Resources for effective church leaders
+ February 23, 2022
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Assembly Registration is Now Open
The 2022 Synod Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 20 online. Registration is open now through March 25. Register by March 10 for the discounted price.
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Nominations Deadline EXTENDED to Feb. 28
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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COVID Q&A With Dr. Babinchak
Infectious disease expert Dr. Tim Babinchak will join us tomorrow, Feb. 24, at 11 am for our weekly Ministry in the New Abnormal Zoom call. He will share updates on where we are and how to protect members of our communities. And we will talk about ways to move forward in this environment. Log on tomorrow at https://bit.ly/sepacomms. |
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Where is the Youth Gathering Headed in 2024?
Where will the gathering be headed in 2024? Download our “City Challenge” bracket, make your guesses with your congregational group, and submit your completed bracket by March 8 for the chance to win a prize. Follow along on gathering social media throughout March to learn where we’ll be hosting the 2024 Gathering!
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A Milestone for Deaf Ministry in the ELCA
Christ the King Deaf Church in West Chester will host the ordination of the second deaf female Lutheran Pastor in the U.S., Lori Fuller, on Sunday, Feb. 27. (Christ the King's pastor, the Rev. Beth Lockard, is the first deaf female Lutheran ordained).
Ms. Fuller was Pastor Lockard's intern during the pandemic. She is developing Palms Deaf (Lutheran) Church in Palm Coast, FL, in partnership with St. Mark's by the Sea Lutheran Church, the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and the ELCA.
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Talks at the Desk, Ep. 3: Our Black Church |
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Part three of the “Talks at the Desk” video series features Bethlehem Lutheran Church - New Orleans, one of the oldest Black Lutheran churches in the United States. Learn about Bethlehem’s remarkable history and the bold, courageous ways the congregation is serving its neighbors.
Tonight at 8:30 pm watch the FINALE of Talks at the Desk with Episode 4: BLACK LIVES MATTER. Hear the voices of returning clergy and youth then meet a 14 year old activist Alice Dowd who speaks about her connection to justice and faith.
A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.
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Webinar: The Observance of A Sober Lent
The Center of Addiction & Faith is presenting a one-hour free webinar on addiction and Lent on Feb. 24, 2022, 11:00AM-12 Noon CENTRAL TIME with 30-minute followup Zoom discussion.
Planning for the Lenten season? Join Rev. Rodger Patience as we explore how the journey of addiction and recovery helps us better understand Lent. And how the spiritual practices of Lent can be a part of our journeys of recovery. This conversation will provide new insight into this important church season and provide practical resources for your planning and personal practice.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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