E-Spirit

Weekly Newsletter

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News, Stories, and More


From the

Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA

September 14, 2021

Help our Friends impacted by Ida


Help with the relief efforts for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ida.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Upcoming Installations and Ordinations


September 25, 10:30 AM – The Rev. Kari Niedermaier as Pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange. The Rev. Rob Carlson will officiate.


October 3, 2:00 PM – The Rev. George Cruz-Martinez as Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Satsuma. The Rev. Rob Carlson will officiate.


October 24, 3:00 PM – The Rev. Kelly Pensinger as Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Palms in Palm Harbor. The Rev. Rob Carlson will officiate.


October 26, 11:00 AM – The Rev. Edward G. Barnett as Pastor, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Leesburg. Bishop Pedro Suarez will preside. 


2021 Florida Clergy Convening (Virtual)


The 4th Annual Florida Clergy Convening will be held virtually on Thursday, September 16 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. This is advocacy training to witness to the state legislature.


CLICK HERE for more information.



CLICK HERE to register.

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diakonia's First Self-Study Class is Now Available

So easy! Complete an application, order your text and receive a link to your class videos. Work at your own pace...or corral a small group to watch the videos and engage in study question conversations with you!



Click here to check out the new diakonia page on the Florida-Bahamas web site for more info and an application or contact Michele Hilton at

 Micheleahilton@aol.com 

(941.373.5596).

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Join the Just Love Team for:


"The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code" with Rev. Dr. "Tink" Tinker.


The 2017 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. What does repudiation mean for our ministries and mission going forward? 


When: Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021

11am to 1:30pm.

CLICK HERE to register.


News, Stories, and More...

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Virtual Synod Assembly 2021, Oct 15-16, 2021


This year Synod Assembly is a virtual event, October 15 and 16, 2021. The Assembly will be held over Zoom.


Only registered voting members will have access to the Zoom meeting. Visitors will be able to watch the event through a livestream on YouTube.


Everyone planning on attending will need to register for assembly again and will need a computer or tablet with a stable internet connection. Once registered, more information on voting, the link for the Zoom, and everything else you need to know will be sent to you.


Comprehensive information regarding the Virtual Assembly can be found on the Virtual Assembly tab on the Florida-Bahamas Synod website. CLICK HERE to visit the page.


Registration is open from September 1 to September 30. CLICK HERE to register.


Registered voting members will be able to make floor nominations from September 20 to October 4. A link will be provided on September 20th.


During the week of October 4 training will be provided so everyone knows how to use Zoom, vote, and participate during the assembly.



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Fall Programming News from Luther Springs


A letter from Deacon Sue Mendenhall.


"Greetings Rostered Ministers of the Florida-Bahamas Synod,

 

Earlier this week, you should have received an email from NovusWay explaining that after carefully weighing the positive impact of our ministry programs against the risks faced in gathering during this time of rising Covid-19 numbers, NovusWay has decided not to hold programs through the end of November. This decision, however, does not impact the Respite Retreat for Rostered Ministers and Congregational Professionals at Luther Springs. Because we are not offering a program for this respite retreat but simply offering time for individual rest and renewal, we decided this offering could remain on the schedule. 

 

Currently, the date for this retreat is September 21-23. Because we paused publicity for this event until we decided about fall programming, we realize many of you may not have this date on your calendar. In light of this, we are offering two additional dates you may enjoy some time of respite at Luther Springs. Those dates are October 12-14 and November 2-4. The cost for this time of respite is $119 and includes dinner Tuesday night, all meals on Wednesday, and breakfast on Thursday. 

 

While you face navigating yet another season in the pandemic, come to us for a deliberate time away for rest and renewal. Whether you never leave your room or spend the day rocking on the porch, reflecting in the prayer garden, hiking the trails, kayaking across the lake, swimming in the pool, or enjoying camp life, come and rest. There will be no speaker and no packed agenda, just time for rest. You are welcome to arrive Tuesday afternoon, after lunch, and check out Thursday before lunch. Enjoy a single room in our air-conditioned, motel-style rooms. Linens and Wi-Fi provided. 

 

To register, please go to:  https://luthersprings.org/fall_spring_programs/respite-in-the-wilderness/. Please note that the registration office is very busy addressing the fall changes and the new dates may not yet be set up in the registration portal. If you try to register and that is the case, please get in touch with Allyson in the registration office directly at 828-209-6302. If you have any questions about the facilities or the retreat itself, please contact me at smendenhall@novusway.org or 727-415-9887. Scholarships are available and spouses are welcome."

  

Deacon Sue Mendenhall

Luther Springs Program Director

NovusWay Ministries

727-415-9887

smendenhall@novusway.org



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Be a guest participant in a course at

The United Theological College of the West Indies!



Our partner in Global Mission, United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) recently welcomed a Lutheran professor, Dr. Carolyn Schneider, to teach at UTCWI. She is offering a course on The Book of Concord for a student from Suriname, and you are invited to participate virtually in the classes! The next class is on Monday, September 20 on the Ten Commandments. There is no charge to join in, however, Dr. Schneider does ask that you prepare for the class. The course runs through November; it is possible to join in some, but not all, of the classes. The syllabus can be found here.



A new zoom link will be provided each week.

For the September 20 zoom link, CLICK HERE. Passcode: 38EddP  

The class will convene at 9:00am Jamaica Time, which is 10:00 Eastern Standard Time. Questions? Contact Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Chair, revkhc@gmail.com  or Judith Olsen, Jamaica Team Leader jl13905al@gmail.com.

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Employment Opportunities:


Choir Director - Atonement Lutheran Church

Wesley Chapel, Florida.


Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel is looking for the right person to serve the Lord with our loving congregation as our Choir Director. This part time position would include the following activities:


  • Assuming leadership in conducting, directing and rehearsing the choir prior to and during our 10 A.M. Sunday service.
  • The ability to work with Lutheran liturgical settings, traditional and contemporary music.
  • Choosing choir anthems for weekly Sunday worship and special music for seasonal services throughout the year.
  • The flexibility to work with singers of different levels of musical ability and encourage them.
  • Recruiting new choir members and seeking opportunities for the choir to perform outside of our church.
  • Patience, understanding, and a good sense of humor would be very much appreciated by all choir members.


If you are interested, please contact our office at: 813-973-2211.


Minister of Music - Epiphany Lutheran Church

Oviedo, Florida


Epiphany Lutheran Church in Oviedo, FL is looking for a Minister of Music!


  • This position will be part time, 10 to 12 hours per week.
  • Worship services to include both our 10:00 a.m. Sunday service and mid-week

services such as Advent, Holy Week, funerals and weddings.

  • We require a music degree or 5 years experience in a Christian church setting.
  • Must be proficient on a keyboard/piano, experience on an organ is a plus.


E-mail a resume to: office@epiphanyoviedo.org


Mail a resume to: Epiphany Lutheran Church

                        1498 Tuskawilla Road

                Oviedo, FL 32745



National ELCA News

It’s Time to Register for Addiction & Faith Conference

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The Center of Addiction & Faith will hold its third Addiction & Faith Conference October 7-9, 2021 in Bloomington, Minn., to give faith communities tools for responding to the addiction crisis. Registration is open for in-person and virtual attendance at 

www.addictionandfaithconference.com


The Center grew out of the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy. Founder Ed Treat was an active Lutheran pastor in 2018 when he held the first Addiction & Faith Conference. The success encouraged him to leave parish ministry after 25 years and dedicate himself full-time to the Center of Addiction & Faith, which became a 501©(3) nonprofit organization in 2020.


Contact:  

The Rev. Dr. Ed Treatpastored@addictionandfaith.com, (651) 356-1073 or CAF director of communications & advocacy Stephanie Wernerstephwerner@hotmail.com, (804) 986-2953, @virtualdeacon