SEPANews Update / June 11, 2015
State Will Waive Fees for Volunteer Background Checks

Governor Tom Wolf announced yesterday (June 10) that fees for child abuse clearances and criminal background checks required by the Child Protective Services Law will be waived for volunteers working with children. Additionally, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will be reducing the cost of both the child abuse and criminal history record checks from $10 to $8 for all other applicants. 

 

These changes will take effect July 25, 2015. At this time there has been no change to the law's requirement for current volunteers to have checks on file by July 1, 2015.
Plan for ELCA Day of Service Sunday, Sept. 13

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. The date for the 2015 dedicated day of service is Sunday, September 13. Mark your congregation's calendar today! A helpful toolkit and a NEW! discussion/study guide are available at http://www.elca.org/dayofservice.

  • When your congregation's plan is set, don't forget to share them with us by sending an email to Synod Communications. 
Lutherans Continue Response to Nepal Earthquake

CHICAGO (ELCA) - With monsoon rains expected to significantly impact earthquake recovery operations in Nepal, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) continues to work with partners there to address the immediate needs of communities rendered vulnerable to torrential rains, landslides and more.

 

"The monsoon brings additional complications for humanitarian workers to provide aid assistance to earthquake (survivors)," said Vitaly Vorona, program director for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), ELCA Global Mission. "At present, ELCA partners are working hard to adjust their relief operations to ensure that the most urgent needs like shelter and food are available through the rainy season," said Vorona, adding that water and sanitation and psychosocial support are also priorities.

  

As of June 3, the government of Nepal confirmed that 2.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of that, about 864,000 people are in "hard to reach" areas.  Learn more
Register Now for Parish Secretaries' Seminar

The Annual Parish Secretaries' Seminar, "Checks and Balances", will be held Oct. 13-14 at the Bird-In-Hand Family Inn, Bird-In-Hand, PA. This seminar is open to all Parish Secretaries and Administrators from any denomination.

Workshops will be interspersed with devotions, meals, and free time. The Seminar is designed to provide opportunities to strengthen work skills needed in the modern office, to network with other secretaries/ administrators, and to grow spiritually. Congregations and agencies of the Church are encouraged to provide this event as continuing education for their support staff.
In Brief


 

The Digital Cathedral Book Launch June 18

Upper Dublin Lutheran Church invites you to celebrate the launch of Pastor Keith Anderson's new book The Digital Cathedral on Thursday, June 18, 7:30 pm at UDLC. There will be a wine and cheese reception followed by a presentation and book signing. Download more information.


Richlandtown Block Party Benefits ELCA World Hunger

St. John's, Richlandtown, will hold a Block Party and Good Gifts Fair Sunday, June 28 from noon to 4 pm to help provide a community in Malawi with an animal farm, fish farm, community garden, orchard, and a deep, freshwater well. ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Congregational Services, and Thrivent are partners for this event. There will be live music, lunch, kids' games-crafts-activities, a senior fellowship group in the shade, as well as an interactive animal farm which will help people to learn about the animals we will be helping this community to acquire and information about helping to alleviate poverty and hunger locally and globally. St. John's is at 4 S. Main St., Richlandtown, PA 18955.

 

Bear Creek Camp Golf Fore Kids June 29

Bear Creek Camp will be hosting its 17th Annual Golf Fore Kids outing on June 29, 2015 at Shepherd Hills Golf Course in Emmaus, PA. All proceeds will be used in our Campership fund to assist families in sending their kids to camp. We are committed to our partnership with the Northeast and Southeast Pennsylvania Synods of the ELCA to help our campers explore, celebrate of grow in God's creation. For more information visit http://bearcreekcamp.org/golf/ or call 570.472.3741.  Download a brochure.

 

Sip, Sample and Serve for Silver Springs June 17

Sip, Sample & Serve for Silver Springs will be held at the Ardmore Farmers Market on Wednesday, June 17th from 6-8 pm. Tickets are $35 and guests will enjoy live music and food and wine samplings presented by Di Bruno Brothers and other Farmers Market vendors. All proceeds benefit the programs of Silver Springs - Martin Luther School which provide special education, hope, and healing for children who are struggling with serious emotional and behavioral difficulties. Ardmore Farmers Market is located at Anderson & Coulter Avenue (Trader Joe's is on the corner) in Ardmore, PA 19003. To purchase tickets online, please click here: https://silver-springs.givezooks.com/events/sip-sample-for-silver-springs-martin-luther-school. Tickets can also be purchased by check made out to Silver Springs - Martin Luther School (write "Sip & Sample" in memo section) and mailed to Silver Springs - Martin Luther School, 512 W. Township Line Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

 

Lutheran Marriage Encounter Fall Events

ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES: Fall is the perfect time to fall in love with your spouse all over again! That is what couples overwhelmingly report is the result of attending a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend. Two events are coming up: Sept. 18-20 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, Canadensis, PA and Oct. 16-18 at the Heritage Hotel Lancaster. Learn more or visit http://GodLovesMarriage.org 

Assembly Highlights (full-color)


September 13 -- God's work. Our hands. Sunday day of service.
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