Archive for 2012
November 20, 2012
From the Deans: Sharing God’s Blessings
By sharing their stories, worshipping and visioning together, and by working together on administrative tasks, the congregations of the Northeast Philadelphia Conference intentionally share God's blessings, the Rev. Kevin Hilgendorf writes in the December "From the Deans" column. Together they build faith, have fun, and even save some money through economies of scale. How can the congregations of your conference collaborate for mutual benefit?
November 19, 2012
Sleeping Out to Fight Homelessness
About 40 young people spent a brisk November night in cardboard boxes on the lawn of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Quakertown, to help bring attention to the hidden problem of homelessness. After a rally in the midst of downtown Quakertown, where they used colorful signs to raise awareness of homelessness to Friday night drivers, the youth cut out and decorated cardboard box shelters to sleep in. “We need to be thankful for what we have,” 11-year-old Jairus McMillan told The Intelligencer, a local newspaper.
November 13, 2012
How to Help: Flood Buckets and Hygiene Kits
Want to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy? Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA is now collecting supplies for cleaning "flood" buckets and hygiene kits, as well as completed kits, and non-perishable foods. Donations are being collected at New Hanover Lutheran Church; St. Michael, Sellersville; St. Matthew, Chester Springs; Advent, West Chester; Christ, Kulpsville and St. Timothy, Fox Chase. Click through to download supply lists and complete collection hours.
November 2, 2012
Bucks Lutherans Cook Up a Storm for Hurricane Shelter
Despite being without power since Monday night, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ferndale, Bucks County has been cooking up a storm. Pastor Bill Rex and a crew of volunteers have been cooking hot dinners each evening for upwards of 225 people at an emergency Red Cross shelter established at the nearby Palisades High School.
“We’ve been cooking for more than 200 people with two gas stoves, sometimes by flashlight,” Pastor Rex reports. The congregation’s small kitchen has kept operating with a Red Cross supplied generator to power the ovens but light, and space, are limited. “People at the shelter ask me why we do this,” Rex says. “I just tell them that Jesus tells us to.”
November 1, 2012
From the Deans: Getting Rooted in Scripture
The Bible is a complicated book -- a library, actually, written over 1,000 years -- and its diverse literary styles and historical contexts have often seemed overwhelming, the Rev. Gordon Simmons, dean of Delaware Conference, writes in November's "Word from the Deans." Don't give up, he says. Keep reading Scripture, read in a group, focus on parts that work and listen for what God is trying to say. That's how to get (and stay) rooted in scripture.
October 31, 2012
Responding to Hurricane Sandy
"Now that Hurricane Sandy has passed, our hearts and prayers go out to all who have suffered loss of life, property, or have been traumatized by this historic storm," Bishop Burkat writes in a message to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA is working with many partners, from other denominations and from non-religious relief agencies, to help those facing the devastation of this storm. Click through for a prayer suitable for All Saints Sunday and information about volunteering.
October 29, 2012
Hurricane Update Oct. 29
From Bishop Burkat: We are now experiencing a storm of unprecedented fury, strength and breadth. Extraordinary measures of evacuation, road closures, public transit cessation, and the necessity of community shelters are indications of the serious peril caused by the hurricane called Sandy.
Communication and collaboration among our faith partners has been swift and effective. Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA has been monitoring the storm's progress in cooperation with the Red Cross and other voluntary organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The SEPA Synod has been in constant contact with Lutheran leaders through e-news and website updates. LDR will be mobilizing resources and volunteers once the storm passes and needs are known.
October 28, 2012
Hurricane Update Oct. 28
As Hurricane Sandy approaches, Bishop Burkat and your Synod staff are praying for our congregations and leaders and for all who are in the path of this serious storm. Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA suggests that in preparation for the storm that may disrupt our communications systems, take the time this evening to "touch-base" with your neighbors and local community. In times of crisis, these are the folks who will be most able to help us and who we will be most able to help.
October 27, 2012
Prayer, Information for Hurricane Sandy
Forecast models indicate that Southeastern Pennsylvania will be affected by Hurricane Sandy, with wind and rain beginning Sunday and the brunt of the storm coming Monday into Tuesday. Pray for all who have been and will be affected by this storm. Congregations can take an active role in the community in the wake of disaster. Our facilities, people, and communication systems can be vital components of a quick response to people in great need.
October 25, 2012
Pray, Prepare for Sandy
Hurricane Sandy has caused damage and loss of life as it has moved across the Caribbean and across Cuba and the Bahamas. Forecasters say the storm is expected to strike the US east coast and may combine with a pre-winter storm to bring strong winds, significant rains and potential flooding to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, including Southeastern Pennsylvania, as early as Sunday evening. It is still too early to make definite predictions about this storm, but it is prudent to be prepared.
October 4, 2012
Tanzanian University Gets New Name
As of October 2012 SEKUCo will have a name change to Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU). Since 2006 our synod has been partnering with SEKUCo to start and expand this University College. In a very short period of time they have gone from being a new College to having provisional approval to function under the Tanzanian Department of Education to now becoming a full fledged University with a new name. Congratulations to Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University.
September 27, 2012
From the Deans: Go to God in Prayer
"Our dwelling is where we live - we’re not just an occasional guest. Likewise, our relationship with God should not consist of only an occasional visit. Especially if that visit is solely for the purpose of helping us out of trouble," the Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, dean of our Northwest Philadelphia/Olney Conference, writes in October's "Word from the Deans."
September 19, 2012
Turning Point Named Zone of Peace
Members of the Zones of Peace Steering Committee selected Rhawnhurst Turning Point to be recognized by the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia as a Zone of Peace.
As a new member of the Zones of Peace Program, Turning Point joins a region-wide interfaith movement of churches, synagogues, mosques, other houses of worship, schools, and community-based organizations working to address the root causes of violence and promote peace.
August 27, 2012
Introducing ‘A Word from our Deans’
In a new feature, "A Word from our Deans," the Rev. Serena Sellers of Upper Bucks Conference reflects on the gifts God has given us to share ideas and support each other to help congregations nurture the seeds faith, service and outreach. "Each of our congregations has areas where we are strong. We also have areas where with some additional focus and attention, we could build our capacity in ministry," she writes. "The way to make the Synod strong is to make the congregations strong. The way to make our congregations strong is to focus on the things that matter so that we grow our faith in the place that we are planted."
July 15, 2012
35,000 Lutherans Make a Difference in New Orleans
“Citizens with the Saints” spreads literacy, beauty and inspiration. More than 35,000 youth and adults are heading for New Orleans for the “Citizens with the Saints” Youth Gathering. This event is the largest convention the city hosts, and the influx of Lutherans will boost the city’s population by 7% July 18-22. New Orleans welcomes the ELCA because they know we are there to make a difference. There will be 550 youth and adults representing SEPA congregations participating in the Gathering’s efforts to improve literacy, clean up the environment, and care for the New Orleans community.
July 12, 2012
Judge Blocks City’s Homeless Feeding Ban
A federal judge today (July 11) blocked enforcement of the Philadelphia's ban on distributing free food to homeless persons in city parks, including Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Welcome Church, a synod-sponsored homeless ministry, and three other religious groups brought suit claiming that the city's plan to move all feeding to City Hall interfered with their ability to minister to homeless persons where they live -- along the parkway.
July 10, 2012
Churches Appeal of Feeding Ban Heard
Religious leaders and city officials testified July 9 in the first day of a hearing on the legality of the city's ban on free meals for the homeless along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Rev. Violet Little of the Welcome Church testified along with other homeless advocates and a deputy mayor. Little and the other plaintiffs argue that providing food, such as the coffee hour after her "church without walls" services on the Parkway, are central to their ministries and the city's ban interferes with the expression of their faith.
July 6, 2012
Wonderfully Made Camp In the News
In a Huffington Post column, Nicole Greer writes that she found our Synod-sponsored "Wonderfully Made Camp" at a time when her local church was becoming uncomfortable with her self-understanding as a gay Christian. "Wonderfully Made opened my eyes to opportunities I have to minister to others who feel rejected by the church, and consequently have doubts about Jesus's love for them," she writes. Link to the article after the jump.
