March 18, 2020
Beloved, I’m sure you aware that Governor Wolf ordered that all non-essential business in Pennsylvania need to close, effective March 17, for two weeks. This is part of the ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. My colleague, Bishop Michael Rhyne of Allegheny Synod, shares that their synod’s attorney informed them that...
March 13, 2020
Care for our neighbors means we should not make the virus spread worse. March 13, 2020 Dear Beloved, Do not be afraid! The public health situation with coronavirus and COVID-19 in Southeastern Pennsylvania is serious, but not a cause for panic. We are bombarded with anxiety from schools closing, new cases reported, financial worry, and concern...
March 11, 2020
March 11, 2020 Greetings, Beloved! From Genesis through Revelation, Holy Scripture echoes a common theme: “Do not be afraid.” The Holy One knows that there are times that trigger our fear and anxiety. The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 – how it spreads, how we should respond, how to protect ourselves and our neighbors – has ripple...
March 7, 2020
In 1527 the plague returned to Wittenberg, Germany. Two hundred years earlier the plague had swept across Europe killing up to 40% of the population. Understandably, people were anxious and wondered what a safe and faithful response might be. In answer to this, Martin Luther wrote “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague.” In...
March 5, 2020
While the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is not currently having significant impacts in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the news (and misinformation) about the spread of the virus is creating worry and anxiety in many communities. On March 3 we received via Lutheran Disaster Response a preparation checklist for congregations and ELCA worship guidance, “Worship in Times of Public Health...
March 5, 2020
The 2020 convention of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synodical Women of the ELCA will be held on June 6, 2020, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran church 400 Lynbrooke Rd, Springfield, PA 19064. Registration begins at 9:00 am. Opening devotions begin at 9:30. We will be celebrating 50 years of Ordination of Women of the Lutheran Church...
March 4, 2020
This season, Bishop Davenport and the synod pastoral staff invite you to join them in reading and discussing Dwight Zscheile’s book “The Agile Church”. In this book Dr. Zscheile, vice president for innovation and professor of mission at Luther Seminary, draws on scripture and history to explore how the early church learned to meet people...
February 19, 2020
Congratulations to Kendyll Ward who is one of six high school youth across the country to be selected for the ELCA Youth Leadership Team. She is a member of Trinity, Havertown and starts her duties March 5-8 with a team meeting in Chicago. Her service is a two-year commitment. “I am so proud of her...
February 19, 2020
Pastor Chris Franz of Advent, West Chester and Pastor Dan Krewson of Calvary, West Chester, recently presented a check for $901 to the West Chester Food Cupboard. The funds were raised by the Tuesday night Pickleball Fellowship players, who are each asked to donate $1 or more per session to play. This joint ministry of...
February 19, 2020
Lenten Message from Bishop Davenport Reflection on Isaiah 58:6-9 Watch video message Download print vision February, 2020 Greetings, beloved. So what are we taking on for Lent? Jesus’ journey to the cross was a path through sacrifice and discipline. Our Lord took on the weight of the whole world. He poured...
February 10, 2020
The Life and Legacy of Daniel Alexander Payne Daniel Alexander Payne, the first African-American admitted to a Lutheran seminary in 1835, went on to have an influential career as a preacher and bishop. But not in a Lutheran church — he was ordained in 1839 but joined the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church two...
February 6, 2020
How is your church pouring itself out for the community? What opportunities are you seeing in your neighborhood? Mark your calendar for God’s mission Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2. The 2020 SEPA Synod Assembly will focus on “Acuity: Seeing Mission Possibilities.” Regular business will be conducted on Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon...
January 21, 2020
“You can’t love Jesus and not give,” pastor and author Clif Christopher said in his keynote at the 2020 Extravagant Generosity program Jan. 10. “It’s just impossible.” Yet some churches lose the battle with money because “there are more people who think money can save them than think Jesus can save them,” said Christopher, author...
January 21, 2020
Today, women of all races, backgrounds and experiences lead congregations, synods and the churchwide expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. But in the early days, “there were no models except male,” says Elizabeth Platz, the first woman ordained by a Lutheran denomination in the US — the Lutheran Church in America — in...
January 21, 2020
Dear friends, If you missed our Stewardship Extravaganza in January, you missed a great event with excellent keynote addresses, an outstanding sermon and wonderful workshops. But, here is a chance to benefit from that experience. One of the workshop leaders, Rob Blezard, has a monthly “Toolkit” that provides helpful bulletin inserts, thoughtful newsletter articles and...
January 16, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf announced the availability of $5 million in funding for security enhancement projects for nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities throughout Pennsylvania. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization....
January 7, 2020
Jesus’ simple life, focus on what was most important, and trust in God to provide testify to his minimalist lifestyle. The minimalism movement offers that attending to what matters and eliminating things and ideas that distract can provide “meaning” to our lives. Pastor Becca Ehrlich of Philadelphia, author of the Christian Minimalism blog, writes in...
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Moving forward in ministry during the pandemic.
