E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | August 15, 2023 | |
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Help Those Impacted by the Recent Maui Wildfires
Multiple wildfires have broken out on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Exacerbated by strong winds, these fires have destroyed homes, businesses and lines of communication. Thousands of people are under evacuation orders, some moving to other Hawaiian islands. Wildfires are also burning on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the islands remain vulnerable to more fires this season.
OUR RESPONSE
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is communicating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. We will work with them to provide for immediate needs and recovery amid the widespread destruction. FBS is committed to accompanying recovering communities in the years ahead.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Pray: Please pray for the Maui communities impacted by the wildfires. May God's healing presence bring them peace and hope in their time of need and give strength to those working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities.
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Give: Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires. Or make a general donation to Disaster Response so we can respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike.
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V2A Update
All eligible congregations and ministry partners should submit their V2A Project Idea Form online by today, August 15. This gives time for V2A to provide feedback and for potential applicants to complete the grant application by the September 30 deadline. Applications for the 2023 season will not be received after this date.
The interest and enthusiasm surrounding V2A has been strong in this initial grant season, and what's more, there will be an opportunity to apply again in 2024. Go to the V2A website, www.v2agrants.org, to learn the goals for 2024.
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Installations & Ordinations
Rev. Paul Amlin will be installed as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Cocoa Beach on August 20 at 3 p.m.
Macy Kennedy will be ordained as a Minister of Word & Service at Messiah, Cape Coral on September 24 at 3 p.m. Bishop Suarez will preside.
Rev. William Kittinger will be installed as Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice on October 1 at 3 p.m.
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Rostered Leaders Retreat: “Come to the Well"
Rostered leaders are invited to a three-day retreat where you can experience healing, reconnect with others, and learn new spiritual practices that will renew your soul. This gift is made possible through a generous grant from the Lutheran Disaster Relief-US to the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
The retreat will take place September 11 – 13, 2023 in Clearwater Beach, Florida at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and is presented by Living RED. The cost of all activities, meals, a single room, and optional healing modalities are covered. You only need to cover your transportation to the event. While most sessions and activities will be at the resort, there will be a special group dinner at the Columbia Restaurant and an evening of Taizé Worship and fellowship at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clearwater.
Learn more and register.
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Weekly Prayer
God our defender, storms rage around and within us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Registration Now Open for Conference on Ministry
Don't miss the COM Special Activities!
Calling all rostered ministers of the Florida-Bahamas Synod! Join us at the 2023 Conference on Ministry, where we are thrilled to welcome an exceptional speaker: the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger. As the founder of AE Sloan Leadership and the Senior Fellow and Congregational Strategist at Fuller Seminary's De Pree Center for Leadership, Dr. Bolsinger brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
Renowned for his expertise in leading change, Dr. Bolsinger has taught doctoral students on this very topic. His insights have been captured in his award-winning and best-selling leadership books, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory and Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change.
At our conference, Dr. Bolsinger will guide us in exploring a different form of leadership required when venturing "off the map" into a disrupted world. As old best practices no longer suffice, we must equip ourselves with the tools and mindset to navigate uncharted territory.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from a distinguished leader in ministry. Together, let's embrace the challenges of a changing world and discover new paths to effective leadership.
| Elevate your conference experience beyond the sessions and workshops – sign up now for the Golf Outing and Luther Springs field trip, where you'll strike the perfect balance between professional growth and personal rejuvenation! |
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Leadership and Coaching Opportunity
Already Enough: Unlocking Your Power as a Woman in Ministry - Starting Sept. 5
Feel like you've got way too much going on but you're not doing enough? Tired of having your authority questioned in subtle (and not so subtle) ways in ministry? Join this series to rest in the assurance that you are already enough and to unlock your power as a woman in ministry. This four-part series will feature Dr. Crystal Hall teaching strategies for successful ministry and coaching participants through current struggles. Participants will walk away with biblical insights and practical coaching tools around authority, boundaries, and burnout and will be equipped to engage the all too familiar objection to gender justice, "But the Bible says..." To register, click here.
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Loan Forgiveness Workshop
Do you have outstanding educational loans serviced through the Federal government? You may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program through which a portion of your debt can be forgiven. Kim Miller, a Certified Financial Counselor with Lutheran Social Services MN, will lead a workshop via Zoom on Tuesday, August 22, at 11 a.m., on this significant avenue to end educational indebtedness. Kim will provide answers to: How do I know if I qualify for PSLF?, What tools and resources are available?, and What are my payment plan options? Spread the word to rostered ministers you know who would benefit from this workshop: all are invited.
Register here to receive the link.
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Upcoming Luther Springs Events
Young Adult Retreat - Oct. 13 -15, $99 per person https://luthersprings.org/fall_spring_programs/young-adult-retreat/
Calling all young adults! Are you stressed by school, work or life in general? Are you missing your summer camp experience? Join us for a relaxing and fun weekend getaway to Luther Springs. In addition to enjoying activities like canoeing, swimming, archery and campfires; we will also complete an on-site service project and go off-site for a fun zipline experience and picnic. Go ahead, treat yourself, you deserve a break!
Making Disciples Retreat - Sep. 28 – Oct. 1, $140 full program or single day and commuter options
https://luthersprings.org/fall_spring_programs/making-disciples/
This retreat is for all those who work with children and youth in faith formation. Come to rest, re-energize, and reconnect with God and your call to go and make disciples! Thursday evening we will gather for a time of networking and hospitality. Friday is an all-day intensive care course on equipping our young people to go and make disciples, led by Lyle Griner from Peer Ministry Leadership. Sat/Sun, we will offer workshops geared to equip you in your ministry to children and youth. Come for one night, two nights, or all three! One day options are also available.
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New Region 9 Boundaries & Inclusion Education Coordinator
We are delighted to announce that the Region 9 Joint Council has hired the Rev. Dr. Judith Spindt to serve as the Boundaries and Inclusion Education Coordinator. She will work in this position on a part-time basis, coordinating the training and education efforts in which the region 9 synods cooperate. We are excited that Rev. Spindt has felt called to serve in this capacity to support the ongoing efforts to minimize bias and raise awareness of those on the margins in the communities and synods our rostered ministers serve. Learn more.
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Camp Noah's Mission to Rebuild Young Lives After Hurricane Ian
To help children recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, Camp Noah (www.campnoah.org), a service of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, received a generous grant from the American Red Cross to bring hope and healing to children living in southwest Florida through a camp filled with music, games, and fun. These activities enable children to process their feelings and fears, develop resiliency and coping skills, and receive support from caring adults. Camp Noah organizers are currently seeking partners, especially those serving elementary aged Spanish-speaking children, to host an afterschool program or a week-long day camp during school breaks in the community, including local congregations and community organizations that serve children. If you would like to help but cannot host a camp, please let us know as we are seeking volunteers and individuals to make hand-tied fleece blanket to comfort children who were impacted. For more information, please contact Kim Dettmer, Senior Director for Disaster Services and Camp Noah, at kim.dettmer@lssmn.org.
Camp Noah is hiring a half-time Program Coordinator, located in southwest Florida, to assist in community outreach and program implementation. Preference will be given to individuals who are bilingual Spanish/English, have experience working with children, and are familiar with disaster recovery and trauma-informed care. To apply: Program Coordinator | Careers (ultipro.com).
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Photos of the Week: Back to School! | |
Pastor Will and members of Emmauel, Venice delivered three carloads of school supplies to local elementary schools in anticipation of the start of the academic year. With these supplies and others donated by local community organizations, every student at Venice and Garden Elementary Schools will receive a backpack and school supplies for the upcoming school year! |
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At their August 6 worship service, King of Kings, Port Richey held a special "Blessing of the Backpacks" for the upcoming school year. Those backpacks were then donated to the youth that visited the church.
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
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VBS Stellar Materials Available
St. Paul, Sarasota has left over VBS Stellar materials for churches that may want them for next year or in-between time. There is the Director's manual, station guides, Bible Buddy Bags, posters, etc. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Ashley Nicolls at prashley1010@gmail.com or 352-514-2209.
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Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Myers Seeks Music Director
The Director of Music works with pastoral staff, volunteer musicians, and ensembles to develop high quality music for worship at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church (GTLC). The Director of Music must possess interpersonal skills that facilitate rehearsals and worship for each of the music programs in association with staff and other music facilitators and volunteers. Read full description here.
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Part-time Communications Position Open at Prince of Peace, Largo
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo, FL is seeking a part-time communications specialist who will assemble bulletins week, newsletters monthly and design other documents with contemporary imagery on an as needed basis for a variety of ministries. The position would require 8 to 12 hours per week—more hours during busier seasons of the Church Year. Working onsite is not necessary. Compensation negotiable. Please send resumes to employment@poplargo.org.
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Joy in Ocala has an immediate opening for a Choir Director
The Choir Director will work with the pastor and the organist, preparing and rehearsing the choir for all worship services of this congregation, which include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, and any other special services, programs, and cantatas.
The Choir Director must become familiar with all liturgical settings in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), With One Voice (WOV), and All Creation Sings (ACS).
The choir is in recess from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Compensation depends on the candidate's experience and roster status.
Interested individuals may inquire with:
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The ELCA Wants to Hear Your Opinion!
Throughout the next couple of months, the ELCA is asking for your help. We are looking for your thoughts and ideas on how we are called to be a church in today’s world. Please visit our website on Future Church: God’s Love Made Real – https://lovemadereal.elca.org – where you can watch a video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton that explains more about this action and complete a survey to share your views of the church and the world today. In the coming weeks we will offer listening sessions where you can participate in online opportunities to provide your thoughts on God’s call for the church.
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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 4 p.m.
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October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Warren Willis Camp & Conference Center, Fruitland Park
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November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
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