E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | June 25, 2024 | |
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Registration Opens for 2024 Conference on Ministry
COM will be held September 16-18 at Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills
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We are excited to invite you to the 2024 Conference on Ministry, held this year at the stunning Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL. Join us from September 16-18, 2024, for an inspiring and rejuvenating retreat featuring our guest speaker, Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Our theme, "The Lamb's Alternative Power Story for the Healing of Creation," will guide us through the book of Revelation. Dr. Rossing will help us uncover its powerful message of hope and envision a renewed world where all are welcome and have enough. This is a unique opportunity to explore Revelation's theme of hope, not fear, as we journey to the beautiful city and river of life.
In addition to the enlightening sessions, the conference is a wonderful chance to connect with fellow rostered ministers, relax, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Mission Inn. We look forward to seeing you there for this enriching experience!
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YAGM Newsletter
Read the latest Young Adults in Global Mission newsletter from Mary Winsor who is currently serving as a YAGM volunteer in Mexico. Click here for more.
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WELCA Fall Gathering
The theme of this year’s Fall Gathering is He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Plans are underway to confirm the speakers, workshops, and activities for this event being held November 8-10, 2024, at the Warren Willis Conference Center in Fruitland Park. Click here to register today!
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Weekly Prayer | | O God of creation, eternal majesty, you preside over land and sea, sunshine and storm. By your strength pilot us, by your power preserve us, by your wisdom instruct us, and by your hand protect us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Just Love Summer Ambassador Retreat - June 28-30, 2024
Join the Just Love team at Luther Springs June 28-30, 2024, for an ambassador retreat where we will support one another and learn the skills to do justice in our congregations, conferences and communities.
Participants will arrive late Friday afternoon/early evening for dinner and will finish with worship late Sunday morning. All participants will receive a journal and a PDF of the Just Love Biblical Justice workbook.
Registration includes lodging and meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast), as well as two follow-up sessions on Zoom. If you prefer a printed version of the Just Love Biblical Justice workbook, it will be an additional $10. Registration is capped at 40.
Please contact Pr. Kari Niedermaier at doulakari@gmail.com or Paula Edwards at Pedwards1013@icloud.com for additional information about the retreat.
Justice work is integral to our life in Christ and should not depend on our financial resources. If attending the Ambassador Retreat will cause financial stress, please reach out to Paula or Rev. Kari as scholarships are available.
Click here to register.
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A Summer Opportunity for Women
Join with ladies from the Lutheran churches of Guyana and Suriname this summer for "Women-to-Women!" We will meet for an hour on June 12, July 10 and August 14 (the second Wednesday) at 6pm EST for conversation, discussion surrounding a biblical theme, and prayer. It's a beautiful way to draw closer to sisters in faith in our companion churches. Join via zoom to be part of this rich experience. Come to one evening, or come to all three...and be blessed by the experience. For more information, email Pastor Katie Carroll, Global Mission Chair at revkhc@gmail.com.
See below for connection information:
Women to Women
July 10, August 14
6:00pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83882799173
Meeting ID: 838 8279 9173
One tap mobile +19292056099,,83882799173# US (New York) +16469313860,,83882799173# US
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| Photo of the Week: Christus Victor, Naples | | |
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This summer, the congregation at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Naples is having fun with "Flat Luther." The 2D version of reformer Martin Luther was drawn by the pastor's son, Mark. The church is using it as a fun way to connect with their seasonal congregation. Check out more places that Flat Luther has visited here.
Share your photo of the week with comms@fbsynod.org.
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Baptismal Font Available
St. Michael Lutheran, Wellington, would love for this BIG font to have a new home. Beautiful carving in the frame. It is hollow but heavy. Must be picked up in Wellington. Perhaps a halfway meeting point might be arranged. Interested parties can call St. Michael Lutheran with questions at 561-793-4999.
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Free Electric Organ Available
Hope, Summerfield Campus in The Villages has a free, Rodgers electric organ available, including speakers. Interested party must arrange for pick-up. For questions, please contact Ken Wood at Ken@hope4all.church or 352-750-2321.
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL is seeking a Church Finance Administrator
As the Finance Administrator at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL, you'll find yourself at the heart of financial stewardship within the congregation. Under the supervision of the Lead Pastor and working with the Congregational Treasurer, your responsibilities span the spectrum of financial management. From meticulously handling bookkeeping tasks to ensuring timely payments of bills and invoices, your role is pivotal in maintaining the congregation's fiscal health. You'll assist in crafting the annual budget, preparing financial reports for council meetings, and overseeing payroll processes for the church staff. With a keen eye for detail, you'll monitor cash flow, address account discrepancies, and manage tax filings while upholding strict confidentiality standards. Your expertise in finance or accounting, coupled with effective communication and teamwork skills, will contribute to the smooth operation of the church's financial affairs.
Ideal candidates for this full-time position will possess a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics, or demonstrate at least three years of relevant work experience. Proficiency in church database software and MS Excel is preferred, alongside a solid grasp of bookkeeping procedures and fund accounting principles. Above all, your commitment to the church's mission and values, coupled with your organizational prowess and ability to collaborate with colleagues, will make you an invaluable asset to Emmanuel Lutheran Church. If you're ready to embark on a fulfilling journey in church finance administration, we invite you to submit your resume to info@emmanuel-elca.org and join our dedicated team.
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Will you help feed children this summer?
In the United States millions of children receive breakfast and lunch at school throughout the academic year. However, when school is out for the summer, there is a critical gap in nutrition assistance for school-aged children. Only 11 out of every 100 children who receive school lunches during the school year also have nutrition support during the summer. This means that as many as 89% of children and their families in the U.S. who need nutrition support in the summer aren’t getting it. Give today.
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NEW RESOURCES: “God’s work. Our hands.”
On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day:
- Planning toolkit.
- Worship resources.
- Slides for projection screens or online worship.
- Posters and social media graphics.
- Spanish-language resources.
- Promotional banners.
- Special hymn text, sheet music and recording.
This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 16.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.
“God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on Sept. 8!
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September 16-18: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.
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September 21: School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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