“Struck down, but not destroyed…” The Road to Reconnection SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers’ Equipping Event November 16, 17 and 18, 2021 A Hybrid Event REGISTER NOW! Each year Bishop Davenport calls together rostered ministers for a gathering to be equipped, refreshed and reconnected with one another. We have heard your desire to connect in person,...
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October 8, 2021
Rostered Ministers’ Equipping Event
“Struck down, but not destroyed…” The Road to Reconnection SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers’ Equipping Event November 16, 17 and 18, 2021 A Hybrid Event REGISTER NOW! Each year Bishop Davenport calls together rostered ministers for a gathering to be equipped, refreshed and reconnected with one another. We have heard your desire to connect in person,...
October 1, 2021
Answers to Your Questions From Dr. Babinchak
Dr. Tim Babinchak, an infectious disease specialist and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Phoenixville, has been offering guidance for responding to COVID to SEPA Synod this year. Here he answers some current questions from SEPA leaders. If you have a question for Dr. Babinchak, please send it to Pastor Bob Fisher at rfisher@sepa.org. ...
September 23, 2021
Ideas for Adapting Worship and Congregational Life
Ideas: Adapting Congregational Life In September 2021, 40 SEPA Synod congregations responded to our informational survey regarding changes to worship in the midst of the current Delta variant surge. Most of the congregations report requiring or strongly suggesting the wearing of masks inside their buildings. Some have agreed to stop worship if attendees do not...
October 15, 2021
Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal
SAVE THE DATE: The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Keynote speakers for “Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal” are Louise Johnson and Soong-Chan Rah, with workshops featuring Dave Daubert, Ryan Burge, Doug Powe Jr., and others. The...
September 17, 2021
Dr. Osterholm: A Whole New Ballgame
Last week was the single worst week for pediatric COVID cases since the start of the pandemic, with more than a quarter-million new cases diagnosed, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm said on Thursday’s edition of his podcast. Cases among children aged 0-17 account for 30 percent of all cases in the U.S., he said. Cases among children...
September 16, 2021
Check Latest COVID Conditions
Check COVID-19 new cases, positive test rates, and ICU utilization for your county to determine the relative safety of indoor or outdoor gatherings. COVID CONDITIONS IN YOUR COUNTY CDC DATA TRACKER In its latest guidance, the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments recommends the following metrics for resuming in-person outdoor or indoor...
September 15, 2021
The Joy of Third Things
Elise Seyfried (Christ’s, Oreland) writes in LivingLutheran: Many people have fond memories of special conversations that transpired while they were doing the dishes with a parent or going fishing with a friend. This third thing they do together makes it easy and comfortable for them to converse more deeply, often without even making eye contact....
September 15, 2021
Prayers From The North Eastern Diocese
We received the following message of concern and condolence from our companion synod in Tanzania following the destruction from Hurricane Ida: Greetings in the name of Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod, receive our heartfelt greetings and deep condolence from your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran...
September 14, 2021
Help Afghan Evacuees
Last week Pastor Nathan Krause of Redeemer, Jamison received a call from a church member who had a contact at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. That’s where many of the refugees from Afghanistan are being processed. The contact related her personal experience of what she was seeing and the needs of the refugees. The...
September 14, 2021
Haiti Earthquake Situation Report
An update on efforts responding to the recent earthquake in Haiti, from Lutheran Disaster Response.
September 13, 2021
Delta Variant Precautions
Dr. Tim Babinchak, an expert in infectious diseases, advises congregations to continue with the precautions of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, cleaning, and increasing ventilation as they continue with indoor worship services and other activities. A member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Phoenixville, ihe s retired head of infectious diseases at Thomas Jefferson University...
September 13, 2021
How’s Your Vocation Going?
The Rev. Karen Sease, Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership/Mission Advancement, reminds us that “vocation” is a calling on our lives that extends beyond professional ministries in the church. [ See video and transcript below. ] 〝But if you’re still wondering about rostered ministry, still praying about whether God is calling you to be a...
August 5, 2021
Perspective: The Long Now
Elise Seyfried, director of spiritual formation at Christ’s, Oreland, writes in Living Lutheran: He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” —Genesis 15:5 I remember first reading the verse above, then...
August 5, 2021
Synod Seeks Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship
The Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship provides leadership and support to the youth and young adult initiatives of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. The work of the Assistant to the Bishop will be shaped by the synod mission: We equip our congregations and leaders for mission and service in the 21st Century,...
August 5, 2021
Updates from Lutheran Advocacy PA
CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON IN AUGUST U.S. representatives regularly return home districts to stay engaged with constituents. August Recess is one such time, when lawmakers often schedule town halls, meetings, and other opportunities to raise your experiences and policy concerns while they are local. ELCA Advocacy’s guide can help you connect faithfully. LET LAMPA HELP YOU PLAN FOR “GOD’S...
August 5, 2021
ELCA Congregations Lead Initiative
The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. Your congregation is invited to apply today to join the Congregations Lead Initiative. Deadline for applications is August 15. Learn...
August 5, 2021
LDR Responds to Bucks Flooding, Tornadoes
Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern Pennsylvania is already mobilizing teams to help. Two weeks ago, hundreds of residents came by Keystone Elementary School in Croyden, PA seeking help. Thanks to local churches and organizations, over 300 clean out buckets were distributed. Last week, a tornado in Trevose damaged a number of homes. Will you help those affected...
August 5, 2021
You’re Invited to the ELCA Day of Service
On Sunday, Sept. 12, ELCA congregations will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This annual day of service is an opportunity for us to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. We rejoice that many in-person church activities have resumed, and...
August 3, 2021
‘Substantial’ Virus Seen in SEPA
As of August 1, the CDC reports that Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties are experiencing “substantial” community transmission of coronavirus. The CDC recommends that all people, vaccinated or not, wear masks and maintain physical distancing in indoor public or multi-household gatherings. See this article explaining CDC guidance. Unvaccinated persons, including all children under 12...
July 31, 2021
Presiding Bishop’s Response to DACA Ruling
Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a pastoral message in response to a U.S. district judge ruling to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on July 19. “Jesus taught us that when we welcome the stranger as a person made in God’s image, we also welcome God,” the...
