Beloved, I’m sure you aware that Governor Wolf ordered that all non-essential business in Pennsylvania need to close, effective March 17, for two weeks. This is part of the ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. My colleague, Bishop Michael Rhyne of Allegheny Synod, shares that their synod’s attorney informed them that...
Category: News
March 18, 2020
Bishop: Churches Should Comply With Governor’s Order
Beloved, I’m sure you aware that Governor Wolf ordered that all non-essential business in Pennsylvania need to close, effective March 17, for two weeks. This is part of the ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. My colleague, Bishop Michael Rhyne of Allegheny Synod, shares that their synod’s attorney informed them that...
February 19, 2020
What Are We Taking On For Lent?
Lenten Message from Bishop Davenport Reflection on Isaiah 58:6-9 Watch video message Download print vision February, 2020 Greetings, beloved. So what are we taking on for Lent? Jesus’ journey to the cross was a path through sacrifice and discipline. Our Lord took on the weight of the whole world. He poured...
October 30, 2017
Commemorating 500 Years Since the Reformation
Lutherans and Catholics gathered Saturday, Oct. 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale for to learn about developments in Lutheran-Catholic ecumenical dialogue and to worship together. The Rev. Dr. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., president of Villanova University, delivered the homily. Catholic and Lutheran lay persons — including members of families that include both traditions —...
October 2, 2017
Lord, In Your Mercy
In the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in US history, we pray: God, our refuge and strength, we pray for all affected by the shootings in Las Vegas and we grieve over violence in our world. Heal the injured, comfort those who mourn and strengthen those providing aid. Through our struggle and confusion, empower...
July 10, 2017
State Budget Has Wins for Children
The 2017-2018 spending plan adopted by Pennsylvania lawmakers by the June 30 deadline includes some good news for Pennsylvania children, including increases in basic education, special education and early childhood funding, plus $2 million to incentivize improvements in school breakfast delivery, for which Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) advocated. Read more at http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/general-assembly-passes-spending-plan/
June 7, 2017
Give the Gift of Family
There are Central American children and youth in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, specifically in Roslyn, PA that are in great need of either short or long term family foster care. You can help through “Give the Gift of Family,” a joint initiative of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and the ELCA AMMPARO program. LIRS is one of just...
May 30, 2017
SEPA Pastor Preaches at LWF Assembly
“Guided by the Spirit, we are marching exactly where we are needed, straight into a world that is suffering and in pain,” the Rev. Lydia Posselt, pastor of Family of God Lutheran Church, Buckingham, said in the sermon at the closing worship of the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation in Windhoek, Namibia May...
March 13, 2017
Essential Tips to Weather the Storm
The major winter storm moving into the region Monday night into Tuesday, will bring not only several inches of heavy snow, but also strong winds, and therefore likely power outages. Winds could range from 30-40 miles per hour with gusts reaching higher velocities. Snow total estimates as of 11 am on Monday range from 8″ to...
February 28, 2017
Interfaith Leaders Condemn Desecration of Jewish Cemetery
Interfaith leaders from across Greater Philadelphia gathered Monday at the Lutheran Theological Seminary to lament and condemn the weekend vandalism that desecrated the final resting places of Jews buried in Mt. Carmel Jewish Cemetery. Bishop Burkat opened a news conference with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders by calling the damage to more than one hundred...
February 28, 2017
Video: Interfaith Leaders Respond to Jewish Cemetery Desecration
Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders spoke in solidarity Monday against the desecration of graves at Mt. Carmel Jewish Cemetery in Wissanoming. Bishop Burkat facilitated a press conference in which dozens of faith leaders from across Greater Philadelphia stood together in support of the Jewish community and others — including immigrants, refugees, Muslims and the LGBTQ...
February 7, 2017
“Luther and the West” Free Reformation Course
Northwestern University is offering a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called “Luther and the West” as a resource for celebrating this year’s 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The course is taught by Christine Helmer, who is an internationally known Luther scholar, and Professor of Religious Studies and German at Northwestern University in Evanston, USA. This...
January 20, 2017
An Inauguration Prayer
God of love, we give you thanks this day for our nation and the peaceful transfer of power between administrations. We give thanks for the service of President Obama, and ask that you grant courage, wisdom, humility and compassion to President Trump as he takes office. Guide all leaders who make, enforce and interpret our...
January 6, 2017
What Would Luther Do? Online Course
Jesus is inviting the Church to reform! Marking the 500th year anniversary of Martin Luther’s historic reform work, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is inviting the world to commemorate the life, legacy, and relevant teachings of reformer Martin Luther by taking a free, pre-recorded online class series. In the class What...
October 11, 2016
Luther 500: Layman’s Guide
In 2014 Steve Seyfried, actor and playwright, traveled with Bishop Burkat and others to Germany on a tour of Lutherland, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther, through Wittenberg, Erfurt, Eisenach and Eiseleben. Steve returned with a wealth of stories, insights and photos, and the desire to share this remarkable experience with others. In a...
September 23, 2016
Prayer for SEKOMU
Our hearts are broken, Lord, as we hear on a daily basis about violence across our nation and the world – and especially for this tragic attack on our sisters and brothers in Tanzania. We lift up the students and faculty of Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University and the people of the North Eastern Diocese and...
June 13, 2016
Orlando: Christians Cannot Keep Silent
“As Christians, we turn first to Jesus” in the wake of the nation’s worst mass shooting in history at Pulse in Orlando, Florida-Bahamas Synod Bishop Robert G. Schaefer wrote in a message to that synod Monday (June 13). “But, we can no longer afford to let it end there,” he wrote. “Church, it’s time to...
March 30, 2016
LCFS Not To Renew Contracts For Most Programs
Update: A service of celebration for LCFS’ refugee work will be held Monday, April 4, 11 am, at St. Mark’s, Conshohocken. We ask for prayers as the Board of Directors of Lutheran Children and Family Service (LCFS) has voted to not renew contracts for refugee resettlement, adoption, foster care, and after-school enrichment programs managed by...
March 22, 2016
#PrayForTheWorld
God of the nations, comfort and strengthen the people of Brussels. Be with all who are injured and traumatized; comfort all who grieve; and guide all who work for peace. Grant that we may learn to live in peace and mutual respect. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
March 3, 2016
Global Focus: Irente School for the Blind
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the North-Eastern Diocese of Tanzania have shared a strong partnership for many years. This Lent, we invite you to become part of an exciting new chapter of this companionship with an exciting new project, Located on a beautiful mountain in Tanzania, the Irente School for the Blind is a primary school for...
