E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | February 17, 2026 | | | | |
Upcoming Installations
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Saturday, February 21, 4:00 PM: Installation of Rev. Daniel Weichart as Associate Pastor of Emmanuel in Venice; Bishop Suarez presiding.
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Sunday, March 8: Installation of Rev. Jay Shailer as Pastor of Emmanuel in Naples; Rev. Nicole Eastwood presiding.
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New Just Love Family Lenten Resource
“Neighboring” is the art and practice of caring deeply and acting accordingly. Neighboring is a verb about living in community. Neighboring starts with noticing and knowing who is near, and ends with simply showing kindness and love. Jesus calls us to follow—carrying our cross into relationships with others, showing kindness and love to build one another up, celebrating our diversity and stories through deep listening and care for one another. This Lent, let’s practice “Neighboring” together, following Jesus’ example for us. Each week in Lent we invite you share together with your family, with a friend, or in your own reflections how Jesus calls us to “Neighboring” and care for one another each in our own way.
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As you look ahead to the year before you, this is a good moment to pause and be intentional about what you want your generosity to accomplish. The ELCA Foundation is here to support your plans and help you give in ways that reflect what matters most to you.
In this issue of “Insights,” you’ll find timely insights and practical tips to help you maximize your giving options, review your estate plans and be sure everything is up to date — especially as tax season approaches. You can also catch up on changes that go beyond the financial landscape: Recent updates from the U.S. Postal Service will affect mail timing and delivery, and we’re paying close attention so you can plan confidently and avoid surprises. As always, I’m here as a partner and a resource, ready to help you navigate these changes and align your generosity with your goals. Please reach out anytime. It would be an honor to support you in the year ahead.
The Rev. Ana L. Lugo
ana.lugo@elca.org
(904) 219-2769
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Latest Resources from Global Refuge
Vigil for the Taken is a new vigil resource from Global Refuge that offers an opportunity to name, recognize, and remember members of the community that are disappeared, detained, or deported.
| | In a new video, Rev. Dan Beirne reflects on the question, “Is prayer enough?” and encourages us to continue standing in the gap for our refugee and immigrant neighbors. | |
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Global Mission News
There are wonderful opportunities in store to connect with our companion, the Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG), and you are invited!
First, Dr. Carolyn Schneider, ELCA Mission Personnel serving in Guyana, will be visiting the Florida-Bahamas Synod on March 6–9. She is speaking at a Pinelands Conference Women's Gathering on Saturday, March 7, held at Hope Lutheran, and preaching on Sunday, March 8, at Nativity in Weeki Wachee. After a lunch with St. Paul's in Clearwater on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Schneider will travel to Miami where a coffee will be held at South Miami Lutheran at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9. She will share about her work among the people of ELCG as a Lutheran Identity Professor and Pastoral Ministry Advisor.
Second, a women's accompaniment trip to Guyana is being planned for August 2026, to join with women of ELCG and attend its annual women's convention. Be on the lookout for dates and more information later this month.
Interested in learning more? Email Global Mission Chair Rev. Katie Carroll at revkhc@gmail.com.
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Notify Portico of Any Compensation Changes
To administer benefits accurately, Portico needs to know each member’s current compensation amount. If your congregation’s annual meeting included a salary or benefit adjustment, be sure your EmployerLink user notifies Portico within 60 days of the effective date of that change. Late notifications of compensation changes can impact your sponsored members’ retirement account contributions as well as disability and life insurance benefits. This year, note that EmployerLink users will be asked to verify FICA (for lay employees) or SECA (for most clergy) status as part of the SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up provision.
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LWR Ingathering at Good Shepherd Tampa
Over the past several weeks, Good Shepherd, Tampa hosted a Lutheran World Relief ingathering, collecting 200 boxes—4,489 pounds—of quilts and kits! Donations came from the following Tampa Region churches:
- Hope (Hudson)
- Grace (Lakeland)
- Trinity (St. Pete)
- Lutheran Church of the Palms (Palm Harbor)
- Apostles (Brandon)
- Nativity (Weeki Wachee)
- St. Paul's (Clearwater)
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (Tampa)
- All Saints (Lutz)
- St. Timothy (Tarpon Springs)
- St. Mark Lutheran Church (Dunedin)
- Good Shepherd (Seminole)
- Spirit of Grace (West Pasco)
These gifts will be sent worldwide to people in need. A huge thank you to all who donated time, talent, and resources—and to our volunteer, Pat Zwick, for leading the effort. Good Shepherd hopes even more Tampa Region churches will join in next year!
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Christ Lutheran, Englewood Presents Free Organ Concert Featuring Dr. Richard Benedum
A free organ concert will be presented at Christ Lutheran Church, 701 N. Indiana Avenue, Englewood on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m.
The concert will be performed by Dr. Richard Benedum, professor emeritus of music at the University of Dayton. Dr. Benedum and his wife, Julane, have recently moved to Venice and Benedum was welcomed as the new organist at Christ Lutheran two years ago. He is the former music director of the Dayton Bach Society chorus and orchestra and has conducted numerous cantatas of Bach and other major works from the 17th to the 20th centuries. He has also directed 15 Summer Seminars for teachers in Vienna, Austria. He has studied organ and conducted with Helmuth Rilling (Stuttgart, Germany) and has studied musicology with Christoph Wolff at Harvard University. He retired two years ago as artistic director of the Sarasota-Manatee Bach Festival.
A free-will offering will be received and a reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
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King of Kings, Port Richey Seeks Part-Time Office Manager
This flexible, up-to-20-hour-per-week role supports the daily operations of the church, including communication, volunteer coordination, and administrative support. If you or someone you know has strong organizational and computer skills, we invite you to learn more. Click the button below for full details and how to apply.
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Job Opening: Part-Time Church Treasurer
Joy Lutheran Church in Ocala is seeking a part-time Church Treasurer. Bookkeeping experience is a plus. Hours and compensation are negotiable. Contact (352) 854-4509 or joyocalafl@gmail.com for details.
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NEW Social Statement—Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All
Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All sets forth broad insights that address questions and challenges to the flourishing of civic life in the United States today. The social statement draws on the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions to examine God’s call to civic participation as well as key issues, including church and state, Christian nationalism and the appropriate use of power in government. It calls for robust civic education and offers criteria relevant to questions of political violence, voter suppression, systemic racism and the use of religion to justify domination. Read the full social statement at ELCA.org/civicsandfaith.
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Lenten Devotional Calendar
Bring reflection and inspiration into your home or small group this Lent with this daily devotional calendar, supporting the work of ELCA World Hunger. Available in English and Spanish for download.
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April 17–19: God Spa, Luther Springs
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June 4–6: Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites, Kissimmee
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October 5–7: Conference on Ministry, Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills
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