Reflections from FBSynod YAGM's
Continue to keep Stephen Bryant (Rwanda), Sean Bryant (Tanzania), and Courtney Noya (Mexico) in your prayers
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A Wedding and a Funeral
from a blog post by Stephen Bryant, YAGM in Rwanda
In both the wedding and the funeral accompaniment was being lived into. People came together from different backgrounds, to celebrate and build relationship. In both spaces people were supporting each other and caring for each other. Finally, in both spaces the focus was on being together in community and it made me truly realize that we’re more when we’re together than we are when we’re apart.
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What are You Bringing
from a blog post by Courtney Noya, YAGM in Mexico
I am bringing two beaded bracelets. One that’s blue and red that I got to pick out special because I needed one small enough for my wrist. Another that’s red and white that I think I got because I was intently watching it be made. I am bringing the dream of a man that cannot be reconciled with our current policies. I am bringing the sadness of another who has faced unbearable losses. I am bringing a purple hat, a butterfly-printed scarf, and some tiny mittens in case it gets cold tonight and the memory of telling a migrant that we had no more cold-weather items left to give away at the shelter where I work. I am bringing my US Passport that is filled with six stamps and an immeasurable amount of privilege. I do not have any drugs, alcohol, or fruit on me. I do not have a request for seeking asylum. I do not have a solution for this. I have two bracelets, a heavy heart, and my backpack.
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This is part of a multi-part series over the next few weeks about ways congregations can more intentionally support care for creation initiatives.
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Lutherans Restoring Creation
Our Mission
Lutherans Restoring Creation exists to inform, encourage, and uplift the discipleship practice of caring for the environment throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.This is accomplished by cultivating a network of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God’s promise of hope and healing for all.
Who We Are
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Nominate Youth for 2019 Bishops' School
from a notice from Bishop Suarez
For more than 25 years Region 9 of the ELCA has offered Bishops’ School, an opportunity for serious theological study, for outstanding high school students. The purpose of Bishops’ School is to provide an in-depth exposure to solid theological thinking and inquiry. This experience will bring together about 30 youth who will spend five days with faculty from ELCA colleges and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and one Region 9 Bishop.
The enclosed information sheet will give you more details on the upcoming school which will be held at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, June 25-29, 2019.
Please prayerfully consider the 10th, 11th and 12th grade youth in your congregation and nominate any whom you consider a solid candidate for the 2019 Bishop’s School.
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Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
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RSVP links for Lenten Visits are now on the
Lenten Visit page of the synod web site
. The events are free, but an RSVP is helpful for planning. A $5/person or $20/congregation donation will be accepted to help cover the cost of snacks/supplies. This year's conversation with the Bishop will focus on the importance of healthy leadership culture in congregations (all levels of leadership--volunteer, staff, rostered ministers). Healthy leadership is a whole congregation commitment, so Rostered ministers, synod parish deacons, and all who are involved and invested in the ministry of their congregation are invited to attend.
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Space Coast Conference Gathering Welcomes the Rundmans
Following a brief business meeting at the Space Coast Conference Gathering at Advent (Suntree Campus), Melbourne, on May 11, special guest Dr. Dawn Rundman will lead a workshop entitled "Welcoming Children in Worship." This material will be especially interesting for church/preschool partnerships, nursery and children's ministry staff and volunteers, and worship leaders seeking to engage families with young children. Jonathan Rundman will offer his music gifts during worship. See the flyer below for more information.
The Rundmans will be guests at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Cocoa Beach, on Sunday, May 12. All are welcome.
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International Women's Day is March 8
from the recent edition of
GlobalLinks
, the newsletter the ELCA Global Mission
Every year on March 8, people around the world commemorate International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. During this time, we encourage congregations to join together in lifting up our International Women Leaders initiative, which supports women leaders in our companion churches through educational opportunities.
Download your IWL congregational resources
and learn how you can support this initiative through prayer, advocacy, and financial gifts. Women empowered through education bring lasting change to their communities –
support the IWL initiative with a gift today
!
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March 9 -
Lenten Visit (Grace, Tallahassee)
March 16 -
Lenten Visit (St. James/Santiago Apostol, Coral Gables)
March 16 -
Bereavement Ministry Training, Part 1 (St. Agnes Church, Key Biscayne)
March 17 -
Art for Faith's Sake Concert Series, Prince of Peace, Largo: Florida Pro Musica (3:00 pm)
March 23 -
Bereavement Ministry Training, Part 2 (St. Agnes Church, Key Biscayne)
March 24 -
Art for Faith's Sake Concert Series, Prince of Peace, Largo: Bach-a-thon (12:00 pm)
March 24 -
Messiah Concert Series, Messiah, Ft. Myers: John Renfroe in Concert (3:00 pm)
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)
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Synod Assembly 2019: ALIVE!
June 6-8, 2019
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died...for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:20,22)
Christ has been raised from the dead. Through grace, we, too, are made alive in Christ. God's vision for the Kingdom is alive in the world. The Holy Spirit is alive in our communities and in our lives. As we come to know Christ, faith comes alive in us. As we live into our mission and vision, Synod Assembly will be an opportunity for us to celebrate various signs of the Spirit's Life in us and be invited to be part of God's dream of life for all.
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What is Contemporary Worship
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Worship is changing and will continue to change in response to the world around us. Is “contemporary worship” the best label to designate what’s happening with worship today? Independent churches that were the early adopters in the 1980s simply called what they did “worship,” while a number of worship consultants working today prefer terms like multisensory or multimedia worship.
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LINK - Winter, 2019
Get the latest information from Novus Way, including information about upcoming youth, adult and family retreats. Hear the progress of the Mission Possible campaign at Luther Springs, the development of Lutheranch, and information about summer camp at all locations.
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- Synod Office
- Grace, Tallahassee (Lenten Visit)
- Messiah, Panama City
- Emmanuel, Naples
- St. James/Santiago Apostol, Coral Gables (Lenten Visit)
- Our Savior, Tampa
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