December 23, 2024
Christmas Message from Bishop Penman
December 23, 2024 Grace and peace to you this Christmas season. At the heart of the Christmas story is a journey—a journey of a young couple, Mary and Joseph, searching for a place to stay. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room for them. Yet in the kindness of a stranger, they found...
Mission Support connects us! STORYTELLING ENGAGEMENT Companion Connections A story from our Oregon Synod bishop Each of our ELCA synods engages with at least one companion synod in another country, a global accompaniment funded by your Mission Support. In this time of Advent wonder, we want to share with you an edited version of a...
December 11, 2025 Dear Beloved in Christ, December often feels like a whirlwind in the church. The steady progression from Advent to Christmas overlays the festive chaos of the secular holiday season, making this time especially busy. Those who’ve worked with me over the years know that I’m a “special kind of crazy” when it...
“Give thanks for those whose hope is clear, beyond mere mortal sight: who seek the city God has planned, the true, eternal promised land, and steer on toward that light, a beacon ever bright..” – Give Thanks for Saints (ELW 428) Dear Faithful Saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Thank you, saints, for witnessing to God’s extravagant love...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
How does the work of Jesus get done in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod? By faithful members of our congregations who love Jesus, love the Church, and are willing to take leadership positions in our Synod. At the upcoming Synod Assembly, May 30 & 31, 2025, we will be electing leaders to serve on the Synod Council....
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...
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,...
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...
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...
