Preschoolers at Holy Spirit, Juno Beach, Connect with what God is doing in and through Living Faith, Tradition
This story comes from Pr. Maryann Kehlenbach, Living Faith, Tradition
Matthew Shapton is doing a pastoral internship serving both Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Juno Beach and Living Faith Church, Tradition. Holy Spirit is an established congregation, while Living Faith is a recently organized congregation that is praying about an opportunity to build a building. Here is the picture of (Intern) Pastor Matthew with the students at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Preschool in Juno Beach as he shares with them the story of Living Faith and how God is using people to build a new church in Tradition. They placed their hands on a container of soil from the land and said a prayer for the work of Living Faith as they launched their Capital Appeal.
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This is part of a multi-part series over the next few weeks about ways congregations can more intentionally support care for creation initiatives.
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Care for Creation Gathering for All Ages
Join us for a retreat-style gathering at South Carolina’s Coastal Retreat Center! Spend some time on the beach and enjoy the company of others who care for creation!
When: May 17-19, 2019
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ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving
Continue your Lenten journey with resources from ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving. Use a Lenten calendar, study guide and email series to continue engaging in the Lenten disciplines of self-examination, repentance, prayer and fasting, and sacrificial giving.
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If your congregation has intentionally been engaging with ELCA World Hunger's 40 Days of Giving, would you be willing to share your story with the synod office? If so, please send a few sentences and a photo to Sr. Michelle Collins. (michellec@fbsynod.org).
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ELCA CoachLaunch Training - May 8-9
Coaching is an intentional relationship in which a trained coach uses powerful questions, strategic listening and accountability to uncover and utilize your strengths and insights to accomplish your goals.
The next CoachLaunch training for those interested in becoming ELCA Coaches is on May 8-9 at St. Philip Lutheran in Mt. Dora. Training will equip participants with the skills, framework and tools to use immediately in coaching others.
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Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
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RSVP links for Lenten Visits are now on the
Lenten Visit page of the synod web site
. The events are free, but an RSVP is helpful for planning. A $5/person or $20/congregation donation will be accepted to help cover the cost of snacks/supplies. This year's conversation with the Bishop will focus on the importance of healthy leadership culture in congregations (all levels of leadership--volunteer, staff, rostered ministers). Healthy leadership is a whole congregation commitment, so Rostered ministers, synod parish deacons, and all who are involved and invested in the ministry of their congregation are invited to attend.
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Good discussion and gathering of colleagues and partners in ministry at the Lenten visit at Emmaus, Orange City, on March 23.
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Respite in the Wilderness Retreat
April 30 – May 2, 2019 (Tuesday-Thursday)
Let Luther Springs and NovusWay say thank you to rostered ministers and church professionals! Join us for a deliberate time away for rest, relaxation and renewal as we close out the busy season of Lent and celebrate the beginning of Easter. Jim LaDoux from Vibrant Faith Ministries will be with us to discuss Leading Well. Participants will also enjoy camp life: rock on the back porch, sit on the dock, canoe on the lake, walk the trails, enjoy s’mores around the campfire and explore beautiful Luther Springs. Spouses are welcome!
NovusWay Ministries would like to say thank you to all rostered ministers for all that you do. Guests are only charged for the cost of food. $100
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Boundaries Training Workshop - May 16
The next FBSynod Boundaries Training workshop will be held on May 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines, from 9:00-noon. Led by Barbara Keller and Pr. Ken Blyth, the Boundaries Training is an important workshop for rostered ministers, congregational staff, volunteer leaders, and visitation ministers. This workshop will cover a variety of healthy boundaries, including physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual.
Please RSVP using this link. Bishop Suarez would like rostered ministers to attend a boundaries workshop at least once every 3 years. The next workshop this year will be offered in connection with the Fall Conference on Ministry.
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Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN) and Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA)
are partnering together on this year's conference: "Engaging Aging in Today's World". Worship, workshops, and rich opportunities for fellowship will be part of this event, open for all interested. The keynote address will be given by Rev. Ray James. The event will be held at the beautiful Saint Leo Abbey Campus, and will include a tour of the historic Abbey.
Click on the photo for more information.
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April 5-7 -
God's Spa for Women (Luther Springs)
April 13 -
Lenten Visit, St. Timothy, Tarpon Springs
April 14 -
Messiah Concert Series, The Passion of Christ
April 19 -
SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED (Good Friday)
April 19 -
Drawn to the Word Good Friday Service, Apostle's, Brandon (7 pm)
April 20 -
Drawn to the Word (Paul Oman) at Emmanuel, Venice (5:00 pm)
April 30-May 2 -
Respite in the Wilderness Retreat (Luther Springs)
May 1 -
online registration for Synod Assembly closed
May 8-9 -
ELCA CoachLaunch, St. Philip, Mt. Dora
May 11 -
Space Coast Conference Spring Gathering (Dawn and Jonathan Rundman, guests), Advent-Suntree, 10:00-noon
May 11 -
Tampa Conference Spring Gathering, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 10:00-1:00
May 11-
Suncoast Conference Gathering, location TBD, 9:00-noon
May 16 -
Boundaries Training Workshop (Trinity, Pembroke Pines)
May 17-18 -
diakonia Retreat and Graduation (Advent-Suntree Campus, Melbourne)
May 17-19 -
Caring for Creation Retreat for all ages, South Carolina
May 22 -
POAMN/ALOA 2019 Conference
June 5 -
Synod Council meeting
June 6-8 -
Synod Assembly
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)
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Southern Seminary Alumni Day and Yost Lecture
The Reverend Dr. David J. Lose will be the Yost Lecturer at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary on Thursday, April 4, at 2 p.m. in Stavros Hall. Dr. Lose’s presentation is the highlight of the seminary’s annual Alumni Day. Clergy and congregational members are invited to attend, free of charge. Registration for the lecture is recommended, as space is limited. Please contact Shelby.Mills@lr.edu or 803-461-3250 to reserve your seat or for more information about the event.
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Congregational Communications Tools from the ELCA Resources
The ELCA Resources web site has several options for congregations to use when communicating about Holy Week and Easter services. Resources include pre-designed post-cards, door hangers, social media graphics, and print announcements. Check out the
web site
for resources that can be individualized for your congregation.
Other tips for inviting the community to participate in your Holy Week/Easter services:
- Pray for visitors and invite your congregation to pray for visitors...and then be ready to welcome them.
- Make sure your Holy Week and Easter service information is on the home page of your web site. Most people will visit your web site before they visit your building.
- Update your web site with recent pictures on the home page.
- Post service information on your congregation's social media platforms more than one time.
- Contact local radio stations and newspapers that publish community calendars, and make sure your congregation's worship services are posted on those sites.
- Send your worship service times to community Facebook pages (neighborhood associations, parenting groups, etc)
- Share worship service times with organizations that use your building.
- Make sure the basic signs around your congregation (parking, sanctuary, nursery, etc) are clear and clean. If your sanctuary entrance or fellowship hall entrance are not easy to find from the parking lot, add extra signs to direct visitors.
- Prepare your congregation to welcome visitors who may not have the same level of experience or history in the church. Train ushers and greeters to connect and engage with visitors in helpful and welcoming ways.
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Job Opportunities
Peace, Ft. Myers
Peace, Ft. Myers, is seeking a part-time Publication Administrative Assistant. This positions’ primary responsibilities are to produce the printed weekly, monthly and seasonal publications for Peace along with slides for Sunday services. Requirements include extensive knowledge of Publisher and Microsoft software, excellent organization, ability to multi-task, prioritize, work within timelines, and attention to detail. Experience with Media Shout and/or Church Windows is plus. A minimum of 2 years in a church environment is preferred; or 5 years plus in office administration.
St. Timothy, Palmetto Bay
Small community-based church in Palmetto Bay, Florida is seeking a part-time office manager to coordinate the church’s administrative functions to include creation, maintenance and archival of official records; writing, editing and publication of reports, documents, newsletters, bulletins and directories; interacting with internal and external publics via oral and written communications; promoting and assisting with special events; establishing and maintaining church activity calendar; conducting facility leasing; collecting and depositing funds; and ordering supplies.
Work schedule is flexible and involves approximately twenty (20) hours per week. Incumbent reports directly to the Pastor and provides related support to the church council and committees.
Please contact Gail at stthomaschr@aol.com
St. Thomas Lutheran Church
17700 Old Cutler Road
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
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- Synod Office
- ELCA Church Council (Chicago)
- St. Timothy, Tarpon Springs (Lenten Visit)
- Christ, Englewood
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