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March 13, 2013

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SEPANews
A communications service of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA.

2013 SEPA Synod.

Send information for publication three to four weeks in advance of desired publicity to:
[email protected].

More information.


2013 Assembly: "Show me"

 

The 2013 Synod Assembly will feature presentations about being church in our emerging world. The annual two-day Assembly, May 3 and 4, will also see the Synod bidding farewell to Vice President Patricia Robinson, who is stepping down after serving since 2001, and the election of a successor vice president, the chief lay leader of the Synod.

 

The Assembly is held at Franconia Mennonite Church, 613 Harleysville  Pike (Route 113), Telford, PA 18969. (Visit http://bit.ly/SEPAFMC for a map and directions.)

 

The theme is "Show Me: 'We Want to See Jesus'" and presentations will help us make sense of our challenge to adapt to incredible advances in technology, science, digital communication, as well as the proliferation of opinions, ideas and networks that mark our emerging culture.

 

Keynote presentations by Pastor Jay Gamelin and musician Justin Rimbo will help participants will explore the obstacles and opportunities our congregations are facing as loyalty to denominations shrink and those who have not been raised in a Church culture are wanting to know the living God, and to feel connected spirituality, in action and experience. They will also present a separate workshop for congregational worship leaders and planners on Saturday. (Scroll down for more information of the Emerging Worship Workshop.)

 

 
 
With just over two weeks to go, we still need 50 people covered by Portico health benefits (rostered leaders, lay staff, and covered spouses) to complete the Mayo Clinic Health Assemssment before April 30.  

You win -- you get a $150 wellness credit towards out-of-pocket costs for completing the assessment.

We all win -- if 65% of covered leaders/spouses take the assessment, every congregation gets a 2% discount on premiums. This will save $34,000 across the Synod.

As of March 30, 80 leaders (40%) had taken the assessment -- well shy of our total last year of 53%.

If we reach the goal, with the discounts and incentives, nearly $70,000 stays in our synod for mission.

Don't delay! Take it now! Check to see if your congregation's leaders have taken the assessment.
 
Bishops Participate in Response to Historic King Letter

 

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and Bishop Claire Burkat will be in Birmingham, Alabama April 15 for the release of Christian Churches Together's 21st Century response to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic Letter from Birmingham Jail. King's letter, written to clergy leaders who criticized King's civil disobedience, outlined his vision for the church as an agent of God's justice and peace. The response from Christian Churches Together, which represents Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical/Pentecostal and historic Protestant and Black churches, calls on society to address the causes of injustice, not just its symptoms, and to seek higher standards for economic and political policy. "I truly believe that we are now entering the open space where a new narrative is being written in this nation, a living letter that will change our society for generations to come," said Bishop Burkat, who serves on CCT's board. Presiding Bishop Hanson will sign the letter on behalf of the ELCA.

Facebook Workshop for SEPA Communicators
  

 

When SEPA Communicators gathered together in February, one of the most common questions was: "How can we use Facebook more effectively?" So we have put together a special workshop to help you.

 

Date:             Saturday, May 11

Time:             9 am to 12 noon

Location:       Brossman Center, LTSP (gather in Room 301)

 

This workshop is for you if:

  • You're involved in managing or contributing to your congregation's Facebook presence...
  • You're interested in learning about how congregations use Facebook before your church sticks its toes into the water...
  • You're a pastor, council officer or other leader who wants to know more to maximize your congregation's use of Facebook... 

We'll explain how to get started, consider the uses of Facebook groups and pages for congregations, and share ideas on how to generate interesting and appropriate content. We will have general presentation about using Facebook, and then break into groups based on experience level to explore your questions. We'll even help you create an account and explore Facebook if you're not engaged with Facebook yet!

 

This event is free. Register online at https://community.ministrylink.org/sepacomm 

 

  
Emerging Worship Workshop
 

Pastor Jay Gamelin and Justin Rimbo, who are keynoting the Synod Assembly, will present a special workshop designed for church musicians and worship planners on the Saturday of Assembly, May 4, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. "Emerging Worship: Honoring Tradition/Shaping Change" will discuss the ways we honor our traditions while finding new language, new musical vocabulary, and contextual cues which help us create worship that is not just the work of the people around the globe, but the people gathered in the local worship space. This workshop will expand on their Assembly presentations in one session designed for musicians, worship planners and others not attending Assembly.

  • Cost: $25 per person including lunch
  • $35 for 2 or more from the same congregation (register together)

This special opportunity alongside the Assembly is open to anyone interested in congregational worship, you do not have to register for the Assembly.

  

Register online at:

https://community.ministrylink.org/worship

 

Holy Mischief...Hands on Christianity
  

Shane Claiborne

Author and activist Shane Claiborne will share his journey of "Holy Mischief" in worship and a workshop at Ascension Lutheran Church, Washington Crossing, on Sunday, April 28. Shane will preach at the 10 am worship and lead a session on "Hands-on Christianity" at 12:30 pm, with fellowship between. Ascension is located at 900 Washington Crossing Road, Newtown, PA (18940). Is it possible to exchange committee meetings and church routine for a life of adventure and joy following Jesus? Shane Claiborne does, and he is leading thousands into new excitement living the Faith. To learn more contact Ascension at 215.497.0447 or visit http://www.ascensionweb.org
Being the Church in the Land Between Religions
 

It's no surprise that a growing number of people answer "none" when asked what religion that identify or affiliate with. Data shows that most "Nones" are not unreligious but believe in God or a universal spirit and many have robust spiritual practices that are not inconsistent with more progressive Christian traditions and values. On April 20 at "Being Church in the Land Between Religions," Pastor Keith Anderson of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church and Elizabeth Drescher will share new insights on Nones, digitally-integrated culture, and approaches to relationship, engagement, and leadership in the "land between religions." Saturday, April 20, 9:30 am to 3 pm, at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Road, Ambler, PA 19002. Click here to register: http://udlc.eventbrite.com/  

 

Would You Like Feedback on Your Website?
  
   

Are you curious about its functionality, its appearance, or what impressions it leaves on visitors? Wondering what personality your website conveys about your congregation?

 

SEPA Communications is offering general feedback by our case-based fieldwork student from LTSP, John Eskate. He is happy to examine your congregation's website and highlight its strengths and opportunities for improvement. For more information, or to seek website feedback, contact John Eskate at [email protected] by

May 1. 


             
  

 

Update: As of April 10 about half of the available tickets have been sold. Order yours now!
  

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.

South Dakota Sunday April 21
  

This summer, our synod will be sending a team of 116 youth and adults to serve on South Dakota American Indian reservations.  To celebrate this trip, we have designated April 21st, 2013 as South Dakota Sunday.  We ask that all congregations in our synod to participate, even if they are not sending members to South Dakota, in order to show support.

 

To participate in South Dakota Sunday, we ask that every congregation keep the trip participants and the American Indians they serve in your prayers, both during worship on April 21st and beyond We ask that each congregation take a special in-kind or monetary offering that Sunday to support our projects on the reservations.  Finally, we ask that if you are sending congregants on the trip, you encourage them to speak about the trip.

 

For more information, please download the South Dakota Sunday Letter. You can also download this flyer and this bulletin insert to use to advertise the event at your church.

 

We thank you in advance for your support of the participants of the South Dakota Servant Trip and the people of the Rosebud Reservation.

               
Activated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we equip the saints 
and congregations for the work of ministry, 
for building up the Body of Christ.  
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Communications / www.ministrylink.org
Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop for Mission Interpretation
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
267.323.3743

Cynta Outterbridge
Communications Assistant and Database Manager
267.323.3742

  SEPA / 7241 Germantown Avenue / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119 / 267.323.3737