E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | August 22, 2023 | |
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As Deacon Connie Schmucker Retires, Synod Welcomes Pastor Nicole Eastwood
After more than 11 years on synod staff, Deacon Connie Schmucker is looking forward to the simple pleasures of retired life – not setting her alarm, spending time with family, and new adventures with her husband, Brad, and their black lab, Gus.
On November 1, 2023, Connie will retire from her position as Assistant to the Bishop (A2B) for Leadership with the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Since May of 2012, she has served under Bishops Benoway, Schaefer, Lohrmann, and currently, Pedro Suarez. “I will always be grateful for these years,” Schmucker said. “I have been blessed beyond measure.” Read more...
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Help Those Impacted by Wildfires
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is communicating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. We will work with them to provide for immediate needs and recovery amid the widespread destruction. FBS is committed to accompanying recovering communities in the years ahead.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Pray: Please pray for the Maui communities impacted by the wildfires. May God's healing presence bring them peace and hope in their time of need and give strength to those working diligently to contain the fires and care for affected communities.
Give: Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. Wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires. Or make a general donation to Disaster Response so we can respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike.
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Installations & Ordinations
Macy Kennedy will be ordained as a Minister of Word & Service at Messiah, Cape Coral on September 24 at 3 p.m. Bishop Suarez will preside.
Rev. William Kittinger will be installed as Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice on October 1 at 3 p.m.
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Rostered Leaders Retreat
Rostered leaders are invited to a three-day retreat where you can experience healing, reconnect with others, and learn new spiritual practices that will renew your soul. This gift is made possible through a generous grant from the Lutheran Disaster Relief-US to the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
The retreat will take place September 11 – 13, 2023 in Clearwater Beach, Florida at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and is presented by Living RED. The cost of all activities, meals, a single room, and optional healing modalities are covered. You only need to cover your transportation to the event. While most sessions and activities will be at the resort, there will be a special group dinner at the Columbia Restaurant and an evening of Taizé Worship and fellowship at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clearwater.
Learn more and register.
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Weekly Prayer
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Registration Now Open for Conference on Ministry
Don't miss the COM Special Activities!
Calling all rostered ministers of the Florida-Bahamas Synod! Join us at the 2023 Conference on Ministry, where we are thrilled to welcome an exceptional speaker: the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger. As the founder of AE Sloan Leadership and the Senior Fellow and Congregational Strategist at Fuller Seminary's De Pree Center for Leadership, Dr. Bolsinger brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
Renowned for his expertise in leading change, Dr. Bolsinger has taught doctoral students on this very topic. His insights have been captured in his award-winning and best-selling leadership books, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory and Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change.
At our conference, Dr. Bolsinger will guide us in exploring a different form of leadership required when venturing "off the map" into a disrupted world. As old best practices no longer suffice, we must equip ourselves with the tools and mindset to navigate uncharted territory.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from a distinguished leader in ministry. Together, let's embrace the challenges of a changing world and discover new paths to effective leadership.
| Elevate your conference experience beyond the sessions and workshops – sign up now for the Golf Outing and Luther Springs field trip, where you'll strike the perfect balance between professional growth and personal rejuvenation! |
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Register Today for Excellence in Leadership
Excellence in Leadership (EiL) is a ministry born out of the need for courageous and resilient people (lay and rostered) in the church, in organizations, and in the world. We are currently living in a time that asks specifically for leaders who have the capacity to think about the future in new ways and we believe that effective leadership begins with the individual and is honed in community. This ministry helps each person learn how to appreciate who they are, how they are embodied, and manage the way they personally respond to challenges and conflict. Through doing this work, they are then able to show up more effectively in places of anxiety, conflict, and frustration. When leaders show up in healthy ways, they are better equipped to help the people and systems they work with to also respond in healthier ways.
SPACE IS LIMITED! Click here to learn more.
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2023 Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering: Holy Ground - God Still Speaks | November 10-12, 2023
NEW LOCATION: Warren Willis United Methodist Conference Center, Fruitland Park
Did you spend time at church camp when you were young? Do you remember camp songs and crafts? Join the Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA at our Fall Gathering where we will celebrate Holy Ground and discover how God still speaks to us.
Worship will be led by Trixie Richter and Bible Study will be led by Michelle Collins! And…with more than 20 workshops to choose from, we are certain there is something for you. Whether it is working on crafts, participating in Bible studies, or learning more about Women of the ELCA ministries, the workshops provide a great opportunity for small group fellowship.
It's going to be a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, learning, singing, and even eating s'mores! So, visit the 2023 Fall Gathering page at www.flwelca.com to learn more about this year’s workshops, scholarship opportunities, and registration options.
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Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment Program
To address individual financial wellness among rostered ministers and their preparedness to manage the finances of a congregation or organization, Resourceful Servants has launched the Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment Program.
Rostered ministers selected for the program will build up their own savings reserves and improve their skills in managing finances in a congregation or organization by participating in both aspects of this combined program. Learn more.
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Do You Sense Something is Missing?
Sometimes in work and life you want and need to fill the gap, complete the picture, make things happen, find what’s needed to move ahead to what and where you feel called.
Coaching believes you already have within you what God is calling you to do. Coaching does not pile more stuff on you to do that you don’t want to engage. With coaching you unlock doors and set things in motion. Want a Coach?
Go to fbsynod.com/coaching or elcacoaching.org or contact our Synod Coaching Coordinator Dr. Johan Bergh at johan@beinganddoingmatters.com.
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Grace, Lakeland open positions
Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) is a caring, welcoming, and dynamic congregation with a mission to share God’s love with each other, our community, and the world.
Part-Time CHOIR DIRECTOR
We are seeking a part-time Choir Director to participate in our music ministry.
The Choir Director plans and prepares anthems appropriate to the liturgical season, oversees choral interns, and coordinates small groups, such as the handbell choir, and solos for summer worship.
Ideally, we seek an innovative person with a bachelor’s degree and choral leadership experience with the ability to recruit, motivate musicians, and play parts for rehearsals. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and supply a link to a video performance demonstrating your choral conducting skills to: ChurchGraceLakeland@gmail.com by September 30th.
Part-Time ORGANIST
We are seeking a part-time organist to participate in our music ministry.
In collaboration with the pastor, the organist prepares and accompanies music for worship services including special services such as Christmas and Holy Week. The organist also accompanies the choir, worship band, guest instrumentalists and/or vocalists.
Ideally, we seek an innovative person with a bachelor’s degree and proficiency in playing a 2 manual pipe organ with foot pedals. Familiarity with the liturgy and the liturgical year is a plus. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and supply a link to a video performance demonstrating your organ and piano skills to: ChurchGraceLakeland@gmail.com by September 30th.
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Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Myers Seeks Music Director
The Director of Music works with pastoral staff, volunteer musicians, and ensembles to develop high quality music for worship at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church (GTLC). The Director of Music must possess interpersonal skills that facilitate rehearsals and worship for each of the music programs in association with staff and other music facilitators and volunteers. Read full description here.
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Part-time Communications Position Open at Prince of Peace, Largo
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo, FL is seeking a part-time communications specialist who will assemble bulletins week, newsletters monthly and design other documents with contemporary imagery on an as needed basis for a variety of ministries. The position would require 8 to 12 hours per week—more hours during busier seasons of the Church Year. Working onsite is not necessary. Compensation negotiable. Please send resumes to employment@poplargo.org.
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Worship Resources for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday
If you are still planning for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday (Sept. 10), resources are available. Newly crafted liturgical texts and considerations for preaching help make connections between the lectionary texts and the theme "God's work. Our hands." Click here for more.
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September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, Hope Lutheran Church, the Villages - Retreat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Graduation & Worship 4 p.m.
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October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Warren Willis Camp & Conference Center, Fruitland Park
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November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
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