A bulletin insert, photo album, assembly summary, election results and a summary of resolutions of the recent Synod Assembly are now available.  These all provide a glimpse into the three-day Florida-Bahamas Assembly as over 550 Evangelical Lutherans gathered in fellowship and worship, to fill open positions (Synod Council and Synod Secretary) and to consider various resolutions and memorials.

To view blog entries from voting members, go here. 

To view photographs of the Assembly, go here.         

DOWNLOAD bulletin insert:  Summary of the 24th Annual Assembly of the Florida-Bahamas Synod

 

(The following summary is submitted by the Rev. Ashley Nichols, Florida-Bahamas Synod Council)

Our 2011 Florida–Bahamas Synod Assembly themed, “With All BOLDNESS,” started out just that way as Bishop Benoway opened the Assembly with the proclamation that throughout the Assembly we would be hearing and seeing the stories of how our congregations are BOLDLY being God’s witnesses and servants in the world, sharing the Good News of Jesus with our neighbors, making disciples of every nation, and working for justice in the world.  The days following were filled with exactly that: days of witnessing through stories, reports and conversation the amazing works of God through our own hands and feet, and a challenge to boldly keep moving forward in mission and in faith.

 

 

 

 

One of the first celebrations of boldness in Christ was a special time to honor the outgoing Synod Secretary, the Rev. William Yesse.  This recognition brought the Assembly to their feet in ovation with applause, honor, and appreciation for Pastor Bill Yesse as he completes his fourth term serving 16 years as the Synod Secretary (the Synod is only 24 years old).  He and his wife Jeri were honored with flowers, a plaque, and resounding approval from the assembly of the Resolution that gave him thanks for his many years of service.

 

 

 

 

Throughout the days of the Assembly, we heard about the Together in Mission (TiM) Vision and Funding Appeal.  TiM is the Synod's bold vision and initiative for continual witness and outreach to those in our communities and those in special need.  TiM includes a 2.5 million dollar funding appeal to raise dollars to support and encourage ministries in the Florida-Bahamas Synod ($2 Million goal) and for Haiti ($500,000 goal).  We saw the first fruits of this initiative throughout the Assembly.  Seven 7 grants were awarded given out to various congregations and ministries, which had summited BOLD new proposals for sharing  the Good News of Jesus with their neighbors.  TiM gave out $58,940 in grants to congregations in the Florida-Bahamas Synod and $50,000 to for the Lutheran Church of Haiti purchasing and maintaining a vehicle suitable for the roads in Haiti.

Recipients of grants within the Florida-Bahamas Synod:

—All Saints Lutheran, Lutz—ministry to reach out to mothers to provide faith-based mentoring, support, and fellowship, and preschool to nurture the children.

—Good Shepherd, Hernando—an ecumenical ministry to feed and clothe the needy.

—Hope Lutheran, The Villages—a ministry to create a satellite office for Lutheran Counseling Services, Inc.

—St. Mark, Dunedin—a ministry to address the short term needs of the poor and needy in their community.

—Trinity, Kissimmee—a ministry to respond to the spiritual, material and emotional needs of the homeless, unemployed, abused or neglected in their community.

—All congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod—MissionInsite, a ministry tool that not only gives demographic data but also ways to apply the data for ministry purposes.

We boldly make disciples of all nations.  We heard stories about the BOLD witness of our Companion Synods of Haiti, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica and Cuba, and even welcomed and heard reports from representatives from Suriname and Haiti who were present at the assembly.

Boldly working for justice, we heard summaries of the mission and advocacy of our church striving to walk with immigrants and reports of our work on behalf of immigration reform.  We also heard the cry of our youth that we stand with them against hatred and bullying, and we heard the outpouring response of organizations that work for the needs of the poor and ones suffering from natural disasters.  The ELCA is a church boldly involved in all aspects of life and in all parts of the world!

Our keynote speaker was Rev. Ruben Duran, the director for Development of New Congregations for the ELCA.  He continually challenged the assembly to boldly live out Jesus’ command to “Go!” rather than our Lutheran heritage of, “Here I Stand!”  He reminded us that God is working in the world “24/7” and God has chosen to use the church to bring about God’s mission of restoring our creation and community to God.  What an amazing gift and challenge we have as God’s people.  Each and every one of us, as a child of God, is equal at the foot of the cross.  We are here for such a time as this.  We are each called, in our own way, whatever we do in our lives, to be missionaries of grace to all whom we meet.

IN ALL BOLDNESS, as we were sent from the Assembly back to our own congregations and communities, we were told to “Go in Peace, share the Good News!”  We concluded our worship and our time together with a shout of “Alleluia!” that  reminds us: it is by the power of the Holy Spirit and Risen Lord Jesus that we are empowered to do all these things to the Glory of God!

Submitted by: The Rev. Ashley Nichols, Synod Council

ELECTION RESULTS

Voting members of the 24th Annual Assembly of the Florida-Bahamas Synod elected a new synod secretary and four synod council members:

Synod Secretary:  Michele Hilton – St. Paul/Sarasota

Ms. Hilton is a retired attorney and currently works as a staff accountant for a medical equipment company.  She has previously served on her congregation council as president and treasurer; director of Christian education; and parish administrator.  Currently, she serves as a synodical deacon and is conference chair of the Mid-Gulf Conference.

Synod Council -  North Mission District, Lay Female:  Karen Combs – Atonement/Orlando

Ms. Combs is the Director of Congregational Life and is in her second year of the diakonia program.  She also serves as a worship assistant and Sunday School adult Bible study leader.  She has also served as Sunday School S superintendent and VBS director.  Ms. Combs is a Stephen Minister and the Thrivent Advocate for Atonement.

Synod Council - Southeast Mission District, Clergy:  Rev. Keith Spencer – Trinity/Pembroke Pines (I)

Pastor Spencer is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pembroke Pines (2000-present). He served in the US Navy from 1987-1994; Pastor Spencer has served on Synod Council 2008-2011; 2003-2005; Churchwide Assembly voting member   2011; ELCA Community-based Organizing Team, 2010 – present; Natural Church Development coach, 2009 – present; co-president BOLD Justice, 2010 – present.

Synod Council - Southwest Mission District, Lay Male:  Mr. Todd Anderson – Christ Our Redeemer/Temple Terrace (I)

Mr. Anderson is a professional engineer/consultant.  He has a BS from the University of Florida and a MS from the University of South Florida.  Mr. Anderson has served on Christ Our Redeemer’s congregation council for many years, serving as president.  He has served on the property, social ministry, finance, and school board committees.  He has served on the elections committee of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for 7 years.

Synod Council -  Southwest Mission District, Person of color or primary language other than English:  Mr. Jose Perez  - Chistus Victor/Naples

Mr. Perez is a student at Edison State College and is an English translator.  He has worked at the Café of Life, a nonprofit organization that feeds and clothes the homeless.  Mr. Perez has attended the Region 9 ELCA World Hunger Ethics of Eating Event and the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering.

RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORIALS

The voting members of the 24th Annual Synod Assembly discussed and voted on several resolutions that were brought to the floor.  The results are as follows:

• 11-1 Resolution Amending Synod’s Governing Documents  (S12.07.07.) to Establish Two-Term Limits for Conference Deans and Chairs [Source: Synod Council] – The first resolved was amended to read “three consecutive terms."  Resolution as amended, PASSED.
• 11-2 Resolution Urging and Supporting Ministry To and With the Homeless [Source: Resurrection/Cocoa Beach] – Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-3  Resolution to Adopt the Revised Year End January 31, 2012 and Proposed Year End January 31, 2013 Ministry Spending Plan as Presented [Source: Synod Council] - Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-4 Resolution Urging Congregations to Support the FBS diakonia Program and other Leadership and Lay Education Ministries [Source: FBS diakonia Steering Committee] - Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-5M Resolution and Memorial Urging and Supporting Efforts for Local, State, and National Anti-Bullying Initiatives [St. Paul; Clearwater] - Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-6-X Resolution and Memorial to Give Guidance and Provide Flexibility to the Synod Council in Planning for Future Synod Assemblies [Source: Synod Council at the initiative of Faith, Deland with support of All Saints, Port Orange] - Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-7-X Resolution in Honor and Appreciation of Florida-Bahamas Synod Secretary William Yesse [Source: Synod Council] - Resolution as presented, PASSED.
• 11-8M Resolution to Memorialize the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to Declare a Moratorium on Social Statements [Source: Signed petition by more  than 25 voting members of the assembly ] - Resolution as presented, DEFEATED.