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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.
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September 21 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
September 22 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Systems Training in Upper Bucks
September 23 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
September 27 @ 10:00 am - 12:00pm
September 27 @ 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Four Locations:
Advent, Harleysville
Family of God, Buckingham
St. Paul, Ardmore
St. Paul, Exton
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Get Ready to Practice Discipleship
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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
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Grow your leadership skills!
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Attend Who Am I to Go to Pharaoh? Biblical Insights on Faithful Leadership this fall on campus or online through The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). This Biblically based, not for credit course was developed to equip and empower lay leaders, and is being taught by the Rev. Dr. Robert B. Robinson, Anna Burkhalter Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at LTSP. You can attend:
- On the LTSP Campus over five consecutive Saturdays, October 5 to November 2, 2013, from 10 am to noon. Join Dr. Robinson live in the classroom to learn and share with class colleagues.
- Online for five weeks beginning October 7. View course videos, participate in discussions forums with class colleagues, and other activities.
- Choose the combination that works best for you with a single registration. Can't make it to the classroom one week? Participate online. Too far from LTSP to get to campus? Participate through the Internet. Enjoying the videos but want to be part of the live session? Come to campus for a Saturday. The choice is yours!
The cost for the course is $200 for individuals enrolling for classroom and online study. The cost for congregational groups of two or more is $250 per group.
See information about Biblical Insights on Faithful Leadership and register online at Ltsp.edu/AdultLearning-Leadership.
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Liberty 5K, Fun Run Support Service
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 Live well and support service! Liberty Lutheran is sponsoring a 5K chip-timed race and 1 mile family fun walk on October 5,. Proceeds support Liberty's ministries of service to individuals in need. The event will also feature food and refreshments, awards ceremony, music, race shirts for 5K participants, medals for Family Fun Walk participants, goodie bags and entertainment for children. Registration opens at 7:30 am at Artman Lutheran Home, 250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler. Learn more and register online at www.libertylutheran.org. For more information contact Susan DeLuca at 267-464-7722 or sdeluca@libertylutheran.org
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Becoming Allies Block Party
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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
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New Grant Program from Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial has a new "Matthew 25: Neighbors in Need" grant program that allows 501(c)(3) Lutheran organizations (churches, schools, etc.) to apply for an initial grant of $5,000 to supports ongoing outreach service ministries that provide assistance to those in need modeled after Matthew 25. There is also a possibility of a second $5,000 challenge grant opportunity (earn $1 in grant funds for every $2 donated or raised).
Examples of eligible outreach programs include, but are not limited to: Operation of a food pantry or engagement with a community food pantry, engagement in a "backpack" meals program, operation or engagement in a clothing program, operation or engagement in providing shelter services, prison ministries, shut-in visitation ministries and Stephen Ministries.
Deadline for the current round of grants is Friday, Sept. 27.
Download an application http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/thrivent-choice-matthew-25-grant-application/
Questions may be directed to: victoria.lilley@thrivent.com
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Let Your Light Shine for Christmas Ingathering (Dec. 1)
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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.
Get full information at http://www.lutherancongregationalservices.org/community/holiday-donations/
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Communicators Network Meets Oct. 14
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SAVE THE DATE -- SEPA Communicators will gather on Sunday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 4 pm at Advent Lutheran Church in Harleysville.
We'll learn about some simple ways to improve your communications (of all types -- web, social media, print, and visual) with Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation; discuss ways that communicators can help others in the congregation use new technological tools, and share our questions and successes.
ONLINE REGISTRATION COMING SOON.
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From Guttenberg to Zuckerberg
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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.
Download a Brochure and Registration Form for more information.
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Systems Training in Upper Bucks
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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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This upcoming conference for congregations explores the roots of congregational conflict and presents strategies for healing past and present wounds. The workshop will be led by The Rev. Dr. Russ Parker, an Anglican Priest and a prolific writer. Healing Wounded Churches is Scheduled to take place on 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: jashelly@comcast.net. For more information Download a Brochure.
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Stephen Ministry Training
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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.
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Last Call: Parish Secretaries' Seminar
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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.
Learn more and download registration materials at http://ministrylink.org/event/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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SEPA Synod of the ELCA. 7241 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. 267-323-3737. www.ministrylink.org |
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