E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | May 16, 2023 | |
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Vision to Action…Coming in June!
Vision to Action, also known as V2A, is the initiative established last year to determine how to use the proceeds from the sale of St. James and other church properties in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. The Office of the Bishop has been listening ever since, through a thorough, transparent process. Your overwhelming response, shared through questionnaires, conversations, workshops, and more, has been to use the funds for innovative ministries that usher in a new way of doing church. And now, in just a few weeks, Vision to Action will launch!
The Vision to Action Grant Program has been approved by the Synod Council and will be announced at the Synod Assembly. The V2A website will be introduced, featuring user-friendly videos and information that make the entire process feel doable—from describing the types of projects that are eligible, to providing a guide on how to discern the best project for your context, to leading you through the application which is submitted online. All congregations in the synod will be able to apply to do innovative ministry in their communities as the 2023 grant season officially opens.
Can’t make it to the assembly? There will be lots of updates and reminders in the weekly Synod E-Spirit, and the V2A website will be easy to follow. Be part of the excitement…and start dreaming. Vision to Action can help to make them come true!
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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
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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. Sprinkle our hearts with your abundant mercy and grace, encouraging us to gather in unity and love. Sprinkle our thoughts with peace and actions toward kindness. Sprinkle our travels with safety and our plans with integrity. Let any angst or anxieties be cast away, making pathways for healthy movements, discussions, and decisions in our synod. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Rev. Nicole Martin, Assembly Chaplain
Messiah Lutheran Church, Panama City Florida
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ELCA Hunger Grants
Attention! For ELCA congregations and ministries interested in receiving a domestic hunger grant: visit www.ELCA.org/domestichungergrants where you can find information on applying for a grant. First you need to fill out a LETTER OF INQUIRY form and submit it as soon as possible. This is a new process replacing the previous Domestic Hunger Grant application process using GrantMaker. ELCA Hunger staff will assess the most promising inquiries for the formal application process. More complete information is found on this website. DEADLINE MAY 31.
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A Gift that Keeps Giving: Humanitarian Support in Cuba
During the February 2023 visit to the Iglesia Evangelica Unida (IEU) in Santiago, Cuba, the Florida-Bahamas Synod presented the church with $5,000 to support both humanitarian assistance and the repair of IEU's seminary facilities. Because of this generous gift, congregations were able to host special Mother's Day celebrations that provided nutritious food. Community members were able to join together for a meal which included meat--a rarity given the extreme economic conditions and lack of basic food supplies. Below are pictures of the meals enjoyed at the congregations of Cristo Redentor and Nuestro Salvador.
Thanks be to God for our partnership in the gospel! As we walk together in Christ's name, we are instruments of healing and hope.
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Florida Reconciling Lutherans Newsletter Now Available
Click here to view the latest news from the Florida Reconciling Lutherans. Articles include updates on LGBTQ+ legislation around the world, school library restrictions, and the recent death of longtime ReconcilingWorks leader Carol M. Dunn.
A memorial service for Carol will be held on Saturday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Clearwater. Click here to read Carol's obituary.
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Save the Date for the Just Love Juneteenth Observance
The Just Love Ministry of the Florida-Bahamas Synod presents a Juneteenth Freedom Day Observance, Saturday, June 17 at 3 p.m. The observance will be held at Salem Lutheran Church in Orlando (7900 S. Apopka Road) and will include music, poetry, refreshments and more. Additional details to come!
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Photos of the Week: South Miami Lutheran | |
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Members of South Miami Lutheran recently joined together to help clean up Biscayne Bay & Matheson Hammock as part of Baynanza, a Miami-Dade County event. They pulled part of a boat, a ton of rope, cans, bottles and a blanket from the mangroves, helping to clean up and take care of Gods creation. (Photos submitted by Meredith Mills)
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
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Christus Victor, North Naples Open Positions
Parish Administrator
Christus Victor Lutheran Church in North Naples seeks a compassionate leader to guide the administration of resources and carefully nurture relationships as we grow our ministry within and beyond the doors of our church building. CVLC is an ELCA congregation known for its welcome and outreach ministries. Our campus is on Route 41, about a mile south of Bonita Beach Road. This new full-time position was created as part of our planning efforts to grow our ministry and expand our impact in the community. Previously, we had a part-time office administrator retiring after fourteen years. Read more...
Parish Support
Christus Victor Lutheran Church in North Naples seeks a compassionate individual to assist the Parish Administrator and Pastor in various tasks and through positive interaction with the larger congregation and community. CVLC is an ELCA congregation known for its welcome and outreach ministries. This part-time position was created as part of our planning efforts to grow our ministry and expand our impact in the community. Read more...
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Lord of the Seas in Need of Pulpit Supply
Are you up for an adventure? Lord of the Seas in Big Pine Key is in need of pulpit supply. You will cover your own travel expenses, but they will compensate at pulpit supply rate of $175 and provide Saturday overnight accommodations. If you are interested, please contact Deacon Connie Schmucker at connies@fbsynod.org.
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Rev. Arlene Landin's Celebration of Life Service at St. Mark's
The Celebration of Life Service for Rev. Arlene Landin at St. Mark's, Coral Gables will occur on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. Click here to view the flyer.
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Rev. David Imhoff's Funeral Service
The Rev. David E. Imhoff, retired pastor, died peacefully on Saturday, May 13, in the company of his wife, Jeanne. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 20, at 12:00 noon, at Fort Caroline Presbyterian Church, 3754 University Club Boulevard in Jacksonville.
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May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Month
Click here to find resources on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Month from the ELCA including digital downloads and information on the ELCA Truth and Healing Movement.
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A letter from ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Greetings and blessings to you! In the United States, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 1978, a bill was passed in the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter designating the first 10 days of the month as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.” In 1992, this week of recognition was expanded to include the entire month in 1992 and was called “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” In 2009, the celebration was redesignated as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.” Read more...
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July 24-28: Transition/Interim Ministry Training
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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.
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October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.
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November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
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