Resources for effective church leaders
+ December 16, 2021
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A week before Christmas, we are seeing a COVID surge that rivals the one we saw last December and January. Case counts are approaching last winter’s peak, even though many more people are vaccinated. Positive test rates are where they were during the April surge. And the trends are moving sharply upwards.
- Staying home if you feel sick
- Wearing masks indoors
- Maintaining physical distancing and reduced occupancy
- Increasing fresh air circulation, opening doors/windows if necessary
- Expecting in-person worshippers to be fully vaccinated
- Read the full letter here
“I know you are tired of this ongoing need to monitor the virus and maintain safety. I know I am. Yet we are called to work for the safety of our worshippers as well as our communities,” the bishop writes. “I join you in prayer that this pandemic draws to a close across the globe. For now, I remind you to stay vigilant and keep safety paramount in your concerns.”
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Synod Offers Lessons and Carols for Christmas Season
Our Synod's rostered ministers, musicians, and worship leaders have been working hard this year. As a thank you for your creativity and innovation, we on the Synod staff are providing a one-hour Service of Lessons and Carols for use during the Christmas season.
This service features musical contributions from singers, musicians, praise bands, and bell choirs from across the Synod. Share this link with your audience so they can worship together.
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Lutherans, Episcopalians Worship With the Holy Lands
Bishop Davenport and Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez of the Episcopal Diocese will co-officiate a transcontinental worship service this Saturday, Dec. 18 at 10 am with the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most. Rev. Hosam Naoum, and his Lutheran counterpart, Bishop Sani Azar, in Bethlehem. We will pray, sing, and hear words from Holy Scripture together, in real time.
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Celebrate Dr. Martin Lutheran King, Jr.
A Joint Virtual Worship Celebration with Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA,
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA & African Descent Lutheran Association, Philadelphia Chapter will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 3:00 pm. The service will honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr and will feature The Rev. Dr. Gladys G.Moore as preacher. The theme for this years’ service is: A Season of “HOPE” (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
Register in advance for this virtual worship service by using the link below:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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We Come Together... Because We Are Not Alone
All are welcome on Saturday, January 8 from 9 am - noon to attend the Upper Bucks Learning Event "We Come Together... Because We're Not Alone." Participate either via Zoom or in-person at a few locations: St. John's Lutheran, Spinnerstown; Trinity Lutheran, Perkasie; St. Paul's Lutheran, Telford. Register at bit.ly/UBCTogether or call 215-723-7404, where you can also contact Pastor Erika Wesch with any questions.
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Reconciling Works Education Feb. 12
SAVE THE DATE!
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 Cross Is The True Gift of Christmas
The hope of Christmas is fulfilled on Good Friday. The cross is part of Christmas. “Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 296). All of our Christmas glorias are realized in Jesus’ glorification on the cross. We have peace. We have hope. We are loved. And not just at Christmas.
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Energy Bill Savings Opportunity for Pennsylvania Congregations
The ELCA program is looking for PA congregations that want to save money on their energy bills by increasing their energy efficiency. A number of congregations will receive a free energy audit by an ELCA associate.
Each interested congregation will need to have a congregational representative to
1) Fill out a brief survey about the number of buildings, size, etc.
2) Pass on past electric, fuel, and water bills or usage information
3) Be present for a site inspection
The result of the energy audit will be a list of prioritized actions for energy savings unique to the congregation. It is possible that not all congregations can be audited at this time. However, it is important to express interest, so the ELCA knows that there is interest.
If interested, please email Adele Bodog at adele.bodog@elca.org and copy Joy Baxter at joybaxter@gmail.com by December 20th with your congregation's name and location, if your congregation has had an energy audit performed previously and the approximate year of the audit. We are hoping to conduct site visits in February.
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Pastor Stacey-Kyle Rea Joins Synod Staff |
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The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea has been called as Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship, starting December 1, 2021.
Currently Pastor Rea serves Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairview Village, as senior pastor. She previously served St. John’s, Phoenixville, and St. John’s, Folcroft. She has been active with Synod youth ministry, leading groups of youth and adults on servant trips, and serving as a key leader on the local urban servant experience and on the planning teams for South Dakota trips.
“Helping young people experience Jesus is one of my favorite things,” she said.
“We are excited to have Pastor Rea’s deep faith and experience on our team leading our programs for young disciples,” Bishop Davenport said.
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Synod Assembly Set for April 30
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.
The theme for this year’s gatherings is Hope for Today, Strength for Tomorrow Through Community in Christ.
This year we are holding a logo contest to visually represent our theme. You are invited to submit finished images to represent the Assembly theme no later than Dec. 15, 2021.
The logo will be reproduced at various sizes, from smartphone screens to full-page (8.5x11”) to larger signage, so keep that in mind as you are designing.
For reference, a logo “is a graphic mark, emblem, or symbol used to aid and promote public identification and recognition. It may be of an abstract or figurative design or include the text of the name it represents,” according to Wikipedia.
More information will be available soon at ministrylink.org.
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New Video: COVID Update with Dr. Babinchak
How will the availability of vaccines for 5 to 11-year-olds impact church activities for Advent and Christmas? What about travel and gatherings for the holidays, and the onset of colder weather?
Dr. Tim Babinchak, an infectious disease specialist, joined us for our regular COVID update for congregations and leaders. Watch by clicking this link (Passcode is sepa!comms2021).
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Did you miss a recent issue?
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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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