Earth Day Sermon from Presiding Bishop Eaton |
In case you missed it: In celebration of Earth Day, Lutherans Restoring Creation and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton came together for a special digital worship service! Click here to watch online!
|
Kuambatana: The Ministry of Mark and Linda Jacobson |
For 38 years, Mark and Linda Jacobson have worked in the health field in Tanzania, becoming the ELCA’s longest-serving missionaries. In partnership with Tanzanian leaders, they’ve developed the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, started the Widow’s Might craft project and more.
Their powerful story is featured in the new 30-minute documentary “Kuambatana,” which means accompaniment in Kiswahili.
|
|
New Grant Opportunity for Congregations from the ELCA |
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you have served your communities with compassion and creativity, even as physical distancing changed the way we worship and meet. With vaccinations becoming available to more of the population, we look forward to gathering with our congregations in physical spaces again soon. What might the Spirit have in store?
Beginning April 21st, your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors grant to support your ministries as we resume in-person worship and gatherings. Grant applications will open on April 21st at ELCA.org/OpenDoors.
Any ELCA congregation can apply for grant funding with a specific and actionable idea for how its ministry might enable members to meet new people while regathering in community as COVID-19 considerations allow.
As we resume in-person gatherings we are not simply reclaiming our physical worship space. We are being reclaimed by God and one another in the Spirit as we return to physical community. As people freed by the gift of God’s love and grace, how might we share that gift with others who might need it, too? Open doors invite us in to gather, and open doors send us out to meet our neighbors. Click here for more information.
|
|
Vital Congregations Training for Leaders beginning May 27th
|
|
This is an invitation to existing congregational leaders interested in tools and ideas for revitalizing our ministries together. Teams of 3, 4, or more are invited to come with their pastor to reignite mission. This course will offer best practices and strong foundations for congregations whom have historically been identified as being in the important times of redevelopment, transformation, and renewal. This is an opportunity to discern, kickstart efforts, or begin to reimagine in the hopes of growth in vitality, sustainability, and reaching new people.
(This revisits many of the topics in the 2020 Vital Congregations cohort and is therefore not for those participants, but it is for a new cohort of rostered leaders who would be joined by their teams of lay leaders from their ministry sites.)
The first online webinar will begin on May 27th at 12:30-2:00pm CST. This is a four-part training. Additional dates are June 10th, June 24th, and July 8th at 12:30-2:00pm CST. This series is also free of charge for congregations and leaders. *Note that these times are Central Time. For our Eastern Time Zone congregations, the webinar will be held at 1:30-3:00pm.
For more information please contact your synod's DEM (Director for Evangelical Mission), or contact Neil Bullock at (773) 380-2884 or Neil.Bullock@elca.org, or Rev. Anna-Kari Johnson at (773) 990-0814 or Anna-Kari.Johnson@elca.org. Please register by May 24th.
All courses will be led by Rev Nancy Nyland, Rev CeCee Mills and Rev Jason Adams with the ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Congregational Vitality Team.
|
|
 |
ELCA Fund for Leaders Recipients Announced |
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is pleased to announce that our own Jennifer Grumbling has been awarded an ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarship for the 2021-2022 season!
Jennifer is the sole recipient from the Florida-Bahamas Synod and joins the largest Fund for Leaders Scholarship class of all time. In all, there are 45 full tuition, 12 mission developer, and 4 federal chaplaincy ministry scholarship selectees, with 61 people in all - more than ever before! Jennifer will study at Wartburg Theological Seminary.
We congratulate Jennifer and all the ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarship recipients! May God bless you on your educational journey and continue to raise up fine leaders in our synods!
|
|
|
|
Hybrid Ministry Zoom Event with Ryan Panzer |
March 20th at 1:00pm Eastern (12:00pm Central)
In this workshop, we will envision how to apply what we have learned since March 2020 towards the church’s new normal. Let’s imagine a future where digital apps and tools deepen faith formation, enrich congregational bonds, and strengthen Christian fellowship, even as our buildings reopen. Join this exciting Zoom event on May 20th at 1:00pm (12:00pm CT).
|
|
|
|
After Earth Day 2021: How You Can Do Your Part! |
|
It’s after Earth Day and you are wondering what’s next for you to do in caring for God’s creation. Perhaps you could use a partner to help you or your congregational “Green Team” get started or take further steps. Welcome to Care for Creation Coaching, a service within our ELCA Coaching Ministry that provides individual or team coaching to help you move ahead in what God is calling you to do in earth care! |
|
Meet our Synod’s two ELCA Care for Creation Coaches, trained and certified and ready to go to help you:
-Ms. Kristin Lehman of Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg.
-Rev. Katie Carroll of Luther Memorial Church in Hollywood.
|
|
|
|
Both are Care for Creation Coaches and part of our broader ELCA network of Care for Creation Coaches (there are 18 ELCA Care for Creation Coaches across the ELCA, part of the larger ELCA Coaching Ministry – see elcacoaching.org for more details. Kristin is also a Care for Creation Cohort Trainer with our ELCA Care for Creation ministry).
Coaches help you build momentum and learning and accomplish action that you determine you want to do! What can you do next? Contact Kristin Lehman, Care for Creation Coordinator for our FBSynod Coaching Ministry, to begin the conversation - kristin.lehman@gmail.com or 727-348-1019. She will help you determine your needs and whether engaging a coach is the right fit.
For further information about ELCA Coaching and Coaching in our Florida-Bahamas Synod contact Dr. Johan Bergh, Florida-Bahamas Synod Coaching Coordinator at johan@beinganddoingmatters.com or 407-353-2006, or see elcacoaching.org or fbsynod.com/coaching/.
|
|
Spiritual Direction Certification Program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Spiritual direction is a centuries-old Christian tradition of listening to how God is moving toward healing and wholeness in people’s lives. This practice of holy listening has been reclaimed by Protestants after Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church in the mid-20th century. Christians are increasingly hungry for authentic connection with God in the company of another and seek the gift of spiritual direction in church leaders. Seasoned clergy are also yearning for this depth of spiritual connection in their own lives and practice of ministry and are seeking out programs for spiritual direction.
Now Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary would like to begin to raise up new generations of spiritual directors through a two-year certification (non-degree) program. The next cycle of participation begins with an intensive on January 5th to 8th, 2022. Applications for this cycle are due on November 15th, 2021.
The total cost for the program is $3,000, which includes tuition and meals, with an additional $40 non-refundable application fee. Participants find their own lodging (limited on-campus housing available for $25/night).
If you or someone you know is being called to spiritual direction, please visit http://www.lr.edu/ltss/afl (select the “Spiritual Direction Certification Program” pull-down menu). For more information, please contact Rev. Melanie Dobson, Th.D., Director of the Spiritual Direction Certification Program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, at melanie.dobson@lr.edu or (919) 724-3557.
|
|
Just Love Prayer of the Week
Merciful God, your favor falls upon all creation. Yet creation cries out to you in suffering. It longs for redemption. It longs for the liberation of humanity. We, your people, have turned our gaze toward selfish concerns, pretending there’s plenty of time and that everything will work itself out without us. We are in bondage to our selfish desires, neglecting the unseen relations that sustain the web of life in which we thrive and which you have given us to tend.
We have turned our back on your commission to care for Earth and to love all peoples. Teach us to love as Jesus loves: to give without question for the well-being of others. Show us the dignity in hearing our Black, Hispanic, and Native People siblings. Call your assembly in public so that all may hear the cries of your peoples. Break our hearts with compassion and mold our minds with empathy. Renew a right spirit within us. Strengthen our resolve to restore the natural world so the biodiversity you created breathes freely again. Commit our energies to repair the communities we have impoverished. Enlighten us with the favor that you show all, that we might truly praise you for the power of your glory shining in everything.
Most of all, let the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ bring about an uprising in our hearts and churches. Liberate us from greed and hate, and free us to love boldly and unashamedly those whom others deprecate and cast out. For such is Jesus’ love for us and the Holy Spirit he breathes into us. AMEN.
This prayer for racial justice was submitted on behalf of the Just Love team by Pastor Russell Meyer.
|
|
|
Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body |
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. While dementia is more common as people grow older, it is not a normal part of aging.
Join the conversation on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:00pm to find out what you can do to help maintain a healthy brain and body.
Jamie A. Guay, the Regional Program Manager of the Alzheimer's Association, SC Chapter will be presenting a Zoom presentation on:
Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body: Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church
Time: April 28, 6:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
|
|
|
|
The Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Team is seeking mini-grant applications for 2021 from synod congregations in the amount of $250 (with the possibility of renewing a second year) to support existing or to grow new and innovative hunger ministries in the areas of relief, sustainable development, community organizing, education, and advocacy.
Proposals must involve those who are or will be active in the work. Priority will be given to those living in poverty. All applications must be received by the Hunger Task Force by June 1st, 2021.
The Team will review all applications and contact the congregation about their decision within 30 days.
Approved funds will be sent to the congregation soon thereafter. At the end of the project, grantees will submit an evaluation of the outcome detailing established goals and people served.
Funding for the Hunger Mini-Grants came from the proceeds of the sale of Hope Lutheran Church. The proceeds were able to fund our local grant initiative and a matching $5000 was sent to Churchwide Hunger.
For more information and an application form, interested applicants should contact Barbara Miller by email at barbaramercerm@iCloud.com or by phone at 586-321-1118.
|
|
|
|
Emmanuel Academies Says
Thank You!
The appeal has been and continues to be effective, and Emmanuel Academies is thankful for the generosity demonstrated and all of the support provided!
This program is unique in the ELCA as it is affordable, accessible and highly relevant. The cost of delivering the program is 75% less than that of traditional, campus-based seminary. Seminarians can stay and grow within their communities. Future pastors learn what is needed to Preach, Teach, Lead and Serve, especially as it relates to their own communities.
Your support is essential, as the church’s operating budget does not include Emmanuel Academies. You are also invited to automate your contribution using the donation page on NaplesEmmanuel.org. If you prefer, Emmanuel Academies welcomes planned gifts to assure the future of this essential program and its pastors.
To learn more about how you can receive up to 100% Scholarship to be equipped as a Pastor for the ELCA, please contact Beatrice D’Angelo, Operations Coordinator of Emmanuel Academies at Beatrice@EmmanuelCommunities.org or 239.595.6900. For more information on how you can invest in the Future Pastors of the ELCA please contact Howard Isaacson, CEO, at H.Isaacson@EmmanuelAcademies.org or 239.206.3082.
|
|
|
Have you completed Boundaries Training? |
|
|
|
New Issues of the Parish Paper Now Available! |
The Parish Paper has released their May and June 2021 issues! Click the titles below to access the articles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
