St. Paul’s and St. Matthias – Clearwater (And a Whole Bunch of Other Churches) Send Hurricane Relief to Ft. Myers 

by Pastor Anne Harman

On Friday morning, I saw a Facebook post from a friend, Pastor Craig Cranston, who has just taken a call at St. John the Apostle MCC church in Ft. Myers. He was desperately looking for water and said he would personally pick up water in St. Pete. I called Pr. Craig and asked, “What if we could provide a U-Haul truck?” All he said was, “I love you!” And it started. Click here to read more.

St. John Winter Park Members Honored for Partnership with Local Housing Authority

The "small but mighty" congregation of Reformation Lutheran Church in Lakeland accomplished two projects for "God's Work, Our Hands." Sunday. One project was to pack 30 "blessing bags" to be distributed to our unsheltered neighbors. Each bag contains a note from the congregation and 16 handy items, including: new socks, various toiletries, some snacks, dryer sheets, and a pouch or two pods of detergent plus quarters to do a load of clothes at the local laundromat. 

The other project was to write cards of encouragement to local law enforcement officers, thanking them for their hands, feet, and voices in our community. A team of three wrote 17 such notes, and Pastor Lois Ann Sorensen delivered the cards to the local Polk County sheriff's patrol office. (Photo courtesy of Rev. Sorensen)

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

New Advent and Lent Resources from ELCA World Hunger

New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2022 and Lent 2023. As congregations across the ELCA creatively find new ways lean into the future, we are eager to equip leaders with ELCA World Hunger resources during the important church seasons of Advent and Lent.

The theme for our new seasonal materials is "A Journey Through the Psalms With ELCA World Hunger." In the Psalms we will find the pleas of a people — our spiritual ancestors — for renewal and transformation, for justice and peace, and for hope and comfort.

You can order or download free versions at ELCA.org/hunger/resources.

World Food Day Celebration

Join ELCA World Hunger for a celebration of World Food Day, hosted by Rick Steves and special guest Mark Jansen, CEO of Blue Diamond Almonds. This special event will be streamed online so you can celebrate with ELCA World Hunger wherever you are!

• When: Sunday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m. Central time
• Where: ELCA Facebook page and ELCA YouTube channel

RSVP not required; simply visit our Facebook or YouTube page to attend. Facebook and YouTube accounts are not required. Can’t stream it live? The recording will be available on Facebook and YouTube after the event is over.



Questions? Contact hunger@elca.org.

• Luther Springs 2022 Programs: Retreats & Programs for 2022

• October 4, 15 or 27: Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusiveness Education 

• October 6, 20 & November 3 & 17: ELCA Vital Congregations Training

• October 7-9: National BOLD Gathering: Lutheran Men in Mission

• October 11, 12: Grief Matters Community Forum: Love and Loss: Sorting Through the Feelings

• October 17-19: Conference on Ministry

• October 22: 5K Run & Walk: Lutheran Counseling Services

• November 11-13: 2022 Florida WELCA Fall Gathering

• November 13: Go Divas Benefit Concert: Lamb of God Church

• January 21, 2023 - Hope Lutheran - The Villages - diakonia Graduation Eucharist 4:00 pm

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