E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | July 12, 2022

SYNOD NEWS

Vision to Action Phase 2: Focusing Visions

It’s time to get specific. Phase 2 is starting, and we need your help. The goal of this phase is to start focusing our visions and become more specific. If we looked ahead in time, what would we see happening with the money from the sale of St. James Lutheran Church? What type of ministries would need to happen? New programs? Current programs? New partnerships? New endeavors? What would need to be developed for us, as a synod, to fulfill our call as the Lutheran witness in our community? How would we live out our faith and make the grace of Christ known? What would it look like, feel like, or sound like if we were more specific about our visions?

Click on this link and share what our future looks like as we move forward.

Ordinations & Installations

The ordination of Trixie Darlene Richter will be held on July 16, 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Winter Park; Bishop Pedro Suarez will preside. Trixie has accepted the call to serve St. Philip Lutheran Church in Mount Dora.

Weekly Prayer Focus

O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

MINISTRY UPDATES

diakonia News

See you in September

See you when the summer’s through

Bye-bye. So long. Farewell…

Yup…those are lyrics to a hit song from the 1960s.

It’s summertime here in Florida and the perfect time for lots of us to take off and avoid the searing summer heat.

So, if you have been thinking about diakonia or thinking about starting a journey to better prepare you for lay leadership in your congregation, or just wanting a little more than a regular Bible study, we hope to see YOU in September.

Even though the School of Lay Ministry courses are continuing over the summer, our Steering Committee will be taking a hiatus for July and August. So, cut this out and stick it on your refrigerator.

Relax (or chillax as the younger people say) for the summer and then we’ll be back in September looking for you.

LOCAL CHURCH NEWS

Open Positions in the Synod

Part-Time Music Director at St. Michael Lutheran Church (Wellington)
Director of Music – Immanuel Lutheran Church (Palm City)

Click here for position descriptions and application information.

Photo of the Week: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winter Park

For the third year, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winter Park conducted a worship service in commemoration of the Emanuel 9. The worship marked the June date when nine members of the Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, SC were murdered by a young man that pretended to be interested in the Bible study.

The service was opened by Steve Beumer, a synod-parish deacon, with the reading of Mark 4, the same verse that was being studied that evening in Charleston. Before the sermon, lay leader Denise Beumer (pictured above) led a dramatic reading of The Creation by James Weldon Johnson. The sermon was given by Pastor Priscilla Robinson of St. Mark A.M.E. church in Orlando. The worship was closed with the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing, also written by James Weldon Johnson who was born in Jacksonville.

(Photo credit: Steve Beumer)

To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.

ELCA NEWS

2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 8-12, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. We gather under the theme, Embody the Word.

More info available here.

From the Presiding Bishop: The Good Samaritan

I have been thinking a lot about the parable of the good Samaritan lately (Luke 10:25-37). Parts of it are so familiar—the unfortunate victim, the robbers, the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan—that I miss points of deeper meaning. We all know the compassion and generosity of the Samaritan has become the standard by which we measure our response to suffering. Hospitals are named Good Samaritan. All 50 states have a Good Samaritan law on the books. I always imagined (or hoped) that I would act like the good Samaritan were I ever in a similar situation. Read more...

Embody the Word Bible Study Sessions - 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Pre-Events

ELCA members are encouraged to participate in a series of online Bible studies in advance of the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. Each session will explore the meaning of “embodiment” from Luke 24, followed by engagement with the presenters.

Click here to register.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Luther Springs 2022 Programs: Retreats & Programs for 2022

July 18-22: Transition Ministry Training Online Webinar

July 24-29: Boundless Wide & Deep: A week of fun and ministry for youth at Luther Springs in Hawthorne

August 8-12: ELCA Churchwide Assembly: Columbus, Ohio

September 11: "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday: Day of Service

September 20-30: The Oberammergau Passion Play: Adult Lutherans Organized for Action

October 7-9: National BOLD Gathering: Lutheran Men in Mission

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