Category: Bishop
June 13, 2016
Bishop’s Prayer for Orlando
On Sunday night, June 12, Bishop Burkat shared this prayer following the nation’s largest mass shooting early that morning in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida: This is my prayer tonight… God of peace, mercy and justice. The suffering on this day is inconsolable, the tears overflowing, and the fear palpable. The slaying of your...
May 13, 2016
‘A New Dawn for Christ’s Church’
When Martin Luther seized the changes made possible by the printing press, he couldn’t have begun to imagine the exponential changes of our Internet age, Bishop Claire Burkat said in her address to the 2016 Synod Assembly. Despite the stresses posed by constant connectivity, racing schedules and financial pressure, “the Holy Spirit is bringing a...
May 13, 2016
Forward Together in Faith: A Doable Goal
From Bishop Burkat’s presentation to the 2016 Assembly: For a year now, we have used some start up money to begin piloting initiatives for the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. We are confident that together we will equip our clergy and lay leaders with the tools, insights, resources and navigation needed for future Lutheran witness....
May 7, 2016
In the Midst of Fear, Love Prevails
What shapes our lives and ministry? How do we respond to the formidable forces that threaten to pull us into the whirlpool of fear that has formed around us, reflected in public debate and in how people are treating each other? In her sermon at the assembly’s opening worship, Bishop Claire Burkat pulls together threads...
April 29, 2016
Bishop Welcomes New Refugee Partner
Pennsylvania Lutherans have an long history of stepping up to help resettle refugees arriving in our area. This life-transforming work will continue despite the decision by Lutheran Children and Family Services in Pennsylvania to bring their resettlement work to a close. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is partnering with Bethany Christian Services to manage...
March 22, 2016
‘Be Cross-Bearers, Not Bystanders’
Be cross-bearers, not bystanders, Bishop Claire Burkat encouraged congregation leaders at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Chrism Service today (March 22). At this annual service, held Tuesday in Holy Week, pastors, lay rostered leaders and congregation deacons reaffirm their ministry vows and the bishop blesses oils to be used in baptism, confirmation, and anointing rites over...
January 4, 2016
Bishop Eaton: Putting the Pieces Together
In her January column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton notes that “we are church together” — that is, “some days.” But “many days and in many ways we aren’t.” This year, she says, will be dedicated to looking at the future directions and priorities of this church. The complete column follows: Putting the...
December 8, 2015
Religious Leaders Respond to Mosque Vandalism
Area religious leaders have expressed dismay at the desecration targeting Al Aqsa Islamic Society in Philadelphia, where a severed pig’s head was discovered outside yesterday (December 7). “This is a despicable and disturbing act of hatred,” said Bishop Claire Burkat, who knows and respects Imam Mohamed Shehata in their work together on the Religious Leaders...
December 8, 2015
Rejoice in the Lord. Always.
Advent/Christmas 2015 Message from Bishop Burkat Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,...
November 19, 2015
Bishop on Refugee Crisis
“Lutherans across this nation have welcomed more than a half million people fleeing violence and persecution,” Bishop Claire Burkat writes in a letter to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “As a Pennsylvanian and Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I am proud of Governor Tom Wolf’s decision to continue to work with the Federal...
October 15, 2015
Bishop Eaton: What is ‘Lutheran’?
What is ‘Lutheran’? Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton asks this question in her October column for The Lutheran. What we eat, what hymns we sing, what jokes we tell, what color we are … none of this binds us together or makes us Lutheran, she says. Our theology must define us. And it’s all about God’s grace, and...
September 22, 2015
Bradley Burke Called to Youth, Formation Roles
Dionne Jackson also joins ministry team The Rev. Bradley R. Burke has been appointed Assistant to the Bishop for Youth, Young Adult and Spiritual Formation by Bishop Claire Burkat. Pastor Burke, who is currently serving as executive director of Lutheran Charities in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been involved in youth and young adult ministry in our...
September 18, 2015
Bishop Participates in World Meeting of Families
Bishop Burkat will join other Christian and interfaith leaders in participating in the opening ceremony and Mass for the World Meeting of Families on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput extended the invitation on behalf of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Many Lutherans are helping to welcome Catholics from all over the world to Philadelphia...
July 14, 2015
Highlights from 2015 Tanzania Visit
Bishop Burkat travelled to Tanzania in July for the celebration of the 125th anniversary of our companion North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. While there she participated in a jubilee anniversary service, attended by President Jakaya Kikwete. She preached at a celebration at Kana Church, Tanga, and dedicated a nursery school...
June 29, 2015
Bishop’s Reflection on Marriage Equality
Last Friday’s Supreme Court decision striking down bans against same-sex marriage “knocks the power out of long-standing assumptions that most but not all people are equal,” Bishop Claire Burkat writes in a pastoral message. “For our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, as well as all those who have worked for marriage equality here in...
June 26, 2015
Tanzania Diocese Celebrates 125th
Congratulations to our companion Synod, the North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, on its 125th Jubilee, to be celebrated in early July. On June 30 Bishop Burkat and Assistant to the Bishop Joanne Carlson leave for Tanzania, where the bishop will preach at the Jubilee worship service on July 6. Please...
June 25, 2015
A Day of Repentance and Mourning
“As we mourn and remember” the six Christian martyrs murdered at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston last week, “it is also a time to repent of the sin of racism that continues to plague our nation and our church,” Bishop Burkat wrote in a pastoral message June 25. She joined Presiding Bishop Eaton’s call...
June 19, 2015
PA Bishops Support Anti-Discrimination Bill
Harrisburg, PA — The seven Pennsylvania bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released a letter June 18 in support of legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Public Relations Act to prohibit discrimination in areas of employment, housing and public accommodation on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or...
June 15, 2015
Save Dates for Bishop’s Convocation
Save the dates! This year’s Bishop’s Convocation will be held November 18 – 20, 2015 (Wednesday through Friday) at Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center, 101 Doe Mountain Lane, Macungie, PA 18062. (Not to be confused with the Camp in Northeastern PA Synod.) “Thinking outside the walls: Surprising spaces to be the church” will feature Bryan Berghoef and...
