E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | October 25, 2022
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A Pastoral Visit
by Pr. Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop
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This past Thursday, October 20, Bishop Eaton, the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, came down to visit the Fort Myers area. Her goal was to listen, pray, and minister to our roster leaders, our pastors and ELCA Deacons, who are in the thick of the Ian recovery process.
Bishop Eaton, Bishop Suárez, Stephen Garcia (Florida-Bahamas Synod Lutheran Disaster Response [LDR]), Pr. Matthew Zemanick (LDR national), Pastor Khader EL-Yateem and Pastor Rob Rose drove down to meet with the pastors and the deacons in the epicenter of Ian’s destruction. We gathered at Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Meyers. Pastor Andreas Stein hosted the event that opened with a lunch and a time for colleagues to gather in one place since the storm and check-in with one another.
After lunch, Bishop Eaton stood and invited those present to share what was happening in their congregations. Where were the needs? How could the national church come along side of the local congregations and help shoulder some of the burden? Our pastors and deacons are a dedicated and passionate group of servants. Bishop Eaton relayed a story of how in the Dakotas there was a devastating storm. When the Lutherans in that area were asked directly if they needed any help, they would always say, “Yea, I’m fine. There’s a lot of work to do.” Never wanting to take help away from another, folks up north “held-it-together.” What happened was neighbors soon noticed the stress the disaster took on each other. They reached out, and even though they wouldn’t ask for help for themselves, they could ask for help for their friends and family. Eventually help was provided to everyone who needed it. Bishop Eaton encouraged us to ask for help to deal with all the stress of the disaster and to also ask for help our neighbors in case they were not able to ask for it themselves.
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After lunch, we gathered in the sanctuary for a powerful worship service. Hope was preached. Sorrow was recognized. The power of the Lord’s Supper was received. Healing oil brushed upon the brow of those in need. Music made our hearts sing and tears flow. And by the end, we all left knowing we were not alone to face the storm, to face the clean-up, to face the world without the support of our Savior or our fellow workers of the field.
Bishop Eaton’s short visit ended with a visit to St. Peter Lutheran Church. St. Peter Church was all but destroyed by the wind and the waves. As the group walked through the wreckage, Pastor Sharon shared the pain of the community and also the hope of what tomorrow could bring.
As Bishop Eaton prepared to leave, she expressed her thanks for having the opportunity to be present and hear what was needed. To listen and pray with folks who have experienced so much stress and loss, and will continue to do so, allowed her to minister in a way she was initially called to do – as a pastor.
As servants of Christ and members of the priesthood, may we all serve each other in times of trial. May we allow grace to go before our judgement and love enough to share with any who hurt. We are the ambassadors of Christ who live out the abundant life by serving others first. God bless the ministry you do as you make a kingdom difference.
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Please VOTE!
We have come to the time in our Synod’s Vision to Action Process where we need as many of our Synod congregation members as possible to vote on the goals that have emerged from our listening. Your votes inform the Synod Council and help them to focus on the ministry initiatives you feel are most important for the future of the Florida Bahamas Synod.
Please click here to take this very important survey and also share it with other active members of your congregation. You can download of list of the proposed initiatives here.
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Public Assistance for Houses of Worship
Houses of worship and religious nonprofit organizations may be eligible for FEMA’s public assistance program to cover the costs for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairing or replacing facilities damaged during a federally declared disaster.
Click here for a fact sheet with details on eligibility and application information.
You can also join a briefing for applicants hosted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Click here to view the webinar schedule
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Ordinations & Installations
Rev. Walt Lichtenberger will be installed as pastor of Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Naples at 4 p.m. on November 20, 2022.
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Boundaries Workshop Registration Open
This workshop is presented by two pastors who currently serve congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Along with video presentations, multiple resources will be shared which you can take back to your ministry site. Substantial time will also be given for group discussion, and open and honest conversation. The registration fee covers lunch, and all the resources that will be shared with participants. Click here to register.
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Weekly Prayer Focus
Holy God, our righteous judge, daily your mercy surprises us with everlasting forgiveness. Strengthen our hope in you, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may find their glory in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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2023 Compensation Guidelines Released
The Compensation Team is made up of Word and Sacrament leaders, Word and Service leaders and Lay leaders. The team reviewed the current conditions regarding our rostered leaders, our congregations, and the economy.
The team recognizes our leaders are dealing with a number of additional post-Covid demands, a new “normal” in our congregations, and additional stressors on ministry and our ministers.
We also talked about the state of the current economy. This year inflation will be around 8.3% meaning it takes more dollars to buy the same stuff as we did last year. On the good side was Portico benefits only increased 3% while the average market increase for benefits was 8-10%.
Some of our congregations are doing fine financially. Some of our congregations are not doing fine. The team also recognizes prime givers currently see the value of their investments in an almost free fall.
These factors were debated in a healthy and constructive manner. This resulted in a recommendation to provide a pay increase of 3-6%. If a congregation cannot provide a 6% raise due to its financial health the team encourages the leadership of a congregation to explain the current financial situation and to recognize the value of the work the roster leader provides. Read more...
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Pastoral Care for Rostered Leaders Caring for Their Congregations and Communities in Disaster | Serving a congregation in the midst of major disaster can be overwhelming. Pastors and ELCA Deacons are often walking wounded, experiencing the trauma associated with the disaster, while providing care for their congregations and the community. In an effort to offer support and encouragement, pastors who served congregations in major disasters, such as Katrina, and through major tornado outbreaks in their communities are available for one-on-one virtual or phone conversations and check-in calls to offer emotional spiritual care for rostered leaders experiencing disaster in their community. To receive this support, contact Pastor Eric Olsen at pastorolsen@aol.com or Pastor Rob Rose at Robr@fbsynod.org to confidentially request a chaplain. | |
Catching Up with a diakonia Student: Meet Carol | |
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Listen in, over the next several weeks as some of the current diakonia students chat about their experience with the guided, self-study program for Adult Faith formation. This is the fourth in the series.
Why did I join the program?
I have flirted with entering this program on and off for years, but circumstances never worked out for me to actually do it. Now I have a fully supportive pastor and time to do this. Among other things, I wanted to better understand the roots and shape of the very Lutheran urge for justice—justice for both individuals and for groups—trying to apply Jesus’ care for all people. Read more...
Go to diakoniafl.org for more info or contact Michele Hilton at micheleahilton@aol.com.
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Photo of the Week: Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers | |
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The Sunday School class at Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers show off their crowns as they recently learned about Queen Esther and how loving God gives us the strength to speak up. (Photo courtesy of Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church).
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
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Young Adults in Global Mission resumes | |
After a two-year pause, the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is sending volunteers out into the world again. The program invites young adults aged 21-29 into a transformative, yearlong journey in international service. Watch an update about some of the ways the YAGM team is bringing the program up to date and making it more welcoming for everyone. YAGM is ready for you! Submit your application beginning Nov. 1. Applications close on Feb. 1, 2023, with priority given to those who apply before Jan. 15, 2023. Learn more and apply soon. | |
Public response period: Social message on climate care | |
We need your help! A draft of the ELCA's forthcoming social message on climate change and how we are called to respond has been posted, and the public comment period is open through Friday, Dec. 2. The draft will be edited in response to your feedback and brought to the ELCA Church Council for a vote this spring. To read the draft and provide your input through our online form, go to elca.org/climatecare. | |
ELCA World Hunger Advent Resources | |
These new seasonal materials will start in Advent and continue through Lent 2023 under the theme "A Journey Through the Psalms With ELCA World Hunger." In Psalms we will find the pleas of a people — our spiritual ancestors — for renewal and transformation, justice and peace, hope and comfort. Download and order. | |
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January 21, 2023 - Hope Lutheran - The Villages - diakonia Graduation Eucharist 4:00 pm
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