March 17, 2025 The Feast of St. Patrick March is here, and for many, that means college basketball. But I know that for most of you, this season brings a different kind of March Madness—the busyness of Lent. And at the synod office, our version of March Madness is the flurry of preparations for our...
Category: News
March 18, 2025
Ponder Anew
March 17, 2025 The Feast of St. Patrick March is here, and for many, that means college basketball. But I know that for most of you, this season brings a different kind of March Madness—the busyness of Lent. And at the synod office, our version of March Madness is the flurry of preparations for our...
March 6, 2025
Gathering At The Gate Demonstration and Advocacy Event
An Invitation to Make A Strong Impact 2025 has seen relentless attacks on civil rights, equal rights, refugee resettlement, and support for the most vulnerable globally and nationally. People of faith are sensing a call to embody the call of Amos: Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate (5:15). As Lutheran...
December 11, 2024
A Pastoral Message from the ELCA Bishops of Pennsylvania
Advent 2024: A Season of Waiting and Hope Dear Pennsylvania Lutherans and Partners in Ministry, As we begin the season of Advent, we are reminded of the holy call to wait with hope and expectation. In this time of preparation, we recall the promise of God’s presence among us—Emmanuel, God with us—and the call to be attentive...
November 19, 2024
ELCA congregations, the time for clean energy is now.
A Message from the Mission Investment Fund: As faith communities, we are not merely bystanders in a transition to clean energy—we are leaders. Guided by our shared values of care for one another and the Earth, we have the potential to drive significant change. By leveraging new federal programs and financial incentives, we can make...
October 24, 2024
The SEPA Synod Urban Ministries Application for Grant Funds
The SEPA Synod Urban Ministry Team is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $163,000 for distribution to eligible congregations in its 2024 grant funding cycle ($63,000 comes from the ELCA Innovations Team and $100,000 is from SEPA Synod). Of the $163,000 in available grant funding, up to $100,000 is earmarked for Building...
October 2, 2024
Lilly Endowment Inc. Funds Faith Alive
For Immediate Release The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received a $1,249,933 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish Faith Alive. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally...
September 20, 2024
Bishop Penman Installed Sept. 14, 2024
On Saturday, September 14th hundreds of people gathered in the sanctuary of the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and across sacred cyberspace to celebrate the installation of the Rev. Bryan Penman as the sixth Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod! More than one hundred people shared their time and talent in the service and in...
September 5, 2024
Religious Leaders Across Pennsylvania Unite for Peace During Election Season
HARRISBURG, PA, September 5, 2024 — Today, religious leaders from across the state, representing more than 3 million Pennsylvanians of various faith traditions, gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol to issue a call for peace during this election season. Acknowledging the current climate of political unrest and polarization, they pledged to foster dialogue over division and...
September 3, 2024
First Day Message – Bishop Bryan J. Penman
September 3, 2024 Greetings beloved!! I greet you in the name of Jesus on this first day in my new call as Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. As I was preparing for this day – I was full of the first day of school jitters, but trust me, the outfit was picked, the lunch...
February 14, 2025
Love is Everywhere
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP February 14, 2025 Beloved Siblings in Christ, As we enter the month of February, love is everywhere. Stores are filled with Valentine’s Day cards, roses, and heart-shaped chocolates. We see love celebrated in many forms—romantic love, familial love, and even the brotherly love that gives our great city of...
August 31, 2024
Chosen, Called, and Sent – A note of gratitude from Bishop Davenport
August 31, 2024 Beloved Siblings in Christ, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 I am grateful! What a blessing it has been to...
August 22, 2024
Now Hiring: Grant Administrator and Grant Evaluator for Love Revolution
Grant Administrator for Love Revolution SEPA Synod is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented individual to be Grant Administrator for Love Revolution. The person fulfilling this contract will be responsible for Grant Administration of Love Revolution, skilled in administration, communication and finance. This person will assist the Grant Evaluator, Program Director and the Directors of Evangelical Mission...
May 9, 2024
Pastoral Letter on the United Methodist Church General Conference
May 8, 2024 Dear church, In 1 Corinthians 12:26 the apostle Paul reminds us that “if one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” For 15 years we have accompanied our full-communion siblings in the United Methodist Church (UMC) through joyous and challenging times. We...
April 10, 2024
Police Warn of Threats Against Synagogues
Received from the Philadelphia Police Department. The Philadelphia Police Department has been made aware of a number of mass emails and alleged bomb threats that have been sent to several synagogues and Jewish Institutions within our region [Tuesday, April 9]. We are working with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Jewish Federation of Greater...
April 3, 2024
Kindling Faith Programs – Summer 2024
This summer and fall, Kindling Faith is sponsoring a number of programs for everyone. Highlights include Theological Education with Adults focusing on 1 & 2 Corinthians; Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate (for Deacons, Pastors, and Spouses); Relevant Worship in a Strange New World; and more. Plus information on United Lutheran Seminary’s Spring and Fall Convocations. Details and registration links...
February 22, 2024
Clarification on Young Adult Voting Members
Clarification: Additional youth/young adult voting member is a voting member of the congregation up to the age of 25. Under the Synod Constitution, voting members are: Rostered ministers under call in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod or on leave from call but available for call. Retired rostered ministers who have indicated to the bishop their willingness...
February 22, 2024
Nominations Deadline Extended to March 30
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 3 & 4, 2024 we will elect leaders to serve on the Synod Council, the Consultation Committee, and the Committee...
February 22, 2024
Join the “Toll the Bell” Project for Gun Violence Awareness
The City of Philadelphia is experiencing an unprecedented level of gun violence. On the first Friday in June, and the weekend immediately following, people across the country wear orange to honor victims of gun violence, using the traditional hunter’s color of orange to draw attention to this national issue. Penn Live Arts invites churches in...
February 22, 2024
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Applications Open
Once again the synod has included a limited amount of funding in the 2024-25 budget to help rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Applications must be received by March 15, 2024. Awardees will be notified by April 30. Download the application
February 22, 2024
Love Revolution Seeks Program Director
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is seeking an innovative and spirit-filled individual to be Program Director for Love Revolution. Lilly Endowment, Inc. funded Love Revolution to help SEPA synod congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources and into a missional church built on relationship and service. The person fulfilling this contract will be...
