As the need for emergency food grows in Philadelphia and food sites dwindle, Feast of Justice in Northeast Philadelphia decided not to close and instead expanded its services to food-insecure people in the city. They are prepared to serve from 600-700 households per week, up from 285 households a week before COVID-19. Volunteer with Feast...
Category: Faith in action
April 13, 2020
Feast of Justice is Food ‘Supersite’
As the need for emergency food grows in Philadelphia and food sites dwindle, Feast of Justice in Northeast Philadelphia decided not to close and instead expanded its services to food-insecure people in the city. They are prepared to serve from 600-700 households per week, up from 285 households a week before COVID-19. Volunteer with Feast...
April 10, 2020
St. Paul’s Gets Creative in Olney
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in collaboration with the health ministry staff of St. Helena Catholic Church, regularly hosts Senior Wednesdays each week for the older adults of their community. Providing opportunities to benefit their spiritual, physical, and mental wellbeing, this program brings seniors together and provides ministry, meals, activities, exercise and more. But with the...
April 10, 2020
‘E-Meals’ Fill the Gap in Souderton
Knowing that other local food sources would be stressed, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Souderton started the E-meals program on March 16. Meal bags are for “anybody in need,” Pastor John Heidgerd said. “We don’t ask any questions. We don’t ask you to prove that you’re in need. You come to us for help and the...
February 19, 2020
Food From Pickleball
Pastor Chris Franz of Advent, West Chester and Pastor Dan Krewson of Calvary, West Chester, recently presented a check for $901 to the West Chester Food Cupboard. The funds were raised by the Tuesday night Pickleball Fellowship players, who are each asked to donate $1 or more per session to play. This joint ministry of...
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...
January 21, 2020
Extravaganza of Generosity
“You can’t love Jesus and not give,” pastor and author Clif Christopher said in his keynote at the 2020 Extravagant Generosity program Jan. 10. “It’s just impossible.” Yet some churches lose the battle with money because “there are more people who think money can save them than think Jesus can save them,” said Christopher, author...
January 21, 2020
Cultivate a Heart of Love
Dear friends, If you missed our Stewardship Extravaganza in January, you missed a great event with excellent keynote addresses, an outstanding sermon and wonderful workshops. But, here is a chance to benefit from that experience. One of the workshop leaders, Rob Blezard, has a monthly “Toolkit” that provides helpful bulletin inserts, thoughtful newsletter articles and...
January 7, 2020
Christian Minimalism Focuses on What Really Matters
Jesus’ simple life, focus on what was most important, and trust in God to provide testify to his minimalist lifestyle. The minimalism movement offers that attending to what matters and eliminating things and ideas that distract can provide “meaning” to our lives. Pastor Becca Ehrlich of Philadelphia, author of the Christian Minimalism blog, writes in...
December 18, 2019
Anti-Racism Education Feb. 8
The SEPA Anti-Racism Team will host the third in a four-part series of educational events for rostered and lay leaders on Feb. 8, 2020, 9 am to 5 pm, at the Brossman Center on the ULS Philadelphia campus. This part, Connection, examines how our (mis)perceptions of others can be due to a lack of connectiveness....
December 10, 2019
Synod Council and Committees seeking Nominations for 2020
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Nominating Committee is asking for your help in identifying gifted and qualified persons, both clergy and lay, to serve as nominees for election at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly on May 1-2, 2020 Every year the Synod Assembly elects members of the Synod Council, which serves as “the board of directors...
December 4, 2019
Called To Serve Our Neighbors
Through baptism, we are called to serve our neighbors and steward God’s good creation. As Lutherans, our attention turns to the policies that make a broader difference in our lives and the lives of our vulnerable neighbors. It is important that we add our voice into the process. In this video presented by Lutheran Advocacy...
November 27, 2019
Support Jane Addams Place On Giving Tuesday
This year, #GivingTuesday donations through the synod will benefit Lutheran Settlement House’s Jane Addams Place emergency shelter. Lutheran Settlement House’s Jane Addams Place is an emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Whether due to domestic violence, a house fire, or losing a job, residents at Jane Addams Place arrive during times of crisis. Jane Addams Place...
November 27, 2019
Congregations Learn About Enhancing Vitality
Lay and rostered leaders from congregations across the synod gathered Nov. 9 to explore ways of making their churches more vital communities of faith. Vital congregations nurture individual and community relationship with God, build relationships, and develop a strong presence in community. The day included experienced practitioners and group brainstorming and networking. Resources from the...
October 28, 2019
2021 Gathering: Boundless
The ELCA Youth Gathering team announces the theme of the 2021 Minneapolis Gathering, “boundless: God beyond measure,” based on Ephesians 3:19 CEV. “I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” What are the stories of...
October 15, 2019
Inspire Extravagant Generosity
Save January 10-11 for a weekend of informative and useful presentations designed to inspire Extravagant Generosity in your church! This event is hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446. This stewardship extravaganza features keynote speakers J. Clif Christopher (author of: It’s Not Your Father’s Offering Plate, Whose Offering Plate...
October 2, 2019
Bishop Eaton: Bold Actions at Churchwide Assembly
By Elizabeth A. Eaton This church had a meeting in August. We gathered in Milwaukee for the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. We were filled with anticipation and excitement—what would unfold during the assembly? How would we be inspired by worship and Bible study? How would we be challenged? What new insight into the work of the...
September 30, 2019
Volunteer with Liberty Hospice
Part of the Liberty Lutheran family of services, Liberty Hospice offers compassionate care to Philadelphia-area patients facing a life-limiting illness. Our hospice care team, which includes a medical director, social workers, chaplains, skilled nursing professionals, hospice aides, and volunteers, provides comprehensive support while helping patients and their families make the most of every moment. Volunteers are a vital...
September 25, 2019
In God’s Image: Inclusive Ministry October 12, 2019
Interested in learning how to expand your ministries to be more intentionally welcoming for LGBTQIA+ persons? Is your congregation already Reconciling in Christ but you want to know what more you can do? Do you feel like you just don’t know how to be the best ally you can be? Well, then do we have...
September 25, 2019
Vitality Awareness Day
Join members of the Vitality Team on Saturday November 9th at the Philadelphia Campus of United Lutheran Seminary for a day of Vitality Awareness. During the day we will help raise awareness for ministries efforts that matter in helping to transform your congregation into a vital ministry in your community. This day is for both...
September 25, 2019
Volunteer Opportunity: Feast Incarnate
One in four Philadelphians are food insecure. Help Feast Incarnate, a ministry of University Lutheran Church, feed people by becoming a meal provider or host. Feast Incarnate feeds people every Tuesday night, and they are looking for church groups able to help prepare and/or serve meals. For more information call Nell McCaslin at 203.520.2553. Download...
