Resources for effective church leaders
+ September 22, 2021
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More from around our Synod:
On 9/11, St. Timothy’s, Aston collected cookies and made 6 trays that were then delivered to Aston Fire and Police Departments, and the Chichester Police. >>
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Ascension, Newtown assembled 727 Breakfast Bags for Caring for Friends with the help of a Thrivent Action Team Grant as part of our ongoing ministry addressing hunger. >>
St. Paul's, Olney assisted in tending Roots Garden at Fisher Park which is one block from the church. Through a collaboration with St. Paul’s, produce from the garden is distributed from St. Paul's patio on days when free food is given to the community. Nine members, including youth and adults wearing God's Work Our Hands t-shirts, walked to the park bringing tools and lunch to join folks at Roots Garden for a weeding and clean up in the garden.
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^ Members of Christ, Springtown have been donating snacks, puzzle books, and personal care items to donate to residents of Phoebe Richland for the God’s Work Our Hands Lutheran initiative.
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What did your congregation do for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday? Send your stories, pictures and/or video to ministrylink@sepa.org.
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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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How You Can Support Sanctuary Village
Sanctuary Village’s pilot partnership with the City of Philadelphia to construct a tiny house village for persons who are unhoused is proceeding through the approval process. In the meantime, learn how you can support this effort in Sanctuary Village’s first newsletter. |
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Creation Care Presentations Available
Be a Creation Care Ambassador
If you want to become a trained Creation Care Ambassador:
Register NOW for the 3-hour long training offered for free thanks to ELCA and Blessed Tomorrow. October 4th at 11amET-10amCT-9amMT-8amPT
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Bishop Eaton joins other church leaders at White House meeting on pending economic legislation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other members of the Circle of Protection coalition [are scheduled to] meet today (Sept. 22) with senior officials at the White House. Eaton and other heads of Christian denominations and organizations are working together to urge passage of the economic bills the U.S. Congress is considering now, along with voting rights legislation this fall. Today's meeting will focus on the family support bill currently being debated in Congress.
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“We Are the Body of Christ”
One body: Reflecting on the early church, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes: “They were one body. We are one body. We are the body of Christ.” Despite cultural and political differences, she reminds us that we can’t dissolve this bond. Read her September column for Living Lutheran in English at https://bit.ly/3hMNz9G and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3tVcAUM.
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Seeing the Human in Each Other
From Living Lutheran: “For me, as a member of the church, it always bothered me that certain members who I knew were of a different political stripe had the feeling of being excluded,” he said. “We’re called to take care of our neighbor. So that’s why, for me, [it’s important to] make sure everyone is included within the body of Christ, within the church, regardless of their political view.”
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“Innovating to Reach More People” featuring Mikka McCracken
How can innovation help congregations reach new and younger people? Leading Ideas Talks podcast speaks with Mikka McCracken, ELCA Executive for Innovation and Director, ELCA Leadership Lab, about innovation, building relationships, and creating person-focused ministries so more people know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice, and love.
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A People of Hope: Until All Are Fed
What: An online benefit for ELCA World Hunger
When: Thursday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. Central time
Where: Zoom webinar
You’re invited to join Bishop Eaton and Rick Steves, guidebook author and travel TV host, to celebrate World Food Day.
This online benefit for ELCA World Hunger will feature interviews hosted by Rick with people on the ground who are doing the dynamic work of fighting hunger around the world.
As a church, we remain focused on supporting our neighbors near and far as the pandemic continues disrupting and impacting lives. At this event, you will learn about the ways ELCA World Hunger is responding. No one is better positioned and more experienced than the church in addressing hunger — both immediate needs and root solutions. We are ready, able, effective and efficient.
Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge
Some people may hope for a return to normal after the world-changing events of the last 18 months, but sociologists tell us our future will revolve around living into a “new normal.” Presented by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the 2021 Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge will probe this new normal. Under the theme “Imagining Scriptural Encounters in the New Normal,” four online presentations by ELCA seminary students will help participants deepen their encounters with Scripture and strengthen their relationships with God in a time of extreme and continuous change.
The public is invited to attend these free online events, but registration is required for each of them. Registration information is available here.
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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.
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.
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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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