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E-Spirit
Weekly Newsletter
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News, Stories, and More
from the
Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA
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Keeping up with news and stories from around the synod... | |
Interdependence at its best!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Day School in Tampa continues to work with Lutheran World Relief to not only make and donate personal care and baby kits, but to be an official "drop-off" site for churches throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod for these kits to be shipped all over the world.
A total of 763 quilts, 73 baby care kits, 419 personal care kits, and 50 school kits where assembled.
Many thanks to our volunteers who donated supplies, made kits, and loaded this work of mercy to be distributed to those in need...both here in the United States and globally.
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Seeking Chair of the Bishop’s Synod Parish Deacon Oversight Committee
We give thanks for Synod Parish Deacon Jennifer Grumbling, who has served as the chair of the Bishop’s Synod Parish Deacon Oversight Committee for the past 3 years. Jennifer has many gifts, and we are sad that she will no longer be serving on this committee, but God is now calling her to a time of discernment and new ventures. Please join me in thanking Jennifer for her time and service!
As a result of Jennifer’s resignation, we are seeking an active Synod Parish Deacon who feels called to represent and lead this ministry with enthusiasm, commitment, and passion. Please click here to learn more about the Florida-Bahamas Synod Parish Deacon program and the role and responsibilities of the Synod Parish Deacon Oversight Committee.
Bishop Suarez and staff recognize and celebrate the importance of the Synod Parish Deacon program as Parish Deacons serve and support our pastors and strengthen our congregations as lay leaders who are grounded in their faith. If you sense that God may be calling you to serve as the chair of the Bishop’s Synod Parish Deacon Oversight Committee, please submit a one-page essay that addresses the following: “Why do you believe that you are being called to this position and what gifts, skills and experiences do you have that will enable you to fulfil the responsibilities of this position?” The essay, and/or a request for more information, may be sent to Deacon Connie Schmucker at connies@fbsynod.org.
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Would you like to Lead a Workshop?
We are seeking workshop leaders for the 2022 Synod Assembly, June 3-5. Our theme is Joyful, Patient, Faithful based on Romans 12:12.
Workshops will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, June 4. Workshops will be 1-hour sessions, with 15 minutes between each session, and there will be three sessions.
If you are interested in presenting, please click here to submit your workshop proposal. Deadline for submission is March 10.
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Ordinations & Installations
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Lori Ann Fuller will be ordained as a Minister of Word & Sacrament at Christ the King Deaf Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, February 27, at 2:00 PM. Lori has been called as mission developer of Palms Deaf Church in Palm Coast, FL.
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Oscar Mauricio Restrepo will be ordained as a Minister of Word & Sacrament at Grace Alone Lutheran Church in Fort Lauderdale, on Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 PM.
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The Rev. David Guss will be installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Miami Springs on Sunday, April 10, at 10:30 AM.
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A Wellness Retreat for Rostered Leaders During a Pandemic
Facilitated by the Rev. Sharon Taylor
And all who thirst will thirst no more
And all who search will find what their souls long for
The world will try, but it can never fill
Leave it all behind, and come to the well. Casting Crowns
Let’s be Honest. Being a rostered leader is challenging in good times. During a pandemic, pastoring can be unbearable at times!
Through a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Relief-USA, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is sponsoring this two-night retreat as a crisis response and an opportunity to decompress and reconnect to our spiritual selves.
“Come to the Well” retreat will provide opportunities for rest, renewal, and play. Using spiritual practices, we will reconnect with God, with ourselves, and with one another.
May 9-11
(Mon-Wed)
2:30 PM - 2:00 PM
St. Peter Lutheran Church
3751 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Overnight accommodations at the Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel. Please click here for information and registration.
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I’m 72. Now what?
Presented by the ELCA Foundation
When: Friday, Feb. 25 | 12 p.m. Central time
Where: Zoom webinar
When you turn 72, you’re required to accept taxable payments from your tax-deferred retirement account, and navigating these requirements can be confusing. Many charitable donors find themselves in a position of taking distributions while continuing to make gifts to charity out of their banking accounts. By contrast, making distributions directly from an IRA — also known as qualified charitable distributions — can be a win-win, both in supporting ministry and reducing taxable income. Join the ELCA Foundation for this webinar to learn more about qualified charitable distributions: who can make them, at what age they can be made, and what they can be used to support.
This webinar is free, but you do have to register to receive the link.
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This year's Synod Assembly will be held June 3-5 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
The Conference on Ministry for rostered ministers will be held October 17-19 at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg.
More information to follow.
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Have you filed these annual reports?
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Congregation Reports (Parochial) 2021 - Deadline to file with the Office of the Secretary is March 1, 2022. If you file via paper copy, please mail it to the Synod Office, 3838 W. Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607.
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Rostered Minister Reports - To be submitted by all ministers including those under call, on leave from call, retired, or on disability. Download and save to your computer. Following completion, save, and attach to an e-mail to ileanas@fbsynod.org.
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Mission Support Covenants - You can file your covenant online or by returning the card to the Synod Office. This year, the Florida-Bahamas Synod will forward 46% of our mission support dollars to Churchwide.
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diakonia News
IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!
Attention diakonia Graduates and Synod Parish Deacons:
Want a re-fresh on a diakonia subject, or 2 or 3 or more? Maybe it’s been a while since you completed the education part of your ministry? Diakonia Florida, the Synod’s LAY SCHOOL OF MINISTRY, has opened up its self-study track for you! You can now audit any of the self-study courses available at diakoniafl.org for a one time fee of $35. These are the courses currently available:
Introduction to the Old Testament
Introduction to the New Testament
Connecting Sunday to Monday (Daily Life of a Christian)
By what Authority (Church History)
Practical 1 – Biblical Images
Practical ii – Visitation
Liturgical Worship
Ethics in the Lutheran Perspective
We Must Plant the Church (Faith in the North American Context)
More courses will be added regularly! Go to diakoniafl.org, go to the Student Page, scroll down and grab an application, send it in with $35 and you’ll be all set!
Questions? Call Michele Hilton at 941.373.5596 or email micheleahilton@aol.com.
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College Readiness Webinar Series
Click here for more information on this series.
Registration
Luther Springs 2022 Programs
List of retreats and programs for 2022:
Information & Registration
Continuing Ed for Rostered Ministers
Dismantling Racism Trainings
February 17 & 26
Registration
(Send certificate of completion to tinaf@fbsynod.org)
Good Samaritan Virtual Banquet
February 24, 7-8 PM
Join Here
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Empowering Elders
February 26, 9:30 - 3:30 PM
Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Temple Terrace
$35 (w/lunch)
$20 via Zoom
Information & Registration
One Voice
Dinner & a Show
February 26, 5:00 PM
Lamb of God Lutheran Church
Fort Myers
Information
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Boundless Wide & Deep
July 24-29
Luther Springs in Hawthorne
A week of fun and ministry for youth.
Schedule & Registration
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Director of Communications
The Florida-Bahamas Synod office is seeking a Director of Communications. If you are interested or know of someone who might be a good fit, please send resume to info@fbsynod.org. Click here for a copy of the job description.
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