Bishop Suárez has released his Synod Update for February! To watch the update now, click here. To read the synod update, click here.
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Click here to access the Mission Support form on our website. This form is submitted right through the website, and can be used if your card hasn’t been returned to the synod office.
Questions? Need help? Please contact Ileana at ileanas@fbsynod.org
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February is
Black History Month!
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Here are some of the resources shared by the ELCA in the month of February, in celebration of Black History Month:
God's Faithfulness on the Journey - Read this story and many more in which over 40 rostered women of color share their experiences. Click here to read the article.
And finally, the Prayer Ventures for February 2021. These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Click here to access the document.
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The United As One COVID-19 Special Appeal continues to provide support to congregations during this pandemic.
Join the Florida-Bahamas Synod and lift up your neighboring congregations!
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Lenten Resources from ELCA World Hunger |
You're invited to study, pray, reflect and give during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
As the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed together for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more ... and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).
Click here for Lenten resources from ELCA World Hunger, including a Lenten calendar, study guide, action guide, and to subscribe to weekly emails.
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A Season of Hope from Lutheran World Relief |
As we approach Lent, so many of our neighbors around the world are longing to experience — to truly touch, hear, see, smell and taste — the hope that only Jesus can bring.
We’ve also created a full suite of resources for congregational leaders called “Sensing Hope,” including a 5-week sermon series and small group guides — all of which can be used digitally or in-person to nurture hope and action in your congregation during these 40 days.
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Perfect Love Casts Out Fear at Grace Lutheran in Carrollwood
Grace Lutheran Church at Carrollwood presents “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear”, a classical music concert with reflective readings and meditative silence on Sunday, March 21st at 2:00 PM. The free concert features a string quartet of members from the Same Day Delivery Orchestra (Catherine Michelsen, Valeria Frege, Gina Castellano, Melissa Grady) and pianist Rebekah Blackmon.
The program will include some of the most beautiful works written for strings and piano: Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Safety protocols in light of the COVID-19 pandemic will be enforced, including mandatory masks, limited seating, hand sanitizing, air purification and ventilation, and short duration. The concert will also be broadcast livestream on Grace Lutheran’s website and its Facebook page (Grace Lutheran Tampa).
The concert is funded through the Betty Burton “Faith in the Arts” Endowment Fund. A freewill offering to benefit Habitat for Humanity will be collected, hands-free, at the end of the program.
Grace Lutheran Church is located at 3714 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa (corner of Dale Mabry and Busch overpass, entrance off Linebaugh). For more information, visit their website at www.gracetampa.org or call 813-961-8747.
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Misconduct Prevention Workshops
Virtual Workshop about
Sex Offenders, Child Abuse,
and Mandated Reporting
Learn valuable information about mandated reporting of child abuse and ministry with sex offenders during this virtual workshop.
If you plan to attend one of these dates, please email Connie Schmucker at connies@fbsynod.org.
Time: 10 am – 11 am CST
Dates:
Sex Offenders: Pick one date
- Tuesday, February 23
- Thursday, February 25
- Tuesday, March 2
- Wednesday, March 3
Child Abuse - Mandated Reporting: Pick one date
- Tuesday, March 9
- Thursday, March 11
- Tuesday, March 16
- Thursday, March 18
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Peter C. Phan World Mission Institute Keynote |
Join the World Mission Institute’s 2021 Conference on the connection between migration, mission, and spirituality. Peter C. Phan’s keynote, “Is the Christian God a Migrant?” argues that the great tragedy of today's migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers must be at the center of the mission of the church. Phan is the Ignacia Ellacuria, S.J., Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Who should attend? This event is free and open to all. RSVP required. Register Here!
Location: Zoom link provided with RSVP
Questions? Email Dr. Peter Vethanayagamony, Professor Modern Church History, LSTC, pvethana@lstc.edu
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Racial Justice Prayer of the Week |
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God of justice and love, as every rainstorm recalls the waters of baptism and every rainbow reminds us of your care for the full spectrum of life, help us not to be tempted by powers that tell us to fear and distrust one another, empower us to work for the well-being of our neighbor, and guide us to the diversity and the unity that you desire for your Church and for the human family.
This prayer was submitted by Pastor Paul Gibson on behalf of the Synod Racial Justice Team.
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Resources for a Visual Lenten Journey |
Rev. Paul Oman has crafted a solution for telling the Lenten story in a new way, featuring fine visual arts. With included order of worship templates, proclamation points, artist’s reflections, and the availability of English, German, Spanish, Mandarin, and Hmong translations your planning is done.
Rev. Paul Oman has a non-stipendiary synod council call from the Northwest Synod of WI to create art to help congregations encounter the Word in new ways. With so many of us still worshiping online this Holy Week, why not consider helping people engage this old familiar story in a brand new way?
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Youth Mentors Wanted in the Tampa Bay Area |
Are you interested in mentoring at Tarpon Springs Middle School and/or in Pinellas County Schools?
Currently mentoring is all online, so you can mentor from your phone, computer, or tablet wherever you are. 30 minutes of your time each week can increase student self esteem, which can help increase academics, and even count towards a college scholarship. For the mentors, it can reduce stress, help you live longer, give you a renewed sense of purpose, and more.
Please consider sharing your time and wisdom with a student who needs an affirming adult in their life.
If you’re ready to sign up today,
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Click HERE and click the button that says “Sign up for a Virtual Mentor Workshop”.
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Register to be a volunteer by clicking HERE. When you register, please specify that you’d like to mentor at Tarpon Springs Middle School.
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COVID-19 Resource List from the Florida Department of Health
With so many COVID-19 resources, the Florida Department of Health has put together a cumulative list with links for your convenience.
- 211 Helpline
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211 is a resource available 24/7 that connects people to essential health and human services. Call toll-free 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for a free, 24/7, confidential helpline and website.
- FDOH COVID-19 Webpage
- FDOH’s designated COVID-19 webpage, FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov, provides important and up-to-date information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida. The webpage is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
- FDOH COVID-19 Webpage - Public Services Tab
- Includes information on Florida’s Community Health Centers, which deliver high-quality, community-based comprehensive health care services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
- Statewide Preregistration System Webpage
- For individuals 65 and older and frontline health care workers.
- Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting MyVaccine.FL.gov.
- Each county has a designated phone number that individuals can call and pre-register if they do not have Internet access. A complete list of phone numbers by county is available at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.
- FDOH COVID-19 Call Center
- Available 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121 in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
If you want to be added to our distribution list to receive information from the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, please click here.
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Important Reports Reminder
2021 is here, and reports are due soon! You can submit Annual Ministers Reports to reports@fbsynod.org. By clicking here, you can download the report which corresponds to your roster status. You will need to download the form, fill it out, save it to their computers, and attach to an e-mail to reports@fbsynod.org.
Every congregation submits an annual Parochial Report. For Parochial reports, please visit the ELCA website here. You will need your congregation ID number and a password. If you have misplaced the password, please call the synod office.
If you need assistance, please contact the Synod office. If you have trouble submitting your email, please contact Ileana at ileanas@fbsynod.org.
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Have you completed Boundaries Training? |
Boundaries training is crucial for rostered ministers. Rostered ministers can attend our Synod's boundaries & sexual ethics training online during COVID-19 here:
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