August 3, 2021

E-Spirit Weekly

Newsletter

News, Stories, and More

from the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA

Global Missions Makes a Difference - Summer 2021

The Summer 2021 Global Mission Newsletter is here! Read about our companion relationships with Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname and the United Theological College of the West Indies and learn how our work makes a difference in our lives and the lives of our partners. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we do meaningful ministry throughout the Caribbean Basin.

Click here to read the newsletter.

Involvement in Global Mission expands the horizons of your congregation as you learn firsthand what God is up to in other parts of the world. Email Pastor Katie Carroll (revkhc@gmail.com), Chair of the Global Mission Table, if you would like to learn more, and look for her at the Synod Assembly. 

Upcoming Installations

August 8 – The Rev. Jonathan Gantt as Pastor of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Pembroke Pines. The Rev. Khader El-Yateem will officiate. 

August 29 – The Rev. Nate Bendorf as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Ormond Beach. The Rev. Rob Carlson will officiate.

September 11 – The Rev. Harry Schenkel as Pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Longwood. Bishop Pedro Suarez will preside.



September 25 – The Rev. Kari Niedermaier as Pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange. The Rev. Rob Carlson will officiate. 

Calling those with College Students!

Do you know students in college here in the Florida-Bahamas Synod? Do you wish you could stay engaged in their faith formation throughout these incredibly important years?

Send their names and contact information to Pastor Sarah with Jacksonville Campus Ministry and she will get in touch, sending them care packages and regular check-ins.

Fill out this form to connect them with a community of young adults throughout the synod. 

Mark your Calendars for Rock the Universe!

Rock the Universe is returning to Universal Orlando Resort January 28 and 29, 2022. Don’t miss Florida’s biggest Christian music festival next year.

Get the latest on Rock the Universe at www.RockTheUniverse.com.

To receive the latest updates on Rock the Universe and Universal Orlando Youth Programs sign up for our eNewsletter by clicking here.

Just Love's Book Club

The synod's Just Love Team invites you to join an end of summer six-week book discussion on BLACK FATIGUE: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters. Winters has a distinguished history of helping organizations of all kinds address diversity, equity, and inclusion. Black fatigue is about how history, policy, practices, and unaddressed disparities generate cycles of weariness and stress that take a heavy toll on people. Our book discussion will deepen our understanding of the suffering racism causes and our call in the Gospel to experience wholeness.

The online sessions will run from August 4 through September 8 on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm – 8:30 pm EDT via Zoom. A special Facebook group will also be created on the synod page for ongoing discussion. The Zoom format will include a brief presentation on the weekly reading, breakout groups in chat rooms, and a plenary sharing session.

Registration is required by August 3.

You can find the book on Amazon and through other booksellers.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Trinity Lutheran Church's Pride Day 2021

Trinity Lutheran Church is inviting members of the LGBTQIA+ community to join them for Pride Day 2021. Intern Pastor, Anne Harman will lead a day of prayer and reflection for the LGBTQIA+ community. The theme of the day is "Spiritual Gifts." The day will be spent exploring spiritual gifts and how God might be inviting you to bring your unique gifts to the faith communities and the world in ways you've never imagined.

When: Saturday, August 14, 2021, 10am to 5pm

Where:Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Cost: Suggested $20 donation per person to cover refreshments and lunch during the day.

Take a Trip to the Holy Land!

Join Pastor El-Yateem the Director for Evangelical Mission in the Florida-Bahamas Synod on a trip of a life time to visit the Holy Land. EL-Yateem a native of the land will host this trip to help you discover the beauty and depth of the land. Visit all the holy places and meet the living stones the Christians of the land. Worship at local congregations and enjoy the incredible hospitality the host got to offer.

Pastors: if six people from your church register you get to join the trip for free.

Be part of the adventure!

Contact Pastor El-Yateem at (813)440-1590 or khadere@fbsynod.org.

Planned Gifts and Your Annual Fund by the ELCA

A Zoom webinar presented by the ELCA Foundation.

When: Thursday, August 12, 2021 - 12pm Central Time.

Have you avoided promoting legacy gifts out of a fear that it may reduce current support for your congregation or organization? This webinar will explore donor data and stories that demonstrate how legacy giving has been shown to increase annual giving to an organization. Join us to learn more about why you should promote your annual fund alongside legacy giving and how you can invite your annual donors to consider a legacy gift for your congregation or organization.

The ELCA Foundation is here to help you create your legacy and ensure the continuation of God’s work in the world — for years and years to come. We can partner with you, your congregation, your synod or another ELCA-related organization as you explore the variety of possibilities for giving with generosity and planning. We provide expertise — as well as resources, financial education and investment and endowment management services — to help you joyfully answer the call to love and serve our neighbor.

Click here to register.