May 2022
Get to Know The Rev. Charlie Holt, Part 1
In each of our monthly newsletters leading up to his consecration, we will share a different aspect of the Rev. Charlie Holt’s life, including his personal interests and his ministries in the church, to help you get to know him. In the first iteration of this series, we simply give you an introduction to him and his family. Enjoy!
Father Charlie and his wife, Brooke Egerton Holt, will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary this August. They met in 1994 in Albany, Georgia while on a mission trip helping the local community recover after Tropical Storm Alberto. Father Charlie recalls meeting Brooke as they repaired drywall and hard floors together in an Albany home, calling the unforgettable moment “love at first sight.” They married one year later in 1995.
 
Fast forward to today, and they have three children together, Chase (23), Ashton (21) and Saxon (18). Chase, a University of Central Florida graduate, has a business degree and is starting a career in real estate. Ashton is graduating from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with a degree in Christian ministry and is pursuing her Master of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School this fall. She is also on staff at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. Saxon is a business-minded 18-year-old who is starting his senior year of high school this fall.
 
Charlie, Brooke, Chase, Ashton and Saxon have one more member of the family: Walter, a funny and personality-filled mutt who keeps the energy high at all times in the Holt household – he even has his own Instagram page.
When the family is together, they have dinner together every night – an important tradition for them. They love being close to water, spending time at the beach and going out on their family boat. Father Charlie also has a passion for gardening and bringing vegetables to the table right from his backyard – a hobby that keeps him away from junk food (which Brooke is particularly happy with!).
 
In upcoming stories, we’ll share background on Father Charlie’s ministries on topics such as education, reconciliation and missionary outreach and evangelism.
Around the Diocese
on Thursday, May 19
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville

On May 19, a spring concert with The First Coast Pops Orchestra took place at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. The First Coast Pops Orchestra is a diverse collection of novice, advanced, and professional musicians from the greater Jacksonville area.
The cost of admission for the concert was the donation of needed items for Arlington Community Services such as canned meat, pasta, beans, chili, pasta sauce, small toiletries, clean white t-shirts and washcloths.

There was a total of 133 pounds of food donated.

Thank you to those who contributed to this successful event!
Dare Not Walk Alone Movie Night on Thursday, May 19
Christ Episcopal Church, Ponte Vedra Beach

Christ Episcopal Church's newly formed "Facing Racism" ministry hosted their inaugural event on May 19. It drew 70+ individuals, who watched the documentary film Dare Not Walk Alone, which chronicles the role St. Augustine, Florida played our country’s racial reckoning in the 1960s. Small group discussions followed, creating a safe space for honest dialogue, abundant grace and generous love.
Fish-Fry and Silent Auction
on Sunday, May 29
Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Key, FL

Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Key, Florida held a Memorial weekend fish fry and silent auction to raise money for a small capital campaign to address needed repairs and deferred maintenance to the church campus. Over 100 people came out for a menu of fried fresh mullet, hush-puppies, grits, slaw, beans and fresh watermelon. 

The Silent Auction attracted great interest in a variety items including a Club Car Golf Cart, a Chef Knife made by church member Keith Hill a Forged in Fire Champion and Master Blade-Smith, original artwork, A Cedar Key Condo stay and more. Numbers are yet to be finalized but the silent Auction alone brought in over $5000. During the event there was a moment of prayer for Memorial Day and for those who ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. The church also honored and recognized with appreciation, Brenda Coulter who has been Christ’s Church music minister for more than 40 years. 

There was great fellowship around the table as people gathered with a resemblance to recent community dinners hosted by the church.

Thank you to those who made this Memorial weekend fish fry and silent auction a success! 
Education for Ministry Graduates
St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee recognized this year's Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates in a special ceremony on May 15. Pictured here are (left to right): EfM Mentor Mahaska Whitley, EfM graduate Barbara Davidson and Interim Rector Abi Moon.

EfM is a unique four-year distance learning program of theological education and reflection based in small group study and practice. EfM participants meet in mentored groups, in both local settings and online, that provide a framework for understanding Christian life and shaping actions. 

There are 11 EfM groups in the Diocese of Florida. For more information, click here.
Upcoming Pastoral Care Workshop for
Clergy and Laity Alike
No One Walks Alone Workshop
Saturday, June 25, 2022
9 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.
Taliaferro Hall
St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
The Rev. Marsha Holmes
The Bishop’s Institute for Ministry and Leadership offers: No one walks alone, a workshop enabling you to develop a unique and tailored pastoral care program in your church for clergy and laity alike.

One objective of The Bishop’s Institute is to offer best practices from around the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. The Institute is particularly interested in offering successful ministries from our local churches. Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach developed a Lay Pastoral Care ministry that works in small and large churches.

This ministry enables support from the laity to the clergy to ensure “No one walks alone” in your church. Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach has already trained some churches in our Diocese as well as other churches across the country. Deacon Marsha Holmes will lead this one-day training to explain the process and enable your church to develop a unique process – one designed to meet your needs.

For more information and to register, email Sue Engemann: 
[email protected] or call 904.356.1328. $20 registration fee includes lunch.
Deadline Approaching:
St. James Music Press Music Ministry Renewal Grant
St. James Music Press (SJMP) will award a grant to a church starting or revitalizing a choir program. The purpose of this grant is to support new music programs or established music ministries that are adding a new element by offering resources and professional support.

Elements awarded in the grant include:

● Complimentary one-year membership to St. James Music Press
● $1,000 grant to support ministry needs
● Quarterly program consultations with SJMP colleagues meant to help recipients maximize their SJMP membership, discuss program challenges, and celebrate/build upon program successes

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2022. For complete details, visit: www.sjmp.com/grants.
Camp Weed Updates
Camp Weed Fly Fishing Course with SmartCasts
On Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8, Camp Weed held a fly fishing course featuring nationally recognized master certified fly fishing instructors for fly fishing instruction. Check out a few photos!
Diocesan Happenings
Helpful Links
  • Diocesan Website Updates: Please email [email protected] with any updates and include the URL of the page where the changes are needed.
  • Looking for a job? Visit the employment page on our website for some of the current opportunities. Click here
  • Listing a job? Email [email protected] with the job description and position contact information to be posted on the employment page.
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