Florida-Bahamas Synod

Best Practices for Our Congregational Schools
2020-10-08 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
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!

Let’s Talk! Rostered Ministers Gathering: Holy Communion During COVID-19
2020-09-17 10:00 - 11:00
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.

September 11th Service of Remembrance
2020-09-11 10:00 - 11:00
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! Youth Gathering
2020-08-30
More information coming soon!

Let’s Talk! Virtual Rostered Ministers Gathering
2020-08-20 10:00 - 11:30
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!

Let's Talk! Youth Check-In with Bishop Suárez
2020-07-26 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
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.

Vigil of Lament and Prayer
2020-07-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
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 our society’s issues and spend precious time mourning together and affirming our shared mission.

Grands and Family Camp
2020-06-28 - 2020-07-01 | Luther Springs Camp and Conference Center, 264 Vause Lake Road, Hawthorne, FL, 32640, United States
Grands and Family Camp is a wonderful opportunity for families of all shapes and sizes, including yours, to unplug and to reconnect in God’s good creation, strengthen your faith and deepen your relationships. Experience all that camp has to offer with your family, from crafts to canoeing, to songs, campfires, faith sharing and so much more! Register today and begin creating faith-forming and life time memories at Luther Springs. For more information visit luthersprings.org or call 828.209.6301.

Vitality Training Retreat, Lake Conference
2020-03-07 | Lamb of God, 901 Scenic Highway, Haines City, FL, 33844, United States

Food Pantry Benefit, Peace Lutheran, Ft. Myers
2020-03-06 17:00 - 21:00

AFFS Concert Series - Prince of Peace, Largo
2020-03-05 19:00 - 21:00
Art for Faith’s Sake (AFFS) Concert Series
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Thursday, March 5
7:00pm
The Concordia Choir
Conductor René Clausen conducts the 72-voice a cappella choir from Moorhead, Minnesota in a varied concert in his final tour before retirement.
Free tickets are required for this event, phone the church for more information.

Region 9 Rostered Deacon Retreat
2020-03-02 - 2020-03-04 | Luther Ranch, GA, United States

Mid-day Ash Wednesday service at the Synod office
2020-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Florida-Bahamas Synod Office, 3838 W. Cypress Street, Tampa, 33607, United States

Women's Mini-Retreat, Emmanuel, Venice
2020-02-21 | Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 790 Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL, 34285, United States

AFFS Concert Series - Prince of Peace, Largo
2020-02-16 15:00 - 17:00
Art for Faith’s Sake (AFFS) Concert Series
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sunday, February 16
3:00pm
Three-Organ Spectacular!
Festival choir performing Louis Vierne’s Messe Solennelle for choir and two organs, along with other music for three organs.

AFFS Concert Series - Prince of Peace, Largo
2020-02-15 18:00 - 20:00
Art for Faith’s Sake (AFFS) Concert Series
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Saturday, February 15
6:00PM
Three-Organ Spectacular Weekend
A Spaghetti Dinner is served in the Parish hall, followed by an Old-Fashioned hymn sing with dueling pianos.
Tickets ($15) are required for this event, phone the church for more information.

Deans' Retreat, Luther Springs
2020-02-11 - 2020-02-13
Contact Connie Schmucker (connies@fbsynod.org) for more info.

Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando
2020-02-11 - 2020-02-13
Ignite the Church Conference, Orlando

More information: https://www.ignitethechurch.net/

Transition Ministry/Interim Ministry Training @ Luther Springs
2020-01-27 - 2020-01-29
Find out more HERE.

AFFS Concert Series - Prince of Peace, Largo
2020-01-26 15:00 - 17:00
Art for Faith’s Sake (AFFS) Concert Series
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sunday, January 26
3:00pm
Fandango!
Grammy-nominated quartet (guitar, cello, flute, violin) playing a mix of Latin, Spanish, Sephardic, Balkan, and classical sounds.

Lutheran Hymn Festival, Peace Lutheran, Ft. Myers
2020-01-24 19:00 - 21:00
Lutheran Hymn Festival
Friday, January 24, 7:00pm

The choirs of Messiah Lutheran Church, Deacon John Renfroe, director, and the Peace Lutheran Choir, Ric Jaeggi, director, will join in a traditional, Lutheran grown Hymn Festival.
It is our great pleasure to announce that Mark Mummert, of Trinity Lutheran in Massachusetts will be the guest musician.

Peace Lutheran Church
15840 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 437-2599
www.peaceftmyers.com

Synod Parish Deacon Retreat
2020-01-10 - 2020-01-11
This year’s Synod Parish Deacon Retreat (January 10-11, 2020, Epiphany Lutheran, Oviedo)

More information: https://fbsynod.com/resources/synod-deacon/

AFFS Series Concert - Prince of Peace, Largo
2020-01-05 17:00 - 19:00
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sunday, January 5
5:00pm
Epiphany Feast of Lights
Commemorating the visit of the wisemen including readings, tableau, Festival choir, and instruments. Wassail Party to follow

AFFS Series Concert - Prince of Peace, Largo
2019-12-15 18:00 - 20:00
AFFS Series Performances
All concerts held in the Sanctuary of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave.
Largo, FL 33770
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are presented free-of-charge. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sunday, December 15
6:00pm
Santa Lucia Festival of Lessons and Carols
A service for choirs and congregation followed by the telling of the story of Santa Lucia and cookie reception. Festival Choir, organ, handbells, and instruments.
Free tickets are required for this event, phone the church for more information.

New Orleans Style Jazz Concert - LCOS Tampa
2019-12-07 16:00
Christmas COncert LCOS

Candidacy Committee mtg
2019-11-15 - 2019-11-16
Candidacy committee meeting, synod office in Tampa

Vitality Training Event--First Coast Conference
2019-11-09 09:00 - 14:00
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)

Vitality Training Retreat--Tampa Conference
2019-11-02 10:00 - 16:00

Vitality Training Event--Gulf Coast Conference
2019-11-02 09:00 - 14:00

Boundaries Training
2019-10-29 09:00 - 16:00
The Boundaries Training workshop that was going to be incorporated into this year’s Conference on Ministry is being rescheduled for a different date, time and location.

The boundaries training will instead be offered on Oct. 29, from 9:00-4:00, at Hope Lutheran Church, The Villages. Leaders can RSVP for this training HERE. This training is recommended for rostered ministers (once every 3 years), congregational staff and volunteer ministry leaders. Questions can be sent to Ileana Sardinas (Ileanas@fbsynod.org).
