March 30, 2021 - Holy Week |
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In celebration of Palm Sunday, this week's special message has been shared by Pr. Rob Carlson, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission for the North region. To watch this weekend's message on our synod Facebook page, please click here.
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Send Easter greetings with ELCA Good Gifts |
There's still time to select your limited edition Easter Gifts from ELCA Good Gifts!
Share greetings with friends and family while sharing God’s love with neighbors around the world. You can customize and send an ecard or download and print one at home for your loved ones in honor of the Easter season. Click here to order today!
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Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Team Mini-Grants
The Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Team is seeking mini-grant applications for 2021 from synod congregations in the amount of $250 (with the possibility of renewing a second year) to support existing or to grow new and innovative hunger ministries in the areas of relief, sustainable development, community organizing, education, and advocacy.
Proposals must involve those who are or will be active in the work. Priority will be given to those living in poverty.
All applications must be received by the Hunger Task Force by June 1st, 2021.
The Team will review all applications and make decisions. Approved funds will be sent to the congregation soon thereafter.
At the end of the project, grantees will submit an evaluation of the outcome detailing established goals and people served.
For more information and an application form, interested applicants should contact Barbara Miller by email at barbaramercerrm@iCloud.com or by phone at 586-321-1118.
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Join a Virtual Course on Gender Justice
Global Mission's Jamaica Team, led by Judith Olsen, is pleased to announce a virtual course on gender justice offered virtually by our companion, the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) in Kingston, Jamaica.
Gender and Leadership in Church Society is intended for lay leaders, clergy, and anyone interested in growing in their understanding of the ways gender identity has been used to exclude individuals from leadership. This exciting opportunity will be taught virtually by professors from Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States. It's a nine-week "short course" offered Thursdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Jamaica Time) beginning April 15th. The cost is just $100.
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Rostered ministers and church professionals, after this busy season of the church year, do you need time away to recharge? NovusWay Ministries knows that you spend your time caring for everyone else. Visit Luther Springs April 13th to 15th, 2021 and let them take care of you. Spouses are invited to register to attend as well! Learn more and register by clicking here.
Spend your days as you wish-- enjoy trails, kayak on the lake, rock on your porch, relax in a peaceful place, it's up to you! Lodging and meals are included in this very affordable opportunity.
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Happenings in Our Synod
With joy and thanksgiving, we celebrate the following upcoming installations and ordinations throughout our synod and ask your prayers for these ministers and congregations:
The Rev. Gregory Shreaves will be installed as Pastor at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Vero Beach on April 11th with the Rev. Jeremy Freye, dean of the Space Coast Conference, officiating.
The Rev. David Thoresen will be installed as Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Avon Park on April 11th at 10:45am with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.
The Rev. David Wagner will be installed as Pastor of Our Savior in Nokomis on April 18th, 10:00am with the Rev. Rob Rose officiating.
Isoris (Izzy) Bango-Sanchez will be ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament and installed as Associate Pastor/Mission Developer on April 24th at 3:00pm at Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Haines City; Bishop Pedro Suarez, officiating.
The Rev. Geoffrey Coupland (Episcopal priest) will be installed in extended service as Pastor on April 25th at Faith Lutheran Church in Sarasota; the Rev. Khader El-Yateem will officiate.
The Rev. Sean Forde will be installed as Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Coral Springs on May 2nd with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.
The Rev. James Graeser will be installed as Pastor at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Juno Beach on May 16th with Pastor Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.
The Rev. Sharon Taylor will be installed as Pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fort Myers Beach on May 23rd at 9:30am with Pastor Khader El-Yateem officiating.
The Rev. Robert Martin will be installed as Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral on June 27th, with Pastor Khader El-Yateem officiating.
The Rev. Andreas Stein will be installed as Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers on November 14th, 3:00pm with Pastor Khader El-Yateem officiating.
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Emmanuel Academy Full & Partial Scholarships Available for Fall 2021!
Programs for Every Age/Christian-based innovative learning models
- Emmanuel Academies offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Ministry or Christian Thought & Practice AND a B.A. in Global Leadership offered in Spanish
- Five-year program with a combined BA and Master of Divinity
- Master of Divinity for adult learners
- Degrees customized for all Christian faiths
- Accredited Academic Partners: Palm Beach Atlantic University, Sioux Falls Seminary and Kairos University
Want to make a difference? Invest in Future Leaders!
You may partner with Emmanuel Academies as an Angel Donor for students. Your partnership will ensure funding does not stand in the way of a student receiving an education. To become an Angel Donor please contact Info@EmmanuelEd.org.
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Resources for Healthy Living from Portico |
Stress is a pain in the neck: If you’re literally feeling the effects of too many hours staring at a computer screen, sitting in a not-so-ergonomically-correct chair, or carrying a year’s worth of pandemic worries in your shoulders, Members with ELCA-primary health benefits now have access to SWORD, a virtual therapy program for joint pain available at no out-of-pocket cost.
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Adorable Letter Lifts Spirits at Our
Synod Office
A piece of mail brought smiles to our Florida-Bahamas Synod office this week.
A colorful letter addressed to Bishop Suárez arrived on Thursday. Inside, the Bishop found a beautiful drawing and picture from a young artist named Phoebe.
The picture prompt asked the artist to draw their favorite picture. Phoebe had lovingly drawn a cross and titled her artwork "For God".
Thank you, Phoebe, for your thoughtful gift and hard work!
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Just Love Prayer of the Week
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathered his disciples to share a meal and wash their feet. On Good Friday Jesus, died on the cross, and on Easter morning the tomb was found empty. These holy acts were completed for all, regardless of race, gender or sexuality. May we work together, as disciples of the risen Christ to put to death the sin of white supremacy and all forms of bigotry, leaving them in the tomb and walking into new life where all experience the abundance of God’s kingdom.
This prayer was submitted by Pr. Chad Fair on behalf of the Just Love Team.
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Community Vaccine Program Hosted at St. Paul’s in Clearwater |
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More than 370 people, including five area Lutheran pastors, bared their arms on March 22nd for a community Covid vaccine program hosted at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Clearwater. Members of both St. Paul’s and St. Matthias’ congregations had hung door-knob notices, recruited in at least one retirement condo, talked to their neighbors, and visited local businesses to advertise the event. Other Lutheran churches received text messages inviting those eligible to call about shots. Care Team members and others staffed phones to take registrations. The Pinellas County Health Department, assisted by the National Guard and congregation members, guided people through the paperwork, the temperature taking, and then the jabs. It was truly a cooperative event.
Kinports Hall was set up with appropriately spaced chairs for the mandatory “wait” period after each shot. With the age limit lowered to 50, community members came in waves of 17 people every 15 minutes so there were no long lines. St. Paul’s provided breakfast and lunch for workers as a way of saying thank you. Some people exiting the site were on walkers and canes, and said how pleased they were to be part of a smooth operation after weeks of frustration trying to get registered at other sites.
Some of those whose appointments fell at the end of the day also stopped at the Monday afternoon food rescue program, which provides free vegetables and fruits for anyone who comes. The scene is expected to repeat in mid-April as the same groups return to get their second shot. Vicar Teresa Stewart, who oversaw the effort, said this was a wonderful way for the churches to serve as God’s hands in doing God’s work.
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Looking for a way to serve the larger Church beyond your congregation? |
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The Synod Nominating Committee has 34 ways for you to choose from! Over the next month we will highlight these opportunities and then starting in mid-April you will be able to submit nominations to take on these exciting Synod Roles.
This week we’d like to encourage everyone to consider serving as a Churchwide Voting Member. This opportunity occurs only once every three years. The next Churchwide Assembly will be held on August 8th to 13th, 2022 in Columbus Ohio. As a Voting Member your transportation, lodging, and most meals are paid for by the ELCA.
Lisa Klima shares of her experience: “I put my name in for voting member because I wanted to be a part of the discussion and decision making for the synod. It was an honor to serve as a voting member at the last Churchwide Assembly. I enjoyed being part of the process of having all voices heard in the larger church.”
Persons chosen as voting members of the Churchwide Assembly are given the responsibility of doing the work of the Churchwide Assembly on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They are not sent to participate as politicized delegates from some regional or agenda-specific caucus, as may be the case at a national party convention. They gather around Word and Sacrament to represent and serve on behalf of all of the members of the congregations in all of the synods of this one church. The Churchwide Assembly, as one body:
- Reviews work of churchwide officers and units and acts on their proposals
- Reviews and considers proposals from synod assemblies
- Establishes churchwide policy
- Adopts a budget for the churchwide organization
- Elects officers, board members, and Bishop
- Establishes churchwide units
- Amends the constitution and bylaws
Pastor Tom Slater recounts his experience this way: “It was an honor for me to serve as a Churchwide Assembly Voting Member of the Florida-Bahamas Synod in Milwaukee. I love the church, and this was a wonderful opportunity to serve and connect with other ELCA Lutherans from around the country to make decisions for the future of the church. All aspects of the Assembly were uplifting, from the sessions, to worship, to workshops, and to see first-hand, the Body of Christ working together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The following Churchwide Voting Member positions are open for nominations - please consider yourself or others who would enjoy this unique opportunity to serve the Synod at the Churchwide level.
Southwest Mission District - 1 Layperson Female, 1 Layperson Male, 1 Rostered Minister
(Includes Lake, Mid Gulf, Tampa, Sun Coast, Gulf Coast & Caloosa Conferences)
Southeast Mission District - 1 Layperson Female, 1 Layperson Male, 1 Rostered Minister
(Includes Miami-Dade, Broward-Bahamas, Tradewinds & Space Coast Conferences)
North Mission District - 1 Layperson Female, 1 Layperson Male, 1 Rostered Minister
(Includes 1st Coast, Heart of Florida, Pinelands, Panhandle & Flagler-Volusia Conferences)
Each District is strongly encouraged to fill positions with a person of color or primary language other than English. (Layperson or Rostered Minister), Youth (Layperson only) or Young Adult (Layperson or Rostered Minister) (Youth - age 15 - 17 August 2022, Young Adult - age between 18-30 August 2022)
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Don’t forget those annual reports… |
Parochial Reports – These congregational reports are submitted online with your congregation’s ID number and password. Passwords available by calling the synod office, 813-876-7660.
Mission Support Covenant – If your congregation has not already return the support card, please submit your congregation’s mission support covenant through the Florida-Bahamas Synod website by clicking the link above.
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For further assistance or questions, please call Ileana Sardinas at the synod office, 813-876-7660 ext. 225 or via email 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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