We came together to talk about serving community needs in Hernando County.
More information under Faith in Action about how we are making a difference!
"I'm really proud to be a part of a church family that cares so deeply for those right here in our own backyard."
More information under Faith in Action about how we are making a difference!
The ELCA has provided more than $1 million in support for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa.
More information under Faith in Action about how we are making a difference!
"Our pastor encouraged the congregation to tithe ten percent of the money raised to help others. "
More information under Faith in Action about how we are making a difference!
We are raising up leaders through faith development and training.
More information under Resources about how we are equipping for ministry!
Global Mission Blog
The Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA, is committed to sharing Christ with the world! Through your support, we advocate and work for mission in different contexts and promote the importance of the dignity and selfworth of all people. Explore our Global Mission Blog to discover what we are doing to share the love of Christ.
OPERATION THANKS-GIVING Around the world, missionaries and military personnel have received handmade Thanksgiving cards from across the ELCA. See pictures and stories at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand. (A writer is seeking quotes from people who have received a card. If that includes you or someone you know, please contact
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.) FOOD FOR LIFE: ADVENT WORSHIP Discover resources for this church season and for other ministries, based on the Food for Life cookbook published by the Lutheran World Federation. See www.elca.org/lwf under In the News 11-2009; click the logo on the right Accompanying Resources. GOOD GIFTS Give a Christmas gift to a friend or loved one - and do good somewhere in the world at the same time. See http://www.elca.org/elcagoodgifts or order a catalog at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store
GLOBAL MISSION EPIPHANY DEVOTIONS Celebrate Christ's light to the nations during Epiphany. Beginning December 1, devotions by ELCA missionaries will be available on-line at www.elca.org/globalmission/epiphany. An excellent resource for committee devotions or personal use, these devotions will reflect on ministry in Slovakia, Tanzania, Bolivia, Japan, Egypt and West Africa. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD EL SALVADOR Heavy rain and landslides devastate crops and bury homes and roads, with more than 190 deaths and many still missing. www.elca.org/disaster ZIMBABWE: SEEDS OF HOPE One year ago, the people of Zimbabwe were in crisis. Crops failed, cholera took hold, and there was a shortage of medicine and medical supplies. Your gifts to ELCA World Hunger made all the difference. See sidebar for video: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide- Organization/Global-Mission/Where-We-Work/Africa/Zimbabwe.aspx A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE IN LIBERIA The tile flooring at Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing in Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia, is faded and worn, revealing pathways where healers and people in need of healing have walked for decades. See www.elca.org/stories click on Outreach.
HOW COFFEE SAVED MY LIFE…AND OTHER STORIES OF STUMBLING TO GRACE A well-written and soul-stirring memoir about serving in Uruguay and simple living as a Young Adult in Global Mission. See http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=8611
This issue of Global Links (December 2009) contains highlights from elca.org of ELCA ministry with companion churches and agencies in other countries. Please forward Global Links in whole or in part to other individuals or groups, or use it in publications with attribution. Please send your suggestions and comments to
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or to Pr. Lanny Westphal, ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
This Halloween, it is kids who will be giving treats to adults!
Kids across all 50 US States and Canada will urge nearly a quarter million households to shift purchasing to Fair Trade certified chocolate, coffee, etc by handing Fair Trade chocolate to adults.
In 2008, there were 116,993,629 people around the globe who stood up together making a statement against poverty and inequality. This year congregations of the Florida Bahamas Synod are asked to unite in solidarity standing with the poor and the “least of these”. Our goal is to have 35,000 people from our synod congregations participate in this event! On October 17 & 18 during worship we ask you to take a moment to reflect, pray, and remember those living in poverty around the globe. This date coincides with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.
On October 30-November 4, 2009, an eleven person Global Mission team from the Florida Bahamas Synod will be making companion church visit to the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Cuba, Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud. This team will be led by Pastor Ron & Yvonne Will. This visit of accompaniment and companionship will also be to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Cuba. Please keep this group in your prayers as they travel. More information about the trip and its focus will be in the next Global Mission Blog.
The ELCA Advocacy office, including several congregations and individuals from the Florida Bahamas Synod, have worked closely with Jubilee USA for over 5 years toward this goal. Thank you to all of our congregations for your phone calls, letters, emails, prayers and support.
On August 27 & 28, 2009 the Lutheran Church of Haiti held their first assembly with over 70 people from throughout the country of Haiti attending. A small group from the Florida Bahamas Synod also attended the event which included the ordination of Pr. Denis DuClair, the 4th ordained Lutheran pastor in Haiti. Please continue to keep the Lutheran Church of Haiti and Pr. Lauvanus in your prayers. Below, a message from Pr. Lauvanus:
Plans are being made for a companion trip to Guyana for July of 2010. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time with the people of Guyana as well as work with children in the congregations of the Guyanese Lutheran Church through a Vacation Bible School. As Guyana is an English speaking country, there will be lots of opportunities for participants to engage in direct conversation with the people of Guyana and to learn from each other. Please contact Chris Klafs (
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) for more information on this wonderful trip.
This Halloween, it is kids who will be giving treats to adults!
Dates: October 17-18, 2009
On October 30-November 4, 2009, an eleven person Global Mission team from the Florida Bahamas Synod will be making companion church visit to the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Cuba, Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud. This team will be led by Pastor Ron & Yvonne Will. This visit of accompaniment and companionship will also be to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Cuba. Please keep this group in your prayers as they travel. More information about the trip and its focus will be in the next Global Mission Blog.
The ELCA Advocacy office, including several congregations and individuals from the Florida Bahamas Synod, have worked closely with Jubilee USA for over 5 years toward this goal. Thank you to all of our congregations for your phone calls, letters, emails, prayers and support.
On August 27 & 28, 2009 the Lutheran Church of Haiti held their first assembly with over 70 people from throughout the country of Haiti attending. A small group from the Florida Bahamas Synod also attended the event which included the ordination of Pr. Denis DuClair, the 4th ordained Lutheran pastor in Haiti. Please continue to keep the Lutheran Church of Haiti and Pr. Lauvanus in your prayers. Below, a message from Pr. Lauvanus:
