The Rev. Paul David Kidd (with his wife, Margaret) receiving the Bishop’s Cross Award at the Diocesan Convention in 2011

We recently shared that the Rev. Paul David Kidd, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Florida for 20 years, peacefully passed away at his home on Friday, May 12, 2023. A memorial service took place for him on Saturday, May 20 at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church.

If you would like to make a donation, you may do to St. Joseph's and to Community Hospice.

Fr. Kidd served for 50 years in the Episcopal Church, with 20 of those years in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. He served most recently as vicar of St. James Episcopal Church, Cedartown for five-and-a-half years before retiring in 2002.

He was the beloved husband of Margaret Kidd (deceased) and brother of Mary K. Singley (deceased). Fr. Kidd is survived by daughters Robin Kidd (Bob Vuckovic) and Karen Adams (Steve Adams) and grandsons Cody, Sam and Kevin Adams, along with many nieces and nephews.

Fr. Kidd graduated from P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, Gainesville in 1954, and earned his degree in forestry from the University of Florida in 1959. He then served in the U.S. Army, worked as a forester, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1976. He was also a 40-year adult volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America.

In case you missed it: Our 180th Annual Diocesan Convention will take place Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center.

More information about registration, nominations, resolutions and the pre-convention meeting will be available soon, but for now, please save the date.

We look forward to gathering in the fall of 2023.

We recently shared a few key changes to our Diocesan staff outlined below.



The Rev. Cn. Allison DeFoor is voluntarily stepping down from his full-time role as our Canon to the Ordinary to focus on his family, health and other community responsibilities. He will continue to serve the Diocese in a part-time consulting role as a Consulting Canon to the Bishop.

While this is not a "goodbye," Bishop Howard thanks and appreciates the Rev. DeFoor's constant dedication and service to the Diocese over the years, as he was instrumental in fostering and advancing a variety of Episcopal programs and ministries across our region.

While we will miss the Rev. DeFoor and his everyday impact on our Diocese, Bishop Howard is pleased to welcome the Rev. Cn. Eddie E. Jones to the Diocesan staff as a Canon to the Bishop. Canon Jones will fulfill Canon to the Ordinary responsibilities through Bishop Howard's retirement later this year.

Canon Jones is currently transitioning from his role as Vicar at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville and serving the Diocese on a part-time basis. He will assume his full-time role no later than June.

Canon Jones has served our Diocese in various roles over the past 20 years. In addition to his role at St. Gabriel's, he served as Rector of Christ Church in Monticello and as Interim Rector at both St. Francis-in-the-Field in Ponte Vedra and Trinity Parish in St. Augustine. He was previously appointed as an Honorary Canon by Bishop Howard.

Additionally, in Jacksonville, Canon Jones served three terms as a Trustee for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, including one as Chair for the Trustees.

Should you have any questions about who to contact for specific matters, please email ejones@diocesefl.org.

In case you missed it: Our 35th Annual P.O.S.T. Conference will take place on Sunday, June 25 - Tuesday, June 27 at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center.

During the retreat, you will have the opportunity to learn and grow both professionally and spiritually. You will connect with other like-minded people who have the same profession as you to feel that invigorating “SPARK” again and again! 

We hope that “Spark” will set you on fire and you’ll want to pass it on.

Note: Scholarships are available to those in full-time service who may need them.

Please direct any questions to Sue Engemann: sengemann@diocesefl.org or call (904) 356-1328 You may also contact Vickie Haskew: vhaskew@diocesefl.org or call (904) 753-2852.

On May 14, Christ Church Ponte Vedra Beach celebrated the Spring 2023 Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates.

Pictured in the photo above, left to right, are: graduate Priscilla Berry, mentor Lee Hunter, graduate John Dunsford, graduate Michelle Dunsford, graduate Marcela Beatriz Martin, graduate Valerie Gambino, and mentor Virginia Carpenter.

Additionally, on May 14, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tallahassee celebrated Spring 2023 Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates. There was a graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2023 to honor those who graduated.

In the above left photo, left to right, are: Melanie Salsgiver, Lester Scott, Linda Scott, Kate Kile. Jonathan Jackson and Barbara Williams also graduated but are not pictured.

In the above right photo, left to right, are: Lester Scott, Linda Scott, Kate Kile, Mentor Barbara Davidson.

Congratulations to all who graduated!

More about Education for Ministry (EfM)

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year learning, discussion, and reflection program that invites participants into mentored small groups. At the heart of EfM is the idea that each baptized person is called to ministry.

For more information about the EfM program in the Diocese of Florida, contact Margaret MacNaughton at margmacnaughton@gmail.com.

You may learn more via our website: https://www.diocesefl.org/mission-ministry/schools-additional-ministries/.

On Saturday morning, May 20 the commencement ceremony for the Episcopal School of Jacksonville was held.

Congratulations to the Episcopal School of Jacksonville class of 2023!

As part of the the Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) membership provided to you by the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, you have access to webinars and resources for stewardship that will train and help you and your congregation grow.

Outlined below are three essential membership perks with TENS:

• A Free webinar for you to schedule and use in whatever way you like to promote generosity and gratitude ministries in your diocese or congregation.
• Special membership pricing on Vanco for your congregation and incentives for diocesan giving platforms.
• Member pricing on webinar consults to deliver specific training on stewardship themes into your diocesan ministry or congregation.

New Password to Access 2023 Stewardship Campaign Resources

The theme for the 2023 Stewardship Campaign Resources is Rooted in Abundance. The new password to access resources for 2023 is: Jeremiah17:8

Please note: The password above is case sensitive and there are no spaces.To learn more and to download all the seasonal reflections and the campaign timeline in English and in Spanish, click here.

How are you reimagining your music ministry? What could you do with an extra $1,000? St. James Music Press (SJMP) will award a grant to a church starting or revitalizing a choir program.

The purpose of this grant is to support new music programs or established music ministries that are adding a new element by offering resources and professional support.

Elements awarded in the grant include:

• Complementary 1-Year Membership to St. James Music Press
• $1000 - To support ministry needs
• Quarterly program consultations with SJMP colleagues meant to help recipients maximize their SJMP membership, discuss program challenges, and celebrate/build upon program successes.

Applications must be submitted by June 30th, 2023. For complete details, click the button below.

Summer Camp: Register Today!

As a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, Camp Weed provides summer camp experiences for over 500 campers every summer. It's convenient, central location allows Camp Weed to serve youth from many areas.

Camp Weed has awesome camp sessions planned for 2023! Click the button below to view summer camp dates and fees. To register, click here.

Diocesan Youth News

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and information about youth events going on throughout the Diocese through the Camp Weed Diocesan Youth Newsletter. You may view the newsletter by clicking the button below.

If you have an event that you'd like to include in the youth newsletter, please reach out to Sam Marxsen: sam@campweed.org or call 386-364-5250.

Coming Up:

June 4 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Lambert to visit St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach

June 25 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Lambert to visit St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palatka

June 25-27: 35th Annual P.O.S.T. Conference