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Special edition: Ministry Resources - Equipping Events for Fall / August 2013
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EQUIPPING EVENTS
for congregation leaders - Fall 2013 |
There is a lot happening this fall to equip your congregation's leaders. There are events for faith formation, disaster preparedness, sharing mission, training worship leaders, and much more. Please share this email with leaders in your congregation. |
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featured event:
Get Ready to Practice Discipleship
 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, Sept. 27 with overview training for "Faith Formation for a Missional Age" at four locations:
- Advent, Harleysville
- Family of God, Buckingham
- St. Paul, Ardmore
- St. Paul, Exton
These 7 to 9 pm events include dessert.
The Practice Discipleship Initiative will
- Educate -- Train leadership to accompany people on their journeys.
- Connect -- Develop partnerships to strengthen faith formation opportunities for and with people, especially youth and families.
- Renew -- Gather leaders for mutual support and encouragement in ministry.
The Practice Discipleship training will continue with additional sessions on November 23, January 25 and March 29 from 10 am to 3 pm at St. Luke, Devon.
Cost is $45 per person for all four dates or $20 per person if registering for individual sessions. Scholarships are available, as are discounts for congregational groups of 5 or more.
For information contact Molly at mbeck@sepa.org. Learn more and register online at www.sepayouth.org.
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featured event:
Disaster Preparedness Workshop
A free workshop to learn how to weather the storm!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Glenside, PA
Registration at 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Lunch is provided.
Learn about:
- The most important steps to take to keep your family safe in the midst of a disaster
- Volunteer opportunities with groups like Red Cross and Team Rubicon
- Landscaping to keep your property safer
- How to organize teams for rebuilding
- The disaster response process and roles of individuals, communities and government
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featured event:
Convocation2013: The Art and Awe of Sharing the Gospel
Attention rostered leaders
Re-ignite your passion for the Gospel and explore ways to light a fire in your congregation at the 2013 Bishop's Convocation November 13-15. The Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie will help preachers cultivate the imagination to notice God at work in the world and proclaim that good news to skeptics by "making a scene" in the pulpit. The Rev. Jay Gamelin will build on his popular Assembly keynotes by showing how the vocabulary of the emerging church can be put into practice in preaching, worship and evangelism.
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Christ Ascension Worship Training
Christ Ascension, Philadelphia is hosting workshops for assisting ministers, lectors and those who lead the prayers of the people. The goal is to help people feel confident and prepared to proclaim the good news through these important roles. The workshops will be led by Gail Ramshaw, who has many years of experience in these kinds of training events.
The workshops are offered at the following times:
Saturday, August 31: Training Assisting Ministers
Sunday, September 1: Practicing with Lectors
Saturday, September 7: Leading the Prayers of the People
Sunday, September 8: Training Assisting Ministers
Saturday, September 21: Practicing with Lectors
Sunday, September 22: Leading the Prayers of the People
There is no cost. The workshops will begin at noon in Christ Ascension's sanctuary at 8300 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118.
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LTSP fall adult learning
LTSP is pleased to offer Adult Learning opportunities to lay people and active church members who have a desire to develop ways they might connect their faith with their daily life and relationships. These classes offer practical skills in such topics as teaching, stewardship, evangelism, discipleship, service, vocational discernment, and administration.
Fall 2013 Offerings:
Christian-Muslim Engagement in North America, taught by the Rev. Dr. David Grafton, Fridays 9:15 am to 12:15 pm, Sept. 6 and 20, Oct. 4 and 25, Nov. 8 and 22, Dec. 6.
Who Am I to Go to Pharaoh? Biblical Insights on Faithful Leadership, taught by the Rev. Dr. Robert Robinson, five consecutive Saturdays Oct. 5 to Nov. 2, 10 am to noon, live on the LTSP campus and online.
For information, contact Kathleen A. Afflerbach, Coordinator, 215.248.6324 or kafflerbach@Ltsp.edu.
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Mission Mingle
Want to see what God is up to in your backyard? On Saturday, Sept. 7th, congregations in the Southeastern PA Synod are going to meet to mingle their missions. We call it "MissionMingle." We are planning a "field trip" where our beloved suburban congregations will mingle with our beloved urban congregations. The plan is for every congregation to visit and mingle with 2 or 3 other congregations on the same day. Please contact Vicar Marissa Harris Krey from God's Love Lutheran Church in Newtown, PA at 215.968.4335 or marissa.krey@gmail.com. Save the Date: Saturday, Sept. 7th.
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Diakonia Courses Begin at LTSP
The diakonia program™ will open a new site at LTSP beginning the 1st Saturday after Labor Day, September 7. Classes will be held on the campus of the Seminary and will be presented by LTSP instructors and professors. Classes are also held at Trinity, Lansdale; Resurrection, Yardley and St. John, Phoenixville. Learn more at
www.ministrylink.org/equipping/diakonia.
The diakonia program is an intense, two-year program or theological study for members of the ELCA, and denominations in full communion with the ELCA. Each year features six courses, each five weeks long, which are specifically designed for those who want more out of their faith experience than just Sunday morning worship. For more information, please refer to http://www.thediakoniaprogram.org
and/or contact John Thebus at 484.432.3267.
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Youth Ministry Networking Gatherings
Spending time with other youth ministers is an invaluable support in our work with young people.
You are invited to join other youth workers from our synod for a time of fellowship, food, networking, prayer, conversation, a devotion and renewal.
The locations of the monthly networking luncheon change each month. The luncheons are generally held from 12:30 -2:00. There are also a few gatherings scheduled for Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of those who are unable to make a workday lunch. During each gathering, in addition to fellowship time, there will be 30 minutes of structured listening,
sharing and discussion about a topic.
Monday, September 9 - 12:30 p.m. at Christ, Kulpsville - Celebrating Milestones
Tuesday, October 15 - 12:30 p.m. at Arch St Presby, Philadelphia - Ministry of the Welcome Church
Monday, November 11 - 12:30 p.m. at St. Andrew, Audubon - Why Do Servant Trips?
Tuesday, December 10 - 12:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin, Ambler - Conversation with Bishop Burkat
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Urban Seeds "Wealth Building"
Urban Seeds, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, is offering a free, six-week "Wealth Building" course that will be held at Tabernacle Lutheran Church, 5843 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, on Friday evenings, 6:30 - 8 p.m., starting on September 13th! The course instructor is Dr. Keith Weigelt, and classes are open to all persons, ages 13 and above. To register call 215.748.5533 or send a email to jadams7582@gmail.com. Please remember to type "Financial Literacy Registration" in the subject line.
Download the flyer for more information.
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Becoming Allies Block Party
Get resources to help end bullying, meet friends and neighbors, and enjoy music, crafts and food at the Becoming Allies block party, Saturday, September 21 from 1-4 pm in Ambler. The event, part of the Micah Project: Support, Training and Empowerment to End Bullying, will be held in Ambler on Race Street between Ridge Avenue and Spring Garden Street. It is sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church. For more information contact the church at 215.646.2451 or visit www.stjohnsambler.org
Download a flyer for more information.
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Systems Training in Upper Bucks
Family Systems training for clergy, religious leaders, and pastoral counselors will again be offered for the 2013-2014 school year through the Princeton Family Center for Education (PFCE). This continuing education training grew out of the interest of Rostered Leaders in the Upper Bucks Conference last year, and brought together an enthusiastic ecumenical mix of leaders interested in learning and applying Bowen Family Systems Theory to their personal and professional lives. A new training year is set to begin on Monday, September 23rd, for new and returning trainees. Eight sessions take place, once a month, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church in Perkasie, PA, off Route 313, north of Doylestown. Training includes lecture and video presentations by PFCE faculty, discussion, and suggested readings, as well as small group case sharing that allows individuals to apply theory to ministry and daily life.
For more information or to register, go to the PFCE website at www.princetonfamilycenter.org or contact the Rev. Julie Bergdahl, PFCE faculty and Pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Sellersville, PA, at 215.257.6040 or stmikesrev@verizon.net.
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Strengthening Faith Communities through Restorative Practices
This four-day retreat is for faith leaders who wish to learn practical strategies to build strong, healthy relationships in their congregations. Sept. 23-26 at Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA. Interactive experiences bring you to a full understanding of how a restorative, relational framework and associated explicit practices enhance congregational life. We will consider how this approach sustains a more connected faith community and facilitates healing as needed, enabling congregations to live out their mission and ministry as fully as possible.
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for a good cause:
Oktoberfest Supports LDR
 Come enjoy an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 28
and enjoy German food and beer, music, a homebrewfest, children's activities and more. Oktoberfest will be held rain or shine from 1 to 6 pm at St. Paul's, Glenside (Easton Road at Mt. Carmel Avenue). Admission includes a food platter, drink and mug and is $20 in advance, $25 at the gate, and $10 for children 12-20. Proceeds benefit Lutheran Disaster Response in Eastern PA.
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Healing Wounded Churches
This upcoming conference for congregations explores the roots of congregational conflict and presents strategies for healing past and present wounds. The September 28 workshop will be led by The Rev. Dr. Russ Parker, an Anglican Priest and a prolific writer. Healing Wounded Churches is September 28, 2013, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at Christ Episcopal Church 316 E. High Street, Pottstown. Registration cost is $65 including lunch. Mail registration form with check for $65 per person payable to Institute for Christian Healing to: The Rev. James A. Shelly, 302 Township Line Road, Perkiomenville, PA 18074, Email:
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St. Paul Glenside Stephen training
St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Glenside will be training a new class of Stephen Ministers beginning with a dinner the evening of October 4.
If members of your congregation are interested in becoming Stephen Ministers, whether or not you are a Stephen Congregation, please be in touch with Kathleen Breuer (215-887-1388 or
breuer613@gmail.com) for complete details.
For those not familiar with Stephen Ministry, this is a one-to-one Christian care giving ministry that provides 50 hours of very specific training to prepare laypeople to walk with fellow-Christians who are hurting during tough times (such as job loss, serious illness, hospitalization, spiritual crisis, aging, loneliness or discouragement, divorce or separation, loss of a loved one, any many more.) Stephen Ministers don't "fix" people or problems, we walk with others as God heals them.
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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.
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Junior High Youth Gathering
 Plan now to join us for Mission 1517: Reformation Then & Now as we explore the life and ministry of Martin Luther, what the Reformation meant to the world in the 1500s and how youth and adults today can also be reformers. The dates for JYG are October 11 & 12 or 12 & 13.
JYG is a great retreat for your confirmation class!
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Save the Date for Communicators Gathering
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2-4 pm @ Advent, Harleysville. Anyone who helps with communications in their congregation -- whether creating newsletters, building websites, managing social media or creating media for worship - is invited to attend this gathering to learn and network. Presentation topic to be announced. For more info contact Bob Fisher, rfisher@sepa.org, 267.323.3743.
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From Guttenberg to Zuckerberg
The Center for Pastoral Counseling (Springfield, Delaware) has recently announced a full-day seminar entitled "From Guttenberg to Zuckerberg: How Social Media is Changing the Church." The seminar is designed specifically to help pastors and interested laypersons enhance their use of social media.
The featured speaker will be the Rev. Keith Anderson, pastor of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, Ambler and co-author of "Click2Save: the Digital Ministry Bible." The seminar will be held on Saturday October 26 at the Covenant United Methodist Church, Springfield, PA (Springfield Road and Saxer Avenue) beginning at 8:30 am.
Participating clergy are encouraged to bring interested layperson. Computers are more than welcome. Seating is limited and early registrations are encouraged.
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On the horizon:
Communicators, Watch Your Email...
...for information about an upcoming fall communicators gathering, website webinar, and more. If you're not already part of our Facebook network, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/sepacomm and request to join the group.
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Faith Formation Team
Our Synod's Faith Formation Team is available to assist individuals, groups and congregations in the development of prayer groups and spiritual practices. The team has posted a number of resources on faith practices, Christian service, labyrinths, spiritual disciplines and more on their web page, which can be accessed through http://www.faithinbloom.com.
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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
rfisher@sepa.org
267.323.3743 |  | Cynta Outterbridge
Communications Assistant
coutterbridge@sepa.org
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."
Submit information for publication to sepanews@sepa.org 3 weeks before your desired distribution date.
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© Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA | 7241 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119 | 267.323.3737
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