Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
May 27, 2020
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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.
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CANCELLATION
BECKWITH SUMMER CAMP
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[Beckwith, May 21, 2020]
From the Collect for Pentecost - In the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things…
We are blessed by the love and support that you have shown to us during the emergence of COVID-19. Since the crisis began in March, we have continued moving forward with plans to open Beckwith summer camp to our families. Rachel continued to work with her staff, develop staff training, communicate with deans, and create the camp theme and t-shirts – all preparing for the “Best Week Ever” in God’s front yard.
At the same time we were doing research and actively seeking guidance from the CDC, the Alabama Department of Public Health and the American Camp Association. We began planning based on the guidelines being discussed and communicated about camp operations. These guidelines covered opening day procedures, dining hall adjustments, capacity reductions, counselor screenings, and many different ways to run activities safely.
During this time we postponed the opening of camp by three weeks, cancelled and changed some of the session dates, adjusted the camper capacity all hopeful that we could not only meet but exceed the expectation. We have been strategic, creative, and open to a new way – bust most important we have been prayerful about Beckwith summer camp.
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FAITH LEADERS CALL FOR NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING AND LAMENT
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[The Episcopal Church, May 27, 2020] As we mark the death of 100,000 people in the U.S. from COVID-19, an unprecedented group of 100+ national faith leaders—from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions representing major denominations, national faith-based organizations, local congregations, and millions of people of faith across the country—call for a National Day of Mourning and Lament. Together, they look to federal, state, and local elected officials to
observe Monday, June 1 as National Day of Mourning and Lament, a day marked by moments of silence, lowering of flags, interfaith vigils, ringing of bells, and civic memorials.
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Alex of St. Luke's, Mobile has wisely used the time we've been sheltering at home to develop her interest in creating visual art. Here is her modern take on Rosie the Riveter. Through her artistic gifts, this fifth grader wanted to show that "We can do it."
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Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and friends, St. Luke’s, Mobile raised $1,400 to feed the women of McKemie Place during the COVID-19 crisis. Those contributions allowed them to provide 6 meals (4 lunches, 2 dinners) purchased from local caterers and restaurants. After all those meals, there was money left to purchase a carload of groceries and supplies!
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When you can't go to church, the church can come to you (online that is). Parishioners like Caroline Thompson of St. Mary's, Milton are
sharing videos
of compline, prayers and meditations to help people stay connected spiritually while deepening their own connection with God.
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For the month of May, to celebrate “Creation Stewardship” in our Jubilee year, St. Mary’s, Milton is focusing on “this fragile earth, our island home” by beautifying the church yard with bedding plants. Master gardener, Mary Salinas, chose proper plants, then parishioners made appointments to come and plant. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein.”
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We all miss seeing one another at church on Sundays, a feeling the vestry members of St. Peter's, Bon Secour were struggling with. That's why they decided to take their meeting on parade to their parishioners' homes to let each person know they are loved and missed!
Read more about it.
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New technology, new ways of spreading the gospel. Several churches, like St. Christopher's, Pensacola, are navigating the waters of continuing to offer live streamed services even after we are able to regather in our physical buildings. This is a sign of being adaptable and meeting people where they are - in church or at home.
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Has your congregation been making face masks? Have you shown appreciation for health care workers in some way? Have your food ministry volunteers gotten creative in order to provide food to the community?
Is there something special happening within your church community that you think is really meeting a need? Let us know!
Use this form.
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Please be sure to direct any mail for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to our post office address: PO Box 13330, Pensacola, FL 32591-3330.
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Social media is another way we provide engaging content related to our life together. We post more than the information we send in emails to you. We share timely stories, articles, events, and resources from other churches and organizations that we think you will find interesting or helpful. Be sure to like our Facebook page, so you don't miss a thing!
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ADD YOUR CHURCH TO OUR
FOOD PANTRY LIST
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Food insecurity is a need every community strives to address, especially amidst the pandemic. We would like to create an comprehensive list of churches who have food pantries or feeding ministries. The list will be placed on our website as a resource for people in need or would like to make a donation.
Send an email with church name, city, details for distributing food or receiving donations, and contact person to
communications@diocgc.org.
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RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
CELEBRATING GRADUATION
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[The Episcopal Church, May 14, 2020] The Episcopal Church Faith Formation Department’s Office of Youth Ministry and Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries have been collaborating with youth ministers, campus chaplains, and young adult ministers around the church to curate resources, ideas, and liturgies to help celebrate those who are graduating from high school and college.
Available
Celebrating Graduation resources include prayers and blessings, service videos and virtual choirs, worship bulletins and scripture, as well as a collection of resources and ideas for celebrating 2020 graduates during this pandemic.
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VIDEO SERIES WITH DR. CATHERINE MEEKS
FINDING BRAVE SPACE
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Finding Brave Space is a series of new videos with Dr. Catherine Meeks from the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. There is also a new episode on the A Brave Space podcast on Lament in the Midst of COVID-19.
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VIDEO SERIES AND RESOURCES
EMBRACING EVANGELISM
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In the Baptismal Covenant, Episcopalians promise to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
Embracing Evangelism, a new six-part evangelism video course, is a resource to help Episcopalians grow in their own relationship with Christ and to help others do so as well.
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ONLINE AND LIVESTREAM
WORSHIP OPTIONS
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Until we can once again gather in person, livestreamed services are being offered by churches across our diocese and beyond.
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FOR CONGREGATIONS
OPTION FOR ONLINE GIVING
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Your financial gifts to your church are of vital importance to support their ongoing ministries to your church community and to the most vulnerable among us. The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is providing the ability to give online for congregations that do not have ways to collect an offering or donation electronically.
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RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CONGREGATIONS
FINDING CONNECTION
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The entire world has found itself disrupted due to COVID-19, and we are learning new ways to remain connected to our church communities by modifying how we gather. Blessedly, we have online platforms and other technologies that allow us to do just that. The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast are continually updating our websites with resources on an array of church related topics for individuals and congregations during our time apart.
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Job postings are for paid positions at Episcopal churches, schools or related programs within the geographical boundaries of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
No postings at this time.
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All Diocesan in-person events have been suspended at this time until May 31. If you are a member of a commission or committee please check with your chair regarding online meeting options.
Online Forum: Planning for VBS During a Pandemic
For clergy and formation leaders.
- June 3, 1pm CST: During this online forum we will discuss how to offer Vacation Bible School this summer, keeping in mind the best practices to keep our children safe. Facilitated by Teresa Phares, US Training Operations Manager for the Godly Play Foundation. REGISTER FOR ONLINE FORUM
Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation Zoom Speaker Series
All are welcome.
- June 3, 7pm CST: Dr. Carlos E Aleman - Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
- June 17, 7pm CST: Rev. Deacon Carolyn Foster - Poor People's Campaign
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All events have been suspended at this time until May 31. Please check with your church leadership regarding online options for church events.
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All bishop's visitations have been suspended at this time.
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May 31
St. Michael's, Chickasaw
June 7
Trinity, Apalachicola
St. John the Baptist, Wewahitchka
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May 31
Easterling Correctional Facility, Clio, AL
June 7
Elba Work Release, Elba, AL
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All are invited to participate with us in our 50th Jubilee Anniversary. We've created monthly materials, resources, newsletters, etc. to help us celebrate in a unified way across the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast throughout 2020.
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Coastline
is a biweekly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
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