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Synod Assembly Information


Synod Assembly

imago dei

May 29-30

Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale

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Read The Full First Email of Assembly Information

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Registration deadline approaching!

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!

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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

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Synod Assembly Offering

The offering received at the 2026 Synod Assembly has been designated for The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).


You can share this link: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/253643?giving_to=synod assembly offering


Or, this QR Code


The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land’s (ELCJHL) identity is shaped by their calling to a relationship with God and with others. The church is the local expression of the Lutheran communion worldwide. READ MORE

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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The family of Rodman L. Cook, father-in-law of Pastor Annemarie Cook who died March 27, 2026. A memorial service was held April 12.


Those affected by extreme weather. Find out how you can support the recovery effort here.


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!

SEPA Synod undertakes Communications Audit

SEPA has contracted with LEAD Ministry for a synod-wide communication audit. The audit will help the Synod staff know how best to communicate with rostered ministers and congregations and offer helpful suggestions for future communication as well as supporting the work of a new website.


You may be asked to participate in a Focus Group for this audit. Focus Groups take about an hour and provide valuable information for the Synod team working with LEAD. Please consider saying yes when asked.

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NEW! Cars, Coffee & Christ

April 25, 2026!

Immanuel Norwood and St Matthew, Woodlyn Team Up!

160 Fairview Road, Woodlyn, PA.

8:30 am to 10:30 am (weather permitting)

Cars and Coffee” is a popular activity for car enthusiasts. Immanuel, Norwood & St. Matthew, Woodlyn Lutheran churches will host a “Cars, Coffee and Christ” in St Matthew’s parking lot located at 160 Fairview Road, Woodlyn, Pa. from 8:30 to 10:30 am (weather permitting).


It is a free event open to all makes, models and denominations. The event provides a chance to chat about cars, enjoy some coffee & snacks, share our experiences and things on our minds.


There will be a “mailbox” with a prayer form if you’d like to add someone or a topic to our prayer lists. 

We hope to see you there!!

For more information, contact Karl McClellan

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This week!

Free Film Screening of The Good Life

Mediator Lutheran Church

2832 N. 28th St., Philadelphia

April 25, 2026

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Film screening and panel discussion with special guest, Director Carolyn Wilson.

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

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This week!

Muhlenberg Parish Spring Bazaar

April 25

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Zion Lutheran, Spring City

39 Bonnie Brae Road, Spring City PA 19475. [The big white church with the red door on 724 by Colonial Gardens]

Flea market, vendors, crafts, fun!

All proceeds to benefit Rise Against Hunger and other community projects.

REGISTER FOR A SPACE HERE

Questions?

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Augustus Lutheran Spring Turkey Dinner and Craft & Vendor Fair

April 25, 2026

Dinner: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Craft and Vendor Fair: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Live Music: 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm

717 W. Main St., Trappe, PA


Tickets for the dinner are only $22.00 presale with payment / $25.00 at the door and it is a take-out only event. A limited number of self-service seating will be provided and the famed Gavin Elison will be playing live music from 2:30-6:00 PM. The Craft & Vendor Fair has free admission and runs from 2-6 PM. With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away from this event, it could be the opportunity to pick up that perfect and unique gift while supporting a charity, local artists, and vendors. Proceeds benefit Dr. Stephen & Jodi Lynn Swanson, Missionaries in Tanzania. Supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

 

Tickets are going fast. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. For dinner reservations, call 610-489-9625 OR purchase online at www.AugustusTrappe.org


Interested Vendors Contact: AugustusCraftShow@gmail.com

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This week!

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion Presents “Lutherans and the American Revolution” with the Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger

Saturday, April 25, time TBD

Rev. Dr. Kruerger is a retired professor of church history at Lutheran Theological Seminary.                                

A free-will offering will be received.


For information or tickets to this event, contact the church at:

2110 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103           

phone: (215) 567-3668     

email: info@lc-hc.org        

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St. Paul's, to host Rachel's Day Service

April 26, 2026 + 9:00 am


St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Applebachsville (Quakertown)

849 Old Bethlehem Road

Quakertown PA 18951


This is an open invitation to all people to join us to become aware, take action & denounce violence of any kind towards children, including bullying. 

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

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Save The Date!
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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Register today!

SEPA Antiracism Team to discuss videos

SEPA's Anti Racism Team invites you to meet with us on ZOOM to discuss some short Anti-Racism Videos. We will be looking at two, videos from the Facing Race series: Racism and Privilege Explained, and Teaching Kids about Racism. The third video will be a TED Talk: Racism Has a Cost for Everyone

  

We will meet online, Monday evenings, April 27, May 4 and 11, from 7 to 8 pm. Please register at antiracism@sepa.org by April 23. Once you've registered you will receive information about how to access the videos, which we ask you to view before we meet each week. You will also receive the ZOOM information. 

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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.


Following this, Dr. Smallwood went on to study theology and earned Master’s and PhD degrees from Howard University School of Divinity and Chicago Theological Seminary.


She has taught at several colleges and seminaries including Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Religious Freedom Center in Washington, D.C., Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, and Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. 


Most recently, Dr. Smallwood served as the Associate Director of the Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative at Vanderbilt Divinity School from 2017 to 2021. From 2021 to 2024 she served as Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On July 1, 2024, Dr. Smallwood became the Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at United Lutheran Seminary.

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Muhlenberg Summer Institute

June 28 - July 11

This summer, Muhlenberg College will offer a two-week, on-campus pre-college program for rising sophomore, junior, and senior high-school students — the 2026 Muhlenberg Summer Institute. The Muhlenberg Summer Institute will provide hands-on, project-based opportunities in a variety of subjects including new media and journalism, entrepreneurship and economics, theatre, political science, and psychology. The program also includes a half-day Career Accelerator session aimed at translating the summer experience into future opportunities.


Full program details and registration

For more information, contact: summerinstitute@muhlenberg.edu 


Muhlenberg College is one of 26 ELCA Lutheran Colleges and Universities and our Synod's partner.

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Save The Date

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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JOB LISTINGS

Part-time Office Administrator

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Green Lane


Part-time (16-20 hours per week) beginning April 20, 2026.  


Primary functions of the Office Administrator are to oversee the church office and provide administrative support to the ministry of the church, the pastor and staff members, maintain the church calendar and hall rental as well as provide communications both within the church and in the outside community using social media.  Candidate must be well organized, have strong communication skills, able to work independently and with a team, able to prioritize, use discretion with sensitive information, and manage multiple assignments.  Candidate must have strong writing, typing and computer skills; Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, Tithely/Breeze, Constant Contact, etc.  Previous church administration experience is preferred but not required.


All interested applicants are invited to submit a resume to pastorbecky74@gmail.com

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.

This week!

Webinar: Reimagining the Children's Message

Thursday, April 23, 2026

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Eastern


Register now for a free one-hour online workshop led by Erin Reed Cooper on how to think differently about the possibilities and purposes of the Children’s Message in worship. Sponsored by the Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary.


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! 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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NEW! 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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Living Lutheran Request

Living Lutheran magazine would like to hear from our members and congregations about plans to show hospitality to visitors to their areas for the World Cup this summer.


If your congregation is planning something, please send ideas to Candice Buchbinder at the ELCA with the subject line: World Cup.

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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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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, 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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You're Invited to Lutheran Settlement House's Powerful Together: A Fishtown Feast Event

Tuesday April 28,

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

The Event Center at Rivers Casino

1001 N. Delaware Ave. Philadelphia


You're Invited! Lutheran Settlement House's biggest event of the year – Powerful Together: A Fishtown Feast – will be held on the evening of Tuesday, April 28th from 6 to 8:30pm at the Event Center at Rivers Casino. Guests will enjoy small plates from some of Fishtown’s finest restaurants, while making a difference in the lives of Philadelphia families. We hope you’ll be there on April 28th to experience the soul-lifting joy that only comes from sharing good food, good drink, good stories, and good company. 


To purchase your tickets, learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation in lieu of attending, visit the event website

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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.


SEPA's Regional Representative for The National Youth Gathering is Rev. Cassandra Lewonczyk. 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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