August 18, 2020
For more information, visit www.fbsynod.com
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Bishop's Synod Update for August 18th
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Hello and welcome to this Florida-Bahamas Synod Update for mid-August, 2020. These are some of the things happening in our synod this month that we would like to highlight:
We want to begin by celebrating a very special member of the Office of the Bishop. As most of you read recently in E-Spirit, our Assistant to the Bishop for Administration, Michele Hilton, is retiring at the end of this month. Michele will be sincerely missed around our synod office, and we ask you all to keep her in prayer as she transitions into retirement. On the other hand, Pastor Rob Rose has joined us as our new Assistant to the Bishop for Administration. Pastor Rob has been training with Michele for the past couple of weeks and is off to a great start. We’re very happy to have him aboard!
We also want to take a moment to thank our Deans and our Lay Leadership and congregational staff. These folks work so hard for our congregations behind the scenes, especially during this time of pandemic. We are truly thankful to our Deans and leaders for all their work. Please, take a moment this week and thank your Deans and lay leaders for all they do...Click here to read the rest of Bishop Suárez's update!
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Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission for the Northern Region, Pastor Rob Carlson, offered the weekend message for Sunday, August 16th.
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Together, we can support those in need and share the love of Christ through our ministries.
But we need your help.
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By supporting our United as One Special Appeal, you will:
- Provide humanitarian aid for communities in need
- Support our congregations and strengthen ministries
- Provide new technology for congregations offering digital worship
- Keep our Florida-Bahamas Synod strong, so we can continue serving and supporting our congregations
United as One, we will overcome COVID-19. Please prayerfully consider the impact your gift will make.
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Your Gifts Make a Difference! |
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Let’s Talk!
Rostered Leaders Online Gathering
August 20th
10:00am
Join Bishop Suárez and Dr. Brad Binau, along with special guests and coaches, for a virtual Rostered Ministers gathering on August 20th! All Rostered Ministers are encouraged to participate.
Our special guest speaker, Dr. Brad Binau, is a professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He will be giving a presentation titled, “Problem or Dilemma? What We Can’t Fix We Can Often Manage”. This talk will address Rostered Ministers engaging the challenges of leading in ministry and mission in these days.
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Let's Talk! Virtual Youth Gathering
August 30th
at 4:00pm
Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and our synod youth leaders for a time of discussion, music, and fun!
We'll have small group time, as well as a Q & A with Bishop Suárez himself! PLUS, when you register, you'll be entered into a special drawing for a surprise gift!
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Young Adult Small Groups
“As the Parent has loved me, so I love you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9
During this time of crisis we are continuing to learn to abide in new ways. #YAabide
We are bringing the super-successful ABIDE small groups from across the world to the Florida-Bahamas Synod! Connect with young adults (18-25 years old) all around the synod once a week for small group fellowship, conversation, and prayer. Registration is now open!
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Caring for Creation Online Worship Service for September 20th
Lutherans Restoring Creation is busy preparing a creation-focused worship service utilizing the lectionary texts for Pentecost 16 (September 20, 2020) that congregations can download and use however they wish. It will include participants from all over the country including Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Rev. Lenny Duncan, Rebekah Bruesehoff, as well as numerous parish pastors and members of the Lutherans Restoring Creation Board of Directors. Music will be provided by Marty Haugen, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, and Pastor John Tirro.
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Is Your Congregation Listed?
As worship continues to be held online, our synod has compiled a list of congregations offering digital worship! This list is available on our website here.
If you do not see your congregation listed, please send your information (including your congregation name, your conference, and a link to your worship videos) to our Communications Specialist at marinae@fbsynod.org.
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Castle Church Pastor Featured on Podcast
Pr. Jared Witt of Castle Church Brewing Community in Orlando was recently featured on the popular podcast 'What Would Jesus Drink?', a weekly podcast hosted by two Lutheran pastors in North Carolina. Pr. Jared states that this invitation is extended to him fairly regularly, as more faith communities across the country consider following in Castle Church's unique footsteps.
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St. Paul in Tampa Uses Partnership to Serve Community
St. Paul Lutheran in Tampa, as part of the Lutheran Urban Parish with Faith Lutheran, is growing its food ministry through a partnership with The Well, an outside organization that was founded to give dignity and love to our homeless neighbors. St. Paul joins with The Well on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9:30am at Faith Lutheran, and on the 3rd Saturday at 9:00am at The Good Samaritan Inn on Florida Ave., and 4:00pm at Faith Lutheran. You may find Pastor Gabriel knocking on doors or holding up a sign advertising the food pantry on those Saturdays, as his goal is to minister to their neighbors in the Forrest Hills neighborhood.
St. Paul began working with The Well about 5 years ago. With donations from Whole Foods, Wawa, and other corporate partners, they are able to distribute fresh produce, dairy and frozen sandwiches. St. Paul has also begun to supply shelf stable groceries, thanks to the generous donations from their members and a grant from the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Paul was also offering showers with Showered and Empowered, and had a barber on hand giving out free haircuts.
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Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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October 10 - Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne
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Boundaries Training
Boundaries training is crucial for rostered ministers, since we work closely with people and know the importance of relationships. Rostered ministers can attend our Synod's boundaries & sexual ethics training online during COVID-19:
The expectation of the Bishop is that rostered ministers will attend or take boundaries training once every 3 years.
The cost is $49 to enroll. Questions about this training or about the boundaries workshops offered in the synod can be sent to Connie Schmucker at connies@fbsynod.org.
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