June 25, 2019
A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence
On June 16, the church began a 60-day journey of prayer, Scripture, stories and church teachings that invite the church to work together toward the prevention of gun violence. It’s not too late to join in the daily observances as we learn more about being people of God who strive for justice and peace. The resource can be used for individual reflection, group study and congregational devotions.

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Reflecting on a Successful Global Mission Sunday Campaign
submitted by Pr. Jay Bergstresser, Space Coast Conference Dean, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Cocoa Beach

The Space Coast Conference Global Missions Sunday 2018 drive for our sister church in Haiti raised almost twice the amount of money requested! I think there are two main reasons for this. First, we received detailed information on where and how the donations would be used. We were told what each window, door, and railing would cost in U.S. dollars. Congregations were encouraged to donate one or more of these “concrete” items. However, the most important reason that our drive was successful was that we received pictures, not only of the work that needed to be done, but of the brothers and sisters in Christ we would be helping. Through shared pictures and videos, we got to see and hear them worship. That personal touch made all the difference!  
If you have a story to share about how your congregation or conference is connecting with God, connecting with each other, or connecting with your community, send it to michellec@fbsynod.org. Stories should be no more than 300 words, and include at least 1 picture.
One Coin Found: How God's Love Stretches to the Margins, by Emmy Kegler
The Synod Resource Center recently received a sample copy of this book. It is available to be borrowed. If you would like to check this book out, please email michellec@fbsynod.org. The book is also available from Augsburg Fortress .

The stories of Scripture are for everyone. No exceptions.

Emmy Kegler has a complicated relationship with the Bible. As a queer woman who grew up in both conservative Evangelical and progressive Protestant churches, she knows too well how Scripture can be used to wound and exclude. And yet, the stories of Scripture continue to captivate and inspire her--both as a person of faith and as a pastor to a congregation. So she set out to fall in love with the Bible, wrestling with the stories inside, where she met a God who continues to seek us out--appearing again and again as a voice, a presence, and a promise.

Whenever we are pushed to the edges, our voices silenced, or our stories dismissed, God goes out after us--seeking us until we are found again. And God is seeking out those whose voices we too quickly silence and dismiss, too. Because God's story is a story of welcome and acceptance for everyone--no exceptions.

Kegler shows us that even when we feel like lost and dusty coins--rusted from others' indifference, misspent and misused--God picks up a broom and sweeps every corner of creation to find us.
But what I love most about Emmy is her fierce, unrelenting love for her fellow oddballs--for religious burnouts and political misfits, for queer Christians seeking refuge and healing from toxic faith environments, for doubters and dreamers and wilderness wanderers, for recovering know-it-alls like me. Hers is a church that colors outside the lines, a church full of what she calls 'the impossbilities of God." -from the forward, written by Rachel Held Evans

Emmy Kegler is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis. She is the coordinator and editor of Queer Grace, an online encyclopedia for LGBTQ and Christian life, and a sought-after speaker.
Mark your Calendar
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
Called by God and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America William Albert Kittinger Jr. will be ordained to the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament on Saturday July 20, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in city of Venice. The address is 790 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285. The Rev. Pedro M. Suárez, Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod will be presiding minister. The Rev. Robert O. Hall, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice will be the preaching minister.
Your prayers and presence are requested. All rostered ministers are invited to vest and process. Red is the color of the day. A lunch reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall.
William has accepted a call to serve as Associate Pastor for Mission Development at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Naples, FL.
Transition Training
July 29-31, 2019
Luther Springs
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.
Gathering of Treasurers/ Financial Assistants

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.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY to register for this year's Synodical Women's Organization
Fall Gathering (Nov. 8-10):
Come to the Table

Online registration & downloadable forms are available at  www.flwelca.com .  The registration deadline is October 15 (October 1 for voting members).

Our invitation is extended to ALL women throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Scholarships are available to help defray costs and are administered discreetly. Learn more about Share the Spirit at  www.flwelca.com .  
June 29 - Ordination and Installation of Randy Kennedy, St. Andrew, Pt. St. Lucie (1:00 pm)*

June 30 -  Installation of Pr. Richard Dow, Memorial Lutheran, St. Augustine (3:00 pm)*

July 4 - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED

July 20 - Ordination of Will Kittinger, Emmanuel Lutheran, Venice (11:00 a.m.)*

July 25-28 -  Order of St. Luke International Conference, Orlando

July 29-31 - Transition Ministry Training Retreat, Luther Springs

Aug. 5-10 -  ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI

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

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

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

Sept. 27-30 - Practice Discipleship Retreat, Luther Springs

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

*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
Available: Baby Grand Piano
Helen Hyatt, member at Shepherd of the Woods in Jacksonville, has a baby grand paino to donate. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Helen directly at: 904-739-1486.
Churchwide Assembly six weeks of prayer
from the June 21 edition of Worship News

When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes on Aug. 5, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. This year will also include the election of a new secretary and a presiding bishop. As members of the ELCA, we encourage you to enter into a time of prayer for all who are involved and for the entire church.
The resource is available as a PDF .

If you are attending the Churchwide Assembly as a congregational observer or volunteer, please let the synod office know by emailing Ileana Sardinas (ileanas@fbsynod.org). This will help us know who from the synod is at the CWA.
AugsburgFortress.org Coupon

If you are ordering materials from Augsburgfortress.org over the next few months, be sure to use the promo code summer2019 to receive $25 off an order of $100 or more. This coupon will work for any 1517 Media order.

New resources from Augusburg Fortress include:
A Place for You : a curriculum of resources on holy communion and baptism based on the work of Dan Erlander

New Worship Matters Resources, including handbooks for funeral planning, marriage planning, and preaching.

Good Grief supplemental resources, including a journal and a devotional.

Living with Hope series of resources on comfort, companionship, wisdom and hope for individuals dealing with life's struggles (pastoral care for those living with dementia, chronic and serious illness, the unemployed, etc).

t.b.d. and Colaborate Confirmation curriculum.

Children's books from Beaming Books (including a children's version of Gritty and Graceful ).
Bishop's Calendar
  • St. Andrew, Pt. St. Lucie
  • Memorial, St. Augustine
  • Atlanta, GA (Region 9)
  • Vacation
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