March 14, 2014
In This Issue
Save on Assembly with Early Bird Rates

We know that its been a tough winter, and many of us are catching up on plans and programs as we move into Lent. But Assembly is coming, and you can save $15 per person on registration if you register by March 18.

 

"Early Bird" rate is $140 until March 18, and $155 until the final registration deadline April 4.

 

This year's Synod Assembly is May 2-3 at Franconia Mennonite Church. Our keynote speaker is the Rev. Mark Hanson, former presiding bishop of the ELCA, addressing our theme: God's work. 

 

Please review the registration materials posted on our website at http://ministrylink.org/assembly before completing your online registration.

 

Please Help Us Save on Health Costs

take it now

If 65% of eligible ELCA health plan members take the free, confidential Mayo Clinic Health Assessment by April 30, our congregations will together save $37,000 in health costs for 2014. The Assessment is online now at http://www.elcaforwellness.org

 

As of March 1, 38% of our eligible members had completed the assessment. We need 51 more plan members to take the assessment by the deadline to earn the discount.Please take time to take the assessment by the end of March (and your spouse, if covered by the plan).
  • You'll get a $150 credit to cover out-of-pocket costs.
  • If 65% of plan members take the assessment by April 30, each congregation in the Synod will earn a 2% reduction in health premiums.

It's a win-win! Take the health assessment today!

 

Add Your Voice to Strategic Review of Our Synod

This week all rostered leaders received an invitation from Bishop Burkat to participate in an online survey for leaders in our Synod to offer their perspectives about congregational challenges, visions for the future, and ways to strengthen the partnership between the Synod and congregations. Learn more.

If you haven't participated already, please visit 
http://bit.ly/LandscapeSEPA to take the specially designed Landscape survey designed by Holy Cow! Consulting.

To help us get a wide range of perspectives, please share this invitation and the survey link with other council members or other lay leaders who have had some level of involvement and familiarity with the Synod.
Welcome New Synod Staff
     

Martin Schwab has joined the Synod as Senior Accountant in the business office. He joins us from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, where he worked in the business office. Martin can be contacted at 267.323.3754 or mschwab@sepa.org.

 

Pastor Sue Lang is our new part-time contracted Assistant Events Planner. An author, consultant and retreat leader, she will assist Joanne Carlson with planning and logistics for Assembly and Convocation. She can be reached at 267.323.3756 or slang@sepa.org. 

 
Tips for Communicating with Millennials
     

The title of a new Pew Research survey says it all:

Millennials in Adulthood: Detached from Institutions; Networked with Friends. 

 

A recent article from Sacred Language Communications notes the importance of being in the social media space where young adults spend much of their time (shout out to Pastor Keith Anderson, who is referenced in the piece). But...

 

"But simply shifting to digital ministry, or outside the walls of ministry, isn't a sure-fire path to restoring religious life in America," the author writes. "Because the problem remains - what do you say in this space?"

 

Read this helpful post for some ideas about communicating with this generation. Hints: Be authentic. Accept that Millennials are creating their own meaning in the world. And "forget marketing; join the conversation."
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
Looking for a Lent-themed cover image for your Facebook page? Feel free to borrow this one created by Bob Fisher for our page at https://facebook.com/SEPASynod.


THANK YOU 
for taking the time to read this edition of Roster Update. We hope you find this electronic newsletter a valuable resource in our shared ministry. 
 
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."

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