E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | March 25, 2025 | | |
Apply for a V2A Grant Today!
Congregations and organizations considering an application during the 2025 Vision To Action grant cycle are attending required Introductory Workshops this spring.
- Some are curious about applying for a grant but don't yet have an idea. Attending helps to prime the pump creatively as you learn about successful grants from previous years
- Others already have a project in mind and know that attending is required to submit a grant. It's also a great way to get clarity about the design roadmap and V2A funding goals.
- Previous grant recipients also attend to learn about multi-year funding options or to apply again with a new idea.
Another benefit of attending an Introductory Workshop is to learn about V2A Coaching Services, provided to all recipients as part of their grant award. The Synod has engaged Mr. Jim LaDoux, an ELCA Lutheran with decades of coaching experience, as a V2A Coach to guide congregations during their grant award. Jim offers regularly scheduled check-in meetings to:
- Explore next faithful steps toward the fulfillment of your project.
- Help identify people, trainings, resources, and tools that accelerate your progress.
- Help you review your results, debrief your recent plans and experiments, and overcome obstacles you’re facing.
- Guide you through required mid-year and final reports.
- Capture and share stories of transformation related to your project.
- Explore ways to sustain and scale your project beyond the V2A award project.
V2A is a golden opportunity to respond to God's call to dare to dream. Register now for an upcoming V2A Introductory Workshop.
Questions: grants@fbsynod.org
| |
Registration Now Open for Synod Assembly
Registration is now open for this year's Synod Assembly—a vital gathering where we will elect our next synod vice president, Synod Council members, and other key leaders who will shape our shared ministry.
This is your opportunity to learn, connect, and engage with the inspiring work of our synod’s ministry areas and agencies. A variety of workshops will be offered, equipping you with valuable resources for your congregation and community.
| | | | |
Installations & Ordinations
April 5 & 6: Rev. Chelsey Weech will be installed as Pastor at Our Savior, Vero Beach during all worship services, Saturday, April 5, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, at 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Rev. Nicole Eastwood will preside.
June 1 at 10 AM: Rev. Carl Taylor will be installed as Senior Pastor at Advent in Melbourne; Bishop Suarez will preside.
| | | MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
| | | |
Apply Today for a Hunger Mini-Grant!
The Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Team is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Mini-Grant Season. All ELCA congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod are eligible to apply for a mini-grant of up to $300 to support a hunger-related ministry. In prior years, uses of mini-grant funds have ranged from buying a freezer, to adding fresh fruit to grocery bags, to acquiring educational materials, to encouraging advocacy activities. What exciting ministry in your congregation might qualify for a mini-grant?
The 2025 Hunger Mini-Grant season runs until June 15. Grant requests will be reviewed and decided upon within two weeks of submission. Funding is distributed as soon as an application is approved. To apply, please complete and submit online the form found here. Questions? Email Synod Hunger Team Chair Barbara Miller at barbaramercerm@icloud.com.
| | |
Grace in Action April Zoom Gathering & Training
The Just Love mission is to see love established in public, which creates justice for all. With so many policy changes at every level and many of our neighbors, and ourselves, experiencing fear, anxiety, job loss, and/or insecurity around food, housing, and healthcare, where does one start to establish love in public that creates justice for all? Join the Just Love team for a Zoom gathering and training to lament, encourage one another, and dream together of a future where God’s kingdom comes and God’s will is done, where we can experience and participate in God’s grace in action: Thursday, April 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
We will also share some of the work of Just Love in the coming months, including some justice and advocacy trainings around the synod.
Zoom details:
Click here to join via Zoom.
Passcode: 643842
Meeting id: 827 5503 3514
| | |
New Lenten Devotional: Promised Land and Land of Promise
This Lent, journey through Promised Land and Land of Promise: Belonging, Exile, and Community, a new devotional from the Just Love Team. Through scripture reflections and real-world insights, this devotional explores themes of exile, belonging, justice, and radical welcome. From the struggles of biblical exiles to today’s challenges of displacement and division, these devotions call us to embrace God’s vision of reconciliation, healing, and hope.
Join us in reflecting on what it means to surrender to God’s will, break down barriers, and co-create a world where all are welcomed and valued. Read along this season and deepen your understanding of God’s call to justice and love.
| | |
LAST CHANCE to Apply for the May Education Grant
The deadline to apply is March 31
Established by a generous gift from Pastor Rusty and PJ May, the purpose of the May Educational Grant is to make funds available to provide grants to ministers of Word and Sacrament rostered in the Florida-Bahamas Synod who desire and seek aid for advanced studies and/or continued education in the United States or in other countries in order that they might increase their knowledge and skills in ministry. The Mays know how life-changing a professional grant can be for a pastor early in their ministry. They are also aware that often the funds designated by congregations for their pastors for this purpose may not be enough. Therefore, the May Grant seeks to supplement congregational continued education funds. Grants will be “one-time” grants.
To apply, please go to the following link: https://fbsynod.com/resources-and-forms/the-may-education-grant/
The deadline to apply is March 31, 2025. For questions, please contact Pr. Ana L. Lugo at Ana.Lugo@elca.org or (904) 219- 2769.
| | |
LAST CHANCE to Apply to the O’Reilly Stewardship Fund
The deadline to apply is March 31
The Florida-Bahamas Synod Endowments team is pleased to announce that we are receiving applications for the O’Reilly Stewardship Fund.
The purpose of the Fund is to make grants available to congregations in the Florida-Bahamas Synod participating in financial stewardship programs such as Stewardship For All Seasons, Building A Culture of Generosity, etc. Except for special circumstances, the grant will apply to synod-wide programs rather than individuals.
The Fund was established by a generous gift from Tom O’Reilly, former synod treasurer and council member. Tom has a passion for making sure our congregations remain financially stable. As such, he established this fund to assist congregations that may have difficulty paying the fees for financial stewardship programs that will benefit them.
The grant amount will depend on the number of applicants and funds available for disbursement. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2025. Apply today via this link.
For questions, please reach out to Rev. Ana L. Lugo, Regional Gift Planner:
Ana.Lugo@elca.org
(904) 219-2769 or (773)380-2997
| | | Photo of the Week: Faith Lutheran Church, Rotonda West | | | |
On the Third Sunday of Lent (March 23, 2025), Faith Lutheran Church in Rotonda West celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of “Listening, Caring, and Serving.” The milestone honored the congregation’s rich history and the pastors who have faithfully served over the years.
A special tribute was given to Pastor Brian Armen, who announced his retirement, effective May 1, after more than 12 years of dedicated ministry. The celebration featured a sermon by Pr. Carlos Ham, Bishop’s Assistant and Director of Evangelical Mission for the South. During a festive luncheon, he shared updates on the Florida-Bahamas Synod and its ongoing search for a new pastor to continue the congregation’s mission.
| | |
Upcoming events hosted by Prince of Peace, Largo
Sunday, March 30, 3 p.m.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave, Largo FL 33770
The Art for Faith’s Sake Concert Series presents Ring Sarasota! Florida’s premier handbell choir. Featuring 17 musicians ringing 111 handbells and 73 chimes, Ring Sarasota! Is ready to entertain audiences with some of their favorite music from the stage & screen. This concert, titled Celebrate! Join the Party! features a vibrant selection of handbell arrangements, each piece capturing the essence of a different month. From the sunny optimism of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” to the winter magic of “Sleigh Ride,” Ring Sarasota promises a delightful and entertaining concert experience. Free and open to the public. A free will offering will be received and a reception will follow.
Monday, March 31, 6 to 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 to the north of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Ample parking is available at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. See our Facebook event for more information.
| | |
Fireside Chat: Exploring Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA
Join the Seminaries of the ELCA for a virtual fireside chat with Deacon Krista Anderson and Deacon Beth Anderson, delving into the role and impact of Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA on Thursday, April 10 from 8–9:15 p.m. ET. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and engage in conversation about this vital ministry! Click here to register today.
| | -
June 12-14: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
| -
September 20: School of Lay Ministry Graduation Retreat & Worship, New Life Lutheran Church, Sarasota
| | -
September 29-October 1: Conference on Ministry, Mission Resort & Club, Howey-In-The-Hills
| | | | |
