Resources for effective church leaders
+ February 10, 2022
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You CAN Change the Institutional Church
You can make change through resolutions presented to the Synod Assembly in April and memorials to the next Churchwide Assembly. If you want to learn how to write an effective resolution and understand the change process, watch this webinar hosted by Pastor Jenn Casey, chair of the committee on reference and counsel. All resolutions/memorials must be received by the committee by March 30, 2022 in order to guarantee consideration by the assembly.
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Talks at the Desk: Black Girl Magic Ep. 1 |
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In this first part of the Talks at the Desk video series, Black women from across the ELCA (including Bishop Davenport at 34:04 in the video) share their experiences as leaders in the church. They speak about their journeys, joys, struggles and hopes for future generations. A discussion guide to help individuals and congregations engage with these conversations is available at ELCA.org/ADM.
Episode 2 offers a whole different vibe as we look towards Black Boy Joy. Tiese and Tristen along side their elders Dr. Charles Leonard and Lance Cooper will talk to us about their gifts, the importance of mentorship and church investment in our youth.
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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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We are in the process of updating our database of lay leaders. If you have not returned your congregational lay leaders form to the synod office please do so by February 28, 2022.
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Multicultural Youth Justice 2022 |
The MY-J2022 team will be announcing a great alternative to the ELCA Youth Gathering on February 10. Click the link and sign up for the update!
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The Building Blocks Of Congregational Renewal
What does it take to turn a congregation around? Lewis Center Director Doug Powe interviews Ed Brandt, a long-serving pastor who recently retired as chief of chaplains for the U.S. National Guard. Brandt describes how success in ministry is grounded in the hard but essential work of reaching out to the community, forging new connections, getting to know people, listening, earning trust, taking risks, and learning from mistakes.
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The Eagles Aren’t in The Big Game This Year…
…but ELCA World Hunger can be the big winner anyway. From kickoff to final whistle on Big Game Sunday, Team Cincinnati and Team Los Angeles will seek to outdo one another for the sake of the gospel. The fans that donate the most through their team page to ELCA World Hunger by the final whistle on February 13 will help their synod(s) take home the title of ELCA World Hunger Champion - regardless of the outcome of the football game. No matter which team you choose, the ELCA World Hunger team wins!
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Valentine's Day Good Gifts
Make someone smile this Valentine's Day with a special gift from ELCA Good Gifts. Choose from honeybees (Bee Mine!), a piglet (hogs and kisses) or a fruit tree seedling (orange you glad to be my Valentine?) and more. See the ELCA Good Gifts website for more information on how these purchases help those in need around the world.
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Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
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Preaching With Power Online This March
Preaching With Power, a forum on Black preaching and theology organized by the Urban Theological Institute of United Lutheran Seminary, will be presented virtually this year from March 13-16. Each event will be shown on the seminary’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/unitedlutheranseminary.
Presenters include Scott O. Cumberbatch, Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Rev. Dr. Janet J. Sturdivant and Rev. Dr. Barry C. Black.
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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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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.
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Desiring a Lenten Practice Tailored to You as a Woman in Ministry?
Join Dr. Crystal Hall in reading She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry. She’ll offer actionable tools you can apply in your ministry working with difficult people, setting boundaries and addressing sexism.
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Rising From ‘The Fall’: Creation Care in Genesis 1-4
Dr. Crystal Hall of United Lutheran Seminary will offer this workshop as scholar in residence at Reformation Lutheran, Media, on Saturday, April 23, 9am to 12:30pm.
Genesis 1-4 presents three stories—a beautifully expansive liturgy of the creation of the world in seven days, one about the relationships among God, Earth and humanity in the Garden, and another about the first murder that leads to the founding of the first city. In preparation for the celebration of Eco Sunday, these texts will be read with an eye toward how they might serve as theological resources for enlivening Creation care today.
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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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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.
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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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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