View as Webpage

Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

February 23, 2022

Go Forward - 51st Annual Diocesan Convention

Fellowship abounded at our 51st Annual Diocesan Convention last week! Our special guests, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Dr. Bertice Berry, certainly brought the power of the Holy Spirit to our time together! We managed to quickly take care of our diocesan business where we voted to approve our 2022 budget and elect new Standing Committee members. Congratulations to Michelle Crawford, St. Jude's, Niceville (Bishop's nomination); the Rev. Bob Donell, All Saints, Mobile (Bishop's nomination); the Rev. De Freeman, St. James, Fairhope; Robert Runderson, Good Shepherd, Mobile; and Mark Waddell, St. Augustines, Navarre who make up the Class of 2025. Our six workshops provided learning about new trends in the Church and creative ways of doing ministry. Many thanks to our host, St. Simon's on the Sound, who put together an outstanding Closing Worship Service and provided volunteers to help everything run so smoothly. Much gratitude for the choir of St. Simon's and the all clergy ensemble called Warm Apple Piety for sharing their musical gifts with us. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended - it was so wonderful to see you all!

Recordings of the Bishop's Address, missioner reports, keynote presentations, ministry videos and worship services are now available HERE.

Photographer Danny Dillard captured the convention for us. Photos are available HERE.

Save the date for the 52nd Annual Diocesan Convention, February 16-18, 2023 hosted by Pensacola area churches - St. Cyprian's, Holy Trinity, St. Monica's - location TBD.

Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday is March 6

Congregations are invited to observe Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent or another convenient Sunday. This year Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday officially falls on March 6, 2022.

At the 2009 General Convention, Lent was officially designated as a time to encourage dioceses, congregations and individuals to remember and support the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. You can view the official designation statement here. We invite all Episcopalians to join together on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, and throughout the Lenten season, to pray for those living in need.

Please also consider dedicating a special offering on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday — in support of ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE, to ensure that children are able to grow, learn and thrive over their entire lives. Download information about how to observe Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday in support of ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE here. This document includes step-by-step instructions to guide you in your planning.

In Case You Missed It

• "Taking the Side of Love" - an article by the Rev. David Chatel: READ NOW
• Camp Beckwith 2022 dates: MORE INFO
• Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation 2022 Calendar: VIEW CALENDAR

Eagle Ceremony at Church of the Redeemer in Mobile. Congratulations to Cecilia Archer for passing her Eagle Scout Board of Review on January 27. She has come a long way since joining Scouts BSA at the beginning of 2019. Thanks to Buddy Weaver, Wayne Sirmon and Fr. Ken Cumbie for attending her Board of Review. Cecilia is a well-known member of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Cecilia and Lella Lowe were the ones who started Community Cafe at Redeemer, Mobile five years ago, and to this day serves over 150 meals every Wednesday to the homeless and the food insecure in our community. Cecilia also helps her grandmother, Deacon Terry Goff (Trinity, Mobile), collect clothes throughout the year to pass out at Project Homeless Connect. Cecilia and Scouts BSA Troop 251 appreciates everything that Church of the Redeemer does for us and the community. Congratulations to Ana Cazalas for receiving her Eagle Scout Award during her Eagle Scout Ceremony at Redeemer. She is the second female in the Mobile Area Council to receive her Eagle Scout. This past summer she also received her Gold award with the Girl Scouts of America. She is an amazing young lady.

Truth Telling: The communication of what is known or believed to be true without deceit or falseness

Submitted by: Joe McDaniel, Jr., Co-Chair of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central

Gulf Coast’s Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation

The following article is taken from the Explanation Section for a Resolution which was introduced and unanimously passed at the Diocese of Alabama’s 191st Annual Convention on February 5, 2022. It is reprinted here with permission. The Explanation resonated with me because it succinctly states why Truth Telling is important in the Ministry of Racial Reconciliation. I hope it likewise resonates with you and brings transformative insight.

In the work of racial reconciliation, the first obstacle to overcome is fear of the truth. For how can we get to reconciliation without knowing the truth? The world recently learned that powerful lesson from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who led his country out of the moral mess that was apartheid by organizing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

CONTINUE READING

2022 Men's Conference - Registration ends Feb 26

March 4-6 at Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

The theme for this weekend of faith and fellowship is Sacred Ground: Reconciliation and the Beloved Community presented by the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, bishop of Maryland. We will also be honoring the Men's Conference founders, Glenn Boom and Ed Rhoel.​

"How good and pleasant it is when brethren live together. It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down the beard." - Psalm 133

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

REGISTER

Becoming Beloved Community: Pilgrimage to Whitney Plantation

Begins March 5 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8271 Whispering Pines Rd, Daphne

Three-part series to experience the truth of plantation life for the enslaved person:

1. Prepare as a small community before the pilgrimage (March 5)
2. Travel to Whitney Plantation (March 19)
3. Gather again to continue community growth (April 2)

MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Selma Bridge Cross Jubilee

March 6

The 56th annual commemoration of Bloody Sunday and the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. March begins at 1pm at Brown Chapel AME Church, 410 Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Selma, Alabama.

The Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation is sponsoring a small bus for transportation to Selma, departing from Rouses Market in Daphne. Limited seating, reserve in advance by emailing psalm82.3and4@gmail.com.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Cursillo #166

March 10-13 at Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

Cursillo #166 is rescheduled to March 10-13, 2022 (originally planned for January 20-23). The Pilgrims have been asked to email the Cursillo Registrar at cursillocgc@gmail.com if they wish to attend the rescheduled Cursillo. 

See the Cursillo website for more information. 

Walking the Mourner's Path Facilitators Training

March 17-19 at Beckwith,

The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is offering a Mourner’s Path facilitator’s training. Walking the Mourner’s Path is a grief program founded out of the need to answer the question, “Where is God in my pain?” The program partners with faith communities around the country to help them reach out and serve those who grieve in their church and their communities. To learn more about the program and training, visit www.mournerspath.com or contact the Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock at joyblaylock@diocgc.org. 

REGISTRATION FORM

BECKWITH ACCOMMODATIONS FORM

Service of Repentance for Racial Injustice

April 2, 9:30 am CT at Christ Church Cathedral, 115 South Conception St, Mobile

Community-wide Service of Repentance hosted by the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation featuring the Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf of the Diocese of West Tennessee, and the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick as speakers and celebrants.

All persons are invited, regardless of race or faith.

There will be displays of youth art, essay, and poetry submissions (all with themes of antiracism, social justice, and racial reconciliation); opportunities to visit with representatives of local advocacy groups; and tours of Dora Finley Heritage Trail, Africatown, and other local sites.

The Service of Repentance will feature the Path to Peace Choir, and there will be a reception and light luncheon, with meet-your-neighbor opportunities.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Women's Spring Retreat

April 8-9 at Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast Assembly of the Order of the Daughters of the King ® is excited to host a retreat for women this Spring at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center. All women of the diocese are invited to join us.

A terrific schedule is planned. Bishop Russell will be with us, and he will celebrate the Eucharist and preach Saturday morning. There will be plenty of space and time to visit with friends, make new friends and just enjoy beautiful Beckwith. We will be focusing on prayer practices for our program. Please come ready to share different ways you like to pray - both alone and in groups. We will learn from each other!

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

February 26: St. Mary's Mardi Gras 5K for Rice and Beans, St. Mary's, Andalusia

March 2: Ash Wednesday Services, St. James, Fairhope

March 5, 12, 19, 26: Taize in the Atrium Lenten Series, St. Francis, Gulf Breeze

June 11-24: Pilgrimage to Israel with the Rev. Thack Dyson, St. Paul's, Daphne

No job posting at this time.

New monthly support groups, other resources available for ‘Embracing Evangelism’ leaders

The Episcopal Church’s evangelism office is excited to offer new resources—including support groups, a promotional video, and upcoming Spanish course videos—for Episcopalians seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ and help others do the same.

Starting Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the evangelism office will offer monthly support huddles for facilitators of Embracing Evangelism, a six-week video course released in June 2020 that seeks to equip participants in the evangelistic work of hospitality, story-sharing, and invitation.

These 90-minute calls will be led by evangelism leaders from the Presiding Bishop’s Office and will include best practices for leading small groups; encouragement from leadership mentors throughout the church; and time for reflection and guided meditation.

All Embracing Evangelism facilitators are invited to join the calls. Register online.

March 6

St. John's, Pensacola

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

In 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 video shown at the diocesan convention, 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.

Update your email preferences by clicking on the "Update Profile" link below.

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE - due the Friday prior to publication date.

SUBMIT AN EVENT - posted on our website as received.

Direct inquiries to communications@diocgc.org.