All Saints Appeal

Dear Beloved Saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod,

Rise up! As we continue to explore how God is calling us to gather and serve in our changing post-pandemic world, building up the kingdom remains our central task – helping people build deeper relationships with Jesus, each other, and their communities. We’ve seen SEPA congregations and ministry partners live out this work in amazing ways and our synod continues to support those efforts.

The work of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is to equip the saints for ministry.

In this past year, three additional leaders have joined our staff helping the saints rise up to serve the gospel.

Pastor Moses Dennis and Pastor Bryan Penman shepherd our Vitality Team, envisioning a synod where our congregations shine with God’s light into their communities. Emerging ministries are raising up those from the margins and centering their voices in our church. We develop and deepen leaders in congregations through various trainings, cultivate new mission developers, raise awareness of generosity, and conduct vitality assessments to remind congregations of their value and witness beyond the number of people in worship or money in the offering plate. Rise up, saints!

The Youth and Young Adult Ministry teams of our synod are now being led by the work of Pastor Stacey-Kyle Rea, equipping youth, young adult, and mentoring-adult leaders with opportunities to serve, learn and experience Jesus in their daily lives. Volunteers on planning teams and event chaperones support our young saints in their discipleship journey. In blessing backpacks, retreating at Bear Creek Camp, multicultural youth events, and service trips, our youth and young adult saints rise up to witness to their faith.

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Our Communications Team, led by Pastor Bob Fisher and assisted by Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, is excited for new possibilities for keeping you connected with synod ministries. And we want to tell your congregation’s story, as well. We are expanding our resources to equip congregational leaders. And we gather rostered and lay leaders each week to troubleshoot technology, ponder the limitations of building HVAC systems, reimagine liturgy for digital spaces, and keep updated on the latest pandemic health guidelines. Sometimes we bring in experts. Other times we learn from the hard-earned wisdom of those in the room. We remain connected in prayer and support for each other. Rise up, saints!

The Candidacy Committee gathers with Pastor Karen Sease to support people who are wondering if God is calling them to be a pastor or a deacon in the ELCA. Right now, there are 34 people between the beginning stages of inquiry and waiting for their first call. Our synod is blessed by their faithful ponderings about how the Holy Spirit is guiding them and our congregations in the future. These saints will rise up and become our next generation of rostered ministers called to publicly proclaim the gospel.

Under the leadership of Pastor Marcia Bell and with assistance from Ms. Yvonne Curtis, the Committee of Deans gathers monthly to work through congregational leadership transitions and the other needs of our 143 congregations. During 2022, 16 congregations have called pastors. About 30 more are in various stages of transition, assisted by our team of synodical interim and bridge pastors coordinated by Pastor Wayne Shelor. Through the call process, these congregations continue to discern their witness in their communities. Rise up, saints!

In a world that keeps trying to scatter the people of God among divisions of race and sexuality, our Anti-Racism Team and our Inclusive Communities Team (supporting LGBTQIA+ disciples) gather to remind us that each person is created in the image of God. They invite us to prayer and study, to advocacy and direct action. They provide digital and hybrid events to draw us together and spur our communities to full inclusion and radical welcome. When the saints rise up, God wants all of us working together.

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Gather with us in these ministries! Read MinistryLink.org for ways to participate. Pray for our work together. Give generously and invest in this witness.

The All Saints Appeal launched as way to strengthen relationships between siblings in Christ across the synod and to make sure that our work together is funded to sustain the mission God has given us. With your help, the stories of God’s faithfulness will continue to be told in our synod’s gatherings.

We give thanks for you saints of the Lord – for your witness of beloved community, for your financial support, and for your ongoing prayers for this ministry we do together. Every dollar you give translates into direct mission in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. It takes all of the saints rising up to make this possible.

Visit our secure giving website or use the pledge form below to make your gift to the All Saints Appeal today. Contact senior accountant Martin Schwab if you need assistance in giving.

When the needs of the world demand a reimagination of your ministry for changing contexts and when you wonder how to do ministry in new ways, follow in the path of Jesus and proclaim words of hope. God has work for us to do and the Spirit is already leading the way. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod supports and equips our saints for the journey.

Rise up, O Saints of God! Blessings!

The Rev. Patricia A. Davenport, Bishop

The Rev. Karen Sease, Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations & Leadership/Mission Advancement

 

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You can also give via credit card by calling Martin Schwab at 267.323.3754.

You may give by check using by completing the form below and mailing with your check to:

All Saints Appeal
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
7241 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19119-1723

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