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 →

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 →

August 31, 2024 Beloved Siblings in Christ, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 I am grateful! What a blessing it has been to...

Read More →

Grant Administrator for Love Revolution SEPA Synod is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented individual to be Grant Administrator for Love Revolution. The person fulfilling this contract will be responsible for Grant Administration of Love Revolution, skilled in administration, communication and finance. This person will assist the Grant Evaluator, Program Director and the Directors of Evangelical Mission...

Read More →

Does your congregation feel the call to grow and transform? Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor is looking for congregations to bring their lay and rostered leaders to renew their sense of purpose. Applications for the first cohort are here! Love Revolution Cover Letter and Grant Application Love Revolution is a five-year program funded by the Lilly...

Read More →

It’s time again to apply for grants to support new initiatives and ministries that support the emphases of the Forward Together in Faith Campaign.  These grants, drawn from interest earned by the principal of the campaign, will support new projects that help network congregations, leaders and community partners, innovate new forms of ministry and/or communities of faith, communicate through digital channels,...

Read More →

Resources for the Crisis in the Holy Land – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org) June 5, 2024 Dear church, For eight horrific months war has raged in Gaza. Thousands of people have died, and thousands more are suffering. In recent days we have seen unspeakable images of violence in Rafah and escalating violence in...

Read More →

May 8, 2024 Dear church, In 1 Corinthians 12:26 the apostle Paul reminds us that “if one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” For 15 years we have accompanied our full-communion siblings in the United Methodist Church (UMC) through joyous and challenging times. We...

Read More →

The Rev. Bryan Penman, pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohocken and co-Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, was elected Saturday as the synod’s next bishop. Bishop-elect Penman received 203 votes on the fifth and final ballot for bishop. The Rev. Karl Richard, pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Springfield...

Read More →

Beloved, I was deeply troubled and saddened to learn of the shooting that erupted yesterday during a joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the festival that closes the holy month of Ramadan, in the Parkside neighborhood in West Philadelphia. It is sobering for every person of faith to know that even public expressions of religious faith...

Read More →