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SEPANews Update /September 17, 2013
 
 
PRAYERS NEEDED:
Pray for those who are affected by the shootings at the Washington Navy Yard, those harmed or displaced by record flooding in Colorado (see below), and for all in need of humanitarian assistance because of the ongoing situation in Syria.

                                                 

Loving God, look with mercy on those who are harmed or displaced by flood waters. Give them your strength to meet the days ahead.

Move in those who are able to give aid, and be with all who offer assistance, that your Spirit may uphold them.

As you have made water a sign of your kingdom, and of cleansing and rebirth, grant your people vision to see new life on the other side of disaster.

 (Pastor Kay Braun, adapted)

 

Historic floods have consumed parts of Colorado, damaging or destroying over 18,000 homes and businesses. Lutheran Disaster Response is at work, assessing the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by the floods. Gifts designated to "U.S. Flood Relief" through Lutheran Disaster Response will be used entirely - 100 percent - to help survivors of floods rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Photo by Flickr user Nurpu under Creative Commons License.

            
Shine Your Light for Christmas Ingathering
                                                

For 46 years, SEPA congregations have banded together with an "Ingathering" of gifts serving people in need, locally and globally, with a variety of holiday gift donations. Working together, we have the capacity to serve more people in need than we can alone. This year's ingathering is Sunday, Dec. 1, and donations benefit Lutheran Children and Family Service, Seamen's Church Institute, Lutheran World Relief, local Lutheran food pantries, Lutheran Settlement House, Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries, and other local institutions of care. Learn how you can participate on our website. Questions: Contact Darliese Scott (215.456-5700 or [email protected]) or Pastor Jennifer Ollikainen (610-425-2981 or [email protected]).

 

Action Alert: Time for Congregations to Make Health Benefits Choices  

ELCA Portico Benefits are changing because of the Affordable Care Act, and congregations must select health benefit options for any covered plan members by October 14. Plan members are invited to an informational session with Portico's Barb Debski on Friday, Sept. 27, 10am to noon, at LTSP's Hagan Amphitheatre. To register for this free event email Bill Harp at [email protected].

       

Bishop's Letter to Coptic Christians

 

Bishop Burkat send a letter of solidarity and prayerful concern to the saints of St. Mary and St. Mercurius Coptic Church, many of whom have family ties to Egypt, Syria and other dangerous places in the Middle East. The congregation worships at St. Luke, Devon, and the letter is to be read at a joint Lutheran-Coptic worship service. Read more at:

                                                
Get Ready to Practice Discipleship
     
There's still time to register for

this new program! This fall our Synod is kicking off a "Practice Discipleship" initiative, an opportunity for all congregational leaders to be equipped to accompany others on their faith journeys. The initiative begins Friday, September 27 with overview training for "Faith Formation for a Missional Age" at four locations: Advent, Harleysville; Family of God, Buckingham; St. Paul, Ardmore and St. Paul, Exton. These 7 to 9 pm events include dessert. Get more information at http://ministrylink.org/equipping/equipping-events/  or register online at http://www.sepayouth.org 

                                       
LAMPA Immigration Conference Call
 
LAMPa is convening a statewide task force to work on immigration-related issues before the state legislature. The Rev. Linda Theophilus from Southwest Pennsylvania Synod has graciously agreed to lead our group. Anyone interested in ministry with immigrants and their communities is invited to participate.  An initial conference call will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, at noon. Please join us by dialing 712-775-7200.  The code is 176866#.
                                                                                                  
Thrivent Underwrites Co-op Initiative at LTSP
                                                

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) to underwrite a new theological education model entitled the Cooperative Master of Divinity. Co-op students will complete their study and field education/ internship concurrently over a period of three years rather than the traditional four years, eliminating a full year of living costs and expediting their entry into full time ministry. Congregational co-op sites, which would include both small congregations, perhaps unable to afford a pastor, and larger congregations that need additional staff, will benefit from three consecutive years of pastoral leadership. Learn more at http://bit.ly/ltspco-op

 

LWR Helps Syrian Refugees

Beneath the debates and diplomacy, more than 4 million people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, and more than 2 million Syrians are refugees in neighboring countries. Lutheran World Relief has been working with partners to reach out to families with Quilts and Kits. Since October 2011, LWR has provided more than $4.3 million in aid that has reached more than 200,000 people. Our most recent shipment of Quilts and Kits this summer is reaching 36,000 refugees in Lebanon and Jordan. Learn more about what LWR is doing and how you can help. Visit LWR Website.
              

Bishops Hanson, Younan Urge Diplomacy 

In response to a possible U.S. military strike against Syria, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson urged President Barack Obama to strengthen international diplomatic efforts to resolve the civil war in Syria. Seewww.ELCA.org/Syria-strike. The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, has also issued a statement against military intervention saying, "While the use of chemical weapons is wrong, the forms of intervention being predicted thus far can do little to bring a positive outcome." See http://www.ELCA.org/Syria-Younan.

 

Take Action Against SNAP Cuts

Food insecurity in the US remains at very high levels -- 14.5% of households were food insecure during 2012. The House will vote soon on a bill that will reduce the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $40 billion. If you are concerned about making deep cuts when so many are hungry, you can take action at the ELCA Advocacy website.


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THANK YOU 
for taking the time to read this edition of MinistryLink. We hope you find this electronic newsletter a valuable resource in our shared ministry. If you know of anyone who could benefit from the information in this newsletter, please forward it to them using the link below and encourage them to sign up to receive MinistryLink directly.
 
Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop,
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod ELCA
[email protected]
267.323.3743 
 
Cynta Outterbridge
Communications Assistant
[email protected]
267.323.3742
 
 
"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."

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