This synod accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life. (+S4.03)
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is the regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the territory including Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
The Synod is governed by the annual Assembly, a meeting of lay and clergy members selected by the congregations of the Synod. The Assembly normally meets each year in early May.
Between meetings of the Synod Assembly, the Synod Council administers the life of the Synod. Chaired by Vice President Patricia Robinson, the Council includes lay and clergy members elected by the Assembly to represent conferences or serve at-large. The Council approves calls, handles administrative and property matters, reviews congregation constitutions, and coordinates the work of the Synod and related agencies. An Executive Committee meets to handle personnel and other executive actions.
The day-to-day work of the Synod is carried out through the Office of the Bishop, which provides oversight to the congregations of the Synod and the rostered leaders (clergy and commissioned or consecrated lay professionals) under the care of the Synod.
Synod Officers
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat
Bishop
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat was elected the fourth bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on May 6, 2006. She assumed office as spiritual leader of the 95,000 members and 172 congregations of the synod on July 1, 2006
Contact: 267.323.3747 |
Patricia M. Robinson
Vice President The Rev. Raymond A. Miller
SecretaryCouncil Directory
Council Directory link goes here.
Related Links
Related News
Oldest Synod minutes restored
Bishops Claire S. Burkat (center left) and Samuel R. Zeiser (center right) display the newly restored minutes of the Lutheran Ministerium of North America dating from 1781. With them are John E. Peterson (left), Curator, and Kim-Eric Williams, Archivist, of the Northeast Regional Archives Center.
Pastoral message on historic ELCA votes
The ELCA change in ministry policies to open the ministry to gays and lesbians in committed partnered relationships is "a change in our church culture that will take time, patience, and discernment to live into," Bishop Claire S. Burkat writes in a pastoral message to the Synod.
SEPA at the CWA
Images of SEPA people at work (and play) at the Churchwide Assembly. See how many you recognize!
Registration open for 2009 Assembly
Final registration deadline for the 22nd Synod Assembly -- Friday and Saturday, May 8-9 -- is April 3. Everything you need to know is on the Assembly website at http://sepaassembly.info/09/
Synod staff in new offices
The Synod's offices are now located at the first floor of the Wiedemann Center on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. A new telephone number has been assigned: 267.323.3737. The mailing address for the new office is 7241 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119.
Synod News
Watch new malaria video
A new 2-minute video features a school for orphans in Mozambique where a clinic is being built in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Mozambique and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI). The clinic will test for malaria, provide life-saving drugs and stop the deadly disease.
ELCA seeks input on genetics statement
The ELCA is seeking input on a draft social statement on Genetics that will be presented to the 2011 Churchwide Assembly. Congregations and members are encouraged to review and discuss the draft statement, which addresses faithful responses to issues including human cloning, genetic testing and screening, genetically modified food, and other subjects.