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.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT

Partnerships Help St. Monica's Extend Its Community Impact

Submitted by the Rev. Ted Kirchharr

Building Partnerships, Serving Our Community

One of the great joys of ministry at St. Monica's Episcopal Church in Cantonment, Florida, is witnessing how God continues to open doors for us to serve our neighbors. While outreach has long been part of our parish identity, this past year has been marked by the development of new partnerships that are allowing us to expand our impact in ways we could not accomplish alone.

Feeding Children During the Summer

In the summer of 2025, St. Monica's partnered with another local ministry to provide breakfast and lunch for school-aged children in our community. Five days a week throughout the summer, children received nutritious meals and caring support. It was a deeply rewarding ministry that addressed a critical need for families when school was not in session.

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Celebrate Wilmer Hall Sunday on July 26

Join us in honoring the long-standing mission and ministry of Wilmer Hall Children's Home, an agency of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Each year on the last Sunday of July, we take this opportunity to celebrate this organization that has served the Church and its communities since 1864.

Wilmer Hall was founded in 1864 by Bishop Richard Hooker Wilmer, the second bishop of Alabama, as a home for orphans and widows. More than 160 years later, they continue to carry out their mission to serve young people in need. They serve children and young adults through residential and educational programs, all aiming to provide each individual with the skills needed to be successful, contributing members of the community. They serve up to 150 children in their education programs and up to 36 young people in their residential programs at any given time. The residential programs serve young men and women, as well as young women with children. Wilmer Hall also operates a delivery-based food pantry.

To learn more about the mission and ministry of Wilmer Hall, to schedule a tour and/or lunch, please contact Executive Director Pratt Paterson at ppaterson@wilmerhall.org or Director of Development Mindy Inge at minge@wilmerhall.org.

If you would like to support the mission of Wilmer Hall with a financial gift, donations can be made online at www.wilmerhall.org or sent to Wilmer Hall Children’s Home, 3811 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608. Thank you.

Of Sacred Space

Submitted by Valerie Mitchell, Co-chair of the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation

When I was in college, I spent a semester in Oxford, England. One of the “field trips” we took was to visit Coventry Cathedral. Coventry is an industrial city in the English Midlands that was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II. The ancient cathedral was virtually destroyed, leaving only its outer shell, with most of the interior open to the sky. Following the war, a new cathedral was built adjacent to the old one, joined by a glass screen that allows a view from the old cathedral into the new one – and vice versa. The new cathedral (it was opened in 1962; I was there in 1974, so it was really new then!) is a masterpiece of twentieth-century architecture and art, made even more striking by its juxtaposition with the destruction brought about by war. Various parts of the new cathedral were donated by people and institutions from around the world, such as the organ, made of Canadian cedar and given by the Anglican Church of Canada, and the incredible modern stained-glass windows donated by the people of Sweden. The overall effect produces a breathtaking sense of awe at the beauty that can arise out of brutal destruction, particularly when people unite in love and a spirit of generosity. It is a profound statement of resurrection.

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Claiming: A 5-week journey into faith, belonging, and the Episcopal way of following Jesus

Begins Thursday, August 6, 6 p.m. CT, Online

Claiming is a five-week journey into faith, purpose, belonging, and what it means to follow Jesus in the Episcopal tradition. Designed for teens and adults considering confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, or simply exploring, this series offers a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and discover why the Episcopal Church has become a spiritual home for so many. The series includes four sessions on Zoom and a final in-person gathering. Come explore what the Episcopal tradition offers—and whether this way of faith might become your own.

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Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage

Saturday, August 15, Hayneville, AL

Alabama has many sacred spaces, places that are often connected with the civil rights movement. For Episcopalians in Alabama, perhaps the most significant is at Hayneville in Lowndes County, where Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Daniels was martyred in August 1965. The Jonathan Daniels pilgrimage has become a fixture for many and a reminder that the equality for which he gave his life is a continuing sacrifice.

There is something profoundly moving about going back to a sacred place and remembering, that enables the pilgrim to resolve, to repent, and to carry on the work of building the beloved community. Hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.

To read Valerie Mitchell's poignant reflection on the pilgrimage, visit www.diocgc.org/post/of-sacred-space.

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Latest Press Release From The Episcopal Church

Vote Faithfully Networking Calls

12:30 p.m. CT | Aug 6, Sep 3, Oct 1, Nov 5

Join the church’s public policy and witness team on the first Thursday of each month through November for “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values. Hosts share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms). The July 2 call will feature practical tips and a discussion about what congregations can do to support voter engagement. Register here.  

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