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Don't miss out on early bird rates! Register by May 10, 2025, to secure

the best price. After this date, the registration fee will increase by $50.

Late registration will be open from May 11-20, 2025.

We Want YOU!

Seeking Volunteers for Synod Assembly

Volunteers are essential to making the Synod Assembly successful. It is also a wonderful opportunity to witness how the church comes together to worship, vote on church leadership, and educate themselves on important Church subjects. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Julie Noya at fbsynodvolunteers@gmail.com.

Save the Date! Webinar: Theology and Practicality of Space Usage

May 12, 7 p.m.

How can we better use our spaces to be a blessing for our communities, our neighborhoods, and our world? How is God calling us to expand our footprint beyond our normal activities to invite and encourage other engagement? Led by Pastor Tim Brown, ELCA’s Director of Congregational Stewardship, this webinar will explore both the theology and the practicality of utilizing space differently. Using the best practices out there and innovative examples, you’ll see some of the ways space is being used for mission as well as hear an invitation to follow that lead. The webinar can be accessed through this link.

Installations & Ordinations

May 10 at 12 PM: Rev. Nathan Strong will be installed as Pastor at Calvary Lutheran in Ruskin; Acting Bishop Rob Rose will preside.

May 17 at 3 PM: Olga-Maria Cruz will be ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Grace Lutheran Church in Rock Hill, SC. Bishop Virginia Aebischer of the South Carolina Synod will preside. The service will be livestreamed at www.gracerockhill.com. Olga-Maria has been called to serve as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland where she will be installed on June 8 at 3 p.m.. Bishop Suarez will preside.

June 1 at 2 PM: Rev. Carl Taylor will be installed as Senior Pastor at Advent in Melbourne; Bishop Suarez will preside. 

Calling All Published Pastors & Deacons!

The Florida Bahamas Synod would like to raise up its pastors and ELCA deacons who have had their writings published. This year at Assembly, we will reserve an area in the Connection Café to highlight your books. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Bill Rosche at billr@fbsynod.org for more information. Deadline to respond is May 21.

V2A Workshop at Synod Assembly

As Synod Assembly nears, we have made plans to offer a Vision to Action Workshop on Friday afternoon, June 13, at 3 p.m. Attending this workshop, led by Pastor Rob Rose and V2A Grant Manager Becca Bass, will count as your workshop attendance if you plan to apply in 2025. Or, sign up now for one of the other time slots remaining including a workshop next Tuesday, May 13, at 10 a.m.

Note to 2024 Grant recipients: Mid-year Reports for your active grants are due June 1. Look for the email sent last week or be in touch with Becca Bass at grants@fbsynod.org. 

Lutheran Counseling Services Churchworker Newsletter

Don’t miss the latest edition of the Churchworker Newsletter from Lutheran Counseling Services! This issue invites you to embrace the joy of Easter—not just on one Sunday, but in your everyday life and ministry. Discover thoughtful reflections, practical encouragement, and soul-nourishing insights to help you carry the hope of resurrection into all you do. Read the newsletter here.

A Celebration of the Life and Mission of Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, Avon Park

By Pastor Carlos Ham

On Sunday, April 27, the congregation of Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Park met for the last time, to thank God and to celebrate its life and mission for more than 66 years in that location. It was a very special opportunity to give thanks for the ministry that has happened in its building, and for the people who have been fed and nurtured in the Christian faith there. Even as they marked the end of an era in one place, they acknowledged how they all are participants in God’s mission that continues beyond that day and those walls.

After Rev. David Thoresen delivered the sermon, the congregation gave thanks for the mission work they have supported and for the many lives touched by God's work through them. They expressed gratitude for the building that has long sheltered the people of Resurrection, praying that its memory would continue to inspire devotion to the God who makes all things possible. The moment also honored all who hold special attachments to this congregation—those who were baptized, nurtured in faith, confirmed, or married within its walls—asking that the Holy Spirit’s gifts continue to sustain them, even as the congregation's outward expression draws to a close.

The Lake Conference was represented in this Rite of Holy Closure by Pr. Lois Sorensen, dean, and by Mary Flekke, the lay chairperson. Pastor Carlos Ham, Director of Evangelical Mission (South) and Assistant to the Bishop, attended in representation of the Florida-Bahamas Synod and conducted the thanksgiving and the return of the means or symbols of God’s grace (the word, the baptism and the meal).

On April 18, 1959, both Resurrection, Avon Park and Atonement, Sebring were organized. In October of this same year, the property was purchased for the building of the church in Avon Park. Groundbreaking was held and the building was completed and dedicated in January 1961, when the congregations split and functioned separately.

A Draft Social Message on Child Protection

The prevalence of child maltreatment in the U.S. is staggering. The ELCA's draft social message on child protection outlines the church's sacred responsibility to protect and nurture children. To strengthen this draft, share your suggestions during the public comment period by June 30. Learn more.

• June 12-14: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee

• July 28-August 2: Churchwide Assembly, Phoenix, AZ

• September 7: God's work. Our hands. Sunday

• 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