Denise Beumer Named 2010 Outstanding Minority Corporate Executive
Denise Beumer, a member of the Synod Together in Mission steering team, has been recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as a 2010 Oustanding Minority Corporate Executive. "Not only is Denise head and shoulders above others in her banking profession," says Mary Hodge, executive director of the Maitland Area Chamber of Commerce, "she's very passionate about her community and her church." In recent years, Beumer has served on the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry board, traveled abroad on mission trips and sits on the board for the Holocaust Museum Resource Center. "My philosopy, " says Beumer, "is that if there is no justice for one, there is no justice for all." Denise and her husband, Steve, attend Joy Lutheran Church in Orlando. Husband Steve was recently elected to the Florida-Bahamas Synod Council. For more about Denise Beumer, click on http://www.centralflorida-lifestyle.com/index.php?page=singlearticle&catid=21&artid=1859
Redeemer, Winter Park, Selected for Safe Families Training
Lutheran Advocates for Safe Families (LASF), a collaboration among the Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF), Lutheran church bodies and social ministries, was created to inspire and refocus the movement within our faith community to address domestic and sexual violence. Healthy and Safe Congregations is LASF's first project, and its goal is to prepare clergy and lay leadership to intervene in and prevent family violence, as well as create safe congregations and facilities. Two Safe and Healthy Congregations training programs will take place this fall in Baltimore and Chicago and in San Francisco in early 2011. A grant from the LCF is providing $1,000 per attendee to cover the cost of training, meals, accommodations and travel. Four from Redeemer Lutheran Church from Winter Park has been selected to attend. Pastor Stan Reinemund, Trixie Richter (Congregational Life Director), Lesa Mason (Learning Center Administrator), and Lisa Klima (Church Administrative Assistant) will attend the training in Baltimore this September. The LASF and LCF worked with Lutheran theologians, the ELCA's Justice for Women in Church and Society and FaithTrust Institute to develop training materials with a Lutheran theological perspective. FaithTrust, who will facilitate the training program is a national multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. The LCF, headquartered in Minneapolis, is a faith-based public charity working nationally to help people give to their favorite charities and causes. Through its flexible giving options and community connections, the LCF has distributed more than $63 million to charities since its inception in 1994. Together with its donors, the LCF is achieving effective, positive and lasting change throughout many communities. For more information, visit www.TheLCF.org
Women of the ELCA Awards Pasco County Center $2500
The ELCA Churchwide organization of Women of the ELCA have awarded a 2010 grant to the PACE Center for Girls, Inc. of Pasco County, Spirited Girls! New Port Richey. The $2500 will be used in the research-based program consisting of academic and recreational activities aimed at preventing and/or decreasing high-risk behaviors among at-risk teenage girls.
The granting of funds to organizations and programs that support the needs and the development of women is one way the Women of the ELCA fulfills its purpose. Since 1990, their grants in support of women and hcildren have totaled over three and one-half million dollars.
The Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage has announced the selection of Margarita Romo as the Hispanic Woman of the Year 2010. Romo is the director of Resurrection House (Dade City), an authorized worshiping community of the Florida-Bahamas Synod and was originally a children's church for the benefit of the children of migrant and community families. It has now expanded into a full worshiping community, and Ms. Romo’s son, Bruce Edwards, is in theological education to become an ELCA pastor and will serve this congregation. Many congregations in the synod provide support to Resurrection House.
Romo is the Founder and Executive Director of Farmworkers Self-help, which facilitates the self-development of farmworkers and others through programs of education, advocacy, organizing, and health. She organized AWING (Agricultural Women Involved in New Goals), the first farmworker women’s organization in Florida and developed the Norma Godinez Learning Center, designed to address the educational needs of farmworkers.
The Tampa Hispanic Heritage Woman of the Year Gala in honor of Romo will be held Saturday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Tampa.
A summer sunset broke through the afternoon thunderstorm as the congregation gathered at North Naples United Methodist Church for the ordination of their new associate pastor. In a living testament to the recent full communion agreement between The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Edward R. Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ordained and installed Lutheran Sandy Rubinoff into ministry in the United Methodist congregation on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm, with the blessing of Florida Regional Bishop Timothy Whitaker, who made the United Methodist Church appointment on July 1.
“This is truly a day of the Spirit’s outpouring,” Benoway said. “The grace of the Spirit’s ministry with all of the people of God has been extended to Sandy on an occasion in which all can see what God is really up to – crossing boundaries, sharing gifts, realizing unity – all for the sake of serving Christ together with the gospel of salvation for the world. Christian unity makes a real difference for good in the church and in people’s lives.” Usually both churches require new pastors to go through a three-year ministry development process before being available for ministry under special circumstances. Benoway secured waivers for the call based on Rubinoff’s background.
Previously she served as an Associate in Ministry in Crooked Creek Cooperative Lutheran Ministries in Western Pennsylvania from 2004 – 2007. At the time she had a Master of Arts in Ministerial Arts. Following a sense of call, she returned to seminary at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and in 2006 completed a Master of Divinity degree as an endorsed candidate for ordained ministry in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod.
“After my graduation and approval, my husband Mike and I moved to Naples, Florida. There were no openings in a Lutheran congregation so I took a position with the Village School. This school is a ministry of North Naples United Methodist Church. Through my employment in the school, I met Dr. Ted Sauter, the senior pastor at the church. When he learned of my background, I was hired to work at the church. I began as the program coordinator and adult education director and was later promoted to the position of director of education,” Rubinoff explained.
The Rev. Dr. Ted L. Sauter became senior pastor in 1992. During his tenure, North Naples United Methodist Church grew to weekly worship attendance of some 1300 and a membership of over 2000. Situated on a sprawling campus, the congregation hosts the Village School of Naples, one of the few certified independent schools in the area, which provides care for infants through eighth grade education. His wife Ginger Sauter serves as Head of School.
TUMC and the ELCA have held several ecumenical dialogues over the last couple of decades. Building on ecumenical work going back to the 1977 and a relationship established between the UMC and the Lutheran Church of Norway in 1997, the churches proposed a full communion agreement, in 2007, Confession Our Faith Together. TUMC adopted the proposal at its General Conference in 2008, and the ELCA followed suit at its Churchwide Assembly in 2009.
Sauter said, “With the agreement of full communion between the two denominations, it was now possible for her [Rubinoff] to be formally called by our church, ordained as a Lutheran pastor, and appointed by our bishop with full credentials as an associate pastor. It is a great day for the church when together we can recognize the gifts God has given to those He has called. We thank both Bishop Edward Benoway of the Lutheran Synod and Bishop Timothy Whitaker of the United Methodist Florida Conference for making this union possible.”
Following the ordination, the congregation of over 300 in attendance filled the gymnasium for a buffet dinner. Clergy from both churches participated in the ordination service; many of them members of a local pastors fellowship. District Superintendent Rev. Alan Jefferson represented Bishop Whitaker. Rubinoff’s appointment is the second exchange of ministers between the two churches in Florida. Last summer United Methodist pastor Rev. Marc MacLean received an appointment/call to serve as a pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in the Villages.
“These kinds of arrangements are examples of the real Christian unity,” said the Rev. Russell Meyer, Executive Director of the Florida Council of Churches. “When one church has resources or gifts for ministry that another church appropriately deploys for the mission of God, then the world can see that it’s really about Christ, not us.” Meyer participated in the ordination and assisted in finalizing arrangements between the offices of the two bishops.
Jessica Fairfax Receives Appointment as ELCA Volunteer Missionary
Jessica Fairfax, a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, receives ELCA appointment to serve as a volunteer in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program. This year, 43 volunteers will serve in Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Israel-Palestine, Slovakia, Hungary, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Pastor Rafael Malpica Padilla, ELCA Executive for Global Missions, issued the appointment; his letter is below.
On learning of her appointment, Jessica sent this letter to Bishop Benoway on June 3, 2010:
Dear Bishop Benoway, It is with great excitement and pride that I have been selected to serve the Lord as a missionary representing the Florida-Bahamas Synod through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) ministry. I know that Pastor Padilla, Executive Director of ELCA Global Mission sent a letter (attached) sharing my selection with you, but I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and to seek support from my home Synod. My home congregation is Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, having been baptized by Pastor Hafer while visiting my grandparents who were active members of CLC. My family moved to Cape Coral in 1995, and became members of CLC shortly thereafter. Through the years, our family has actively participated in the life of the congregation and the community in which we live. For me, that has meant planning and organizing CLC vacation bible school for 100 kids, chaperoning middle school youth at Lutherock, sharing the child’s word during services and volunteering at the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio. Last summer, I was selected to serve as an intern for the World Hunger department at ELCA Churchwide in Chicago. I graduated from the University of Florida in December with a degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. A copy of my resume is also included. During my years in school, my family has continued to be active members of the congregation – my brother, Jeff, is now the part time youth director at CLC and has served in various capacities at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (Luther Springs) for many years; my mom, Pam, has served on Council, shepherded the youth for a number of years and currently assists in worship. Our faith community continues to be a great source of comfort and encouragement, especially during this time as I follow God’s call. As you can imagine, I am thrilled for this opportunity while at the same time, I wonder what the next year will bring. Confident this is the path to which God has called me, I still need support from my family, my congregation and my extended faith community. To that end, I am asking for your support, and that of our Synod congregations. Humbly, I ask for: Prayers - your prayers and the prayers of all 200+ congregations of our Synod. Please consider spreading the news of my appointment as a F-B missionary and ask them to remember me regularly in their prayers. Funding – it costs approximately $10,000 to send me to South Africa for the year, of which I must raise at least $4,000. I, and the Global Missions staff, would greatly appreciate any financial assistance that can be provided for my service. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Christ Lutheran Church (2911 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33904). Checks should be made to the church with a notation in the memo line of “Jessie Fairfax – YAGM”. To date, I have received $1,000. Guidance - Your guidance on how best to share my experiences with the Synod and member congregations throughout the year. Invitations - upon my return in July 2011, I would appreciate invitations from our congregations to speak about my experiences and the how God is working in South Africa. Based on the preliminary information from Global Missions, I will be leaving for Chicago around August 18th, with departure for South Africa during the following week. Please let me know if you would like more information, or if there are other steps I should be taking to further engage our Synod in this ministry. Thank you Bishop Benoway, for your prayers and assistance. Likewise, I will continue to hold this faith community in my prayers throughout the next year.
In His Service, /s/ Jessie Fairfax Email:
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The Reverend Jerry Wall, Director of Evangelical Mission for the Florida-Bahamas Synod, has accepted the call as Senior Interim Pastor of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Chanhassen, Minnesota, resigning his current position, effective July 9th. In his letter to the synod, Bishop Benoway speaks of a common affection for Jerry and of his significant ministry in the development and oversight of the synod's missional objectives.
June 9, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Rev. Jerry Wahl has informed me of his intent to resign as the Director for Evangelical Mission, and to return with his wife Karen to the greater Minneapolis area. As the local staff of the Evangelical Outreach and Congregation Mission Unit (EOCM) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pr Wahl has served in this synod as our director of mission outreach for over three years. His resignation is effective July 9, 2010.
Pr. Wahl has worked closely with our new mission congregations and the synod’s Evangelical Outreach Committee, and has been a close partner with me on developing the Together in Mission vision and strategy for growing the Lord’s Church in this synod. His presence, gifts and leadership at our mission tables will be greatly missed. Pr. Wahl also participated faithfully as a member of my bishop’s staff. I give thanks for the many ways that he has served as a colleague and friend to me and the others on my staff team.
In his letters of resignation to the Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of EOCM, and me, Pr. Wahl shares that he will return to Minnesota where he has accepted a call to serve as Senior Interim Pastor of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Chanhassen. The Wahls will return to their house in Minneapolis that had not sold while they were living in Tampa. Please see their note below.
Pr. Steve Bouman will meet with me later this week to discuss the transition and the next steps related to securing a new Director of Evangelical Mission for the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Pr. Wahl will be involved in these conversations to share his insights and experiences.
I invite your prayers for Jerry and Karen Wahl during this time of transition in their lives, and for our synod as we begin a process of discernment regarding mission outreach staffing considerations. May the Holy Spirit stir up our hearts and lives as we are faithful to God’s call to service!
In Christ and His Love,
+Bishop Ed Benoway Edward R. Benoway, Bishop Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA
Florida-Bahamas Synod House 3838 West Cypress St Tampa, FL 33607 813-876-7660
The trainer for Strategic Communication Skills is the Reverend Doctor Bobbie Blackburn, Pastor of Trinity in Bradenton. Pastor Blackburn is a trained Lab I leader with L.E.A.D. Consultants Plus of Atlanta, GA, and a Congregational Conflict Consultant with the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Pastor Blackburn is a certified Master Practitioner and Trainer in Neuro-Linguistics and has served as an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church for twenty-four years. She received her Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and her Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
This Strategic Communication Skills training will be held at the Synod House in Tampa. We begin at 9am on Friday, October 29 and conclude by 6pm on Saturday, October 30th. The follow-up Skills Day will be Thursday, November 18. The registration fee is $70 per person, which covers course materials and lunch on Friday and Saturday. To register, please email Irene Flynn at
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or call her at 813-876-7660 ext 229. Reservations for hotel accommodations which include breakfast at the Courtyard Marriott across from the Synod House can be made through Irene. The group will go out to a local restaurant on Friday night.
Why attend Strategic Communication Skills?
Local churches, whether small or large, will benefit greatly by training their pastors and lay people in these communication skills. In the training, you will learn specific skills on how to care for another person. Eleven of the skills are listening behaviors and the others are rapport building, problem solving and closure skills. What you learn in this training will be useful in all areas of your life: family, parenting, church, work, school and all personal relationships.
Training Goals:
Identify the necessary elements for healthy, open communication.
Understand the process of developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with individuals and groups.
Identify emotional acting out or internalizing.
Develop ability to hear and draw out criticism in a helpful and constructive way.
Creating a church community that functions according to Jesus’ advice in Matthew 18.
Develop competency in 11 depth listening skills.
Skills:
Sharpening specific communication skills: behavior description, creative questions, direct expression of feelings, fogging, life commandment listening, negative inquiry, neuro-linguistics, paraphrase, perception check, story listing, story polarization listening.
Becoming a sensitive, astute observer.
Interviewing techniques which get to the real issues.
Can an old-fashioned lemonade stand do much to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief?
Seven-year-old Jamey Lee of Cocoa Beach thinks so.
She heard her grandmother, Michelle Hilton of Sarasota, talking about disasters around the world and decided she ought to do something about it.
“Pastor Livenson Lauvanus of Haiti preached at St. Paul in Sarasota, and his open and warm demeanor made a huge impression on Jamey,” said Hilton, who serves as chair of the Mid-Gulf Conference.
Jamey got everything together for her lemonade stand and posted a sign that read, “Give to Haiti – Lemonade $1-10.”
After her day of selling, Jamey called her grandmother and announced with excitement, “Guess what! I collected $65 for Haiti!”
“She practically yelled,” said Hilton with obvious pride. “She asked me to share her news with her favorite pastor, Pastor Lyle Truitt at St. Paul, because it was kind of like that story he told her where Jesus took the boys’ bread and fish and fed 5,000 people.”
Hilton also had a chance to give the money Jamey had raised directly to Pastor Lauvanus when he visited Emmanuel, Venice following the recent Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly.
“Jamey asked me to give the money to Pastor Livenson for the kids in Haiti,” said Hilton, “which I did with tears in my eyes.”
Pictured at top is Jamey Lee at her lemonade stand. Pictured below is Pastor Livenson Lauvanus of Haiti and Michelle Hilton with Jamey’s $65 and accompanying note, “For Haiti from Jamey Lee, Age 7.”
Nearly 700 voting members and guests attended the 23rd Annual Assembly of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, Apr. 30-May 2, 2010. The theme was “Beyond Words.”
Featured was the kickoff of the Together in Mission Capital Campaign with plans to raise over the next three years $2 million for congregations and leaders of this synod to grow Christ’s Church in our time and place, and $500,000 to support the growth and mission of the Lutheran Church of Haiti.
Also featured at the assembly was the reception of Jesus Rey de Gloria Lutheran Church, Hialeah, FL as a new congregation of the ELCA. The congregation offered a liturgical dance as a gift to the assembly to the delight of all. Read More
Have you been looking for a new way to get involved working for justice? Well, there is a justice movement going on in our backyard.
I am writing to give information about the Farmworker Freedom March & Rally in April. This is going to be a peaceful movement from Tampa to Lakeland encouraging Publix to continue their tradition of caring for the community. The prayer and hope is that Publix will sign an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to use their buying power to help end the continued Harvest of Shame in the fields of Florida. This is an opportunity to stand up against modern day slavery and truly begin to change a system of oppression. I pray many will participate and keep us in their prayers.
Details for the CIW's big event of the season, the Farmworker Freedom March & Rally, have been announced!
FARMWORKER FREEDOM MARCH & RALLY: APRIL 16 -18
The 25-mile walk leaving Tampa on Friday, April 16th, will culminate in a large rally in Munn Park in downtown Lakeland, where Publix is headquartered, that Sunday afternoon, April 18th. Saturday evening, after a full day of walking from Plant City, a vigil will be held at Publix corporate headquarters. Details here http://ciw-online.org/freedom_march/index.html :
Friday, April 16 | Tampa
Day-long march from downtown Tampa to Temple Terrace
Gather at 9:00am - Gather in downtown Tampa for kick-off rally and beginning of march (location TBA)
End at 6:00pm - Publix in Temple Terrace (5450 E. Busch Blvd)
Saturday, April 17 | Plant City > Lakeland
10-mile walk from Plant City to Publix corporate headquarters in Lakeland
Gather at 9:30am at Plant City Publix (2202 James Redman Pkwy)
End at 6:00pm at Publix corporate headquarters (3300 Publix Corporate Pkwy, Lakeland, Airport Rd. entrance)
SUNDAY, APRIL 18 | LAKELAND MARCH & RALLY
1:30pm: Gather for picket at Publix supermarket (2518 S. Florida Ave.)
2:00pm: 2-mile march from Publix to Munn Park
3:30pm: Major rally and concert in Munn Park (100 S. Kentucky Ave.)
The final three days of the CIW Modern Slavery Museum statewide tour are, you guessed it, during the Farmworker Freedom March & Rally. Scores of farmworkers and religious supporters will accompany the museum's centerpiece - a cargo truck designed as a replica of the vehicle used to enslave tomato pickers in Immokalee in 2007 - to the hometown of Publix decision makers as part of the march.
There, Lakeland museum goers may stop to ask, in the words of yesterday's insightful column from the St Pete Times why, exactly, "until this year's freeze wiped out Florida tomato supplies, Publix, for example, was buying tomatoes from two farms involved in the most recent slavery case."
TAMPA--Bishop Edward R. Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod today announced the lifting of a public censure that was placed in February of 2002 on Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 1900 SW 35th Avenue in Ft. Lauderdale. That censure was placed in response to the church’s calling and installing of Bill Knott as their pastor even though he was no longer on the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
At the time of the censure, Bishop Benoway noted that he realized the congregation was acting according to their consciences and convictions during a time that the ELCA was engaged in conversation and study of sexuality and rostering matters. Knott was living in a committed, same-gender relationship and had voluntarily removed himself from ELCA clergy roster prior to 2002.
The censure was lifted as a result of action taken at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly “to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.” Abiding Savior is a congregation that supports those in such relationships and welcomes all to participate fully in the life and ministry of the congregation.
“It is my great joy to be removing this censure and renewing the welcome of members of this congregation to full participation in all aspects of our life together in the Florida-Bahamas Synod,” wrote Bishop Benoway to leaders at Abiding Savior. He went on to express his gratitude for the congregation’s patience and continuing partnership over the past eight years as “we have studied the Scriptures, discussed matters of sexuality, and debated countless resolutions on the floors of synod assemblies and churchwide assemblies.”
“You have participated in the life of the synod through your presence at synod assemblies and conference gatherings, and you have supported the ministries of the whole Church,” wrote Bishop Benoway, pointing out that this congregation remained generous in their giving of mission support for synodical and churchwide ministries.
“You remained always a witness to this church of what you believe is right and consistent with our Lord’s teaching,” he said. “In prayer and discernment, we have together sought the will of God in these matters.”
As a result of further decisions made at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA is also seeking ways for persons in publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church. “In the very near future,” Bishop Benoway wrote, “I anticipate being able to share with Bill Knott the process that he and I may follow” to pursue his reinstatement to the clergy roster of the ELCA.
Bishop Benoway concluded by giving thanks for the partnership that this congregation shares with the Florida-Bahamas Synod and the ELCA.
Abiding Savior was one of two congregations censured at the same time in 2002 for calling pastors not on the ELCA clergy roster. The other was Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Key West, which voted to close as a congregation in 2009 as a result of diminished membership.
By the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
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The Rev. Wally Meyer, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer, Temple Terrace, is featured in the current (April) edition of The Lutheran magazine, page 43. The article, titled, "A Passion for Germany," talks about Pr. Meyer's frequent visits to Oberammergau and the fact that he will serve in a part-time capacity this summer for the Kreuzkirche, which he describes as a "rehab ministry program." For a link to the online version, click here.
After prayer and much discussion at its meeting Feb. 27-28, the synod council of the Florida-Bahamas Synod unanimously voted to decline a request by St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fort Pierce to terminate its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and to affirm the importance of St. Peter church to this synod’s outreach in this community.
The action follows the guidance of the ELCA Constitution, section 9.62, which states that in addition to congregational votes and the consultation by the synodical bishop, congregations that were former members of the Lutheran Church in America and congregations that are established by the ELCA shall be required … “to receive synodical approval before terminating their membership in this church.” St. Peter, Fort Pierce was organized in 1961 as a church of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), a predecessor body of the ELCA.
According to the constitution, the ELCA exists in an interdependent relationship of congregations, synods and the churchwide expression, which share a common mission, a common identity, a common confession and a common heritage (sections 1.01.01; 5.01.c).
“All of this needs to be considered when a congregation seeks to terminate its relationship with the ELCA, since such a decision affects more than just the immediate congregation,” said the Bishop Edward Benoway following the synod council’s decision. “As a local expression of the whole church, a congregation’s heritage includes not only the current membership, but also the vision, mission, identity and confession of those who labored to establish that congregation in the first place – and those who will come in the future.”
“That made missional concerns a significant part of the discussion by the synod council,” said Benoway. “Fort Pierce remains an important mission field for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and we want to maintain our witness to this community.”
“The council tends to be mission-focused," said Cheryl G. Stuart, synod vice president and synod council chair. "We had a lot of discussion, and we prayed a lot. It was really about mission for us in the area. We are committed to trying to walk with this congregation and rebuild the relationship," said Stuart speaking of the resolve of the whole synod council.
Bishop Benoway acknowledges that “it will be a challenge” to find ways to work with a congregation that has voted to terminate its relationship with the ELCA. He has been in contact with the pastor of St. Peter, the Rev. Ted Rice, to begin to explore ways in which the synod and the congregation can move forward together.
Pr. Rice has previously served as dean of the Space Coast Conference and has worked closely with the Office of the Bishop on many matters related to congregations in the conference.
“I hope that we can build on the relationship and the respect that we share for one another. We value the insights and gifts that the Spirit gives to Pr. Rice and the people of St. Peter for the building up of the body of Christ.” says Bishop Benoway.
On Mar. 9, the pastor and congregation of St. Peter Lutheran Church were notified of the synod council’s decision. In the letter, the Rev. William Yesse, synod secretary wrote: “It is our hope and prayer that we will discover new and vital ways to move forward together in the mission that God gives to us in the Fort Pierce community. To this end, we commit ourselves to working closely with the people of St. Peter to strengthen the relationship between this congregation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as we seek to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world.”
The annual gathering of the North American Association for the Catechumenate (NAAC) will be held at the beautiful Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach, Florida—a mile from the beach and only two hours south of Disneyworld. The theme of the 2010 event is “When Heaven Touches Earth: Reclaiming the Mysteries of Faith for Baptismal Living Today”. Special focus will be on the triduum, especially the Easter Vigil as, a highpoint of the catechumenal journey.
Thirty-three men, women and children of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton gathered on Tue., Feb. 16 to load 509 boxes onto a Lutheran World Relief (LWR) truck bound for Maryland before shipping them overseas. The boxes totaled nearly 10,000 pounds and contained quilts, blankets, health kits, school kits, serving kits, layettes and soap, all lovingly made or assembled by 23 different ELCA churches in southwest Florida.
A new Fortresspress.com website goes live on Monday, February 15! To celebrate, we are offering a 40% discount on all Fortress Press titles purchased on the new site between Monday, February 15 and Friday, February 28!
An ecumenical conference for clergy and laity sponsored by the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology. Monday evening June 14 through Wednesday noon June 16, 2010 at the Loyola University, Baltimore, MD
On February 17, we join Christians around the world on our annual 40 day Lenten journey beginning with ashes reminding us of our mortality and leading to the waters of new birth and resurrection on Easter. Lent is a time to renew our life together in Christ. Rostered Leaders are invited to participate in one of four Lenten Visitation events scheduled in 2010. There are no workshops for laity planned this year in conjunction with the Lenten Visitation Services.
April 30th - May 2nd, 2010 at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
Are you or is someone you know going though a career crisis? Many people are unhappy in their vocation and aren't sure which steps to take to find work that fits their gifts and mission in life. Career Crossroads is a spiritual retreat that can help with these difficult decisions.
For questions, please contact the Region 9 office at 803-461-3203 or email
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. The deadline for registrations is April 1st.
Join us March 5-7, 2010 in O’Leno (High Springs) for a fun-filled weekend that includes canoeing, workshops, fellowship, and worship at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry of Florida's 2010 River Rat Ramble.
Join the Florida-Bahamas Synod Professional Lutheran Church Women group on Facebook. This group was started by Pastor Marjorie Weiss of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Wellington, FL, to "be a place to connect and share information as well as learn from each other as we encounter the joys and sorrows of ministry." All women, lay and clergy, working in the context of a congregation or other church related ministry are welcome to join.
Mr. Adam J. Bost, Specialist for Communications, has resigned to accept the position of Stage Manager with Busch Gardens of Tampa. In his new role, Adam will oversee various entertainment and theatrical events at the theme park. “I have always had a passion for working behind the scenes in live theatre,” said Adam Bost. “This provides an opportunity to combine that passion with one of my long-term goals of working in a management role in the theme park industry.”
Thanks to a generous grant from Thrivent Financial, LLMI is able to extend a special offer for professional church workers to enhance their health and wellness. With so many issues facing pastors, rostered leaders, and all who work for the church, making time for self and family care is critically important.
LLMI has identified several programs that focus on multiple aspects of the Board of Pension’s Wholeness Wheel and are able to offer them at a 50% discount to pastors, rostered leaders, and paid church workers who have never participated in that particular program before.
Three Opportunities…. To grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” - 2 Peter 3:18 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hernando and Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Gainesville, of the Pinelands Conference, Florida Bahamas Synod of the ELCA, present….
Carl Branham, the new Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida Development Director, began his service on January 4, 2010. Carl comes to this position after having served in financial planning, marketing and manufacturing. While not having previously served in the church, his brother, Tony, is a campus pastor at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA and his sister Cathy is a missionary in Southeast Asia. Carl was raised in Blythewood, South Carolina, and has lived in Michigan and now in North Carolina.
Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) staff and volunteers are working around the clock to assist in the processing of Haitians arriving in Florida following the devastating earthquake that struck the nation's capital on Jan. 12.
About 25,000 Haitian Americans holding dual citizenship in the United States and Haiti are expected to arrive in the next week, mostly in Florida, according to Eric Tillich, Vice President for Agency Advancement at LSF.
"People are coming here basically with nothing except maybe a backpack," said Tillich, "after losing everything in the earthquake."
LSF staff and volunteers are currently assisting at Orlando Sanford International Airport by providing interpreters who speak Creole, helping with processing, and seeing that those arriving get food, water, provisions and any needed medical attention. Children are being given Mickey Mouse stuffed toys to provide some level of comfort.
The 2009 Bishop's School will be held the week of June 20-26 on the campus of Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Youth from all over the southeast will come together to study with seminary professors, worship in Christ Chapel and witness the way God is working in the world and in their own lives. They'll learn what it means to think theologically!
“Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to his people. Transform us by the Spirit of his love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.” [Prayer of the Day, Second Sunday after Epiphany]
This has been a challenging year financially for our members, our congregations, our nation and the world. As may well be expected, the financial circumstances of our lives were also often reflected in the offerings received by congregations and the Mission Support shared by congregations with the greater church. The 2009 Mission Covenants were lower than previous years leading our synod and the ELCA churchwide expression of our church to adjust ministry plans accordingly. As a synod, we remain faithful to our practice of sharing 51.25% of all mission support received in 2010 with the greater church as a model of first fruits giving.
The day long Florida Lutheran Seniorfest will be here the week of February 8 – 13 in four locations around the state, Hurry, registration ends soon. Ask anyone who has been there and they’ll tell you the day is packed with learning, good food, and fellowship. Go to the web site for registration forms, posters, maps, and details of the day.
Don’t let the older adults in your congregation miss this outstanding, all-Lutheran event!
Pastor Livenson Lauvanus of the Lutheran Church in Haiti will be speaking at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Orlando, FL at 7 p.m on Thursday, January 21, 2010. This will be a time of conversation, prayer, and encouragement together to which all are invited. Contact Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church (1801 Rouse Road, Orlando, FL 32817-4513) by calling (407) 282-5866 or emailing
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.
Contacts: Stacy Eckes-Borys,
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, 920-628-2445, 920-851-1510 (cell) Brett Weinberg,
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, 612-844-4272, 612-219-3244 (cell) Dave Rustad,
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, 612-844-7037, 612-240-2264 (cell)
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its members aim to generate $3 million to aid Haiti earthquake response Organization rallying its members by pledging to match $1 for every $2 of donations up to $1 million
MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 15, 2010) – In response to the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is announcing a $1 million challenge to its members across the country. Thrivent Financial will match $1 for every $2 donated by Thrivent Financial members up to $1 million for the potential of generating $3 million. Funds will be directed to four Lutheran organizations to support their Haiti earthquake relief efforts: Lutheran World Relief, ELCA Disaster Response, LCMS World Relief and Human Care and WELS Committee on Relief.
Faith Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL, will host a Community Prayer Service for the people of Haiti on January 24, 2010, at 2:30 PM in their sactuary at 7750 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (Just north of the mall on the west side of Beneva Road). Pastor Joseph Livenson Lauvanus of the Lutheran Church of Haiti will be preaching. All People, all churches, all clergy are invited to attend and participate in the service. Offering taken during the service will go to Haitian Earthquake Relief fund of the Lutheran Church of Haiti.
ELCA Seminary Student May Have Perished in Haiti Earthquake 10-014-JB/MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- It is believed that Benjamin Judd Larson, a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, died from the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, according to the Rev. Duane H. Larson, Wartburg president.
Pastor Livenson Lauvanus, the President of the Lutheran Church of Haiti, has been in Florida for several weeks, so he was not in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. He is planning to return to Haiti when it is possible to do so. In the meantime, he is willing to talk to as many churches, groups, etc. as possible to raise awareness of Haiti and the even greater need in the aftermath of the quake.
He will be in the Orlando area on January 19, 20 and 21. To schedule Pr. Lauvanus during these three days, please call Pr. Luther Kistler at 407-566-8621, or cell 407-432-0286.
Everyone is invited to attend these events:
January 17, Sunday, preaching at morning service at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg, FL
January 17, Sunday, speaking at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, Tarpon Springs, in the afternoon.
January 20, Wednesday, afternoon and evening at St. John, Winter Park. He will be speaking in Schaeffer Hall from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., before or after which anyone can speak personally with him. Dinner will be served at St. John from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., reservations for dinner must be made by Monday, January 18th, by calling the church at 407-644-1783. The charge for dinner is $6.00. The youth of St. John will have a car wash from 3 p.m. till dark to raise money for the Lutheran Church of Haiti.
January 21, Thursday, from noon to about 2 p.m., brown-bag lunch at St. John, Winter Park, in Schaeffer Hall.
Please call Pr. Kistler (407-566-8621 or 407-432-0286) to schedule any other meetings with Pr. Lauvanus during these three days (Jan 19-21).
RIC Sunday is traditionally aimed at the established RIC congregations. However, Lutherans Concerned/Central Florida encoyrages all congregations to consider including prayers for reconciliation and unity within the ELCA, and within congregations during this time of transition since the decisions of Churchwide Assembly 2009. The Prayers of the Church, included in the Resource Packet, are very appropriate for most congregational settings. This could also lead to dialogue around this critical issue of our Faith and Homosexuality.
In order to provide more children and youth in the Florida-Bahamas Synod the opportunity for summer camp, Camp Lutherock in North Carolina and Luther Springs in Florida are partnering to make both sites more accessible. A bus will originate in Boca Raton, Florida, on Saturday, July 31. All riders will spend the night at Luther Springs Saturday night. 3rd-5th graders will enjoy Extended Discoverers Week at Luther Springs. Middle and High School youth will travel on to the Mountains of North Carolina for a week of High Adventure at Camp Lutherock. The bus will pick up others along the way to Lutherock. The bus will then return to Luther Springs on Saturday morning, August 7 and return to Boca Raton by 4 PM Saturday afternoon. Stops along the route will be determined later.
Click here for more information or contact Rev. Mike Ward by calling 828-209-6325 or email
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Pr. Livenson is with Pastor Paul and Kathy Winemiller in Venice, Florida. Their phone number is 941-412-1898.
Updates from the ELCA News Service:
ELCA International Disaster Response Commits Funds to Haiti Relief
10-009-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- International Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) announced it will immediately commit $250,000 to support response efforts to the earthquake in Haiti. It will also advance another $500,000 in anticipation of additional gifts from ELCA members. ELCA members can contribute gifts online at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or call 800-638-3522.
ELCA Seminary President Reports Students' Status Unclear in Haiti
10-014-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- At least one student, perhaps two, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Wartburg Theological Seminary are unaccounted for in Haiti, following a severe earthquake that struck Jan.12, according to the Rev. Duane H. Larson, Wartburg president. Wartburg, Dubuque, Iowa, is one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Presiding Bishop Details ELCA Response to Haiti Earthquake
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CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is responding to the earthquake in Haiti through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), wrote the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a Jan. 13 letter to members. Hanson, who is also president of the LWF, noted that the ELCA has committed substantial funds to support relief efforts, and encouraged members to share information and provide financial gifts.
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- At least one student, perhaps two, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Wartburg Theological Seminary are unaccounted for in Haiti, following a severe earthquake that struck Jan.12, according to the Rev. Duane H. Larson, Wartburg president. Wartburg, Dubuque, Iowa, is one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Renee Larson, one of the three seminarians from Wartburg, has contacted the U.S. Embassy and she apparently is alright but doesn't know where her husband Ben is. No mention was made about Jon Larson, the third seminarian.
Students from Luther college are apparently alright.
A group of Lutherans from Colorado apparently are in Jacmel and are reported to be safe.
The Episcopal Trinity Cathedral, where we had the ordination on January 30, 2009 was demolished.
Bishop Duracin, ( Episcopal) lost his house. He and his wife survived.
There has been no communication possible with our Eglise Lutherienne pastors. Pr. Livenson is with Pastor Paul and Kathy Winemiller in Venice, Florida. Phone number 941-412-1898.
God in our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult, we will not fear. – Psalm 46
On Tuesday, January 12, just after 5pm, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the southern part of the country of Haiti. The international media is reporting that conditions in the country are extremely critical and most communication and travel to and from Haiti have ceased. Please pray for the Haitian people and those on the ground in Haiti.
“I do not have the words to express the great pain and sadness I feel for the people of Haiti,” said Bishop Edward R. Benoway, Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA. “Many congregations here in the Florida-Bahamas Synod share a special relationship with the people of Haiti through fundraising and mission trips. At this time, there are various groups from our synod and from around the ELCA serving in Haiti. Please also keep them and their families back home in prayer during this time of uncertainty. Our close partnership with the leaders and people of Haiti is now more important than ever.”
Over the next few weeks, representatives of our synod and I will be consulting with three of our Florida-Bahamas Synod congregations that have taken first votes to terminate their relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These congregational votes were taken in response to the decisions made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly relating to the ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality and the Recommendation on Ministry Policies. Following the consultation process, any of these congregations, if they still desire to terminate their relation with the ELCA, may vote on such action at another properly called congregational meeting.
This men’s retreat held April 9-11, 2010 at Lutherock offers an opportunity to be in a place where God can teach us a lot about ourselves and faith through the mountain waters. There is time for learning knots and for practice casting before heading out together to the rivers on Saturday and Sunday morning. Through devotions and worship we will prepare for time of reflection and prayer; enhancing the fishing experience beyond just catching and releasing. The program begins after lunch on Friday and concludes with lunch on Sunday. The cost for the retreat is $185 per person and includes Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, housing in Moretz Cabin and Crow’s Nest and program costs. A North Carolina fishing license is required and can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org.
Rostered leaders, please mark you calendars now for the 2010 Florida-Bahamas Synod Conference on Ministry, September 20-22, 2010. More information will be available in late Spring 2010.
North American Association for the Catechumenate is an ecumenical organization which provides training and support for churches engaged in the process of baptismal conversion and making Christian disciples. ELCA pastor Rick Rouse serves as president. Rouse is co-author of A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation (Augsburg Fortress, 2008).
2010 GATHERING FEATURES LATHROP AND RAMSHAW
The annual gathering of the North American Association for the Catechumenate (NAAC) will be held at the beautiful Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach, Florida—a mile from the beach and only two hours south of Disneyworld. The theme of the 2010 event is “When Heaven Touches Earth: Reclaiming the Mysteries of Faith for Baptismal Living Today”. Special focus will be on the triduum, especially the Easter Vigil as a highpoint of the catechumenal journey.
(Gettysburg, PA) The Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (cluster) has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to extend its 2005 initiative called “Project Connect,” which is strengthening the network of congregations, institutions, and agencies that encourage those who will become the next generation of church leaders.
THE 2010 MOCKINGBIRD MINI-CONFERENCE: “GOD’S GRACE IN A WORLD OF GLORY”
This January 29th and 30th, please join Christ Church Parish and Mockingbird Ministries as we explore the theme, “God’s Grace in a World of Glory”. Together with our speakers Dr. Mark Mattes and David Zahl, we’ll delve into the theological and cultural underpinnings of how God’s forgiveness finds and transforms us even in the midst of our hectic modern lives. Our approach will be biblically-rooted and Cross-centered, with an emphasis on how the Gospel speaks to the problems and demands of everyday life.
This enriching event allows individual ringers or entire bell choirs to gain new skills for their music ministry back home.
Each weekend features in-depth instruction, fellowship, worship, and performance with an advanced and intermediate track. Choirs will leave with polished pieces that can be used for each of the seasons of the church year.
Featured clinicians for 2010 are:
February 19-21: Michael Joy (Intermediate Track) and Timothy Waugh (Advanced Track)
February 26-28: Sandra Eithun (Intermediate Track) and Cathy Moklebust (Advanced Track)
For more information and a music list for the clinicians or to register for a weekend, please visit our website: www.llmi.net/adult/Handbells.aspx.
Ms. Jenny Michael, former president of the Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women's Organization and current board member of the Women of the ELCA, is part of an exciting Protestant ministry at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her story was shared through a local publication and is available by clicking here.
Download as PDF The LOMF Board of Directors has been working vigorously to chart a new roadmap to continue quality Christ-centered programs and maintain strong and stable leadership, while reducing operating costs. This led to closing the Tampa office, with Katie McClay concluding her service after nine years as office manager.
The board also determined that it was not cost effective to maintain a full-time Site Manager at Luther Springs. Unfortunately this meant that Don Pelt’s service was terminated in June 2009. Pelt continued to work part-time as a contract employee up until the end of November when he concluded his service and moved off-site.
With these staff reductions, it was determined that the program director should move to Luther Springs, with dual responsibility to manage the site and coordinate programs.
Former ELCA Presiding Bishops Call on Members for Prayers, Financial Gifts
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CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Two former presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have appealed to members to pray for unity of the church and its mission, and to contribute financial gifts to support the ELCA.
"Our troubled world needs the Good News of the Gospel and all that flows from it," wrote the Rev. Herbert W. Chilstrom and the Rev. H.
George Anderson, in a Dec. 3 e-mail message. "Our differences must not divide us at a time like this. We are absolutely certain that we can continue to live together and serve as one family in the ELCA."
Chilstrom, St. Peter, Minn., was the ELCA's first presiding bishop, serving from 1987 to 1995. Anderson, Decorah, Iowa, succeeded him, serving from 1995 to 2001.
The former presiding bishops began their letter with an invitation "to join us in prayer and action for the mission and ministry" of the ELCA.
Gathered to Learn. Sent to Serve. is the theme of the regional conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians to be held June 20-23, 2010 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Jacksonville. Major presenters will include Andre Thomas (choral), Mark Mummert (worship), Florence Jowers (organ), and Paul Weber (chaplain/preacher). Workshop leaders will include Valerie Stephenson (handbells), Rex Rachel (Orff), Don Armitage (Psalms), Bob Moore (composing for the church), and more. Brochures will be mailed after January 1. Info will also be available at www.alcm.org.
A summer sunset broke through the afternoon thunderstorm as the congregation gathered at North Naples United Methodist Church for the ordination of their new associate pastor. In a living testament to the recent full communion agreement between The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Edward R. Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ordained and installed Lutheran Sandy Rubinoff into ministry in the United Methodist congregation on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm, with the blessing of Florida Regional Bishop Timothy Whitaker, who made the United Methodist Church appointment on July 1.
Can an old-fashioned lemonade stand do much to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief?
“She practically yelled,” said Hilton with obvious pride. “She asked me to share her news with her favorite pastor, Pastor Lyle Truitt at St. Paul, because it was kind of like that story he told her where Jesus took the boys’ bread and fish and fed 5,000 people.”
Nearly 700 voting members and guests attended the 23rd Annual Assembly of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, Apr. 30-May 2, 2010. The theme was “Beyond Words.”
The Rev. Wally Meyer, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer, Temple Terrace, is featured in the current (April) edition of The Lutheran magazine, page 43. The article, titled, "A Passion for Germany," talks about Pr. Meyer's frequent visits to Oberammergau and the fact that he will serve in a part-time capacity this summer for the Kreuzkirche, which he describes as a "rehab ministry program." For a link to the online version, 
Join us March 5-7, 2010 in O’Leno (High Springs) for a fun-filled weekend that includes canoeing, workshops, fellowship, and worship at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry of Florida's 2010 River Rat Ramble.
Carl Branham, the new Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida Development Director, began his service on January 4, 2010. Carl comes to this position after having served in financial planning, marketing and manufacturing. While not having previously served in the church, his brother, Tony, is a campus pastor at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA and his sister Cathy is a missionary in Southeast Asia. Carl was raised in Blythewood, South Carolina, and has lived in Michigan and now in North Carolina.
Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) staff and volunteers are working around the clock to assist in the processing of Haitians arriving in Florida following the devastating earthquake that struck the nation's capital on Jan. 12.