MinistryLink

In God's Image 2023
2023-10-07 09:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Rd., Ambler, PA, 19001, United States
Join us for our 5th annual In God’s Image event! Saturday, October 7 at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church with keynote speaker Pastor Noah Hepler!

In God’s Image is a day-long (9-2) program of worship, workshops, conversation, and resources. Sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, this is sure to be a great day. The cost is $10 per person, including lunch. Invite a team from your congregation to cover all of the workshops.

Folks from all over the region-Lutheran and non-Lutheran, church “professionals” and those who just want to know more-will gather at Upper Dublin to share their experiences, learn about ministry potentials in their contexts, and share joys and concerns about inclusive and expansive ministry. It is the aim of this event to equip those who are passionate about ministry for and with LGBTQIA+ folks in their congregation, their families, their workplaces to be able to reach out in love and support for their beloved.

REGISTER NOW

Contact ingodsimagesepa@gmail.com with any questions.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
2023-10-07 09:30 - 16:00 | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilkes Barre, 190 S Main St, Wilkes Barrw, Pennsylvania, 18701
To register, LibertyLutheran.org/LEVT. Questions? Email Julia Menzo at jmenzo@libertylutheran.org.
Fall 2023 Dates:

October 7th Good Shepherd Lutheran Church — 190 S Main St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

Training runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $30.00/ per person

Holy Closure: Trinity, South Philadelphia
2023-10-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Trinity, 2300 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19145, United States
The service Holy Closure of Trinity Lutheran Church, South Philadelphia will take place on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 3:00 PM. All are invited.

Gather, Rest , Renew Women's Retreat
2023-10-14 09:00 - 16:00 | United Lutheran Seminary – Philadelphia Campus, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, 19119
Gather, Rest and Renew
We are sponsoring a spiritual retreat at the campus of the United Lutheran Seminary in Mount Airy on Saturday October 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Retreat, Gather, Rest and Renew, is open to all women over 15, not just members of WELCA. The aim is to give us the opportunity to become more aware of God’s presence in our lives and in our world.
The Reverend Leslie Richard will lead us in a time of sharing, prayer, discussion, and contemplative exercises. Rev. Rishard is a trained Spiritual Director with a Master of Arts in Holistic Spirituality.
For more information and registration forms: Women Retreat Invite and Registration.

Ordination: Mycah Lynne McNett
2023-10-14 10:00 - 12:00 | St. Luke Lutheran Church, Devon, 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon, 19333
By the Grace of God and the Call of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mycah Lynne McNett will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament and installed as a pastor at Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Devon, PA! The service is on October 14th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The live stream on YouTube will be available at SaintLukeDevon.org. All are welcome, no exceptions! Everyone is invited to wear red. Clergy are invited to robe.

Deadline for Youth Gathering Financial Assistance Requests
2023-10-15
The ELCA Youth Gathering is back — and we’re going to New Orleans from July 16-20! (MYLE and tAble pre-events will be July 13-16)
Priority registrations are now open.
We encourage you to read through the registration materials on the ELCA Youth Gathering’s website: https://www.elca.church/gathering/attend/congregations
Here are the dates you need to know:
ELCA Youth Gathering will review financial assistance requests, but you need to apply by October 15 to be considered.
Cost is determined based on when you register – so take advantage of priority registration to get the lowest cost and first dibs on housing.
Any questions? Email:

Gathering Synod Champion Kelsey Tomlinson at sepagsc@gmail.com
Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Young Adult Discipleship Pr. Skyle Rea srea@sepa.org

ADLA Season of Jubilee Breakfast Oct.21
2023-10-21
Following the ELCA Apology to People of African Descent, the African Descent Ministries Desk continues to partner with Racial Justice and several synods in bringing a documented discussion of reinvestment from Churchwide to local congregations.

SEPA will organize bus transportation to the African Descent Lutheran Association, Delaware-Maryland Synod Chapter’s prayer breakfast on Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m. to noon at All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore.

For more info or to sign up for a seat on the bus, email Vice President Tracey Beasley at vp@sepa.org by September 15.

Download a poster

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training
2023-10-21 09:30 - 16:00 | Advent Lutheran Church, West Chester, 1601 Green Ln, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382
Saturday, Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Advent Lutheran Church, 1601 Green Lane, West Chester, PA, 19382. Cost: $30/person. Pastors, please direct those from your congregation who wish to register to the online registration form, or have them download the form and return to Julia Menzo at 7002 Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002
To register, LibertyLutheran.org/LEVT. Questions? Email Julia Menzo at jmenzo@libertylutheran.org.

Vitality Team Open Forum: When Church Stops Working
2023-10-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Zoom meeting
Join members of the Vitality Team and the Conference of Deans for a discussion of Andrew Root’s new book When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation. On Saturday October 21st we will gather on Zoom for a discussion of Dr. Root’s key points and take-aways from his book. We will explore how his approach to doing church relates to both the work of mission in the church and the biblical roots for discerning what God would have us do in this time when it feels like the church isn’t working anymore. Join us for this hope filled conversation about how we can bolster the spirit of God working in our congregations, our people and in our communities. All are welcome – even if you haven’t read the book!
Join On Zoom
Meeting ID: 875 4120 1562
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Coming Up December 9th:
Vitality Open Forum on Coaching. Explore ways that your congregation might benefit from the use of a coach or come to learn about ways that you can become trained to serve as an ELCA certified Coach.

Bishop's Gathering With Clergy Women
2023-10-24 12:30 - 13:30 | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, King of Prussia, 132 E. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA, 19406, United States

Youth Gathering Q&A Session about Priority Registration
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Luke Lutheran Church, Devon, 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon, 19333
You are invited to an in-person Q&A meeting Tuesday, October 24th at 7pm at St. Luke’s in Devon, PA. We will be meeting in their conference room.
Looking for a group connection to go to the gathering so your handful of youth have more in their party? Seeking scholarships? Need help registering? Looking for fundraising ideas? This meeting is all of that and more!

CANCELLED: Depolarization: An Interactive Workshop for Disciples in a Democracy
2023-10-27 14:30 - 16:00 | ULS Gettysburg Campus

Priority Registration for 2024 Youth Gathering Closes
2023-11-01

Deadline to Register For Anti-Racism Education
2023-11-02
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Anti-Racism Team announces a new offering of anti-racism education, this time for both lay and rostered participants.
The format consists of:

One 90-minute Zoom meeting to introduce the curriculum, planned for Monday, November 6, 2023, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Nine online modules outlining the historical context of the systemic racism embedded in our current institutions. Participants will have at least nine weeks, at their convenience, to complete these modules.
One in-person day-long session on Saturday, February 3, 2024 (Snow date: February 10), at the Brossman Center, United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia.

This program is free to all participants. Please register by Thursday, November 2, 2023.
Register today at: antiracism@sepa.org.

Download information: Anti-Racism Training November 2023

“This Nation Under God? The Gettysburg Address 160 Years Later”
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-04

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to support Family Promise*
2023-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA, 19044, United States
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Horsham will host a Spaghetti Dinner to support *Family Promise Food Pantry that has been serving Montgomery County families and individuals experiencing
food insecurity for more than 20 years https://www.fpmontco.org/what-we-do/food-pantry/
Featuring

Italian Basket Raffles
50/50 raffle
BAKE SALE

For more information and to obtain tickets in advance visit our website at https://rlchorsham.org/ or email Kathleen.Duncan@RLChorsham.org Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RLCHorsham
Tickets: $10 (children under 5 free)
Spaghetti Dinner 2023 Flyer

Anti-Racism Education for Lay and Rostered Leaders
2023-11-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Online

Depolarization: An Interactive Workshop for Disciples in a Democracy
2023-11-08 14:00 - 16:00
Virtual ONLY on November 8
Across the church, we encounter longing for an end to division and hear yearning in the honest question: How do we respond to people who believe (fill in the blank)? One year from the 2024 election and just weeks from Thanksgiving, when many of us will gather at tables with family members we may feel we no longer know, this question takes on deeper urgency.

In these interactive workshops, Silas Kulkarni, ELCA Director of Strategy and Advocacy, will give an introduction to the who, why, and how of depolarization work, particularly in the context of faith-based advocacy. As Christians, we are called by Jesus to love our enemies and to do the work of justice. Sometimes these two calls can seem like they are in tension, if not outright opposition. Focusing on the use of tools and trainings from the depolarization organization, Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org), Kulkarni will introduce a model for loving engagement across ideological and cultural divides, that neither precludes passionate advocacy, nor requires taking a “middle of the road” position. He will also point to opportunities and resources for learning more and continuing beyond this introductory session.

The event is a partnership of LAMPa and United Lutheran Seminary. These sessions will *not* be recorded. More Information here. Register here.

Executive Committee
2023-11-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-01 12:00 - 14:00

Rostered Ministers Equipping Event
2023-11-14 09:30 - 19:00 | United Lutheran Seminary – Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Join your colleagues from across the synod for a day of worship, learning, and relationship building at the 2023 SEPA Rostered Ministers Equipping Event. Spirit of Gentleness, Blow Through the Wilderness will focus on how we, as rostered ministers, can claim the grace of the Spirit of God who proclaims release from that which burdens us. Featuring three learning opportunities, the day will begin with worship and end with dinner, during which Rev. Bishop Patricia A. Davenport will offer sending reflections. We plan a happy hour mixer and, of course, all-day coffee.
GET FULL INFO AND REGISTER

Faith, Family & Fellowship
2023-12-02 14:00 - 17:00 | United Lutheran Seminary – Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Bishop Davenport invites you to an afternoon of fun for you and your family on the afternoon of Saturday, December 2! This event is for rostered ministers and synod leaders. Partners and children are also welcome.
There will be games, dancing and a DJ, gifts and a visit from Santa. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. The event is free!
Space is limited, so register soon!
REGISTER NOW

Advent Vespers at ULS
2023-12-03 | United Lutheran Seminary – Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Save the date. More information to follow.

A Racial Literacy Town Hall Guest Speaker: Dr. Howard Stevenson
2023-12-08 18:00 - 20:00
A Racial Literacy Town Hall featuring guest speaker Dr. Howard Stevenson is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at North Penn High School Auditorium. The event, presented by the Inclusion Grant, aims to explore intergenerational and multicultural perspectives on addressing the impact of racial trauma in high schools. RSVP is required by December 8th, and inquiries can be directed to Carmina Taylor at carmina.a.taylor@gmail.com or 215-284-5680.

Racial Literacy Town Hall Invitation_

Synod Council
2023-12-14

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service
2024-01-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Christ’s Lutheran Church, Oreland, 700 Pennsylvania Ave, Oreland, 19075
Download: MLK 2024 Memorial Service
Sunday, January 14, at 3 p.m. at Christ’s Lutheran Church, Oreland.
Live stream at https://christs-oreland.org/boxcast/.

MLK Day of Service
2024-01-15 09:30 - 13:30 | The Brossman Center at ULS, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19119, United States
Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, January 15, 2024
Join us on Monday, January 15 at United Lutheran Seminary Philadelphia Campus for MLK Day of Service to help disaster survivors near and far. Together we will pack hygiene kits and clean-up kits for Lutheran Disaster Response, and have a time to remember Dr. King’s life and ministry
All ages are welcome! This Day of Service is an excellent service opportunity for youth groups, families, and individuals. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at Benbow Hall in ULS’ Brossman Center, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia PA 19119. Lunch is available for a freewill offering but you must register in advance for lunch by emailing Heidi Shilanskus at hshilanskas@gmail.com. The event will conclude by 1:30 p.m.
If you can’t join us on Monday, January 15, you can still help!

Assemble hygiene and disaster clean-up kits at your church as part of your remembrance of Dr. King. (Contact Heidi Shilanskus at hshilanskus@gmail.com to arrange pickup or delivery).
Donate items on the wish list below (or a complete bucket).
Attend the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service on Sunday, January 14, at 3 p.m. at Christ’s Lutheran Church, Oreland.

Items needed for the kits:

Basic Hygiene Kit ContentsClean-up Kit Contents

1 - Toothbrush

1 – Toothpaste (any size)

3 - Moist Towelettes

1 –bottle Shampoo (12oz or smaller)

1-bottle Conditioner (12oz or smaller)

1 - EZ Towel Tablet (or small washcloth)

3 - Sanitary Napkins

1 - Deodorant Stick

1 - Bar Soap

1 – Comb

Combine all in a drawstring or large ziplock bag One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid (If reused, please scrub clean. Do not use a bucket that has held chemicals of any kind. No screw lid. Advertisement on the outside acceptable.)

NEW – One 4-8oz. pump spray air freshener

Five scouring pads (No stainless steel or pads with soap in them. Remove from packaging.)

Seven sponges, including one large

One scrub brush (With or without handle.)

18 reusable, lightweight multipurpose dry cleaning towels (No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels. Remove from packaging.)

One 32-64oz. or two 25oz. bottle(s) of liquid laundry detergent

One 16-34oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap

One 12-40oz. bottle of liquid concentrate household cleaner that can be mixed with water (No spray bottles.)

One package of 36-50 clothespins

One 50-100ft. clothesline (Cotton or plastic line.)

Five dust masks (N95 particulate respirator dust masks preferred; No surgical masks.)

Two pairs of heavy-duty, waterproof dishwashing gloves (Latex-free, non-surgical. Durable for multiple-use. Remove from packaging.)

One pair of work gloves (Cotton with leather palm or all leather.)

20-28 heavy duty or contractor type 30-45 gallon trash bags on a roll (Remove from packaging.)

One 6-9oz. bottle of non-aerosol insect repellent (Pump spay bottles must have protective covers. Packs of 10-20 insect repellent wipes also acceptable.)

This event is a collaboration between United Lutheran Seminary, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and Lutheran Congregational Services.
To register or for more information, please contact Heidi Shilanskus at hshilanskas@gmail.com.

Generosity Extravaganza: Tools for Today
2024-01-20
Save the Date: Saturday January 20, 2024
The event theme will be “Tools for Today,” recognizing that congregations are looking for practical, usable ideas and programs to help them develop a culture of generosity. Generosity is a marker of a vital congregation that reflects meaningful relationships with God, one another, and their community.

Keynote speaker – Grace Duddy Pomroy, the Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary, on creating Alternative Funding Methods for congregations.
Workshops include: “Think Outside the Box: Congregational vitality, particularly in an urban context”; “Annual Campaigns: Practical Tools to Energize Generosity”; “Living in God’s Abundance when Scarcity is All You See”; “Shared Ministry: Faithful Service in Difficult Times”; and “Taking the Mystery Out of Planned Giving.”
Workshop leaders include Doug Powe, Marianne Brock, Philip Krey, Clyde Walter, Andrea Walker, Micah Krey, Tim Brown, and Carolyn Wilt.

Watch this space for updates and registration beginning in November.

Installation. The Rev. K. Russell Crouthamel
2024-01-21 16:00 - 18:00 | St. John Lutheran Church, Phoenixville, 355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA, 19460, United States
Pastor K. Russell Crouthamel will be officially installed as our Lead Pastor on January 21st! Please join us for a meal after the service. Kindly RSVP to Sonya (office@stjohphoenixville.org or (610) 933-3947 ext. 2) as soon as possible but no later than January 12th so we can get an accurate head count for the caterers.
Installation Poster

MHFA Virtual Adult Training Online
2024-01-24 10:00 - 17:00
Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) Virtual Training
Sponsored by the City of Philadelphia, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
The Adult MHFA virtual training is based on new curricula that includes expanded content on trauma, addiction, and self-care. Youth MHFA includes new content applicable for adults working with young people, including content on the impact of social media. The content is gender-neutral and culturally relevant.

Similar to CPR, Mental Health First Aiders learn basic skills to help another person in need of support. Mental Health First Aid teaches how to assist a person who may be struggling with mental health or addiction challenges, and what to do if the person you are helping is in crisis.

Research shows that people are more likely to assist another person after this training, and more likely to recommend treatment resources. This training has also shown to decrease stigma toward people with behavioral health challenges.

First Aiders will complete the Self-Paced Pre-work prior to participating in a 5.5-hour, Instructor-led class using videoconferencing technology. Completion of both courses is required to obtain the 3-year national certification as a Mental Health First Aider.
Questions? Please email: mhfa_philly@pmhcc.org or call (215) 685-3755
This course is provided at NO COST to those who live, work or study in the City of Philadelphia.
