E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | January 2, 2024

Synod Assembly Workshops

Planning is underway for your 2024 Synod Assembly workshops. What are your thoughts on topics or potential speakers? Do you have a passion that you would like to share? Space will be limited but we are hoping for as many ideas as possible to provide the best experience possible. Deadline to submit ideas is January 24.

Please respond with your Ideas to Bill Rosche at billr@fbsynod.org to let us know. Thank you!

Respite in the Wilderness

As a congregational leader, you spend all your time taking care of and ministering to others. Come to Luther Springs and let US care for YOU.

A gift from NovusWay to rostered ministers and church professionals. Enjoy a retreat of rest and renewal through prayer and study as we prepare to navigate the busy season of Lent. In addition to an opportunity for respite, we will welcome Rev. Dr. Chad Michael Rimmer, the Rector and Dean of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, to lead us in an exploration of potential Lenten themes and the topic of leadership.

·    Date: Jan. 9-11, 2024

·    Cost: $150

Click here to register.

Boundaries and Inclusion Education: Basic Boundaries

Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education help us, as Rostered Ministers, live into and maintain healthy boundaries. Like dual relationships, these are areas of ministry that cannot be avoided. They are ministry “facts of life.” Awareness of our roles, the power that those roles carry, and our own potential for the blurring of boundaries is protection for us and for those for whom we care. This educational event is required by the Region 9 Bishops' Agreement.  

Rostered Ministers serving in the Florida-Bahamas Synod are required to take a Boundaries & Inclusion Education class annually. 

Register here: Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education - Basic (MAKE-UP SESSION)

Installations and Ordinations

Rev. Donna Batchelor will be installed as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nokomis on February 4 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.

2024 Advocacy Days

The Florida Faith Advocacy Days will be January 28-30, 2024 in Tallahassee. The state legislature will be considering bills that affect every Floridian. Florida has gone from being the most affordable to the most expensive place to live seemingly overnight. In our faith communities we see upfront the hardships people are facing. These stories are the true picture of Florida. We must tell them to all who will listen. Let’s share them with our elected officials. The truths we know will help make public policy serve the common good and can help relieve the suffering we see everyday. https://floridachurches.org/2024-advocacy-days/

Let's Help Pave the Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering!

Our vibrant youth and young adults are already gearing up for an electrifying summer of events, and we're expecting an impressive turnout of 500-600 enthusiastic individuals from the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Brace yourselves, because "Created To Be" is set to deliver an absolutely thrilling experience!

But here's the thing -- we want to ensure that everyone who desires to attend can make it a reality. That's where you, your congregation, and your conference come in. Together, we can provide financial support to those who might otherwise miss out, just as countless generous hearts have done in previous years. Even if your own congregation doesn't have young attendees, you can still be a sponsor for someone from another congregation.

The cost for each person to partake in this life-changing adventure is estimated at $1,000-$1,200. Your contribution can make all the difference, and it's as simple as visiting the synod's website. In past years, your incredible generosity has surpassed $10,000 for this noble cause, and for that, we are grateful.

Don't wait, be a part of this incredible journey by following this direct link for your contribution.

And if you happen to know someone in need of financial assistance, here's a link to the application that can be their ticket to an unforgettable summer. Let's come together and make "Created To Be" an unforgettable experience for all!

St. Paul, Tampa: Epiphany Concert with Desmond Bratton

Please mark your calendars for an Epiphany Concert on Saturday, January 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 5103 N. Central Ave., Tampa, 33603. It will be performed by string bass musician Desmond Bratton who was one of our guest musicians on Christmas Eve. The concert will be primarily Christmas and Epiphany themed music with some originals and unique arrangements of standard tunes traditionally not played on bass. It will last approximately one hour. A suggested donation of $10 - $25 is appreciated, but no one will be turned away. Be sure to invite your friends and family!

Genre-jumping Trumpet & Organ Recital in Suntree

Advent Lutheran Church presents American Nomad and The Modern Hymn Project  

The magnificent pipe organ at Advent Lutheran Church in Suntree will get a different kind of workout on Monday, January 15 at 7 p.m. Instead of a classical concert, the church at 7550 North Wickham Road will host two outstanding Minnesota musicians to present American Nomad and The Modern Hymn Project. Organist and former Director of the National Lutheran Choir, David Cherwien teams up with acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus for an evening of exciting and virtuosic music making. At the center of the genre-jumping performance by the Minneapolis residents will be the Florida premiere of American Nomad, a classical/jazz hybrid concerto for trumpet written by Emmy Award-winning composer, Steve Heitzeg. The program will include selections from Lazarus‘s latest recording of modern takes on hymns and spirituals along with classical favorites. For more information about American Nomad and The Modern Hymn Project, visit AdventBrevard.org or call (321) 259-8515.      

Concert Series Coordinator for Advent Lutheran Church in Suntree, Betty Jo Couch, is eager to welcome the duo to Brevard for the Florida premier of American Nomad.

"This is another exciting first for us," said Ms. Couch. "Both of these gentlemen have a lifetime of musical achievement to their credit. They are coming together at Advent Lutheran Church to perform for the people of Brevard, and we couldn't be happier to showcase their talents."

Juilliard trained Charles Lazarus is a respected orchestral soloist, composer and bandleader.

“There are very few classical trumpet concertos that incorporate jazz improvisation as an integral part of the work,” said Lazarus. “American Nomad melds cool jazz and a contemporary cinematic flair. I hear it as a hipster’s coast to coast journey that captures elements of many American musical styles.”

Composer, conductor and clinician, David Cherwien is delighted to be artistically stretched.

"In addition to piano improvisation, I am doing a couple of organ pieces: "In Dir ist Freude" by Bach, and my own "Prelude and Toccata on 'Of the Father's Love Begotten,'" said Cherwien. "We have been having much fun preparing this program - it's quite different and probably the most diverse program I've ever participated in!"

For more information about Advent Lutheran Church in Suntree and Melbourne Beach, visit AdventBrevard.org. 

• January 9-11: Respite in the Wilderness - Luther Springs

• January 12-14: Faith Journey - Confirmation - Luther Springs

• January 12-14: EQUIP Retreat - Luther Springs

• January 28-30: Florida Faith Advocacy Days, Tallahassee, FL - Florida Council of Churches

• January 31: FREE Mental Health First Aid Training - Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church

• February 23-25: Master Builders - Luther Springs

• March 4-8: Quilting Retreat - Luther Springs

• April 19-20: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat, Lakeland, FL

• May 31 - June 2: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Orlando Lake Buena Vista South

• April 19-21: God Spa - Luther Springs

• June 18-29: Joint Synod Pilgrimage to Greece

• September 9-18: Experience the Holy Land hosted by ALOA - Adult Lutherans Organized for Action

• September 16-18: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

• September 21: School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

• October 4-7: Marty's Autumn Motorcycle Retreat at Lutheridge Camp & Conference Center