SEPANews Update / Jan. 22, 2015
Synod Celebrates Dr. King
Despite icy roadways and heavy rain the Synod's service celebrating the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held last Sunday (Jan. 18) at Tabor Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler of Mother Bethel AME Church preached an outstanding sermon, and the Reformation Choir rocked the house. Participants left blessed and inspired for advocacy and action. (Photos courtesy Bishop Burkat)
Lutherland Trip Deadlines Approaching

Deadlines are approaching quickly to register for the Reformation 500 Committee's yearly trip to Sutherland. What better way to prepare for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 than to visit historical sites connected with Martin Luther, the artist Lucas Cranach, and the musician J.S. Bach! The theme is Luther and the arts, and the tour is guided by Drs. Karl Krueger and Michael Krentz of LTSP. Get more information, a brochure and registration forms at http://ministrylink.org/ministries/teams/luther2017/luther-and-the-arts-trip-2015/ or contact Dr. Krueger at 215.248.6330 or [email protected]  

Connecting the Web of Faith Feb. 7
The Upper Bucks Conference will host "Connecting the Web of Faith," a learning day for church leaders, on
Feb. 7 from 9 am to 3 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church, 19 10th St., Quakertown. Keynote speaker is Keith Anderson, author of the forthcoming book "The Digital Cathedral" and co-author of "Click2Save: The Digital Ministry Bible." The day also features a panel discussion of ideas for collaborative ministries with leaders from three synods, followed by a choice of workshops: "Ministry in Daily Life," "Coming Together Around Homelessness," and an update on the new Lutheran Charities. Download a flyer and poster at http://ministrylink.org/weboffaith
Lutherans Night at the Phillies May 29
Phillies It's time to get your group together and order tickets for Lutheran Night at the Phillies on Friday, May 29 at 7:05 pm against the Colorado Rockies. Lutheran Night, one of the oldest church collaborations in professional sports, raises funds from each ticket sold to benefit Synod youth ministry programs. Deadline for ordering is April 29! Order tickets online at phillies.com/lutheran or contact Scott McDade in the Phillies sales office at 215-463-5000, ext. 5434. Download an info form below.  http://ministrylink.org/article/lutherans-night-at-the-phillies-may-29  
Stories From Faith, Change Lives

"People are telling those of us committed to Christ that it is just not working anymore," says Dr. Audrey West. But it can work better if we use stories - God's and ours - to help form faith, she said in an inaugural lecture at LTSP in December. West told family stories, unpacked in great and careful detail the Parable of the Yeast in Matthew and used personal examples of story-telling episodes involving her niece and nephew to empower her audience to carry on the story-telling history of their faith in a way that has the potential to change lives.

  
Watch video of her lecture at http://ltsp.edu/thepowerofstory
Don't Do Something...Sit!

The ELCA/Portico 2015 Go! Challenge encourages plan members and spouses to

develop a new prayer practice this year. The Go! Challenge helps leaders attend to
their well-being - and earn wellness dollars - by assessing their health and completing
follow-up activities, such as the Be Still prayer initiative or meeting a fitness or wellness goal. Learn about the challenge at:
  
Members and spouses can take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment at the new Healthy Living portal at: 
   
New this year: Members/spouses must be registered at MyPortico to participate: 


The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is a network of relationships and resources that cares for your congregation and leaders and connects you to tools for 21st Century ministry. The Synod pools resources to do ministries that no congregation can do alone. Many vital synod ministries are strengthened by financial support from you and your congregation. 

Donate now to support ministries like these!� 

In Brief

LTSP Wet Toes Weekend Feb. 6-8

Wet Toes Weekend is an excellent opportunity for people to get acquainted with what it's like to be part of LTSP community. Participants will stay overnight in one of the LTSP guest rooms in Wiedemann Hall, right in the middle of campus. Participants will  get to know many current students at LTSP; some will be participating in the retreat as facilitators for discussion groups that will take place throughout the weekend. Wet Toes Weekend is designed for individuals who are discerning the next exciting chapter of life to which God is calling them. We will reflect together, pray together, worship together, sing together, and laugh together. For more information and to register visit this link: https://ltsp.edu/WetToes

 

Lutheran Day Registration Opening End of January

Mark your calendar and plan to join us in Harrisburg Monday, April 27, for a day of worship, learning and advocacy. This day will be the start of Spring Academy Week at Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, giving our leaders-in-the-making the opportunity to practice being public church together. Info at http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/get-involved/lutheran-day-at-the-capital/   

 

ELCA Global Links: Cuba, Holy Lands and More

Thanks to your mission support the ELCA is making a difference around the world! Read about it in ELCA Global Links at http://bit.ly/ELCAGlobalLinks. ELCA Global Mission looks at impact of normalizing relations with Cuba; Lutheran Disaster Response helps 2.5 million suffering through worst Central American drought in 30 years; Augusta Victoria Hospital provides crucial health care to Palestinians in Jerusalem, and more.

 

2015 Lutheran Marriage Encounters 

Make 2015 the year you resolve to take time to spend a weekend learning how to make your marriage a more intimate, loving, Christian union.  Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends run from Friday night at 8 PM to Sunday around 4 PM and have been enriching marriages for almost 40 years!  There is a $45 per couple registration fee; plus toward the end of the weekend, you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution toward continuation of the program.  Two nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and all supplies are included. 

 

The 2015 Pennsylvania Weekends are:

March 13-14, 2015 at the lovely Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel located in a peaceful setting 6 miles from the Pittsburgh Airport. 

April 10-12, 2015 at Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center nestled in 1500 wooded acres in State College, PA.

September 18-20, 2015 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, Canadensis, PA, a new, hotel-style facility on Spruce Lake in the heart of the Pocono Mountains � an hour north of Allentown. 

October 16-18, 2015 in Lancaster, PA, at the all newly-renovated Heritage Hotel Lancaster, home of the unique tree-house-inspired restaurant, Loxley's.

 

To sign up online, go to: www.GodLovesMarriage.org and register using your credit card, or mark the option to mail in a check.  For questions, or if you would like a brochure mailed to you, contact Pennsylvania Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber at 724-325-3166 or [email protected]. 

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 "Join Our Mailing List" link below and encourage them to sign up to receive MinistryLink directly.

 

Bob Fisher

Assistant to the Bishop, Mission Interpretation and Communication

267.323.3743

[email protected]

 

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