E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | June 27, 2023 | |
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Transition Ministry Training Online Webinar
July 24-28, 2023
There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future, it is a time of transition from something that was to something that is yet to be. The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the "yet to be" is fully in the hands of God, and God's people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.
Training is scheduled for July 24-28, 2023, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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V2A Learning Session - Thursday Evening, June 29 @ 7 p.m.
Vision to Action (V2A), the granting entity of The Florida-Bahamas Synod, launched its 2023 season during the Synod Assembly. A total of up to $600,000 is available to grant this year to eligible congregations and ministry partners. Maybe you heard the assembly presentation yet still have some questions; others may not have been in attendance and want to learn about V2A. A second virtual learning session is being held this Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. It is a time to review the grant process, learn about the V2A website www.v2agrants.org, and ask general questions.
Click here to register. All are welcome!
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Members Wanted for New Task Force
The 2023 Synod Assembly adopted a resolution to put into place a task force that addresses gun violence. If you are interested in serving on this task force, please send a short email to Ileanas@fbsynod.org stating your name, your home congregation, and a short description of how you feel your gifts would contribute to this endeavor.
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Installations & Ordinations
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Eric Locke will be ordained and installed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pensacola on July 29 at 10 a.m.
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Alisha Ungs will be ordained and installed at Advent Lutheran Church in Melbourne on August 6 at 3 p.m.
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Kerri True will be ordained and installed as associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bradenton on August 12 at 11 a.m.
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Your Participation Requested
At the 2023 Synod Assembly, voting members were encouraged to meet the Synod Council - have conversation, share thoughts AND take a quick survey about what synod assemblies might look like in the future.
It was fun and lots of good feedback was received. Now, it's your turn. Click on the link here and tell us your preferences.
Thanks for your input! We'll share results as soon as we can!
Your Synod Council
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Weekly Prayer Focus
Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Notice of Venue Change
Hopefully, you have marked your calendars for Saturday, September 23, 2023 to attend all or part of the day long events around the 15th Graduation of the School of Lay Ministry’s diakonia program.
It’s fun, informative, great for networking, an opportunity for conversation with the Bishop, great food and an amazing graduation worship experience.
BUT THE VENUE HAS CHANGED!
Please join us at Hope Lutheran, the Villages – main campus. This is ‘church’ at its best!
Click here for:
Invitation
Save the Date
Retreat Schedule
Want more information about the School of Lay Ministry? Go to www.diakoniafl.org.
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Global Mission Table News: Joining with Partners in Haiti
Haiti continues to be embroiled in political and socio economic crises. There are daily reports of kidnapping and lawlessness; profound food insecurity and lack of access to clean water; high inflation and persistent fuel shortages. Even amid this devastating situation, the face of Christ is being revealed.
Along with continuing our support for, and regular communication with our companion Eglise Lutherienne d'Haiti (ELH), the Florida-Bahamas Global Mission Table is partnering with Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to address immediate needs and longer term development. $25,000 was sent to Lutheran Disaster Response, which works with LWF and local agencies in Haiti to provide emergency food assistance. Further, through ELCA World Hunger we provided another $25,000 to support its "Climate Smart Economic Empowerment and Food Security" project. This multi-pronged initiative supports revenue diversification in promising sectors (eg. eggs, honey); provides guidance for climate-smart agricultural practices; promotes financial education and seeks to engage youth in income generating activities. With the extensive, long term partnerships LWF has established throughout Haiti, our assistance is able to reach communities even as unrest persists. The photos below published by LWF depict children receiving clean water, and families in a credit group that are becoming sheep breeders.
Your donations to Global Mission help make these critically important projects a reality. Thank you for your generosity and your continued prayers. Should you wish to learn more about Global Mission, contact Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Table Chair, at revkhc@gmail.com.
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In Search of Just Love Team Members | |
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We are looking for Just Love Team Members. If you are are interested or know someone else who is, please share this job description and then email us so we know you are interested at justloveflorida@gmail.com.
Just Love Team Member Responsibilities & Invitation
Team Responsibilities
- Participate in Just Love Monthly Gatherings (first Thursday of the month at 6 pm on Zoom)
- Help plan and lead events & projects (examples include Conference on Ministry workshop, facilitate an ambassador training, Synod assembly, develop devotions or liturgy, help plan/host a special event, develop or curate liturgies for feasts outside of the Anglo tradition (Juneteenth, posadas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc.)
Personal Responsibilities
- Continue to grow in your own Just Love practices
- Attend at least two Just Love Ambassador workshops or one retreat annually
- At least twice a year read, listen, and/or participate with materials on the Just Love website or a similar resource
Additionally, we dream of one day having several Just Love Ambassadors in every corner of the synod who lead conversations and learning opportunities, work with pastors and leadership teams, and help develop Just Love resources and facilitate Just Love events. If you are interested in serving in that capacity, sign up here.
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Understanding and Supporting Gender-Expansive Christians
In the latest episode of Portico’s Being Here Podcast – Gender Identity and the Church – host Pastor Melissa Pohlman and guest Austen Hartke discuss ways we can seek to honor the image of God found in all of us and help our church embody a spirit of welcome and acceptance. Hartke brings his perspective as a Biblical scholar and founder of the Transmission Ministry Collective to offer practical resources and theological framework for starting these important conversations.
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Photos of the Week: Just Love Ministry | |
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The Just Love Ministry of the Florida-Bahamas Synod recently held a Juneteenth observance and celebration at Salem, Orlando. It was an ecumenical service that included a visit from the Buffalo Soldiers (pictured above). To catch a replay of the service, click here.
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
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Prince of Peace, Largo Seeks P/T Parish Secretary/Receptionist
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo, FL is seeking an experienced part-time Parish Secretary/Receptionist (30 hours) to provide telephone/clerical support to pastors, staff and the congregation through receipt and routing of telephone calls and e-mail; keeping master calendar of events; ordering supplies; preparing materials for weekly worship; filing/photocopying; sorting and distributing mail; organizing and directing volunteers who assist with clerical tasks. Candidate will be competent in Microsoft Office, Internet and E-Mail and experienced in the use of church management software (e.g. Church Windows).
Church-based experience preferred, but not necessary. Candidate must work well with co-workers and members of the congregation and possess a gracious and welcoming spirit. Sensitivity toward the confidential nature of the work is required. A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a secretary preferred. Excellent organizational skills along with exceptional written and verbal communication skills required. Salary for this part-time position is commensurate with experience.
Letter of interest and resume may be sent to: employment@poplargo.org with Parish Secretary/Receptionist in the subject line or mailed to:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Avenue
Largo, FL 33770
Attn: Parish Secretary/Receptionist
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Worship Resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
Worship and other resources for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (Sept. 10) are now available. Newly crafted liturgical texts and considerations for preaching help make connections between the lectionary texts and the theme “God’s work. Our hands.” Read more.
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July 24-28: Transition/Interim Ministry Training
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September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, Hope Lutheran Church, the Villages - Retreat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Graduation & Worship 5 p.m.
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October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.
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November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
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