E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | July 19, 2022

SYNOD NEWS

Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage - April 10 - 20, 2023

Join Bishop Pedro Suarez and Pr. Khader El-Yateem along with Bishop Yehiel Curry (Metropolitan Chicago Synod) on a journey to the Holy Land next spring. This joint pilgrimage includes 10 days of sightseeing and unforgettable experiences such as:

A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Lunch at Qumran overlooking the Qumran caves
Floating in the Dead Sea
Panoramic views from the top of the Mount of Olives
Walking the Via Dolorosa
Viewing the Holy Sepulcher
And so much more!

Space is limited. Click here for registration and pricing. Download the brochure with travel itinerary and additional trip details here.

Vision to Action Phase 2: Focusing Visions - Your Input is Needed!

It’s time to get specific. The goal of this phase is to start focusing our visions (developed from the survey conducted in June) and become more specific. If we looked ahead in time, what would we see happening with the money from the sale of St. James Lutheran Church? What type of ministries would need to happen? New programs? Current programs? New partnerships? New endeavors? What would need to be developed for us, as a synod, to fulfill our call as the Lutheran witness in our community? How would we live out our faith and make the grace of Christ known? What would it look like, feel like, or sound like if we were more specific about our visions? Click on this link and share what our future looks like as we move forward.

Campus Ministry Consultation and Strategic Planning Event

Join us for our Campus Ministry Consultation and Strategic Planning event on September 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Longwood, Florida (2140 W State Road 434). We will meet with the Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, program director for the LuMin Higher Education Network, to plan campus ministries for the Florida-Bahamas Synod. To register, contact Rev. Khader El-Yateem by phone at 813-440-1590 or email at KhaderE@fbsynod.org.

Weekly Prayer Focus

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord

MINISTRY UPDATES

Lutheran Intentional Village of Upper Pinellas Appoints New Director

The LIV-UP Committee has named Anne Corti the new part time Director of Lutheran Intentional Village of Upper Pinellas (LIV-UP). Corti’s experience with inter-generational ministry, combined with her passion to help older adults navigate the challenges of aging in their own homes, will help further grow the LIV-UP organization. Read more...

LOCAL CHURCH NEWS

Open Position in the Synod

Lamb of God Lutheran, Haines City is looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant -- bilingual English/Spanish needed. To apply or for more details, contact Rev. Cheryl L. Berner at pastorlambofgodhainescity@gmail.com.

Photo of the Week: Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Haines City

The members of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Haines City celebrated National Ice Cream Day this past Sunday with a sweet treat.

(Photo credit: Lamb of God Lutheran Church)

To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.

ELCA NEWS

2022 Churchwide Assembly to Elect Vice President

This year, voting members will elect a vice president. Carlos Peña has been serving as interim vice president since the death of William “Bill” Horne II in August 2021. There will be dedicated time at the assembly to honor Horne, who was elected vice president at the 2016 assembly. The vice president serves a six-year term, and the new officeholder will be installed Aug. 12 during the assembly’s final worship service.

50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women Survey Report

Explore the results from the most recent survey on gender and race disparities in the ELCA ministry of Word and Sacrament. With every major anniversary of U.S. Lutheran churches’ decisions to ordain women, the ELCA studies experiences in ministry so the whole church can foster equity among all ELCA rostered ministers.