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LENT
We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Rowan Williams, theologian and sometime Archbishop of Canterbury, in his recommendation of a book of sermons, By Way of the Heart, by Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark Cathedral, London, praised Dean Oakley by writing: “[he] is one of the most distinctive, intelligent and refreshing voices in the Church . . . always illuminating, never stale or second-hand.”
Just in advance of the start of Lent, I came across a commentary by Mark Oakley, on the Epistle appointed for Ash Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10. Being moved by the commentary, Rowan Williams’s words echoed in my mind: “always illuminating, never stale or second-hand”.
Oakley’s commentary begins by drawing us into the drama of the Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes in the light cast by Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians:
The messages are clear. Yesterday‘s pancakes reminded us in the West that our souls, like the batter in the frying pan, have become fat and flat. We have lots to live with, but little to live for. Today we are marked with ash, the stuff that is left over when the fire has gone out. This season asks for some self-scrutiny as to whether life is in balance, whether we have things out of proportion and how we might confront this properly in a time for amendment.
He continues by saying Paul in his epistle points us to the things we ought to focus on in making amendments of life:
[Paul] identifies, for instance, patience, kindness, genuine love, truthful speech, and purity. These are things that increase as you share them. The more you give of them, often courageously, the more you ultimately receive of them. They are unlike money or power, where if I win, you lose. In all the things that matter most in this life, the truth is that the more I share, the more is shared with me, and this helps to restore the balance in our relationships and with God.
Oakley concludes by drawing out of the Ash Wednesday epistle a thought I find especially practical and encouraging to our efforts to enter into a right spirit for Lent:
Paul tells his suffering companions that although they are poor, they are making many rich. This insight is at the heart of Lent. Although there is a poverty within us, a history of regret, and a hunger for God, we are, with the gift of grace, still able to offer momentary reflections of that grace to others. How we can better do this, with a resuscitated soul, is not a bad project for Lent.
How encouraging. I may be moping around thinking about how little I have in the bank temporal or spiritual but here Paul and Mark Oakley are encouraging me to think that there is plenty enough—enough even to share with others. The traditional three-fold focus or practice of Lent—prayer, fasting, and alms—as someone has said, 'are the means by which the spiritual life may be transformed from one of contemplation to a life of action.'
Are we ready for the journey? I pray for all of us a good and holy Lent and the grace of God to persevere on the journey—even when we fail. C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, reminds us that we will falter and may even fail. Composing the talks that would become that wonderful book during the most desperate years of WWII, during the bombing of London, Lewis made the point that there is a virtue in perseverance despite failure—to which his wartime analogy points: it is only by fighting against the [enemy] army that you know how strong they are—not by giving in. May we learn by struggle, and even failure, and give God the glory. Amen.
Douglas Dupree
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I.
For the Perfecting of Good Effort.
V. As there was the readiness to will;
R. So complete the doing also.
O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through him who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
— from a phrase of Sir Francis Drake: There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuance unto the end untyll it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.
II.
O Holy Spirit, Giver of light and life, impart to us thoughts higher than our own thoughts, and prayers better than our own prayers, and powers beyond our own powers; that we may spend and be spent in the ways of love and goodness; after the perfect image of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
| | Creation Care and Community Conservation | | |
We are grateful to Doug Milne, member of St Mark’s Church, Jacksonville and member of the Ministry of Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice committee of the Diocese of Florida, for sharing this article. The article will appear in the March 2026 edition of the ‘San Marco Neighbors’ magazine. The article is about the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) and the wonderful new book produced by the NFLT in 2025 “Keeping North Florida Wild”.
Albert Einstein: "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Variations on those words flow through our minds every day in northeast Florida, limited only by how often we pause and think about the treasures placed here for us by non-human hands. Those treasures, by the way, we all have stewardship responsibility to care for and preserve. More on that follows.
Jacksonville is well recognized for its park systems and outstanding civic response to the need for pastoral and recreational facilities. It's a very strong ingredient in the measurements of quality of life across the country. For this and many other reasons, the San Marco area, along with all parts of Duval County, consistently score high.
Regarding statewide efforts, among a good number of organizations purposed to help carry out the mission of preservation and conservation, is the North Florida Land Trust (nflt.org) headquartered in Jacksonville and fulfilling its mission, including what is called "Community Conservation." This means more than protecting natural resources. It also means protecting people's connection to place: working alongside residents to protect the green spaces, cultural landmarks and places that define north Florida communities.
The organization works with willing landowners and funding organizations while enlisting community support to preserve access to locally important lands and assist historically marginalized communities. It collaborates with local governments and residents to create sustainable local sources of funding that enable communities to acquire and protect properties central to their identity in so doing. Community Conservation safeguards both the natural landscapes and the cultural heritage that make north Florida unique.
The NFLT headquarters is in the historic Brewster Hospital, built in 1885 on W. Monroe St. downtown. It was the first hospital for Black Americans in Jacksonville. Today, it blends its future with an important chapter in Jacksonville's past, a good reminder that the work of healing for people, and for lands, is deeply connected.
The CEO of NFLT is Allison DeFoor. DeFoor says,
"The greatest threat for conservation in Florida is its rapid and inexorable growth. In 2 generations, we have grown from smaller than Mississippi to larger than New York. It's now or never to conserve whatever we choose to protect so that those to come can see what Florida really looks like. It's a race between us and the bulldozers for these vulnerable lands. We will all have to work together to deal with that and ensure these natural spaces are preserved for future generations. We have big goals, and if we can all join in, we can make it happen."
NFLT was formed in 1999. It is now one of Florida's premier local conservation organizations, which began in an effort to protect lands in St. Johns County. It now protects over 47,000 acres in 7 Florida counties, and beyond, including protection of dozens of threatened and endangered species.
Clay Henderson, an environmental lawyer, former president of the Florida Audubon Society, and author of ‘Forces of Nature,’ has said
"A major portion of the work of NFLT is listening to landowners who care deeply about the land. Working with them to secure conservation easements or outright donations and preserve their commitment to good stewardship provides a legacy of conservation to be enjoyed by generations to come."
Keeping North Florida Wild
In 2025, NFLT produced a wonderful book, Keeping North Florida Wild, featuring lands with which it is involved, along with remarkable photos of wildlife inhabiting the lands. Fittingly, the book's cover is a standalone Roseate Spoonbill, standing in shallow water's edge, obvious by its bill and vibrant pink coloring. This book covers in written and pictorial form the exemplary history of NFLT over the last quarter century, providing firm evidence of the successful accomplishments it has brought about within conserving and preserving the wondrous, irreplaceable natural aspects of this part of our state: and beyond.
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NFLT, and other organizations committed to the same principles, work wonders in identifying and working creative and various ways of acquiring/conserving lands which otherwise could well be headed toward development. The means of acquiring these lands range from outright gifts from the landowner, or conservation easements, or purchase with funds provided by benefactors with strong interest in the same goals. Each transaction is likely different in some ways from every other one.
From observation and experience, I am well aware of the high professional standards and tireless efforts, emphasizing "Trust" this organization provides. We all want and need to continue looking deep into nature, just like Albert Einstein said, making us able to "understand everything better ."
Doug Milne
February 2026
Keeping North Florida Wild may be purchased at the Cathedral Bookstore in shop or online.
| | A Prayer for Stewardship of Creation | | |
A scene from the Apalachicola National Forest in the Florida Panhandle: the largest U.S. National Forest in Florida encompassing 632,890 acres equalling 988.89 square miles.
A PRAYER FOR STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION
O merciful Creator, thy hand is open wide to satisfy the
needs of every living creature: Make us, we beseech thee,
ever thankful for thy loving providence; and grant that we,
remembering the account that we must one day give, may be
faithful stewards of thy good gifts; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
| | Jacksonville’s Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC) | | |
I was grateful to have a tour of DESC, located in the undercroft-basement of First Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, on February 9. Services started in 1981, when several downtown churches—including St. John’s Cathedral—joined together to provide emergency assistance. Officially chartered by the State of Florida in 1983 as a charitable agency, DESC in 2026 still works with many of the same churches and has grown its network farther into the community.
I was grateful also to Kate Wirz, DESC’s Managing Director, who took an hour to show me around the facility and answer my questions about her work and DESC.
I was impressed by the scope of the offerings. DESC provides emergency financial assistance to families, allowing them to stay in their homes and/or keep the lights on. In 2023: 200 families received almost $276,000 in financial assistance; the clothing center staff distributed more than 100,000 items of clothing to those in need and 6,798 people received groceries.
I was impressed also by how well organized the overall operation is and especially the attention to detail. The DESC website is a good example of this as it is easy to navigate and designed to serve those who need to use it to access assistance.
DESC answers the needs not only of the homeless across the Jacksonville communities and surrounding counties but also the needs of the working poor. The assistance offered is thoroughly thought through, e.g. the extensive stock of workers’ boots in all sizes that meet specific safety standards—getting hired might depend on the required footwear. The large sturdy fabric tote bags made by Sewing Hope are distributed by DESC mindful that many of their clients are dependent upon the bus to get home with their groceries or other goods.
DESC makes us mindful and thankful for the good work they do in Jacksonville but also of the many similar food and clothing banks and other services offered by our Episcopal family of churches small and large across the Diocese of Florida—and of the many individual members of those churches volunteering also in ecumenical service organizations in their local communities.
Douglas Dupree
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Abingdon Press Various authors. Sacred Stillness: A Women’s Lenten Devotional Journal Paperback – December 16, 2025.
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Diana Butler Bass. A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance Hardcover – November 4, 2025.
"Bass reclaims and presents fresh perspectives for every biblical text in the church year; from musing on A Wrinkle in Time in Advent, to remembering her father’s old-fashioned blue Christmas decorations, and offering a revolutionary reading of the Last Supper." — Amazon review
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Luke Bretherton. Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy Paperback – May 31, 2022.
How do we integrate spiritual and theological perspectives into the challenges and demands we face in our common civic life and in working through the claims of contemporary politics?
"Read as a whole, or as stand-alone chapters, the book guides readers through the political landscape and identifies the primary vocabulary, ideas, and schools of thought that shape Christian reflection on politics in the West."
— Amazon review
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David F. Ford. Meeting God in John: Inspiration and Encouragement from the Fourth Gospel (Biblical Wisdom for Lent, Easter, and Daily Devotions) Paperback – January 27, 2026.
"Simple yet profound, Meeting God in John is an invitation to anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the Gospel of John, and through it, meet the God who is revealed in Jesus Christ." — Amazon review
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Caryll Houselander. The Way of the Cross Paperback – 2015.
A modern classic first published in 1955 with 14 meditations on the Passion with the author’s own original line drawings.
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Michael Leach (editor with others). All Shall Be Well: Readings for Lent and Easter Paperback – December 1, 2015.
"An anthology of inspired readings from cherished writers to enrich every day of the Lenten season. From Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday and beyond, these 54 readings from beloved writers, classical and contemporary, will surprise you with joy, touch you with love, and comfort you with peace. The authors include: Harper Lee, Rowan Williams, Maya Angelou, Anna Quindlen, Kathleen Norris, Richard Rohr, James Martin, Pope Francis, Frederick Buechner, Madeleine L'Engle, Marianne Williamson, Brian Doyle."
— Amazon review
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Nadim Nassar. The Middle Eastern Jesus: The Christ of the Gospel and the Culture of God Paperback – January 30, 2026.
Nadim Nassar is a Syrian priest in the Church of England. He studied at Beirut's Near Eastern School of Theology under the late Kenneth Bailey, author of the classic Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes. Dr. Nassar lectures widely and is adviser to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Freedom. From his parish in London, he runs the Awareness Foundation, a registered charity, helping to educate children living in war zones in the Middle East.
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David Edmonds. Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, a Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need Hardcover – September 23, 2025.
"Imagine this: You’re walking past a shallow pond and spot a toddler thrashing around in the water, in obvious danger of drowning. You look around for her parents, but nobody is there. You’re the only person who can save her and you must act immediately. But as you approach the pond you remember that you’re wearing your most expensive shoes. Wading into the water will ruin them—and might make you late for a meeting. . .
The philosopher Peter Singer published this thought experiment in 1972, arguing that allowing people in the developing world to die, when we could easily help them by giving money to charity, is as morally reprehensible as saving our shoes instead of the drowning child. Can this possibly be true?" — Amazon review
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Christine Jeske. Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere (and Why) Paperback – January 6, 2026.
"In Racial Justice for the Long Haul, [Anthropologist] Jeske presents her findings on what makes for an effective, enduring approach, revealing shared threads in the lives of White Christians who have faithfully embraced the call to advocate for justice. By abandoning simplistic answers and confronting the depths of suffering and injustice, they discover a bold way of hope that perseveres." — Amazon review
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Natasha Kuzmanovic. Tropical Light: The Art of A. E. Backus Hardcover – November 22, 2016.
A beautiful, beautiful book.
"Painter A. E. Backus (1906–1990) portrayed an unspoiled Florida that has made his paintings synonymous with the state: backcountry terrain is often described as “Backus landscape,” emotive clouds as “Backus sky,” and translucent waves as “Backus water.” As more and more of the state’s wilderness is lost to development, Backus’s paintings emerge as poetic testaments of Florida’s lost paradise." — Amazon review.
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Molly McNett. Child of These Tears Paperback – September 30, 2025.
"Child of These Tears is told in polyphonic form, through a variety of narrative genres-captivity tale, commonplace book, letters, and journals. The result is a searing, unforgettable novel that explores the nature of memory, belonging, redemption, and grace." — Amazon review
"A moving, brilliant book, which manages to stay within the bounds of eighteenth-century imagining and speaking yet is sharply contemporary and accessible . . it is a novel of enormous depth and beauty." – Rowan Williams
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Susan Owens. Constable's Year: An Artist in Changing Seasons Hardcover – February 24, 2026.
"Published to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth, a fresh look at the life and work of John Constable, whose life and work were profoundly shaped by the cycle of the natural world in his native rural England. . . Susan Owens follows Constable's work and life through the seasons, tracing the rhythms and resonances of the artist's year to offer a vivid, unconventional perspective on this beloved figure."
— Amazon review.
| | Interview with Sharon Meehan | | Director and Founder of Sewing Hope | | |
Sharon Meehan (left) with Beth Kirwan (of the Cathedral Bookstore Committee)
Our interview is with Sharon Meehan, director and founder of Sewing Hope. Sharon and her circle of sewing friends have been giving the gift of new dresses to thousands of little girls in need over the last thirteen years.
Sewing Hope is a small group of Jacksonville women who sew children’s dresses, skirts and bags to donate clothing to the DESC Clothing Closet and Food Pantry (Downtown Ecumenical Services Council).
Sewing Hope also makes designer tote bags for the St. John’s Cathedral Bookstore. Proceeds from the sales of these bags go to purchase the necessary fabric and supplies for the dresses and other items provided to the DESC Clothing Closet.
INTERVIEW
1. What is the relationship of Sewing Hope to DESC?
Sharon: Sewing Hope for DESC started by accident. I asked my friend, Beth Wilson, Clothing Director of DESC, if I could make a few dresses for DESC while teaching another friend how to quilt. One more joined us. The plan was to do this for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, the ladies said they wanted to keep doing this.
Thirteen plus years later, the group has grown and we’re still growing strong. We have donated over 13,000 items to DESC.
2. Sharon, please tell us more about Sewing Hope’s focus.
Sharon: The focus of Sewing Hope is to have friendship, fellowship, and fun, while working toward the goal of providing clothing and bags for DESC. DESC is always short in the girls’ dresses department. We have some amazing talent in this group, and a good sense of humor is a must.
We make girls’ dresses, size 2 to 7/8, and skirts up to size 16. The beauty is that each girl receives a brand-new article of clothing, hand-made exclusively for them, and they are beautiful and versatile. We also make large tote bags, as most DESC clients walk or ride a bus and the bags help them transport the food and clothing that DESC provides.
3. What is the basic operation and working framework for Sewing Hope?
Sharon: We meet most weeks on Tuesday afternoons at my home. We are all volunteers. Most come on Tuesday to sew, while several get the materials they need to sew at home and return the finished products.
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Donated fabric from decorators used to make the bags.
4. Who do you serve?
Sharon: We serve any clients of DESC who need the clothing we provide. Because of privacy laws, we have no idea who they are. We rely on DESC volunteers to convey the needs of the clients to us. DESC does an amazing job of distributing our clothes and totes. The DESC volunteers tell us the clients are very excited to get these.
Over the years, we have been amazed at the demand for the dresses, skirts, and tote bags that we produce. The majority of the DESC clients ride the bus so the large tote bags we sew are used to carry groceries and other items to their homes. When a need arises for a certain size or item of clothing, we can usually produce the items and get them to DESC quickly.
5. What are your costs and your budget for the materials you need? Do you receive cash donations to support your work?
Sharon: We are fortunate to get donated fabrics from local stores. We have a budget from DESC that allows us to purchase elastic, thread, and other items we need to make the clothing, as well as repairing or replacing sewing machines. Cash donations allow us to supplement supplies to do the work that we do. This is the link to DESC’s website for donations earmarked for supplies for Sewing Hope: descjax.org/about-desc.
| | Kathryn Bissette, Director of the Cathedral Bookstore Expresses her support for the mission and work of DESC and Sewing Hope | | |
I first learned about Downtown Ecumenical Services (DESC) through my work at St. John’s Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop. DESC plays a vital yet often overlooked role in supporting Jacksonville’s working poor—individuals and families who are employed but still struggle to meet basic needs. While homelessness is more visible in the downtown core, the working poor often remain hidden, juggling jobs while facing food insecurity, rising housing costs, and unexpected financial crises. DESC provides a critical safety net through food assistance, emergency financial help, and referrals that stabilize households before they slip into deeper hardship.
Cathedral and Bookstore clothing drives
Over the past two years, St. John’s Cathedral and the Cathedral Bookstore have partnered to support DESC through coordinated clothing drives held each January, a time when warm clothing is especially critical. Together, we invited parishioners, customers, and the wider downtown community to donate new and gently used items.
Another way the bookstore supports DESC is through our relationship with Sewing Hope for DESC. Sewing Hope is a small group of Jacksonville women who sew children’s dresses, skirts, and bags to donate clothing to the DESC Clothing Closet and Food Pantry. All volunteers, they have been doing this for over 10 years and have provided more than 11,000 items.
Designer tote bags
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Sewing Hope funds their work for DESC from the sales of their designer tote bags. Proceeds from these sales go to purchase the necessary fabric and supplies for the new clothing made and donated to DESC. The bookstore is delighted to carry these beautiful handmade bags in the store.
Buying one of these bags is more than a transaction—it’s an act of solidarity that turns everyday use into meaningful support for neighbors in need. Sewing Hope also reflects the broader commitment of the bookstore ministry to nurture and support social enterprises that empower people, build dignity through work, and help us extend the Cathedral’s message of Love at the Core into the life of downtown Jacksonville.
Come shop the new collection of Sewing Hope tote bags in-store or online through our website.
| | February Quiz: Conservation | | And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Gen. 1:31a. | | |
This month’s quiz will explore the often-overlooked deep ties between conservation as a praxis in American life and indeed to the world beyond. It really all started here in the Diocese. Come along and see.
The Rev. Canon Allison DeFoor, quizmaster.
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1) Our contemporary American environmental discussion was initially started by which author who also helped found an Episcopal church in Florida?
A- Rachel Carson (1907-1964)
B- Harriett Beecher Stowe (1811-1896)
C- Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
D- Carl Hiaasen (b. 1953)
2) Which Episcopal Church did the writer attend?
A- Trinity, Wall Street
B- St. John, Tallahassee
C- St. John’s, Jacksonville
D- Church of Our Saviour, Mandarin
3) What Memorial to Harriet and Calvin was erected at COOS after she had left them?
A- altar linens
B- pews which are still in use today
C- the Celtic cross extant on the riverbank
D- a window
4) What books did Stowe publish to aid her cause urging not to destroy God’s creation?
A- “Palmetto Leaves”
B- “Calling all Yankees”
C- “Gone with the Wind”
D- “Old Man and the Sea”
5) What specific environmental sin was the most prominent of the day for Stowe and others?
A- mangrove destruction
B- removing tree cover
C- indiscriminately shooting birds
D- plume hunting and bird slaughter for fashion
6) This carnage led to a national movement which bore a name, which was and is today?
A- Audubon Society
B- Sierra Club
C- 1000 Friends of Florida
D- Chamber of Commerce
7) What Episcopalian was its first president?
A- J.P. Morgan (1837-1913)
B- H.B. Stowe (1811-1896)
C- Bishop Henry Whipple (1822-1901)
D- Bishop John Freeman Young (1820-1885)
8) What other national movements came out of this rich intellectual ferment in what was then the frontier of the Diocese of Florida?
A- the Harlem Renaissance
B- the March on Washington for Civil Rights in 1963
C- non-violence as the primary tool in the Civil Rights work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
D- the selection of Dr. King as preacher at the March on Washington, over the heads of preachers with greater age and seniority in the Movement
Click here for the answers.
| | From St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville | | | | |
