June 2013
Ministry Resources

A listing of events, learning opportunities and resources to help equip your congregation's lay and rostered leaders for ministry.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod provides this announcement as a courtesy to our Lutheran and ecumenical partners as part of our mission to "equip the saints for the work of ministry". These resources and events are not sponsored by the Synod. For more information, contact the sponsor of the event or resource.

 

Did you know? You can forward this email to friends and congregation members by using the Forward This Email link at the bottom center of this message.

 

MinistryLink.org offers Resource Library


      

New on our website: We now have a Resource Library to help you find documents, forms and links to enhance your ministry. Find it under "Equipping" on the main menu. Let us know if there are resources you'd like to see in the Library. 

 

Featured new resources:

Share the 2-1-1 About Your Community Services

    

PA 2-1-1, sponsored by the United Way, is an online database of community services such as food pantries, emergency shelters and more. 

 

Do you have a congregational ministry or service that serves Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware, or Philadelphia County that is a beacon in your community? One fantastic way to bolster preparedness in our region is to register your service as part of Southeastern Pennsylvania's 2-1-1 system, which is a way of getting information on resources and services to people who need them. United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey launched 2-1-1 SEPA this past February. Please include community services and resources you provide both during times of disaster or otherwise.  The new Provider Portal makes it easy for agencies to add or update their locations and services online.  Please visit http://www.211sepa.org/serviceproviders.aspx to register today.

 

Upcoming Events
  • June 15 -
     
  • June 27 - July 07
     
  • July 17 -
     
  • September 09 -
     
  • October 08 - October 09
     
  • November 13 - November 15
     
  • Job Openings/Volunteer Opportunities
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  • Faith Formation

    Lutheran Marriage Encounter

    Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends are all about deepening your love for your spouse wherever you are starting out!  Here are the  final two 2013 Pennsylvania Weekends: 

    • September 13-14 at the beautiful Olmsted Mansion and Retreat Center which is located in the Allegheny National Forest, 20 minutes southeast of Warren PA
    • October 11-13 at the Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven-in the Poconos, just off of Interstate 80 -- 2 hours north of Philadelphia 

    Weekends run from Friday at 8 PM to Sunday at 5 PM and are designed to enrich all marriages.  Registration is $45 per couple fee, plus toward the end of the weekend you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution of whatever amount you wish toward continuation of the program.  Your registration includes two nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and all supplies are included.  To sign up go to the website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org, and  fill out the form.  You may use your credit card or select the option to pay the $45 with a check.  For questions, or if you would like a brochure with registration form mailed to you, contact Pennsylvania Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at 724-325-3166 or email: [email protected].   

     

    Faith in Action


    Help Lutherans Respond to Spring Storms


     

    After the Oklahoma City area was hit with a series of tornadoes and flooding rains last month, severe weather continues to affect much of the midwest. Lutheran Disaster Response personnel are on the ground, assessing needs as debris cleanup begins to give way to long-term recovery. You can help. Make your tax-deductible gift at the ELCA website.

     

    The 23rd Annual Lutheran Charities Bike Ride & Walk will take place on Saturday, June 22. This annual event raises funds to benefit eight Social Ministry Agencies of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. It includes a SteepleChase Bike Ride on roads through Montgomery and Chester counties and a Fun Ride & Walk on the Perkiomen and Schuylkill River trails. Visit the Lutheran Charities webpage for more information and registration forms.

      

     

    LAMPa Offers Advocacy Tool kit 

     

    "Advocacy" - pleading the cause of those suffering injustice - is rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology and our baptismal calling. Many Lutherans advocate with and for people without political and economic power by sharing with their legislators and local officials their faith perspective on issues and legislations. The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania offers an "Advocacy Toolkit" on their website to help you learn to get involved and become an effective advocate.

     

    2014 Domestic Hunger Grant Application Available

     

    The 2014 domestic hunger grants application and criteria may now be obtained online at www.elca.org/domestichungergrants.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mr. Joe Young at [email protected], or Ms. Johnnie Thompson at 1-800-638-3522 ext. 2693 with any questions concerning the Domestic Hunger Grant Process.


    Connecting/Communicating

    Jay Gamelin videos online

     

    New: Video of the Emerging Worship Workshop is now online!

     

    People at the 2013 Synod Assembly were inspired by Jay Gamelin's two presentations on "The Gospel in a Post-Modern Era." Now you can watch Jay's presentations online in the MinistryLink Video Library. The first presentation covers how emerging generations are wired, and what that means for the Church. In the second, Jay shares his faith story and ideas from forming a campus ministry at Ohio State and transforming his current congregation in South Carolina. You can view them online (Part 1 is at https://vimeo.com/65876166 and Part 2 at https://vimeo.com/65690597) or click these links and choose to download them to play offline. 

     

    Equipping for ministry

    Better Health Citywide Community Leader's Summit

     

    Faith based and community executive leaders are invited to attend the Better Health Citywide Community Leader's Summit. The summit will provide an executive level overview of the impact and opportunities with Affordable Care Act and will include breakfast and lunch. The event will be held on Thursday, June 20 at Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 2001 Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132 from  8:15am - 1:30 pm. To register online click here . For more information  visit  Better Health Website or contact Jermaine Bromell, MBA via email [email protected]  

     

    Download a flyer here.

     

    Parish Secretaries Seminar

     

    Registration is now open for the annual Parish Secretaries' Seminar October 8-9 at the DoubleTree Resort & Conference Center in Lancaster, PA. The theme for this year's seminar is "Many Hands Make Light Work." In addition to workshops on developing office procedures, effective communications and handling volunteers, secretaries will enjoy time for worship, devotions and networking. Cost is $250 including five meals, materials and one night's lodging (double occupancy). Learn more and download registration materials at http://www.ministrylink.org/equipping/events-listing/parish-secretaries-seminar/� . Congregations and agencies of the Church are encouraged to provide this event as continuing education for their support staff.

     

    Urban Theological Institute Ministry Day 2013

     

    Anyone exploring ministry opportunities is invited the attend the Urban Theological Institute Ministry Day 2013. Offering you the opportunity to - discuss topics relevant for building a dynamic ministry, meet other emerging preachers and church leaders,  explore your call to ministry, attend workshops taught by leading pastors and professors. The following workshops will be offered: Didactic Preaching:  Teaching thru Preaching by The Rev. Dr. Wayne E, Croft, Sr.; Ministry and Self-Care by The Rev. Dr; Kathryn Wiseman, Women in Ministry by The Rev. Ann Colley, Evangelism and Church Growth by the Rev. Keon Gerow and Scripture in the Life of the Church by The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Robinson. Ministry Day 2013 will be held Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 9:00am - 1:00 pm at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. Registration with lunch is $15. Register online www.ltsp.edu/MinistryDay  or by phone by calling 215.248.7302 

     

    Partner news

    Bear Creek Camp Golf Tournament

    Bear Creek Camp will be hosting its 15th Annual Golf Tournament on June 21, 2013 at Olde Homestead Golf Course in New Tripoli, PA. You can support the ministry of the camp by golfing, or by becoming a tournament or prize sponsor. For information email [email protected] or call Tracey at 570.472.3741.


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