The assembly passed a budget for 2009 of $3,326,400 carrying an anticipated deficit of $280,000. Janet Neff, member of the synod’s Finance Committee, acknowledged that we don’t know where the deficit monies will come from. In the past when the synod has had a deficit, monies have been withdrawn from the Fund for Mission. The Fund currently has a balance of $1.3 million dollars. 53.5 % of the budget is sent to the ELCA to support the ministry of the wider church. The ELCA goal for synodical giving is 55%. (more…)
Members of the newly formed Emmaus Road Lutheran Church join Bishop Burkat, Mission Director Pat Davenport, and Assistant to the Bishop Serena Sellers as the congregation is officially received by the Assembly Saturday morning.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod officially received Emmaus Road Lutheran Church as a new congregation, formed when the congregations of Trinity, Fairless Hills and Christ, Levittown merged. This was the first new congregation to be received by the synod since 2006. (more…)
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8
“Let’s not be afraid, and together let’s imagine a revitalization of our beloved ELCA,” Bishop Claire Burkat challenged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly during her address Saturday morning. Update: watch video of the bishop’s address. (more…)
Addressing a concern for generational diversity at future synod assemblies, the 2008 Assembly passed a resolution encouraging congregations to elect one additional voting member under the age of 25 to their annual delegations. The resolution was presented for consideration to the assembly by the Synod Council.
“Our voices deserve to be heard, too,” said Melissa Valentine. “We’re very much a part of the church.”
“There is room at the cross for all of us,” said Pastor Andrena Ingram, “There is room at the Table for all of us. There is certainly room for youth at this Assembly.”
Saying that she had just come from a youth lock-in event, Pastor Susan Montgomery added: “If we could harness half of the energy that I saw there, there would be no stopping us!”
S7.21.10 In addition to the congregation’s election of voting member(s) of the Synod Assembly as established by S7.21.c, each congregation may elect one additional voting member of the Synod Assembly who shall be a voting member of the congregation up to the age of 25.
Bishop Claire Burkat and LTSP President Philip Krey sign the lease agreement that will bring the Synod office to the Seminary this fall. Dr. Addie Butler, president of the LTSP trustees, Rev. Larry Smoose, and Synod Treasurer Dick Reimet look on.
Sporting broad smiles, Bishop Claire Burkat and President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, Pastor Phil Krey sat side by side as they signed the official agreement for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to relocate to the seminary in December 2008.
“The move is a tool for mission so God’s grace will flow through us,” said Burkat. “It has already uplifted partners we could never have imagined, she said referring to the City of Philadelphia who has agreed to pay for the plaza outside the synod office. (more…)
The 2008 Assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod passed a resolution to ask the ELCA to begin the process of developing a social statement concerning individuals with disabilities. (more…)
“God’s Work. Our Hands. That is the phrase we will use to say who we are to the world,” said Pastor Craig Settlage, ELCA Director for Mission Support/Synodical Relations. “It’s our church, congregations, synods, and churchwide expressions together.” (more…)
Dr. Kelly Fryer of A Renewal Enterprise keynoted the Assembly, with an interactive discussion. Update: Download a presentation outline: a-wake-up-call
“God is on a mission in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and YOU are his plan for getting it done!” Dr. Kelly Fryer told the Assembly as part of her “A Wake Up Call” keynote presentation.
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“As much as we don’t like to think about it, every congregation will face transition,” said Jill Meuser, member of the Transitional Ministry Development Team. The team was created to strengthen and professionalize the practice of transitional ministry in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. (more…)