SEPANews / Sept. 18, 2007

September 18, 2007 | Vol. 8, No. 69
In This Issue Can you volunteer for Lutheran Disaster Response? Got 60 minutes for stewardship help? LSH raises awareness about domestic violence Revised compensation guide available Council presidents’ network meets Sept. 29 More days to save on Bishop’s Convocation registration Ministry Resources ELCA News Quick Links MinistryLINK Synod website ELCA.org SEPAYouth website SEPA Calendar SEPA job listings SEPANews blog SEPANews archive A communications service of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA copyright 2007.		Conference Conversations start this week Bishop Burkat’s series of Conference Conversations — meetings with lay and rostered leaders in each conference — begins this Thursday, Sept. 20 at Advent, Richboro, with the next meeting Monday, Sept. 24 at St. John, Mayfair. Seven more sessions through October complete the series. Each evening runs from 6:30-9 p.m. and includes worship, presentations and open conversation. Please RSVP to the church hosting the meeting you are planning to attend so they can be prepared. Get full information on the Conference Conversations on our website. Volunteers needed for Disaster Response Lutheran Disaster Response has opportunities for individuals or congregational teams to volunteer for a week in the upper Midwest or for a day in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Learn more about the need for volunteers on our website. If you have a team interested in learning more, or if you would like to be a part of a team, contact Linda Frey at 610.847.5775 or via email. Got 60 minutes for stewardship help? Get a quick overview of 12 different aspects of stewardship ministry at the next “60 Minutes” workshop TONIGHT — Tuesday, September 18 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Norristown. A series of brief presentations will give you an overview of topics including year-round stewardship, program budgets, stewardship of the environment, stewardship with youth and more. Get more information at our website.
LSH takes a walk against domestic violence On Saturday October 13, Lutheran Settlement House, The Chestnut Hill Business Association and the Chestnut Hill Community Association will host their first annual “2 Mile Walk Against Domestic Violence” to raise funds and awareness for Lutheran Settlement House as part of LSH’s annual Purple Ribbon Campaign. You can show your support for victims of domestic violence and their children by bringing your friends and family to the walk, bringing new toys, SEPTA tokens, and new or very gently used children’s clothing (newborn to age 16) for survivors. Learn more on our website. The walk is free but donations are encouraged. For a donation participants will get a t-Shirt for the walk. To register or to reserve a t-Shirt, please call Suzette Belz at 215.426.8610 x 208 or visit their website. Revised compensation guidelines available online Our synod’s revised 2008 guidelines for compensation of clergy and lay rostered leaders is now available at the synod website. The guide includes a revised worksheet for determining salary and benefits for pastoral ministry, a survey of compensation patters in our synod, and information on conducting performance reviews and managing housing allowances and flexible spending accounts. Visit our website to download the guide and related worksheets. Council Presidents’ network meets Sept. 29 Church council presidents and vice presidents - the key elected lay leaders of congregations - are invited to meet with Bishop Burkat on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, 411 Susquehanna Road, Ambler, PA 19002, beginning with worship at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Janine Niwinski, director of operations, at 610.278.7343 no later than Sept. 19. Bishop’s Convocation: Seedtime and harvest The early bird deadline for this year’s SEPA Bishop’s Convocation, to be held November 12-14 at Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster, has been extended to Sept. 26. Register by this date and you can save $35 off the regular $150 registration cost. This year’s presenters are Dr. Robert Robinson, Jerome Ringo, and Tammy Devine. Visit our website for a brochure/registration form or to register online. Don’t delay, registration closes Oct. 9. Ministry resources Interfaith Vigil for Peace at state capitol Sept. 21 You’re invited to join Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania for a vigil to celebrate UN International Day of Peace this Friday, Sept. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the capitol steps, 3rd and State streets, Harrisburg. Following brief peace messages from faith leaders, there will be a prayer walk through the city followed by a silent vigil at the Capitol. Learn more on our website. For more information, contact the LAMPa office or Rev. Sandra Strauss at 717.545.4761. Interim refresher changed to 3-days Due to popular request, the upcoming Interim Ministry in an Accelerating Age refresher course has been changed from a five-day to a three-day event. The event will begin on Monday, October 22nd and end Wednesday October 24th. The fee will be $495.00. If you have already paid the difference will be refunded. Register through Ellen Goudy with the IMN office.KenCrest honored as “Best Place to Work” For the third-straight year, KenCrest has been recognized as a Best Places to Work finalist by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The award recognizes the agency’s achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of benefits, working conditions and agency culture. The agency will be officially honored during an October 18 awards celebration. Read more. Good Shepherd Rehabilitation celebrates 100 years For 100 years, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network has served the men, women and children of eastern Pennsylvania. From its humble beginnings as a home for children with disabilities and senior citizens to its current status as a national rehabilitation leader, the organization’s focus has always been on helping patients, clients and residents live fuller lives. Good Shepherd is celebrating a century of service with a full slate of events and activities, lasting throughout much of 2008. Around the synod: Redeemer Church in Jamison (2100 York Road, 18929) is getting ready to raise the roof - musically speaking, with the dedication of a new three-manual Allan organ at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 7. There will be plenty of excitement - guest musicians, choirs, opportunities for everyone to sing. The community is invited. ELCA News Women of the ELCA to gather in ‘08 Women of the ELCA has opened registration for the 7th Triennial Gathering, “Come to the Waters,” to be held July 10-13, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Featured speaker is Sister Joan Chittister. The Rev. Karen Bockelman is leading Bible study. “Come to the Waters” promises to be a memorable event. We hope you will be there. You may download a registration brochure from Women of the ELCA’s website or request one by e-mail. E-cards are also available for download so you can invite everyone you know to take part.