Communications
In Memoriam: Mr. Robert W. Fisher, Sr.
Funeral services for Mr. Robert W. Fisher, Sr., father of Robert Fisher, assistant to the bishop, will be held Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at Oreland Presbyterian Church.
Lutheran bishops proceed with Middle East visit
Bishop Claire S. Burkat will be among a contingent of ELCA bishops attending the 2009 Bishops’ Academy in the Middle East January 6-14. The unprecedented visit by many of North America’s Lutheran bishops will proceed, despite the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip this week.
Lutherans provide Christmas for 1,200 children
Local Lutherans contributed more than 1,200 gifts for children served by Lutheran Children and Family Services, food items for food pantries, quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other items in the annual Christmas Ingathering Dec. 7. In all about 3,000 people will be served by donations to the Ingathering, which totaled over $100,000. About as many people participated in gathering and making gifts and delivering them to drop-off points across the Synod.
Make Lutheran connections online
You can easily stay connected with the latest news and resources posted on the Synod's MinistryLINK website and with the latest ELCA News, advocacy alerts and daily prayer and scripture resources.
Synod office construction project delayed
The construction of new offices for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America (ELCA) on the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) campus is temporarily on hold due to the recent economic downturn. In the meantime, the seminary and synod are negotiating rent-free office space in another campus building, the Wiedemann Center, until the project can be resumed. The move into this temporary space is projected for early January.
ELCA, Constant Contact team to offer you email options
The ELCA has partnered with Constant Contact, the provider the Synod has used for SEPANews email alerts since 2007, to provide you with an easy way to create professional looking and effective email communications for your congregation.
Diakon supports local social ministries
As part of its annual program to promote congregation-based, community-focused social ministry efforts, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries has awarded grants to two local social ministries: The Welcome Center based at Holy Communion, Philadelphia and Feast of Justice Ministries based at St. John, Mayfair.
Engage Scripture with Book of Faith
The ELCA’s Book of Faith initiative invites us to open Scripture and join the conversation about Scripture and life. Get started now with resources available on our web site. Download information sheets that describe the purposes, goals and resources of the program, and learn how to register your congregation and join in the Book of Faith social network.
Bishop Hanson's pastoral letter on election
"Let us maintain a level of discourse worthy of this important moment in our nation’s history and the pressing issues demanding our attention," ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes in a pastoral letter to the church in the 2008 Presidential Election.
Bishops release pastoral letter on economic crisis
Lutherans are called to pray for and care for "those who are already vulnerable and struggling to survive" in the midst of the anxieties raised by the current global financial crisis, ELCA bishops said in a pastoral letter released Oct. 7.
ELCA ads: "God's Work. Our Hands."
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is adding television to a pilot advertising campaign with the tag line, "God's work. Our hands." The Travel Channel is broadcasting two 30-second spots a total of about 60 times from Sept. 29 through Oct. 12 on cable and satellite television.
Sign up now for 2008 Mission Fair
There's still time to align your ministry with God's dreams at the 2008 Mission Fair. Registration ends Oct. 3. Don't miss this opportunity to explore your missional potential with author and outreach expert Dave Daubert at the Oct. 18 event at St. Matthew, Springfield.
It's God's Party events in Bucks, Chester
Join your colleagues and friends and excite your missional imagination at the first of our conference gatherings this fall: \ Lower Bucks Conference: Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m. at St. Paul, Doylestown. RSVP: The Rev. Paul Sorcek, 215-355-2529. \ Chester Conference: Monday, Sept. 29, 6:45 p.m. at Calvary, West Chester. RSVP: The Rev. William Mueller, 610-436-0807.
Take Action to Fight Poverty Sept. 11
On Thursday, Sept. 11, 31 ELCA bishops including Bishop Claire Burkat are in Washington meeting with their members of Congress and discussing various issues, including domestic hunger and poverty. You can support their in-person efforts by calling your senators and representative on Sept. 11 and telling them about your concern for the poor and vulnerable among us!
Prayer and response to hurricanes
When Hurricane Katrina struck three years ago, Pastor Eric Shafer of Trinity, Lansdale was a churchwide staff member who spent Labor Day weekend manning the phones to take donations and calls for help that came to the ELCA because the church (unlike FEMA and the Red Cross) had live people answering calls. Read his thoughts about why and how to support ELCA Disaster Response.
Lutherans respond to hurricanes
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are responding in the aftermath of tropical storms and hurricanes, waiting to assess the damage of Hurricane Gustav and preparing for the remainder of the 2008 hurricane season. "We are in difficult days," said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). Click the headline above to download a LDR hurricane response bulletin insert for your congregation.
Welcome to the new MinistryLink!
This is the next generation of ministrylink.org, the Synod's online home. This new version includes a fresh look, easier navigation, and tools to allow you to receive updates via RSS feeds. Send your feedback on the new site to web [at] ministrylink [dot] org. The previous website remains available at archive.sepa.org.
40 churches aid Lutheran Charities bike ride
Many thanks to all who rode, volunteered and supported the 18th Annual Lutheran Charities Bike Ride on June 28, 2008. Bikers and volunteers from 40 Lutheran churches in the region took part in the annual event that benefits our social ministry agencies, sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
It's God's party -- And you are invited!
Lay and rostered leaders of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod's nine conferences will gather under the theme "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20a) in celebrations across the five-county region this fall. The party-themed gatherings will encourage participants to think and dream about the mission God has called us to here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. There will be party games and prizes, a time of learning and sharing, and some special time to celebrate the joy of the Lord.
Mission Fair offers practical ideas to renew your congregation
The Holy Spirit is m o v i n g across the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. God has great dreams for our community and our world. How can we, as Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania, be more effective in helping those dreams come true? We'll start figuring this out together at the 2008 Mission Fair on Saturday, Oct. 18 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Springfield. Our time will be practical, interactive, and spiritual as we explore what we can do to connect God's reign with our time and our neighborhoods.
Convocation: Called to Extraordinary Leadership
This year as our Synod continues to explore avenues to align our plans, priorities and programs with God's purpose and mission, Bishop Claire Burkat is pleased to invite all rostered leaders to discover and examine how leadership makes all the difference in the ministries we serve. Rostered leaders are invited to gather as community for three days to pray, worship, learn, and discuss how each of us, and all of us, are Called to Extraordinary Leadership.
Make SEKUCo Sunday special
Sunday, Oct. 5 has been designated SEKUCo Sunday in our Synod. It's a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the first year of this college sponsored by our companion synod in Tanzania, and to learn about the program and develop support for a second phase that will add programs in Eco-Tourism and increase the school's capacity to 500 students. We have flyers and resources to help involve everyone in SEKUCo Sunday.
Catch the spirit of the 2008 Assembly
The 2008 Synod Assembly heard about missional principles that will shape our common ministry, based on this Biblical formula: "It's God's mission. Jesus is Lord. The Holy Spirit guides us." You can download a bulletin insert reporting on the meeting or get full details and watch video at the Assembly website. The Assembly also heard Kelly Fryer describe common characteristics shared by congregations that are missionally engaged with their neighborhoods, received Emmaus Road Lutheran Church, and passed a resolution allowing congregations to send an additional youth or young adult voting member to the Assembly.
Lutherans gather at Capitol
Lutherans throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gathered at the Capital Building in Harrisburg on April 9, 2008 to meet with local representatives and discuss current issues before the Pennsylvania Legislature.
SEPA youth are going places
Can a trip change your life? There's no doubt about it! In August a group of youth and young adults head for an immersion trip to our companion Synod, the North Eastern Diocese of Tanzania. There will be opportunities to see the joys and struggles that are part of everyday life in a culture that is very different and to recognize the joys and struggles that are shared by all people of faith, wherever they may be. These life changing experiences build world changing leaders. Muzuri Safari! Have a great journey!
