This workshop led by the Rev. Nicolette Penaranda, ELCA program director of African Descent ministries, invites us to ground ourselves in the holistic approach to talking about stewardship. Why do we limit ourselves to measuring monetary giving? What is lost when we ignore the treasures and talents offered to us? How does this relate to growing generations that exclusively lived through a declining church? There is no one approach to stewardship but perhaps we can be reminded of the many gifts that make us church together.
COVID Update With Dr. Babinchak May 12
Join us
Thursday, May 12 at 11 a.m. for another conversation with infectious disease specialist, Dr. Tim Babinchak, assessing the realities of the ongoing pandemic.
Join us to hear a professional's view and to have your questions answered. If you have a question you'd like to discuss, please email it to
rfisher@sepa.org in advance of our discussion. Feel free to invite leaders from your congregation who might be interested.
Interfaith Action on Gun Violence
From Sanctuary to Street; From Lament to Action. Thursday, June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, 1723 Race Street, Philadelphia 19103.
Join the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia, Heeding God’s Call, and local faith institutions to honor the memory of those taken by gun murders and work to end the sin of gun violence. Events include an interfaith service honoring those taken by gun violence in 2021, consecration at a gun murder site, a Witness Walk in center city, and display of the Memorial to the Lost t-shirt display.
Lutheran Night at the Phillies June 11
Support synod youth programs by purchasing tickets to Lutheran Night at the Phillies on Saturday, June 11, at 4:05 p.m. vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ordering your tickets is simple:
- Go to www.phillies.com/lutheran
- Use password: LUTHERAN
- Select available tickets
Please contact Jen Dornbusch in the Phillies Sales Office at 215.218.5112 with any questions
There's still time to register for our June 18 Generosity Extravaganza. Join us for learning and networking -- in-person at Trinity, Lansdale and online. Join us for a day of learning and networking with excellent presenters including Louise Johnson (ELCA executive for administration), Soong-Chan Rah (professor of evangelism at Fuller Seminary), Doug Powe (director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership), Dave Daubert (Day 8 Strategies), Ryan Burge (political scientist at Eastern Illinois University) and many more!
A message from Presiding Bishop Eaton
May 9, 2022
On March 8, 2022, I appointed a listening panel to review the interactions of Bishop Megan Rohrer with Misión Latina Luterana leading up to and on Dec. 12, 2021. The panel has thoughtfully and judiciously conducted their listening process as is appropriate for a situation as multifaceted as this. Informed by the panel’s recommendations, and with much prayerful deliberation, I will reach a decision on this matter by the end of May. I continue to urge you to hold all who are involved or concerned with these matters in your prayers.
In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Un Mensaje de Obispa Presidente Eaton
9 de mayo de 2022
El 8 de marzo del 2022, nombré un panel especial para escuchar y revisar las interacciones del obispo Megan Rohrer con la Misión Latina Luterana el 12 de diciembre 2021 o antes. El panel ha llevado a cabo el proceso de escuchar de manera cuidadosa y juiciosa según sea apropiado para una situación tan multifacética como esta. Informados por las recomendaciones del panel, y con mucha oración y deliberación, llegaré a una decisión sobre este asunto a finales de mayo. Continúo de manera urgente en mantener en sus oraciones a todos los que están involucrados o preocupados por este asunto.
En Cristo,
La Rvda. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Obispa Presidente
Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América
A task force is at work on a new social statement about civics and faith, and it wants to hear from you. This social statement was requested by the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Join members of the ELCA social statement task force for an ELCA-wide virtual listening event. There are two opportunities to participate:
Tuesday, May 24, 8-9:15 p.m. Eastern time
Wednesday, May 25, 8-9:15 p.m. Eastern time
A week ago, our Muslim neighbors ended the holy month of Ramadan with the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr. For much of April, Christians and Muslims journeyed through their respective periods of fasting, prayer, and reflection, as Lent and Ramadan coincided. During this holy time of confluence between Christians and Muslims, The ELCA Church Council unanimously adopted “A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community” affirming our friendship and solidarity with Muslims, nurtured over time through meaningful cooperation, dialogue, and common action.
"Through this message, we recommit ourselves to the heart of both our theological traditions: love of God and love of neighbor,” Presiding Bishop Eaton wrote in an open letter to the Muslim community. “Lutherans and Muslims have engaged in a dialogue of life, learning from our differences and growing in our common beliefs. We have discovered friendship and solidarity, working shoulder to shoulder toward a better life for all people and creation. Along the way, we have come to know each other, and ourselves.”
Health and Wellness Fair at Grace, Broomall May 21
Growing Whole: A Health and Wellness Fair for All, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall. Meet providers to help with all aspects of your well-being, with free demos, a food truck, and activities for all ages. “While we are honoring Mental Health Awareness Month, there's so much more going on! Cooking, fitness, retreats - it's all part of growing whole. Come see what we've been up to."
The 2022 convention of the Southeastern PA Synodical Women’s Organization of the Women of the ELCA be held on June 4, 2022, at St Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 Lynbrooke Rd., Springfield, PA 19064. (Phone: (610) 543-8700.) Note: you do not need to be a member of a Women of the ELCA unit to attend.
Our keynote speaker is Bishop Patricia Davenport. Our theme is “Reconnecting with Hope for the Future”. And Pastor Violet Little will speak about The Welcome Church. See Pastor Little’s article in Gather magazine March/April 2022 “How do you take it: communion with coffee.”
Save the dates: The Twelfth Triennial Convention and Gathering of the Women of the ELCA will be held in Phoenix Arizona during the week of September 18, 2023.
Yoga Retreat Benefits Sanctuary Village
Sanctuary Village, a non-profit providing the means for people to transition out of chronic homelessness through a community of tiny houses, is offering a Yoga Retreat Fundraiser on Saturday, June 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hatfield. Enjoy a peaceful day of yoga and the opportunity to experience the joy of movement through 4 different yoga practices. Suitable for all levels!
Installations
The Rev. Gary E. Costa will be installed as pastor of Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church (100 Old Bethlehem Road, Perkasie PA 18944) on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m. The Rev. Matt Thiringer will preach and The Rev. Erika Wesch, Dean of Upper Bucks Conference, will preside. Rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is white/gold. A dinner reception will take place after worship. Please contact Peace Tohickon's church office for further information and to RSVP: adminassistant@peace-tohickon.org or 215.257.3294.
The Rev. Kathleen Harkness will be installed as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pleasant Valley (2170 PA-212, Coopersburg, PA 18036) on Thursday, June 23 at 7:00 PM. Bishop Davenport will preside.
Ordination
Vicar Brandi Hebert will be ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Lutheran Church of God's Love (791 Newtown Yardley Road, Newtown PA 18940), where she is being called as associate pastor. A light reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
