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Resources for effective church leaders
+ September 28, 2022
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Thank You for Your Mission Support! |
We are grateful for your support of ministries here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the globe through Mission Support.
In a new video, the Rev. Karen Sease, assistant to the bishop, shares five things that you need to know about how these gifts are used.
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Pray, Give for Hurricane Response |
Just over a week after Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico, a Category 3 (as of this writing) Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cuba and is bearing down on Florida.
Lutheran Disaster Response is already in action in Puerto Rico and they will be working with local groups once damage from Ian is known. Gifts to “Hurricane Response" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by hurricanes until the response is complete.
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We pray for those who are recovering from storms and all those yet in harm’s way. |
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Thursday: COVID Update with Dr. Babinchak |
Dr. Tim Babinchak will join us this Thursday, September 29, at 11 a.m. to offer perspectives on the health concerns affecting our communities. How should we view the affect of COVID, monkeypox, the upcoming flu season, and other public health concerns when planning for our congregations. If you have a specific question, please email it to comms@sepa.org in advance.
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Celebrate Rostered Ministers During October |
Did you know that October is Rostered Ministers’ Appreciation Month? Take time out during October to thank your pastors and deacons for all the ministry they do. Stay tuned for some ideas of ways to show your appreciation. Here’s one idea: |
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Tip: Give them an (extra) Sunday off
Rostered ministers are no different from the rest of us – We all need to take care of ourselves, especially in stressful times. Set a date and cover your pastor or deacon’s duties: Recruit a lay volunteer to preach, try to engage a supply preacher, schedule a Service of the Word or hymn sing, find a volunteer to teach their class – whatever is appropriate. Let them know far enough in advance so they don’t start preparing for that day.
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Attention Food Ministries
Fresh Baked Bread - Does your outreach ministry have a need for fresh bakery bread? Every Saturday at 3pm, LeBus bakery in King of Prussia, donates all of their leftover bread. If your ministry is interested in picking up and using the bread for your ministry every month, we have the FIRST Saturday available starting in November. If you would like more Information contact Ellen Daneke 610.324.9906.
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MIF Helps City Church Revitalize Its Food Ministry |
MIF helped a congregation hungry to do more to battle food insecurity. Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion has long focused on working to end hunger in Center City Philadelphia, but the congregation’s efforts were restricted by the church’s tiny, makeshift kitchen space. Members envisioned a commercial-grade kitchen with ample storage. Connecting with MIF helped turn that dream into reality
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Bear Creek Youth Retreat
November 12-13
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Parents, Youth Leaders, and Pastors – it’s time to gather our youth for some time away!
Our annual junior youth gathering (JYG) took some time off during COVID-19 shutdowns. As a result, we have adapted JYG to be a one day retreat this year. A great addition to any Youth or Confirmation curriculum, this retreat invites middle schoolers to explore their faith, meet new friends, and dive into key catechetical topics in engaging, interactive ways.
This year’s theme will be “I Believe”. We will journey together, exploring the Apostles Creed and specifically what it means to talk about faith in our 21st century contemporary context. All youth in Grades 6-9 are invited to attend this retreat with their adult leaders as we pray, play, and get to know each other – all while diving into this important and critical question.
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When: Saturday, Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $45 per person
Option: Extend your retreat overnight until Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Additional $30 per person. Limited space available
Registration opens: Wednesday, Oct. 5
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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 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Devon.
Jamie Bruesehoff will be the keynote speaker. Workshops will be held on worship, mental health, churchwide assembly actions, healthcare, the RIC process, and more!
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Young Adult Abide Groups
for October
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ELCA Young Adults announces that Abide is back with new groups.
You can register to be placed into a weekly, virtual small group lead by one of our small group leaders below. Groups meet via video call for approximately one hour over the course of a month. Each group will be centered around a specific topic and participants may choose one of the three topics each month.
October groups are “Faith & Democracy” with Rachel Wyffels, “Eco-Theology & Me” with Andrew Thompson, and “Who Am I: Meme Answers Only” with Tessa Faust. New groups will be offered each month.
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Deadline to register for a group is October 1st!
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Rostered Ministers Equipping Event |
Save the date! The Rostered Minister Equipping Event (RME2), formerly known as the Bishop’s Convocation, will be at United Lutheran Seminary November 14-16. The event will be hybrid, with opportunities to engage online or in person. As we finalize workshop leaders, we will update you with their names and areas of expertise.
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Harvesting Hope Festival
New Hanover Lutheran Church (2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville, PA) is holding its Harvesting Hope Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit NHELC Loaves and Fishes, which is celebrating serving 100,000 meals. Read more.
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St. Paul’s, Ardmore Dedicates New Solar Panels
St. Paul's Lutheran Church (415 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003) has joined a small but growing number of houses of worship (about 20) that have installed solar in Pennsylvania. You’re invited to help celebrate this important and visible step that St. Paul's has made in Caring for God's Creation and lowering our church's impact on climate change on Sunday, Oct. 2, with a reception and information fair at 11 a.m. and dedication and blessing at noon.
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World Food Day Celebration with Rick Steves
Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day, hosted by Rick Steves and special guest Mark Jansen, CEO of Blue Diamond Almonds. This special event will be streamed online so you can celebrate with ELCA World Hunger wherever you are! The recording will be available on Facebook and YouTube after the event is over
When: Sunday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m. Central time
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Ordinations and Installations |
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The Rev. Kayla Sadowy will be installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Broomall, on Sunday, October 16 at 2 p.m. The church is located at 2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008. gracebroomall.org. For information call the church at 610.356.1824.
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Free Congregational Vitality Trainings
Is your congregation ready to take the next step (even a small step!!) to revitalize or renew? Our Synod is participating in a series of Vitality Trainings here this fall with folks from across the ELCA. This training is great for pastor and a team of folks to take together to bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, how to live in the community and build vital and key relationships.
The four session are being offered October 6th and 20th and November 3rd and 17th, but even if you can’t make those dates work, sign up to at least get the emailed recordings! Each session is offered twice daily (so you choose the one that works best) 1:30pm – 3pm (eastern) & 7:30pm – 9pm (eastern).
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To register – visit this link. (Our SEPA Synod is 7F when you get to the list of synods)
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FALL ULS Kindling Faith Events
This fall holds many opportunities for lay and rostered leaders to grow and learn at United Lutheran Seminary. Most of our events have an online option, so even if you’re further afield, you can still engage.
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Free Webinar — Register Now
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Tuesday, October 25, Noon-1:30 p.m. Eastern -- For most congregations, attracting new people was a challenge even before the pandemic. Now, churches must focus not only on the continuing need to reach new people but also on reconnecting with the sizable percentage of those who attended regularly before COVID-19 but have not yet returned to the pews. Join Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr., Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr., and Rev. Dr. Jessica Anschutz for this timely and important webinar to learn ways to improve your congregation’s in-person and online worship attendance.
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Film Screening - Addiction and Recovery Movie |
Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, is sponsoring a screening of “Right Before Your Eyes,” a faith-based film about addiction and recovery, on Saturday, October 1, at 7:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. A Q&A with the film’s director will follow the screening. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. A free-will offering will be accepted.
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Harvest Fundraiser to Benefit Sanctuary Village |
You’re invited to a Harvest Festival and Fundraiser to benefit Sanctuary Village, Philadelphia’s future tiny house community, on Saturday, October 2, 2022 from noon to 3 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044. Enjoy live acoustic music, food truck, beer and wine tasting, and a silent auction.
Tickets are $25 and 100% of proceeds go to Sanctuary Village.
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Sharing Your Faith Authentically On Facebook |
Liking, commenting, and sharing on Facebook is a means of evangelism and outreach. In this training session learn why you may want to share your faith online and how to do it authentically! This training is for lay people of all ages (and rostered ministers) to empower you to share your faith with your Facebook feed.
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Tuscarora Youth Retreat
March 24-26
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Save the dates! The 2023 Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat will be held Friday, March 24 - Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center, Mt. Bethel, PA. The theme is Justice, Mercy, Love. Registration opens in December.
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Read the most recent MinistryLink newsletters
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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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