A Thanksgiving Message

Click the image above to view a Thanksgiving message from Bishop Pedro and Deacon Aura Suárez.

Dr. Reggie Mc Neal is back with two free virtual mini-sessions as a follow-up to the Conference on Ministry! This won't simply be a recap of the conference, but instead it's an opportunity to build on our discussions and further equip you to build Kingdom-centric ministries. If you weren't able to make it to the Conference on Ministry, this is your chance to hear from Reggie in an up-close and personal way. There will be a brief presentation followed by a live Q&A session. 

Accelerating Kingdom-Centric Ministry - December 6, 2022 | 11 a.m.

Elements will include key shifts that must occur to move from church-as-institution to church-as-movement as well as insights for leading successful transitions. Click here to register.

Searching for Kingdom Collaborators - January 12, 2023 | 11 a.m.

Kingdom leaders co-conspire with God to bring more of His kingdom to earth. Reggie's presentation highlights how to spot them, what characteristics they evidence, and how church leaders can partner with them for greater kingdom impact in your community. Click here to register.

NovusWay Day of Giving Drive

Giving Tuesday is day where focus is shifted towards generosity and giving following the consumer driven Black Friday and Cyber Monday events in which so many of us participate. Each gift to NovusWay Ministries directly supports ministry work at each of our sites. Make plans to give and follow along on social media this #GivingTuesday on November 29!

It is through the generous support of donors like you, that we are able to provide faith forming weeks of camp to nearly 3,000 youth during the summer; and are able to provide camp scholarships to over 300 of those children who otherwise might not be able to attend. Our arms are open to receive and welcome them, but we need your help. Will you consider sharing the joy of camp by making a gift to NovusWay Ministries this #GivingTuesday? 

Your gift of:

$90 could provide a day of camp for one child

$180 could provide 2 days of camp for one child

$270 could provide 3 days of camp for one child

$360 could provide 4 days of camp for one child

$450 could provide 5 days of camp for one child

$550 could provide a full week of camp for one child

Help us continue the important work of providing Outdoor Ministry at each of our sites - Lutheridge in Arden NC, Lutherock in Newland NC, Luther Springs in Hawthorne FL and Lutheranch in Tallapoosa GA.

Give now.

Ordinations & Installations

Rev. Lori Fuller will be installed as pastor of Palms Deaf Church on December 4 at St. Mark by the Sea. Rev. Rob Carlson will be presiding.

The ordination and installation of Ismael José Calderón will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Coral Gables on Sunday, December 11, at 2 p.m.; Bishop Suarez will preside. Ismael is a graduate of Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He has accepted the call to serve as Pastor of St. Mark’s.

The installation of the Rev. Dale Raatz as pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Gainesville will be held on Sunday, December 18, at 3 p.m.; Bishop Suarez will preside.

Save the Date: Come to the Well

Please save the date for "Come to the Well" -- the rostered leaders retreat. It will be held January 17-19, 2023. More details to come. For questions, please contact Rev. Khader El-Yateem at KhaderE@fbsynod.org.

Synod Staff Transition: Stephen Garcia

For the last year, I have had the privilege of serving the Florida-Bahamas Synod in the role of Disaster Response. Although the 2022 hurricane season began with a lull, the last six weeks have afforded me the opportunity to serve our congregations throughout the most crucial times. It is over this time that I have had a chance to reflect and focus on what is best for me and my family moving forward.

I have recently accepted a different position as a pastor at an online church based out of the West Coast which will conclude my time at the Synod. My time at the Synod was so much more than a professional position. Working with the staff meant more to me personally than professionally. It was at the Synod where I was welcomed with an authentic community. Pastor Rob and the bishop afforded me an opportunity nearly a year ago to engage in ministry once more, and for that I am eternally thankful. I am thankful for all of the wonderful pastors and congregations I've gotten the chance to connect with over the last year. Most of all, I am thankful for the grace of God which seems to be on display over and over again throughout all of our lives. I want to say a big thank you to the Synod staff and every person who helped further the area of Disaster Response within the Synod. I believe the best is yet to come, thank you! - Stephen Garcia

Just Love Advent Devotions

The JUST LOVE Team of the Florida-Bahamas Synod is pleased to offer these four Advent devotions for use by individuals and congregations wishing to explore the themes of Advent as they are experienced by marginalized communities. We encourage you to find partners from these communities with which to discuss these devotions—you could partner with an African-American, Latino, or LGBTQIA+ congregation, for example.

The devotions can be turned into a mid-week worship service or Bible study. They can also be sent out to your members for use in their daily devotions. We look forward to hearing how you have been able to use them in your faith community.

Click here to view the devotions.

A Statement from the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage on the Situation in Iran

Zan. Zendegi. Azadi. Woman. Life. Freedom. These are the words Iranian citizens have been shouting from the streets throughout Iran for the last several weeks. Iranians took to the streets to protest the murder of a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini. She was arrested and died at the hands of the “morality police” for wearing her mandatory hijab “improperly.” The people of Iran took to the streets to protest her death and Iran’s gender apartheid regime.

What started as protests have turned into a women-led revolution. From the start of this revolution, women, men, and children have been killed. Iranians have been imprisoned for fighting for their freedom and collective liberation. For weeks now, people across the globe have been protesting in solidarity with the people of Iran.

The ELCA Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage stands with the women and youth of Iran in their fight for equality. We support their fight for justice, freedom from oppression, and against gender-based discrimination. We are called into a lifelong commitment to caring for our neighbor in our baptism. Our faith calls us to speak out against injustice, violence, and oppression.

We pray for the leaders of the revolution. We pray for the families that have lost their loved ones at the hands of the Iranian government. We pray for Iranians living in the diaspora who cannot go home and who have loved ones living in Iran. We pray for an end to the state-sanctioned violence against Iranian citizens. Finally, we pray for liberation, freedom, and peace.

We call upon the ELCA to raise the women and youth of Iran in prayer as they continue to fight for their freedom and liberation.

Rev. Khader El-Yateem

ALAMEH President

SWO Fund for Leaders Scholarship for Seminary Students

The Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) will be awarding a scholarship(s) to seminary students that provides financial assistance to those in the candidacy status pursing ordained ministry. Scholarship(s) will be applied to tuition costs only at an ELCA seminary. Seminary students who are in the candidacy process, attending one of the eight ELCA seminaries, and are either in the Master of Divinity (M.DIV), Master of Arts (MA), or Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) programs are eligible for this scholarship. Preferences will be given to residents of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, female applicants, and active members of congregational units. The chosen applicant(s) should exhibit faith qualities that empower others and demonstrate leadership qualities in the church and in the community. The scholarship application is available on the SWO website, www.flwelca.com. The deadline to send a completed application to Donna Person, SWO Board member, at dperson7@aol.com is December 15, 2022. The SWO Board will choose a scholarship recipient(s) in January, and all applicants will be notified of the Board’s decision.

Open Position at Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg

Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg is looking for a person to engage our youth in activities and conversations that will help them grow in their faith. The ideal candidate will be part of the team that creates and runs a youth ministry program. The position can be tailored to the person's desire for full or part time. Our website mylcc.com has a detailed description of our church and this position. Contact us at office@mylcc.com to apply.

Trinity Lutheran (Jacksonville) Seeks Praise Band Director

Trinity Lutheran Church in Jacksonville is seeking a praise band director to lead their contemporary worship service. Click here for a complete job description and contact information.

Seeking Electronics for Donation

If you have a working iPad, iPhone or electronic gadget that you don’t need and are willing to donate (with charger if possible), please contact Grace El-Yateem. She is sending them to a Christian school in Amman, Jordan for students who cannot afford them and need them for school. She will be collecting them until the end of the year, but the sooner they can be collected the better. Any questions please feel free to contact her at (347) 683-8603 or Gkyateem@aol.com.

St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Tarpon Springs recently hosted an event where attendees learned about global water issues and how they can make make a difference on a personal level. The water purification filters they built will be sent to areas of the world where clean water is desperately needed. (Photo courtesy of St. Timothy Lutheran Church)

To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.

Rostered ministers — participate in PRRI survey on U.S. religious leadership

Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Duke Endowment are conducting a major national study on the health and future flourishing of mainline Protestant clergy and churches. ELCA pastors and deacons currently serving congregations are invited to participate. PRRI conducted a similar survey about a decade ago and recently completed the congregational portion. The current study seeks to understand attitudes and experiences across a wide swath of American religious leadership. We can all gain a more complete picture of religious life in America if the ELCA's data is included with that of other Protestant denominations. Take the survey. 

Public response period: Social message on climate care

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. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. The draft will be edited in response to your feedback and brought to the ELCA Church Council for a vote this spring. Read the draft and provide your input at ELCA.org/ClimateCare. 

Christians Against Christian Nationalism 

Christian Nationalism identifies human-made governments as lockstep with God’s will and seeks to privilege Christians, typically only white Christians. This type of ideology is not only dangerous but distorts the difference between holding government accountable to God as opposed to identified strictly with God’s will. Watch Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s video message against Christian Nationalism here.

We must stand against Christian Nationalism and ask that you join us in signing the petition by visiting www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/ — and find shareable graphics on the ELCA Facebook page to share your stance. 

• Luther Springs 2022 Programs: Retreats & Programs for 2022

• Dec. 6, 7: Holiday Help: Navigating the Holidays After A Loss: BayCare Grief Matters

• January 21, 2023 - Hope Lutheran - The Villages - diakonia Graduation Eucharist 4:00 pm

• April 10-20, 2023: Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

• September 18-27: ALOA 10-Day Tour of Greece: Walk in the footsteps of Paul