E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | February 10, 2026 | | |
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.
Deadline to submit: March 1.
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.
Deadline to submit: March 1.
You can download the 2025 Congregational Annual Report Cover here.
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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Upcoming Installations
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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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Global Mission News
There are wonderful opportunities in store to connect with our companion, the Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG), and you are invited!
First, Dr. Carolyn Schneider, ELCA Mission Personnel serving in Guyana, will be visiting the Florida-Bahamas Synod on March 6–9. She is speaking at a Pinelands Conference Women's Gathering on Saturday, March 7, held at Hope Lutheran, and preaching on Sunday, March 8, at Nativity in Weeki Wachee. After a lunch with St. Paul's in Clearwater on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Schneider will travel to Miami where a coffee will be held at South Miami Lutheran at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9. She will share about her work among the people of ELCG as a Lutheran Identity Professor and Pastoral Ministry Advisor.
Second, a women's accompaniment trip to Guyana is being planned for August 2026, to join with women of ELCG and attend its annual women's convention. Be on the lookout for dates and more information later this month.
Interested in learning more? Email Global Mission Chair Rev. Katie Carroll at revkhc@gmail.com.
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Mental Health Support During Disruptive Times
When chaos and worry seem overwhelming, you don’t have to face it alone. Portico members with ELCA-Primary health benefits, your EAP can help you navigate anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional strain tied to current events. Want a quick visual reminder? Print this Spring Health resource for practical ways to stay grounded and supported.
| Like working with your hands? Join us while we do big and small projects to improve Luther Springs. We will also enjoy kayaking and fishing on the lake, test our skills at archery, tell stories around the campfire, rock on the back porch or explore the property. A great opportunity for those that like to work with their hands to enjoy building projects and building community. Click the button below for details and registration. | | |
FCTS Seeks Marketing & Communications Director
The Florida Cooperative of Theological Schools (FCTS) is seeking a Cooperative Marketing and Communications Director to help shape and steward the public voice of a growing, collaborative theological education ecosystem in South Florida. This full-time role will lead bilingual marketing and communications strategies that strengthen shared visibility, support recruitment, deepen ecclesial partnerships, and tell the story of theological education across diverse traditions and communities. Click the button below for details and how to apply.
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Come to the Well Women’s Spiritual Retreat | March 20–22
Women are invited to step away from the noise of everyday life and gather at Luther Springs in Hawthorne, FL, for Come to the Well, a women’s spiritual retreat rooted in reflection, renewal, and holy conversation. This retreat offers a safe and sacred space to explore faith, identity, and meaning as we reflect on the powerful words, “Come, see a man who told me everything about myself.”
Hosted by Rev. Victoria “PV” Hamilton of Jacksonville, this beloved retreat has been nurturing and empowering women since 2011. Through worship, rest, and shared stories, participants are encouraged to experience God’s presence in life-giving and transformative ways.
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Black History Month Worship Service – February 15
Join us for If Not For Us, a Black History Month Worship Service on Sunday, February 15 at 9:57 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Orlando. This service invites us to remember, give thanks, and bear witness to the faith, resilience, and leadership of African Americans—past and present. All are welcome to attend in person or join via livestream on the Florida-Bahamas Synod Facebook page. Come worship, reflect, and celebrate together.
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St. Johns, Hollywood Celebrates 100 Years of Ministry
St. Johns Lutheran Church, Hollywood celebrated their 100th Anniversary on Sunday, February 1, with Bishop Suárez preaching and presiding, Deacon Aura Suárez, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission Carlos Ham, Conference Dean Jonathan Gantt, and many other clergy, and guests in attendance. During the service, St. Johns' former pastor, Terry Danger, received the title of "Pastor Emeritus," seven new members were received into membership, and the joint choirs of St. Johns and Trinity, Pembroke Pines provided special music. St. Johns is led by Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Keith Spencer, who also serves Trinity, Pembroke Pines.
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Christ Lutheran, Englewood Presents Free Organ Concert Featuring Dr. Richard Benedum
A free organ concert will be presented at Christ Lutheran Church, 701 N. Indiana Avenue, Englewood on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m.
The concert will be performed by Dr. Richard Benedum, professor emeritus of music at the University of Dayton. Dr. Benedum and his wife, Julane, have recently moved to Venice and Benedum was welcomed as the new organist at Christ Lutheran two years ago. He is the former music director of the Dayton Bach Society chorus and orchestra and has conducted numerous cantatas of Bach and other major works from the 17th to the 20th centuries. He has also directed 15 Summer Seminars for teachers in Vienna, Austria. He has studied organ and conducted with Helmuth Rilling (Stuttgart, Germany) and has studied musicology with Christoph Wolff at Harvard University. He retired two years ago as artistic director of the Sarasota-Manatee Bach Festival.
A free-will offering will be received and a reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
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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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King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Part-Time Office Manager
This flexible, up-to-20-hour-per-week role supports the daily operations of the church, including communication, volunteer coordination, and administrative support. If you or someone you know has strong organizational and computer skills, we invite you to learn more. Click the button below for full details and how to apply.
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2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Theme Announced: "Imagine More"
Based on Ephesians 3:20, the triennial event will bring together thousands of young people to Imagine More love, welcome, joy, courage, and grace. The 2027 Gathering will take place in Minneapolis from June 28–July 2, with pre-events MYLE and the tAble taking place June 26–28.
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NEW Social Message on “Child Protection”
This new social message draws on the Scriptures, Lutheran traditions, research and the experiences of ELCA Lutherans to deepen our understanding of child maltreatment and to offer a theological vision of childhood and the church’s commitment to the dignity and well-being of children. It includes robust sections on forgiveness, confidentiality in pastoral care, trauma-informed ministry and specific policy recommendations for protecting children. Order or download “Child Protection” at ELCA.org/ChildProtection.
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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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