SEPANews Update / November 25, 2015
Bishop Responds to Mosque Vandalism

Area religious leaders have expressed dismay at the 
desecration targeting Al Aqsa Islamic Society in Philadelphia, where a severed pig's head was discovered outside Monday (December 7). 

"This is a despicable and disturbing act of hatred," said Bishop Claire Burkat, who knows and respects Imam Mohamed Shehata in their work together on the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia. "We don't want our strong interfaith relationships sabotaged by such evil intent. Together the faith leaders of Philadelphia will continue to work for peace and oppose bigotry at every level and in every place." 
Get The Facts About Syrian Refugees  

Lutheran Children and Family Service is the largest refugee resettlement organization in PA, and is involved in resettling Syrian refugees in Allentown. Did you know that refugees are the most scrutinized and vetted individuals entering the U.S.? Or that the process takes on average two years? LCFS has created an online resource center so that you can get the facts about this important issue. Learn more at http://ministrylink.org/resources/refugee-resources/  

Lehigh Valley Welcomes Refugees

On Christ the King Sunday 500 people gathered in Allentown to stand against fear and hatred at an interfaith event to welcome refugees from Syria. It was a rare moment when the divisions of the world were overcome by God's grace. Read more at http://www.elca.org/Living-Lutheran/Blogs/2015/12/151203-A-glimpse-of-a-new-world 
SEPA Candidate Joins ELCA "Confronting Racism" Webcast
  
When Presiding Bishop Eaton hosts her next conversation about racism on January 14, she will be joined by Lenny Duncan, a member of Temple, Havertown, and a student at LTSP. Learn more and view the August webcast at https://elca.org/webcast 

Won't You Support Our Shared Synod Ministries?
  

Did you know that you can support our shared Synod ministry while you are doing your holiday shopping? Visit Amazon.com through this link to Amazon Smile! and the retailer will donate a portion of the sale to our ministries. 

  • Questions? Contact Bob Fisher by email. 
 

We're Stronger Together

Annual Fund 12 The Synod is all of us. Together we pool our efforts and resources to do ministries too big for a single congregation -- launching new ministries, supporting youth and global programs, making connections through our communications channels. Won't you help keep these ministries vibrant by making a donation to our It Takes All the Saints appeal? 
In Brief
 
Lectionary Connections ... A guide to connecting December's lectionary readings to our shared effort to move Forward Together in Faith is now available on the web. This resource is helpful for planning sermons, adult forums, and devotions in your congregation. Download at http://www.forwardtogetherinfaith.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/FTiF-Dec-lectionary.pdf 
 

Listen for a Change ... The Synod is co-sponsoring live webcasts of "Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice" featuring New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, actor Anna Deavere Smith, and Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean Emilie Townes on January 21-23, 2016, at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. See more at: http://ministrylink.org/sacred-conversations-for-racial-justice/
 
Upcoming Events
  • Jan. 11-13 - Stewardship of Sacred Spaces course at LTSP
  • Jan. 15-17 - Bear Creek Camp Connect for Grades 9-12
  • Feb. 5-7 - Bear Creek Camp Connect for Grades 4-8
  • March 12 - Council Leaders' Gathering
For information on these and other upcoming events visit http://ministrylink.org/events
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for taking the time to read MinistryLink. Tell your friends and fellow church members to subscribe by visiting http://ministrylink.org/subscribe. 

 

Bob Fisher

Assistant to the Bishop, Mission Interpretation and Communication

267.323.3743

sepanews@sepa.org