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182nd Annual Convention:
All You Need to Know
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Friday, Sept. 19 - Saturday, Sept. 20
Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center
Below is the latest status of our activity and requests as we plan for Convention.
We will continue to share important updates for the Annual Convention, including the release of the Nominee Slate on August 30 and opportunities for sharing your Convention experience.
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Registration is Open
Registration is open for the 182nd Annual Convention. We encourage all delegates, alternates, clergy, ministry tables, and guests to register as soon as possible.
Voting delegates wishing to participate by Zoom will be required to complete a mandatory Zoom training, which will take place on September 15 at 6:30 p.m. We will send the Zoom link in advance.
All details can be found in our Convention webpage. Registration will close on Monday, September 8 at 5 p.m. ET.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Hannia Reyes at hreyes@diocesefl.org.
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Resolutions
We recently published nine resolutions to be considered on Sept. 20 at Camp Weed. They are published on our website, and you may view them at the button below.
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Resolutions 1-7 are proposed by the Convention Committee on Charter and Canons. You may view the full report on Resolutions 1-6 here.
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Resolutions 8-9 are proposed by the General Convention Deputation.
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Pre-Convention Meetings:
Three Pre-Convention meetings will take place in September. Two meetings will be held at parishes, and the third will be hosted via Zoom.
Our annual pre-convention meetings are open to all members of the diocesan community, from attending clergy and lay delegates to parishioners not attending convention but interested in what will be discussed. We will broadcast the two parish pre-conventions live on our YouTube channel.
Thursday, September 4:
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church
2015 Fleischmann Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Starts at 6 p.m. & broadcasted live on the Diocesan YouTube channel
No registration required
Tuesday, September 9:
All Saints Episcopal Church
4171 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Starts at 6 p.m. & broadcasted live on the Diocesan YouTube channel
No registration required
Wednesday, September 10:
Virtual Zoom Meeting
Starts at 6 p.m.
Please register through our Realm site here.
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Church Photos for Convention:
We are preparing a slideshow of photos from events and happenings around the diocese from the past year to show at Convention. Please send photos of the different activities held at your church during the year to our communications team by September 12.
| | Call for Nominations for General Convention | | | |
To remain fully compliant with the Canons of The Episcopal Church, our Diocese must elect Deputies to the 2027 General Convention at the upcoming 2025 Diocesan Convention, rather than in 2026 as previously anticipated.
For that reason, we are now inviting nominations for General Convention Deputies:
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Nominations open: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025
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Nominations close: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET
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Slate of candidates published: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Serving as a Deputy is a meaningful and impactful way to participate in the governance and mission of The Episcopal Church at the national level. We encourage any communicant in good standing who feels called to represent our Diocese at the 82nd General Convention in Phoenix, AZ (July 3-8, 2027) to prayerfully consider submitting a nomination.
If you are nominated and wish to be a nominee at convention, you will be asked to share your headshot, a brief bio (400 words or fewer), and a short statement on why you would like to serve.
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Recap & Reflection of the
Bishop Search Committee Leadership Retreat
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Reflection from the Bishop Search Committee of the Diocese of Florida
August 25, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend, the Bishop Search Committee of the Diocese of Florida met for the first time since our appointment by the Standing Committee, gathering at Camp Weed for a time of onboarding, orientation, and organization as we begin the work entrusted to us. We were led by our co-chairs, the Rev. Carolyn Jones and Gregory Orloff, and supported by the Rev. Lonnie Lacy, who serves as chaplain to the committee. We were also joined by Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer, the Church-appointed consultant guiding our search process, and Sarah Stonesifer-Boylan, representing the Office of the Presiding Bishop.
Our gathering was rooted in prayer and Scripture, centered on shared service and prayerful preparation, and committed to the collaborative and hope-filled work of discernment across our diocese. From the very start, we acknowledged that this process does not belong to this committee alone. It belongs to the Holy Spirit and to our whole beloved diocese, and it begins with listening and prayer.
Over the course of the retreat, we prayed, studied, listened, and began to build the shared trust and structures that will guide our work in the months ahead. We committed ourselves to a spirit of openness and to the confidentiality necessary for this work to unfold with integrity. We give thanks for the opportunity to serve, not as decision-makers above or apart, but as fellow disciples and discerners walking alongside you.
This fall, we will begin a series of gatherings we’re calling Envisioning Forums: Looking Forward in Christ — opportunities for prayerful conversation across the diocese, both in person and online. These sessions, along with a diocesan-wide survey, will inform the creation of a profile that reflects who we are, what we long for, and where we believe God is leading us as a diocese. The theme is drawn from Hebrews 12:2: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” It is our intention to keep looking forward — together — with Christ always before us.
A detailed timeline for the search will be shared soon. For now, we simply ask for your continued prayers: for this committee, for the potential candidates God is preparing for us to meet along the way, and for all the people and parishes of the Diocese of Florida.
This is not merely a time of transition; it is a season of transformation. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are committed to walking forward in faith — together, and with you.
Faithfully,
The Bishop Search Committee
Episcopal Diocese of Florida
| | Welcome, The Rev. Rachel McElwee! | | | |
We joyfully welcome the Rev. Rachel McElwee, who was officially received into The Episcopal Church on Friday, August 22 at Diocesan House. We are truly blessed to have her in the Diocese of Florida and are thankful for her ministry!
Mtr. Rachel serves at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach as a Priest Associate & Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
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Diocesan Bulletin Insert Request:
Stay in the Loop. Stay in the Light!
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This September, help us spread the word across the diocese! As we approach Annual Convention and begin the bishop search, it’s more important than ever to stay connected.
We’re asking every parish to include the “Stay in the Loop, Stay in the Light” bulletin insert each Sunday in September. It features a QR code that links directly to the Diocesan Digest newsletter sign-up, Facebook, and Instagram. An email was sent to all clergy, senior wardens, and parish administrators with all the details.
Let’s stay informed, stay inspired and shine together as we walk in the light of Christ!
With gratitude,
Diocesan Staff
| Download the Bulletin Insert | | |
Rally Day Gatherings
Churches across the diocese gathered for Rally Days and Back to School celebrations to rejoice in a wonderful summer season and to kickoff the new school year and upcoming programming. Congregations fellowshipped, shared meals, and enjoyed fun activities.
Below are images from the Rally Day on August 24 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Jacksonville.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church Jacksonville Kicks Off the School Year
On August 10, the St. Mark's Episcopal Church's sanctuary was full of joy as students brought their backpacks to be blessed by The Rev. Billy Cerveny — a beautiful way to kick off a safe, successful, and Spirit-filled school year!
St. Mark's began the school year with a Welcome Back Family Chapel for Episcopal School students in the first through fifth grade and their families. Following the service, The Rev. Teresa Seagle, Episcopal’s Dean of Spiritual Life, and The Rev. Billy Cerveny of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church offered blessings and sprinkled holy water across the campus.
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S.T.U.F.F. Bus Event for Flagler Schools
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Palm Coast hosted a school supply drive in partnership with the Flagler County Education Foundation. Congregation members and local residents generously filled a bus with loads of essential school supplies, providing countless Flagler Schools students with the supplies needed for a great start to the school year.
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St. John's Episcopal Church, Tallahassee Celebrated "BACH" to School Sunday
Alfriend Hall overflowed with joy, community, and the Holy Spirit at “BACH” to School Sunday! The congregation at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee enjoyed inspiring music from the Bach Parley String Academy’s faculty and students, heard a powerful mission-focused sermon from our Youth Missioner, Kendall Lacy, celebrated Fr. Lonnie and Jay’s wedding anniversary, and surprised Fr. Lonnie with a baseball signed by FSU Baseball’s own Coach Link Jarrett in honor of his third anniversary as their rector.
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Camp Weed Rejoices for Record-High Camp Attendance
We rejoice alongside Camp Weed after a full and successful 2025 camp season! Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center welcomed 857 campers, including 55 Counselors-in-Training – the largest group ever.
Below are images of youth campers from St. James in Lake City.
| | Recent Bishop Church Visitations | | | Bishop Benhase recently visited All Saints, Jacksonville on August 24. | | On August 3, Bishop Benhase visited St. Mary’s, Madison. | | Jacksonville Campus Ministry Weekly Events | | | |
Pastor Sarah Locke, campus pastor for Jacksonville Campus Ministry, can’t wait for a
great semester with students from the University of North Florida, Florida State College
in Jacksonville, Edward Waters University, and Jacksonville University!
Weekly Events:
Sundays, times vary: Worship
- On Sunday mornings, Pastor Sarah visits and preaches at congregations in Jacksonville. We would love for local college students to join her and get plugged into a worshiping community in town.
Mondays, 11 a.m.: Queer Bible Study
- Most folks in the LGBTQIA+ community know all of the “clobber” texts in the Bible… many have spent their whole lives defending themselves against them. The focus of this Bible Study is the expansive stories and verses of the Christian Bible — those places where God leaves the door wide open for a more beautiful and complete picture of God’s creation, in all of our forms, genders, and expressions.
Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.: Food For Thought
- JCM gathers on the University of North Florida's campus to have a meal together and fellowship. You can also follow JCM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay informed.
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Market Days
- Many Wednesdays, JCM is at the UNF Student Union Plaza for Market Days. Students may enjoy free popcorn, t-shirts, and good conversation.
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Evening Prayer
- On Thursday evenings, JCM gathers on The Green at UNF to worship together in the tradition of the Episcopal Church.
| | Upcoming Camp Weed Programming | | | Cursillo Women's Weekend: October 2-5 | Women's Cursillo #147 is taking place from October 2-5. Registration is closed, but if you are attending and have questions, contact Kristen Monroe at cursillo@diocesefl.org. | Fall Clergy Conference: October 20-21 | | |
The annual fall clergy retreat for all clergy of the Diocese will start with lunch at 12 p.m. on Monday, October 20 and conclude on Tuesday, October 21 at 2 p.m.
The clergy conference offers an opportunity for continuing education, fellowship, and worship with our clergy brothers and sisters from across the Diocese.
To register, please click the button below.
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Save the Date: Friendsgiving
Appreciation Lunch for Parish Office Staff
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"Faithful Hands, Thankful Hearts"
We invite all parish office staff to join us at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center on Thursday, November 6 for a Friendsgiving Appreciation Lunch.
This is a free event, and we encourage all churches and office staff to participate. More information and a detailed invitation will be sent out soon. For now, please save the date!
| | Communications Team Update: Welcome Robin Shattler and McKenna Lineberry! | | | We are excited to introduce you to Robin Shattler and McKenna Lineberry, who both join Tyler Holder on the diocesan communications team. | | | | Robin, who has been part of the High Reason team for more than three years, is a graduate of Auburn University. She loves working at the intersection of creativity and analytics, and is a strong writer and thinker. She will manage much of the day-to-day communications activity alongside Tyler. | | | | McKenna joins the diocesan communications team after recently graduating from Florida State University. She has worked in various aspects of marketing, with a special passion for social media and content creation. She will support the diocese in both of these areas. | | As always, you may email communications@diocesefl.org with any questions or requests. We look forward to this expanded communications team serving you. | | | | |
