Council Leaders Network Gathers With Bishop

Council Leaders met with the Bishop at St. Paul's, Glenside. The Mission Investment Fund ELCA helped sponsor the event.

More than 80 congregational council officers gathered with Bishop Burkat on Saturday, March 9, to discuss the opportunities presented by the decline in religious participation in our society.

Bishop Burkat shared her perspective on the "great emergence" that is springing up new faith expressions and challenging denominations and other religious institutions to change how they do business. The Bishop also said that the Synod itself has responded to these changes, operating with fewer staff but with a "constellation" of teams and networks that arise and shift based on ministry needs. The Synod staff works with more than two dozen teams, from candidacy to Tanzania, social media to disaster response, youth to retired pastors, she said.

Though nearly 1 in 5 Americans - and 1 in 3 people under age 30 - report having no religious affiliation, it's not time to panic, said Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation. Though young people are not looking for "grandma's Sunday service," congregations are experimenting with "God on Tap" events and dinner conversations to engage young adults. The Church has many treasures in its attic - including small, house groups, spiritual practices such as lectio divina and contemplative prayer, and more - that can be dusted off and repurposed to speak to the emerging culture.

For more information, contact Bob Fisher at rfisher@sepa.org
or 267.323.3743.

Helping Hands Day Blesses NJ
 

Youth from SEPA and New Jersey Synod will join forces to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy during Helping Hands Day 2013 on Saturday, April 27. Registration is now open for the event, which will be based out of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beachwood, NJ (about 20 minutes inland of Long Beach Island). This is an amazing service opportunity through which young people and their adult leaders will worship, share, laugh, eat, work, sing, learn and serve God & our neighbors. Get full details online on the SEPA Synod Youth Ministry Website then register online at: https://community.ministrylink.org/helpinghandsday    

Registration closes April 4.

Finish Line

If 65% of the pastors, church workers and spouses enrolled in the ELCA-Portico health plan complete the free, confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30, every congregation in the synod will receive a 2% discount on premiums. And each plan member who completes the assessment gets a $150 wellness credit to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Pass this information to any staff in your congregation covered by the ELCA-Portico plan. They can take the assessment online at http://www.ELCAforwellness.org.

Tickets are now available for Lutheran Night at the Phillies on Friday, May 31 when the Phils' take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 7:05 pm. Net proceeds of tickets sold through this offer will benefit Synod Youth Programs. To order tickets contact Scott McDade in the Phillies Sales Office at 215-463-5000, ext. 5434. Or order online at http://www.Phillies.com/Lutheran. Orders must be placed by April 16. Tickets subject to availability.