News and Updates for the week of April 28, 2025 | | Lutherans Together. Loving God. Loving Neighbor. | | SEPA Synod Updates & Events | | |
NEW! New Synod Team Member
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is thrilled to announce the addition of The Rev. Erika Strobel Wesch to the Synod staff. Pastor Wesch is the Assistant to the Bishop for Formation.
Pastor Wesch is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Pastor Wesch's years of ordained ministry have been in SEPA Synod, with her first call at St. Paul's, Doylestown for 4 years and her next call at Little Zion, Telford for 13 years.
As the Assistant to the Bishop for Formation, Pastor Wesch will focus on candidacy for SEPA Synod.
Pastor Wesch loves to travel and enjoys singing and dancing. She and her husband, Guenter, have three school-aged children: Rowan, Carson, and Kristina.
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NEW! Save the Date
A Celebration to Honor Ms. Tracey Beasley
Outgoing Synod Vice President
Sunday, June 8 + 3:00 pm
Reformation Lutheran Church
1215 Vernon Road, Philadelphia
Look for a special edition of Ministry Link
with more information and RSVP information
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REMINDER:
Synod Assembly is May 30, 31, 2025
At Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale
Registration is now closed, but you could still volunteer.
Click HERE for more information on how to volunteer.
Download your needed documents for Synod Assembly. Do not rely on internet capability at the site. If you need help downloading, reach out.
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Congregation Treasurers Gathering
Saturday, June 21, 2025 + 10:00 am
Benbow Hall, Brossman Center
United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia Campus
7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
REGISTER HERE
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Lutheran Nights at the Phillies
Two great games left to choose from! May 17 and August 18. A great way to see a game and meet up with friends. Reserve your tickets today!
Click the link below to choose the game(s) you wish to attend. Looking forward to a fun evening with our fellow SEPA friends.
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NEW! Mission Support Memo for April
Stories Bring Us Together
A story about our Northwest Intermountain Synod, by Karen Kretschmann
The air was clear, crisp and full of the smell of pine as I pulled into Camp Lutherhaven the first weekend in April. Located on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, the camp felt peaceful, calm, yet bursting with new things to come. It was the first council retreat in several years for the Northwest Intermountain Synod, and I was asked to speak about storytelling as a way to express their mission “to live faithfully, witness boldly, and serve joyfully.”
| | Announcements from SEPA Congregations | | |
John Rutter's Requiem to be performed at St. John, Phoenixville
May 4 + 7:00 pm
St. John's Lutheran Church
355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA 19460
70 singers accompanied by the Providence Chamber Orchestra, join St. John's Choir in performing John Rutter's Requiem at 7:00 pm, May 4. Conducted by Deacon Tom Snyder, Director of Music at St. John's, this 32nd annual event offers singers the opportunity to build community together in song. We hope you will join us!
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Care of Creation Ministry Microgrants
The Care of Creation Ministry Team of the SEPA Synod is happy to announce a NEW funding opportunity is coming soon.
In order to encourage congregations to actively participate in the stewardship of God’s creation, a total of nine microgrants of up to $1000 each will be offered. Microgrants will be awarded to congregations over up to 2 rounds for projects that conserve God’s resources, reduce climate emissions, improve habitats, improve climate adaptation, or reduce pollution. These projects may include lighting upgrades from incandescent and fluorescent lighting to LED, energy audits, planting shade trees, planting rain gardens, projects that reduce food waste, setting up a cooling center, reducing consumption of high greenhouse gas emission food, solar installation, etc.
Applications will be available soon through MinistryLink. There will be two rounds of funding.
First Round Deadline: June 30th, 2025
Second Round Deadline: December 31st, 2025
A Virtual Information Session will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm to describe the microgrant process and will provide information on how to do a lighting upgrade project to LED as an example. Representatives from PECO and PPL will be describing how to utilize their subsidized lighting upgrade programs.
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Spring Turkey Dinner and Craft/Vendor Fair
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Augustus Lutheran Church
717 W. Main St., Trappe, PA
Tickets for the dinner are only $20.00 presale with payment / $22.00 at the door and it is a take-out only event. The dinner runs from 3 – 6 PM. A limited number of self-service seating will be provided and the famed Sunset Skyz Music Duo will be playing live music from 2:30-6:00 PM.
The Craft & Vendor Fair has free admission and runs from 2-6 PM. With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away from this event, it could be the opportunity to pick up that perfect and unique gift while supporting a charity, local artists, and vendors. Proceeds benefit Dr. Stephen & Jodi Lynn Swanson, Missionaries in Tanzania. Supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
| | LAMPa Events and Information | | |
NEW! LAMPa’s Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship – Rolling Applications Accepted!
Do you feel called to be a “repairer of the breach”? To bring about moments of reconciliation across racial divides? To advocate for policies that further equity and inclusion? Do you have an idea but just don’t know where to start?
LAMPa’s Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship is designed for youth-led projects around racial reconciliation and advocacy. You’ll be paired with a mentor clergyperson of color to refine and bring about your vision of a project that seeks to further racial justice in the church and the world, and work with LAMPa staff to advocate for systemic and policy change highlighted by your project. PLUS you get $1000 in scholarship!
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis because we know that inspiration and community needs are not always on a strict timeline. If you know of a youth who is passionate about racial reconciliation, advocacy, and justice, send it to them now!
Read more about the fellowship, which provides mentorship and advocacy training as well as funding for a $1000 student scholarship and congregational engagement. Interested but not sure where to start? Send us a note at LAMPa@LutheranAdvocacyPa.org.
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Lutheran Day in the Capitol – May 13
Registration Closes
May 6!
When the world feels unstable, and the task of justice seems impossible, our faith calls us to turn to the words of the prophets and the promise of Christ that reminds us God is always doing a new thing. This Lutheran Day, we're coming together from across the Commonwealth to remind ourselves of God's faithful action in the world and calling on our lawmakers to join in the work of reconciliation, restoration, and justice on behalf of our neighbors in need and the world God loves. Find out more and register.
| | SEPA Partner Organizations | |
NEW! Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
Saturday, May 17, 2025
9:30 AM-4:00 PM
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
25 E Church St, Sellersville, PA 18960
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.
To register for training, please complete the online form and submit the $30.00 fee per person. If you prefer to register or pay another way, contact Julia Frank at jfrank@libertylutheran.org. Registration must be completed by the Monday before the Saturday session you plan to attend.
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NEW! Build COMMUNITY and experience the CALMING POWER of ART!
Sunday, May 4, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Quakertown Train Station @ Broad and Front Streets, 18951
Art as Meditation is led by Barbette who has a background in Art Therapy and has been a Montessori teacher for over 30 years. She will show how to create watercolor mandalas to experience the peace and balance that comes from this simple practice. Leave with your own artwork and a calmer mind. Open to ALL adults and teens!
The workshop is FREE (no strings attached!)
Reserve your place at https://bit.ly/4lovqhk
NO experience necessary. Materials supplied. Space is limited. For more information call 215-660-4475 or email info@kairoscommunities.org.
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NEW!
Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation present
“A National Treasure”–Ruby Bridges
Sunday, June 1, 7:00 PM
United LutheranSeminary Chapel inGettysburg
Join civil rights icon, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland as her son, Emmy-winning filmmaker, Loki Mulholland, discuss her life and how all of us do what is right even when it's not easy.
A freewill offering will be taken to further the mission of the foundation.
We are grateful to the LowerSusquehanna Synod the ELCA for their sponsorship of this event.
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Taste The Possibilities
KenCrest's 120th Anniversary Fundraiser
Arcadia University | Grey Towers Castle
Wednesday June 4th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Please join us for KenCrest’s 2nd annual tasting event! Featuring a curated selection of wine, beer, and libations specially paired with delicious hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy excellent food and drink while learning about the history and dedication KenCrest has given over these past 120 years!
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Network In the East:
A Retreat for Youth & Family Ministers and Volunteers
August 7-9, 2025
Congregational youth workers (staff and volunteers) are invited to United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg for Network In the East, a new continuing ed and networking event. This gathering, hosted by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and ULS’s Kindling Faith Initiative, offers workshops on adaptive leadership, curriculum design, trauma care, and faith formation—plus time for connection and renewal. Learn more and register through the button below by Monday, July 7. Questions? Contact Charlie Roberts at croberts@lss-elca.org.
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African Descent Lutheran Association
19th Biennial Assembly
"Lest We Forget"
July 24-27, 2025 + Phoenix, AZ
Early Registration fees will end on May 15th. Register now!
Full details including tentative assembly schedule can be found HERE
The Hyatt Regency in Phoenix will be our host. The hotel is located at: 122 North Second Street Phoenix, Arizona, 85004 United States
1 King Bed: $145 a night + tax.. 2 Queen Beds: $155 a night + tax
Questions & Concerns: Tracey A. Beasley, Event Coordinator Traceyabeasley@gmail.com
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Kindling Faith Events
Aging Grace-Fully Series. Register here.
o The Beauty of Dusk author and award-winning New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, May 22 at 1:30 pm.
o How We Show Up author Mia Birdsong, July 15 at 1:30 PM
o Somehow author Anne Lamott, September 11 at 1:30 PM
o 10% Happier author Dan Harris on the Gettysburg campus October 23 at 1:30 pm.
Is it Ethical for Clergy to use AI? Dr. Kristin Asplin, Psychology Professor from the University of Pittsburgh helps us sort things out on May 6th at Noon online. Register here.
Thriving Together: Reverent and Relevant Congregations. May 27 – 30. Your congregational leadership team is invited into to a three-day focused journey of discernment, practical learning, and action planning for inspired and achievable ministries specifically for the world in 2025 and beyond. Register here.
Summer
Pride Month Events, June 17 & 23 featuring The Bruesehoff Family, authors of Raising Kids Beyond the Binary and A Kid’s Book about Being Inclusive and Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America. Also, Dr. Debbie Doubrava with "Beyond Binary…SAFE Space Practices AND Play" for allies. Register here for the Bruesehoff family on the 23rd. Register here for the Chu and Doubrava events.
June 29 – July 3: Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate. A week of respite for rostered leaders with the Rev. Jim Hazelwood, author of Everyday Spirituality: Discover a Life of Hope, Peace and Meaning. Register here.
July 13-18: Theological Education with Adults. A week of learning and fellowship for lay people featuring lectures from the Rev. Dr. Allison deForest on the Gospel of John. On Gettysburg campus and online. Register here.
August 10 – 15: Summer Ministry Institute: “Sighs Too Deep for Words; Worship in Times of Lament and Hope” This week of learning is available to anyone involved in the worship life of congregations, with church musician Richard Bruxvoort Colligan and Dr. Deanna Thompson, Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College. Register here.
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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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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