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Get to Know Us Who We Are Living Together as Lutherans Words from Synod Bishop Edward R. Benoway
Get to Know Us Who We Are Living Together as Lutherans Words from Synod Bishop Edward R. BenowaySharing Christ - Making Disciples - Doing Justice
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Words from Synod Bishop Edward R. Benoway
Bishop Edward R. Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA, shares his pastoral words and advice for living together as ELCA Lutherans and the actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
Bishop Benoway's Sermon from Conference on Ministry
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SERMON - 2009 CONFERENCE ON MINISTRY
Bishop Edward R. Benoway
While we can choose our Spouse, and we can choose our Friends, we don’t get to choose our siblings, our brothers and sisters. We get them by virtue of the family we are born into! As kids, we might cut to the chase and declare: “We’re stuck with them!”
A Pastor invited letters from the children of the parish. On young boy wrote: “I can’t wait to get to heaven, Pastor, because I KNOW my brother won’t be there!” Nine-year-old Amy wrote: “Dear Pastor, are there real devils on earth? I think my brother is one!” “Dear Pastor,” writes 8-year-old Arnold, “I know God is supposed to love everybody, but I don’t think He ever met my sister!” Family relationships can be tough perhaps especially among sisters & brothers because, for better or worse, we are related to one another by birth, and live in the same house!
2009 Churchwide Assembly Letter from Bishop Edward Benoway to the Florida-Bahamas Synod
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
St. Paul reminds us: “Let love be genuine…Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” [Romans 12: 9a,15,16a]
The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America daily gathered around the Lord’s Table for worship and Holy Communion. I commend the voting members from our Florida-Bahamas Synod who served with grace and dedication, giving considered attention to the business at hand each day. In addition to our 18 elected voting members, we had over 25 visitors at the assembly from our synod.
2009 Churchwide Assembly Letter from Bishop Edward Benoway to Rostered Leaders
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September 3, 2009
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
[Romans 12: 9-12]
Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
Earlier I wrote a general letter to our entire synod, rostered leaders and congregations providing some reflections on the many actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. This letter is intended for you who serve as my colleagues in the rostered leadership of this synod. I begin by giving thanks for your ministry and affirming the gifts that you bring to your many callings in life.
