Angel Attic and Community Cupboard uses Volunteers to Impact the Community in Apollo Beach
This story comes from Calvary, Apollo Beach
Calvary's Angel Attic, a thrift store, opened in January 2005 on the southeast corner of the congregation's new property. It is operated and staffed entirely by volunteers, taking between 75-100 volunteer hours each week to operate. Household items, furniture and clothing are donated not only by members, but also by others in the community. All of the items collected are sold at very low prices. The proceeds from the Angel Attic help to support the Community Cupboard food pantry as well as many other outreach projects. They also recycle clothing and various metal containers, which are distributed to third world countries.
"We are so blessed to have so many volunteers that run these 2 ministries at Calvary. Angel Attic and Community Cupboard could not happen without our volunteers' support."
-from Calvary's Facebook page
Check out the video below to see what it takes to make it all happen week after week.
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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 Commentaries
Preachers: Are you looking for resources and commentaries about care-for-creation during this season? Lutherans Restoring Creation has created a wonderful database of commentaries for the entire lectionary cycle.
Check them out here
. You can also find
sermons here
!
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ELCA Global Missionary Returning Home
Gayle Nelson, a Florida-Bahamas Synod member, recently sent her last newsletter from Kumamoto City, Japan, where she has been serving a 3-yr term as an ELCA Global Missionary. Gayle has been attending Kuwamizu Japanese Lutheran Church, where she has been conducting Bible studies and assisting with worship services--both there and at the International Services in the evening. During the week, Gayle was teaching "presentation English"--how to write in English and how to present in English--to students at Luther High School.
Naturally, Gayle is finding it hard to leave her new-found friends and family. However, she is eager to return home this month and meet her granddaughter, Savannah Isabelle, who was born last fall.
Please keep Gayle and all ELCA Global Mission Personnel in your prayers.
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself. We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen (ELW p. 75 - a prayer for Global mission)
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Drawn to the Word Artist at Apostles, Brandon
Experience a Drawn to the Word worship and artistic experience where Artist and Pastor Paul Oman will paint a larger-than-life sized mural of the events of Jesus’ life from Palm Sunday through Easter before your eyes at Apostles Lutheran Church (200 Kingsway Road, Brandon) on Friday, April 19th at 7:00pm. This story will unfold artistically, musically, narratively and Scripturally during the event. All are welcome to this free event. Come and experience this inspiring worship on Good Friday!
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Here is an example of Paul Oman's "Drawn to the Word", based on an Ash Wednesday text.
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Bishop's School Deadline Extended
The deadline for nominating a young person for the 2019 Bishop's School
has been extended to April 30. There's still time to nominate a young person (10th, 11th, 12th grade) for this week of learning and development.
Information and instructions on how to nominate a student for Bishop's School are available on the
synod web site. If you have questions, please contact Sue Mendenhall (suem@fbsynod.org).
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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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Good discussion and gathering of colleagues and partners in ministry at the Lenten visit at St. James/Santiago Apostol, Coral Gables
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Respite in the Wilderness Retreat
April 30 – May 2, 2019 (Tuesday-Thursday)
Let Luther Springs and NovusWay say thank you to rostered ministers and church professionals! Join us for a deliberate time away for rest, relaxation and renewal as we close out the busy season of Lent and celebrate the beginning of Easter. Jim LaDoux from Vibrant Faith Ministries will be with us to discuss Leading Well. Participants will also enjoy camp life: rock on the back porch, sit on the dock, canoe on the lake, walk the trails, enjoy s’mores around the campfire and explore beautiful Luther Springs. Spouses are welcome!
NovusWay Ministries would like to say thank you to all rostered ministers for all that you do. Guests are only charged for the cost of food. $100
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Boundaries Training Workshop - May 16
The next FBSynod Boundaries Training workshop will be held on May 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines, from 9:00-noon. Led by Barbara Keller and Pr. Ken Blyth, the Boundaries Training is an important workshop for rostered ministers, congregational staff, volunteer leaders, and visitation ministers. This workshop will cover a variety of healthy boundaries, including physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual. RSVP link will be available in April. Bishop Suarez would like rostered ministers to attend a boundaries workshop at least once every 3 years. The next workshop this year will be offered in connection with the Fall Conference on Ministry.
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March 29 -
Gabriel Morgan Ordination, St. Paul, Tampa (7:00)*
March 30 -
Lenten Visit, St. Armands Key, Sarasota
April 5-7 -
God's Spa for Women (Luther Springs)
April 13 -
Lenten Visit, St. Timothy, Tarpon Springs
April 14 -
Messiah Concert Series, The Passion of Christ
April 19 -
SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED (Good Friday)
April 19 -
Drawn to the Word Good Friday Service, Apostle's, Brandon (7 pm)
April 30-May 2 -
Respite in the Wilderness Retreat (Luther Springs)
May 1 -
online registration for Synod Assembly closed
May 8-9 -
ELCA CoachLaunch, St. Philip, Mt. Dora
May 11 -
Space Coast Conference Spring Gathering (Dawn and Jonathan Rundman, guests), Advent-Suntree, 10:00-noon
May 11 -
Tampa Conference Spring Gathering, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 10:00-1:00
May 11-
Suncoast Conference Gathering, location TBD, 9:00-noon
May 16 -
Boundaries Training Workshop (Trinity, Pembroke Pines)
May 17-18 -
diakonia Retreat and Graduation (Advent-Suntree Campus, Melbourne)
May 22 -
POAMN/ALOA 2019 Conference
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)
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Southern Seminary Alumni Day and Yost Lecture
The Reverend Dr. David J. Lose will be the Yost Lecturer at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary on Thursday, April 4, at 2 p.m. in Stavros Hall. Dr. Lose’s presentation is the highlight of the seminary’s annual Alumni Day. Clergy and congregational members are invited to attend, free of charge. Registration for the lecture is recommended, as space is limited. Please contact Shelby.Mills@lr.edu or 803-461-3250 to reserve your seat or for more information about the event.
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Congregational Communications Tools from the ELCA Resources
The ELCA Resources web site has several options for congregations to use when communicating about Holy Week and Easter services. Resources include pre-designed post-cards, door hangers, social media graphics, and print announcements. Check out the
web site
for resources that can be individualized for your congregation.
Other tips for inviting the community to participate in your Holy Week/Easter services:
- Make sure your Holy Week and Easter service information is on the home page of your web site. Most people will visit your web site before they visit your building.
- Update your web site with recent pictures on the home page.
- Post service information on your congregation's social media platforms more than one time.
- Contact local radio stations and newspapers that publish community calendars, and make sure your congregation's worship services are posted on those sites.
- Send your worship service times to community Facebook pages (neighborhood associations, parenting groups, etc)
- Share worship service times with organizations that use your building.
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Job Opportunity-Peace, Ft. Myers
Peace, Ft. Myers, is seeking a part-time Publication Administrative Assistant. This positions’ primary responsibilities are to produce the printed weekly, monthly and seasonal publications for Peace along with slides for Sunday services. Requirements include extensive knowledge of Publisher and Microsoft software, excellent organization, ability to multi-task, prioritize, work within timelines, and attention to detail. Experience with Media Shout and/or Church Windows is plus. A minimum of 2 years in a church environment is preferred; or 5 years plus in office administration. Please contact Mary Osen, Parish Administrator, for a full job description and to submit a resume at
personnel@peaceftmyers.com. Thank you.
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- Synod Office
- St. Paul, Tampa (ordination of Gabriel Morgan)
- St. Armand's Key, Sarasota (Lenten Visit)
- Redeemer, Sun City Center
- Chicago (Church Council)
- St. Timothy, Tarpon Springs (Lenten Visit)
- Christ, Englewood
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