E-Spirit
July 17, 2018

Bold - Passionate - Faithful
Features:
  • Youth Gathering Re-Cap and Reflection
  • Lutheran World Relief School Kits
  • VBS Reflection

  Events Coming up:
  • Transition Ministry Training
  • New Herrnhut Moravian Choir
  • Rock the Universe
  • God's Work Our Hands Work Day at Luther Springs
  • Practice Discipleship Retreat for Youth Leaders

For Your Information:
  • World Hunger at the Gathering
Click the calendar above for more information about these events
July 21 - Ordination of Moises Carasquillo (Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon/Sacred Heart Lutheran Mission, Miami)
July 21 - Installation of Chad Fair as Pastor, 6:00 p.m., Immanuel, Palm City
July 22 - Installation of Rev. Moises Carrasquillo as Pastor Developer, 3:00 p.m. (Sagrado Corazon, 9850 SW 24th Street in Miami)
July 30-Aug 1 - Transition Ministry Training (Luther Springs)
Aug. 4 - New Herrnhut Moravian Choir Concert, St. Paul, Tampa
Aug. 11 - New Facilities Dedication, Luther Springs
Aug. 25 - Hearts, Hands and Voices workshop, Our Savior, Vero Beach
Sept. 8 - God's Work Our Hands Work Day, Luther Springs
Sept. 9 - God's Work Our Hands Sunday
Sept. 10-12 - Region 9 Rostered Deacon Gathering (South Carolina)
Sept. 24-29 - Rest, Renew, Recommit retreat for Rostered Ministers (LutherRanch, GA)
Sept. 27-30 - Practice Discipleship Retreat for Youth Workers (Luther Springs)
Oct. 9 - Boundaries Workshop, Cross+Road, Fleming Island
Features
Youth Gathering re-cap and reflections
A reflection on the Youth Gathering from Joan Nicole Ruiz, Youth Participant from Faith, Lehigh Acres
The ELCA Youth Gathering was truly the most life-changing experience I have had. It was exhausting both physically and mentally. However, after it all I have to admit I feel a bit rejuvenated not only in my faith but also in my own life. My love for God is renewed, and I am beyond happy and thankful that I got to experience such an incredible event along with over 30,000 other astonishing youth. Many times throughout the trip there were moments where I had to pause and reflect on everything that was happening because it all felt so unreal.
 
Perhaps the event that most affected me was when I chopped off my hair. I had been talking about it all week, so when the day finally arrived, I was beyond excited. As we approached the place where I would be donating it, I started having second thoughts about the whole ordeal. Still, I sat in the chair and let them measure, the lowest you could go was 8 inches, but with some persuasion I went for a full 12. I hadn't had a drastic haircut in over six years, so when the scissors got close to my head, I must say I was very close to walking away. But, hair grows back, and if cutting some of my hair off is all it takes to make someone who doesn't have any happy, I would do it a hundred times over again. Plus...the breeze feels nice.
Lutheran World Relief School Kits
Does your congregation assemble School Kits for Lutheran World Relief? Summer is the perfect time to stock up on supplies! Back-to-school sales are an easy way to pick up pens, notebooks, scissors and more at a discount. Encourage parents to buy extra supplies when shopping with their children and celebrate the start of the school year with a School Kit assembly!

Visit https://lwr.org/get-involved/build-kits-of-care/school-kits for more information about packing and sending School Kits.
VBS reflection from Resurrection House,
Dade City
On June 18th....Our little bus took off for Nativity Lutheran (Weeki Wachee) for a week of VBS. We spent Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, and Thursday with our friends there, then on Friday we ventured a little further and went off to our Episcopal friends for the final day of their VBS in conjunction with St. Timothy Lutheran (Crystal River). They take turns every year, and we have been going there on the last Friday because of the distance for the past 30 years. Their children gather socks and underwear for our children. Then [we went] back on Sunday for closing service at Nativity! We had 27 children attend during that week....most of these children were not Lutheran, but we must church our children where ever and however we can. The most important message? KNOW JESUS.
If you would like to share stories and pictures of your VBS, please send it to Sr. Michelle Collins (michellec@fbsynod.org). Please include up to 2 pictures and a write-up no longer than 150 words by August 1.
Upcoming Events
Transition Ministry Retreat: July 30-Aug 1
Who should attend: Interim Pastors, pastors in a new call, and pastors in congregations seeking new direction.

When: July 30-Aug. 1

Where: Luther Springs

Why: The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the "yet to be" is fully in the hands of God, and God's people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.

For more information about this retreat, click HERE .
Moravian Choir-St. Paul, Tampa
Aug. 4, 7:00 pm
Music at the New Herrnhut Moravian church, on the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been an integral part of worship service for over 280 years! Many members have served the church with the gift of singing. Early records indicate that, in 1757, approximately fifteen members started the choir at New Herrnhut. Today their membership has almost doubled.

The motto of the choir is “to share the message of Jesus Christ in song”, and because of this, concert touring came into existence in August 1993. A free will offering will be received to benefit ministries within the Lutheran Urban Parish of Tampa.

We hope you will mark your calendars and join us for an extraordinary night of music! Please bring your family and friends!

WHEN:  Saturday, August 4, 2018 –Reception to follow in the Snyder Building
TIME:   7:00 PM 
WHERE: St. Paul Lutheran Church
5103 N. Central Avenue, Tampa, FL 33603
Rock the Universe: Sept. 7, 8
Rock, Ride And Rejoice At Florida's Biggest Christian Music Festival

Experience two nights of powerful music from today's most popular Christian artists at Universal Studios Florida™. Lift your hands and let your heart soar with amazing artists including Casting Crowns, Jesus Culture, TobyMac and For King & Country. Plus, enjoy a moving Candlelighting Ceremony on Saturday and the FanZone presented by Coca-Cola® where you can catch more live performances and electronic dance music spun by Sarah Reeves and DJ PROMOTE. You’ll also enjoy the park’s most awesome rides and attractions. It’s an unforgettable weekend of faith and fun.

Rock the Universe™ is a separately ticketed special event* held on Sep. 7 and Sep. 8, 2018. Tickets on sale soon.

God's Work Our Hands Day @ Luther Springs
Sept. 8
Youth groups, men's groups, women's groups, congregations, families, individuals! Projects may include clearing trails, chopping wood, painting, cleaning, sorting and organizing or a special building project. Our main day of service will be Saturday with lunch provided. Overnight accommodations are based on availability.

Call Sue Mendenhall (727) 415-9887 to register. Space is limited!
Practice Discipleship: Retreat for Youth Leaders
Sept. 27-30
Come to rest, re-energize, and reconnect with God and His action in our lives! Thursday evening we will gather for a time of networking and hospitality. Friday is an all day intensive care course. Saturday and Sunday we will offer workshops geared to equip you in your ministry to children and youth. Register for just one day or for all four! To register, go to  FBSynod.com/youth.
For Your Information
ELCA World Hunger at the Youth Gathering
Youth from Our Savior, Vero Beach, donated collected funds at the World Hunger booth in the Interactive Learning Center.
Youth Gathering Reflections from 2018 Interns - ELCA...

With more than 30,000 youth and adults from across the ELCA, ELCA World Hunger staff were in Houston, Texas, last week for the 2018 National Youth Gathering. Hear from our 2018 Interns as they reflect on their experience guiding participants...

Read more
blogs.elca.org
Office of the Bishop
Bishop's Schedule
July 17-31, 2018

  • Region 9 Bishops' Gathering
  • Tampa Office
  • Coral Gables (Ordination/installation of Moises Carasquillo)
  • vacation
  • Luther Springs (Transition Ministry Training)
Florida-Bahamas Synod 813-876-7660 
info@fbsynod.org