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In case you missed it - We recently shared updates from the 181st Annual Diocesan Convention at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center on September 20-21. Below, you'll find the results of the elections, updates on Resolutions, and other important information.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this year’s convention a great success!

Election Results

The following individuals were elected at the 2024 Convention.

Diocesan Council

Lay, First Coast West: Dorothy Young-Holder

Lay, Santa Fe: Melinda Moses

Clergy: The Rev. Deacon Annette Sines

Disciplinary Board

Lay: Judy Shipman

Clergy: The Rev. Matt Marino and the Rev. Joanie Cruce

Sewanee Board of Trustees

Lay: Pam Jordan Anderson

Standing Committee

Lay: Paul Van Brunt

Clergy: The Rev. Javon Seaborn

2024 Resolutions

The first five resolutions from the Convention Committee on Charter & Canons; which resulted from the 2023 and 2024 work of that committee were passed by acclamation by the Convention. Please click the buttons below to read the full resolutions.

Resolution No. 1

Resolution No. 2

Resolution No. 3

Resolution No. 4

Resolution No. 5

Resolution No. 6 which was "an amendment submitted pursuant to the diocesan Rules of Order relating to scheduling a process to elect a Bishop Diocesan," was voted to be postponed indefinitely. You may view the resolution here.

In addition, a special resolution for St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, titled, "Admission of St. Cyprian’s as a Parish," was passed. You may view the resolution here.

There was also a Camp Weed 100th Anniversary resolution titled, "Honoring 100 Years of Service for Camp Weed and Establishing Camp Weed Sunday," that was passed. You may view the resolution here.

Miscellaneous

• The Rev. Sarah Minton is now the Standing Committee President.
• The 182nd Diocesan Convention will be held on September 19-20, 2025. Please save the date.
• Convention recordings will be available in the coming weeks.

Camp Weed’s 100th Anniversary

The year-long celebration of Camp Weed's 100th anniversary officially kicked off at the 2024 Diocesan Convention! The evening celebrated a century of community, faith, and memories at Camp Weed, marking the beginning of a series of special events and activities planned throughout the year.

Below you will find Camp Weed 100 More Years events planned. Stay tuned for more as we continue to celebrate this incredible milestone!

• Saturday, October 19 at 5 p.m.: Christmas in the South: An Evening with Pat Hines. See more information and registration below.
• Saturday, December 14 at 5 p.m.: Wild Game Dinner. Registration will be available beginning October 1.
• January 10 - 12: Diocesan-wide Vestry Retreat. Registration will be available beginning October 15
• Saturday, April 12: Family Fun Day with Easter Egg Hunt
• Sunday, May 4: Camp Weed Sunday
• Wednesday, May 7: Camp Weed Day of Giving

Christmas in the South: An Evening with Pat Hines: Saturday, October 19 at 5 p.m.

Pat Hines is an accomplished historian, genealogist, community activist, and author. Before retiring, she worked in civil service. Pat will share the remarkable journey of her great-great grandfather, Christmas Hemming, a newly freed slave who purchased 640 acres in Florida, and how his legacy has shaped her family’s heritage for over a century. Her incredible storytelling ability will keep you transfixed. She will also share the canned goods, quilts, and other artifacts that are part of her heritage. After the program, Pat will autograph books (available for purchase with your ticket or on-site).



Proceeds support racial reconciliation programs in Suwannee County.

Get Your 100 More T-shirt!

We're excited to offer 100 More T-shirts in our camp's online store! Featuring the special 100th anniversary logo, these shirts are available in a variety of colors. Grab yours today!

Best wishes to The Rev. William Stokes who will be departing from St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville. Reverend Stokes has been called to serve as the Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Lake City. His first Sunday at St. James will be on October 6.

William is a double graduate of the University of the South having earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Sewanee. During his time in seminary, William was blessed to spend a term at Westcott House at Cambridge University studying theology and Reformation history. Since his ordination in 2020, William has served at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church as the Associate Rector with special responsibility over youth, pastoral care, and outreach ministries. During 2023, William also served as Interim Rector as the parish transitioned to a new Rector.

William just celebrated his first anniversary of marriage to the love of his life, Alyson. William and Alyson love cooking, reading, making music, and spending time with their beloved orange tabby cat, Felix. William is excited to begin ministry at St. James church, which has a rich history and a bright future ahead of it.

Congratulations to The Rev. William Stokes on his new call to serve as the Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Lake City! We are grateful for the many ways you have faithfully served at St. Mark’s, and will miss having you in Jacksonville!

As you and Alyson embark on this new chapter, we wish you both continued joy and success. We look forward to seeing the wonderful things God will do through your ministry at St. James!

Submitted by Marilyn W. Peterson of

Holy Trinity EC, Gainesville, FL, August 2024

In late June 2024 a Delegation of 6 clergy & lay deputies with 4 spouse-visitors were able to make it from Cuba to the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church, held in Louisville, Kentucky, to experience for the first time the energetic fullness of a national Convention now with official seat, voice and vote privileges, to work diligently, learn a lot, eat, sing, dance, and pray with this huge Family of Episcopalians, and to feel in live time the incorporating impact of Christ’s Love in the 2020 Reunification.

I, Marilyn Peterson (interpreter and liaison for the Florida-Cuba Diocesan Companionship Ministry) and the former Bishop of Cuba, Griselda Delgado (now residing in Florida), gleefully met up with the Cuban Delegation and hosted them around during their (little) spare time, when they were not otherwise occupied with their Bishop Rafael Morales, Interim Bishop of Cuba and Diocesan Bishop of Puerto Rico, pictured in the middle of both delegations in his charge. Cuba is progressing in its search for a NEW BISHOP since the departure of Bishop Griselda in March of 2023. We Floridians snapped a few photos to tell the rest of this Convention story of reuniting Cuban and American Episcopalians in person once again, but this time IN America!

To read the full article, please click the button below.

Prayer Vigil Recap with The Rt. Rev. William H. Stokes

On August 29, The Rt. Rev. William H. Stokes led a powerful prayer vigil at St. John's Cathedral in Jacksonville.

The evening brought together people from across the diocese to join in prayer for the healing and wholeness of our community, the mission of our diocese, and the upcoming Diocesan Convention.

If you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the homily from the vigil, you can read it by clicking the button below.

You may also view the full evening via the St. John's Cathedral YouTube below.

Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee Newsletter #1

We recently distributed the first newsletter for the Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee. This newsletter will keep you informed about the committee’s activities, upcoming events within the diocese, and valuable resources.

If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please click here or the button below and check the box "Anti-Racism and Reconciliation Committee Newsletter."

On Saturday, October 12, Bishop Stokes will visit Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center for the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) installations of Melinda Moses as Outreach Coordinator, Debi Smith as Treasurer, and Sarah White as Secretary.

All are welcome to attend. If you'd like to join them for lunch afterward, please register with Gina Hoover at Camp Weed by emailing: regina@campweed.org.

On September 22, Bishop Benhase visited Christ Church, Monticello at 10 a.m. for baptisms and receptions.

Congratulations to the newest members of the Church!

Pictured is Sercey Elizabeth Hope and

(4 years old), her parents, and her Godparents Alex & Sarah Puente.

Pictured are four new members of the Communion, received by Bishop Benhase. Their names are Tom Winn, Beverly Davis, Dianna, and Alfred Frith.

Pictured is Bishop Stokes and Sercey in the parish hall after the liturgy.

On Saturday, September 28, Bishop Benhase visited St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Live Oak to assist with cleanup efforts following Hurricane Helene.

Feast of St. Francis Celebration

On Sunday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m., St. Paul's will hold a Blessing of the Animals service in the Memorial Garden, officiated by The Rev. Canon Tanya Scheff. A special commemorative certificate will be provided to the owners of each pet that receives a blessing.

The service will be held in conjunction with a supply drive to benefit Gadsden's wildlife rescue group, The St. Francis Wildlife Association. Wildlife Rehab Manager Hannah Altonji will be present to answer questions about their programs and screen volunteers.

Donations will be accepted until 12 noon. Cash and check donations are greatly appreciated, as well as other items on the St. Francis Wish List, including food, bedding, and cleaning supplies. For more information, please click the button below.

Please join St. Paul's on October 6th to celebrate and support the animals that St. Francis so loved.

Bowls & Boos Chili Cook-Off

St. Paul's is hosting its 1st Annual Bowls & Boos Chili Cook-Off on Thursday, October 31st from 6:30-9:00! The competition will feature a panel of local celebrity judges led by Matt Rogers of 93.3 Talk Radio. Individuals, businesses, and organizations will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Prizes range from $100 Visa gift cards to $25 Dunkin' Donuts certificates.

The proceeds from this fundraiser will be split between three community charities: Gadsden Community Cares, The Pregnancy Center of Gadsden County, and SPEC.

Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, and everyone is welcome! Further information about the event, including contest entry, can be accessed by clicking the button below.

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville

In September, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville celebrated a Christian Formation Workshop with a delicious kickoff potluck.

More information:

St. Philip's is looking for Sunday school teachers! Classes take place during the worship service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. See Kenneth (Sr. Warden) or Katrina if you are interested. Adult classes are Sunday mornings with hybrid African Bible Study and Tuesday Bible Study via teleconference.

Christian Formation has other offerings that will take place throughout the year such as Advent Study, Lent Sunday, Movie Club, and Spiritual Wellness. If you would like to be involved in planning these events please let Katrina know.

St. John's Episcopal Church, Tallahassee

The St. John's Daughters of the King had their Service of Rededication and Installation in September in Carter Chapel. These dedicated women pray daily for St. John's parishioners and the world. They are the prayer warriors we need and truly embody the Daughters of the King motto:

For His Sake…

I am but one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

What I can do, I ought to do.

What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.

Lord, what will you have me do?

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Fernandina Beach

During the end of August, the church heard from the youth mission team who traveled to Ecuador over the summer!

The church remarks:

"It was an amazing evening sharing a meal in community to celebrate and learn from the good work these students did together! Thank you to everyone who purchased shares in support of this mission, we could not have done it without you!!"

New Beginnings #12 will be led by Junior Weekend Advisor William Jackson (Redeemer Episcopal Church, Jacksonville). New Beginnings (NB) is a renewal retreat for youth in grades 6-8. It is led by high school youth and supervised by adults. NB is a weekend that explores friendships, family, and faith, and helps participants grow in their love of themselves, others, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

During the weekend, participants meet peers from across the diocese, enjoy skits, listen to talks, and participate in small group activities and discussions. These activities focus on self, friends, parents, siblings, school, God's love, prayer, and the Church. Free time is built in for youth to have an opportunity to fellowship with their new friends. Participants may attend NB each year that they remain in middle school.

Learn more here. Contact Diocesan Youth Programs Director Sam Marxsen or New Beginnings Lay Director Angela Boyd with questions.

Participant Registration Deadline: October 30

Team Application Deadline: October 9

Team Meeting: October 25-26 at Redeemer Episcopal Church, Jacksonville

Happening #152 will be led by Rector Nick Spicer (St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra). Happening is a weekend renewal retreat led by youth for youth. 10-12th graders are invited to attend any of our three annual Happenings, and we invite 9th graders to join us for our Spring Happening (typically held in April). High school students put together an incredibly moving weekend filled with learning, sharing, and building relationships.

Through videos, skits, talks, and more, candidates see how God and their faith fit in with the ups and downs of high school life. Happening is designed to help youth feel the love of God and their Christian community. We hope that by the end of the weekend everyone can return home knowing how to continue growing a relationship with God and having a group of fellow believers to rely on. It's a weekend full of fun, games, sharing, surprises, and most of all, spiritual renewal and empowerment.

If you need financial assistance or help finding a sponsor, please contact Sam Marxsen.

Candidate Registration Deadline: January 13, 2025

Team Application Deadline: December 22

Team Meeting: January 10-11, 2025 at St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra

Coming Up:

October 6 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Benhase to visit Bethany Episcopal Church, Hilliard

October 12: Bishop Stokes to visit Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center for ECW Installations

October 13 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Stokes to visit Trinity Episcopal Church, Melrose

October 20 @ 10:30 a.m.: Bishop Benhase to visit Redeemer Episcopal Church, Jacksonville

October 20 @ 10 a.m.: Bishop Stokes to visit St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Madison

October 27: Bishop Stokes to visit Grace Episcopal Church, Orange Park