Resources for effective church leaders
+ January 28, 2022
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Scroll down for:
Assembly reminders | Church Security | Youth Ministry | Black History Month | Pandemic Ministry | Stewardship | RIC Inclusive Ministry Training | This Week's Good Read | News Notes | In Case You Missed It
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It's Time to Select Voting Members
Registration for the online assembly business meeting on Saturday, April 30 from 8 am to 7:30 pm will open soon. Has your congregation identified lay female and may members of the Assembly? If not, it's time. Like last year, this Assembly will require voting members to have the ability to use computer meeting and voting software. Also, congregations are eligible for an additional young adult member between the ages of 18-35.
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Synod Leadership Needs You!
The Synod Assembly will be electing qualified lay persons, pastors, and deacons to serve on Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee on Discipline. We are looking for leaders in our synod that reflect the deep talent, diversity, and skill that our area is blessed with.
The Synod Council forms synod policy and oversees synod operations. As the board of directors for the synod they meet six times a year, currently virtually. The Consultation Committee assists congregations facing difficult and trying situations, with the assistance of the Bishop. The Committee on Discipline handles matters discipline of rostered ministers, officers, congregations, and members of congregations.
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If you discern that you or someone you know would be a good fit for synod leadership, then your first step is to download the 2022 Nomination Form.
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You CAN Change the Institutional Church
Do you know how to create change in the church through the Synod Assembly? Or the difference between a resolution and a memorial? Just how do you write an effective resolution?
Learn all this and more on February 3 at 7 pm when the Reference and Counsel Committee host a Zoom forum for anyone interested in the process. Pastor Jenn Casey, committee chair, and Pastor Karen Sease of synod staff will lead the gathering.
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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Top officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security warn that faith-based communities will likely remain targets for violence, urging state and local partners to evaluate their security postures for mass gathering events and at houses of worship.
"Faith based communities have and will likely continue to be targets of violence by both domestic violent extremists and those inspired by foreign terrorists," said a Jan. 17 letter from Paul Abbate, FBI deputy director, and John D. Cohen, the top intelligence official at DHS. Please note these resources to increase your facility’s security:
Gov. Wolf Announces $4.5 Million Available for Organizations Targeted by Hate Crimes to Increase Security
With hate making a comeback around the nation and here in Pennsylvania over the past two years, Governor Tom Wolf announced today $4.5 million in new funding for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) Non-Profit Security Grant Program that provides funding to churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other non-profit organizations which face bias and are targets of hate crimes.
PCCD’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program administers funding to non-profit organizations which serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants will be eligible to apply for awards ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for security enhancements that will protect the safety and security of their membership.
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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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Tuscarora Youth Retreat Moves to One Day
The Tuscarora Youth Retreat Committee has made the decision to change this year's retreat to a ONE DAY EVENT due to the latest COVID-19 numbers and data.
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. The place we will hold the retreat is TBD, but it will be within our synod boundaries so everyone can easily make the trip. Please note: This is not a synod-sponsored event.
Please read below, check out our website, and our attached flier for information and FAQs.
1. When will this retreat be held? Saturday, March 26th 10:00am - 6:00pm.
2. Where will this retreat take place? TBD, but will be local
3. What age group is this retreat for? 6th - 12th grade (and their leaders!)
4. What is the cost? $50 per person (including leaders)
5. Will meals be provided? Yes! Lunch and Dinner will be provided
6. How will I get my youth to the retreat? All groups must provide their own transportation to and from the retreat.
7. Do I have to wear a mask and be vaccinated? Yes, all retreat participants are required to be vaccinated and will be asked to wear a mask when participating indoors.
9. When does registration end? February 20th @ 11:59p.m.
10. Will we still sing Pharoah, Pharaoh? YES! We plan to make this ONE DAY EVENT just like our typical retreat.
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ELCA Videos Every Wednesday
To celebrate Black Lutheranism the ELCA is offering ‘Talks at the Desk’ – a series of videos, photos, and profiles in which leaders, youth, and elders from Philadelphia. Baltimore, New Orleans and Chicago discuss current questions:
- The joys and struggles of being Black women in ministry
- The importance of youth mentorship and leadership development
- Church history and the celebration of innovative ministry projects
- The need for Black creatives in our sacred spaces
- The intersection of faith and justice work
Tune in and discuss with your congregation. Videos premiere every Wednesday in February at 8:30 pm ET on the ELCA Facebook and YouTube pages.
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ELCA Introduces “Now Is the Time” Study Guide
The ELCA has introduced “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent” to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
In the declaration, the ELCA “apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church.”
“Now Is the Time” stresses realism, self-examination and accountability as the church acknowledges and apologizes for the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
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As Omicron Surge Slows, Stay The Course On Mitigation
New COVID case counts in the five-county area are on the decline. New case reports have fallen back to the levels seen in mid-late December (although hospitalizations and deaths remain high for now). To put this in perspective, case rates in our area are 4 to 5 times higher than they were in late October and early November.
If you have been following the Bishop’s recommendations to mitigate the risk of infections – more protective masks, vaccinations and boosters for in-person worshippers, limiting capacity in your church and increasing ventilation significantly, we encourage you to stay the course.
If your church has not been taking these steps, we encourage you to adopt mitigation strategies to protect your pastors, staff, and participants over the next few weeks. The pandemic is not over yet, and researchers are studying a new omicron variant that may be more transmissible than the one causing our current surge.
Join our “Ministry in the New Abnormal” community Thursdays at 11 am on Zoom to share ideas and be supported by other leaders in this new and uncertain context for ministry. Join at bit.ly/sepacomms.
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Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal
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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Inclusive, Welcoming Ministry |
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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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The 5 P’s of Sustainability for Small Churches
From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Rebekah Simon-Peter says small churches cannot succeed by emulating the megachurch model of programming for every stage of life. She believes that five P’s — people, prayer, provision, partnership, and presence — are key to the sustainability of smaller churches.
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Rostered Ministers’ Workshop on Anger. Session three of the workshop with Barbara Keller, ELCA coordinator of misconduct prevention, will be held Thursday, Feb. 10, at 11 am to noon ET.
Register in advance for Session 3:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Did you miss a recent issue?
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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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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 College 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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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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