SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD | ELCA | | |
|  |
|
We're connected.
We are stronger together!
+ November 4, 2024
| |
|
In this newsletter:
▶︎SEPA in the News
▶︎faith+elections from LAMPa
▶︎Urban Ministry Grants
▶︎Bishop's Convocation
▶︎Online Workshops from the Centro Teológico Luterano Multicultural (CTLM) at Wartburg Seminary
| |
|
▶︎Transgender Day of Remembrance
▶︎Advent Vespers
▶︎Online Workshops from Kindling Faith at ULS
▶︎WELCA Convention Save-the-Date
▶︎In Case You Missed It...
| |
|
Upcoming Events:
What Really Matters? SEPA Youth Event Nov. 9-10
Bishop's Convocation "Ponder Anew" Nov. 21-22
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service Nov. 24
Advent Vespers at ULS Philadelphia Dec. 1
| |
|
SEPA in the News
Pastor Thomas Rusert and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown, PA were just featured in The Wall Street Journal for its Faith and Politics program! Click here to read the article.
| |
|
Faith+Elections – Accurate Information for All Voters
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) has compiled trusted information about election deadlines and processes, in addition to sermon and worship resources. The election season does not end on November 5! Find out how you can be engaged at the intersection of civic life and faith in this season and beyond.
Important Election Dates
November 5 – ELECTION DAY – Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be RECEIVED by 8 p.m.
November 8 – County Elections Offices Canvass (audit the count)
November 12 – Oversees Military Ballots must be RECEIVED by 5 p.m.
November 25 – County Elections Offices certify votes to PA Secretary of State
December 11 – Governor Shapiro certifies the results
December 17 – Electoral College PA electors gather in Harrisburg
| |
Grant Funds for SEPA Synod Urban Ministries
The SEPA Synod Urban Ministry Team is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $163,000 for distribution to eligible congregations in its 2024 grant funding cycle ($63,000 comes from the ELCA Innovations Team and $100,000 is from SEPA Synod). Of the $163,000 in available grant funding, up to $100,000 is earmarked for Building Maintenance and Repair projects and up to $63,000 is for Leadership Development. Click below to learn more and to download an application.
| |
|
Rostered leaders are encouraged to register now for the
2024 Bishop's Convocation
"Ponder Anew"
Thurs, Nov. 21 - Fri. Nov. 22
at the Alloy
301 W Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Facilitator: Malcolm McKinlay, Credence & Co.
Preacher & Presider: Bishop Bryan Penman
Registration Deadline: Monday, November 11
Click below for more information about the schedule, cost, and to register for both the event and the hotel.
| |
|
Understanding Who “Guadalupe” Is
The Virgen of Guadalupe and Lutherans - Latine perspective
Date: November 16, 2024
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: Zoom - in English
Offered by the Centro Teológico Luterano Multicultural (CTLM)
at Wartburg Seminary
| |
|
Latine Ministry Competency Workshop 202
There are 1,157 ELCA congregations with significant Latinx population in their zip code. Is your church one of these? How are you equipping yourselves for cross-cultural ministry among the fast-growing Latine community?
You are invited to join a group of learners and practitioners wanting to enhance their cultural and ministry competence to help start or strengthen Latine, Bilingual, or Multi-Ethnic worshipping communities. This virtual 10-hour workshop features the learnings of local and synodical strategies, core principles, ministry models and best practices in the development of ministry among the diversity of Latinx audiences in New Jersey, Texas, and the Chicago area.
This initiative is part of an ELCA churchwide effort to “activate ourselves so that more people may know the way of Jesus and experience community, justice, and love.”
Cost: Individual $250 or Congregation: $600
In English and 100% online
| |
|
SEPA's Inclusive Communities Team invite you a
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
Sunday, November 24 at 5pm
on Innovation Plaza (37th and Chestnut St. Phil.)
Free parking is available behind University Lutheran Church (3637 Chestnut St.), accessible from Ludlow St.
| |
|
United Lutheran Seminary's Annual
Advent Vespers Worship Service
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 5pm
Schaeffer-Ashmead Memorial Chapel
United Lutheran Seminary
7301 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Open to the public. RSVP not required.
| |
Lunch & Learn: Immigration from a Biblical Perspective and What It Means for Us Today
December 4, 2024 12:30pm, online
Cost: Free (donations accepte)
You are invited to join Pastor Christine Dunn and Deacon Emily Orner as they explore the immigration issue from a biblical lens, drawing from scripture to reflect on the realities of immigration in the U.S. today. Those who attend will be equipped with resources and talking points to take back to their respective congregations to continue the conversation in a constructive, Spirit-led way.
| |
A Womanist/Mujerista Symposium
When: Friday, Dec. 6 from 10am-3pm EST, online
Cost: $20/individual or $80/congregation
Offered by Kindling Faith and United Lutheran Seminary
| |
Muhlenberg College announces...
Red Door Roots: An exploration of Muhlenberg’s Lutheran values & heritage
Muhlenberg College is known for the red doors found on every campus building, a nod to its Protestant Lutheran heritage. While the red doors nominally signify welcome and hospitality, for a majority of constituents this is where the visible imprint of Lutheran identity begins and ends.
Funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)/Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), Red Door Roots seeks to initiate a deeper conversation about our Lutheran affiliation to reveal the Lutheran values that have underpinned the transformative changes Muhlenberg has experienced over the past 50 years.
| |
|
The grant programming includes a speaker series, next month featuring Vance Blackfox. Mr. Blackfox is an Indigenous Theologian and serves as the ELCA Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. He will speak on Lutheran values and social responsibility with a focus on engagement with indigenous cultures. Join them Wed. Nov. 20th at 7pm in Moyer Hall.
| |
|
A group is looking to form a small exploratory group of musicians and/or singers to put together a Christmas Program called "Let it Be Christmas", based on the music of The Beatles. The show is performed in the Midwest, but seemingly not in this area. Here's a link to a high quality presentation the program: https://vimeo.com/33602245
This small exploratory group would start by creating a plan to run auditions and rehearsals starting this year, with program performances targeted for the 2025-26 Christmas season (over a year from now). The concept is to build a traveling group who would perform throughout the tristate area.
Musicians, singers, producers, marketors, and promoters will be needed..
Please email any interest, suggestions/comments, etc. to Dave Hoch at DHoch10@gmail.com.
| |
Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire
LAMPa is delighted to have available for congregational use this curriculum by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale. The curriculum explores the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the lessons we can use as we live at the intersection of faith and civic life today. The facilitator’s guide, participant workbook, and accompanying slides for each week can be found by clicking below.
| |
Kindling Faith Events & Learning Opportunities:
| |
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?
| | | | |
