E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | January 27, 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.
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.
You can download the 2025 Congregational Annual Report Cover here.
Mission Support Covenants 2026
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Covenants may be filed after the annual congregation meeting, or by January 31, 2026.
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You may file your covenant online here, or by returning the PDF via U.S. mail. Please prayerfully consider an increase in your mission support to grow the work that we do together as synod and churchwide expressions.
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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Synod Seeks Admin Assistant for Transition & Candidacy
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant for Candidacy & Transition to support the Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy & Transition. This role anchors the synod’s call and candidacy processes across 164 congregations in Florida and the Bahamas. The position coordinates pastoral and rostered leader transitions, maintains synod and ELCA records, supports committee convening, and assists with synod-wide events. The work carries direct impact on how leaders are called, formed, and supported in ministry across a large and diverse territory.
Strong candidates show attention to detail, clear communication, and steady follow-through. The role requires a minimum of an associates degree, plus three years of administrative experience, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and database systems, and the ability to manage multiple processes with accuracy. The synod seeks someone who values service excellence, collaboration, and respectful communication. This position works on-site in Tampa, reports to the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, and supports leadership work that shapes the future of the church. Interested candidates should send their resumes to ileanas@fbsynod.org.
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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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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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EAP Update for ELCA-Primary Members
Spring Health, a partner of 98point6 by Transcarent, provides mental health support and other Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Therapy is available for members and dependents age 6+, and coaching is available for those 13+. The clinical network includes thousands of licensed providers with option to connect in-person, by phone, vireo, or text. Connect via your 98point6 app or learn more on myPortico.
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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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Hymnathon 2026: Celebrating 20 Years of ELW
Saturday, January 31, 2026
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo
In honor of the twentieth anniversary of our worship book and hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Dr. Shawn Thomas will host a sing-through of one stanza of all 654 hymns in the book!
Come when you can, leave when you must! We will take a ten-minute break each hour, with thirty minute breaks for lunch and dinner (noon and 5 p.m.). Coffee, water, and cookies will be available to enjoy outside the church doors.
It is estimated to take approximately twelve hours. If we haven't made it through the hymnal by 8 p.m., the remaining hymns will be sung following the postlude on Sunday, Feb. 1 (beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m.). A freewill offering will be collected.
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Do you have an idea for Living Lutheran’s next great story? Whether it’s inspiring work your congregation is doing, your own interesting faith journey or a great photo you’d like to share, we want to know about it. Use the brand-new submission page on LivingLutheran.org or email us at stories@elca.org.
Living Lutheran is your source for news, reflections and stories from the ELCA and its local and global companions. Living Lutheran belongs to the people of the ELCA and, as such, welcomes article ideas from readers. Please include the name of your congregation or your story’s connection to the church.
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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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