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55th Annual Convention Summary

At the end of February, nearly 300 clergy and lay leaders gathered at the Hilton Pensacola Beach for the 55th Annual Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Centered on the theme “Let There Be Light,” the weekend invited us to reflect on God’s presence and call in our common life. From the Bishop’s Address that opened our time together to the closing Eucharist, Christ’s light shone brightly throughout the convention.

Special thanks go to our gracious convention host, St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze. The Rev. Christian and a wonderful team of volunteers—easily spotted in their red “And also with y’all” t-shirts—offered the kind of warm and joyful hospitality for which Episcopalians are known.

We are also grateful for our keynote guests, Dr. Jim McClintock and the Rev. John Burruss, who shared the breathtaking beauty and wonder of the Antarctic. Their presentations inspired many to deepen our commitment to caring for God’s creation. We also give thanks for our workshop presenters—Dr. Jim McClintock, the Rev. John Burruss, Anita Ford, and the Rev. Canon Ashley Freeman—who generously shared their knowledge and experience so that participants could return to their congregations with new ideas and resources for ministry.

A particularly meaningful moment during the convention was the special liturgy, Walking the Way of Creation. This reflective experience guided participants through the story of Genesis in reverse—beginning with Sabbath rest and moving back through creatures, sky, land, and waters, before arriving finally at the moment of creation: “Let there be light.”

Along with fellowship, worship, and learning, the convention also carried out the important business of the diocese. Delegates passed a resolution, approved the diocesan budget, and elected new members to the Standing Committee as well as deputies to next year’s General Convention. Details about these actions can be found at the link below.

The summary from the 55th Annual Diocesan Convention is now available HERE.

The resources for Walking the Way of Creation liturgy are available HERE.

SAVE-THE-DATE

The 56th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held February 19-20, 2027, at the Embassy Suites in Gulf Shores. Our hosts will be Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores, and St. Paul's, Foley.

A Season of Renewal: Nominations Sought for the Committee to Review the Terminology and Canons of the Diocese

At the 55th Annual Convention, the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast adopted a resolution establishing a Committee to Review the Terminology and Canons of the Diocese. This effort invites the diocese into a season of prayerful renewal, reflecting on how our governing documents support the mission of the Church.

Much of the diocesan Canons have remained largely unchanged since 1971, even as patterns of congregational life, clergy leadership, technology, and administration have evolved. The newly formed committee will prayerfully review key canons related to congregational status, diocesan union, clergy terminology, and the use of technology in governance. Their work will help ensure that Mission Stations, Organized Missions, and Parishes are fully equipped to participate in the shared mission of the diocese.

The committee, composed of 7–12 lay and ordained members representing diverse voices across the diocese, will begin meeting by June 24, 2026, and will present its recommendations to the 56th Annual Convention. Nominations are now being accepted until April 10 for those who feel called to participate in this important work.

MORE DETAILS AND NOMINATION FORM

Cursillo #174

March 12-15

Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

Cursillo (“Cur see yo”) is a three-day weekend that introduces people to simple methods for nurturing and growing their relationships with Christ and others. It provides an experience of living in a Christian community centered in interaction with other Christians. Its mission is to build up our parish churches by encouraging and empowering its members to prepare for doing the work of the church.

MORE DETAILS

Speaker Series with Nicholas P. Wood

Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. CT

All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S Ann St, Mobile

Presented by the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation.

Nic Wood is an associate professor of history at Spring Hill College. He earned his PhD from the University of Virginia and has held postdoctoral fellowships sponsored by Yale University and the National Endowment for the Humanities. His first book, "Let the Oppressed Go Free: Abolitionism in Colonial and Revolutionary America," was recently published by the University of Pennsylvania Press.

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER

Pilgrimage to Equal Justice Initiative National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum

Saturday, April 18

Montgomery, AL

Sponsored by the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation

Pilgrims will travel by chartered motor coach. In Montgomery, we will visit the National Memorial, the Legacy Museum, and the Sculpture Garden. The $20 registration fee will cover transportation in addition to entry tickets to the venues.

Pilgrims are responsible for bringing their own lunch and snacks.

Bus will depart from Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Daphne at 7:05 a.m. and return by 7 p.m. Full schedule available at the registration link.

REGISTER NOW | DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER

Episcopal Night at the Ballpark

Sunday, April 19, 4 p.m. CT

Blue Wahoos Stadium, Pensacola

Join us on the Coors Light Party Deck at the Blue Wahoos Stadium for a fun evening of baseball and Episcopal fellowship as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos take on the Knoxville Smokies!

Wear your Episcopal church gear!

Tickets must be purchased in advance. The ticket price includes admission, food, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Ticket sales close on April 3. We sell out quickly, so get your tickets today!

BUY TICKETS

19th Annual Wilmer Hall Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, April 25, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT

Wilmer Hall Children's Home, 3811 Old Shell Rd, Mobile

Join us on the front lawn of Wilmer Hall for our 19th Annual Pancake Breakfast! Enjoy pancakes, music by the Excelsior Band, jumpies for the kids, and MORE! All benefits go to Wilmer Hall.  

Get your tickets now at wilmerhall.org/events/pancake-breakfast or on the Donate page and comment 'Pancakes' in the Notes box.

Cash, check, and Venmo are accepted at the event! $ 6 per person or $20 per car for the drive-thru.

Beckwith Sunday Celebration

Sunday, April 26, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT

Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

Every year on the last Sunday of April, we celebrate and honor our beloved Beckwith Camp and Conference Center across the diocese with Beckwith Sunday. This year, Beckwith is hosting a Holy Eucharist followed by a cookout and pool party to consecrate their new swimming pool! Join us in your favorite Beckwith attire!

If you would like to contribute to the continued fundraising efforts for the new pool, visit www.beckwithal.com/give.

RSVP to rhona@beckwithal.com

Worship in the Woods

Sunday, April 26, 2:30 p.m to 5 p.m. CT

Saloom Properties, 2835 Bookers Mills Rd, Evergreen

Worship in the Woods is a diocesan-wide gathering sponsored by the churches of Convocation IV!

Celebrating in God's Creation

Join us to walk the Stations of the Resurrection, celebrate the Eucharist in the Chapel of Divine Creation, and enjoy a shared meal provided by our hosts.

RSVP

Latest Press Releases From The Episcopal Church

Feb 28

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on military strike on Iran

Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:

Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church, here in the United States, we awoke this morning with alarm to the news that the United States and Israel have launched a large military strike on Iran. This violent attack comes despite weeks of negotiations that many of us had hoped would prevent armed conflict in this fragile region, which is home to so many religious traditions and faithful people. 

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Mar 3

In new formation partnership, Episcopal Church and Forward Movement launch sacraments video series

As The Episcopal Church continues to redefine its formation and evangelism efforts to serve the needs of dioceses, it has produced a new video series about the sacraments in collaboration with Forward Movement. The three 20-minute-long videos—in English with Spanish subtitles—are ideal for newcomer classes, adult formation, and those preparing for confirmation. 

CONTINUE READING

Mar 6

The Episcopal Church Weekly

Read this weekly roundup of press releases, announcements, and other updates from The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

READ WEEKLY HERE

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