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We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parish office staff who joined us at Camp Weed on November 6 for our first annual Friendsgiving Appreciation Luncheon. It was a joy to gather together in gratitude and fellowship as we honored the dedicated staff who serve on the front lines of parish life with such grace and love.

During our time together, we also introduced our new vision for regional gatherings, E.P.I.C. (Episcopal Parish Insights and Community). We’re excited about this new format and what it will mean for connection and collaboration across the diocese.

Thank you to everyone who attended—and especially to those who traveled to be part of this special celebration. Your ministry, commitment, and daily care for our parishes mean more than words can express.

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

Many of you are already praying for our Search and Transition committees in your churches every Sunday as we continue our process of seeking our next bishop.

But there are those of you who want to do more. We have a tradition in our renewal weekends (Cursillo, Happening, etc.) of setting an alarm for a certain time to pray together for our time together that weekend no matter where we are.

Can you commit to one minute a day to pray for our search for a new bishop?

Please set a daily alarm for 3:25 p.m. (the address of our Diocesan Office) and pray each day for the search and transition committees, their process, and our future bishop. Know that you are lifting your voices to God with so many others in the Diocese of Florida at the same time, and trust God to guide our way.

The Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements has opened a call for volunteers to serve on several subcommittees that will help shape the 82nd General Convention in 2027. These groups will support the planning process in the following areas:

• Program, Worship and Formation Subcommittee
• Pre-Convention Process and Engagement Subcommittee
• Technology and Communications Subcommittee
• Wellness, Ancillary Events, Exhibitors and Affiliated Gatherings Subcommittee
• Finance and Resource Allocation Subcommittee

This opportunity is open to members of the church at large. You do not need to be a deputy or a bishop to apply. Anyone with gifts in planning, organizing, communications, hospitality or related areas is encouraged to offer their skills.

Applications are due by November 30.

An evening celebrating the urban ministries of the Reverend Canon Beth Tjoflat was held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on November 16. Thank you to all joined the celebration, including Bishop Chip Stokes, the Rev. Bob Griffiths, and the Rev. Dn. Annette Sines.

Mother Beth blessed us with the words of Saint Clare: “Live without fear: your Creator has made you whole, always walks with you, and loves you as a mother. So follow the good road in peace, and may the blessing of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you now, and remain with you always.”

Thank you, Mother Beth, for showing the way with compassion, humility, steadfast determination, and honor!

The livestream recording is available for those who were not able to attend the event.

The photo to the right is of James Pierce from St. Philip’s, Jacksonville, preaching on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. James and Pam Pierce were part of a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey this November. 

The pilgrimage was led by the Rev. Amy Slater from Christ Church Ponte Vedra. She said, “James preaching on Patmos—where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation—was certainly a highlight of our Footsteps of Paul journey. He delivered a Spirit-filled message to our group of 25 fellow pilgrims.” The group included Archdeacon Marsha Holmes and the Rev. Eric Kahl.

This October James completed the Bishop’s Institute course for licensed lay preachers taught in conjunction with the national Episcopal Preaching Foundation (EPF) course from which he is also certified.  

If you have youth in your church that are seeking confirmation or have recently been confirmed, this retreat is for you!

This is an opportunity for youth preparing to express a mature commitment to Christ through Confirmation to meet other youth in the diocese as they explore an overview of the Bible, Creeds, the Book of Common Prayer, Sacraments, Spiritual Disciplines, Forms of Worship, and Church History and participate in an Instructed Eucharist. It will be coordinated by the five host churches and will be held lock-in style, beginning Friday night, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night with an Instructed Eucharist.

When: January 17-18, 2025

Where: Christ Church Ponte Vedra

Who: Organized by Church of Our Saviour (Jacksonville), Christ Church (Ponte Vedra), St. Francis in the Field (Ponte Vedra), St. Mark’s (Jacksonville), and St. Peter’s (Fernandina).

Designed for: 8th-12th Grade Youth who have not been Confirmed

Cost: $40, includes meals & all supplies (scholarships available)

If you have questions, contact Parker Wheeler.

Bishop Stokes Visits Good Shepherd, Jacksonville

On November 23, Good Shepherd celebrated baptisms, confirmations, and receptions and reaffirmed commitments to God and each other. The mood was exuberant: four baptized, 25 confirmed, and an outpouring of love and joy.

Bishop Chip Stokes and Archdeacon Marsha Holmes participated in the service, providing affection and leadership. Congratulations to the confirmands and newly baptized! We rejoice with the Church for a wonderful day!

Church Without Walls

Church Without Walls enjoyed a beautiful outdoor service on All Saints' Day at the Episcopal Diocese of Florida office.

The service was led by the Rev. Catherine Montgomery and Rev. Cn. Beth Tjoflat, as well as a time of worship through song led by John Willim. The Christ Episcopal Church Youth Ministry helped prepare sack lunches and soup.

We celebrate the wonderful weather, fellowship, worship, and nourishment that was shared!

Armed Forces Service at St. Luke's, Live Oak

St. Lukes, Live Oak celebrated their service of thanksgiving for those who serve in the armed forces on November 2. This has become a very special service at St Luke’s, and this year they were glad to have Justin Drappeaux, who is a new Marine, lay the memorial wreath.

For all who serve, in service and as Saints, we thank you.

St. Andrew's, Jacksonville Alzheimer's Walk

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the largest event to raise funds and awareness for the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, and The St. Andrew's Angels were excited to join the event at the University of North Florida on November 8.

Their team had about 25 members and raised $2,318.54! Thanks to all who participated and donated.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Melrose Gets a Refresh

A missionary team from Pinellas County, Florida visited Trinity, Melrose to help refresh the outside of their Parish Hall. The doors were re-stained, the siding and donors boxes were re-painted, and years of leaf build-up was removed from around the shrubbery.

We are thankful for these faithful volunteers and their hard work! It is wonderful to have friends and partners throughout the state of Florida who we are blessed by.

New Beginnings #13

New Beginnings #13 took place on November 7-9 and was a wonderful time! New Beginnings is a renewal retreat for youth in grades 6-8. It is led by high school youth, supervised by adults.

During the weekend, participants met peers from across the diocese, enjoyed skits, listened to talks, and participated in small group activities and discussions. This year's theme was "He Is With Us."

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, prayed, and supported this wonderful weekend! We look forward to seeing the youth in this diocese grow in their love for Jesus, others, and self.

Camp Weed Contracts Space for Apostolic Lighthouse Church of Live Oak

Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center has entered into a partnership with the Apostolic Lighthouse Church of Live Oak! They have outgrown their building, and Camp Weed has contracted Sunday mornings and evenings and Thursday evenings for their use. They will be using the Youth Pavilion or Young and Saffron as their worship space.

Having the ability to rent these spaces and help our brothers and sisters in Christ is a winning situation for all involved! Camp Weed welcomes Pastor Bell and his congregation, and we pray their people and ministry thrive while they share this beautiful and sacred space with us.

Happening #155

Happening #155 will be held January 23-25, 2026 and will be led by Rector Thomas Gibbes (Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville), Head Gofer Emme Hnath (Christ Church, Ponte Vedra Beach), Head of Music Bella Sell (St. Peter’s, Fernandina), Adult Advisor Hannah Bardin (Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville), and Assistant Adult Advisor Crissy Spicer (St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra).

Both team applications and candidate registration are available now!

• Team Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
• Candidate Application Deadline: January 5, 2026

In the library at Diocesan House, you’ll find The Mitre Might Jar, a space where we are gathering prayers, hopes, and reflections for our next Diocesan Bishop. We invite you to stop by, write a message on a slip of paper, and add it to the jar.

Can’t make it in person? Send your prayer or note to us via email at bishop@diocesefl.org, and we’ll gladly place it in the jar for you.

This jar will be presented as a gift for our new bishop, offered as a heartfelt symbol of the love, hope, and faith that have surrounded them from the very beginning.

Come add your light to the prayers guiding our next bishop!

December 3 & 17: Caregivers Support Group

December 7: Bishop Stokes to visit Trinity Parish, St. Augustine

December 7: A Light in the Darkness Advent Concert Series

December 7: Institution Of The Song Of Mary Chapter Of The Order Of The Daughters Of The King, Inc.

December 10-14: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!” at River City Theatre