In late June, 111 Lutherans traveled halfway across the country to be of service to descendants of an ancient culture. Eager to make a difference in whatever ways they could, these youth and adults arrived east of Rapid City, South Dakota at Rosebud Reservation, home to the Lakota tribe. The group—representing 19 churches of the...
October 31, 2013
Making a Difference, One Life at a Time
In late June, 111 Lutherans traveled halfway across the country to be of service to descendants of an ancient culture. Eager to make a difference in whatever ways they could, these youth and adults arrived east of Rapid City, South Dakota at Rosebud Reservation, home to the Lakota tribe. The group—representing 19 churches of the...
May 23, 2013
Post-Modern Church Videos Online
People at the 2013 Synod Assembly were inspired by Jay Gamelin’s two presentations on “The Gospel in a Post-Modern Era.” Now you can watch Jay’s presentations online in the MinistryLink Video Library. The first presentation covers how emerging generations are wired, and what that means for the Church. In the second, Jay shares his faith...
May 10, 2013
See Through “Jesus Colored Glasses”
At the opening worship of the 2013 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Bishop Claire Burkat challenged the assembly to focus on God-sight as Philip did in the gospel of John. After having been invited by Jesus to follow him, Phillip saw things through “Jesus-colored glasses.” The bishop urged SEPA Lutherans to be Philips – and our congregations...
May 9, 2013
Show Jesus Fearlessly
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Phillip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:20-21 NRSV) “The Greeks noticed something about Jesus,” said Bishop Claire Burkat in her address to the 2013 Southeastern Pennsylvania...
May 8, 2013
Gamelin: Go With Boldness
Jay Gamelin, pastor and discipler at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Lexington SC, illustrated how one can show Jesus by sharing his faith story during his keynote to the 2013 Assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. He began by sharing his thoughts about Jesus’ disciple, Thomas, whom he prefers to call “Curious Thomas” or “Honest Thomas” because...
May 3, 2013
‘We Are Being Watched’
“I went to seminary for four years to do this,” said Jay Gamelin (@JayGamelin), pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Lexington, SC, as he raised his arms. The second time he did it some people in the assembly stood, recognizing a common pastoral signal in worship. He said he felt uncomfortable for a long time because...
March 20, 2013
Turning Point Receives Burst Grant
Rhawnhurst Turning Point has received a “Burst” grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries to support its Saturday Service Program, which takes youth and adults into the community to serve one Saturday each month. Turning Point partners with local non-profits to engage different types of service, to allow youth to discover their gifts and passions, develop their...
March 13, 2013
Thrivent Builds in Montgomery County
The Lower and Upper Montgomery Chapter Boards of Thrivent Financial in 2013 will be building a duplex in Hatfield, PA in partnership with Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. To help facilitate this local mission project the Lower and Upper Montgomery Chapter Boards of Thrivent are recruiting Congregational Champions (representatives) to help spread the word in...
February 4, 2013
Making Release a Reality
All Christians are called to proclaim release to captives. Philadelphia’s Living Gospel Ministries lives out this charge by helping ease the transition for some people returning to the community from incarceration. “In Philadelphia, at least 35,000 persons return from prison every year,” says Linda Manson, the mission developer of Living Gospel, our newest synodically authorized worshipping...
November 2, 2012
Bucks Lutherans Cook Up a Storm for Hurricane Shelter
Despite being without power since Monday night, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Ferndale, Bucks County has been cooking up a storm. Pastor Bill Rex and a crew of volunteers have been cooking hot dinners each evening for upwards of 225 people at an emergency Red Cross shelter established at the nearby Palisades High School.
“We’ve been cooking for more than 200 people with two gas stoves, sometimes by flashlight,” Pastor Rex reports. The congregation’s small kitchen has kept operating with a Red Cross supplied generator to power the ovens but light, and space, are limited. “People at the shelter ask me why we do this,” Rex says. “I just tell them that Jesus tells us to.”
July 12, 2012
Judge Blocks City’s Homeless Feeding Ban
A federal judge today (July 11) blocked enforcement of the Philadelphia's ban on distributing free food to homeless persons in city parks, including Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Welcome Church, a synod-sponsored homeless ministry, and three other religious groups brought suit claiming that the city's plan to move all feeding to City Hall interfered with their ability to minister to homeless persons where they live -- along the parkway.
July 10, 2012
Churches Appeal of Feeding Ban Heard
Religious leaders and city officials testified July 9 in the first day of a hearing on the legality of the city's ban on free meals for the homeless along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Rev. Violet Little of the Welcome Church testified along with other homeless advocates and a deputy mayor. Little and the other plaintiffs argue that providing food, such as the coffee hour after her "church without walls" services on the Parkway, are central to their ministries and the city's ban interferes with the expression of their faith.
June 20, 2012
Suit Challenges City’s Ban on Feeding Homeless
Pastor Violet Little of the Welcome Church and leaders of three other religious organizations have joined in a federal lawsuit challenging the City of Philadelphia’s ban on feeding homeless persons along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Open-air activities such as the coffee hours following Welcome Church services along the Parkway are necessary “because that’s where the people are, and for so many who choose not to be inside it is the opportunity for relationship,” Little says.
May 17, 2012
From Liberia to East Lansdowne
It’s a long way from Liberia to East Lansdowne, but over that distance God planted and nurtured a small worshipping community in a refugee camp into a thriving Lutheran Church officially welcomed at the 2012 Assembly.
May 6, 2012
Plant. Water. Grow!
“This is a new season of health and vitality…for the Kingdom of God, for the ELCA, and right here in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod,” Bishop Claire Burkat said in her address to the 2012 Assembly. “I see lots of life,” the bishop said, reflecting on her visits to congregations throughout her first term as bishop....
November 21, 2011
Rhawnhurst Marks Turning Point Opening
More than 85 community members, youth and volunteers turned out Nov. 12 for the grand opening of Rhawnhurst Turning Point, a youth drop-in and homework help center on Castor Avenue that grew out of Redemption Lutheran Church and Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church. Turning Point is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 9 pm. The ELCA and Synod are partners in this new start-up.
November 21, 2011
Lutherans All Over the Map Fighting Hunger
From hosting community meals and stocking food pantries to collecting cans and doing hunger simulations and other awareness activities, Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania are engaged in fighting hunger in their neighborhoods all across the five-county area. Visit our Crowdmap of hunger-related programs after the jump.
October 18, 2011
Turning Point Celebrates Grand Opening
Rhawnhurst Turning Point will mark the grand opening of its new space at 7812 Castor Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 2 pm -- and you're invited. Turning Point is a center for youth and young adult where they can learn, grow, serve, and have fun in a safe environment supported by caring volunteers and Christian staff. Turning Point offers a free Homework Help Center for youth in grades 6-12, and a free Drop-In Center for youth and young adults in grades 6 and up.
August 9, 2011
Make Your Congregation a Zone of Peace
The suffering caused by violence is immense. From the murder and mayhem inflicted by people with illegal weapons to domestic violence to bullying and incivility – violence is a terrible scourge in our communities. The Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia invites your congregation to become a Zone of Peace and undertake a project to reject violence in your neighborhood.
May 10, 2011
Engaging Young Adults at UniLu
University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation uses principles from the ancient church of worship, fellowship, and service in modern ways to attract students and young adults to become integral parts of the UniLu community of faith.
