Florida-Bahamas Synod
Sharing Christ + Making Disciples + Doing Justice
Synod Resource Center
Welcome to the Resource Center of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA. This center is designed to EDUCATE, EQUIP, and CONNECT the leaders, congregations, and members of the synod in order to help fulfill the ministries taking place through the power of God in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. If you need assistance, please contact Ms. Irene F. Flynn, Resource Center Director.
You may access the online Resource Center Catalogue by clicking here.
You may access the online Resource Center Catalogue by clicking here.
Who Ya' Gonna Call? Spring, 2011
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New from Augsburg Fortress
Washed and Welcome: A Baptism Sourcebook
This book is a practical theological resource to help pastors walk parents and sponsors through the various parts of baptism. The book includes reproducible pages for parents and sponsors, session options, resource lists, practical helps related to a congregation's total baptismal ministry, handouts, bulletin inserts, and more.
Fall 2010 New Resources
| Who Ya’ Gonna Call? Fall 2010
Book of Faith Advent Reflections
Our own Pastor Andrew Hagen, who serves at Advent, Boca Raton, is a co-author of The Book of Faith Advent Reflections: I Wonder as I Wander. Each week of Advent, readers will focus on one of these four themes - hope, love, joy and peace. Along with the daily readings and reflections, a weekly Bible study is also included, as well as a section with weekly activity ideas for families to help link church and home
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store
A Field Guide to Contemporary Worship: How to Begin and Lead Band Based Worship
Pastor at Cross+Road in Orange Park, Pastor Jim Graeser co-authored this guide for anyone thinking about starting a contemporary worship service. The book is an essential reference work for those wondering about the nuts and bolts of instrumentation, arranging, working with microphones and speakers, and much more! It will be available November 1, 2010
http://www.augsburgfortress.org/storeThe Hardest Question
The most difficult question for lectionary preachers and teachers is simply this: What fresh and compelling word of the Lord for my congregation can be found in the lectionary readings of the day? Perhaps you’ve been through years A, B, and C for more than a few cycles. Or maybe the demands of ministry in the trenches have left you short on both time and inspiration. Whatever the cause of hermeneutical malaise, The Hardest Question is for you.
Take look at http://www.thehardestquestion.org
GreenFaith has Resources
GreenFaith provides a variety of tools and resources to help houses of worship, faith-based schools and other religious institutions undertake environmental work. From sample prayers and religious education curricula, to tips for 'greening' the building and help with undertaking environmental justice advocacy, GreenFaith is a one-stop shop for religious-environmental work. Take a look at www.greenfaith.org 
Mark Allan Powell DVD now available
Now available at the Resource Center for check out is Biblical Stewardship Our Duty and Delight DVD course featuring Dr. Mark Allan Powell from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. The course consists of seven video sessions and comprehensive group and individual study materials on CD-Rom. For more information see http://www.selectlearning.org The Whys and Hows of Money Leadership
A curriculum for those who want to work toward deeper understanding of stewardship. Seven lessons are designed to be taught to congregational leaders in formal and informal settings. http://archive.elca.org/stewardship/money_leadership
Helpful Links for Stewardship
Reproducible materials, Spanish Resources, Financial Response Methods and many more helpful links for stewardship can be found at http://archive.elca.org/stewardship
Great Ideas
Nooma videos are ever popular with youth and adults. Would you like a list of descriptions, along with corresponding scripture? What about a power point to be used for an entire Taize Worship Service? For these and many other tools and ideas, go to http://www.myfaithmylife.org/tools.html
October 15, 2010 deadline to respond to Draft Genetics Social Statement
This is a reminder, that you still have until October 15 to respond to the draft statement on Genetics. For a downloadable copy of the draft statement, timeline, and to respond, go to http://www.elca.org/genetics
Missional Map-Making and The Greatest Story now at Synod bookstore for puchase
Missional Map-Making by Alan Roxburgh explains in detail the knowledge and skills are needed for leaders to nurture their congregation’s environment as they reach out to their surrounding community.
To see a video of the author talking about the book go to http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet
The Greatest Story: An Introduction to the Bible
is a 16-session course is for anyone who wants to get a big-picture overview of the Bible. As part of the Book of Faith Initiative, there is a creative and artistic DVD for each session along with leader guide and participant book. To see a sample from the DVD go to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store
Lenten Reflections on Climate Change
| Sign up to receive Lenten reflections that explore climate change and how it relates to each one of us in our daily lives and communities at www.elca.org/advocacy . Each week the series will explore a new issue and provide ways that you and your congregation can help address climate change.
Haiti--Talking with Children and Youth
| Haiti--how do we talk with our children and teens about natural disasters and suffering?
Two excellent resources can be found online:
www.leaderresources.org/freedownloads Scroll down to the section for Children and Youth.
http://www.thelittlelutheran.org/little/question.cfm?id=111
Two excellent resources can be found online:
www.leaderresources.org/freedownloads Scroll down to the section for Children and Youth.
http://www.thelittlelutheran.org/little/question.cfm?id=111
New DVD Leadership Resources
| Seeing Red Cars is a 10 minute DVD that encourages leaders to focus on what they DO want instead of what they don’t. This will help church councils, committees, teams and staff to make better decisions, combat negativity and create a positive environment.
The Power of Vision demonstrates that having a positive vision of the future is the most forceful motivator for change and success for groups. This inspirational program is 30 minutes long.
The Business of Paradigms shows how there will always be another solution to the problem and there will always be another door to go through to get to the future. This program helps groups confront the perceptions that can blind them to change and transform the fear of change into flexible and open attitudes. 38 minutes.
Download Free Resources
| - The Parish Paper offers free resources on the Planning Process, Core Values, Prayer Development, and Financial Stewardship at www.TheParishPaper.com website. You can also find 34 volumes of Church Effectiveness Nuggets.
- Youth Leader Resources:For a free E-newsletter and other free resources and go to www.ymtoday.com