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Synod Assembly Information


Synod Assembly

imago dei

May 29-30

Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale

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Registration closes tomorrow!

Synod Assembly Registration is Open!

Registration for Synod Assembly is now open.

Registration closes April 27

There will be NO on site registration.

REGISTER HERE

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NEW! Parliamentary Procedure Video Updated

You can view the updated Parliamentary Procedure Video from our Parliamentarian Pastor Joey Klinger, HERE

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Assembly Choir

All are invited to be part of the SEPA Synod Assembly Choir, supporting the hymns, leading liturgy, and offering special music at the Closing Worship Service on Saturday, May 30th at 5:30pm 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. We will rehearse at 4:00 pm that day--and have scheduled rehearsals at other times. When you sign up here, you will receive more information. All are welcome!


NEW! Rehearsal Dates and Times


Saturday, May 16 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

132 E. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia

 

Saturday, May 23 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Spirit & Truth Worship Center

1000 Church Ln., Yeadon 

 

Saturday, May 30 | 4:00 pm

(before the Closing Worship Service) 

Trinity Lutheran Church 

1000 W. Main St., Lansdale


More information or questions

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Pre-Assembly Finance Zoom

You are invited to attend the Pre-Assembly Finance Zoom on May 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm.

Get your questions about the Synod's budget and finances answered prior to Assembly.

REGISTER HERE

In our prayers...

The family of Rebecca Bixby, daughter of Pastor Bill and Mrs. Sandy Bixby, who died on March 27 from metastatic colon cancer. Service information below.


"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes,

and death will be no more, neither will there be

mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the

former things will have passed away." 

(Rev. 21:4)


May 2, 2026 

Church of St. Martin-in-the Fields,

Philadelphia, PA


8:30 am Public Visitation and Viewing 

8:30 am Light Breakfast/Fellowship

10:00 am Service of Resurrection Hope

11:15 am Car Procession to Ivy Hill Cemetery, Committal


May 3, 2026

Germantown Friends Meeting and School, Philadelphia, PA

All School Commons located adjacent to the Meeting House


3:00 pm Memorial Service and Friends Meeting for Worship

4:30 pm Reception For All with Light Refreshments; All School Commons


Note: Child care will be provided in both settings.

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Those serving in the military and their families, especially those deployed to active war zones.


The families of the victims of gun violence especially those in Louisiana and Ohio.

Get Your Tickets Today!

Lutheran Night at the Phillies

June 5

The Phillies take on the Chicago White Sox.

Use Code LUTHERAN


Join with your family and friends to cheer on the Phillies. Make a day of it and start your America 250 celebration early by visiting local historical sites ahead of the crowds!

NEW! Introduction to Christian Minimalism

April 29, 7:00 pm

The Rev. Becca Ehrlich, author of Christian Minimalism, defines minimalism as “a focus on the aspects of life that matter most, and intentionally removing everything else.” That focus is not just a psychological or economic exercise: It’s a spiritual practices, she says.


You can learn more about a minimalist approach to life on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m., when Pastor Ehrlich joins Kairos Communities on Zoom for a presentation and discussion. You can receive the Zoom link by registering.


The heart of minimalism isn’t getting rid of or doing without; it’s aligning our energy, time and money with what we truly value. Jesus taught that “The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Luke 12:34, The Message)

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This week!
St. John's Melrose Park to host Holden Evening Prayer

April 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM

St. John’s Lutheran Church

1224 Melrose Ave. Melrose Park PA


This year is the 40th Anniversary of Vespers ’86, the beloved service composed by Marty Haugen. Haugen wrote Holden Evening Prayer during the winter of 1985–1986 during a musical residency at Holden Village. It is a simple Lutheran vespers service that follows traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language.  This service has become beloved by many.


St. John’s will be joining with worshippers all around the world as we celebrate this beloved worship service. Join us as we give thanks to God together in this beautiful service. 

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NEW! St. John and Friends 33rd Annual Concert

Hymns, Psalms and Spirituals

May 3 + 7:00 pm

St. John Lutheran Church

355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA


Featuring Kyros Brass, Faculty from West Chester University and singers from more than 20 area congregations.

Free will offering. $10 suggested donation

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NEW! Christ Ascension Plans Events for Home and Garden Show

Sunday, May 3 + 11:00 am

8300 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill


You are cordially invited you to Christ Ascension's events during the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival on Sunday, May 3 (rain date May 17th).


Events include:

Christ Ascension Rummage Sale

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Join us for our annual "name your price" sale featuring vintage finds, books, and various treasures.


Kitty Cottage Adoption Center

A no kill cage-free adoption center for kitties in need. Visit the Christ Ascension Parish Hall for kitten meet and greet.


The Secret Wisdom of Flowers by Laura Hawley, presented by the Philadelphia Women’s Music Project(PWMP): Performances at 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm

A beautiful and inspiring performance by a vibrant community chorus of women dedicated to classical music, with a special focus on celebrating works by women composers and poets. 


More information on the Festival  

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Ascension Worship Service to host ULS Dean Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood as preacher

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Reformation Lutheran Church

102 W Rose Tree Rd, Media


6:30 pm Light Dinner

7:30 pm Worship Service


Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood  is the Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and The James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary.


Dr. Smallwood’s career includes over 20 years as a practicing attorney in several capacities:  as staff attorney with Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont in Charlotte, NC and the Children’s Law Center; as Assistant District Attorney; and as proprietor of a private law practice.

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Mediator Lutheran Church Anniversary Celebration

Mediator Lutheran Church will be celebrating 120+1 years of faith, legacy, and community. September 13, 2026

Mediator Lutheran Church is located at

2832 N. 28th Street, Philadelphia

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Available Items


NEW! Choir Robes

St Matthew’s, Chester Springs has 16 choir robes of various sizes to donate. The robes are navy blue and white; the collar sash is reversible. they are in good condition but might need some cleaning here and there.

For more information, contact Sue Hummerston 



PICTURES

Upcoming Ordinations

Madison DeLuca

Saturday, May 2 + 11:00 am

Little Zion Lutheran Church

267 Morwood Road,  Telford, PA 18969


This service will include the rite of Installation (a separate service of Installation will not be held).

Livestream will be available via Facebook live on Little Zion’s Facebook page.


Color of the day will be red.


Reception will be immediately following the service in the fellowship hall. 

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NEW! Sarajean Grainson

Friday, May 8 + 5:00 pm

St. Michael Lutheran Church

109 E. Doe Run Road

Unionville, PA



Rostered Ministers and seminarians are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.

A dinner reception will follow.

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Upcoming Installations

The Rev. Matthew Finney

Thursday May 14 + 7:00 pm

Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville

2211 Mainland Road, Harleysville


The color of the day is white.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the service. 

Pastor Christopher Drummond

Sunday, May 17 + 3:00 pm

Holy Spirit Evangelical Lutheran Church

2545 Franklin Avenue, Secane


Color of the day is white.

A reception will follow the service.

Deadline approaching! Act now!

Love Revolution Applications Open

If your congregation would like to be part of Love Revolution's second cohort, complete an application by April 30, 2026.

NEW! Book Look: The Just Love Story Bible


The Just Love Story Bible invites you into the big story go God's love. It's an invitation to ask important questions. People have always wondered about the great mysteries and, most importantly, the great questions of life. What are the best, most loving, and fairest ways to live with each other? Can we believe in something huge and mysterious and invisible like God and still have questions, doubts, and disagreements? What does it look like to be a follower of Jesus?


Through retellings of thoughtfully selected Bible stories, The Just Love Story Bible presents a way to hear how others have also had questions about God, and the answers they discovered; to have your own ideas and ponder your own experiences; and to keep on wondering.


The Just Love Story bible is available at most major booksellers and is published by Beaming Books.

May Play Day at Bear Creek

May 2

New camp families and returning - visit us this May for a day of exploring, meeting staff, and seeing what camp has to offer! 

Cookout lunch is freely offered to all and pre-registration is appreciated for planning.

*Note children must be accompanied by an adult

REGISTER HERE

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Summer Camp 2026 

Summer camp is more than just fun—it’s a place where campers feel welcomed, try new things, build friendships, and create lifelong memories. At Bear Creek Camp, we celebrate community while growing together through meaningful, faith-filled experiences.

Learn More and Register 

Partner Opportunities

NEW! Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative – Join the work

The Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. We are seeking both clergy and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative. All are welcome, including those with skills in research, data collection, organizing, education, and leadership. The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for our church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.

We started in 2022 with 15 synods across four states. In May 2023, we expanded to 27 synods across ten states. We are now expanding to all synods across all states. We welcome you!


To learn more and to get involved, click HERE.

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NEW! Partners for Sacred Places Lunch and Learn: Stormwater Solutions

April 30 + 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Camphor United Methodist Church

5620 WyalusingAve., Philadelphia

RSVP TODAY!

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NEW! ELCA Mission Support Memo

Our April 2026 Mission Support memo takes us back to Palm Sunday where this year many palm waving processions continued into the afternoon with journeys through downtown areas, around state buildings, in amphitheaters and in parking lots, as we and our denominational partners cried out for justice, peace and love, during the Palm Sunday Path. Our story focuses on activites in Wisconsin and specifically Northwest Synod of Wisconsin ~ learn about the day with dance, prayer, and calls to action. Also check out how to participate in the May 18 in the evening for a webinar on The Stewardship of AI: Benefits and ConcernsWe continue to be grateful for partners and individuals who advocate for education, justice, peace and love. 

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Register today!

Lutheran Congregational Services Lay Eucharistic Training

Eucharistic Visitors are members of the congregation who are selected by their pastor and trained to bring the communion meal from worship to ill and homebound members of their congregation who are unable to attend service.

LCS’s training ministry engages learners in the Biblical and theological background of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and teaches potential Eucharistic Visitors about visitation and administration of the sacrament.


Saturday, May 23, 2026

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Advent Lutheran Church

1601 Green Lane, West Chester, PA 19382


To register for training, please complete the online form and submit the $30.00 fee per person.

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NEW! Creation Care Film Series Features ELCA Faith Leaders

 Four leaders from ministries across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) share how their faith journeys intersect with their commitment to creation care in the seven-part short film series “Caring for the Earth: Stories From Faith Communities.”


The free-to-access series premiered online April 25 as part of this year’s National Faith + Climate Forum

 

A free study guide is available for each 20-minute film in the series, containing discussion questions, Scripture, prayers and practical next steps for faith communities to help implement positive changes. 

 

Discover more about the ELCA’s work on creation care and climate justice by reading the ELCA’s social statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice (1993) and social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis” (2023). Click the links below to learn more about the work of the ELCA’s affiliated organizations: Lutherans Restoring Creation And the Center for Climate Justice and Faith.


Read more here: Creation Care Film Series Features ELCA Faith Leaders

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LUNCH AND LEARN FROM NAMI: Mental Health Needs in my Faith Community: How Can I Respond Effectively

May 7 at Noon

REGISTER HERE for this informative webinar directed toward faith communities and their response to the mental health issues in their communities.

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Black and Lutheran History now online

A web site celebrating the contributions of Black and Lutheran leaders from the 1800s to today is now live at: https://www.blackandlutheran.com .


The site, featuring short biographies, stories and essays, is the culmination of work begun decades ago by the Rev. Dr. Richard Nelson Stewart, a seminary professor in Philadelphia.


Rich took to heart a mission to use his skills in communications to document the history of Black and Lutheran leaders who were part of the church he loved so their stories could live on.


Stewart served the faculty and students at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, now part of United Lutheran Seminary. He taught in the areas of parish administration and media for three decades beginning in 1989.


The Black and Lutheran Project, generously funded by the Louisville institute, has a timeline platform that Rich envisioned that would make easily accessible to students, scholars and history buffs information about Black leaders. READ FULL NEWS RELEASE

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NEW! Thrivent Celebration of Membership

Saturday, May 16, 2026

12:00 p.m.


In honor of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and more than 110 years of Thrivent, you are invited to join us at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, PA.


Attendees will enjoy:

  • A buffet lunch
  • An update on Thrivent and the impact members are making across the region
  • Hands-on generosity activities
  • Access to museum exhibits


This complimentary event is hosted by the Thrivent Member Network – Northeast and is open to all Thrivent members in the region. Each member may bring one guest, whether the guest is a fellow Thrivent member or a non‑member.


Space is limited, and pre‑registration is required. REGISTER TODAY

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NEW! Presiding Bishop Curry Issues Message for Child Abuse Prevention Month

You can read the full message HERE

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Lutheran Disaster Response Training & Engagement Catalog for Spring 2026 

The Lutheran Disaster Response Training & Engagement Catalog for Spring 2026 highlights opportunities to learn, connect, and prepare for disaster response ministry.


From March through June, explore a variety of online and in-person trainings, Just in Time trainings following recent disasters, and self-paced courses available through LDR’s learning management system. 

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"Beyond Sobriety: The Practice That Sustains Recovery"

April 29, 2026

1:00 pm

"Beyond Sobriety: The Practice That Sustains Recovery" is hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. With a Doctor of Ministry in counseling, Barry Lehman specializes in long-term recovery. He helps people in long-term recovery build lives of depth, meaning, and steady direction – drawing from decades of lived recovery, counseling and spiritual practice. He joins us for a discussion that looks beyond sobriety, sharing his perspective on how to build a life that keeps growing – not just maintaining sobriety. He is author of an award-winning book, Mastering Recovery.

REGISTER HERE

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NEW! Lutheran Summer Music Choral Gathering

You are invited to join fellow singers for a day of inspiring, community-centered music-making at the LSM Choral Gathering. Led by Dr. David Cherwien, LSM faculty member and former Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, this event offers a welcoming introduction to the music, people, and artistic life of Lutheran Summer Music at St. Olaf College.


Register

More Information

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NEW! Holy Transitions: Spirituality, Aging, and the Work of Accompaniment

May 7, 2026 + 7:00 pm (Zoom)

LFCNA's 5th Annual Valborg Tollefsrud Educational Event with Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist, BCC-PCHAC

Sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association

Date: 

More information and registration

 

Aging is not only a biological or psychological process – it is a deeply spiritual journey marked by loss, meaning-making, resilience, and hope. This two-hour presentation invites Faith Community Nurses* to explore the spiritual dimensions of aging through theological reflection, case examples, and guided conversation.

 

*While the primary audience for this event is Faith Community Nurses, nurses who are not members of LFCNA, and non-nurses are encouraged to attend.

This may include clergy, lay leaders and others. All are welcome. 

ELCA Youth Gathering 2027:

Imagine More

June 27-28, 2027

PRE-EVENTS

Multicultural Youth Leadership Event + the tAble

June 28 - July 2, 2027

THE MAIN EVENT

ELCA Youth Gathering + Young Adult Gathering


The 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering is more than an event — it’s a movement where young people and leaders come alive in faith, grow in hope and move with purpose. This is where the church comes to life.


Stay up-to-date with ELCA Youth Gathering news and deadlines by subscribing to the Gathering newsletter.


NEW! Region 7 Gathering Facebook Page

Get connected to others in our region who plan to attend the Gathering.


NEW! SEPA's Regional Representative for The National Youth Gathering is Pastor Cassie Hartnett. Congregational representatives can email her with questions.


UPCOMING WEBINARS

More information and registration

Faith and Civic Life Study Guide

LAMPa is delighted to have available for congregational use a curriculum to help study and understand the ELCA social statement, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All.


This six-week curriculum walks congregations and faith communities through important parts of the social statement and offers a starting point for conversation and discernment around topics brought up by the statement.

DOWNLOAD STUDY GUIDE HERE

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LAMPa Advocacy Fellow Reflects on UNCSW70

"Here in the U.S., it can be easy to think of the UN as something that deals with problems in other countries—places more impoverished or unstable than ours, but that’s not the full picture. Many of the issues deliberated at the UN are live issues here at home, and the U.S. is not always a leader when it comes to women’s rights."

READ MORE

Kindling Faith Events and Training

Kindling Faith of United Lutheran Seminary has a new website with events and training listings updated regularly. Visit their site to register for informative events and continuing education.


Queerly Created: Co-Creating a World Where Queerness Thrives

June 8 @ 2:00 pm - June 11 @ 11:30 am


During Pride Month, United Lutheran Seminary will host a gathering on the Gettysburg campus for queer rostered leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This event will provide space for meaningful conversation, shared learning, rest, and mutual care among pastors and deacons who serve across the church. Participants will engage a panel of queer ELCA bishops and other keynote leaders who will reflect on ministry, leadership, and the witness of queer Christians within the life of the church today. Alongside these presentations, the gathering will offer opportunities for fellowship, reflection, and renewal in a supportive community of peers. This is a time to nurture resilience, deepen

relationships, and celebrate the gifts queer leaders bring to the ELCA.

REGISTER HERE

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