Bishop Messages
Christ Changes Everything! - Bishop's Advent/Christmas Message
"Christ comes to us now as He has come to His people of every age, whether his coming perplexes us or gives us great joy, whether we have been longing and praying for him or are caught by surprise," Bishop Claire S. Burkat writes in her annual Advent/Christmas message to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Please share this message in your congregation's newsletter or bulletin.
Bishop Hanson's It Gets Better Project Video
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson told young people who suffer bullying because of their sexuality that "you are a beloved child of God" in a video contributed to the It Gets Better Project. In the video, Hanson acknowledges that "sometimes the words of my Christian brothers and sisters have hurt you" and shares his hope" "God has called you by name and claimed you for ever. There's a place for you in this world and in this church."
Remembering Sept. 11
In recent days and weeks the media have been filled with reports of controversies and discord that focus on radical fringe groups of many faiths and place religious followers in an unfavorable light. "Christians, Muslims, Jews, and people of good will of all faiths, seek ways to build bridges among our faith traditions, with mutual respect and concern for the world that we share," Bishop Burkat says in a statement. "When escalating anxieties and competing judgments claim our attention, let us to turn to God who is larger and stronger than our fears. These volatile and mercurial times are an opportunity for people of faith to pray for and promote understanding, dialogue, and peace." Read more to find Sept. 11 resources for your congregation.
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One People
"The opportunity to bring the Word of God and to baptize in the name of the Triune God in a place far away, to a people foreign to my culture, in a language not my own, was one of the highlights of my call as a pastor and a bishop," Bishop Burkat writes about her recent safari to visit our compaion synod in Tanzania. "This was truly a time when distance narrowed, offering a glimpse into God’s amazing grace!" Click to read the Bishop's message and a diary of the journey.
Tanzania Safari 2010
As I reflect on my journey (safari) in the day-to-day account that follows, I hope you will sense the great privilege it is to be joined by Christ to this diocese, and that you will see in the lives and witness of the people, the great love of God in Christ that continues to be lavished on the world.
Join the Bishop in supporting Child Nutrition
"We cannot afford to let our children go hungry," Bishop Claire S. Burkat writes in a letter to the Synod urging Lutherans to make their voices heard in support of the administration's proposal to increase support of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act by $10 billion over 10 years. A sizeable percentage of school age children in our region -- from 17% in Chester County to 76% in Philadelphia -- receive free or reduced price lunches. "Nobody is in favor of kids going hungry. This isn’t a partisan issue. But it is an issue that needs advocates," the bishop writes. Click the headline to read the entire message.
The FACE of the future
Bishop Claire Burkat challenged the 2010 Assembly to see how the four directions launched at last year’s assembly can lead the synod to embrace five trends that she sees emerging on the missional horizon. Represented by the acronym FACE, the directions are: Faith formation, faith in Action, Connecting and Communicating, and Equipping for evangelical outreach. Read more and view video of the bishop's remarks.
Fall in love with the Word
Bishop Claire Burkat introduced the theme of the 2010 assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in her sermon, Inbreaking/Outpouring: The Living Word. She spoke of the magnitude and power of God’s creative Word in our lives. “We will hear, see and experience the inbreaking of the Word of God, and take notice of its power and beauty in our lives while we are here together for these two days” said Burkat.
Forever Connected in Christ
"The most powerful learning is my new understanding and appreciation for the oneness of God’s people in Christ," Bishop Burkat writes about her participation in the recent ELCA Ecumenical Journey to the seats of Anglican, Orthodox and Catholic communions. "Yes, there were differences in culture, in worship, in theology, and in current pressing issues as we traveled to four major Christian centers, and met with prominent Christian leaders in London, Istanbul, Rome and Geneva. However, the hospitality, love and respect for us, and us for them, and our common faith in Jesus Christ transcended the difficulties, which sometimes threaten to divide us and undermine the common Christian witness to the world."
Bishop's journal from ecumenical journey
Bishop Burkat is part of a delegation of ELCA officials led by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson on the 2010 Ecumenical Journey to visit Christian leaders in London, Istanbul, Rome and Geneva, including the heads of the Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic communions. "I thank God, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, and the people of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod for allowing me this most remarkable opportunity to visit the major faith centers and major Christian leaders of the global and ancient Church," the bishop writes in her first message from the trip. "More than any other time in history the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church is connected and accessible. By air, by sea, by land, by internet, by cell, and, yes, by clear, mutual conversation, consolation and communion, we have opportunities as never before to work pray for the peace of the whole of God’s world, the well being of the people of God, and the unity of all."
