The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16) Priority registrations began Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12pm CST. (1pm EST) We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations Here are the...
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September 13, 2023
Are You Ready for the 2024 Youth Gathering?
The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16) Priority registrations began Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12pm CST. (1pm EST) We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations Here are the...
August 28, 2023
5 Ways To Slow COVID Spread
Things churches can do to help slow COVID transmission 1. Encourage vaccinations. CIDRAP’s Dr. Michael Osterholm urges everyone eligible to get the updated vaccine when it becomes available, likely in early-mid October. Don’t forget influenza and RSV vaccines: He recommends getting the RSV vaccine now and getting the flu shot once your area starts showing flu...
August 8, 2023
Widen Your Congregation’s Welcome
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Annual Event, “In God’s Image: Shaping Your Ministry to be Inclusive and Safe for LGBTQIA+ Folk,” will be held on Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church. Registration will open in September. Contact ingodsimagesepa@gmail.com with any questions.
August 7, 2023
Ideas to Encourage Your Peoples’ Vocations
When laity and pastors meet weekly on the SEPA “Now Normal” Zoom you never know what will be discussed. This week, participants explored ways to support and encourage laity in their daily vocations. [Join each Thursday at 11 am at https://bit.ly/sepacomms] Vocation was an important concept to Martin Luther as he believed that each person...
August 3, 2023
“You Know…How Deeply We Are Hurting”
After torrential rains caused severe flash flooding that claimed seven lives, including two children, in Washington Crossing on July 15, the community came together to grieve and honor those lost and to support their loved ones and the police and firefighters who responded that day and during many days of searching afterwards. Pastor Mukesh Cheedie...
August 3, 2023
Who Is A “Real” American?
Column by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton My husband and I live in Skokie, Ill., a diverse community. Our neighbors to the west are an octogenarian Taiwanese Evangelical couple who regularly order meals from Kosher to Go. Our neighbors to the east are a Ukrainian and Russian multigenerational family. Our grocery stores have both kosher...
July 31, 2023
Thrivent Resources for Flooding Relief
In response to recent flooding in communities served by the SEPA Synod,Thrivent is reminding our church leaders that Thrivent Action Teams can be used to support disaster response efforts. See flyer which includes Service project and fundraising ideas, and includes a promotion code, NEFlood2023, to expedite processing of Thrivent Action Team kits. Download Flyer All...
July 13, 2023
Can You Help Pay Food Forward in Philly?
The Welcome Church Community is seeking to launch Pay It Forward Philly, a simple plan to help Philadelphians share food with one another. Welcome Church envisions a citywide campaign inviting businesses and vendors to offer a product(s) of their choice to folks who cannot pay. The cost of the products would be covered by inviting...
July 13, 2023
LDR Responds to Berks, Bucks Flooding
An update from Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA: What LCS is doing and what you can do On Sunday July 9, 2023, heavy storms impacted parts of eastern PA over the weekend, causing extensive flooding, especially in Berks and Bucks Counties. Right now, Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA, a program of Liberty Lutheran and...
June 29, 2023
Phillies Event Supports Youth Ministry
Thank you to everyone who came out to Lutheran Night at the Phillies in May. We just received the check from the Phillies. With 299 tickets sold, you helped us raise $1,052 for synod youth programs. We are grateful for your continued support in this synod event and in supporting our synod youth programs. Special...
June 27, 2023
Stand Up for Fairness for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians
PA Bishops Support Proposed Fairness Act Pennsylvania’s seven ELCA Bishops have issued an open letter in support of proposed legislation that would expand the list of groups legally protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The Fairness Act would amend the 1955 Human Relations Act — which already prohibits discrimination based on race,...
June 23, 2023
2023 Synod Assembly Highlights
We are grateful that the saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod could again meet in person for Synod Assembly after four long years. The energy and spirit was uplifting as long-time friends greeted one another and new connections were made. The stories of our creative and sustaining partnerships in ministry were shared on screen, around Mission...
June 22, 2023
Make Your Voice Heard on PA Hunger, Housing Funding
Hunger — Pennsylvania’s charitable food network is overwhelmed. Across the state ministries are reporting need up to three times pre-pandemic averages. The state House has passed a budget that significantly increases funding for hunger-related programs. Now the Senate must take up the plan. Learn more and take action! Housing — Let’s Build on What Works...
June 22, 2023
Summer Kindling Faith Offerings
The sounds of summer are with us—lawnmowers and patio conversations along with camp songs and seagulls at the beach, not to mention the roar of a baseball stadium full of fans. Kindling Faith still has room for you at these Summer Events. Register before July 10th to be a part of these offerings: The Lutheran...
May 31, 2023
Stewardship of Life Institute Innovation Fellowship
The Stewardship Of Life Institute is launching a new initiative called The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship, in honor of Rev. Sharron Blezard, a beloved writer for SOLI, who entered into the church triumphant in 2021 after her journey through metastatic cancer. (You can learn more about her ministry here.) The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship grants...
May 31, 2023
‘Forward Together’ Grant Applications Now Open
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. The campaign focuses on: ► Networking congregations, leaders, building bridges within the synod and in the community. ► Innovating new forms of ministry ► Communicating by traditional and digital platforms ► Equipping...
May 23, 2023
Compensation, Supply Fee Guidelines Updated
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent federal...
May 17, 2023
ELCA Vocational Fellowship for Young Adults
The ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship offers young adults an opportunity to discover their calling while gaining valuable professional experience. In partnership with ELCA affiliated ministries, participants are equipped to explore their faith and vocational aspirations, all while receiving support from a network of peers and experienced ELCA coaches. The program is designed to prepare...
May 15, 2023
ULS to Award Bishop Honorary Doctorate
Bishop Patricia Davenport will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at United Lutheran Seminary’s commencement Friday in Lancaster. Bishop Davenport, a 2007 graduate of the former Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, will also preach at the Eucharist service preceding the awarding of degrees. The 11 a.m. service will be livestreamed on YouTube. The Rev....
