SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD | ELCA FEBRUARY 12, 2025 | |
|
Lutherans together:
Loving God. Reflecting Jesus. Serving our neighbors.
| |
|
In this newsletter:
▶︎ Church Council Leader Gathering
▶︎ Reference & Counsel Zoom
▶︎ Tuscarora Retreat
▶︎ Synod Assembly Choir Invite
▶︎ Synod Council Nomination
▶︎ Substance Use Recovery Webinar
| |
|
▶︎ Preaching with Power
▶︎Lutherans in Black History
▶︎Gather Postcard Writing
▶︎Hope in a Divided World Update
▶︎LAMPa's Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship
▶︎Lutheran Day in the Capitol
| |
SEPA Synod Updates & Events | |
|
Gathering of Church Council Leaders
Saturday Feb. 22nd from 9:30 am to Noon
at Reformation Lutheran Church,
1217 Vernon Road, Philadelphia
Did you just get elected to serve on your church’s leadership team as a council member? Or maybe it’s your turn to serve as one of the executive leaders as President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary. Whatever your role, we have an exciting opportunity just for you!
| |
|
You Can Change the Church
Reference & Counsel invite you to join them Wednesday, February 26th at 6:30pm on Zoom to learn how you can change the church at the synod assembly. We'll talk about the difference between a resolution and a memorial and how to write each one effectively. The deadline to submit resolutions for consideration by the assembly is Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
| |
|
REMINDER: Confidential Reports to the Bishop & Parochial Reports
A reminder to rostered leaders that it is now time for both the Annual Confidential Report to the Bishop and Parochial Reports! If you need additional information or support, contact Cynta at coutterbridge@sepa.org or 267-323-3742.
The deadline for both reports is March 1, 2025.
When complete, send your report to bishop@sepa.org
| |
|
2025 SEPA Synod Assembly
Note new venue and date
Mark your calendars and save the date:
Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale!
| |
|
SEPA Assembly Choir
All are invited to be part of the SEPA Synod Assembly Choir, supporting the hymns, leading liturgy, and offering special music at worship the morning of Saturday, May 31st at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. You do not have to be a voting member of the assembly to be part of the choir, or even to attend worship. All are welcome! Click below to sign up for more information.
| |
|
Nominating Committee Seeks Nominations for the 2025 SEPA Assembly
How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod. At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 30 & 31, 2025, we will be electing leaders to serve on the Synod Council. Click below to learn more.
| |
|
Registration Deadline - March 3!
The Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat is a weekend retreat for 6th - 12th grade youth and their leaders April 4-6, 2025 at the Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center in Mt. Bethel, PA. This retreat fosters relationships between youth of different churches to unify the Lutheran churches and youth of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. This retreat is also unique in the fact that it is run by the pastors and leaders of our youth groups, so we depend on our adult leaders who attend with their youth to help make this retreat possible. We ask our adult leaders to be a part of small groups either through teaching, assistant teaching, or being an extra pair of hands in the classroom.
To register or for more information, click below.
Questions? Email tuscarorayouthretreat@gmail.com
| |
|
Join us for a Postcard Writing Party!
When: February 21st from 6pm-8pm
Where: Puddlers Kitchen & Tap in Bridgeport, PA - right across the bridge from the Norristown transit center.
Who: you! and any friends and family.
We will bring postcards, pens, and stamps, and some ideas of issues to send notes to our elected representatives about. You are welcome to bring supplies as well! Leave a comment on Gather Philly+ socials if you can make it.
| |
SEPA Care of Creation Team
Update & Opportunties:
Request Free Native Trees and Shrubs
PA Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) is pleased to again be providing an opportunity this Spring to distribute no-cost native trees throughout Pennsylvania, through PA Plants Native! Trees (and shrubs) are provided at NO-COST to you and your community at a number of distribution points throughout the state. Each year native trees and shrubs are available for planting in Spring and Fall. As seen in the picture, these are small seedlings.
1. Visit PA IPL Tree Planting Guide
2. Complete PA IPL Request Form
Please make your request as soon as possible - by January 15th is ideal, latest by January 18th.
3. Join our Planters' Community!
We aren’t just planting trees! We are growing communities of care, connection, and climate resilience. Reach out to creationcare@paipl.org, noting your location, availability, and skills if you’d like to help make more magic happen!
- December 30th: Request Form Opens
- January 15th: Priority Requests Closes
- January 18th: Request Form Closes
- Mid/Late March: Requests Confirmed
- April-May: Deliveries Occur
Do you live or is your church in Philly? TreePhilly is another way to get and host a free tree giveaway.
| |
Creation Care Bible Studies: | |
|
Climate + Faith Bible Study/Devotional
This is an ecumenical product originally developed to pair with the Lenten Season but can be used anytime.
This was purchased for use in all churches in our SEPA synod.
Digital format
Booklet format (would need to be printed)
| |
|
Our Kairos Moment: A Study Guide on Earth’s Climate Crisis
The ELCA put out this study guide in June 2024 a study guide for the ELCA’s social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis.” In this guide you will find four sessions designed to dig more deeply into major themes from the social message. Each session is intended for a 60-minute, small-group learning experience. The study guide works best when groups can use all four sessions, but each session can be used independently with minor adjustments. Digital format.
| |
Called by Faith: Caring for Creation
Sign up for a Creation Care talk for your congregation
Joy Baxter became an ELCA Creation Care Ambassador in 2020 by getting trained by Blessed Tomorrow. She has volunteered to give her 45 or 60min presentation, "Called by Faith: Caring for Creation" at your congregation during an adult education time/ small group/ or special event. If the times available do not work, please contact Joy at joybaxter@gmail.com. Other times may work or there are other Creation Care Ambassadors in our synod who may be willing to present.
"Called by Faith: Caring for Creation
In Genesis 2:15, God calls on us to care for God's creation. How do we do that? In this presentation, we will explore the interconnections between our faithful missions of feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, racial justice, and creation care. The goals of the presentation are to…
- Provide information about our changing environment & climate
- Help you make the connection between faith & climate
- Empower you with solutions"
| |
|
February 2025 Mission Support Memo
LuMin – Creating Belonging
A story about our ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministry Network, adapted from the LuMin Impact Report.
Imagine a place in the ELCA where you can build community, deepen faith, expand minds, and inspire service with over 11,000 young adults. Where does this happen? In our 176 local campus ministry agencies and cooperating congregations, where we transform the lives of college students and campus communities through God’s abundant grace. ELCA Campus Ministry is carried out through the collaborative efforts of many organizations and individuals: local campus ministry agencies, led by over 200 staff people, synod staff members and campus ministry committees, the Program Director for Campus Ministry and the Young Adult Communities team in the churchwide organization, and the Lutheran campus ministry (LuMin) Network, the association of campus ministry practitioners.
| |
Announcements from SEPA Congregations | |
|
“Lutherans in Black History,” a windowsill display focusing on historically significant African American leaders in much of the Lutheran tradition, will be available for viewing in the sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale this month, through the weekend of Feb. 23. Introduced last year, the 2025 display features five additional leadership profiles.
The display features chapters including the history of Black History Month and Trinity’s “Justice through Music” initiative, which benefits the Trenton, NJ, Children’s Chorus.
Featured are short profiles and photographs or images of 24 key rostered and laity Black leaders who have contributed to the church and society since the early 1800s to the present, including Gloria Echols, who was a community leader and tireless advocate for low-income housing in Lansdale for many years. Twelve of the 24 leaders...
| |
|
Interfaith Youth Retreat: WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Sponsored by the Wissahickon Faith Community Association and St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Wales
Sunday, March 9th from 2-6pm
at Bethlehem Baptism Church in Springhouse , PA
Featured Speaker: Dr. Matt Bellace
Dr. Matt Bellace has dedicated his career to empowering teens and adults through positive psychology and resilience-building techniques. With a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, he combines scientific insights with humor to create presentations that are both impactful and entertaining. Matt has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, schools, and conferences, leaving a lasting impression with his message of hope and self-empowerment.
Donation Suggestion: $25 per teen
Registration Deadline: Feb. 23
Space is limited to 100 people. Contact Pastor Andreas Wagner at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Wales for more information, and click below to register.
| |
|
Steps of Paul Greece and Greek Islands
June 20-July 1, 2025
with Pr. Julie DeWerth of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Package price of $4,990 from New York includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations in double occupancy hotel rooms, breakfast and dinner daily, nine days sightseeing in modern air-conditioned private bus, English speaking tour guide on duty, three night cruise, and two shore excursions. Click below to learn more, including the itinerary and reservation application.
| |
SEPA Partner Organizations | |
|
Substance Abuse Recovery Webinar
Substance Abuse Recovery: How Your Church Can Be Part of the Solution
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 + 1:00 pm
A one-hour free webinar presented by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Guest presenter is Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, from the ATTC Network, a multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services fields. He will present church-based initiatives which have been effective in addressing substance use challenges, and share multiple ways churches can support recovery for individuals, families and communities impacted by addiction. Webinar host is the Rev. George A. Wood.
| |
|
Preaching With Power
Organized by Urban Theological Institute, the Preaching With Power series brings to Philadelphia for a week each March, the finest in African American preaching. This series is hosted both on the seminary’s campus and in congregations in the community.
A forum on black preaching and theology, featuring distinguished African American preachers and theologians, Preaching With Power celebrates music and preaching in the African American church.
Preaching with Power events can be viewed at:
YouTube.com/unitedlutheranseminary
Sunday, March 16 + 6:00 pm
Bishop Guy Glimp
Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel
United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
Monday, March 17 + 7:00 pm
Bishop Millicent Hunter
Grace Baptist Church of Germantown
25 W. Johnson Street, Philadelphia
Tuesday, March 18 + 11:45 am
Lecture with Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Walton
Benbow Hall - Brossman Center
United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
Tuesday, March 18 + 7:00 pm
Rev. Andrea L. Walker
Reformation Lutheran Church
1215 Vernon Road, Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 19 + 11:45 am
Rev. Dr. Anthony L.D. Scott
Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel
United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
Wednesday, March 19 + 7:00 pm
Bishop Samuel L. Green
St. Paul Metropolitan AME Church
8398 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia
| |
|
The Richard Stewart Lifelong Learning Certificate in African American Lutheran History, Theology, & Praxis
This exciting new program features nine different presenters speaking to the various aspects of Lutheranism’s place in the story of African American Spiritual Formation as part of the narrative that shaped these United States and her territories.
In the Winter & Spring of 2025, the course topics are:
-
February 4, 11 - Ethical Leadership - Invited Guest Leaders - with introduction to the work of Dr. Earl Fluker (Ethical Leadership - The Quest for Character, Civility and Community) with Dr. Beverly Wallace and the Rev. Dr. Wyvetta Bullock, COO of the ELCA
-
February 18, 25, March 4 - Religious/Christian Education - Luther's Small Catechism with African Descent Reflections - varied contributors to the text
-
March 11, 18, 25 - Worship and Rituals (this will coincide with Preaching with Power at ULS that will be held March 16 - 19) - Dr. Joseph Donnella
-
April 1, 8, 15 - Claiming Our Dignity, Saving Our Souls - Dr. Beverly Wallace
-
April 22, 29, May 6 - Our Global Siblings - Dr. Joseph Boko, Richard Perry, Dr. Richard Thomas (this would be in preparation for our trip to Brazil in August)
This project is supported in part by the Conference of International Black Lutherans USA (CIBL-USA) and is presented by Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary.
| |
|
Kindling Faith Aging Grace-Fully Author Series
Aging Grace-Fully examines how to age with grace and live, fully, with the physical, mental and social changes that are often difficult to accept when growing older.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
1;30 pm
In-person on the Gettysburg Campus of ULS or via Livestream
Margaret Renkl
Author of Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss
Margaret Renkl is an American writer and contributing opinion writer for the New York Times who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Her weekly opinion columns focus on nature, politics, and culture.
| |
|
Our Support of Gaza's Recovery
Begins Now
As a ceasefire takes effect in Gaza, it’s time to take urgent steps toward recovery and healing. Only now will Gaza’s community be able to begin burying their loved ones, return to the remains of their homes and start the arduous process of restoration. We are called to accompany the people of Gaza and use our resources to support the tremendous efforts that will be needed. This is only the beginning of healing and recovery, and this period will prove critical to the lives of those who have survived 15 months of violence and displacement.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to this and other disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts designated for “Middle East Crisis” will be restricted to and used in full (100%) for those affected by disasters in the region.
| |
LAMPa Events and Information | |
|
Hope in a Divided World:
A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism
March 7-8 at ULS Gettysburg
Registration is OPEN!
Join us and Dr. Lori Brandt Hale of The International Bonhoeffer Society - English Language Section AND Amanda Tyler of BJC - Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Christians Against Christian Nationalism!
Discover how people of faith can authentically and humbly act at the intersection of civic life and faith, in contrast and response to the forces of Christian Nationalism, using the legacy and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a guide. We are grateful to partner with United Lutheran Seminary’s Kindling Faith to offer this event. Early Bird Registration ends February 7.
UPDATE: Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton will join us to preach at Hope in a Divided World: A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism! She also will be at the Author's Reception and Dinner.
Early Bird registration extended.
| |
|
LAMPa’s Isaiah 58:12 Racial Justice Fellowship - Applications Open!
Apply for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania’s micro-grant program for youth and young adults to apply for up to $500 for projects in their congregation or community to further racial justice and reconciliation. Fellows receive $1000 in scholarships. Applications for the 2025-26 cohort are due by March 14. Read about our current cohort for ideas and inspiration.
| |
|
Lutheran Day in the Capitol
May 13, 2025 + 8 am to 5 pm
Save the date! More information to come!
| |
LAMPa Offers Resources for Caring for our Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors
"Immigration, refugee, and asylum policies express who we are as a nation, influence the nation’s future character, and affect the lives of millions of people. We encourage our members, in light of our history and our ministry with newcomers, to join with other citizens in our democratic society to support just laws that serve the common good."
- ELCA Social Message on Immigration (1998)
As we prepare for changes in leadership at both the state and federal levels, many congregations and individuals have reached out to find ways to strengthen their ministries for and with migrants and refugees. Below is a sample of resources for communities to engage more deeply and to be prepared to stand with our neighbors.
| |
Community Defender Training
Join the National Immigration Project on Dec. 2 for a free webinar for community defenders, advocates, and impacted community members to go over the basics of what you can do now to be prepared. The two-hour program is meant to address your questions and to remind you of the protections you already have.
Register here.
| |
Being a Sanctuary Church
Every church within the ELCA must decide for itself what manner of engagement it can provide for immigrants in its community. All congregations should be ready with information about appropriate connections available in their community. Check out this guide to help your congregation discern what you can do.
Find more resources from ELCA AMMPARO.
| |
Join Our Rapid Response Network
We don’t know exactly what the next few months and years will bring, but we do know we will be called as disciples of Jesus to stand with those in need. If you are willing to be on our “Rapid Response” list to help us prevent political violence and promote solidarity and justice for all of our neighbors, please fill out this form.
| |
Welcoming Schools Toolkit
This guide aims to provide students, parents, community members and schools with the tools for affirming a dedication to ensuring that all students, regardless of immigration status, are welcome, safe and protected in their school. Download the guide, prepared by Temple University and the PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, of which LAMPa is a part.
| |
Keep Up With Synod News and Resources
With so many events coming up we'd love to make sure that your congregation's office and key leaders are subscribed to MinistryLink. Many congregations encourage council members and program leaders to subscribe.
We encourage leaders, parish administrators or newsletter editors to forward MinistryLink (this link) to your congregation.
| |
|
|
Please note:
You can update your email preferences using the Update Profile link at the bottom of this message. This allows you to join or leave the various email lists we maintain.
If you use the Unsubscribe link below you will be removed from all of our email lists and we will not be able to add you back. You will have to subscribe again to receive any of our email newsletters.
| |
Have stories, events, or resources to share?
| | | | |
