E-Spirit
June 19, 2018

Bold - Passionate - Faithful
Features:
  • Summer Bible Study Series
  • Hope Rising in Juba, South Sudan
  • In the news: Margarita Romo, Dade City

  Events Coming up:
  • Hearts, Hands and Voices
  • ELCA Youth Gathering
  • 2020 Trips to See the Passion Play in Oberammergau

For Your Information:
  • Parish Paper: July and August
  • Job Opening--Advent, Orange Park
  • Synod Assembly Feedback Survey
Click the calendar above for more information about these events
June 18-21 - Interim Ministry Network event (St. Louis, MO)
June 25 - Ordination of Fred Bartelt (Hope, St. Petersburg, 6:00 pm)
June 27-July 1 - ELCA Youth Gathering (Houston)
July 30-Aug 1 - Transition Ministry Training (Luther Springs)
Aug. 11 - New Facilities Dedication, Luther Springs
Aug. 25 - Hearts, Hands and Voices workshop, Our Savior, Vero Beach
Sept. 9 - God's Work Our Hands Sunday
Sept. 27-30 - Practice Discipleship Retreat for Youth Workers (Luther Springs)
Features
Summer Bible Studies Series: Let Us Pray
Each year Gather (the magazine of the Women of the ELCA) makes its summer Bible study series available for free download , so that non-subscribers can get a taste of the thought-provoking studies we offer all year round.

Our summer Bible study, "Let us pray" by Anna Madsen, is now available for free download on our website. Learn more about this series and download the printable PDFs here! 
Hope Rising in Juba, South Sudan
from Director of ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, Andrew Steele
Dear friends in Christ,
 
In 2015, an idea was born. It was an idea that brought together people from across the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, and across the ELCA. It became more than just an idea as prayers were lifted, funds were raised, shovels broke ground and bricks were laid! 

The Reconciliation Lutheran Church Community Center and Primary Health Care Clinic opened its doors in November of 2017 as thousands gathered to worship and celebrate. Because of the support of people like you, global ministry projects like this vital center in Juba, South Sudan, are made possible through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship!

As a subscriber to Global Links, I want you to be one of the first to view our newest video,  "Hope Rising in Juba, South Sudan."

We join with the people of South Sudan in this time of joy and thanksgiving.

We give thanks to all who have supported this ministry to date and ask for your continued prayers and support.  Your gift today  will help continue God’s work of reconciliation embodied in this ministry of hope.

Together, we can continue to share the love of Christ in new and exciting ways!


In the News
Margarita Romo, Executive Director of Farmworkers Self-Help, Inc. and member of Resurrection House, Dade City, shared this article.
Deportations create 'constant state of fear' for Pasco's ...

DADE CITY - Hugo Velásquez-Gabriel was arrested March 8 in Dade City by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while on his way to work. The 21-year-old said he was picking up a work colleague, and agents were at the house to arrest...

Read more
www.tampabay.com
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (ELW p. 79)
Upcoming Events
Hearts, Hands and Voices--a workshop for church musicians
Hearts, Hand and Voices A local workshop for all church musicians!  
August, 25th 2018 – 9:30 to 3:30
Our Savior Lutheran, Vero Beach, FL

Cost for all day including lunch and refreshments $45.00 (students $20.00)
Sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

The day will focus on resources and leading congregational song in smaller parishes, especially on using people of all abilities and how to foster relationships and build small programs into larger programs.

The day will use “Ted Talk” style presentations by all presenters and include hands on work and exploration of resources. Topics will include psalmody, hymnody, refreshing the liturgy (with care!), working with the older voice, intergenerational choirs, using children in worship, instruments of all kinds in worship, clergy/musician relationships, concerts series, new resources outside of the Lutheran church…… and more! All participants will be invited to submit specific questions for the closing session and be invited to share one resource with the group.

Schedule
Registration and Coffee – 9:30 – 10:00
Program 10:00 – 3:00
Closing thoughts and song: 3:00 – 3:30
Optional Evening Worship Participation at 6:00 p.m.

Presenters Include 
Ryan Hostler, Jim Rindelaub, Barbara and Brian Larson and more! 

For more information and to register visit: https://alcm.org/event/vero-beach-fl/ 
ELCA Youth Gathering
We keep the youth and adults traveling to Houston in our prayers. Whether your congregation has youth attending the Gathering or not, here are some opportunities to pray with/for and support the Youth Gathering in your local ministry context.
The ELCA Youth Gathering will be live-streaming portions of the event, including evening large-group gatherings. Follow along with what's going on in Houston by keeping an eye on this link:


Join the participants in praying this prayer from the 'Getting Ready' materials.
 
Gracious God, we thank you for calling these young people and the adult leaders who will accompany them to the ELCA Youth Gathering. As you have shown your love by sending your Son to live among us, we pray that your Spirit help those we send also be an expression of your presence in the world. We know and we thank you that Jesus changes everything. Amen. 

>>>You may also download the Litany of Sending to use with your congregation (or use for your own prayer time while the youth are in Houston)<<< 
2020 Trips to See the Oberammergau Passion Play
The once in a decade Oberammergau Passion Play is scheduled for 2020. There may be several groups organizing trips to Europe for this event. Below are two being organized within the synod. Information about these events will be kept on the Continuing Ed Events page of the Synod Web site.
Alpine Wonders 2020: Pr. Karen Leedahl (Christ the King, Sebastian) is leading a tour that includes tickets to the play and much more, July 6-14, 2020 . Are you or anyone you know interested in learning more? Contact Pr. Karen (kleedahl@gmail.com). You may also leave a message at Christ the King in Sebastian: 772-589-7117.
Italy and the Passion Play : George Algozzina (Program Director for ALOA-Florida), is leading a trip that includes the Passion Play and an 11-day tour of Rome, Florence, and Venice, September 22-Oct. 2, 2020 .
Call: 1-800-930-2562 or email: aloa4u@gmail.com.
Register Online: www.registernow.ittworld.com   
Tour Code: Algozzina20
For Your Information
Parish Paper: July and August
July: Inviting, Informing and Including Newcomers
Three complementary efforts serve the congregation’s ministry goals: inviting, informing, and including new people. Just like a three-pillared tower, without one support, the overall purpose becomes unstable.To invite is to increase the church’s visibility and relevance, to inform is to offer opportunities for connection, and to include means spiritual experiences that promote Christian maturity and growth. Which effort needs more intention and planning in your congregation?

August: How to Raise Money for Your Community Projects
A congregation’s community project often starts with someone’s idea or dream, followed by a plan designed by a core team, and then, a group of volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Yet how can this worthy work be sustained over time? Whether the project involves food, clothing, or housing assistance; counseling and job training; or organizing residents around an issue of local importance like the need for a community garden or more stop signs, at some point the program might require funding in order to continue.

Job Opening, Advent, Orange Park
Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, recently posted a full-time position opening for a Director of Community Engagement. Read the full job description HERE .
Assembly Survey--still open!!!
The Assembly Planning Team takes feedback from participants very seriously. Your feedback encouraged us to adjust the schedule of workshops and to create more time for fellowship and networking. Your feedback has helped us seek out locations that meet the needs of all who are attending. So once again, we hope you will give us your feedback about this year’s assembly. This year’s assembly survey is provided through Guidebook, so please follow this link to access it.  

Any additional feedback you want to give us can be sent to Michele Hilton at micheleh@fbsynod.org. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to provide an assembly that is enriching and life-giving for all! 

>>>presentations, speeches, and other resources from Assembly will be available on THIS PAGE <<<
Office of the Bishop
Bishop's Schedule
June 19-July 3, 2018

  • Tampa Office
  • St. Matthias, Clearwater
  • Hope, The Villages
  • Hope, St. Petersburg
  • Houston (ELCA Youth Gathering)
Florida-Bahamas Synod 813-876-7660 
info@fbsynod.org