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.

54th Annual Diocesan Convention

The 54th Annual Diocesan Convention held this past weekend was a tremendous success. We hope all 300+ people who attended found our time together to be uplifting, thought-provoking, and engaging. Attendees should be on the lookout for a post-convention survey that will be sent out by the end of the week.

Many thanks to the volunteers of Christ the King, Santa Rosa Beach, for hosting us and helping things run smoothly.

The Bishop's Address, Plenary Session with Dr. Bertice Berry, and Closing Eucharist recordings are available on our summary page at www.diocgc.org/post/2025-annual-diocesan-convention-summary.

Congratulations to our new Standing Committee Members:

• The Rev. Justin Boyd - Grace and St. Thomas, Panama City Beach
• Rodney Duggins - Good Shepherd, Mobile (Bishop's Nomination)
• The Rev. Michael Hoffman - Christ Church Parish, Pensacola (Bishop's Nomination)
• Jeannie Keinzle - All Saints, Mobile
• Eric Stevenson - Christ Church Parish, Pensacola

The convention offering of $3001 will go to St. George's College in Jerusalem. If you would like to make an online donation, visit our donation page. Be sure to note "convention offering."

Lenten Book Study - Rachel Held Evans' "Inspired" - begins next week!

Bishop Kendrick has issued an invitation for our diocese to undertake a special book study through the season of Lent, reading Rachel Held Evans' "Inspired." The purpose of this study is three-fold:

• To enhance the bonds that make us one Body in Christ by sharing and studying together;
• To provide a poignant guide to assist us in naming and claiming our stories;
• To better discern our roles as disciples as shaped by the intersection of biblical stories and our own.

In addition to the study guide, video reflections will accompany each week's reading. It begins March 3! Here's a link to purchase the book.

There will also be a Zoom gathering on Thursdays at noon with the Rev. Lydia Johnson for anyone looking for a discussion group. Subscribe below to receive the link each week.

Bookmarks containing the readings and links to each video will be available at the diocesan convention. Churches may request bulk quantities (up to 50) by emailing jenn@diocgc.org. While supplies last.

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE STUDY GUIDE AND WEEKLY VIDEOS

VISIT LENTEN BOOK STUDY WEBPAGE

Other Lenten Resources

• Episcopal Relief & Development Offers Lenten Meditations by Jerusalem Jackson Greer 
• 40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude - United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries

The Philadelphia Eleven premieres on public television stations around the country starting March 1

In an act akin to civil disobedience, a group of women and their supporters organized their ordination to become Episcopal priests in 1974. The Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia welcomes them, but change is no small task. The women are harassed, threatened and banned from stepping on church property.

In this feature-length documentary film, we meet the women who challenge the very essence of patriarchy within Christendom and succeed in building a movement that transforms an age-old institution.

FIND YOUR STATION

2025 Men's Conference

Friday, February 28-Sunday, March 2

Bekciwth, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

"How the Desert Fathers Help Us Pray" with the Rev. Adam McCoy, O.H.C.

All men of the diocese are invited to the 42nd Annual Men's Conference. We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Adam McCoy O.H.C., presently a solitary monk not in residence and serves as assisting priest in two parishes in Cathedral City, CA. He took life vows in the Order of the Holy Cross in 1978. Subsequently, he has served as the Novice Master of the order and prior to the Calvary Monastery Retreat House in Santa Barbara, CA. In addition to his monastic responsibilities, Father McCoy has been a rector to two parishes and has led other ecclesiastical activities both in the Diocese of New York and the Diocese of Los Angeles. Father McCoy has written several articles relating evangelism to Anglican monasticism. He enjoys leading retreats for both clergy and laity and likes to discuss the influences of the Desert Fathers upon contemporary prayer life.

Cost varies. Please register and pay by February 21. SOLD OUT!

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE | REGISTER ONLINE

Cursillo #172

March 13-16

Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Lane, Fairhope

Cursillo (“Cur see yo”) is a three-day weekend that introduces people to simple methods for nurturing and growing their relationships with Christ. It provides an experience of living in a Christian community centered in worship, prayer, study of scripture, and 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- the spreading of the Gospel.

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Adventurous Aging: How to Stay Young at Heart

Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT

Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge, LA

The Commission on Affirmative Aging in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is taking its popular workshop on the road to Louisiana! Join us for a day of learning about how to stay young at heart. We have an exciting lineup:

• Recent Research on Senescence with Melinda Henderson, PhD, APRN, FAAN
• Cardiovascular Health with Dr. Terry Selly
• Healthy BP Tips with Dr. Gerry Phillips
• Pain Management with Dr. Lisa Perez
• Chair Yoga with Ms. Jo Rose

Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is included. Cost is $20.

We recommend you come ready for a fun day!

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION | DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER

Becoming Beloved Community Sacred Conversations

Saturday, March 22, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. James, 100 St. James Place, Eufaula

Sponsored by the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation

Join us for a 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 vestry members) and at the diocesan level (including those serving on commissions, committees, agencies, or boards). It also qualifies for eight hours of clergy training/education for those who complete the full-day course. There is no fee to participate, but it requires the commitment to be engaged for the full day. Limited to 26 participants.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Annual Senior Warden Day

Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Francis, 1 St. Francis Dr, Gulf Breeze

Ready to lead in your Episcopal parish? Our tailored workshop for Senior Wardens equips you with vital skills for this sacred role. Explore spiritual, admin, and pastoral duties, fostering vibrant faith communities and stewarding resources effectively.

Even if you've attended a previous Senior Warden Day, please join us! There may be new information you haven't heard before, and you may be able to offer advice and encouragement to new wardens. All experience levels of wardens and anyone interested in serving as a future warden are invited to attend.

This event is intentionally held in person to promote fellowship, conversation, and community amongst those who serve the same leadership role in churches across our diocese, and we appreciate your effort to attend, especially those who travel from far away.

Please register by Wednesday, March 26. No charge to attend. Lunch provided.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Slay the Stigma of Mental Health: For Youth and Those Who Love Them

Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, and May 14, 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m.

Holy Cross, 7979 N 9th Ave, Pensacola

It’s tough being a teen today. Sure the statistics itemize the troubles, but our youth are the experts. They live the stress of balancing school, social media, home life, and all the personal interactions that come in a single day.

The Diocesan Mental Health Alliance will present a three-part series intended to destigmatize mental health concerns among youth, their parents, and those who love them. Attendees will receive tips, methods, and hard-core facts that can be deployed right away. Youth will learn (and

share) strategies via games, role-playing, and discussion. Adults and teens will learn the same information, sometimes together and sometimes in the large group.

Intended to take the place of Wednesday night programming, all churches are invited to join together to learn from our expert and each other through silly and serious discussion on how to bolster teens’ mental health.

MORE DETAILS AND RSVP

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Episcopal church staff realignment

Note: Read more about the realignment in these FAQs.

Dear People of God in The Episcopal Church:

On the day I was elected presiding bishop in June 2024, I told the General Convention:

It’s time to reorient our churchwide resources—budgets and staff—to support dioceses and congregations on the ground where ministry happens. To build on what dioceses and diocesan partnerships already do better than the churchwide structure and use churchwide resources to strengthen those ministries.

We must reform our structure and governance so that our essential polity, in which laypeople, clergy, and bishops—all of us together—share authority, does not collapse under its own weight.

Today I am announcing the first major milestone toward achieving these goals: a realignment of the church center staff that will position us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ more effectively in the world that we see emerging.

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