Aug. 13 2019
Churchwide Assembly Re-Cap

The ELCA holds a churchwide assembly triennially - to worship, vote on matters of governance and policy, and be church together for the sake of the world. This past week’s churchwide assembly was full of important votes and actions, including:

  • Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was reelected for a second six-year term on the first ballot.
  • A declaration of apology to our siblings of African descent, which was received by the African Descent Lutheran Association with thanks and a call for accountability and living into the words shared.
  • Approved resolution declaring the ELCA is a “sanctuary church body,” encouraging participation in the ELCA AMMPARO initiative for migrant children, discernment of care for our immigrant neighbors in our context, and the promise of forthcoming resources for this work.
  • Approved support for the World Council of Church’s Thursdays in Black, awareness movement for a world without rape and violence. 
  • Voted to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance, in honor and remembrance of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9.
  • Approved a declaration for inter-religious commitment, reaffirming ecumenical and interfaith partnerships.
  • Approved the recommendations from a strategic taskforce which has been studying how to work toward authentic diversity in our church.
  • Approved memorials: affirming but not “endorsing” the Poor People’s Campaign, care for immigrants and refugees, and other statements.
  • Adopted a new social statement, “Faith, Sexism, and Justice: a Lutheran Call to Action,” and its implementing resolutions. 
  • Deacon Sue Rothmeyer was elected Churchwide Secretary, a full-time position which acts as executive administrator and leader on all constitutional matters and interpretation.
  • Constitutional change for Deacons (rostered ministers of word and service) to be ordained, from the previous practice of consecration.
  • Celebrated the milestones of 50 years of women's ordination, 40 years since the first woman of color was ordained, and 10 years since full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ clergy.
Find out More About Assembly:
More information about specific action items will be shared over the next few weeks. Information and resources resulting from assembly actions will be shared as they are available.




GLOBAL MISSION FUND-DAY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019

The Florida-Bahamas Synod Global Mission Committee invites you to set a Sunday apart to lift up this synod's global mission partners.

Global Mission Fund-Day Ideas

  • Have Sunday School, Bible study class, or Youth Group do display on one or more of our companions – Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana and Suriname
  • Include music from our companion countries (or other countries) in worship service
  • Lift up our companions and the Synod Global Mission committee in the prayer of the church
  • Have a luncheon or social hour following worship to include foods from our companion countries
  • Apply for Thrivent Action Team project and get $250 to buy foods for a luncheon or social hour and have people donate money that would go to Global Mission Special Projects Fund
  • Take up a special collection for Global Mission Special Projects, or a companion project (please contact PJ May for ideas)
  • Invite a former YAGM to do a presentation

Speak with your pastor, church council, worship & music committee or others to start planning now for your congregation and/or conference to increase awareness of our Global Mission partners and keep Global Mission ALIVE!
Conference on Ministry

Rostered Ministers are invited to this fall's Conference on Ministry, an annual gathering and chance to connect, be refreshed, and be nourished by fellowship, learning and worship. This year's COM will include more workshops and space for collaboration and connection around contextual realities. REGISTER HERE.


More information about workshops will be coming soon. Workshops being offered include:
  • Boundaries training (led by Bishop Suarez and Judith Spindt)
  • Responding to and caring for immigrants and refugees (led by Dr. Alexa Salvatierra)
  • Talk to a Millenial Pastor (led by Pr. Sarah Locke)
  • Synod Parish Deacons, diakonia, and equipping lay people for ministry
  • and others!

Dates: Oct. 14-16 (New to Synod and Conference Deans arrive Oct. 13)
Location: Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg
Mark your Calendar
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
Practice Discipleship Retreat for Youth Workers and Volunteers
Luther Springs
Sept 26-29, 2019
Motel: $80 + $25 each additional night; Cabin $65 + $25 each additional night; 
Prices increase $25 one month prior

Come to rest, re-energize, and reconnect with God and His action in our lives! Thursday evening we will gather for a time of networking and hospitality. Friday two all day intensive care courses. (Church Safety & Home Grown Faith). Saturday and Sunday we will offer workshops geared to equip you in your ministry to children and youth. Register for just one day or for all four! For questions please contact Sue Mendenhall at (727) 415-9887.

Treasurers/Financial Assistants Gathering

Treasurers from all over the Synod will gather on Saturdays in September and October at 6 locations around the Synod.
  • September 21st – Hope, The Villages
  • September 28th – St Paul – Sarasota
  • October 5th – The Synod House – Tampa
  • 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.
Addiction & Faith Conference: Educating Clergy, Faith Communities and Caregivers About Addiction (Sept. 20-22, Bloomington, MN)

With growing concern over the devastation of all forms of addiction, including the ever-increasing opioid crisis, the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy (FRLC) in partnership with the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC) present this conference on addiction and faith to raise awareness of the terrible addiction problem we face and how the church and people of faith can help to address it.

            You Are Invited to Join Us!

From the world of church: clergy, synod staff, deacons and deaconesses, parish nurses, youth leaders, addiction awareness teams, congregants, and the community of people in recovery. 

From the world of addiction treatment: treatment center staff, healthcare professionals.
​
Open to anyone interested: in exploring the devastation of addiction and the remarkable healing process of faith. Together, we'll enhance our knowledge about addiction recovery, share stories of learning and hope, and celebrate our faith in God’s abiding grace. 

Featuring:
Internationally-known keynote speakers
Breakout sessions and spiritual practices
           
​General CEUs available, up to 9 hours.

Aug. 18 -  Installation of Rev. William Wiecher, Christ the King, Miami. (4:00 )*

Aug. 25 -  Advent, Melbourne: organ concert series kick-off

Aug. 29 - Church Finances for Missional Leaders - ZOOM (4:00)

Sept. 8 -  Installation of Rev. Pam Smith, Grace, Lakeland. (4:00)*

Sept. 8 - ELCA God's Work. Our Hands Sunday

Sept. 19-21 - Assembly of Association of Latino Ministries, ELCA

Sept. 20-22 - Come to the Well Women's Retreat, Luther Springs

Sept. 21 - Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, Hope, The Villages (8:30-11:30)

Sept. 26-29 - Practice Discipleship Retreat, Luther Springs

Sept. 28 - Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, St. Paul, Sarasota (8:30-11:30)

Oct. 6 - Global Mission Fund-Day

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

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

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

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

*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
Winner announced in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday hymn contest

A hymn titled “God’s Work, Our Hands,” written by Wayne Wold, was selected as the winning entry in the ELCA’s “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday hymn contest. People submitted original compositions to be considered as a hymn for the ELCA’s annual day of service. Wold is a professor and chair of the music department at Hood College in Frederick, Md., where he also serves as concert manager and college organist. Wold is also the director of music ministry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Md. The selected hymn represents the official tagline of the ELCA and expresses how the people of this church live in service for the life of the world. The hymn is available as a year-round worship resource. Download the winning hymn resources.
Fall is a good time for congregations to have focused conversation about stewardship and financial management. Below are two opportunities to strengthen resources, knowledge, and understanding about stewardship in congregations. For more information and resources about ELCA stewardship materials, click HERE .
ESC GenerosityNext Conference
"Spiritual Generosity: Offering Vitality in the 21st Century"

  • What changes have you noticed in your offerings?
  • How is the role of offering evolving in worship?
  • What new practices can bring vitality to your offerings?

These are some of the questions that will be addressed at the Ecumenical Stewardship Center (ESC) Generosity Next Conference in Atlanta, GA, on November 20-21, 2019 . This topic is an effort to reach a broader audience through a live streaming format. And, this will provide a way to engage more people in conversation about what is happening with the offering in their context.

Host Sites: Synods are encouraged to identify potential locations to host the live streaming. The cost is $250 per site total for Day 1 and Day 2. A Thrivent Action Grant may be available to cover this cost. A national list of sites will be developed. More information for host sites is provided on ESC’s Live Streaming Site Information and Application. IF YOUR CONGREGATION COULD BE A HOST SITE, PLEASE CONTACT TOM O'REILLY (tom.f.oreilly@gmail.com).

find out more about this event HERE.
For more information and to register for this event, contact Neil.Bullock@elca.org . 
Church Finances for Missional Leaders
(a Zoom meeting)

  • What financial policies will strengthen operations in your congregation? 
  • What are key considerations of a Gift Acceptance Policy?
  • Why is an endowment policy necessary, even if you do not have an endowment?
  • What are guidelines for a pastor’s discretionary fund?
  • Why is a safe sanctuary and limited access policy necessary?
  • How is financial management a spiritual discipline? 
 
These are only a few of questions addressed in the book Church Finances for Missional Leaders, Best Practices for Faithful Stewardship. 

Released in April, 2019, this book by Bonnie Ives Marden is a practical guide and reference book on a variety of financial issues facing all congregations. During an upcoming StewardTalk , stewardship staff from the Churchwide office will begin to explore some of this book and be open to your questions on all financial and stewardship topics.
 
If you are interested in exploring this book and these questions, join a Zoom meeting starting at 4:00 PM EST on Thursday, August 29th. We will convene for 60 minutes, or until participants run out of questions. 

This session will be recorded. For more information contact Neil.Bullock@elca.org.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Bishop's Calendar
  • Synod Office
  • Grace, Miami Springs
  • Christ the King, Miami (Installation of Rev. Weicher)
  • Vacation
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