July 13, 2021

E-Spirit Weekly

Newsletter

News, Stories, and More

from the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA

Be Ready for any Disaster

Elsa was a wet reminder that we are in the middle of storm season.

The state was very fortunate there wasn’t any widespread damage. But we know, another storm will hit at some point in our future.

Is your congregation prepared?   

Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR) is an incredible part of the ELCA. LDR helps communities here in the States and around the world recover from disaster. In the Florida-Bahamas Synod alone we have three active recovery sites – Pensacola, Panama City, and Freeport in the Bahamas.   

One thing the LDR produces is the Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebook.  This is a wonderful resource for each congregation to work through to educate themselves on what needs to happen when disaster strikes. Get your copy and make a plan!  

The guidebook is free to download, click here for your copy.   

If a disaster hits your area and your church building sustains damage, or your community is hard hit let your pastor know as soon as it is safe. From there, pastors please let your conference dean know and they will communicate with the Office of the Bishop to get resources moving your way. 

Being ready and knowing who to communicate with is the best way to prepare for any storm, or other situation your congregation could face. 

Synod Assembly 2021

The Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American will meet September 17-19, 2021 at the Embassy Suites in Kissimmee, FL.

The theme for assembly is "United Spirit, Diverse Body."

The Synod Assembly welcomes Dr. Luis R. Torres as the keynote speaker. Click here for more information on Dr. Torres.

The Synod Assembly will be in person with guidelines to keep us safe, but also unrestricted in our meeting and conducting of business.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The deadline for registration is Friday, August 27, 2021.

Thank you to all who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 for helping to make Synod Assembly as safe as possible.

Just Love Book Discussion

The synod's Just Love Team invites you to join an end of summer six-week book discussion on BLACK FATIGUE: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters. Winters has a distinguished history of helping organizations of all kinds address diversity, equity, and inclusion. Black fatigue is about how history, policy, practices, and unaddressed disparities generate cycles of weariness and stress that take a heavy toll on people. Our book discussion will deepen our understanding of the suffering racism causes and our call in the Gospel to experience wholeness.

The online sessions will run from August 4 through September 8 on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm – 8:30 pm EDT via Zoom. A special Facebook group will also be created on the synod page for ongoing discussion. The Zoom format will include a brief presentation on the weekly reading, breakout groups in chat rooms, and a plenary sharing session.

Registration is required by August 3.

You can find the book on Amazon and through other booksellers.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

diakonia Executive Director - Volunteer

Diakonia is a two-year cycle of theological studies for those who want to go deeper - to learn more about their faith, their God, their Lord and Savior.

The role of the diakonia Executive Director:

-Rostered ELCA Lutheran pastor

-Provides theological & practical leadership

-Liaison with Synod

-Represents the diakonia Program to the wider church

-Encouraged to be a member of the National Board

The diakonia Executive Director is appointed by the Bishop of the Synod and relates to the National diakonia organization. We are seeking an ordained pastor who feels called to represent and gently guide this program with enthusiasm, commitment and passion.

Click here to learn more about the Florida-Bahamas diakonia program

Click here to learn more about the national structure of diakonia.

If you sense that God may be calling you to serve our Synod and God’s people as the diakonia Executive Director, please contact Deacon Connie Schmucker at connies@fbsynod.org.

Youth Minister - Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lehigh Acres, FL is seeking a part-time Youth Minister.

The candidate must be a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The youth minister will plan, develop and coordinate a youth ministry program for Middle & High School aged youth.

The candidate must have vision, be age 21 or older, have a High School diploma, able to use social media platforms, and pass a background check.

Must be willing to work 2 hours on Sundays and 2 hours one weekday evening.

Email resume to: admin.office@faithlutheranla.org or fax 239-369-3411.

Contact Nicole Ruiz, Office Administrator at 239-369-6177 for more information.

Care-Filled Worship in a Lingering Pandemic

Since the early days of the pandemic, the ELCA has been a partner in the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments. The collaboration has published general and seasonal guidance for safe worship practice during the pandemic.

The Consultation has met again to approve an update to the guidance originally published in the summer of 2020. The new update "Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic" includes the latest combination of CDC and consultation guidance.

"Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic" can be found here.