Resources for effective church leaders
+ March 31, 2023
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Blessings to you as you journey into Christ's Passion to the joy of the Resurrection!
-Bishop Davenport and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod staff and deans
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Like to sing? Then join the Assembly Choir! |
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The Synod Worship Team is inviting you to assist in providing musical leadership for the Assembly’s opening worship on Friday, May 5. You’ll be supporting the hymns and liturgy in addition to singing during the Offering. You do not need to be a voting member of the Assembly to participate. Rehearsal will begin at 1:30 pm at the Meeting House, room location to be determined.
Please indicate your interest by emailing the choir director, Deacon Tom Snyder, Director of Music at St. John’s Phoenixville ftsiii@gmail.com. Be sure to include your voice part. You’ll receive a link to the music and further information as it becomes available.
We look forward to you joining us in song!
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Can You Help Provide Scholarships For A Congregation In Need?
Use the link below to donate funds that will help cover the costs for congregations with limited financial resources so that they may be able to send their full delegation. Please make sure that Assembly Scholarships is selected in the list next to the gift amount field.
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Learn About Synod Finances And Budget
Treasurer Janet Neff, CPA, and finance committee chair Albert Glenn will host a pre-assembly Zoom meeting to review synod financial reports and the proposed 2024 budget. All voting members are strongly encouraged to attend. This will be a time to learn and ask questions of our fiscal leaders.
o Attention, last-minute folks. The deadline for Assembly registration is TOMORROW, March 31. If you haven’t already done so, register now!
o Hotel reservation deadline is Saturday, April 1.
o Resolutions and memorials are due April 5.
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Northeast/Northwest Conference Elects Dean
At its meeting this week, the conference elected the Rev. Joey Klinger, pastor of Redemption, Philadelphia, as dean. Congregations and leaders in the conference can contact him by calling 724.996.1627 or emailing joeyfklinger@gmail.com.
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Save the Date
In God’s Image: Shaping Your Ministry
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Annual Event, In God’s Image: Shaping Your Ministry to be Inclusive and Safe for LGBTQIA+ Folk, will be held on Saturday, October 7, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church. Registration will open in September. Contact ingodsimagesepa@gmail.com with any questions.
Learn the Benefits of Going Solar
You are invited to an in-person breakfast session for nonprofits and houses of worship to learn about the benefits of going solar. Hear from solar owners and installers and the Philadelphia Energy Authority about financial incentives and financing tools available for faith groups and nonprofits that own their buildings. Ideal for nonprofit & faith group E.D.s, CFOs, COOs, Facility Directors, and Board Members.
Topic: Why now is the time for Nonprofits and Houses of Worship to Go Solar
Date and time: Wednesday April 19, 2023, 8:30-10:30
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 201 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Breakfast provided
Cost: Free/Registration required
Make Your Voice Heard on Hunger and Farming Issues
You may have heard of the “Farm Bill,” a multi-year authorization for many aspects of agriculture and food security, including SNAP and WIC programs. Essentially this bill, up for reauthorization in 2023, connects the food on our plates, the farmers and ranchers who produce that food, and the natural resources – our soil, air and water – that make growing food possible.
ELCA Advocacy invites you to offer input at virtual listening sessions where ministry leaders, members of congregations, and those with valuable lived experiences gather our opinions and experiences informed by faith values on stewardship, justice and serving our neighbor. Three 1.5 hour listening sessions are scheduled in April 2023. Register for any, but each session will feature some discussion specific to the region of a particular time zone.
Eastern & Central Time Zone focus
Tuesday, April 18 – 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT
Pacific Time Zone focus
Friday, April 21 – 12 noon PT [3 p.m. ET)
Mountain Time Zone focus
Tuesday, April 25 – 6 p.m. MT (8 p.m. ET)
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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 wonder together about ways God is calling us to be church in this new day. Join us as we discover the church we are becoming.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 875 4120 1562. Passcode: SEPA
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For “what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,
and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8
On April 27, join advocates from around Pennsylvania for inspiration and participation — in worship, service, learning and advocacy. Taking Micah 6:8 as a starting point, we will focus on how we as Lutheran Christians understand our call to live together as God’s faithful people and to strive for justice and peace in the context of today’s debates over the role of faith in public life. We will be prepared to act on that call, with workshops that connect our ministries of service to opportunities to advocate on issues from hunger to housing, creation care and more. Bring a friend — or a team! You’ll save when you bring three or more from your congregation.
Rostered Leaders — Certificates of participation hours will be available. This day is part of United Lutheran Seminary’s Spring Convocation, 2023.
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Registration is open for this year's Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Swords into Plowshares: Achieving Enough for All & Pursuing Peace, taking place online April 25-27. Ecumenical Advocacy Days is an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists. We worship, delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day, and lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill.
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Lutheran Night at the Phillies May 20 |
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The Phils should be exciting this year, fresh off their World Series appearance in 2022. Catch the action and help fund SEPA Synod Youth Programs by buying tickets to Lutheran Night at the Phillies, Saturday, May 20 at 4:05 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs.
Ordering your tickets is simple: Go to www.phillies.com/lutheran. Use the password: LUTHERAN. Then select from available tickets. Please contact Shannon Profy in the Phillies Sales Office at 215.218.5465 with any questions
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
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