Resources for effective church leaders
+ March 23, 2022
|
|
Assembly Registration Ends March 25
The 2022 Synod Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 30 online. Registration is open now through March 25. Click the button below for more information.
|
|
|
Online Forum on SEPA Finances and Budget
Join us on Monday, April 19, at 7 p.m. for discussion of 2021 financial reports, the 2023 proposed budget, and Q&A with Treasurer Janet Neff, CPA, and Albert Glenn, chair of the synod's Finance Committee.
|
|
Reconciling in Christ Resolution Forum
Monday, March 28, 7:00 pm , Zoom
The SEPA Synod Reconciling in Christ Task Force will hold an online forum in preparation of Synod Assembly. The Task Force will present a resolution coming to assembly as a motion from Synod Council. The resolution updates the Synod's commitment to being a Reconciling in Christ Synod aligning with the new requirements from ReconcilingWorks. The forum will offer a time for questions about the process and resolution that will be voted on at assembly.
|
|
SEPA Day of Service April 23
In celebration of our 2022 Synod Assembly theme, Hope for Today, Strength for Tomorrow Through Community in Christ, SEPA Synod will hold a Day of Service April 23*. The day begins at 9 a.m. with a Sendoff for Service from Bishop Davenport broadcast to all sites. The day ends at 1 p.m. or earlier as projects are completed (unless otherwise specified by your site).
Volunteers from our region have planned a wide variety activities including work in food pantries, packing meals for Rise for Hunger, fixing homes in storm damaged areas of Philadelphia with Lutheran Disaster Response, assembling welcome home kits for those transitioning out of homelessness in Sanctuary Village, packing comfort kids used by Lutheran Settlement House for children suddenly in emergency placement as well as work at their shelter, spring startup of a community food garden, packing meals for Rise for Hunger, outside cleanup projects and much more! There will be something for everyone.
|
|
*Please note: The Rise Against Hunger event sponsored by Chester Conference will be held on May 21. |
|
Donations and Sponsors Needed
Volunteer donations are not required, but are greatly appreciated to help cover the substantial cost of these service projects. Click here to make a gift to help reach our $15,000 goal. Select "Service Project Donations" from the drop-down list.
If you know of a business that might provide in-kind or financial support, in exchange for recognition before the 70,000 members of SEPA congregations, contact Carrie Schwab at cschwab@sepa.org. |
|
Installation: Pastor "Bo" Bannister
Installation of Pastor Stratford Cuthbert “Bo” Bannister V as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, 505 North York Rd., Hatboro, PA 19040 will be held on Thursday, May 26th, 2022, at 7 p.m. Bishop Patricia A. Davenport will preside. The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phelps will preach. A dessert reception will follow the service.
Clergy are invited to process. Color of the day is white and gold. The Installation service will also have Ascension themes woven in. For further info, please contact Office Manager Michele Muller at 215-675-2031 or email at office@sjlch.org.
|
|
‘Tree of Healing’ VBS Program Available for Free
ELCA World Hunger's new "Tree of Healing" Vacation Bible School program for 2022 is now available at no cost to you. You can access the files at https://elca.org/hunger/resources#VBS. There are two versions available for download: a printer-friendly booklet and a booklet of spreads for viewing easily online. You may also order a spiral bound copy.
Also, congregations hosting "Tree of Healing" can apply for up to $250 in funding to help support their program! More info can be found on ELCA World Hunger VBS Facebook page or by following the link below.
|
|
Updated ELCA Style Guide Released
As language continues to evolve around the way we identify ourselves and others, so has the ELCA’s style guide. The most recent shift involves use of gendered language regarding our siblings in Christ, with a focus on ways to ensure that we represent everyone in the church, emphasizing gender-inclusive terminology and using titles and pronouns to reflect and honor nonbinary identities. These changes may seem small, but they are significant steps toward ensuring that we are all seen and loved as children of God throughout the church. Download the newest version at ELCA.org/brandmark.
|
|
Share Your Pandemic Learnings
Join us Thursday at 11 a.m. for the "Ministry in the New Abnormal" Zoom call, where we will discuss learning from pandemic ministry, what the church has become during this time, and what you need to take your digital presence to a higher level.
If you have a question you'd like us to discuss please send it to comms@sepa.org
|
|
Upper Bucks Vigil for Ukraine
The Upper Bucks Conference will host a Vigil for Ukraine on Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown, outdoors in their grove. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
|
|
Webinar: Addiction & Overdose Prevention Centers
The Center of Addiction & Faith is presenting a one-hour free webinar on March 31, 2022, 11:00-12 Noon Central Time with followup 30-minute Zoom discussion. Title of Webinar: Addiction & Overdose Prevention Centers.
New York City recently opened the nation’s first official overdose prevention center. This evidence-based harm reduction strategy is used across the world but still runs afoul of federal law in the United States. Join Rev. Charles King, CEO of Housing Works, to learn more about this life-saving approach and why it matters for people of faith.
The link to Register is
|
|
Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
|
|
Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
Lutheran Congregational Services is hosting four one-day training sessions for lay eucharistic visitors. These ministers are members of the congregation selected by their pastor and trained to bring the communion meal from worship to ill and homebound members who are unable to attend service.
Training sessions will be held: May 7 at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Reading; June 4 at St. Michael’s Lutheran, Sellersville; September 10 at Christ Lutheran, Conyngham; and October 1 at Advent Lutheran, West Chester. Sessions run from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Cost is $30 per person.
|
|
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! |
|
Have stories, events, or resources to share?
|
|
|
|
Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
