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E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter | February 24, 2026

YES, the May Family Educational Grant is OPEN to receive applications. Last year we had an issue with the application. The issue is now resolved, and the Synod Endowments Team is eager to award grants. The grant is available to rostered ministers of word and sacrament of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for continued education. From their experience, Pr. Rusty and PJ know how life-changing a professional grant can be for a pastor. They created the May Family Educational Grant so that other pastors may grow in their professional lives through education. Click here for the application. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

APPLY TODAY!

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Upcoming Installations

Sunday, March 8, 10 AM: Installation of Rev. Jay Shailer as Pastor of Emmanuel in Naples (2770 Oil Well Road); Rev. Nicole Eastwood presiding.

Walking Alongside Latino Communities: Faith, Stress, and Behavioral Health in a Time of Change

The Center of Addiction & Faith invites you for a 60-minute workshop on Wednesday, February 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. This webinar equips faith leaders to recognize the unique behavioral health challenges facing Latino communities today, including the effects of immigration policies, discrimination, and economic strain on individuals and families.

Participants explore how these stressors intersect with substance use and other mental health concerns, and learn culturally responsive, faith-informed strategies to reduce stigma, foster trust, and connect congregants to appropriate care.

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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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.

Get Ready for Tax Season

Since congregations and clergy have unique reporting requirements, Portico offers complimentary access to two important resources:

1. The Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar focuses on tax-related topics most relevant to ministers.

2. Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches helps congregations understand their federal tax-reporting requirements.

Both tax guides are available on myPortico and the Tax Filing Information tab on EmployerLink.

Ash Wednesday Dinner Church at King of Kings

King of Kings Lutheran Church in Port Richey welcomed 70 people to a meaningful Ash Wednesday Dinner Church gathering. The evening began with sharing the peace, followed by a simple “meager meal” of soup and bread. After the meal and lesson, the congregation sang “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” and received the imposition of ashes. It was a sacred and spirit-filled start to the Lenten season for all who attended.

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.

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.

VIDEO: “We Will Not Grow Weary”

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and ELCA synod bishops from Minnesota offer a joint pastoral video message addressing immigration activity. The bishops acknowledge the uncertainty being experienced by many in Minnesota and in other parts of God’s kingdom, and they remind this church that in our lament we still hold fast to the promises of Christ and the assurance that we are not alone.

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