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March 24, 2020 www.fbsynod.com

Luther wrote the letter “Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague” as disease passed through his hometown of Wittenberg. As coronavirus threatens our neighbors and loved ones, we invite you to reflect on how we can best protect each other.

Important Message From The Office of the Bishop The Synod House will be closed effective March 23rd until further notice. Bishop’s staff will be working from home but are available, as always, by phone and email.  If you call the synod office, leave a message and it will be transmitted to the appropriate person. Please continue to keep the Bishop and his staff in your prayers as we continue to do the ministry of this Synod.

A Video Message from Bishop Pedro Suarez

Ongoing Recovery Work in Panama City Members from Joy Lutheran Church in Ocala, FL recently visited Panama City to help out with storm recovery work. They installed windows and painted the interior of the home of 72 years old Angie who has full custody of her 10 year old granddaughter and who have been displaced from their home since the storm.

Synod Assembly 2020 June 5-7 Registration is open . For more information check out our website or register here

Mark your Calendar

Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events

Bishop's School 2020 Information Posted Information about the 2020 Bishop's School has been updated on the synod web site . Please share this information with youth (completing grades 10, 11, 12) who may be interested in this event. This year's Bishop's School will take place June 14-19, 2020 at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL. Registration is open for the Region 9 Rostered Women's Gathering, happening Nov. 2-4, 2020, at the Embassy Suites near the Atlanta airport in Atlanta, GA. This event is for rostered pastors and deacons who want to spend a few days in fellowship and learning with other rostered women from region 9. Bishops in residence for the event include Bishop Idalia Negron from the Carribean Synod and Bishop Susan Briner from the Southwest Texas Synod. More Information and Registration diakonia Graduation/Retreat Rescheduled diakonia Retreat/Graduation previously scheduled for May 15th and 16th at St. John in Winter Park will be rescheduled. As soon as that date is solid, we will let you know. Please pray for the students, instructors, and churches that have made difficult decisions regarding these classes right now.

April 4 - Vitality Process event, Space Coast Conference (St. Paul's, Melbourne. 9 am-2pm) April 18 - Vitality Event, Sun Coast Conference April 25 - Vitality Event, Flagler-Volusia Conference (All Saints, Port Orange, 9 am-noon) April 25 - ALCM Hearts*Hands*Voices Workshop, St. Mark by the Sea, Palm Coast (Register Here) May 2 - Vitality Process Event, Heart of Florida Conference (All Saints, Orlando) May 16 - Vitality Process Event, Gulf Coast Conference June 4-6 - Open Channel - Synod Assembly, Caribe Royale, Orlando September 26  - Bishop's Visit, Lord of Life, Miami October 10  - Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne *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

Still Time to Turn in Reports We are still waiting for reports--the rostered ministers report, mission support covenant forms, and congregational parochial reports. These reports help the office of the bishop and the synod council in planning, strategizing, and supporting the variety of ways we do ministry together. Forms can be found on the synod web site. Please contact the office if you have trouble accessing, downloading or submitting these forms.

Access Forms

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Attention Rostered Ministers--Boundaries Training    Rostered ministers who are unable to attend free boundaries/sexual ethics training offered by the synod twice a year can use the following  online  training instead:  Keeping Our Sacred Trust--Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics--Online Training for Ethical Boundaries in Ministry The expectation of the Bishop is that rostered ministers will attend or take boundaries training once every 3 years.  Questions about  this training  or about the boundaries workshops offered in the synod can be sent to Connie Schmucker at  connies@fbsynod.org . 

Bishop's Calendar Tampa Office

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