Bishop Suárez has released his Synod Update for January 2021! To watch the Bishop's message, click here.
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In his message for the second Sunday after Epiphany, Bishop Suárez was joined by Pr. Khader El-Yateem, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission in the South Region. Click here to watch the message!
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Important Event for Rostered Ministers Today!
Today, January 19th, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and the ELCA Church Council invite all Rostered Ministers to join a special presentation on Future Church design.
Join Presiding Bishop Eaton at 11:30am Central Time / 12:30pm Eastern Time.
The other presenters will be:
- The Rev. Philip Hirsch, executive director, Domestic Mission
- Mikka McCracken, executive for innovation, director of the ELCA Leadership Lab
We will use our time together to answer these questions:
- What is Future Church?
- What specifically do we hope for with ministries?
- What are our next steps?
The presentation should not last longer than 1 hour. You do not need to register.
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The United As One COVID-19 Special Appeal continues to provide support to congregations during this pandemic.
By supporting our United as One Special Appeal, you will provide humanitarian aid for communities in need, support our congregations and strengthen ministries, provide new technology for congregations offering digital worship, and keep the Florida-Bahamas Synod strong, so we can continue serving and supporting our congregations.
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Join the Florida-Bahamas Synod and lift up your neighboring congregations!
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COVID-19 Vaccine Questions & Answers
Last week, our synod contacted a Regional Coordinator at the Florida Department of Health to discuss ways our churches could assist in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Q: I saw on the news that churches are serving as vaccine distribution centers. Can our church help?
A: The churches currently serving as vaccine distribution centers were chosen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as possible emergency staging areas. These churches have previously served as medication distribution centers, emergency gathering locations, and shelters. They were selected by their local leadership due to their location, accessibility, and local diversity.
At this time, there is no way for a church to sign-up to become a vaccine distribution center. This may change in the future, so stay tuned for updated information.
Q: Why aren’t more churches offering vaccine distribution?
A: The supply of COVID-19 vaccines is currently very limited. Distribution centers are opened based on the availability of vaccines and the essential need of the area.
Q: Why are my local vaccination procedures different from those in other cities?
A: Vaccine distribution and protocols vary from county to county. To learn about vaccine distribution in your community, please contact the Department of Health offices in your county.
Q: Am I an essential worker? Are pastors consider essential workers?
A: Right now, vaccine priority is being given to long-term care facility residents and staff, healthcare personnel, persons over 65 years of age, and individuals deemed extremely vulnerable by hospital providers. Please contact your county’s Department of Health for more information and county-specific information.
Remember: The best way to stay informed during vaccine distribution is to contact both your primary care physician and your county's Department of Health offices.
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Rostered Leaders Zoom Event
Tuesday, January 27th at 1:00pm EST
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Due to a scheduling conflict, the Rostered Leaders event with Deacon Mary Ann Schwabe has been RESCHEDULED! The event will now take place on January 27th at 1:00pm EST.
If you have already registered, there is no need to register again. Please check that your calendar reflects the change.
About This Event: At this time of high anxiety in church and society, this presentation will focus on the blatant and subtle effects of anxiety. Steady, thoughtful, and calm leadership is critical yet difficult to engage in such an atmosphere.
What do our own symptoms tell us? In the effort to address the anxieties swirling around us, how might we not miss the opportunities for self-reflection and self-regulation?
To help us learn to manage these anxieties and recognize opportunities for growth, Deacon Mary Ann Schwabe will lead a special presentation for Rostered Ministers via Zoom. Deacon Mary Ann Schwabe is the Natural Systems Coordinator in the Office of the Presiding Bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. From 2005 to 2014 she served as an assistant to the bishop in the Northeastern Ohio Synod and continues to coordinate that synod’s Congregational Resource Team as it promotes well-being in its leaders and congregations through the means of family systems theory.
All Rostered Leaders are encouraged to attend this event on January 27th at 1:00pm EST.
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Important Reports Reminder
2021 is here, and reports are due soon! Please submit all reports to reports@fbsynod.org. You will need to download the report to your computer, fill it out, then attach it to an email. If you need assistance, please contact the Synod office.
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Online Boundaries Training |
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Presiding Bishop Eaton's January / February Article in Living Lutheran |
Freedom: In her January/February column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on the past year and looks toward 2021. The pandemic has taught us a lot about our church and about ourselves. We are connected. We are generous. We are freed to serve.
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January 25-29, 2021
Whether a congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future, transition training is a vital part of a ministry calling.
The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the "yet to be" is fully in the hands of God, and God's people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.
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WHEN:
*All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Starts: Monday, January 25, 9:00 am
Ends: Friday, January 29, 12:00 noon
Daily times are 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
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COST:
Interim Pastors 5 days - $160
First Call and/or New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130
WHERE:
This will be an online webinar. A link will be provided before the event.
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Learn about Leadership from a Global Perspective!
Advanced Certificate in Leadership Skills for Church and Society
The United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) in Kingston, Jamaica, in companion relationship with the Florida-Bahamas Synod, is launching virtual "short courses" which can be accessed online. You are encouraged to consider being part of the cohort!
The Jamaica Team of the Global Mission Table designated $600 to support current students interested in taking the course in Leadership at UTCWI beginning this Saturday. Two were designated to receive scholarships, and each wrote a note of thanks to the Florida-Bahamas Synod. You are encouraged to read them below.
Supporting the formation of leaders is yet another way we walk with our companion churches in the Caribbean Basin--Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Suriname.
From Gillian Murray:
Good morning to the ELCA, Members of the Florida Bahamas Synod, The Jamaica Table.
My name is Gillian Nicole Murray a final year Methodist student at The United Theological College of the West Indies. I am the beneficiary of a sponsorship grant from the ELCA Members of the Florida Bahamas Synod, The Jamaica Table for the course Advanced Certificate in Leadership Skills for Church and Society. I write to express my gratitude for your kind support which affords me this valuable opportunity to enhance my leadership skills as I am formed and shaped for ministry. Please be assured that I will be both diligent and faithful to the course of study. Thank you once again, your kindness is deeply appreciated.
From Marvin Hardware:
It gives me great joy to be able to write to you, and let you know how much I appreciate the sponsorship by the FB Synod. Your kind consideration will facilitate my ministerial formation. I look forward to the ways in which I will be equipped for the work of ministry and the impact that this partnership will have on the communities that God has given me the grace to serve. It is with gifts such as yours that we are able to continue to make a positive impact in the communities that we serve and provide much needed spiritual help to those in need. 1 Thes. 1:2 says: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” Again, thank you for your generosity and accept our sincerest thanks, and may God richly add His blessings to your life!
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As we continue to advance our Racial Justice ministry and dream into being the beloved community that Jesus promises, we are asking for your input via this important survey. This survey is intended for both Rostered Ministers and Lay Members.
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021
Beginning January 24th, 2021
7:00-8:00 pm EST
Online: streaming details TBA
Join Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute for a virtual liturgy built from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ecumenical prayer service.
For more information and resources for the 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, visit their website's dedicated WPCU pages. Materials for your own community's WPCU activities can be ordered from Graymoor.
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