This past Sunday was the second Sunday in Lent! To help give the message, Bishop Suárez was joined by Deacon Connie Schmucker, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership.
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Lutheran Disaster Response is standing ready to support the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, the Southwestern Texas Synod, the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, and Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response.
Your gifts will support storm survivors. Gifts to "U.S. Severe Storms" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by severe storms.
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Save the Date for "God's work. Our hands." Sunday! |
Save the date for this year's "God's work. Our hands." Sunday on September 21st.
We’re not sure what the impact of this crisis will look like in September, but we continue to be church together. Our congregations continue to maintain feeding ministries, serve communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 pandemic, and assist people who are financially burdened by the economic downturn.
“Service in the Time of COVID-19” was developed to offer service project ideas and considerations for safely supporting your community in this time of pandemic.
As we gather together in service to our neighbors, we are reminded of one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: All of life in Jesus Christ — every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
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The United As One COVID-19 Special Appeal continues to provide support to congregations during this pandemic.
Join the Florida-Bahamas Synod and lift up your neighboring congregations!
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LOM Launches
Camp MatchUp App
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Our friends from the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Network have developed a mobile app to help young adults locate an outdoor ministry site where they might want to serve in the summers.
On the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Network’s new mobile app, called Camp MatchUp, outdoor ministry sites have created profiles including the state they are based in, the size of the camp staff, the type of ministry setting (mountains, lakes, etc…) that they are in, their open positions and the activities they have. Young adults who are exploring working at a camp can create their own profile (and even upload a resume if they choose).
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2022 ELCA Youth Gathering Update |
Gathering leadership continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and how it may impact the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE & the tAble. Many of those impacts remain unknown this far in advance of the event dates.
Leadership plans to provide an update on the Gathering’s viability later this summer (before registration opens) and again in late November or early December. They will continue sharing updates through as they learn more about the projected state of the virus in July 2022.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as the team works through these details with an ever-changing virus.
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Racial Justice Prayer of the Week |
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God of grace and God of mercy; You, and you alone are worthy of all the honor, all the glory and all the praise.
We acknowledge that You know all things, see all things and that You are present everywhere all at the same time; of Your kingdom, You have declared that there is no end.
It is with contrite hearts that we seek the presence of the Holy Spirit to speak truth to those whose hearts have become so hardened and whose eyes have been so blinded that they consider others as unequal, as less than, as undeserving of the recognition of their full personhood, your children who are different in the color of their skin, the way that they speak or the communities in which they live.
Bring to true repentance, dear God, those who unjustifiably believe that they and their culture make them superior to others.
Help all of us to know that, in you, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female. By faith, O Lord, compel us to be builders of bridges and not erectors of walls.
Inspire us to do all that is within our power to live with each other as your Holy Word commands; and to love one another as you have loved us and as we love ourselves.
May everything that we do in this life bring You honor and bring You glory as we create your beloved community.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
…and let us together say, Amen, Amen and Thank God!
This prayer was submitted by Denise Beumer on behalf of the Synod Racial Justice Team.
Prayer provided by Rev. John T. Long III.
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Tech Fundementals
Free Tech Classes
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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deerfield Beach is offering free technology classes! Geared for seniors who are young at heart (but really open to anyone!), you can join this series of classes in-person or virtually.
Classes include:
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Getting Comfortable with Zoom - Thursday, March 4th at 3:00pm.
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Basic Functions of Your Smartphone - Thursday, April 1st at 3:00pm.
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Working with Photos & Backing Up to the Cloud - Thursday, May 6th at 3:00pm.
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Best Smartphone Apps for Seniors - Thursday, June 3rd at 3:00pm.
In-Person Classes will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (959 SE 6th Avenue, Deerfield Beach). Please bring your smartphones and plan to wear a mask. Those who gather in person will be asked to undergo a temperature screening and sit physically distanced from others.
Those who wish to attend from home using Zoom are encouraged to do so. Visit www.zoom.us/join and enter the Meeting ID 249-403-4979. You will be able to participate fully in the class, ask questions, and get answers!
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Back to Camp Day of Giving for NovusWay |
The Back to Camp Day of Giving is March 9th! Our friends at NovusWay have received a generous $60,000 challenge gift to provide an additional $200 for every gift received for the Day of Giving up to their goal of 300 gifts.
Our congregations and communities partner with our camps to support their work of forming faith and developing leaders. Be a part of the team and support the next generation of difference-makers.
More News from NovusWay
There is a lot going on at Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs and Lutheranch as the staff and volunteers prepare to welcome campers and guests back to our synod’s places apart.
In their important video message, they share news about summer camp staff applications, summer camp registration, and more!
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Updates to the 2020 CARES Act
Before leaving office, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, which extended, ended or modified some of the provisions of the expiring 2020 CARES Act. Your philanthropic intent may be impacted by some of these changes.
- Your ability to deduct up to 100% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) through a cash contribution to charity is extended through the end of 2021.
- Nonitemizers (married filing jointly) may deduct up to $600 in charitable deductions. The deduction in 2021 is to taxable income, not AGI.
- Corporations may contribute 25% of their taxable income in the form of cash and food inventory to public charities through the end of 2021.
- The 2020 CARES Act suspended Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from qualified accounts such as IRAs. This suspension was not mentioned in the CAA, and thus it is understood that for 2021, RMDs are reinstated for those over age 70½.
How are donors employing these changes?
These changes allow donors to benefit their beloved charities through expanded tax benefits. The reinstatement of RMDs reminds us that the Qualified Charitable Distribution might be used to benefit charity while satisfying the RMD and earning us tax benefits. Donors might also consider making larger gifts of stock or opening named endowments while these extensions are in place. This type of giving fulfills our charitable hearts — and our strategic, tax-savvy heads!
You can learn more about the Consolidation Appropriations Act of 2021 by reviewing this helpful resource provided by our trusted partner PG Calc. Each individual’s situation is unique and should be explored with their professional charitable team. Please contact our synod's Regional Gift Planner, Rev. Ana Lugo, at ana.lugo@elca.org or (904) 219-2769.
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Vaccine Eligibility Expanded by Executive Order |
A new executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis has expanded vaccine availability for people under age 65 who have prior conditions that put them at risk to the coronavirus.
The order says that physicians, advance practice registered nurses, and pharmacists can vaccinate a person deemed extremely vulnerable by their physician. With approval from a physician, people under age 65 with certain medical conditions may be able to get vaccines at pharmacies. It was not immediately clear what conditions might apply or what locations would be participating.
Additionally, Gov. DeSantis said the eligibility age for coronavirus vaccines would lower in March and that shots should be available more widely by April.
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New Book Now Available from Rev. Dr. Dale Alan Young |
Has the pandemic hit you like a truck? In times of emotional distress, do you struggle to overcome despair? Do you search for life-meaning and purpose?
Expand your understanding of the soul by journeying into Ten Dimensions of Spirituality to gain valuable insights that lead toward personal transformation and growth.
The Spiritual Temperature Companion Workbook offers the opportunity to do devotional journaling, self-reflection, and self-assessment in each of the spiritual dimensions.
The Companion Workbook includes prompts on facilitating a spiritual support group, but also serves the individual spiritual journey. The prompts, discussion questions, tables, and diagrams will guide the participant to insights and self-awareness, leading to living a better version of yourself.
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Important Reports Reminder
You can submit Annual Ministers Reports to reports@fbsynod.org. By clicking here, you can download the report which corresponds to your roster status. You will need to download the form, fill it out, save it to their computers, and attach to an e-mail to reports@fbsynod.org.
Every congregation submits an annual Parochial Report. For Parochial reports, please visit the ELCA website here. You will need your congregation ID number and a password. If you have misplaced the password, please call the synod office.
If you need assistance, please contact the Synod office. If you have trouble submitting your email, please contact Ileana at ileanas@fbsynod.org.
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Have you completed Boundaries Training? |
Boundaries training is crucial for rostered ministers. Rostered ministers can attend our Synod's boundaries & sexual ethics training online during COVID-19 here:
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