E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | April 16, 2024 | |
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Important Reminders for Synod Assembly
Registration Deadline Quickly Approaching
Attention all rostered ministers and lay voting members: Don't miss out on the opportunity to secure your spot at the highly anticipated 2024 Synod Assembly! The deadline for early registration rates is fast approaching on May 8.
Register now to take advantage of discounted rates and ensure your participation in this enriching gathering of our community. Click here to reserve your place.
Let's connect, learn, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our synod. We look forward to welcoming you!
Volunteers Needed for Synod Assembly
Volunteers are essential to making the Synod Assembly successful. It is also a wonderful opportunity to witness how the church comes together to worship, vote on church leadership, and educate themselves on important Church subjects. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Julie Noya at fbsynodvolunteers@gmail.com.
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Ordinations and Installations
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Rev. A.J. Striffler will be installed as Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington on May 5, 3 p.m. with Rev. Nicole Eastwood officiating.
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Rev. Rebecca Craig will be installed as Pastor of Crossroad Lutheran Church in Fleming Island on May 18, 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Pedro Suárez presiding.
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Weekly Prayer Focus | | O Lord Christ, good shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us into your fold. Feed us, and we shall be satisfied; heal us, and we shall be whole. Make us one with you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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Task #9: Emergency Operations
Imagine any number of scenarios where people are occupying the church building, and an emergency occurs:
- someone collapses in the middle of worship;
- a fire in the boiler room while an outside group is meeting in the building;
- an unstable or violent person in the building;
- quick moving tornado.
Consider the response of leadership, do we know who will take the lead for different types of scenarios? Do we know if there are medical personnel in the congregation? If a scouting group meets in the church building when no congregational leaders are present, do they know what to do if the fire alarm goes off? Do they have contact information for the response team and not just the church office?
Are basic emergency plans and instructions posted prominently near light switches or doorways so that everyone knows when and how to do the following?:
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Evacuate: all occupants must leave a specific area. When writing your directives, consider various levels of occupancy, such as weekdays, evenings, Sunday mornings, etc. Decide what steps are to be taken and a rendezvous location for groups. Place signs for the evacuation routes. Decide on how and when to practice these procedures. Example, there is a fire in the building.
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Lock Down: all occupants inside a facility must remain inside and prevent any unauthorized person from entering the building. A lockdown may occur when a dangerous situation or person may be within or in the vicinity of the building. Example, a robbery has taken place in the neighborhood and the suspect is still at large. Consider who needs to be trained in lock down procedures (e.g., office staff, Sunday school teachers, pre-school staff.)
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Shelter in Place: all occupants stay within a facility, perhaps for an extended period of time. Those present in the facility may find it wise or be ordered to stay in the facility when an emergency or disaster occurs in the nearby vicinity, and it is not safe to leave the building. Example, a storm may take down power lines or trees or cause a flash flood which makes the roads impossible to navigate safely.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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A Unique Global Mission Event for Women
Women of the synod are invited to join women from our Lutheran companions in Guyana and Suriname to discuss "Finding Hope in a Complex World." This zoom event will explore how women in different contexts hold onto hope in the face of challenges. It's held on two evenings, April 17 and 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. EST. The Lutheran Church in Guyana leads a program on the first night, and the Lutheran Church in Suriname presents on the second night. There will be worship, presentations, discussions, and prayer. Can't attend both evenings? Sign up for the session that fits your schedule. Be part of this singular event! Register by clicking here.
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Give Today to Support the Jacksonville Campus Ministry
Campus pastors are equipped with the pastoral skills necessary to face most of the challenges students face on campuses like mental health crises, substance abuse, and theological questions and pressures. However, the shortage of student housing is one challenge for which the seminary doesn’t prepare its students.
The Jacksonville Campus Ministry is a partnership with Redeemer Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through this partnership, Rev. Sara Locke, campus pastor, was able to provide six students with housing in less than one year. The Jacksonville Campus Ministry now has safe and affordable housing right on Redeemer’s campus.
However, the housing crisis continues on and off campus in Jacksonville. The main university in the city has prioritized underclassmen for housing this year, leaving upperclassmen scrambling for expensive housing as a new semester begins. With this in mind, JCM is renovating another conference room to add a seventh bedroom to our residence. Not everyone can be housed, but JCM can make a difference for one more student.
Your gift will allow JCM to provide affordable, safe, and inclusive housing for college students in the Jacksonville area.
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Open Positions at St. Mark Lutheran in Dunedin, FL
Church Manager
St. Mark is a vibrant and welcoming congregation who is boldly sharing God’s love and grace. We are an ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation and are committed to fostering a loving community for spiritual growth, and outreach. We are seeking a dedicated and organized individual to join our team as a Church Manager in support of our mission.
As the Church Manager, you will play a crucial role in supporting the smooth operation of our church administration. You will be responsible for managing administrative tasks, coordinating office activities, and ensuring effective communication within the congregation and with external partners. This role requires a detail-oriented and self-motivated individual with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Minister of Music
St. Mark is a vibrant and welcoming congregation who is boldly sharing God’s love and grace. We are an ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation and are committed to fostering a loving community for spiritual growth, and outreach. We are seeking an experienced and organized individual to join our team as our Minister of Music in support of our mission.
Music is an integral part of the life and worship services of St. Mark. As the Minister of Music you will play a critical role in leading worship on Sundays and at special services. You will be responsible for directing choirs and music ministry groups including adult, children, and bells. You will encourage the participation of the congregation and their talents in worship and work to grow the music program.
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If you are interested in learning more about either of these opportunities contact Pastor Katy Fast, at katy.fast@stmlc.com with a short email about your qualifications and your contact details.
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Music Director Position at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church Cape Coral, Florida
Messiah Lutheran Church is seeking a talented musician to lead Sunday services and other special musical events. The prospective Music Director should be able to provide musical accompaniment for a traditional service at 9:30 a.m. The potential candidate would also be responsible for the choral and solo musicians already established and for building upon that core group.
Additionally, we may also consider dividing the responsibilities for both a choral director and/or an organist. Candidates may apply for one or both positions. We would be open to job sharing with two musicians. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 2691 N. E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, Florida at the corner of Corbet Road, one mile west of U.S. 41. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity contact, Judy Young, at judybuddy52@gmail.com with a short email about your qualifications and your contact details.
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April 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo: Holy Collaborative Discernment
This months ELCA April 2024 Mission Support Memo inspires us to wonder how God might be calling us into ministry and explores how two neighboring synods are finding joy and strength in walking along side folks in discernment cohorts. Plus, you do not want to miss the opportunity on May 13th to learn best practices in creating and empowering stewardship teams. This is a time of deep appreciation for all leaders across our church.
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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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