Click the image above to watch the Bishop's update on YouTube!
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This script has been transcribed directly from Bishop Suarez’s video. The format of this written update maintains the original format of the production script.
BISHOP:
Greetings and welcome to this Florida-Bahamas Synod Update for the last week of May, 2020. I am Pedro Suarez and I gladly serve as your Bishop.
AURA:
And I am Aura Suarez, serving as a Deacon of the ELCA. It is a pleasure to be with you today. Here are the latest happenings in our synod:
BISHOP:
Did you know that to care for ourselves as leaders during this time of crisis, we are recommended to…
- Connect with our best friends regularly
- Keep good humor alive
- Practice any cardio activity 3 times a week
- Practice our favorite hobbies
- Imagine and plan for the future, be willing to fail, and stay positive
- Deepen our spiritual daily life by reading the scriptures, meditating, and praying
- Being generous, kind, and showing love to others
AURA:
Did you know that while we care for ourselves, we must also care for our pastors? We should:
- Encourage others to understand that there is no real need to rush the reopening of our churches
- Understand that reopening won’t really improve our offerings
- Protect our leaders’ health, because if they get sick, we will have a hard time finding substitutes
BISHOP:
Did you know that many of our leaders, especially our pastors, are experiencing something called Emotional Labor? Emotional labor is the invisible and often undervalued work involved in keeping other people comfortable and happy. During difficult times, emotional labor can be very stressful. Our pastors especially should be using vacation time if possible. Remember: it is not selfish to take a break. In fact, taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your congregation.
AURA:
Did you know that our leaders should take time to recognize their church staff and their spouses? Last week, the synod office had a virtual Happy Hour on Zoom. We were even joined by the fantastic comedian Al Ernst! It was a great way to be together as friends and take a break after working so hard for the last several weeks...
+ Bp. Pedro
Rev. Pedro Suarez, Bishop
Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA
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An Update Regarding Bishop Suarez's Special Message from May 22
nd
Last week, Bishop Suarez issued a message addressing President Trump's statement on reopening churches immediately. This statement was prepared in partnership with other bishops across the country, and some of the words shared by Bishop Suarez were written by other bishops. Bishop Suarez would like to give appropriate credit to the contributing authors and thank them for their input.
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Honoring Our Heroes Memorial Day 2020
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On Monday, May 25
th, Americans across the country took time to honor and remember our fallen military heroes.
Our annual celebration of Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the many lives given by brave Americans throughout our history as a country.
May we always honor their sacrifice by sharing with one another, loving our neighbors, and being grateful for our freedoms. We pray for God's blessings on the families of our fallen heroes, and for peace and justice throughout the world.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
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The need is urgent.
Your help is vital.
Here in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, we are committed to helping our congregations and communities respond to the need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We know our churches are eager to help those in need, and our ministers are dedicated to offering worship online.
But we can't do it alone. We are called to be Church Together. And we need your help to continue to serve the people in our communities throughout this pandemic.
Your gifts will keep our churches afloat, our food pantries stocked, and our pastors equipped with the technology needed for digital worship. Please prayerfully consider the ways your generous gifts can impact the lives of those in need during COVID-19.
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ATTENTION CHURCH LEADERS:
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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will offer a special Trinity
Sunday sermon for our congregations!
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will record a sermon which congregations and synods can include in their worship services on Sunday, June 7, The Holy Trinity.
The video will be distributed electronically to our pastors as soon as it is made available. Bishop Eaton will read the gospel appointed for this day prior to the sermon. Local decisions can be made to use the reading on the video or invite another person to read the gospel instead.
ELCA Worship will provide a resource that includes texts for a Service of the Word, appointed readings, corporate Prayers of Intercession, and hymn and song suggestions. Synods or congregations may adapt and use this resource to produce online worship offerings to surround Bishop Eaton’s sermon. This material will be available on May 26.
ELCA Worship will continue to provide “Worship in the Home” via the ELCA Worship blog (
blogs.ELCA.org/Worship
) for those who make use of these resources for individual/family home devotions each week. On June 7, “Worship in the Home” will include a link to watch Bishop Eaton’s sermon as part of these home devotions.
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Update on Volunteer Applications and the 2021 Youth Gathering:
Due to the impact of COVID-19, applications for the Gathering Volunteer Corps and Local Volunteers will not open on May 21 as previously scheduled. Additionally, our webinar on May 21 will be postponed.
Gathering staff and leadership continue to monitor COVID-19 recommendations and trends from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state governments, our host city and venues, and meeting planner organizations. We know this crisis will impact the ministry of the Gathering, but at this time we are unsure exactly how. We are currently working through a variety of scenarios. Please stay tuned to Gathering social media and the website for updates.
We thank all of you who continue to care for young people during this pandemic. Know that you, your congregation and especially the youth of this church are in our daily thoughts and prayers.
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Boundaries Training
Boundaries training is crucial for rostered ministers, since we work closely with people and know the importance of relationships.
Rostered ministers can attend our Synod's boundaries & sexual ethics training
online
during COVID-19:
The expectation of the Bishop is that rostered ministers will attend or take boundaries training once every 3 years.
The cost is $49 to enroll. Questions about this training or about the boundaries workshops offered in the synod can be sent to Connie Schmucker at
connies@fbsynod.org
.
FAQs about online Boundaries Training through the Lewis Center:
What will happen after I go online, register and pay the $49 fee?
You will receive a payment receipt. This means that your registration has been processed. You may then log back into lewisonlinelearning.org, at your convenience, and start the course.
What if I have a question?
You may call the (202) 664-5700 or email the Lewis Center at
lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu
. The office is not closed, but the staff is working from home due to COVID 19. If you leave a voicemail, they will call you back.
How long does it take to receive the certificate once the program is completed?
The course takes on average 4-6 hours. Once the work is completed it usually takes the Lewis Center 24-48 business hours to review the work and either send out the certificate or an email regarding what needs to be redone.
What pastors are saying about online Boundaries Training:
"Five stars out of five. I was impressed with the online Boundaries Training offered by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and would recommend it to my colleagues. It was convenient and well structured. The material is well thought out and they do a nice job of making it easy to follow. Saving answers was important and they did a great job of making sure participants knew what was expected of them. I had a question, sent an email and received a response quickly. With all said, it was an afternoon well spent in continuing education." -Pastor Joshua Gyson
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Announcement for
NovusWay
Summer Camp 2020
After prayerful and informed consideration, NovusWay Ministries has made the difficult decision to suspend all scheduled camp programming for summer 2020 at Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs and Lutheranch.
To learn more about our decision and how to act on your registration please read our statement by
clicking here
.
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Lenoir-Rhyne University professors dive into pandemic discussion with free 10-week Covid Class
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Lenoir-Rhyne University professors are attempting to stem the flow of misinformation and replace it with knowledge and understanding through a new class they're teaching this summer term, "
Covid Class
."
Covid Class is a 10-week course that starts Tuesday, May 26 with the beginning of summer term, but late enrollments are welcome. There is no charge for the two-credit course that is open to current and incoming LR undergraduate students. LR alumni and the general public can also take the class at no cost without earning credits.
Covid Class Registration
Covid Class starts Tuesday, May 26 2020. Visit
www.lr.edu/covid-class
for more information and to register. Late enrollments are welcome.
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Support Our Graduating Seniors
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The graduating class of 2020 has lost many memorable experiences due to COVID-19. Most will not attend prom, graduation, or celebrations this year.
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If you have graduating seniors in your congregation, consider celebrating them! The ELCA has provided a list of creative ideas for recognizing the class of 2020 in safe, fun ways!
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The Region 9 Rostered Women's Gathering has been postponed!
A new date will be announced soon. Stay tuned for future updates!
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Revision of
Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline:
We want to hear your voice!
This church’s document,
Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline,
describes the grounds for which discipline may be imposed according to the practice of this church. Chapter 20 of the ELCA Constitution calls for this document, stating that “[t]he Committee on Appeals shall establish definitions and guidelines, subject to approval by the Church Council, to enable clear and uniform application of the grounds for discipline of officers, rostered ministers, congregations, and members of congregations.” Its purpose is juridical: to assist in the processes of consultation, discipline, and appeals. It does not set forth the high expectations this church has for all who participate in our life together.
It has been a number of years since
Definitions and Guidelines
was last substantively updated. The Committee on Appeals is conducting a review of this document with the intent to submit a revised version to the Church Council for approval in spring 2021. The committee is seeking input from across this church so the document can better provide clear and uniform application of the rules, protect people from harm, and prevent impediments to the proclamation of the gospel.
The committee is particularly aware of the need to hear a diversity of voices and perspectives. You are invited to participate in two ways:
- • An online survey that will be open until June 15
- • A series of digital town halls across the month of June
To take the survey or register for the digital town halls, we encourage you to go to
www.ELCA.org/rosteredlife
and let your voice be heard.
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Synod Candidacy Committee
Fund for Leaders Recipients
The Florida-Bahamas Synod would like to acknowledge the recipients of our Candidacy Committee’s Fund for Leaders Scholarship.
This year’s recipients are Ruth Ann Hoy (Luther Seminary), Brandy Schneck (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary), Boris Camille (Wartburg Seminary), and Adam Baroni (Luther Seminary).
The ELCA Fund for Leaders was created twenty-three years ago to build up and support future seminary trained church leaders from across the ELCA as they prepare for a life of ministry and service. The Florida-Bahamas Synod [Candidacy Committee] has established a seminary scholarship fund within the ELCA Fund for Leaders. This scholarship fund provides tuition support to candidates from this synod who are attending an ELCA seminary and who are preparing for Word and Sacrament or Word and Service ministry in the ELCA.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
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Get Involved in Candidacy
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Our Candidacy Committee is Seeking New Members!
Are you looking for a rewarding new way to get involved in ministry? We are currently seeking nominations of lay females who evidence a strong faith, worship faithfully, are active in the life of their congregation, have a positive and enthusiastic spirit, a commitment to follow through, and would like to be a part of the formation and education of future pastors and ELCA deacons.
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Are you ready to join the Florida-Bahamas Synod Staff?
Our Synod is now hiring a full-time Administrative Assistant for Leadership
. The person filling this position assists the Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership during the Call and the Candidacy processes for Rostered positions, helps coordinate Candidacy Committee meetings, maintains mobility and transitions files, and assists with events as needed.
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Search for Global Mission Table Chairperson
Florida-Bahamas Synod
Are you an ELCA member interested in Global Mission work? Do you have a passion for exploring other cultures and discovering the Gospel in other contexts?
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is seeking a person to chair the Global Mission Table! The work of the Global Mission Table (GMT) is to foster growth and deepen relationships with our Companion Churches in other countries. The GMT Chairperson will be responsible for overseeing the GMT, increasing awareness of Global Mission, and deepening our relationships with our companion churches.
The ideal candidate will have strong multi-tasking skills, a love of travel, the ability to delegate tasks, and the ability to learn and respect different cultural customs and traditions. You must be healthy enough to travel overseas and must possess a valid passport. Bilingual skills are a plus!
The Global Mission Table Chairperson will need to commit approximately 10-40 hours per month to the position. This time will vary depending on upcoming events and seasons. Most work will be completed at home, with occasional foreign travel.
Ready to apply? Email your resume to Pr. Khader El-Yateem - Assistant to the Bishop at
khadere@fbsynod.org
.
Be sure to tell us why you’re passionate about promoting Global Mission!
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Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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September 26
- Bishop's Visit, Lord of Life, Miami
October 10
- Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne
*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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