Lobby Days 2019
This story comes from Pr. Tom Holdcraft, St. Stephen, Tallahassee
Moving to Tallahassee in July, 2018 meant that I had no excuse to shy away from going to the Capital Building. The first day of my recent two-day experience called Lobby Days was thrilling. We gathered and checked in with two non- profit organizations:
Equality Florida and
Faith in Public Life.
The training was impressive. They provided the ability to partner with other amazing people who were passionate about speaking to legislators about positive changes in Florida law, and each group had an assigned block of meetings set with State Representatives and Senators. Most of us focused primarily on The Florida Competitive Workforce Act. It is a proposed law that would clearly prohibit discrimination against LBGTQ Floridians and ensure that Florida is a safe place to live, work and visit for all people, including people who identify as LBGTQ.
With people from all around Florida, we went to speak to legislators and their staff in 15-20 minute blocks. Think of speed dating mixed with advocacy! We needed to be quick and focused. We each were assigned a role. One person would make the introductions with the government official, the next would state clearly why we were there, the third person would tell a personal story about witnessing or even personally being discriminated against. The stories were the most powerful force that touched the hearts of all of us. Finally, the last person was assigned to make clear our request that the senator or representative become a co-sponsor of the bill. This means that she or he will sign the bill in support thus helping the bill move quickly to vote. Sometimes, for varieties of reason, we would receive a “no” to co-sponsor but a “yes” if the bill goes to the floor for vote.
I came away from the two days (and other visits since) knowing that God is at work in our government officials. I just need to show up and see.
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Synod Assembly Service Project Information
This year's Synod Assembly Service Project is focusing on providing supplies and support for Community Hope Center in Orlando. The Community Hope Center’s mission is to provide assistance to all those in need in the Osceola County community. They secure a “no wrong door” policy and are committed to providing resources or referrals for those who are actively searching for assistance and who are willing to forge a path towards self-sufficiency. Community Hope Center currently serves over 1,100 homeless and low-income families (25,000 + individuals, of which 5,000+ are children). Nearly all adults being served have jobs, and they can’t even make it living paycheck to paycheck.
Each congregation is asked to participate in this synod-wide service project in some way. You may pick one thing from the list, or a couple, or all. Every little bit makes a difference! Be creative! Be generous! Have fun! Be the blessing to this ministry that will change lives for our working poor in Osceola county! And know you are going to make a huge difference in the lives of people who really need to see what the love of Jesus is all about.
Please refer to the list on the synod web site
.
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Hurricane Michael Recover and Relief is Still Ongoing
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Lyrics to "Heal Our Land," a collaboration between worship leaders in the Panhandle:
Heal our land, Father God
Heal our land, Father God
Let the wind of your spirit revive us once again
Heal our land, Father God
(repeated several times)
You are the glory and the lifter of my head (repeated several times)
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Pr. Stan stands in the middle of the sanctuary of Messiah, Panama City, during a visit from Deacon Connie Schmucker earlier this month.
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While no longer in the headlines, the communities impacted by Hurricane Michael are still recovering. A group of worship leaders representing a variety of churches and denominations worked together to produce a song and music video as a prayer for healing and restoration.
The song
can be downloaded from various music sites, and the proceeds will go to disaster response.
Pr. Stan Wickett, interim pastor at Messiah, Panama City, continues to be central to the ongoing work in the community. Messiah's own sanctuary continues to be repaired.
How can you help?
Financial donations are still the best way to offer support to the ongoing relief efforts in the Panhandle.
Lutheran Disaster Response
continues to collect donations, and any funds donated to the
synod's disaster fund
will continue to be used where needed.
Luther Springs
is organizing 2 senior high service trips to the Panhandle during the summer.
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Trees quietly tell their story throughout the area.
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Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
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Registration for Synod Assembly is open. Please register by May 1. Find the registration link and more information about this year's assembly on the
FBSynod web site
. Click on the video below for a special invitation.
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Thank you to all who attended, participated, hosted and supported this year's Lenten Visits!
It was a great opportunity for worship, fellowship and gathering. On behalf of Bishop Suarez and the Synod Staff, it was a joy to gather with you all!
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Dr. Dawn and Jonathan Rundman at Space Coast Conference Gathering
Dr. Dawn Rundman will be the guest speaker at the May 11 Space Coast Conference Gathering, taking place at Advent (Suntree Campus), beginning at 10:00. She will be presenting on her expertise and work regarding early childhood development and children in worship. This event is open to all who are interested, but may be especially interesting to nursery staff and volunteers, worship coordinators and planners, preschool staff, and children's ministry staff and volunteers. Jonathan Rundman will provide music during the closing worship service. The Rundmans will be guests in worship at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Cocoa Beach on Sunday, May 12. All are welcome.
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diakonia Graduation Retreat
Life-long learning includes not just the content of classes and information, but what we continue to learn from past experiences as faith gives us lenses to look back on our own stories. At this year's
diakonia retreat, Pr. Derek Hoven will be guiding and facilitating conversation and reflection about the strands of stories that are woven together into our story--personal stories, God's stories, and communal stories. The retreat is open to
diakonia students, graduates, teachers, and anyone else who is looking for an opportunity for fellowship, enrichment, and learning. The graduation and eucharist service will be at the end of the retreat.
Dates: May 17-18, 2019
location: Advent (Suntree Campus), Melbourne
time: retreat begins at 5:30 on Friday with dinner. Graduation service and eucharist begins at 12:30 on Saturday, May 18.
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April 23 -
Community Forum on Climate Change, Lutheran Church of the Cross, St. Petersburg (7:00 pm)
April 24 -
Installation of Pr. Pam O'Donnell, Faith, Deland (reception at 12:30, Installation at 1:30)*
April 30-May 2 -
Respite in the Wilderness Retreat (Luther Springs)
May 1 -
online registration for Synod Assembly closed
May 5 -
Zion Lutheran, Groveland 100th Anniversary Celebration
May 8-9 -
ELCA CoachLaunch, St. Philip, Mt. Dora
May 11 -
Space Coast Conference Spring Gathering (Dawn and Jonathan Rundman, guests), Advent-Suntree, 10:00-noon
May 11 -
Tampa Conference Spring Gathering, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 10:00-1:00
May 11-
Suncoast Conference Gathering, Hope Lutheran, St. Petersburg, 9:00-noon
May 16 -
Boundaries Training Workshop (Trinity, Pembroke Pines)
May 17-18 -
diakonia Retreat and Graduation (Advent-Suntree Campus, Melbourne)
May 17-19 -
Caring for Creation Retreat for all ages, South Carolina
May 22 -
POAMN/ALOA 2019 Conference
June 5 -
Synod Council meeting
June 6-8 -
Synod Assembly
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)
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Luther Springs Summer Staff
Luther Springs still has great job opportunities for summer staff this summer. If you are looking to make an impact in the world and have a fun experience this summer there is no better place to do that than on the Luther Springs summer staff. To learn more and to apply NOW go to
https://www.luthersprings.org/summer-staff
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If you don't have a shirt for "Wear Your Colors" Day, there will be synod shirts available for sale! This year's polo shirts are red and blue.
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Get Ready for Synod Assembly: Wear Your Colors on Friday
Friday at Assembly will be "Wear Your Colors" Day. Participants are invited to wear their favorite synod, ELCA, congregation or youth group shirt. Let's celebrate our congregations, our synod, our youth groups/events, and all the ways the various shirts we have tell the story of God's mission, of our shared ministry as 'church together' and the lives that are changed through our communities.
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ELCA World Hunger Grants
If you are interested in information about the 2020 Domestic Hunger Grants, contact
ELCA.org/domestichungergrants. Registration is open now until May 31, 2019; applications are open now until June 17, 2019.
Barbara Miller at 586-321-1118 or Iain.Chester@elca.org can answer questions.
The Hunger Resource Table at the Synod Assembly invites you to volunteer to welcome visitors for an hour time slot. Contact Barbara Miller if you are willing to help: 586-321-1118 or barbaramercerM@icloud.com.
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- Synod Office
- Faith, Deland (Installation of Pr. Pam O'Donnell)
- Lamb of God, Haines City
- Washington, DC (ELCA Advocacy Days)
- Babcock Ranch
- Zion, Groveland (100th Anniversary)
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