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Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

April 27, 2022

Join us! Service of Ordination to the Diaconate this Saturday

By the Grace of God and with the affirmation of the people, Bishop Russell Kendrick will ordain Amanda Harbert Dosher and Kenneth Paul White-Spunner, III, to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ's one holy catholic and apostolic Church on Saturday, April 30, at 11 am CT at Christ Church Cathedral, located at 115 South Conception Street, Mobile, Alabama.

Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy wishing to vest should wear an alb or black cassock, surplice, red stole.

The service will be livestreamed,  WATCH IT HERE

LEARN MORE ABOUT AMANDA AND KENNETH

Service of Repentance Study Guide

On April 2, 2022, the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation held a Service of Repentance for Racial Injustice at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile. You can watch the recording here.

During the service, Bishop Russell Kendrick of the Central Gulf Coast and Bishop Phoebe Roaf of West Tennessee shared a vulnerable and open-hearted conversation on the topic of racism.

This study guide was created as a companion to the bishops' conversation as a means of furthering the healing and growth that can come from conversations shared on difficult topics. We acknowledge that such conversations can cause discomfort, stir vulnerability, and lead us to unpredictable places. We emphasize the word conversation because we confess we have too often treated the reality of racism as an issue to be understood rather than eradicated. This study begins with a video from Bishop Russell Kendrick (found here), that gives us a glimpse into the creation of this service: the “how” and “why” for this service and how it continues to inspire and unfold under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

For more resources and materials related to the Service of Repentance including the service recording, service bulletin, and study guide, visit: www.diocgc.org/post/service-of-repentance-for-racial-injustice-april-2-2022.

Resurrecting an oldy but a goody: Sharing Faith Dinners

Looking for a simple but meaningful parish program? Consider revisiting Sharing Faith Dinners. Sharing Faith Dinners were popular a few years ago as a project out of the Diocese of Texas. The idea is that you gather eight to ten participants to share dinner and over the course of the meal, each participant draws a conversation card and shares a little bit about their faith using the discussion prompts on the card. More recently, our diocese used the model during the Epiphany season of 2019 to discuss Presiding Bishop Curry’s “The Power of Love” sermon from the royal wedding. Part of what was so great about these gatherings was that you didn’t need to be a Biblical scholar or prolific theologian to take part. You just had to be willing to share your experiences of faith or love and respectfully receive the sharing of others. It might sound a little crazy that people would open up on these topics over dinner, but they do. People have experienced a lot in the past two years. Love has grown, changes challenged us, and faith has deepened. People want to share these stories. As Brene Brown says, “We are hard-wired for story.” And it’s true. We are hard-wired to understand our world and make sense of our experiences through story. Our hearts long to share those stories because we become more whole when we share our faith and love with one another. 

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Spiritual direction training to be offered in 2023

If you ever felt the tug to help guide another person's journey with God, then you may be interested in an upcoming spiritual direction training program. Spiritual direction is a relationship between two people wherein one is trained to companion the other as he/she seeks to discern where and how God is at work in his/her life. This relationship is one of deep trust because it is rooted in confidentiality and a safe, sacred space. A spiritual director is a privileged witness in the spiritual unfolding of another person.

In early 2023, the Center for Sacred Space will begin spiritual director training. Although this training is not a diocesan-sponsored program, it is approved by Bishop Russell who gives his blessing to this endeavor. To learn more about what is spiritual direction and what is a spiritual director, click here. 

In Case You Missed It

• Presiding Bishop Curry's Easter message WATCH
• Bishop Russell's Easter message WATCH
• Applications for the 2022-2023 Lay Ministry School Certification Program due August 15 DETAILS
• Camp Beckwith 2022 dates: MORE INFO
• Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation 2022 Calendar: VIEW CALENDAR

Redeemer says "yes" to the dress

When Bridget Archer receives a phone call regarding her church, Church of the Redeemer in Mobile, it's often about maintenance, services or someone in need. However, a few weeks ago, she received a call that brought seven days of joy, laughter, community, and above all, prom dresses.

Archer says, "When my phone rang three weeks ago it was the social service’s director for the Mobile County Public School System looking for a place to host a prom dress giveaway; without hesitation, I volunteered Redeemer. The next week over a thousand dresses, plus shoes, suits, and tuxedos were unloaded from trucks and placed in the sanctuary. The dresses were organized on racks borrowed from Deacon Terry Goff’s (Trinity, Mobile) Project Homeless event and arranged by size around chairs by members of Scout Troop 251. Shoes were placed on the altar and empty classrooms and office space became dressing rooms." 

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Ordination to the Diaconate

April 30, 11am, at Christ Church Cathedral, 115 S Conception St, Mobile

Bishop Russell will ordain Amanda Dosher and Kenneth White-Spunner to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

VIEW ANNOUNCEMENT

WATCH LIVESTREAM

Clergy Spouse Retreat - canceled

At this time the Clergy Spouse Retreat has been canceled. Rescheduling has not yet been determined. 

Thank you for understanding. 

Senior Warden Day

May 14, from 11am to 2pm, at St. Christopher's, 3200 N 12th Ave, Pensacola

Senior wardens are invited to a day dedicated to them! Presentations will be offered by Bishop Russell and diocesan staff members. You’ll hear from a panel of experienced senior wardens who will give their insight on developing strong vestries, leading without clergy and weathering storms of various sorts. There will be ample time for your questions. You’ll leave with a better understanding of the role of senior warden, how the diocese can offer support, and make new connections with leaders from other congregations.

There will be a Zoom option, but in-person attendance is greatly encouraged. This day is a terrific opportunity to meet fellow senior wardens and get to know one another - helping to build a network of support in your unique leadership role.

REGISTRATION

Sacred Conversations on Racial Reconciliation

May 21, 7:30am to 5pm, All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S Ann St, Mobile

Join us for an interactive 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 vestries) and at the diocesan level (including serving on commissions, committees, agencies, boards, etc.). It also qualifies for 8 hours of clergy training/education for those who complete the day course.

Presented by the Commission on Racial Justice & Reconciliation. Cost is free but requires the commitment to be engaged the full day. Lunch is provided.

REGISTRATION

April 29: Screening the Documentary "Youth v Gov" for Faith Climate Action Week, hosted by Gulf Coast Creation Care

April 30: Pancake Breakfast, Wilmer Hall Children's Home

May 5: Famous Fish Fry, St. Peter's, Bon Secour

May 7: Historic Apalachicola Home & Gaden Tour, Trinity, Apalachicola

May 9: The Market on Blue Angel Parkway, Holy Trinity, Pensacola

May 12: Global Episcopal Mission Conference: Women in Mission, on Zoom

June 6: Summer Institute of Christian Spirituality, Spring Hill College

June 11-24: Pilgrimage to Israel with the Rev. Thack Dyson, St. Paul's, Daphne

No job post at this time.

Episcopal Church’s "Sacred Ground" releases report, updated curriculum

Three years after launching Sacred Ground, a dialogue series on race, racism, and whiteness with more than 20,000 participants thus far, The Episcopal Church’s Racial Reconciliation and Justice Team is releasing a comprehensive evaluation report, updated curriculum and resources, and expanded licensing that invites people in other denominations/faiths to start their own Sacred Ground circles.

"Everywhere I travel, people are bursting to tell me about the transformational impact Sacred Ground has had in their lives," said Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. "The Lord is building Beloved Community through this movement, and in its updated and expanded form, Sacred Ground will help many thousands more take the next steps in the lifelong work of racial healing."

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May 1

Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile

May 4

St. Monica's, Cantonment

May 8

Holy Nativity, Panama City

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

May 1

We pray for Christ Church Cathedral's ongoing ministry with Baptized for Life through MOB Pacers, Beloved Community Outreach Center, the Mobile Kappa League, and the Mobile Area Boys and Girls Club. 

In October, Bishop Russell introduced the "Go Forward" campaign - a call for renewal, leadership, mission and unity in our diocese. To learn more about the campaign's priorities and stay up-to-date on the latest news, including our recent video shown at the diocesan convention, visit www.goforwardcampaign.org.

Make a gift or pledge HERE

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.

Coastline is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

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