Martha Stoney Anderson, Widow of Fr. Bill Anderson Passed Away Peacefully on Jan. 13, 2023

The Episcopal Diocese of Florida is saddened to share that Martha Stoney Anderson, widow of Fr. Bill Anderson, passed away on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Asheville, North Carolina. Fr. Bill and Martha Anderson served a number of years at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Mandarin and were loved by many.


A memorial service will be held in March and will be announced at a later date. We ask that you pray for their family and loved ones as funeral arrangements are organized.

Ministry Exploration Day: March 4, 2023

Register Today!

Are you wondering if you are called to full-time ministry? Does someone you know exhibit exceptional passion for sharing Good News in word and deed?


If so, please join us for our Ministry Exploration Day on March 4, 2023, which will take place at Christ Church in Ponte Vedra Beach.


Unite with friends from around the Diocese of Florida as we explore what a calling to ordained ministry looks like in the Episcopal Church.


To register, please click here or the button below.

Register

Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday in

the Diocese of Florida: Feb. 26

All Episcopalians are invited to observe Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on Feb. 26 (the first Sunday of Lent), and throughout the Lenten season to pray for those in need.


You may also contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development by clicking here. When making a donation, please make sure to add your church as the “Donor Organization." This helps Episcopal Relief & Development keep track of your church’s fundraising goal.


For liturgical resources on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, please click the button below.

Learn More

Happenings Around the Diocese

Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of Florida Family!


Congratulations to Mtr. Lisa Meirow, rector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, and her husband on the birth of their baby boy, who was born on Jan. 4, 2023.


Welcome to the world, Griffin Knox Meirow!

2022-2023 Deacon's School


On Jan. 7, 2023, the final class for Deacon's School was held.


In attendance from left to right is Deacon Jeanie Beyer, Postulant Karen Voyles, Postulant Annette Sines, on zoom Postulant Eva Bolton, Postulant Joanie Cruce, the Rev Cn Douglas Dupree, Deacon Marsha Holmes, and the Archdeacon Vn. Mark Richardson.


Each individual worked very hard to prepare themselves to serve our Church and our Lord.


Congratulations to all!

Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch with the UBE at St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville


On Saturday, Jan. 14, The Sidney B. Parker Chapter of the UBE presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday brunch. The theme of the brunch was, "Facing our Fears and Catching our Dreams." The keynote speaker was Dr. Geraldine Smith-Baker, a native of Jacksonville.


She spoke of how dreams can be overwhelming, uncertain, self-doubting and scary. But we cannot let anything stand in the way of our dreams. The speaker let participants know how Dr. King demonstrated the importance of conquering fears for equality for all God’s people.


In addition, Beverly Rivers, an author, vocalist, and Luvenia Exon, a native of Jacksonville, a member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and former Senior Warden performed. St. John's Cathedral Musicians Cedric Williams, Edward Witsell and Joseph Morrison played as a trio during the brunch.


There were over 55 people that attended the brunch.


Check out a few photos!

Camp Weed Updates

In case you missed it - we recently shared that Bishop Howard has officially promoted Randy Winton to permanent executive director of Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. Randy previously held the title of interim executive director.


Bishop Howard shared his remarks and appreciation for Randy's hard work and continued commitment to Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center.


"Since Randy joined the Camp Weed team as the head of summer camp and youth programs in 2021, he has demonstrated a strong commitment and passion for advancing Camp Weed's programming, sustainability and integration across our entire diocese," said Bishop Howard. "In less than a year as interim executive director, he helped us make tremendous progress in all of the above areas. Between these achievements and his 30-plus years of experience as a youth minister, we couldn't imagine a better individual for the role."

Happening #146: January 20-22 Recap

Happening #146 took place on Jan. 20-22. High school students spent the weekend learning, sharing and building relationships through videos, skits, and conversations to see how God and their faith fit in with the ups and downs of high school life.


Check out a few photos!

Co-Ed Cursillo #145: March 23-26, 2023


Cursillo #145 (co-ed) will take place on March 23-26 at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. To register, please click the button below.

Register

Cursillo is a three-day learning, sharing, inspirational experience of living in a Christian community. The objective of the Cursillo movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives.


Cursillo is patterned on Jesus’ own example. He searched out and called a small group of potential leaders (pre-Cursillo); he trained them by word and example and inspired them with a vision (Cursillo Three-Day Weekend); he linked them together and sent them out into the world to bring the world to Him (post Cursillo or the Fourth day).


The Cursillo Weekend is not an end to itself. It is a starting point that lasts the rest of your life. It is a springboard to a long-range practice of the Baptismal Covenant in the life of the Church called Fourth Day.


The rector for the weekend will be Arlene Jones from St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville.


For more information, please contact Guy Bond (Lay Director): gbond@floridadirtlawyer.com or The Rev. Sandy Tull (Spiritual Director): mothersandytull@yahoo.com.

Diocesan Youth News


Stay up-to-date on the latest news and information about youth events going on throughout the Diocese through the Camp Weed Diocesan Youth Newsletter. You may view the newsletter by clicking the button below.


If you have an event that you'd like to include in the youth newsletter, please reach out to Sam Marxsen: sam@campweed.org or call 386-364-5250.

Camp Weed Youth Newsletter

Pursue a License in Lay Ministry

Through The Bishop's Institute Foundations Course

The Bishop's Institute for Ministry and Leadership Foundations Course is an introductory curriculum that puts participants on a path to lay ministry licensure.


The next in-person session will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18. Watch-ahead video lessons, reading materials, and writing assignments for each session are available ahead of each session. You may sign up for the course on the Thinkific website here.

Register for the Foundations Course

Diocesan Happenings

Coming Up:


March 4 @ 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Ministry Exploration Day


March 23-26: Cursillo #145 (COED)

Helpful Links
  • Diocesan Website Updates: Please email communications@diocesefl.org with any updates and include the URL of the page where the changes are needed.
  • Looking for a job? Visit the employment page on our website for some of the current opportunities. Click here
  • Listing a job? Email communications@diocesefl.org with the job description and position contact information to be posted on the employment page.
Diocese of Florida | 325 N. Market Street | Jacksonville, FL 32202 | 904.356.1328
www.diocesefl.org