Category: News

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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February 16, 2024

Interfaith Prayer Service for Mayor Parker, City Council

February 13, 2024

Learn About the “Love Revolution”

In a Vitality Forum last weekend Pastor Bryan Penman provided details about the “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor” initiative funded by The Lilly Endowment, Inc. This project will engage selected congregations in three waves of a two-year learning community that will empower lay and rostered leaders to live more fully into their baptismal...

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February 13, 2024

Ideas for Sharing Jesus in Lent and Easter

IDEAS FOR SHARING JESUS IN LENT AND EASTER Evangelism Working Group and Network   www.elca.org/evangelism Download: Ideas for sharing Jesus Lent_Easter 2024 As many have already discovered, Lent starts very early this year. Ash Wednesday is February 14. Here are some ideas and resources to help share Jesus during Lent and Easter: Have an Easter-Give-Away. At...

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February 5, 2024

For Peace in God’s World Study Guide Available

For Peace in God’s World  is an ELCA Social Statement that conveys church teaching on matters related to war, domestic and international security, and the Christian call to be peacemakers. Download a summary of the statement. What does it mean to be peacemakers in a time of ongoing war and conflict? Can war ever be...

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January 30, 2024

Bear Creek Camp Celebrates 50 Years

In 2024, Bear Creek Camp will mark its 50th anniversary. Bear Creek, building on the legacy of the predecessor camps of Ministerium, Miller, and Hagan, continues to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to learn and grow in faith through time in God’s creation. Here are announcements and resources so you can join in...

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