Ministry Link ENews Header
SEPANews Update / Feb. 5, 2014
Please help us improve MinistryLink by taking a short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SS2DDHF
It Pays to Collaborate

The congregations of the Northeast Philadelphia Conference saved more than $16,000 by collaboratively shopping for insurance. It's part of a three-year-old effort by conference leaders to imagine what congregations can do together.

 

Congregations saw savings ranging from 12 to 37%. It helps when a group of congregations join together to seek coverage so the agent has a stronger negotiating position, because insurance companies ultimately want the business. 

  
Faith: Not Lost in Translation

The Upper Bucks Conference is sponsoring "Faith: Not Lost in Translation," a day of learning and connecting for church leaders, on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Trinity, Pleasant Valley (2170 Route 212, Coopersburg, PA 18036). 

 

Rev. Dr. David Lose, professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary, is the keynote presenter. Workshops include: Generations and Communications, The Spirituality of Children, and "My Legacy Matters." The event is open to all, with preference to Upper Bucks congregations. Download a brochure and poster to learn more at http://ministrylink.org/article/faith-lost-translation/

 

Celebrate Tanzania Month in March

The SEPA Synod Council has designated March as a month to celebrate our relationship with the people of the North Eastern Diocese of Tanzania. To help you share the story of our partnership in your congregation, the Tanzania Team has produced a series of informational inserts that you can reproduce for your bulletins. The inserts cover key areas of our ministry with the people of Tanzania:

  • Congregational Companionships
  • Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University (SEKOMU)
  • The Mwangaza Partnership
  • MacPherson Mission
  • ELCA Malaria Campaign

Tanzania Month concentrates fundraising for the many facets of our partnership that need financial help.

Reminder: Please Submit Your Congregations 2014 Mission Support

Your congregation, our Synod and the ELCA exist as an interdependent network of relationships. One of the important roles of congregations is to provide financial offerings to the work of the whole church, as detailed in each congregation's constitution. It helps us to plan our ministry to equip leaders and congregations when we receive mission support intents from every congregation.

 

Please return your congregation's statement of intent as soon as possible. Having accurate information helps us to have a realistic spending plan for 2014. The intent form is available on our website at http://ministrylink.org/2014Intent .

 

Return the form by (deadline) via e-mail, fax or postal mail to: Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, SEPA Synod ELCA, 7241 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119 / Fax: 267-323-3777 / [email protected] 

Diverse Faiths Unite for Immigration Reform

 

The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia has adopted "Religiously Diverse, United for Immigration Reform," a statement that calls on communities and individuals of faith to welcome immigrants and refugees, educate themselves about the immigrant experience and the laws that govern it, and advocate for reform locally and nationally.

 

"Our religious teachings, our nation's ideals, and the history of immigrants' contributions to our communities lead us to call upon national, state and local elected officials and all in authority to address immigration reform now and make changes to public policy and practice that are just, compassionate, and humane," the council wrote in the statement adopted Jan. 29, available online at http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/religiously-diverse-united-immigration-reform/   

In Brief...

Transforming Difficult Conversations Part II
SEPA Interim Pastors will provide a learning opportunity in the Dialogue Circle method for leaders interested in practicing how to deepen conversation across differences in congregations and ministry sites:  Feb 19, 8:30-5:30 Good Shepherd, King of Prussia.  Attendance at prior event not required.  Download a registration flyer to register. http://ministrylink.org/event/transforming-difficult-conversations-part-ii/

 

 

African Descent Heritage Service Feb. 23

The African Descent Lutheran Association Philadelphia Chapter presents "Break Every Chain," an African Descent Heritage Service honoring Nelson Mandela and remembering ancestors in Rincon, GA on Sunday, Feb. 23, 3 pm at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia's chapel. The service will feature Rev. Dr. Quintin Robertson, preacher, along with choirs, soloists, praise and worship. Robertzon is, director of the Urban Theological Institute at LTSP. A special history presentation will precede the service at 2 pm. Download a flyer at: http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/african-descent-heritage-service/ 

 

 

Wet Toes Weekend at LTSP

Know someone discerning a call to ministry? The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia's Wet Toes Weekend is an excellent opportunity for them to get acquainted with what its like to be part of the LTSP community. From Friday-Sunday, Feb. 7-9 participants will meet students and faculty and have a seminary classroom experience. Get all the details at 

 

 

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

 

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 

 

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.  

 

 

Bear Creek Camp Helps with Church Day Camp

Did you know that Bear Creek Camp can partner with your congregation to provide a summer day camp? Newly remodeled and formatted, Bear Creek Church Day Camp is a fun, week-long event at your church or an excellent supplement to your Vacation Bible School program! We know that it can be tough getting enough leaders to make VBS a success, and that's why we are here to help! Get all the details at http://www.bearcreekcamp.org/church-day-camp/

 

 

Job Listings
  • Administrative Assistant - Good Shepherd, King of Prussia
  • Program Director - LTSP  
Upcoming Events
Featured Resources
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.

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

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/