In case you missed it: Clergy Day will take place at Camp Weed on Tuesday, May 7. If you haven't registered yet, please do so, by clicking the button below.

A fee of $35 covers lunch and other essential logistics at Camp Weed. If this fee creates a barrier to attendance, please email the Rev. Joe Gibbes directly: jgibbes@oursaviourjax.org.

About Clergy Day

This gathering, an event designed for all clergy across the diocese, will include open discussions and engaging conversations under the guidance of The Rt. Rev Mary Gray-Reeves. Lunch will be provided. The Standing Committee strongly encourages your attendance.

This important gathering will surely be only a beginning, but it will aim to help the clergy move towards understanding, respect, and unity as we move towards our May 18 Convocation. As leaders in our beloved diocese, we will be equipped to pastor our people towards institutional health, even as we are moving there ourselves.



We are looking forward to a day of meaningful conversation, fellowship and enlightenment.

Diocese of Florida Welcomed New Chief Operating Officer

We recently gave a warm welcome to Our New Chief Operating Officer, Keith Daw. Watch the video below for a glimpse into Keith Daw's journey and his call to his new role in the Diocese.

The Reverend Teresa Seagle prepared a letter to go along with this announcement, and you may view it here.

Spires in the Sun Receives Florida Historical Society 2023 Charlton Tebeau Award

The "Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida," written by Jonathan Rich and photographed by Phil Eschbach, has been conferred the Florida Historical Society’s 2023 Charlton Tebeau Award for a general-interest book on a Florida history topic.

Read the full announcement here.

Upcoming Events and Book Information

There are a few upcoming "Spires in the Sun" author talks which feature a meet and greet and book signing with Jonathan Rich and Phil Eschbach.

Additional author events will be held in the diocese beyond the currently scheduled ones. If you are interested in scheduling an author event, please reach out to the St. John's Cathedral Bookstore at  cathedralbookstore@jaxcathedral.org or call 904-356-5507, Ext. 152.

The book is available for purchase at the St. John's Cathedral Bookstore. To learn more about the book and the upcoming events, please click the buttons below.

Deacon’s Day: June 4

Deacon's Day will be hosted at the Diocesan office on June 4 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lunch is included. Please RSVP to Hannia Reyes at hreyes@diocesefl.org if you plan on attending.

On April 21, Bishop Stokes visited the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville.

On April 14, Bishop Benhase visited All Saints Episcopal Church, Jacksonville for Baptisms, Confirmation, and Reaffirmation. Congratulations to those listed below!

Confirmed: Ashlyn McGregor (Mrs. Rob Curran), Carol Edwards (Mrs. Brian Hollen), Anna McManus, Nina GageRobertson (Mrs. Mark McManus), Stephanie Miller, Penelope Nelson, Fritz Parman, Nate Shilling, Jillian Turk, Ryan Turk, Marian Rosemary Ford (Mrs. Joseph Bender), and Joe Bender.

Reaffirmed: Robert Kermitz and Nelson Wills.

Received from another Catholic Communion: Joshua Beran, Catherine Ann Svien, and Paul Waugh.

Baptized: Juliet Regan Jensen, Daphne Ann Jenson, and Jet Ashley Stephens.

On Easter Sunday, Bishop Benhase visited St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Palm Coast.

On March 24, Bishop Stokes, visited St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville for confirmations, receptions, and a reaffirmation. Congratulations to those listed below!

Confirmed: Terry Alan Tilley, Wanda Sherrine Griswold, Karen Bay Baber, Earl Kevin Jones, Lyla Eden Poole, Martha Peek Sacks, Katie Elizabeth Garner, Jonah Crane, Jeanne V. Imhoff, and Jeanne Bass Winston.

Received: Jeffrey Edward Lewis, Lyle David Mullican, Elaine Wood, Molly Adelaide McGee, and Gregory Peyton Velencia.

Reaffirmed: Denise Morris Hudmon

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palatka

On April 21, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Palatka held their first Dinner Church, their first Fresh Expression - The Neighborhood - A Community Dinner. The Rev. Jon Davis, Rector at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palatka travels the country teaching about new missional models, equipping churches to explore a new missional landscape.

There were roughly 45 people at the dinner (30 or so were from St. Mark’s) 12-15 were “guests." The menu of Rice Bowls was a hit with being something unique, tasty, with great variety, and some great breads and desserts too!

It started at about 4:10 p.m. with dinner and around 4:45 p.m., Fr. Jon Davis showed a favorite video of his. You can view the video here.

In a recent newsletter, Fr. Jon Davis stated the below:

"For what’s called the Jesus Story - I used a text from John 1:14 in the Message translation The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside & out, true from start to finish. I spoke about the pandemic of isolation and loneliness in our culture and society.

At the core Christianity is about relationships, with God and our neighbors. Jesus loved everybody; Roman Soldiers, Tax Collectors, Prostitutes, Foreigners, the Infirmed, the Lost, the Lonely and the Least. Jesus really still is the answer for the world today!

We finished by inviting people to write any prayer requests they had on post-its and stick them to the cross that hangs on the wall - we collected 20 or so prayer requests that were given to the Daughters of the King. 

I said a final blessing and we were done - but people stayed around for another 30-45 minutes. It was a joy-filled evening. I sensed deeply the Holy Spirit’s presence in all we did. What a great team that made this happen. 

I shared in my sermon that if we would be faithful to listen and obey the voice of the Good Shepherd - 3 promises…

• We would see miracles
• That God would use us in surprising ways.
• We will not contain the growth.

The next "Neighborhood - a Community Dinner" will take place on Sunday, May 26 at 4 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palatka.

Please contact Fr. Jon Davis if you are interested in learning more about the Dinner Church mission. There are resources, trainings, books, and more available at https://www.dinnerchurch.com/.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and Daughters of the King (DOK) Spring Retreat at Camp Weed

The 2024 spring retreat for ECW and DOK took place on April 13-14.

"Spires in the Sun" Author and Book Signing Events

There were two recent author talks and book signing events for Spires in the Sun at All Saints Episcopal Church, Jacksonville and Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville.

There was a large and engaged turnout and great sales!

St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville

Earlier this month, the St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville had an incredible turnout at the Hunger Fight packing event.

The church thanks all of the enthusiastic volunteers. Together, everyone made a huge impact! Thousands of nourishing meals were sent to local shelters and food pantries.

Interested in a meaningful new role? The Diocese of Florida is currently seeking a Diocesan Church Periodical Director.

This ministry provides grants for written materials to children’s and adult groups and our Seminarians. Training would be provided.

This year we have received several grants for our Episcopal Children’s Centers and one of our parishes has added materials for a children’s program. Most of the communication is by email and text.

If you would like more information or would like to serve in this position please contact Andrea Geiger, Province IV CPC Representative, tandageiger@comcast.net.

Spend the Summer at Camp Weed: Register for Camp Today!

To sign up, please click here. Summer Camp scholarship applications can be accessed by clicking here. The deadline to apply is April 30.

Coming Up:

May 7: Clergy Day

May 7 @ 6:30 p.m.: Bishop Stokes to visit Christ Church, Ponte Vedra Beach

May 18: Convocation at Camp Weed

May 19 @ 9 and 11 a.m.: Bishop Stokes to visit St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Fernandina Beach

May 26 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Benhase to visit St. John's Episcopal Church, Tallahassee

May 26 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Stokes to visit St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Quincy