With/ the Creatives from Digivangelism 

There are an endless number of apps and tools available for digital ministers to reach their people online, but which ones are really worth your time? In this presentation Sammy Kelly and Michele Barra, co-owners of Digivangelism, will dive into some of the most effective FREE methods to connect with your people and with others online. Tools will include Facebook Groups, Facebook Pages, Canva, LinkTree, Tiny PNG/JPG, GoogleMyBusiness, Marco Polo, TikTok/IG Reels, and more. 

Digivangelism exists to help progressive leaders of spiritual communities share hope, healing, and light online. 

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? Join Dr. Tim Babinchak, an infectious disease specialist, for our regular COVID update for congregations and leaders. 

Sanctuary Village's mission of building tiny houses for people experiencing homelessness is a challenge. The city has never permitted tiny homes before – so we are facing lots of hurdles – but we are slowly but surely plowing through the red tape. Your help is truly needed. 

A benefit concert is being held at Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville (and as a livestream) on Sunday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Weekend). The artist is an accomplished and professionally trained singer, who experienced homelessness in Philadelphia some years ago. 

Christ Lutheran Church is located at 2211 Mainland Road, Harleysville, PA. For more information, download this flyer. 

Hidden Evangelists Webinar 

Join us for a virtual gathering and a lively conversation with people who have a similar passion for sharing Christ’s love. Join Rev. Phil Hirsch, ELCA Executive Director for Christian Community and Leadership, and Louise Johnson, ELCA Executive for Administration, on Zoom Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Central time. As the ELCA seeks to engage new people, discern how you can share your gifts of interpersonal connection to help activate your community. Register today.

Does this sound like someone you know? Share this invitation with them! 

Lutheran Women Leaders Reach Milestones Around the World 

The Rev. Bertha Godfrey Munkhondya recently became the first woman ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM). She studied theology at the Tumaini University Makumira in Arusha, Tanzania, with the help of an ELCA International Leaders Program scholarship. Read more about the Rev. Munkhondya here. 

On Oct. 16, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP) voted to allow women to be ordained as pastors. Presiding Bishop Jerzy Samiec of the ECACP said: “I believe it’s a good decision and we will see good fruits come of it. It has been a long process for the church, and now we will find a way of walking together into the future.” Read more about the landmark decision here. 

The Rev. Matthew Ollikainen 

What does a clock have to do with wellness? With the end of daylight savings time, some people may experience feelings of sadness and sluggishness. An article from Boston University reports Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in the seasons, affects an estimated 10 million Americans with women four times more likely to be diagnosed with it than men. Some of the treatments suggested for SAD include yoga, relaxation techniques and movement! If you are covered by ELCA Primary Health Benefits, Burn Along, the online health and fitness benefit, has a wide variety of classes you can take at your convenience. Just some of the many topics include K-9 Fit Club; exercise with your dog, Fit Over 50; Lower Back Relief with Yoga, Nutrition, Cardio, Mindfulness and Dance classes. Sessions vary in length and skill from beginner to experienced.  

And while you’re “Burning Along” don’t forget about the Podcasts: Being Here, hosted by Pastor Melissa Pohlman, found on MyPortico. New Podcast will be released soon that center around; Retirement: Navigating Your Next Chapter, Christian Conversations about Racial Justice, and Creative Approaches to Innovative Ministry. The new podcasts will be available on the Being Academy (via MyPortico) early next week, and on PorticoBenefits.org by the end of November for easy access for those without ELCA Primary Health coverage. 

The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, January 22, 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. Visit ministrylink.org for more information. 

If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2022. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2022.) Talk to them personally about what this opportunity will mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world. You can share these videos about the YAGM experience. 

We gather in the evening to sing as the church triumphant. Join us for an expanded setting of Evening Prayer. The service will include J. S. Bach's moving cantata 106 (God's time is the best time) with chamber orchestra. This is a virtual only event and will be live-streamed on the church's YouTube channel. Visit www.stjohnbluebell.org for additional information. 

The Kristallnacht commemoration service on Tuesday, Nov. 9 begins at 12:15 pm ET on Zoom for those who register. It will also be livestreamed on LSTC’s YouTube page. Register here for the Zoom link. 

Browse our archive of recent newsletters and announcements.

November is Native American Heritage Month   

Promotions at Lutheran Settlement House 

Vashti Bledsoe has been promoted to the newly created role of Deputy Executive Director of Lutheran Settlement House. Marcella Nyachogo has been promoted to the position of Director for the Bilingual Domestic Violence Program. 

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rfisher@sepa.org / 267.323.3743

Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant

ministrylink@sepa.org / 267.323.3742