SEPA Inclusive Communities

More vendors that will be joining us on October 10! Register to join us! Link in the first comment!

In God's Image is full of learning opportunities, including six workshops to choose from! Register to join us on October 10 (link in the first comment)!

WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT!
The Body, S*x, and S*xuality in Luther's Theology
Pastor Dan Smith
In this session, we will explore some of what Luther said and wrote about sexuality, learn the surprising answer to what he meant by “sodomy,” and discern how we might be able to utilize his own principles to build more inclusive Lutheran theologies and better share God’s good news of love for all people.

In God's Image also includes the opportunity to connect with vendors who can provide you with resources for your own ministry context! Here's a few that will be joining us! Register through the link in the first comment to join us on October 10!

Join us on October 10 for a keynote presentation and six workshops to choose from during two sessions! Registration link in the first comments.

WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT!
Affirming Art
Pastor Eileen Ruppel-Doan
This interactive workshop will explore various art mediums and how they may be used to express and affirm our identities as beloved children of God, made in God's diverse and expansive image.

Join us on October 10 for a day of learning together. We will have six workshops, during two separate times, during In God's Image. Registration link is in the first comment.

Workshop Highlight!
Trauma-informed Ministry; Safe-Brave Space for Bold Conversations
Pastor Carla Christopher
You can create a practical, actionable, affordable AND achievable plan to become a more trauma-informed congregation or faith community that supports (and helps prevent burnout!) for LGBTQIA+ leaders, nurtures visitors and families and members, invites the reluctant and suspicious into dialogue, and empowers healing even for those with significant church harm or hurt. Come get your tools, scripts, and resources and ask all your questions! A revolutionary journey can be as simple to start as your next sermon, council agenda, or supply shopping trip.

Meet our 2026 In God's Image Keynote Speaker: Pastor Carla Christopher!

(Register to join us on October 10! Link in the comments!)

The Rev. Carla Christopher (she/they) is a rostered Minister of Word and Sacrament (ordained pastor) with standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and United Church of Christ (UCC). A certified Congregational Vitality specialist (mission developer/redeveloper), Carla serves as the primary curriculum developer and project coordinator for the national “Thriving in Ministry”, and “Racial Justice and LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Competency” training programs through Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary, on the national leadership team for ELCA Evangelism, and regularly offers consulting support to regional church bodies, nonprofits, schools & universities, and faith-based service organizations developing community engagement strategic plans with a focus on Vision and Mission Discernment, Core Value Development, Community / Team Building, & Strategic Planning.

Rev. Carla is also a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility/Belonging (DEIA/B) Trainer specializing in LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Competency & Racial Justice, Trauma-informed Care & Mindfulness, Nonviolent Communication, & Peacebuilding. She has served as an adjunct instructor with the Episcopal Stevenson School for Ministry, Parish Resource Center – Lancaster, PA, and Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.

A writer, performance poet, and former Poet Laureate of York, PA (2011-2014) Carla is a sought-after writer and content creator for Living Lutheran, Sparkhouse, ELCA World Hunger, Sundays and Seasons, Faith+Lead, Faith@Home, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, World Council of Churches, and many other faith-based publications. A deep believer in the healing power of storytelling and creative expression, Carla founded and served as co-director of PoemSugar Press/Community Arts Ink which published more than 50 books by marginalized poets and authors over 5 years, hosted ‘Culture & Main; York County’s Cultural Showcase‘ on WRCTV for 7 years which profiled 1,000+ artists and community activists, produced and hosted multiple poetry and spoken word venues and conferences, and wrote the “OUT & About” LGBTQ Lifestyle column for the York Dispatch newspaper for 2 years before entering ministry. She has published multiple collections of poetry and a poetic memoir, contributed to dozens of poetic periodicals and anthologies, released albums with the ensembles ‘SoulThief’ and ‘Poetic Voices’, and served as a resident lecturer or teaching artist with multiple theatres, Library Systems and School Districts. Carla has also been featured as a performer or emcee by prestigious regional venues such as the Baltimore Theatre Project, Goggleworks, the Pennsylvania Poetry Society, and multiple colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country.

Before entering the doctoral ministry program at United Lutheran Seminary in 2024 with a focus in Evangelism, Carla received a graduate certificate in Executive Leadership from “Iron Sharpening Iron”, a program of Princeton Theological Seminary, and graduated with honors from United Lutheran Seminary’s MDiv Program in 2020. Carla previously studied Psychology, Education, and Creative Writing at Columbia University in the City of New York (1996-2000) and served her communities as a case manager and community activist-educator through organizations such as the YWCA, Food+Water Watch, State of Maryland Prison System, and Put People First-PA.

Carla has been joyfully honored to receive affirmations of her advocacy and community service such as the key to York City (twice) for community education initiatives, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Life Esteem Ministries, the FAB Lifetime Achievement Award from the LGBTQ Center of Central Pennsylvania, the York County Community Impact Award from the Rainbow Rose LGBTQ+ Center, the Dorie Leader Community Advocate Award from the York YWCA, a certificate of achievement from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the York City Human Relations Commission, brin named a Community Advocate of the Year by the York Daily Record in 2022, and receiving the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award from United Lutheran Seminary in 2024.

In God's Image Registration is Open!

Join us on Saturday, October 10, for our 8th annual event!

Registration link is in the comments.

All In God's Image participants are getting this sticker in their packets! Have you registered yet?

Exciting news!

A 'Celebration of Ministry' is similar to what we might call an Installation, but for a Full Communion partner of the ELCA. Per ELCA guidelines, we do not install clergy from our partner denominations. So, we rejoice with our new colleagues and welcome them in a Celebration of Ministry. We hope you will join us for each of these services as we receive these new colleagues in the SEPA Synod.

Only a few days left to register! Registration closes on October 1. The full day includes morning prayer, workshops, and the Flamy Grant concert! (Concert only tickets are also available!) Don't miss this favorite annual event! https://community.ministrylink.org/2025ingodsimage?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcXQ1WEJiYXhyMExFMnZjTwEeykY_aa4WzIrEGXkboqTTbrLJDqNlPgZ6m-jLz8fiVUTH7zyIxtMcHqv1ouU_aem_ahhqf-UZwPSj_q-v6gWqzg