Gathering under the theme “Freed and Renewed in Christ,” nearly 1,000 voting members — including 18 from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod — met in New Orleans Aug. 8-13 for the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Full days included worship, legislative action, reports from Bishop Eaton and Churchwide officers and units, updates on ministries, workshops, Bible study, fellowship...
August 22, 2016
Key Actions Of Churchwide Assembly
Gathering under the theme “Freed and Renewed in Christ,” nearly 1,000 voting members — including 18 from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod — met in New Orleans Aug. 8-13 for the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Full days included worship, legislative action, reports from Bishop Eaton and Churchwide officers and units, updates on ministries, workshops, Bible study, fellowship...
July 20, 2016
Bishop Eaton Issues Statement On Police Shootings
CHICAGO (July 20, 2016) – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has released a statement in response to the shootings in Baton Rouge, La., and Dallas that killed eight police officers. Eaton’s statement follows: My soul is bereft of peace: I have forgotten what happiness is. (Lamentations 3:17) Too...
July 13, 2016
An Outpouring of Generosity
The 49-year tradition of generosity through our Christmas Ingathering is transforming into the SEPA Outpouring. Due to changes at Lutheran Children and Family Service and decreased funding for transport and publicity, we will no longer collect donations en masse on the first Sunday of December. Instead, we will be offering opportunities to give throughout the...
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...
June 13, 2016
Bishop’s Prayer for Orlando
On Sunday night, June 12, Bishop Burkat shared this prayer following the nation’s largest mass shooting early that morning in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida: This is my prayer tonight… God of peace, mercy and justice. The suffering on this day is inconsolable, the tears overflowing, and the fear palpable. The slaying of your...
May 20, 2016
Still Reforming Assembly Highlights
“GOD IS STILL REFORMING!…” …Bishop Burkat declared to the 2016 Synod Assembly. More than 500 Lutherans gathered from across Southeastern Pennsylvania to worship, pray, and discern in community explored how we can go outside our doors and listen to our neighbors in ways that are faithful to our 500-year Reformation heritage. Read on for...
May 20, 2016
$22K Raised For Flint Water Crisis…So Far
_rfisher@sepa.org-sepia-150x150.jpg" class="alignleft wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> The offering at the 2016 Synod Assembly Communion Service of more than $5,400 was directed to the work of our domestic partner synod in Southeast Michigan in response to the Flint water crisis. This brings the total raised so far from our Synod to $22,655. Bishop Donald Kreiss called the gift “a true indicator of...
May 13, 2016
‘A New Dawn for Christ’s Church’
When Martin Luther seized the changes made possible by the printing press, he couldn’t have begun to imagine the exponential changes of our Internet age, Bishop Claire Burkat said in her address to the 2016 Synod Assembly. Despite the stresses posed by constant connectivity, racing schedules and financial pressure, “the Holy Spirit is bringing a...
May 13, 2016
Forward Together in Faith: A Doable Goal
From Bishop Burkat’s presentation to the 2016 Assembly: For a year now, we have used some start up money to begin piloting initiatives for the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. We are confident that together we will equip our clergy and lay leaders with the tools, insights, resources and navigation needed for future Lutheran witness....
May 7, 2016
In the Midst of Fear, Love Prevails
What shapes our lives and ministry? How do we respond to the formidable forces that threaten to pull us into the whirlpool of fear that has formed around us, reflected in public debate and in how people are treating each other? In her sermon at the assembly’s opening worship, Bishop Claire Burkat pulls together threads...
April 29, 2016
Bishop Welcomes New Refugee Partner
Pennsylvania Lutherans have an long history of stepping up to help resettle refugees arriving in our area. This life-transforming work will continue despite the decision by Lutheran Children and Family Services in Pennsylvania to bring their resettlement work to a close. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is partnering with Bethany Christian Services to manage...
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 22, 2016
‘Be Cross-Bearers, Not Bystanders’
Be cross-bearers, not bystanders, Bishop Claire Burkat encouraged congregation leaders at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Chrism Service today (March 22). At this annual service, held Tuesday in Holy Week, pastors, lay rostered leaders and congregation deacons reaffirm their ministry vows and the bishop blesses oils to be used in baptism, confirmation, and anointing rites over...
February 1, 2016
Presiding Bishop Calls for Conversation About Race
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has called on the ELCA’s 3.7 million members to “be the church that models for the rest of this country what it means to have these difficult conversations” about racial inequality. Eaton made her remarks during a Jan. 14 live webcast, “Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning.” Watch the webcast recording and get...
January 29, 2016
Solidarity With Persecuted Christians
At the May 2015 Synod Assembly a resolution was passed asking that we as a Synod express our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world who are experiencing persecution for professing the Faith. At its December meeting the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Council adopted the following statement: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of...
