Ministry Link ENews Header
SEPANews Update / Jan. 22, 2014
Welcome Threads: Sharing Wisdom and Talent from the Streets

The Welcome Church, a church without walls ministering with people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, has started a social enterprise known as Welcome Threads that builds community, teaches job skills and provides participants with some income.

 

 

"Doing Welcome Threads and being able to earn my own income is a big deal," said Mike McCallister, who was formerly homeless, "and doing the work is fun. Besides the t-shirts, I'm also learning weaving. So, I'm learning two new skills that I'll be able to use in the future."


Learn more at http://bit.ly/welthread

Communications Tip:
Share the Right Address

With all the digital tools available to help us navigate, it's important that you identify your church in ways that allow people to use GPS or web mapping services to find you, while respecting local knowledge and traditions.

 

Always use a full address in your publicity, including zip code, to make it easy for people to enter your address into a map service or GPS.

 

Learn more at http://bit.ly/mladdress


Why Practice Discipleship?

We asked some of the lay and clergy leaders attending November's Practice Discipleship training what they were learning, and why that is important to their congregation. Listen to what they had to say in this five-minute video and discuss it in your congregation using this guide.


Don't forget the Practice Discipleship event coming up this Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 am to 3 pm at St. Luke, Devon.
Materials Needed for Youth Event

Youth Ministry is in need of remnants and scraps of felt for a project at the Senior High Youth Gathering!  If you or your church have remnants you are willing to donate, please gather them up and drop them off by Sunday Feb. 2 at one of these drop-off locations:  Advent, Harleysville; God's Love, Newtown; Holy Trinity, Wallingford; New Hanover, Gilbertsville; Redemption, Philadelphia; Resurrection, Yardley; St. Michael, Sellersville; St. Paul, Exton; or Southeastern PA Synod Office, LSTP, Philadelphia.  The felt pieces don't have to be big, and any color/size/shape will do.  Questions?  Contact Cheryl at 215-990-2111 or [email protected].  

In Brief...

Turning Point Bowling Fundraiser  

One of our synod's newest missions, Rhawnhurst Turning Point, is holding its annual Bowling Fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8, 4 to 7 pm at Thunderbird Lanes on Holme Ave. Check out all the information at http://on.fb.me/1b3GHwD

 

Disaster Response Needs Volunteers

Lutheran Disaster Response needs volunteers to continue cleanup from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in Northeastern PA on Feb. 7, 8 and 9. Get details at http://ldrepa.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/volunteers-needed/ 

 

Seminary Day for Women April 12

"The Thread that Binds: 150 Years of Women in Ministry" is the theme for LTSP's annual rest, refreshment and renewal day for all women, lay and clergy on Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to 4 pm. This is an opportunity for women to renew, reconnect and refresh physically, emotionally and spiritually in a day of fellowship and gathering. Learn more at http://www.ltsp.edu/restrefresh

 

Helping Hands Day Adds Adult, Child Opportunities

Helping Hands Day on April 26 will include the opportunity for a limited number of adults and younger children to participate in the service work done by youth groups. Mark the date and watch http://www.sepayouth.org for info!

 

diakonia Program Sets Retreats

diakonia graduates, students and others interested in the program can learn more at two upcoming retreats: the PA diakonia retreat Feb. 15 at the seminary and a regional event March 1 with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman, founder of the program. Get full details at http://ministrylink.org/article/diakonia-schedules-retreats/

 

Lutheran Day at the Capitol and LAMPa's 35th Anniversary

Save the date -- May 6, 2014 - to celebrate this important anniversary. Presenters for this event will include Dr. Timothy Wengert and Stacy Martin, director of the ELCA's Washington, DC office. Look for more information at http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org

 

Lent Resources from LWR

Your congregation can journey with Lutheran World Relief this Lent by using Eco-Palms and/or by collecting Baskets of Promise personal care kits for families in challenging circumstances around the world. Learn more at http://lwr.org/lent

  

Mental Health First Aid Class

Mental Health First Aid, a free 8 hour course presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness Montgomery County affiliate, will be offered on Saturday, March 1 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the North Penn Community Health Foundation in Colmar, PA.  Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.  Space is limited and registration is required by February 24.  For more information or to register, contact [email protected] or call 610.313.0924 or 610.313.0968.  

 

Job Listings
See the latest at http://ministrylink.org/jobs
  • Administrative Assistant - Good Shepherd, King of Prussia
  • Program Director - LTSP
In This Issue
Getting Your Info in MinistryLink

If you have information you would like published in MinistryLink, please send it to [email protected] at least 4 weeks in advance of when you would like it to appear.

Attention Financial Leaders

The 2014 Congregational Mission Support Intent form is now online. Intents are requested as soon as possible.

The Synod's 2013 books close Jan. 31. All Mission Support and other gifts to be credited to 2013 must be received in the Synod office on or before Jan. 31.

Join Our Mailing List
Annual Fund 12
It Takes All the Saints...
...to ensure vital Lutheran witness in Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

Each year hundreds of individuals and congregations give extra mile gifts through our annual "It Takes All the Saints" campaign. 

These gifts help us continue and expand our ministries to equip leaders (lay and rostered) and congregations for ministry in the 21st Century.

Quick Links
Stay Connected

ministrylink.org   Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter      View our photos on flickr   Visit our blog

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 Holy Spirit, we equip the saints and congregations for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
- Synod Purpose Statement


Keep In Touch With SEPA
 
Help your congregation's leaders keep up with the latest news, equipping resources and youth information from the Synod. Please encourage all of your council members and key leaders to sign up to receive emails from the Synod in one of these ways:

Scan the QR code at right to subscribe.

Text SEPANEWS to 22828

Sign-up online at http://bit.ly/SEPAmail

Download a bulletin insert to share MinistryLink mail with your congregation at http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/keep-in-touch-with-sepa-bulletin-insert/ 
              

� 2014 Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA | 7241 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119 | 267.323.3737