September 15th, 2020
For more information, visit www.fbsynod.com
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Bishop Suárez's Synod Update for September 15th
Hello and welcome to this Florida-Bahamas Synod Update for mid-September! I have a few updates for this month to share with you.
First, I want to share a brief update on our United As One COVID-19 Relief Grant. As of today, we have helped 65 congregations and ministries meet the challenges presented by COVID-19 and continue to expand their ministry work. I have an update for you today from one such ministry... To continue reading Bishop Suárez's Synod Update, please click here.
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A Thank You Letter from a United As One Grant Recipient Congregation
"Thank you for the grant to help us improve the availability and quality of worship for our folks who are unable to return to worship with us yet.
This is a very challenging time in which to do ministry, but as usual God is bringing something good of it by using it to make us better, more creative pastors and congregations. God has shown us that even though change is hard - often times it strengthens our faith and grows us in ways that we would not have grown if not forced to by the virus.
We thank you for your support and encouragement."
Rev. Joan E. Holden, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Crystal River, FL
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Congregation Uses
"God's Work. Our hands."
to Support Students
St. John Lutheran in Winter Park decided to use this year's "God's Work. Our hands." Day of Service to support local students returning to school.
St. John's congregation began collecting school supplies in a designated box by their back door so that congregation members did not need to enter the building to give a donation. By Saturday morning, a tidal wave of supplies had arrived, some even mailed in after being purchased online! The congregation had more than enough to pack all the bags. A congregation member also contributed handmade masks so that two could go in each bag. A bracelet announcing “6 FEET PLEASE” was also included in each bag.
With proper separation and the wearing of masks, the bags were prepared for a Blessing on Sunday morning and were taken to Killarney Elementary School on Monday morning.
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On September 17th at 10:00am,
join Bishop Suárez and Dr. Timothy Wengert for our next Rostered Ministers Virtual Gathering!
We will gather online for prayer together and a discussion of Holy Communion during COVID-19.
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Our special guest, Timothy J. Wengert, is the Ministerium of Pennsylvania emeritus professor of Reformation History and the Lutheran Confessions at the United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia). |
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Join Bishop Suárez and your friends from around the Florida-Bahamas Synod for our next Youth Check-In on September 27th at 4:00pm.
We’ll have special guest speakers, music, and prayers together. PLUS, when you register, you’ll be automatically entered into our drawing to win a surprise gift!
During our Small Group discussion, we’ll talk about coping with change, managing stress, and finding hope in the hard times!
This event is open for all middle and high school-aged youth!
Adult Youth Leaders: Do you have another youth event scheduled for this time? Why not make this event YOUR event? Join our Synod Youth Check-In with your youth group.
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An Important Message on Payroll Tax Deferral
President Trump signed an Executive Order granting a temporary suspension of employees' 6.2% share of the Social Security tax taking effect on September 1st and running until the end of the year. Recent guidance from the IRS does not explicitly say that employers must participate. Employees who participate in the deferral will see a short-term increase in pay. But they will face "double withholding” in the first four months of 2021, so participants' take-home pay will go down during that period.
However, the taxes are only deferred, not cut. Employees will face double withholdings from January through April to even things out, meaning smaller paychecks during that time.
The executive order puts the onus on companies (or churches), not individual employees, to act. Churches have to opt into the deferral and are responsible for making sure that the deferred amount is paid to the Internal Revenue Service by
April 30th, 2021.
Please consult your financial team or call me at the synod office if you have any questions prior to deciding to opt into the tax deferral plan.
Blessings,
Pastor Rob Rose, Assistant to the Bishop, Administration
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The Clergy Clinic and Advanced Clergy Clinic
2020-2021 will be offered online!
The Clergy Clinic meets three times each year for three successive days each time for a total of nine days. Participants choose one of the two groups to attend:
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Group A:
October 26-28, 2020
February 8-10, 2021
April 26-28, 2021
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Group B:
November 9-11, 2020
February 22-24, 2021
May 17-19, 2021
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The Advanced Clergy Clinic meets three times each year for three successive days each time:
October 19-21, 2020
February 1-3, 2021
April 19-21, 2021
These clinics will be held online through Zoom video conferencing. Zoom offers opportunity for participant interaction in small and large groups, including family of origin groups. LMPC utilized Zoom for the 2020 Spring session of Advanced Clergy Clinic and feedback from participants indicated that they were very pleased with both the content and how smoothly the format went. Participants will be expected to have a basic proficiency in Zoom and a device with both a
webcam and microphone to log into Zoom.
Participants in the Advanced Clergy Clinic will have completed LMPC’s Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process, attended the Advanced Clergy Clinic in a previous year, or been accepted into the program on the basis of documented background in Bowen family systems theory.
Those who have not previously attended either LMPC’s Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process or the Advanced Clergy Clinic may complete and submit an application form to LMPC; it will provide a vehicle for documenting one’s background in Bowen family systems theory. Contact LMPC for an application form.
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A Prayer from our Racial Justice Think Tank
Our Florida-Bahamas Synod Racial Justice Think Tank has provided the following prayer for our congregations this week:
Thank You Lord,
for the witness and promise of righteousness that Jesus brings,
wrapped in the hope of justice.
Thank You Lord,
For how we are like Mary, living in awe of imminent incarnation, but heartened by God’s call and ready to serve.
Thank you Lord,
For how we are like Peter, flawed and prone to anger, yet upon this rock of truth and confession the Church stands.
Thank You Lord,
We are like Esther, stirred by the assurance that we are born and baptized to be effective in this current season, “for such a time as this”...
Thank You Lord,
We are like Samuel, stirred from slumber, and beckoned by the Spirit toward a newer, clearer kingdom vision.
Lead us, sustain us and guide us,
along this holy way of deep truth and love, trusting in Jesus always. Amen.
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Boundaries Training
Essential to ministry.
Easy to access online.
Is it time to complete your Boundaries training?
During COVID-19, Rostered Ministers can access our Synod's comprehensive boundaries and sexual ethics training completely online! Not only is Boundaries training absolutely essential for ministry; it is the expectation of Bishop Suárez that rostered ministers will take boundaries training once every 3 years.
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Click on the calendar icon to see more
events on the Synod calendar
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September 20 - Caring for Creation Online Worship Service -
September 27 - Let's Talk! Youth Check-In: God's in the Change - 4:00pm on Zoom
October 10 - Bishop's Visit, Advent, Melbourne
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Suárez continues to work from home and take meetings electronically. |
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