News and Updates for the week of September 29, 2025 | | Lutherans Together. Loving God. Loving Neighbor. | | SEPA Synod Updates & Events | | |
NEW! Synod Staff Directory
Below you will find a PDF which lists SEPA Synod staff and their responsibilities. This is an organic document and may be updated as we continue to live into these roles.
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Need some good news?
Good News From the Margins
Book Signing
October 25 + 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
United Lutheran Seminary, Brossman Center, Lull Lounge
7241 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
Join The Reverends Ruben Duran and Violet C. Little, along with Bishop Bryan Penman and those who have contributed to the newly released, “Good News from the Margins” for a book signing and conversation. A complimentary copy of the book will be provided for each congregation in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod along with information on how other copies might be obtained.
The book is filled with stories of hope and good news from those living and working on the margins, along with reflections from the authors and questions for either individual or group use.
From the Introduction of Good News from the Margins
"From that place of the margin, Jesus used stories not only to change minds but also to transform lives. It is our hope that this collection of stories, reflections, and questions for discussion will bring you a glimpse of the life-changing power of love and hope offered to each of us when we walk together as a people of God, a God whose heart has no margins but only a wide place of grace for all."
We will meet in the Lull Lounge of the Brossman Center, United Lutheran Seminary. The signing will include a light reception.
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In God's Image Online Registration Closing Tomorrow! Don't miss this event!
CLICK HERE for more information and to register for In God's Image being held October 4 at Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale beginning at 9:00 am. Online registration will close TOMORROW. You may register on the day of the event, but you must pay by cash or check made payable to the Southeastern PA Synod. Childcare registration is now closed.
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You're Invited to upcoming Celebrations of Ministry
A 'Celebration of Ministry' is similar to what we might call an Installation, but for a Full Communion partners of the ELCA. Per ELCA guidelines, we do not install clergy from our partner denominations. So, we rejoice with our new colleagues and welcome them in a Celebration of Ministry. We hope you will join us for each of these services as we receive these new colleagues in the SEPA Synod.
October 19, 2025
2:00 pm
The Rev. Teresa McNamara
Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion
2110 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Discounted parking available at 2107 Sansom Street
November 15, 2025
11:00 am
The Rev. Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman
St. Mark Lutheran
508 Harry St., Conshohocken
A reception will follow worship
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An Open Meeting and Conversation About the Future of Youth Ministry
in SEPA Synod
Sunday October 12 @ 2:00 pm
St. John Lutheran, Blue Bell
1802 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell (Rt. 73)
Anyone interested in discussing and planning for ministry needs for youth and young adults in the Synod is welcome to attend.
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SEPA Generosity Team offers information on Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD)
The current tax law indicates that when a person reaches 73, they must take their required minimum distribution (RMD) from their traditional IRA accounts This applies to the Fidelity (Portico) balance as well. The amount of the distribution is determined by the balance of the account and your life expectancy determined by the IRS.
In the past, the RMD age was 70 ½.
Under the new law, a person can make a charitable contribution from their IRA account at 70 ½, they do not have to wait until 73. The taxpayer must inform the trustee of the IRA (i.e. the bank or investment company where the IRA is held) that they want to make a charitable contribution from their IRA. This is called the QCD. The trustee will be given the name and address of the nonprofit organization. By doing this, the amount of the QCD is deducted from the total distribution and sent to the nonprofit organization.
For instance, if your RMD is $25,000 and you decide to give $10,000 of that to your church or other nonprofit, you will only be taxed on $15,000. This reduces your adjusted gross income; you cannot deduct a charitable contribution as an itemized deduction, since it has already been deducted from income.
If you have questions about this, please discuss this further with your tax advisor and/or investment professional.
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Register Today!
Love Revolution Presents:
SEPA Synod Fall Learning Day:
Who Is Our Neighbor?
Saturday, October 18
8:30 am to 12:15 pm
St. John Lutheran Church
3101 Tyson Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149
Keynote presenter: The Rev. Emily Harkins, Lead Pastor and Founding Developer of The Dwelling, in Winston-Salem, NC. In a world that constantly tells people who are living on the margins that they don't belong, The Dwelling is a church that tells them that the world has it all wrong. Pastor Emily also will lead an hour-long workshop titled: Serving All People In The Name of Jesus.
Workshop presenter: Ms. Julia Frank, Director of Community Outreach for Liberty Lutheran and Lutheran Congregational Services. She will be leading an hour-long workshop on “Striving for Justice and Peace” which will include practical, hands-on opportunities for congregations to get involved in justice work.
Preacher: The Rev. Linda Manson, SEPA Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Pastor Manson brings her passion for connecting church and community to her new role in the Southeastern PA Synod. She looks forward to finding and developing ways for this synod to be a source of hope and light for the communities we serve, as well as continuing to serve our larger church body.
Come join your friends and neighbors in the SEPA Synod for this free day of learning, worship and fellowship. All are welcome! As part of the Love Revolution grant, these learning days give others a taste of what the Love Revolution is all about.
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Save The Date!
Faith Alive Worship Learning Lab
Saturday, November 22, 2025
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lutheran Church of God's Love, Newtown
More information on how you can register for this fun, interactive day will be coming soon!
Faith Alive is a Lilly Endowment funded process in SEPA Synod for creating a wider welcome for children (ages 0-12) to be fully themselves in worship.
You are invited to come along on this journey of faith and transformation.
| | Announcements from SEPA Congregations | | |
NEW! By Land and Sea: A Pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece
October 5 – 19, 2026
A 15-Day Excursion to be led by Sunlight Tours www.sunlighttours.org
This trip will be led by Sarah Raymond, trip director and co-owner of Sunlight Tours.
Group size: 12-20 participants
Cost (not including airfare to/from US):
For 12-14 people, the price is $6,325 for double occupancy
For 15-19 people, the price is $6,199 for double occupancy
The single supplement is $1705
Information Session
An information session led by Sarah Raymond, our trip director, at Sunlight Tours
Sunday, November 2 at 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) via Zoom.
To attend the info session please RSVP to receive the meeting link:
Diane Pringle: dianepringle101@gmail.com
Lori Hannon, St. Paul’s office: office@stpaulsardmore.org
For more trip information, itinerary, and to register
Copy/paste the web address into your browser: https://tri.ps/Uxwzc
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Jazz Concert to Benefit Food Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church
30th Street and Diamond
Philadelphia
October 19 + 3:00 pm
All proceeds benefit Christ's food ministry
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Nativity Set Available
St. Peter's North Wales has a nativity set they would like to give to a church or anyone who would want it. It's in very good condition and comes with all the pieces shown. While it's hard to tell from the pictures, it measures 5 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 2 feet high when all the pieces are set up but can be adjusted depending on how it's set up or how many pieces are used. For more information, contact Ms. Ginny Bailey, Office Manager, St. Peter's at 215-699-4604 or secretary.stpetersnorthwales@gmail.com
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Instagram Live Prayer Ministry at St. John’s, Melrose Park is Asking for Your Help!
St. John’s in Melrose Park is requesting your help to keep our congregation's Instagram Prayer ministry alive.
St. John's has held Wednesday evening prayer services at 7:00 pm. Until recently, this was a free service for any subscriber on Instagram. However, due to corporate changes, Instagram now requires an account to have 1,000 followers to use Instagram Live, all of which has impacted small groups and communities ability to connect and support one another’s needs via social media.
St. John's is a small congregation, whose members are dedicated to keeping this ministry program alive, not only for our own spiritual benefit but for any who might be find it a helpful practice. They are therefore hoping that together with members of the synod, they might be able to assemble 1,000 followers so that this ministry can continue.
St. John's is inviting all who read this newsletter, other members of your churches - and maybe even your friends! - to follow St. John’s Melrose Park on Instagram. Our account is @StJohnsMelrose.
We hope that with the support of our fellow siblings in CSt. John's page, and of course if you wish, join in their weekly prayer ministry on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. There is no obligation either way, but we are simply asking for your help in being able to continue this ministry.
Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram @StJohnsMelrose.
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Good Shepherd, Southampton announces open organist position
- Good Shepherd is seeking an Organist / Accompanist who will support our well-developed music program.
- The Organist / Accompanist will collaborate with the Pastor(s) and our Director of Music to support the worship service and the music program.
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This is a year-round salaried position, based on approximately 10 to 15 hours per week. The work hours and time are determined by the duties, responsibilities and program needs outlined HERE.
If interested, reply to: joe.haines@gslconline.org
Learn more about Good Shepherd HERE
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October 4, 2025
Trunk or Treat
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christ's, Trumbauersville
218 E. Broad St., Trumbauersville
October 18, 2025
Trunk or Treat
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Trinity, Lansdale
1000 W. Main St., Lansdale
Sponsored By Liberty Lutheran and Lutheran Congregational Services
October 21, 2025
Youth Hayride
3:00 pm
AGA Farms, 1333 Elephant Road, Perkasie
Organized by Christ's, Trumbauersville
RSVP to Kayla Wulffleff: 1kwuffleff@gmail.com or 215-536-3193
November 8-9, 2025
What Really Matters Retreat
Bear Creek Camp
Grades 6-9
Designed for middle school students grades 6-9, we'll explore concepts that are core to our faith. Come spend 24 hours in the mountains with us and learn how Jesus changed everything. Registration opens Sep 1, spaces are limited. Check out the linked flyer for event details. Contact Karolin Brechbill (kbrechbill@christlc.org) or Janet Hilsmier (kidsconnect@stjameslimerick.org) for more details.
November 16
Friendsgiving
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Christ's, Trumbauersville
218 E. Broad St., Trumbauersville
RSVP to Kayla Wulffleff: 1kwuffleff@gmail.com or 215-536-3193
November 22, 2025
SAVE THE DATE!
Faith Alive Worship Learning Lab
Open to all who want to learn more about including children in worship.
This workshop will center on the role of music in worship.
December 7
Advent Night
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Christ's, Trumbauersville
218 E. Broad St., Trumbauersville
RSVP to Kayla Wulffleff: 1kwuffleff@gmail.com or 215-536-3193
More Info! March 20-22, 2026
Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat
Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center Mt. Bethel, PA
Grades 6-12
Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat (formerly know as Harvey Cedars) is a weekend retreat for 6th - 12th grade youth and their leaders. This retreat fosters relationships between youth of different churches to unify the Lutheran churches and youth of the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. This retreat is also unique in the fact that it is run by the pastors and leaders of our youth groups so we depend on our adult leaders who attend with their youth to help make this retreat possible. We ask our adult leaders to be a part of small groups either through teaching, assistant teaching, or being an extra pair of hands in the classroom. INFORMATIONAL FLIER
April 11-12, 2026
Box City
Christ, Harleysville (Kulpsville)
Grades 6-12
The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about homelessness and raise funding to support sheltering efforts. During the event, youth will hear real-life stories about homelessness, discuss and learn about this social issue in fun ways, and experience what it’s like sleeping without proper shelter.
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NEW! LAMPa Action Alert: Community Violence Intervention Programs Work!
"Community-based violence intervention programs develop leaders and provide support services, tailored to local needs, that promote healthy alternatives to daily violence and trauma. Respected community members interrupt conflict and retaliation, reducing the wounds and powerlessness of trauma by building relationships between conflicting parties and between people and the support services they need. Community-based violence intervention programs across our nation do effective peacemaking—and create hope.'" - The ELCA Social Message on Gun-Related Violence and Trauma
Gun homicides have dropped an astounding 38% in Pennsylvania over the last two years, thanks to significant state and federal investments in Community Violence Intervention programs. While there are many contributing factors to gun violence in Pennsylvania, people of faith know that putting funding directly into communities and building relationships is a good investment.
When funding for these types of programs has halted in other states, violence rose again. Federal funding for these sorts of programs have already been cut. We cannot allow Pennsylvanians to suffer from needless violence because of our lack of investment. .
The PA House has passed a budget proposal that includes $76.5 million for the evidence-based Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program and the Building Opportunity through Out-Of-School Time (BOOST) program, which is a $20 million increase over last year. These are two programs that use evidence-based, community building to promote safety and prevent gun violence before it happens.
Fill out our form and be taken to an editable letter that will be sent to your state senator, encouraging them to include at least $76.5 million in the final budget to be able to promote community safety in Pennsylvania.
READ MORE AND SEND A MESSAGE HERE
| | SEPA Partner Organizations | | |
Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry's Installation
The Installation of the Rev. Yehiel Curry as Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held on Saturday, October 4, at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN. Worship will begin at 3:00 p.m. (EST) and will be livestreamed.
More Information about Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry and the Installation can be found HERE
The livestream of the service will be from this same webpage.
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NEW! ELCA World Hunger Advent and Lent Resources
New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2025 and Lent 2026
ADVENT RESOURCES
LENT RESOURCE
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NEW! ELCA Congregational Stewardship has a Vimeo Page
If you ever miss a webinar (though we encourage you to show up for these in person if you can!) or a presentation, check our ELCA Congregational Stewardship Vimeo page. We are doing our best to capture them all. It’s perfect for stewardship teams wanting to do some continuing education or for councils curious about what’s happening in the realm of stewardship.
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NEW! Kindling Faith has a New Website!
Visit the Kindling Faith website for upcoming events, trainings, resources, information about SOLI (Stewardship of Life Institute) and more!
Kindling Faith Website
Remember, both the Philadelphia and Gettysburg campuses offer free lodging for up to three nights for rostered leaders who just need a break. Email mzimmann@uls.edu to arrange your place apart.
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NEW! 2025 Expanding the Pulpit Preaching Symposium
The Presbytery of Philadelphia is once again hosting the Expanding the Pulpit Preaching Symposium on the campus of United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia on Thursday, November 13 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. It is open to both clergy and lay preachers of all traditions. Registration is $25 per person.
(The event will not be livestreamed, but recordings of selected portions may be available after the event.)
The Rev. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith will be serving as our keynote speaker. Dr. Smith serves as an Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston University. Her scholarship particularly focuses on the traditions of Peter and the General Letters of the New Testament, diaspora studies, approaches to biblical interpretation (hermeneutics), Womanist and African American biblical interpretation, and Howard Thurman.
This event is being offered as a part of the Presbytery of Philadelphia’s Expanding the Pulpit program, which is made possible through generous grant funding from the Compelling Preaching Initiative of the Lilly Endowment, Inc. For more information, please email our program coordinator, Jess Winderweedle at jwinderweedle@presbyphl.org.
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Lutheran Congregational Services Lay Eucharistic Visitor 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.
Upcoming Dates
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Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:30 AM-4:00PM
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
7965 Fillmore St, Philadelphia, PA
Fox Chase Neighborhood
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Saturday, October 18, 2025
9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Friedens Church
28 Wolf Creek Rd
Shartlesville, PA 19554
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Lutheran Men in Mission Summer 2025 Ambassador-Gram
has just been released
You may access the most recent Ambassador-Gram HERE
If interested in past issues, you may access them HERE
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Asylum Pride House to Host Welcome Walk
Saturday October 18th
8:00 am check-in and 8:30 am start
FDR Park, Philly
For more information, CLICK HERE
Asylum Pride House’s mission is to provide housing and necessary initial resources to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. All LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are welcomed, supported, and affirmed as their most authentic selves by every community encountered. Asylum Pride House is a partner ministry of UniLu Philadelphia.
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The Center of Addiction and Faith Annual Conference "Awakening the Church to Address Addiction"
October 23, 2025
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
The conference is online only.
This Conference is for everyone including clergy & lay, healthcare professionals, people in recovery, those who love people in recovery, those affected by persons with addiction, youth leaders, addiction specialists. Addiction is everywhere, and yet many churches feel unprepared to face it. This conference will give you the insight and tools to change that. Come and learn how your faith community can start addressing the addiction crisis in a meaningful way. By the end of the day you will walk away with a deeper understanding, renewed hope, and concrete steps to make your congregation a safe, welcoming, and recovery-friendly community. Cost: $50.
REGISTER HERE
MORE INFORMATION HERE
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Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association presents:
Hope in Practice: Applying Solution-Focused Communication: Techniques in Response to Crisis
Presented by Laurra Aagaard, MA, MS
As a faith community nurse, or other professional in ministry, you are on the front lines of mental health and substance use care. It is possible that you engage with people and their families during some of their most vulnerable moments. This interactive session introduces attendees to the Solution Focused model, an evidence-informed, strengths-based approach that emphasizes hope, possibility, and patient resources over pathology, diagnosis and problems.
Rather than focusing on what's wrong, this model guides faith community professionals in helping people move toward hope, and what is possible. Participants will learn and practice strategies such as the miracle question, scaling techniques, and exception finding, all tailored for use in time-limited, high-stress community environments.
REGISTER HERE
MORE INFORMATION HERE
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Youth Musicians Invited to Lutheran Summer Music 2026
Enrollment is now open for Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community. Musical experiences include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more.
Priority enrollment deadline: December 1
Standard enrollment deadline: March 1
Learn more at LSMacademy.org/program
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Keep Up With Synod News and Resources
With so many events coming up we'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.
We encourage leaders, parish administrators or newsletter editors to forward MinistryLink (this link) to your congregation.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of MinistryLink. Fellow church members and colleagues can subscribe by clicking below.
The Rev. Paula Lebo, Assistant for Mission Interpretation
ministrylink@sepa.org / 267.323.3743
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