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Resources for effective church leaders + May 31, 2023 |
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Forward Together Grant Applications Now Open |
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It’s time again to apply for grants to support new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. The campaign focuses on:
► Networking congregations, leaders, building bridges within the synod and in the community.
► Innovating new forms of ministry
► Communicating by traditional and digital platforms
► Equipping lay and rostered leaders and seminarians
Since 2015 the campaign has awarded 80 grants totaling more than $230,000 to expand ministries in SEPA.
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Application deadline
is September 30.
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SEPA Pride Event Tomorrow! |
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This year’s Pride Event will be June 1, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church 2191 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008.
- 6:30p Main Speaker: The Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson (she/her)
- 7:30p Worship with The Rev. Joey Klinger (he/him) preaching
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Rostered ministers are invited to wear a green or rainbow stole, no alb needed, for the worship service.
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Ministry In The Now Normal |
Join your colleagues and Pastor Bob Fisher to share ideas and support. Your questions are welcome! Thursday at 11 a.m. on Zoom.
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SEPA WELCA Gathering June 3 |
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Join us as we celebrate our Lutheran heritage and history. Our annual gathering will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. Gathering from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Augustus Lutheran Church, 717 West Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426, , the oldest unaltered Lutheran Church in America, and we will have an opportunity to learn more as we visit ‘the Old Church’. We will also hear from Amanda Bryant with Gemma Services/Martin Luther School, which was the first Lutheran Orphanage in the Delaware Valley, originally founded as the Lutheran Home in Germantown.
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Still Time to Join Financial Wellness Forum June 7
The ELCA will host a Financial Wellness Forum just for SEPA leaders on Wednesday, June 7, at 7 p.m. You’ll learn about the ELCA’s Resourceful Servants Initiative, which encourages practices that strengthen and sustain the financial wellness and growth of rostered ministers, seminarians, and congregations. The program offers an online congregational financial assessment, which offers resources and best practices. Donors give more to congregations that have their financial practices in order.
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Lutherans Against Christian Nationalism |
The ELCA condemns Christian nationalism and affirms our commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive community for all people.
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Vitality Team Open Forum June 17 |
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Get ideas, ask questions, and learn about ways to make your congregation more vital.
A Love rEvolution: Join us as we learn ways we can help congregations more deeply Love God and love others.
Saturday June 17 @ 10:30 a.m. on Zoom
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Creation Care Training Specifically for Clergy
Blessed Tomorrow Climate Ambassador program, a collaborator of the ELCA, has a new training specifically for clergy! This FREE, self-paced, and online training is designed by clergy for clergy of all faith traditions and all levels of climate knowledge and experience, to be more comfortable talking about climate change as a matter of faith. To provide even more support, clergy can be mentored by a minister and a rabbi with experience preaching and teaching about climate, Summer (June 5 - July 25) 2023 Clergy Cohort that will run in tandem to taking the online course on your own schedule.
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Get Green to Go Green
Commercial and residential buildings are responsible for 13% of carbon emissions in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a first-of-its-kind investment to fund energy-efficiency improvements in the nonprofit sector which includes houses of worship. The Renew America’s Nonprofits program will provide $50 million dollars for efficiency projects, reducing carbon emissions and lowering utilities costs, allowing critical funds to be redirected to mission-focused work. Join us on June 15 at 5:00 – 6:15 pm ET for Get Green to Go Green: Apply for up to $200,000 for Congregational Energy Efficiency Webinar featuring Daniel Bresette, Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) President who will educate us about how you can take advantage of the grant and the grant process.
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Stewardship of Life Institute Innovation Fellowship
The Stewardship Of Life Institute is launching a new initiative called The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship. The Fellowship is named for the Rev. Sharron R. Blezard, a longtime SOLI writer and editor who died of breast cancer in July 2021. You can learn more by reading the request for proposal and promotional piece.
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SOLI is offering a limited number of our traditional grants for ELCA ministries seeking to renew people’s passion for living the life of a steward—stewarding relationships, time, and resources knowing that all things are on loan to us from the benevolent and loving God. See the application for full information.
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Have A Story To Tell?
Send stories, pictures and videos to comms@sepa.org with “Transformed” and the name of your congregation in the subject. |
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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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