Global Companions Visit Fall Women's Gathering
Contributed by Marcee Strickland, FBSynod Global Missions Table (Guyana/Suriname Team Chair)
The FB Synodical Women’s Organization held their annual Fall Gathering at Lake Yale November 8-10, 2019. This event is always special, but it was very special this year because there were two guests from our companion churches in Guyana. The theme of the Gathering was “Come to the Table”, and we definitely welcomed Elocia Smith and Stephanie Bowry to the table.
Our guests were welcomed with true Christian fellowship by the Florida women. Both ladies participated fully in all the activities at Lake Yale.
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Transition Ministry Training
Transitions –
There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God’s future, it is a time of transition from something that was to something that is yet to be.
The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the “yet to be” is fully in the hands of God, and God’s people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.
Learn more and register
HERE
.
The next Transition Ministry Training event will be at Luther Springs on Jan. 27-29, 2020. More information available
HERE
.
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Order Camp Sunday Materials Today!
Our Synod recognizes Sunday, February 9, 2020
as our NovusWay Camp Sunday emphasis. Did you know people who attended a faith-based camp as a child or teenager have stronger connections to the church as an adult? Our synod values camp because of the positive impact it has on the lives of those who attend.
We invite all our congregations to celebrate Camp Sunday by ordering your supplies today! Our goal is for 80% of our congregations to celebrate Camp Sunday. It is easy and NovusWay staff will take care of everything.
Click this link
to order your materials now.
NovusWay offers four camp locations for children, youth and adults: Lutheridge (NC), Lutherock (NC), Luther Springs (FL) and Lutheranch (GA). Visit their new website
www.novusway.org
and check out all the opportunities for a child in your life to attend camp this summer.
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VOLUNTEERS WELCOME in Panama City
Seeking individuals and groups of up to 25 to donate their time to families recovering from Hurricane Michael. Weekly and single day events can be coordinated. Projects will be assigned as skill levels are identified. Opportunities include; hanging and finishing drywall, paint, carpentry, installing windows, flooring and cabinetry, light plumbing and electrical work.
Volunteer camp site is hosted by Messiah Lutheran Church in Panama City. The cost is $10 per person per night not including meals.
TO VOLUNTEER contact Kim Hopkins
Email: Kimh@fbsynod.org
(PLEASE NOTE CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS)
Call: (850) 319-2686
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Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
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YAGM Applications Accepted Now
submitted by Courtney Noya, YAGM alumna
ELCA’s Global Mission is currently receiving applications for the 2020-2021 Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) opportunity. YAGM is a year-long service-learning experience in which young adults between the ages of 21 and 29 are invited to serve in one of ten country programs around the world. Serving in YAGM is a great opportunity for young adults to see how God is working in the world. YAGM will meet our global neighbors (including Lutherans abroad, but also our siblings of other faith traditions), experience new cultures, food, and languages, develop their servant leadership skills, grow in their personal faith, and share stories of the global church. There are numerous opportunities in fields such as teaching, environmental work, social justice, outdoor ministry, church ministry, health awareness and education, and more.
If you’d like to hear more about a recently returned YAGM’s personal experience or if you have any other questions about YAGM/the application process, you can reach out to Courtney Noya, a 2018-19 YAGM alumna of the Mexico program, at
courtneynoya@gmail.com
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Lutheran Hymn Festival
Friday, January 24, 7:00pm
The choirs of Messiah Lutheran Church, Deacon John Renfroe, director, and the Peace Lutheran Choir, Ric Jaeggi, director, will join in a traditional, Lutheran grown Hymn Festival.
It is our great pleasure to announce that Mark Mummert, of Trinity Lutheran in Massachusetts will be the guest musician.
Peace Lutheran Church
15840 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 437-2599
www.peaceftmyers.com
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Mark Your Calendar for this Upcoming Event at Peace, Ft. Myers on March 6, 2020
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Master Builders
February 28 - March 1, 2020
$119
Like working with your hands? Join us while we do big and small projects to improve Luther Springs, enjoy the lake, tell stories around the campfire, enjoy healthy competition through camp games and sit on the back porch talking about our faith.
Grands Camp
March 6-8, 2020
Youth: $72 Adult: $108
Grandparents & Grandkids, join us for a GRAND WEEKEND enjoying a time of spiritual growth and fun. Each day includes regular camp activities, cookie baking, worship, Bible study, exploring creativity, sharing stories, growing together in Christ and family free time.
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Jan. 10-11 -
Synod Parish Deacon Retreat (Epiphany, Oviedo)
Jan. 11 -
Vitality Retreat, Panhandle Conference (St. Paul's, Niceville)
Jan. 12 -
Installation of Pr. Will Kittinger, Emmanuel, Naples (11:00 a.m.)*
Jan. 12 -
Ordination of Deacon Michelle Mehan (Nativity, Weeki Wachee, 3:00 pm)*
Jan. 14-16 -
Living Forward in Joy and Peace, Luther Springs
Jan. 18 -
Vitality Training Retreat, Tradewinds Conference (Holy Spirit, Juno Beach)
Jan. 24 -
Lutheran Hymn Festival, Peace Lutheran, Ft. Myers (7:00 pm)
Jan. 27-29 -
Transition Training Retreat, Luther Springs
Feb. 8 -
Installation of Pr. Tim Johnston, Holy Trinity, Ft. Walton Beach (3:00 pm CENTRAL time)*
Feb. 9 -
NovusWay Sunday
Feb. 11-13 -
Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando
Feb. 11-13 -
Deans' Retreat, Luther Springs
Feb. 28-March 1 -
Master Builders Retreat, Luther Springs
March 6 -
Gladiolus Food Pantry Benefit, Peace Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers
March 6-8 -
Grands Camp, Luther Springs
March 7 -
Vitality Training Retreat, Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City)
April 7 -
Chrism Mass, St. John's Lutheran, Winter Park (11:00-2:00)
*Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process at installation and ordination services. Red is worn for ordination, color of the day is worn for installations.
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Mission Support Covenant Forms Available
The 2020 Mission Support forms are available on the synod web site. These forms help the synod office plan well for ministry priorities and programming for the next year.
>>>
Click HERE
to access the forms to download and print<<<
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Parochial Reports Available on ELCA Web Site
Forms A and C that make up the required, annual parochial report, will be available to fill out and complete, on the
ELCA website
, beginning this month. Each congregation needs to have its own church ID and password. The passwords for 2019 were recently sent to each congregation. The passwords are also available from the synod office.
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Annual Report Covers
The 2019 Annual Report Covers
from the ELCA are available on the
synod web site
(on the Forms page) and also on the
ELCA web site
(on the Stewardship page). These covers include a brief litany to open congregational meetings and a brief message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
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Living Well Cohort
This invitation comes from Pr. Shannyn Fuerst, who sends this introduction:
I serve as the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, Seattle in the Northwest Washington Synod. One of my passions is working with the intersection of ministry and health & wellness, namely for ministry leaders. Over the past 18 months, I've been part of putting together a program to specifically address the challenges and struggles ministry leaders face with health, wellness, and nutrition along with the effect it has on healthy leadership. Using the ELCA Wellness Wheel as a foundation, it has informed and helped shape parts of the program. Last year we held our pilot group, seeing great impacts for the pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders who participated, both in their personal health and the health of their congregations. After all, a healthy leader fosters a healthy congregation. Below is a short announcement about the Living Well Cohort group.
Ministry Leaders - Our vocation calls us to model healthy behavior wherever we are, yet it can be challenging to manage and balance the many roles and responsibilities. How you care for your body and mind often takes a back seat to everything else and you pay the price. Tending to your health and staying consistent feels overwhelming! So often we hear, "I know what to do... but I have a hard time doing it."
There's a new program designed specifically for ministry leaders (rostered and non-rostered). It focuses on the physical, nutritional, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come with being a ministry leader. It is 1:1 certified nutrition coaching AND ministry cohort support. It builds one success, one habit, and one change at a time so that sustainable patterns are created, which will have lasting effects on your life. You are invited to join us on this journey of holistically Living Well. The next cohort group starts January 13, 2020. Check out the information, program outline, and FAQs on the website
:
www.livingwellcohort.com/
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With One Voice Hymnals Available
Living Lord Lutheran Church in Lakewood Ranch has 140 With One Voice hymnals available for anyone who may want or need them. Contact the Parish Administrator at 941-753-9365 if you are interested in these hymnals.
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- Synod Office
- Synod Parish Deacon Retreat (Oviedo)
- Synod Staff Retreat
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