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 SEPANews Update / March 18, 2015 |
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| | Pastor Linda Manson and Living Gospel participants. |
Our Synod's newest faith community, Living Gospel Ministries, recently began worshipping. "I am excited about the fact that we are actually becoming a worshipping community," says Pastor Linda Manson. "I believe that adding this aspect will only increase the ways in which we are able to serve our community." Living Gospel's main focus is to accompany and offer resources to people who are connected to the criminal justice system. This includes those returning to our communities from incarceration, individuals living in our communities with a criminal conviction, and the families of those with convictions. Workshops, a resource center, support groups, Bible studies, worship services and individual empowerment to support this population are many of the resources it offers.
Learn more about what's going on at this exciting new ministry at: http://ministrylink.org/article/living-gospel-begins-worship/
Learn more about mission and ministry around the Synod by downloading a PDF of the March MinistryLink newsletter at: http://ministrylink.org/equipping/resources/ministrylink-march-2015/
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Reminder: Council Members Gathering
Please join Bishop Claire Burkat for brunch and conversation about how we can move Forward together. We will gather this Saturday, March 21 from 8:30 am - 11 am at The Brossman Center, Benbow Hall C, The Lutheran Theological at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. To RSVP email Martin Schwab at mschwab@sepa.org. Walk-ins Are Welcome.
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It's Time to Save on Health Care
Attention Portico ELCA-Primary health plan participants! Take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment today and get $150 wellness dollars to help cover your out-of-pocket costs. If 65% of eligible plan members and spouses take the Assessment by April 30 every participating employer in the Synod will receive a 2% discount on health insurance premiums for 2015. Take the free, confidential assessment at https://PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving
Get full info here.
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Save the Date: Mass Incarceration Film
"THE HOUSE I LIVE IN" documentary offers a poignant look inside US drug policy and it's far reaching impact. Watch and discuss this powerful film on Saturday, June 6, 9 am - 12:30 pm, at Benbow Hall at LTSP. Since the 1970's the war on drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests and has cost more than $1 trillion. The film highlights the history of the drug war and the systemic failure of current drug policies, and weaves together the stories of individuals caught up in this war. The film educates and challenges viewers, creating opportunities for discussion. Visit www.thehouseilivein.org for more information about the film and watch www.ministrylink.org as more details about the screening become available.
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Save the Date: Bishop's Convocation
The 2015 Bishop's Convocation will be held Wednesday to Friday, Nov. 18-20, at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center near Macungie, PA.
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2015 Helping Hands Day
 Exciting things are happening with our annual Helping Hands Day, an event of spirited-service in the community! Helping Hands Day 2015 is Saturday, April 25th. This is an amazing event where young people and adults will worship, share, laugh, eat, work, sing, learn and serve God & our neighbors.
For 2015 Helping Hands Day service projects will be located in our city of Philadelphia. We will be gathering together at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia for debriefing and closing worship. This is an amazing event where young people and adults will worship, share, laugh, eat, work, sing, learn and serve God & our neighbors.
HHD is for 6-12 graders and adult leaders. The ratio for adults to youth is 1:7.
The registration letter, medical forms and poster are available online at www.sepayouth.org.
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 Join the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (RLC) in supporting our Muslim neighbors and opposing a hate campaign scheduled to appear in the SEPTA transit system this spring. The RLC affirms free speech while vigorously rejecting hate-filled messages like these that have appeared in several other cities in a campaign by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). SEPTA has fought the placement of these ads in court, and a judge recently ruled that these ads are protected by the First Amendment. Civic and religious groups like the RLC are speaking out against such hate messages.
- To sign a petition in support of RLC's position click here.
This past fall a public statement denouncing this hate speech was unanimously passed by the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia and is now being re-issued. Get more resources here.
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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
Northeast Cross+Gen Worship Conference April 10-11
There are six generations living in the US today and only two places where we all come and sit together: sports arenas and church. So why do we send the little ones away after the children's sermon? What if we could design worship experiences that combine the wisdom of the elder and the wonder of the child? If you believe children who worship with their parents are the ones most likely to attend church when they become adults, you'll want to join us in a conversation about new resources for creating worshipful and educational experiences in Cross+Generation worship. We can also show you a simple technique to (a) Help your families create daily faith development experiences and (b) Equip parents to become the primary spiritual guide for their children. Works for small groups, too! The Northeast Cross+Gen Worship Conference will be held at First United Methodist Church, 48 W. High St., Somerville, NJ, on April 10-11, 2015. For more information and to register, visit http://fumcsomerville-new.org/northeast-cross-gen-worship-conference/
Bear Creek Camp Bring a Friend Discount
 We are offering a Bring A Friend Discount this summer. If you bring someone completely new to Bear Creek Camp this summer for a week-long overnight program you will receive this $25 discount once your friend registers. You may bring up to 8 NEW friends, which means you could get $200 off your summer registration! As always, your friend will receive a First Time Camper Discount! Register for Camp
Faith Formation Across the Ages - Save the Date
The SEPA Diakonia committee is hosting a special day of learning, practicing, networking and affirming for those who nurture faith formation in the congregation - Sunday School teachers, confirmation guides, youth mentors, small group facilitators, adult education, etc. on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 9am to noon at Trinity, Lansdale.
Urban Seeds Holds Health Fair, Tax Clinic
- Sayre Health Fair: Saturday, April 11th 11am-3pm @ Sayre Yard (5800 Walnut, Philadelphia 19139) behind Sayre high school and Tabernacle Lutheran). Urban Seeds will have a table with information on financial health and wellness as well as a Quick check station for the Benefit Bank. More details can be found here.
- It's Not too Late! Tax Clinic at St. Mark's 6344 N. Broad Saturday April 11th 9:00-3:30pm. Urban Seeds is sponsoring a tax clinic, so bring your files and have your taxes done for FREE by one of our trained volunteers! Make appointments with at 267-408-9137 or call the church office at 215-224-1145. Download a flyer.
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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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