The Capital Campaign to build the pavilion kicked off in February and thanks to the great response by the congregation, the Memorial Pavilion is now complete and ready for use. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this project.

On September 15, 2024 a dedication ceremony was held to give thanks and recognize the significant efforts to bring the vision of this pavilion to fruition.

On September 29, 2024 we had a picnic and celebration after the second service. Although the weather could have been nicer (but then that's one reason why we built the Pavilion!), nothing could dampen the festive spirit! 

The seed money for the pavilion was provided from the memorial gifts given in the memory of Leroy & Doris Oelschlager, Elaine Bergey, Linda Johnson, George Keck, Rachelle Shollenberger, and Jim Miller. We honor and are thankful for their many contributions to the ministry life of our congregation.

The pavilion is a multi-purpose facility, designed to accommodate a variety of activities, events, and gatherings, and will serve as a versatile and welcoming space for our Advent congregation and the broader community. 

As part  of celebrating the 11th anniversary of the annual ECLA Day of Service (also known as "God's Work, Our Hands Day") on September 8, 2024 following our last worship service under the Summer schedule, Advent hosted three separate service projects in Fellowship Hall:

• 100 School Kits for Lutheran World Relief – packing the school supplies donated by members in August into drawstring backpacks.
• 1,000+ Bag Challenge for E-Meal Ministry – assembling the base bags needed for meals distributed at Emmanuel Lutheran in Souderton.
• 60 Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches for the Bread Drop/E-Meal Ministry – making PB&J sandwiches for those in our community facing food insecurity.

More than 50 volunteers (ranging from toddlers to senior citizens) worked together to complete all three projects in just about an hour!  

On Sunday, August 25, the Rev. Dr. Matt Lenahan shared his experience as an ELCA pastor, theologian, and Wittel Farm director with Salford Mennonite & Advent Lutheran church members, garden volunteers, and other interested individuals, speaking about “Ecotheology,” the subject of his recent doctoral thesis.  

For information about Pastor Lenahan, please click HERE.

Pastor Lenahan spoke about gardening as a response to God’s call to be good stewards of creation, and to provide food for the hungry in our communities. He cited several texts from the Bible as well as recent agricultural science developments – in his words, “ecotheology” – to inform and encourage the work his group does at Wittel Farm (Akron, Lancaster County, PA), and what we do in the Salford / Advent Garden.

Please contact Jean Godsall-Myers with any questions at wittjgm@gmail.com. Pastor Lenahan's presentation was recorded and will be made available from both the Advent and Salford church websites at a later date. 

A Thrivent Action Team was used to support this project. 

Summer camping season at BCC has come to an end.  Fall events are happening now; click HERE for more info, including registration for all events.

Youth summer camp at Bear Creek is an AMAZING God-centered, fun-filled, outdoor time for personal growth and play on a 3,000-acre property just 80 minutes away in the Pocono Mountains. Sessions are weeklong (Sunday afternoon through Friday) and is for children who have completed grades 1-12. Half-week sessions (Try Camp) are available for first-time campers who have completed grades 1-2. Contact Karen Evans for more information. 

Click HERE to see a neat video (2 min, 20 sec), including at least one (and we're not sure because they go by fast, but possibly two more) of Advent's youth!

Several of Advent Youth and one adult (Pastor Mark, the on-site chaplain for Week 7) attended Bear Creek Camp this summer.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7, 2024, Advent Lutheran hosted the annual Box City Event of the Upper Montgomery Conference of the ELCA SEPA Synod to raise awareness of the unhoused and homeless in our area. More than a dozen Advent youth were among the 37 who participated in several service projects, slept outside in the cardboard Box City in Advent's parking lot, then joined Advent for the 8:30 am worship service. The event was supported by 28 adult leaders and volunteers. $2,947 was raised for Pottstown Beacon of Hope, 144 sandwiches were made for the Bread Drop Food Program, and 127 snack bags were assembled for The Welcome Church!

THANK YOU to our amazing Advent members!! 180 holiday gifts were delivered to the students at Martin Luther School in December. The staff employees at Gemma Services are very grateful for the gifts donated by Advent. THANK YOU for sharing your blessings, and bringing joy and hope to children facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Your generosity is much appreciated!! ~ Advent Social Ministry