Global Mission

Welcome to the Florida-Bahamas Synod Webpage for Global Mission!

Facts about FBSynod Global Mission Table and Program

The ministry of the Global Mission Table (GMT) is to foster growth and deepen relationships with our Companion Churches and institution using the ELCA model of Accompaniment. We pray for our Companions, listen to them, and learn from them, as we share Christ and His love in our various contexts and cultures. When feasible, we visit each other to worship together and experience each other’s countries and cultures.

Our mission statement is as follows:

The Global Mission Table of the Florida-Bahamas Synod seeks to ignite and empower its congregations in boldly sharing Christ, passionately making disciples, and faithfully doing justice through accompaniment with our companion churches. Through these partnerships, we strive to encourage one another in faith through relationships, education, advocacy and service in witness to God’s love.

The Global Mission Table can have up to 18 members, one of whom is Bishop or Assistant to the Bishop.  Companions are further supported by a “Team” that focuses on a single relationship and its needs.  Teams report their ideas and recommendations to the Global Mission Table (GMT) for review and approval.  GMT meetings are held virtually on a bi-monthly basis.  In 2021, a new fund entitled The Global Mission Scholarship Fund was created.  All five companions can apply to the fund which supports continuing education.

All are welcome to become part of Global Mission.  Whether it is through regular prayer, being part of a team or “the table,” supporting the ministry financially, or being an ambassador that keeps congregations informed…there is a place for you.  Further, there are virtual opportunities to connect with companions as well as occasional accompaniment trips.  Consider joining the mailing list to receive the Global Mission Newsletter published online three times per year.

For more information about Global Mission and how you can be involved, please contact Rev. Kathryn Carroll (“Katie”) Chair, Global Mission Table at revkhc@gmail.com or 305.505.1656.

Click here to receive the Global Mission Table Newsletter in your email inbox! It is published three times per year.

Global Mission Sunday

By virtue of being part of this synod, you are connected to Global Mission! Congregations are encouraged to set aside a Sunday as “Global Mission Sunday,” to bring attention to Global Mission, our Companion Churches and seminary, and our partnership work together.

WHY?  Projects and programs of the Synod’s Global Mission Table are not funded by the Florida Bahamas Synod budget.  The Global Mission Table seeks to raise awareness and money for supporting projects presented to us by our companion relationships.

WHO? The Global Mission Unrestricted Fund is the general account that receives donations intended to support all aspects of Global Mission’s work. Funds from this account can be used to fund projects in (1) our four Companion Churches – Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Suriname, (2) the Union Theological College of the West Indies in Jamaica, and (3) the Global mission Scholarship Fund.  It is also possible to designate a gift to a particular companion or the Scholarship Fund.

WHERE might the money raised in the Global Mission Special Projects Fund go?

• Fund projects that support and empower our companion’s capacity to share the gospel in their context.
• Support the travel of companion church representatives to assemblies, conferences and gatherings in the FB Synod
• Help to cover the administrative costs for a joint retreat or gathering of companions
• Support youth exchanges and/or a global companion’s attendance at ELCA Youth Gatherings
• Support an International Camp Counselor’s visit to Florida following his/her summer experience
• Support emerging leaders from the FB Synod that become YAGM’s (Young Adult in Global Mission) program

Where can donations be sent?

Donations can be made online or sent via check and sent to Florida Bahamas Synod Office – 3838 W. Cypress Street, Tampa, FL  33607  Attn: Kim Raymond

Can I designate THRIVENT Choice Dollars?

Absolutely! Designate your THRIVENT Choice Dollars online to the FB Synod and then send an email to Kim Raymond (kimr@fbsynod.org) stating that you want your designated Choice Dollars to go to Global Mission.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The Global Mission Table participates each year in the observance of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with churches throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.  The 16 days begins on November 25th, the day designated as the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on December 10th, the International Human Rights Day.  This is a United Nation initiative to prevent and respond to a worldwide, systemic inequality  that has affected women and girls.

On each of the sixteen days, companion churches post via social media various prayers, stories, devotions, and images.  The calendar for 2022 can be found HERE.  In 2022, The Florida-Bahamas Synod participated with our companion in Cuba; the collaboration can be found HERE.  Some collaborations from prior years can be HERE (2021), here and here (2020)

Global Mission Sunday Ideas

• Have Sunday School, Bible study class, or Youth Group do display on one or more of our companions – Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana and Suriname
• Invite Rev. Katie Carroll, Global Mission Chair or another Global Mission leader to preach and/or lead a presentation
• Include music from our companion countries (or other countries) in worship service
• Lift up our companions and the Synod Global Mission committee in the prayer of the church
• Have a luncheon or social hour following worship to include foods from our companion countries
• Apply for Thrivent Action Team project and get $250 to buy foods for a luncheon or social hour and have people donate money that would go to Global Mission
• Take up a special collection for the Global Mission Unrestricted Fund, or for a companion project (please contact Rev. Katie Carroll for ideas)
• Invite a former YAGM (Young Adult in Global Mission) to lead a presentation