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E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | November 11, 2025

We'd Love to Hear From You!

We’re collecting information about food ministries across our congregations. Please take a moment to complete this quick 3-question survey:

Name and city of your church
Do you have a weekly food pantry?
How many people does it serve each week?

Your responses will help us celebrate and support the vital work happening in our communities.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Constitution Changes Made Easier

If your constitution was up-to-date prior to the 2025 Churchwide assembly, then this link will take you to the constitution with the highlighted changes. This only works if your constitution was already current prior to 2025.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Pr. Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration.

Just Love Advent Resources

The season of Advent is a time of watching, waiting, and hope as we ponder with anticipation the celebration of Jesus Christ’s coming into our world incarnate, to share in our pain and sorrows, and to show us how to live in relationship with one another. Advent is also a time to reflect on what it means to live and act with love and compassion for those oppressed and marginalized in our world as we live in the promise that Christ will indeed come again!

The Just Love Team of the Florida-Bahamas Synod invites you this Advent to take time to reflect on the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the faces and stories of our siblings around the world through the devotions developed by ELCA Sumud and/or ELCA World Hunger.

The Sumud Advent devotions introduce us to parishioners, pastors, and the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land, hearing their stories and inviting us to listen with our hearts to the cries of the oppressed, embracing God’s call for justice. The resource includes a children’s storybook that invites even the youngest among us into relationship through “a Palestinian Sunbird’s Christmas Journey.”

ELCA World Hunger Advent Devotions invite you to listen and learn with our global companion churches and partners about the root causes of poverty and how injustices intersect. “A Stable Lamp is Lighted” is a 3-week study that invites us into a greater understanding of hunger’s cause and God’s invitation into deeper relationships with our global neighbors through models of accompaniment. Only through deeper relationships with God and one another can we take sustainable action to fight hunger at its roots both globally and in our own communities. There is also an interactive advent calendar to share with all ages. The activities inside include a standing nativity scene, ready to be colored throughout the season alongside daily Bible readings and learning opportunities.

Let us take time this Advent season in prayer, in deep listening, and in solidarity with our siblings and neighbors who are suffering around the world. As we see Christ’s incarnate presence in one another, the Spirit reveals new possibilities, and we sow God’s hope, peace, joy and love throughout the world.

If you would like to explore other congregational and individual devotions for Advent, check out the previous Just Love Advent resources: 2022 Just Love Advent Devotional, An Advent Journey with Mary (2023), and Advent of Peace (2024).

Rev. Gabriel Morgan Travels to Guyana

This semester Rev. Gabriel Morgan of St. Paul, Tampa, is teaching Christian Ethics in the Lay Academy of the Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG). While most instruction has been conducted online, Rev. Morgan traveled to Guyana last weekend to conduct a live seminar and also preach on Sunday morning at the lead church in New Amsterdam. Rev. Morgan is depicted here (center) with ELCA Mission Personnel Dr. Schneider (immediate left) and the students in the class. Dr. Schneider has been serving alongside ELCG to re-start the Lay Academy post-covid and build a sustainable ministry. We thank Dr. Morgan for sharing his gift of teaching with our companion!

ELCA Foundation Newsletter

As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what a remarkable and complex year it has been—one filled with both joy and challenge, hope and uncertainty. I pray that you and your loved ones are ending the year with hearts full of gratitude for the many ways God has been present in your lives and in your communities.

At the ELCA Foundation, this season often brings conversations with individuals who are thinking intentionally about their charitable goals and how to make the most of their giving. Even in seasons of change, the ministry of the church remains strong — sustained by the faith and generosity of people like you.

In this issue of Insights, you’ll find helpful information and resources to support your year-end planning and your continued generosity into the year ahead. If you have questions or would like to discuss your giving options, I’m always here to help.

As we look toward Thanksgiving and the joyful seasons of Advent and Christmas, may you be surrounded by God's peace, hope and love through it all.

The Rev. Ana L. Lugo

ana.lugo@elca.org

(904) 219-2769

READ THE NEWSLETTER

Support for Our Companion Partners in Cuba

Urgent appeal to support those suffering from Melissa in Cuba. Our siblings in Christ in Santiago de Cuba are helping to coordinate relief across the Eastern province for those who have suffered tremendous damage from Melissa. Widespread flooding, the collapse of homes and lost roofs, plus ongoing electrical outages have created tremendous hardship and suffering among the people. Please be aware that the transmission of support to our friends in Cuba requires special efforts and additional expense that none of our other companion partners face. Your gifts for relief include help with meeting the expense of getting the relief there. You may make donations through online through the synod's giving portal.

The Rev. Dr. Russell L. Meyer

Cuba Accompaniment Team Coordinator

SUPPORT CUBA RELIEF EFFORTS

Bach Vespers at St. Mark's, Jacksonville

A choir of singers from the community, members of the Festival Choir of St. Mark's, and a group of professional instrumentalists present music of J.S. Bach in the context of a Lutheran Vespers (evening prayer) service. All are welcome to this free event on Sunday, November 23, at 6 p.m. (3976 Hendricks Avenue).

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Feeding Hope 24/7

King of Kings Lutheran Church in Port Richey has expanded its food ministry by installing a 24/7 outdoor pantry, freely accessible to anyone in need. This new initiative complements the church’s ongoing partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, which provides a monthly food pantry service.

ELCA Good Gifts

This holiday season, give a gift that makes a real difference in the world. Through ELCA Good Gifts, you can provide someone with goats, feed a refugee family or support an ELCA missionary. Visit ELCA.org/GoodGifts to browse these gifts and more.

GOOD GIFTS