Register on Zoom by clicking here Join members and leaders from throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod for a virtual prayer vigil and time of lament together. Our Florida-Bahamas Synod community is invited to gather in solidarity, to witness to one another’s pain and to lift up our prayers for peace and justice. We will hear from Bishop Pedro Suárez and other Synod leaders, and will individually have time to express our grief, hope, and faith. Why Lament Matters: As a society, we have been rushing to fix the problems that plague our communities. We have urgently sought a vaccine for COVID-19. We have championed justice and reform in response to police brutality. We have tried to find modern solutions to our problems and viable alternatives to traditional meetings and events. But through these struggles, we have seldom taken the time to mourn the loss we collectively feel. Our pain is universal, and it is time to gather as a community and lament as God’s people during this trying time. Let us stop, for a brief moment, and share in each other’s grief and suffering. Let us support and hear one another. Let us take a break from our efforts to fix […]

Calling all youth! Join Bishop Suárez and your youth leaders for a special Zoom gathering on July 26th! Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucemtqj4rHNTmtyNE3POeoZqyE7AcV90 We’ll spend time connecting, talking about what’s happening in our world today, and worshipping together. Bishop Pedro Suárez will lead the special time of prayer and worship. Our youth check-in will include special guest speakers, music, and an opportunity to break into smaller groups for deeper discussion. This gathering is intended for middle and high school students. All attendees will need to register in advance.

Join Bishop Suárez and Dr. Brad Binau, along with special guests and coaches, for a virtual Rostered Ministers gathering on August 20th! All Rostered Ministers are encouraged to participate. Our special guest speaker, Dr. Brad Binau, is a professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He will be giving a special presentation titled, “Problem or Dilemma? What We Can’t Fix We Can Often Manage”. This talk will address Rostered Ministers engaging the challenges of leading in ministry and mission in these days. After opening prayer and devotions from Bishop Suárez, we will hear from Dr. Johan Bergh, ACC, Pastor at St. Philip Lutheran in Mt. Dora, and from our guest speaker, Dr. Brad Binau. Later, we’ll break into small groups for discussion together. Coaches from throughout our synod and others will join to help facilitate conversation. Click here to register!

More information coming soon!

September 11th Service of Remembrance September 11, 2020 at 10:00am on Zoom   Join Bishop Pedro Suárez, Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Khader El-Yateem, and Pastor Joe Conner for a service of remembrance and prayer on the 19th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. This brief service will include prayers of lamentation and special live music. Reflections will be shared by Pr. Joe Conner, who served as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church on Staten Island during 9/11/01, and now serves as Pastor of Lamb of God in Haines City. No registration is necessary. Simply click here to access the meeting.    

Let’s Talk! Rostered Ministers Gathering on Holy Communion Join Bishop Suárez and Dr. Timothy Wengert for our next Rostered Ministers Virtual Gathering! Together, we will explore Holy Communion during COVID-19. Click here to register! Our special guest, Timothy J. Wengert, is the Ministerium of Pennsylvania emeritus professor of Reformation History and the Lutheran Confessions at the United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia). A parish pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Minnesota and Wisconsin, he received his doctorate from Duke University in 1984. Besides his published dissertation on Philip Melanchthon’s interpretation of John’s Gospel, Wengert co-edited with Robert Kolb the 2000 English edition of The Book of Concord. His translation into English of Luther’s Small Catechism is widely used throughout the ELCA. He has received honorary doctorates from Carthage College and Wartburg Theological Seminary, and in 2011 he was visiting guest professor at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. In 2019 he published Word of Life: Introducing Lutheran Hermeneutics, and in 2020 he edited a new edition of Doberstein’s Minister’s Prayer Book and The Augsburg Confession: Renewing Lutheran Faith and Practice.

Calling all pastors, teachers, principals, administrators, and staff of our congregational schools! The start of the 2020-2021 school year has brought lots of anxiety to our nation. Many are wondering how to safely reopen our schools while protecting the health and safety of our students. Join Cory Newman, Executive Director of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA), and Bishop Pedro Suárez for a discussion on best practices for reopening schools during COVID-19. This event is open for everyone! Education professionals and Rostered Ministers serving a congregation with a school are especially encouraged to attend. Click here to register!

Join the Synodwide Thanksgiving Worship by clicking here!

Calling all youth members and friends! You are invited to join Bishop Suárez for our next Youth Check-In on December 6th at 4:00pm. This check-in will be centered around sharing our stories, exploring our faith, and seeing God working in our lives! In addition to hearing a message from Bishop Suárez, we'll have time for youth to share their stories, musical gifts, and lead us in prayer. Would you like to share your story or offer a musical/artistic gift? Let us know when you register. PLUS, when you register, you will be automatically entered into our drawing to win a surprise gift! Join us and invite a friend! Click here to register! Rostered Ministers and Youth Leaders: Please use the above article and link to invite your young people! If you are holding a confirmation class, Bible study, or other youth event at the same time, consider trying something new and inviting your youth to join this event instead!

Click here to view the brochure! VIDEO  OF  TOURING  GREECE:  https://youtu.be/ul-o6E47MMw VIDEO  OF  TOURING  ISRAEL:  https://youtu.be/TQgvSMYNFnA VIDEO  OF  TOURING  JERUSALEM:   https://youtu.be/ao04682PQv   Tour Title: 11-Day “3 Continents” Tour of Greece, Egypt, Israel, and Turkey (including 7-night cruise) Departure Date: Thursday, November 18th, 2021 Departure City: Tampa, FL (TPA) Base Cost: $3990 Taxes: $378 Land Tips: $70 Cruise Tips: $70 Port charges: $289 Per Person:  $4872 TOTAL 7-Night Greek Isles cruise based on cabin category XB outside cabin For additional information about the cruise line, please visit: https://www.celestyalcruises.com/en/cruise-ship-celesty   ITINERARY: Day 1 – Thursday, November 18: Depart for Athens Embark upon your journey with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience and get some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostle Paul walked!   Day 2 – Friday, November 19: Arrive in Athens We arrive in Athens and are met by our representative and tour guide. We enjoy our panoramic bus tour of Athens on the way to our hotel for dinner and overnight.   Day 3 – Saturday, November 20: Athens, Mars Hill, Acropolis, Plaka, Board 7-Night Cruise After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing as we admire the architectural wonders of ancient Athens. We follow our […]