E-Spirit
June 12, 2018

Bold - Passionate - Faithful
Features:
  • TEEM Candidates Gather in Minnesota
  • The Importance of Camp
  • Seeds for Haiti

  Events Coming up:
  • Transition Ministry Training
  • Boundaries Workshop
  • 2020 Trips to See the Passion Play in Oberammergau

For Your Information:
  • Synod Assembly Service Project-Thank you
  • Synod Assembly Pictures
  • Synod Assembly Feedback Survey
Click the calendar above for more information about these events
June 18-21 - Interim Ministry Network event (St. Louis, MO)
June 25 - Ordination of Fred Bartelt (Hope, St. Petersburg, 6:00 pm)
June 27-July 1 - ELCA Youth Gathering (Houston)
July 30-Aug 1 - Transition Ministry Training (Luther Springs)
Aug. 11 - New Facilities Dedication, Luther Springs
Sept. 27-30 - Practice Discipleship Retreat for Youth Workers (Luther Springs)
Features
TEEM Candidates Gather in Minnesota
Submitted by: Izzy Bango-Sanchez
The TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) candidates gathered at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN for their spring gathering. The TEEM gatherings are full of information and learning as candidates continue their training and preparation for ministry. There were 12 candidates gathered who are preparing for ministry leadership in the ELCA. Candidates from the Florida-Bahamas Synod include Izzy Bango-Sanchez (Latino mission start, Haines City), Esthel Kane (Latino mission start, Wesley Chapel), and Dr. Gabriel Morgan (urban ministry, Tampa). Diana Fajardo (Latino ministry, Fort Lauderdale) recently graduated from the TEEM program. TEEM candidates are raised up for ministry leadership in under-served contexts (ethnic-specific, rural, urban, etc).

Learn more about the TEEM program/s HERE (Pacific Lutheran Seminary) or
HERE (Warburg Seminary)
The Importance of Camp
A word from Boyd Harris, Executive Director-CEO of NovusWay Ministries, from the Spring 2019 newsletter.
As you know, we are living in challenging times, with a constantly changing landscape in technology, the church, our schools, our culture, and our world as a whole. I believe there has never been a more critical moment for camping and retreat ministries like ours to step up and serve others in a hurting world.

Something very special and life-changing takes place in the overnight Christian camp and retreat environment of 24-hour-a-day community, shared meals, late-night conversations, and inspiring programming and worship. In this unique setting, we have an unparalleled opportunity to build relationships and trust that become the foundation for introducing all who come here to the life-giving truth of Jesus Christ.


Seeds for Haiti:
a project of the FBSynod Global Mission Committee
Dear Friends in Christ, 
 
In case you missed our display at the Florida/Bahamas Synod Assembly – below are some resources for your congregation to use in supporting a special project of the Haiti Task Force and the Global Mission Committee.
 
“Seeds for Haiti” will provide funds for the Lutheran Church in Haiti (ELH) to purchase seeds and plants for communities hardest hit last year by hurricanes.  Perhaps your VBS program or a summer Bible Study group can adopt this for their offering, or you can consider taking up a special 5th Sunday offering (July 29th) to support this vital project.  All donations should be sent to the Synod office (Attn Kim Raymond), marked “Seeds for Haiti” by August 3rd, in time for seeds and plants to be purchased for fall planting.
 
With the help of all congregations in the FB Synod, we could easily send over $10,000 to the ELH for seeds. Here’s how: If 10 people in each congregation donated $5, we would reach our goal. The Special Projects Fund of the Global Mission Committee will match $2,500. Together we can make a huge difference for God’s kingdom.
 
The April Global Mission Committee Newsletter includes more information about this project.
 
Thank you for your help with this important work. 
 
God bless you!
 
Anita Unrath
Haiti Task Force Chair
321-757-3637
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. This important workshop is for pastors, deacons, synod council members, and all in congregational leadership (formal and informal). The workshop is also helpful for volunteers who volunteer with vulnerable groups (children and youth, older adults, home-bound, etc), Stephen Ministers, pastoral care volunteers, hospital visitors, and others.

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

2020 Trips to See the Oberammergau Passion Play
The once in a decade Oberammergau Passion Play is scheduled for 2020. There may be several groups organizing trips to Europe for this event. Below are two being organized within the synod. Information about these events will be kept on the Continuing Ed Events page of the Synod Web site.
Alpine Wonders 2020: Pr. Karen Leedahl (Christ the King, Sebastian) is leading a tour that includes tickets to the play and much more, July 6-14, 2020 . Are you or anyone you know interested in learning more? Contact Pr. Karen ([email protected]). You may also leave a message at Christ the King in Sebastian: 772-589-7117.
Italy and the Passion Play : George Algozzina (Program Director for ALOA-Florida), is leading a trip that includes the Passion Play and an 11-day tour of Rome, Florence, and Venice, September 22-Oct. 2, 2020 .
Call: 1-800-930-2562 or email: [email protected].
Register Online: www.registernow.ittworld.com   
Tour Code: Algozzina20
For Your Information
Synod Assembly Service Project--THANK YOU!
THANK YOU to all those who contributed to this year's Assembly Service Project. Through your generosity, we were able to fill a truck with items that will help support the work of Harbor House of Central Florida in their work of providing safety, care, and services for victims of domestic violence.

Here is a note of thanks from the Harbor House Facebook page: Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA chose Harbor House as the charity of choice at their Synod Assembly this past weekend in Orlando. They gave LOTS of change and filled a whole truck with donations of new bedding, baby supplies, new home goods, and many other much needed items. Thank you! #givingisgood
Synod Assembly Photo Album
Thank you to Pr. Keith Spencer for once again being our Assembly Photographer! You can browse the pictures from Assembly HERE .
Synod Assembly Feedback Survey
The Assembly Planning Team takes feedback from participants very seriously. Your feedback encouraged us to adjust the schedule of workshops and to create more time for fellowship and networking. Your feedback has helped us seek out locations that meet the needs of all who are attending. Your feedback encouraged us to continue to improve our AV/tech support at Assembly. So once again, we hope you will give us your feedback about this year’s assembly. This year’s assembly survey is provided through Guidebook, so please follow this link to access it.  

Any additional feedback you want to give us can be sent to Michele Hilton at [email protected]. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to provide an assembly that is enriching and life-giving for all! 
Office of the Bishop
Bishop's Schedule
June 12-26, 2018

  • Tampa Office
  • Puerto Rico (Carribean Synod Assembly)
  • St. Matthew's, Clearwater
  • Hope, The Villages
  • Hope, St. Petersburg
Florida-Bahamas Synod 813-876-7660