SEPANews Update / April 1, 2015
Blessed Holy Week

Blessings to you, your family and your congregation as you experience our Lord's Passion and Resurrection this Holy Week, from Bishop Burkat and your Synod staff.
2015 Synod Assembly Registration Ends April 10

Register for the 2015 Synod Assembly today! Registrations are due by April 10. Register by visiting this website: http://ministrylink.org/2015-synod-assembly-registration-information/

Bishop Burkat gathered with more than 100 rostered leaders and congregational deacons today to renew ministry vows and bless oils to be used in congregational ministries over the next year. Photo by Rev. Jesse Brown.
See more photos on our Facebook page.
Tanzania Month Starts April 19

It's the 125th birthday of the North-Eastern Diocese (NED) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania! SEPA Synod has long enjoyed a rich companionship with NED and its missions. In honor of the Jubilee, SEPA Synod's Tanzania Companionship Team is asking our congregations to join in contributing to a very special mission from April 19 to May 17. All offerings during this Tanzania month will support the construction of "Compassion House" at SEKOMU, the NED-run university that specializes in improving the lives of people with special needs. Compassion House will provide a place for families to live when they visit SEKOMU to learn about how to care for family members with special needs. 

 

Download a flyer at: http://ministrylink.org/article/tanzania-month-begins-april-19/
Bishop Eaton: We Need to Talk About Race

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

 

Citing recent high-profile events in Ferguson, Mo., Staten Island, Charlottesville and across the U.S., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, notes that "we are not living in a post-racial society." In a recent letter and video message, Eaton expressed the need for conversation - not only among Lutherans but "all Americans" - about racism in "honest and productive ways."

"I know it's difficult to talk about race because too many Americans do not want to believe racism still exists in our country," Eaton said. "Yet, as always, Christ promises to be alongside us, even in the most difficult of times, working for our reconciliation. Because of God's promise, we can and must have a deep, honest and even painful conversation about racism."

View Bishop Eaton's video message at: http://youtu.be/9YuMSc6XlzA
Read Bishop Eaton's letter at: http://j.mp/eaton-race

Time is Running Out 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.



May 8-9 - Synod Assembly
In Brief

Choosing Love...A Parent's Story 

The Rev. Frank Schaefer

The Rev. Frank Schaefer will share his compelling story about choosing to love his child at the risk of losing his friends, his community and his career at a one-day conference on Saturday, May 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Church in Huntingdon Valley. He made headline news when the Methodist church disciplined him for officiating at his son's same-sex marriage. His credentials were reinstated in 2014 and now spends time speaking out nation-wide for human rights. The conference will also include time to ask questions and participate in mini panel discussions with other guest speakers. Reservations are necessary. To register visit www.tinyurl.com/chooselovemay2.Tickets are $30/adult, $15/student and a box lunch is included. Childcare will be provided. You are also invited to Gloria Dei Church to hear The Rev. Frank Schaefer preach on Sunday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m.

 

Help Teens Navigate Domestic Violence

In our daily work with domestic-violence survivors, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) experiences the pain and suffering of countless individuals facing domestic violence. Teen dating violence, including the death of Karlie Hall last month at Millersville University, is a growing trend. LSH is attacking the problem with several initiatives that discuss the realities of dating violence and focus on building healthy relationships. If you or someone you know needs help, please don't hesitate to reach out to LSH at 215-426-8610 or to the local hotline at 1-866-723-3014. Learn more in this Inquirer opinion piece by LSH's Kelly Davis.  

 

KenCrest Named Top 30 Employer

KenCrest was selected as one of the top 30 Philly.com's 2015 Top Workplaces, making it their third year to be featured as a Top Workplace in the region. KenCrest provides community-based supports to more than 10,000 people with intellectual disabilities and autism at over 400 sites by nearly 2,000 staff members. Visit http://www.philly.com/philly/business/workplaces/ to view the full list of companies.

 

Emergency Preparedness for Families with Special Needs  

This 2-hour free training event is for caregivers and family members of children with special health care needs. The training will overview personal emergency preparedness including, self-advocacy strategies for requesting reasonable accommodations in a shelter, sheltering in place and evacuation considerations, building a personal evacuation go-kit, and resources for emergency notification. Click here to register

 

Transform Lives in Poverty Via Open Table Training

Join us for dinner and presentation to learn how the Open Table process can open your congregation to a deeper discipleship. The process is the catalyst for the deployment of a community committed to the transformation of a family or individual in poverty. The training is on April 26 at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill. For more information or to register: here

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