Registration for the SEPA Youth Summer Servant Trip is now open! July 1-8, 2023 https://community.ministrylink.org/2023asp We invite SEPA Youth, Young Adults and Adult Leader/Drivers to join us for a week of service, making homes warmer, safer and drier. ASP is a Christian Ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home...
Category: Congregations
January 30, 2023
Summer Youth Service Project
Registration for the SEPA Youth Summer Servant Trip is now open! July 1-8, 2023 https://community.ministrylink.org/2023asp We invite SEPA Youth, Young Adults and Adult Leader/Drivers to join us for a week of service, making homes warmer, safer and drier. ASP is a Christian Ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home...
January 18, 2023
How to Talk to Strangers and Why It’s Good for You
By Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Last month a few of the Synod staff were out for a visit to a potential location for Synod Assembly. As we made our way down the corridors of the hotel, I suddenly heard the voice of Bishop Davenport, “Good morning, how are you all doing?” As...
February 1, 2023
Urban Ministry Task Force Formed
The 2022 SEPA Synod Assembly adopted “Fortifying Ministries in Underserved Urban Areas – A Resolution to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.” A similar memorial was also sent to the 2022 ELCA churchwide assembly and approved there. The full text of the resolutions can be found at https://ministrylink.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/3-resolution.pdf Briefly, the resolution points out that many of SEPA’s...
January 23, 2023
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 2023-24 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Although...
January 18, 2023
New Congregational Vitality Survey
Is your congregation ready to take a step in the vitality direction but not sure where to start? Well here is the place to start. A new tool has come out from the ELCA called the Congregational Vitality Survey! This FREE Resource is available to all congregation and is simple to implement across congregations of...
December 9, 2022
ELCA Disability Ministry Grants for Inclusion and Accessibility
ELCA Disability Ministry is seeking applications for grants to congregations and projects committed to inclusion and accessibility. Examples include leadership development, community and congregation education, and connecting those with disabilities and various groups within the church. (See the letter below from Disability Ministry’s Rev. Lisa Heffernan for full details!) Grant applications will be accepted starting...
December 8, 2022
Is Your Church Ready for Christmas Eve?
Ask any of my previous interns, I am extreme nut when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas Eve. But for me, it’s the excitement of drawing so many people to hear the Good News that is at the heart of our faith – that God chose to dwell with us. The power of...
November 21, 2022
Synod Council and Committees seeking Nominations for 2023
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 5, 2023, we have positions of leadership we need to fill to do the work...
October 31, 2022
Holy Closure: Bethany, Roxborough
Remembering in prayer the saints at Bethany Lutheran Church Bethany Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Central Philadelphia Conference, will hold their final worship service on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm with Bishop Davenport presiding. Rostered ministers and members of the SEPA Synod are welcome to attend the final service at Bethany as we...
October 27, 2022
After Tornado, UDLC is a Community Rock
When an EF-2 tornado struck sections of their community on September 1, 2021, the people of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church went into action. The winds and flooding spawned by remnants of Hurricane Ida left 140 families displaced and 1,400 homes with severe damage. Almost immediately the church became a hub to distribute supplies and dispense...
October 27, 2022
Volunteers Needed: Eastwick Flood Relief
Rebuilding continues following Tropical Storm Isaias in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. Volunteers and Contractors needed! Since Tropical Storm Isaias brought devastating flooding to the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia in August 2020, the Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable identified 50 families who needed help with rebuilding of homes and replacement of heating and cooling systems. Volunteers...
October 11, 2022
5 Things to Know About Mission Support
We are grateful for your support of ministries here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the globe through Mission Support. In a new video, the Rev. Karen Sease, assistant to the bishop, shares five things that you need to know about how these gifts are used. You can share this video with leaders...
October 11, 2022
Lutherans Join Churches Going Solar
From The Philadelphia Inquirer: About 50 people gathered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ardmore for a not-so-typical blessing that they hope will become more commonplace. The group was there Sunday for the blessing and dedication of new solar panels estimated to save them about $74,000 over 30 years. Green projects such as solar panel installation, however,...
October 3, 2022
Pray, Give in Response to Hurricanes
While the first months of the hurricane season were relatively quiet, September brought damaging storms including hurricanes Fiona and Ian. Hurricane Fiona inundated Puerto Rico with rain, reminding people of the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28 with near Category 5-strength winds, dumping record amounts...
September 16, 2022
Fall ULS Kindling Faith Events
This fall holds many opportunities for lay and rostered leaders to grow and learn at United Lutheran Seminary. Most of our events have an online option, so even if you’re further afield, you can still engage. Upcoming Kindling Faith Events Soul Care is a new multi-event program in collaboration with the Lower Susquehanna Synod with...
September 13, 2022
Free Congregational Vitality Trainings
Is your congregation ready to take the next step (even a small step!!) to revitalize or renew? Our Synod is participating in a series of Vitality Trainings here this fall with folks from across the ELCA. This training is great for pastor and a team of folks to take together to bring clarity about your...
September 12, 2022
Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes
2023 Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500...
June 3, 2022
Volunteers Needed for Hurricane Recovery
Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA is helping survivors recover here in Pennsylvania from both Tropical Storm Isaias (2020) and Hurricane Ida (2021). Volunteers are needed for rebuilding in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia for Isaias response, and we are hiring contractors to support recovery from Hurricane Ida for disaster case managers and for program...
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...
