Coastline Diocesan Newsletter: Diocesan Convention Wrap-up, upcoming video series

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Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

March 24, 2021

Together, we are the body of Christ ~ transforming people from members into disciples, moving more deeply into God's call to life and ministry, and extending our mission beyond the status quo.

Diocesan Convention

Diocesan Convention Wrap-up

The 50th Annual Diocesan Convention was held virtually, February 26-27, and hosted from St. Simon's on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach. Though we missed our usual gathering and fellowship time, we are thankful for the technology that allowed us to meet safely in an online space.

All recordings are available on our 2021 Diocesan Convention Summary page. Also included are the video reports and presentation slides shown during the business session, the three-part conversation led by Bishop Russell, the Rev. Lydia Johnson, and the Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock, and the budget approved for 2021. There were no resolutions.

Congratulations to our new Class of 2024 Standing Committee members:

The Rev. Rian Adams, St. Andrew's, Panama City (Bishop's nomination)
Van Fuller, St. Simon's on the Sound, Ft. Walton Beach
Anne Gill, Trinity, Mobile
The Rev. Will Lowry, Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores
Carole Lea Johnson, Church of the Nativity, Dothan (Bishop's nomination)

Farewell to our outgoing Class of 2021 Standing Committee members:

Sally Crenshaw, Holy Trinity, Pensacola
Tim Gaston, St. Paul's, Mobile (in memoriam)
The Rev. David Knight, St. Simon's on the Sound, Ft. Walton Beach
Susan Miller, St. Stephen's, Brewton
The Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard, St. Mary's, Milton

Many thanks go to the Rev. David Knight, Deacon Clelia Garrity, and members of St. Simon's on the Sound - especially Carter Caywood and Christin Cothran - for all their assistance throughout the convention, and to the St. Simon's Choir and lay readers whose contributions made for a beautiful service Friday night. Thank you to our parliamentarians, Kathy Miller (chancellor for Alabama) and Scott Remington (chancellor for Florida); to the Rev. Mike Ballard and the Rev. Deacon Ed Richards who served as the secretary and assistant secretary; to Scott Casey from Vistacom who managed our voting platform, VPOLL, and helped delegates navigate technology issues; and to Media Solutions, LLC, for all their assistance in live streaming and recording Saturday's session.

SAVE-THE-DATE The 51st Annual Diocesan Convention will be hosted by St. Simon's on the Sound, February 17-19, 2022, with honored guest Presiding Bishop Michael Curry! Events will take place at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Announcements

Stepping onto Soggy Ground: 6 Week Series on Claiming Your Baptismal Ministry

Our convention focus and conversation this year were based on the story of Noah’s ark. Given that not everyone was at convention or privy to those conversations, we are inviting everyone to go forward with us into the season of Eastertide with a special series we will be offering called Stepping onto Soggy Ground: 6 Week Series on Claiming Your Baptismal Ministry. This series envelops and continues the work started at the convention and is open to anyone interested.

Bishop Russell and diocesan missioners, the Rev. Lydia Johnson and the Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock, will carry us through the story of Noah and the story of the disciples after Jesus’ death by offering a weekly video to watch on Thursdays beginning April 15 (sent by email), followed with a "Footprints Group" Zoom group discussion on the following Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. CDT. Join us!

LEARN MORE

Mission and Ministry

Re-imagining the Immigration System in the United States of America

Authored by the Rev. Deacon Clelia P. Garrity, LCSW

My call as a deacon has led me down many paths over the past 11 years. Many of these paths have led to places inhabited by peoples considered by many to be impoverished, uneducated, and unable to care for themselves. I have found quite the opposite. Rather, everywhere I go I have encountered incredibly powerful voices of God. Perhaps more importantly, I have come to see how little we as Americans know and understand of the world. All of these wonderful souls have taught me the meaning of humility and a far deeper definition of love...

What if the ribbons were also white?

Authored by Gary Moore, co-chair of the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation

If ever asked my most important school subject, I quickly respond: “my 10th-grade typing class." And just as often, I receive puzzled looks.

Desegregation finally arrived at Linden High School (Marengo County, AL) during my 10th-grade year. To say it was resisted would be an understatement. We white-skinned kids were taught to resist and be unaccepting; more importantly, we were also socialized by most teachers, clergy, parents, and classmates that we were superior in every way to our dark-skinned counterparts.

But then came Mrs. Thelma Higgins who was to be my typing teacher...

Diocesan Events [see more dates]

Saturday, April 17, 11 a.m. CDT

Ordination to the Priesthood

The Rev. Deacon Bob Donnell, a graduate of the diocesan School for Ministry, will be ordained into the sacred order of priests at All Saints Episcopal Church, Mobile. Details on how to watch will be available soon.

April 24, from 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. CDT via Zoom

Becoming Beloved Community: Racial Reconciliation - Sacred Conversations

Join us for an interactive workshop that will provide insights into the causes and effects of racism. We explore unconscious bias, prejudice, and ways to work together to Become the Beloved Community. The workshop is open to all, regardless of faith tradition, or beliefs. This offering is required for those in parish leadership (such as vestries) and at the diocesan level (including serving on commissions, committees, agencies, boards, etc.). It also qualifies for 8 hours of clergy training/education for those who complete the day course. There is no fee to participate but it requires the commitment to be engaged the full day.

April 25

Beckwith Sunday

Each year on the last Sunday of April, we celebrate the mission and ministry of Beckwith, our beloved diocesan camp and conference center. More details about this special day will come after Easter, so stay tuned!

VISIT BECKWITH'S WEBSITE

May 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT

Senior Warden Day

Senior wardens of churches in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast are invited to our annual Senior Warden Day. Bishop Russell and select diocesan staff will equip you with information and resources to help you in your ministry of church leadership. This will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom offering. Those who feel safe attending in-person will meet at St. Christopher's in Pensacola (mask required).

Postponed

Happening

The Happening Steering Committee has made the difficult decision to postpone this year's Happening, scheduled for April. They have reviewed several aspects of safety and consideration and feel this to be the best decision for all concerned. Please stay tuned for future plans.

Church & Community Events

Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. CDT

CDF Freedom Schools® Golf Fundraiser

Grab your golf clubs and join us for a golf fundraiser benefitting the CDF Freedoms Schools program of the Central Gulf Coast to be held at Marcus Pointe Golf Club, Pensacola, FL. $75/player includes greens fee, golf cart, and goodie bag. Cash prizes.

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Sunday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. CDT

Worship in the Woods

The churches of Convocation IV invite you to join them for a celebration in God's creation with Stations of the Resurrection and Eucharist, held at Saloom Properties Tree Farm in Evergreen, AL. Bring your own picnic, lawn chair, and/or blanket. Wear a mask and closed-toe shoes. Bottled water provided.

MORE INFORMATION

Hosting a church related event that is open to everyone? Submit it to be considered for publication.

SUBMIT ITEM FOR CALENDAR

Diocesan Resources

Online Giving for Your Congregation

Your financial gifts to your church are of vital importance to support their ongoing ministries to your church community and to the most vulnerable among us. The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is providing the ability to give online for congregations that do not have ways to collect an offering or donation electronically.

MAKE A DONATION

From The Episcopal Church

Evangelism Matters audioconference, an innovative approach to sharing, learning, and growing evangelism ministry. The conference launches on April 12, 2021.

This spring’s Evangelism Matters conference invites participants to turn off the Zoom screen and “tune in” for an audioconference featuring podcast-style talks on the opportunity and challenge of evangelism today.

Register for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists happening virtually April 18-21. The 2021 theme is “Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored.” This year, the Office of Government Relations is excited to announce Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be the opening preacher, and will also have a virtual Episcopal caucus event for Episcopalians in attendance. Early bird registration deadline is April 1.

Voting Rights for a Faithful Democracy: April 6, 2021, 3 to 4 p.m. ET Join us for this digital workshop on protecting and guaranteeing voting rights. Our panelists will discuss federal legislation under consideration that would restore elements of the 1965 Voting Rights Act struck down by the judiciary. The proposed legislation would also create a baseline standard for voting access across the country. This webinar will be conducted in partnership with the CEEP Network. Registration required.