“Give thanks for those whose hope is clear, beyond mere mortal sight: who seek the city God has planned, the true, eternal promised land, and steer on toward that light, a beacon ever bright..” – Give Thanks for Saints (ELW 428) Dear Faithful Saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Thank you, saints, for witnessing to God’s extravagant love...
Category: Congregations
November 15, 2024
All Saints Appeal
“Give thanks for those whose hope is clear, beyond mere mortal sight: who seek the city God has planned, the true, eternal promised land, and steer on toward that light, a beacon ever bright..” – Give Thanks for Saints (ELW 428) Dear Faithful Saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Thank you, saints, for witnessing to God’s extravagant love...
November 1, 2024
Why should you donate to charities directly from your IRA?
Our Synod Generosity Team is sharing the following article as a way to help you use your money wisely in saving and in giving. If you are over 70 years old and have an IRA, here is some good advice. Why should you donate to charities directly from your IRA? Do you donate to Churches or...
October 8, 2024
What Really Matters? A SEPA Youth Event
Join us for an overnight adventure at Bear Creek Camp! Open to youth in grades 6-9 and their leaders, we’ll hike, play games, get closer to God and more! Make connections with peers! Grow closer to Jesus! Love GOD and love others! Registration opens: October 10! Last day to register: October 24 $65 per person...
September 18, 2024
Registration Open: Live Faithfully – Synod Wide Learning Day & Love Revolution Launch
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:00 am-3:00 pm St. Luke Lutheran Church 203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA 1933 How are you living out your baptismal call? Congregations and their leaders are invited to spend a day exploring how we are called to live among God’s faithful people. Bishop Dwayne Royster from Power Interfaith will be...
August 22, 2024
Now Hiring: Grant Administrator and Grant Evaluator for Love Revolution
Grant Administrator for Love Revolution SEPA Synod is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented individual to be Grant Administrator for Love Revolution. The person fulfilling this contract will be responsible for Grant Administration of Love Revolution, skilled in administration, communication and finance. This person will assist the Grant Evaluator, Program Director and the Directors of Evangelical Mission...
July 24, 2024
Love Revolution Grant Applications Now Available
Does your congregation feel the call to grow and transform? Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor is looking for congregations to bring their lay and rostered leaders to renew their sense of purpose. Applications for the first cohort are here! Love Revolution Cover Letter and Grant Application Love Revolution is a five-year program funded by the Lilly...
July 11, 2024
Forward Together In Faith Grants 2024-2025
It’s time again to apply for grants to support new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. These grants, drawn from interest earned by the principal of the campaign, will support new projects that help network congregations, leaders and community partners, innovate new forms of ministry and/or communities of faith, communicate through digital channels,...
January 29, 2024
“We Are The Tools of Transformation”
“Beloved, we are saved by grace through faith for a purpose,” The Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Davenport, bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, said in the opening sermon of the annual generosity extravaganza, “Tools for Today.” Her text was 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, in which Paul speaks of the need and joy of giving to help...
Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
December 13, 2023
Kindling Faith Programs for 2024
Kindling Faith has amazing programming as we begin 2024 together! For Congregational Councils seeking to learn more about this vital ministry of the church—a new six-part zoom series kicks off on January 8th at 7 pm (meeting on the second Monday of each month through June). Click here to learn more! For church leaders who...
December 6, 2023
All Saints Appeal Supports Youth and Young Adult Formation
“What a joy it’s been to watch youth programs rejuvenate after what was a long pandemic,” says Pastor Skyle Rea, assistant to the bishop for youth and young adult formation. This year the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat resumed meeting in-person. Youths from several congregations participated in the Appalachia Service Project trip and worked to make...
December 6, 2023
Nominations for 2024 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly Deadline Extended 3/30
How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod. At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 3 & 4, 2024, we will be electing a Bishop, which will take place by...
December 6, 2023
$1M Grant to Launch ‘Love Revolution’ in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new program,...
December 5, 2023
Ecumenical Leaders Call for Ceasefire in Holy Lands
Leaders of Churches Without Borders – an ecumenical partnership of the ELCA, The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church in Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada – released a pastoral letter calling for an end to war in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. Churches Without Borders also released an Advent Cycle of Prayer...
December 5, 2023
Cost of Living Increase for Rostered Ministers
The SEPA Executive Committee at its most recent meeting approved a cost-of-living increase of 3.2% (following the determination of the federal government) for Rostered Ministers. Therefore, for 2024: Word & Sacrament – SEPA Unadjusted Minimum Salary is $48,164 plus Housing Allowance of $18,000 totaling $66,164. Word & Service – SEPA Unadjusted Minimum Salary is $49,610. Please...
October 30, 2023
Proposed Constitutional Amendments for Consideration at the 2024 Synod Assembly
Dear members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, The 2024 Synod Assembly will be notable as we will be electing a Bishop to succeed Bishop Davenport. Yet there will also be other items that will come to your attention for consideration and action. We will be electing people to serve as Voting Members to the 2025...
October 12, 2023
Your Mission Support at Work
Your congregation’s Mission Support contributions are shared with the ELCA for ministry across the church. Did you know that there is a new Congregation and Synod Support Team that includes Congregational Stewardship, Mission Support and Storytelling Engagement? The linked PDF provides contact information. This month we also highlight our Ecumenical partnerships with a story from...
September 15, 2023
Urban Ministry Task Force Update, Summer 2023
At the 2022 SEPA Synod Assembly, our synod passed a memorial to study and explore the state of Urban Ministry in our synod. The resolution contained three primary objectives: 1.) assessing the wage disparity for urban pastors, 2.) assess the state of our buildings and 3.) develop a program to develop pastoral leadership in urban...
September 13, 2023
Are You Ready for the 2024 Youth Gathering?
The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16) Priority registrations began Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12pm CST. (1pm EST) We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations Here are the...
August 8, 2023
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Annual Event, “In God’s Image: Shaping Your Ministry to be Inclusive and Safe for LGBTQIA+ Folk,” will be held on Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church. Registration will open in September. Contact 
