E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | April 2, 2024 | |
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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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Ordinations and Installations
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Rev. David Lillejord will be installed as Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples on April 7, 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Pedro Suárez presiding.
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Rev. Larry Grunden will be installed as Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church in Orange Park on April 14, 3 p.m. with Rev. Nicole Eastwood officiating.
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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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Synod Council Summaries
Summaries of the Synod Council meetings will now be available on the website. Click here to view the Florida-Bahamas Synod Council highlights from past meetings.
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Register for a Vision to Action Introductory Workshop TODAY!
The final two Introductory Workshops scheduled for learning about Vision to Action occur next week via zoom on Monday evening, April 8 at 7pm and Tuesday afternoon, April 9 at 2pm. Vision to Action (V2A) is the granting program of the Florida-Bahamas Synod funding new, innovative ministries that focus on intentional evangelism and forming new faith communities. Note that attendance at an Introductory Workshop is required for all applicants. Register by clicking here.
Questions? Contact Rev. Katie Carroll, V2A Grant Manager at grants@fbsynod.org.
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Registration for Synod Assembly is Now Open
Synod Assembly is May 31- June 2, 2024
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, engage, and contribute to the collective mission of our synod. See you there!
Quick Links:
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Registration: Early bird deadline is May 8.
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Hotel: Group rate is $149/night. Reserve your room today!
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Agenda: Get an overview of Synod Assembly activities.
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Service Project: This year, we'll be serving the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
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Nominations: We ask your help in identifying nominees to fill these important positions.
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Workshops: Find descriptions on this year's exciting workshops.
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Resolutions & Memorials: All Memorials & Resolutions must be submitted by May 1, 2024 to be reviewed and prepared to be brought to the assembly floor.
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Weekly Prayer Focus: He is Risen! | | Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord's resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Task #8: Create a Communication Plan
Clear communication is critical during times of disaster, but it is often significantly more difficult than usual. Develop a plan for how communications should flow to and from leadership and within the network of responders and the congregation during
emergencies and times of disaster.
Stay alert to possible threats
Identify how the response team, those in charge of ministries and activities, and those within the church facilities will stay alert to possible threats. For example, is there a weather alarm in the administrative office? If the county has an automated phone notification system in case of emergency, are you on their list?
Communication with leaders during emergency and disaster
Identify how the response team, those in charge of ministries and activities and those within the church facilities will communicate in times of threat or actual disaster. Identify how the response team will communicate with emergency management, other community partners and congregation members. Offer alternatives that take into account whether or not electrical power is available.
Communication with members of the congregation
Phone trees, electronic messaging, methods that don’t rely on electricity or cell towers could include message boards at the front of the church, flyers posted at grocery stores or community bulletin boards. Additional information about crisis communication internally and externally is included in the additional resources section.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Requests for the May Education Grant Now Open
Established by a generous gift from Pastor Rusty and PJ May, the purpose of the May Educational Grant is to make funds available to provide grants to ministers of Word and Sacrament rostered in the Florida-Bahamas Synod who desire and seek aid for advanced studies and/or continued education in the United States or in other countries in order that they might increase their knowledge and skills in ministry. The Mays know how life-changing a professional grant can be for a pastor early in their ministry. They are also aware that often the funds designated by congregations for their pastors for this purpose may not be enough. Therefore, the May Grant seeks to supplement congregational continued education funds. Grants will be “one-time” grants.
To apply, please go to the following link: https://fbsynod.com/resources-and-forms/the-may-education-grant/
Deadline for application is April 15, 2024. For questions, please contact Pr. Ana L. Lugo at Ana.Lugo@elca.org or (904) 219- 2769.
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A Not-to-be-Missed Opportunity for Women
Women from the Florida-Bahamas Synod, The Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) and The Lutheran Church in Suriname (ELKS) are invited to a unique event: a virtual gathering about "Finding Hope in a Complex World." Click here to register today for this wonderful time of worship, prayer, and sharing. Discover the ways our hope in Christ helps us navigate the challenges of our context. There will be large group presentations and breakout rooms where we will share stories among our three companion churches.
"Finding Hope in a Complex World" is held via zoom on Wednesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Note that while it is a two-evening event, you are able to register for single evenings as well. Don't miss this special time to connect with sisters in Christ close to home and in other countries. Questions? Contact Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Table Chair, at revkhc@gmail.com.
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| Photos of the Week: St. Peter, Fort Myers Beach | | |
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Over 185 children of God gathered under the tent on Fort Myers Beach at St. Peter Lutheran Church. We continue to worship under the tent in our parking lot as we work to rebuild our church destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
To share your church photos, email comms@fbsynod.org.
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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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Our Savior Lutheran Church, Nokomis is looking for a Pulpit Bible
Our Pulpit Bible mysteriously disappeared and we are looking to replace it. If you have one that you can spare, our newly ordained minister and her congregation would really appreciate you helping us out. Please contact; John Cline, President, Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2705 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, Fl 34275, oslnokomis@gmail.com or 941-966-4442.
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Gateway Trinity Hosts Bayou Bingo Youth Gathering FUNraiser! | |
Saturday, April 6 at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church, 11381 Gateway Blvd, Fort Myers
Cajun Dinner @ 5pm
Dinner only: $20
Bayou Bingo @ 6pm
Bingo only: $20
DINNER & BINGO: $35
Raffles! Cash prizes! Great food! Fun!
More information and tickets at https://bit.ly/BayouBingoTix
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Employment Opportunity - Stepping Stones Longwood
Stepping Stones Early Childhood Center, located in Longwood, Fla. is affiliated with St. Stephen Lutheran Church and provides a faith-based educational program for young children in our community.
We are currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Director at our Early Childhood Center. As the Director, this individual will play a pivotal role in nurturing the growth and development of our students while upholding our values of faith-based learning and holistic education.
Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to our Outreach Coordinator, Samantha Frandji, at outreachcoordinator@ststephen.org for further information and application details.
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May 31 - June 2: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Orlando Lake Buena Vista South
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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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