Racial Justice Online Conversation
June 23
rd
at 7:00 PM
Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and Judith Roberts, ELCA Program Director for Racial Justice, from the Office of the Presiding Bishop for a conversation on Racial Justice.
Participants will be invited to engage in honest conversation and helpful exercises designed to strengthen their understanding of Racial Justice in America. This meeting is open to everyone, lay and rostered.
When
: Jun 23, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic:
Racial Justice Online Conversation
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Your gifts make a difference!
Here in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, we are committed to helping our congregations and communities respond to the need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We know our churches are eager to help those in need, and our ministers are dedicated to offering worship online.
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ATTENTION CHURCH LEADERS:
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Missed Bishop Suárez's Synod Address?
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Watch anytime!
If you were unable to attend Bishop Suarez's Synod Address Zoom Conference on June 12
th, or if you'd like to watch it again, you can find the video on our website, Facebook, and Vimeo!
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Caring During COVID
As our hospitals continued to provide care to those diagnosed with COVID-19, our hospital chaplains remain on the front lines, offering spiritual support, prayer, and comfort to the sick.
Rev. Melinda Plumley, a Florida-Bahamas Synod hospital chaplain in Orlando, is one such front line carer. She was recently recognized, along with other heroes, in an article published by CNN.
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Two Congregations Gather Together for Drive-In Worship
Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church (the oldest Lutheran church in the state of Florida), both of Lake City, Columbia County, Florida, have been hosting a joint drive-in Worship Service since Sunday, March 29
th
. The two churches share a Pastor, the Rev. Joy Bolander.
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Respite: A Time to Rest
This time has been intense. You have planned, created, tweaked, and learned… all in a few short months. It is time to rest. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, what ministry will look like…but we do know we need YOU, our pastors, deacons, and congregational leaders.
Rostered and congregational leaders come home to us for a deliberate time away. Whether you never leave your room or spend the day rocking on the porch, sitting in a peaceful place, hiking the trails, or enjoying camp life, just come… and rest.
$25/night, plus a one time COVID-19 cleaning fee of $25.
To reserve your time of respite for rostered and congregational leaders, contact:
Luther Springs in Hawthorne, Florida:
Sarah - (352) 281-3887 or Sue - (352) 358-1440
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“We’ve never been here before.”
We’ve all thought this in past weeks. Now more than ever, we need the support of our fellow rostered ministers to navigate these tough times.
To support those who lead our churches and may be wondering if this is a new normal or a “wilderness wandering,” Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong is offering a virtual group to explore issues you are facing.
Upcoming Sessions:
Jun 17, 2020 01:00 PM
Jun 24, 2020 01:00 PM
Jul 1, 2020 01:00 PM
Time in Eastern Time (US and Canada). You must register in advance for this meeting.
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TRANSITION MINISTRY TRAINING
ONLINE WEBINAR
July 20-24, 2020
Transitions -
There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future, it is a time of transition from something that was to something that is yet to be.
The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the "yet to be" is fully in the hands of God, and God's people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Interim Pastors, First Call and New Call Pastors, Pastors in congregations needing new direction.
Interim Pastors 5 days (M-F) - $160
First Call/New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130
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Emanuel Nine
Day of Commemoration and Repentance
June 17
th
marks the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., where nine people were killed during a Bible study.
The ELCA Prayer Service for Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine will be available
online
at 12:00pm Eastern time on June 17
th
. Participants include ELCA leaders representing various leadership groups and ethnic-specific associations, and those who authored and organized the “Emanuel 9 Day of Repentance” resolution.
Additionally, several ecumenical partners will participate, including the Rt. Rev. Adam J. Richardson Jr., senior bishop of the AME Church; Mr. Jim Winkler, general secretary and president of the National Council of Churches; and the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the Conference of National Black Churches. The Rev. Herman Yoos, bishop of the South Carolina Synod, and the Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green Sr., presiding bishop of the 7
th
Episcopal District of the AME Church, will co-host the service. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, will deliver the sermon.
The service will conclude with a call to action from three ELCA leaders, including the presiding bishop, Vice President William Horne and the Rev. Tracie Bartholomew, chair of the Conference of Bishops.
More information about the ELCA’s ecumenical relationship with the AME Church and resources to help congregations honor this day are available
here
.
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Witnesses to the Transcendent
In her June/July column for
Living Lutheran
, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes that the “restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made it clear that people are searching for hope and meaning and love.” As those restrictions are eased, she urges us to assess the ways our congregations are witnesses to the transcendent, keeping in mind all those who worshiped with us online but may not walk into our churches. Read her column in English
here
and in Spanish
here
.
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Boundaries Training
Boundaries training is crucial for rostered ministers, since we work closely with people and know the importance of relationships.
Rostered ministers can attend our Synod's boundaries & sexual ethics training
online
during COVID-19:
The expectation of the Bishop is that rostered ministers will attend or take boundaries training once every 3 years.
The cost is $49 to enroll. Questions about this training or about the boundaries workshops offered in the synod can be sent to Connie Schmucker at
connies@fbsynod.org
.
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Search for Global Mission Table Chairperson
Florida-Bahamas Synod
Are you an ELCA member interested in Global Mission work? Do you have a passion for exploring other cultures and discovering the Gospel in other contexts?
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is seeking a person to chair the Global Mission Table! The work of the Global Mission Table (GMT) is to foster growth and deepen relationships with our Companion Churches in other countries. The GMT Chairperson will be responsible for overseeing the GMT, increasing awareness of Global Mission, and deepening our relationships with our companion churches.
The ideal candidate will have strong multi-tasking skills, a love of travel, the ability to delegate tasks, and the ability to learn and respect different cultural customs and traditions. You must be healthy enough to travel overseas and must possess a valid passport. Bilingual skills are a plus!
The Global Mission Table Chairperson will need to commit approximately 10-40 hours per month to the position. This time will vary depending on upcoming events and seasons. Most work will be completed at home, with occasional foreign travel.
Ready to apply? Email your resume to Pr. Khader El-Yateem - Assistant to the Bishop at
khadere@fbsynod.org
.
Be sure to tell us why you’re passionate about promoting Global Mission!
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Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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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.
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