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Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

September 13, 2023

New co-chair for the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation

The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is pleased to announce Valerie Mitchell of All Saints, Mobile, as the new co-chair for the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation. Mitchell will serve alongside Joe McDaniel of Christ Church, Pensacola. We offer many blessings and much gratitude for the mission and ministry of outgoing co-chair Gary Moore of St. Paul's Chapel, Magnolia Springs. 

Mitchell says, "Serving on the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation has been profoundly rewarding, if at times exhausting! This commission is the most active and hard-working in our diocese; we all give sacrificially of our time. The results feel tangible and meaningful because each commission member truly has a passion for our mission of extending racial justice in the world. As a bonus, in doing our work, we have formed a personal bond that has deeply enriched my life.

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Congregation of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer signs Earth Care Pledge

A few years ago, I read an article in a church newspaper about burial. In this denomination’s view, the dead had to be buried in preparation for the resurrection of the body. I squirmed: knowing what damage a burial does to the environment, I felt the article only confirmed that many Christian churches today lag far behind what science tells us about being stewards of creation.

Eventually, I made my way to the website of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, where I found REST. Redeemer Environmental Stewardship Team called me “to foster awareness of the ecological issues we face and to examine ways we can respond to these issues from a Christian perspective.” In the two years since I moved to Redeemer, our congregation has celebrated the environment during the Season of Creation by hearing homilies about caring for Earth and using liturgical prayers from the New Zealand Prayer Book, considered strategies for welcoming and tending to those displaced by climate change, grown a vegetable garden, packaged all of our meals—one-fifth of which are vegan—in compostable containers at our community café, and learned how to make our homes and our church facilities more eco-friendly on a budget. 

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October 8 is Murray House Sunday

Each October, we celebrate the mission and ministry of Murray House Assisted Living Residence in Mobile, an agency of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Murray House has been caring for women and men of all races and religions with graciousness and hospitality since it was founded in 1829. Learn more about the history of Murray House here.

We ask you to join your prayers with ours for Murray House:

Creator God of us all, we give thanks for our older adults who call Murray House their home. We give thanks for the joy they have brought us, the laughter and the tears we have shared with them. We give thanks for their compassion, for their teaching, mentoring, and friendship. We name memories we have made with them, both the happy and joyous ones and the painful and lonely ones that have bonded us closer together and to you. We name service we have shared with them that has allowed us to be a community, drawn from an amazing array of talents, and shaped us for your kingdom. We name learning moments where their insights inspired ours and our thoughts inspired their learning to even greater heights. We have been richly blessed by your loving generosity in sharing these older adults with us, and we name them in our hearts and give thanks for them in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you would like to make a gift to Murray House, follow this link. Be sure to write Murray House Sunday in the notes/memo section. 

In Case You Missed It

• August 23 edition of Coastline READ

On Sunday, August 27, eight new members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® were admitted into the Holy Cross Chapter. Pictured L to R: Susan Karl (Chapter President), Elizabeth MacWhinnie (Diocesan Assembly President), Rhonda Hutchison, Marline Austin, Paula Kemmeling, Lois Heffernan, Howard Johnson, Kaki Chambers, Della Maddox, Kathy Maloche

At Church of the Epiphany in Enterprise, a brass thurible and boat set were gifted in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the parish, and in honor of Fr. John Withrock’s 50 years of ordained ministry. 

The thurible and boat set were donated and presented to Fr. John, senior warden Lauren Goff, and junior warden Fred Pippen by James Holcomb and Antwon Lewis. 

The “Pancakes and Play” event on Saturday, September 9, was a follow-up to St. Thomas’, Laguna Beach’s successful VBS last month. It was the perfect opportunity for food, fun, teaching, and worship. Approximately two dozen young people attended, with adult helpers from St. Thomas’ other churches assisting. Here's a link to the fun photos from the VBS week.

Cursillo #169

Thursday, September 14 to Sunday, September 17

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.

DETAILS & APPLICATION

BayLights

Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October

Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

BayLights is the annual diocesan homecoming and event fundraiser for Beckwith Camp & Retreat Center. Come out for good food, fun, music, and fellowship. Stay at Beckwith for the whole weekend or come for a special event. You won't want to miss the drawdown to win a week in Tuscany, Italy or the Caribbean island of Antigua - winner's choice - for 2 or 4 people. Plus the popular online auction begins in September.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Fall Clergy Conference

October 4-6 at Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

All clergy in the diocese are invited to attend the annual retreat to relax, renew, and have fellowship with colleagues. Dr. Mark Jefferson will be the guest program leader.

REGISTRATION

Clergy Spouse Retreat

October 6-8 at Beckwith, 10400 Beckwith Ln, Fairhope

Robin Kendrick would like to extend an invitation to all clergy spouses to attend a weekend getaway to relax and enjoy Beckwith and the surrounding Fairhope area.

If you are a clergy spouse and did not receive an email from Robin earlier this week, please send an email to communications@diocgc.org to be sure we have your contact information.

REGISTRATION

Pilgrimage to Equal Justice Initiative Memorial and Legacy Museum

Saturday, October 21

Montgomery, AL

The Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Equal Justice Initiative National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum.

We will travel by chartered motor coach. leaving from and returning to All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile, AL. In Montgomery, we will visit both the National Memorial and the Legacy Museum. The Commission will provide the cost of transportation and tickets to the Museum and Memorial for a registration fee of $5.00.

Pilgrims are responsible for bringing their own lunch.

REGISTRATION

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Registration is open!

Discipleship Day 2023

Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St. Jude's, 200 Partin Dr. N., Niceville

We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of Discipleship Day in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast! Mark your calendars for an enriching and inspiring day on Saturday, October 28, as we gather once again to strengthen our faith and community bonds. Our keynote speaker, Steven Tomlinson, Ph.D., is a renowned expert in the field of leadership and administration. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a selection of workshops focused on equipping church leaders with new skills that will revitalize existing ministries and pave the way for exciting new ventures.

WORKSHOP DETAILS & REGISTRATION

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September 17: Celebration of the Season of Creation Service; All Saints, Mobile

September 20: Wednesday Night Dinner; St. Francis, Gulf Breeze

September 24: Canticle; Holy Cross, Pensacola

October 5: Fish Fry; St. Peter's, Bon Secour

October 14: The Market on Blue Angel Parkway; Holy Trinity, Pensacola



October 28: BBQ & Blues; Advent, Lillian

Events beyond six weeks out can be found at www.diocgc.org/church-and-community-events

Two positions available

Beckwith Camp and Conference Center is hiring a full-time director of programs and hospitality and a full-time maintenance, grounds, and hospitality person. To learn more about each position, visit their website.

Part-time or full-time Director of Youth Ministry

Christ Church Parish, Pensacola is seeking a part-time or full-time director of youth ministry. To learn more about the position, visit their website.

Prayers for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry - surgery rescheduled

The surgery originally scheduled for September 8 for Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has been postponed until September 20. The surgeon needed to reschedule due to family matters.  

Bishop Curry will continue working from home until that time and afterward as he recovers from surgery. His estimated recovery period is two to three weeks, after which he is expected to resume his regular work schedule.

Appropriate adjustments will be made to Bishop Curry’s September and October calendars. Please continue to hold Bishop Curry, his family, and his entire medical team in your prayers.

September 17

St. Francis, Gulf Breeze

September 19-22

Fall House of Bishops

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

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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