For Immediate Release The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received a $1,249,933 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish Faith Alive. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally...
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October 2, 2024
Lilly Endowment Inc. Funds Faith Alive
For Immediate Release The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received a $1,249,933 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish Faith Alive. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally...
September 20, 2024
Bishop Penman Installed Sept. 14, 2024
On Saturday, September 14th hundreds of people gathered in the sanctuary of the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and across sacred cyberspace to celebrate the installation of the Rev. Bryan Penman as the sixth Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod! More than one hundred people shared their time and talent in the service and in...
September 10, 2024
Pastor Rick Summy named as Program Director of the Love Revolution
It is with immense joy and excitement that I announce the appointment of The Rev. Richard (Rick) Summy as the Program Director of Love Revolution. Pastor Summy brings nearly 40 years of rich and faithful service to this vital work, and his deep experience will be a tremendous blessing to our synod. We are thrilled...
September 5, 2024
Religious Leaders Across Pennsylvania Unite for Peace During Election Season
HARRISBURG, PA, September 5, 2024 — Today, religious leaders from across the state, representing more than 3 million Pennsylvanians of various faith traditions, gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol to issue a call for peace during this election season. Acknowledging the current climate of political unrest and polarization, they pledged to foster dialogue over division and...
September 4, 2024
Choices and Voices for Peace – Sign the Statement
August 21, 2024 Dear Rostered Leaders, As we approach this election season, I invite the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to join us and fellow faith leaders in Harrisburg on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Capitol for an interfaith press conference to present our joint statement, “Choices and Voices for Peace.” The intent...
September 3, 2024
First Day Message – Bishop Bryan J. Penman
September 3, 2024 Greetings beloved!! I greet you in the name of Jesus on this first day in my new call as Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. As I was preparing for this day – I was full of the first day of school jitters, but trust me, the outfit was picked, the lunch...
August 28, 2024
HEARINGS ON THE DRAFT SOCIAL STATEMENT ON CIVIC LIFE AND FAITH
The ELCA Task Force on Civic Life and Faith will hold two hearings within the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod on the Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith. The hearings are September 11th, 7-8:30 United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia September 17th, 7-8:30 pm Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 West Main Street, Lansdale The hearings...
September 18, 2024
Registration Open: Live Faithfully – Synod Wide Learning Day & Love Revolution Launch
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:00 am-3:00 pm St. Luke Lutheran Church 203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA 1933 How are you living out your baptismal call? Congregations and their leaders are invited to spend a day exploring how we are called to live among God’s faithful people. Bishop Dwayne Royster from Power Interfaith will be...
August 31, 2024
Chosen, Called, and Sent – A note of gratitude from Bishop Davenport
August 31, 2024 Beloved Siblings in Christ, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 I am grateful! What a blessing it has been to...
August 22, 2024
Now Hiring: Grant Administrator and Grant Evaluator for Love Revolution
Grant Administrator for Love Revolution SEPA Synod is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented individual to be Grant Administrator for Love Revolution. The person fulfilling this contract will be responsible for Grant Administration of Love Revolution, skilled in administration, communication and finance. This person will assist the Grant Evaluator, Program Director and the Directors of Evangelical Mission...
July 24, 2024
Love Revolution Grant Applications Now Available
Does your congregation feel the call to grow and transform? Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor is looking for congregations to bring their lay and rostered leaders to renew their sense of purpose. Applications for the first cohort are here! Love Revolution Cover Letter and Grant Application Love Revolution is a five-year program funded by the Lilly...
July 11, 2024
Forward Together In Faith Grants 2024-2025
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,...
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...
