E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | January 9, 2024 | |
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It's Time to Submit Your Annual Reports
These reports are another point of connection between your congregation and the Bishop's Office. They help us track categories like attendance, baptisms, expenses, mission support, and more. They also help us plan programs and events to best support the ministries of the congregations throughout our synod.
Annual Parochial Reports (January-December 2023)
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Deadline to file online with the ELCA’s Office of the Secretary by March 1, 2024.
- If you cannot file online, a paper copy can be completed and mailed to the Synod House by February 15, 2023.
Annual Rostered Leader’s Report to the Bishop
- To be submitted by March 1, 2024. All ordained ministers rostered in the Florida-Bahamas Synod under call, on leave from call, on disability, or retired, must file a report.
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Go to https://fbsynod.com/forms-2/ and click on the “Annual Rostered Leader Report” link. Select and download the report that corresponds to your roster status and save it to your computer. Upon completion of report, save again, and attach to an email message to ileanas@fbsynod.org.
Mission Support (current year)
- The synod’s fiscal year extends through January 31, 2023.
- Please ask your congregational treasurer to forward any outstanding 2023 mission support balances to the Synod House by January 31, 2023. Mission support received after January 31, per auditor requirements, is applied to the congregation’s covenant for 2024.
Mission Support Covenants 2024
- Covenants may be filed after the annual congregation meeting, or by January 31, 2024.
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You may file your covenant online at https://fbsynod.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2023-MS-Form-website.pdf, or by retuning the card via US mail.
- Please prayerfully consider an increase in your mission support to grow the work that we do together as synod and churchwide expressions.
- This year, the Florida-Bahamas Synod will forward 46% of our mission support dollars to the ELCA Churchwide ministries.
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Synod Assembly Workshops
Planning is underway for your 2024 Synod Assembly workshops. What are your thoughts on topics or potential speakers? Do you have a passion that you would like to share? Space will be limited but we are hoping for as many ideas as possible to provide the best experience possible. Deadline to submit ideas is January 24.
Please respond with your Ideas to Bill Rosche at billr@fbsynod.org to let us know. Thank you!
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Installations and Ordinations
Rev. Donna Batchelor will be installed as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nokomis on February 4 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Khader El-Yateem officiating.
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Weekly Prayer Focus | | Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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| MINISTRY & PARTNER UPDATES |
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It’s time to nominate students for Lutheran Summer Music
Each year, the primary way that music students find their way to LSM is through the encouragement of their church musician! LSM offers opportunities for musicians of all kinds: brass, winds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, harp, guitar, handbells, and more! Students receive advanced musical instruction through large ensembles (Festival Choir, Band and Orchestra), chamber music, private lessons with collegiate-level faculty, and elective classes (such as conducting, composition, church music, intro to the pipe organ, jazz band, musical theatre, music therapy). In the evenings, students attend recitals and Evening Prayer services, and social events with their friends. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 30-July 28 (Full Session) or June 30-July 14 (Half Session) and is open to students who have completed grades 8-12. Know a musical young person who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate.
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Let's Help Pave the Way to the ELCA Youth Gathering!
Our vibrant youth and young adults are already gearing up for an electrifying summer of events, and we're expecting an impressive turnout of 500-600 enthusiastic individuals from the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Brace yourselves, because "Created To Be" is set to deliver an absolutely thrilling experience!
But here's the thing -- we want to ensure that everyone who desires to attend can make it a reality. That's where you, your congregation, and your conference come in. Together, we can provide financial support to those who might otherwise miss out, just as countless generous hearts have done in previous years. Even if your own congregation doesn't have young attendees, you can still be a sponsor for someone from another congregation.
The cost for each person to partake in this life-changing adventure is estimated at $1,000-$1,200. Your contribution can make all the difference, and it's as simple as visiting the synod's website. In past years, your incredible generosity has surpassed $10,000 for this noble cause, and for that, we are grateful.
Don't wait, be a part of this incredible journey by following this direct link for your contribution.
And if you happen to know someone in need of financial assistance, here's a link to the application that can be their ticket to an unforgettable summer. Let's come together and make "Created To Be" an unforgettable experience for all!
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| Photo of the Week: Lord of Life, Miami | | |
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Lord of Life, Miami's Christmas celebration included this colorful dance troupe led by Pastor Oscar Restrepo.
To feature your church in E-spirit, email comms@fbsynod.org
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King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Music Director
King of Kings, a vibrant and growing ELCA church in Port Richey, is seeking a talented and energetic musical director. Candidates should be able to play a variety of worship music for a blended service and direct volunteer choir members in producing pleasing choral performances for Sunday service. Candidates with strong ties to the local musical community are a plus, but not required. This is a part-time position, with flexible hours that will include Sunday morning 10 a.m. worship services. The music director must be able to work in concert with the pastor, assist in developing new talent, and help grow the choir and music program through an energetic and professional demeanor.
Email resume to: king2s@live.com
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Stories of Faith in Action
This month we highlight the "Cultivating Generous Congregations" training available in partnership with our Stewardship ministry and the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving. Plus there is an online training THIS Wednesday, Jan 10th for Synod Treasurers, Bookkeepers and Leaders with Lori Fedyk. Read more...
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April 19-20: Synod Parish Deacon Retreat, Lakeland, FL
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May 31 - June 2: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Orlando Lake Buena Vista South
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September 16-18: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.
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September 21: School of Lay Ministry Annual Retreat and Graduation Worship, Mandarin Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
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