E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | May 20, 2025 | | |
Last Chance to Register for Synod Assembly!
Today is the final day to register for Synod Assembly! Don’t miss this opportunity to gather with others from across our synod for worship, learning, and holy conversations about where God is leading us next. Be sure to complete your registration before the day ends—we can’t wait to see you there!
| | 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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Bishop Returns from Restorative Sabbatical
After six years of postponing critical self-care following a series of health challenges and family concerns, I am grateful to have completed a deeply restorative sabbatical. This time away began with cherished family moments and then focused primarily on physical healing through intensive therapy that transformed my mobility from barely walking ten minutes to enjoying hour-long walks five days weekly. The journey culminated in a transformative retreat at Living Red Healing Ministry in Michigan, which brought physical healing to my back, helping me feel over 90% better, while nurturing my emotional and spiritual well-being.
This sabbatical has equipped me with invaluable tools for managing stress and deepened my connection to God and our shared ministry. I return with profound gratitude to the Synod Council, our exceptional staff team, Rev. Rob Rose for his leadership as Acting Bishop, and my wife, Deacon Aura, for her unwavering support. The opportunity to disconnect from daily responsibilities while entrusting our work to capable hands has been a powerful lesson in faith and community. As we face the challenges ahead—from synod assembly to potential natural disasters—I carry the gift of renewal that will continue to strengthen my service to the Florida-Bahamas Synod for years to come.
In Christ,
+ Bishop Pedro Suarez
Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA
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Installations & Ordinations
June 1 at 2 PM: Rev. Carl Taylor will be installed as Senior Pastor at Advent in Melbourne; Bishop Suarez will preside.
June 8 at 3 PM: Rev. Olga-Maria Cruz will be installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland; Bishop Suarez will preside.
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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.
| | | MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Lutheran Counseling Services Churchworker Newsletter
The latest edition of the Churchworker Newsletter from Lutheran Counseling Services is here—and it's all about mental health awareness. In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, this issue offers tools for emotional well-being and encouraging insights to support you in life and ministry. Read the newsletter here.
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Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram
The latest Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram is now available. Click here to see current news from LMM including upcoming events and virtual opportunities for study and worship.
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Last week in E-spirit we highlighted Dinner Church, one of the two Vision to Action grants that are "pre-packaged." Think of this as a “grant in a box” with the basic idea and parameters of the project, the timeline and the budget all laid out and ready to implement in your context. As you explore your congregational strengths and values and the community you serve, consider whether the "Building Bridges" Latino ministry might be the path for you. Read about the "Building Bridges" opportunity here.
This grant is suited for congregations in locations where the Latino community is a growing demographic group. Building Bridges is an exciting, innovative, new ministry designed to bring Latino and Anglo communities together to build God's church. Building Bridges starts by bringing people together through language by offering classes in both English and Spanish. The $10,000 grant covers the cost of language classes, meals, worship, marketing, and ongoing coaching. Watch this short video to see a congregation engaged in the ministries envisioned through V2A Building Bridges grants.
Note to all potential applicants for 2025: To apply, at least one person from your congregation must attend a V2A Introductory workshop. Only four dates remain. Register here for one of the workshops on Zoom or be sure to attend the workshop being offered in person at Synod Assembly.
Interested? Be sure to attend a V2A Introductory workshop required of all applicants. Questions: v2agrants.org or email grants@fbsynod.org.
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Grace in Action May 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, May 29, 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
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St. Paul’s Melbourne dedicates new sign
On Sunday, May 11, Rev. Jack Diehl, Dean of the Space Coast Conference, joined the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Melbourne, Florida to dedicate their new digital sign. This sign represents much more than a financial Investment. It is a reflection of their faith and commitment to be a beacon of God‘s light and love in the community.
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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.
| | A Message From Bishop Eaton for the Fifth Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder | May 25 marks the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. In her message to the church honoring George Floyd, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton calls our attention to how this “horrific act revealed the deadly reality of racism in the United States for many across the world.” Eaton stresses that “racism is one of many tools of white supremacy and a sin that distorts God’s image in all of us, and it stands against the Gospel we proclaim.” | | Strategic Recommendations for the ELCA | |
The Strategic Recommendations Report from Barna Group and Fuller Seminary provides insight for future development in the ELCA. Completed in 2025, the report identifies five commitments for the church to consider and embody. This report also reviews the current realities of life and faith in the U.S., key challenges and abundant opportunities. The ELCA is guided by the vision of “a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.” The phrase “God’s Love Made Real” is shorthand for this vision statement. The strategic recommendations in this report are part of how the ELCA is working toward this vision. Read the report.
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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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