E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | September 6, 2022
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Celebrate “God’s work. Our hands." Sunday
On Sunday, Sept. 11, congregations will join together for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday. This annual day of service is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
To help you plan for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, we invite you to visit ELCA.org/DayofService for resources including:
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Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusiveness Education
Registration is open for Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusiveness Education this fall. The emphasis will be on Gender Justice. It is the expectation that all Region 9 rostered leaders will register for one session. These sessions are scheduled for October 4, 15, and 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Each session will be identical, so leaders only need to attend one.
Visit https://forms.gle/rkynqeFe12ARSG8y7 to RSVP for your chosen date. This is a meaningful opportunity for rostered leaders to grow as leaders and fulfill the requirements of the Region 9 Bishops' Agreement. Please make them a priority in your schedule.
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Let Your Voice Be Heard
The goal of Phase 2 of the Vision to Action process is to start focusing our visions (developed from the survey conducted in June) and become more specific. If we looked ahead in time, what would we see happening with the proceeds from the sale of St. James Lutheran Church? What would need to be developed for us, as a synod, to fulfill our call as the Lutheran witness in our community? How would we live out our faith and make the grace of Christ known? Click on this link and share what our future looks like as we move forward.
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Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage:
April 10 - 20, 2023
Join Bishop Pedro Suarez and Pr. Khader El-Yateem along with Bishop Yehiel Curry (Metropolitan Chicago Synod) on a journey to the Holy Land next spring. This joint pilgrimage includes 10 days of sightseeing and unforgettable experiences. Space is limited. Click here for registration and pricing. Download the brochure with travel itinerary and additional trip details here.
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Weekly Prayer Focus
Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Campus Ministry Consultation and Strategic Planning Event -
In-Person & Virtual
Join us for our Campus Ministry Consultation and Strategic Planning event on September 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Longwood, Florida (2140 W State Road 434). We will meet with the Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, program director for the LuMin Higher Education Network, to plan campus ministries for the Florida-Bahamas Synod. To register, contact Rev. Khader El-Yateem by phone at 813-440-1590 or email at KhaderE@fbsynod.org.
To join the event virtually, click here for Zoom details.
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Celebration of the Conclusion of Ministry
On Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 3 p.m., we will be celebrating the conclusion of the ministry at Misión Sagrado Corazón formerly known as Messiah Lutheran Church in Miami. For further information, please contact Rev. Khader El-Yateem at 813-440-1590.
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2022 Florida WELCA Fall Gathering
The Florida Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering is to be held at The Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center in Leesburg, November 11-13. This year's theme is Step by Step based on Proverbs 16:9 (NLT). The registration deadline is September 15, 2022. For more information, go to www.flwelca.com.
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Open Position: P/T Church Musician
Church Musician – Part-Time
Christ Lutheran Church Cape Coral, 2507 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral, FL 33904
To provide organ and/or piano music for weekend worship services including accompanying an adult choir and other church functions. Anyone interested should contact the Christ Lutheran Church office at 239-542-2709 or info@christlutherancapecoral.org.
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Open Position: Organist
Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Kissimmee is in search of an organist. Click here to view the job description including information on salary and benefits. Interested parties should contact Debbie Groff at 410-802-8251 (mobile, preferred) or 407-847-4204 (church) or via e-mail at Debbie.Groff@trinsch.org.
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Photos of the Week: St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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On July 31, 2022, St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville celebrated a significant achievement in their life of faith - the burning of their mortgage. Pictured above is Rev. Daniel Locke burning the mortgage alongside Vicar Kathy VanOsdol and Bishop Pedro Suárez. Almost 25 years ago, St. Mark’s cast a vision for ministry in the Jacksonville community, which included among many things, a capital upgrade, renovation, and addition to the physical facilities. These investments enhanced their capacity for mission and ministry and empowered a new generation of faith development. In fact, many in attendance on July 31, were also present when the original vision was cast, the plans were drawn, and the ground was broken. Click here to read more. (Photos courtesy of Rev. Daniel Locke). | |
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ELCA Vital Congregations Training – Fall 2022
Is your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then, you are invited to attend the 2022 Fall Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training.
This is a fast paced co-creative and co-experimental Training facilitated by leaders with steep experience in redeveloping congregations as well as added guest presenters from a variety of settings with a wealth of knowledge. These principles and more will be explored: focusing on Jesus and justice; being expectant of the Holy Spirit; living as disciples of Jesus; multiplying leaders who are young, diverse and bring fresh insights; and aligning with purpose and core values.
This will be a four-session training. The training sessions will be held two times per day from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (eastern time) and from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (eastern time) on October 6, October 20, November 3, and November 17. You may choose the best time each day that works for you. All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants. Pastors and congregations are encouraged to come as teams of 3–5 people for a time of inspiration, learning, planning, sharing, experimenting, visioning, and implementing. NOTE: This training is for people who did NOT attend the Vital Congregations Re-BOOT Camp in Spring 2022 or 2021.
Click here to register.
Click here to see a PowerPoint with more information about what will be taught in the sessions.
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