While we continue to lift up those impacted by Hurricane Michael, here's an interesting article that speaks to the need for ongoing attention and generosity to relief and support agencies. Thanks to Pr. Stan Wickett and the congregation of Messiah, Panama City, for continuing to be a presence in the community conversations about restoration and recovery.
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Tampa Bay Times
by Emily L. Mahoney, Jan. 27
PANAMA CITY — More than three months after Hurricane Michael bludgeoned the beachside communities in the Panhandle, dozens of people crammed into the Messiah Lutheran Church on Thursday.
They were there to address enormous questions that hang over their largely lower-income part of the state.
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Needed for Synod Assembly: Election Committee Members
Planning on attending Synod Assembly and like working with numbers?
You are needed to help with Elections at our Synod Assembly - verifying electronic or counting paper ballots, determining election results and generating reports for the Assembly. Our work is throughout the Assembly where we handle all elections and other votes, if needed. We will begin our work with a meeting at 11:00am Thursday, June 6th. Come give it a try this year…we have a lot of fun crunching numbers while doing God’s Work!
Contact Tracy Moffatt if you are interested in joining this great team or would like more information: tracymoffatt@aol.com or 239-597-8383.
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DART Clergy Conference
Feb. 6-8, Orlando
We invite you to join us on February 6—8, 2019 at The Florida Hotel in Orlando for the DART Clergy Conference, the annual gathering of nearly 200 clergy and denominational leaders from throughout the DART (Direct Action and Research Training) Network. Here, clergy strengthen relationships and sharpen their skills in building powerful justice ministries.
During our Wednesday opening sessions, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, will address the group about justice as an essential aspect of Jesus ministry and our faith.
Each day, Rev. Dr. Raymond Pickett, Rector of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, will lead text studies “from the margins.” Through this lens, clergy will view Biblical passages in their historical and social contexts and will reflect on what scripture says about our role in shaping our public systems in order to heal the wounds of injustice.
In addition to our guest keynotes, clergy will give testimonies on their experiences and successes in building strong justice ministries in their congregations. Register for the Conference by clicking
https://airtable.com/shreMWB93Qo0mqahe
or complete and email the attached registration form to our training director, Leah Wiley, at
leah@thedartcenter.org
.
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Reports are Beginning to Arrive!
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Kudos to Grace Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, for being the 1st congregation to file their parochial report for 2018! These reports give the Office of the Bishop important information that informs our discernment and discussions around ministry and priorities as we consider the mission of the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
The first 10 congregations to file their reports were:
- Grace, Tallahassee
- Shepherd of the Hills, Clermont
- St. Matthew, Ocala
- St. Paul, Sarasota
- Joy, Palm Bay
- Hope, Pt. Charlotte
- Memorial, St. Augustine
- Redeemer, Winter Park
- Living Faith, Pembroke Pines
- Faith, Ormond Beach
Thank you!
As a reminder, parochial reports are due on or before
Feb. 15th
of each year. Rostered Minister Reports are due
90 days before Synod Assembly
if Rostered Ministers intend to vote at Assembly.
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Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
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Feb. 6-8 -
DART Clergy Conference, Orlando
Feb. 10 -
Celebration of Pr. Bobbie Blackburn 35th anniversary of ordination, Trinity, Bradenton
Feb. 16 -
Installation of Pr. Anna Figueiro, Mandarin, Jacksonville (11:00 am)*
Feb. 17 -
Flute Ensemble, Prince of Peace, Largo (3:00)
Feb. 19-22 -
Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando
Feb. 19-22 -
Academy of Parish Clergy Conference, Oviedo
Feb. 19 -
Matthew Graybil in Concert (Good Shepherd, Tampa, 7:00 pm)
March 2 -
ALOA Fest 2019 (Christ Our Redeemer, Temple Terrace, 9:00-3:00)
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red for ordinations/consecrations, color of the day for installations)
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Webinar for Congregational Leaders
The ELCA Office of the Secretary will be offering a free webinar for congregations titled, “
Legal Checklist for Congregations
“ hosted by its general counsel, Thomas Cunniff and associate general counsel, Aja Favors, on February 21 at 12:00 noon, Central Standard Time. Please read the blurb below:
“Congregations can unwittingly create legal issues and liabilities through inattention to basic requirements and details related to corporate status, taxes, property, insurance and abuse prevention. Many of these issues can be prevented by using an ELCA-prepared checklist of key items for congregations to address. Join us for a free webinar where the ELCA legal staff will discuss the checklist and best legal practices for congregations.
This webinar will be of particular interest to rostered ministers and lay congregational leaders and staff, including congregation council members and officers, church administrators, and pastors and deacons.
”
Please forward this notice to other members of your synod and congregational staff or council members who may benefit from attending.
Register for the
webinar
by Feb. 15, and you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to join the event. Please remember to mark your calendars.
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New Music Ministry Positions Posted
A few new openings for music ministers have been posted to the FBSynod web site. Please share these position descriptions with those who are interested:
Director of Music (part time): Lamb of God Lutheran-Episcopal Congregation, Ft. Myers
Director of Music (part time): Faith Lutheran, Rotunda West
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Good Shepherd, Tampa
Music Series Concert:
Matthew Graybil, Piano
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Tuesday, Feb. 19
7:00 PM
Good Shepherd, Tampa
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- Synod Office
- Orlando
- Luther Springs (Dean's Retreat)
- St. Armand's Key, Sarasota
- Mandarin Lutheran, Jacksonville (Installation of Pr. Anna Figuiero)
- Faith, Lehigh Acres
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