Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2023-24 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Although...
Author Archive
January 23, 2023
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Application
Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2023-24 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Although...
June 13, 2022
Assembly Day of Service 2022
April 23rd marked the first ever Assembly Day of Service. SEPA Synod members had the opportunity to serve at ten different locations all around our Synod. These sites were planned in conjunction with volunteer leaders and SEPA Synod Deans to spotlight just a few of the numerous important ministries happening every day all around our Synod. ...
May 17, 2022
ELCA Adopts Declaration to the Muslim Community
A week ago, our Muslim neighbors ended the holy month of Ramadan with the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr. For much of April, Christians and Muslims journeyed through their respective periods of fasting, prayer, and reflection, as Lent and Ramadan coincided. During this holy time of confluence between Christians and Muslims, The ELCA Church Council...
May 16, 2022
A message from Presiding Bishop Eaton
May 9, 2022 On March 8, 2022, I appointed a listening panel to review the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana leading up to and on Dec. 12, 2021. The panel has thoughtfully and judiciously conducted their listening process as is appropriate for a situation as multifaceted as this. Informed by the panel’s...
May 16, 2022
Interfaith Action on Gun Violence
From Sanctuary to Street; From Lament to Action. Thursday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia 19103. Join the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia, Heeding God’s Call, and local faith institutions to honor the memory of those taken by gun murders and work to...
May 26, 2021
Time for a Check-up
If you are like me, this year has included hearing about some historical events that were not in the textbooks used in school. Some of this history has been hard to hear, and I can see why people were tempted to leave it out. But in Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents”,...
May 26, 2021
Empathy: A Pandemic Silver Lining?
In recognition that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Elise Seyfried (Christ’s, Oreland) shares her experience with bipolar disorder at LivingLutheran.org: “As Christians we are called to walk in each other’s shoes, to find common ground, to love and support one another. That isn’t always easy, especially when we struggle to connect emotionally with our...
May 14, 2021
What’s Next? Being Digital Church After the Pandemic
The widespread use of COVID vaccines and the lessening of restrictions on gatherings are ushering us into our latest “abnormal” – a hybrid church that holds on to the best of its pandemic digital presence and rekindles in-person community. How might we do both sustainably? Why might digital be a better platform for some types...
May 11, 2021
COVID Considerations for Church Leaders
As government restrictions ease and vaccinations rise, how do we respond as church? What data should church leaders rely on as they responsibly return to in-person worship while protecting the most vulnerable – including the unvaccinated and children – who may not be protected for months? Join us for this conversation with Dr. Tim Babinchak,...
April 30, 2021
“We have faith over fear”
Message from Synod Vice President Tracey A. Beasley to the 2021 Synod Assembly.
April 30, 2021
Resources to Commemorate Emanuel 9
As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Refreshed worship resources for the Commemoration of...
April 19, 2021
Communications Highlights 2020-21
Who knew in early 2020 how important communications and technology would be to our ministries? Pastor Bob Fisher, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Communications, shares how the synod — like congregations — leveled up to provide new services and support for congregations.
April 3, 2021
An Easter Blessing from Bishop Davenport
Easter Blessing from Bishop Davenport Reflecting on the power and purpose of this day, this scripture fell into my spirit. Please, let me share it with you. Romans 8:35-39 according to The Message. St. Paul writes, “So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t...
March 31, 2021
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
I just finished reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. I would recommend this book as a must-read for those who want to expand their understanding about the pervasive sin of racism in America. She is brilliant and has opened up yet another reality for me. From the book jacket: “Beautifully written,...
March 26, 2021
Joy Complete: Easter Season Worship
A gift from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to our rostered ministers, musicians, tech teams, and other virtual worship leaders. This service is available for Sunday, April 11, and suitable for any Sunday after Easter.
March 24, 2021
Stay Safe. Don’t Miss Your Shot.
Bishop Davenport encourages church leaders to “do no harm” and shares her experience with the vaccine.
March 17, 2021
Carrying the Cross
Lutherans are the least racially diverse denomination in America. This is not an accusation, but a fact. There are some legitimate historical reasons for that reality. Our denomination was historically established as an immigrant church. When our congregations were created they preserved, not only the theology, but also the culture of “the old country.” Many...
March 15, 2021
Stream Worship with OBS
Bob Masser of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, PA, shares how the church evolved its live stream from Zoom to multi-camera with Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
March 11, 2021
Live Streaming with Vmix
A behind-the-scenes look at Temple, Havertown’s remote stream setup with Kyle Barger.
