E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | September 19, 2023 | |
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Mission Partners 100: Give Today!
Your gift as part of the synod’s Mission Partner 100 will help us preserve Sarasota’s past and architectural heritage as well as Sarasota’s future—the children who attend our pre-school—and help St. Paul Lutheran Church of Sarasota continue as a caring community-centered church. The St. Paul Lutheran Church of Sarasota Education Building is one of three on our campus designed by internationally-renowned architect Victor Lundy. While safe, the roof leaks and its iconic historical beams need to be replaced due to weather and termite damage. Click here to read more or watch the video below.
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Registration Now Open for Conference on Ministry
Late registration closes Friday, September 22
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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Synod Seeks Director of Operations
Are you a seasoned operations expert with a deep understanding of ELCA structures and practices? Are you ready to play a pivotal role in the mission of the Florida-Bahamas Synod? We are searching for a dedicated Director of Operations to lead the way. In this role, you will oversee daily operations, develop efficient policies, and ensure financial stability while fostering collaboration with various synod departments, ministries, and congregations. If you're a proactive, mission-driven individual with exceptional leadership skills, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful impact in our synod. Click here to learn more.
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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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Weekly Prayer | | O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible fountain of forgiveness. Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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Free Coaching Sessions for Rostered Leaders at Conference on Ministry
Our Synod Coaches are ready to serve you at Conference on Ministry in October (16th-18th)! Never tried being coached? Want to know what it’s like and how it can move you in the great directions that you, rather than the Coach, choose to go? Sign up at the Coaching table at the Conference on Ministry on Monday or Tuesday morning for these limited number of 30-minute sessions that are offered Tuesday afternoon.
For more info on coaching 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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Lilly Student Debt Grant: Pastor Sarah Locke's Story
"The goal for our family is to be debt free so that we can be as generous as we really want to be with what God has blessed us,” Pastor Sarah said. She and her husband Pastor Daniel Locke received grants through the Lilly Student Debt program last year. “Even during the time when student loan payments were on hold, it was such a breath of relief for our family to know that we are a little closer to being debt free.”
Student loan payments and interest have started up again, but there are still funds available for student debt relief through the region’s program. You can apply for student debt relief through October 25 by contacting John Mocko for filling out this form. “It means a lot to us that the church is committed to helping our family achieve our financial goals in this way,” Pastor Sarah concluded.
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Attention Congregation Treasurers and Bookkeepers
In the first of a series of traveling meetings, we invite congregation treasurers and bookkeepers to gather on Sunday, October 15, from 1:00-4:00 PM, at the Warren Willis Conference Center in Fruitland Park.
This will be an opportunity to learn, share, and discuss how the duties of congregation treasurer impacts their roles and the church. Some of the topics to be discussed will be:
- The burden of debt and mortgages
- The high cost of maintenance: electricity, HVAC, irrigation
- Insurance
- First Fruits Giving (What is it and how does it affect the budget/spending plan?)
- Best Practices (Learn to protect yourself from potential financial misconduct.)
- Threats to tax exemption status
There is no charge for this event. Please click here to register.
Deadline is September 22.
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| Photo of the Week: Lutheran World Federation | | |
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The Lutheran World Federation 13th Assembly in Krakow, Poland finishes up this week. Rev. Danielle Dokman, a clergy from our companion church, ELKS, in Suriname, was honored to serve as the preacher for the opening worship. Rev. Dokman is currently working on her PhD through Luther Seminary.
The theme of the assembly is "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope." What an honor to walk in partnership with Lutherans throughout the globe. To learn more about this global communion of which the ELCA is a part, click here.
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King of Kings, Port Richey Office Manager Position Available
King of Kings Lutheran Church in Port Richey, FL, is in need of a part-time office manager now. The Office Manager may work up 20 hrs. per week on a flexible schedule. The Office Manager is responsible for the following:
- Interacting with Church members, with utmost discretion, in coordination with the Pastor
- Updating Church Membership lists
- Assisting in the coordination for building maintenance with Church Council and maintenance staff
- Preparing the weekly church insert, and maintain birthday and anniversary list in the King of Kings, Pastor, and Larry "Drop Box"
- Coordinating Ushers and Readers for the Sunday Service
- Answer the phone and respond to calls or letters
- Order custodial, memorial garden plaques and worship supplies
- Maintaining the offering and new envelops for members
- Emailing completed PDF's of the bulletin and insert to congregational email list each week.
- Volunteer Coordination
Requires computer skills on Outlook, Excel, Publisher, Word and PowerPoint
Please respond by email to: king2s@live.com
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Register Today for the ELCA Youth Gathering
Priority registration is now open for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), the tAble and Young Adult Gathering! You can save money by registering the majority of your group by Nov. 1. Following are a few other benefits of priority registration. Remember that the earlier you sign your group up, the better your chances are of having your preferences honored.
Register today!
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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 11: International Women Leaders Back to School Gathering
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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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