Hurricane Ian Preparation

by Stephen Garcia, Disaster Response Director (StephenG@fbsynod.org)

Hurricane Ian gained strength Monday afternoon with its path continuing to target Florida’s Gulf Coast including a threat to Central Florida. Ian is expected to remain at or near major hurricane strength as it passes near the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday and Thursday. The governor stated that Floridians on the Gulf Coast will feel the impacts of the storm up to 36 hours before the actual landfall due to the size of the hurricane. With a storm like this approaching, it is vital to stay informed and be prepared. 

As you prepare for the impact of Hurricane Ian, we also wanted to make sure you know the process of communication within the Synod. Read more...

Disaster Resources

Find additional resources for disaster preparedness and recovery and links to state and national organizations on our website.

Survey Closes This Friday!

The goal of Phase 2 of the Vision to Action process is to start focusing our visions (developed from the survey conducted in June) and become more specific. If we looked ahead in time, what would we see happening with the proceeds from the sale of St. James Lutheran Church? What would need to be developed for us, as a synod, to fulfill our call as the Lutheran witness in our community? How would we live out our faith and make the grace of Christ known? Click on this link and share what our future looks like as we move forward. 

Register Today for the COM Golf Outing

Registration is open for the annual Conference on Ministry Golf Outing. This year, all golf fees will be paid for in advance. Payment is non-refundable. If you already know the foursome or twosome you would like to play with, please include the names in an e-mail to jim@naplesemmanuel.org.

Cost is $35. Click here to register.

The deadline to register is October 10.

Catching up with a diakonia Student: Meet John

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 week we talk with John.

Michele: Hi John. I am excited to talk with you about your perspective on the diakonia program because you are our first snowbird student! You split your time between Pennsylvania and Fort Myers, and I also know that you have participated in lots of Bible studies and you have been a Bible study leader as well. Why did you join the program?

John:  I am glad you asked. When my Cape Coral congregation joined the program several years ago, I so much wanted to be part of that experience. Instruction was in-person at that time and I started to think of creative ways that I could be the first student from two different synods to complete a diakonia program. I soon realized it was not meant to be and only a few years later a total online experience opened up and I immediately said, “Sign me up.” This will work and it will work for other snowbirds as well. It has been a terrific learning experience.

Read more...

2022 Florida WELCA Fall Gathering 

Deadline to Register is This Friday!

The Florida Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering is to be held at The Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center in Leesburg, November 11-13. This year's theme is Step by Step based on Proverbs 16:9 (NLT). The registration deadline has been extended to September 30, 2022. For more information, go to www.flwelca.com.