“We need to come together no matter how many miles come between us,’ said Susan Pursch, chair of the SEKUCo coordinating committee, during the companion synod report to the Assembly.
The Assembly heard reports from both companion synods of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. (more…)
Listen to Bishop Claire Burkat’s sermon from this morning’s Communion service.
The Assembly passed a resolution urging rostered leaders of the Synod to take the Health Care Assessment available online through the ELCA Board of Pensions.
Pastor Larry Smoose explained that the ELCA, in cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, is working at health management and the prevention of illness. Rostered leaders have been asked to voluntarily participate in an online health assessment. Every congregation could get a discount of 2% towards health care costs if 75% of the rostered leaders covered in our synod take the assessment. (more…)
A resolution asking the ELCA to establish a minimum continuing education requirement for pastors was defeated, 266-177.
“As people in ministry we should have the same kind of accountability as those in other professions when it comes to continuing education,” said Pastor Larry Smoose, who submitted the resolution to the assembly. (more…)
“We are anointed and sent to proclaim release to the captives,” said Bishop Claire Burkat at the opening worship service for the 2008 Synod Assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.
Preaching on Luke 4:14-22, the bishop challenged the Assembly to see, celebrate, and proclaim what the Spirit of God is doing among us. She reminded us that even as Jesus was anointed by the Spirit for his ministry, so are we also anointed by the Spirit for God’s purpose. “God doesn’t give responsibility without giving us power,” she said. We share in Jesus’ ministry described in today’s gospel.
Update: Audio and video now available.
The 2008 Synod Assembly has opened with a festive Holy Communion service, with Bishop Burkat preaching and presiding.
The Rev. Patricia A. Davenport was installed as assistant to the bishop for evangelical outreach and mission director during the worship.
Pastor Davenport was surrounded by her husband, Joel (left), Vice President Patricia Robinson, and Bishop Burkat.
Olan Mills will be on hand at the Synod Assembly to photograph rostered leaders for a synodical directory. All Pastors, Associates in Ministry, Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministers are invited and encouraged to have your picture taken. This is not a time for purchasing photos but rather its purpose is simply to compile a current pictorial directory since it is several years since we have done so.
Photographers will be available from noon till 7:30 pm on Friday, May 2 and 9:30 am - 3:30 pm on Saturday, May 3. There is no appointment time necessary. Simply stop by the Olan Mills area at the far end of the registration area, past the Augsburg Fortress display.
Rostered leaders who are unable to attend the Assembly but would like to be included in the directory may come to the synod office on Thursday, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm to be photographed by Olan Mills. Again, no appointment is necessary.
We are still in need of a few more people to serve as pages for the Synod Assembly. Pages must be in 9th grade or older, through adults. Anyone interested in helping in this capacity should contact Ginny Bailey at 610.278.7337 or via email as soon as possible. Please include name, address, phone number(s), and email, and indicate if you are under 18 years of age (which will require a parent/guardian signature).
Welcome to the website for the 2008 Synod Assembly. Registration materials and the Bulletin of Reports (as mailed) are posted on their own pages. More resources and materials will be added as they are available.