Together, we are the body of Christ ~ transforming people from members into disciples, moving more deeply into God's call to life and ministry, and extending our mission beyond the status quo.
Discipleship | Discernment | Development
|
|
TO HOLD IN YOUR PRAYERS
As we approach the day, one year ago on October 10, that Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Gulf Coast, let us remember and pray for our friends, families and neighbors whose lives were forever impacted. Here is an intercession to include in your prayers:
“We pray for the ongoing work of recovery and rebuilding following last year’s Hurricane Michael. And we pray for the continuing healing of lives and for the common life we share in community.”
Below are two special community services of healing and remembrance offered on
October 10 in the Panama City and Port St. Joe areas:
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PORT ST. JOE at 5:30 P.M. EST (4:30 P.M. CST)
HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PANAMA CITY at 6 P.M. CST
|
|
Local churches join together to celebrate the Way of Love in Freeport
|
Episcopalians are joining the
Explore the Outdoors Festival in Freeport, Florida, this year. St. Jude’s, Niceville is participating along with St. Agatha’s, DeFuniak Springs, and Christ the King, Santa Rosa Beach to provide kayaking and cold drinks at the event. Please join us for some outdoor fun and meeting our neighbors as we show our Episcopal presence and celebrate the Way of Love in Freeport.
Look for the
Way of Love in Freeport tent on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Live Oak Landing, 229 Pitts Ave. Freeport, FL. The park is at the intersection of Fishcamp Rd and Pitts Ave.
Contact the Rev. Kammy Young, canon missioner for development at
kammy@diocgc.org with questions.
|
|
Bishop Russell to celebrate a new ministry and ordain a new priest
|
It is with great joy that we ask for your prayers, blessings, and attendance for two upcoming services for clergy in our diocese:
|
|
The Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Eric Zile, who has been called to serve as the rector for Trinity, Apalachicola, will be held on Wednesday, October 16, at 6 p.m. at Trinity.
|
|
The Ordination to the Priesthood for transitional deacon, Pete Burgess, who will serve as a curate for St. Paul's, Mobile, will be Wednesday, October 23, at 6 p.m. at St. Paul's.
|
|
Book review | Sing to the Lord an Old Song: Meditations on Classic Hymns
by the Rev. Marshall Craver
|
"Sing to the Lord an Old Song: Meditations on Classic Hymns" is a soul-stirring book. The author is Dick Schmidt, former rector of St. Paul’s, Daphne, retired editor of "Forward Day by Day," and now chaplain to the retired clergy of the Diocese. As I read each of Dick’s meditations on these hymns, I found myself praying with mind and heart. My way of thinking about God was probed, my holy imagination inspired, and my passion for the Living Flame of Love rekindled.
In this unique contribution to devotional literature, Dick takes forty “old” hymn texts and passes them through the prism of his soul and prayer life, refracting for the reader new images of the one Light otherwise unseen. This book is well-researched, deepening each hymn’s capacity to draw us into prayer and move us into Love’s way of being and acting.
|
|
October 13 is Murray House Sunday
|
Bishop Russell Kendrick has proclaimed Sunday October 13 to be Murray House Sunday across the diocese.
Murray House is an agency of the diocese and has been for the past 25 years. As an assisted living facility, Murray House seeks to serves many of the most vulnerable of society with dignity and respect.
The purpose of Murray House Sunday is to inform the diocese of this ministry and ask for assistance in replacing the facility’s aging roof in the “Raise the Roof Project." While trying to be a reasonable cost option for individuals, Murray House must seek funds for capital improvements.
For more information please call Pam Koch at 251.454.7110 or Laura Rutherford at 251.476.7350.
|
|
The Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation learns about the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
|
October 14 is Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation used its scheduled September meeting to learn more about the Poarch Band of Creek Indians near Atmore, Alabama.
We respectfully recognize that prejudice, bias, discrimination and oppression have been visited upon more people of color than our African American brothers and sisters. Racism is not a binary issue of Black and White. This is not to diminish the horror suffered, but to acknowledge others have, as well. White supremacy and the Doctrine of Discovery have been the source of countless previous wrongs. For example, for many decades the children of the indigenous people in Poarch were refused admittance to the Atmore public schools, nor were they allowed to ride the public bus. Access to healthcare and other services were also denied or delayed. In our own Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, there are many people of respective skin colors who today face harsh treatment, if not wrongful discrimination, mainly because of their skin color.
|
|
The Commission would also like to share this excerpt from the book, "The Four Vision Quests of Jesus," by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, which illustrates how much we can learn by seeing the Gospel through the eyes of Native American tradition
"The Incarnation is God’s vision quest.
That sentence is the most concise way to express the doctrine of the Incarnation from the Native American viewpoint. The Incarnation has all of the classic elements of a quest. God experiences a time of preparation (the first vision quest of Jesus). God expresses a need for the support of community (the second vision quest of Jesus). God endures a test on behalf of all people (the third vision quest of Jesus). God makes a transforming lament that heals the world (the fourth vision quest of Jesus). From the perspective of Native American tradition..."
|
|
Commission on Affirmative Aging leads workshop on dementia education
|
On Saturday, September 21, at St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, the Commission on Affirmative Aging led a workshop entitled “The Silver Tsunami.” The content was based on a workshop led in our diocese in the spring of 2018 by the Rev. Collette Wood of the Diocese of Massachusetts. The objectives included identifying signs of dementia, becoming a dementia-friendly congregation, and caring for the caregivers. Participants were led in group discussions and experiential exercises as well as teachings on dementia through lectures and media sources. And of course much good food and fellowship were enjoyed by all.
Participants described the workshop as both exhilarating and sobering, educational and empathetic, informative and frightening. Many said they felt both challenged and empowered to increase elder ministries in their congregations.
The Commission now has the tools for leading this workshop again and/or a workshop on End of Life Decisions. Those interested in bringing this to their area contact the Rev. Sara Phillips at
sara.phillips@springhill.org or 251-709-7979.
|
|
Photo albums from the Diocesan Choir Festival and BayLights now available
|
We had two wonderful events in September. Click the images below to view the photo albums.
|
|
Diocesan Choir Festival at Christ Church Cathedral
|
|
|
Rooted in Jesus Conference
|
Please join Bishop Russell and many others from our diocese in Atlanta, Georgia on January 21-24 for the Rooted in Jesus Conference, a collaborative effort of Episcopal Church Foundation, Missional Voices, Forma, Episcopal Evangelism Society, Forma, Forward Movement, Episcopal Preaching Foundation, Diocese of Atlanta, Evangelism Matters, and of course, The Episcopal Church.
Tracks reflecting the various aspects of discipleship will be offered: formation, mission, stewardship, evangelism, preaching, leadership, and communications, or you can chart your own course from our long list of workshops, panels, and plenaries. For more information, please visit:
rootedinjesus.church.
|
|
The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry podcast continues with second season
|
Season 2 of The Episcopal Church’s
podcast
The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, continues with new episodes every Tuesday through November 5. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry, podcast hosts Kyle Oliver and Sandy Milien, and a variety of guests, center on ways to live a life committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love.
|
|
DIOCESAN EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
|
|
WORKSHOP | Invite-Welcome-Connect
Presented by the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Saturday, October 26 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | St. Christopher's, Pensacola
|
With the Rev. Donna Gerold as facilitator.
Invite Welcome Connect:
- PROVIDES practical theological framework and comprehensive process for engaging communities in the all-important disciplines of evangelism, hospitality, and belonging;
- ROOTED in the gospel directive to, “Go and make disciples of all nations” utilizing the God-given resources of a community to help build the Body of Christ;
- DESIGNED to accommodate congregations of all sizes, crossing all social and economic boundaries;
- EXPLORES the ways creativity and relational ministry go hand in hand in effecting cultural change;
- PROVIDES assessment tools, videos, and ministry materials that are designed to be adapted based on the interests and needs of each community of faith.
Cost is $50 per team, covers training, materials, and lunch. For congregational teams of 2-12 clergy and lay people. Church will be invoiced upon registration.
|
|
|
|
Please register once as a group
|
|
Happening #56 registration now open
|
Happening #56 will be held February 14-16, 2020
(date correction)
at St. Paul's, Daphne. Staff Training will be January 17-19. Cost is $60. Scholarships are available.
Happening is a spiritual retreat weekend for teenagers in grades 10, 11, 12, led by teenagers under the direction of adult clergy and lay leaders. It is a highly memorable, special experience with the purpose of bringing young people into a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship.
Youth who have attended Happening before are invited to apply as Youth Staff. Adults are welcomed to volunteer as well and are asked to contact Happening coordinator, Addie Boyd-Quina at
addiequina@yahoo.com.
|
|
CHURCH & COMMUNITY EVENTS
|
|
Click the links for event details. To submit an event for publication consideration,
COMPLETE THIS FORM.
October 10
October 12
October 19
October 24
October 26
|
|
October 10-11
Clergy Gathering in Panama City
October 12
Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
October 13
Visitation at Trinity, Mobile
Fish Fry at St. Luke's, Marianna
|
|
October 16
Celebration of New Ministry for Eric Zile
at Trinity, Apalachicola
October 20
Visitation at St. Christopher's, Pensacola
October 23
Ordination to the Priesthood of Pete Burgess at St. Paul's, Mobile
|
|
Please join your prayers with others in our common witness as the Episcopal Church in the Central Gulf Coast
|
|
 |
October 13
St. Luke's, Marianna
October 20
St. Jude's, Niceville
|
|
|
|
October 13
Henry County Jail, Abbeville, AL
October 20
Houston County Jail, Dothan, AL
|
|
|
|
|
Also keep in your prayers all of those who have been impacted by Hurricane Michael. Reliefs efforts are still ongoing and will be for sometime. Please consider making a donation.
DONATE.
|
|
|
|
A newsletter for youth ministry leaders
|
|
|
A newsletter for church
leadership
|
|
How to submit items for publication in the
Coastline
|
|
Due dates for submission are the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. The
Coastline will be published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
The next
Coastline
will publish on Wednesday, October 23. The due date for article submissions is Friday, October 18, at noon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
