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
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Advent Signs of Life
by the Rev. Kammy Young, Canon Missioner for Development: Evangelism and Mission Engagement
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Each year during the season of Advent we are encouraged to slow down, to be quiet and listen more carefully, and to prepare the way for new things God is doing in us, in our families, in our churches, our communities, our nation, and our world.
But that is so counter-cultural! Slow down and be quiet - Good Lord! How can we can turn and pause, listen, and accept the invitation to be more fully in love with God and our neighbor at precisely the same time when our culture commands us to focus on accumulating as many experiences and things as possible, to be super productive and happy during the great season of consumer retail spending?
Yet, all the signs of the times around us cry out for hope and help…to see beyond the signs of the times to the signs of life, true life. So I thought it might encourage you this Advent to take a moment to reflect on just a few of the signs of life we’ve witnessed developing lately. Take a look at just a few signs of the Spirit moving in our life together as a diocese extending our mission beyond the status quo. I hope it reminds you that there is a new world coming and born again through Jesus in all of us!
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Advent is like a...fruitcake?
by Michelle Crawford, St. Jude's Niceville
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The most polarizing thing about this time of year isn’t necessarily what Starbucks prints on their cups, or when is it too early to play Christmas music in the stores. No, I’d argue it’s the humble fruitcake.
People in the anti-fruitcake camp think of it as a barely edible lump filled with unidentifiable neon globs, weighing and tasting about the same as a brick. Those who like fruitcake, however, have no doubt had the pleasure of eating a truly good fruitcake at some point in their lives. This is a quality product, rich with dried fruit and nuts and generously flavored with alcohol. These good versions are why fruitcakes are still popular instead of relegated to a joke of Christmas past.
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Over the past six months, a group of about 20 members from across our diocese have traveled to the Texas-Mexico border to serve in mission, and learn more ways in which they can bring advocacy and awareness to solving the needs of asylees who are seeking resettlement in the United States.
The Rev. Deacon Clelia Garrity regularly share updates on the teams work and forming bond with
Team Brownsville, who brings humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers.
Here is the team's latest update. Deacon Clelia says the Border Zone Team plans to send another group of 15 people in February to help prepare and serve meals at the border. Contact Deacon Clelia at
garritycpg@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the next mission.
Here are two reflections from previous trips:
one from Mary Poteat, a 16 year old who says, "Our presence in that moment let them know that we see them, they are God’s children, and they are loved." The other comes from
the Rev. Mary Alice Mathison who shares, "...when we view immigration through the lens of faith, as followers of Jesus, we begin to see God in those who we often view as strangers..."
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JUST Pensacola - Interfaith Justice Ministry in Escambia County
by the Rt. Rev. George D. Young, III
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On Monday night, November 4, the Rev. Kammy Young described the scene at First United Methodist Church in Pensacola as "a glimpse of heaven on earth - 283 people from 18 congregations all gathered to start a new justice ministry organization- JUST Pensacola: Justice United Seeking Transformation in Pensacola. Thank you God, and so many, many others."
JUST Pensacola is a congregation based organization working in the local community, addressing local community problems under the biblical mandate for justice.
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Episcopal Church Announces 2019 Becoming Beloved Community
Grant Recipients
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Congratulations to our Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation on receiving a Becoming Beloved Community Impact Grant from The Episcopal Church for "growing capacity, impact, and reach of communities and institutions already working to advance racial justice, healing, and reconciliation."
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The Good Book Club for Epiphany 2020
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Once again, we are happy to announce our participation in the Good Book Club during Epiphany 2020, January 6 through February 25. Bishop Russell will be doing short video reflections for each week’s readings on the Gospel of John. Videos will be posted and shared each Thursday prior to the week’s reading. We invite you to participate along with us.
If you would like information on how to use the videos for group study, contact our diocesan coordinator for the Good Book Club, Sally Crenshaw at
crenshs@cox.net; she will be happy to help.
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Beckwith Summer Camp Registration is Open
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Summer camp is one of those experiences that no child should ever miss. Dates for 2020 and new tiered pricing are now available.
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Online Christmas Eve Program Offered By The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is offering digital Christmas Eve services on December 24, making Christmas Eve worship accessible to those not attending a service or program at a local church. More information on the digital Christmas Eve programs will soon be available here:
https://episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources.
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Episcopal Migration Ministries Releases New Resource
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Join Episcopal Migration Ministries on Thursday, December 12, 4-5:30 p.m. ET, for an overview and introduction to the new resource,
Supporting Asylum Seekers: A Toolkit for Congregations. Presenters and practitioners from across the country and The Episcopal Church will speak to group discernment, ministry models, and important considerations when engaging in ministry with asylum seekers.
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DIOCESAN EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
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49th Annual Diocesan Convention
February 7-8, 2020 | Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile
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Registration is now open for Diocesan Convention. Clergy and delegates are $135; all others (alternates, clergy spouses, visitors, exhibitors) are $45. Everyone is welcome to attend. Registration is required.
All registrations include entry to the Friday evening Mardi Gras Party hosted at Christ Church Cathedral.
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YOUTH - EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Happening #56 will be held February 14-16, 2020 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.
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Episcopal Youth Event will be July 7-11, 2020 at University of Maryland
(updated location)
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The
Episcopal Youth Event is a triennial event offered to youth throughout the Episcopal Church. Over 1000 individuals (high school students, adult mentors, and bishops from around the church) gather and live on a college campus for the entirety of EYE20. The week is spent in worship, large group presentations, youth-led small group sessions, workshops on a variety of topics, and time to hang out and meet people from around the world.
Details are in the packet linked below.
Deadline to apply is December 15.
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CHURCH & COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Click the links for event details. To submit an event for publication consideration,
COMPLETE THIS FORM.
December 13
December 14
December 15
December 18
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December 15
Visitation at St. Mary's, Milton
December 18
Visitation at Advent, Lillian
December 22
Visitation at St. Thomas, Greenville
December 24
Visitation at St. Cyprian's, Pensacola
December 29
Visitation at St. Stephen's, Brewton
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January 3-4
Commission on Ministry Overnight at Beckwith
January 5
Joint Visitation at St. Thomas, Laguna Beach and Grace, Panama City Beach
January 8-10
Clergy Conference at Beckwith
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Please join your prayers with others in our common witness as the Episcopal Church in the Central Gulf Coast
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December 15
St. Andrew's, Panama City
December 22
Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
December 29
St. Stephen's, Brewton
January 5
St. Thomas by-the-Sea, Laguna Beach
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December 15
Gulf County Jail, Port St. Joe
December 22
Escambia County Jail, Pensacola
December 29
Jackson County Corrections Facility, Marianna
January 5
Holmes County Jail, Bonifay
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A newsletter for youth ministry leaders
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A newsletter for church
leadership
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How to submit items for publication in the
Coastline
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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.
This edition of
Coastline
will be the only one in December.
Due date for submissions for the next edition of
Coastline is Friday, January 3.
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