E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | March 6, 2023 | |
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Vision to Action is getting ready to launch!
For the past 10 months, the Synod Council and Office of the Bishop have engaged in a thorough and transparent process to determine how to use the funds received from selling St. James, Coral Gables, and other properties in the state. After listening to you, the members of the synod, in a number of different ways, a set of clarifying visions and goals were revealed from the input.
Overwhelmingly, you said you want the money to fund innovative ministries. You want to see different modes of doing church; you don’t want “business as usual” and you want to see the gospel proclaimed in non-traditional ways and in non-traditional locations. While the gospel and the vision for God’s kingdom does not change, the manner in which we proclaim it must be relevant and contextual. You want us to be part of all that God is up to in the world.
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The next phase is developing a grant program to award grants that support the innovative ministry ideas. As of March 1, the Office of the Bishop has contracted with the Rev. Kathryn Carroll (“Pastor Katie”) to be the Project Manager overseeing the development and launching of the granting process for Vision to Action. Pastor Katie is very well known and active in the synod. She has served congregations in Miami for many years and is currently the chair of the synod’s Global Mission Table. Pastor Katie shared, “I feel particularly called to be part of Vision to Action, for I served at St. James during a period of vibrancy and growth. God is continuing to use St. James and other congregations even through their holy closure, as the sales proceeds can bring life in new places and spaces.”
The grant program for deploying Vision to Action funds will be introduced and officially launched at the 2023 Synod Assembly on June 8-10. Following this, materials will be available on the synod website, in E-Spirit, and social media to guide you through the application steps. Thank you for your support as we move this important initiative forward. Together, with Spirit-filled vision and passion, we can shine the light of Christ even more brightly.
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Installations & Ordinations
Rev. Grace Gravelle will be installed as pastor of St. Matthew’s in Jacksonville on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 4 p.m. Rev. Rob Carlson will preside.
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Don't Forget to Submit Your Annual Reports
This is a friendly reminder to submit your annual reports, if you haven't already done so. These reports are another point of connection between your congregation and the Bishop's Office. They help us track categories like attendance, baptisms, expenses, mission support, and more. They also help us plan programs and events to best support the ministries of the congregations throughout our synod. The reports you need to complete are the Congregation Report (Parochial) and the Rostered Minister Report, which are both found at: https://elca.org/Resources/Office-of-the-Secretary#Synods.
- The Congregation statistics report (Forms A & C) is submitted online. If you need your congregation ID and passcode, please contact the synod office at 813-876-7660 ext. 0.
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The Rostered Minister Report must be downloaded and saved to your computer. Once filled out, please attach it to an email to ileanas@fbsynod.org.
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Weekly Prayer
O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us to new birth to live as your children. Strengthen our faith in your promises, that by your Spirit we may lift up your life to all the world through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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2023 Rostered Leaders Retreat
We have a gift for you! Through a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Relief-US, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is offering a free healing and renewal retreat for rostered leaders. We recognize how difficult it has been these past two years to lead a congregation through the pandemic and hurricanes while trying to care for our own wellbeing. Many of us are tired and hurting.
We are offering our second retreat on Monday, June 26 - Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The cost of all activities, meals, and housing (single room) and optional healing modalities are covered. The only thing you need to cover is your transportation to the event.
We will be housed at Sheraton Sand Key Resort. Events and sessions will take place at the hotel and surrounding areas.
Our goal is to provide a safe and healing space for you to learn and experience spiritual practices and receive emotional and spiritual support both in individual and small group settings. All of this will be framed by the beauty of water, sun, and sand.
There are different activities will be throughout the event such as dolphin tour and much more.
"Come to the Well” with an open heart, ready to receive the grace of God’s healing and unconditional love.
Spouses are welcome and the cost is $200 to cover meals and activities for the three days.
Please note that even though the event is free, a cancelation fee of $428.00 will be required if canceled after May 26, 2023 to cover the hotel room fee. Registration closes Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Click here to register.
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Walking Together with Our Companions in Cuba | |
The Florida-Bahamas Synod and the Iglesia Evangélica Unida (IEU) in Cuba continue to deepen their friendship and companionship. Synodical and churchwide leaders joined Bishop Suárez on a trip to Santiago and Havana—to visit congregations, meet with church and government leaders, and share stories of how God is active in our communities. Despite the challenging relationship between our respective countries, we have solidarity in the gospel. Through in-person visits, we reminded each other that we do not walk alone, and we seek to be agents of healing and hope. | |
The adjoining pictures provide highlights of the trip: Bishop Suárez and Bishop Virgen Laborde signed a Memo of Understanding, making official the companion relationship between our two communities of faith. St. John’s of Jacksonville and Hope in The Villages both sent gifts to IEU—St. John’s provided hygiene products and Hope sent woven crosses, all of which were given to congregation members. These were powerful reminders that our relationship with IEU is nurtured at the congregational, synodical and churchwide levels.
Rev. El-Yateem and others joined the trip in Havana, in order to meet with government officials and the Board of the Cuban Council of Churches. Religious activities are encouraged in Cuba and the visits were heartfelt and productive. Bishop Suárez, Rev. Dubon and Rev. Meyer were all interviewed for a national television program. The bishop spoke about the solidarity between our churches; Rev. Meyer reflected upon the spirituality of Cuban poet and philosopher José Martí, who was the inspirational voice for Cuban independence through his famous words, "Patria es Humanidad (Homeland is Humanity)." Such an image, Rev. Meyer noted, is echoed in the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Finally, the group visited the Seminario Evangélico Teológico (SET) in Matanzas, an ecumenical seminary that the ELCA churchwide expression has supported for many years.
Through the love of Jesus Christ, we find solidarity and common mission. Global Mission is grateful to all who made the trip, and for the ways our connection to IEU has been strengthened. May we continue to advocate for building bridges rather than walls, so that all God’s people might be reconciled and given the chance to flourish in their land.
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Diakonia vs. Synod Parish Deacon Program
Diakonia program vs. synod parish deacon program - Click on the video link for the simple, direct explanation of the differences!
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May Educational Grant for Ministers of Word and Sacrament | |
Established by a generous gift from Pastor Rusty and PJ May, the grant is available to rostered ministers of word and sacrament of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for continued education.
The grant amount will depend on dollars available and the number of applicants. To apply click here or visit the synod website. Deadline for the first round of grants is March 15, 2023.
Possible areas of study may include (but not limited to):
- Festival Homiletics
- On-line or in-person continued education courses at a seminary
- Participating in community organizing training on faith-based social justice ministries
- Participating in trips to the Holy Land/Germany/St Paul sites
- Accompanying a synod Global Mission Table trip
- Attending workshops
Grants will be awarded by the decision of the grant’s committee meeting during the first quarter of 2023. Questions may be addressed to Rev. Ana L. Lugo, Gift Planner for the Synod, at ana.lugo@elca.org.
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Just Love survey and newsletter sign up | |
The Just Love Ministry Team has released a new survey as a follow-up to the initial survey sent to the synod last year. Please complete the survey by April 14th at the following link: https://forms.gle/pg5fqPsBtah3pp9KA
To receive Just Love updates, such as the daily Lenten devotionals, upcoming event information and resources directly to your inbox, click here to subscribe to the mailing list.
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St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winter Park Supports Recent Community Outreach Events | |
Members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winter Park recently supported the Turkish community at their brunch to raise money for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. A wonderful range of Turkish food was prepared by the community and served with an ample amount of hospitality. Many members of the community had relatives affected by the earthquake. It was a blessing to be with them and support their community. | |
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Last Tuesday night was an exciting night at the Winter Park Community Center as scholarships were given out to elementary, middle and high school students for their work on Black History month. Each student gave a presentation on some aspect of Black history in Winter Park or Central Florida. The evening was sponsored by Bridging the Color Divide that is a faith based coalition in Winter Park. The program was opened with prayer and the singing of the Negro National Anthem. A beautiful liturgical dance was performed by a young participant. The other sponsor, YOUth CAN Inc. helped with the slide show that accompanied the presentations. Synod Parish Deacon Steve Beumer from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winter Park is on the Board of Bridging the Color Divide.
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Photo of the Week: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat | |
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This year's Synod Parish Deacon retreat was held March 3-4 and welcomed 36 attendees at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Oviedo. Click here to learn more about synod parish deacons.
To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.
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Register now for the Rostered Ministers Gathering
All rostered ministers in the ELCA are invited to join colleagues July 17-20 in Phoenix, Ariz. Meeting under the theme "Rekindle the gift within you," let this gathering be an opportunity for you to remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive yourself. Read more...
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New video for International Women’s Day! | |
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A new video featuring International Women Leaders scholars is now available to help your congregation celebrate International Women’s Day! View the video above or download it at ELCA.org/IWL.
International Women’s Day is March 8. The ELCA celebrates this day by uplifting the International Women Leaders (IWL) program, which provides scholarships for emerging women leaders from our companion churches around the world to study at ELCA colleges and universities, ELCA seminaries and other institutions.
On the following Sunday, March 12, we encourage your congregation to take a special offering for IWL. In honor of International Women’s Day, a generous donor has made a gift of $50,000 to inspire others to give to IWL.
We need your congregation’s help to meet our goal and empower more women leaders this International Women’s Day!
Materials for congregations include images, brochures, a bulletin insert and a worship resource with prayers and hymns. Find them all here.
Check Facebook and Instagram the week of March 8 for new stories from current IWL scholars. Together we can make a difference for the next generation.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Rachel Saby at Rachel.Saby@ELCA.org. Thank you for investing in the future of women leaders!
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September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, Location TBD
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October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.
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November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
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