Isaiah 43:18-19 

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Much has changed these past two years due to Covid 19…and it isn’t over yet. We have changed the way we travel, the way we gather, the way we celebrate the holidays, even the way we do church. Covid is hard on people, on families and on businesses.  When the idea of combining a church with a brewery was developing a few years ago, the concern a worldwide pandemic would occur wasn’t even a distant thought of challenges needing to be faced. And yet, this is exactly what happened. 

Like so many other service industry businesses, Covid was simply too difficult to overcome for Castle Church Brewery. The brewery and tap room business depended on sales, customers, events and wide distribution – all of which Covid 19 hampered and, in some cases, eliminated. Sadly, the brewery part of Castle Churched closed on December 31, 2020.

But…

While the brewery part suffered, the new faith community, the church part, continues to grow and thrive. Every week 60-120 people gather to worship at Castle Church Faith Community. This part of the ministry is strong and vibrant.

So, even though we mourn the closing of the brewery side of the venture, we rejoice for the faith community side. We celebrate the individuals who gather, pray, praise God, hear the Gospel, and who reach out to others who have never been to any church in their lives. The future of the Castle Church Faith Community is exciting as they step forward into God’s promise and continue to live out their faith in their community.

Please keep the Castle Church Faith Community in your prayers as they navigate this transition and embrace an exciting future.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

Temple Terrace, Florida

Featured Speakers 

Roland Martinson

Emeritus Dean, Luther Seminary

Elders Rising: The Era of Expanding Older Adulthood

Pat Baker

President of POAMN

Care Partners from the Receiving End

Join us for inspiring speakers, valuable breakout sessions & worship!

$35 per person (includes lunch)      $20 - Via Zoom (main presenations only)

For information and registration go to aloaserves.org/events/empowering-elders/

Empowering Elders is a joint conference of ALOA - Florida Region and POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network)

Check Out Luther Springs 2022 Programs

There is something for everyone – retreats for elementary, confirmation, high school, and college students; men’s retreat and work weekend; a women’s renewal retreat; a quilters’ retreat; and respite retreats (both with programming and without) for rostered ministers and church professionals. Please note that students stay in Morgan Village cabins (linens not provided). Adults coming as chaperones or for their own retreats will stay in Kuehner Center motel-style rooms (linens provided).



To register for any of our retreats, please go to: https://luthersprings.org/fall-and-spring-programs/  or call the registration office at 828-209-6302.

CLICK HERE to see a full list and descriptions of the programs.

2022 IGNITE THE CHURCH CONFERENCE: February 8-10, 2022 

SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where do we go from here? 

Since February 2020, the Church has been enduring unprecedented seismic shifts. In response, a new Hybrid version of the grassroots Ignite the Church Conference will gather next February…In-Person in sunny Orlando AND Online…to reflect on the theme:

SEISMIC SHIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here? 

The theme is grounded in the witness of Psalm 46: 1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains shake." 



Four large group sessions will focus on the following shifts: Public Church (Winston Persaud), Hybrid Church (Joe and Jess Liles), Adaptive Church (Tod Bolsinger), Thriving Church (Stephanie Spellers). Ten 90-minute workshops will dig deeper into these shifts to offer encouragement, inspiration, and challenge for church leaders. 



To register and learn more about the presenters, workshop options, and other details go to www.IgniteTheChurch.net. Register by January 15th to access the low $109 In-Person rate. The Online option will provide live and recorded access to each large group session and the post-conference Resource Page. The Online option is FREE…with a suggested donation $30 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders invited. 

All proceeds continue to benefit the ELCA Fund for Leaders which has received $13,000 from the Conference in just the past two years. 

Rachel Kurtz

Live Outdoor Concert

January 16, 2022

2:00pm

Rachel Kurtz has been touring and singing for almost 20 years. She speaks frankly about love, God, parenting, and heartbreak. Her infectious laugh is peppered throughout her concerts. Her songs are rife with emotion and can make you get up and dance. Whether she is singing in a bar or church, her voice can cut through the noise and gives the listener a place to rest. She has sung at the last six national youth gatherings and her song "Make a Difference" is sung nationwide on any given Sunday. Come on out to hear her sing, you will be surprised and delighted!

St. Peter Lutheran Church

3751 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33931

Transitions Ministry Webinar

January 24 - 28, 2022

There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future. This is a time of transition from something that was, towards something that is yet to be. The Transition Training Event will help attendees tofocus 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.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Interim Pastors, First Call and New Call Pastors, Pastors in congregations needing new direction.

COST:

Interim Pastors 5 days - $160

First Call and/or New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130

The Continuing Education Credit for the Rostered Leaders Annual Report to the Bishop is 9 hours for 3-day attendees, or 15 hours for 5-day attendees.

Registration is now open!

Palms Deaf Church is coming to the Florida-Bahamas Synod in 2022. 

It’s exciting to see a new congregation about to be birthed. And, you and your congregation can become Partners in Mission to help make this happen for the whole synod. Your prayers and support will help make this bold adventure happen.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Rob Carlson at robc@fbsynod.org. 

Click Here to read more about Palms Deaf Church. To watch an informative video on Palms Deaf Church, click here.

Please share this information and video with your congregation.

2022 Rostered Minister Suggested Minimum Compensation Guidelines 

Following the virtual Synod Assembly in October, a new Compensation Team was appointed by Bishop Suarez. This team is made up of Word & Sacrament ministers, Word & Services ministers, and Lay leaders. The team reviewed the current conditions regarding our rostered ministers, congregations, and the economy.

There were many factors debated in a healthy constructive manner. The team considered the market correction and cost of living increase recommended by the synod Compensation Team for rostered ministers last year (roughly 6.5%), the inflation rate this year (6+%), the increase in Portico (3.5%), the impact of COVID on our churches and the giving they receive, and the outlook for 2022.

After some hard conversations, the Compensation Team recommends the following two changes to the Compensation Guidelines for 2022:

1. Compensation - At the very minimum, rostered ministers be given at least a 3% increase in their base pay. We encourage congregations to start at the 3% and be as generous as possible.
2. Bonus - It is also the recommendation that, given the past two years, rostered ministers be given a gift of grace in the form of a paid week off (including a Sunday) for Health & Wellness. This week would have the following suggestions:

• It is in addition to all paid time off a rostered minister already has;
• It is only good for the calendar year of 2022;
• It is a one-time gift of grace and appreciation for the year of 2022;
• It is non-redeemable for cash payout, carry over to another year, or exchange for any other benefit;
• It is used in any manner the rostered minister would like to use it; and
• Appropriate coverage is to be in place during the leader's absence.

Click here for the 2022 Compensation Narrative. Click here for the 2022 Compensation Worksheet.

The Synod Compensation Team