Love Revolution Applications Open If your congregation would like to be part of Love Revolution’s second cohort, complete an application by April 30, 2026. NEW! Informational Meeting An informational Zoom meeting about Love Revolution is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 pm. (This is the correct date!) You can REGISTER here.
Author Archive
January 5, 2026
Love Revolution Applications Open
Love Revolution Applications Open If your congregation would like to be part of Love Revolution’s second cohort, complete an application by April 30, 2026. NEW! Informational Meeting An informational Zoom meeting about Love Revolution is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 pm. (This is the correct date!) You can REGISTER here.
December 17, 2025
2026 Council Officers Gathering
Dear Congregational Council Leader, Are you stepping into a leadership role in your congregation? Perhaps you’re serving on your Church Council and want a clearer sense of what that entails. Or maybe it’s your turn to guide your congregation as President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary. Whatever your role, we have an exciting opportunity just...
November 20, 2025
November 2025: Radical Generosity for a Radical Time
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Radical Generosity for a Radical Time Dear Beloved in Christ, As we move into the final months of the year, many of our congregations are entering their annual stewardship appeals—those intentional moments when we pause to reflect on God’s generosity and our call...
October 19, 2025
October: Rostered Minister Appreciation Month
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear Beloved Siblings in Christ, October is recognized as Rostered Minister Appreciation Month, a time to pause and give thanks for the pastors and deacons who walk with us in faith — proclaiming good news, tending souls, and leading communities of hope in a...
September 10, 2025
SEPA Synod Building Summit
SEPA Synod Building Summit Saturday, September 27 10:00 am- 3:00 pm The Brossman Center, United Lutheran Seminary 7241 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia The Building Summit brings together three leaders in development to discuss innovative strategies for transforming how buildings serve their communities. One of the key themes of the summit is the adaptive reuse of existing structures—rethinking how to make use of underutilized buildings. The Building Summit is...
September 1, 2025
September: Embracing Change
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear Beloved in Christ, September is always a season of change. The air turns crisp, school doors open, routines shift, and the long days of summer give way to the colors of autumn. The world around us reminds us that change is constant—sometimes gentle, sometimes disruptive, but...
August 14, 2025
August: We Are Renewed in the gift of Baptism
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear beloved in Christ, As August arrives, the air begins to shift ever so slightly—school supplies fill store shelves, calendars get updated with new schedules and families prepare to return to more regular rhythms of daily life. There’s something about this season that...
July 22, 2025
Forward Together in Faith Grant Application 2025-2026
It’s time again to apply for grants to support new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. These grants, drawn from interest earned by the principal of the campaign, will support new projects that help network congregations, leaders and community partners, innovate new forms of ministry and/or communities of faith, communicate through digital channels,...
July 14, 2025
July: Ponder Anew and Grow Deep
A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Ponder Anew and Grow Deep Dear Beloved in Christ, It’s the middle of summer, and for many congregations, this is the time of the so-called “summer slump.” Worship attendance dips. Budgets tighten. Things feel quieter. But what if this season is not a slump at all—what if it’s...
June 17, 2025
June: An apology and clarification
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman I am writing today to apologize and clarify my June Bishop Message which was published on June 16, 2025. First, I ask your forgiveness for what was an oversight on my part. While I was attempting to raise awareness around the process the...
June 16, 2025
June: Ponder Anew What the Almighty Can Do
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear beloved siblings in Christ, This month we find ourselves at the intersection of solemn remembrance and sacred possibility. On June 17, we mark the commemoration of the Emmanuel Nine—faithful saints gunned down during Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston,...
June 5, 2025
SEPA Pride Worship June 22
Worship will be Sunday June 22nd at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of the United Lutheran Seminary Philadelphia Campus. Pastor Taylor Walker will be preaching and Pastor Kevin Tracey will serve as Presider. All are welcome to attend and lift up our synod and pray for more inclusivity around our synod and the world.
May 13, 2025
Vocational Affirmation and Discernment
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear Siblings in Christ, It’s graduation season—a time when we gather to celebrate years of hard work, study, and perseverance. Degrees are conferred, papers submitted, exams passed, and dissertations defended. If you’re celebrating a 2025 graduate in your family, congratulations ! For many, this...
April 29, 2025
Celebrating the Faithful Leadership of Ms. Tracey A. Beasley
You’re Invited: A Celebration Honoring Ms. Tracey A. Beasley Vice President, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCAConcluding 12 Years of Faithful Service After 12 years of devoted leadership as Vice President of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Ms. Tracey A. Beasley is concluding her term. We invite you to join...
April 19, 2025
An Easter Message from Bishop Bryan Penman
Fearful, Yet Overjoyed. The Women at the Tomb By Sister Mary Stevens, CRSS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP An Easter Message from Bishop Bryan Penman April 19, 2025 The Vigil of Easter “But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” – Luke 24:11 Dear Beloved in Christ,...
April 16, 2025
Lutheran Night at the Phillies
Lutheran Nights at the Phillies Three great games to choose from! Three opportunities to gather together! Benefits Youth Ministry Scholarship Fund. Click the link below to choose the game(s) you wish to attend. Looking forward to a fun evening with our fellow SEPA friends. April 19 Buy Now May 17 Buy Now August 18 Buy...
April 16, 2025
Community Safety Training ahead of Pride Month
In preparation for Pride Month and due to increased safety risks for our LBGTQIA+ siblings, communities and friends ReconcilingWorks and SEPA Synod will be previewing a Community Safety Guide. Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Benbow Hall + United Lutheran Seminary 7301 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia
April 3, 2025
2025 Treasurers Gathering
Join us for the Treasurers Gathering on June 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, specifically in the Brossman Center. This essential event is designed for treasurers and financial leaders of Lutheran congregations to enhance their understanding of budgeting, financial procedures, and accounting practices. During this gathering,...
April 3, 2025
2025 Secretaries Gathering
This gathering is designed for all individuals who serve as secretaries within their congregations, whether in an elected role as secretary of the congregation and council, or as part of their employment in assisting with maintaining records. The event will provide valuable guidance on essential responsibilities such as: Constitutional Responsibilities & Minute Taking: A review of...
