December 20, 2020
Lesson and Carols for Christmas 2020
A gift to our congregations and leaders from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. December 2020.
A gift to our congregations and leaders from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. December 2020.
December 15, 2020
Positions to be Elected at Assembly
Nominations Needed for Synodical Positions The SEPA Synod’s Nominating Committee is currently looking for help as we seek to raise up new leaders from across our synod. We are looking for qualified persons, both clergy and lay, to serve as nominees for the election at the SEPA Synod Assembly on April 23-24, 2021. This year we have over...
December 9, 2020
Guidelines for Virtual Congregational Meetings
A number of congregations have requested guidance on holding meetings remotely using teleconferencing or virtual technology during the current pandemic. Rev. Secretary Karl Richard has created a document that attempts to address some of the issues that need to be addressed in preparing for and conducting meetings in this way. This document is applicable for...
December 9, 2020
Pandemic Help: Do you need volunteers, or can you offer help?
The pandemic continues to take its health and economic toll on many. With eviction moratoriums and other public benefits ending on December 31, 2020, there will be a spike in eviction filings and many will continue to have to make harder and harder decisions on whether to pay for food, medicine, rent or their mortgage....
November 17, 2020
Bishop’s Letter Regarding Latest COVID Spike
Nov 17 2020 Greetings, Beloved, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12 Right now, new cases of COVID-19, positive test rates, and hospitalizations are spiking across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Public health officials are issuing new mitigation orders in our area. In order to protect our most vulnerable members, our pastors...
November 16, 2020
What You Need to Know About Copyright in Church
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod webinar with Michael Moore, copyright and permissions guru with 1517.media. 0:00 – Introductions 2:48 – What is copyright? 11:27 — How does copyright affect churches? 26:22 – What licensing do you need? 31:19 – Searching Sundays & Seasons and other topics 48:22 – Q&A
November 13, 2020
2020 Annual Report Cover Available
The new 2020 annual report covers are now available. Both can be found in the Stewardship resources here: https://www.elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership Direct links are here: Pages version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover.pdf Spreads version: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2020_Annu al_Report_cover_spread.pdf
November 13, 2020
Apply Now For Young Adults in Global Mission
Applications for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program are now being accepted, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2021-2022 program year. If you know young adults ages 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline...
November 13, 2020
Tuscarora Youth Retreat 2021 Is On!
APRIL 9 – 11, 2021 GRADES 6 – 12 Registration Fee: TBD Pending the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the retreat will be either inperson or virtual. Date to determine in-person vs. virtual is February 1, 2021 Download a poster Check our website for up to date information https://tuscaroralutheranretreat.weebly.com/
November 13, 2020
Season of Hope Advent Resources from LWR
Join with Lutheran World Relief as we remember our neighbors from around the world. During each week of Advent, we will lift up the experience of our neighbors in each of the regions your love reaches: Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Discover our suite of resources to engage your congregation digitally or inperson in a variety of ways each...
November 13, 2020
For Your Prayers and Support
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING BRUNCH…On Wednesday, Nov. 25 a collaboration of non-profits are offering “THANKSGIVING BRUNCH” (hot breakfast & dinner) to over 700 families experiencing food insecurity in Kensington. The meals will be prepared in St Michael’s “safe food certified” kitchen, and delivered to McPhearson Park & Last Stop Recovery Center in Kensington. We will also be...
November 13, 2020
Mortgage and Rental Assistance Now Available
Lutheran advocacy helped secure $175 million of funding for rental and mortgage assistance that is now available. The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March, provided $3.9 billion for Pennsylvania and is intended to help people hurt economically during the pandemic. In late May, the General Assembly directed $175 million...
November 12, 2020
Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse
How many of us have ever prayed, ‘Lord make me an instrument of your peace,’ then found ourselves in complex and polarized situations that made peace seem impossible? This course is for you. Designed by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and its Department of Faith Formation, Make Me an Instrument is a free,...
October 23, 2020
Blessing of the stoles for 50-40-10 Honorees
In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. A group of Lutheran sewers have banded together to make stoles honoring our active clergy for whom this joyous...
October 6, 2020
Zoom Conversation on Reopening Church Facilities
On Oct. 1, our communicators group was joined by Mr. Dennis Smith, manager of buildings and grounds at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale. Dennis shared with us good information about airflow requirements, ways to improve ventilation in enclosed spaces, and other considerations in reopening church facilities. The conversation took the entirety of our time today. Please...
October 6, 2020
Stewardship Tip: What’s Your Narrative?
The Lake Institute for Faith and Giving had a survey of congregational leaders from across the country, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving in a July 2020 survey of 555 congregations found that congregational giving declined by 4.4 percent on average from February through June 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. A plurality...
October 2, 2020
Housing Insecurity Resources for Churches
Lutheran Congregational Services, with their partners in disaster, have put together resources for congregations and other community organizations who may get questions from people who are facing housing insecurity or homelessness, some of whom may never have faced this before. The resources are linked below and include contact information for mostly state agencies and state...
September 22, 2020
God’s work. Our hands. Service
On (and after) Sunday, September 13, 2020, SEPA congregations joined others across the ELCA for the annual Day of Service projects. Each year, “God’s work. Our hands. Sunday” brings Lutherans out to serve their communities. This year, even though gathering was limited by the pandemic, churches still managed to serve neighbors near and far. Read...
September 21, 2020
A Word of Encouragement (Interpreted)
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport: Greetings beloved. If I could sing, I would sing I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, which I did. However, I also had you on my mind, and I just wanted to pause today just to say, God bless you. And I am so grateful for each...
September 21, 2020
A Word of Encouragement from Bishop Davenport
Greetings beloved. If I could sing, I would sing I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, which I did. However, I also had you on my mind, and I just wanted to pause today just to say, God bless you. And I am so grateful for each and every one of...
