Resources for effective church leaders
+ March 31, 2022
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Rostered Ministers to Renew Vows at Chrism Service
Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service will gather for the annual Chrism Service on Tuesday of Holy Week, April 12, at 10 am online. This traditional service of Word and Sacrament includes the blessing of oil for anointing, healing prayer, and renewal of ministry vows. Bishop Patricia A. Davenport will preside.
Out of concern for gathering a large number of people from across the synod, this service will be live-streamed. The link will be posted soon.
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Online Forum on SEPA Finances and Budget April 19
Join us on Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. for discussion of 2021 financial reports, the 2023 proposed budget, and Q&A with Treasurer Janet Neff, CPA, and Albert Glenn, chair of the synod's Finance Committee.
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Watch the Reconciling in Christ Resolution Forum
This week the SEPA Synod Reconciling in Christ Task Force held an online forum to share a resolution that updates the Synod's commitment to being a Reconciling in Christ Synod aligning with the new requirements from ReconcilingWorks. This informational discussion was recorded and you can view it by clicking the image above or the links below.
Video passcode is SEPA22!ric (this is case sensitive!).
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SEPA Day of Service April 23
In celebration of our 2022 Synod Assembly theme, Hope for Today, Strength for Tomorrow Through Community in Christ, SEPA Synod will hold a Day of Service April 23*. The day begins at 9 a.m. with a Sendoff for Service from Bishop Davenport broadcast to all sites. The day ends at 1 p.m. or earlier as projects are completed (unless otherwise specified by your site).
Volunteers from our region have planned a wide variety activities including work in food pantries, packing meals for Rise for Hunger, fixing homes in storm damaged areas of Philadelphia with Lutheran Disaster Response, assembling welcome home kits for those transitioning out of homelessness in Sanctuary Village, packing comfort kids used by Lutheran Settlement House for children suddenly in emergency placement as well as work at their shelter, spring startup of a community food garden, packing meals for Rise for Hunger, outside cleanup projects and much more! There will be something for everyone.
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*Please note: The Rise Against Hunger event sponsored by Chester Conference will be held on May 21. |
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Donations and Sponsors Needed
Volunteer donations are not required, but are greatly appreciated to help cover the substantial cost of these service projects. Click here to make a gift to help reach our $15,000 goal. Select "Service Project Donations" from the drop-down list.
If you know of a business that might provide in-kind or financial support, in exchange for recognition before the 70,000 members of SEPA congregations, contact Carrie Schwab at [email protected]. |
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'24 Youth Gathering in NOLA
Here we go! The city that will host the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering is...New Orleans! It's time to start planning again!
Save the Dates: The 2024 Gathering will take place July 16-20, 2024, with the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble taking place July 13-16, 2024.
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Generosity and Stewardship |
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'22 Generosity Extravaganza June 18
Save the date! The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Keynote speakers for “Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal” are Louise Johnson and Soong-Chan Rah, with workshops featuring Dave Daubert, Ryan Burge, Doug Powe Jr., and others. The cost is $40 in-person or virtual.
Registration will be available soon!
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Upper Bucks Vigil for Ukraine
The Upper Bucks Conference will host a Vigil for Ukraine on Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown, outdoors in their grove. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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Souper Bowl is a Big Deal in Delco
Churches in Springfield Township, Delaware County, take the annual "Souper Bowl" food collection very seriously! Since 2005, seven congregations, including St. Matthew Lutheran, have joined forces to collect food items from church and community members. This year the churches collected, sorted, packed, and delivered 54,362 items to ease hunger in the county -- the seventh-largest collection in the United States. |
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The Rev. Lori Fuller was ordained a Minister of Word and Sacrament (Pastor) Feb. 27 by Bishop Pedro M. Suarez, Florida-Bahama Synod. Christ the King Deaf Church in West Chester hosted the ordination. (Pastor Fuller completed her internship there with Pastor Beth Lockard, the first Deaf woman ordained in the ELCA.) Pastor Fuller is called to be Mission Developer of Palms Lutheran Church in Palm Coast, FL. Pastor Fuller is the second Deaf woman ordained in the ELCA, and the third Deaf Lutheran female pastor in the world. Come Holy Spirit, come! |
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Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
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‘Tree of Healing’ VBS Program Available for Free
ELCA World Hunger's new "Tree of Healing" Vacation Bible School program for 2022 is now available at no cost to you. You can access the files at https://elca.org/hunger/resources#VBS. There are two versions available for download: a printer-friendly booklet and a booklet of spreads for viewing easily online. You may also order a spiral bound copy.
Also, congregations hosting "Tree of Healing" can apply for up to $250 in funding to help support their program! More info can be found on ELCA World Hunger VBS Facebook page or by following the link below.
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Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
Lutheran Congregational Services is hosting four one-day training sessions for lay eucharistic visitors. These ministers are members of the congregation selected by their pastor and trained to bring the communion meal from worship to ill and homebound members who are unable to attend service.
Training sessions will be held: May 7 at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Reading; June 4 at St. Michael’s Lutheran, Sellersville; September 10 at Christ Lutheran, Conyngham; and October 1 at Advent Lutheran, West Chester. Sessions run from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Cost is $30 per person.
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
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