MinistryLink News

November 1, 2024

Why should you donate to charities directly from your IRA?

Generosity logo SEPA Our Synod Generosity Team is sharing the following article as a way to help you use your money wisely in saving and in giving. If you are over 70 years old and have an IRA, here is some good advice. Why should you donate to charities directly from your IRA? Do you donate to Churches or...

Read More →

November 1, 2024

November Message from the Bishop

Dear Friends in Christ, As we enter November, many of our congregations celebrate the Feast of All Saints—a time rich in tradition across our synod. Some congregations honor the saints who have died in the past year by reading their names, tolling bells, lighting candles, or pausing in silence to remember those we’ve loved and...

Read More →

October 24, 2024

The SEPA Synod Urban Ministries Application for Grant Funds

The SEPA Synod Urban Ministry Team is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $163,000 for distribution to eligible congregations in its 2024 grant funding cycle ($63,000 comes from the ELCA Innovations Team and $100,000 is from SEPA Synod). Of the $163,000 in available grant funding, up to $100,000 is earmarked for Building...

Read More →

October 14, 2024

October Message from the Bishop

Dear Friends in Christ,  Did you know that Clergy Appreciation Month has its roots all the way back in Paul’s letters to the early church? Paul encouraged believers not to grow weary in their ministry, and that same spirit of encouragement continues today through Clergy Appreciation Month. Gaining momentum in the 1990s (thanks in large...

Read More →

October 14, 2024

October 2024 Mission Support Memo

STORYTELLING ENGAGEMENT Hallelujah! A story from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Imagine entering a sanctuary, hearing the joyful sounds of a praise band, the drums, keyboard, guitar and voices singing “Hallelujah,” dresses and jackets full of bright color, mostly young adult leaders, and the congregation swaying with the music. Then, you realize the words are not in...

Read More →

October 8, 2024

What Really Matters? A SEPA Youth Event

Join us for an overnight adventure at Bear Creek Camp! Open to youth in grades 6-9 and their leaders, we’ll hike, play games, get closer to God and more! Make connections with peers! Grow closer to Jesus! Love GOD and love others! Registration opens: October 10! Last day to register: October 24 $65 per person...

Read More →

October 4, 2024

Praying for Peace Amid Ongoing War in the Middle East

In observance of the one-year anniversary of the start of the current conflict in the Holy Land, amid times of escalating conflict and pain, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers prayers for peace, healing and justice for all people in Israel and Palestine, and the regions where the war has escalated. “We grieve this violence and loss of...

Read More →

October 2, 2024

Lilly Endowment Inc. Funds Faith Alive

For Immediate Release The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has received a $1,249,933 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish Faith Alive. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally...

Read More →

September 20, 2024

Bishop Penman Installed Sept. 14, 2024

  On Saturday, September 14th hundreds of people gathered in the sanctuary of the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and across sacred cyberspace to celebrate the installation of the Rev. Bryan Penman as the sixth Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod!   More than one hundred people shared their time and talent in the service and in...

Read More →

September 10, 2024

Pastor Rick Summy named as Program Director of the Love Revolution

It is with immense joy and excitement that I announce the appointment of The Rev. Richard (Rick) Summy as the Program Director of Love Revolution. Pastor Summy brings nearly 40 years of rich and faithful service to this vital work, and his deep experience will be a tremendous blessing to our synod. We are thrilled...

Read More →

September 5, 2024

Religious Leaders Across Pennsylvania Unite for Peace During Election Season

HARRISBURG, PA, September 5, 2024 — Today, religious leaders from across the state, representing more than 3 million Pennsylvanians of various faith traditions, gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol to issue a call for peace during this election season. Acknowledging the current climate of political unrest and polarization, they pledged to foster dialogue over division and...

Read More →

September 4, 2024

Choices and Voices for Peace – Sign the Statement

August 21, 2024 Dear Rostered Leaders, As we approach this election season, I invite the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to join us and fellow faith leaders in Harrisburg on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Capitol for an interfaith press conference to present our joint statement, “Choices and Voices for Peace.” The intent...

Read More →

September 3, 2024

First Day Message – Bishop Bryan J. Penman

September 3, 2024 Greetings beloved!! I greet you in the name of Jesus on this first day in my new call as Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. As I was preparing for this day – I was full of the first day of school jitters, but trust me, the outfit was picked, the lunch...

Read More →

August 28, 2024

HEARINGS ON THE DRAFT SOCIAL STATEMENT ON CIVIC LIFE AND FAITH

The ELCA Task Force on Civic Life and Faith will hold two hearings within the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod on the Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith. The hearings are September 11th, 7-8:30 United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia September 17th, 7-8:30 pm Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 West Main Street, Lansdale The hearings...

Read More →

September 18, 2024

Registration Open: Live Faithfully – Synod Wide Learning Day & Love Revolution Launch

Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9:00 am-3:00 pm St. Luke Lutheran Church 203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA 1933 How are you living out your baptismal call? Congregations and their leaders are invited to spend a day exploring how we are called to live among God’s faithful people. Bishop Dwayne Royster from Power Interfaith will be...

Read More →