The Right Reverend Charles Farmer Duvall, II Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, retired, died on October 8, 2020, in West Columbia, South Carolina. He served as Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast for just over twenty years (1981-2001). Bishop Russell Kendrick was homilist in his burial service at the grave in the cemetery of Old St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cheraw, South Carolina, on October 13, 2020.

Bishop Duvall is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Rice Duvall; his daughter, Ann Duvall Barwick (husband Daniel); his sons Charles Farmer Duvall, Jr. (wife Ellyn) and Theodore Wannamaker Duvall (wife Katherine), six grandchildren and other relatives.

At the request of Bishop Kendrick, the Rev. Albert Kennington, Registrar-Historiographer and Secretary Emeritus for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, gathered and recorded recollections of Bishop Duvall with the help of loving friends, shared here.

Starting on Thursday, October 15, we will begin a 50 day countdown to our 50th Jubilee Celebration with a daily devotional delivered by email to our current subscribers and shared on social media. We would love for you to invite your family and friends to subscribe to our diocesan publications and follow us on Facebook, so they, too, can be a part of this journey to Jubilee and our culminating celebration (held virtually) in December, called Just Mercy - Just Jesus, with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bryan Stevenson. 

To subscribe, text diocgc to 22828.

FRAUDULENT EMAILS People continue to report fraudulent emails purporting to be from members of clergy, including Bishop Russell. Please read our latest announcement regarding these types of scams. READ ANNOUNCEMENT

On September 1, 2020, I crossed the threshold of one year as a “Canon Missioner for Discipleship." People still roll their eyes in confusion or furrow their brow when I say that title. I still get asked “what exactly is that?" The easy answer is that it is one of the big three foci in our diocesan mission: discernment, discipleship, and development.

In some way, I saw the culmination of the year coming with our annual event, Discipleship Day. The Rev. Kammy Young, Canon Missioner for Development, Dr. Lisa Kimball of VTS, Bishop Russell and I gathered for many Zoom sessions to plan and coordinate this day. Underlying our zeal were the parameters that always guide the content and purpose for our Discipleship Day events: gathering, fellowship, challenge, discussion, renewal, and deepening commitment. 

When the Rev. Mary Alice Mathison began missing the regular of rhythm of church and community life, she came up with a creative and life-giving solution called Vestry in a Box.

2020 has been a strange year, a frustrating year, a year of grief, a year of fear, a year of hope, and even at times a year of joy. Collectively we have shared in facing this global pandemic of COVID-19, and with it much has been revealed. Whether 2020 has been the reminder that there is still the need for justice and healing in our history of race relations, whether one has concerns about the election, whether one is trying to figure out how to make ends meet, grieving the loss of a loved one, figuring out virtual school or work from home, or fearing wildfires in the west and hurricanes on the coast—experiences of this year have perhaps felt more deeply shared on some levels.

BECKWITH Friends from St. Peter's by the Sea, Gulfport, MS arrived at Beckwith prepared to work, cook, eat, clean and fellowship. Executive Director Eleanor Reeves would like to thank Fr. Patrick Sanders and John Dreyfus for coordinating this fabulous outpouring of love and support. SEE MORE PICS. Plus, a group of people from Cursillo rounded up a crew for a very productive cleanup day. Beckwith is incredibly grateful for the help. MORE PICS HERE.

Fraudulent email alert. Read the alert HERE.

Murray House Sunday Worship Service from October 11. Watch it HERE.

The Rev. Deacon Lydia Johnson announced as Evangelism Task Force chair. Read it HERE.

Announcement regarding December events for 50th Jubilee Celebration with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bryan Stevenson. Read the announcement HERE.

[Episcopal News Service, Sep. 22, 2020] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s latest book, “Love Is the Way,” was released on Sept. 22, and like his 2018 book, “The Power of Love,” it emphasizes Christian teachings, particularly Jesus’ command to love one’s neighbor, as a powerful force for unity and healing in a troubled world.

Whereas the earlier book was a collection of notable sermons, including the one Curry preached at the royal wedding in May 2018, “Love Is the Way” takes a more autobiographical approach to the lessons of his faith. Curry illustrates core Christian beliefs and applies them to today’s social context by mining personal stories, from his early childhood in Buffalo, New York, to his work as a parish priest in Baltimore, Maryland, to his time as bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina.

In the month of October, join Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains (LFSRM), for a three-part training series for congregations interested in supporting and walking alongside asylum seekers. The three 90-minute virtual events will provide advocacy updates, resources for group discernment, ministry models, and important considerations when engaging in ministry with asylum seekers.

4 - 5:30pm, October 8, 20, 27. Register here.

Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is November 15.

The new grant cycle will focus on projects that explore new methods of evangelism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact the Rev. Deacon Lydia Johnson, chairperson of our Diocesan Evangelism Task Force, or the Rev. Kammy Young, a member of the grants committee, for more information or assistance at lydia.knizley.johnson@gmail.com or kammy@diocgc.org.

You can find a 12-minute informational webinar and the application here at Evangelism Grants. The Grants Committee will consider proposals for up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan, provincial and other regional collaborations. Last year, seven of the 56 applications were from the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and two were recipients: Spiritually Homeless - LGBTQ+ is in Crestview, Florida and CCC - Evangelism 101 is in Mobile, Alabama. We can do it again!

The Evangelism Task Force has created multiple opportunities for evangelism and storytelling throughout the month of October - the month we celebrate evangelism in honor of our 50th Jubilee Anniversary. Join virtually with brothers and sisters from across the diocese or safely, in-person, with others in your area. We invite you to MORE! Please join us!

October 30 - November 1

BayLights is the annual diocesan homecoming weekend and fundraising event celebrated at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center. Originally scheduled the last weekend of September, BayLights has been rescheduled for October 30 - November 1, in order for Beckwith to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.

The silent auction is open online and will continue to run until the new BayLights weekend. New items to be added! The live ticket draw down will be October 31, starting at 7:30pm.

Bishop Russell Kendrick will join the people of St. Mary’s Church, Andalusia, at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, October 14th, to dedicate the church’s new addition to its Parish Hall building. An outdoor reception will follow. Masks will be required, and appropriate social distancing will be practiced. 

The new addition includes a conference room, an office suite, and three children’s classrooms. Two new outreach ministries, a Little Free Pantry and a Little Free Library, will also be dedicated.

October 22-25

St. Mary’s Church, Andalusia, will hold an Advent shopping event in October. Items from Threads of Hope and Holy Land Gifts will be available for sale, and all proceeds will benefit these organizations. 

Threads of Hope buys and sells textiles created by Peruvian artisans rising out of poverty through hard work with needle and thread, thereby empowering impoverished women and transforming them, their families, and their communities. 

Holy Land Gifts is dedicated to supporting Christians in the Holy Land. Olivewood and Mother of Pearl gifts are handcrafted by a co-op of ten Christian families living in Bethlehem, West Bank - Israel.

The event will be open to the public from 2-4 pm Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, and from 1-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25. For questions, please call 334-222-2487. 

Masks will be required for shoppers, and appropriate social distancing will be practiced.

October 31 - February 25

Join us on a virtual trip around the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast! Engage your mind, soul and body, and learn about our diocese and our beloved Camp Beckwith. Our mission takes us about 540 miles from Beckwith and back, highlighting each of our 62 churches along the way.

The mission runs from BayLights through Convention. Registration has been extended to October 30 to accommodate the change in the date of BayLights. Mission begins October 31.

November 8

Join Wilmer Hall Children's Home for a family-friendly bike ride on Sunday, November 8! Register online $10/person (wilmerhall.org/donate). Stop by Wilmer Hall for your pledge packet (or email Mae Dennis mdennis@wilmerhall.org to coordinate packet pickup) - and get your family and friends to make pledges/donations for the number of miles you think you can bike that Sunday! Then bike by/drop by Wilmer Hall at 5pm Sunday for a special treat. We are so excited about this new, fun {socially-distant} event!

Coastline is a biweekly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE - deadlines are 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month

SUBMIT AN EVENT - posted on our website each Friday

Direct questions to communications@diocgc.org