Resources for effective church leaders
+ September 16, 2021
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Prayers From The North Eastern Diocese |
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We received the following message of concern and condolence from our companion synod in Tanzania following the destruction from Hurricane Ida:
Greetings in the name of Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod, receive our heartfelt greetings and deep condolence from your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church - North Eastern Diocese. We are following with great concern the plight of hurricane Ida which has diversely affected the lives of dozens of people. We are also aware that it has claimed tens of lives.
We recognize that your loss is our loss and your pains are ours too. Our prayers are with you all. We pray to God that you are given resilience during this difficult moment in your nation as well as a faith Community of SEPA.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop Dr. Msafiri J. Mbilu
ELCT - North Eastern Diocese
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Faith Forum on Race and Justice |
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What did your congregation do for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday? Send your stories, pictures and/or video to ministrylink@sepa.org.
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Many people have fond memories of special conversations that transpired while they were doing the dishes with a parent or going fishing with a friend. This third thing they do together makes it easy and comfortable for them to converse more deeply, often without even making eye contact.
Third things can also happen in nature. Our family spends the summers at the Delaware shore. I love walking on the beach. Some of my very best conversations with friends have occurred as we strolled along the water’s edge. Triumphs and struggles, difficult decisions at work, faith questions with which we are wrestling—all are topics for discussion. The words come easily as we concentrate on our footsteps in the sand. … Another third thing is worshiping at church, when we share a sacred experience with others. I’ve learned so much about people in conversations that began by talking about the service—a hymn, or the Gospel, or the sermon.
There’s magic in a simple shared experience, in a third thing. And couldn’t we all use a little more magic in our lives?
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Support Sanctuary Village |
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For the month of October, Sanctuary Village will be holding some different fundraising opportunities as some various restaurants. Sanctuary Village is working towards building a community of Tiny Houses in Philadelphia for people who are experiencing chronic street homelessness. Included in this opportunity are:
- Eat at or order from any Bertucci's restaurant, all day, on Thursday, October 14, and 15% of order goes to Sanctuary Village (Mention Code # 569-183-714 or show flier.
- Eat at or order from Chipotle in Ardmore, between 4 & 8pm, on Saturday, October 23, and 33% goes to Sanctuary Village (Mention Code # 8TZ6VYZ or show flier.
Questions: Please contact Schaunel Steinnagel, rvschaunel@aol.com, 302-463-0542.
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Installation. The Rev. Nancy M. Raabe
Rev. Nancy Raabe will be installed on Sunday, September 19 at 4:30 p.m. as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Hatfield, 40 N. Main St., with Rev. Bryan Penman representing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. The service, “Vespers in a New Key,” will feature a selection of beautiful evening hymns from Evangelical Lutheran Worship in contemporary arrangements complemented by brief readings, along with a prelude for organ and piano newly composed by Kevin Freaney. Light refreshments will be served on the veranda, weather permitting. The public is warmly invited and face masks are recommended.
Installation. The Rev. Raymond A. Miller, STM
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1530 Augsburg Drive, Hilltown, PA 18927 cordially invites you to the installation Service of The Reverend Raymond A. Miller, STM on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 3:00pm.
Preservice music begins at 2:40 pm. Light refreshments will follow the Service. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green. Masks are recommended.
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Safety Resources from ELCA
New Temperature and Water Sensor Program for Eligible Church Mutual Insureds -- Church Mutual offers free temperature and water sensors and 24/7 monitoring that alert you to take action and protect your church building from the damages and disruption caused by frozen pipes as well as from power outages causing sump pump shutoff. Learn more.
Church Mutual now makes all of its Safety Resources available to all ELCA congregations!
Important Safely Returning to Worship Information from Church Mutual Insurance Company:
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Support for Afghan Evacuees
From Interfaith Philadelphia: The City of Philadelphia currently has two needs, the need for clothing and the need to help with meals. As for clothing donations, they are in a good place with children clothing. For women and men the clothing need includes sizes from small, medium and large. Womens 5-12. For women, the clothing need includes leggings, sweatpants, and long dresses to go over the leggings.
As for meals, the City of Philadelphia currently has a need to provide halal meals to 120 for Afghan evacuees staying at their COVID-19 isolation and quarantine site, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages. They are in need of groups to help feed the families for the next 4 days – Thursday 9/16, Friday 9/17, Saturday 9/18 and Sunday 9/19. Ideally they are seeking groups willing to sponsor the full day – 120 meals for breakfast, 120 meals for lunch, 120 meals for dinner, and some snacks and beverages. However, we are willing to accept whatever your group is willing to offer.
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'In God's Image' Expands Your Ministry |
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Join us for In God’s Image 2021! Interested in learning how to expand your ministries to be more intentionally welcoming for LGBTQIA+ persons? Is your congregation already Reconciling in Christ but you want to know what more you can do? Do you feel like you just don’t know how to be the best ally you can be? Well, then do we have a day for you!
Registration is now open for Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Annual Event, In God’s Image: Shaping Your Ministry to be Inclusive and Safe for LGBTQIA+ Folk, on Saturday, October 9, 9 am – 2 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Philadelphia (Mayfair). Deacon Ross Murray will be the keynote speaker and will present on his new book Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ Inclusive Youth Ministry. The cost is $10 per person.
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Welcome Art Welcomes You! Art Show
Explore the Welcome Church of Philadelphia’s Unique History while supporting local artisans. Items include: Original Paintings | Hand-knit “Potato Chip” Scarves | Paper Bead Jewelry | Textile Art
Opening Noon September 19 at
Ardmore Presbyterian Church, 5 West Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore, PA. Masks required for entrance
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LDR ‘Muck and Gut’ Training
Interested in helping your neighbors following Hurricane Ida? Please join to learn the basics of helping survivors clean up after Ida and other natural disasters during a webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 10 am to noon. This workshop is offered by Lutheran Disaster Response in partnership with Lutheran Congregational Services.
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Moving Forward: Women of the ELCA Gathering |
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From SEPa Women of the ELCA: We invite you to join us for some fun and fellowship on Saturday Sept. 18th from 10 am to 1 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale. We will be meeting outside under a tent, so this is definitely weather permitting. We’ll wear masks, except when we are munching. The Board is providing prepackaged beverages and snacks.
The theme for the day is “Moving Forward”, using the Bible verse from Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me”. We will have devotions, sing some songs, share what we have been doing or not doing, and play a game.
Bring your own lunch and extend your opportunity to chat by lunching together. We are also asking you to bring paper towels as an in-kind offering for ta local food bank; and we will be taking a monetary offering to support WELCA’s Churchwide Organization. All women are welcome; you do not have to be a member of WELCA.
In order for us to contact you if we have to cancel, please let Linda Garcia know you are coming. (Phone 215.257.2925; email jaglsg@comcast.net)
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Last Call for Forward Together in Faith Grant Applications
Our Synod is offering grants to congregations and leaders in 2021-22 for new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign.
More than $130,000 has been awarded to congregations over the past three years. These grants support new projects that help network congregations, leaders and community partners, innovate new forms of ministry and/or communities of faith, communicate through digital channels, and equip lay and rostered ministers.
Applications must be received by Sept. 30, 2021
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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The Synod staff and deans continue to work remotely until we can ensure that staff can return to the office safely. |
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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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