By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
Category: Congregations
March 15, 2023
Cultivating Resiliency in a Tiring Time
By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
February 16, 2023
Registration Fees Waived for Some MYLE and tAble Participants
It’s with great excitement that we announce the registration fees for the first 1,000 registrants for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the first 200 registrants for the tAble will be waived by the Gathering for the 2024 cycle. “As crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able...
February 7, 2023
SEPA Represents at The YMN Extravaganza
SEPA Synod was well represented at The Extravaganza, the annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA, which just wrapped up (Feb. 3-6) in Anaheim, Calif. The event was hosted by the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network. Participants in Extravaganza 2023 gathered for one live experience in two expressions, on-site in...
February 1, 2023
Urban Ministry Task Force Formed
The 2022 SEPA Synod Assembly adopted “Fortifying Ministries in Underserved Urban Areas – A Resolution to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.” A similar memorial was also sent to the 2022 ELCA churchwide assembly and approved there. The full text of the resolutions can be found at https://ministrylink.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/3-resolution.pdf Briefly, the resolution points out that many of SEPA’s...
January 23, 2023
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Application
Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2023-24 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Although...
January 18, 2023
New Congregational Vitality Survey
Is your congregation ready to take a step in the vitality direction but not sure where to start? Well here is the place to start. A new tool has come out from the ELCA called the Congregational Vitality Survey! This FREE Resource is available to all congregation and is simple to implement across congregations of...
January 18, 2023
How to Talk to Strangers and Why It’s Good for You
By Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Last month a few of the Synod staff were out for a visit to a potential location for Synod Assembly. As we made our way down the corridors of the hotel, I suddenly heard the voice of Bishop Davenport, “Good morning, how are you all doing?” As...
December 9, 2022
ELCA Disability Ministry Grants for Inclusion and Accessibility
ELCA Disability Ministry is seeking applications for grants to congregations and projects committed to inclusion and accessibility. Examples include leadership development, community and congregation education, and connecting those with disabilities and various groups within the church. (See the letter below from Disability Ministry’s Rev. Lisa Heffernan for full details!) Grant applications will be accepted starting...
December 8, 2022
Is Your Church Ready for Christmas Eve?
Ask any of my previous interns, I am extreme nut when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas Eve. But for me, it’s the excitement of drawing so many people to hear the Good News that is at the heart of our faith – that God chose to dwell with us. The power of...
October 31, 2022
Holy Closure: Bethany, Roxborough
Remembering in prayer the saints at Bethany Lutheran Church Bethany Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Central Philadelphia Conference, will hold their final worship service on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm with Bishop Davenport presiding. Rostered ministers and members of the SEPA Synod are welcome to attend the final service at Bethany as we...
October 27, 2022
After Tornado, UDLC is a Community Rock
When an EF-2 tornado struck sections of their community on September 1, 2021, the people of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church went into action. The winds and flooding spawned by remnants of Hurricane Ida left 140 families displaced and 1,400 homes with severe damage. Almost immediately the church became a hub to distribute supplies and dispense...
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...
October 11, 2022
Lutherans Join Churches Going Solar
From The Philadelphia Inquirer: About 50 people gathered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ardmore for a not-so-typical blessing that they hope will become more commonplace. The group was there Sunday for the blessing and dedication of new solar panels estimated to save them about $74,000 over 30 years. Green projects such as solar panel installation, however,...
September 13, 2022
Free Congregational Vitality Trainings
Is your congregation ready to take the next step (even a small step!!) to revitalize or renew? Our Synod is participating in a series of Vitality Trainings here this fall with folks from across the ELCA. This training is great for pastor and a team of folks to take together to bring clarity about your...
September 12, 2022
Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes
2023 Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500...
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 7, 2022
The Building Blocks of Congregational Renewal
“This interview is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and available at churchleadership.com.” 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...
January 21, 2022
Contemplating the New Year
Two years into a global pandemic, the toll on human life and livelihood is undeniable, and the toll on mental, emotional and spiritual health is no less profound. Enormous shifts in the way we work, gather and worship have left many people reeling. How can faith communities be a resource for those struggling? For...
January 21, 2022
Celebrate Diverse Ministries for Black History Month
This is our future church: A ten-year-old preacher and professional artist; a grassroots campaign for affordable housing; young and diverse communities. African Descent Ministries of the ELCA is celebrating Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a new series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. Join us each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm...
