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Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

August 10, 2022

Note: The Duvall Center will be closed on Monday, September 5, for the Labor Day holiday.

First Eucharist in 15 years celebrated in Wilmer Hall’s historic chapel

“We need to be using this chapel.”

On July 31, the third annual Wilmer Hall Sunday, students of the diocesan School for Ministry held the first Eucharist in 15 years in Wilmer Hall’s historic chapel.

Back in 1914, when construction began on the current Wilmer Hall campus (then called The Church Home for Orphans. It was renamed Wilmer Hall in the 1940s) a chapel was all part of the plan. Once completed in early 1916, the Bishop Wilmer Chapel was consecrated, and the altar made in memory of Bishop Wilmer in 1907 was moved up the hill from downtown to the current site. In 2002, The Bishop Wilmer Chapel was refurbished and rededicated The Chapel of the Holy Family on February 18, 2003, in memory of Deaconess Nettie Brice Whitford, who was the director of the home 1923-1946.

For 90 years, the chapel was the home for regular services with the Wilmer Hall chaplains and the children in residence. According to the chapel register, the last Holy Eucharist was celebrated in The Chapel of the Holy Family in October of 2007, when the primary focus of Wilmer Hall shifted to caring for late teens and young adults in the transitional phases of their lives, as well as the babies and young children of those residents. The chapel was repurposed, as the transitional programs encouraged residents to worship in the faith tradition they grew up in, respectively.

The dream to bring life once again to the chapel comes from Pratt Paterson, Wilmer Hall Executive Director, and the Rev. Lydia Johnson, diocesan Missioner for Development, who created a plan during September 2019, while working on another project of campus...

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Walk With Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Authored by: The Rev. Clelia Pinza-Garrity, LCSW

I am deep into preparing for my mid-August trip to Cape Town in South Africa. I will be joining The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle and 10 other folks from throughout the U.S. to study the work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, particularly as it relates to his commitment to restorative justice and reconciliation, his contemplative practices, and his understanding of Ubuntu theology. Dr. Battle was Archbishop Tutu’s chaplain for two years and was ordained a priest by Tutu in 1993. He is the Director of the Desmond Tutu Center at General Theological Seminary. You can follow my travels at Grey Dove Travels.

This incredible opportunity will be the final piece of formal study for me as I prepare the lectures and meditative experiences for my two-day retreat, For I Was A Stranger…, to be offered December 15-16 here in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. The retreat will offer both an educational and an experiential experience that explores the field of forced immigration in the United States of America from both historical and theological points of view...

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Deputies share their General Convention experiences

In July, elected representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast serving as deputies to the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, for a streamlined, four-day legislative session to conduct the business of The Episcopal Church. Click the link below to read about several of our deputies' experiences. Visit www.diocgc.org/general-convention for more news and information on our diocesan participation in General Convention. 

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Jonathan Myrick Daniels Pilgrimage is Saturday, August 13 

The 25th Anniversary of the Jonathan Myrick Daniels Pilgrimage will be held this coming Saturday at 11 am at the Lowndes County courthouse square in Hayneville, Alabama.

For more details, visit www.dioala.org/jonathandaniels or click here to download the flyer.

A choir is also being formed. If you would like to sing in the choir, visit www.dioala.org/jonathandaniels for information and registration link. 

Last day to submit Lay School applications is August 15

This is a reminder we are taking applications for our 2022-2023 Lay Ministry School Certification tracts up and until August 15, 2022.

If you have felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit or would like to “seek out” more in the exercise of your Baptismal call and covenant, please take a look at what our Lay School has to offer. We begin in September 2022 (10am-2pm) and will meet one Saturday a month until June of 2023. The cost per course is $300.

If you are interested in the School this fall, now is the time to reach out to your rector or priest-in-charge and your vestry. We are offering canonical certification in the following areas: Worship Leader, Preacher, Pastoral Care Leader and Evangelist.

COURSE OFFERINGS AND APPLICATION

For more information, please contact Dean Joy Blaylock: joyblaylock@diocgc.org.

In Case You Missed It

• July 13 edition of Coastline READ
• The Rev. Ashley Freeman joins diocesan staff READ
• Applications for the 2022-2023 Lay Ministry School Certification Program due August 15 DETAILS
• Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation 2022 Calendar: VIEW CALENDAR

A “Share the Faith” dinner was held on Friday, July 15, at the home of Cyndie and Brad Moore with members of St. James Eufaula. They were joined by Rev. Lydia Johnson, the diocese Canon Missioner for Development, from Pensacola. After a wonderful meal the group opened up to express their feelings about their faith and love. Voices were emboldened to speak from the heart. Egos were weakened that awakened the soul. And, although there may have been some different views expressed, the sharing showed how much we are alike in our faith in God.

50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend for Camp Beckwith

Blessing of the Backpacks at Church of the Redeemer, Mobile

Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation Speaker Series

Thursday, August 25, 7:30 pm Online

Featuring J. Chester Johnson on the Elaine Race Massacre

J. Chester Johnson is a poet and nonfiction writer, who grew up one county removed from the Elaine Race Massacre site in southeastern Arkansas along the Mississippi River delta. He has written extensively on race and civil rights.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

JOIN NOW LINK 

Cursillo #167

September 15-18 at Beckwith

Cursillo (“Cur see yo”) is a three-day weekend that introduces people to simple methods for nurturing and growing their relationships with Christ. It provides an experience of living in a Christian community centered in worship, prayer, study of scripture, and interaction with other Christians. Its mission is to build up our parish churches by encouraging and empowering its members to prepare for doing the work of the church- the spreading of the Gospel.

Lay Rector: Diane Voors of St. James, Eufaula

Patron Saint: Saint Teresa of Avila

MORE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

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

August 14: Celebration of Musical Arts at St. Stephen's, Brewton

September 11: Celebration of Musical Arts at St. Stephen's, Brewton

September 22: Finding Your True Self Through the Enneagram at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, Gulf Breeze

October 15: BBQ and Blues at Church of the Advent, Lillian

October 21 & 22: Living in an Icon: Contemplation in Nature

Gulf Breeze Senior Center at St. Francis, Gulf Breeze

The Gulf Breeze Senior Center is seeking a part-time Coordinator of Seniors Saving the Earth. The position is for a one-year term and is made possible due to funding from a United Thank Offering grant received by the Center earlier this year.

VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION

Contact: Kim Giryluk (856) 305-2946

Centered: A Christian Discipleship Series

Centered is a discipleship series guiding small, gathered communities to get deeply rooted in love with God and one another, so that we grow to look, act, and love more like Jesus. The experience includes an initial three-session training for group facilitators and a core of nine sessions where church members, neighbors, and friends gather to share a meal and prayer; explore a short film and questions about God, belonging and living a meaningful life; and support each other in committing to intentionally center their lives on Jesus and his Way of Love.

This offering is made possible through the work of The Episcopal Church, in collaboration with the Anglican Communion’s Intentional Discipleship Coordinating Group, with a grant from the United Thank Offering.

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. 

August 13

Jonathan Myrick Daniels Pilgrimage

August 14

St. Michael's, Ozark

Epiphany, Enterprise

August 21

St. Augustine's, Navarre

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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