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.

More information coming soon.

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)

Saturday, October 19, 2019 9:45 am to 3:00 pm Grace Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg Living Forward is a day of inspiration, music, workshops and fellowship. Rev. Tom Hafer, physical therapist and Chaplin will present Staying Fit to Care & Serve. Discover how in caring for ourselves, we’re better able do God’s work, caring for others and serving those in need, now and into the future. Attendees will also attend a variety of workshops, from informational to movement based to creative, hands-on sessions. Cost: $15.00 per person plus a can of food for St. Pete Free Clinic. $12.00 per person when 6 or more register together. Information and registration at https://aloaserves.org/events/aloafest-florida/

When: This date was mistakenly shared as the new date.   The new date is JAN. 10-11, 2020. Where: Epiphany Lutheran Church, Oviedo, FL More information: https://fbsynod.com/resources/synod-deacon/  

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