March 20th at 1:00pm Eastern (12:00pm Central)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian leaders rapidly reinvented their ministries for a digitally distributed world, comprised of almost exclusively digital interaction.
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.
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A Message for Rostered Ministers on the New CDC Guidelines |
In case you missed it, Bishop Suárez has issued a new message regarding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the CDC. Rostered ministers may read the new message by clicking here.
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Nominations are now being accepted for Synod Council, Consultations Committee, Discipline Committee, and Churchwide Voting Members (August 2022, Columbus, OH). All elections will be held during the Synod Assembly September 17th to 19th. Please consider serving your Synod in any of these roles or nominating others to serve.
All nominees must have given their consent prior to being nominated. Deadline for submitting nominations is August 1st, 2021. Nominations may now be made by clicking here. For more information on nominations, please visit our website by clicking here.
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It's time for Conference on Ministry 2021 |
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Conference on Ministry will be held on June 16th and 17th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET (12:00pm to 4:00pm CT) online each day. This year, our Keynote Speaker will be Bishop Craig Satterlee of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod ELCA. There will also be six unique workshop opportunities. Each participant will be able to join two workshops per day.
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Monthly Update from The Community Church at Babcock Ranch |
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Now Accepting Donations to Benefit Pastors & Congregations |
If you have any gently used paraments, stoles, or crosses that you wish to share with congregations in need, the Florida-Bahamas Synod office now accepting them! We will collect items and distribute them as needed.
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Two Positions Open within the Florida-Bahamas Synod Office!
Looking for a new opportunity? Ready to join the Synod Staff and serve the greater church? We now have two exciting positions open within the Florida-Bahamas Synod office.
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Synod Disaster Response Coordinators
The Florida-Bahamas Synod has just finished redesigning the office of Disaster Relief for our state and the Bahamas. There are three areas these positions will focus on: Recovery – Coordinating resources (people and supplies) after a disaster in support of local relief agencies; Capacity Building – Providing training and materials for our churches to create both individual congregational plans and also teams from congregations to deploy out for post disaster response; and Ministry – Model and teach our teams how to practice the ministry of presence and appropriate prayer with disaster teams and the families directly affected by disasters.
There will be one Coordinator in the north part of the state and one in the south. These positions are deployed and seasonal. The work schedule is flexible given both the time of year and current needs. Currently each position is 20 hours a week with no benefits.
The Synod Disaster Coordinators will assist the Florida Bahamas Synod with building a disaster response infrastructure and implementing it throughout the state. The position is responsible for assisting the Synod and congregations to be prepared and readied to respond to disasters, ministering to those dealing with tragedy, and building capacity within our congregations to respond in times of need.
Interested in applying? Please email your resume to Pr. Rob Rose at robr@fbsynod.org.
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Communications Specialist
The Communications Specialist is responsible for the E-Spirit newsletter, our social media presence, and maintaining the Synod website. They frequently write articles, scripts, press releases, and official statements on behalf of the Office of the Bishop. They also manage the technology needs for the office, and for groups and larger events like Synod Assembly and Conference on Ministry. This person must have a deep knowledge of Zoom, live-streaming services, and the latest technology, as well as excellent writing skills.
Interested in applying? Please email your resume to Pr. Rob Rose at robr@fbsynod.org.
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Light Dawns from National Lutheran Choir
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Light Dawns will be a virtual gathering of music, festivities and community to support the National Lutheran Choir.
As Spring is dawning, NLC is hopeful that the time to gather again in person is nearing too. To attend Light Dawns, visit NLCA.com on Sunday, May 23rd at 4:00pm (Central Time).
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The work of Global Mission continues to enrich and enliven our life as a synod. Things are happening in a number of our companions:
CUBA: Recently Bishop Laborde of the Lutheran Church (IEU) in Santiago de Cuba retired. Bishop Virgen Laborde was named the new bishop alongside Assistant to the Bishop Marta Yolanda. Last week Bishop Suarez, Rev. Meyer, Cuba Team Leader, and Rev. Carroll, Global Mission Chair, joined ELCA representatives in a virtual meeting to greet the new leaders and pray for their continuing ministry. The leaders' hope in the Lord amidst a time of extreme hardship is an inspiration. It is vitally important that we continue to advocate for an opening of US relations with the people of Cuba.
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HAITI: The Haiti Team met yesterday with Pastor Livenson, head of the Lutheran Church in Haiti (ELH). The gathering was filled with grief, as all mourned the passing of Jim Noss, a longtime member of the team and frequent traveler to Haiti. Jim is known throughout the ELCA for his missionary work in Cameroon; further, Jim served tirelessly in Haiti for years. Among other projects, Jim helped to establish ELH's Lutheran Center office in Gressier, providing computer, financial, and administrative support. We thank God for Jim, and commend him to God's eternal keeping.
Though unrest and violence persist in Haiti, the Lutheran church (ELH) continues to grow. Pastor Livenson of the ELH met with the Haiti Team on May 17th and reported that 22 new congregations are expected to join this spring. Further, at long last the solar panels for the Lutheran Headquarters in Gressier are being installed. We rejoice in the opportunities provided by reliable electricity.
JAMAICA: Our companion seminary, the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) continues its highly successful virtual course on gender justice. Over 25 students from all over the world--including two from the Florida-Bahamas Synod--gather on Thursday nights to learn and discuss topics ranging from women in leadership, to the image of women in the Bible, to gender-based violence. Additional virtual "short courses" are planned for 2021 and will be announced. Don't pass up these outstanding learning opportunities!
SURINAME: A new project is getting underway in Suriname. The Suriname Team is partnering with the ELCA by committing $3000 to the Lutheran Church in Suriname (ELKS). The funds are being used to support a new ministry addressing gender-based violence. There will be workshops and training for leaders working to eradicate oppression and violence, and ELKS will also support a room in a shelter where women and children can find sanctuary.
The vastness of God is apparent when we see how the Spirit blows throughout the world, bringing healing and hope. Join in the ministry through your prayers, your involvement and your financial support! For more information, contact Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Chair, at revkhc@gmail.com.
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Supporting Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel |
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This past week has been marked by increased violence between Israel and Palestine around Jerusalem. Thousands of people have been affected by the fighting, and many more are in harm's way as the crisis rages on.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls for support of peace with justice in Palestine and Israel. She asks for people to write President Biden and members of Congress urging they send a message to Israel to halt the illegal removal of East Jerusalem families from their homes and respect the Status Quo agreement and holy sites in Jerusalem. Watch the video on Facebook by clicking here or on YouTube by clicking here.
The Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage issued a statement this week condemning the violence. The statement reads, "The Association of Lutheran of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage is concerned and disheartened about the violent events that are taking place in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan who are facing the threats of expulsion and home demolition.
Jerusalem is important to Christians, Muslims and Jews. It should be a city of peace and worship for all people. It cannot be claimed exclusively by any one group. Attempts to deny the rights of its Arab residents to live in equality in their homes will only bring suffering and injustice, but never peace. Equality and freedom – not exclusivity and domination - should be the guiding principles of both policy and practice." To read the entire statement, please click here.
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International Women Leaders Graduation Celebration |
All are invited to witness the graduation celebration of our International Women Leaders on Wednesday, June 16th at 10:00am Central Time.
Facebook account not required to watch event. This event will also be rebroadcast on the ELCA YouTube channel at 8:00pm Central Time.
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ELCA Synod Elects First Transgender Bishop |
The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (they/their), San Francisco, Calif., was elected May 8th to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Rohrer is the first transgender bishop in the ELCA.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in San Francisco since 2014 and as community chaplain coordinator for the San Francisco Police Department since 2018.
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Hunger Team Mini-Grants Application Period Ending Soon
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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.
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 in Port St. Lucie. The proceeds were able to fund our local grant initiative and a matching $5000 was sent to Churchwide Hunger.
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Have You Completed Boundaries Education? |
For the sake of God’s mission and ministry in and through the synods of Region 9 (Florida-Bahamas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeastern, and Virginia), this Region is committed to the formation of healthy leaders and to the nurturing of vital congregations.
If you have not participated in Boundaries education in the past three years, or you just want to find out what we are talking about, you may click on the link below for more information about the Lewis Center’s online course, “Keeping our Sacred Trust.”
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