduated from the Gettysburg Seminary. Pastor Joshua Hansen is serving the Mt. Olivet and St. John congregations in Sinking Valley. Pastor Nathan Pile, the Bishop's son, serves two congregations in Spring Mills. A reception for the ordinands followed the service.

CHARLIE: On Friday, we worshipped and conducted business together. 291 fellow Lutherans, with 65 clergy, attended. Worship began and ended each session and eucharist was offered at 7:30 am Friday and Saturday. The worship topics centered on being thankful for: baptism, communion, vision, provision of daily bread, witness, renewal and Sabbath, family, vocation, and mission. The major business item was the approval of the budget. Although our giving again decreased and our support to Churchwide decreased, Bishop Pile challenged us not to lament. Instead, he asked us to recognize that God may be opening doors for us to grow the support of our ministries and for us to partner with Churchwide for resources. It concerned many that, at the same time our giving is decreasing, we are looking to Churchwide for more assistance!

RHONDA: Seven "Discovery" sessions were offered Friday afternoon. Pastor Betty attended "Small is Beautiful" - focusing upon mission in small congregations. Others were: "Leave a Legacy for Ministry"; "Black Gold - the Story

God called him by name and Moses answered "Here I am" - meaning he was ready to listen.

behind your coffee"; "Johnstown Hatters: A ministry of Youth helping Youth" (makes hats for St. Jude's hospital patients); "ELCA Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence"; The 4th Asian Lutheran International Conference in Bangkok; and Young Adults in Church and Campus Ministry. Because of time constraints, Charlie and I helped the WELCA group make Health Kits. 200 were made throughout the Assembly to be distributed to those in need. Towels, washcloths and toiletries were part of the kits.

The Bible Study Leader was Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens from Gettysburg Seminary. Her Bible Studies were from Genesis and Exodus. She focused upon Moses and Jacob and the spies. She helped us see how God calls us to serve. When a problem flares up, we can face it or turn away. The Moses study showed how Moses daily routine was interrupted. God called him by name and Moses answered "Here I am" - meaning he was ready to listen. However, Moses, like many of us, had objections to God's calling:

1) Who ME?	God's response: I will be with you.
2) Who are YOU?	God's response: I AM who I AM.
3) They won't believe	God's response: turned staff into snake; make leprous hand clean and changed Nile water into blood
4) I don't speak well	God's response: I will be your mouth.
5) Get someone else	God's response: Aaron will go with you.
6) Why ME?	God's response: You will see.

Dr. Stevens concluded with a charge to:

• Listen to the Voice of God
• Look to the Vision of God
• Discern the Action of God
• Trust to Risk God to follow Him into the Word

In the Jacob and the spies study, Dr. Stevens explained that we are called to listen and follow God's instructions despite our fears and anxieties. By keeping His promises, God helps us grow into the obedience of trust. We need to see obstacles as opportunities for God to

Trinity Church gave their paraments to St. James, Huntingdon, as they rebuilt after the fire.

work wonders to fulfill His promises.

CHARLIE: Bishop Pile, in his sermon on Thursday night reminded us that we are all slaves to sin and on a slippery slope of self righteousness. We should not look for life in the wrong places, but instead become generous disciples of Jesus Christ.

We celebrated Paul Hunter's retirement after 21 years of serving as the Synod Treasurer. The new treasurer, Spence Gavin, is serving as a volunteer. In addition, several anniversaries were celebrated: Campus Ministry: 100 years; Lutheran World Relief: 60 years; Sequanota: 60 years - By the way, the new staff came to lead worship on Saturday morning - a lively group of young people full of God's love; ELCA and the Allegheny Synod: 20 years; Allegheny Synod Women's Organization: 20 years; and Lutheran Services of America: 10 years - after just ten years, we can be proud that LSA serves 1 out of 50 people in the US and Caribbean.

We heard about sharing God's love between parishes. As Trinity Church in Woodbury closed, they gave their paraments to St. James, Huntingdon, as they rebuilt after the fire. Pastor Suzanne Morelli and St. James leaders gave a heartful thank-you to Trinity's former leaders on Friday evening.

Pastor Jim Myers was recognized for serving 64 years as a pastor.

Synod Assembly is also a time to catch up with former pastors and members.

He is a remarkable man who recently biked, hiked, and camped to and in the Grand Tetons. He did it alone and at age 90+ !!

RHONDA: Synod Assembly is also a time to catch up with former pastors and members. The Armen men served again on the technology team - helping the Assembly use 21st century technology. Charlie got to see his now-restored '72 Chevy convertible. And yes, it is clear that Pastor Brian has been passed up by both Stephen and Jonathan in height! Pastor Dave and Betty Lescher are still unpacking as they serve a three year call to the newly formed Good Shepherd parish in Windber. Due to a recent surgery, we did not see Pastor Alexy there this year.

The 2007 Assembly called upon ALL of us - including YOU - to live in God's Amazing Grace. May we, like Mary Magdalene and Ruth, share the eternal promise of God's Amazing Grace with all of our brothers and sisters.

CHARLIE AND RHONDA: Thanks be to God!