E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | March 18, 2025 | | |
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.
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Nominations: The Nominating Committee is preparing the slate for the 2025 Synod Assembly and seeks nominees for synod vice president, secretary, Synod Council, and the Consultation Committee. Submit nominations online by May 1 to ensure inclusion in the Nomination Packet and a smooth voting process. Learn more.
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Service Project: As part of our commitment to service, we will be collecting toiletry items as well as offering a hands-on volunteer opportunity for Hope Partnership in Kissimmee—a meaningful way to support those in need. Learn more.
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Register Today for a V2A Workshop
Now is the time to sign up for one the required V2A Introductory Workshops if you are considering an application for the 2025 grant cycle. The workshops will lead you through the design road map for developing your project. Learn about assembling a team, defining key issues, and brainstorming ideas! Learn about the 2025 funding goals and explore examples of possible projects. Hope to see you soon! Register here:
You can register now for any of the following workshop dates by clicking here:
Questions? Email grants@fbsynod.org or visit the website.
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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.
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The Florida-Bahamas Synod Hunger Mini-Grant Season Has Begun. Apply Today!
The Florida-Bahamas Synod Grant 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.
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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
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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.
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Applications for the May Education Grant Now Open
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.
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Announcing the O’Reilly Stewardship Fund
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
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Called to Serve: Robert (Bob) Bonomo’s Journey in Ministry
“I always knew that one day God would knock on my door again.” These words reflect the heart of Robert (Bob) Bonomo’s journey as a parish deacon, seminary student, and intern at Joy Lutheran Church in Ocala. Bob, a student of Emmanuel Academies, where he earned his Master of Divinity, sees his calling not as a job, but as a blessing from God to share the Good News both within and beyond church walls.
Bob recently reached a major milestone, becoming the first Emmanuel Academies student to receive Approval for Candidacy in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. During his ten months at Joy, he has connected with the congregation, led Bible studies, and created a welcoming space for faith exploration. His “Bible Study for Beginners”, inspired by his home church, Good Shepherd, has grown into a thriving ministry for people of diverse backgrounds.
Bob’s pastoral care includes visiting the homebound, bringing Eucharist to hospitals and nursing homes, and leading worship services. Through it all, he embraces the profound lesson of listening: “We say more with less.” Trusting in God’s guidance, Bob is prepared to serve wherever he is called.
If you’re considering the candidacy process and feeling called to ministry, click here to learn more about becoming a pastor or deacon.
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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.
| | Our March 2025 Mission Support Memo connects us as partners in relationship. Read about how the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin welcomed lay and rostered leaders across the synod to the Grove, providing a beautiful space to wonder, learn, connect, collaborate, and explore how vital ministry can happen in the name of Christ. This memo also asks to connect with you to get your important feedback about the memo through a short survey seeking to improve this work we do together. We are so grateful to be partners in relationship across our ELCA synods and congregations. | | |
Online Discernment Groups – exploring God’s call to lead
Do you ever get a sense that God is tapping you on the shoulder?
Are you wanting to learn more about church leadership and wondering whether it might be for you? Have you ever thought about enrolling in seminary, or even just wondered what seminary study is like today?
You are not alone! The ELCA, in partnership will all our seminaries, is once again offering online groups where you can share your curiosity with others across the church. Over three sessions, explore how God might be calling you to lead in the ELCA. Sign up by visiting elcaseminaries.org and filling out the contact form, or by emailing recruitment@elca.org.
Are you a rostered minister interested in leading such a group? Email Rick.Summy@elca.org to learn more.
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June 12-14: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
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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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