E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | May 2, 2023 | |
|
Synod Assembly Service Project: Help Us Support the Harbor House of Central Florida
This year's Synod Assembly service project will benefit Harbor House of Central Florida. Harbor House is a nonprofit organization that provides safe shelter, counseling, and support services to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Watch the video below to learn more about the Harbor House.
| |
|
As part of our service project, we will assemble welcome baskets that will help the survivors feel more comfortable and supported during their stay at Harbor House. These baskets will contain essential items such as toiletries and sheets to help survivors feel more at ease in their new environment. To assemble the baskets, we need your help to collect the items on this list.
We will also be collecting items from Harbor House's continuing needs list. These are essential items that are needed to provide ongoing support to survivors and include clothing, household items, and other essentials. By donating these items, we can help ensure that Harbor House can continue to provide the critical services that survivors need to rebuild their lives. Click here to view the continuing needs list.
With our collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors and support them as they begin the journey of healing and recovery.
For more info on the service project, contact Tina Fritz at TinaF@fbsynod.org.
| | |
|
|
Save the Date: Transition Training
Are you a First Call Pastor, interested in Interim Ministry, or are serving a congregation that is in transition of some sort? If so, you might want to make note of the following:
Transition/Interim Ministry Training
Online, 9 a.m. to noon, July 24-28, 2023
| | |
|
|
Boundaries Workshop - May 11
Are you due for your triennial Boundaries workshop required for all rostered ministers? Join Rev. Ken Blyth and Rev. Kari Niedermaier for a fun day exploring the gift of boundaries, a gift that offers blessings to rostered ministers, their families, their congregations and the church. Substantial time will be given for group discussion, and open and honest conversation. The registration fee covers lunch, and all the resources that will be shared with participants. Click here for details and registration.
| | |
Weekly Prayer for Synod Assembly 2023
Synod Assembly is coming.
Synod Assembly is near.
In reflection and prayer,
let us together prepare.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Let us pray:
Lord, in you we place our confidence as we gather together for the assembly of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Help us to remember we are gathered as sanctuary, under the name of Jesus, and are called to prayer, discernment, engagement and accountability working together as a people. As travel plans are made and reservations are secured, keep our eyes and minds focused, that we come and gather to bear the name of Christ, display his love, seeking the best opportunities to be Christ's hands and feet in the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Rev. Nicole Martin, Messiah Lutheran Church, Panama City Florida
|
|
|
Just Love Ambassador Training
The Just Love team is passionate about building lay and rostered leaders who practice love publicly that creates justice for all. If you are interested in learning how to grow Just Love in your congregation, conference or community, please join us for two upcoming Just Love Ambassador Trainings.
“Embracing God’s Call for Justice”
Saturday, May 20th, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Zoom
Practices include exploring the justice lens of scriptures and understanding the power of testimony.
“Justice & Power”
Wednesday, May 31st, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom
Practices include exploring tension and comfort from a biblical lens, understanding people power, and heart listening at the margins.
Zoom details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82755033514?pwd=UHZpcDNxTW13OFV3bVU3RTRpSFQ2dz09
Meeting ID: 827 5503 3514
Passcode: 643842
|
 | |
2023 Rostered Leaders Retreat
We have a gift for you! Through a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Relief-US, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is offering a free healing and renewal retreat for rostered leaders. We recognize how difficult it has been these past two years to lead a congregation through the pandemic and hurricanes while trying to care for our own wellbeing. Many of us are tired and hurting.
We are offering our second retreat on Monday, June 26 - Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The cost of all activities, meals, and housing (single room) and optional healing modalities are covered. The only thing you need to cover is your transportation to the event.
We will be housed at Sheraton Sand Key Resort. Events and sessions will take place at the hotel and surrounding areas.
Our goal is to provide a safe and healing space for you to learn and experience spiritual practices and receive emotional and spiritual support both in individual and small group settings. All of this will be framed by the beauty of water, sun, and sand.
There are different activities will be throughout the event such as dolphin tour and much more.
"Come to the Well” with an open heart, ready to receive the grace of God’s healing and unconditional love.
Spouses are welcome and the cost is $200 to cover meals and activities for the three days.
Please note that even though the event is free, a cancelation fee of $428.00 will be required if canceled after May 26, 2023 to cover the hotel room fee. Registration closes Thursday, May 25, 2023. Click here to register.
|
|
|
NovusWay Ministries is Seeking a Donor Relations Specialist
NovusWay Ministries is a progressive, growing outdoor ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located across the southeastern United States that includes the camps and conference centers of Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs and Lutheranch.
Qualifications
The Donor Relation Specialist shall be a person committed to Jesus Christ and the church and be dedicated to working in a church related organization. A minimum of 1 year office experience working in a donor CRM software is preferred. The Donor Relation Specialist shall have experience in Microsoft Office and have the ability to become proficient in Donor Perfect fundraising software. He/she shall have strong communication, listening and telephone skills and the ability to handle and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner. Accuracy is a must. Candidates can send resumes, cover letters, and references to humanresources@novusway.org.
Click here for full job description.
|
|
|
Mission Partners 100 Spring Appeal: Messiah Lutheran, Panama City
From Pastor Nicole Martin:
In 2018, Messiah Lutheran stepped relevantly into a more perfect story. A Perfect Storm. You might call it Michael, Hurricane Michael, but we call it Hope. It is hard to imagine a perfect storm as a period of transition, but it is our truth, and we have learned to embrace who we are because of it.
Our playground, as necessary evangelism tool, was damaged by Michael. Therefore, an important part of our congregation’s infrastructure of hospitality to young people and families was wounded. We are hoping that, with your help, the MP100 Grant can help us heal it, not just to replace what was there, but to make what seems to be “just a playground” become an even more significant space for community hospitality and spiritual renewal. What do we envision? “Play and Pray Adventures.” Click here to read more.
| |
Photo of the Week: Good Shepherd, Hernando | |
Pictured above: Wendy Wolber and Cindy Gaertner | |
|
The Citrus County World’s Greatest Baby Shower has been the best learning opportunity for expectant and new parents for over 30 years. On Thursday, April 13, some 27 exhibitors, including nonprofit organizations that focus on the health and safety of children as well as health professionals, were on hand for this two-session educational event with information to help parents get the best head start in raising their children.
For many of those 30 years, Good Shepherd Lutheran Quilters in Hernando, FL have been making baby blankets to support this special event. This year, this dedicated group of sewing angels decided to “kick it up a notch.” The ladies put their heads together to come up with ways to make an even bigger impact in the lives of our newest Citrus County residents. First, they secured a THRIVENT Action Team and ran a Diaper Drive Campaign. Once the event seed was planted we were approached by three church members who generously donated a changing table, dresser and nightstand and two Pack ‘n Plays to use as event prizes. Then one final church appeal was made asking for new baby items to go along with those furniture pieces. By Easter Sunday, Good Shepherd Lutheran had accumulated 97 handmade baby blankets, 82 packages of diapers, and countless new baby items including infant clothing, diaper bags, baby toiletries, books and toys.
On the day of the Baby Shower, over 150 Citrus County new moms, dads, grandparents and friends attended. This community-supported event was coordinated by Blaire Elizabeth Cope, Community Relations Specialist with Central Healthy Start. This group administers programs that help ensure a healthy start in life and a hopeful future for pregnant women and families with young children. What a joy and privilege it was for Good Shepherd Lutheran members to be able to play a small part at this wonderful outreach and educational event. - Submitted by Wendy Wolber.
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
| |
|
Free ABC of Dementia Workshop coming up at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers
The Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 11381 Gateway Blvd. in Ft. Myers, Florida, will host a free ABC of Dementia workshop from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Coping with Dementia President and workshop presenter Debbie Selsavage reports, “Our ABC of Dementia workshop explains Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in plain language, suggests techniques for becoming a better and less-stressed care partner, and provides useful resources to families living with dementia.” She adds, “While the workshop is designed primarily for care partners and family members of a loved one living with dementia, anyone is welcome, including persons experiencing dementia.”
The workshops is free, but reservations are encouraged. For more information or to reserve seats, call 352-422-3663 or e-mail deb@coping.today. Download the flyer here.
| |
-
September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church - Retreat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Graduation & Worship 5 p.m.
| |
-
October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.
| |
-
November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
| | | | |
