We are a church committed to serving our neighbors! Like so much else during the pandemic, how we do that is shifting and changing. While we might be missing some of the things we are used to doing to care for those in need and work for justice and peace, we are finding new ways...

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A recent online conversation with pastors and communicators discussed the steps congregations are taking to return to worship. This is a complicated subject. In Pennsylvania, religious organizations are specifically exempted from the governor’s July 15 mitigation order.    Answering questions about singing is harder since the CDC removed language from their website that asked houses...

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Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 Bishop Patricia A. Davenport offers a word of Scripture and prayers...

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Our Synod is again offering $25,000 in grants to congregations and leaders in 2021 for new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign. Due to COVID-19, the grant process has been moved back. Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2020. Funds will be distributed by January 31,...

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Interested in learning how to expand your ministries to be more intentionally welcoming for LGBTQIA+ persons? Is your congregation already Reconciling in Christ but you want to know what more you can do? Do you feel like you just don’t know how to be the best ally you can be? This year’s In God’s Image...

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“Celebrating Our Past . . . Embracing Our Future”From September 22-25, 2020, United Lutheran Seminary’s Urban Theological Institute will hold a virtual 40th-year celebration featuring the annual UTI lecture, annual UTI sermon, chapel worship and piano concert. All events will be featured on the ULS YouTube channel. 9/22/2020 at 11:45am – Annual UTI Lecture with...

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Fox 29’s Bill Anderson talked with Lou Farrell, the organizer of Welcome Bread, which has so far collected and distributed more than 30,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to persons in need or experiencing homelessness since April. “There is no excuse for people to be hungry in this country, and if you have the opportunity...

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Due to delays in processing of sales tax exemptions as a result of COVID-19, the state Department of Revenue extended the exempt status of the Synod and its subsidiary churches until September 30, 2020. The extension is intended to assist churches in continuing daily operations without interruption of exempt status. You may use this correspondence...

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We’re pleased to say that Bishop Stephen Munga of our companion synod in Tanzania is at home following heart surgery and weeks of rehabilitation. His family, including the Rev. Dr. Anneth Munga and son Daniel, and our partners in the North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania share their thanks for the...

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In late July, local NAACP head Rodney Muhammad posted a meme to Facebook that Jewish groups considered anti-Semitic. In response, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia issued a statement that denounces bigotry, promotes solidarity, and calls for healing and understanding. Read the full statement here: Philadelphia Religious Leaders Respond to the Rodney Muhammad Posting...

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Updated July 29, 2020 “Our highest priority is to do no harm” Our suburban counties entered the Green phase of reopening on Friday, June 26. Philadelphia is now modified green but reporting “High Risk of Community Transmission” as of July 29. The Green phase is not a return to pre-pandemic normals. Organizations must still follow practices for...

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