Resources for effective church leaders
+ January 21, 2022
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A Pre-Assembly Web Forum
Join us February 3 at 7:00pm on Zoom to learn:
- How you can create changes in the church through the Synod Assembly
- What’s the difference between a resolution and a memorial?
- Ways to write an effective resolution
The deadline to submit resolutions for consideration by the assembly is 3/30/22
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Tech Support Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for a few individuals who would be willing to provide tech support to Assembly voting members, via telephone. Support volunteers will be asked to learn our Zoom protocol and our voting software, and assist people with questions and issues. If you or someone you now has basic tech skills and a desire to help others, contact Pastor Bob Fisher via email at comms@sepa.org.
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2022 Synod Assembly
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Hope For Today, Strength For Tomorrow Through Community In Christ
The 2022 Synod Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 30 as an online business meeting. Conferences will participate in service projects on Saturday, April 23, and an in-person gathering will be scheduled later in the year, COVID permitting.
The theme for this year’s gatherings is Hope for Today, Strength for Tomorrow Through Community in Christ. Watch your email for registration information soon.
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Celebrate Diverse Ministries For Black History Month
This is our future church: A ten-year-old preacher and professional artist; a grassroots campaign for affordable housing; young and diverse communities. African Descent Ministries of the ELCA is celebrating Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a new series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. Join us each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm Central time (8:30 pm Eastern) to hear our youth, young adults, rostered leaders including Bishop Davenport, elders and friends of our communities share their own sacred stories. For more updates, follow @ELCAADM on Twitter and Instagram or check out facebook.com/elcaadm.
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Contemplating the New Year
Two years into a global pandemic, the toll on human life and livelihood is undeniable, and the toll on mental, emotional and spiritual health is no less profound. Enormous shifts in the way we work, gather and worship have left many people reeling. How can faith communities be a resource for those struggling?
For a number of ELCA communities and leaders, contemplative practices – which are both ancient and new, and authentically Lutheran -- offer just such a resource for people who are weary, overwhelmed or simply searching for something more—a different way to encounter God in a time when so much is suddenly different.
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King Memorial Worship:
A Season of Hope
If you missed the January 16 worship webcast, you can now view it on video. Members of the Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA, Acts In Common, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, and the African Descent Lutheran Association presented this MLK Worship Event, featuring guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Gladys S. Moore, guest musician Brian Christopher Clay, and other special presenters.
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Church Safety and Security |
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Following last week's synagogue hostage situation in Texas, these resources might be of interest:
Faith-based Security and Resilience Learning Series
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (GOHS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other partners, is offering a quarterly virtual learning series to Faith-based Organizations. This series will provide valuable information to religious leaders, security personnel and members of the houses of worship to enhance security and resilience.
Please join us for the first quarterly event on Thursday, January 27, 2022, with keynote speaker Director Shawn Brokos, a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and current Director of Community Security at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Director Brokos will be providing a case study on the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy and lessons learned. Free, registration required
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Active Threat Response Training
An in-person two-hour Active Threat Response training is being offered by Police Chief Timothy Troxel of Towamencin Township on Monday, Feb. 28 at 10am, and is open to representatives from all churches. Chief Troxel is a certified trainer and has trained hundreds of officers in active threat response. The training is scheduled for the Towamencin Township Building at 1090 Troxel Road in Lansdale. Free, registration required.
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Emergency Need for Blood Donors
Our blood inventory is at critical levels. Please help replenish our community blood supply and schedule your blood donation by calling 1-800-223-6667 or click the link to find a Miller-Keystone Blood Center nearest you.
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Ministry in the New Normal Thursday at 11 am
Rostered ministers, musicians, lay leaders, tech teams, communicators and admins: Join Pastors Sue Lang, Jonathan Suloff, and Bob Fisher for ideas, support, and collaboration as we navigate congregational life, worship, faith formation, and finances in this ongoing pandemic time. Join us on Zoom at bit.ly/sepacomms
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From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Do you want amazing worship on a small church budget? Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe Jr. interviews Teresa Stewart, a blogger and creator of the website Paper Bag Cathedrals, on ways small congregations can enliven their worship. Available as article, podcast and video.
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Free Readiness Webinars
ELCA colleges and universities provide students with the best education possible, and we are kicking off 2022 with the College Readiness Webinar Series, free webinars to answer any questions families may have about applying to or preparing for college. The series is composed of five different webinars, each focusing on a topic that will move you forward in your college search. The webinars will be offered throughout February.
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Tuesday, February 1, Noon-1:30 p.m. Eastern
Learn new perspectives and practices for funding ministry in an increasing challenging environment. Join Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Dr. Ann A. Michel, authors of Generosity, Stewardship, and Abundance: A Transformational Guide to Church Finance, for this 90-minute interactive presentation exploring key changes in the landscape of congregational giving and new possibilities for enhancing generosity in the 21st century.
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Thrivent Philanthropy Webinar
Philanthropy and Communities of Color
Thursday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Recent data shows that given demographic changes and the challenges of the pandemic, both the church and philanthropy are changing. We’ll highlight findings from The Collective Foundation regarding fundraising within Christian communities of color. Presented by the BIPOC Leadership Network.
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Rescheduled!
The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Keynote speakers for “Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal” are Louise Johnson and Soong-Chan Rah, with workshops featuring Dave Daubert, Ryan Burge, Doug Powe Jr., and others.
The cost is $40 in-person or virtual. Watch for registration info soon!
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Last Call: Young Adults in Global Mission
There are just a few days until the Feb 1. deadline to apply for August's class. Share with faithful young adults you know.
This year of service was when I first encountered liberation theology, both in books and my lived experience. It was the reason I applied to seminary. It's the reason I discerned a call to become a teaching theologian of the church.
-- Crystal Hall, PhD, professor at United Lutheran Seminary.
YAGM applications are now open for the 2022-2023 program year. Young adults aged 21 to 29 can apply for an international service year that will shape their faith, career, identity and understanding of how they fit into God’s work in the world. YAGM volunteers will begin their service in August 2022. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2022
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January 25 from 6 to 7:30 pm.
This virtual event is the final installment of Kensington Grows, Cooks, and Serves, a community-led, multi-part series that highlights the intersections of food, faith, and culture in the Kensington Area.
Festival breakout room activities will include: A Food and Faith Discussion Panel; A Cooking Workshop with NKCDC's Nourish; Community Conversations on Food and Identity; and Guided Art-Making with the Kensington Storefront
The Festival will offer a time to celebrate the initiative, engage with local partner organizations, meet community members, and explore the importance of food to our individual and collective identities.
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Did you miss a recent issue?
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Reconciling Works Education Feb. 12
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Saturday, February 12 at 9:30 am and 11:00 am.
Workshops with ReconcilingWorks for SEPA Congregations with ReconcilingWorks Ambassador Pastor Brenda Maynor.
9:30 am – Welcoming Churches: When All Means All
This workshop is for congregations interested in becoming Reconciling In Christ (RIC). This workshop will include background history of ReconcilingWorks, why this work matters, and a general overview of the RIC Journey.
11:00 am – You’ve Run the Race … Now What?
This workshop is for congregations who are already RIC. This workshop will include ideas of next steps for congregations to deepen and widen their worship and ministry experiences as well as reviewing the new commitments for racial equity and anti-racism within the church.
These workshops are presented free of charge, but registration will be required. Registration will open in January. Please contact ingodsimagesepa@gmail.com with any questions.
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Popcorn for Tiny House Village
Sanctuary Village is raising funds to build a safe community for those who are experiencing homelessness. You can help by purchasing delicious Pop Corn by mail, just in time for Super Bowl parties (or quarantine movie watching). Just follow this link and place your order! Who knew that doing good could taste so good!
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Afghan refugee resettlement webinar
On February 8, at 7 pm Eastern, ELCA Advocacy, the AMMPARO program, and Lutheran Disaster Response will host an informational webinar addressing Afghan refugee resettlement and how congregations can become involved.
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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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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