We are thrilled to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mary Alice Mathison as the new Missioner for Mobile, a position and ministry made possible by recent grants from The United Thank Offering of $50,000 and a New Episcopal Community Discernment Grant of $5,000. Read more about this new evangelism and missional engagement project in Bishop Russell's letter sent last week to Mobile area church leadership.

Authored by Donna Nolte, MSN, CCRN (St. Paul's, Daphne)

At this time of year, I always begin to look forward to fall. It brings so many things I love – cool weather, volleyball, fall softball, long sleeves and fires in the fire pit. I’m keenly aware that, in our current pandemic status, the start of fall this year will be significantly different from past years. But there is one thing that will be just the same as every other year - the start of Flu Season.  

As a person of faith, I know that every day we are reliant on God for our very existence. As a medical professional, I also acknowledge the blessings of science that God has given to us. To me, one of the places this is clearly illustrated is in the development of vaccines.  And this year, more than any other before, our acceptance of the blessing of vaccines is going to be critical... 

Authored by Joyce Landers, UTO Vice President (St. Mark's, Troy)

The United Thank Offering Board has elected to postpone the upcoming 2021 grant focus of Act: Turn love into action by caring for God’s creation to protect the most vulnerable who will bear the largest burden of pollution and climate change. The new 2021 focus is: Recovering with love and gratitude: An Episcopal Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic in Local Contexts. The previous focus, centering on creation care, which be used in the 2022 granting cycle. 

The goal of the UTO Board is to help individual groups and congregations respond to the needs of their community created by COVID-19. As always, 100% of all ingathering funds will be issued in the form of grants to groups and congregations who are serving their communities out of gratitude. During difficult times like these, practicing gratitude is the best way to help reduce stress and maintain our relationships with each other and God. 

BayLights is the annual diocesan homecoming weekend and fundraising event celebrated at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, BayLights weekend has been reprogrammed as a Getaway by the Bay for adults and families. There will be no live entertainment Friday night, nor a Diocesan Ultreya or Rock Bottom on Saturday. However, it's still an opportunity for a fun-filled weekend with your friends and family in God's front yard!

We will be practicing and encouraging social distancing for the health and safety of all. There will be practices and procedures implemented in order to be in compliance with CDC and ACA guidelines. We hope you will embrace a willingness for change and adaptability as we learn a new way together.  

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 cost is $50 per person 21 and over. Cost includes race registration, access to website/app, a great t-shirt designed to celebrate our 50th Jubilee with all parish/mission names included, virtual postcards telling about each parish/mission, and a donation to Camp Beckwith.

The mission runs from BayLights through Convention. Registration is open now through September 25. Mission begins September 25.

Bishop Russell's Reflection and Invitation to Discipleship Day. Watch the video HERE.

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

Small groups are a wonderful way to invite those outside your church walls, those new to your congregation, and existing members into deeper community. Small groups are low-risk, high-impact opportunities to seek, name, and celebrate what Jesus is doing in our lives and the lives around us, and they provide many opportunities to invite visitors and each other to go deeper into that practice at the feet of Jesus. The community we create within these groups can support and deepen each other’s commitments to live a Jesus-shaped life at home, at work, at play, and in the world. Consider using the resources offered by The Episcopal Church to begin, rejuvenate, or inspire your own small group ministry.

An updated version of Episcopal Public Policy Network's Faith and Citizenship Guide for Advocacy is now available. This resource seeks to help you fulfill your baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace. While it is focused on the federal level, the advocacy tips and tactics we recommend throughout the guide are applicable to state and local advocacy as well. Use this for your personal development or take on advocacy strategies in your congregation with more confidence.

All Diocesan in-person events have been suspended at this time. If you are a member of a commission or committee please check with your chair regarding online meeting options.

Marked as Christ's Own Forever: A Celebration of Living Baptized in Today's World with Dr. Lisa Kimball of Virginia Theological Seminary.

Discipleship Day will be a time to virtually gather as a whole diocese to investigate ways in which we might become more confident about our calling as the baptized faithful in this fast-changing world.

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