E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | June 11, 2024 | |
Submit Your V2A Grant Application | The firm deadline for submitting a grant proposal (including all financial statements and other required documentation) is July 15. Click here to apply today! |
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Ordinations and Installations
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Margarita Romo will be ordained on Saturday, June 15, 1 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, with Bishop Suárez presiding. Margarita has been called as Pastor of Resurrection House Mission in Dade City.
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Thank you for your donations!
Thank you for giving to our Synod Assembly service project benefiting the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. The development director at OURM said that we made history at the mission with the types and amounts of items donated! Click here to read a thank you letter from the mission.
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Has your congregation made the 2022 constitutional updates?
At the Churchwide Assembly in August of 2022, amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations were adopted and mandated to be incorporated into each congregation’s constitution. Those amendments, as well as the updated Model Constitution can be found here. Once the constitution has been updated, please send it to Linda Rosche at: lindalou6451@gmail.com. A detailed review will be done, and Linda will get back to you if any corrections need to be made. Once complete and reviewed by Synod Council, it will be on file at the Synod office. If you have any questions, Linda can be reached at the above email address.
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Weekly Prayer | | All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Father's Day is Sunday, June 16 - Get Resources from LMM
For years now, LMM and Project Twelve have been providing you access to Fathering in 15. Now we are highlighting their supplemental devotions. Go deeper in the studies to better understand relationships and your own connection with God.
Remember, you were created in the image of God and are greatly loved by him: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him. Genesis 1:27
Devotion 1 of the Fathering in 15 program mentions that your self-worth is an important idea for you to think about as a man and as a dad. Remember that you are a person of great value simply because God made you and loves you very much. For this reason you might find it helpful to find out what God has to teach us about our role as a dad, and we can learn what God has to teach us by looking into the guidance and wisdom that He reveals through the Bible. Each devotion ends with four questions. Click the link below to hear John answer one question: Where did you develop your concept of self-worth?
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A Summer Opportunity for Women
Join with ladies from the Lutheran churches of Guyana and Suriname this summer for "Women-to-Women!" We will meet for an hour on June 12, July 10 and August 14 (the second Wednesday) at 6pm EST for conversation, discussion surrounding a biblical theme, and prayer. It's a beautiful way to draw closer to sisters in faith in our companion churches. Join via zoom to be part of this rich experience. Come to one evening, or come to all three...and be blessed by the experience. For more information, email Pastor Katie Carroll, Global Mission Chair at revkhc@gmail.com.
See below for connection information:
Women to Women
June 12, July 10, August 14
6:00pm EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83882799173
Meeting ID: 838 8279 9173
One tap mobile +19292056099,,83882799173# US (New York) +16469313860,,83882799173# US
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Just Love Juneteenth Observance
To find Juneteenth liturgy and worship resources from the ELCA, click here.
The Just Love Ministry of the Florida-Bahamas Synod presents a Juneteenth Freedom Day Observance, Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m. The observance will be held at Salem Lutheran Church in Orlando (7900 S. Apopka Road) and will be livestreamed on the synod Facebook page. Additional details in the flyer here.
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Just Love Summer Ambassador Retreat - June 28-30, 2024
Join the Just Love team at Luther Springs June 28-30, 2024, for an ambassador retreat where we will support one another and learn the skills to do justice in our congregations, conferences and communities.
Participants will arrive late Friday afternoon/early evening for dinner and will finish with worship late Sunday morning. All participants will receive a journal and a PDF of the Just Love Biblical Justice workbook.
Registration includes lodging and meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast), as well as two follow-up sessions on Zoom. If you prefer a printed version of the Just Love Biblical Justice workbook, it will be an additional $10. Registration is capped at 40.
Please contact Pr. Kari Niedermaier at doulakari@gmail.com or Paula Edwards at Pedwards1013@icloud.com for additional information about the retreat.
Justice work is integral to our life in Christ and should not depend on our financial resources. If attending the Ambassador Retreat will cause financial stress, please reach out to Paula or Rev. Kari as scholarships are available.
Click here to register.
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Free Electric Organ Available
Hope, Summerfield Campus in The Villages has a free, Rodgers electric organ available, including speakers. Interested party must arrange for pick-up. For questions, please contact Ken Wood at Ken@hope4all.church or 352-750-2321.
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL is seeking a Church Finance Administrator
As the Finance Administrator at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL, you'll find yourself at the heart of financial stewardship within the congregation. Under the supervision of the Lead Pastor and working with the Congregational Treasurer, your responsibilities span the spectrum of financial management. From meticulously handling bookkeeping tasks to ensuring timely payments of bills and invoices, your role is pivotal in maintaining the congregation's fiscal health. You'll assist in crafting the annual budget, preparing financial reports for council meetings, and overseeing payroll processes for the church staff. With a keen eye for detail, you'll monitor cash flow, address account discrepancies, and manage tax filings while upholding strict confidentiality standards. Your expertise in finance or accounting, coupled with effective communication and teamwork skills, will contribute to the smooth operation of the church's financial affairs.
Ideal candidates for this full-time position will possess a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics, or demonstrate at least three years of relevant work experience. Proficiency in church database software and MS Excel is preferred, alongside a solid grasp of bookkeeping procedures and fund accounting principles. Above all, your commitment to the church's mission and values, coupled with your organizational prowess and ability to collaborate with colleagues, will make you an invaluable asset to Emmanuel Lutheran Church. If you're ready to embark on a fulfilling journey in church finance administration, we invite you to submit your resume to info@emmanuel-elca.org and join our dedicated team.
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Church Administrator for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Leesburg, FL
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is seeking a Church Administrator to manage office and communication tasks as well as moderate bookkeeping. This job reports directly to the pastor, providing administrative support, performing church operational duties, and acting as a key liaison with the congregation. Requirements include strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills. Must be comfortable with Microsoft Office, email, and database management. The work expectation is 20-25 hours +weekly in the church office in Leesburg, with some flexibility. Hourly compensation is commensurate with related work experience and operational, management and interpersonal/communication skills. Please email resume to: gloriadeilutheranleesburg@gmail.com.
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Bishop Eaton Issues Message on the War in Gaza
“Like the prophet Isaiah, we lament, ‘How long, O Lord?’” Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a message on the war in Gaza, reiterating the church’s commitments. Read more...
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NEW RESOURCES: “God’s work. Our hands.”
On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day:
- Planning toolkit.
- Worship resources.
- Slides for projection screens or online worship.
- Posters and social media graphics.
- Spanish-language resources.
- Promotional banners.
- Special hymn text, sheet music and recording.
This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 16.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.
“God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on Sept. 8!
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September 16-18: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.
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September 21: School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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