E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | April 9, 2024 | |
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2024 Synod Assembly Service Project
Will you join us in supporting the 2024 Synod Assembly Service Project benefitting the Orlando Union Rescue Mission? This Christian organization has served the homeless population in central Florida since 1948. As one of Central Florida's oldest and largest homeless services providers, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission remains committed to helping the hungry, hurting, and homeless by providing programs and services designed to transform lives. Through short-term provision of basic needs, Christ-centered care, discipleship, and education, OURM aims to lead the homeless to permanent independence built upon a personal relationship with Christ.
This year, we will collect high-demand items from the Rescue Mission's wish list. Thank you for partnering with us to be the hands and feet of Christ during our Synod Assembly.
For more information, email Tina Fritz at tinaf@fbsynod.org.
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Has your congregation made the 2022 constitutional updates?
At the Churchwide Assembly in August of 2022, amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations were adopted and mandated to be incorporated into each congregation’s constitution. Those amendments, as well as the updated Model Constitution can be found here:
https://www.elca.org/Resources/Office-of-the-Secretary.
Once the constitution has been updated, please send it to Linda Rosché at lindalou6451@gmail.com. A detailed review will be done, and she will get back to you if any corrections need to be made. Once complete and reviewed by Synod Council, it will be on file at the Synod office. If you have any questions, Linda can be reached at the above email address.
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Ordinations and Installations
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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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Register for a Vision to Action Introductory Workshop TODAY!
Vision to Action has been holding introductory workshops for the past couple of months. At this time, there is one more workshop scheduled for the 2024 grant season on Tuesday, April 9 at 2pm via zoom. Note it is mandatory for someone from your congregation or organization to attend a workshop in order to apply for a grant! The workshop lasts around an hour. Sign up here to join this session.
Vision to Action: where innovation meets evangelism, to grow the church.
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Weekly Prayer Focus | | Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, 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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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Next Up for the School of Lay Ministry
Want to see what you’re missing if you haven’t signed up for School of Lay Ministry courses yet?
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Online – Self-Study – starting May 6, 2024 - Christian Doctrine
with Rev. Dr. Gabriel Morgan
This course has several main objectives: to introduce students to Systematic Theology, present a vision of the coherence of Christian beliefs to each other, help identify foundational doctrines.
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Jacksonville – In-Person: starting May 18, 2024 - Connecting Sunday to Monday
with Rev. Anna Enderle
This practical theology course will explore the meaning of Christian discipleship in everyday experiences. Students will explore connecting faith to daily life. How do we live with our faith at the center?
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Sarasota – In-Person: starting May 24, 2024 - Liturgical Worship
with Rev. Eric Olsen
This course surveys major aspects of the Sacraments, Lutheran liturgical worship, and the seasons of the church year with special emphasis on the cultural settings in which worship occurs. The course provides a practical understanding of the words, actions, and items involved in the services by giving a close examination of what is in our service books and ties the content of the services to their Biblical roots. This course also explores the wide diversity of Christian worship practices within the ELCA from traditional to contemporary, multicultural differences.
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For more information go to diakoniafl.org. There’s a seat waiting for you! | |
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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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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 Window into the World
Women are urged to join an incredible opportunity to connect with sisters in Christ in Guyana and Suriname. Register TODAY for "Finding Hope in a Complex World"--an event via zoom that just might change your life! Learn how women in different contexts hold onto hope in the face of challenges. There will be presentations, prayer, devotions, conversation and more. It's held on two evenings, April 17 and 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Can't attend both? Sign up for the session that fits your schedule. Be part of this singular event! Register here.
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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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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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