SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD | ELCA | | |
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Resources for effective church leaders + December 14, 2023 | |
Join Prayers for Peace in the Holy Lands
Now more than ever, we pray for peace as we enter this holy time of year. The 17th annual Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols simulcast live between the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral in the United States and the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 10 am EST and 5 pm Bethlehem time. Hear familiar carols and readings in Arabic and English, and a word of hope preached this year by Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Lands.
At: Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
You can also participate virtually by watching it live on YouTube.
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New online: An overview of the bishop election process, so that all are clear about what's happening and when specific processes begin and end.
Next steps: The Synod Mission Profile will be released in January, and a prayer-filled process for conversation and discernment across the synod will be open February 1-29.
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Nominations for 2024 Assembly
How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod.
At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 3 & 4, 2024, we will be electing a Bishop, which will take place by Ecclesiastical Ballot, and follow a distinct process. In addition, we need leaders to serve on the Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee on Discipline. We also need to select Voting Members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly (July 28 – August 2, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ).
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'Love Revolution' Funded by Lilly Endowment Grant
The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service.
This funding is earmarked to launch this new program, and does not cover regular synod expenses. Implementation details will be rolled out over the next several months.
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Save the Date: 2024 MLK Day Synod Service Project | |
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Join us on Monday, January 15 at United Lutheran Seminary Philadelphia Campus for MLK Day of Service to help disaster survivors near and far. Together we will pack hygiene kits and clean-up kits for Lutheran Disaster Response, and have a time to remember Dr. King's life and ministry.
All ages are welcome. This Day of Service is an excellent service opportunity for youth groups, families, and individuals. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at Benbow Hall in ULS' Brossman Center, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia PA 19119. Lunch is available for a freewill offering but you must register in advance for lunch by emailing Heidi Shilanskus at hshilanskus@gmail.com.
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Congregation Council 101
Congratulations: You’ve been elected to serve on your congregational council. As Martin Luther was fond of saying, “What does this mean?” Well, it means a lot of things that are critical to the mission of God’s church on earth. You’re invited to learn more about this ministry through Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary.
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Develop a Culture of Generosity in Your Congregation!
Our 2024 Generosity Extravaganza -- “Tools for Today” -- recognizes that congregations are looking for practical, usable ideas and programs to help them develop a culture of generosity. Join us on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church (1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446).
You will learn usable ideas and programs to help develop a culture of generosity in your congregation.
Keynote speaker is Grace Duddy Pomroy, Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary, on creating alternative funding methods for congregations. Workshops will cover planned giving, annual campaigns, expanding the stewardship conversation to spending, saving, and giving, vitality in an urban context, shared ministry, and more…
The cost is $40 per person, including lunch. Seminarians and first-call pastors in the Northeastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania synods attend free!
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All Saints Appeal Supports Youth and Young Adult Formation | |
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“What a joy it's been to watch youth programs rejuvenate after what was a long pandemic,” says Pastor Skyle Rea, assistant to the bishop for youth and young adult formation. This year the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat resumed meeting in-person. Youths from several congregations participated in the Appalachia Service Project trip and worked to make homes warmer, drier, and safer. Box City. ELCA Youth Leadership Summit. In God’s Image. It’s been a fruitful year, with new initiatives like the Gather community for young adults in the works for 2024.
“Our SEPA youth are living stones, a vibrant community of faith,” Pastor Rea says. “We need your support through the All Saints Appeal to keep these ministries going and growing.”
Learn more at https://ministrylink.org/give.
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Recommended Cost of Living Increase for Rostered Ministers
The SEPA Executive Committee at its most recent meeting approved a cost-of-living increase of 3.2% (following the determination of the federal government) for Rostered Ministers. Get full details.
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Proposed Amendments to Synod Constitution
At the September 21, 2023, meeting of the Synod Council, the Council approved a number of changes to the Constitution, particularly in section S7., so they may be placed before the Assembly for anticipated adoption. These changes are in some instances simple grammatical “clean-up,” but in other instances more significant revisions regarding proper designation and consideration of rostered ministers.
Get full information here. https://ministrylink.org/proposed-constitutional-amendments-for-consideration-at-the-2024-synod-assembly/
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Advent Happenings
Community Christmas Pageant
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 69 W. Broad St., Souderton PA 18964, will host a Community Christmas Pageant on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. Featuring a new play written by Ginger Hoyt, special Christmas music, interactive performance and a festive reception. Download more information.
Fourth Sunday of Advent Lessons and Carols
The Delaware Conference will hold a community service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 24, at Christ Lutheran Community Church, 7240 Walnut Street, Upper Darby, PA, 19082. The service is also available on Zoom (Meeting ID: 214 305 8217, Passcode: 19082). Download more information.
Recorded Advent 4 Service
Trinity, Quakertown and St. John's, Spinnerstown, are collaborating on a pre-recorded Advent 4 service, which will be posted the evening of Saturday, Dec. 23, at St. John's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Download the Bulletin
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Ecumenical Leaders Call for Ceasefire in Holy Lands
Leaders of Churches Without Borders - an ecumenical partnership of the ELCA, The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church in Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada – released a pastoral letter calling for an end to war in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. Churches Without Borders also released an Advent Cycle of Prayer for the churches in the Holy Lands and Middle East. The leaders write:
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we invite you to join us in praying for peace in the land we call holy. We call, and pray for, an end to the war in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. We call for a ceasefire, an end to violence in the West Bank and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza. Along with lifting this up in prayer, this is a message to be shared with government leaders.
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Keep Up With Synod News and Resources
With so many events and the bishop election process coming up e'd love to make sure that your congregation's office and key leaders are subscribed to MinistryLink. Many congregations encourage council members and program leaders to subscribe.
Use this link or the QR code to sign up.
We also encourage parish administrators or newsletter editors to forward MinistryLink to your congregation.
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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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