This fall holds many opportunities for lay and rostered leaders to grow and learn at United Lutheran Seminary. Most of our events have an online option, so even if you’re further afield, you can still engage. Upcoming Kindling Faith Events Soul Care is a new multi-event program in collaboration with the Lower Susquehanna Synod with...
Category: Roster
September 16, 2022
Fall ULS Kindling Faith Events
This fall holds many opportunities for lay and rostered leaders to grow and learn at United Lutheran Seminary. Most of our events have an online option, so even if you’re further afield, you can still engage. Upcoming Kindling Faith Events Soul Care is a new multi-event program in collaboration with the Lower Susquehanna Synod with...
September 12, 2022
Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes
2023 Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500...
April 14, 2022
Bishop: “Lead With the Love of Christ”
Bishop Davenport offered words of inspiration and challenge in her sermon at the 2022 Chrism service yesterday, based on Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. “The Apostle Paul encourages us...
March 28, 2022
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Application
Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2022- 23 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden....
January 14, 2022
Anti-Racism Education for Rostered Ministers
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Anti-Racism Team has developed a new format for the anti-racism education required for all rostered ministers. The new format consists of: One 90-minute Zoom meeting to introduce the curriculum. The first one for 2022 is planned for Saturday, January 29, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Nine online modules outlining the historical context...
September 13, 2021
How’s Your Vocation Going?
The Rev. Karen Sease, Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership/Mission Advancement, reminds us that “vocation” is a calling on our lives that extends beyond professional ministries in the church. [ See video and transcript below. ] 〝But if you’re still wondering about rostered ministry, still praying about whether God is calling you to be a...
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...
August 17, 2020
Religious Leaders Respond to NAACP President’s Meme
In late July, local NAACP head Rodney Muhammad posted a meme to Facebook that Jewish groups considered anti-Semitic. In response, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia issued a statement that denounces bigotry, promotes solidarity, and calls for healing and understanding. Read the full statement here: Philadelphia Religious Leaders Respond to the Rodney Muhammad Posting...
August 20, 2019
Rostered Leaders: Dare to Imagine
The Bishop’s Convocation is now known as the Rostered Ministers Equipping Event Dare to Imagine how you can be a more innovative, effective church leader at the 2019 SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers Equipping Event (RME2), November 12-13. Formerly known as “the Bishop’s Convocation,” the planning team has changed the name to reflect the event’s core mission of...
June 18, 2019
Save Dates for Bishop’s Convocation
Save the dates! The 2019 Bishop’s Convocation for rostered ministers, Dare to Imagine: Equipping Innovative Leaders, will be held November 12-13, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza (260 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406). Rev. Emily Scott, former pastor of St. Lydia’s Dinner Church and current pastor of Dreams and Visions, Baltimore, MD, has agreed...
June 4, 2019
Save the Date for ‘Extravagant Generosity’
Save the dates — January 10-11, 2020 — for a can’t miss learning event. “Extravagant Generosity: A Stewardship Extravaganza” features keynotes by Clif Christopher, author of It’s Not Your Father’s Offering Plate, Whose Offering Plate Is It? and The Church Money Manual, and Aimee Laramore, author of Pathways to Generosity: Year-round Giving and Gratitude. Workshop leaders include: Scott Schantzenbach, Rob...
March 20, 2019
Court Upholds Housing Allowance
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Friday upheld the tax-exempt housing allowance for ordained clergy against a constitutional challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. From ChurchLawAndTax.com: The Seventh Circuit reversed a 2017 decision by a federal district judge in Wisconsin, which favored leaders of the tax-exempt atheist organization Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The...
March 4, 2019
Leadership in Uncharted Territory
“Leadership is disappointing your own people at a rate they can absorb.” Tod Bolsinger, PhD, used this quote from adaptive leadership guru Ronald Heifetz to summarize the balancing act of leading in uncharted territory for more than 200 clergy and lay leaders gathered for a learning day with the author of “Canoeing the Mountains.” As...
August 29, 2018
Portico rate increase lowest since 2013
On Aug. 3, Portico Benefit Services’ board of trustees voted to approve, on average, the lowest contribution rate increase in five years. This will include disability and survivor rate reductions, sizable reductions in the cost of ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefits, and a low baseline ELCA-Primary health rate increase. While these changes will impact individuals and...
June 19, 2018
Never Beyond God’s Compassion: Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and suicide rates have increased in almost every state since 1999 (some by more than 30 percent), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide occurs among all demographics, including all religious groups. And behind these statistics are individuals–people who live in our families,...
January 31, 2018
Revised Compensation Guidelines for Rostered Ministers
A new, completely revised Rostered Ministry Compensation Guidelines has been approved by the Synod’s executive committee, and is now posted on ministrylink.org. This manual is a resource to assist congregations and rostered ministers in conducting an annual review and determining a compensation package; pension and other benefits; agreements relative to time off for continuing education, vacation, holidays,...
January 17, 2018
What is the Most Important Trait of a Leader?
The Rev. Amy Reumann, ELCA Director of Advocacy, answers this question and “What is the best leadership advice you have received?” In this new video, part of Bishop Eaton’s Leadership Initiative. Reumann was previously executive director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania. Watch the video at https://youtu.be/h2bU-Y-v820 Learn more at http://www.elca.org/leaders
January 4, 2018
Download “Brave New Church” App
It’s a Christmas season gift from the Synod! Now you can carry the resources, videos, podcasts, blog posts and more from our innovative BraveNewChurch.org website in your pocket with the Brave New Church app. The app allows you to quickly access video training, podcasts, book and resource suggestions and more. Pastor Brad Burke introduces the...
January 4, 2018
IRS Increases 2018 Mileage Rates
The IRS mileage reimbursement rate for 2018 is 54.5 cents up from 53.5 cents in 2017. Here is a link to the IRS website for more information. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/standard-mileage-rates-for-2018-up-from-rates-for-2017
August 28, 2017
ELCA Launches ‘Resourceful Servants’
The ELCA introduces “Resourceful Servants,” an initiative to encourage habits that strengthen and sustain individual and congregational financial wellness and growth. The goal is to help rostered ministers move toward financial wellness early in and throughout their ministry developing the skills needed to manage household finances, assist congregations in the management of finances, teach stewardship...
