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Resources for effective church leaders
+ October 19, 2022
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Engage with two outstanding church leaders in plenary presentations and question and answer sessions. Louise Johnson will speak on change leadership; while The Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will talk about how the church can express generosity and vitality in the midst of our broken reality. Plus, 10 practical workshops!
Saturday, January 21, 2023
8 a.m. To 4 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446
An In-Person Only Event
Cost: $40 per person (includes lunch)
FREE for SEPA/NEPA Synod seminarians and first-call pastors
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How Should We Respond to Christian Nationalism? |
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields will host a Zoom presentation and dialogue on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 pm with Dr. Philip Gorski, a sociologist at Yale University, and co-author of the new book “The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy.”
Please join in-person for this timely conversation, just one week in advance of the November 8 elections. Join in-person at St. Martin’s, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118.
“For anyone who is concerned about the future of religion and democracy in America…this book is essential reading.” (Dr. Anthea Butler, Penn State University). All are welcome, for in-depth learning and respectful conversation.
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Bear Creek Youth Retreat
November 12-13
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Parents, Youth Leaders, and Pastors – it’s time to gather our youth for some time away!
Our annual junior youth gathering (JYG) took some time off during COVID-19 shutdowns. As a result, we have adapted JYG to be a one day retreat this year on Saturday, Nov. 12. A great addition to any Youth or Confirmation curriculum, this retreat invites middle schoolers to explore their faith, meet new friends, and dive into key catechetical topics in engaging, interactive ways.
This year’s theme will be “I Believe”. We will journey together, exploring the Apostles Creed and specifically what it means to talk about faith in our 21st century contemporary context. All youth in Grades 6-9 are invited to attend this retreat with their adult leaders as we pray, play, and get to know each other – all while diving into this important and critical question.
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When: Saturday, Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $45 per person
Option: Extend your retreat overnight until Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Additional $30 per person. Limited space available
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Celebrate Rostered Ministers During October |
Did you know that October is Rostered Ministers’ Appreciation Month? Take time out during October to thank your pastors and deacons for all the ministry they do. Stay tuned for some ideas of ways to show your appreciation. Here’s one idea:
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Tip: Encourage Them To Take Their Vacation
Most Americans do not take all of their vacation, and rostered ministers often fall into this category. Encourage your leaders to take time to tend to relax and disengage from time to time. Self-care isn’t selfish. Leaders who are healthy, mentally and physically, serve their congregations with renewed energy.
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Thank You for Your Mission Support! |
We are grateful for your support of ministries here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the globe through Mission Support.
In a new video, the Rev. Karen Sease, assistant to the bishop, shares five things that you need to know about how these gifts are used.
- We are grateful for every dollar your congregation sends in Mission Support.
- You gifts have local and global reach.
- Of each dollar, half supports ministry locally and half supports Churchwide ministries.
- Mission Supports connects congregations, synods, and the ELCA.
- Mission Support allows us to do more together than any one congregation can do on its own, expanding our reach out into the world.
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A Window Into Your Neighbor's Faith |
Wednesdays: November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7, & 14, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Enhance your religious literacy through storytelling and conversations among expert facilitators and group participants from a variety of faith traditions. In this six-session, interactive community experience, participants will learn more deeply about the lived experience of different faith traditions. Each week will feature independent study, learning from people who practice that faith in a living library, and time for discussion and integration.
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An ELCA Pastor Shares a Journey of Personal and Spiritual Transformation |
Pastor Franklin Morales was born in Venezuela and is a former Catholic priest. He did his philosophical studies in Venezuela, his theological studies in Rome, and a one-year internship in Central America, where he had first-hand contact with the realities of poverty, criminal gangs, inequality, and hunger that force many of our Central American brothers and sisters to emigrate from their countries of origin looking for a better future for themselves and their families.
Pastor Franklin discovered in Lutheran theology a gospel that seeks liberation and equality for all people without distinction through ways of justice and peace, where the relationship with God through prayer is manifested in service to the neediest and with creation.
He has a fascinating story culminating in marriage, moving to the United States, and becoming an ELCA Pastor in the Metro DC Synod. Join us to hear his story.
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Still Time to Register for Rostered Ministers Equipping Event |
We are excited to announce the Rostered Minister Equipping Event for 2022! Join SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers for a “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” convocation, intended to help you reimagine, renew, and rejoice. This event features a keynote speech by our own Bishop, alongside opportunities to engage with online and in-person workshops presented by Lena Glickman, Brandi Miller, and Dale Selover, across topics of spiritual direction, self-care, storytelling, and more. Opportunities for fellowship, worship, good food, prayer, time with the Bishop, hiking and nature walks, knitting, meditation, and more will also be available. Whether you’d rather spend more time in workshops or with colleagues, you can build your own experience from the offerings presented. Come and see!
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November 14-16
United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia Campus
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The more we learn about the afterlife of trauma, the more we understand just how pervasive and destructive it really is. Church, as you probably know by now, is rarely an exception to that reality. People in your faith community are hurting and trying to heal. For many, worship is a scary experience ― one that may range from uncomfortable to totally unnerving.
Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead Academy is offering a two-hour online workshop called Trauma-Informed Worship on Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. to noon CST. Ensure your worship practice and environment support the safety and healing of those impacted by traumatic experiences.
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Central American Cultural Festival at Emmanuel, Souderton |
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Souderton invites you to a Central American Food and Cultural Festival on Saturday, November 12, 5-8 p.m. at the church, 69 W. Broad St., Souderton PA, 18964. This event benefits the rebuilding of 1,000 student desks destroyed by hurricanes in Santa Barbara Honduras in 2020.
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Free Webinar — Register Now
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Tuesday, October 25, Noon-1:30 p.m. Eastern -- For most congregations, attracting new people was a challenge even before the pandemic. Now, churches must focus not only on the continuing need to reach new people but also on reconnecting with the sizable percentage of those who attended regularly before COVID-19 but have not yet returned to the pews. Join Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr., Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr., and Rev. Dr. Jessica Anschutz for this timely and important webinar to learn ways to improve your congregation’s in-person and online worship attendance.
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Compassion, Not Sacrifice: A Webinar for Women in Ministry |
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Clergy Appreciation Month is a time to especially celebrate women in ministry. Yet clergy who are women often feel pressured to sacrifice their family lives on the altar of the church, and that they work twice as hard to receive half the credit. But it doesn’t need to be this way. After all, Jesus desires compassion, not sacrifice.
This workshop will show you, step by step, how to create more compassion and let go of the expectations of sacrifice holding you back. You’ll learn actionable coaching tools you can apply right away to create more compassion and less sacrifice in your life and ministry. Join Dr. Crystal Hall, Biblical studies professor at United Lutheran Seminary and a certified life coach, Monday, October 24 at 12 p.m. EST. Claim your spot today with complimentary registration at www.crystalhallphd.com/events.
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Electronics Recycling Oct. 29 at St. Paul's, Telford
St. Paul’s “Green Team” is sponsoring electronics recycling on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot behind the church at South Main Street and Lincoln Avenue, Telford. See this information sheet to learn what can and cannot be recycled. Questions: Contact at www.stpaulstelford.org.
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Open Call for St. Peter’s Boar’s Head Festival
You can help St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord as a cast, choir, or crew member of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival – celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023.
This uplifting musical celebration on Saturday, January 7, depicts 2 stories: the journey the wise men took to greet our newborn Savior, and the medieval celebration of the slaying of the wild boar, symbolizing the Christ Child’s triumph over sin.
Open Casting Call: There are a variety of roles to fill: volunteer actors (leads and extras), singers, instrumentalists, and stage hands of all ages, identities, and abilities! No prior experience required. All are welcome!
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Tuscarora Youth Retreat
March 24-26
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Save the dates! The 2023 Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat will be held Friday, March 24 - Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center, Mt. Bethel, PA. The theme is Justice, Mercy, Love. Registration opens in December.
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Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
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