May 16, 2011
“Our lives as we once knew them are changing,” said Bishop Claire Burkat in her May 6 address to the Synod Assembly. “Our church … (and) our world as we once knew it is changing.”
She reminded those gathered that the mission we’re engaged in is God’s, not ours. Throughout the Bible God led people of faith through anxious and unsettling times. The Hebrews exiting Egypt had no idea where God was leading them. How could those witnessing the crucifixion possibly appreciate the world-changing, culture-crushing, faith-forming, and life-transforming event they were witnessing?
May 10, 2011
University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation uses principles from the ancient church of worship, fellowship, and service in modern ways to attract students and young adults to become integral parts of the UniLu community of faith.
April 21, 2011
This Maundy Thursday, people who live on the streets of Philadelphia will gather outside in the city's Logan Circle area for worship and Holy Communion. Some will also participate in the ritual of foot washing, a sign of humility and hospitality, joined by a group of podiatrists and others who happen by. They will all be part of The Welcome Church that day, a 2-year-old Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ministry that serves people living with homelessness in downtown Philadelphia.
April 18, 2011
On Easter Sunday we read Psalm 118, a song of victory, hope and gratitude for God’s mercies. This psalm was Martin Luther's favorite, one he claimed as “mine.” Particularly these words: “I shall not die, but shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord.” (vs. 17) Towards the end of Dr. Luther’s life his wife, Katherine, commissioned a stonemason to build a new entrance to their house. At the top of the arch the chief stone was inscribed with the Latin word Vivet, which means “He Lives!” It was meant to remind everyone who went out or came in that Christ lives!
March 9, 2011
Missionary Tom MacPherson, about to serve as volunteers at Irente Children’s Home in Tanzania, writes about the experience on our MinistryLink.org website: “Almost 3 years ago, a group from St. John Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, traveled to Tanzania. Susan and I were blessed to be part of that group. As we prepared to go, our church family financially supported us through fundraising, encouraged us, and most of all prayed for us. We never thought it would have such a major impact on our lives.”
January 18, 2011
The annual meeting of Christian Churches Together, an ecumenical gathering of the five Christian faith families in the U.S., ended its meeting Jan. 14 issuing "A Letter From Birmingham" calling on Christians to remember, repentand renew their efforts to end poverty and racism in America.
January 18, 2011
The Synod and the African American Lutheran Association Philadelphia Chapter honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a festive worship service Sunday, Jan. 16 at Christ Lutheran Church, Upper Darby. The Rev. Dr. M. Wyvetta Bullock (left), executive for administration in the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop, was the guest preacher.
January 7, 2011
Epiphany day marked the 10th Anniversary of the full-communion agreement between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church in the USA. "From shared local ministries and shared ordained clergy to campus ministries, disaster relief, ministry education, global mission training, advocacy work, and many daily ministries in and with our full communion partners, we give thanks to God for the many ways that CCM has blessed our churches," said the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, executive director of ELCA ecumenical and interreligious relations. Join in the celebration of this important anniversary by using specially prepared prayers in your congregation (click through for link).
January 6, 2011
“Zones of Peace” seeks to unite houses of worship from all faith traditions in the effort to reduce violence (not only gun violence, but domestic abuse, bullying, uncivil discourse, etc.) in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
January 4, 2011
The Feast of Justice feeding ministry at St. John's, Mayfair, is highlighted in a Jan. 3 Philadelphia Inquirer article on poverty in the lower Northeast, which over the last 10 years had the largest increase in the number of people living below the poverty line of any section of the city. Click the headline to read more.
December 22, 2010
...from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod family. "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
December 20, 2010
"We live in a Commonwealth that was established on the vision of religious freedom and are committed to striving to actualize that vision. Together, we repudiate discrimination against the followers of any religion and reject violence of any sort," members of the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia wrote in an October statement on "Living a Vision of Religious Freedom and Understanding." Click on the headline to read the entire statement.
December 17, 2010
Calvary Lutheran, West Chester, devoted the entire year to what the Daily Local called "an unusal effort to capture the essence of Christmas -- the Christmon Project." Click the headline for a link to the article.
December 15, 2010
A recent column by The Inquirer's Annette John-Hall features the Rev. Andrena Ingram of St. Michael, Germantown and her ministry to raise HIV awareness.
December 10, 2010
Individuals and congregations from across the Synod participated in the 2010 Christmas Ingathering, collecting gifts for children served by our social ministry agencies. What is your congregation or ministry doing to help those less fortunate this Christmas?
December 7, 2010
Together we are the body of Christ. All the parts of the body are needed to give support, strength and flexibility for the ministry of Jesus Christ. Our Synod exists to oversee and support Christ’s mission here in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. We facilitate missional activities no single congregation could accomplish. And you can help this vital Lutheran witness remains healthy by supporting our annual It Takes All the Saints campaign as an individual, family or congregation.
December 7, 2010
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will receive two pastors onto its roster of ordained ministers in upcoming congregational ceremonies. The Rev. Jay A. Wiesner of University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation (UniLu) will be received Sunday, Dec. 12 and the Rev. Stephen Keiser of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion will be received Sunday, Jan. 2 in services in their respective congregations
December 7, 2010
A report on the first graduation at Sebastian Kolowa University College in Tanzania, from our representative, Susan Pursch, chair of the SEPA SEKUCo Committee.
December 6, 2010
Susan Pursch, chair of our Synod's SEKUCo Coordinating Committee, traveled to Tanzania for the first graduation at the Sebastian Kolowa University College there. Read more to share her observations from the journey...
November 22, 2010
"Christ comes to us now as He has come to His people of every age, whether his coming perplexes us or gives us great joy, whether we have been longing and praying for him or are caught by surprise," Bishop Claire S. Burkat writes in her annual Advent/Christmas message to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Please share this message in your congregation's newsletter or bulletin.
