ELCA Region 9 Bishops Sign "Bishops' Relational Agreement"
Press Release from Oct. 31, 2019
In a significant action of cross-synodical collaboration, the six bishops of Region 9 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have adopted and agreed to live into a “Bishops’ Relational Agreement for Boundaries, Candidacy, and Call Process.”
Several recent events brought attention to issues of women in ministry which propelled this regional collaboration.
In her recent book,
Holy Mischief
, author Dr. Mindy Makant, deacon, lifts voices of women. “Women are longing for the day when they are not received as consolation prizes simply for being women. After interviewing 85 female clergy across the southern U.S., I can say that this is one of the greatest desires and one of the causes of the greatest hurts. Female clergy are still more often than not seen as less than their male counterparts. They are taken less seriously, and they are paid less money. Women are tired of being treated as less than.”
In 2018, the North Carolina Synod released “Seriously?,” a video of pastors who are men reading statements made to pastors who are women. With over a million views, the video sparked discussion and reminded us once again that we still have significant work to be done to transform the landscape for women who are leaders in this church. People of all genders are realizing their roles in the ongoing reformation of this church.
|
|
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's Message for Veteran's Day, 2019
|
|
...In 2016, at the Churchwide Assembly, our church made a commitment to establish a Sunday of prayer and action closest to Veteran's Day. From our chaplains working in a VA hospital, to our congregations reaching out to someone in their community, invite veterans to share their stories, learn about the issues they face, and let them know that as a church we are grateful for their service, and offer prayers to sustain their hope in Christ. -Bishop Eaton
|
|
Peter Mayer of Jimmy Buffet Band - Stars & Promises Echoes of the Seasons 20th Anniversary Tour
is coming to Jacksonville!
St. Mark's Lutheran Church is excited to welcome acclaimed guitarist, Peter Mayer, on December 9, 2019, at 7:30pm.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Guitarist and singer-songwriter Peter Mayer of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and the Peter Mayer Group is set to embark on the 20th anniversary of his widely acclaimed Christmas tour “Stars and Promises.” Mayer has released 14 albums under his own name including four Christmas releases: “Stars And Promises,” “Stars and Promises Live,” “Echoes of The Season” and the most recent “A Junkman’s Christmas,” which is accompanied by the artist’s first published book.
“It is a honor to celebrate 20 years of the Stars & Promises Christmas tour, which has brought so much joy to my life, and I hope to the lives of those who have enjoyed the performances and music,” said Peter Mayer.
“Echoes of the Seasons - A 20th Anniversary Celebration” features a world-class seven-piece band, including violin, woodwinds, pipes, keyboard, guitar, bass and percussion. All of these instruments will highlight 20 years of melodies that have made the annual tour a holiday staple for family and friends around the country. This unique yuletide celebration both reflects on the years gone by and revels in the holiday spirit and the New Year to come, inspiring fans to call this tour, “A Christmas show like no other”.
December 9, 2019 @ 7:30pm. Doors 6:30pm
Tickets: General Admission - $30, 12 & under - $15
Email
Pastor.Daniel.Locke@gmail.com
with questions.
|
|
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
|
|
The Synod Parish Deacon Retreat has been re-scheduled for January 10-11, 2020 at Epiphany Lutheran, Oviedo
|
Upcoming Vitality Training Retreats
In the South Region
, each retreat will be from 10:00-4:00 (unless otherwise specified) and include worship, brief conference business, and lunch. Details from conference deans coming soon. RSVP to conference deans to assist with planning.
11/16 - Miami-Dade and Broward-Bahamas Conferences (St. John, Hollywood)
1/18/2020 - Tradewinds Conference (Holy Spirit, Juno Beach)
3/7/2020 - Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City)
In the North Region
, retreats will run from 9:00-2:00 (unless otherwise specified).
11/9 – First Coast Conference (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)
|
Hunger Fight, November 23
rd
The First Coast Conference is having a conference wide event. We will all be meeting at Crossroad Lutheran in Fleming Island Fl, from 9:30-Noon to pack food for the hungry and food-insecure.
It costs $1,000 to “buy” a table. The table is supplied with all the raw materials needed which are then packaged by the volunteers and boxed to be shipped. A table is manned by 10 people who work assembly style.
Crossroad will provide food for the volunteers. The atmosphere is lively and the 2 and half hours goes by very quickly. The food packaged is distributed to food pantries in Duval and Clay counties. We will package thousands of meals for others in this short time. It is truly powerful. Questions can be directed to Pr. Ryan Ritzmann (pastorryan@crossroadlutheran.com)
|
Register Now for these Winter/Spring Retreats at Luther Springs
|
Living Forward in Joy and Peace
January 14-16, 2020
$135 per person
Living into the second half of life brings about a desire for self-renewal. Every age and life stage brings us closer in relationship to God and community. Come for an enriching and inspiring weekend, enjoying the beauty and peace of Luther Springs. We will explore Biblical foundations about this life stage, enjoy meaningful discussions, sing hymns, exercise our creativity, make new friends, eat wonderful meals, and enjoy nature!
|
Master Builders
February 28- March 1, 2020
$119 per person
Like working with your hands? Want to put your skills into service for the mission of Luther Springs? Join us while we do big and small projects to improve Luther Springs, enjoy the lake, tell stories around the campfire, enjoy healthy competition through camp games and sit on the back porch talking about our faith. Leaders Steven Helm and Jack Diehl will join us for a great weekend.
|
Grands Camp
March 6 - 8, 2020
Youth $72; Adult $108
Grandparents and grandkids are invited for a time of fun, spiritual growth and strengthening bonds. Each day includes regular camp activities, cookie baking, worship, Bible study, exploring creativity, sharing stories, growing together in Christ and family free time. Children may stay with grandparents in a motel-style room or in a cabin with a Luther Springs counselor. Our leaders include Rev. Dick Hafer, Margo Walbolt, and Luther Springs staff.
|
|
Nov. 8-10 -
Synodical Women's Fall Gathering, Lake Yale Conference Center
Nov. 9 -
Vitality Training Event, First Coast Conference (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)
Nov. 8-10 -
Trailblazers Retreat, Luther Springs
Nov. 11 -
SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED
Nov. 15-16 -
Candidacy Committee Mtg
Nov. 16 -
Vitality Training Retreat, Miami-Dade/Broward-Bahamas Conference (St. John, Hollywood)
Nov. 22-23 -
Synod Council Mtg
Nov. 23 -
Hunger Fight (food packing event), First Coast Conference (9:30-noon)
Dec. 9 -
Echoes of the Season Concert, St. Mark's, Jacksonville (7:30)
Dec. 24-Jan. 1 -
SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED
Jan. 10-11 -
Synod Parish Deacon Retreat (Epiphany, Oviedo)
Jan. 18 -
Vitality Training Retreat, Tradewinds Conference (Holy Spirit, Juno Beach)
Jan. 27-29 -
Transition Training Retreat, Luther Springs
Feb. 11-13 -
Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando
Feb. 11-13 -
Deans' Retreat, Luther Springs
March 7 -
Vitality Training Retreat, Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City)
*Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process at installation and ordination services. Red is worn for ordination, color of the day is worn for installations.
|
|
Spring Break Disaster Response in the Panhandle!
March 8-13, 2020 - based out of Messiah in Panama City.
March 15-20, 2020 - based out of St. George Island Retreat Center on St. George Island.
These week-long experiences will provide high school youth groups the opportunity to be God’s hands in a community hit hard by Hurricane Michael. We will partner with Lutheran Disaster Response as we walk alongside those impacted in Panama City, Port St. Joe, helping to clean up, repair and rebuild. Thursday, we will learn how the storm affected the reefs and underwater life as we enjoy a day of snorkeling. Earn a minimum of 25 service hours. Interested? Contact Luther Springs Program Director, Sue Mendenhall at 352-358-1440 or smendenhall@novusway.org.
|
|
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
We invite you to study, pray and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for the good of our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
Read more
community.elca.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
Generosity Project
This article is from the Oct. 2019 edition of
Seeds Monthly
,
an electronic resource for congregations from the ELCA
The Generosity Project is a new stewardship resource for ELCA congregations that uses innovative approaches to promote generosity across generations and in households. The goal of the program is not to increase giving by a certain percentage but to change the culture of how a congregation views and understands generosity and stewardship. The curriculum is available as a digital download for $39. Resources, including a welcome packet, a sample and an introductory workshop, are available.
Learn more about The Generosity Project
.
|
|
- Synod Office
- Candidacy Committee Mtg (Tampa)
- Messiah, Cape Coral
- Synod Council Mtg (Tampa)
|
|
|
|
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to receive it in the future, please click
HERE
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
