News and Updates for the week of June 9, 2025 | | Lutherans Together. Loving God. Loving Neighbor. | | SEPA Synod Updates & Events | | |
Synod Assembly Wrap-up
Thank you for a wonderful Synod Assembly, SEPA! We loved having you gathered together around worship, learning and business.
To read more about Synod Assembly visit our Synod Assembly Updates page on the Synod's website. Information is being added daily. You can watch Bishop Penman's address and download resources now.
Ingathering Update
Offering total: $7,923
Quilts donated: 432
Kits donated: 252
Gloves donated: 1900
Election Update
Vice President: Ms. Cheryl Lafferty
Synod Council: The Rev. Dr. Nelson Rivera-Garcia; The Rev. Jonathan Steiner, Dr. Sheryl Mickens, Ms. Mari-Beth Fetsick, Ms. Irene Rajarigam, Mr. Bennaiah Bennie, Mr. Phil Richard.
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members (elected in 2024)
Clergy: Bishop Bryan Penman, The Rev. Regina Goodrich, The Rev. Julie DeWerth, The Rev. Joseph Klinger, The Rev. Heeral Mukesh Cheedie
Lay Woman: Joy Baxter, Kendyll Ward, Annette Sample
Lay Man: Damar Wilson, Bill Harp, John Connors
Young Adult: Connor Watson
Person of Color or Language other than English: Craig McJett
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SEPA Pride Worship
Join us Sunday June 22nd at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of the United Lutheran Seminary Philadelphia Campus. Pastor Taylor Walker will be preaching and Pastor Kevin Tracey will serve as Presider.
All are welcome to attend and lift up our synod and pray for more inclusivity around our synod and the world
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Lutheran Night at the Phillies
One game left! Reserve your tickets today.
Reserve your tickets today for the August 18 game. It's a great way to see a game and meet up with friends.
Click the link below to reserve your seat. Looking forward to a fun evening with our fellow SEPA friends. USE OFFER CODE: LUTHERAN
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Last Call to Register!
Congregation Treasurers Gathering
Saturday, June 21, 2025 + 10:00 am
Registration deadline is June 13.
Benbow Hall, Brossman Center
United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia Campus
7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
REGISTER HERE
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You're invited to the Ordination of Ms. Grace Morrison to
the Ministry of Word and Service
University Lutheran, 3637 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
July 19th at 11:00am
Bishop Tim Smith of the NC Synod Presiding
Rev. Meagan Esterby Preaching.
Picnic Lunch will follow. All clergy and seminarians are invited to vest and process! The color of the day is red. The service will also be live streamed. All are welcome to join and celebrate as they are able!
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NEW! Faith Alive invites you to SAVE THE DATE
November 22, 2025
Faith Alive Learning Lab
Learning, fellowship, building connections. Watch Ministry Link for more information.
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NEW! SEPA Care of Creation Ministry Microgrant Deadline Approaching
The Care of Creation Ministry Team of the SEPA Synod is happy to announce a NEW funding opportunity.
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 are available through MinistryLink, linked below. Sample application for lighting upgrade. There will be two rounds of funding.
First Round Deadline: June 30th, 2025
Second Round Deadline: December 31st, 2025
Watch THIS VIDEO to see how other SEPA congregations are caring for creation.
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NEW! APPLY TO BE A HUNGER ADVOCACY FELLOW WITH LAMPa!
Engage in a year-long fellowship to grow as a leader, a person of faith, and a professional advocate for justice
Do you care about justice, and empowering people of faith to use their voice in the halls of power? Do you live in Pennsylvania, with access to getting to Harrisburg regularly? Do you have the desire to work in a hybrid team with seasoned advocates and coalition partners across PA and the Church?
ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellows participate in a year-long formative experience that supports their growth as a leader, as a person of faith, and as a professional advocate for an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. Find out more and apply today!
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NEW! Take Action to Oppose Federal Cuts to Nutrition and Health Care
The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” legislation that would cause unprecedented harm to the most vulnerable families in the United States. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives in an overnight rushed manner last month, would inflict the largest cuts to safety net programs in U.S. history.
TWO WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:
1) Urge lawmakers to oppose these devastating cuts by sending a message to PA Senators Fetterman and McCormick today! Share stories from your own communities to urge them to vote NO on the OBBBA in the Senate.
2) Join faith leaders from across PA by adding your name to this sign-on letter opposing these cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. The letter will be delivered to the entire PA congressional delegation by the Washington Interfaith Staff Coalition, of which our ELCA Advocacy DC Office is a member.
| | SEPA Partner Organizations | | |
NEW! Center of Addiction & Faith To Host webinar
June 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm -2:00 pm
"Prepare to Quit: Equipping Others for Readiness to Change"
A one-hour free webinar hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith. This webinar is designed for ministry leaders, professionals and lay leaders who support individuals struggling with alcohol use and other substances. Rose Ann Forte, author, coach and course creator, presents Prepare to Quit, a faith-based resource built on neuroscience and biblical truth to help individuals move through the critical and often overlooked Preparation Stage of change. You'll learn how to empower individuals who are not yet ready to quit, but are open to exploring change. Rose Ann offers a spiritual alternative to secular or disease-based approaches.
| | | On Sunday, Sept. 7, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day:
- Planning toolkit.
- Worship resources.
- Posters and social media graphics.
- Spanish-language resources.
- Promotional banners.
- Videos.
- Special hymn text, sheet music and recording.
This year we are especially mindful of the challenges faced by our Lutheran social service organizations and other faith-based and human service organizations due to the reduction in federal funding. We encourage you to consider service opportunities with these agencies as you begin to make your plans.
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 15.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands. If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 7, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.
“God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on Sept. 7.
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Kindling Faith Events
Kindling Faith Facebook Page
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Click on this link: https://bit.ly/KindlingFaithFacebook
- Click on “Events”
- Register for Everything!
Aging Grace-Fully Series. Register here
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How We Show Up author Mia Birdsong, July 15 at 1:30 PM
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Somehow author Anne Lamott, September 11 at 1:30 PM
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10% Happier author Dan Harris on the Gettysburg campus October 23 at 1:30 pm.
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.
Future Events Worth Noting
January 15 – 24, Solidarity Trip to the Holy Land for Rostered Leaders. This special pilgrimage for rostered leaders offers a unique opportunity to support the Christians of the Holy Land through sharing of our time, resources, and empathy. Our fellow Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land often feel alone and forgotten – being present with them at Sunday worship and other opportunities for fellowship are important factors in sharing hope for a better world where walls become tables and peace with justice and equity becomes possible. Cost of $1500 is all-inclusive. Learn more 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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