July 7, 2020
For more information, visit www.fbsynod.com
Bishop's Message for the
5 th Sunday After Pentecost
Hello and thank you for allowing me to share this time of Sunday reflection with you. In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites all who need rest to come to him.

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As I celebrate this weekend the independence of both of my countries – yesterday the independence in the United States, and today the independence in Venezuela – I reflect on what freedom means for us. We have different meanings of freedom. A common meaning is that the more choice you have, the freer you are. The less choice you have, the more dominated you are. When I search the meaning of freedom on Google, I found these three sentences:

  1. The power to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
  2. The absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.
  3. The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

In Jesus’ time, he saw oppression, domination, and slavery. Some scholars say that Jesus was referring to more than just the yoke worn by animals in the field... To continue reading the Bishop's message, click here!


Vigil of Lament & Prayer
July 9 at 7:00pm
Join members and leaders from throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod for a virtual prayer vigil and time of lament together.

Our Florida-Bahamas Synod community is invited to gather in solidarity, to witness to one another’s pain and to lift up our prayers for peace and justice. We will hear from Bishop Pedro Suárez and other Synod leaders, and will have time to express our grief, hope, and faith.

Why Lament Matters:  As a society, we have been rushing to fix the problems that plague our communities. We have urgently sought a vaccine for COVID-19. We have championed justice and reform in response to police brutality. We have tried to find modern solutions to our problems and viable alternatives to traditional meetings and events.

But through these struggles, we have seldom taken the time to mourn the loss we collectively feel. Our pain is universal, and it is time to gather as a community and lament as God’s people during this trying time.

Let us stop, for a brief moment, and share in each other’s grief and suffering. Let us support and hear one another. Let us take a break from our efforts to fix our society’s issues and spend precious time mourning together and affirming our shared mission.
COVID-19 Relief Update
Your gifts make a difference!

Here in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, we are committed to helping our congregations and communities respond to the need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We know our churches are eager to help those in need, and our ministers are dedicated to offering worship online.
Your gifts help support our ministries, fund new technology for congregations, and keep churches strong during these tough weeks.

You also support a variety of mercy ministries. One food pantry was able to feed 500 families because of this COVID-19 relief grant! Your gifts are changing lives and supporting communities in need!

ATTENTION CHURCH LEADERS:

The Florida-Bahamas Synod is now offering funding to support mercy ministries, provide technology for digital worship, and strengthen ministries throughout our synod. If your congregation is in need of assistance, please fill out this request.
Have you received a United as One Relief Grant? Send us your stories!

To date, the Florida-Bahamas Synod has given 40 grants to congregations in need due to COVID-19. If your congregation has received a grant, we hope it has provided the assistance you need to keep your ministry efforts strong.

Now we want to hear from you! If you have received a COVID-19 Relief Grant from our United as One campaign, please send pictures, videos, or testimonials to our Communications Specialist Marina Ernst at marinae@fbsynod.org.
What's New?
New Portico Course

Interested in creating a community of equity and justice? Whether you’re looking to understand your own blind spots, foster conversation in your congregation, or build a culture where all can belong, a new Being Academy course  Promoting Diversity, Creating Inclusion , featuring educator Aparna Rae, offers practical exercises and thought-provoking questions that can help. Though some of the course is directed at developing a diverse workplace, Portico believes the tools and topics are of value for church leaders in this important time. 

Portico members with ELCA-Primary health coverage can  access the course by clicking here  or via myPortico. If you waive health coverage or have ELCA Medicare-Primary coverage, The Big Know (Portico’s partner and Being content developer) has made the course available at no charge to everyone for a limited time to support learning and promote equity.
Lutheran Counseling Services July Update

In the month of July, we continue to be encouraged by our liability insurance to offer virtual counseling sessions. We do have our main office open, in Winter Park, on Wednesdays to see client’s face to face if the situation necessitates this. We also have counselors in Lakeland and Ft. Myers making themselves available to hold face to face sessions as needed. We have adopted a COVID policy that encompasses cleaning spaces that are used by face to face sessions, wearing masks at all times and screening clients for symptoms as they are seen. 
 
LCS has a  Crisis Care Fund  that was established in order to assist those that need counseling but cannot afford it during crisis. This Crisis Care Fund is allowing us to offer sliding scale rates to those struggling during COVID. Please let those you refer know we have assistance. If you or your congregation are in a place to give financially to this fund to increase these services please consider making a donation   on our website by clicking here .
 
Our  FREE on-call line  continues to be available to anyone, regardless of where you live. This on-call line is available from 3-5 PM EST, Monday through Wednesday. You can also schedule a time with our on-call counselor by emailing  oncall@lcsfl.com.
 
We have new  Free Virtual Groups  starting this month: 
- Care for the Caregiver
- Coping with Chronic Illness
- Social Skills group for Adolescents
- First Responder Trauma
You can find information on these groups  on our COVID Response Page here .
 
Please don’t forget that LCS continues to offer our  MAP (Ministerial Assistance Program)  to anyone who collects a pay check from a Lutheran Church or School as well as their family members. You can encourage those on your staff struggling to call our office and leave a message with our MAP voicemail: 407-644-4692x800. Calls will be returned within 4 hours. 
1-Day Intruder Awareness/Response for Church Personnel

Orlando, FL – August 8, 2020 
Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 
  
Your church can be secure, yet welcoming. A focus on security does not, and should not, compromise the mission of your church. Our one-day training provides a quick overview of how these two important goals can complement one another in practice. 
We’ll equip your team to recognize physical indicators of suspicious behavior (nervousness, anti-social tendencies, strange attire).

Understanding body language can help identify someone with an intention for violence or disruption. If you can detect a problem before it starts, you have a much greater chance of defusing it. 

This course also discusses the behavioral indicators of armed individuals whether they are armed lawfully or unlawfully. In addition, we emphasize the importance of a culture of “see something, say something.” 

Location: Reformation Lutheran Church 800 East Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806 

Local Point of Contact: Bob Greer Jr. Email: rsrbob@aol.com | Phone: (407) 425-7771 

Cost: $99 per person. Plus a minimal processing fee.
Register Online at www.strategosintl.com or call (888) 569-5444 
Resources for Rostered Ministers
TRANSITION MINISTRY TRAINING
ONLINE WEBINAR
July 20-24, 2020

Transitions -  There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, or has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future, it is a time of transition from something that was to something that is yet to be. 

The Transition Training Event will help attendees to focus 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.

Interim Pastors 5 days (M-F) - $160 
First Call/New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130
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 .
New Opportunities!
Search for Global Mission Table Chairperson
Florida-Bahamas Synod 

Are you an ELCA member interested in Global Mission work? Do you have a passion for exploring other cultures and discovering the Gospel in other contexts?

The Florida-Bahamas Synod is seeking a person to chair the Global Mission Table! The work of the Global Mission Table (GMT) is to foster growth and deepen relationships with our Companion Churches in other countries. The GMT Chairperson will be responsible for overseeing the GMT, increasing awareness of Global Mission, and deepening our relationships with our companion churches.


Ready to apply? Email your resume to Pr. Khader El-Yateem - Assistant to the Bishop at  khadere@fbsynod.org . Be sure to tell us why you’re passionate about promoting Global Mission!
Mark Your Calendars
Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
September 26  - Bishop's Visit, Lord of Life, Miami

October 10  - Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne

*Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process at installation and ordination services. Red is worn for ordination, color of the day is worn for installations.
For Your Information
Bishop's Calendar

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