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 SEPANews Update / Feb. 20, 2015 |
Thank You! For Mission Support
Thanks to the generosity of many of our congregations, there was an increase in 2014 in Mission Support for Synod and Churchwide ministry after years of declining or flat support. Mission Support from congregations totaled $2,148,000 -- $48,000 over budget and $10,000 more than 2013, but still well below the $2.7 million received in 2006.
"Your congregation's support enables us to continue to provide a high-level of services to churches, including helping congregations to call new pastors and professional leaders, supporting candidates for ministry, providing youth, communications and global vision programs, and more," said Synod Treasurer Janet Neff. "Thank you for your continued support!" Learn more...
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Stronger Together: SEPA and Liberian Christians
When Moses Suah-Dennis fled the Liberian civil war and organized a church in a refugee camp in Ghana in 1996, little did he know that God had called him to East Lansdowne. After immigrating to Philadelphia and studying at LTSP, he was called to plant a Liberian church connected with Immanuel Lutheran Church. "The synod staff and the candidacy committee showed visionary leadership in matching my gifts for ministry with this congregation and community," Pastor Dennis says.
"When we started there were just seven of us at prayer meetings. Today 140 worship regularly. Continual support from our director for evangelical mission and exposure to churchwide resources were reassuring and reinforcing." The two communities formed Faith Immanuel Lutheran Church in 2012. Learn more of Faith Immanuel's story at http://vimeo.com/sepasynod/crushebola and http://vimeo.com/sepasynod/fi12
Read more stories of our shared mission at http://ministrylink.org/about/were-stronger-together/
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Synod Assembly Registration Open Now
Registration is now open online for our 2015 Synod Assembly, "Forward Together in Faith," May 8-9 at Franconia Mennonite Church. Visit the link below for full registration materials and a link to online registration. Register online now!
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Nominations Needed By March 20
 The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod's Nominating Committee is asking for your help in identifying gifted and qualified persons, both clergy and lay, to serve as nominees for election at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly on May 8-9, 2015. Updated: Deadline March 20, 2015. Please visit our website for more information and to download a Nomination Form. http://ministrylink.org/article/nominations-2015/
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Attention Council Officers - Save the Date
 The annual Council Officers network gathering with Bishop Burkat will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Benbow Hall C on the Lutheran Theological Seminary, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. This gathering for congregation presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and treasurers, begins with breakfast at 8:30 am followed by program and conversation from 9 to 11 am.
Has your congregation elected new officers? Help us keep our records up to date. List the changes on the information form you can download at: http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/congregation-lay-leadership-information-form or email the information to Cynta Outterbridge at coutterbridge@sepa.org.
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Webinar Explains New PA Child Protection Laws
 Pennsylvania recently passed new legislation regarding protection of children that affect all churches. Under state law clergy, paid staff and volunteers who work with children and youth in any capacity are now "mandated reporters" who must report suspected child abuse directly to authorities. The law also now requires all employees and volunteers who work with children 18 and younger to have background checks every three years. Read more on our website
For more information register for an upcoming free webinar: Protecting PA's Children: What Adult Volunteers Working with Children Need to Know. To be held Wednesday, Febraury 25, 2015 from 9:30 am - 11 am. The webinar is intended to provide practical guidance and real time answers to questions about what all these new legal changes mean. Learn more on our website at http://ministrylink.org/article/webinar-on-new-pa-child-protection-laws/
Register Now!
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Lutheran Night at the 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: Lutheran Night at the Phillies 2015
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PA Sale Tax Exemption Certificates
Several congregations have inquired about their state sales tax exemption which will expire on March 31. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue assures us that all of our exemptions have been renewed until March 31, 2020. Certificates with the new expiration date were mailed to congregations in the fall of 2014. However, due to a change in the Commonwealth's software system, some congregations may have been missed in the mailing. If your congregation has not received its new "Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption," with the 2020 expiration date, please contact the Bureau of Business Trust Fund Taxes by telephone at (717) 783-5473. You will need your congregation's Entity ID and Account Number (on your current certificate). The people who work in the Exemption Unit are both helpful and pleasant. You may continue to use your old certificate until the new one arrives.
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Lutheran Day at the Capital
 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. Registration is now open. Register online by clicking here or you may download a registration form to complete you registration through the postal mail system.
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Lutherland 2015
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 kkrueger@ltsp.edu
33rd Annual Preaching with Power
Sunday, March 15- Thursday, March 19, 2015 - Six distinguished African American preachers headline this year's Preaching with Power, along with a Tuesday lecture and a concert of African American Sacred Music. Join us! Visit the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia website for more information. - https://ltsp.edu/PWP15
Rest, Refreshment and Renewal for Women 2015
Register now using the form below and join us for the ninth annual event coming Saturday, April 18, 2015. We invite women to renew, reconnect, and refresh physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a day of fellowship and gathering. Invite your friends, colleagues and fellow church women to share this day. Our theme this year is "How Firm a Foundation". Discounted registration including refreshments and lunch is $40 if you register by February 28, 2015. http://ltsp.edu/RestRefresh2015
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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 "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
sepanews@sepa.org
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