August 25, 2020
For more information, visit www.fbsynod.com
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Grace and peace are yours from God, our Father, and from his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord! Amen.
If there was someone besides my parents that showed me how important Jesus was for her, it was my great-grandma, Genoveva. Her love for me, even as a restless little kid (to say it softly), was unconditional. I felt safe sleeping cuddled by her, but I saw her love the most when she daily, and at any time, opened her Bible. Her face lit up. When she finally went to be with the Lord at 107 years of age, my sister and I fought for who got to keep her Bible. She won. For my great-grandma Jesus was her Rock, her love, her delight, her strength. That is something to desire...Read the rest of Bishop's message in English ( click here) or Spanish ( click here).
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THANK YOU, CONGREGATIONS!
From Bishop Suárez & Our Synod Council
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Bishop Suárez and our Florida-Bahamas Synod Council would like to thank all of our congregations for your continued Mission Support, even during this time of pandemic.
Though Florida and the Bahamas have been severely affected by COVID-19, our congregations have continued to be faithful stewards of God's gifts. Because of your Mission Support, congregations have been able to offer comprehensive online worship, supply those in need with food and clothing, and empower our members to grow new ministries, even when meeting from a distance.
During a recent Synod Council meeting, our Council Members and staff held up signs expressing our thanks to you all for your Mission Support. We hope this serves as a reminder that you are in our hearts. We are so thankful for your partnership, your generosity, and the love you have shared with your neighboring congregations.
To watch a special thank you video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, please click here. To learn more about how your Mission Support continues to make a difference, please click here.
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“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday Service in the time of COVID-19
Acts of service can happen anywhere: you might contribute to an online project from your home or volunteer in person keeping a safe physical distance and wearing a mask. In this special tool kit, you’ll find service project ideas and considerations for safely supporting your community during a pandemic. Get ready at ELCA.org/DayOfService.
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Together, we can support those in need and share the love of Christ through our ministries. |
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How does your United As One Relief Fund donation help those in need?
At Trinity Lutheran in Pembroke Pines, the United As One grant enabled the congregation's Food Pantry to continue serving those in need in their community.
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The ministry coordinator at Trinity described the grant as "a blessing", and stated that the funds help the pantry provide food by appointment 3 times a week (up from their previous schedule of only twice a month).
In an emotional video, a Food Pantry recipient stated, "You have been such a blessing, to our family and to a lot of other people...it means the world to us."
Just look at the incredible amount of food offered to the community! Your gifts are changing lives and helping those in need every day.
Your Gifts Make a Difference!
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Let's Talk! Youth Check-In with Bishop Suárez
August 30th at 4:00pm
Call all Middle and High School-aged youth! Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and our synod youth leaders for a time of discussion, music, and fun! We'll have small group time, as well as a Q&A with Bishop Suárez himself! PLUS, when you register, you'll be entered into a special drawing for a surprise gift!
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Caring for Creation Online Worship Service for September 20th
Lutherans Restoring Creation is busy preparing a creation-focused worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 (September 20, 2020) that congregations can download and use however they wish. It will include participants from all over the country including Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Rev. Lenny Duncan, Rebekah Bruesehoff, as well as numerous parish pastors and members of the Lutherans Restoring Creation Board of Directors. Music will be provided by Marty Haugen, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, and Pastor John Tirro.
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Boundaries Training
Essential to ministry.
Easy to access online.
During COVID-19, Rostered Ministers can access our Synod's comprehensive boundaries and sexual ethics training completely online! Not only is Boundaries training absolutely essential for ministry; it is the expectation of Bishop Suárez that rostered ministers will take boundaries training once every 3 years.
What do our Rostered Ministers say about Online Boundaries Training:
"This was a challenging course which asks one to read, listen, and reflect on the topics included. Truly, it's an eye opener for it includes red flags a person might not even consider. In addition, the instruction was at post graduate level, and there is real accountability in the reflection questions and final evaluations." - Pr. Cindy Werner
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Your congregation is invited to attend a shortened version of Stewardship for All Seasons this Fall, led by Mike Ward.
The goal of this program is to help congregations stabilize current year giving to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels, with the potential for modest growth in 2021.
The cost of the program is $450 per congregation. This program could qualify for Thrivent Action Team grants (a $250 value). Contact a Thrivent Financial member for details. For a registration form or to learn more, please click here and download the corresponding PDF.
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New Opportunity for Rostered Ministers
Faith and Fiction, a monthly book group for rostered leaders in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, will meet online on the first Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.
The first meeting will be on October 6th. If you are interested and able to attend the group gathering, please send an email to Pastor Janice Mynchenberg at revjem@msn.com, so that she can send you a Zoom invitation.
The fall schedule begins with Gilead by Marilynne Robinson on October 6th, followed by In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden on November 10th (delayed one week due to the election) and Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin on December 8th. The books were selected because they are modern classics in which the religious life of their protagonists is central to the story they tell. Further selections will be chosen with the help of those who are participating in the discussions.
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Young Adult Small Groups
We are bringing the super-successful ABIDE small groups from across the world to the Florida-Bahamas Synod! Connect with young adults (18-25 years old) all around the synod once a week for small group fellowship, conversation, and prayer. Registration is now open!
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All Saints Lutheran Rings Out in Joy for Food Pantry Donations
At All Saints Lutheran in Port Orange, gratitude for food donations is marked with the ringing of the bell outside the church building.
In March, an All Saints member read a newspaper article about the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, part of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, which was in desperate need of food donations and plastic bags due to COVID-19. The church quickly organized a food drive, carefully following safety protocols to ensure the well-being of their volunteers.
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With each donation, a volunteer (Pastor Kari) rang the bell, signifying another blessing from the Lord. Looking at the incredible donations, it's easy to imagine that bell rang quite a lot!
To learn more about this Food Drive and All Saints Lutheran's volunteer team, check out this video on their Facebook page ( click here)!
Thank you to the volunteers at All Saints and across the synod who continue to support Food Pantries!
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Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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October 10 - Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne
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