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It is with gratitude and great joy that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of The Rev. Dr. Douglas Dupree to the priesthood.

On February 25, 1976, Douglas was ordained to the priesthood by George Paul Reeves, 7th Bishop of Georgia, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Savannah. The ordination sermon was preached by Francis X. Cheney of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

Over the past five decades, Fr. Dupree has served the Church with devotion, scholarship, pastoral care, and steadfast commitment to the Gospel. Thirty of those years were devoted to ministry in one place as fellow, chaplain, and dean of Balliol College, Oxford.

He feels a special debt of gratitude to the Diocese of Florida that through generous scholarships from the diocese he was allowed to attend and graduate from the University of the South, Sewanee and from the Virginia Theological Seminary.

In addition to his parish ministry and teaching, over this last decade he has faithfully served as Rector of the Bishop’s Institute for the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, helping to shape, form, and equip lay and ordained leaders for thoughtful and faithful service. 

Please join us in offering heartfelt congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving for The Rev. Dr. Douglas Dupree on this remarkable occasion.

The Bishop’s Institute for Ministry and Leadership was established in 2015 in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida to provide educational opportunities for laity and clergy. The ministry provides academic preparation and formation, licensed lay ministry courses, a variety of seminars in theology and spirituality, and continuing education workshops.

Led by The Rev. Dr. Douglas Dupree, The Bishop's Institute distributes a monthly newsletter—sharing ministry resources, book recommendations, interviews with regional partners, seasonal prayers, and spiritual formations.

If you are a clergy person, lay leader, or an individual interested in spiritual transformation on the personal and diocesan levels, we encourage you to subscribe to the Bishop's Institute newsletter! It is always an encouraging read that is worth a few minutes of your month.

Upcoming Event — Mindful Aging Strategies: Paths to Second Half Thriving

Led by Jacksonville gerontologist and author Susanna Barton, this quarterly seminar series at the St. John's Cathedral's Center for Wellbeing focuses on four specific area of Mindful Aging Strategies and how to approach these topics from a prayerful, practical, and planful perspective.

The remaining seminars will take place on March 21 and May 9.

Learn more here and register here.

The Rev. Hugh Chapman

It is with a profound mix of gratitude and wistful reflection that St. Michael and All Angels (SMAA) Church in Tallahassee, formally announces the upcoming retirement of their rector, The Rev. Hugh Chapman. Fr. Chapman’s remarkable tenure, which began on September 25, 2017, as the sixth spiritual leader of the parish, culminated in his installation on January 31, 2018.

Father Chapman’s vocational journey spans an extraordinary 46 years of dedicated service as an ordained Episcopal priest, a path that has taken him across diverse landscapes of faith and community. Before blessing SMAA with his presence, he ministered with profound impact in places as varied as Guyana, the Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Jacksonville, FL, leaving an indelible mark on every congregation and community he touched.

His unparalleled devotion was recently celebrated with a magnificent Farewell Gala at the Capital City Country Club. This joyous occasion was a vibrant testament to the countless lives he has spiritually nourished and inspired. Under his visionary leadership, SMAA achieved a significant milestone, earning its well-deserved designation on the Local Registry of Historic Places by the City of Tallahassee.

Beyond the walls of the church, Father Hugh has been a formidable force for justice and community betterment. He stands as a founding member of the Capital Area Justice Ministry, and his passionate commitment to fostering peace led him to serve as Vice President of the Gun Violence Control and Intervention Committee. Furthermore, his powerful voice has resonated throughout Tallahassee, notably as the keynote speaker for the annual Emancipation Day celebration and spokesperson at numerous groundbreaking and street renaming ceremonies.

As Father Chapman prepares to embark on a well-deserved new chapter beginning March 1, 2026, he anticipates a future rich with personal pursuits. His plans include extensive travel, the meticulous documentation of his life’s memoirs, and most importantly, cherished time with his beloved family. 

He humbly offers profound thanks to Almighty God for the immense privilege of serving in His Church as one of His priests. He often recalls a poignant moment from his ordination day, when a wise "little old lady" shared a profound piece of advice: "Father, I plan to pray for you but regardless of where you go after now, I want you to walk with Kings and not lose the common touch." It is his heartfelt prayer that he has remained faithful, humble, and steadfast to God’s call upon his life.

Join the Episcopal Church Women at the Women's Spring Retreat on March 6-8 at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. This weekend promises to be a wonderful opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life, connect with one another, and grow in faith and fellowship. Register here.

Beginning on Wednesday, February 3, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Gainesville will be holding weekly prayer vigils for peace and reconciliation.

The vigils will be held on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the church courtyard. Everyone in the community is invited to attend and participate.

The Cuba Committee is celebrating 41 years of Episcopal Cuban Companionship Ministry and invites you to join the upcoming Gala Cubana on April 17. The event will be held at Holy Trinity, Gainesville at 100 NE 1st St., Gainesville, FL 32601.

Advance tickets are available for purchase by calling Holy Trinity's office at (352) 372-4721 or in-person at the Sunday coffee hour. Tickets may be purchased at the door, as well.

Ever thought about writing a prayer for Lent? Submit one for publication in UTO's 2027-2030 prayer booklet!

The United Thank Offering, a ministry of The Episcopal Church, invites Episcopalians of all ages and languages to submit written prayers for publication in its 2027-2030 prayer booklet.

Don’t know how to write a prayer? Read past examples and download a prayer writing guide based on the collect structure found in the Book of Common Prayer.

Learn more and submit a prayer here. Writers are encouraged to submit their prayers online by August 1.

The Province IV Altar Guild is meeting in Tennessee this year at Sewanee on May 31 through June 3. The Rev. John Runkle, RA will be the keynote speaker, bringing his insight as both a priest and a historical architect. Sister Egeria Mark will be the Meeting Chaplain. The meeting will include scheduled sessions, evenings of fellowship, a tour of All Saints' Chapel, and more.

Register today for Camp Weed's 2026 March Volunteer Weekend!

This Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, March 21, with options to arrive Friday night and enjoy dinner, a campfire, games, Compline, fellowship, and breakfast Saturday before we begin the day. We will have a variety of projects for all skill levels, and you'll let us know what you're equipped for in your registration. 

Youth in 6th grade and above are encouraged to attend, although any middle schooler MUST attend with a parent. There will be separate overnight lodging and chaperones for any youth in 9th grade and above that would like to participate. 

Register by March 15 if you'd like to attend! If you have any questions or need assistance getting registered, reach out to Sam Marxsen at sam@campweed.org or (386) 364-5250.

Facility Projects & Improvements are Underway!

With many thanks to the Cerveny family, generous donors, and funding provided by the Episcopal Foundation, we are completing several deferred maintenance projects. As pictured, the Cerveny Conference Center is getting a new roof, and we are also in the process of clearing trees and making other grounds updates.

Register for Summer Camp 2026

Registration for Summer Camp 2026 is open! Camp Weed provides a co-ed, residential, faith-based summer camp experience for campers in 3rd through 12th grades. You can register directly by clicking the button below, or find more information including dates and pricing by visiting our website at campweed.org.

If you are a nurse, youth leader, or priest and are interested in spending a week at camp this summer as a camp nurse or dean, please reach out to Sam Marxsen. 

What a joyful and grace-filled Service of Ordination it was as we celebrated Jason Flack and Melanie Salsgiver being ordained as deacons on February 7, 2026! We are grateful for the beautiful witness of faith, prayer, and community that surrounded them as they stepped into the diaconate—and we can’t wait to see how God will continue to work through their ministries in the days ahead. Thank you to everyone who came to worship, pray, and celebrate alongside them.

Bishop Stokes Visits St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra

Bishop Stokes visited St. Francis in the Field on February 1. Eleven people were confirmed, two were received into the Episcopal Church, and six reaffirmed their baptismal vows. Please join us in celebrating these new and renewed commitments to Christ!

Bowls & Brews at Episcopal Church of the Advent, Tallahasse

It was a cold day for Advent, Tallahassee's 6th Bowls & Brews Chili Competition! The gathering was heated by 17 different chilis, hot-from-the-oven Church Lady Cornbread, lots of people, and a fire in the beautiful stone fireplace. There was live music by Hot Tamale and lots of conversation. Congratulations to Megan, the winner of the Episcopepper, and thank you to all of the chefs who participated!

Student Sunday at St. Michael's and All Angels, Tallahassee

St. Michaels and All Angels of Tallahassee proudly launched 2026 Black History Month observances on February 1 with an uplifting and inspiring Student Sunday service. They were joined by Dr. Derrick Standifer, PhD, the esteemed Atlanta-based educator, author, and FAMU graduate, who shared a message on "Hardship to Hope." A joint chorus and ensemble of talented musicians and vocalists from FAMU and FSU performed traditional spirituals from the African American Heritage Hymnal.

St. Clement's Chapel Gets a New Roof!

Near the end of January, Advent, Tallahassee concluded the re-roofing of St. Clement's Chapel. It is a beautiful, historic chapel, and the roofing work thoughtfully restored the building to its former glory, even using historically accurate cedar shingles.

Ring Lecture Series with Bishop Michael Curry

Holy Trinity, Gainesville hosted the Ring Lecture Series featuring the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry on February 20-22. It was an honor to have Bishop Curry lecture to the parishioners in our diocese, and we appreciate everyone who joined for this great event.

Jr. Daughters of the King Blossom in Creativity

On February 1, the Jr. Daughters of the King, led by Kate Valery and Emi Gassert, combined fellowship and service by creating lovely floral arrangements for the residents of Her Song. Their thoughtful project was a joyful way to share God’s love through hands-on service at St. Francis in the Field.

Have you been following along with our Lenten Devotional Series? Clergy throughout the Diocese of Florida are sharing brief reflections during the season of Lent.

Follow the Diocese of Florida on Facebook or Instagram to join us for this wonderful series. If you are not active on social media, the devotionals will be linked on our website at www.diocesefl.org/2026-lenten-devotional-series.

The Bishop Search Committee released the Diocesan Profile on February 24, 2026. With the release of the Diocesan Profile, the application and nomination phase of the bishop search is now open. As we enter this next key phase, please join together in praying for the Search Committee, the nominees and applicants, and our diocese—that God may guide us to the person called to serve as our next bishop.

The Nomination Form is due Monday, March 9, and the Application Form is due Monday, March 23.

March 6-8: ECW Women's Spring Retreat

March 11: Spring Clergy Day at Camp Weed

March 20-21: Camp Weed Volunteer Weekend

March 21: Mindful Aging Strategies: Paths to Second Half Thriving

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