E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | October 22, 2024 | |
Resources for Hurricane Relief and Recovery | |
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Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
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Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
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Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
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For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.
Counseling Services
The helpline puts people in need of counseling on the path to recovery. When you call or text, crisis counselors listen to what’s on your mind with patience and without judgment. DDH is staffed by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States, who provide:
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Crisis counseling for people in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
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Information on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals and families.
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Referrals to local crisis call centers for additional follow-up care and support.
- Healthy coping tips
There is no need to give any identifying information when you contact DDH. The counselor may ask you for some basic information at the end of the call, but these questions are optional and intended to help SAMHSA keep track of the types of calls it receives.
Who Can Call the Disaster Distress Helpline?
The helpline is open to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers; clergy; and parents and caregivers. You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
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Operation Blue Roof Program Begins for Hurricane Milton Recovery
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, has launched the Operation Blue Roof Program to assist homeowners affected by Hurricane Milton with temporary roof repairs. This free program, funded by FEMA, provides fiber-reinforced sheeting to protect homes from further damage until permanent repairs can be made. Eligible counties include Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia. Homeowners can sign up until November 5 at www.blueroof.gov, by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or by visiting an ROE collection center. The program is available for primary residences and permanently occupied rental properties with specific roof types. More details are available on the program's website.
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Disaster Relief Volunteers Needed
Join Inspiritus in aiding Hurricane Helene/Milton survivors by helping with debris removal and clean-up services. Volunteers are needed to chainsaw trees, remove flooded interiors, and tarp roofs. Free housing and food are provided. Volunteers, ages 18+, are needed in Bradenton, FL until November 14 and in Valdosta, GA until November 22. To sign up, visit www.weinspirit.org/disaster-relief or contact Sabrina More at sabrina.more@weinspirit.org or 229-291-0022.
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2025 Compensation Update for Rostered Ministers
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we approach the close of another year of ministry, we are so grateful for your dedication and commitment to serving God’s people. The work we do together, spreading the good news of the Gospel and providing spiritual care to our communities, remains vital and deeply impactful.
Each year, we review the compensation guidelines for rostered ministers to ensure that they reflect the needs of our clergy and the realities of the broader economic environment. In doing so, we seek to be faithful stewards of our resources while caring for the well-being of those called to lead.
For 2025, the government has established the cost-of-living increase at 2.5%. However, after careful consideration, the synod’s Compensation Committee recommends a minimum increase of 3% for rostered ministers. This recommendation acknowledges the increasing demands placed on clergy and ensures that compensation remains fair and just, enabling ministers to focus on their calling without undue financial stress.
We encourage each congregation to review these guidelines thoughtfully and prayerfully, taking into account both the specific needs of your community and your commitment to supporting your pastor or deacon. Compensation is not only a matter of financial security but also a reflection of the mutual care and respect that exists between the congregation and its rostered ministers.
Thank you for your continued partnership in ministry and for the care you provide to your pastor, deacon, and congregation. May God continue to bless you in your ministry and sustain you in the year ahead.
Respectfully,
The Florida-Bahamas Compensation Team
Click here to view the 2025 Compensation Worksheet and the 2025 Compensation Narrative forms.
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Boundaries and Inclusion Education 2024
Region 9 Boundaries and Inclusion Education (R9BIE) plans annual, and three-year rotational, boundaries educational opportunities and learning events. Therefore, the Florida-Bahamas Synod encourages our rostered ministers, seminarians, and interns to participate in the Region 9 boundaries educations. The cost to attend annual Boundaries Education is covered by the Synods of Region 9. The 2024 Focus is Cultural Competencies:
Plan to attend one of the following events:
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Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 9am - 1:30 pm
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Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, 9am - 1:30 pm
Register here. Registration for each session will close one week prior to each session.
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Ordinations & Installations
November 3 - Installation of the Rev. Richard Kwiatkowski at St. Mark's, Coral Gables; Rev. Dr. Carlos Ham will preside.
November 3, 1:30 PM - Installation of the Rev. Brenda Maynor at First, Brooksville; Rev. Dr. Derek Hoven will preside.
November 7, 5 PM - Ordination of Courtney Noya at All Saints, Lutz; Bishop Suarez will preside. Courtney has been called to Christus Victor in Naples.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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Report on Cuba
Early this morning, Bishop Virgen Laborde and Co-Bishop Ismael Laborde of the Iglesia Evangélica Unida (IEU) of Cuba sent the following urgent message to Florida-Bahamas Synod leadership. It is a brief report written to the Regional Representative for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the communion of which the ELCA is a part and the entity that ties us together as Global Mission companions. The message is intended for all parties connected with LWF.
The Global Mission Cuba Team has shared frequently about the desperate situation in Cuba. Hurricane Oscar has now added to the extreme conditions our Cuban siblings are facing, devastating Guantánamo, home to one of IEU's largest congregations. Last week, the country suffered an ongoing blackout from the failing electrical system. U.S. sanctions added during the pandemic against Cuba have deprived the people of fuel, food, and technology to ensure day-to-day life. Although humanitarian aid is allowed, U.S. financial institutions fear political blowback and are unwilling to handle transfers. We rely on international faith partners to assist us in getting resources to our companion church. Please read the report below and prayerfully consider making a gift to Global Mission's Cuba Team here. We will make sure your gift gets to the Lutheran Church in Cuba as promptly as possible.
United Evangelical Church in Cuba, Lutheran Synod
Santiago de Cuba, October 21, 2024
To: Rev. Sonia Skupp, Secretary of Lutheran World Federation for the Americas
Re: State of energy emergency and report of damage from Hurricane Oscar in Cuba October 2024
Due to the obsolescence of Cuban thermoelectric plants and the fuel shortages which are both results of the embargo, the National Electric System in Cuba collapsed on Friday morning, October 18. What followed was a general blackout, impacting the entire country. There is no anticipated date for its overall restoration. At this time, partial restoration has occurred in some provinces. In other provinces, electrical service is limited to hospitals and prioritized centers. Most of the population in Cuba lives without electricity.
In addition, there is now damage caused by Hurricane Oscar, bringing destruction to the provinces of Guantánamo and Holguín and the death of six people, caused by rising waters in Guantánamo.
These more recent events combine with a prolonged crisis of food, medicine, and energy to create a complex and crisis-driven reality. People live on the verge of despair. It is impossible for IEU to receive transfers of funds from abroad due to the blockade and the severity of sanctions placed on Cuba by the United States government. The measures severely limit the actions of the church to develop its ministry and accompany the people.
We are grateful to the communion for sharing this letter and supporting us with your prayers and your concrete assistance. We trust in, and give thanks for, the accompaniment of the Lutheran World Federation Communion.
Trusting in God,
Virgen Laborde Figuera, Bishop President
Ismael Laborde, Bishop Coadjutor
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New Life Lutheran, Sarasota seeks Office Administrator
The purpose of the position of the Office Administrator is to staff the office of New Life Lutheran Church, and assist Pastor Jeff Gross. New Life Lutheran Church has a membership of 125 people and was chartered in 2013. The mission of the church is to “Serve Christ and Proclaim God’s Love.” To view the full job description and instructions on how to apply, click here.
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Peace, Fort Myers seeks a Music Ministry Director
The position is full-time with benefits. Primary responsibilities include playing the organ and/or piano at a 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, directing the choir and the handbell choir, and planning and participating in a 5 p.m. Saturday night service. For a more detailed job description, please visit Peace’s website: peaceftmyers.com. Applications can be submitted to: jcarter13@comcast.net by October 25.
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Casting Ballots as People of Faith
As we approach this election season, let's take a moment to reflect on what it means for us, as Christians and as Lutherans, to engage in the voting process. Watch this video from Bishop Eaton.
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Faith in Action: Our Call to Civic Engagement During the 2024 Election
God calls us to care for our neighbors and actively shape a just and compassionate society. Civic engagement, including voting and public service, is a meaningful way we live out our faith in the public sphere. The ELCA encourages everyone to engage in the political process with integrity, advocating for justice, peace and the common good. Browse resources, watch videos and learn how to get involved at ELCA.org/CivicEngagement.
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