E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | December 12, 2023 | |
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Vision to Action Completes Its First Granting Season
Decisions have been announced for the 2023 Vision to Action Grant Season…and 2024 will be a year of exciting, new ministries cropping up throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod! Grants awarded were as small as a few thousand dollars and as large as $40,000. Large or small, however, all approved projects demonstrated an innovative way to do ministry along with clearly articulated plans for engaging new faith communities and growing the church.
To name a couple of examples at different places on the funding spectrum…
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Our Savior, Vero Beach received $5,500 to create a new, lay-led grief support ministry for the larger community, where more than 30% of county residents are over 65. The project plan includes intentional steps for engaging people beyond the church doors and inviting them to connect their experiences of loss with faith conversations and a deepening awareness of God’s presence.
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Resurrection, Cocoa Beach received $15,000 for its project “Grace in Community: Meet Them Where They Are.” Monthly on-campus workshops will address community issues and concerns and engender faith-centered conversation and solutions. The goal is to offer an innovative, new approach for God to use the church to serve the social, emotional and spiritual needs of the entire community.
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Holy Cross, Spring Hill received $39,000 for its comprehensive “Elemental Ministry.” The project involves weekly musical, dramatic, and visual art activities for children and a monthly Elemental Worship Service where they share their art activities. The monthly events connect with the elements of fire, water, wind, and earth, with fellowship being offered around campfires, water activities, and wind and earth encounters. The first outdoor worship experience is being planned, and 34 children are registered! There are myriad ways that existing members are part of Elemental Ministry, making it a congregation-wide endeavor.
V2A will highlight other projects and share success stories throughout the year. Hearty thanks go to the faithful and hardworking Grant Team that reviewed and prayerfully evaluated the applications. The team took to heart the directive from you, the Florida-Bahamas Synod, to fund innovative ministries that grow the Lutheran expression. It is achieved not only through acts of service, but by involving the community in new and creative ways and fostering active involvement in worship and the congregational life.
2024 brings a new grant season. Be on the lookout in E-Spirit for key dates and requirements and consult the V2A website now, to learn more about the grant program and how to begin developing a project.
For more information, contact Rev. Katie Carroll, V2A Grant Program Manager, at grants@fbsynod.org.
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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.
Please respond with your Ideas to Bill Rosche at billr@fbsynod.org to let us know. Thank you!
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Boundaries and Inclusion Education: Basic Boundaries
Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education help us, as Rostered Ministers, live into and maintain healthy boundaries. Like dual relationships, these are areas of ministry that cannot be avoided. They are ministry “facts of life.” Awareness of our roles, the power that those roles carry, and our own potential for the blurring of boundaries is protection for us and for those for whom we care. This educational event is required by the Region 9 Bishops' Agreement.
Rostered Ministers serving in the Florida-Bahamas Synod are required to take a Boundaries & Inclusion Education class annually.
Register here: Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education - Basic (MAKE-UP SESSION)
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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: Advent | | All Loving God, we give you thanks for the blessings of this holy Advent season. You are the source of life, of hope, and of all good things. We look forward to the coming of the light of Christ at Christmas. Help us to turn toward that light in our lives. Amen.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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As a congregational leader, you spend all your time taking care of and ministering to others. Come to Luther Springs and let US care for YOU.
A gift from NovusWay to rostered ministers and church professionals. Enjoy a retreat of rest and renewal through prayer and study as we prepare to navigate the busy season of Lent. In addition to an opportunity for respite, we will welcome Rev. Dr. Chad Michael Rimmer, the Rector and Dean of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, to lead us in an exploration of potential Lenten themes and the topic of leadership.
· Date: Jan. 9-11, 2024
· Cost: $150
Click here to register.
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The Just Love team has prepared “An Advent Journey with Mary,” four resources that congregations can use for worship or Bible study during the season of Advent. Each week’s resources focus on the experiences of Latin Americans in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and include recorded conversations, scripture readings, music suggestions from Lutheran hymnals and other resources, a few paragraphs of instructional material, and discussion questions.
Congregations and individuals can decide for themselves how to use the resources for each week—whether in a worship service, a Bible study, or some combination of the two. Some people may wish to join together online to engage with the resources.
Click here to receive these devotional resources.
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2024 Advocacy Days
The Florida Faith Advocacy Days will be January 28-30, 2024 in Tallahassee. The state legislature will be considering bills that affect every Floridian. Florida has gone from being the most affordable to the most expensive place to live seemingly overnight. In our faith communities we see upfront the hardships people are facing. These stories are the true picture of Florida. We must tell them to all who will listen. Let’s share them with our elected officials. The truths we know will help make public policy serve the common good and can help relieve the suffering we see everyday. https://floridachurches.org/2024-advocacy-days/
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2024 RIC Sunday Worship is Here!
ReconcilingWorks is excited to announce that the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday Worship 2024, Roll Down Justice is here!
This worship service celebrating the 50th Anniversary of ReconcilingWorks is inspired by Amos 5:24: "Let justice flow like a river, and righteousness flow like an unfailing stream."
-The Inclusive Bible Translation
Amos was the prophet whose message is that God calls us to let “justice roll down like waters.” Worship without justice is unacceptable; our music, liturgy, and prayers must move us to action on behalf of the oppressed. This adaptable worship guide will offer us reflection and renewed inspiration to let our voices be tuned to the heart of the Gospel — proclaiming God’s love for ALL people.
Click here to for the RIC resources.
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Synod Parish Deacon News
Retreat
Our next Synod Parish Deacon Retreat will be April 19-20 in Lakeland. Mark your calendars! Would you like to help serve on the planning committee? We need your help!
Synod Parish Deacon Committee
Would you consider serving on the SPD Committee? We are looking for a few active SPD. We meet quarterly by phone conference. Please email the committee chair.
For any other questions, or if you would like to submit your name please email to Deaconchair@yahoo.com.
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Embrace Renewal: Luther Springs' Diverse Retreats Await You in the New Year
Luther Springs invites everyone to join their upcoming array of retreats starting in the new year, catering to diverse interests and ages. Whether it's the hands-on Master Builders retreat, the reflective Respite in the Wilderness designed for rostered leaders gearing up for Lent, or the creative Quilting Retreat, there's something for everyone. Click here for a comprehensive list of available retreats. To register, visit www.LutherSprings.org and create an online account or call 828-209-6301.
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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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12 Day Pilgrimage to Greece & Greek Islands
Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and Bishop Yehiel Curry in a 12-day joint synod pilgrimage to Greece and the Greek Islands, June 18-29, 2024. Explore New Testament lands and walk in the footsteps of Paul.
Pilgrimage highlights include:
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Athens city tour (the world-famous Acropolis, Pan-Athenian Stadium & more!)
- 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey
- The ruins of Ephesus where Paul spent three years during his ministry
- the island of Patmos
- Santorini, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth
- And much more!
Click here for more details and to register.
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Gloria Dei to Host Christmas ‘Seasons’ Concert
Elena Zamolodchikova, accompanist at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Anna Maria Island, will present a piano concert of Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons” on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.
“The Seasons” consists of 12 relatively short piano compositions, one for each month of the year. They were commissioned in 1875 by the editor of a Russian music magazine, Nouvellist, and appeared one by one in each monthly issue of the publication in 1876.
“The pieces became very popular among both professional and amateur pianists,” Zamolodchikova notes, “including ‘November’ being Rachmaninoff’s favorite encore.”
She will provide commentary about the works throughout the concert along with reading poems that were composed about each piece.
“I love the music, and it’s popular among pianists to perform,” Zamolodchikova says. “It ends on December with the piece titled ‘Christmas,’ so appropriate to this season.”
The concert program will open with attendees invited to join in singing Christmas carols. A freewill offering will be taken. A reception with refreshments will follow the concert.
Zamolodchikova did her undergraduate study in music at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and received her master’s from the Juilliard School and her doctorate of musical arts from SUNY Stonybrook. She has been teaching piano for 15 years and currently is on the faculty of the New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy and has been the accompanist at Gloria Dei for the last two years.
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Sound Board for Sale
Mackie DL32R Mixer with Dante Card Plus Mackie DC16 Control Surface
Approximately 4-year-old mixing system recently used in Venice church. DL32R and Dante card work fine. DC16 has two faulty faders (marked in photos). Power cables plus original Wi-Fi control card included. Sold as-is, no warranty. $1000 cash OBO. Pick up at Venice only – No delivery.
Contact:
Attn: Peter or Aiden
Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Venice
790 S. Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 488-4942
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Stories of Faith in Action
The publication Stories of Faith in Action and the resources that go along with it are designed to share how important your weekly offering in your congregation is in sustaining and growing God’s mission. The portion of your offerings that support the ELCA’s synodical and churchwide ministries is called Mission Support. The publication and resources found here help explain and answer questions about Mission Support and tell the story of those gifts in action.
You can also check out more stories of faith in action at livinglutheran.org/sofia/.
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April 19-20, 2024: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat, Lakeland, FL
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May 31 - June 2, 2024: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Orlando Lake Buena Vista South
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September 16-18, 2024: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.
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September 21, 2024 - School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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