Nominations, Memorials & Resolutions 

Nominations

At the 2023 Synod Assembly in Orlando (June 8-10), voting members will elect a bishop. Voting members will also elect people to serve on the Synod Council and the Consultation Committee. Additional information will be provided by the Synod Council relating to the election of the bishop as we move closer to the period leading up to the assembly.   

Nominations for bishop are not accepted in advance of the assembly. During the first plenary meeting of the assembly, ecclesiastical ballots for the election of a bishop are cast by each assembly voting member present. These nominations are tallied to create the second ballot. 

We strongly encourage nominations for Council and committee positions to be submitted prior to the Synod Assembly so they may be included in the Nomination Packet for Voting Members. This will also facilitate a smoother and more efficient voting process for the open positions.

Click here to view a list of open positions and descriptions. Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2023. You can complete the nominations form here

Memorials & Resolutions

From the ELCA.org website: “Memorials and resolutions enable this church to address broad policy issues or issues important to God’s mission in the world. Memorials address broad policy issues; resolutions have a narrower focus, requesting consideration or action by individual offices or units, or the Church Council. (A resolution can be the preferred method when an issue requires a timely response.)

The churchwide organization and synods of the ELCA use a process to bring forth memorials and resolutions. Memorials and resolutions are one way this church addresses broad policy issues or important issues for God’s mission in the world.”

All Memorials and Resolutions must be summited by May 1, 2023 in order to be reviewed and prepared to be brought the assembly floor.

• Memorials & Resolutions Flow Chart
• Guidelines for Effective Memorials & Resolutions
• Memorials & Resolutions Submittal Form

Installations & Ordinations

Rev. Grace Gravelle will be installed as pastor of St. Matthew’s in Jacksonville on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 4 p.m. Rev. Rob Carlson will preside.

May Educational Grant for Ministers of Word and Sacrament

Established by a generous gift from Pastor Rusty and PJ May, the grant is available to rostered ministers of word and sacrament of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for continued education.

The grant amount will depend on dollars available and the number of applicants. To apply click here or visit the synod website. Deadline for the first round of grants is March 15, 2023.

Possible areas of study may include (but not limited to):

• Festival Homiletics
• On-line or in-person continued education courses at a seminary
• Participating in community organizing training on faith-based social justice ministries
• Participating in trips to the Holy Land/Germany/St Paul sites
• Accompanying a synod Global Mission Table trip
• Attending workshops

Grants will be awarded by the decision of the grant’s committee meeting during the first quarter of 2023. Questions may be addressed to Rev. Ana L. Lugo, Gift Planner for the Synod, at ana.lugo@elca.org.

Lutherans You Should Know in Black History Celebration

Did you miss the Lutherans You Should Know in Black History Celebration? Click here to view a recording of the event.

NovusWay Employment Opportunity - Development Officer 

NovusWay Ministries is a progressive and growing outdoor ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located across the southeastern United States that includes the camps and conferencing centers of Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs and Lutheranch.

The Development Officer for NovusWay Ministries shall be a person committed to Jesus Christ and the church and dedicated to working in a church related organization. S/he shall have a growing understanding and appreciation for the unique ministry of church camp and conferencing centers. S/he shall have the ability to see the job as part of a ministry and to exhibit a commitment to teamwork with other employees. S/he shall have knowledge of and at least two years of experience in fund development or related field. Click here for full job description.

Christ Church, Coral Springs Seeks P/T Director of Worship & Music

The Director of Worship and Music coordinates all aspects of music for the church’s worship services. The Director’s main purpose is to facilitate meaningful worship experiences and shepherds the heart of the congregation through music and the arts. Prior experience leading worship services or other music programs is required. Click here for full job description.

Living Lord Lutheran Church member and Fundraising Chair Bob Bender (left) and Pastor Greg Shreaves received the final donation in late January 2023 to pay off the church's mortgage at just under $280,000. The church started this campaign in the late spring of 2022 with a goal of receiving enough donations to pay off the mortgage by late 2024. This check represents the final amount to completely pay off its mortgage. "We can now free up this monthly obligation on our building and grounds to do some really amazing work in our community and beyond," Pastor Greg Shreaves said. "Bob Bender took on this project and single-handedly completed this amazing work in under a year," he added. "We're grateful for the support and enthusiasm that our people have exhibited in this effort," Pastor Greg said.

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

Black History Month in the ELCA

Black History Month started as a week-long celebration in 1926 and has grown to a month-long event. But what does this month mean for us in the ELCA? Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares some contributions of a few Black Lutherans around our church. Click here to watch the video.

Give Now for Earthquake Relief

On Feb. 6 two powerful earthquakes hit Türkiye and significantly impacted neighboring Syria. The first was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in south central Türkiye, followed hours later by a magnitude 7.5 quake in the southeastern part of the country. The two quakes devastated Türkiye and Syria, collapsing thousands of buildings and damaging infrastructure. Thousands of people have been killed and thousands more have been injured, yet search-and-rescue efforts are only in the early stages. A cold and snowy weather system now moving through the region complicates response efforts.

Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to supporting ACT Alliance and other partners in responding to these earthquakes. Mere hours after the earthquakes hit, ACT Alliance member organizations began distributing emergency supplies, including medicines, bedding and other relief items. A comprehensive response will be coordinated as the full extent of the impact becomes clearer. Read more...

Announcing the annual Rev. Dr. Scott H. Hendrix Scholarship

The Rev. Dr. Scott H. Hendrix Scholarship was established in Fall 2021 to recognize the significant contributions Dr. Hendrix has made to Lutheran church history and to ensure that work will continue to be done to encourage and fund scholarship and research.

The scholarship is awarded annually to Region 9 ELCA seminarians, leaders, or laity conducting significant research in Lutheran church history at the James R. Crumley, Jr. Archives.

Applicants can apply at https://www.crumleyarchives.com/the-hendrix-scholarship.

The deadline for applications is April 21, 2023. Any questions can be directed to crumleyarchivist@gmail.com or by calling 803-461-3234.

• February 24-27: In-Person Silent Directed Retreat: The Franciscan Center

• March 3-4: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat

• March 4: Pancake Breakfast: Hope Lutheran Church, Daytona Beach

• March 11: ALOAFest at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

• April 10-20: Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

• September 10: "God's work. Our hands." Sunday: 10th Anniversary!

• 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.

• November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering