December 11, 2019
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
Advent Signs of Life
by the Rev. Kammy Young, Canon Missioner for Development: Evangelism and Mission Engagement
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!  

Advent is like a...fruitcake?
by Michelle Crawford, St. Jude's Niceville
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.

COMMUNITY NEWS
The Border Zone Project
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..."
JUST Pensacola - Interfaith Justice Ministry in Escambia County
by the Rt. Rev. George D. Young, III
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.

DIOCESAN NEWS
Episcopal Church Announces 2019 Becoming Beloved Community 
Grant Recipients
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."

The Good Book Club for Epiphany 2020
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.

The Good Book Club website - here you will find many resources, including the list of readings.
Bishop Russell’s Good Book Club videos - here you will find all of Bishop Russell’s videos from previous series. 
Beckwith Summer Camp Registration is Open
Summer camp is one of those experiences that no child should ever miss. Dates for 2020 and new tiered pricing are now available.

Visit Beckwith website for details.
WIDER CHURCH NEWS
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.
Episcopal Migration Ministries Releases New Resource
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.

DIOCESAN EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
49th Annual Diocesan Convention

February 7-8, 2020 | Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile
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.

Visit our convention webpage at www.diocgc.org/2020-diocesan-convention for details, hotel information, and preliminary schedule (subject to change).

YOUTH - EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Happening #56
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.

To learn more, visit the national Happening website or read this Happening FAQ.
Episcopal Youth Event will be July 7-11, 2020 at University of Maryland (updated location)
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.

Questions? Contact EYE20 registrar Rachel Iversen at rachels.iversen@gmail.com.
CHURCH & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click the links for event details. To submit an event for publication consideration, COMPLETE THIS FORM.

December 13

December 14
Advent Quiet Day at Nativity, Dothan

December 15

December 18

To see future events beyond those listed, visit www.diocgc.org/church-and-community-events.
BISHOP RUSSELL'S VISITATION CALENDAR ( click here for full calendar )
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
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

CYCLE OF PRAYER ( click here for full calendar )
Please join your prayers with others in our common witness as the Episcopal Church in the Central Gulf Coast
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
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
IN OTHER PUBLICATIONS...
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Bishop Russell's Blog
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