Prayers for your use during PRIDE month in June. God of LOVE, we thank you for the Spirits who were trailblazers, moving and shaking people’s hearts and minds. Stir up in us that same energy of those who helped pave the way for where our LGBTQIA+ siblings are today. May we never stop expanding the...
Category: Congregations
June 3, 2020
Prayers For PRIDE Month
Prayers for your use during PRIDE month in June. God of LOVE, we thank you for the Spirits who were trailblazers, moving and shaking people’s hearts and minds. Stir up in us that same energy of those who helped pave the way for where our LGBTQIA+ siblings are today. May we never stop expanding the...
May 20, 2020
Letter From Our Partner Bishop In Tanzania
May 13, 2020 Dear Rev. Patricia Davenport, Warm greetings in the name of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:16) Beloved in Christ, It is...
May 20, 2020
A Hometown Hero for the Houseless
Welcome Church Pastor Violet Little nominated Project Home homeless outreach worker Sam Santiago as one of 6ABC’s “Hometown Heroes” for his work supporting people without houses in the city. Part of Sam’s duties, with co-worker Kara Cohen, is distributing hygiene kits and peanut butter sandwiches donated by supporters of Welcome Church and Welcome Bread.
May 20, 2020
Virtual Closing to the Sunday School Year
The last planned day of Sunday school at Redeemer Jamison was to have been the week before Memorial Day Weekend. At 9:30 am on May 17, the normal Sunday school time, they held a Zoom class instead. The teachers told the story of Mary and Martha, then asked each child if they thought of themselves as more...
May 15, 2020
Continually Updated List of COVID-19 Resources
We have been collecting and sharing resources for navigating COVID-19 from faith and government sources. The most recently added items are listed below. To view the entire collection, click the button below. VIEW ALL RESOURCES > Latest Resources VIEW ALL RESOURCES > Photo by Марьян Блан | @marjanblan on Unsplash
May 15, 2020
What’s Next: How will COVID-19 Shape the Church’s Future?
What’s on the horizon for congregations and parishes as we transition from the crisis of the moment to the long-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic? The pandemic has fast-forwarded us into our future at warp speed. Normal has changed forever. With the advent of the digital church, not all of our congregation is physically present....
April 28, 2020
Disaster Update: COVID-19 Response
Be a part of the response: Pray Please pray for people who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Give Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts...
April 18, 2020
A Message for Congregations in Transition
To the Churches of our synod that are currently in transition: Dear Siblings in Christ, Our churches like the tomb are empty. And yet we proclaim: CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA. The Pandemic of Covid-19 has brought sudden and drastic changes to our way of life and to the way our congregations...
April 16, 2020
7 Ways to Keep Donations Flowing During the Covid-19 Crisis
Stewardship expert Rob Blezard, one of our workshop leaders at our Stewardship Extravaganza in January, outlines steps your church can take to address the financial challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis. Key strategies include staying in communication with donors, including an offering time in online worship, and considering the CARES relief program. Your congregation may have...
April 6, 2020
Considerations for Remote Council and Congregation Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During this time of social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation. Please bear in mind that some matters may best be postponed until the restrictions on gatherings have been lifted....
April 6, 2020
NewPaycheck Protection Program FAQ
Updated FAQ from the ELCA Download: FAQ on PPP Loans Are churches eligible? Yes. There is some misinformation out there, and some lenders are confused, but churches are eligible. Where do we apply for Paycheck Protection Act (forgivable) loans? At a Small Business Administration-approved lender, which includes most financial institutions. What does the application entail?...
April 5, 2020
More Info on CARES Act Programs
Important Info From The ELCA Here are answers to some frequently asked questions: Are churches eligible? Yes. There is some misinformation out there and some lenders are confused, but churches are eligible. What is the application period for the Paycheck Protection Plan loans/grants? It opened April 3. There is no close date we are aware of, but because the...
April 3, 2020
Bishop Eaton: We Remain United
As we approach Holy Week, Bishop Eaton invites the church to join a diverse group of Christians in witness to our common faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April 2, 2020
Recommendation: Discontinue Gathering To Live Stream
April 2, 2020 Colleagues, With increasing concern about aerosol spread of the COVID-19 virus and news such as this and this, and reports that the government will recommend wearing masks in public, we strongly recommend that you discontinue gathering a group of worship leaders together to record/live stream your worship service. We make this recommendation...
March 5, 2020
ELCA Issues Congregation Checklist, Worship Guidance for Coronavirus
While the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is not currently having significant impacts in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the news (and misinformation) about the spread of the virus is creating worry and anxiety in many communities. On March 3 we received via Lutheran Disaster Response a preparation checklist for congregations and ELCA worship guidance, “Worship in Times of Public Health...
March 5, 2020
SEPA Synodical Women 2020 Convention
The 2020 convention of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synodical Women of the ELCA will be held on June 6, 2020, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran church 400 Lynbrooke Rd, Springfield, PA 19064. Registration begins at 9:00 am. Opening devotions begin at 9:30. We will be celebrating 50 years of Ordination of Women of the Lutheran Church...
March 4, 2020
“The Church Is In The Innovation Business”
This season, Bishop Davenport and the synod pastoral staff invite you to join them in reading and discussing Dwight Zscheile’s book “The Agile Church”. In this book Dr. Zscheile, vice president for innovation and professor of mission at Luther Seminary, draws on scripture and history to explore how the early church learned to meet people...
February 19, 2020
Food From Pickleball
Pastor Chris Franz of Advent, West Chester and Pastor Dan Krewson of Calvary, West Chester, recently presented a check for $901 to the West Chester Food Cupboard. The funds were raised by the Tuesday night Pickleball Fellowship players, who are each asked to donate $1 or more per session to play. This joint ministry of...
January 21, 2020
Extravaganza of Generosity
“You can’t love Jesus and not give,” pastor and author Clif Christopher said in his keynote at the 2020 Extravagant Generosity program Jan. 10. “It’s just impossible.” Yet some churches lose the battle with money because “there are more people who think money can save them than think Jesus can save them,” said Christopher, author...
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...
