Temporary publication schedule change: Coastline will be published once each month during June and July. Publication dates are June 16 and July 14. Deadlines for submissions are June 11 and July 9. Thank you.

United Thank Offering announced the grant recipients for the Spring 2021 granting cycle, and we are excited to share that the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will receive funding for St. Mark’s, Troy, Food Pantry. The focus of the granting process this year was "Recovering with Love and Gratitude: An Episcopal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Local Contexts."

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry ministry in Troy, Alabama, provides supplemental food to people in need in the community. Alabama has the 3rd highest poverty rate in the United States, with a child food insecurity rate of 33%. In the initial months of the pandemic, when schools, churches, and businesses closed, food insecurity increased markedly.

Authored by Susan Miller, St. Stephen’s, Brewton (Member, Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation)

For me it is:

As someone who could be labeled as conservative, I was taken aback for a moment when I was asked to serve on the Commission. Then I realized, my voice, my conservative voice is important in this work.

Please note: The Duvall Center (diocesan office) will be closed on the following dates:

Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. CDT at Christ Church Parish, Pensacola

Students from the inaugural class of the School for Ministry Lay Leadership Program will be graduating and conferred certificates of completion. More information about the program can be found in this Special Edition Coastline.

Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. CDT, Montgomery

Sponsored by the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation. In Montgomery, we will visit both the National Memorial and the Legacy Museum. Due to COVID guidelines from the diocese, we are not providing transportation. We ask that you drive in small groups and meet in Montgomery at St. John’s Church. The cost of the tickets is free, but we strongly encourage you to reserve your spot to be included in our count as a group. We will tour the museum, lunch at Legacy Pavilion (food is available for purchase), then tour the Memorial. Fellowship to follow at Church of the Good Shepherd with conversation, prayers and communion. More details and schedule.

Saturday, June 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT, online

Hosted by the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation. Join us for a virtual interactive workshop that will provide insights into the causes and effects of racism. We explore unconscious bias, prejudice, white privilege, and ways to work together to Become the Beloved Community. 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.

The event is limited to not more than twenty-five (25) participants. There is no fee to participate but it requires the commitment to be engaged the full day.

Getaway by the Bay is an opportunity for friends, families, couples, and individuals to visit Beckwith for a 4 day/3 night retreat, July 8-11. Your getaway will begin with dinner Thursday evening through breakfast Sunday morning. Come enjoy a change from your own home, and experience the peace and beauty of God’s front yard and Weeks Bay. Make it your own special retreat! Walk Beckwith's grounds, read a book on the porch, swim, canoe and kayak on the bay, fish, get creative in arts and crafts, play Pickleball, etc. There will be group meals, cookouts, opportunities to picnic, and more.

June 3 - First Thursdays, June through October, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT

Come out for St. Peter's Bon Secour yearly fish fry, held every first Thursday during the months of June through October!

October 2021

The Rev. Thack Dyson of St. Paul's Daphne is organizing a pilgrimage to Israel in October this year, flying out on the 9th and returning on the 22nd. If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Terri McMillan at St. Paul's by email, officestpaulsdaphne@gmail.com, or call 251-626-2421.

Click here for Haden Tirey's personal appeal for the trip.

St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze, is seeking a new church sexton. More details.

Christ Church Parish, Pensacola, is seeking a part-time A/V Technician. More details.

The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is a member of TENS, The Episcopal Network for Stewardship. With our membership comes the ability for all of our churches to use the materials advertised by TENS. They include all the printable materials and resources for an eight-week giving campaign. This year’s materials combined with upcoming Zoom workshops will help you and your congregation navigate these new times, using technical and pastoral best practices.

Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m. CDT. Learning objectives include:

The Way of Love is a way of life.

More than a program or curriculum, it is an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It’s a commitment to follow Jesus: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has developed a toolkit for individuals, congregations, and ministries to facilitate and promote COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. The toolkit will be updated as new information becomes available and is offered in English and Spanish online.

2021 cycles of prayer are available on our website at www.diocgc.org/cycle-of-prayer.

Coastline is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE - due the Friday prior to publication date.

SUBMIT AN EVENT - posted on our website as received.

Direct inquiries to communications@diocgc.org.