Category: News
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...
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...
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...
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...
January 30, 2024
Renewal Commission Seeks Your Input
Did you know? The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church is tasked with collecting information about what is working and what is not working at the church wide, synod, and congregational levels. It will present its findings to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. The Commission wants to hear from you through a brief survey that asks...
January 30, 2024
Bear Creek Camp 50th Anniversary Worship Resources
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. We invite you to give thanks for this gift...
January 26, 2024
Kindling Faith 2024 Programs
Kindling Faith has amazing programming scheduled as we begin 2024! For Congregational Councils seeking to learn more about this vital ministry of the church—a new six-part zoom series kicked off on January 8th at 7 pm (meeting on the second Monday of each month through June). Cost is now only $80. Click here to learn...
December 20, 2023
Christmas Message: Embracing The Hope of Christ
Click here to download printable copy: 2023 Christmas Message Text only: Embracing the Hope of Christ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came...
December 15, 2023
‘Love Revolution’ Funded by Lilly Endowment Grant
/love-revolution-grant/ The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new...
December 15, 2023
Invest in Synodical Ministries
As 2023 concludes, we invite you to give generously in support of all that God has called Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to do in the five-county area. Congregational mission support and financial contributions from individuals are needed as we live out the Good News. Give online or mail a check to 7241 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119 ATTN:...
December 6, 2023
All Saints Appeal Supports Youth and Young Adult Formation
“What a joy it’s been to watch youth programs rejuvenate after what was a long pandemic,” says Pastor Skyle Rea, assistant to the bishop for youth and young adult formation. This year the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat resumed meeting in-person. Youths from several congregations participated in the Appalachia Service Project trip and worked to make...
December 6, 2023
$1M Grant to Launch ‘Love Revolution’ in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new program,...
November 17, 2023
PA Lutherans Advocate for Farm Bill
▶︎ Tell us how your congregation fights hunger: Take our survey By Rev. Bryan Penman and Rev. Bruce Davidson In just a days, many of us will gather around tables with friends and family and celebrate a holiday that centers around food. For some of us though, that food will be missing as many...
November 7, 2023
Video: When Church Stops Working
If you missed the live event you can now watch video of the Vitality Team discussion of Andrew Root’s new book When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation. The presentation covered Dr. Root’s key points and take-aways from his book and explored how his approach to doing...
October 12, 2023
LAMPa Names Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager
LAMPa is pleased to welcome the Rev. Erin Jones as our Communications and Advocacy Engagement Manager. Jones, an ELCA pastor serving in Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod since 2018, brings experience in advocacy, communications and ecumenical community-building justice work to the position. “I’m beyond happy that Pastor Erin said ‘Yes’ to this new call,” said LAMPa Director Tracey...
October 10, 2023
“The Fruit of Justice Will Be Peace”
This message from the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is shared with us by The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. Rev. Dr. Raheb is a Palestinian theologian, former pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, and founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture in Bethlehem. Just days before the bombs began...
August 28, 2023
5 Ways To Slow COVID Spread
Things churches can do to help slow COVID transmission 1. Encourage vaccinations. CIDRAP’s Dr. Michael Osterholm urges everyone eligible to get the updated vaccine when it becomes available, likely in early-mid October. Don’t forget influenza and RSV vaccines: He recommends getting the RSV vaccine now and getting the flu shot once your area starts showing flu...
