E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | June 3, 2025 | | |
2025 Synod Assembly Update: Important Business Materials Now Available
As we prepare for the 2025 Synod Assembly, this is your reminder that all essential business materials—including the agenda, rules of procedure, and more—are now posted on the Assembly website: fbsassembly.org.
Please take time to review everything in advance and print any documents you may need, as the Assembly will be fully paperless.
You can also view the Nominations Book here, and explore helpful Assembly information and tips at fbsassembly.org.
Let’s come prepared and ready to do the work of the Church—see you at Assembly!
| | Synod Assembly Spending Plan (Budget) Forum | |
You are invited to join a Zoom call on Tuesday, June 10, at 10 a.m. to review the synod's spending plan for FY2026 & FY2027. This is an optional meeting. The spending plan and resolution can be found here.
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Installations & Ordinations
June 8 at 3 PM: Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz will be installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland; Bishop Suarez will preside.
| | | MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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The ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant Season is open!
Each year, the ELCA awards grants to qualifying congregations and organizations engaged in a ministry addressing hunger and its root causes. Letters of Inquiry are due no later than July 2, 2025. Grants of up to $10,000 per year for three years are considered. Learn all about the opportunity and how to apply through the link to the ELCA website found here. You will find information about ELCA's priorities for the grant program; a timeline of the entire grant process; and a list of past recipients--some of whom are from the Florida-Bahamas Synod. The application process is all done online. ELCA World Hunger: fifty years of serving...until all are fed.
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Global Mission Newsletter
The Global Mission Table guides the Florida-Bahamas Synod companion relationships with Lutheran churches in Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, and Suriname, and a seminary in Jamaica. You can catch up on the news by reading the newly completed Spring Newsletter found here: Global Mission Newsletter-Spring 2025
There are opportunities to learn more about Global Mission at the upcoming Synod Assembly. Look for a table in the Connection Cafe; attend a workshop to learn about the Companion Synod Program; and stop by the Hospitality Room on Friday night for food, fun, music, and an opportunity to meet people involved in Global Mission. The suite is hosted by other vital synod committees: World Hunger, Just Love, Reconciling Works, and White Lutherans for Racial Justice. Don't miss it!
| | LTSS Gathering at Synod Assembly | |
All LTSS Alumni, spouses and students are invited and encouraged to attend a gathering for dinner and drinks on Friday, June 13, at 11:30 a.m. at Olive Garden. During the meal, representatives from LTSS and Lenoir-Rhyne will share updates and answer questions about the seminary. We look forward to breaking bread with our LTSS family in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Please click here to RSVP!
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Vision to Action Update
If your congregation still plans to submit a 2025 grant and you have not yet sent a representative to a required introductory workshop, now is the time! Only three workshops remain including an in-person workshop at Synod Assembly on Friday, June 13, at 3 p.m. and workshops on Zoom on Friday, June 20, at 10 a.m. and on Tuesday, June 24, at noon.
A few reminders:
2024 grant recipients are reminded that mid-year reports are due now. A link to the report can be found on the V2A website.
And, for those who plan to submit a grant for 2025, be sure to submit your project idea by June 30 using this project idea form.
So many creative ideas are surfacing across our Synod. Consider your strengths and values, study your community, brainstorm ideas then bring your vision to action through a V2A Grant. V2A Grant Manager Becca Bass will be at Synod Assembly and is happy to meet with you. Reach out by email at grants@fbysnod.org.
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Answering the Call: Beatrice D’Angelo’s Journey to Ordained Ministry
Beatrice D’Angelo is completing her Master of Divinity at Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary and has served as a pastoral resident at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples. She is in the final stage of the ELCA candidacy process, with her Approval interview in the coming months.
While a full-time seminarian, Beatrice has served as the Director of Admissions for ELGS, helping to grow the seminary’s student count. Beatrice’s describes how her passion for the Lutheran Confessional Faith, sharing Christ’s Love and promise, and the Good News has multiplied through her studies. Her bilingual preaching and teaching has been welcoming to multigenerational immigrant families to Emmanuel’s Church.
If you’re considering the candidacy process and feeling called to ministry, click here to learn more about becoming a pastor or deacon.
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Position Opening: Organist and Choir Director
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fort Myers Beach, is currently seeking a qualified Organist and Choir Director to support and enhance its worship and music ministry. This part-time position includes playing for Sunday morning services and leading one choir rehearsal per week. St. Peter has been recently remodeled. Interested candidates are invited to contact the church office for more information or to submit an application by emailing stpeterfmb@gmail.com or calling 239-463-4251 or 239-470-3804.
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Beer & Hymns at Commerce Brewing
Monday, June 9, 6-8 p.m.
Beer and Hymns at Commerce Brewing
521 S Commerce Dr, Largo 33770
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 north of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Ample parking is available at Prince of Peace.
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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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