Resources for effective church leaders
+ February 16, 2022
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COVID Update From Bishop Davenport |
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"I am grateful that COVID cases and hospitalizations have been declining quickly across southeastern Pennsylvania. I pray that this trend continues," Bishop Davenport writes in an update to the synod.
"In order to protect the people we serve, I encourage you to keep finding safe ways to gather in person as well as offer complementary online access."
Protective measures include wearing masks indoors per CDC guidance, encouraging vaccination and boosters, increasing fresh air ventilation, and maintaining online options unable to attend in person.
"Our leaders and congregations have adapted and grown so much during the last two years," the bishop writes. "We have hope that this flexibility and our traditions will blend as we move forward with congregational life that is faithful and safe."
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Pastor Goodrich Honored By Youth Ministry Network
At the 2022 Extravaganza last week, Pastor Regina Goodrich, who serves as Pastor of Mediator, Philadelphia was recognized for her commitment to Children, Youth and Family Ministry in the ELCA. She continues to be a guiding force of the ELCA Multicultural Initiative in the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. We give thanks and praise for her leadership!
The Tom Hunstad Award (The “Tommy”) is awarded annually to someone who has made a significant impact on the life of children, youth and family ministry in the ELCA. It honors the legacy of Rev. Tom Hunstad, one of those who helped to found the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and who died of cancer in 2001.
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Pastor Raabe Is ALCM President-Elect
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians recently announced that Pastor Nancy Raabe or Grace Lutheran Church, Hatfield, is the group's newly elected President-elect.
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Good Souls: WHYY Features Bread Drop
When the pandemic shut down many food pantries and soup kitchens, Lou Farrell of Hatfield jumped into action. A longtime volunteer with The Welcome Church’s ministry with the houseless, he knew the needs and while pantries figured out to keep people safe, he came up with a different model.
“What we do is pretty simple,” he says, “we collect peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, snack bags and fruit bags, and we deliver them to hungry people.” Since the first 200 sandwiches were dropped off to Project Home in April 2020, an army of volunteers have made more than 200,000 PB&J’s, which Lou – “the logistics guy” – has delivered across the region.
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Equipping Event: ‘Daunting to Daring’
Join us for our annual Virtual Ecumenical Equipping Event on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on ZOOM with Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones. The topic is: “Daunting to Daring: Unleashing Soul Power for Creative, Intentional, and Resilient Life and Ministry”
This interactive and formative gathering is a partnership among the Presbytery of Philadelphia (PCUSA), Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA), and United Lutheran Seminary. This event is open to all.
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We are in the process of updating our database of lay leaders. If you have not returned your congregational lay leaders form to the synod office please do so by February 28, 2022.
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Nominations Deadline EXTENDED to Feb. 15
Nominations are open for positions to be elected at the assembly. We are looking for leaders in our synod that reflect the deep talent, diversity, and skill that our area is blessed with. There are positions to fill on Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee on Discipline. We need pastors, deacons, and lay members for all these positions. We need you to get involved with the process and see if any of these positions are calling to you or someone you know.
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Do You Have Creative Ideas for Lenten Worship?
It’s the time of year when media outlets are looking for stories of creative worship for Ash Wednesday and Lent. If you have plans for liturgies, activities, locations, etc. that could make an interesting story and/or photo, please let us know by emailing Pastor Bob Fisher at comms@sepa.org.
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Talks at the Desk, Ep. 2: Black Boy Joy |
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Part two of the “Talks at the Desk” video series celebrates youth ministry and mentorship in the Black Church. Black men and boys speak about their connections across generations, including the Rev. Dr. Charles Leonard and Minister Tiese Giles of St. Mark’s in North Philadelphia. They reflect on how their faith communities and mentor relationships have guided them and nurtured their passions. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.
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Will We Join Him?
According to the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus called on Peter; Andrew; and James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to follow him after Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist, possibly at his royal palace in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee’s shores. These fishermen/disciples were victims of Herod Antipas too.
This story is not about the disciples changing their vocation from fishing for fish to fishing for people. Rather, it’s about inviting them to join Jesus in turning over Rome’s unjust social order and replacing it with God’s kingdom. Fishing for people is a political and spiritual statement against Roman imperial power. By providing fish, Jesus demonstrates that he, not Antipas, is in control of the lake.
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Ministry in the New Abnormal |
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We’re about to enter a third year of navigating the coronavirus. Are there ways to build on what we have experienced the last two years so they’re not lost years, but a time of growth? Who is God calling the church to be tomorrow?
Also, what are your creative ideas for Ash Wednesday and Lenten worship?
Join Pastors Sue Lang, Jonathan Suloff, and Bob Fisher Thursday at 11 am on Zoom for conversation about our ever-changing ministry landscape. |
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Church and Minister Taxation Webinar March 10
Sponsored by Thrivent’s Christian Leadership Series. Thursday, March 10 at noon. While churches are tax-exempt organizations by law, they are still affected by many tax issues. Pastors have unique tax considerations as well. Join us as Rob Faulk, partner at CapinCrouse -- a national CPA and consulting firm serving churches and other nonprofits -- will discuss such key issues as: who qualifies as a pastor or minister for the purposes of taxation; what to know about minister housing allowances; and common W-2 issues.
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Tuscarora Retreat Registration Closes Feb. 20
Just a friendly reminder to register for the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Day Retreat! Registration closes on February 20th!
All 6th - 12th grade youth and their leaders are welcome to attend this ONE Day Event on Saturday, March 26th from 10:00am - 6:00pm. at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Devon, PA (203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA 19333).
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Multicultural Youth Justice 2022
MYJ22 is a volunteer-driven, BIPOC led experience to empower, inspire and educate youth and their leaders through the power of community. The MYJ 22 Team Leaders were originally planning MYLE and wanted to find a way to connect with youth. MYJ22 is primarily for ELCA members who are Black, Indigenous, +/or People Of Color (BIPOC) who will be entering grades 9-12 in the 2022/2023 school year and their youth group peers who are of European Descent.
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Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
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Preaching With Power Online This March
Preaching With Power, a forum on Black preaching and theology organized by the Urban Theological Institute of United Lutheran Seminary, will be presented virtually this year from March 13-16. Each event will be shown on the seminary’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/unitedlutheranseminary.
Presenters include Scott O. Cumberbatch, Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Rev. Dr. Janet J. Sturdivant and Rev. Dr. Barry C. Black.
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Save the date! 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 in March! |
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Rising From ‘The Fall’: Creation Care in Genesis 1-4
Dr. Crystal Hall of United Lutheran Seminary will offer this workshop as scholar in residence at Reformation Lutheran, Media, on Saturday, April 23, 9am to 12:30pm. Get registration information at https://relcmedia.org/scholarinresidence/
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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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