E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | July 2, 2024 | |
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Registration Opens for 2024 Conference on Ministry
COM will be held September 16-18 at Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills
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We are excited to invite you to the 2024 Conference on Ministry, held this year at the stunning Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL. Join us from September 16-18, 2024, for an inspiring and rejuvenating retreat featuring our guest speaker, Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Our theme, "The Lamb's Alternative Power Story for the Healing of Creation," will guide us through the book of Revelation. Dr. Rossing will help us uncover its powerful message of hope and envision a renewed world where all are welcome and have enough. This is a unique opportunity to explore Revelation's theme of hope, not fear, as we journey to the beautiful city and river of life.
In addition to the enlightening sessions, the conference is a wonderful chance to connect with fellow rostered ministers, relax, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Mission Inn. We look forward to seeing you there for this enriching experience!
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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. Once the constitution has been updated, please send it to Linda Rosche 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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WELCA Fall Gathering
The theme of this year’s Fall Gathering is He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Plans are underway to confirm the speakers, workshops, and activities for this event being held November 8-10, 2024, at the Warren Willis Conference Center in Fruitland Park. Click here to register today!
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Hurricane Beryl is now the earliest Category 4 storm to form anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean. As God’s people, our thoughts turn to those that will be affected by hurricanes this season, how will we respond. If we are affected directly, we should have a response plan in place to continue the ministry of the church. If, by God’s grace, we are not in the impacted area, what is the best way to help in relief efforts?
Donate Responsibly
- Do not send or bring unsolicited donations. In the early stages of the response phase, most organizations are unable to accommodate any material goods. Unsolicited donations create a challenge of storage and sorting when focus is needed on response and recovery.
- While all donations are appreciated, CASH IS BEST. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources. Many charities specialize in providing relief in disaster areas, yet they face significant financial barriers to getting their staff, equipment, and supplies into impacted areas.
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If you find that you would like to donate, here are the links for the Lutheran Disaster Relief - ELCA Website and Florida Bahamas Synod Disaster Relief Page. The synod website has the 2024 disaster response plan as well as other links to provide additional information.
If you find that you would like to aid in clean up, affiliate with existing organizations.
- Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Volunteering inside a disaster area can be dangerous, stressful work in extreme environments. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained and supported to respond in the most effective way.
- Think about volunteering with the groups like the Red Cross, Salvation Army or the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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Weekly Prayer | | Almighty and merciful God, we implore you to hear the prayers of your people. Be our strong defense against all harm and danger, that we may live and grow in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Vision to Action Applications Due Soon
Applicants should be putting their final touches on their Vision to Action grant proposal for the upcoming deadline on July 15. The website, www.v2agrants.org, will close at midnight on that day, and all components--application, financial information, signature page, etc.--must be submitted. Should you have any questions, please contact Rev. Katie Carroll, V2A Grant Manager, at grants@fbsynod.org.
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Benefits reExamined Survey Reminder
Through an initiative called Benefits reExamined, Portico seeks input as we discern and design potential benefit changes to continue to meet the evolving needs of this church. Portico plan members and registered EmployerLink users, if you received an email invitation to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes before the survey closes July 12 and add your voice to the conversation.
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Livestream LSM 2024 throughout July!
Lutheran Summer Music invites you to livestream over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services throughout the entire month of July. Performances and services are shared by over 250 students, faculty, fellows, worship staff, and guest artists who come together to create a vibrant community of music-makers. Visit LSMacademy.org/2024 to explore the schedule and access the livestream and video archive. You won't want to miss this!
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Online Discernment Groups
Do you ever get a sense that God might be tapping you on the shoulder? Are you wondering what God is calling you to do with your life? Considering learning more about church leadership and pondering whether it might be for you? Have you ever thought about enrolling in seminary or even wondered what seminary study is like today? Starting July 1, you can join an online group with others across the ELCA who share your curiosity. Sign up by visiting elcaseminaries.org and filling out the contact form, or by emailing recruitment@elca.org.
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Pastor Paul Gibson recently graduated from the Audire Spiritual Direction training program here in Florida after three years of education and formation for this ministry. Pastor Victoria Hamilton will enter her third and final year this fall and will graduate in June 2025. Learn more about the Audire program here.
Share your photo of the week with comms@fbsynod.org.
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Grace, Lakeland Seeks Admin Assistant
Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland, Florida is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide part-time (15 hours per week) office support, confidential program support, and administrative assistance for the pastor and congregation of Grace Lutheran Church. Click here to view details about the position.
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St. Andrews, Jacksonville Seeks PT Organist/Pianist
St. Andrews Lutheran Church by the Sea (ELCA)– Jacksonville Beach, FL
We are seeking a part-time Organist/Pianist. The position would include preparing and performing music for the weekly 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services as well as other special days including Lent, Holy Week, Advent and Christmas using an organ and piano. This position is available immediately. Inquiries and resumes can be submitted to Pastor Jody Rice at jjrice2002@yahoo.com.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with the Pastor appropriate music for worship services and other church programs.
- Provides organ music for weddings and funerals as needed.
- Plan for seasonal choirs (Christmas and Easter). Accompany choirs during worship services.
- Accompany congregational singing.
- Work with worship committee to plan for the ministry of the church.
- Cooperate with the Pastor by performing any other duties as needed. Prelude, Lutheran Liturgy, Offertory, Background During Communion, Postlude. Certain music (Prelude, Postlude, and others) will be at your choosing.
Skills and Qualifications:
- College student or bachelor’s degree preferred
- Proficiency in playing organ with foot pedals
- Piano proficiency
- Familiarity with liturgy and the liturgical year
$12,000-$16,000 per year
St. Andrews Lutheran Church by the Sea 1801 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32250
Small Congregation of about 75 on Sunday between the 2 services
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Baptismal Font Available
St. Michael Lutheran, Wellington, would love for this BIG font to have a new home. Beautiful carving in the frame. It is hollow but heavy. Must be picked up in Wellington. Perhaps a halfway meeting point might be arranged. Interested parties can call St. Michael Lutheran with questions at 561-793-4999.
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Free Electric Organ Available
Hope, Summerfield Campus in The Villages has a free, Rodgers electric organ available, including speakers. Interested party must arrange for pick-up. For questions, please contact Ken Wood at Ken@hope4all.church or 352-750-2321.
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Will you help feed children this summer?
In the United States millions of children receive breakfast and lunch at school throughout the academic year. However, when school is out for the summer, there is a critical gap in nutrition assistance for school-aged children. Only 11 out of every 100 children who receive school lunches during the school year also have nutrition support during the summer. This means that as many as 89% of children and their families in the U.S. who need nutrition support in the summer aren’t getting it. Give today.
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NEW RESOURCES: “God’s work. Our hands.”
On Sunday, Sept. 8, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service, “God’s work. Our hands.” This day continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, explore these resources to plan and promote your day:
- Planning toolkit.
- Worship resources.
- Slides for projection screens or online worship.
- Posters and social media graphics.
- Spanish-language resources.
- Promotional banners.
- Special hymn text, sheet music and recording.
This year we also celebrate 50 years of ELCA World Hunger. In commemoration of this milestone, consider including ministries focused on alleviating hunger and poverty in your plans for “God’s work. Our hands.” Or make it a season of service! Expand your volunteer opportunities, advocacy efforts or food drives until World Food Day on Oct. 16.
Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 16.
Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.
Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 8, you’re encouraged to consider another day for your service activities.
“God’s work. Our hands.” is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on Sept. 8!
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September 21: School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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