July 2, 2019
Synod Assembly Reports and Presentations

Scripts of reports, presentations, and other recordings from Synod Assembly are being added to the Assembly Guidebook page of the synod web site as they are available. Currently, the following reports are available (among others):


VP Report (Recording)

Opening Worship Sermon -Pr. El-Yateem (Recording)

Closing Worship Sermon -Bishop Suarez (Recording)
Churchwide Assembly six weeks of prayer
from the June 21 edition of Worship News

When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes on Aug. 5, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. This year will also include the election of a new secretary and a presiding bishop. As members of the ELCA, we encourage you to enter into a time of prayer for all who are involved and for the entire church.
The resource is available as a PDF.
If you are attending the Churchwide Assembly as a congregational observer or volunteer, please let the synod office know by emailing Ileana Sardinas (ileanas@fbsynod.org). This will help us know who from the synod is at the CWA.
Book and Blanket Bags for Children in Gainesville
submitted by Pr. Terrance Jacob, University Evangelical Lutheran, Gainesville

Imagine if you are a child going through a very difficult time and the guidance counselor at your school gives you a Book and Blanket Bag to take home. Members of University Lutheran Church in Gainesville assembled 56 of these bags and gave them to the guidance counselors at two local elementary schools. Carrying home a Book and Blanket Bag meant a lot to the children who received them. The members of University Lutheran plan to continue this project and reach out to the children in the foster care system in their community. 
If you have a story to share about how your congregation is connecting with God, connecting with each other, or connecting with your community, send it to michellec@fbsynod.org. Stories should be no more than 300 words, and include at least 1 picture.
Worship 101 - Living Lutheran

Any class or discussion on worship could begin with questions about what Lutheran worship is, how Lutherans worship and why do we do so. Sometimes these questions arise from specific, concrete concerns: whether a hymn or praise song is a good...

Read more
www.livinglutheran.org
A reproducible study guide on this article from the June cover article in Living Lutheran is available HERE.
Mark your Calendar
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
Transition Training
July 29-31, 2019
Luther Springs
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.
Treasurers/Financial Assistants Gathering

Treasurers from all over the Synod will gather on Saturdays in September and October at 6 locations around the Synod.
  • September 21st – Hope, The Villages
  • September 28th – St Paul – Sarasota
  • October 5th – The Synod House – Tampa
  • October 12th – Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon – Miami
  • October 19th – Spirit of Joy – Orlando
  • October 26th – Messiah – Panama City
This gathering will take place from 8:30-12:30 to network, review current Best Practices, learn, share and connect. Please contact Michele Hilton at micheleh@fbsynod.org if you plan to attend.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY to register for this year's Synod Women's Fall Gathering (Nov. 8-10):
Come to the Table

Online registration & downloadable forms are available at  www.flwelca.com .  The registration deadline is October 15 (October 1 for voting members).

Our invitation is extended to ALL women throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Scholarships are available to help defray costs and are administered discreetly. Learn more about Share the Spirit at  www.flwelca.com .  

July 4 - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED

July 20 - Ordination of Will Kittinger, Emmanuel Lutheran, Venice (11:00 a.m.)*

July 25-28 -  Order of St. Luke International Conference, Orlando

July 29-31 - Transition Ministry Training Retreat, Luther Springs

Aug. 5-10 -  ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Milwaukee, WI

Sept. 8 - ELCA God's Work. Our Hands Sunday

Sept. 19-21 - Assembly of Association of Latino Ministries, ELCA

Sept. 21 - Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, Hope, The Villages (8:30-11:30)

Sept. 27-30 - Practice Discipleship Retreat, Luther Springs

Sept. 28 - Gathering of Treasurers/financial assistants, St. Paul, Sarasota (8:30-11:30)

*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.
For Your Information
Learn More About Your Congregation Through Focus Groups
The following article is from the July, 2019 Parish Paper . The Parish Paper is available for congregations to print and distribute (with credit given). The Parish Paper can be used for personal reading and reflection, as opening discussion starters for council or committee meetings, for leadership team training, and for personal devotion.

For church leaders seeking to better understand their congregation, it pays to listen. Everyone knows the value of one-on-one conversations, yet it might not always be
the most efficient use of time for a busy leader. In these situations a focus group can help. Simple in design, it honors the experience of congregants in the stories they
tell, the questions they ask, and the concerns they express. 

Emanuel Movie Discussion Guide

If you or your congregation went to see the movie "Emanuel," which documents the story of the tragic shooting in Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, you may benefit from this DISCUSSION GUIDE as you reflect, process and discuss the story and the many dynamics the movie addresses.
Available: Yamaha Organ
Ruth Ann Hoy, from Nativity Lutheran, Weeki Wachee, has this Yamaha Organ available to donate. Free, but must be picked up. Please contact Ruth Ann directly at ruthannhoy@gmail.com.
Bishop's Calendar
  • Vacation
  • Region 9 Bishops' Retreat
‌
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to receive it in the future, please click HERE .