Synod Seeks Director of Operations

Are you a seasoned operations expert with a deep understanding of ELCA structures and practices? Are you ready to play a pivotal role in the mission of the Florida-Bahamas Synod? We are searching for a dedicated Director of Operations to lead the way. In this role, you will oversee daily operations, develop efficient policies, and ensure financial stability while fostering collaboration with various synod departments, ministries, and congregations. If you're a proactive, mission-driven individual with exceptional leadership skills, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful impact in our synod. Click here to learn more.

Mission Partners 100: Give Today!

Your gift as part of the synod’s Mission Partner 100 will help us preserve Sarasota’s past and architectural heritage as well as Sarasota’s future—the children who attend our pre-school—and help St. Paul Lutheran Church of Sarasota continue as a caring community-centered church. The St. Paul Lutheran Church of Sarasota Education Building is one of three on our campus designed by internationally-renowned architect Victor Lundy. While safe, the roof leaks and its iconic historical beams need to be replaced due to weather and termite damage. Click here to read more.

Region 9 Boundaries Training - October 5th!

Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education helps Rostered Ministers live into and maintain healthy boundaries. Like dual relationships, these are areas of ministry that cannot be avoided. They are ministry “facts of life.” Awareness of our roles, the power that those roles carry, and our own potential for the blurring of boundaries is protection for us and for those for whom we care. This educational event is required by the Region 9 Bishops' Agreement. All events will be hosted via Zoom. Click here to register.

"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday at Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Augustine was celebrated along with a Backpack & Teacher Blessing during our Sunday Chapel family worship service at 9:30am. After church we made 60 gift bags for our first responder neighbors at SJCFR Station 5 across the street. We had donations of snacks, reusable water bottles, and everyone made thank you cards that we included in the bags. Our heroes came over with 5 different trucks for the kids to explore!

Organ installation represents recovery

A new organ is has been installed at Christ Lutheran Church, Englewood. A member of the congregation, Allen Dreyfuss, a recently retired organ builder from Queens, New York, declared the old electronic organ “a piece of junk” and announced that he would donate a new hybrid organ with enhanced digital voicing with three manuals and 70 stops at a cost of $453,000.  

The parish had to repair the damage from Hurricane Ian before the new organ could be installed. The recovery program is almost finished and the new organ will soon be ready for Sunday services.

 The construction of the new organ follows closely the arrival of Christ’ new organist, Dr. Richard Benedum who recently retired from Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton and is the co-founder of Sarasota-Manatee Bach Festival. He is Professor emeritus of music at the University of Dayton and has directed fifteen Summer Seminars for teachers in Vienna. He has studied organ performance with Helmuth Rilling of Stuttgart, Germany and musicology with Christoph Wolff at Harvard University.

The digital console and stops are being installed by Walker Technical Organ Co. and R. A. Colby Pipe Organ Co. is installing seven sets of pipes housed in two separate cases flanking each side of the faceted cross over and behind the altar. The digital stops in the two cases classify the organ as a hybrid organ.

A dedication concert is being planned for February 2024.

Read more here...

United for Ukraine, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Faith Sarasota

Faith Lutheran Church Sarasota is a stop on the worldwide tour, "United for Ukraine," a series of fundraising concerts of Ukrainian song in the USA. All are invited to attend at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, to support Ukrainian humanitarian relief.

The Oct. 6 concert is the latest in a series of efforts by members and friends of Faith Lutheran to support Ukrainians on the front lines of the conflict, others in need in Ukraine, and those who have fled the country for safety. For example, a portion of the funds raised through previous special events at Faith was donated to the Ukrainian Women's League, which has supported Ukrainian orphanages since December 2022.

Sadly, no one can predict when the children might be able to return to extended family or friends in Ukraine. For many, their entire families and their homes are gone. But caring people, including all who donate in the USA, are helping them recover from the horrors of war. Thanks be to God!

Again, all are warmly invited to the "United for Ukraine" concert, 6:30 p.m., Oct. 6, at Faith Lutheran, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL, 34238, to hear beautiful music and support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Contact Faith for more information, 941-924-4664 or communications@faithlutheransrq.com.

Thrive 2023

Learn about how your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response share hope and healing with communities impacted by disasters in the United States and around the world. 

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NEW: Spanish study guide on civic life and faith

A six-session study from the ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith is now available in Spanish. The study focuses on government and how Christians are called to participate in civic life. Browse

New resources from ELCA World Hunger

New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2023 and Lent 2024. 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 during the important church seasons of Advent and Lent. Browse

• October 10: From Wedding Rings to Nose Rings: Generational Differences in the Pews - Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association 

• October 11: International Women Leaders Back to School Gathering

• October 13-15: Young Adult Retreat - Luther Springs

• October 16-18: Conference on Ministry featuring keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Warren Willis Camp & Conference Center, Fruitland Park

• October 25: Kindling Faith: Luther Colloquy 2023: Luther and Doubt - United Theological Seminary

• November 2: Kindling Faith: Redefining Success - Focusing on small churches - United Theological Seminary

• November 6 & 11: The Stuff You’ve Forgotten Since Seminary: From Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Satisfaction - United Theological Seminary

• November 8: Kindling Faith: Depolarization and Church Advocacy: An Introduction Online Webinar - United Theological Seminary

• November 4-6: Signs Along the Way Discernment Weekend - Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

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

• November 29: Kindling Faith: LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Competency Training - United Lutheran Seminary

• December 9: Kindling Faith: Sanctuary Church - United Theological Seminary