Resources for effective church leaders
+ October 15, 2021
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We've upgraded MinistryLink by organizing articles by subject. Scroll through the bold subject headers to find the information you need.
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The Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania synods are sponsoring a hybrid Generosity event on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. Keynote speakers for “Stewardship and Vitality in the NOW Normal” are Louise Johnson and Soong-Chan Rah, with workshops featuring Dave Daubert, Ryan Burge, Doug Powe Jr., and others.
The cost is $40 in-person or virtual. Visit ministrylink.org for more information.
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As of October 14, Bucks County was reported as Very High risk by covidactnow.org, with a critical number of new cases (26.1 per 100,000 population). The remainder of our synod was reported as High risk with new cases between 16 and 23 per 100,000.
ICU capacity used was listed as Critical in Delaware County with 87 percent of beds full, and as High in Philadelphia with 83 percent of beds full.
In the Philadelphia metro area, 64.3% of eligible individuals have been vaccinated. Getting more people vaccinated is a key way of reducing the risk of spreading infections, as are wearing masks in public spaces, maintaining distance with people not in your household bubble, and increasing fresh air ventilation in indoor spaces, such as church sanctuaries.
If you are following ecumenical guidance for worship ( see page 8 of this document), you will note that no county in our Synod meets the benchmarks for in-person gatherings.
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If you missed our conversation last week with Rev. David Hansen, here is your opportunity to watch the presentation and/or share it with the people who practice digital ministry in your congregation. Hansen, who teaches as "the Digital Pastor," shares strategies and tactics for engaging every church's third audience -- the community that watches and gathers digitally.
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Ministry in the "New Abnormal"
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October 21, 11 am
“What is Congregational Vitality?”
With/ Members of our Synod’s Vitality Team
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Worship Ideas and Resources
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Deacon Weit, ELCA Churchwide Executive for Worship, joined SEPA leaders yesterday to share about what we have learned to adapt in worship and how Advent and Christmas are opportunities to again exercise creativity in shaping hybrid worship. He also shares a number of resources for congregational worship leaders.
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ALCM Worship Conference
Registration is now open for “From Generation to Generation,” a four-day conference at Valparaiso University in July 2022 that invites participants to strengthen leadership skills and explore new ideas and techniques through worshipping together, workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Sponsored by ALCM Region 1, the conference is open to everyone. Learn more.
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Equipping Rostered Ministers
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⬆ Watch for more information.
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“Struck Down, But Not Destroyed…”
The Road To Reconnection
SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers’ Equipping Event
November 16 and 17, 2021
A Hybrid Event
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Click for more information ⬆
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Lutheran World Relief has created FREE, easy-to-use resources based on the RCL Advent texts from the Gospel of Luke, all available at lwr.org/advent:
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4 weeks of new sermon illustrations (complete with photos and video)
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4 powerful videos to highlight your congregation’s love in action around the world
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4-week small group Bible study guide
- Candle lighting litany
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Ordination: Ms. Courtney Smith
Ordination of Courtney Smith
to the Office of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA
To be held on Saturday, November 13th at 10:00 am at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
132 E. Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
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Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge
Some people may hope for a return to normal after the world-changing events of the last 18 months, but sociologists tell us our future will revolve around living into a “new normal.” Presented by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the 2021 Hein-Fry Book of Faith Challenge will probe this new normal. Under the theme “Imagining Scriptural Encounters in the New Normal,” four online presentations by ELCA seminary students will help participants deepen their encounters with Scripture and strengthen their relationships with God in a time of extreme and continuous change.
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ELCA issues declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native people
“The Doctrine of Discovery created a theological framework that supported racism, colonialism, and the annihilation of Indigenous people,” the declaration states. “Today it continues to support these evils and injustices found in our church, U.S. law, and legal interpretation. The Doctrine of Discovery has been pervasive throughout the world and has benefited the Church and ELCA Lutherans in every way.”
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Electronics Recycling at Media Oct. 25
Reformation Lutheran Church and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County are hosting a PAR Recycle Works Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, October 23.
Examples of items accepted: Printers, Mice, Keyboards, AV equipment, Phones, Speakers, Motherboards, Hard Drives, Power Supply Wire - chargers, connectors, etc., Computer Batteries, Laptops, Gaming Equipment, Routers, Server, Cabinets, Floppy Disks, Docking Stations, Miscellaneous - computer-related materials
The following items include a cost to ensure they are properly recycled:
• Older CRT Monitors and TVs: $35 - $75/each (size varies)
• Flatscreen TVs: $20/each
• Computer Monitors: $5
• Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, & Air Purifiers: $20
• Microwaves: $10
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Lay Eucharistic Ministry Training
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St. Paul's, Olney on November 6
If you enjoy a good conversation or showing you care in concrete ways, consider joining with us on Saturday, November 6th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Olney! We will be hosting a day training for serving others by bringing Communion and Care to people unable to be in church.
Pastor Sandra Brown will be leading us from 9:30 to 4:00 pm. Lunch and treats will be provided. Please contact the church office or Pastor Kathleen Kerin if you are interested.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
5900 N. Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Church office: 215.424.4800
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Have stories, events, or resources to share?
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Thank you
The Rev. Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge, communications assistant
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