July 2022
Get to Know The Rev. Charlie Holt, Part 3
Part three of our "Get to Know the Rev. Charlie Holt" series focuses on Fr. Charlie's efforts to expand his congregations and help lead others to God.

In particular, this edition describes his "40 Days of Purpose" small group campaign during his time at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary, Florida in the early 2000's.

Ultimately, the nationally recognized campaign resulted in:

  • Seven hundred people, or three times the church's average Sunday attendance (250), participating in small groups; 60% of those were not members of the church or any church.
  • Thirty families ultimately joining the church, with the long-term average Sunday attendance increasing to approximately 300 people.
  • Donations to St. Peter’s increasing by $100,000 the year of the campaign.

Read the full story by clicking the button below.
Coming Soon: Honoring Bishop Howard's Legacy

We plan to begin honoring Bishop Howard and his legacy in this time of important transition. Be on the lookout for stories and testimony of Bishop Howard's 20-plus years of service in future emails and newsletters.
Good News and Recognitions
from The Union of Black Episcopalians
In case you missed it, the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) recently installed James E. Pierce, a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, as the organization's second vice president on its National Executive Committee.

The installment took place during UBE's annual business meeting and conference in Baltimore from July 4-6 following Mr. Pierce's election in June.

Mr. Pierce and his family have been members of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville and part of our Diocese family since 1982.

Over the years, he has served multiple times on the vestry. He is a licensed Eucharistic Minister and Visitor, Worship Leader and Catechist, and Pastoral Care Minister. He also represents his parish as a diocesan delegate, has served on the diocesan Disciplinary Board and is a lay deputy to General Convention. He has been involved in UBE’s Father Sidney B. Parker Chapter in Jacksonville for many years.

Congratulations to Mr. Pierce!
Recently, Alma R. Flowers was honored as the recipient of the Dr. Anna Julia Cooper Honors Award for the Union of Black Episcopalians.

Alma R. Flowers is a retired nurse whose passion for caring for and serving others extends well beyond the hospital walls where she has exercised her gifts of hospitality, encouragement, recruitment, and administration since graduating from the Brewster School of Nursing in 1963 and receiving her degree from the University of North Florida in Health Science in 1971.
 
A Gold Lifetime member of the Union, Alma was elected President of the Father Sidney B. Parker Chapter of UBE in Jacksonville, Florida in 2005. She served as president of this Chapter until being elected as Southern Region Director, a role she filled until 2021. After Alma’s term as Southeast Region Director ended, she was reelected as President of The Sidney B. Parker Chapter.
 
Alma is currently a member of the UBE Nominating Committee and serves on the Vestry of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. Her life is a shining example of what it means to love and give without expectation of getting something for it. Her deep passion and love of the Lord exemplifies how God can achieve extraordinary things through the faithful work of everyday people who are willing and committed to serving their brothers and sisters in need.

Congratulations to Alma R. Flowers!
80th General Convention in
Baltimore, Maryland
On July 8-11, 2022, the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church took place at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Many thanks to our deputies representing the Diocese of Florida for their time and service at Convention!
Son of Tom Slater and the Rev. Amy Slater
Starring in the Major Leagues
Did you know the son of one of our Diocesan priests is a Major League Baseball player?

Austin Slater, son of Tom Slater and the Rev. Amy Slater - formally of St. Mary's Episcopal Church who is transitioning to Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra - is the current starting center fielder for the San Francisco Giants. In recent weeks, he's even appeared as the team's leadoff hitter.

He started off the 2022 season strong, driving in the winning run on opening day (April 8) with a walk-off double. You can see the highlight here.

We're so proud to have a player in the Major Leagues in our Diocesan family!
Camp Weed Updates
Welcome New Chef at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center, Teri Hokanson!

Teri joined the Camp Weed staff as the Director of Food Services during the beginning of summer camp.

She grew up in Hudson Valley, New York and moved to Florida in 1995. Her passion is feeding and taking care of people and she spent the last 12 years on staff of Canterbury Conference Center in the Diocese of Central Florida. In her role, she worked in the kitchen and led the housekeeping department. 

Teri's nephew Eric also joined the Camp Weed staff as part of their maintenance team. She has a son Antonio, who is a 22 year old college student.
Summer Camp Recap

All summer long, Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center provided summer camp experiences for over 500 campers.
Check out a few of the best photos!
GriefShare Program at Redeemer Episcopal Church
GriefShare Program
Tuesdays: August 23 - November 15
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
7500 Southside Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32256

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.

Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:
  • Video seminar with experts
  • Support group discussion
  • Personal study and reflection

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Brooke elizabeth@redeemerjax.org.
Job Openings Across the Diocese
We regularly posts job openings across our Diocese on our website. Below is a list of current openings. You may learn about each one by clicking here.

Clergy Openings:
  • Rector, St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville

Lay Openings:
  • Director of Parish Engagement, Trinity Parish Church, St. Augustine
  • Part-Time Organist, Trinity Episcopal Church, Melrose
  • Part-Time Organist/Choir Director, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Live Oak
  • Extended Care Teacher, San Jose Episcopal Church, Jacksonville
  • Director of Youth Ministry, St. John's Episcopal Church, Tallahassee
Helpful Links
  • Diocesan Website Updates: Please email communications@diocesefl.org with any updates and include the URL of the page where the changes are needed.
  • Looking for a job? Visit the employment page on our website for some of the current opportunities. Click here
  • Listing a job? Email communications@diocesefl.org with the job description and position contact information to be posted on the employment page.
Diocese of Florida | 325 N. Market Street | Jacksonville, FL 32202 | 904.356.1328
www.diocesefl.org