SEPANews / Nov. 5, 2007

November 5, 2007 | Vol. 8, No. 73
In This Issue Chester mission ends ministry Godspeed, Dr. Buba Candidates sought for Churchwide Assembly, Synod Council 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.		SEKUCo opening an answer to prayers Many prayers were answered and dreams realized when the North Eastern Diocese of Tanzania opened the long-awaited Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo) campus in Lushoto on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 28. Music from a band of 50 and a choir of 200 punctuated the service that was attended by Tanzania’s prime minister and retired president. Pastors Dyan Lawlor and Mark Singh-Heuter joined the clergy of the diocese in procession, and Joanne Carlson read a letter from Bishop Burkat. Read a first-hand account by Susan Pursch, chair of our SEKUCo Coordinating Committee, with photos by Amanda Grant, on our website. Chester mission ends ministry Unidos en Fe (United in Faith), a Lutheran-Episcopal mission in Kennett Square started two years ago to reach out to the Hispanic migrant population of southern Chester County, will end its ministry this month. Under the leadership of Pr. J. Patrick Seylar, much work was done to network churches and agencies to support the marginalized in this community, and the community tradition of La Posada was established in Kennett Square. Unfortunately, the Word and Sacrament community envision for United in Faith did not grow as expected, according to Bishop Claire S. Burkat. Also, the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania reduced its role in funding the partnership last year. The community is invited to a Farewell Service and blessing on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Garage Community Center, 115 S. Union St., Kennett Square. (For clergy, the color of the day is green.)
Godspeed, Dr. Buba The Synod family bid farewell Oct. 22 to Dr. Gemechis Buba, who is stepping down at the end of October as mission director and assistant to the bishop for evangelical outreach to serve as director of African national ministries for the ELCA. ” I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and for the missional hospitality I encountered among all of you,” Dr. Buba said. “We have been able to start congregations, enhance redevelopment and transformation of congregations, expand and train the mission development team of the Synod, work on a comprehensive mission and ministry strategy for the city and develop missional capacity assessment tool for congregations. In the process of doing all these I have been blessed by meeting many gifted and outstanding leaders.Read more on our website. Candidates sought for Churchwide Assembly, Synod Council The 2008 Synod Assembly will elect 17 voting members to the ELCA’s 2009 Churchwide Assembly as well as a number of members of the Synod Council. The Synod’s nominating committee is currently seeking nominations of qualified individuals who are active members of congregations of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. As always, a diversity of candidates is desired. Nominations must be submitted no later than Jan. 15, 2008 using the nomination/bio form available on our website. Ministry Resources Bear Creek Camp offers help with “care packages” for college youth Information about summer camp jobs and “stocking stuffers” for care packages being sent to college age youth are available free from Bear Creek Camp. Please contact Lauren Remillard via email for more information. Lutheran Archives increase hours Starting in November, the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia will double its hours to four afternoons a week, Tuesdays through Fridays, 1 to 4 p.m. During these hours staff plans to be present to answer telephone inquiries at 215.248.6383. E-mail inquiries will continue to be answered as staff has time to respond as promptly as possible. Those planning to visit the Archives on the Philadelphia Seminary campus are urged to indicate their plans to make sure that a staff member is present. Read more on our website. Concert benefits Camp Victor and Katrina relief Join Christ Lutheran Church for a Choir Concert with music presented by the choirs of Christ Covenant Church and Christ Lutheran Church on Sunday, November 18, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 2211 Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville. A free will offering will be received to support Katrina relief efforts at Camp Victor in Ocean Springs, MS. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Lower Montgomery County Chapter #31014 will supplement up to $1,500 of funds raised. For directions or more information please contact Christ Lutheran at 215.256.8738. Rieglesville Community Thanksgiving ServiceSt. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. The worship service will be conducted jointly by Rev. Deborah Dawson (St. Peter’s), Rev. Jeffrey Wargo (St. John UCC) and Father Gavin Muir (St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church). Offerings will benefit The Lord’s Pantry in Ottsville and Meals on Wheels. St. Peter’s is located at 305 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, up the hill from the Route 611 traffic light. For more information, call 610.749.0830. World AIDS Day Celebration Join the SEPA Synod Aids Awareness Network as we celebrate World Aids Day with a service of Holy Communion and Litany of Healing on December 1, 3 p.m, at Reformation Lutheran Church, 1217 Vernon Road, Philadelphia. There will also be a HIV Education Forum for youth and young adults beginning at 1 p.m. Bishop Claire Burkat will preside, and the sermon will be delivered by Pr. Bruce Davidson. ELCA News MIF investments pay dividends in the church Thanks to investments in the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA by congregations and their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries, MIF was able in 2006 to provide: $109 million in loans to ELCA mission congregations for purchases of land and construction of initial church buildings, and to established ELCA congregations for expansion, renovation and relocation projects, refinancing of existing debt, handicapped accessibility, and purchases of land. · $26.8 million in loans for capital building projects to ELCA-related ministries such as outdoor ministries, seminaries and social ministry organizations. · Consulting on building projects and architectural services - at no cost - to more than 1,000 ELCA congregations and ELCA-related ministries. For more information about MIF, contact Pr. Mark Wimmer: 267.203.1137 or via email, For building concerns contact Jeff Spann: at 973.625.2568 or via email Coming in November: ELCA Election Resource for Congregations, Colleges, and Seminaries! Watch in the coming weeks for the brand-new, comprehensive 2008 elections guide, which will be available as a free download or to order from Augsburg Fortress.