Resources for effective church leaders
+ October 5, 2021
|
|
We've upgraded MinistryLink by organizing articles by subject. Scroll through the bold subject headers to find the information you need. |
|
Thank you for your continuing Mission Support this year. Bert Glenn, SEPA Finance Committee chair, reminds us in this video (click image to view) that your partnership helps us to engage of ministries of support, administration, and equipping.
Your support makes it possible to walk with rostered ministers during this pandemic crisis, accompany congregations through the search for a new pastor, support more than 40 candidates for rostered ministry, and provide a range of educational opportunities and communications vehicles. And so much more! Half of your Mission Support is sent on to ELCA Churchwide for important national and global ministries.
Thank you, again, for your support.
|
|
Webinars for Ministry in the New Abnormal |
|
October 7, 11 am
“Digital Ministry in Abnormal Times”
With/ “Digital Pastor” David Hansen
Join us for a conversation with David as we dive into social media as a tool for community-building. We will talk about concrete steps to extend the network of your congregation, as well as how to use these tools in concert with rhythm of the liturgical seasons as Advent and Christmas quickly approach.
|
|
October 14, 11 am
“Adaptive Worship”
With/ Deacon John Weit
ELCA Executive for Worship
Join Deacon John Weit, ELCA Executive for Worship, to share ideas and discuss the continuing evolution of worship life in this lingering pandemic. As we head toward the Advent and Christmas seasons, we will consider together what adaptations may be helpful and necessary as we gather to worship in various modes while considering the safety of all.
|
|
October 21, 11 am
“What is Congregational Vitality?”
With/ Members of our Synod’s Vitality Team
|
|
Some highlights:
- "[W]here there are high pockets of unvaccinated individuals, transmission continues to be brisk."
- "Children still tend to experience mild infection with fewer than 5% requiring hospitalization. However, that can still be a high number given that many of these children are still not eligible for vaccination. And, yes, some cases are quite severe."
- "All our social distancing, masking and hand washing should continue to the extent reasonably possible (double masking, reducing singing or singing masked may be helpful, but these are not contributing significantly to the continued transmission). Again, the limited amount of time spent in the confined areas, if socially distanced and with good ventilation has been shown to be most effective."
|
|
'In God's Image' Expands Your Ministry
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. The morning worship and keynote address will be live streamed through a private link. Registration is still required for anyone who wishes to receive the link and the link will be sent to registered participants the day before the event.
|
|
4 Ways to Nurture a Church Culture More Open to Change
Ministry innovations are more likely to take root in a congregational culture that is receptive to change. A church’s culture constitutes the soil into which an innovative seed is planted. Healthy, fruitful plants cannot grow in depleted or neglected soil.
|
|
Online Leader Training Helps Churches Grow Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministries St. Louis is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains Stephen Leaders—the pastors, church staff, and lay leaders who begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregation.
|
|
Lutheran Disaster Response Needs Local Volunteers
Do you have one or two volunteers in your congregation or group with basic carpentry or construction skills that could lead a team of 2 or 3 others from your congregation for rebuilding work necessary because of flood damage from Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020?
Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA and our partners in disaster work, are actively recruiting volunteer teams for rebuilding work in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. The community and families have done a great deal of work to this point, but there is still much work to be done.
Our construction team can describe the work needed to be completed, and supplies will be at the property. Volunteer housing is available! Teams can volunteer for just one day or several days. COVID precautions are in place.
We are very much hoping to get work done in the coming months as the rebuilding from Hurricane Ida is what is next for us. Eastwick is located very close to the Philadelphia Airport and Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
|
|
October is Restaurants for Roofs Month
A number of local restaurants are helping to raise the roofs of Sanctuary Village, the tiny house community being built for people experiencing chronic homelessness. They have offered to give a portion of the proceeds from food ordered to eat-in or take out when diners show that they are dining to support Sanctuary Village. Dates and locations vary – but the process is the same. Go to www.tinyhousecommunity.org to download the coupon, and present it to your server when you place your order and again when you pay. That’s it. A percentage of your payment will go to building tiny houses. Delivery orders do not qualify. What a delicious way to make a difference!
|
|
Support ADLA at Philly AIDS Walk |
|
The African Descent Lutheran Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to reducing stigma related to HIV. Our national organization is consistently developing strategic advocacy efforts to amplify this important cause. We are in full support of the mission of our local chapter in Philadelphia to help over 30,000 people in the Philadelphia region are living with HIV/AIDS. AIDSWALK-Philly will take place on Sunday, October 17th.
Many of the most vulnerable of those living with HIV find their health threatened because of impending evictions or the loss of health insurance or utilities. We know that you can’t maintain your health when you don’t have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, or access to regular health care. You can make a difference in keeping someone’s heat on in the winter, moving someone from homelessness to permanent housing, or maintaining someone’s medical insurance.
|
|
Support Community Solar Legislation
Even as we mark the end of the worldwide ecumenical Season of Creation, we know our call to steward our common home continues. In Pennsylvania, bipartisan community solar legislation is one way we can act today as people of faith.
Senate Bill 472 and House Bill 1555 enable community solar projects in Pennsylvania that would allow us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while helping to create a more resilient energy system. Community solar allows neighbors, businesses, farms and nonprofits such as churches and other community organizations to directly participate in and receive benefits from an offsite solar project connected to their local electric distribution company’s grid.
|
|
Presiding Bishop Eaton urges humane treatment of Haitian and other migrants
"In a matter of weeks, the number of migrants arriving at the Del Rio, Texas, sector of the U.S.-Mexico border has reached unforeseen levels. The majority are Haitians seeking a better life after having fled multiple crises in their native land. There are also Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan nationals. U.S. treatment of these Black migrants and others at Del Rio has been deeply problematic. As a matter of humane treatment, I urge that the administration vigorously pursue actions to grant them protection and ensure that responsible actors are held accountable through a serious investigation into allegations of abuse."
|
|
|
|
Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville held an outdoor/indoor "God's Work. Our Hands." on September 12. During the hour-long Sunday morning event, members assembled 10 Clean Up Buckets for Lutheran Disaster Response, tagged and sewed hundreds of Peyton Hearts for suicide awareness⬇, created 10 Car Care Kits for Peaceful Living⬆, held an ELCA Walk for Water experience, wrote notes to our homebound members and participated in Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services Sacred Silence for Afghanistan⬇. |
|
Click for more information ⬆ |
|
ALCM October Friday Webinar
Teaching about Music, Liturgy, and the Church Musician’s Role through Creative Means
Friday, October 15 - 2:00 pm Eastern
In this webinar, Adam Lefever Hughes helps attendees explore the possibilities of teaching about music, liturgy, and the role of the church musician through creative writing, videos, and bulletin preparation. Offering such continuing education opportunities for adults provides forums to deepen our experience of worship, the music we sing, and to further the role of the church musician as a caretaker of the people’s song.
|
|
“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.
|
|
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.
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.
|
|
Community Mental Health Series
- October 14, 7 pm: Mental Wellness
- October 21, 7 pm: COVID-19 Parenting Guide
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 .
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
