Reminder: Nominations, Memorials & Resolutions 

Nominations

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.   

Nominations for bishop are not accepted in advance of the assembly. During the first plenary meeting of the assembly, ecclesiastical ballots for the election of a bishop are cast by each assembly voting member present. These nominations are tallied to create the second ballot. 

We strongly encourage nominations for Council and committee positions 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

Memorials & Resolutions

From the ELCA.org website: “Memorials and resolutions enable this church to address broad policy issues or issues important to God’s mission in the world. Memorials address broad policy issues; resolutions have a narrower focus, requesting consideration or action by individual offices or units, or the Church Council. (A resolution can be the preferred method when an issue requires a timely response.)

The churchwide organization and synods of the ELCA use a process to bring forth memorials and resolutions. Memorials and resolutions are one way this church addresses broad policy issues or important issues for God’s mission in the world.”

All Memorials and Resolutions must be summited by May 1, 2023 in order to be reviewed and prepared to be brought the assembly floor.

Memorials & Resolutions Flow Chart

Guidelines for Effective Memorials & Resolutions

Memorials & Resolutions Submittal Form

Boundaries Workshop - May 11

Are you due for your triennial Boundaries workshop required for all rostered ministers? Join Rev. Ken Blythe and Rev. Kari Niedermaier for a fun day exploring the gift of boundaries, a gift that offers blessings to rostered ministers, their families, their congregations and the church. Substantial time will be given for group discussion, and open and honest conversation. The registration fee covers lunch, and all the resources that will be shared with participants. Click here for details and registration.

Frustrated That Your Meetings Don’t Bring Progress? Group Coaching Can Make All the Difference! 

Want meetings that matter? Want to move from ideas and opinions batted around to concrete action?

Group coaching might be just the thing. Through listening and asking powerful questions, a coach can help your group to find common ground, devise a plan, and put it to work. Rather than spinning your wheels, you and your group can discover a way forward and take steps to realize its goals.



Coaching doesn’t focus on what’s wrong...it focuses on what’s next. Want to learn how a coach can help your group meet its goals? Go to fbsynod.com/coaching and elcacoaching.org, or call our Synod Coaching Coordinator Dr. Johan Bergh at johan@beinganddoingmatters.com for more information.

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.

Respite in the Wilderness for Rostered Leaders & Church Professionals

As a congregational leader, you spend all your time taking care of and ministering to others. Come to Luther Springs and let US care for YOU. Rostered and congregational leaders come home to camp for some deliberate time away. We offer a couple of different opportunities for you to spend your time of respite. Read more...

Christ Church, Coral Springs recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a worship service led by Bishop Pedro Suárez. Commissioner Nancy Metayer Bowen brought greetings on behalf of Mayor Scott Brook and the City of Coral Springs and Florida House Representative Dan Daley presented the Pastor Sean Forde (center) and congregation with an official tribute. Former pastor Rev. Keith Walbolt (left) also joined the church for the celebration. May God bless you with 50 more years of ministry and outreach! (Photo from Christ Church Facebook page)

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

ELCA bishops celebrate our women leaders

In observance of International Women’s Day, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; the Rev. Patricia Davenport, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod; and the Rev. Brenda Bos, bishop of the ELCA Southwest California Synod, celebrate and recognize women leaders in our global Lutheran community. Watch the video here.

Congregational Experiments Workbook

Designed to facilitate ministry innovation, the Congregational Experiments Workbook helps us discern how God is calling us to do a new thing in our world. Download in English or Spanish.

Bishop Eaton issues statement on anti-transgender legislation

Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a statement on anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that have recently been introduced in the United States. “​As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face,” the statement read, in part. Read more...

Lutherans Restoring Creation worship service

All are welcome to join and share a creation-focused worship service offered by Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC). We celebrate Earth Day and pray with others from across the nation. The Rev. R. Guy Erwin, president of United Lutheran Seminary, will provide a sermon based on the lectionary readings for April 23. All components of this full, noncommunion service will be available for download by April 9 for congregations who register ahead of time at bit.ly/2023LRCEarthDay. The service will also premiere on YouTube at 9 a.m. Eastern on April 22 — be sure to subscribe to LRC’s channel.

• March 21: Overcoming Racial Faith: What Acts 2 Teaches Us about God: Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

• March 25: Spring Gathering of the Gulf Coast Conference of the WELCA

• March 25: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Vocational Panel

• April 10-20: Joint Synod Holy Land Pilgrimage

• April 22: Space Coast Conference Women of the ELCA 2023 Spring Gathering

• June 8-10: Synod Assembly - Caribe Royale Resort

• June 26-28: Rostered Leaders Retreat 

• September 10: "God's work. Our hands." Sunday: 10th Anniversary!

• 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