Resources for effective church leaders
+ September 14, 2021
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How’s Your Vocation Going?
The Rev. Karen Sease, Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership/Mission Advancement, reminds us that “vocation” is a calling on our lives that extends beyond professional ministries in the church.
"But if you’re still wondering about rostered ministry, still praying about whether God is calling you to be a pastor or a deacon in this church, let’s be in touch. Send me a note or talk to the leaders in your congregation," she says. "SEPA Synod has a candidacy committee that wants to be a discernment partner for you, in helping you to live into your calling. We’re already working with nearly 30 people who are somewhere on their journey from the very first questions to waiting for their first call."
For information about discernment and the ELCA candidacy process, contact Pastor Sease at 267.323.3744 or via email.
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Synod Office Opening Postponed
Due to the continued surge in COVID cases, the Synod office reopening has been postponed until October 6, 2021.
To safeguard the health of staff, their families, and visitors to the office, the Synod has implemented a mandatory vaccine policy for employees. Visitors to the office are also required to provide proof of vaccination. In addition, United Lutheran Seminary currently requires all persons, vaccinated or not, to wear a mask inside ULS buildings. This guidance will be updated as conditions require.
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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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Help Redeemer Help Afghan Evacuees |
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Last week Pastor Nathan Krause of Redeemer, Jamison received a call from a church member who had a contact at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. That’s where many of the refugees from Afghanistan are being processed. The contact related her personal experience of what she was seeing and the needs of the refugees.
The church member and Pastor Krause made a plan to help. They alerted the congregation via email with an immediate appeal for diapers and women’s and children’s undergarments. Several neighboring congregations including Redeemer, Penndel also responded and brought donations of their own. As of Sunday, they had delivered three carloads of diapers and undergarments to the Red Cross in New Jersey. Rev. Krause is now reaching out to others in the area for additional support.
The base has informed the Red Cross of the following needs:
- Children’s toys
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Hairbrushes
- Coloring books / crayons
- Shower sandals
- Full size shampoo
- Cotton undergarments for men, women, and children
Redeemer Lutheran Church will continue to collect these items through the month of September. You may drop off items at the church, 2100 York Road, Jamison, the church with the clever sign along York Road. Arrange drop off appointments by calling 215-343-1121 or by emailing office@redeemejamison.org. |
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Upper Dublin Lutheran Church responded to tornado damage in their neighborhood by becoming a staging area for supplies donated by the community. They also hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to assist those affected. (Click the image for video.)
Messiah Lutheran Church, Downingtown, expresses thanks for your prayers and for the many volunteers who responded when flooding struck the community and church.
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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.
Community Mental Health Series
The evening programs are offered in hybrid format: either in-person or online. Register here by navigating to the event or call 215.256.8738 . The Mental Health First Aid certification program requires separate registration and requires self-paced pre-work.
☼This program may be of special interest to youth workers and rostered ministers.
City Announces Vaccination Events
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health Monday reported an additional 13,621 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia since last reported on Thursday, September 9. Currently, 67.7 percent of Philadelphia adults are fully vaccinated, and 82.5 percent of Philadelphia adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The Department of Health reports 214 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 34 on ventilators.
Free Dental Services From Temple
Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry will offer free dental services for both children and adults on Friday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept. 25. The school is located at 3223 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19140. Doors open at 6 am; first-come, first-served. No income or eligibility requirements.
Women’s Retreat at Bear Creek Camp
Join us Friday, September 24th – Sunday, September 26th, 2021
Surround yourself with the beauty of nature and fellowship for an uplifting time at Bear Creek Camp
This retreat is designed to provide women with an opportunity to enjoy time both individually and collectively, participate in creative activities, explore outdoors, have time for rest and renewal, and be in the beauty of God’s creation in a peaceful setting.
Hunger at the Crossroads Webinars
Hunger is about more than food. Understanding hunger – and working to end it – means seeing the many ways hunger and poverty intersect with so many other issues, including climate change, food production, access to housing, racial justice, gender justice and more. In “Hunger at the Crossroads,” a new webinar series hosted by ELCA World Hunger, we will explore these intersections and the ways we can be part of God’s promise of a just world where all are fed. Upcoming topics include:
- “Climate Change and Hunger” – October 2021
- “Hunger and Poverty by the Numbers: Where Are We at Now?” – November 2021
- Learn more
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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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A video message and prayer reflecting on Labor Day |
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Bishop Eaton reflects on September 11 tragedies |
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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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Update on COVID Precautions |
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We now have available a transcript of last Thursday's webinar on COVID precautions. Dr. Tim Babinchak, an expert in infectious diseases, advised congregations to continue with the precautions of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, cleaning, and increasing ventilation as they continue with indoor worship services and other activities.
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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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