Dear friends, If you missed our Stewardship Extravaganza in January, you missed a great event with excellent keynote addresses, an outstanding sermon and wonderful workshops. But, here is a chance to benefit from that experience. One of the workshop leaders, Rob Blezard, has a monthly “Toolkit” that provides helpful bulletin inserts, thoughtful newsletter articles and...
Category: Faith in action
January 21, 2020
Cultivate a Heart of Love
Dear friends, If you missed our Stewardship Extravaganza in January, you missed a great event with excellent keynote addresses, an outstanding sermon and wonderful workshops. But, here is a chance to benefit from that experience. One of the workshop leaders, Rob Blezard, has a monthly “Toolkit” that provides helpful bulletin inserts, thoughtful newsletter articles and...
January 7, 2020
Christian Minimalism Focuses on What Really Matters
Jesus’ simple life, focus on what was most important, and trust in God to provide testify to his minimalist lifestyle. The minimalism movement offers that attending to what matters and eliminating things and ideas that distract can provide “meaning” to our lives. Pastor Becca Ehrlich of Philadelphia, author of the Christian Minimalism blog, writes in...
December 18, 2019
Anti-Racism Education Feb. 8
The SEPA Anti-Racism Team will host the third in a four-part series of educational events for rostered and lay leaders on Feb. 8, 2020, 9 am to 5 pm, at the Brossman Center on the ULS Philadelphia campus. This part, Connection, examines how our (mis)perceptions of others can be due to a lack of connectiveness....
December 10, 2019
Synod Council and Committees seeking Nominations for 2020
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Nominating Committee is asking for your help in identifying gifted and qualified persons, both clergy and lay, to serve as nominees for election at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly on May 1-2, 2020 Every year the Synod Assembly elects members of the Synod Council, which serves as “the board of directors...
December 4, 2019
Called To Serve Our Neighbors
Through baptism, we are called to serve our neighbors and steward God’s good creation. As Lutherans, our attention turns to the policies that make a broader difference in our lives and the lives of our vulnerable neighbors. It is important that we add our voice into the process. In this video presented by Lutheran Advocacy...
November 27, 2019
Support Jane Addams Place On Giving Tuesday
This year, #GivingTuesday donations through the synod will benefit Lutheran Settlement House’s Jane Addams Place emergency shelter. Lutheran Settlement House’s Jane Addams Place is an emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Whether due to domestic violence, a house fire, or losing a job, residents at Jane Addams Place arrive during times of crisis. Jane Addams Place...
November 27, 2019
Congregations Learn About Enhancing Vitality
Lay and rostered leaders from congregations across the synod gathered Nov. 9 to explore ways of making their churches more vital communities of faith. Vital congregations nurture individual and community relationship with God, build relationships, and develop a strong presence in community. The day included experienced practitioners and group brainstorming and networking. Resources from the...
October 28, 2019
2021 Gathering: Boundless
The ELCA Youth Gathering team announces the theme of the 2021 Minneapolis Gathering, “boundless: God beyond measure,” based on Ephesians 3:19 CEV. “I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” What are the stories of...
October 15, 2019
Inspire Extravagant Generosity
Save January 10-11 for a weekend of informative and useful presentations designed to inspire Extravagant Generosity in your church! This event is hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446. This stewardship extravaganza features keynote speakers J. Clif Christopher (author of: It’s Not Your Father’s Offering Plate, Whose Offering Plate...
October 2, 2019
Bishop Eaton: Bold Actions at Churchwide Assembly
By Elizabeth A. Eaton This church had a meeting in August. We gathered in Milwaukee for the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. We were filled with anticipation and excitement—what would unfold during the assembly? How would we be inspired by worship and Bible study? How would we be challenged? What new insight into the work of the...
September 30, 2019
Volunteer with Liberty Hospice
Part of the Liberty Lutheran family of services, Liberty Hospice offers compassionate care to Philadelphia-area patients facing a life-limiting illness. Our hospice care team, which includes a medical director, social workers, chaplains, skilled nursing professionals, hospice aides, and volunteers, provides comprehensive support while helping patients and their families make the most of every moment. Volunteers are a vital...
September 25, 2019
In God’s Image: Inclusive Ministry October 12, 2019
Interested in learning how to expand your ministries to be more intentionally welcoming for LGBTQIA+ persons? Is your congregation already Reconciling in Christ but you want to know what more you can do? Do you feel like you just don’t know how to be the best ally you can be? Well, then do we have...
September 25, 2019
Vitality Awareness Day
Join members of the Vitality Team on Saturday November 9th at the Philadelphia Campus of United Lutheran Seminary for a day of Vitality Awareness. During the day we will help raise awareness for ministries efforts that matter in helping to transform your congregation into a vital ministry in your community. This day is for both...
September 25, 2019
Volunteer Opportunity: Feast Incarnate
One in four Philadelphians are food insecure. Help Feast Incarnate, a ministry of University Lutheran Church, feed people by becoming a meal provider or host. Feast Incarnate feeds people every Tuesday night, and they are looking for church groups able to help prepare and/or serve meals. For more information call Nell McCaslin at 203.520.2553. Download...
September 10, 2019
Help With Hurricane Dorian Recovery
God, you still the storms and are a very present help in trouble. We pray for all those suffering the effects of Hurricane Dorian. Bring comfort to the afflicted and strength to those who come to their aid. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. “About 17% of all Bahamians are suddenly homeless after...
September 3, 2019
Camp Noah Helps Children Traumatized by Disaster
Painting, singing, dancing, and more! Children at Camp Noah whose lives have been impacted by disaster and/or trauma enjoyed a week full of hope and fun. Thanks to incredible volunteers and partnerships from local churches and numerous organizations, these children have courage and resilience for their future. With Hurricane Dorian already making its impact, programs like Camp...
August 28, 2019
ELCA Declaration to African Descent Peoples
Acknowledging “with regret that the ELCA as an institution has and continues to contribute to racial harassment and discrimination against people of African descent through corporate action, policy, and practices,” the 2019 Churchwide Assembly formally adopted a “Declaration…To People of African Descent.” The Assembly “confess(es) and repent(s) of the Lutheran church’s complicity in four hundred...
August 28, 2019
Collaboration Sparks Creative VBS
Vacation Bible School looks a little different, maybe, than it has in years past, especially at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Washington, which was close to closing its doors five years ago when The Rev. Kristie Chandler first arrived. She and the congregation chose to use the God’s abundant gifts to move forward with their...
August 26, 2019
Young Adult Selected for Global Assignment
Cassandra Singh-Heuter, of Advent Lutheran in Harleysville, is one of 69 ELCA young adults selected for this year’s Young Adults in Global Mission program. Cassandra will be serving alongside Lutheran companions in Argentina and Uruguay. The YAGM volunteers will be sent to serve in 11 countries alongside our companions in Argentina/Uruguay, Australia, Central Europe (Hungary...
August 26, 2019
Our Global Connection With Tanzania
There’s an African tradition that when someone is physically present, it’s not just their “face” that is present, but life itself. Bishop Davenport, Pastor Bradley Burke, and Ms. Yvonne Curtis visited our companion North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania this summer, sharing not only the life of our Synod but your prayers and gifts. In the previous year,...
