The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent federal...
Category: Congregations
May 23, 2023
Compensation, Supply Fee Guidelines Updated
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent federal...
May 31, 2023
Stewardship of Life Institute Innovation Fellowship
The Stewardship Of Life Institute is launching a new initiative called The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship, in honor of Rev. Sharron Blezard, a beloved writer for SOLI, who entered into the church triumphant in 2021 after her journey through metastatic cancer. (You can learn more about her ministry here.) The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship grants...
May 31, 2023
‘Forward Together’ Grant Applications Now Open
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. The campaign focuses on: ► Networking congregations, leaders, building bridges within the synod and in the community. ► Innovating new forms of ministry ► Communicating by traditional and digital platforms ► Equipping...
May 24, 2023
SEPA Pride Event June 1
This year’s Pride Event will be June 1, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church 2191 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008. 6:30p Main Speaker: The Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson (she/her) 7:30p Worship with The Rev. Joey Klinger (he/him) preaching Rostered ministers are invited to wear a green or rainbow stole, no alb needed, for the worship...
May 18, 2023
SEPA WELCA Gathering June 3, 2023
Join us as we celebrate our Lutheran heritage and history. Our annual gathering will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. Gathering from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Augustus Lutheran Church, 717 West Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426, , the oldest unaltered Lutheran Church in America, and we will have...
May 18, 2023
Music Festival Aids Quakertown Food Pantries
On Saturday, June 17, 2023, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville will host the 9th Joyful Noise Music Festival to raise funds for four Quakertown-area food pantries at The Park at 4th Univest Performance Center in Quakertown. Music runs 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine. Free admission. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs...
May 18, 2023
Katie’s Cupboard at Tabor
Katie’s Cupboard @ Tabor opened in August, 2019 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In 2022 Katie’s Cupboard provided food for more than 500 unique households representing more than 2,000 individuals. Currently they serve 100-120 households each week. Hear their story and take a look behind the scenes in this video. Watch now
May 15, 2023
ELCA Congregational Vitality Training This Summer
Is your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share...
March 15, 2023
Cultivating Resiliency in a Tiring Time
By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
February 8, 2023
Turkey Earthquake Response Update
From Rev. Lisa Kipp, director for congregational engagement, Lutheran World Relief: Your longstanding compassion and generosity is what makes it possible for Lutherans to be at the frontlines of major disasters. Thank you for responding so quickly this week. Unfortunately, the needs of our neighbors in Turkey are growing every hour. We are already working with...
February 7, 2023
SEPA Represents at The YMN Extravaganza
SEPA Synod was well represented at The Extravaganza, the annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA, which just wrapped up (Feb. 3-6) in Anaheim, Calif. The event was hosted by the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network. Participants in Extravaganza 2023 gathered for one live experience in two expressions, on-site in...
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 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 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...
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...
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...
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...
