The Episcopal School of Jacksonville (ESJ) welcomed the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars to its campus for the team’s 2022 training camp. The Jags used the school's Knight Sports Campus fields as their pre-season practice facility to prepare for the upcoming NFL season while their new practice fields in Downtown Jacksonville are under construction. 

“Episcopal is excited to have this opportunity to partner with the Jaguars again,” said Director of Athletics Andy Kidd. “We are happy to support our hometown NFL franchise by sharing our facilities with Coach Doug Pederson and the team. I am thankful to all of our people who worked tirelessly to enable the Jaguars to practice at ESJ, notably Matt Flakus, Bernie Hurley, and Tim Allen. It has been a true team effort.”

On July 30, ESJ's varsity football team was allowed to watch the Jaguars practice and meet the team. Check out a few of the best photos! (Credit: Joe Kohla).

Earlier this month, the Episcopal School of Jacksonville's varsity football team held a three-day preseason camp at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center.

For three days, the players were without their cell phones - as they were fully focused on practicing as well as bonding with one another and connecting with coaches on a deeper level.

According to Coach Marcus Wells, there were no complaints, and multiple times he witnessed the boys have meaningful conversations. 

Each day, optional morning and evening prayer time was available. On the last night, there was a chapel service led by team chaplain, The Rev. Andy Farmer, which was a time of tremendous sharing and emotion.

"It was truly one of the most special moments in my 12 years of coaching," said Coach Wells. "We are truly thankful for Gina, Terri and her staff for taking good care of us while there and for everyone else that I had a hand in pulling this off. It was truly amazing!"

Are you interested in pursuing a license in lay ministry?

For the first time, the Bishop's Institute for Ministry and Leadership is organizing a Foundations Course, an introductory curriculum that puts participants on a path to lay ministry licensure.

Scheduled to commence Sept. 17, the nine-month course will take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Taliaferro Hall at St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville.

This course will be of benefit to those who are currently engaged in lay ministry and leadership in their church or mission and also to those seeking to discern a call to new opportunities for ministry. It will also serve as an entry level or ‘gateway’ course for those deciding to train for Licensed Lay Ministry in a specific area, such as Licensed Worship Leader, Catechist, Lay Preacher, Lay Pastoral Minister or Evangelist. To learn more about the course, click here.

This course will be $350. Payment plans are available. Watch-ahead video lessons, reading materials and writing assignments will be included in this course once they become available. 

Paid registration will be available soon. If you are interested, please contact Sue Engemann at sengemann@diocesefl.org.

We're very excited to announce new Diocesan personnel: Yola, Bishop Howard's newly adopted german shepherd. Please join us in welcoming Yola to the Diocesan family!

Recently, Alma R. Flowers was honored as the recipient of the Mattie Hopkins Honor Award by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE).

In a prior UBE announcement and subsequent Diocesan newsletter, it was reported she received the Dr. Anna Julia Cooper Honors Award instead. 

Congratulations to Alma R. Flowers!

Cursillo #144 is returning with two separate three-day learning, sharing and inspirational experiences of living in a Christian community! The objective of the Cursillo movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places.

Men's Cursillo #144: September 22-25. To register, please click here.

Women's Cursillo #144: September 29-October 2. To register, please click here.

The Welcoming Ultreya will be in Mandi’s Chapel at Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center on October 22.

For more information: Contact Lay Director, Guy Bond or Spiritual Director, The Rev. Sandy Tull.

Coming Up:

September 9-11: Happening #145

September 11: Bishop Howard to visit Grace Episcopal Church, Orange Park

September 17: Bishop Howard to visit Church of Our Saviour for Daughters of the King Assembly

September 18: Bishop Howard to visit Church of Our Saviour

September 22-25: Men’s Cursillo #144

September 25: Bishop Howard to visit St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville

September 29-October 2: Women’s Cursillo #144