As the chief minister of Word and Sacrament in the Synod, the bishop calls the Synod to action in God's mission to bless the world.
In May, 2006, the Synod Assembly elected the Rev. Claire S. Burkat to serve as bishop.
The bishop is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament who is called to oversee ministry in the Synod and its congregations, providing pastoral care and leadership for congregations and rostered leaders (ordained clergy and members of the rosters of lay professional leaders).
In addition to preaching, teaching, interpreting the theology of the Church and calling the Synod to mission, the bishop is responsible for coordinating the use of the Synod's staff and resources, cultivating communion in mission with ecumenical and interfaith partners, and relating to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the worldwide Lutheran communion.
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Bishop Burkat with leaders of one of our companion Synods, the North East Diocese of Tanzania. |
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Bishop Burkat is a co-convenor of the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia. Here at an RLC event she stands with Rabbi David Straus, Justin Cardinal Rigali, and Imam Anwar Muhaimin. |
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Bishops from many traditions and nations stood with Bishop Burkat when she was installed in a festival service in October, 2006. |
The Office of the Bishop
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat
Bishop
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat assumed office as the fourth bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (SEPA) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on July 1, 2006. She serves as spiritual leader for about 95,000 members and nearly 170 ELCA congregations in the City of Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
During her tenure Bishop Burkat has streamlined the Synod staff and realigned staff roles with the key missional priorities of the Synod: connecting and resourcing congregations, evangelical outreach in the five county region, and empowering lay and clergy leaders. She has led the Synod through an extensive strategic planning process focusing on new priorities for Lutheran witness in the 21st century.
Read the bishop's full biography.
Contact: 267.323.3747 | | Facebook fan page
Upcoming Related Events
- Chrism Service 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Bishop's Convocation 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010, 9:00 AM - Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 1:00 PM
Related News
Forever Connected in Christ
"The most powerful learning is my new understanding and appreciation for the oneness of God’s people in Christ," Bishop Burkat writes about her participation in the recent ELCA Ecumenical Journey to the seats of Anglican, Orthodox and Catholic communions. "Yes, there were differences in culture, in worship, in theology, and in current pressing issues as we traveled to four major Christian centers, and met with prominent Christian leaders in London, Istanbul, Rome and Geneva. However, the hospitality, love and respect for us, and us for them, and our common faith in Jesus Christ transcended the difficulties, which sometimes threaten to divide us and undermine the common Christian witness to the world."
Join Bishop Burkat for annual Chrism service
On Tuesday of Holy Week, it is our tradition to gather for a service of Word and Sacrament, for blessing of oil, and renewal of ministry vows. The Chrism Service is a time for pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers to revisit and renew promises made at ordination/commissioning/consecration, and blessings for congregational deacons to honor their local ministries. It’s also a time to worship our Lord and be strengthened and renewed as we prepare to lead the faithful to the Cross and Resurrection. This year we will gather at St. Paul’s, Olney, on March 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
How connected is your church?
The Council Presidents and Vice Presidents Gathering with Bishop Claire Burkat Saturday, Feb. 27 will focus on communications. What trends can shape communication with our members and neighbors? How can we collaborate to spread the Gospel and make our congregations more visible through communication? These and other questions will be addressed by Bob Fisher, assistant to the bishop for mission interpretation/communications. Please RSVP as soon as possible so that we may make appropriate arrangements.
Bishop's journal from ecumenical journey
Bishop Burkat is part of a delegation of ELCA officials led by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson on the 2010 Ecumenical Journey to visit Christian leaders in London, Istanbul, Rome and Geneva, including the heads of the Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic communions. "I thank God, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, and the people of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod for allowing me this most remarkable opportunity to visit the major faith centers and major Christian leaders of the global and ancient Church," the bishop writes in her first message from the trip. "More than any other time in history the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church is connected and accessible. By air, by sea, by land, by internet, by cell, and, yes, by clear, mutual conversation, consolation and communion, we have opportunities as never before to work pray for the peace of the whole of God’s world, the well being of the people of God, and the unity of all."
Discover the Secret with these videos, Bible studies
“People do have a lot on their minds these days, and they don’t mind sharing,” reporter John Rawlins observed introducing the person-on-the-street interview video used at last fall’s “Discover the Secret” conference gatherings. The video, the Bible study used at the meetings as well as a set of four additional Philippians studies are now available on the synod website.
Synod News
Watch new malaria video
A new 2-minute video features a school for orphans in Mozambique where a clinic is being built in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Mozambique and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI). The clinic will test for malaria, provide life-saving drugs and stop the deadly disease.
ELCA seeks input on genetics statement
The ELCA is seeking input on a draft social statement on Genetics that will be presented to the 2011 Churchwide Assembly. Congregations and members are encouraged to review and discuss the draft statement, which addresses faithful responses to issues including human cloning, genetic testing and screening, genetically modified food, and other subjects.