Resources for effective church leaders
+ August 30, 2021
|
|
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Sacred Silence |
|
At LIRS, we know that so many of us are facing an incredibly difficult time. We are devastated by the fall of Afghanistan’s elected government and our hearts break for our Afghan allies, their families, and all those in grave danger of Taliban retaliation. Our hearts are breaking, and we want to take action. We invite you to join us in Sacred Silence.
Here are ways to participate.
Join LIRS and our interfaith partners TOMORROW, August 31st at 4 pm EST to hold space for our friends impacted by what’s happening in Afghanistan and prepare ourselves to be part of a kind and compassionate welcome.
|
|
Update on COVID Precautions |
|
We now have available a transcript of last Thursday's webinar on COVID precautions. Dr. Tim Babinchak, an expert in infectious diseases, advised congregations to continue with the precautions of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, cleaning, and increasing ventilation as they continue with indoor worship services and other activities.
|
|
Help Still Needed Recovering from
Bucks/Northeast Flooding
|
|
Flooding from strong storms in July caused severe flooding in parts of Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia. Here’s how you can help:
- Pray for those affected and recovery agencies.
- Make a financial donation at www.lutherancongregationalservices.org
-
Provide home items including new sheet sets and towel sets, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, clothes and even food to United Way Bucks’ HELP Center.
- Make and drop off clean-out buckets
|
|
From the Presiding Bishop |
|
Prevail: In her August column in Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “This is the faith which declares that through pandemics, droughts, floods, famines, deadly bigotry, war, all the death-dealing things in nature and the human heart, life—the abundant life that Jesus promises—will prevail. Plant something in the summer.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3CGLepk and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3iDH4qd.
|
|
ELCA Executive Committee Appoints Carlos Peña as Interim Vice President |
|
The Executive Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church Council has acted on Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s recommendation to appoint Carlos Peña as the ELCA’s interim vice president, effective immediately.
Peña previously served as vice president for two terms, having first been elected by the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. He decided not to seek reelection and was succeeded by William “Bill” Horne II at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. Horne passed away Aug. 14.
|
|
Administration Matters for Church Leaders
ELCA Treasurer Lori Fedyk invites congregation and synod leaders to subscribe to “Administration Matters”, a bimonthly electronic newsletter. It addresses common, practical issues including finance, governance, risk management, and tax and legal concerns, as well as other topics of interest about day-to-day operations and management in church settings.
If you wish to subscribe to the Administration Matters e-newsletter, you can do so by logging in to https://blogs.elca.org/adminmatters/ (see left side of page). Subscription is free, your name won’t be added to any other mailing lists and you may unsubscribe at any time if you decide to opt out.
|
|
Youth Gathering Safety Webinar Sept. 8 |
|
You won't want to miss this important webinar!
On Wednesday September 8 at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central), join Gathering director (Molly Beck Dean), Safety and Security team leader (Pastor Shawn Hannon) and medical manager (Rachel McConnell, RN) for a webinar all about Safety at the 2022 Gathering. They'll share what they are planning and open it up for Q&A at the end.
|
|
Webinar: 3 Ways to Cultivate Giving for Your Church |
|
Churches need adequate resources to maximize their mission and vision. In this free webinar learn how to engage your congregation to support the financial needs of your church, including short-term, mid-term and long-term priorities.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.
|
|
Lutheran Settlement House Needs Your Vote! |
|
- Take The Plunge: Can You Swim With The Sharks? Thursday, September 9 at 8:00 PM EDT
During this live interactive event — hosted by the Thrivent Member Network and Groundbreaking Entrepreneurial Expert, Shark and New York Times Bestselling Author, Daymond John — Lutheran Settlement House and four additional nonprofit organizations will compete to earn votes for funding for our organization.
You will have the opportunity to learn about each of the 5 non-profit organizations and how we are impacting our communities and help the Thrivent Member Network award more than $25,000 in community grants!
|
|
Court upholds death sentence for church shooter Dylann Roof
A federal appeals court last week upheld Dylann Roof’s conviction and death sentence for the 2015 racially-motivated slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, saying the legal record cannot even capture the “full horror” of what he did. (Roof was raised in an ELCA congregation near Charleston.)
|
|
Updates from Lutheran Advocacy PA |
|
LET LAMPA HELP YOU PLAN FOR "GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS"
New resources are here for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, an ELCA churchwide dedicated day of service on Sept. 12. Find social media graphics, music for a special hymn, videos, posters, a toolkit, and considerations to serve safely during the pandemic. Contact us for ideas to take your service another step toward justice.
|
|
HELP CHILD TAX CREDITS REACH ALL FAMILIES IN NEED
Child Tax Credit payments can make an enormous dent in child poverty. Payments started going out to families in July as part of the American Rescue Plan. ELCA congregations can help ensure that all who are eligible, including non-filers, receive this financial assistance. Learn more here.
|
|
2021-22 Forward Together in Faith Grant Applications
Our Synod is offering grants to congregations and leaders in 2021-22 for new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign.
More than $130,000 has been awarded to congregations over the past three years. These grants support new projects that help network congregations, leaders and community partners, innovate new forms of ministry and/or communities of faith, communicate through digital channels, and equip lay and rostered ministers.
Applications must be received by Sept. 30, 2021
|
|
Synod Seeks Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship
The Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship provides leadership and support to the youth and young adult initiatives of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. The work of the Assistant to the Bishop will be shaped by the synod mission: We equip our congregations and leaders for mission and service in the 21st Century, fostering passionate spirituality, vital congregations, adaptive leaders, effective storytelling, and faithful generosity.
The successful candidate will build the beloved community with and among youth and young adult ministry in SEPA Synod. The Assistant will work collaboratively with the Bishop, synod staff, and partners to equip youth and young adults for leadership in the Church and community, equip adults who work with youth and young adults, and collaborate with congregations, social ministry organizations, ELCA, and ecumenical partners.
|
|
Mediation Skills Training Institute
Registration is now open for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, to be held on October 11-15 and November 15-19, 2021. The two identical sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. This workshop is designed to help church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure. For a complete list of training events being offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center — including our one-day Conflict Transformation Skills and Healthy Congregations — please consult this LMPC 2021 Program Calendar. For online registration go to our website at www.lmpeacecenter.org/all-events. Plan now to take advantage of these outstanding opportunities for spiritual and professional growth! |
|
We are a praying Synod, and we invite you to join us in prayer for the following people, organizations and needs lifted up by the people of SEPA.
We pray...
...In gratitude and thanksgiving
- For all rostered ministers, church councils, and worship leaders guiding SEPA congregations through these exceptional times.
- For all of our Synod’s candidates for rostered ministry, and for the members and work of the Candidacy Committee.
- For the recent ordinations of Rev. Ron Dzuik and Rev. Kathleen Kerin
...For those who mourn
- The Allen family on the death of Tony Allen (sister to Linda Curtis, Bishop Davenport’s sister-in-law)
- The Gary family on the death of Mya Jackson
- The Blezard family on the death of Pastor Sharon Blezard.
- Pastor Kari Hart on the death of her mother
- For the family of Pr. David Krewson
- Pastor David Christensen on the death of his wife, Wendy
- The family of Pastor Luther Johnson
- Mrs. Kedra Flippin (wife of the Rev. Dr. William Flippin) on the death of her aunt Dorothy and uncle Clarence George
...For healing and comfort
- Pastor George Keck
- Pastor Carol Steinhart
- Pastor Bruce Ewing
- Jim Hollinger
- Pastor Beth Lockard
- Stephen Westra
- Pastor Arlene Greenwald
- Brother Earl Johnson
- Pastor John Carlson
- Pastor Susan Lynch
- Pastor Ed Oswald
- For all who serve as caregivers for the sick
...For the church
- For the congregational and synodical activities returning to in-person gatherings
- For all congregations in transition: Christ, North Philadelphia; Christ, Oreland; Christ, Trumbauersville; Emmanuel, Pottstown; Faith, Montgomeryville; Family of God, Buckingham; Good Shepherd, Southampton; Grace, Broomall; Grace, Mantua; Grace, Pottstown; Jerusalem, Almont; Living Word, Roslyn; Peace, Bensalem; Reformation, Mt Airy; Resurrection, Yardley; St. John, Morrisville; St. John, Phoenixville; St. John, Richlandtown; St. Luke, Ferndale; St. Luke, Obelisk; St. Matthew, Chester Springs; St. Matthew, Perkasie; St. Michael, Kensington; St. Michael, Unionville; St. Paul – Exton; St. Paul, Telford; St. Peter, Pottstown; St. Stephen, Feasterville; Trinity, Pleasant Valley; Trinity, Quakertown; Trinity, South Philadelphia; University, University City; Zion, Spring City;
- Tabernacle, Philadelphia
- Trinity, South Philadelphia
- St. Michael’s, Kensington
- New Life, Philadelphia
- For the ministry of the Right Reverend Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr., and Mother Joan Marla McAllister (new Presiding Prelate and Episcopal Supervisor of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church) and blessings for former Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram and the Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram.
...For our community and world
- For the individuals and communities experiencing COVID hot spots.
- For the billions living in poorer countries who do not have access to COVID vaccines.
- For those affected by extraordinary heat and wildfires in the Western US.
- For people who have lost loved ones or homes because of flooding in Germany and China.
- For the people and government of Haiti.
- For the divisions in our nation and the rise in White Nationalist activity in our region.
- For all who are suffering because of the increasing gun violence in Philadelphia and other cities — for those who have died, been wounded, or are grieving a lost loved one, as well as for all first responders.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers!
|
|
Have stories, events, or resources to share?
|
|
The Synod staff and deans continue to work remotely until we can ensure that staff can return to the office safely. |
|
|
|
|
Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
