For This Reason A Holy Week message from the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Davenport, bishop. Adapted from her sermon on John 12:20-36 at the SEPA Chrism Service, March 26, 2024. Download printable PDF Watch sermon video “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No,...
Category: Communications
March 27, 2024
Holy Week Message from Bishop Davenport
For This Reason A Holy Week message from the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Davenport, bishop. Adapted from her sermon on John 12:20-36 at the SEPA Chrism Service, March 26, 2024. Download printable PDF Watch sermon video “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No,...
December 6, 2023
$1M Grant to Launch ‘Love Revolution’ in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new program,...
August 7, 2023
Ideas to Encourage Your Peoples’ Vocations
When laity and pastors meet weekly on the SEPA “Now Normal” Zoom you never know what will be discussed. This week, participants explored ways to support and encourage laity in their daily vocations. [Join each Thursday at 11 am at https://bit.ly/sepacomms] Vocation was an important concept to Martin Luther as he believed that each person...
October 18, 2022
How Do We Respond to Christian Nationalism?
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields will host a Zoom presentation and dialogue on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 pm with Dr. Philip Gorski, a sociologist at Yale University, and co-author of the new book “The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy.” “For anyone who is concerned about the...
October 17, 2022
Be Cautious With Suspicious Emails
This is your occasional reminder that if an email looks “funny” it most certainly is. It is not unusual for spammers to make emails look like they were sent by leaders, such as our Bishop. It is in fact quite easy for someone to make their sender name your boss, your pastor, or even your...
October 11, 2022
5 Things to Know About Mission Support
We are grateful for your support of ministries here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the globe through Mission Support. In a new video, the Rev. Karen Sease, assistant to the bishop, shares five things that you need to know about how these gifts are used. You can share this video with leaders...
August 20, 2022
2022 Churchwide Assembly Summary
The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly convened in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 8-12, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Gathering under the theme, Embody the Word, voting members participated in plenaries and worship while acting on key legislative business and hearing reports on the work of the church. Imran Siddiqui was elected to a six-year term as...
August 13, 2022
ELCA elects Siddiqui as vice president
Imran Siddiqui, a senior investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, was elected vice president of the ELCA on Thursday, Aug. 11, becoming the first Asian American elected to the national post. His six-year term will begin Nov. 1, replacing interim Vice President Carlos Peña, who himself took on the role after the unexpected passing...
June 13, 2022
Assembly Day of Service 2022
April 23rd marked the first ever Assembly Day of Service. SEPA Synod members had the opportunity to serve at ten different locations all around our Synod. These sites were planned in conjunction with volunteer leaders and SEPA Synod Deans to spotlight just a few of the numerous important ministries happening every day all around our Synod. ...
June 3, 2022
Mrs. Curtis Honored for Service
In May, the Church of God in Christ honored Mrs. Yvonne Curtis, our synod’s director of operations, for her years of excellence serving as executive assistant to four former and current bishops of our synod. Congratulations! One of those bishops, the Rev. Roy Almquist, compared the work of an executive assistant to the role Aaron...
May 20, 2022
Pastoral Message on Buffalo Racially-Motivated Killings
“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?” —Jeremiah 8:22 Our hearts grieve for those who have been killed and our souls cry out against more lives lost to the hatred birthed by racism. As we mourn those lives lost...
May 19, 2022
Heeding God’s Call Statement on Mass Shootings
Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence is a partner in the work of addressing gun violence in our communities: Philadelphia: Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence (Heeding), the statewide faith-based organization devoted to reducing and preventing gun violence called for prayer for all those taken by gun murder in Buffalo and Geneva, for...
April 14, 2022
Bishop: “Lead With the Love of Christ”
Bishop Davenport offered words of inspiration and challenge in her sermon at the 2022 Chrism service yesterday, based on Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. “The Apostle Paul encourages us...
April 12, 2022
Philadelphia Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate
Updated: April 12, 2022 From WPVI: Philadelphia health officials have reinstated the mandate for masks at indoor public places effective April 18. See more: From WPVI: “Philadelphia health officials are warning people that there could be a new wave of COVID-19 infections. “Even though COVID cases remain low in Philadelphia, health officials are now...
March 31, 2022
Souper Bowl a Big Deal in Delco
You think the Super Bowl is a big deal? In Springfield, Delco, the SOUPer Bowl is a big deal! Launched by youth in Columbia, South Carolina in 1990, the movement to ask people to donate a can of food or a cash donation on Super Bowl Sunday has spread across the nation. (See “Souper Bowl...
February 28, 2022
Pastors Suah-Dennis, Penman Appointed Co-Directors of Evangelical Mission
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis and the Rev. Bryan Penman as co-directors of evangelical mission. Dr. Suah-Dennis is pastor of Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Lansdown. Rev. Penman is pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohoken. They will continue to serve their congregations...
February 16, 2022
COVID Update from Bishop Davenport
Dear Beloved, I am grateful that COVID cases and hospitalizations have been declining quickly across southeastern Pennsylvania. I pray that this trend continues. In order to protect the people we serve, I encourage you to keep finding safe ways to gather in person as well as offer complementary online access. Our leaders and congregations have...
January 13, 2022
As COVID Surge Continues, Stay the Course on Mitigation
A Message From Bishop Davenport January 13, 2022 Dear Beloved, As we enter the depth of the winter season, I want to remind you how important it is to hold fast to our COVID mitigation protocols for the safety of our leaders, worshippers, and communities. We encourage you to find safe ways to gather in...
December 24, 2021
Christmas Message from Bishop Davenport
Watch the video Greetings beloved. I know that it’s been another challenging year. COVID and current CDC guidelines cautioning against in-person gatherings at this time is dispiriting. However, the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them, the light has shined says...
December 15, 2021
Bishop: New Synod Guidelines For In-Person Worship
December 15, 2021 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:4 Dear Beloved in Christ, I bring you greetings for a blessed Christmas and a safe New Year. As we approach our second pandemic holiday, you are in my prayers. Sadly, a week...
