Sharing Christ - Making Disciples - Doing Justice
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Who We Are
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Who We AreWe are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a church body that consists of 4.3 million baptized members, worshiping in over 10,000 congregations. FACTS ABOUT THE FLORIDA-BAHAMAS SYNOD |
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One of 65 synods One of six synods in Region 9 ( Divided into 15 conferences Baptized Members: 68,889 Total congregations: 187 Partnership Synod: Metropolitan Synod Companions: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Cuba Seminary in Jamaica |
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AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS
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Synodical and Churchwide AssemblySynod Assembly 2012 – May 4-6: Buena Vista Palace, Orlando 2013 – May 2-4: Wyndham Resort, Orlando ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug 12-18, 2013 – Pittsburgh, PA |
OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERSELCA Churchwide Offices(800) 638-3522 or (773) 380-2700 Portico (Board of Pensions)(800) 352-2876, Fax: 612-334-5399 (800) 328-4648 www.augsburgfortress.org |
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The Reverend Edward R. Benoway is the current bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He is was elected in 2001 at the Annual Assembly of the Synod. Bishop Benoway, with the assistance of his staff, are responsible for carrying out the daily work of the synod under the direction of the elected Synod Council and Annual Synod Assembly.
Who to Call
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WHO TO CALL DIRECTORY
Use this guide to assist you in obtaining information from the Synod House
Download the "Who to Call Directory" (PDF).
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SUBJECT MATTER |
CONTACT PERSON |
PHONE/EXT. |
E-MAIL ADDRESS |
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Administration – Synod House |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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ALOA (Adult Lutherans Organized for Action |
Pr. Dick Hafer, Program Director |
813-293-3286 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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African Amer./Black Ministry |
Pr. Vicki Hamilton |
904-891-4341 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Budget - Finance |
Annette Woods |
Ext. 223 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Building Consultant |
Jerry Johnson |
773-682-5954 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Campus Ministry |
Pr. Russell Meyer |
Ext. 227 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Candidacy |
Ileana Sardinas |
Ext. 225 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Christian Education |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Communications |
Pr. Russell Meyer |
Ext. 227 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Compensation Guidelines |
www.fbsynod.com/comp-guidelines |
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Conference on Ministry |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Constitutions Under Review |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Continuing Education |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Copyright Information |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Database |
Ileana Sardinas |
Ext. 225 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Disaster Relief |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Discernment Process For: West Coast East Coast
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Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed Pr. Paul Lutze
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Ext. 236 772-708-6983
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Ecumenical Relations |
Pr. Russell Meyer |
Ext. 227 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Evangelism Resources |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Financial Questions |
Annette Woods, CPA |
Ext. 223 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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General Information |
Beverly Evans, Admin Asst |
Ext. 221 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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German Ministry |
Pr. Frank Kopania |
305-444-0425 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Gift Planning |
Pr. Paul Summer |
386-852-0511 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Global Mission |
Pr. Tom Snapp |
239-463-4251 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Lay Ministry |
Irene Flynn |
Ext 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Leadership Development |
Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed |
Ext. 236 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Lutheran Counseling Services |
Pr. Mel Jacob |
407-644-4692 or 800-444-2842 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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LOMF (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida) |
General Info Line |
352-546-5554 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Meeting Planning |
Jan Bernard |
Ext. 232 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Misconduct |
Bp. Edward Benoway |
Ext. 225 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Mission/Evangelical Outreach
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Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed Yuliet Garcia, Admin Asst |
Ext. 236 Ext. 234 |
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Mission Investment Fund |
Jerry Johnson |
773-682-5954 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Mission Partners 100 |
Pr. Gerald Nordsiek |
727-376-0919 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Mobility |
Ileana Sardinas |
Ext. 225 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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News/Newsletter Consultation |
Pr. Russell Meyer |
Ext. 227 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Older Adult Ministry |
Pr. Steve Kauffman |
727-868-5744 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Outreach Committee |
Pr. Gerald Nordsiek |
727-376-0919 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Personnel |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Registration (Assembly and Other Events) |
Jan Bernard |
Ext. 232 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Resolutions (Assembly) |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Resources |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Roster |
Ileana Sardinas |
Ext. 225 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Together in Mission Vision |
Scott Pinkerton Tom O-Reilly |
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Together in Mission Grant Team |
Bill Horne |
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Stewardship Resources |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Supply Pastors |
Dean of Conference |
www.fbsynod.com/communities/synod/conferences |
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Synod Assembly |
Jan Bernard |
Ext. 232 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Synod Council |
Ken Aicher |
Ext. 222 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Website |
Pr. Russell Meyer |
Ext. 227 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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WELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod |
Linda Greilick |
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Worship Resources |
Irene Flynn |
Ext. 229 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Youth & Young Adult Ministry/Youth Ministry Committee |
Pr. Rita Gardner Tweed |
Ext. 236 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Mission, Vision & Values
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Our Mission
The mission of the Florida-Bahamas Synod is
to share Christ,
make disciples,
and do justice in the world.
Our Vision
Congregations deeply rooted in Christ,
firmly grounded in Word and Sacrament,
and joyfully sent forth for the sake of the world.
Our Values
In our IDENTITY, we value:
Profound faith in Jesus Christ!
Deep roots in Lutheran heritage!
Passion for Mission and Mission Support!
In our RELATIONSHIPS, we value:
Commitment to loving relationships!
Spirit of compassion and humility!
Openness to all people!
In our SERVICE, we value:Integrity in word and deed!Team spirit with partners!Excellence in ministry!
Affirmation of Welcoming and Inclusion
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Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)
In our baptism, God calls us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with every person and to welcome them to the same waters so that we all may be united with Christ in one body. In May 2009, Voting Members from your congregation came together with those from the other 205 congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod to share in a time of welcoming at our Annual Synod Assembly. In the course of our time together in worship, Bible study, fellowship and spirited discussion, the assembly adopted a resolution of “Affirmation of Welcome and Inclusion” as an official statement of the mind and intention of our synod:
“The Florida-Bahamas Synod (ELCA) welcomes all people without regard to racial or ethnic distinction, family status, age, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or differing abilities, and invites and encourages all people to participate fully in the life and work of the church and its expressions.”
Please take time to study and carefully consider adoption of a similar statement in your own congregation to make visible our commitment to welcoming all people and as an avenue of social ministry and justice.
Resources are available at Living Together as Lutherans.
Who is in charge of a synod?
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Each synod in assembly elects a bishop and other officers. As the synod's pastor, the bishop oversees the ministry of other pastors and congregations. Together with her/his assistant(s), the bishop provides support to congregations. This includes assistance in calling pastors and other staff; support in times of difficulty and congregational conflict; and, joining in the celebrations of congregations. Bishops also oversee the administration of the synod, supervising the work of other officers and staff. In addition, they serve as bishops of the whole ELCA, coming together regularly in gatherings of the Conference of Bishops.
Congregations and Rostered leaders of the synod have final authority in all matters of the synod through the decisions made at the annual Synod Assembly.
Are all synods the same?
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The ELCA's 65 synods vary greatly in size, geography, membership, staffing and program. Our smallest synod has 30 congregations – the largest nearly 300. Geographically, in the Saint Paul Area Synod, most congregations are within a half-hour drive of the synod office; by contrast, the Rocky Mountain Synod includes 20% of the continental U.S. land mass, requiring frequent staff travel by air. From Alaska to the Caribbean, from the tip of southern California to Maine, the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America carry out their mission of Making Christ Known!
What does the word "synod" mean?
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Our English word synod comes from two Greek words syn + hodos that literally means "a way together." In and through synods, congregations and other ministries "walk together" for the sake of mission and ministry in their territory and around the world.
Subcategories
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What is a Synod?
The Florida-Bahamas Synod is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The territory of the synod includes the entire State of Florida and all of the Islands of the Bahamas. The 206 Congregations of the synod are grouped into three Mission Districts (North, Southwest, Southeast) which are served by three Assists to the Bishop. To facilitate additional community ministry, the congregations in each Mission District are also organized into smaller clusters called Conferences. There are 15 Conferences in the Florida-Bahamas Synod.The Reverend Edward R. Benoway is the current bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He is was elected in 2001 at the Annual Assembly of the Synod. Bishop Benoway, with the assistance of his staff, are responsible for carrying out the daily work of the synod under the direction of the elected Synod Council and Annual Synod Assembly.
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What is a Lutheran?
Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of Wittenberg University, titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible.What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct separation between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted Luther’s suggested reforms. "Lutheran" became the name of the group that agreed with Luther’s convictions.
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What is a Christian
To define it simply, Christianity is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions. Christians believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. We believe Jesus is God’s own son, sent by God to become human. As the son of God, Jesus is divine, but he was also a human being who lived among us on earth, over 2,000 years ago. Followers of Jesus are part of God’s people, whose heritage includes the Jewish people and the Christian Church throughout the world today.
