E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | November 14, 2023 | |
Join An Advent Journey with Mary | |
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The Just Love team is preparing “An Advent Journey with Mary,” four resources that congregations can use for worship or Bible study during the season of Advent. Each week’s resources will focus on the experiences of Latin Americans in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and will include recorded conversations, scripture readings, music suggestions from Lutheran hymnals and other resources, a few paragraphs of instructional material, and discussion questions.
Congregations and individuals can decide for themselves how to use the resources for each week—whether in a worship service, a Bible study, or some combination of the two. Some people may wish to join together online to engage with the resources.
Week One: Mother of Jesus; Mother of God
We look at how the few biblical references to Mary have developed into a variety of beliefs and expressions of belief in the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches. We will be introduced to Margarita Romo, another ordinary woman called by God to do extraordinary things.
Week Two: Visions and Wonders
We look at biblical stories of visions and divine intervention as we consider the belief that the Virgin Mary has made miraculous appearances in various places and reflect on our own experiences of sacred places and miracles. Margarita Romo will describe how this impacts her work.
Week Three: Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Call to Work for Justice
We look at the Bible’s call for justice as we learn about a Mexican peasant’s experiences and how they have become important to the people of Latin America and to advocates for justice throughout the world. Margarita Romo will share her work to secure justice for farmworkers.
Week Four: Las Posadas and Our Call to Hospitality
We look at the Bible’s commands to offer hospitality as we learn about traditional Latin American practices in the days leading up to Christmas. Margarita will share her work to secure justice for immigrants.
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Weekly Prayer Focus | | O God of justice and love, you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, and awaken us to the needs of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Let's Help Pave the Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering!
Our vibrant youth and young adults are already gearing up for an electrifying summer of events, and we're expecting an impressive turnout of 500-600 enthusiastic individuals from the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Brace yourselves, because "Created To Be" is set to deliver an absolutely thrilling experience!
But here's the thing -- we want to ensure that everyone who desires to attend can make it a reality. That's where you, your congregation, and your conference come in. Together, we can provide financial support to those who might otherwise miss out, just as countless generous hearts have done in previous years. Even if your own congregation doesn't have young attendees, you can still be a sponsor for someone from another congregation.
The cost for each person to partake in this life-changing adventure is estimated at $1,000-$1,200. Your contribution can make all the difference, and it's as simple as visiting the synod's website. In past years, your incredible generosity has surpassed $10,000 for this noble cause, and for that, we are grateful.
Don't wait, be a part of this incredible journey by following this direct link for your contribution.
And if you happen to know someone in need of financial assistance, here's a link to the application that can be their ticket to an unforgettable summer. Let's come together and make "Created To Be" an unforgettable experience for all!
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12 Day Pilgrimage to Greece & Greek Islands
Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and Bishop Yehiel Curry in a 12-day joint synod pilgrimage to Greece and the Greek Islands, June 18-29, 2024. Explore New Testament lands and walk in the footsteps of Paul.
Pilgrimage highlights include:
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Athens city tour (the world-famous Acropolis, Pan-Athenian Stadium & more!)
- 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey
- The ruins of Ephesus where Paul spent three years during his ministry
- the island of Patmos
- Santorini, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth
- And much more!
Click here for more details and to register.
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| Photo of the Week: PRIDE March, Orlando | | |
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Over 200,000 people gathered for a very spirited PRIDE march in Orlando. Five churches joined together to have a significant presence at the marketplace. Those churches -- St. John Lutheran, Salem Lutheran, The Hearth, St. Stephens Lutheran and St. St. Richards Episcopal -- united under one banner to bring a message of love and inclusivity to the event. Many spirited conversations were held with people passing by while providing free water. Easily over 80% of those that stopped and had a conversation were under 30 years old. (Submitted by Steve Beumer).
To share a photo of your ministry in action, email comms@fbsynod.org.
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Palms Deaf Church Partnership Opportunities
Are you looking for ways to partner with Palms Deaf Church to reach the Deaf community? Look no further as we invite you to check out our partnership page on our website: https://palmsdeaf.org/partner/. You’ll find three levels where you can contribute, connect, or lead on the page. Palms Deaf Church looks forward to seeing where the Holy Spirit guides you and us next.
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Memorial Lutheran Church of the Martyrs, St. Augustine, Celebrates Milestone Staff Anniversaries | |
Earlier this fall, Memorial Lutheran celebrated our Chapel School Director, Linda Chambers, for her thirty years of service to the church as Director. A few weeks later, another milestone anniversary was observed when our Minister of Music, Barbara Mattingly, celebrated twenty-five years of service to Memorial. Both women were acknowledged at each of our three worship services and presented with a special engraved gift.
These women exemplify the heart of a servant leader, dedicated to the Gospel and to the families of our church and the St. Augustine community.
Linda Chambers serves as Chapel School Director, and guides families to explore their faith more deeply as the Family Ministry Director. Ms. Chambers has been a longtime member of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) and served on the National Board for nine years. She was chosen as the ELCA Early Childhood Director of the Year in 2015. Linda credits her success in ministry to her strong connection with other directors through her membership in ELEA and enjoys sharing her Chapel Time journey from weekday ministry to Sunday worship. Ms. Chambers was instrumental, along with Ms. Mattingly and Pastor Richard Dow, in creating a bridge between the weekday Chapel School worship and Sunday morning worship to include the whole family. The trio created ‘Sunday Chapel’, designed to mirror the weekday worship but expanded to include communion for the family. Currently in its second year, the service continues to grow. In the first year, Pastor performed 17 baptisms and welcomed several new members.
Barbara Mattingly has been involved in the St. Augustine music and arts community for over thirty years. Currently the Minister of Music at Memorial Lutheran Church, she has served the church since 1998 as staff music leader, both as organist/pianist and director of traditional, contemporary, children’s and handbell choirs. She chairs the Worship and Music Committee, has chaired the Stewardship Committee, developed a liturgical arts ministry and currently serves on the 100th Anniversary Taskforce, in preparation for the congregation’s centennial in 2024. In addition to her church work, Ms. Mattingly is the full-time choral director at Bartram Trails High School and Director of the St. Augustine Youth Chorus. Over the past fifteen years, Barbara has served on the music staff of the summer Music Week at Novus Way’s Lutheridge Conference Center in Ashville, North Carolina, variously as flute choir clinician, middle-school choral clinician and staff accompanist.
Ms. Mattingly holds music degrees from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota (B.A.) and The Florida State University (M.M.E.). A proud Midwesterner, she grew up in central Iowa in a family of musicians. She credits her parents with instilling in her the values of faith, family m community, music and a good education.
Memorial is truly blessed by the ministries of these amazing women, and we thank them!
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Resources for the Crisis in the Holy Land
In response to the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's declaration of war against Hamas, including the ongoing siege of Gaza, the ELCA offers the following statements from some of our Lutheran and global partners in the region. Included are ELCA resources for a deeper understanding of the context, the humanitarian crises of the current war, and the ELCA's work for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Read more...
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ELCA Announcement
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Church Council Executive Committee approved Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s request for a 4-to-6-month leave of absence. Her leave starts Nov. 17, 2023.
The Church Council appointed former bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, the Rev. Michael Burk, as Presiding Bishop Pro Tem to care for the responsibilities of the presiding bishop during her leave of absence. We give thanks for Bishop Eaton’s tireless dedication and leadership and pray for her during this time of rest and rejuvenation.
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November 19: Concert for a Cause (Cello & Harpsichord) at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo - 3pm
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