In Our Prayers
- Healing for Rich Bergen, a candidate for ministry through our synod now awaiting call in Upper Susquehanna Synod.
Communications Share Session Thursday
This week in our communications share session we will talk about ways that the tools and techniques we've learned during the stay-at-home period will help our churches navigate into a "new normal". Bring your ideas and questions to our Zoom meeting.
Feast of Justice in Need of Diapers
Feast of Justice has been hard at work feeding the families of Northeast Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of organizations like Philabundance, Share, Starbucks, Caring for Friends, The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank, and Councilman Henon's office, each week over 1,500 families are provided with both perishables and dry goods, along with formula and diapers when requested.
Currently, the need for diapers is great. Feast of Justice is in need of diapers to supplement the supply from The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank. Church groups that are interested in helping are asked to gather boxes of diapers in all sizes. To arrange a time for drop off, please call Feast of Justice at 215-268-3510. Or have items shipped to Feast of Justice, St. John's Lutheran Church, 3101 Tyson Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149.
NEW! Graphics with COVID-19 Messaging for Faith Communities
The City of Philadelphia's Office of Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs and the Department of Public Health have collaborated to design shareable graphics with guidance for faith communities during the Stay-at-Home order. The graphics are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Vietnamese.
Download them here
.
Webinar - “What Communities Need to Know about COVID-19 and Reopening”
From the PA Council of Churches: Register below for the webinar “What Communities Need to Know about COVID-19 and Reopening” on May 14 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The interactive webinar will include representatives from the Centers for Disease Control interacting with ecumenical leaders.
Civil Conversations Facilitator Training
Civil Conversations are local conversations -- grassroots dialogues on a range of topics that encouraged us to share and listen across difference. Learn the skills to organize Civil Conversations in your congregation, workplace, or community. Interfaith Philadelphia offers a facilitator training online Thursday, May 21, 11 am – 12:30 pm. This session will offer community leaders and "bridge people" techniques for grassroots civil conversations that support a thriving religiously diverse democracy.
This will be a virtual training offered via Zoom technology.
The fee is $30, but you can get a discounted rate ($20) by indicating that you are affiliated with LAMPa (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA).
LAMPa Schedules Virtual ELCA Social Message Hearing
The ELCA is gifted with a body of social teaching in the form of social statements and messages. Right now, we have a timely opportunity to expand our understanding of this teaching. Following action taken by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, a
Draft Social Message on “Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy,”
was developed. Throughout the month of May, you and your ministry are invited to read, discern and respond to this draft.
Philadelphia Launches Rent Assistance Program
Have you or someone you know lost income because of COVID-19? Are you having trouble paying your rent? The City of Philadelphia might be able to help. The City is now accepting applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Applications are available through
PHLRentAssist.org
. Residents without internet access or a smart phone can get program and application information by calling 3-1-1.
Bishop Eaton: United in Baptism
In a time of physical distancing due to the coronavirus, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we aren’t islands—we are united in baptism. In her May column, she writes: “We don’t have to go it alone. In fact, we cannot, because, in Christ, we are knit into one body. And just as surely as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one—this wildly mysterious community of the Trinity—so are we one.” Read her column in English at
https://bit.ly/2Wh5fjr
and in Spanish at
https://bit.ly/2yAdqxW
.
ULS Virtual Farewell and Godspeed for Class of 2020
From United Lutheran Seminary: We ask that you join us at 7 pm ET on Thursday, May 14, for a virtual, online Service of Farewell and Godspeed to acknowledge our graduates in lieu of an in-person ceremony this year due to COVID-19. The printed program, along with a link to the service, will be available
on our dedicated 2020 Commencement web page
. Additional information on alternative 2020 commencement arrangements can also be found on this page.
