Recording of Hybrid Ministry Zoom Event Now Available |
Did you miss our recent Zoom on Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church featuring author Ryan Panzer?
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Looking for More Info on Conference on Ministry? |
You can find everything you need, including details about workshops and links to register and pay, on our Conference on Ministry 2021 webpage!
Click here to find the page on our website. 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. All Rostered Ministers should register soon!
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New Career Opportunities from the Florida-Bahamas Synod
Synod Disaster Response Coordinators: The Florida-Bahamas Synod has just finished redesigning the office of Disaster Relief for our state and the Bahamas. There are three areas these positions will focus on: Recovery – Coordinating resources (people and supplies) after a disaster in support of local relief agencies; Capacity Building – Providing training and materials for our churches to create both individual congregational plans and also teams from congregations to deploy out for post disaster response; and Ministry – Model and teach our teams how to practice the ministry of presence and appropriate prayer with disaster teams and the families directly affected by disasters.
There will be one Coordinator in the north part of the state and one in the south. These positions are deployed and seasonal. The work schedule is very flexible given both the time of year and current needs. The Synod Disaster Coordinators will assist the Florida Bahamas Synod with building a disaster response infrastructure and implementing it throughout the state. The position is responsible for assisting the Synod and congregations to be prepared and readied to respond to disasters, ministering to those dealing with tragedy, and building capacity within our congregations to respond in times of need.
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Recorded Worship for Sunday, June 6th:
A Gift from the Camps and Retreat Centers of the ELCA
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Parish pastors and worship leaders – we know that your virtual leadership of worship experiences has been, for you, at the same time gratifying and demanding.
As part of our gratitude for you, the leaders of outdoor ministries throughout the ELCA are offering you a complete worship video experience for use in your congregation and other settings. We hope that you will enjoy a Sunday worship experience that you have not had to feel the obligation of developing.
For the leaders of camps and retreat centers – this will be an opportunity for them to share with you their joy and gratitude to God as they launch their summer camp ministries after a very difficult pandemic year and last summer with very few Lutheran summer camps taking place.
The video will be available on the LOM website no later than May 28th, and perhaps a few days prior to that. You will be able to download the video, in its entirety, and you will be able to download the bulletin for use with the entire worship experience. Or you may download a version of the video that you can easily pick and choose segments for your own setting. You can find all these resources as they are released at www.lomnetwork.org.
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Building Hope for Change: LIRS Webinar on June 3rd
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Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has transformed lives, with the support of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States — from sea to shining sea. Together we have supported, equipped and empowered these new Americans, while advocating for policy that protects all of God’s children.
Join us on ZOOM for our Building Hope for Change Florida webinar to learn about the challenges and successes refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants experience in Florida and nationwide. The virtual reception will feature an informative address from LIRS President Krish O'Mara Vignarajah on the state of immigration and the vital work of welcome faithfully carried out by LIRS, as well as appearances by special guests.
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Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Now Hiring Camp Staff for Summer 2021 |
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Looking to serve a Lutheran Summer Camp this year? Know someone who would be perfect for the job? Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) reminds you that many camps are still hiring for the Summer 2021 season. There are many opportunities for those interested in becoming part of a camp team!
LOM has a new resource to make it easier for interested persons to find a summer camp. The Camp MatchUp app allows users to receive quick and easy access to information about camps. Camp MatchUp is a touch tool for camps to connect with interested applicants and to assist applicants in their camp discernment process.
LOM camps equip and empower people, especially young adults, in many ways; developing compassionate leadership skills, learning how to listen & adapt, practicing effective communication skills, engaging in an intentional community, exploring the outdoors, being creative, growing in faith, and building resume skills.
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Bishop Visits Lutheran Urban Parish |
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The Lutheran Urban Parish (St. Paul Lutheran and Faith Lutheran) in Tampa was honored to host Bishop and Deacon Suárez at their worship services for Pentecost Sunday.
Traveling between the churches, the Bishop preached and presided over service at both locations, assisted by Pr. Gabriel Morgan and Parish Deacon Jeanine Romano. After the later service at St. Paul, the Parish hosted a luncheon, giving Bishop Suárez a chance to meet the leadership from both congregations.
In this informal meeting, Bishop Suárez opened the floor for questions which included a discussion about Hybrid Church, Sustainability and projects the congregations are working on. Bishop Suárez shared his excitement about the future of both the ELCA and the Florida-Bahamas Synod, reminding the parish that we must always think of mission and not become property managers. Both congregations were honored to have the bishop and deacon lead their services as a part of Bishop Suárez’s plan to visit congregations post-pandemic.
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Join the Youth Gathering Preparation Webinar |
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Preparations have begun for the ELCA Youth Gathering 2022! The Florida-Bahamas Synod teams are restarting their preparation efforts and would love your input. Join the webinar via Zoom on May 27th at 7:00pm.
Want more information? Join the FBSynod Goes to Minneapolis 2022 Facebook page by clicking here.
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The Parish Paper Announces Campaign to Share Vaccine Awareness and Support Accessibility |
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The Parish Paper has announced a campaign to mobilize clergy and other church leaders to boost the number of persons who receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Educational materials will focus on at-risk communities and individuals who are reluctant to be vaccinated. The campaign will provide a survey about vaccine hesitancy, offer web-based tools in the form of brief how-to articles, and offer webinars for regional church offices and the congregations under their care.
The Centers for Disease Control has identified “socially vulnerable” populations that are at greater risk for COVID-19 due to low pay, job loss, family responsibilities, and racial disparities in health care. For another segment of the population, polling data has identified vaccine hesitancy as a major obstacle in its own right; roughly 30% are still reluctant to get the vaccine due to doubts, isolation, distrust of institutions, or disinformation.
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Resources for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine |
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Refreshed worship resources for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine (June 17th) are available in PDFand Word formats, including Scripture suggestions for a commemoration service. Additional resources for marking this commemoration in congregations can be found by clicking here.
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Faiths4Vaccines National Summit Invites Rostered Ministers and Lay Leaders |
ELCA Rostered Ministers and lay leaders are invited to join Faiths4Vaccines National Summit,
May 26th at 1:00pm ET (12:00pm CT). The event is the largest multi-faith gathering to support equitable and far-reaching vaccine distribution in the United States.
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International Women Leaders Graduation Celebration |
All are invited to witness the graduation celebration of our International Women Leaders on Wednesday, June 16th at 10:00am Central Time.
The ceremony will be premiered on the ELCA Facebook Page. RSVP at the Facebook event. Facebook account not required to watch event. This event will also be rebroadcast on the ELCA YouTube channel at 8:00pm Central Time.
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Volunteer for the ELCA Youth Gathering 2022 |
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Would you like to volunteer at the Gathering and help our young people grow in faith and encounter Christ? Serving the youth of this church is a vocational calling that requires careful discernment.
There are three volunteer categories: local volunteers, Gathering Volunteer Corps (GVC) and servant companions. Although responsibilities and commitments vary by category, every volunteer must agree to follow the terms of a volunteer code of conduct and submit to a background check by the ELCA.
There is no application fee this cycle, though applicants offered a volunteer role will have the opportunity to donate to cover the cost of their background check, flight, hotel or meals.
The Gathering could not happen without the love and support of our volunteers. Gathering Volunteer Corps applications are now open and will close on July 22nd. Local volunteer applications are also now open until capacity is reached. Click here for more information on volunteering.
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Now Accepting Donations to Benefit Pastors & Congregations |
If you have any gently used paraments, stoles, or crosses that you wish to share with congregations in need, the Florida-Bahamas Synod office now accepting them! We will collect items and distribute them as needed.
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A Message on Rest from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton |
In the story of creation we learn that on the seventh day God rested. From the beginning, God established a natural rhythm of work and rest.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that in the midst of our busy days we need to take time for rest, for noticing creation and each other.
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