Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
June 11, 2020
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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.
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INVITATION TO THE WORK OF
BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
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We offer this video of high school, college and School for Ministry graduates of the class of 2020 as a litany to these and all students who are stepping into the next phase of their life. Help us support them by praying for them and with them.
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LYDIA GILMER AND NATALIE KLOPFENSTEIN
NEW EPISCOPAL SERVICE CORPS MEMBERS
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Meet Lydia Gilmer and Natalie Klopfenstein, two new members of the
Episcopal Service Corps from the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Both are recent graduates from Troy University, and were a part of the
Canterbury Club campus ministry of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Troy, Alabama. Lydia and Natalie share a bit about the process of joining the ESC, what programs they will be serving, and what they hope to get out of the experience.
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BY MARY ANN WHITE
JUNETEENTH
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There is more than one Independence Day in the United States. Juneteenth or Emancipation Day is celebrated by African Americans on 19 June each year. Although slaves had been freed by Abraham Lincoln when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on 1 January 1863, there were 250,000 slaves in Texas that were not aware of this, and no one was in a rush to tell them. It wasn’t until Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, rode into Galveston, Texas with news the war had ended that the enslaved knew they were free. Since then it has been celebrated as Juneteenth.
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BY THE REV. DEACON CLELIA GARRITY
OUR JUBILEE YEAR
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Amidst all the dashed plans developed by our diocesan Jubilee Year Celebration Committee one active remnant remains. The remnant of a plan that was intended to be carried out in a time quite different from this COVID-19 world in which we now live. A remnant that remains as the closing collect offered in our Prayers of the People. A collect that is stunning in its relevance – its critical importance – at this beleaguered point in time.
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BY THE REV. DEACON ED RICHARDS
A DEACON'S MUSINGS
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Like many of you, I have been heartbroken about the events of the past week or so. Like many in my position, older, white, male, I struggle from time to time with the concept of white privilege. Although I think I may finally have a good understanding of the concept.
Part of my struggle with white privilege is that I have not really thought of myself as privileged. My family was probably lower middle class. We rented houses more often than not. While I was better off than some of my friends, I definitely had less than others. I had my first part time job in the 5th grade, a paper route, and pretty much worked continuously until I was 68. I had good jobs and not so good ones, but always had enough to satisfy my needs and a few of my wants.
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GRADUATION AND ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE
SCHOOL FOR MINISTRY
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The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast School for Ministry is pleased to announce the upcoming graduation and ordination to the diaconate of the first class of students to have completed the three year program under the direction of Dean Joy Blaylock. The graduates are Mike Ballard, David Chatel, David Clothier, Bob, Donnell, Rachel Iversen, Lydia Johnson, John Kendall and John Talbert. Iversen and Kendall will be ordained to the vocational diaconate. Ballard, Chatel, Clothier, Donnell, Johnson, and Talbert will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
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Graduation will be held Saturday, June 13 at 2 pm CST at St. Agatha's Episcopal Church in DeFuniak Springs. The closed ceremony will be recorded and posted on our website and Facebook for later viewing.
Ordination to the Diaconate will be held Sunday, June 28 at 3 pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile. This will be a livestreamed, closed service. Details for where to watch the livestream will be sent out soon.
Your prayers are requested for graduate.
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Please be sure to direct any mail for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to our post office address: PO Box 13330, Pensacola, FL 32591-3330.
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St. John's in Monroeville planted a Live Oak on their church grounds in honor our Tree Planting Sunday as part of our 50th Jubilee Celebration year. The hope is to have the Harris Family return for another photo for our 100th anniversary!
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St. Simon's on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach celebrated Pentecost with a parade to church. Masked parishioners were able to safely receive communion in one kind from their vehicles given by Fr. David and Deacon Clelia. Plus, everyone was blessed and sprinkled with holy water.
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Bob Howard and Mike Cadden planted citrus trees in their parish garden to celebrate our Creation Stewardship month for our 50th Jubilee Celebration year. We can't wait to see those trees bear fruit to remind us of the gifts of creation that God has provided for us.
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Church of the Redeemer in Mobile continues feeding their community all while adhering to the restrictions of social distancing. Redeemer also has an Emergency Pantry Box stocked with food 24/7, a personal grooming box, and library box.
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From The Episcopal Church
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Invitation to Participate in Survey About Sexual Misconduct in The Episcopal Church
Responses requested by: July 1, 2020
[A letter to Episcopalians from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings.]
Dear People of God in the Episcopal Church:
In early 2018, we issued a call for The Episcopal Church to come to a fuller understanding of how it has handled or mishandled cases of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse through the years. That work began to take shape at General Convention 2018 when the House of Deputies Special Committee on Sexual Harassment and Exploitation submitted more than twenty resolutions and the House of Bishops held a Liturgy of Listening to lament and confess the church’s role in harassment, exploitation and abuse.
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Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: When the Cameras are Gone, We Will Still Be Here
“Our long-term commitment to racial justice and reconciliation is embedded in our identity as baptized followers of Jesus. We will still be doing it when the news cameras are long gone.”
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Statement from the Province IV Bishops of The Episcopal Church
Bishops of the diocese' of Province IV have collaborated in a joint call to action from civil authorities to step back from military-style responses to public demonstrations of people seeking justice against the sins of racism and white supremacy in our country. The bishops also call for a recommitment from clergy and lay people to lived into the Beloved Community
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A Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival on June 20
The Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington will be a transformative digital event driving Jesus’ vision and justice’s agenda into the heart of the national narrative. In this unprecedented moment, Episcopalians are telling the truth about the dire failures of our society and sharing the key to real and lasting change that lies within our communities.
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Bishop of Indianapolis Gives Personal Reflection During Bishops' Meeting
On Monday, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of Indianapolis, gave a reflection during a Zoom meeting with bishops and canons from across the Episcopal Church, and we felt it is worth sharing with you. It is a poignant account of personal experience, hope and challenge for the church on dismantling white supremacy and racism.
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Hurricane Season Emergency Preparedness
With our area having just weathered a tropical storm already, all of us along the Gulf Coast are critically aware that hurricane season is upon us. It is important that we ready ourselves for future potential storms, and remain prepared throughout the season. Careful delegation of roles and responsibilities and having a plan in place are key components to a congregation's vitality and ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the church, parishioners and surrounding community.
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Resources from the VBS Online Forum
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Online and Live Streamed Worship Options
Until we can once again gather in person, livestreamed services are being offered by churches across our diocese and beyond.
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Online Giving for Your Congregation
Your financial gifts to your church are of vital importance to support their ongoing ministries to your church community and to the most vulnerable among us. The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is providing the ability to give online for congregations that do not have ways to collect an offering or donation electronically.
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Job postings are for paid positions at Episcopal churches, schools or related programs within the geographical boundaries of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
No postings at this time.
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All Diocesan in-person events have been suspended at this time. If you are a member of a commission or committee please check with your chair regarding online meeting options.
Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation Zoom Speaker Series
All are welcome.
- June 17, 7pm CST: Rev. Deacon Carolyn Foster - Poor People's Campaign
DOWNLOAD THE FLYER FOR MORE DETAILS AND ZOOM MEETING LINKS
Diocesan-wide Prayer Vigil for Racial Justice (Online via Zoom)
Save the date and time. More information will be sent out soon with details to join.
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No events currently posted. Please check with your church regarding options for church events.
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June 14
St. John's, Pensacola
June 21
St. Peter's, Bon Secour
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June 14
St. John's, Pensacola
June 21
St. Peter's, Bon Secour
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June 14
Fountain/JO Davis Correctional Facility, Atmore, AL
June 21
Holman Correctional Facility, Atmore, AL
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All are invited to participate with us in our 50th Jubilee Anniversary. We've created monthly materials, resources, newsletters, etc. to help us celebrate in a unified way across the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast throughout 2020.
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Coastline
is a biweekly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
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