Jan. 16, 2019
Remembering the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti
The following note was received last week from Pr. Livenson Lauvanus in Haiti to the FBSynod Global Mission Committee Haiti Task Force
Dear friends,  

Today marks 9 years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Attached is one photo I took in Oct 2013 of the mass grave for the approximately 300,000 victims. The memorial says “We will never forget.” The location is very peaceful overlooking the sea. Will you please pray with me?

Dear God, We humbly ask for your blessing on the people of Haiti and the ELH as they remember that terrifying day 9 years ago. Please be with them as they remember and still mourn their loved ones who died that day. We know those people are with you in Heaven, but it still hurts for those left here on earth as they wonder what their lives would be like. We ask for Your comfort and Your peace which passes all human understanding.

A petition offered by Anita Unrath, Haiti Task Force Chairperson:
We thank you for our friendship with the people of the ELH, and we pray that our companionship with them will grow stronger this year. Please guide us as we continue our loving and hopeful relationship. Please bless Pr Livenson Lauvanus with wisdom as he leads the church there. Bless us as we accompany them.

We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN!
Additional notes and prayer requests from the Global Mission Committee:
  • Please pray for Anita Unrath and Jim Noss as they travel to Haiti. While there they will be visiting and seeing the recently completed cistern in Savanne-Zombie (funded by SAKLC and the Haiti Task Force), and also New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Les Cayes and the new roof that was put on earlier this year. Jim will be assisting the ELH in developing an accounting system to help bring them up to ELCA standards.
  • Please pray for Pr. Livenson as he prepares for a visit to the Synod, courtesy of Emmanuel, Naples. Pr. Livenson's trip (Feb. 1-18) will include visits at Emmanuel, Naples, Hope, The Villages, and Nativity, Weeki Wachee. In between he will visit friends and supporters and attend a meeting of the Haiti Task Force at St. Armand's Key Lutheran Church on Feb. 6.
The following reflection and update on the fire that devastated the sanctuary of Faith Lutheran Church, Tampa, is from Pr. Russell Meyer. Please continue to hold the community at Faith in your prayers. Donations to support the costs involved with recovery and rebuilding can be submitted through the synod web sit e .
The Faith Fire

The call came at 9:37 Saturday night, December 8. I was just settling into to my normal routine of consolidating the organizing point of the gospel message for Sunday. Faith Lutheran's president Jane Wiley was on the phone. It was a 35 second...

Read more
fbsynod.com
Start the Year Off Strong--turn in reports!
Rostered Minister Reports and congregational Parochial Reports provide the synod office with valuable information that helps us support, respond to, and prioritize ministry effectively. Mission Support Forms are another important way to help synod staff prioritize and respond to ministry needs well.

Please submit reports and forms so that we can best support your ministries and contexts.

Lenten Visit Location Correction
The March 23 Lenten Visit will be at Emmaus Lutheran Church, Orange City.

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Mark your Calendar
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
Jan. 19 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service , Gateway Trinity, Ft. Myers (2:00 pm)
Jan. 20 -  Ordination of David Thoresen, Atonement in Sebring (3:00 p.m.)*
Jan. 20 - Paul Jacobs, concert organist, Prince of Peace, Largo (3:00 pm)
Jan. 23-24 -  ELCA Coaching Training, St. Philip, Mt. Dora
Jan. 24 -  Ordination of Sarah Locke, St. Mark’s, Jacksonville (6:00 p.m.)*
Jan. 25-28 - ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza, Jacksonville
Jan. 28-30 - Transition Training, Luther Springs
Feb. 3 - All Means All 5K run , hosted by St. Stephen, Longwood
Feb. 17 - Flute Ensemble, Prince of Peace, Largo (3:00)
Feb. 19-22 - Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando
Feb. 19-22 - Academy of Parish Clergy Conference, Oviedo

*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)


For Your Information
Transition Training
Jan. 28-30, 2019
Luther Springs

Transitions - There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future, it is a time of transition from something that was to something that is yet to be. 

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.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service--Southwest Florida
Gateway Trinity, Ft. Myers, is hosting a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service on Saturday, January 19, from 2:00-4:00 pm. This bilingual service (English and Spanish) is open to the community.
Bishop's Calendar
  • Synod Staff retreat
  • Gateway Trinity, Ft. Myers
  • Atonement, Sebring (ordination of David Thoreson)
  • Tampa office
  • St. Mark's, Jacksonville (ordination of Sarah Locke)
  • Jacksonville (ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza)
  • Synod Council mtg, Tampa