FB Synod Council Creates $20,000 Scholarship Fund for Camp

Due to the National ELCA Youth Convention being canceled this year, the Florida-Bahamas Synod Council approved a scholarship fund to help children in the synod go to any camp Novus Way offers. Michele Hilton, VP of the council, shared, “After the past couple of years the council really wanted to support our kids to get out and enjoy summer. And with the National Convention being canceled, we felt the best way to support this was to use the money set aside for convention scholarships and redirect it to offset the cost of camp so as many children can attend as possible.”

The council approved up to $20,000 in scholarship money be made available this summer. “When a child is registered at a Novus Way camp, if they use the code FBSynod22 they will get a $200 credit applied to their fees,” explains Pastor Rob Rose, Bishop’s Assistant for Administration. “If a child has already registered, a refund of $200 will be issued by Novus Way.” 



To register for a camp, go to Novus Way and select a camp site and a program. A special shout-out to Luther Springs which is the Novus Way camp here in our synod. For a direct link to their programs, click here.



If you would like to donate to the camp scholarship fund, simply click here and click on the box that says “Novus Way (Luther Springs).”

Diakonia News

Snippets. Yes, you read that correctly....snippets. Diakonia now has snippets for you!

What in the world? Movies have trailers and now the courses for the Lay School of Ministry have snippets.

So, if you are thinking that you should try a course or two, or you are a graduate of a faith formation program and want to refresh or look at continuing ed possibilities, you can visit the www.diakoniafl.org website, scroll down on the homepage and click on a short snippet from the courses currently available.

We are constantly adding more courses including four new courses in April, one in May, and "Communicating the Gospel," featuring the three pastors from Hope Lutheran Church in the Villages, in June!

Be sure to check out "Creeds and Confessions," which is currently available and one that shouldn't be missed by Rev. Dr. Gabriel Morgan. 

Disaster Response Feedback Needed

The Florida Bahamas Synod strives to help local congregations continue to be the church even during a disaster. This follows Christ’s call to bring hope and healing to our neighbors in need whomever they may be. Hurricane season is approaching, and we all need to be ready in case a storm hits our synod.

There are two parts to dealing with any disaster. First, have a plan before a disaster strikes so you are prepared ahead of time. Second, how do we respond to a disaster once it passes? 

To get an idea of how we prepare and serve, please click here to take a short survey and provide feedback on how the Synod Disaster Response team can better serve you and your congregation.

MP 100 Spring Appeal - St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 

Over the years, the Mission Partners 100 program has made a difference in our congregations and new developments of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Over the last two years these congregations have benefitted from this wonderful program, and a total of $45,363.00 has been raised.

This spring, our appeal focuses on St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pensacola. Located on 9^th Avenue, St. Paul sees over 25,000 cars passing by each day. However, the church building is set back and is nearly invisible to those driving by, and the welcome sign is outdated, lacking color and messaging to draw people’s attention.

Working closely with the Office of the Bishop, St. Paul’s has established a new mission plan: “Envision.” The Envision mission plan includes an at-home community experience for all who walk through the doors of St. Paul. It will turn the congregation’s focus on warmly welcoming guests.  

• Click here to learn more about St. Paul's initiative and to donate.
• Click here to view a video from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Donate to Second Harvest at Synod Assembly

Congregations are being asked to bring food items for Second Harvest Food Bank when you come to Synod Assembly this year. If each congregation brings 50 pounds of canned goods and other items, we could donate more than four tons to Second Harvest! That would help a lot of struggling families. 

Critically needed items:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Grains (rice, cereal, oatmeal)
• Proteins (canned meat, tuna, beans, peanut butter, canned soup)
• Dairy (dry or evaporated milk)
• Baby Food
• Non-Food items (these can’t be purchased with food stamps – e.g., soap, shampoo, toothpaste)

A Wellness Retreat for Rostered Leaders During a Pandemic

*NEW Additional Dates: June 13-15

Facilitated by the Rev. Sharon Taylor

And all who thirst will thirst no more

And all who search will find what their souls long for

The world will try, but it can never fill

Leave it all behind, and come to the well. Casting Crowns

Let’s be Honest. Being a rostered leader is challenging in good times. During a pandemic, pastoring can be unbearable at times!

Through a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Relief-USA, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is sponsoring this two-night retreat as a crisis response and an opportunity to decompress and reconnect to our spiritual selves. 

“Come to the Well” retreat will provide opportunities for rest, renewal, and play. Using spiritual practices, we will reconnect with God, with ourselves, and with one another.

June 13 - 15

(Mon-Wed)

St. Peter Lutheran Church

3751 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

Overnight accommodations at the Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel. Please click here for information and registration.

Local Church Open Positions

Director of Student and Family Ministries

Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg, FL just started a search for a new Director of Student and Family Ministries. The position is up to 40 hours a week. If you would like more information, click here to see the full job description.