E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | March 24, 2026 | | |
Registration Is Now Open for the
2026 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly!
Synod Assembly is more than a meeting—it’s a time to worship, learn, connect, and celebrate the ministries happening throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
During Assembly you will:
- Participate in inspiring worship and the celebration of Holy Communion
- Hear reports and vision from synod leadership
- Elect leaders and vote on important matters for the life of the church
- Connect with ministry partners and congregations from across the synod
- Attend workshops designed to strengthen ministry in your local context
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Check out the website for more information on:
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Special Guest Speakers: Shannon Kiser (Fresh Expressions), Rev. Jaime Dubón (Churchwide Representative), Rt. Rev. Douglas Scharf (Episcopal Diocese Bishop)
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Service Project: The Florida‑Bahamas Synod will once again partner with Hope Partnership, a nonprofit organization serving Osceola County and dedicated to ensuring every neighbor has a safe place to call home.
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Nominations: If you feel a called to leadership or know someone who could serve, we encourage you to submit a nomination form online by May 1.
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Bible-Study: We are inviting you to a 7-week pre-assembly Bible study looking at stories in Acts.
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2026 Vision to Action Grant Season
Vision to Action, the granting entity of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, is now launching the 2026 Grant application season. Full details can now be found on the website. Have a look!
Notable this year is a shift in funding priorities intended to align with four strategic priorities recently adopted by the Florida-Bahamas Synod. In 2026, V2A is looking to award grant money to congregations and ministry partners that propose innovative ministry initiatives that grow the church and directly address one or more of these stated priorities:
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Making Disciples: Supporting congregations as they refocus their practices on discipleship and equip people to share the Gospel through community engagement and relationship‑building.
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Leadership Development: Forming and equipping lay and rostered leaders for evangelism, resulting in ministry teams that recognize and use their spiritual gifts in service to their communities.
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Ministry at the Margins: Extending God’s grace to people not traditionally engaged in ELCA congregations, including individuals who are unhoused, food‑insecure, culturally diverse, or unchurched.
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Youth and Young Adults: Engaging, encouraging, and equipping young people as disciples of Christ through faith formation, leadership development, and community‑building.
In the next few issues of E-Spirit, projects currently underway that are already creatively addressing one or more of these priorities will be featured. For now, have a look at v2agrants.org and read the Intro Guide for a quick overview.
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Florida-Bahamas Synod Delegation Returns from Cuba
A delegation from the Florida-Bahamas Synod has returned safely from a meaningful visit to Cuba, held March 19–23.
The delegation included Bishop Pedro Suárez, Deacon Aura Suárez, Pastor Russell Meyer, Pastor Carlos Ham (Director for Evangelical Mission–South and Assistant to the Bishop), and Irela Torres. Representing Churchwide was Pastor Jaime Dubón, director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The primary purpose of the visit was to participate in the 28th Synod Assembly of the United Evangelical Church in Cuba – Lutheran Synod, held under the theme “Looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Despite prolonged blackouts affecting the country, the delegation fully engaged in the life of the assembly—worshiping, preaching, and witnessing the plenary sessions, also visiting various congregations.
During the closing Mass, several significant milestones were celebrated. Rev. Ismael Laborde was installed as Presiding Bishop. Rosellys Laborde was ordained and installed as Auxiliary Bishop. In addition, a new Diocesan Council was installed, notable for its strong representation of women and youth.
The visit concluded with a joyful and hopeful sign of growth: the baptism of five children and nine adults during the official opening of a new mission in El Cobre, where the service was held under a simple hut.
This visit reflects the deepening companionship between churches and the enduring faith of communities that continue to worship, serve, and grow even amid challenging circumstances. Click the button below to view more photos from the trip on the synod's Facebook page.
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Saturday, April 11 at 2 PM: Ordination and Installation of Beatrice D’Angelo at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 901 Scenic Highway, Haines City, 33844. Bishop Suárez will preside; the color will be red.
| | YES, the May Family Educational Grant is OPEN to receive applications. Last year we had an issue with the application. The issue is now resolved, and the Synod Endowments Team is eager to award grants. The grant is available to rostered ministers of word and sacrament of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for continued education. From their experience, Pr. Rusty and PJ know how life-changing a professional grant can be for a pastor. They created the May Family Educational Grant so that other pastors may grow in their professional lives through education. Click here for the application. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 31, 2026. | | |
New Just Love Family Lenten Resource
“Neighboring” is the art and practice of caring deeply and acting accordingly. Neighboring is a verb about living in community. Neighboring starts with noticing and knowing who is near, and ends with simply showing kindness and love. Jesus calls us to follow—carrying our cross into relationships with others, showing kindness and love to build one another up, celebrating our diversity and stories through deep listening and care for one another. This Lent, let’s practice “Neighboring” together, following Jesus’ example for us. Each week in Lent we invite you share together with your family, with a friend, or in your own reflections how Jesus calls us to “Neighboring” and care for one another each in our own way.
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For Sale: Vivitek Projectors Available
Spirit of Grace is offering two Vivitek DU6871 DLP projectors, each equipped with long‑throw lenses. One unit is fully operational, while the other is non‑working and may simply need a new bulb. Both are currently wall‑mounted approximately 10 feet high, so buyers should bring assistance for removal.
Perfect for anyone looking to upgrade or expand their projection setup.
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Rostered Ministers Gathering: Early-bird Registration Extended, Upcoming Scholarship Deadline
Early registration for the 2026 Rostered Ministers Gathering, happening July 6-9 in Indianapolis, Ind., has been extended to April 17. Register today to enjoy awesome music, amazing worship, fantastic speakers, time with colleagues in ministry and more.
If you need support for registration costs and other expenses, scholarship funds are available. Be sure to apply by March 31.
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Worship Resources in a Time of War
As the United States has begun military combat operations in Iran, we are called to pray and ask for God’s mercy. A recent blog post highlights available resources.
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April 17–19: God Spa, Luther Springs
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September 19: School of Lay Ministry Graduation, Hope Lutheran, The Villages, 4 p.m.
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October 5–7: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills
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