NEWS & EVENTS

This Sunday, May 5, is our monthly collection for community food pantries. As you are shopping or cleaning out your pantry, consider what you could contribute. Your generosity make a difference!

The Caring Ministry is happy to bring communion to the home of members and friends unable to attend worship services. Our volunteers are available to visit at least monthly. To request a visit please  mark the blue sheet during worship or contact; RuthAnn Jacobson via email: raj.mgm96@gmail.com. You may also contact the office by phone: 941.778.1813 or email: office@gloriadeiluthern.com

A LETTER FROM CHURCH COUNCIL: 

Dear Members and Friends,

This is a time of transition for Gloria Dei.  The dictionary defines transition as the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another.

Over the last few months, the Church Council along with Pastor Beljean have been in communication with the Synod.  In our conversations we agreed to form a transition team which includes all council members and two newer church members, Jean Ellingson and Vera Hornyak.

The Synod asked that we complete a Ministry Site Profile. During the process of working on the profile several things came to light.  The first of which is Anna Maria Island is transitioning from a residential island to a very popular and transient destination.  It used to be 70% residential and 30% vacation rentals.  Today it is just the opposite, 70% vacation rentals and only 30% residential.  Most of our members who were residents have moved to NW Bradenton.  We have 12 member families who live either full time or part time on the island. It is difficult to travel to the island during “high season”, so we hold our services at 9:30 to avoid traffic. We have 70 full-time and seasonal members, which is about an 8% decrease from previous years.  2023 donations decreased by 7% and that trend is continuing into 2024.  As the demographics of the island are changing, so is Gloria Dei.

Pastor Beljean joined us in January and is truly a blessing to Gloria Dei.  Bonnie Wolfgram was hired as our music director and within 45 minutes on a Sunday morning put together a choir.  We are all grateful for those who are bringing us joyous music.  Pastor Beljean as an interim conducts worship on Sunday and is in the office on Mondays.  This is working well, and Pastor Beljean has agreed to stay through August.

Over the next few months, the transition team and council will continue to work with the Synod on the transition.  We will communicate with you through our Thursday eNews e-mail.

If you have thought or questions, please feel free to reach out to us through our e-mail: churchcouncil@gloriadeilutheran.com or call the church office (941)778-1813 and someone from the council will get back to you.

PEOPLE

Lyn Sprinkle a longtime associate member of Gloria Dei passed away on April 21. Lyn was very involved in the congregation and a very generous giver. It was through her generosity that we were able to purchase the organ. Lyn will be deeply missed by our Gloria Dei family.