Oct. 08 2019
Lutheran Social Services Celebrates 40 Years of Service in Northeast Florida

Recently Lutheran Social Services held their annual meeting, which included celebrating 40 years of service to Northeast Florida. Several ELCA congregations and members have been instrumental in the ministry of this organization throughout the years. What a powerful testimony of mission and ministry.
Hurricane Dorian Update: Supplies and Assessments Continue

Supplies continue to be delivered to Our Saviour Lutheran, and distributed through that congregation to those in community who need them. Synod leadership continue to assist in evaluation and assessment, and will continue to work with ELCA Global Mission and LDR leadership to strategize, prioritize, and clarify a process for response. Thank you for continued prayers and generosity. Financial donations to both LDR and the synod disaster response continue to allow us to partner with those most deeply in need of support and assistance.
Lines form outside of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Freeport, Bahamas, as people look for supplies.
Clean water continues to be a need for residents.
Clothes are sorted and categorized for those who need them.
Our Saviour members with community members who are blessed by the donations and generosity of the Florida-Bahamas Synod and others.
Comedy Show Open to the Public

This year's Conference on Ministry will include a free comedy show with comedian Al Ernst that is open to the public. The comedy show will be on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7:00 pm, at the Life Enrichment Center Auditorium in Leesburg.

Al Ernst was formed by the Lutheran church, worked as a youth staffer in the South Carolina Synod, explored the idea of going to seminary, and then changed directions and has been doing comedy for 30 years. He has been featured on a variety of comedy channels, and most recently has been a comedian on cruise ships. He combines his love for the church and for God with his love for making people laugh in this show "Jesus Take the Wheel...'Cause I'm Trying to Text." The show is "cringe free funny"--family friendly and open to all ages.
Mark your Calendar
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
Treasurers/Financial Assistants Gathering

Treasurers from all over the Synod will gather on Saturdays in September and October at 6 locations around the Synod.
  • October 12th – Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon – Miami
  • October 19th – Spirit of Joy – Orlando
  • October 26th – Messiah – Panama City
This gathering will take place from 8:30-12:30 to network, review current Best Practices, learn, share and connect. Please contact Michele Hilton at micheleh@fbsynod.org if you plan to attend.
Upcoming Vitality Training Retreats

In the South Region , each retreat will be from 10:00-4:00 (unless otherwise specified) and include worship, brief conference business, and lunch. Details from conference deans coming soon. RSVP to conference deans to assist with planning.

10/12 - Mid-Gulf Conference (Emmanuel, Venice) **this retreat is from 9:00-3:00
10/26 - Caloosa Conference (Emmanuel, Naples)
11/2 - Tampa Conference (Good Shepherd, Tampa)
11/16 - Miami-Dade and Broward-Bahamas Conferences (St. John, Hollywood)
1/4/2020 - Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City)
1/18/2020 - Tradewinds Conference (location TBD)
 
In the North Region , retreats will run from 9:00-2:00 (unless otherwise specified).
10/12 – Sun Coast Conference (Trinity, St. Petersburg)
10/19 – Panhandle Conference (St. Paul's, Niceville)
11/2 – Gulf Coast Conference (Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Palm Harbor)
11/9 – First Coast Conference (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)
Oct. 11 - Betsy Waldon Organ Recital, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, Sarasota (2 pm)

Oct. 12 -  Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon – Miami (8:30-12:30)

Oct. 12 - Vitality Training Retreat, Mid-Gulf Conference (Emmanuel, Venice)

Oct. 12 - Vitality Training Retreat, Suncoast Conference (Trinity, St. Pete)

Oct. 13 - "Get a (Spiritual) Life", Fr. Kevin Goodrich at Christ the King, Miami (3:45-6:15)

Oct. 13-14 -  Dreaming God's Dream Together, Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg

Oct. 13-14 - Conference Deans and New-to-Synod gathering, pre-COM

Oct. 14-16 - Conference on Ministry, Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg

Oct. 15 - Jesus Take the Wheel, 'Cause I'm Texting (a comedy show from Al Ernst), Life Enrichment Center Auditorium, Leesburg (7:00 pm)

Oct. 19 -  Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, Spirit of Joy, Orlando (8:30-12:30)

Oct. 19 - Oktoberfest, Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, Tampa

Oct. 19 - Vitality Training Retreat, Panhandle Conference (St. Paul's, Niceville)

Oct. 19 - ALOA Fest, Grace Lutheran, St. Pete (9:45-3:00)

Oct. 20 - 160th anniversary of Bethlehem, Lake City

Oct. 24 - Scary movie with organ music, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, Sarasota (7:30 pm)

Oct. 26 -  Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants,Messiah, Panama City (8:30 - 12:30)

Oct. 26 - Vitality Training Retreat, Caloosa Conference (Emmanuel, Naples)

Oct. 27 -  Art for Faith's Sake (AFFS) Concert Series, Prince of Peace, Largo (3:00 pm)

Oct. 27 -  MassAnthem concert, Messiah, Cape Coral (3:00 pm)

Oct. 27 - Music for Hope, a Hurricane Dorian Relief Concert; Good Shepherd, Tampa (4 pm)

Oct. 27 - Reformation Day BBQ, Castle Church, Orlando (12:30-4:30)

Nov. 2 - Vitality Training Retreat, Tampa Conference (Good Shepherd, Tampa)

Nov. 2 - Vitality Training Retreat, Gulf Coast Conference (Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Palm Harbor)

Nov. 2 - BIC training, St. Michael, Wellington

Nov. 2 - Installation of Rev. Karen Biggerstaff, Spirit of Life, Jacksonville (11:00 a.m.)*

Nov. 3 - Installation of Rev. Jeffrey Ungs, Shepherd of the Glades, Naples (4:00 p.m.)*

Nov. 8-10 -  Synodical Women's Fall Gathering, Lake Yale Conference Center

Nov. 9 - Vitality Training Retreat, First Coast Conference (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)

Nov. 16 - Vitality Training Retreat, Miami-Dade/Broward-Bahamas Conference (St. John, Hollywood)


*Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process at installation and ordination services. Red is worn for ordination, color of the day is worn for installations.
For Your Information
Check out this curriculum material from the ELCA.
One Body Many Members

"One Body, Many Members" is a faith-based journey of discovery to learn, share and proclaim God's intention of oneness among people of every racial, ethnic and class background. How do we find that unity in a world as diverse as ours? How can we...

Read more
www.elca.org
Stewardship for All Seasons Testimony
Has your congregation heard about the value of Stewardship for All Seasons? Here's a brief testimony from Pr. Maryann Kehlenbach on the impact of generosity and stewardship in her own faith life. If you want to learn more about this program or other stewardship resources, contact Tom O'Reilly.
Choral Music Needs a New Home

Does your choir library new some new titles? We have over 400 choral anthems/cantatas that are looking for a new home. Most every title has between 25-50 copies, and all are in good/like new/new condition. We are not “selling” this music; we just want to make sure it goes to a music ministry who needs it and who will use it. The music must be picked up from St. Armands Key Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL; it cannot be shipped. If interested, please contact Michael Bodnyk, Minister of Music, ASAP - michael@saklc.com. 
Minister of Music
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Dunedin, FL
Part-time

St. Mark Lutheran Church of Dunedin, Florida is searching for a new Minister of Music. We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation whose purpose is to Boldly share God’s love and grace in our community and in the world. We are seeking a qualified candidate who feels called to engage with us in our purpose and lead and grow our music program. Currently there are 100+ regular worshipping members with Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. Our worshipping community is intergenerational and we have a growing population of children and youth. The Minister of Music will serve by leading worship on Sundays, at special services, and will direct choirs and music ministry groups including adult, children, and bells. It is understood that a variety of traditions in styles of organ, piano, bells and various other instruments and choral music is appropriate, and a variety is encouraged. The position is part-time, 20 hours a week and the salary is $22,880/yr. A job description and employment application can be provided by contacting Gerri Brown, Office Administrator at stmark@tampabay.rr.com . 
Bishop's Calendar
  • Synod Office
  • Conference on Ministry, Leesburg
  • Bethlehem, Lake City (160th anniversary)
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