News, Stories, and More

from the

Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA

February 8, 2022

"During the month of February join me as we celebrate the Black community and their contributions. We especially celebrate the leaders, past, present, and those that are upcoming. We will continue to strive to bring the words of Amos to reality: "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Our society will be so much richer when we are able to celebrate each other because we are all created in the image of God." Bishop Pedro Suarez

In observance and in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters, the synod's Just Love team is holding three virtual Listening Sessions the following three Mondays this month. Please join us for a time of prayer, discussion, and reflection on the Black experience.

Click here for links to the sessions.

A Wellness Retreat for Rostered Leaders During a Pandemic Facilitated by the Rev. Sharon Taylor

And all who thirst will thirst no more

And all who search will find what their souls long for

The world will try, but it can never fill

Leave it all behind, and come to the well. Casting Crowns

Let’s be Honest. Being a rostered leader is challenging in good times. During a pandemic, pastoring can be unbearable at times!

Through a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Relief-USA, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is sponsoring this two-night retreat as a crisis response and an opportunity to decompress and reconnect to our spiritual selves. 

“Come to the Well” retreat will provide opportunities for rest, renewal, and play. Using spiritual practices, we will reconnect with God, with ourselves, and with one another.

May 9-11

(Mon-Weds)

2:30 PM - 2:00 PM

St. Peter Lutheran Church

3751 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

Overnight accommodations at the Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel. Please click here for information and registration.

July 24-29 - Luther Springs

In lieu of the ELCA Youth Gathering, Luther Springs has planned a week where youth will share God’s immeasurable love by serving others, enjoying new friends and old, and having limitless fun!

The curriculum is based on the ELCA Youth Gathering curriculum. Ephesians 3:18-19 (CEV): I pray that you and all of God's people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

Click here to see what our week will look like and for registration information.

Atonement Chapel

We are happy to announce the that on Saturday, January 22, 2022 the official dedication of the Atonement Chapel and Meeting Room took place at Luther Springs. Construction of the chapel started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and was completed in 2021. We invite you to join us in celebrating the dedication of the Atonement Chapel and Meeting Room by watching the Dedication Service.

Tornado Relief Still Needed

Several tornadoes hit areas of southwest Florida a couple of weekends ago. Many in the congregations of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fort Myers Beach and Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers lost their homes.

We continue to accept donations to help those who were in the tornado's path and lost everything. Click here to donate. 100% of the money given will be used in the tornado relief efforts.

New May Educational Grant for Ministers of Word and Sacrament

Established by a generous gift from Pastor Rusty and PJ May, the grant is available to rostered ministers of word and sacrament of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for continued education.

The grant amount will depend on dollars available and the number of applicants. To apply click here or visit the synod website. Deadline for the first round of grants is February 15, 2022.

Possible areas of study may include (but not limited to):

• Festival Homiletics
• On-line or in-person continued education courses at a seminary
• Participating in community organizing training on faith-based social

justice ministries

• Participating in trips to the Holy Land/Germany/St Paul sites
• Accompanying a synod Global Mission Table trip
• Attending workshops

Grants will be awarded by the decision of the grant’s committee meeting during the first quarter of 2022. Questions may be addressed to Rev. Ana L. Lugo, Gift Planner for the Synod, at ana.lugo@elca.org.



This year's Synod Assembly will be held June 3-5 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.

The Conference on Ministry for rostered ministers will be held October 17-19 at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg.

More information to follow.

Annual reports due soon...

• Congregation Reports (Parochial) 2021 - Deadline to file with the Office of the Secretary is March 1, 2022. If you file via paper copy, please mail it to the Synod Office by February 15.

• Rostered Minister Reports - To be submitted by all ministers including those under call, on leave from call, retired, or on disability. Download and save to your computer. Following completion, save, and attach to an e-mail to ileanas@fbsynod.org.

• Mission Support Covenants - You can file your covenant online or by returning the card to the Synod Office. This year, the Florida-Bahamas Synod will forward 46% of our mission support dollars to Churchwide.

diakonia News

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!

Attention diakonia Graduates and Synod Parish Deacons:

Want a re-fresh on a diakonia subject, or 2 or 3 or more? Maybe it’s been a while since you completed the education part of your ministry? Diakonia Florida, the Synod’s LAY SCHOOL OF MINISTRY, has opened up its self-study track for you! You can now audit any of the self-study courses available at diakoniafl.org for a one time fee of $35. These are the courses currently available:

Introduction to the Old Testament

Introduction to the New Testament

Connecting Sunday to Monday (Daily Life of a Christian)

By what Authority (Church History)

Practical 1 – Biblical Images

Practical ii – Visitation

Liturgical Worship

Ethics in the Lutheran Perspective

We Must Plant the Church (Faith in the North American Context)

More courses will be added regularly! Go to diakoniafl.org, go to the Student Page, scroll down and grab an application, send it in with $35 and you’ll be all set!

Questions? Call Michele Hilton at 941.373.5596 or email micheleahilton@aol.com.



GRIEF MATTERS

Presented by the Morton Plant Mease Spiritual Care Department, this online educational series addresses topics that are central to the experience of grief. Each one-hour presentation provides resources for those who are grieving and for those who want to be of support. This program is free and open to all, thanks to a grant from the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation. Click here for the schedule of topics and to register.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

College Readiness Webinar Series

Click here for more information on this series.

Registration

AMMPARO - Boldly Serving Our Afghan Neighbors

February 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Registration

Listening Event on Social Statements

Church, State & Civic Participation

February 8, 6:30 PM

Zoom link

Docs: The Church in Society &

Government & Civic Engagement

2022 Ignite the Church Conference

February 8-10, 2022

Information & Registration

Luther Springs 2022 Programs

List of retreats and programs for 2022:

Information & Registration

Anger Workshop for Rostered Ministers

February 10, 10:00 - 11:00 AM Central Time (11:00 Eastern)

Registration

Continuing Ed for Rostered Ministers

Dismantling Racism Trainings

February 17 & 26

Registration

(Send certificate of completion to tinaf@fbsynod.org)

Good Samaritan Virtual Banquet

February 24, 7-8 PM

Join Here

Empowering Elders

February 26, 9:30 - 3:30 PM

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

Temple Terrace

$35 (w/lunch)

$20 via Zoom

Information & Registration

One Voice

Dinner & a Show

February 26, 5:00 PM

Lamb of God Lutheran Church

Fort Myers

Information

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sebastian is looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant (8-12 hours per week to start, with additional hours anticipated). If you or someone you know may be interested, please call the church office at 772-589-7117.