E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | January 16, 2024 | |
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Farewell Prs. El-Yateem and Carlson
Join us in wishing farewell to Pastors Khader El-Yateem and Rob Carlson as they transition to new phases in their ministries. Pr. El-Yateem has accepted the position of Executive Director for the Service and Justice Home Area at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America beginning March 18 and Pr. Carlson will be stepping into a new position in the St. Paul Area Synod. His last day with the synod is January 31.
Read the letter from Pr. El-Yateem here.
Read the letter from Pr. Carlson here.
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Synod Assembly Workshops
Planning is underway for your 2024 Synod Assembly workshops. What are your thoughts on topics or potential speakers? Do you have a passion that you would like to share? Space will be limited but we are hoping for as many ideas as possible to provide the best experience possible. Deadline to submit ideas is January 24.
Please respond with your Ideas to Bill Rosche at billr@fbsynod.org to let us know. Thank you!
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Installations and Ordinations
Rev. Donna Batchelor will be installed as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nokomis on February 4 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.
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Weekly Prayer Focus | | Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. | | |
| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Coming Soon: JUST Love Ministry Presents Harmonies of Heritage: Music's Journey through Black Church History
To honor Black History Month in the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, the JUST Love Team presents “Harmonies of Heritage: Music’s Journey Through Black Church History.” We present four genres of music that impacted the heart and soul of America.
- African Drumming/Call Response
- Negro Spirituals
- Gospel/Civil Rights
- Contemporary
We ask each congregation to present the Harmonies of Heritage: Music’s Journey Through Black Church History summary each week in February. It can be done during announcements, a bulletin insert, or wherever fits best into the service. Each week we offer songs and prayers for use during the service.
For pastors and liturgical leaders, there are several resources in Sundays and Seasons that can be emphasized during Black History Month: We suggest congregations use This Far By Faith hymnal in February. Read the introduction pages #8-12 for a better understanding of the hymnal and it’s use. This Far by Faith is available on SundaysAndSeasons.com.
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It's Time to Submit Your Annual Reports
These reports are another point of connection between your congregation and the Bishop's Office. They help us track categories like attendance, baptisms, expenses, mission support, and more. They also help us plan programs and events to best support the ministries of the congregations throughout our synod.
Annual Parochial Reports (January-December 2023)
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Deadline to file online with the ELCA’s Office of the Secretary by March 1, 2024.
- If you cannot file online, a paper copy can be completed and mailed to the Synod House by February 15, 2023.
- The online system will open on Tuesday, January 23.
Annual Rostered Leader’s Report to the Bishop
- To be submitted by March 1, 2024. All ordained ministers rostered in the Florida-Bahamas Synod under call, on leave from call, on disability, or retired, must file a report.
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Go to https://fbsynod.com/forms-2/ and click on the “Annual Rostered Leader Report” link. Select and download the report that corresponds to your roster status and save it to your computer. Upon completion of report, save again, and attach to an email message to ileanas@fbsynod.org.
Mission Support (current year)
- The synod’s fiscal year extends through January 31, 2023.
- Please ask your congregational treasurer to forward any outstanding 2023 mission support balances to the Synod House by January 31, 2023. Mission support received after January 31, per auditor requirements, is applied to the congregation’s covenant for 2024.
Mission Support Covenants 2024
- Covenants may be filed after the annual congregation meeting, or by January 31, 2024.
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You may file your covenant online at https://fbsynod.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2023-MS-Form-website.pdf, or by retuning the card via US mail.
- Please prayerfully consider an increase in your mission support to grow the work that we do together as synod and churchwide expressions.
- This year, the Florida-Bahamas Synod will forward 46% of our mission support dollars to the ELCA Churchwide ministries.
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Pictured left to right: Dr. Carolyn Schneider, ELCA-sponsored professor in Jamaica, soon moving to Guyana; Judy Olsen, Laney Waller (member of Hope), and Ronald Gordon, Global Mission Table members | |
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Global Mission Update
As part of their Global Mission Weekend, Hope Lutheran in The Villages organized a "Land Cruise." Participants received a passport to visit the five different displays describing the Florida-Bahamas Synod's companion relationships in Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Suriname. The passport was stamped at each table--what a fabulous travel itinerary!
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Let's Help Pave the Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering!
Our vibrant youth and young adults are already gearing up for an electrifying summer of events, and we're expecting an impressive turnout of 500-600 enthusiastic individuals from the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Brace yourselves, because "Created To Be" is set to deliver an absolutely thrilling experience!
But here's the thing -- we want to ensure that everyone who desires to attend can make it a reality. That's where you, your congregation, and your conference come in. Together, we can provide financial support to those who might otherwise miss out, just as countless generous hearts have done in previous years. Even if your own congregation doesn't have young attendees, you can still be a sponsor for someone from another congregation.
The cost for each person to partake in this life-changing adventure is estimated at $1,000-$1,200. Your contribution can make all the difference, and it's as simple as visiting the synod's website. In past years, your incredible generosity has surpassed $10,000 for this noble cause, and for that, we are grateful.
Don't wait, be a part of this incredible journey by following this direct link for your contribution.
And if you happen to know someone in need of financial assistance, here's a link to the application that can be their ticket to an unforgettable summer. Let's come together and make "Created To Be" an unforgettable experience for all!
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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Clermont Job Opening: Part-Time Office Administrator
Desired qualifications include excellent people skills, ability to keep confidences, well organized and experienced in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Publisher). Duties include receptionist, church communications, newsletters, bulletins, ELCA required church recordkeeping as well as other duties as they arise.
For more information call Dennis Wick at (352) 408-3220 or submit resume to:
ChurchOffice@shephillsclermont.org
Shepherd of the Hills - Church Office
13600 Caspian Lane
Clermont, FL 34711
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King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Music Director
King of Kings, a vibrant and growing ELCA church in Port Richey, is seeking a talented and energetic musical director. Candidates should be able to play a variety of worship music for a blended service and direct volunteer choir members in producing pleasing choral performances for Sunday service. Candidates with strong ties to the local musical community are a plus, but not required. This is a part-time position, with flexible hours that will include Sunday morning 10 a.m. worship services. The music director must be able to work in concert with the pastor, assist in developing new talent, and help grow the choir and music program through an energetic and professional demeanor.
Email resume to: king2s@live.com
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| Photo of the Week: South Miami Lutheran | | |
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This year, South Miami Lutheran celebrated 52 years of their Living Nativity and had over 50 people join them for their outdoor Sing-A-Long. What a great way to celebrate the true meaning of the season!
To feature your church in E-spirit, email comms@fbsynod.org.
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April 19-20: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat, Lakeland, FL
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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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