SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD | ELCA | | |
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We're connected.
We are stronger together!
+ October 15th, 2024
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In this newsletter:
▶︎A Message from the Bishop
▶︎Synod Wide Learning Day & Love Revolution Launch
▶︎SEPA Youth Event
▶︎Oct. Mission Support Memo
▶︎Inspired to Give Webinar
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▶︎Installation of Rev. Joey Klinger
▶︎Repair Cafe
▶︎Pumpkin Fest
▶︎Red Door Roots
▶︎Women in Ministry and Money
▶︎In Case You Missed It...
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Upcoming Events:
Love Revolution Launch Celebration Sat. Oct. 19
Installation of the Rev. Joey Klinger Sun. Oct. 20
Repair Cafe Sat. Oct. 26
Pumpkin Fest Sat. Oct. 26
What Really Matters? SEPA Youth Event Nov. 9-10
Bishop's Convocation "Ponder Anew" Nov. 21-23
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A Message from the Bishop:
Dear Friends in Christ,
Did you know that Clergy Appreciation Month has its roots all the way back in Paul’s letters to the early church? Paul encouraged believers not to grow weary in their ministry, and that same spirit of encouragement continues today through Clergy Appreciation Month. Gaining momentum in the 1990s (thanks in large part to Focus on the Family), October is now a time to recognize and appreciate our pastors, deacons, mission developers, musicians, Christian educators, and other religious leaders.
As your bishop, I want to encourage you to...
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Synod Wide Learning Day & Love Revolution Launch
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9am-3pm
St. Luke Lutheran Church
203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA 1933
How are you living out your baptismal call?
Congregations and their leaders are invited to spend a day exploring how we are called to live among God’s faithful people. Bishop Dwayne Royster from Power Interfaith will be the keynote speaker. Bishop Royster has extensive organizing, advocacy, political and faith leadership experience. He believes that it is imperative that a prophetic faith voice is heard in the halls of power calling for equity and respect for the moral value of every human life. He currently serves as the National Political Director of Faith in Action (formerly the PICO National Network), the nation’s largest faith-based organizing movement committed to racial and economic justice with 40+ federations in 26 States and 4 countries.
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After worship, we’ll gather for a keynote session and several learning sessions that will address questions like: Who is welcome at the feet of Jesus?, What does it mean to live as the body of Christ, full of grace (imperfections, wounds, and scars included)? What does visionary leadership look like in the church today? And More! The Registration Deadline is TODAY (October 15, 2024).
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What Really Matters? A SEPA Youth Event
November 9-10, 2024 at Bear Creek Camp
Join us for an overnight adventure at Bear Creek Camp! Open to youth in grades 6-9 and their leaders, we’ll hike, play games, get closer to God and more! Make connections with peers! Grow closer to Jesus! Love GOD and love others!
Registration opens: October 10!
Last day to register: October 24
$65 per person (students & adults)
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OCTOBER 2024 Mission Support Memo
Hallelujah: A story from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Imagine entering a sanctuary, hearing the joyful sounds of a praise band, the drums, keyboard, guitar and voices singing “Hallelujah,” dresses and jackets full of bright color, mostly young adult leaders, and the congregation swaying with the music. Then, you realize the words are not in English, in fact not in a language heard much in Indianapolis, Ind. It is...
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All are invited to join us for a
50th Anniversary Celebration & the Installation
of the Rev. Joey Klinger
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 3pm
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
107 S 17th Ave Coatesville, PA
Reception to follow - all are invited.
The color of the day is green.
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Are you looking for ways to inspire generosity in your congregation? Want to make giving easier and more engaging? Join Vanco and the ELCA for an exciting webinar, Inspired to Give: Understanding the Heart of Giving and How to Make It Effortless on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 12 p.m. Central time. Vanco is a preferred vendor of the ELCA. This session will equip you with practical strategies to create a giving experience that feels natural, joyful, and impactful for your congregation.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why people give - the core motivations behind generosity and how your church can tap into them;
- Storytelling as a tool - how powerful stories can inspire deeper connections and increase giving;
- Best practices for giving - the essential steps every church should take to simplify the giving process through your website, communication materials, and in-person experiences;
- Exclusive Vanco client tips - how to maximize the free tools available to you, including online giving pages, mobile apps, and enhanced streaming options for congregations using YouTube and Facebook.
With opening remarks from Tim Brown, ELCA’s Director of Congregational Stewardship, you’ll walk away with both insights and actionable steps to make giving effortless and meaningful for your community.
Can't make this day or time? We'll record the webinar and send a copy to all registrants - so you can watch it even if you can't join us live.
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St. Andrew's Repair Cafe' is Saturday October 26th 9am-Noon at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 2725 Egypt Road, Audubon!
Our repair volunteers will be on hand to help fix your broken lamps and small appliances - sharpen knives and scissors - mending and sewing (including fixing those ripped stuffed animals!) - small furniture repair - and other general repairs. (If you know your item needs a specific part, please feel free to bring it with you).
St. Andrew's Repair Cafe' puts repair volunteers together with the community to help repair things instead of tossing them in the trash! Neighbors helping Neighbors!
See you Saturday 10/26, 9am-Noon at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 2725 Egypt Road, Audubon!
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Muhlenberg College announces...
Red Door Roots: An exploration of Muhlenberg’s Lutheran values & heritage
Muhlenberg College is known for the red doors found on every campus building, a nod to its Protestant Lutheran heritage. While the red doors nominally signify welcome and hospitality, for a majority of constituents this is where the visible imprint of Lutheran identity begins and ends.
Funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)/Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), Red Door Roots seeks to initiate a deeper conversation about our Lutheran affiliation to reveal the Lutheran values that have underpinned the transformative changes Muhlenberg has experienced over the past 50 years.
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The grant programming includes a speaker series, next month featuring Vance Blackfox. Mr. Blackfox is an Indigenous Theologian and serves as the ELCA Director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. He will speak on Lutheran values and social responsibility with a focus on engagement with indigenous cultures. Join them Wed. Nov. 20th at 7pm in Moyer Hall.
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Women in Ministry and Money with Dr. Crystal Hall
In the thick of stewardship season it’s easy for money to feel like a necessary evil or out of your control, especially when it comes to the church budget and your own finances.
“Never bring up religion, politics or money at the dinner table,” right? But it’s more than possible to cultivate confidence with money.
This series is going to change your relationship with money as a woman in ministry for the better.
You’ll learn how to:
Lead from abundance without trying to fix the “there’s not enough [money/volunteers/time]” mentality.
See yourself as competent with money instead of feeling embarrassed to ask questions in a finance meeting.
Feel capable of managing your family’s money without deferring to your spouse because “he’s just better at it.”
Powerfully negotiate your salary and benefits instead of thinking you “should feel grateful they’re hiring you at all.”
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Lutheran Men in Mission would like to help your congregation or faith community develop or energize your men's ministry. Throughout the ELCA men are looking for a place to belong, whether they show it or not. LMM is here to partner with you in providing quality and timely resources for your men. To help us help you please complete the following short survey, even if you do not feel men's ministry is right for your setting. Please contact John Sundquist, LMM Executive Director with any questions at john@lutheranmeninmission.org.
We hold you all in prayer.
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A group is looking to form a small exploratory group of musicians and/or singers to put together a Christmas Program called "Let it Be Christmas", based on the music of The Beatles. The show is performed in the Midwest, but seemingly not in this area. Here's a link to a high quality presentation the program: https://vimeo.com/33602245
This small exploratory group would start by creating a plan to run auditions and rehearsals starting this year, with program performances targeted for the 2025-26 Christmas season (over a year from now). The concept is to build a traveling group who would perform throughout the tristate area.
Musicians, singers, producers, marketors, and promoters will be needed..
Please email any interest, suggestions/comments, etc. to Dave Hoch at DHoch10@gmail.com.
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Discipleship in a Democracy
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) encourages all to engage our common civic life through advocacy, voting, and peacebuilding. In a contentious election cycle, the Body of Christ is called to be informed, compassionate citizens. Visit our website for resources to help in the work of building up peace and understanding, while rejecting ideologies that promote hate and violence. We have webinars, support networks, devotionals, and more to help individuals and communities more faithfully engage in this important work!
Community Building Skills Series – Wednesdays at Noon
This online three-part series supports you in building and refining the skills used in interactions with those who might not agree with you. All are on Wednesdays at noon EST via Zoom. While you need to register for each separately, and are welcome to attend any or all, you will get the most out of attending all three in order.
Part II: Difficult Conversations – October 16 – Through understanding ourselves and others, how to turn difficult conversations into an opportunity to uncover common ground.
Part III: Managing Conflict – October 23 – How to transform conflict into a process that promotes ownership, fosters creativity, and generates outcomes that solve real community problems.
LAMPa is pleased to partner with Common Ground – USA to present this series of webinars.
Join LAMPa’s Election Support Network!
As we prepare for the General Election on Nov. 5, LAMPa encourages people of faith to sign up to be a part of our Election Support Network. Lutheran advocates and staff have been reaching out to county election offices across the Commonwealth to thank them for their service, offer prayers and ask about ways to offer support. Some need more poll workers. Others might need new polling places. Others would appreciate continued prayers and community contacts for support. This network is intended to connect the needs of elections offices in every county with a community of support to turn to as needs arise. This is a simple, yet important, way to live out our call to be active citizens. Join now!
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Mark your calendars and save the date for the
2024 Bishop's Convocation
"Ponder Anew"
Thurs, Nov. 21 - Sat, Nov. 23
at the Alloy
301 W Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
The Synod has reserved a block of rooms.
Registration information will be sent soon!
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Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire
LAMPa is delighted to have available for congregational use this curriculum by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale. The curriculum explores the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the lessons we can use as we live at the intersection of faith and civic life today. The facilitator’s guide, participant workbook, and accompanying slides for each week can be found by clicking below.
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Kindling Faith Events & Learning Opportunities:
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ELCA Election Activator Network
Are you interested in what you can do as a non-partisan influence in this election cycle? Take your energy to the #ELCAElectionActivator network - an opportunity for individuals and our congregations to share in our communities love in action.
ELCA Election Activators from various parts of our ELCA faith community are invited to a call once-a-month to for updates and to hear from each other about local initiatives. Because the ELCA does not endorse a particular candidate, party or form of government or strive for a Christian one, participation requires sign-up and a non-partisan pledge. "Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life" (from ELCA social message "Government & Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy").
The next virtual meeting is September 24. Learn more today!
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6th Annual Addiction & Faith Conference
“Addiction, Trauma, & the Power of Faith to Heal”
October 17-19, 2024, 100% Virtual
Hosted by the Center of Addiction & Faith
This conference enhances the awareness of people of faith about scourge of addiction. It brings the best of science, spirituality, compassion, justice and personal stories to the task of informing and inspiring both church and society regarding addiction in its many forms. Speakers and presenters are top-flight nationally-known experts. The conference is for everyone, clergy & lay, seminarians, healthcare professionals, people in recovery and those who love them, youth leaders, and addiction specialists. They strive to educate faith communities with what they need to help those addicted. Click below to learn more about the event, the featured speakers, and to register. Cost: $250
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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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