E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | February 3, 2026 | | Your Congregation and Immigration | | There are a lot of questions about what can and cannot happen if ICE shows up at a local congregation. Putting up a piece of paper, as seen on Facebook or Instagram, does not stop law enforcement. Here is a “checklist” and a Q&A for churches, NOT individuals, when dealing with ICE. The hope is that it will not become necessary, but knowing what to do in a stressful situation before it happens makes sure everyone—local congregations, individuals, and ICE officers—is safe. Please feel free to share this with your congregations. | |
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Rostered Ministers Annual Reports to the Bishop
Rostered ministers should download the report which corresponds to their roster status and save it to their computer. Upon completion, save, and then attach it to an email to yulietg@fbsynod.org. Download the report here.
Deadline to submit: March 1.
2025 Annual Congregation Report
In mid-January, congregations and worshiping communities will receive a letter from Secretary Mills containing information on how to access the online filing system. Find details on annual congregation reports here.
Deadline to submit: March 1.
You can download the 2025 Congregational Annual Report Cover here.
Synod Events: Save the Dates
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Synod Assembly: June 4-6, 2026 | Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
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Conference on Ministry: October 5-7, 2026 | Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills
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Upcoming Installations
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Sunday, February 8, 2:00 PM: Installation of Kjell Bakken as Pastor of Salem in Orlando; Bishop Suarez presiding.
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Sunday, February 15, 4:00 PM: Installation of Rev. Tony Setley as Pastor of Holy Trinity in Fort Walton Beach; Bishop Suarez presiding.
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Saturday, February 21, 4:00 PM: Installation of Rev. Daniel Weichart as Associate Pastor of Emmanuel in Venice; Bishop Suarez presiding.
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Global Mission News
There are wonderful opportunities in store to connect with our companion, the Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG), and you are invited!
First, Dr. Carolyn Schneider, ELCA Mission Personnel serving in Guyana, will be visiting the Florida-Bahamas Synod on March 6–9. She is speaking at a Pinelands Conference Women's Gathering on Saturday, March 7, and preaching on Sunday, March 8, at Nativity in Weeki Wachee. After a visit in the Tampa area on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Schneider will travel to Miami where a morning coffee will be held at South Miami Lutheran on Monday, March 9. She will share about her work among the people of ELCG as a Lutheran Identity Professor and Pastoral Ministry Advisor.
Second, a women's accompaniment trip to Guyana is being planned for August 2026, to join with women of ELCG and attend its annual women's convention. Be on the lookout for dates and more information later this month.
For more information about Dr. Schneider's visit and the August trip, please email Global Mission Chair Rev. Katie Carroll at revkhc@gmail.com.
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Like working with your hands? Join us while we do big and small projects to improve Luther Springs. We will also enjoy kayaking and fishing on the lake, test our skills at archery, tell stories around the campfire, rock on the back porch or explore the property. A great opportunity for those that like to work with their hands to enjoy building projects and building community. Click the button below for details and registration. | | |
LMM Winter 2026 Ambassador-Gram
The latest Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram is now available. Click here to see current news from LMM, including upcoming events, virtual opportunities for study and worship, and the latest LMM foundations Newsletter.
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FCTS Seeks Marketing & Communications Director
The Florida Cooperative of Theological Schools (FCTS) is seeking a Cooperative Marketing and Communications Director to help shape and steward the public voice of a growing, collaborative theological education ecosystem in South Florida. This full-time role will lead bilingual marketing and communications strategies that strengthen shared visibility, support recruitment, deepen ecclesial partnerships, and tell the story of theological education across diverse traditions and communities. Click the button below for details and how to apply.
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February Church Worker Newsletter Now Available
The February Church Worker Newsletter from Lutheran Counseling Services invites you to reflect on God’s commandments not as burdens, but as gifts—rhythms of trust, truth, and love that shape our relationships with God and with one another.
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Come to the Well Women’s Spiritual Retreat | March 20–22, 2026
Women are invited to step away from the noise of everyday life and gather at Luther Springs in Hawthorne, FL, for Come to the Well, a women’s spiritual retreat rooted in reflection, renewal, and holy conversation. This retreat offers a safe and sacred space to explore faith, identity, and meaning as we reflect on the powerful words, “Come, see a man who told me everything about myself.”
Hosted by Rev. Victoria “PV” Hamilton of Jacksonville, this beloved retreat has been nurturing and empowering women since 2011. Through worship, rest, and shared stories, participants are encouraged to experience God’s presence in life-giving and transformative ways.
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Just Love Black History Month Resource
If Not for Us: Black Contributions to the Body of Christ & the American Story
Black History Month is not only about remembering the past—it is about understanding who we are as the church today. African American history is central to the story of faith, justice, and discipleship in this country. Through generations of struggle, Black Christians have borne witness to a God of freedom, dignity, and deliverance, shaping American Christianity through worship, public witness, music, and leadership.
Our 2026 Black History Month theme, If Not for Us: Black Contributions to the Body of Christ & the American Story, invites a holy question: What would our church, our culture, and our country look like without African American contributions?
Without Black faith, art, leadership, and innovation, our collective story—and our Gospel witness—would be less rich, less vibrant, and less complete.
In a time of deep division and fear around race, belonging, and whose stories matter, Black History Month offers the church an opportunity to deepen discipleship, tell the truth, and renew our commitment to justice as a Gospel calling.
To support congregations this February, we are sharing the following 2026 Black History Month resources:
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Part-time Administrative Assistant Position Available
Grace Lutheran Church Carrollwood in Tampa is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant to serve as the primary receptionist and provide general office support. Duties include answering the door, greeting visitors, answering phones and emails, preparing bulletins and documents, maintaining records and calendars, and assisting staff with clerical tasks. Qualifications: high school diploma or GED, 1+ year administrative experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, and strong communication and organizational skills. Four-day work week, five hours/day, $15/hr.
Please contact Maggie Gould, office manager, at 813-961-8747, or email Bob Barry at rbarry2@tampabay.rr.com.
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Upcoming Advocacy Series at Zion, Deerfield Beach
Everyone across the Florida-Bahamas Synod and beyond is invited to join the community of Zion, Deerfield Beach for their annual Wednesdays in Lent season. This year, we will combine learning with putting our faith into action through a five-week advocacy series. With presenters from Bread for the World and Global Refuge, we will take a hard look at poverty, hunger, and immigration, and engage in two offerings of letters as part of our time together.
For those close enough to travel to Zion, Wednesdays in Lent will begin with a shared meal at 5:30 p.m. in Katie Luther Chapel. The presentations will begin at 6 p.m. and the evening will conclude with Holden Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m. All the links to participate via Zoom and livestream (Facebook and YouTube) will be posted to the series page: www.zion-lutheran.org/advocacy.
We are asking everyone to register online, but especially those from our sister congregations who plan to attend in person, so that we can plan food accordingly. If entire congregations wish to join and participate via Zoom from their locations, that would be just wonderful! This will be a great opportunity for us to demonstrate that we are the church together for the sake of the whole world. Any questions should be directed to Kurt Schmidt, Zion's synodically-authorized minister, at kschmidt@zion-lutheran.org.
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King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Part-Time Office Manager
This flexible, up-to-20-hour-per-week role supports the daily operations of the church, including communication, volunteer coordination, and administrative support. If you or someone you know has strong organizational and computer skills, we invite you to learn more. Click the button below for full details and how to apply.
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April 17–19: God Spa, Luther Springs
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June 4–6: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
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October 5–7: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills
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