Save the Date for Synod Assembly 2023

Mark your calendar for the 2023 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly, set for June 8-10 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. This year's theme is "Renewed in Christ" (Hebrews 13:6-8). The 2023 Assembly will include a bishop's election.

More details and registration information to come!

Join Us for a Virtual Mini-Session with Dr. Reggie McNeal

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. Who knows? You might just be one of these leaders yourself! Webinar participants can send in questions ahead of time through the registration link as well as participate in live Q&A during the online event. Click here to register.

Join us for the diakonia Graduation on Jan. 21 at Hope Lutheran, the Villages

ALL are invited to join the graduates and their friends and families, their instructors and coaches in a day of celebration!

The Florida-Bahamas Synod’s School of Lay Ministry presents the 14^th diakonia graduating class on January 21, 2023, at Hope Lutheran Church, the Villages.

Come all day. Come for part of the day. Come for the graduation worship service. COME!

We will gather around 9:30 a.m. for coffee and fellowship. Then a Come’n See class where you can enjoy a taste of the education opportunity provided by the School of Lay Ministry’s curriculum, which now offers over 20 courses for new students, and continuing education for graduates and even congregation Bible Study.

For prospective parish deacons, a Table Talk will be held in the afternoon.

Stay for lunch! We will be joined by Bishop Pedro Suárez, and we will enjoy conversation with the bishop after lunch. 

Worship with us at the graduation worship service, Bishop Suárez presiding. This is sure to be a moving and memorable service.



To attend, please send an email to Ed Bornman at bornmel@diakoniafl.org and let us know. There is no charge for the class, conversation with the bishop or worship. If you’d like to join us for lunch, the cost is $15 which can be paid at the event or online at diakoniafl.org/Tuition and fees/graduation lunch.

Synod Parish Deacons Retreat

“Growing in Faith, Hope and Love” Retreat will be held March 3-4, 2023 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Oviedo FL. We encourage all Synod Parish Deacons to attend this in-person retreat to hear updates, learn about new opportunities, meet other Synod Parish Deacons, and more! Please visit the Florida-Bahamas Synod website for more information and the registration form.

You can also find this information on our Synod Parish Deacon Facebook Page at FBS Synod Parish Deacons.

SBA Disaster Loans Available for Florida Private Non-Profits Affected by Hurricane Nicole

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that certain Private Non-Profit organizations (PNPs) in Florida, that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature, may be eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans due to damages that occurred Nov. 7-30 from Hurricane Nicole.

The declaration includes the Florida counties of Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie and Volusia. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

PNP organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. The interest rate is 2.375 percent, with terms up to 30 years.

PNP organizations are urged to contact their county’s emergency manager to provide information about their organization. The information will be submitted to FEMA to determine eligibility for a Public Assistance grant or whether the PNP should be referred to SBA for disaster loan assistance. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17731.

The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Feb. 13, 2023. The deadline to submit economic injury applications is Sept. 13, 2023.

Please call the FOCE Communications Department if you have any questions, 404-331-0333.

Florida-Bahamas Director of Disaster Response Opening

The Director of Disaster Response assists the Florida-Bahamas Synod with building a disaster response infrastructure and implementing it throughout the state. The position is responsible for assisting the Synod and congregations to be prepared and readied to respond to disasters, minister to those dealing with tragedy, and build capacity within our congregations to respond in times of need.

If you would like to apply, click here for a complete job description. After reading it, if you are qualified please email your resume to Pastor Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop of Administration, robr@fbsynod.org.  

St. Marks's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Jacksonville) Pilgrimage to Israel by Debora Koepke 

Our Holy Land Pilgrimage was powerful and profound. The trip of a lifetime! Here, I remember and share some of the highlights of my pilgrimage journey:

In Magdala (hometown of Mary Magdalene) we saw the excavation of a synagogue where Jesus would have sat on the Seat of Moses preaching to the people. This was a powerful reminder of how all the places we were seeing and touching were holy places of God – places where Jesus walked and taught in the synagogues, streets, and hilltops. Read more...

Christus Victor Lutheran Church Responds by Giving

To aid in the relief efforts in our community and beyond, Christus Victor Lutheran has collected and matched over $200,000! A hundred percent of all funds will go in equal parts to proven mission partners, ELCA Disaster Response, the Florida/Bahamas Disaster Response, and St. Matthews House. This generous response will make a tangible difference in the lives of those hit hardest by the devastation. Click here to read more.

Grace Lutheran Church (Tampa) Seeks Director of Youth and Family Ministries 

Grace Lutheran Church Tampa, FL is seeking to hire a full time (40 hours) Director of Youth and Family Ministries for planning, implementing, directing, coordinating and managing Christian Education ministry for the entire Grace Lutheran Faith Formation from nursery to adults. The Director is also responsible for selecting and supervising the volunteer teachers, leaders, facilitators and assistants. Click here for additional info.

For Christmas 2022, Living Faith Church in the master-planned community of Tradition in Port St. Lucie set a goal that every child that has been assigned a Guardian-ad-Litem in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida be gifted a Christmas stocking filled with age-appropriate surprises. The 19th Judicial Circuit Court covers the Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Martin Counties. The challenge – 700 – which meant that 700 children in these counties are in crisis and as such have a court appointed advocate.

The project was kicked off with a Thrivent Action Grant of $200 and the congregation took it from there by reaching out to varies communities, schools, and businesses. The Holy Spirit stirred up many hearts and the goal was not only met, but there is already a head start for next year. Stockings were stuffed on Sunday, November 27 and distributed to the Guardians-ad-Litem for their gifting to the children who are currently in the Florida Child Welfare System. In addition to this annual event, God’s people at Living Faith provide diapers, wipes, toiletries and, when available, food and clothing for adults and children through their Diaper Aid Ministry; support the Hibiscus Children’s Center as well as the newly opened Child Advocacy Center of the Treasure Coast. Supporting children and families in crisis is just one way that Living Faith continues to be the hands and feet of Christ in the community. 

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

Spread the word: YAGM applications now open!

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! This year, for the first time since early 2020, YAGM participants are walking alongside our international neighbors. Now, it’s time for the YAGM team to find the next volunteers ready to step out into the world. Do you know one of them? Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year.

If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) Talk to them personally about what this opportunity will mean for their faith, identity, career and understanding of God’s work in the world. You can also watch and share this video message to learn about some of the ways the YAGM team is updating the program’s recruiting practices and making it more welcoming for everyone.

• January 9: Region 9 Gender Justice Boundaries and Inclusion Education

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

• March 3-4: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat

• April 10-20: Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

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

• September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, Location TBD

• October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.