Beloved, I’m sure you aware that Governor Wolf ordered that all non-essential business in Pennsylvania need to close, effective March 17, for two weeks. This is part of the ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. My colleague, Bishop Michael Rhyne of Allegheny Synod, shares that their synod’s attorney informed them that...
Category: Bishop
March 18, 2020
Bishop: Churches Should Comply With Governor’s Order
Beloved, I’m sure you aware that Governor Wolf ordered that all non-essential business in Pennsylvania need to close, effective March 17, for two weeks. This is part of the ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. My colleague, Bishop Michael Rhyne of Allegheny Synod, shares that their synod’s attorney informed them that...
Moving forward in ministry during the pandemic.
March 11, 2020
Bishop Davenport’s Pastoral Letter on COVID-19
March 11, 2020 Greetings, Beloved! From Genesis through Revelation, Holy Scripture echoes a common theme: “Do not be afraid.” The Holy One knows that there are times that trigger our fear and anxiety. The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 – how it spreads, how we should respond, how to protect ourselves and our neighbors – has ripple...
March 7, 2020
ELCA presiding bishop addresses concerns about COVID-19
In 1527 the plague returned to Wittenberg, Germany. Two hundred years earlier the plague had swept across Europe killing up to 40% of the population. Understandably, people were anxious and wondered what a safe and faithful response might be. In answer to this, Martin Luther wrote “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague.” In...
February 19, 2020
What Are We Taking On For Lent?
Lenten Message from Bishop Davenport Reflection on Isaiah 58:6-9 Watch video message Download print vision February, 2020 Greetings, beloved. So what are we taking on for Lent? Jesus’ journey to the cross was a path through sacrifice and discipline. Our Lord took on the weight of the whole world. He poured...
January 21, 2020
Bishop on 50 Years of Ordaining Lutheran Women
Today, women of all races, backgrounds and experiences lead congregations, synods and the churchwide expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. But in the early days, “there were no models except male,” says Elizabeth Platz, the first woman ordained by a Lutheran denomination in the US — the Lutheran Church in America — in...
December 6, 2019
It’s About Jesus – A Christmas Message
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 Beloved, “It’s about Jesus!” That was the theme for the ELCA’s exciting Congregational Vitality gathering this year. And it could...
September 17, 2019
Bishop Joins Forum On Racial Policies
Bishop Davenport will join Dr. Jim Wallis, Bishop Gregory Ingram, Dr. William Shaw and Rev. Luis Cortes in “The Elders Speak,” a forum on a Christian response to the radicalized public and corporate policies and practices impacting communities of color on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 pm at Teatro Esperanza, 4261 N. Fifth Street, Philadelphia,...
August 16, 2019
Bishop’s Message on ELCA as ‘Sanctuary’
August 2019 Beloved siblings in Christ, Last week at our Churchwide Assembly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recommitted itself to walking alongside immigrants and refugees as a matter of faith.This Assembly action affirmed our history as an immigrant faith in the United States and the Lutheran church’s long history of assisting strangers in...
May 22, 2019
“Was It Not Necessary?”
Through prayer, preaching, and lament, SEPA leaders explore our desire for beloved community thriough the lens of Luke 24. SEPA Synod Assembly, May 3, 2019. “It is time for our inadequate dreams to die in order for Christ to rise in us, and our church.” This observation by one pastor to Bishop Patricia A. Davenport...
May 10, 2019
Bishop Davenport: “We are co-creators of our joint mission”
Bishop Patricia Davenport, the Fifth Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA, opened the Synod’s 2019 Assembly (her first as Bishop) with a reading from Psalm 34: 1-3. “… O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt God’s name together.” From the excitement of her election at the 2018 Assembly, to...
April 10, 2019
Bishop Davenport: A Pastoral Message on Standards for Pastors and Deacons
Dear Sisters and Brothers, This past weekend in Chicago, the ELCA Church Council considered how to move forward with a new statement describing the church’s vision for its rostered ministers. Titled “Trustworthy Servants of the People of God,” it is intended to replace the current document known as “Visions and Expectations.” Last month, the Conference...
March 11, 2019
Feedback Sought on ‘Trustworthy Servants’ Document
“Trustworthy Servants of the People of God,” an expression of the aspirations of the ELCA for its rostered ministers and candidates, is expected to be voted on by the Church Council in April. The Conference of Bishops, which reviewed the document and issued a pastoral message this month, is accepting comments on the content of...
January 23, 2019
A Civil Conversation on Race and Faith
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport was one of five conversationalists who participated in Interfaith Philadelphia’s “Conversation on Race and Faith” at WHYY January 17. The bishop joined the Rev. Steven Lawrence, president of NewCORE (A New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity), Rabbi David Strauss of Main Line Reform Temple, Sheikh Anwar Muhaimin of Masjid Quba, and...
December 22, 2018
Make a Difference Through “It Takes All the Saints” Appeal
An invitation from Bishop Patricia A. Davenport: Beloved Saints of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod – Greetings! In my first few months in office I have been overwhelmed by the many ways our congregations and leaders support the ministries of the office of the bishop …. With your energy and creative ideas, your collaborative spirit, your...
December 12, 2018
Christmas Message from Bishop Davenport
Share this message: Right-click and save the image above to share via email or website. Download: Christmas message insert (printable) Copy and paste the text below into your word processing program Best wishes for a blessed celebration of Christ’s birth, and new beginnings in 2019 Bishop Patricia A. Davenport Bob Fisher, Cynta Outterbridge,...
November 9, 2018
Bishop’s Message on the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport shares a pastoral letter on the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in light the murders at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last month and a rising number of hate crimes against Jews. Noting that later-life writings of Martin Luther were used to justify the pogrom, the...
October 31, 2018
Interfaith Leaders Stand with Jewish Community
Hundreds packed Temple Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia Sunday night as people of many faiths and political leaders gathered to stand in support of the Jewish community after 11 worshippers were murdered during prayers at a Pittsburgh synagogue Oct. 27. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported: The tone was largely spiritual. The Rev. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel...
