Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
May 12, 2021
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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. |
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Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast selected for EPF Lay Preacher Training Program
We are very pleased to announce that the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast recently applied to be considered for a pilot program focused on Lay Preaching Excellence with the Episcopal Preaching Foundation. We were awarded a place along with five other dioceses. The Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock and the Rev. Lydia Johnson will begin specialized training this fall. The program aims to start teaching select students for this lay preaching program beginning in January 2022.
This new program is funded by a grant from Trinity Church Wall Street and is a three-year program whose objective is to create a robust curriculum and protocol for the formation and training of lay preachers. The LPTI will create a scalable program with the flexibility to be then successfully implemented by any Episcopal diocese.
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Stay tuned for a Special Edition Coastline highlighting the evolution of the lay ministry program through our Diocesan School for Ministry!
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Stepping onto Soggy Ground: 6 Week Series on Claiming Your Baptismal Ministry
Bishop Russell and diocesan missioners, the Rev. Lydia Johnson and the Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock, are hosting a new series that carries us through the story of Noah and the story of the disciples after Jesus’ death by offering a weekly video sent by email to watch on Thursdays, followed with a "Footprints Group" Zoom group discussion on the following Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. CDT. This series envelops and continues the work started at the convention and is open to anyone interested.
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Celebrating Rogationtide
Last Sunday, between services at Trinity, Mobile, members celebrated Rogationtide with a prayer walk around our 14-station Creation Trail as they honored God’s gifts to us through the prayers youth had written. To read these precious prayers, click here. Rogare in Latin means "to ask." Rogationtide is a festival primarily focusing on the planting season when we ask God’s blessing for an abundant harvest, traditionally occurring the three days before Ascension Day. |
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Take A Walk On The Contemplative Side
If you've walked a labyrinth as a spiritual exercise, you know it can be an encouragement to contemplation and prayer. St. Paul's Chapel in Magnolia Springs now has a temporary painter's-tape labyrinth in their Memorial Garden, carefully laid out by Fr. Eric and Sharon Bertschi. As he explained in last Sunday's sermon, "the unique thing about our labyrinth is that it has a liminal space—a point of pause, a stopover, that is different from nearly any I have ever seen before." They hope to leave it in place through VBS in July, so take the opportunity to experience it.
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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).
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May 22, 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.
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3 Save-the-Dates for Youth Ministry Events at Summer’s End
Tuesdays: July 13, July 27, August 10, and August 24
Returning from Pandemic – Youth Ministry Planning for the 2021-2022 School Year
Gather online with youth leaders from across the Diocese to talk about how your ministry is preparing for the upcoming year. Through a series of guided discussions with the DIOCGC Youth Ministry Leadership Team, we will help churches of all sizes consider how their youth ministry will be renewed in the post-pandemic environment. We will cover these topics: planning, communication, recruiting, music, and worship! Look for registration links in an upcoming Coastline!
Friday, August 27 through Sunday, August 29 at Beckwith
DioCGC Youth Musicians Leadership Summit: “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever”
The DioCGC Youth Musician Leadership Summit is a weekend retreat at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center designed to help young church musicians grow as Worship Leaders. Through fellowship, communal worship and training workshops youth participants will work with facilitators and Clergy from around our diocese to gain important skills they will need to be well equipped, liturgically sensitive, and enthusiastic music leaders for their church and church ministries. This event is designed for students entering the 8th through 12th grades.
All students accepted to the program will receive full scholarships for the cost of the event. Application details coming soon!
Sunday, August 29 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Beckwith
Worship On The Water – A Diocesan-wide Fall Youth Kickoff Event
Worship On The Water is a recurring event at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center, where youth gather to celebrate Eucharist, play games together, swim and canoe, tie-dye and share a meal. This event is an amazing way to build community between church EYC groups, help our youth identify as part of the greater Diocese and Episcopal Church, and strengthen individual youth group relationships as you travel to an off-site event.
This year's music for the Eucharist will be an offering from students participating in the DioCGC Youth Musicians Leadership Summit!
Look for a registration link via email and in an upcoming Coastline. There is a small cost per student to help cover supply costs and event T-Shirts.
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Getaway by the Bay at Beckwith
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.
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Church & Community Events |
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Starting May 3, Mondays at 3:30 p.m. CDT
The Borderlands Group May book study: "The U.S. Immigration Crisis: Toward an Ethics of Place"
This book study is being conducted in partnership with the Diocese of Arizona and is open to anyone interested in the immigration crisis. The meetings will be facilitated by David Chavez, the Arizona diocesan Borderlands Missioner. To join, please email Deacon Clelia Garrity of St. Simon's on the Sound, Fort Walton Beach, at garritycpg@gmail.com. |
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Sunday, May 16, 11 a.m. to Noon
Christ Church Cathedral Presents Mobile Kappa League Take-out Brunch
Christ Church Cathedral hosts an annual brunch in support of the Mobile Elite Chapter of the Kappa League that funds preparation and fees for college entrance exams.
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Saturday, May 22, 7 a.m. CDT check-in/8:30 a.m. CDT start
St. Francis "Divots and Duffers" Golf Tournament
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First Thursdays, June through October, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT
St. Peter's Fish Fry
Come out for St. Peter's Bon Secour yearly fish fry, held every first Thursday during the months of June through October!
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October 2021
Pilgrimage to Israel
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.
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Hosting a church related event that is open to everyone? Submit it to be considered for publication. |
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St. Francis of Assisi in Gulf Breeze is seeking a new church sexton. More details.
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Upcoming Webinar from TENS: Recruiting & Training a Stewardship Team
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 Roles and Responsibilities of a Stewardship Team
- Job Descriptions for Committee Members
- Forming and supporting your Stewardship Committee
- How your Stewardship Committee can help in setting achievable goals for Fundraising in your congregation.
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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.
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From The Episcopal Church |
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Episcopal Migration Ministries offers virtual Prayer Vigil for World Refugee Day
Offering solidarity and support for refugees worldwide, Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a virtual prayer vigil for World Refugee Day on Sunday, June 20, 7–8 p.m. ET. All are welcome to join this gathering in recognition of those forced to leave their homes and seek new beginnings elsewhere.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
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. |
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MORE FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH |
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Bishop Russell's Upcoming Visitations |
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May 12
St. Thomas, Greenville
May 16
St. Simon's on the Sound, Fort Walton Beach
May 23
Trinity, Apalachicola
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May 16
St. Mark's, Troy
United Thank Offering
May 23
Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores
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May 16
Atmore Community Work Center, Atmore
May 23
Camden Work Release, Camden
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Please be sure to direct any mail for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to our post office address: PO Box 13330, Pensacola, FL 32591-3330. |
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Coastline is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, published on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
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