Category: Congregations

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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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April 10, 2021

Joy Complete: Easter Season Worship

A gift from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to our rostered ministers, musicians, tech teams, and other virtual worship leaders. This service is available for Sunday, April 11, and suitable for any Sunday after Easter.   Joy Complete – Easter Season Worship from Southeastern PA Synod, ELCA on Vimeo. Download bulletin

March 26, 2021

Joy Complete: Easter Season Worship

A gift from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to our rostered ministers, musicians, tech teams, and other virtual worship leaders. This service is available for Sunday, April 11, and suitable for any Sunday after Easter.

February 26, 2021

Thanks for your generosity!

Individual giving to causes including the COVID-19 fund, donations toward medical expenses for former Bishop Munga in Tanzania, and our annual All Saints appeal tripled in 2020 — in a pandemic year. Thank you so much for your support. We thank God for you always.

February 10, 2021

Your congregation can sponsor a missionary

Dear friends: Bethany Friberg works as an ELCA missionary in Ketumbeine, Tanzania, but her definition of missionary service is much more expansive. She believes all Christians are missionaries. “I’m always struck by how wonderful it is when people have committed their life to the Lord and are praying, ‘Lord Jesus, show me how to live...

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February 3, 2021

Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Virtual Retreat

SEPA YOUTH LOGO The Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat planning committee is pleased to announce our first ever Virtual Retreat for youth in grades 6-12 and their leaders, on Saturday, April 10, starting at 10 am on Zoom. Registration fee is $20 per person. Deadline to register is March 7, 2021! Download a flyer for more information: 2021 Tuscaro...

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February 3, 2021

Lent Ideas With Keith Anderson

An excerpt from our interview with Pastor Keith Anderson focusing on digital ministry in the upcoming Lenten season.

February 1, 2021

SEPA Communicators — Lent/Holy Week Ideas

Pastors, musicians, and tech teams from SEPA Synod share ideas for online Lenten and Holy Week worship, followed with discussion about re-opening in-person worship.

December 20, 2020

Lesson and Carols for Christmas 2020

A gift to our congregations and leaders from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. December 2020.

December 9, 2020

Guidelines for Virtual Congregational Meetings

A number of congregations have requested guidance on holding meetings remotely using teleconferencing or virtual technology during the current pandemic. Rev. Secretary Karl Richard has created a document that attempts to address some of the issues that need to be addressed in preparing for and conducting meetings in this way. This document is applicable for...

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December 9, 2020

Pandemic Help: Do you need volunteers, or can you offer help?

The pandemic continues to take its health and economic toll on many. With eviction moratoriums and other public benefits ending on December 31, 2020, there will be a spike in eviction filings and many will continue to have to make harder and harder decisions on whether to pay for food, medicine, rent or their mortgage....

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November 13, 2020

2020 Annual Report Cover Available

The new 2020 annual report covers are now available. Both can be found in the Stewardship resources here: https://www.elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership Direct links are here: Pages version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover.pdf Spreads version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover_spread.pdf

November 13, 2020

Apply Now For Young Adults in Global Mission

ELCA Applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are now being accepted, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2021-2022 program year. If you know young adults ages 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline...

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