June 23, 2023
We are grateful that the saints of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod could again meet in person for Synod Assembly after four long years. The energy and spirit was uplifting as long-time friends greeted one another and new connections were made. The stories of our creative and sustaining partnerships in ministry were shared on screen, around Mission...
June 22, 2023
Hunger — Pennsylvania’s charitable food network is overwhelmed. Across the state ministries are reporting need up to three times pre-pandemic averages. The state House has passed a budget that significantly increases funding for hunger-related programs. Now the Senate must take up the plan. Learn more and take action! Housing — Let’s Build on What Works...
June 22, 2023
The sounds of summer are with us—lawnmowers and patio conversations along with camp songs and seagulls at the beach, not to mention the roar of a baseball stadium full of fans. Kindling Faith still has room for you at these Summer Events. Register before July 10th to be a part of these offerings: The Lutheran...
May 31, 2023
The Stewardship Of Life Institute is launching a new initiative called The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship, in honor of Rev. Sharron Blezard, a beloved writer for SOLI, who entered into the church triumphant in 2021 after her journey through metastatic cancer. (You can learn more about her ministry here.) The Sharron Blezard Innovation Fellowship grants...
May 31, 2023
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. The campaign focuses on: ► Networking congregations, leaders, building bridges within the synod and in the community. ► Innovating new forms of ministry ► Communicating by traditional and digital platforms ► Equipping...
May 23, 2023
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent federal...
May 18, 2023
Bishop Patricia Davenport was guest speaker at the opening worship of the Second International African Lutheran Conference on April 23 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Monrovia, Liberia. The Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis helped organize the event.The conference is sponsored by African National Ministries of the ELCA. Participants learned about the history of Liberia, including the...
May 18, 2023
Katie’s Cupboard @ Tabor opened in August, 2019 and grew rapidly during the pandemic. In 2022 Katie’s Cupboard provided food for more than 500 unique households representing more than 2,000 individuals. Currently they serve 100-120 households each week. Hear their story and take a look behind the scenes in this video. Watch now
May 18, 2023
The Rev. Matt Staniz, lead pastor of St. Luke, Devon, was one of the 2023 Advocacy Honorees acknowledged by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania at its annual Lutheran Day at the Capitol April 27. Over the past 14 years, he has become a leading faith-based voice for the ONE Campaign, a grassroots campaign to end...
May 17, 2023
The ELCA Young Adult Vocational Fellowship offers young adults an opportunity to discover their calling while gaining valuable professional experience. In partnership with ELCA affiliated ministries, participants are equipped to explore their faith and vocational aspirations, all while receiving support from a network of peers and experienced ELCA coaches. The program is designed to prepare...
May 15, 2023
Bishop Patricia Davenport will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at United Lutheran Seminary’s commencement Friday in Lancaster. Bishop Davenport, a 2007 graduate of the former Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, will also preach at the Eucharist service preceding the awarding of degrees. The 11 a.m. service will be livestreamed on YouTube. The Rev....
April 11, 2023
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent...
April 5, 2023
Rostered and lay ministers, seminarians, and Lutherans from our synod participated in the annual Chrism Service, Tuesday of Holy Week, April 4 at the Schaeffer-Ashmead Chapel on the Philadelphia campus of United Lutheran Seminary. This traditional service of Word and Sacrament includes the blessing of oil for anointing, healing prayer, and renewal of ministry vows....
March 17, 2023
Vitality Check-in Call Join the Vitality Team Saturday April 15th at 10:30am for a conversation around helping your congregation deepen its sense of vitality. Members of the vitality team will be present to talk about vitality and present ideas on ways your congregation can focus on the work of growing relationships. All are welcome as we...
March 16, 2023
Editor’s Note: In May, 2018, our Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod elected the Rev. Patricia Ann Curtis Davenport as the first African-American woman elected as a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is also the second woman to serve as our bishop. The first was her predecessor, the Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat. Dr. Addie...
March 15, 2023
By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
February 27, 2023
Do you know the name Emma Francis? She was the first deaconess of African descent to serve in North America and the first Lutheran deaconess to come from the West Indies.1 She was born in St. Kitts in 1876, received teacher training at a Moravian College there, and received her missionary and nursing training in...
February 21, 2023
We’ve learned more about the full work of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg at Augustus Lutheran church, Trappe, welcoming Americans of African descent. Muhlenberg arrived in British North America in 1742. At the consecration of the original Augustus Lutheran Church building on October 6, 1745, which is still standing and in use today, Muhlenberg celebrated adult baptism...
February 16, 2023
It’s with great excitement that we announce the registration fees for the first 1,000 registrants for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the first 200 registrants for the tAble will be waived by the Gathering for the 2024 cycle. “As crucial parts of the ministry of the Gathering, we are thrilled to be able...
2018-2022 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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