E-Spirit
April 10, 2018
Bold - Passionate - Faithful
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Features:
- "April Fools": Column from Bishop Eaton
- Draft Statement on Women and Justice Hearing
- Seeds for Haiti--VBS Challenge
Events Coming up:
- Holy Land Tour with Pr. Keith and Piper Spencer (2019)
- Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive
- God's Spa for Women, Luther Springs
- Spring Conference Gatherings
For Your Information:
- Campus Pastor Position at Cal Lutheran University
- Summer Music/Arts Camp Counselors needed in South Carolina
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Click the calendar above for more information about these events
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April 10-12 -
Respite Retreat, Luther Springs
April 13 -
Clergy Study Day, St. Jude's Episcopal, Niceville
April 15 -
Organ Concert, Advent, Melbourne
April 15 -
Installation of Deacon Kim Heindl, St. Armands Key, Sarasota
April 18-20 -
"True to Myself" Retreat by Portico (at Lutheranch)
April 21 -
BIC Training, All Saints, Lutz
April 21 -
Installation of Pr. Terry Courter, Living Lord, Bradenton
April 24 -
Boundaries Workshop, Emmanuel, Naples
April 27-29 -
God's Spa for Women, Luther Springs
May 5 -
Heart of Florida Conference Spring Gathering
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"April Fools"
A column by Bishop Eaton
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In her April column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we confess “Christ is risen” in the face of worldly wisdom that is based on death. But we stake our lives on this: “Life wins. Love wins.”
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It all started with such promise: The angel announcing to Mary that the child she would bear would be called Son of the Most High; Mary’s conviction that this child was the embodiment of God’s promised justice, that the powerful would be brought down from their thrones and the lowly lifted up, that the hungry would be filled with good things and the rich sent away empty; angels announcing his birth; Simeon and Anna declaring the fulfillment of God’s promise in the tiny child; the youth teaching in the temple; thousands being fed; the sick healed; the dead raised; wind and waves stilled; teaching with authority.
And his teaching! The kingdom of heaven has drawn near. Blessed are the poor, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst. God so loved the world that he gave his only son. We are no longer servants in the household, but children. Sin and its consequence, death, no longer have power. Love is stronger than hate. And all of this comes from the merciful and gracious will of God as a gift.
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Women and Justice Draft Statement Hearing
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Florida-Bahamas Synod is hosting a hearing for ELCA members to comment on the text of the “Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice” at the Synod Assembly on Saturday, June 2 at 1:45 at the Embassy Suites in Kissimmee.
This hearing is a vital part in the development of the statement in which ELCA members share their thoughts on the draft.
Before attending the hearing, please read the draft social statement and come prepared with affirmations and suggestions related to specific line numbers. The draft can be found at
ELCA.org/womenandjustice
electronically in English and Spanish. You can also order printed copies in English at
bit.ly/OrderWJDraft
.
A representative of the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ will be present at the hearing. An appointed recorder will keep track of everything said (without names) and submit a report to the task force. The task force is committed to reading all these reports as they consider how to revise the draft into a proposed social statement, which will be released in February 2019.
For additional information about the synodical hearing, please visit
ELCA.org/womenandjustice
or call the synod office at 813-876-7660.
>>>If your congregation is hosting a hearing on the Social Statement,
click here
for communication templates<<<
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"Seeds for Haiti"
Vacation Bible School Challenge
from FBSynod Global Mission Committee
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All Florida Bahamas Synod congregations that have Vacation Bible School programs are invited to participate in this special project to raise money for seeds for Haiti. Donations collected during the week of Bible school will be used to purchase seeds in Haiti for the fall planting season. Please send your checks to the FB Synod office (3838 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL, 33607 – Attn. Kim Raymond) with “Seeds for Haiti” on the memo line. The Global Mission Committee will match donations up to $2500.
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Holy Land Tour with Pr. Keith and Piper Spencer
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From Pr. Keith Spencer, Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines
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Piper and I had such an amazing trip to the Holy Land through Good Shepherd Travel in January of 2018 that we are going back in June of 2019 as trip leaders and want you to join us for this opportunity of a lifetime! So many people we went with last January spoke about this trip as much more than site-seeing, it was both deeply moving and deeply personal, yet also a shared spiritual experience. In the planning of this trip we have worked closely with Good Shepherd Travel to strongly support the Holy Land's dwindling Palestinian Christian population in our choices of guides, hotels, and other services as well as taking the time to meet with people and learn more deeply about the complex challenges that continue to divide the land and people. Below is the link for the trip and please feel free to share this with those who may be interested (all are welcome!) and message us with any questions. Blessings! with love, Keith & Piper
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Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive
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Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS) presents: "Spanish Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive I".
The Summer Language and Hispanic Ministry Intensive is a resource for Lutherans and those of other denominations who recognize the growing need for competency in the Spanish language and an understanding of Hispanic culture in light of the increasing Hispanic population in this country and in the church. The course focuses on study of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.
WHERE?
On the campus of the Seminary of the Southwest, 501 E. 32nd St., Austin, TX 78705. See www.ssw.edu for map.
WHEN?
Beginning Sunday evening May 27, 2018 at 5 p.m. and ending Friday, June 1, 2018 at noon.
HOW?
Register online at
MyWTS
. Contact Consuelo E. Reid at
[email protected]
with questions on the intensive.
COST:
-$1,300 single room (3 rooms available; first come, first serve) includes a daily continental breakfast and lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
-$800 without lodging; includes daily continental breakfast and lunch and dinner on Memorial Day.
All other meals are on your own. Restaurants within walking distance. Please request a list of nearby hotels.
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Soak in the beautiful scenery and solitude of Luther Springs, relaxing your mind, body and spirit. Activities may include: faith filled conversation, devotions, music, journal time, guided meditation, relaxing and spa-type activities such as facials, manicures, pedicures and massages and time with your sisters in Christ!
April 27-29, 2018 at Luther Springs
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Spring Conference Gatherings
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Attention Deans and Conference Chairs:
if your conference is having a spring conference gathering, please email Sr. Michelle Collins ([email protected]) with the date and location for the synod calendar. Thank you! The dates below are what the office is currently aware of. Please let Sr. Michelle know if this information is not accurate.
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Pinelands Conference
--April 21 (location: unknown)
Heart of Florida Conference
--May 5 (Salem, Orlando)
Tampa Conference
--May 19 (St. Paul, Tampa)
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Campus Pastor Position at California Lutheran University
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NEW Campus Minister position open at California Lutheran University! Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty is still our Campus Pastor. This position is in addition to him. Our campus has recently become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and we are looking for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to and success working in diverse multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-racial communities. Cal Lutheran encourages applicants who advocate for justice and fairness for all people.
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Summer Music/Arts Camp Counselors Needed in South Carolina
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This video describes more about what the summer is about.
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The South Carolina Synod - ELCA and RICH Learning International are looking for 10-12 young musicians, dancers, artists and theater people interested in using their gifts and talents in the arts to travel to rural South Carolina for 9 weeks of arts camps with children 4 - 8. All expenses will be covered (airfare, lodging, food) and a stipend of $2000-2500 will be added for those chosen.
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April 10-24, 2018
- Tampa Office
- Installation of Deacon Kim Heindle (St. Armands Key, Sarasota)
- Grace, Tampa
- Installation of Pr. Terry Courter (Living Lord, Bradenton)
- Boundaries Workshop, Emmanuel, Naples
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Florida-Bahamas Synod 813-876-7660
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