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Synod Assembly Information

Synod Assembly

imago dei

May 29-30

Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale

Deadline Approaching!

Nominations Open for Synod Assembly

At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 29-30, 2026 we will be electing leaders to serve on the Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee on Discipline.  

You can read the full letter and access the Nomination Form HERE. All vacancies as well as a brief description of each area is included in the letter.

The deadline for submission is March 15, 2026. If you have questions, please contact Nominations@sepa.org

NEW! 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!

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In our prayers...

The Conference of Bishops as they meet this week.

Pastors, deacons, lay worship leaders, church administrators, and musicians preparing for Holy Week and Easter.

Those preparing for baptism.

Protection, compassion, and dignity for

immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

SEPA Announcements

NEW! Unforgettable comes to Philadelphia

Saturday, March 14

2:00 p.m

The SEPA Synod Chapter of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) is proud to support and promote the award-winning stage play Unforgettable, presented by the Alzheimer's Association on Saturday, March 14. The performance begins at 2:00 p.m. and is free to attend with advance registration. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Location: Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts at William Penn Charter School- 3000 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia.

The play brings awareness to Alzheimer’s and other dementias and offers an opportunity for meaningful reflection and conversation around caregiving and family experiences.

You may register here.

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

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NEW! Lest We Forget Museum is coming to Lansdale

March 15, 2026

Noon to 2:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

1000 W. Main St., Lansdale

One of Philadelphia’s most interesting museums is coming to Trinity on March 15. Mr. J. Justin Ragsdale has spent a lifetime collecting artifacts that document the history and experience of enslavement in the U.S. Mrs. Gwen Ragsdale is the director of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery established in 2002 to share their collection with the public. They will be bringing their traveling exhibit to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, on March 15 from 12:00-2:00. A 45-minute presentation will begin at 12:15. Please join us for this special event.

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Care of Creation Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with all that is happening with SEPA's Care of Creation Ministry and learn more about applying for a micro grant to join in caring for our creation.

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Renowned Composer and Pianist Thomas Keesecker to present to local concerts

Tom served as a church musician for over 40 years in Lutheran and Roman Catholic parishes in Virginia, Montana, and Maryland. His sacred music is published by several leading church music publishers. He studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Catholic University School of Music in Washington, D.C. He mixes classical technique, jazz improvisation, Celtic and folk music influences in his arrangements. His music may be listened to on Amazon Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

Don't miss your opportunity to hear this talented musician. 

Sunday, March 8 

4:00 pm

St. Paul's Lutheran Glenside

120 N Easton Rd, Glenside

Free will offering will be taken

Sunday, March 22

3:00 pm

Reformation Lutheran

102 W Rose Tree Rd, Media

Thomas Keesecker will share music from his best-selling piano collections in a 75-

minute concert. Keesecker, a composer as well as performer, is known around the

country for his sensitive, delightful, and meditative piano arrangements of hymns.

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Zion Lutheran Church Organ Concert

301 Jefferson Ave, Bristol, PA

Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:00 pm

Renowned Organist Rudy Lucente who served as assistant organist at the John Wanamaker Grand Court Organ for 40 years will perform a stunning program of works by Arne, Fletcher, Galbraith, Ireland and more!

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Spring Cabaret Concert and Dinner 

March 15, 2026

concert starting at 3:30 pm

dinner at 5:00 pm

Grace Lutheran Church

2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall

Come to one or both events! Suggested donations in flier.

INFORMATIONAL FLIER

Proceeds from the concert will support Grace Wellness Center mental health scholarship fund that enables crucial mental health support to those with limited financial means. Proceeds from the dinner will support the local Girl Scout troop. 

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The Church Athletic League (CAL) invites your church or individual members to another season of coed softball! 

CAL has been around for nearly 50 years and is all about fellowship, community, and a little friendly competition. We’re a recreational coed league with a minimum player age of 16, and teams typically carry a roster of about 15 players. Do you have a group that would enjoy getting outside one or two nights a week, meeting other churches, getting some exercise, and maybe chasing a few fly balls along the way? The group does not need to be made up of all members of the church. Multiple churches combining into one team, neighbors, friends, and family members are all welcome. We would need someone to designate themselves as the "coach" to handle all correspondence, including schedule dates, times, changes, etc. 

Most games are played at Elam United Methodist Church in Glen Mills, PA, with additional fields used along the PA/DE border. All games stay within that general area. The season runs from early May through July, with games scheduled one to two nights per week, Monday through Thursday evenings.

Interested: Email Chester County Conference Dean and he will connect you with the league. If this sounds like something your church might enjoy, let’s connect! More information: Tom Buddenhagen

484-410-9476.

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Don't Miss This!

Book Launch

Pastor Alina Gayeuski, Reformation, Media, has written Beyond The Stained Glass Ceiling: Clergy Women in a Still Patriarchal Church. You can pre-order the book from all major book sellers and it also will be available at launch events for purchase (cash, check, Venmo only). Come out and congratulate one of our own pastors on this milestone and support the work she does on behalf of all of us.

Book Launch event at ULS, Phildadelphia Campus, March 3, 2026. Interested in attending the book launch event at United Lutheran Seminary? REGISTER HERE

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Save The Date

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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Save the Date!

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!

Resources from Faith Alive Worship Learning Lab

Resources shared at Faith Alive's Worship Learning Lab on January 10 are now available on their webpage. Click the button to the right to explore those resources and begin considering how your congregation might take part in this initiative.

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.

Upcoming Installation

The Rev. Jessica Zurcher

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

196 Woodbine Ave, Narberth

March 22, 2026 + 3:00 pm

The color of the day is purple

Spring Family Nature Retreat

March 20-22, 2026 

This nature-filled weekend gives families the chance to unplug, slow down, and enjoy the peaceful environment of Bear Creek Camp. Guided activities, open time to explore, shared meals, and comfortable accommodations create a refreshing retreat centered on nature, community, and rest.

Learn More and Register

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Spring Women's Retreat

April 10-12, 2026 

This retreat offers women the gift of rest, space, and presence in the beauty of God’s creation. With flexible programming and ample free time, the weekend fosters gentle connection, creativity, and renewal.

Learn More and Register 

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Save The Date!

Fireside Fun-Raiser for Bear Creek Camp

Saturday, April 18

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Reformation Lutheran Church

102 W Rose Tree Rd., Media, PA

Join us in person for a cozy evening of laughter, storytelling, and good vibes at the Fireside Fun-Raiser, benefiting Bear Creek Camp campers. Gather around the fire, enjoy great company, and unwind together at Reformation Media in a fun, laid-back setting. There will be a community moment at 7:00 pm, and your support at this event will go directly to BCC camperships.

Informational Flyer

Bulletin Insert

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 

NEW! Save The Date! Register Now!

Citizens With The Saints: A Day In The Capitol As Church Together

(formerly Lutheran Day at the Capitol)

Monday, April 20

They’ll know we are Christians by our love. In a time of turbulence in our nation and around the world — with consequences that threaten our neighbors, our democracy and our common home — what does it mean to show up as church together for the sake of the world God loves?

Join us on Monday, April 20, for a day of learning, community-building, inspiration, and advocacy. Gather with advocates from across the Commonwealth to be grounded in our faith and equipped to act together on issues that make a difference to the wellbeing of all. For decades, this has been known as Lutheran Day in the Capitol. This year we are leaning into a call to equip all disciples to act for justice and peace — building more welcoming communities and a more resilient Commonwealth.

We will learn from each other about what is working in our communities, including lessons from the church around the country. We will learn from legal and policy experts about what to expect in 2026 and how we can be prepared to act. We will learn from peace builders about progress in Pennsylvania and how we can both model a vision for a better future and support and encourage leaders who are building bridges now to help us get there together. To cap the day, we will travel to the Capitol to advocate together for a more just Commonwealth.

Learn more and register here.. Discounts are available for students, first-call leaders and congregations bringing teams of three or more. Event Link

For scholarship inquiries, email LAMPa at

lampa@lutheranadvocacypa.orglampa@lutheranadvocacypa.org.

SEPA Youth Events

Get your tickets now!

March 14, 2026 + 6:00 pm

76ers BASKETBALL

Join Lutherans from across Chester County for Sunday Evening Basketball on March 14. Cost is $36 per ticket, including all fees/taxes. Use the following link.

https://www.gofevo.com/event/Adventlutheran8

March 20-22, 2026 

Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat

Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center

Mt. Bethel, PA 

Grades 6-12

This retreat fosters relationships between youth of different churches to unify the Lutheran churches and youth of the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. INFORMATIONAL FLIER

NEW! Registration Now Open!

April 11-12, 2026 

Box City

More Information  

NEW! Informational Flier to Share

Box City is an overnight event for students in 6th - 12th grades. This year's focus is on Food Insecurity. This year's fundraising beneficiary is

Toti's Place of Hope, the new year-round shelter in Lansdale.

Registration is open at bit.ly/boxcity26.  

$30 per person, discounts/scholarships are available. Register your group by March 1 to guarantee t-shirts that fit. Register by March 31st to participate (t-shirts still included!) Packing lists, covenants, permissions, flyers to share are all on the website.

July 5-10, 2026

Summer Servant Trip

Lutheridge Christian Camp, Arden, NC

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

Coming Soon!

Preaching With Power

A preaching series sponsored by the Urban Theological Institute of United Lutheran Seminary.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

6:00 pm

Bishop J. Louis Felton

Schaefer-Ashmead Chapel

United Lutheran Seminary

7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

Monday, March 16, 2026

7:00 pm

Rev. Dr. Derick Brennan

Grace Baptist Church of Germantown

25 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

11:45 am

Dr. Marquisha Scott

United Lutheran Seminary, Benbow Hall

7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

7:00 pm

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry

Reformation Lutheran Church

1215 Vernon Rd., Philadelphia

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

11:45 am

Rev. Dr. Leslie Callahan

Schaefer-Ashmead Chapel

United Lutheran Seminary

7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

7:00 pm

Rev. Dr. Janet J. Sturdivant

St. Paul Metropolitan AME Church

8398 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia

Each of these events will be livestreamed on United Lutheran Seminary's YouTube page.

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.

Course Audit Opportunity

Thriving, Dying, Merging and Emerging

March 9 at 9:00 am - March 13 at 4:00 pm

This course, taught by Rev. Dr. Karen Wiseman, explores the developmental, systemic, leadership, and missional dynamics of congregations that are beginning, ending, and/or changing. In case studies of and guest speakers from real live congregations we will identify possible best practices and explore what adaptive leadership skills are needed to help congregations navigate Church in today's world.

REGISTER HERE

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.

Partner Opportunities

NEW! Seafarers International Christmas at Sea Program launches

Spread the Joy of Christmas amongst seafarers! You can start working on the project now, so that the packages arrive in time for the holiday.

90% of global trade is transported on the world’s oceans by crew members on

container ships who remain invisible to most people, yet our supply chains depend on

their services and sacrifice of being at sea for six to nine months. It is an exhausting and

lonely job. You can spread holiday cheer among those who will not be with their loved ones. Our port chaplains will deliver satchels filled with gifts from you. 

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NEW! New Congregational Resource from the Center of Addiction & Faith

Addiction affects every community, including our congregations. Churches care about addiction and want to respond but aren’t sure where to begin.

The Center of Addiction & Faith has released a new practical guide, Faith Communities and Addiction Recovery, to help congregations move from concern to meaningful action. This resource offers theological reflection, practical tools, and step-by-step guidance for building compassionate, sustainable recovery ministries.

Learn more about related training and ministry support at www.addictionandfaith.com

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NEW! ELCA Mission Support Memo

The February 2026 Mission Support memo  persuades us to realize how closing a congregation can develop a new ministry, just as Memorial Lutheran let go to become Riverside Commons in Nashville, TN. Explore how Riverside Commons will be a “neighborhood space for the sake of the world,” aiming to serve as a spiritual, artistic and social hub for East Nashville. Also learn how to join an important ELCA Town Hall: "Introducing The Church Property Resource Hub" with three days and times in March. 

READ THE WHOLE MEMO HERE

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NEW! 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, April 25, 2026

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

St. John’s Lutheran Church

826 Mahoning Dr. W, Lehighton, PA 18235

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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Lutheran Settlement House's Powerful Together: A Fishtown Feast Tickets are now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for Lutheran Settlement House's biggest event of the year! To learn more and purchase your tickets, head to: https://lutheransettlement.org/powerfultogether/

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ELCA Church Property Resource Hub to Offer Free Webinars

You are invited to learn more about the Church Property Resource Hub, a new project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), at one of three upcoming town halls. These webinars are an introduction to the project for congregations and all people connected to the management of church property. Join to explore support available to congregation leaders as they seek to steward property in faithful and practical ways. 

Tuesday, March 17, 2:00 p.m. 

Register today.

Thursday, March 19, 5:00 pm

Register today.

Tuesday, March 24, 2:00 pm 

Register today.

Developed in response to requests from synod and congregational leaders, the Church Property Resource Hub offers support in navigating the opportunities and challenges that buildings and land represent for congregational vitality and the wider mission of the church. 

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The 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA)

July 20–22, 2026

St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota

CWTA is a high-quality, affordable conference—for ministry practitioners and by ministry practitioners— designed to nourish participants through life-giving accompaniment and spiritual renewal. Participants experience meaningful professional development and they report being refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed.  The conference will combine signature musical experiences with innovative and imaginative work being done by the Nourishing Vocation Projects under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Char Rachuy Cox. 

Lay people, church musicians, youth ministers, faith formation leaders, Deacons and Pastors from denominations and congregations of varying sizes participate in the conference.

More information

You also may follow the Facebook page: “St. Olaf Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts”. 

If you have questions or would like additional information, please email cwta@stolaf.edu

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