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Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

July 13, 2022

Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast at the Preaching Excellent Program, 2022

Two seminarians from the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast were among those selected by their seminaries to participate in the Episcopal Preaching Foundation’s annual Preaching Excellence Program. At the end of May and beginning of June, Amanda Dosher (Virginia Theological Seminary) and John Fountain (Seminary of the Southwest) spent a week at Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond with almost 50 other seminarians in what is often called “preaching boot camp.” The annual conference exposes seminarians to a variety of styles of preaching along with numerous workshops, and most importantly, a peer review preaching group. 

At a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, the Rev. Dr. Brent Norris (Rector of St. Paul’s Foley) was honored by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation for 17 years of service as a member of the program faculty. He was a PEP student in 1995.

The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is currently part of a Preaching Foundation pilot program for the training of Lay Preachers. 

Brotherhood of St. Andrew makes contribution to Prison Ministry

On June 30, Dick Hooper, director of the Christ Church Brotherhood of St. Andrew Chapter, presented a check to the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, and Deacon John Kendall, chair of the diocesan Commission on Prison Ministry and long-time Brotherhood member.

This particular contribution will be earmarked for the purchase of debit cards to be given as Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated people. Deacon John stated: “we want to invite other parishes in the diocese to contribute so we can reach as many needy children as possible and fulfill Christ’s promise: ‘when you do this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you do it to me.’ ” Matthew 25: 34-37

In February and March, the Brothers prepared chili “to go” for parishioners attending coffee hour and dedicated the profits to the fund. Special kudos are given to Brother John Matthews, the master chef and supervisor for the chili fest.

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Celebrate Wilmer Hall Sunday, July 31

Join us in honoring the long-standing mission and ministry of Wilmer Hall Children's Home, a supported agency of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Each year on the last Sunday of July, we take this opportunity to celebrate this organization that serves the community of Mobile, Alabama.

Wilmer Hall was founded in 1864 as a home for orphans and widows. More than 158 years later, they continue to carry out their mission to serve young people in need. They serve children and young adults through residential and educational programs, all aiming to provide each individual with the skills needed to be successful, contributing members of the community. They serve 130 children in their education programs and up to 36 young people in their residential programs at any given time. The residential programs serve young men and young women with children.

To learn more about the mission and ministry of Wilmer Hall, to schedule a tour and/or lunch, please contact Executive Director Pratt Paterson at 251.342.4931 or ppaterson@wilmerhall.org.

Additionally, Wilmer Hall would be appreciative if churches would consider donating a portion of the loose plate offering to support their programs. Donations can be made online at www.wilmerhall.org or sent to Wilmer Hall Children’s Home, 3811 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608. Thank you. 

School for Ministry seeking rental space

The School for Ministry students will be gathering for long weekends again this year and looking for a home to rent monthly. 

Is there anyone in the Pensacola area who may have such a home that could serve as the school's base from Friday to Sunday? The home will be used for teaching and instruction, cooking meals, spiritual formation, and fellowship. The students are very responsible and respectful of property. There will be about 10 students this year and will need sleeping quarters for five or six.

Students will be gathering on these dates this upcoming year:

If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Dean Joy Blaylock at joyblaylock@diocgc.org. 

Art of Holy Listening - Spiritual Direction Training

February 2023-October 2025

In April, we shared the news of a new local three-year program for spiritual director training that is set to begin in February of next year, offered by Center for Sacred Space. This training is suited for those who sense a call to compassionate listening and companioning others on their spiritual journey. It is suited also for those drawn to growing in attentiveness to God's movement in their lives and hunger for deeper intimacy with God within spiritual community.

For anyone interested in learning more about the program or completing an application, details are provided in this brochure.

In Case You Missed It

• The Rev. Ashley Freeman joins diocesan staff READ
• Bishop Russell's response to tragedy at St. Stephen's READ
• Applications for the 2022-2023 Lay Ministry School Certification Program due August 15 DETAILS
• Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation 2022 Calendar: VIEW CALENDAR

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze held its second annual Divots and Duffers Golf Tournament on Friday, June 10 at The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre. Over $4,800 was raised which will benefit the church and its related charities. The first-place team consisted of a team of young athletes from the Gulf Breeze High School golf team. They were each awarded a plaque and a box of Pro VI golf balls. Pictured, left to right, are: Ryan Tracy, Parker Crain, Holland Davidson, and Sydney Holderman. Ryan and Holland also won awards for the longest drives for men and women. The team was sponsored by a St. Francis parishioner who wishes to remain anonymous. The Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard, interim rector, sent the golfers off with a prayer before the start of play.

Bishop Russell's visitation to Trinity, Mobile on June 12. 

"It was never about a hotdog and a coke" - Recommended reading from the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation

One of the operative words in our Commission’s title is “Reconciliation”. In this context “reconciliation” involves a change in the relationship between persons. One of the significant elements of Reconciliation is truth-telling. We must know and face the truth to reconcile. The following forward to the book "It was never about a hotdog and a Coke" shares with us the value of knowing the truth regarding racial discrimination in Northeast Florida in the 1960s. The book is available at your local bookstore or on Amazon (ISBN-10 1595942017) 

Submitted by Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation Member, Michael Foote

Foreword (to book) 

by Rodney L. Hurst Sr.

I want to share with you a facet of Jacksonville’s history very few are willing to discuss, let alone embrace. Although its darkness may give Jacksonville’s reputation a black eye, the eye-opening details, when synthesized, provide a remarkable history worth telling.

It never ceases to amaze me how selective our memories are when it comes to situations filled with embarrassment, shame, and hurt. We choose to forget turbulent times rather than learn from them, as if not talking about them will make them go away. Just as closing our eyes does not cause us to go blind, shutting our mouths does nothing to erase memories or make events disappear from history.

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Beckwith Summer Camp 50th Anniversary Weekend

August 5-7

Staff, camper, director alumni and all Beckwith supporters are invited to a fun-filled weekend celebrating 50 years of summer camp at Beckwith. 

REGISTER HERE

Save-the-date!

The Commission on Affirmative Aging is sponsoring the second annual workshop, Adventurous Aging: How to Stay Young at Heart on October 29, at St. Paul's Episcopal High School in Mobile. Presentations will include: 

• Recent Research on Senescence with Melinda Henderson, Ph.D., APRN
• Orthopedic Health and Joint Replacements with Grant Zarzour, M.D.
• Cardiovascular Health with Matthew Quinn, M.D.
• Cardio Worship and Chair Yoga with Natalie Smith of St. Mary's, Coden
• Pain Management with Aimee Walsh, M.D. 

Registration will open closer to the event. 

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER

August 13: The Market on Blue Angel Parkway, Holy Trinity, Pensacola

Wilmer Hall Children's Home

Wilmer Hall is seeking a full-time director of development. Contact Executive Director Pratt Paterson, at ppaterson@wilmerhall.org. 

VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION

80th General Convention

The 80th General Convention has come to a close. Complete details on all the financial, legislative and leadership decisions made for the future of our church can be found at the links below:

• The General Convention website
• The Episcopal Church video hub
• The Episcopal Church photo hub
• The House of Deputies website

There will be a special publication released soon with highlights from our own diocesan deputation. Stay tuned!

EYE 2023

The Episcopal Church is thrilled to announce that The Episcopal Youth Event will take place July 4-8, 2023 at the University of Maryland. This event is open to Episcopal youth in grades 9-12 during the 2022-23 academic year and their adult mentors.

Details for our diocesan representation are forthcoming. 

July 24

St. James, Port St. Joe

St. John, Wewahitchka

July 26-August 7

Lambeth Conference, England

Printable versions of the prayer cycles are available at www.diocgc.org/cycle-of-prayer.

Last October, Bishop Russell introduced the "Go Forward" campaign - a call for renewal, leadership, mission and unity in our diocese. To learn more about the campaign's priorities and stay up-to-date on the latest news, including our recent videos, visit www.goforwardcampaign.org.

Make a gift or pledge HERE.

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.

Coastline is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

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