For Peace in God’s World is an ELCA Social Statement that conveys church teaching on matters related to war, domestic and international security, and the Christian call to be peacemakers. Download a summary of the statement. What does it mean to be peacemakers in a time of ongoing war and conflict? Can war ever be...
Author Archive
February 5, 2024
For Peace in God’s World Study Guide Available
For Peace in God’s World is an ELCA Social Statement that conveys church teaching on matters related to war, domestic and international security, and the Christian call to be peacemakers. Download a summary of the statement. What does it mean to be peacemakers in a time of ongoing war and conflict? Can war ever be...
December 6, 2023
Nominations for 2024 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly Deadline Extended 3/30
How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod. At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 3 & 4, 2024, we will be electing a Bishop, which will take place by...
October 30, 2023
Proposed Constitutional Amendments for Consideration at the 2024 Synod Assembly
Dear members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, The 2024 Synod Assembly will be notable as we will be electing a Bishop to succeed Bishop Davenport. Yet there will also be other items that will come to your attention for consideration and action. We will be electing people to serve as Voting Members to the 2025...
October 12, 2023
One Home, One Future
The ELCA is joining 30 other denominations and faith-organizations to launch One Home One Future, a multi-faith campaign that educates, activates, and supports clergy, congregants, youth, and all spiritual people in meaningful and just solutions locally, regionally, and nationally in ways that are accessible and positive. Learn more Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton said, “In the ELCA...
October 12, 2023
LAMPa Names Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager
LAMPa is pleased to welcome the Rev. Erin Jones as our Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager. Jones, an ELCA pastor serving in Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod since 2018, brings experience in advocacy, communications and ecumenical community-building justice work to the position. “I’m beyond happy that Pastor Erin said ‘Yes’ to this new call,” said LAMPa Director Tracey...
October 12, 2023
Your Mission Support at Work
Your congregation’s Mission Support contributions are shared with the ELCA for ministry across the church. Did you know that there is a new Congregation and Synod Support Team that includes Congregational Stewardship, Mission Support and Storytelling Engagement? The linked PDF provides contact information. This month we also highlight our Ecumenical partnerships with a story from...
August 3, 2023
Transformed to Serve: Cars, Coffee and Christ
It’s a thing! A chance to share stories and share your ride – or just come for the coffee. It’s a form of outreach ministry to bring together people car enthusiasts who love the Lord. St. Luke’s, Obelisk, kicked the idea off last year in Montgomery County (top, middle photos). Since then Immanuel, Norwood and...
August 3, 2023
Disaster Response Training and Engagement
In the next several months Lutheran Disaster Response is offering more than 40 opportunities for disaster and humanitarian response training, education, and network building. You can download a catalog of upcoming events here. We encourage you to share this catalog with others in your congregation, synod, organization, or community who may be interested. All activities...
August 3, 2023
Mission Grants for Congregations in NE/NW Philadelphia
Upon the closure of St. Petri-Hope Lutheran Church, funds from the sale of the building were set aside to be used for future ministry in Northeast Philadelphia. So now congregations in the Northeast/Northwest Conference as well as Immanuel Somerton are welcome to apply for these funds. Applications will be taken on a rolling basis each...
August 3, 2023
Resourceful Servants Unveils Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment Program
The ELCA’s Resourceful Servants Initiative promotes the financial wellness of congregations, rostered ministers and seminarians. For many rostered ministers, financial stress—frequently caused by personal financial challenges or by congregational or organizational financial challenges–stands in the way. To support growth in both individual and organizational financial health, Resourceful Servants is launching the Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment...
August 3, 2023
The ELCA Wants to Hear Your Opinion
Throughout the next couple of months, the ELCA is asking for your help. We are looking for your thoughts and ideas on how we are called to be a church in today’s world. Please visit our website on Future Church: God’s Love Made Real –https://lovemadereal.elca.org – where you can watch a video from Presiding Bishop...
May 18, 2023
SEPA at African Lutheran Conference
Bishop Patricia Davenport was guest speaker at the opening worship of the Second International African Lutheran Conference on April 23 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Monrovia, Liberia. The Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis helped organize the event.The conference is sponsored by African National Ministries of the ELCA. Participants learned about the history of Liberia, including the...
May 18, 2023
Katie’s Cupboard at Tabor
Katie’s Cupboard @ Tabor opened in August, 2019 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In 2022 Katie’s Cupboard provided food for more than 500 unique households representing more than 2,000 individuals. Currently they serve 100-120 households each week. Hear their story and take a look behind the scenes in this video. Watch now
May 18, 2023
LAMPa Honors Rev. Matt Staniz
The Rev. Matt Staniz, lead pastor of St. Luke, Devon, was one of the 2023 Advocacy Honorees acknowledged by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania at its annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol April 27. Over the past 14 years, he has become a leading faith-based voice for the ONE Campaign, a grassroots campaign to end...
March 22, 2017
Council Officers’ Gathering Inspires, Informs
More than 80 lay congregation council leaders participated in Bishop Claire Burkat’s annual Council Officers’ Gathering on March 18. ‘Here’s what I love about the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod: You!” the bishop told the council presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers gathered at LTSP’s Benbow Hall. “I love our leaders, and today I especially celebrate our lay leaders....
August 16, 2016
ELCA elects vice president
William B. Horne II of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Clearwater, Fla., was elected vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Horne was elected on the fourth ballot with 565 votes to 175 votes for Cheryl G. Stuart of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, Fla., and 161...
August 16, 2016
ELCA approves Word and Service roster
The 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, by a vote of 811 to 55, approved adoption of the roster of Ministry of Word and Service. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, associates in ministry, deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and diaconal ministers will be a single, unified roster of Ministry of...
August 16, 2016
ELCA presiding bishop reflects on work of the church and looks to future priorities
In her report to the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton reflected on the ELCA’s work over the past three years and lifted up future priorities for the church. Eaton said much of her focus the past three years has been on the “how and why...
February 10, 2015
Churches Affected by Child Protection Laws
Pennsylvania recently passed new legislation regarding protection of children that affect all churches. Under state law clergy, paid staff and volunteers who work with children and youth in any capacity are now “mandated reporters” who must report suspected child abuse directly to authorities. The law also now requires all employees and volunteers who work with...
February 4, 2015
Eaton: Church is Place for Deep Conversation About Race
Let’s talk. In her February column in The Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton admits that it’s difficult to talk about race in this country. But not talking about it won’t make it go away. She’s convinced that “not only is the church the appropriate place for this conversation, it might be the only place where the...
