Fonder guilty of murder (phillyBurbs.com) | Intelligencer

Fonder guilty of murder (phillyBurbs.com) | Intelligencer

A Bucks County jury deliberated for nearly seven hours before finding Mary Jane Fonder guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting of Rhonda Smith, 42, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pleasant Valley, on Jan. 23.

The Associated Press: Churches are looking at hard times

The Associated Press: Churches are looking at hard times

With the economy in crisis, congregations around the country are cutting expenses at the very moment many members need help with food, heating bills and gasoline.

Some members of the clergy say their fundraising has remained steady despite the economic downturn, but how long that will last is unclear. Some are postponing building plans and delaying new programs just in case.

Among the congregations faring best are those with a strong tradition of tithing — the biblical mandate to give at least 10 percent of one’s income to the church.

Social services agency defends salary – The York Daily Record

Diakon responds to the Lower Susquehanna Synod Assemblys request to justify compensation to its top executives.

Social services agency defends salary – The York Daily Record

Blessing of animals at Trinity, Lansdale

Bullying victims ‘suffer in silence’ phillyBurbs.com | Courier Times

The Rev. Bernard Kelly of the Family of God Lutheran Church in Buckingham tells the stories of bullied youths to a Bucks County summit on the problem.

Bullying victims ‘suffer in silence’ phillyBurbs.com | Courier Times

Lutheran Disaster Response in the Eye of 2008 Hurricane Season

wfn.org | Lutheran Disaster Response in the Eye of 2008 Hurricane Season
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA are responding in the aftermath of tropical storms and hurricanes, waiting to assess the damage of Hurricane Gustav and preparing for the remainder of the 2008 hurricane season. “We are in difficult days,” said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response LDR.

ELCA Congregations Report 4.7 Million Members in 2007

The ELCA lost 64,000 members in 2007, a drop of 1.3%, and the number of congregations declined by 22.

ELCA Congregations Report 4.7 Million Members in 2007

Prayers requested for SeMi Synod

The website of the Southeast Michigan Synod, our partner synod, reports that Bishop John H. K. Schreiber died Saturday, August 16th. Please keep his wife, Rev. Colleen Kampke, and their children, Paul and Claire, and the people and staff of the synod in your prayers.

Rest eternal grant John, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on him.

More information will follow as it is available.

Metro NY elects Rimbo bishop

Pr. Robert Rimbo of Holy Trinity, Mahnattan and former bishop of our domestic partner synod, the Southeastern Michigan Synod, was elected bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod on Saturday.

Read more on the web: Metropolitan New York Synod

In other elections:

• Pr. Michael Burk, executive for worship in the ELCA, was elected bishop in Southeastern Iowa Synod
• Pr. Herman R. Yoos III was elected bishop in the South Carolina Synod

Rejoicing Spirits grows in Souderton

TheReporterOnline.com
Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Souderton, with the lay leadership of Jay Grimes of Franconia, has started a service that allows developmentally delayed members of the community to worship in a ministry that is tailored just for them.

“We’re all part of the same community is what it comes down to,” Grimes said.

Grimes is the ministry coordinator for the Rejoicing Spirits service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church

This monthly service has been providing a Christian outlet for developmentally delayed individuals, their families and their care givers for the last 2½ years.

reporteremmanuelrejoicing