Category: Congregations
March 28, 2022
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Application
Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2022- 23 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden....
March 25, 2022
Renewal of Ministry Vows April 12
Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministers of Word and Service will gather for the annual Chrism Service on Tuesday of Holy Week, April 12, at 10 am online. This traditional service of Word and Sacrament includes the blessing of oil for anointing, healing prayer, and renewal of ministry vows. Bishop Patricia A. Davenport will...
February 28, 2022
Pastors Suah-Dennis, Penman Appointed Co-Directors of Evangelical Mission
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis and the Rev. Bryan Penman as co-directors of evangelical mission. Dr. Suah-Dennis is pastor of Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Lansdown. Rev. Penman is pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohoken. They will continue to serve their congregations...
February 7, 2022
The Building Blocks of Congregational Renewal
“This interview is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and available at churchleadership.com.” What does it take to turn a congregation around? Lewis Center Director Doug Powe interviews Ed Brandt, a long-serving pastor who recently retired as chief of chaplains for...
February 1, 2022
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Canceled
Our synod offers prayers for all who are affected by this decision. From The ELCA Youth Gathering Facebook Page: An update regarding the 2022 Gathering After much prayer, conversation and tears, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Gathering, MYLE and the tAble due to the ongoing pandemic, the recent COVID-19...
January 31, 2022
Tuscarora Youth Retreat Moves to One Day
The Tuscarora Youth Retreat Committee has made the decision to change this year’s retreat to a ONE DAY EVENT due to the latest COVID-19 numbers and data. [Note: This is not a synod sponsored event and not subject to the synod’s events policy.] All 6th – 12th grade youth and their leaders are welcome to...
January 21, 2022
Contemplating the New Year
Two years into a global pandemic, the toll on human life and livelihood is undeniable, and the toll on mental, emotional and spiritual health is no less profound. Enormous shifts in the way we work, gather and worship have left many people reeling. How can faith communities be a resource for those struggling? For...
January 21, 2022
Celebrate Diverse Ministries for Black History Month
This is our future church: A ten-year-old preacher and professional artist; a grassroots campaign for affordable housing; young and diverse communities. African Descent Ministries of the ELCA is celebrating Black History Month with Talks at the Desk, a new series that will explore diverse expressions of the church. Join us each Wednesday in February at 7:30 pm...
November 23, 2021
Welcome Pastor Stacey-Kyle Rea
The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea has been called as Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship, starting December 1, 2021. Currently Pastor Rea serves Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairview Village, as senior pastor. She previously served St. John’s, Phoenixville, and St. John’s, Folcroft. She has been active with Synod youth ministry, leading groups of...
November 5, 2021
Free Training for Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse
In Pennsylvania, clergy and anyone who works with children — Sunday school and nursery providers, preschool teachers, youth group advisors, etc. — are considered mandated reporters of child abuse. Please share with the appropriate individuals in your congregation. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance is providing VIRTUAL Mandated Reporter Training during November and December at no cost! Click this link...
October 15, 2021
Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal
Due to the current COVID wave, this event has been postponed until June 18, 2022. SAVE THE DATE: The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Keynote speakers for “Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal” are Louise Johnson and...
September 15, 2021
The Joy of Third Things
Elise Seyfried (Christ’s, Oreland) writes in LivingLutheran: Many people have fond memories of special conversations that transpired while they were doing the dishes with a parent or going fishing with a friend. This third thing they do together makes it easy and comfortable for them to converse more deeply, often without even making eye contact....
September 15, 2021
Prayers From The North Eastern Diocese
We received the following message of concern and condolence from our companion synod in Tanzania following the destruction from Hurricane Ida: Greetings in the name of Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the South Eastern Pennsylvania Synod, receive our heartfelt greetings and deep condolence from your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran...
September 14, 2021
Help Afghan Evacuees
Last week Pastor Nathan Krause of Redeemer, Jamison received a call from a church member who had a contact at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. That’s where many of the refugees from Afghanistan are being processed. The contact related her personal experience of what she was seeing and the needs of the refugees. The...
September 14, 2021
Haiti Earthquake Situation Report
An update on efforts responding to the recent earthquake in Haiti, from Lutheran Disaster Response.
August 5, 2021
ELCA Congregations Lead Initiative
The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. Your congregation is invited to apply today to join the Congregations Lead Initiative. Deadline for applications is August 15. Learn...
August 5, 2021
You’re Invited to the ELCA Day of Service
On Sunday, Sept. 12, ELCA congregations will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. This annual day of service is an opportunity for us to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor. We rejoice that many in-person church activities have resumed, and...
August 3, 2021
‘Substantial’ Virus Seen in SEPA
As of August 1, the CDC reports that Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties are experiencing “substantial” community transmission of coronavirus. The CDC recommends that all people, vaccinated or not, wear masks and maintain physical distancing in indoor public or multi-household gatherings. See this article explaining CDC guidance. Unvaccinated persons, including all children under 12...
June 9, 2021
New Guidance for Safer Worship and Sacraments
Long-awaited guidance from the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacraments, released June 8, advises houses of worship to go slowly with in-person gatherings where vaccinated and unvaccinated persons occupy the same space. “The group suggests limiting touching except where Christian rituals, such as laying on of hands for confirmation, require it; avoiding...
June 2, 2021
Mediator Youth Honored in Tulsa Centennial Writing Contest
Tredon Stevenson, a member of Mediator Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, received second prize in the youth (ages 14-17) division of the ELCA African Descent Lutheran Association’s national writing contest to honor the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. He is an excellent student and participates in youth programs and choir and is a worship assistant and...
