E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | April 22, 2025 | | |
You're Invited to the Bishop's Reception!
Your Synod Assembly registration includes the Bishop’s Reception on Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. The reception is open to all Assembly attendees. Please wear your LOUDEST, most colorful shirt and come meet your synod’s candidates for rostered ministry and rostered ministers new to the synod. Food will be served (a hot nacho bar as well as an ice cream sundae station, coffee, and tea). This promises to be a fun event with music and an opportunity to meet and mingle with your peers, Bishop Suarez, and Synod staff.
| | |
Don't miss out on early bird rates! Register by May 10, 2025, to secure
the best price. After this date, the registration fee will increase by $50. Late registration will be open from May 11-20, 2025—be sure to get in before the deadline!
| | |
Save the Date! Webinar: Theology and Practicality of Space Usage
May 12, 7 p.m.
How can we better use our spaces to be a blessing for our communities, our neighborhoods, and our world? How is God calling us to expand our footprint beyond our normal activities to invite and encourage other engagement? Led by Pastor Tim Brown, ELCA’s Director of Congregational Stewardship, this webinar will explore both the theology and the practicality of utilizing space differently. Using the best practices out there and innovative examples, you’ll see some of the ways space is being used for mission as well as hear an invitation to follow that lead. The webinar can be accessed through this link.
| | | | |
Installations & Ordinations
May 10 at 12 PM: Rev. Nathan Strong will be installed as Pastor at Calvary Lutheran in Ruskin; Acting Bishop Rob Rose will preside.
May 17 at 3 PM: Olga-Maria Cruz will be ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Grace Lutheran Church in Rock Hill, SC. Bishop Virginia Aebischer of the South Carolina Synod will preside. Olga-Maria has been called to serve as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland. The service will be livestreamed at www.gracerockhill.com.
June 1 at 2 PM: Rev. Carl Taylor will be installed as Senior Pastor at Advent in Melbourne; Bishop Suarez will preside.
| | | MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
| | | |
Introductory Workshop This Week!
If you are considering applying for a V2A grant in the 2025 season, register for the one of the upcoming workshops including one tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. or one the next week on Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. Attending a workshop is required of all applicants including those who have applied in prior grants cycles. Hope to see you soon!
Questions? Email grants@fbsynod.org.
| | |
Grace in Action April Zoom Gathering & Training
The Just Love mission is to see love established in public, which creates justice for all. With so many policy changes at every level and many of our neighbors, and ourselves, experiencing fear, anxiety, job loss, and/or insecurity around food, housing, and healthcare, where does one start to establish love in public that creates justice for all? Join the Just Love team for a Zoom gathering and training to lament, encourage one another, and dream together of a future where God’s kingdom comes and God’s will is done, where we can experience and participate in God’s grace in action: Thursday, April 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
We will also share some of the work of Just Love in the coming months, including some justice and advocacy trainings around the synod.
Zoom details:
Click here to join via Zoom.
Passcode: 643842
Meeting id: 827 5503 3514
| | |
Fort Myers Beach church welcomes first congregation back since storm damage
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church on Fort Myers Beach has faced a long road to recovery after Hurricane Ian, but faith and perseverance have brought it back to life. For the last two and a half years, the church has been in recovery mode due to the devastating impact of the storm. Now, with renovations complete, the church welcomed friends and family back inside for the first service in the newly renovated building last Sunday. Watch the video here.
| | | Photo of the Week: Good Shepherd, Hernando | | | For the 2024 “God’s work. Our hands.” service activity, the generous Good Shepherd congregation raised over $3,000 to purchase 585 personal hygiene kits. These kits were donated to the Citrus County Education Foundation (CCEF) to be distributed to the over 700 homeless youth who attend Citrus County public schools. Pictured with the hygiene kits are Vera Swade, Chair of Social Ministry; Cindy Gaertner, Social Ministry member; and Meg Vilardi, CCEF. Good Shepherd's Social Ministry and Outreach Committees are already planning for this year's “God’s work. Our hands” service activity! | | |
Earth Day sermon from Lutherans Restoring Creation
On Sunday, April 27, the Rev. Barbara Rossing will offer a recorded sermon that considers Earth Day in the context of that day’s lectionary readings. Register at bit.ly/ED-sermon to obtain a link, and incorporate the message into your worship as you see fit. Many worship ideas for accompanying creation care can be found at lutheransrestoringcreation.org/worship.
| | |
Exploring Faith website
Finding a faith community can be a personal and sometimes complex journey. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new “Get Connected” tool at ExploreFaith.church. The Exploring Faith site is designed to connect people who are unfamiliar with the ELCA or new to their area with affirming Lutheran communities that are ready to support them as they discern their faith. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or seeking a community with which you resonate, our Get Connected tool makes it easier to discover how you can grow in devotion. From wetting your feet to treading water, Explore Faith has many ways for you to dive deeper!
| | -
September 20: School of Lay Ministry Graduation Retreat & Worship, New Life Lutheran Church, Sarasota
| | -
September 29-October 1: Conference on Ministry, Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills
| | | | |
