E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | January 21, 2025 | |
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It's Time to Submit Your Annual Reports
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.
Annual Parochial Reports (January-December 2024)
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The deadline to file online with the ELCA’s Office of the Secretary is March 1, 2025.
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If you cannot file online, a paper copy can be completed and mailed to the Synod House by February 15, 2023.
- The online system will open mid-January.
Annual Rostered Leader’s Report to the Bishop
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To be submitted by March 1, 2025. All ordained ministers rostered in the Florida-Bahamas Synod under call, on leave from call, on disability, or retired, must file a report.
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Visit the ELCA's Rostered Ministers reports link. Select and download the report that corresponds to your roster status and save it to your computer. Upon completion of the report, save it again, and attach it to an email message to yulietg@fbsynod.org.
Mission Support (current year)
- The synod’s fiscal year extends through January 31, 2024.
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Please ask your congregational treasurer to forward any outstanding 2024 mission support balances to the Synod House by January 31, 2024. Mission support received after January 31, per auditor requirements, is applied to the congregation’s covenant for 2025.
Mission Support Covenants 2025
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Covenants may be filed after the annual congregation meeting, or by January 31, 2025.
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You may file your covenant online here, or by returning the PDF via U.S. mail. Please prayerfully consider an increase in your mission support to grow the work that we do together as synod and churchwide expressions.
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Save the Dates
Synod Assembly: June 12-14, 2025 | Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
Conference on Ministry: September 29-October 1, 2025 | Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills
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Ordinations & Installations
January 26, 3 PM - Rev. Bob Vogl will be installed as Pastor at Trinity in New Smyrna; Rev. Dr. Derek Hoven will preside.
February 1, 11 AM - Rev. Courtney Noya will be installed as Associate Pastor at Christus Victor in Naples on Saturday; Bishop Suarez will preside.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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VIDEO: Global Mission Table Visits Cuba | |
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Queerfully Made Retreat - A Message from Bishop Strickland
Join Bishop Kevin Strickland (he/him) of the Southeastern Synod for a three-day respite and renewal retreat in the mountains of Arden, NC. This will be an opportunity to gather with other LGBTQIA+ rostered ministers and candidates within Region 9 of the ELCA. The bishops of Region 9 want to help offer space for you to come away to rest, renew, and recharge. I know what it is like to be queer and serve in this church and in such a time as this. We need each other! And you need a reminder that your work in the Lord is not in vain. The bishops of Region 9 see the value and importance of this time away and are helping to support this opportunity for you. With their support and grants, I am offering this retreat for you at $50.00 per person. If you are interested in attending this first-ever retreat, please complete the registration form no later than February 14.
+ Bishop Kevin L. Strickland
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Luther Springs 2025 Summer Camp Registration NOW OPEN
Register between December 1, 2024 and February 15, 2025 to receive $30 off.
Luther Springs offers a place set apart where children in grades 1-12 can unplug from technology for a week, experience exciting adventures, get inspired by nature, and grow in faith!
Our on-site programs are a great experience for that first-time camper or the camper that isn’t quite as adventurous as others. For those thrill seeking children in grades 6-12 we offer special “Outdoor Adventure Programs” where kids can challenge themselves with new adventures like zip lining, horseback riding and more. A week of camp is an investment that will impact the life of your child for years to come! Details and registration here.
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Community Invited to Celebrate Restoration with Music
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice is hosting a special concert on Friday, January 24, at 4:00 PM to celebrate the restoration of its sanctuary following the recent hurricanes. The event will also serve as the launch of a new ministry, "The Arts at Emmanuel." All are welcome to attend this meaningful celebration!
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Beer and Hymns Hosted by Prince of Peace, Largo
Monday, January 27 / 6-8 p.m.
Beer and Hymns at Commerce Brewing
Join Dr. Shawn Thomas from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on the keyboard for an evening of Beer and Hymns at Commerce Brewing, located next-door to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo. This is a community sing-a-long event that will feature a variety of hymns and other familiar songs. Beer is optional, singing is mandatory! Food Truck onsite. Commerce Brewing is located in an adjacent building to the north of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Ample parking is available at Prince of Peace. Find more details here.
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Opportunity for organist/director of music
St. Peter, Ft. Myers Beach has an immediate opening for an organist/director of music. This is a part-time position. The organist/director of music will play the organ and lead the choir on Sundays for one service. This also includes one day a week choir practice. This is a total of 4-5 hours per week.
Hourly pay starting at $20 per hour, depending on experience.
Please contact St. Peter ELCA, Fort Myers Beach at 239-463-4251 or email at stpeterfmb@gmail.com for more information.
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Fireside Chat: Exploring Pathways for Chaplaincy in the ELCA
The Seminaries of the ELCA and the ELCA Chaplain Corps will host a virtual fireside chat on Thursday, February 13, 2025, to explore the pathways to serve as a Chaplain in the ELCA. This engaging session will provide insights into the chaplaincy journey and answer common questions about this vital ministry. Register here.
- 5:00–6:15 PM (Pacific Time)
- 6:00–7:15 PM (Mountain Time)
- 7:00–8:15 PM (Central Time)
- 8:00–9:15 PM (Eastern Time)
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ELCA World Hunger Lent Resources
New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation during Lent. As congregations across the ELCA creatively find new ways to lean into the future, we are eager to equip leaders with ELCA World Hunger resources in the Easter season.
During your Lenten journey, ELCA World Hunger invites you to reflect on the work of ELCA World Hunger partners who are dedicated to ending hunger at its roots. We hope that these stories of ELCA World Hunger’s partner organizations working to strengthen community will help you to celebrate your place in your own community.
You can order or download free versions at ELCA.org/hunger/resources.
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Lutheran Disaster Response: California Wldfires
Over the last two weeks, multiple wildfires have broken out across Los Angeles County in California, which placed over 100,000 people under evacuation orders. These fires have destroyed homes and businesses and have led to injuries and loss of life. Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is coordinating with the Southwest California Synod and Pacifica Synod to assess the needs of people impacted. LDR will work with them to address immediate needs amid the destruction and assist with recovery efforts for months and years to come. Give today to support the response.
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Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Reconsideration
ELCA social statements are documents that help people think through social issues and that guide the church’s teaching and policies on those issues. However, their language can become outdated over time as laws and language change.
The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to have our church reconsider certain passages from the ELCA social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust in light of changes in U.S. laws regarding marriage since 2009 and in acknowledgment of the church’s understanding of the diversity of family configurations.
A task force, with people of diverse perspectives from across the ELCA, has been appointed by the ELCA Church Council to shepherd this process.
In early November, the task force released a set of draft edits for public comment. These are potential editorial changes only — small word changes that update the text without changing its meaning.
The task force invites you to review these and to share your feedback. This feedback is critical for our discernment as church together, and the task force will prayerfully consider all comments before proposing changes to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly for their action. The deadline for your response is Jan. 31, 2025.
You can share your feedback by taking an online survey or by emailing the task force directly at Reconsiderations@elca.org.
To help your discernment, several resources are posted at www.elca.org/reconsiderations, including an explanation of each draft edit, a discussion guide and an FAQ. Each resource is available in English, Spanish and large print.
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April 25-26: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat, St. Stephen, Longwood
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June 12-14: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
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September 20: School of Lay Ministry Graduation Retreat & Worship, New Life Lutheran Church, Sarasota
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September 29-October 1: Conference on Ministry, Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills
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