March 1, 2021
SEPA Synod members participated in a four-week discussion of Debbie Irving’s book “Waking Up White.” In it, she shares the experiences that led her to a greater awareness of the role of race and the impact of racism. An appendix to the book provides a list of suggested resources that readers can access to go...
February 26, 2021
Individual giving to causes including the COVID-19 fund, donations toward medical expenses for former Bishop Munga in Tanzania, and our annual All Saints appeal tripled in 2020 — in a pandemic year. Thank you so much for your support. We thank God for you always.
February 24, 2021
A child stays up to watch the late night news. She waits. Yes! They’re showing the lion dance. Firecrackers are set off. Drums and cymbals break out in joyful rhythms. The world knows it’s Chinese (lunar) New Year. She is happy. She can now go to sleep. — A woman was doused with an acid-like...
February 16, 2021
Although we are encouraged with overall declines in new COVID-19 cases, the counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania are still rated as having “very high” or “extremely high” risk of community transmission of the virus. Bishop Davenport continues to strongly recommend that congregations do not hold indoor worship until further notice. In addition, the bishop recommends that...
February 16, 2021
I have participated in numerous anti-racism training events over the years, sponsored by either the synod or the churchwide organization. (For those events, I express a profound feeling of gratitude.) But I did not fully comprehend the reality of “white privilege” until I had an unexpected conversation with a fellow pastoral care resident at the...
February 10, 2021
Dear friends: Bethany Friberg works as an ELCA missionary in Ketumbeine, Tanzania, but her definition of missionary service is much more expansive. She believes all Christians are missionaries. “I’m always struck by how wonderful it is when people have committed their life to the Lord and are praying, ‘Lord Jesus, show me how to live...
February 10, 2021
Care for and by children of God in Black skin has a long history in the Lutheran church, despite the impression one might have of the ELCA as currently a predominantly “white” denomination. The Rev. Richard Stewart, associate professor emeritus of communications and parish administration at ULS, gives a glimpse of significant early Black Lutheran...
February 5, 2021
On a local community website, I read a post that said signs have been popping up in my community that say “No White Guilt”. A lively discussion followed in replies to the post. My mostly white neighbors had varied reactions, and some of them were apparently too much for the moderator of the site, because...
February 3, 2021
The Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat planning committee is pleased to announce our first ever Virtual Retreat for youth in grades 6-12 and their leaders, on Saturday, April 10, starting at 10 am on Zoom. Registration fee is $20 per person. Deadline to register is March 7, 2021! Download a flyer for more information: 2021 Tuscaro...
February 3, 2021
An excerpt from our interview with Pastor Keith Anderson focusing on digital ministry in the upcoming Lenten season.
February 1, 2021
Pastors, musicians, and tech teams from SEPA Synod share ideas for online Lenten and Holy Week worship, followed with discussion about re-opening in-person worship.
January 29, 2021
A message from Rev. Secretary Karl M. Richard in response to the Capitol riots and the transition of administrations.
January 29, 2021
A message from our Synod Secretary, the Rev. Karl M. Richard: Grace and peace from Jesus Christ, the redeemer of the world. I was horrified by the events that took place in Washington DC on January 6th when armed rioters stormed the capitol building in an attempt to overturn the election. It made me ask,...
January 28, 2021
Pastor Bob Fisher interviews Pastor Keith Anderson of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, a digital content expert and author of “The Digital Cathedral” and co-author of “Click 2 Save: The Social Media Bible”. Topics covered: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Starting with digital ministry 03:46 From Zoom to live streaming 06:26 Why stream from the sanctuary? 07:04 Interactive...
January 27, 2021
Pastor Bob Fisher interviews Pastor Keith Anderson of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, a digital content expert and author of “The Digital Cathedral” and co-author of “Click 2 Save: The Social Media Bible”. Topics covered: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Starting with digital ministry 03:46 From Zoom to live streaming 06:26 Why stream from the sanctuary? 07:04 Interactive...
January 18, 2021
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18- 25) whose cry for unity is “That they all may be one” John 17:21 and whose theme this year is: “Abide in my love…you shall bear much fruit.”, begins this week. We also celebrate on Monday, January 18th the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his...
January 18, 2021
Greetings Beloved, As we prepare in our nation’s capital for the historic inauguration of Joe Biden, as our 46th president, and Kamala Harris as our first African America-South Asian American woman, vice president, we must not forget the fury, violence and vitriol unleased in our capitol on January 6th, for many it was truly an...
January 15, 2021
As we reflect on the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and look toward the inauguration, and share concern about possible violence at our state and national capitols, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers the following prayer: The psalmist reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm...
January 14, 2021
We’re both delighted and sad to announce that Ms. Mercedes Lee, coordinator for congregational vitality, will be leaving the staff on January 15 for a position with the University of Pennsylvania’s newly formed office of social equity and community. We’ll miss Mercedes as an integral part of the synod team and for her enthusiastic and...
January 5, 2021
Greetings, Beloved! As we enter this new year 2021, I am writing to extend my strong recommendation that congregations do not offer in-person worship until further notice. My recommendation, made after much prayer and discernment, is based on our core Lutheran conviction of loving our neighbors – whether they be people in our communities, congregation...
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