July 12, 2026
Manny Andrade presents
“The Leap of Faith”
Linda Mowers, Worship Leader
Gary Smart, Pianist
Mike Ludwick & Emily Rose Ludwick, Guitar and Voice
To grow spiritually, one must trust oneself and open doors to a better understanding of oneself and those around us. Exploring outside the box can yield a more fulfilling life of faith. We will explore some ideas on Faith and trusting yourself, that may help cast off useless spiritual baggage.
About our Speaker
Manny Andrade is a lover and explorer of spirituality. He is a life-professed Franciscan. He completed seminary studies in 2000. In 2003 he received ordination in an independent catholic, (small c) church. Manny recently retired from his career as a social worker serving communities living with HIV since 1989. He married Rusty Turner in 2016. Manny is an Honoree of 2023’s Jacksonville Rainbow Awards for Service to the LGBT and HIV Communities.
About our Musicians
Enamored with the music of the 1960’s, “Firepit” Mike Ludwick taught himself to play guitar as a teenager. Making music and singing have been life-affirming spiritual practices for him, which he uses to help bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice, love, and peace.
Emily Rose Ludwick is a 9th-grade public school teacher at Creekside High School who enjoys music, art, and writing. She’s a D&D nerd, obsessed with exploring characters, over-analyzing narrative themes, killing the part of her that cringes, and building community through shared storytelling. She’s been singing as long as she’s been able, but singing with her dad, Michael Ludwick, has always been her favorite. She loves indie folk, syrup-voiced crooners, and the soundtrack of Trolls 3. Her favorite groups to listen to right now are The Crane Wives and Hozier!