November 2017 A Publication of Lord of Life Lutheran Church 2017 Issue 11 9225 SW 137 Avenue, Miami, Fl. 33186 305.387.4529 Inside From the Pastor... 2 News from ELCA......3 News from Florida Bahamas Synod 4 Calendar...5 Love to Share....6
Word of Life November 2017 Page 2 by Pastor Boudon! From the Pastor From October 12-14, I participated in the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly in Kissimmee, FL. It was postponed from its original dates in early June due to the unexpected resignation in February of Bishop Robert Schaefer. In an effort to facilitate the election, the Synod decided to have a pre-identification phase in which pastors could be placed in nomination ahead of the assembly. By the time it started on October 12, there were five names: Pastors Russell Meyer, Thomas Slater, Walter Still, Johan Berg, and Brian Armen. The election process is somewhat complicated, but it is designed to ensure that the Holy Spirit has time to do its work. The initial ballot is known as the nominating ballot, on which voting members may nominate any ordained minister in the ELCA, including those who serve in other synods. A total of 69 names appeared on the resulting list. At this time those nominated may withdraw their names from consideration. It is the only time this may be done. The second ballot, then, had 28 names, with the top seven vote getters advancing to the third ballot. It must be mentioned that each ballot requires a high percentage of the vote to win, starting with 75% for the first ballot and ending with 51% on the final ballot. Again, this is to ensure that the Holy Spirit is part of the discernment process. The top five from the third ballot move on to the fourth ballot. They were (in order of votes received): Thomas Slater, Bobbie Blackburn, William Ham Hamilton, Russell Meyer, and Pedro Suarez. It is at this point that each candidate is required to give a two-minute speech to the assembly, the topic of which is open. Following the speeches, the fourth ballot takes place, narrowing the list down to three. It was on this ballot that Pr. Suarez began moving up, placing second. Pr. Slater was first and Pr. Blackburn was third. The three finalists are then shuttled between three break-out rooms in which voting members may ask questions. In my opinion, this was the turning point. The Q&A sessions took place on Friday evening, after which most of us attended a banquet honoring the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. We were therefore given time to mull over what we heard in those sessions and to pray for guidance. For me, none of the three finalists clearly stood out, but I liked a couple of the responses from Pr. Suarez, and my vote preference changed overnight in his favor. We cast the fifth ballot first thing on Saturday morning, when many of us observed a rainbow outside the Embassy Suites Hotel. When the results were made known, an audible gasp could be heard when Pr. Suarez received the most votes, just 14 shy of winning on that ballot. Apparently, his answers to our questions the night before swayed the opinions of many. The final ballot only required a simple majority for election, but Pr. Suarez received 334 votes, compared to 125 for Pr. Slater, giving us a conclusive result. I was seated just two rows in front of Pr. Suarez and was able to see his emotional reaction to the final tally. Tears filled his eyes and he embraced his wife
Word of Life November 2017 Page 3 Aura, seated next to him. The assembly gave him a standing ovation as he made his way to the dais to accept the call. All in all it was both a surprising and yet satisfying election process, proving to me that the process works, since a clear winner emerged. Pr. Suarez now begins the transition period leading up to his installation on January 20. He would appreciate your prayers in the meantime. News from the ELCA (Lutheran Disaster Response) Hurricane Relief The situation: The world has been experiencing one of the highest concentration of major hurricanes in recent times. There have been at least sixteen named storms, five of which have impacted the U.S. mainland and/or territories, leaving widespread damage across Texas, Florida, Georgia Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Haiti, Cuba, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our response: Hurricane Harvey In the midst of a strong local response by individuals and congregations, the groundwork has been laid for the extended long-term recovery work of disaster case management, emotional and spiritual care, volunteer coordination and construction management. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with two of the Texas Synods across the impacted areas of Texas. We anticipate working in the Dickinson and Rockport areas in partnership with Upbring (Lutheran Social Services of the South). With the support of Lutheran Disaster Response, a coordinator will be working to help facilitate volunteers and material donations in the region. Hurricane Irma and Maria Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the Florida-Bahamas Synod, the Caribbean Synod, and other International companions and partners to provide relief to the most vulnerable in the U.S. and around the world. In Florida, the initial response, in addition to local efforts at cleanup and providing temporary shelter, has focused on crisis counseling to thousands in 20 Florida counties. This work is being done through our affiliate, Lutheran Services of Florida. Early support has been extended to care providers so that they can be assured their families are in a stable living situation, and area able to turn their attention to the care of the most vulnerable in the community. In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, we re coordinating the delivery of critical items including dry food, generators, and solarpowered phones. In Haiti, we're supporting womanheaded households and farmers who were affected by the hurricanes. In Cuba, we re supporting the distribution of items like cookware, dishes, and blankets to help families get back to normal life. Tropical Storm Nate
Word of Life November 2017 Page 4 Through our companion church, Iglesia Luterana Costarricense (ILCO), we are planning an immediate response by providing food, access to clean water and other services. We will focus our efforts on indigenous communities along the central and southern parts of Costa Rica s Pacific Coast. What you can do: Pray Please pray for the people who have been affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Give Gifts designated to Hurricane Response will be used to assist those affected by these hurricanes until the response is complete. News from the Florida- Bahamas Synod Pastor Pedro Suarez elected bishop of ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod The Rev. Pedro Manuel Suarez was elected Oct. 13 to a six-year term as bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the Synod Assembly Oct. 12-14 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Kissimmee. Pr. Suarez was elected on the 6th ballot with 334 votes. A total of 230 votes was needed for election. Pr. Suarez has served as lead pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Pompano Beach, FL since 2015. The bishop-elect earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology of Chicago in 1992. Lutheran School of Theology is one of seven ELCA seminaries. Bishop Robert Schaefer was elected in 2013 and served 3 years of a 6 year term before resigning in February, 2017. Bishop Marcus Lohrmann, retired bishop from the Northwestern Ohio Synod, has been serving as the interim bishop. Pastor Suarez will be installed as bishop at noon on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in New Tampa, FL.
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Word of Life November 2017 Page 6 LOVE TO SHARE Our foster children enjoyed going to a movie or having fun at Chuck E. Cheese's as their October Halloween treat. The mother of the younger children planned to dole out their candy on into November, but no doubt the teenagers have gone through theirs already. We need your help with our November project. For several years our Pre-school had partnered with us to fill a basket of food for the two families. That is not possible this year. We are asking the congregation to pitch in to help us fill the baskets. On the first three Sundays in November, please bring canned goods or boxed or bagged nonperishables to Coffee Hour to share with our children. One is a family of three hearty eating teenagers and the other is one with six children, ages one to fourteen. We hope you will stay for Coffee Hour, but if not, please leave your gift in the Narthex. Our mothers really appreciate our helping them stock their pantries as the holidays approach. Our December Christmas project plans are in the planning stage. Be alert for details and plan to participate. Along with the Evangelism Committee and Zumba, we thank you for your generous support at Coffee Hour. It makes us feel good to see everyone staying around to enjoy eating and visiting with each other after services. If you haven't joined us yet, please come on over. Fran McClintock Lord of Life Lutheran church 9225 SW 137 Avenue Miami, Fl. 33186