View as Webpage | October 23, 2025

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.

Tragedy at Wilmer Hall


Yesterday, Bishop Russell and Deacon Pratt Paterson shared with the diocesan community the tragedy that occurred at Wilmer Hall on Tuesday night. Please continue to pray for the family of the victim and the Wilmer Hall staff and residents. Even as we grieve this tragedy, we live as people of hope–united by a vision of liberation from cycles of violence where truth and justice prevail. 


READ YESTERDAY'S LETTER

In Case You Missed It

  • October 8 issue of Coastline READ NOW
  • Photos from BayLights at Beckwith VIEW NOW
  • Commission on the Integrity of Creation October Newsletter READ NOW

Bishop Russell had the opportunity to check in and share a meal with our seminarians, Ginny Leebrick, Ericca Cavender-Caldwell, and Jimmy Holcolm during his recent visit to the Virginia Theological Seminary! Please keep our seminarians in your prayers as they continue to learn and discern God's call.

The Young Adults of Christ Church group is enjoying a pilgrimage to Canterbury! We hear the experience was humbling and awesome. More photos on Christ Church's Facebook page.

For their recent BBQ and Blues event, the folks at Advent, Lillian, created an invitational poster featuring a QR code linking to Bishop Russell’s popular video, "Love, Grace, and Curiosity: An Invitation to The Episcopal Church." Nearly 300 community members came out to visit “the pretty little church.” What a creative and welcoming way to invite people to explore the Episcopal Church!

Women of Nativity, Dothan, gather monthly for a fun, but competitive night of tennis at the Dothan Country Club. Afterwards, they spend time fellowshipping and getting to know one another. Gathering outside of church is a wonderful way to build bonds of friendship and support that extend beyond Sunday!


Submit photos HERE.

October 26: Bishop's Visitation & Blessing of the Smoker; St. Jude's, Niceville


October 28: Chanticleer in Concert; St. James, Fairhope


October 29: Wednesday Night Program and Taco Night; St. Jude's, Niceville


November 1: New Pipe Organ Dedication; St. Paul's, Foley


November 2: Evensong; Nativity, Dothan


November 2: Choral Evensong for All Souls' Day: Christ Church, Pensacola


November 8: St. Paul's Episcopal Sporting Clay Shoot; Santa Rosa Shooting Center


November 15: Celtic Christmas Market; St. Paul's, Magnolia Springs


November 19: Wednesday Night Dinner; St. Francis, Gulf Breeze


November 22: Pre-Advent Quiet Morning; Holy Trinity, Pensacola


December 5: Winterfest Arts & Crafts Festival; St. Mary's, Milton


December 7: Advent Lessons & Carols; Christ Church Parish, Pensacola


Call for vendors: St. Paul's Magnolia Springs is now accepting applications for their Celtic Christmas Market on Saturday, November 15. Click HERE for details and application.


Call for vendors: St. Mary's, Milton is now accepting applications for their Winterfest Arts & Craft Festival on Friday & Saturday, December 5-6. Click HERE for details.


Share your church event with the rest of the diocese. Send us details HERE.


Events beyond six weeks out can be found at www.diocgc.org/church-and-community-events.

Ordinations to the Sacred Order of Priests


With great joy, the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast invites you to celebrate the ordinations of our transitional deacons - Mark Waddell, Antwon Lewis, and Drew Downey - as they are called to the sacred order of priests.


Please mark your calendars and join us for this holy and joyous occasion!


Your prayers and presence are a cherished gift as we surround Mark, Antwon, and Drew with love and support on this important step in their journey of ministry.

The Rev. Mark Waddell


DATE

Wednesday, October 29


TIME

6 p.m. CT


LOCATION

St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church

7810 Navarre Parkway

Navarre, FL 32566


LIVESTREAM

https://www.facebook.com/staugs.navarre


The Rev. Antwon Lewis


DATE

Wednesday, November 5


TIME

6 p.m. CT


LOCATION

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

1307 E Three Notch Street

Andalusia, AL 36420


LIVESTREAM

https://www.facebook.com/stmarysandalusia


The Rev. Drew Downey


DATE

Wednesday, November 19


TIME

6 p.m. ET



LOCATION

Christ Church Episcopal

5000 Pouncey Tract Rd.

Glen Allen, VA 23059


LIVESTREAM

https://www.youtube.com/live/CmHVUH3Yf9s



Happening #63

February 6-7, 2026

St. Christopher's, 3200 N 12th Ave, Pensacola


Registration is now open for Happening #63.


Happening is a weekend retreat for teens in grades 9th-12th led by teens under the guidance of adult leadership. It’s a weekend of renewal, connection, and joy where high school students discover how their faith meets real life. Through music, laughter, talks, small groups, and powerful moments of worship, participants (“Happeners”) experience the love of Christ and the support of a caring Christian community.


HAPPENING WEBPAGE - read more details about Happening and register!


HAPPENING ANNOUNCEMENT - learn how you can help encourage teenagers to attend!


And if you know of a high schooler who has already been a Happener, encourage them to serve on the Happening Staff.


The cost is $75. Scholarships are available. For questions or financial assistance, please contact our Happening Coordinator, Meghan Johnson, at meghantj02@gmail.com.

Beckwith Summer Camp Dates 2026

Senior High Camp - May 31-June 4

Leaders in Training - June 4-6

Session 1 (6th-8th) - June 7-12

Session 2 (3rd-5th) - June 14-19

Session 3 (7th-9th) - June 21-26

Special Ministries - June 28-July 1

Session 5 (4th-6th) - July 5-10

Session 6 (5th-7th) - July 12-17

Session 7 (3rd-4th) - July 19-23

Family Camp - July 24-26

For more information about Beckwith Summer Camp, visit www.beckwithal.com/summercamp.

Submit a job posting for your church or Episcopal related organizations HERE.

Part-time Director of Membership and Stewardship

Christ Church Parish, Pensacola, is seeking a Director of Membership and Stewardship to facilitate developing new members, orchestrating the annual stewardship program, and working with the rector to grow the Endowment through planned giving. Job description. Contact: Traci Hart at traci@christ-church.net. Church address: 18 W Wright St, Pensacola, FL.


Part-time Children's Program Coordinator

Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile, is seeking a Children's Program Coordinator for lesson and implementation planning for Sunday School and Children's Planning for children ages 3 to grade 3; functioning as a lead teacher in Sunday School and Children's Chapel, and working with volunteer teachers. 15-20 hours a week at $20 per hour. Job description. Contact: Carolyn Jeffers at cjeffers@christchurchcathedralmobile.org. Church address: 115 S Conception St, Mobile, AL.


Occasional Supply Musician

Church of the Advent, Lillian, is seeking an occasional supply musician to supplement their current part-time paid musician for Sunday services at 10 a.m. The church has an organ but is also looking for someone who can play piano, keyboard, guitar, or another instrument. Payment can be arranged. Contact the Rev. Tina Lockett at 412.400.7400. Church address: 12099 County Rd 99, Lillian, AL.


Part-time Musician

St. Andrew's, Mobile, is seeking a musician for 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship and Feast days. No choir. Contact Phyllis Findley at phyllis@phyllisfindley.com. Church address: 1854 Staples Rd, Mobile, AL.

October 26

Visitation at St. Jude's, Niceville

Visitation at St. Agatha's, DeFuniak Springs


October 29

Priesthood Ordination of Mark Waddell at St. Augustine's, Navarre


November 2

Visitation at All Saints, Mobile


November 5

Priesthood Ordination of Antwon Lewis at St. Mary's, Andalusia


Visit the church's website or social media page, linked in blue, for service time(s).

October 26

St. Luke's, Mobile


November 2

All Saints, Mobile


November 9

St. Paul's, Mobile

October 26

Butler County Correctional Facility, Greenville


November 2

Monroe County Jail, Monroeville


November 9

Mobile County Metro Jail, Mobile

Washington Country Jail, Chatom

Printable versions of the prayer cycles are available at www.diocgc.org/cycle-of-prayer.

Episcopal Church Executive Council: Opening remarks from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe


Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe recently addressed the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church at its October meeting in Kanuga, North Carolina, offering words of encouragement, clarity, and conviction for the Church's work in challenging times. In his remarks, Bishop Rowe reflected on the Church’s response to national and global crises, including immigration and the war in Gaza, emphasizing faithful discernment, compassion, and strategic action grounded in the teachings of Jesus.


READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM PRESIDING BISHOP ROWE

Upcoming Events from The Episcopal Church


Tuesday, November 11, at 7 p.m. CT

Veterans Day Holy Eucharist and Commissioning of Chaplains


Episcopalians are invited to join a first-time churchwide Veterans Day Holy Eucharist service via livestream or in person at the Church Center chapel in New York City—to honor those who have served in the military and specially recognize the Episcopal chaplains who support them.


Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will preside, and the Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, bishop suffragan for the church’s Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, will preach. The service will include a special “commissioning for further service” of chaplains who serve military veterans in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.


MORE DETAILS


About the Coastline


"Coastline" is an online newsletter publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. We welcome your input!


SUBMIT AN ARTICLE - due the Friday before the publication date.


SUBMIT AN EVENT - posted on our website as received.


Direct inquiries to communications@diocgc.org or the editor, Jenn Roberts, at jenn@diocgc.org.


Update your email preferences by clicking on the "Update Profile" link below.

As a reminder, neither Bishop Russell nor any diocesan staff member will ever contact you via email or text message asking for special favors or gift cards. These types of messages are fraudulent, and you should never click on any links or respond to them.


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MAILING: PO BOX 13330, PENSACOLA, FL 32591-3330

PHYSICAL: 201 N BAYLEN ST, PENSACOLA, FL 32502

PHONE: 850-434-7337 | FAX: 850-434-8577

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