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E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | October 14, 2025

Mark Your Calendars!

Make plans now to attend these events in 2026:

Synod Assembly

Thursday, June 4–Saturday, June 6, 2026

Embassy Suites, Kissimmee

A time for worship, fellowship, and discernment as we gather as a synod.

Conference on Ministry

Monday, October 5–Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills

Designed for rostered ministers to connect, reflect, and renew.

More details will be shared as the dates approach—stay tuned!

Time to Update Your Constitution

The Churchwide Assembly approved changes to the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations. Every congregation now needs to update its local constitution to align with the 2025 model document (ELCA, 2025).

Start by downloading the updated model on the ELCA website.

Review the required and recommended provisions.
Mark your local edits in a clean, easy-to-read draft.
Send that draft to Pr. Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration, for a quick compliance review at RobR@fbsynod.org. Pastor Rob will have his team take a look at it and let you know if there is anything that needs your attention before you proceed.

After the administrative review, bring the constitution to your congregation for a vote according to your current constitutional procedures. The Synod Council will also vote to accept the updated constitution.

This process protects your governance, clarifies roles, and keeps your ministry aligned with current churchwide standards. If you have questions, contact Pastor Rob at RobR@fbsynod.org.

DOWNLOAD 2025 MODEL DOCUMENT

CONTACT PASTOR ROB ROSE

Ordinations & Installations

November 1 at 1 PM: Rev. Neil Brady will be installed as pastor of Lutheran Church of the Palms in Palm Harbor; Bishop Suarez will preside.

Youth Musicians Invited to Lutheran Summer Music 2026

Enrollment is now open for Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students who come together to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build a supportive and fun community. Musical experiences include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more.

Priority enrollment deadline: December 1

Standard enrollment deadline: March 1

Learn more at LSMacademy.org/program.

Join the Luther Springs Cabin Challenge

At the start of this year, Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Gainesville took a bold step in supporting the future of Luther Springs by contributing to the newly established Luther Springs Cabin Endowment through Novus Way. This endowment will help fund the construction of much-needed cabins, expanding the capacity and impact of this beloved ministry.

Gethsemane, Gainesville invites all conferences and congregations across the Florida-Bahamas Synod to join this effort. Your gifts will help ensure that Luther Springs continues to be a place of growth, faith, and community for generations to come.

To contribute:

Mail to: NovusWay, P.O. Box 208, Arden, NC 28704
Indicate the payment is for the Luther Springs Cabin Endowment in the memo line.

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Grace Lutheran Church at Carrollwood is seeking a Handbell Director

Grace Lutheran Church at Carrollwood in Tampa seeks a part-time Handbell Choir Director. The 12-member all-volunteer bell choir rehearses weekly and plays easy-moderate handbell arrangements in worship about once a month. Grace Lutheran owns 4 octaves of Schulmerich Handbells and 5 octaves of Malmark Handchimes that are well-cared for, regularly maintained, and refurbished.

This position requires a person with proven musical skills with experience in conducting and leadership, effective teaching skills, creative ideas, and constructive interpersonal skills. A bachelor’s degree in music is preferred but not required. Please contact Grace Lutheran Church’s personnel chairperson, Ruth Anderson, at rande8@ymail.com to inquire about the Handbell Choir Director position and a job description.

The Art for Faith’s Sake Concert Series presents a free concert featuring the Cerus Saxophone Quartet

Sunday, October 19 | 3 p.m.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo

Emerging as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st-century classical music. Their mission is driven by diverse, engaging programming and innovative visual elements that captivate audiences.

Free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be received, and a reception will follow.

Contact Shawn Thomas for more information at 850-316-0321.

VIEW THE FACEBOOK EVENT

King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Music Director Position

King of Kings, a vibrant and growing ELCA Lutheran church in Port Richey, is seeking a talented and energetic musical director. Candidates should be able to play a variety of worship music for a blended service and direct volunteer choir members in producing pleasing choral performances for Sunday service. Candidates with strong ties to the local musical community are a plus, but not required. This is a part-time position with flexible hours that will include Sunday morning 10 a.m. Worship Services. The music director must be able to work in concert with the pastor, assist in developing new talent, and help grow the choir and music program through an energetic and professional demeanor. Interested candidates can email resumes to king2s@live.com.

VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION

Prince of Peace, Fernandina Beach Needs a Talented Organist

Nestled in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood, Prince of Peace in Fernandina Beach is a welcoming and supportive community with a deep appreciation for the arts. The congregation is diverse, encompassing individuals and families from various backgrounds and music is a thread that weaves through every aspect of the church.

Prince of Peace is seeking a church organist to fulfill a variety of musical and liturgical responsibilities:

Playing the organ at weekly Sunday services and on major holy days
Providing music for weddings, funerals, and other special services as needed
Collaborating with the choir director to prepare and accompany choral anthems, hymns, and responses
Attending and participating in regular choir rehearsals
Occasionally assisting with other musical ensembles or soloists as part of special programs

If you are passionate about sacred music and eager to share your talents in a community that values tradition, creativity, and faith, Prince of Peace would love to hear from you. Applications can be sent to the church office at poplc.office@gmail.com or call 904-0261-6306 for details.

Action Guide for Congregations

The Action Guide for Congregations is full of ideas for how to engage your members in the shared work of our church, including ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, AMMPARO and more!

ORDER OR DOWNLOAD

Rostered Ministers Gathering 2026: “Woven Together”

All ELCA deacons, pastors, bishops (under call, on leave or disability, or retired), and approved candidates are invited to the Rostered Ministers Gathering, July 6–9, 2026, in Indianapolis, Ind. Under the theme “Woven Together,” each day will focus on a unique thread:

With God
For Creation
As Community
Rostered Ministers Together

Join colleagues for worship, learning, and connection. Visit the event webpage for updates on registration, speakers, and the schedule in the coming weeks.

EVENT WEBPAGE