Reconciling Works Central Florida chapter is planning to lead a B.I.C. (Becoming an Inclusive Church) training in Orlando on October 5. Participants are expected to be from Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist and other denominations. Enrollment is limited to 24. If you are interested in attending, email Dale Truscott (at dtruscott@cfl.rr.com), who is planning the event.

Treasurers/Financial Assistants Gathering Treasurers from all over the Synod will gather on Saturdays in September and October at 6 locations around the Synod. September 21st – Hope, The Villages September 28th – St Paul – Sarasota October 5th – The Synod House – Tampa October 12th – Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon – Miami October 19th – Spirit of Joy – Orlando October 26th – Messiah – Panama City This gathering will take place from 8:30-12:30 to network, review current Best Practices, learn, share and connect. Please contact Michele Hilton at micheleh@fbsynod.org if you plan to attend

GLOBAL MISSION FUND-DAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019 Global Mission Fund-Day 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 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 Special Projects Fund Take up a special collection for Global Mission Special Projects, or a companion project (please contact PJ May for ideas) Invite a former YAGM to do a presentation Speak with your pastor, church council, worship & music committee or others to start planning now for your congregation and/or conference to increase awareness of our Global Mission partners and keep Global Mission ALIVE!

Treasurers/Financial Assistants Gathering Treasurers from all over the Synod will gather on Saturdays in September and October at 6 locations around the Synod. September 21st – Hope, The Villages September 28th – St Paul – Sarasota October 5th – The Synod House – Tampa October 12th – Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon – Miami October 19th – Spirit of Joy – Orlando October 26th – Messiah – Panama City This gathering will take place from 8:30-12:30 to network, review current Best Practices, learn, share and connect. Please contact Michele Hilton at micheleh@fbsynod.org if you plan to attend

In the South Region, each retreat will be from 10:00-4:00 (unless otherwise specified) and include worship, brief conference business, and lunch. Details from conference deans coming soon. RSVP to conference deans to assist with planning. 10/12 - Mid-Gulf Conference (Emmanuel, Venice) **this retreat is from 9:00-3:00 10/26 - Caloosa Conference (Emmanuel, Naples) 11/2 - Tampa Conference (Good Shepherd, Tampa) 11/16 - Miami-Dade and Broward-Bahamas Conferences (St. John, Hollywood) 1/4/2020 - Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City) 1/18/2020 - Tradewinds Conference (location TBD) In the North Region, retreats will run from 9:00-2:00 (unless otherwise specified). 10/12 – Sun Coast (Trinity, St. Petersburg) 10/19 – Panhandle (St. Paul's, Niceville) 11/2 – Gulf Coast (Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Palm Harbor) 11/9 – First Coast (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)

In the South Region, each retreat will be from 10:00-4:00 (unless otherwise specified) and include worship, brief conference business, and lunch. Details from conference deans coming soon. RSVP to conference deans to assist with planning. 10/12 - Mid-Gulf Conference (Emmanuel, Venice) **this retreat is from 9:00-3:00 10/26 - Caloosa Conference (Emmanuel, Naples) 11/2 - Tampa Conference (Good Shepherd, Tampa) 11/16 - Miami-Dade and Broward-Bahamas Conferences (St. John, Hollywood) 1/4/2020 - Lake Conference (Lamb of God, Haines City) 1/18/2020 - Tradewinds Conference (location TBD) In the North Region, retreats will run from 9:00-2:00 (unless otherwise specified). Confirmed locations coming soon. 10/12 – Sun Coast (Trinity, St. Petersburg) 10/19 – Panhandle (St. Paul's, Niceville) 11/2 – Gulf Coast (Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Palm Harbor) 11/9 – First Coast (St. Mark's, Jacksonville)

Dreaming God's Dream Retreat (before CoM) https://floridachurches.org/dreaming-gods-dream-together/ We're looking for another two dozen pastors from across the state and faith traditions who will help develop faith-rooted organizing "un-network". Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra will lead the retreat Oct. 13-14.

Dreaming God’s Dream Together: Faith Leaders Advancing Shared Hope Sunday, October 13 and Monday October 14 @ the Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park FL An overnight retreat with Alexia Salvatierra, co-author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World. Rev. Dr. Salvatierra is an ELCA pastor, organizer, and educator. Her work in Southern California has helped pastors and congregations organize to engage successfully in just policy to welcome immigrants and overcome poverty. She has pioneered organizing based on scripture that projects God’s dream of well-being for humanity and all creation. We’re looking for two dozen pastors who will join in this founding conversation on establishing faith-rooted organizing in Florida. The retreat is ecumenical and open to pastors of all traditions. The opening session is at 4 pm Sunday and the last session concludes at noon on Monday. Note that the retreat immediately precedes the annual Conference on Minister for faith leaders of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA.