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 In the past when the synod has had a deficit, monies have been withdrawn from the Fund for Mission.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…)

“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…)

“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…)

“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…)