September 22, 2020
God’s work. Our hands. Service
On (and after) Sunday, September 13, 2020, SEPA congregations joined others across the ELCA for the annual Day of Service projects. Each year, “God’s work. Our hands. Sunday” brings Lutherans out to serve their communities. This year, even though gathering was limited by the pandemic, churches still managed to serve neighbors near and far. Read...
July 2, 2019
Volunteers, Sponsors Needed for Camp Noah
Camp Noah Is Quickly Approaching! Planning is underway for Camp Noah at New Creation Lutheran in North Philadelphia Aug. 19-23, 2019! This is one of a series of camps around the U.S. for children who have been affected and/or displaced by disasters. There are tons of fun activities are being planned for the kids, many...
May 29, 2019
Julia Menzo Honored for Service to Disaster Survivors
“Because of your dream of feeding, clothing and serving people whose lives have been changed by natural disaster, many who found themselves living in and on the edge of poverty now have a brighter outlook.” Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Patricia A. Davenport so paid tribute May 20 to Julia Menzo, the Director for Community Outreach...
October 24, 2017
Is Your Church Website Disability Friendly?
Did you know that the front door of your church has changed? Rather than entering your actual building, first-time visitors get to know you through your web and social media presence. If your church has any kind of disability ministry, prospective new worshipers need to be able to find out about it on the web....
October 11, 2017
New Creation Reaches Out to Puerto Rico
One congregation that is active in response and support of Puerto Rico is Iglesia Lutheran Nueva Creación (New Creation Lutheran Church) in North Philadelphia. While keeping in touch with her own family in Puerto Rico, Pastor Lyzette Rios of New Creation has been finding ways to care for other members of her congregation and community...
September 7, 2017
Spread the Word on Social Media Sunday Sept. 24
Sunday, September 24 is Social Media Sunday – a perfect opportunity to share your Lutheran witness and tell your church’s story. The concept is simple: encourage your social media connected people to share about your church’s activities and the Gospel message with each other and their social circles. All posts should include the hashtags #SMS17and...
August 1, 2017
Row House Offers Women Serenity
By the time it was to close for the spring, The Well — a microshelter for women experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia — was down to just a handful of residents. Since opening in November, about 20 women had been sheltered evenings at The Well, and “most had found permanent housing,” said the Rev. Violet Little,...
August 1, 2017
God’s work. Your stories.
The national ELCA Day of Service – “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday on Sept. 10, 2017 – is an excellent opportunity to let your congregation know about the ministries your congregation provides to your community all year long. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for communication and mission interpretation, offers a number of tips and...
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 12, 2017
The Well Helps Women Find Housing
Philadelphia’s large-scale homeless shelters are not always a good fit for single women. This past winter, The Welcome Church and a number of partners opened “The Well,” a new-concept micro-shelter, to provide a warm and safe place for a dozen women. The concept worked better than expected, with The Well able to serve a total...
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 26, 2017
Assembly 2017 Report
Many voices offered perspectives on racism and reconciliation at the 2017 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly May 5-6. Bishop Claire Burkat encouraged those gathered to be “more open to engage, to explore, to repent, to be humbled, to align ourselves with this incredible and abundant new life in Christ.” She called on congregations and leaders to take...
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
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...
October 31, 2016
Catholics and Lutherans Commemorate Reformation
Pope Francis and the General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation Rev. Dr Martin Junge jointly preached on the gospel of the true vine (John 15:1-5) during the Common Prayer of the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation in Lund, Sweden, today (Oct. 31, 2016). They spoke about the unity in Christ that Lutherans and...
