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SEPANews Update / October 22, 2014
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Standing Strong Against Ebola
 In the face of the Ebola outbreak, several hundred Africans and Americans from several faith traditions gathered Sunday at St. Matthew's Lutheran in Springfield to pray, console each other, and build bridges of hope rather than barriers of fear. Medical supplies, sanitizers, food and more than $3,000 were collected.
"We gather...to bring comfort and hope to a community that worries and frets," Bishop Claire Burkat said in her sermon. "Our time here together...is a powerful reminder that we will not be chased away from our God by despair and fear." Read more and watch video of the Bishop's sermon at http://ministrylink.org/article/standing-strong-against-ebola/
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Pledge to Vote in November
Elections are only two weeks away. As Lutherans, we recognize that voting is a response to our baptismal call to "serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus," and "to strive for justice and peace in all the earth."
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod staff and deans are pledging to vote this election season. Will you join us? Take the pledge to vote and you'll get an Election Day reminder from ELCA Advocacy: http://www.capwiz.com/elca/issues/alert/?alertid=63318056
Voting is an act of faith and hope. In our democracy, it represents our freedom to choose the leaders who govern us, and as a result, we have a responsibility to our community & ourselves to exercise it. Join us and vote by November 4th!
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Introducing MinistryLink PDFs
 Did you know that you, through our Synod, support a creative and growing center for youth in Northeast Philadelphia? Read about Rhawnhurst Turning Point in the latest PDF edition of MinistryLink. This new publication can be viewed online and/or shared by email, website, or in print in your church bulletins. This issue also includes a "best practices" report about congregations collaborating to fight food insecurity and updates from our Faith Formation and Reformation at 500 teams.
Learn more at: http://bit.ly/MLOct14
Download a copy at http://ministrylink.org/oct14
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See Each Other as Brother, Sister
In her October column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton says the church can model respectful dialogue. When on the giving or receiving end of less-than-graceful communication, she suggests reciting Luther's explanation of the Eighth Commandment. By doing this, congregational meetings might actually be fun! Read her column at http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=12219
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Reformation Website for youth
Thanks to the Luther Memorial Foundation in Wittenberg, there is now available, in English, a web site designed to allow young people to explore the Reformation - people, places, events and curiosities. Although it is designed for youth, many will find it a fun way to test and expand their knowledge about the Reformation, Luther and several of Luther's friends. The web address is: http://www.cobran.de/lutherkids/index.php?lang=en Give it a click and try it out. Don't be scared by Ratze - he is a nice fellow and guide!
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Step into the shoes of one of your neighbors who is at risk of being hungry. The Synod Hunger Team is sponsoring "Hunger 101 PA" on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2 to 4:30 pm at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Yardley. Download a flyer for more information or contact Diane Casey at 215.860.7859 or dcasey16@comcast.net.
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There's one more chance to take part in "Stewardship for Mission-Minded Congregations" next Tuesday, Oct. 28 at St. Paul's in Doylestown. This FREE workshop covers faith and finances, health congregations and asset-based stewardship. Get tools and ideas for your congregation's stewardship efforts. Though the session is free, you are asked to RSVP with the name of your congregation and names of people attending, to dperez@sepa.org or to Larry Smoose at lvsfish1@aol.com.
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Ministry to the World...In Our Backyard
Almost every product we touch each day comes to us via the hands of seafarers from around the world. This holiday season Seamen's Church Institute is asking your help to say "thank you" to these workers by providing more than 2,000 Ditty Bags to seafarers who come to our local ports. You can help. Download a flyer with instructions for gathering items on the Seafarers' Wish List. For info contact Joan at 215.940.9900 ext. 106.
View a video about the Institute's work at http://bit.ly/SCIPromo1
Seafarers' Wish List
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Knitted Hat & Scarf
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Razor & Shaving Cream
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Toothbrush & Toothpaste
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Shampoo & Comb
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Work Socks & Work Gloves
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Deodorant
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Mini Sewing Kit
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Pen & Stationery
Please do not send mini sizes.
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Exploring Congregational Growth with
The Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller
 | | The Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller |
Join the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia for an opportunity to think about what you can do to spearhead the growth of your congregation. "Exploring Congregational Growth" the first presentation of the LTSP "EXPLORING" Series for this academic year will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 10:00am-11:30am. The Presenter will be The Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Waller's pastorate at Enon Tabernacle has been marked by unprecedented spiritual and numerical growth. Today, Enon holds three weekend worship services, including live-streaming one service on the internet, to serve a congregation of over 15,000 members. The program on November 1 will begin at 9:30am in the Brossman Center of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. You can choose to be present at the live presentation or live-stream it on the internet. Admission is FREE but we request that you register online by going to this LINK:
https://ltsp.edu/exploringseries
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In Brief...
Let Your Light Shine for Christmas Ingathering
 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. Every year during the holiday season, the SEPA Synod Ingathering provides over $100,000 worth of donations to organizations that work with children and the poor in our local region and overseas, as well as to others who have unique needs.
This year's ingathering is Sunday, Dec. 7, 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. Thanks to Christıs, Oreland; Christ, Upper Darby; Little Zion, Telford; St. John, Mayfair; and Zion, Spring City for serving as collection points. Donations must be delivered between 1 and 2:30 pm on December 7.
Get full information and instructions at http://www.lutherancongregationalservices.org/volunteer-and-serve/ingathering/
Concert Fundraiser for the Joubert Syndrome and Related Disorder Foundation
Joubert syndrome is a rare brain malformation characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of an area of the brain that controls balance and coordination. Connor, a two year old member of Advent, was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome 2011. The Concert will be held Nov. 9 at Advent, Harleysville beginning at 3 pm. The Fundraiser will feature. Vincent M. Ryan, Minister of Music at Advent, Harleysville where he directs/ oversees the church's six musical ensembles. Download the flyer for more information.
Bear Creek Camp Needs a Dump Truck
Winter is approaching quickly and Bear Creek Camp is in need of a dump truck to help with road maintenance during the snowy months. We are anticipating a need of $15,000 for the new truck and need your help to reach that goal!
A few churches have partnered with us in the purchase of a dump truck and have been able to get us 1/3 of the way towards our goal! Would you or your church consider helping us reach our goal so that we will have a truck to manage our snow this winter?
Simply CLICK HERE to give or send a check to: Bear Creek Camp, PO Box 278
Bear Creek, PA 18602
Coaching 101 Coming in December
Metro New York, New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania Synods, in partnership with Region 7, have coordinated a Coaching 101 event to take place at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia on December 1 and 2, 2014.
What is a Coach? A Coach is someone who comes alongside to help you discover what God wants you to do, and do it. A coach helps you answer three basic questions: Where am I? Where do I believe God wants me to go? How will I get there?
There are many other possibilities. Most coaches find that the skills of coaching have broad applications in other ministry areas that are not specifically coaching relationships, such as counseling, youth ministry, and pre-marriage work. To read more, please download the Coaching Brochure - LTSP SEPA and Coaching 101 Registration Form. To register for this event please contact Maria Maldonado via email Maria.Maldonado@elca.org or call 773-380-2748.
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- Criminal Justice: Faith in Action, Oct. 26
- Fall Luther Academy, Oct 27-28
- Stewardship for Mission-Minded Congregations, Oct. 28
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Get Your Info in MinistryLink
If you have information you'd like us to consider publishing, please send it to sepanews@sepa.org at least 4 weeks in advance of when you would like it to appear.
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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.
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Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop,
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod ELCA
rfisher@sepa.org
267.323.3743
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Cynta Outterbridge
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"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
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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
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