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Our 181st Annual Diocesan Convention will take place on September 20-21 at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. If you haven't registered yet, please click here or the button below to register at your earliest convenience.
Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 15, 2024.
Similar to previous conventions, all clergy and lay delegates are required to attend in-person. There is also an opportunity to attend in-person if you plan to serve as a volunteer; if that's the case, please contact Hannia Reyes at hreyes@diocesefl.org at the Diocesan Office before registering.
Please visit our Convention webpage to stay in the loop.
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Pre-Convention:
We are approaching our four pre-convention meetings scheduled at four locations at the following churches:
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Tuesday, September 3: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Palm Coast
- Thursday, September 5: Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Tallahassee
- Tuesday, September 10: St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
- Thursday, September 12: St. James Episcopal Church, Lake City
Each event will begin at 6 p.m. Registration is not required. Each pre-convention will be live-streamed on the Diocesan YouTube channel for those who are not attending in person.
More information can be found in our recent communication for pre-convention.
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Camp Weed’s 100th Anniversary
The kickoff of a year-long celebration around Camp Weed's 100th anniversary will take place as part of this September's Diocesan Convention. You do not have to be a convention delegate or attendee to be part of this event at Camp Weed.
The September 20 event will commence at 5 p.m. with the Convention's opening Eucharist, followed by a celebratory dinner and entertainment.
Please register for this Friday night event by clicking the button below. If you already registered for both days of convention, you do not need to register here.
If you are also a delegate to convention, you may register for both Friday night and Saturday—when the business of convention will be covered. That joint registration page can be found here. If you have questions, please email Gina Hoover at regina@campweed.org.
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Submit Photos for the 100th Birthday Party Slideshow
Camp Weed is putting together a slide show for the 100th birthday party.
If you have photos you can share, please email them to Lauri SoJourner. Please include the dates/years the photos were taken and any additional information you can provide about the subjects.
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Lodging for Convention on Friday, September 20
In case you missed it: The accommodations at Camp Weed are full the night of Friday, September 20.
To provide resources for the Camp Weed celebration and convention participants, the Diocese has reserved blocks at several nearby hotels.
Please contact the following hotels directly to book your stay:
Holiday Inn, Live Oak
- Phone: 386-362-2600
- Ask for the rooms under the Episcopal Diocese of Florida
- Deadline to book rooms: August 20, 2024
Hampton Inn, Lake City
True by Hilton, Lake City
La Quinta Inn, Lake City
We encourage you to book your accommodations as soon as possible, as these reserved spots are limited. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Hannia Reyes at hreyes@diocesefl.org.
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Youth Delegates at Annual Convention | | |
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We are delighted to share there will be 12 youth delegates attending our 181st Annual Convention.
This will be a fantastic opportunity for spiritual growth and community connection. We value their perspective and believe their participation will greatly enhance the experience for everyone!
To view the list of youth delegates attending, please click the button below.
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A big welcome to The Rev. Doug Hodsdon, who joined St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Fernandina Beach as an Interim Rector on August 19.
Father Doug, who has been in ordained ministry for 40 years, retired (for the second time) in 2021 after serving at St. James in Lake City for 8 years.
Since retiring, he has been happily enjoying his time, but he also appreciates the challenge of interim ministry. Father Doug particularly enjoys getting to know new people and discovering how they come together as the body of Christ in their own unique setting.
We warmly welcome Father Doug as he embarks on this new chapter!
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First Coast East Brunch with
Bishop Benhase Recap
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The Right Reverend Scott Benhase, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Florida visited clergy (both active and retired) of the First Coast East Region on Friday, August 9, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. | |
Art of the Pledge Drive Workshop Recap | | |
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On August 22, The Bishop’s Institute and St. John’s Cathedral Presented "The Art of the Pledge Drive."
The workshop focused on the launch of the annual pledge drive in our churches by pondering with these questions:
How does a follower of Christ lead a congregation to give in an age when everyone seems to want to take your money? How do we cultivate the trust that leads to generosity? How do we plan and execute a 6 to 9 week pledge drive this fall that gives us an accurate income with which to plan a budget for 2025?
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2021 Diocesan Audit Completed & Published
The Diocese's 2021 financial audit was recently completed and is now published on our website here on the Resources, Forms and Guidelines webpage.
This page also includes audit reports dating back to 2018. We will continue to publish forthcoming reports once completed.
Diocesan Treasurer Bob White published a summary of the 2021 audit results as well as perspective on the diocese's efforts to catch up on remaining audits (2022 and 2023). You may find that summary and his thoughts here.
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Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee Newsletter: Sign Up Today!
We have introduced an Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee Newsletter, which will be distributed approximately four times a year. This newsletter will keep you informed about the committee’s activities, upcoming events within the diocese, and valuable resources.
To ensure you don't miss out, please click here or the button below and check the box "Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee Newsletter" to subscribe.
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Yoga and Christian Prayer Retreat for Ministry and Leadership
Friday, September 27- Sunday, 29
Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center
The Bishop's Institute for Ministry and Leadership invites you to attend a Yoga and Christian Contemplative Prayer Retreat this Fall on Friday, September 27 - 29.
Megan Cochran will lead the yoga sessions and our retreat chaplain leading prayer will be The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead Carroll. This retreat follows in line with several very much appreciated retreats at Camp Weed pre-COVID.
No yoga experience needed. This retreat works for those trying yoga for the first time and for those who regularly practice yoga. Chair yoga is an option.
All ages are welcome. The retreat is inter-generational and singles as well as couples are welcome.
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Recent Ordinations to the Priesthood | | |
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On Sunday, August 25, Bishop Benhase Ordained The Reverend Deacon William DeMoville Pettway Cerveny to the Priesthood at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville.
Congratulations!
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On Tuesday, August 20, Bishop Stokes Ordained The Reverend Deacon Stephen Christopher Seibert to the Priesthood at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, St. Augustine.
Congratulations!
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Recent Bishop Visitations | | |
On August 25, Bishop Benhase visited St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville. | |
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Blessing of Backpacks
On August 11, a special blessing of backpacks happened at Christ Church Episcopal Church, Ponte Vedra Beach.
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St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville
On Sunday morning August 11, clergy blessed several backpacks to send students off with prayers for a year filled with learning, growth, and faith.
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St. Peter's Episcopal Church
On August 3 and 4, a backpack giveaway, backpack blessing, and school supplies donations occurred for teachers at Timucuan Elementary.
The church thanks everyone who donated!
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St. John's Episcopal Church, Tallahassee
This month the church delivered BOXES of school supplies to Riley Elementary School for the school supply drive.
The church thanks everyone who participated!
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St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Church Member to Compete in 2024 Paralympics | | |
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A huge shoutout and warmest wishes to Morgan Ray, a member of St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Church, who is competing as a swimmer in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris!
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Camp Weed and Youth Ministry News | | |
Camp Weed 100 More Years Events Planned | | |
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Pat Hines Event: Saturday, October 19 at 5 p.m.
At the birthday party, a calendar of events will be unveiled that will kick off 100 MORE years of Camp Weed. As part of Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center's commitment to racial reconciliation, they are partnering with St. Luke’s in Live Oak to host an evening with Pat Hines.
She is the author of Christmas in the South: A Proud Southern Heritage. Pat’s great-great grandfather, Christmas Hemming, was enslaved by the Dupont family. She has an amazing story to tell.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 19 at 5 p.m. and be on the lookout for details and registration information coming soon!
If you’re interested in serving on the committee to work with Camp Weed on the year of events, please reach out to Lauri SoJourner or Committee Chair Charlie Clark.
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100 for 100 More
Summer 2024 marked 100 years of Camp Weed, and the Camp is preparing for 100+ more!
With your help, Camp Weed will continue to be a place set apart for natural solitude, enabling worship, renewal, educational enrichment, recreation, and community for all the people of God.
Over the next year, the Camp has set a goal of 100 people who are willing to pledge a monthly gift of $10 or more to Camp Weed. Monthly gifts provide a consistent source of funding for ongoing property maintenance and program development. Your commitment helps ensure the future of this special ministry that has changed the lives of countless children, youth, and adults - bringing them closer to one another, God, and all creation.
Camp Weed is also grateful to receive one-time and annual gifts. No gift is too small (or too large!). Donors who commit to monthly giving will receive special recognition and invitations to special events.
However you choose to give, Camp Weed THANKS YOU for your support!
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Damage Update from Hurricane Debby | | |
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Dear Diocese of Florida,
We are saddened to share that Hurricane Debby put a dent in August's activities at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. The Camp was fortunate that they didn’t have any major building damage, but they did have quite a few large trees down and a lot of water. Nevertheless, they persisted – with help from awesome folks like you. Thank you to those who have supported Camp Weed!
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