Synod Wide Virtual Gathering with Bishop Pedro Suárez

All members of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, both rostered and lay, are invited to join Bishop Pedro Suárez for a special online gathering!

On June 12 th  at 1:00 PM , Bishop Suárez will present his Synod Report in this special Zoom meeting.

All attendees need to register before the event. Registration is limited to the first 500 attendees, so be sure to register soon!

When : June 12, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 
Topic: Synod Wide Gathering with Bishop Suárez

Register in advance for this gathering:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the log-in information needed to join the gathering .

Disclaimer: This event will be recorded and shared live on the synod’s Facebook page . The event’s recording will be posted later on our website and Facebook page so those who could not join us will have the chance to watch. 
COVID-19 Relief Update
The need is urgent.
Your help is vital.

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.
Your gifts help congregations like Our Savior in Tampa. After receiving their United As One grant funding, they were able to continue their food pantry mission to help feed those in need in the Tampa area.

Your gifts provide essential support to our congregations and mercy ministries.

ATTENTION CHURCH LEADERS:

The Florida-Bahamas Synod is now offering funding to support mercy ministries, provide technology for digital worship, and strengthen ministries throughout our synod. If your congregation is in need of assistance, please fill out this request.
What's New?
Faith Early Learning Center in Sarasota Hosts Drive-Thru Graduation

On May 27 th , Faith Early Learning Center in Sarasota hosted a drive-thru graduation ceremony to celebrate the VPK Class of 2020.

The 39 graduates came in decorated cars to drive through a line of cheering teachers and staff. The preschool finished its school year online, switching to virtual instruction after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The children were so excited to come back to school and see their teachers one more time.

Florida Department of Health Offering Free Masks

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has received 15 million reusable cloth masks to aid in decreasing the spread of COVID-19. These masks are for distribution in your community or other communities in the state of Florida. You may request as many as your agency can distribute. We encourage you to share this information with other organizations in your community as well as the concentric circle in which you move. This opportunity is available to any and all residents of Florida.
 
If you or any of your partners would like to access to these materials, please submit your request to Samantha Cooksey ( Samantha.cooksey@flhealth.gov ) via email; and be sure to copy Walter Niles ( walter.niles@flhealth.gov ) and Jana Shamburger ( jana.shamburger@flhealth.gov ) on your request. This will allow our Office to monitor referrals. Please note, all requests must include the following information in order to be processed: 
 
  1. Name of Organization
  2. Person to Address Shipment to
  3. Mailing Address for delivery
  4. Quantity Needed

Share this information with leaders and businesses in your network. And stay safe!
Recognizing Women of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA Fund for Leaders Recipients

The women of the Florida-Bahamas Synod developed a Fund through the ELCA Fund for Leaders to help women from our Synod go to seminary with an annual scholarship. Since 2011, they have had the privilege of helping twelve women receive the scholarships. Several women received the scholarships for consecutive years.  

The deadline for applicants is January 1 st . Full details are on their web site here . The Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women's Organization Board will make the selection each year at January board meeting. Each year, the scholarships are awarded in April.
 
This year we had two women that received the funds:  Trixie Richter  attending Wartburg Seminary and  Brandy Schneck  attending Southern in Columbia, South Carolina.
Trixie Richter
Brandy Schneck
Through the generosity of the FL-BA Women of the ELCA, we have had the privilege to help these women through seminary, relieving them of some of the debt they may have. If you would like to donate to the Fund for Leadership Scholarship, please send your donation to our treasurer:
 
Laurie Nelson
22223 Buffalo Ave.
Port Charles, FL 33952
( Note the donation as Fund for Leaders Scholarship )
Emmanuel Lutheran of Naples Hosts Drive-in Church

Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Naples combined worship with drive-in movie theaters at Emmanuel Community Park Sunday, a site the church recently purchased in Golden Gate Estates.

Churchgoers sat in their cars with the radio dialed to 99.7 to join together in worship with Emmanuel Lutheran in its new drive-in church venture.

People congregated at least six feet away in the comfort of their own cars. Worshipers received a pamphlet to help them participate in the service from their vehicle.

Examples included turning parking lights on, which indicated “I am ready to worship.” Headlights on meant “I am singing along,” and flashing lights meant “Amen!” / Preach it,” among other signals in the worship guide.
Emmanuel also holds a "Contactless" Farmers' Market at Emmanuel Community Park, a 40 acre park built by the people of Emmanuel for the communities of Northeast Collier County. 

Every Thursday, the park will be a curbside pick up location for orders through Eldridge's online farmer's market. It offers a local, fresh selection of fruits, vegetables, and even eggs from farms across Southwest Florida. The goal is to bring fresh produce to the local families that live close to the park.

The Farmer’s Market was rolled out a few weeks ago, and will shift to Sunday mornings following worship.
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
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 - $160 
First Call/New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130
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 .
Phone System Available for Congregation in Need

Would your congregation benefit from a gently used (and still supported and manufactured) Avaya IP Office 500 phone system? A faithful member of one of our congregations has made the following generous offer!

His family-owned business, a telephone company that sells and services business systems, has a gently used (and still supported and manufactured) Avaya IP Office 500 system that they received and would like to donate to a church in the area who would be interested.

They can just donate the system or donate and install the system for a significantly reduced rate.

For more information, please contact Stephen by email at  syork@csmsouth.com or by phone at (813) 349-2111.
Revision of Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline:

We want to hear your voice! 

This church’s document, Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline, describes the grounds for which discipline may be imposed according to the practice of this church. Chapter 20 of the ELCA Constitution calls for this document, stating that “[t]he Committee on Appeals shall establish definitions and guidelines, subject to approval by the Church Council, to enable clear and uniform application of the grounds for discipline of officers, rostered ministers, congregations, and members of congregations.” Its purpose is juridical: to assist in the processes of consultation, discipline, and appeals. It does not set forth the high expectations this church has for all who participate in our life together. 

It has been a number of years since Definitions and Guidelines was last substantively updated. The Committee on Appeals is conducting a review of this document with the intent to submit a revised version to the Church Council for approval in spring 2021. The committee is seeking input from across this church so the document can better provide clear and uniform application of the rules, protect people from harm, and prevent impediments to the proclamation of the gospel. 

The committee is particularly aware of the need to hear a diversity of voices and perspectives. You are invited to participate in two ways: 

  • An online survey that will be open until June 15 
  • A series of digital town halls across the month of June 

To take the survey or register for the digital town halls, we encourage you to CLICK HERE and let your voice be heard. 
Resources for Social Justice
Helpful Articles & Resources

To help our congregations better understand and discuss topics of social justice, racism, and systematic violence in our nation, we have compiled a list of valuable resources, articles, and statements. Click the bolded titles below to read the articles.

'Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired' - from The Faith+Leader, a Luther Seminary publication

'How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time' - TED Talk from Baratunde Thurston

'Being Church While the Neighborhood Burns' - from The Christian Century

'Who I Am Listening to Now: 5 Sermons from Black Preachers this Week' - from The Faith+Leader, a Luther Seminary publication

' The Cross and the Lynching Tree ' - A Requiem for Ahmaud Arbery by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III



The ELCA Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Racism & White Supremacy

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8).
 
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reaffirms its commitment to combating racism and white supremacy following the recent murders of Black Americans.

As the Conference of Bishops, we condemn the white supremacy that has led to the deaths of so many unarmed Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color in our country.  We grieve with, pray for and stand in solidarity with the families and friends of all whose loved ones have been and continue to be victims of injustices run amok, racist violence and the insidious venom of white supremacy.

To read the ELCA's entire statement, please click here .
New Opportunities!
Our Candidacy Committee is Seeking New Members!

Are you looking for a rewarding new way to get involved in ministry? We are currently seeking nominations of lay females who evidence a strong faith, worship faithfully, are active in the life of their congregation, have a positive and enthusiastic spirit, a commitment to follow through, and would like to be a part of the formation and education of future pastors and ELCA deacons.

For more information, please contact Connie Schmucker at  connies@fbsynod.org.

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!
Mark Your Calendars
Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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
Bishop's Calendar

  • Home Office
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