E-Spirit
May 29, 2018

Bold - Passionate - Faithful
Features:
  • New A2B/DEMs Begin Ministry
  • Synod Office Hours
  • Congratulations, Graduates!

  Events Coming up:
  • Transition Ministry Training
  • Boundaries Workshop
  • Fall Gathering for Women--registration Open

For Your Information:
  • Synod Assembly Service Project
  • Hurricane Season: Be Prepared
Click the calendar above for more information about these events
May 28 - Memorial Day SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED
May 30-June 1 - Caribbean Consultation
June 1-3 - Synod Assembly
SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED FOR ASSEMBLY MAY 30-JUNE 5
June 18-21 - Interim Ministry Network event (St. Louis, MO)
June 27-July 1 - ELCA Youth Gathering (Houston)
July 30-Aug 1 - Transition Ministry Training (Luther Springs)
Coming to Synod Assembly?

Please download the Guidebook app and search for this year's Assembly Guide before getting to Assembly, to make sure it works on your device.
Features
New A2B/DEMs Begin Ministry in FBSynod
Pr. Rob Carlson begins his ministry in the Florida-Bahamas Synod as the Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission for the North Region of the synod. Contact Pr. Carlson about:

  • general support for congregational ministry
  • preaching and presiding in worship
  • representing Office of the Bishop at anniversaries and special events
  • consecration, commissioning and installation services
  • Pastoral support
  • Development/redevelopment
  • New ministry starts
  • Congregational renewal

You can contact Pr.Carlson by emailing [email protected], or calling 813-498-8458.
Pr. Khader El-Yateem begins his ministry in the Florida-Bahamas Synod as the Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission for the South Region of the synod. Contact Pr. El-Yateem about:

  • general support for congregational ministry
  • preaching and presiding in worship
  • representing Office of the Bishop at anniversaries and special events
  • consecration, commissioning and installation services
  • Pastoral support
  • Development/redevelopment
  • New ministry starts
  • Congregational renewal

You can contact Pr. El-Yateem by emailing [email protected], or calling 813-440-1590.
Synod Office Hours
The Synod Office will be CLOSED on Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day . The staff will be packing up the office for Assembly on Wednesday, May 30, and will be traveling to the Embassy Suites and setting up for Assembly on Thursday, May 31. Following Assembly, the office will be closed on June 4-5. The staff will be back in the office on Wednesday, June 6. Thank you for your patience as we return phone calls and emails when we can.
Congratulations, Graduates!
Photo source: www.nappy.co
In this season of graduation, whether it be from preschool, Kindergarten, middle school, high school, college, seminary, or some other level of learning, we lift up prayers of thanksgiving and blessing on all students and those involved in education in any way.

May the words of this hymn (ELW 768) be a prayer for all who are on the journey of learning:

Lead me, guide me, along the way
For if you lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

I am weak and I need thy strength and pow'r
to help me over my weakest hour.
Help me through the darkness thy face to seek.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

Help me tread in the paths of righteousness,
be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

I am lost if you take your hand from me,
I am blind without thy light to see.
Lord, just always let me thy servant be.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Upcoming Events
Transition Ministry Training
The next Transition Ministry Training will be at Luther Springs, July 30-August 1. This event is for pastors serving as Interim Pastors, pastors pondering transition in their own lives and ministries, and pastors interested in renewal and revisioning in their current context. Registration is available HERE .
Boundaries Workshop
The next Boundaries Workshop for rostered ministers and congregational leaders will be at Cross+Road Lutheran Church, Fleming Island, on Oct. 9.

These days, it is more important than ever for leaders to ensure they are maintaining good emotional, physical, and social boundaries. For rostered ministers who are invited into the vulnerability and pain of others, tending to boundaries is especially vital.

The words said to newly ordained and consecrated pastors and deacons contain a charge to be trustworthy in shaping preaching and teaching around the Good News of the God who is for us, for the church and for this world in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus. Closely related is the charge that all of our life and ministry embody that Good News so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, when people see us, they see something of the God who is for us in Christ Jesus.

The Boundaries Workshop is an opportunity for rostered ministers (and other congregational leaders) of the Florida-Bahamas Synod to participate in a one-day workshop on the difficult but critically important conversations about power, vulnerability, dating, friendships and social media, and all forms of boundaries.

A suggested donation of $25 will help cover the cost of the facilitator, lunch, and resources, and will be collected at the event.


9:30-3:00
Cross+Road Lutheran
5101 Lakeshore Drive West
Fleming Island, FL 32003

Fall Gathering for Women--Registration Open
The SWO will be sponsoring and hosting some of the games at the Assembly on Saturday night during the "Hunger for the Gospel Games." Stop by and learn more about the Fall Gathering and about the SWO.
The Florida/Bahamas Synodical Women's Organization invites all women to this year's Fall Gathering at Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg, Nov. 9-11, 2018. This year's theme: It's All About Love

Come and share a time of celebration and fellowship together. What about being in an uplifting environment surrounded by 250 plus Sisters of Faith, along with a Bible study, great music, fun workshops and more. Does this sound like the type of celebration you would like to attend? Well, this is your personal invitation to attend. Learn more about the Fall Gathering at http://www.flwelca.com/fall-gathering .
For Your Information
Synod Assembly Service Project
There is still time to collect items for this year's Assembly Service Project benefiting Harbor House, Central Florida. Learn more about the service project HERE .

A truck will be available to collect items between 11:00-2:00 pm on Friday, and from 8:00-10:00 am on Saturday. There will also be an opportunity to donate cash.
Hurricane Season: Be Prepared
Now is the time for councils and pastors to be reviewing insurance, policies and procedures in preparation for hurricane season. Michele Hilton in the Office of the Bishop can help as you have these discussions!
Office of the Bishop
Bishop's Schedule
May 29-June 12, 2018

  • Assembly Prep and new staff orientation (Tampa Office)
  • Kissimmee (Synod Assembly)
  • Hope, The Villages (diakonia Graduation)
  • Tampa office
Florida-Bahamas Synod 813-876-7660