Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

Join Bishop Pedro Suarez and Pr. Khader El-Yateem along with Bishop Yehiel Curry (Metropolitan Chicago Synod) on a journey to the Holy Land in April 2023. This joint pilgrimage includes 10 days of sightseeing and unforgettable experiences. 

Space is limited.

Visit our website for the travel itinerary and registration links.

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.

Seeking Nominations for Synod Leadership

At the 2023 Synod Assembly in Orlando (June 8-10), voting members will elect a bishop. Voting members will also elect people to serve on the Synod Council and the Consultation Committee. Additional information will be provided by the Synod Council relating to the election of the bishop as we move closer to the period leading up to the assembly.   

We strongly encourage nominations to be submitted prior to the Synod Assembly so they may be included in the Nomination Packet for Voting Members. This will also facilitate a smoother and more efficient voting process for the open positions.

Click here to view a list of open positions and descriptions. Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2023. You can complete the nominations form here.

Lutherans You Should Know in Black History Celebration

Join us on Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. EST for the Lutherans You Should Know in Black History Celebration hosted by the JUST Love Team. Bishop Yehiel Curry from the Metropolitan Chicago Synod will present on history-making African-American Lutherans followed by a time of Q&A. Click here to register for the Zoom.

Click here to view the Lutherans You Should Know in Black History weekly summaries.

Global Mission Weekend at Hope in The Villages

Pictured above are two of the Hope Lutheran cross makers, Muriel Strack and Eileen Hintzen.

Each year, Hope in The Villages hosts a Global Mission Weekend—a chance to learn about and celebrate our synod companion relationships in Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Suriname. This year, Hope is focusing particularly on Iglesia Evangélica Unida of Santiago de Cuba (IEU). On February 12, Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer, leader of Global Mission’s Cuba Team, served as guest preacher. He described the vibrant and growing ministries of IEU, the severe economic situation the Cuban people face each day, and the role we can play to alleviate their suffering. In the midst of dark times, the church is a beacon of hope.

As a sign of friendship and love between IEU and the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Hope Lutheran made 175 crosses for our brothers and sisters in Cuba, led by coordinator Donna Walker. Laney Waller, member of the Global Mission Table, presented the crosses to Rev. Meyer during worship. If you wish to support Global Mission, make a gift to your congregation with a memo "FBS Global Mission - Cuba" (or any of our partners). You can also contribute through the synod website.

You, too, can have someone visit your congregation to tell the story of Global Mission. It can be a Sunday school class, an evening program shared with another congregation, a guest sermon, or a Zoom meeting. Celebrate what God is doing throughout the world! Contact Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Table Chair, at revkhc@gmail.com for more information and to schedule a visit.

Just Love Lenten Devotions

The Just Love team invites you to spend the forty days of Lent with The 1619 Project, the ground-breaking book published by the New York Times on the history of American slavery and its repercussions. We recommend that you purchase a copy of the book, in digital or print form, from your favorite online or brick-and-mortar bookseller. For each day in Lent, we are recommending readings from the book. Clergy and laity from the synod are crafting devotions that will highlight one paragraph from the day’s recommended reading and pair it with a passage from scripture. For more information about the daily devotions contact Paul Gibson at pastor@trinitylutheranstpete.org.

NovusWay Employment Opportunity - Development Officer 

NovusWay Ministries is a progressive and growing outdoor ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located across the southeastern United States that includes the camps and conferencing centers of Lutheridge, Lutherock, Luther Springs and Lutheranch.

The Development Officer for NovusWay Ministries shall be a person committed to Jesus Christ and the church and dedicated to working in a church related organization. S/he shall have a growing understanding and appreciation for the unique ministry of church camp and conferencing centers. S/he shall have the ability to see the job as part of a ministry and to exhibit a commitment to teamwork with other employees. S/he shall have knowledge of and at least two years of experience in fund development or related field. Click here for full job description.

Christ Church, Coral Springs Seeks P/T Director of Worship & Music

The Director of Worship and Music coordinates all aspects of music for the church’s worship services. The Director’s main purpose is to facilitate meaningful worship experiences and shepherds the heart of the congregation through music and the arts. Prior experience leading worship services or other music programs is required. Click here for full job description.

South Miami Lutheran Celebrates Souper Bowl of Caring

The congregation at South Miami Lutheran Church in Miami celebrated "Souper Bowl of Caring" by restocking their own community food pantry which sits on church property and is used by weekly. There was so much donated that some food will also be given to other local food pantries.

Bishop Pedro and Deacon Aura accompanied rostered leaders from across the synod to the Region 9, First Call Theological Education on Stewardship Gathering at Luther Ridge. This three-day retreat offered church leaders from throughout Region 9 an opportunity to come together for learning and conversation about stewardship. Presenters led informative and thought-provoking sessions ranging from personal finance to vocational stewardship to congregational stewardship. 

To feature your church in E-Spirit, email a photo and caption to comms@fbsynod.org.

Announcing the annual Rev. Dr. Scott H. Hendrix Scholarship

The Rev. Dr. Scott H. Hendrix Scholarship was established in Fall 2021 to recognize the significant contributions Dr. Hendrix has made to Lutheran church history and to ensure that work will continue to be done to encourage and fund scholarship and research.

The scholarship is awarded annually to Region 9 ELCA seminarians, leaders, or laity conducting significant research in Lutheran church history at the James R. Crumley, Jr. Archives.

Applicants can apply at https://www.crumleyarchives.com/the-hendrix-scholarship.

The deadline for applications is April 21, 2023. Any questions can be directed to crumleyarchivist@gmail.com or by calling 803-461-3234.

• February 19: Three Organ Spectacular: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

• February 21: Trauma and It's Healing: Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association

• February 24-27: In-Person Silent Directed Retreat: The Franciscan Center

• March 3-4: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat

• March 4: Pancake Breakfast: Hope Lutheran Church, Daytona Beach

• March 11: ALOAFest at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

• April 10-20: Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

• September 18-27: ALOA 10-Day Tour of Greece: Walk in the footsteps of Paul 

• September 23: - diakonia graduation/retreat and conversation with the Bishop, Location TBD

• October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Location TBD.

• November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering