A Message on Resuming
In-Person Worship from Bishop Suárez
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Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every facet of our worship and ministry together. This pandemic has been a lonely, scary experience, and many are wondering what our new normal will look like in the months and years to come.
Yet, through it all, the Church has endured. We have seen new ministry grow and blossom in this unexpected space. We have witnessed the power of community and the enduring strength of our love for our neighbors. We have faced every new challenge together as one church, and through the most impossible of circumstances, we have thrived.
Now, as we emerge carefully from our homes and contemplate our new future, we have more new challenges ahead. As some of you are worshipping in-person at limited capacity and planning to expand your ministry offerings, I ask that you continue to monitor state and local guidelines and take necessary precautions...
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Hybrid Ministry Zoom Event with Ryan Panzer |
March 20th at 1:00pm Eastern (12:00pm Central)
In this workshop, we will envision how to apply what we have learned since March 2020 towards the church’s new normal.
Let’s imagine a future where digital apps and tools deepen faith formation, enrich congregational bonds, and strengthen Christian fellowship, even as our buildings reopen.
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Join the Florida-Bahamas Synod Team! |
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Looking for a new opportunity? Ready to join the Synod Staff and serve the greater church? We now have an exciting position open within the Florida-Bahamas Synod office.
Communications Specialist
At the end of May, our Communications Specialist Marina Ernst will transition to serving two congregations in her community. We're now seeking a creative, tech-savvy individual to fill this important position!
The Communications Specialist is responsible for the E-Spirit newsletter, our social media presence, and maintaining the Synod website. They frequently write articles, scripts, press releases, and official statements on behalf of the Office of the Bishop. They also manage the technology needs for the office, and for groups and larger events like Synod Assembly and Conference on Ministry. This person must have a deep knowledge of Zoom, live-streaming services, and the latest technology, as well as excellent writing skills.
Interested in applying? Please email your resume to Pr. Rob Rose at robr@fbsynod.org.
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Nominations are now being accepted for Synod Council, Consultations Committee, Discipline Committee, and Churchwide Voting Members (August 2022, Columbus, OH).
All elections will be held during the Synod Assembly September 17th to 19th. Please consider serving your Synod in any of these roles or nominating others to serve.
All nominees must have given their consent prior to being nominated.
Deadline for submitting nominations is August 1st, 2021.
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You're Invited - diakonia Round Table on May 15th
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diakonia is the Florida-Bahamas Synod’s foremost tool for adult faith formation. It is the only system in our synod designed solely to develop and educate lay leadership. Bishop Suárez says, "diakonia is an important part of how we raise up lay leadership and empower new leaders."
Now we have a chance to shape the diakonia program of the future! If you are a diakonia graduate, present or past diakonia instructor, site manager, pastoral advisor or steering committee member, OR if you have a passion for lay leadership development, you are invited to join the diakonia Round Table! This is a one-time commitment.
This event will be held both virtually and in person on Saturday, May 15th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm ET at the Synod House and on Zoom. Please register using the button below. You will be taken to a Zoom registration page.
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It's time for Conference on Ministry 2021 |
Conference on Ministry will be held on June 16th and 17th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET (12:00pm to 4:00pm CT) online each day. This year, our Keynote Speaker will be Bishop Craig Satterlee of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod ELCA. There will also be six unique workshop opportunities. Each participant will be able to join two workshops per day.
Day One Workshop Options:
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Growing Young - Building and unleashing the power of young people in your congregation.
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Reconciling in Christ: What You Don't Know - A deep dive into the importance of RIC's work.
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Just Love - Furthering the conversations and work around Racial Justice in our synod.
Day Two Workshop Options:
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Discover Global Mission - Hear about the exciting work of our Global Mission team.
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Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church - 'Grace and Gigabytes' author Ryan Panzer will discuss the future of hybrid ministry.
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Stewardship in Our Post-COVID World - A Discussion on meeting the financial goals of the church after the pandemic.
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Presiding Bishop Eaton's May Column Now Available |
“How can I keep from singing?”
In her May column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton notes that music, like God’s love, is at the same time deeply personal, sounding deep within an individual’s soul, and universal, ringing out to an entire community.
Read her column in English here and in Spanish here.
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Support Relief Efforts in India with Lutheran Disaster Response |
Please consider giving a gift that will provide immediate support for people impacted by COVID-19 throughout India and the Asia-Pacific region.
Lutheran Disaster Response is helping Padhar Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, India, purchase an oxygen generator for its COVID-19 ward.
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The Future of Tulsa’s Past: The Centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre and Beyond - 2021 John Hope Franklin Annual Symposium |
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The Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod invites all their siblings from across the ELCA to join us digitally for the 2021 John Hope Franklin Reconciliation in America National Symposium on
May 26th to 29th.
Following the Symposium, on the afternoon of May 29th, everyone is invited to join a Zoom conversation where we will continue addressing the themes of Symposium and talk specifically about how those themes speak to us as a church. Attending the Symposium is not necessary to be a part of the post-symposium gathering.
The National Symposium is an annual event sponsored by the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation in Tulsa, OK and brings together local and nationally known speakers and people from around the country to learn about and discuss ways to work against racism and for racial reconciliation. Founded in 2007, the vision of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation in Tulsa is to transform the bitterness and mistrust caused by years of racial division and violence into a hopeful future of reconciliation and cooperation for Tulsa and the nation. In the spirit of John Hope Franklin (1915-2009), American historian and educator noted for his scholarly reappraisal of the American Civil War era and the importance of the black struggle in shaping modern American identity, the Center promotes reconciliation and generating trust through scholarly work and constructive community engagement.
Individuals must register for the Symposium through the JHF Center website by clicking here. A schedule and list of speakers for the Symposium is also available on the website.
From 1:00-3:30pm CDT on Saturday, May 29th, ELCA participants in the Symposium and others are invited to join the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod for a time of reflection and conversation. Led by a panel including Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod Bishop Michael Girlinghouse, Ms. Vanessa Adams-Harris, John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation,
Mr. Bill Horne, ELCA Vice-president, and Ms. Judith Roberts, ELCA Sr. Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion we will discuss the complicity and silence of the white church in the perpetuation of racial injustice, including violent events like the Tulsa Race Massacre, how the church is working against racial injustice today, and ways we can show up and step up to work for change in our church, our local communities and nation in the days ahead. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will share concluding thoughts and reflections about how we can move together as a church to address these issues.
If you would like to join us for the post-symposium conversation, you will need to register by clicking here to receive the Zoom link and password for the ELCA event. If you have questions please call (918) 492-4288.
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God’s Blessing be upon Jim Habermehl
Jim is no longer with the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA and is pursuing other opportunities. He will miss the people of the Synod and is grateful for the many friends he has made during his tenure. On behalf of the Church, we thank Jim for his service and wish his continued success in his future endeavors.
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Information for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday |
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On Sunday, September 12th, congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will come together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.
Our church — and our world — continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic. But the good news is that we are beginning to experience a slow return to physical community as more people become vaccinated. We look forward to gathering with family and friends once again to share God’s love in person.
Amid this ongoing situation, we continue to be church together. Across the ELCA we are witnessing the love and concern God’s people have for one another. During this time, our congregations continue to support ministries that assist vulnerable people in their communities. As church, we are guided by our life in Christ to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors — even if these acts of service take place from our homes or from a safe distance.
As you explore opportunities to participate in our dedicated day of service, visit ELCA.org/DayOfService for helpful planning resources
If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 12th, please consider another day for your service activities. Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send your stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.
Old Lutheran will have T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts from Old Lutheran is August 17th.
Sharing the love of Christ through service to our neighbors is work you do every day. We look forward to“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday and doing this work together again this year.
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Hunger Team Mini-Grants Available
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The Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Team is seeking mini-grant applications for 2021 from synod congregations in the amount of $250 (with the possibility of renewing a second year) to support existing or to grow new and innovative hunger ministries in the areas of relief, sustainable development, community organizing, education, and advocacy.
All applications must be received by the Hunger Task Force by June 1st, 2021.
The Team will review all applications and contact the congregation about their decision within 30 days.
Approved funds will be sent to the congregation soon thereafter. At the end of the project, grantees will submit an evaluation of the outcome detailing established goals and people served.
Funding for the Hunger Mini-Grants came from the proceeds of the sale of Hope Lutheran Church in Port St. Lucie. The proceeds were able to fund our local grant initiative and a matching $5000 was sent to Churchwide Hunger.
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Have You Completed Boundaries Education? |
For the sake of God’s mission and ministry in and through the synods of Region 9 (Florida-Bahamas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeastern, and Virginia), this Region is committed to the formation of healthy leaders and to the nurturing of vital congregations.
If you have not participated in Boundaries education in the past three years, or you just want to find out what we are talking about, you may click on the link below for more information about the Lewis Center’s online course, “Keeping our Sacred Trust.”
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