Ask any of my previous interns, I am extreme nut when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas Eve. But for me, it’s the excitement of drawing so many people to hear the Good News that is at the heart of our faith – that God chose to dwell with us. The power of...
Author Archive
December 8, 2022
Is Your Church Ready for Christmas Eve?
Ask any of my previous interns, I am extreme nut when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas Eve. But for me, it’s the excitement of drawing so many people to hear the Good News that is at the heart of our faith – that God chose to dwell with us. The power of...
December 1, 2022
MinistryLink News for December 1, 2022
Read the news here: Time-Sensitive–Remembering-Sandy-Hook—Christmas-Day-Worship—Generosity-Extravaganza.html
November 9, 2022
Bishop Eaton: Christians Against Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism identifies human-made governments as lockstep with God’s will and seeks to privilege Christians, typically only white Christians. This type of ideology is not only dangerous but distorts the difference between holding government accountable to God as opposed to identified strictly with God’s will. We must stand against Christian Nationalism and ask that you...
October 31, 2022
Holy Closure: Bethany, Roxborough
Remembering in prayer the saints at Bethany Lutheran Church Bethany Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Central Philadelphia Conference, will hold their final worship service on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm with Bishop Davenport presiding. Rostered ministers and members of the SEPA Synod are welcome to attend the final service at Bethany as we...
October 27, 2022
After Tornado, UDLC is a Community Rock
When an EF-2 tornado struck sections of their community on September 1, 2021, the people of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church went into action. The winds and flooding spawned by remnants of Hurricane Ida left 140 families displaced and 1,400 homes with severe damage. Almost immediately the church became a hub to distribute supplies and dispense...
October 18, 2022
How Do We Respond to Christian Nationalism?
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields will host a Zoom presentation and dialogue on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 pm with Dr. Philip Gorski, a sociologist at Yale University, and co-author of the new book “The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy.” “For anyone who is concerned about the...
October 17, 2022
Be Cautious With Suspicious Emails
This is your occasional reminder that if an email looks “funny” it most certainly is. It is not unusual for spammers to make emails look like they were sent by leaders, such as our Bishop. It is in fact quite easy for someone to make their sender name your boss, your pastor, or even your...
October 11, 2022
5 Things to Know About Mission Support
We are grateful for your support of ministries here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the globe through Mission Support. In a new video, the Rev. Karen Sease, assistant to the bishop, shares five things that you need to know about how these gifts are used. You can share this video with leaders...
October 11, 2022
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To celebrate survivors and raise awareness about domestic violence, Lutheran Settlement House is Painting Fishtown Purple! This month, in the windows of all your favorite Fishtown spots, you’ll see posters showing support for survivors; inside, you’ll find resource cards with information about how you can help end domestic violence. Through the end...
October 11, 2022
Lutherans Join Churches Going Solar
From The Philadelphia Inquirer: About 50 people gathered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ardmore for a not-so-typical blessing that they hope will become more commonplace. The group was there Sunday for the blessing and dedication of new solar panels estimated to save them about $74,000 over 30 years. Green projects such as solar panel installation, however,...
October 4, 2022
COVID Update – October 2022
Last week, Dr. Tim Babinchak joined us to offer perspectives on the health concerns affecting our communities. While hospitalizations are high but declining, the number of deaths each day in the U.S. holds steady at around 400. Vaccinations and the new bi-valent boosters are important to reducing the impact of COVID on society. The most...
September 13, 2022
Free Congregational Vitality Trainings
Is your congregation ready to take the next step (even a small step!!) to revitalize or renew? Our Synod is participating in a series of Vitality Trainings here this fall with folks from across the ELCA. This training is great for pastor and a team of folks to take together to bring clarity about your...
September 12, 2022
Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes
2023 Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500...
August 20, 2022
2022 Churchwide Assembly Summary
The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly convened in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 8-12, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Gathering under the theme, Embody the Word, voting members participated in plenaries and worship while acting on key legislative business and hearing reports on the work of the church. Imran Siddiqui was elected to a six-year term as...
August 13, 2022
ELCA elects Siddiqui as vice president
Imran Siddiqui, a senior investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, was elected vice president of the ELCA on Thursday, Aug. 11, becoming the first Asian American elected to the national post. His six-year term will begin Nov. 1, replacing interim Vice President Carlos Peña, who himself took on the role after the unexpected passing...
June 6, 2022
Bishop’s Responses to Concerns in Sierra Pacific Synod
Updated: June 6, 2022 June 6, 2022 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the...
June 3, 2022
Mrs. Curtis Honored for Service
In May, the Church of God in Christ honored Mrs. Yvonne Curtis, our synod’s director of operations, for her years of excellence serving as executive assistant to four former and current bishops of our synod. Congratulations! One of those bishops, the Rev. Roy Almquist, compared the work of an executive assistant to the role Aaron...
May 27, 2022
CDC Raises Community Levels to High
As of May 27 the CDC lists all of our suburban counties in the “high” community (impact) level. Philadelphia is listed as “medium.” All five SEPA counties are experiencing high community transmission of the virus, according to the CDC. In obedience to Christ’s command to love our neighbors, we urge congregations to take this (hopefully...
