If you're having trouble viewing the full newsletter below, please visit our Diocesan Digest newsletter archives on the website to read it in its entirety. | | Consent Received for Bishop-Elect Randy Alexander | | | |
Earlier this month, The Episcopal Church announced that the election of the Reverend Randy Alexander received the needed consents from the wider church. We look forward in anticipation to Bishop-Elect Randy's consecration on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
We look forward to welcoming Bishop-Elect Randy and his wife, the Reverend Patty Alexander, to the Diocese of Florida!
As Bishop-Elect Randy prepares for his role, we invite the people and ministries of the diocese to contribute to this new beginning. The Bishop Transition Committee has set up a collection fund for the ordination and consecration gifts, including the vestments and symbols of office.
Learn more about the collection fund at DioceseFL.org/Bishop-Election.
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The Reverend Teri Calinao Installed as Rector of St. Mary's, Green Cove Springs
On October 24, 2026, the Rt. Rev. William Stokes installed the Rev. Teri Calinao as Rector of St. Mary's, Green Cove Springs. Please keep Mother Teri and the entire St. Mary's parish community in your prayers as they begin this exciting new chapter together.
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Remembering The Reverend Canon Dr. J. Allison DeFoor
The Reverend Canon Dr. J. Allison DeFoor passed away on October 27, 2026. Cn. Allison devoted more than a decade of faithful service to our diocese, including nearly eight years as Canon to the Ordinary and a deep commitment to prison ministry.
In addition to his diocesan leadership, Cn. Allison served the state of Florida for many years as a judge, sheriff, and dedicated conservation advocate.
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Remembering The Reverend Deacon Jo Ann Hoskins
The Reverend Jo Ann Hoskins, Deacon passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026. Jo dedicated many years of faithful ministry to Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, serving as Senior Warden of the vestry and Director of Lay Ministry and Newcomers before being ordained as a deacon to serve and care for the wider community.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Read the full obituary here.
| | Recap of Fall Clergy Conference | | | Clergy from across the Diocese of Florida gathered at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center on October 27 and 28 for the annual Fall Clergy Conference. Keynote speaker Rabbi Merrill Shapiro led engaging sessions focused on preaching the Old Testament in Advent, offering rich historical and theological insights as clergy prepare for the upcoming liturgical season. | | Friendsgiving for Parish Office Staff | | | We look forward to gathering with parish office staff on November 5 for our annual Friendsgiving at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. This will be a sweet time of fellowship and a "thank you" for the wonderful work these staff do to keep our parishes and diocese running. If you plan to attend, please RSVP using the link below. | | | James Hilliard Announced as New Executive Director | |
James Hilliard was recently announced as the new Executive Director of Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center. James comes to us with three decades of experience in camp and conference center ministry, and he is passionate about creating spaces for people to deepen their faith and relate to one another.
We are incredibly excited for James and his family to be with us in the Diocese of Florida, and we look forward to their faithful work at Camp Weed.
| | Christmas Rock 'n' Roll Lip Sync Benefit | |
This Advent, congregations from across the diocese will take the stage for a night of Christmas rock 'n' roll, friendly competition to benefit Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center.
This fundraiser will help Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center continue the needed repair projects across the site. While much great work has been done, we encourage you to contribute towards these efforts and help Camp Weed reach the goal of raising $4 million. All ticket sales for this event will be donated to Camp Weed, and additional gifts are welcome.
| | Youth T-Shirt Fundraiser and Lock-In | | Our youth across the Diocese of Florida are coming together to support Camp Weed! This Christmas season, high school youth will gather at St. Peter’s, Fernandina Beach for a lock-in and spend the night helping park cars during Fernandina Beach’s downtown Christmas event—all to raise funds for Camp Weed. High school youth can register for the Lock-In at the link below. | | |
Want to support their efforts? Purchase a Diocese of Florida T-shirt! Featuring Different Shores. Same Spirit. on the front and a list of ALL of the churches that make up our diocese on the back.
100% of the proceeds will support Camp Weed.
*Please note if your youth registers for the lock-in they will receive a shirt included in registration
| | Camp Weed Summer Camp 2027 registration and staff applications open November 1! Counselor-in-Training applications will open in the new year. Register early to take advantage of our early bird discount that ends on January 15. If you are a nurse, clergy member, or youth leader and are interested in volunteering this summer, reach out to Camp Director Sam Marxsen at sam@campweed.org to get signed up today. Click here to view the dates for Summer 2027! | | New Beginnings #14: November 6-8 | |
New Beginnings (NB) is a renewal retreat weekend held each November for middle schoolers, led by high school youth. NB #14 will be held November 6-8 at Camp Weed and led by high school senior, Julia Cline (St. John's, Tallahassee). You can support this weekend by simply praying for us! As an outward and visible sign of all those praying for the weekend, we set out a "prayer scroll" for our middle school participants to see all the names of those we know that have been praying. If you'd like to be included on that scroll, please send your first and last name (and of any others you know are praying!) to our lay director Dan Dallam at newbeginningsdand@gmail.com.
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Our next Happening weekend is scheduled for January 29-31 at Camp Weed. Happening #158 will be led by high school senior Mary Carol Eyrick (St. Mark's, Jacksonville), and the rest of her core team: Averie Bowyer, Langston Bryan, Melissa Bryant, and Quinn Miller. Candidate Registration is open now and closes on January 6, and team applications are due December 13. If you have any questions, reach out to our Lay Director, Liz Collins at happeninglizc@gmail.com.
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Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting
Women from across the diocese recently came together for the ECW Annual Meeting, sharing a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and encouragement as we celebrate all that God is doing through our diocesan community.
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Blessing of the Animals
Our parish family and beloved animal companions recently came together for our annual Blessing of Animals. It was a joyful time of prayer, thanksgiving, and fellowship as we celebrated God's creation and gave thanks for the companions who bring so much love to our lives.
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Trunk or Treat at Advent, Tallahassee
Advent, Tallahassee held its annual Trunk or Treat event on October 18. There were lots of decorated trunks and treats handed out by parishioners. Many well-dressed trick-or-treaters walked away happy! There was a craft table, scavenger hunt, and games for all. A Halloween music playlist caused some spontaneous dancing, too!
| | Bishop Transition Committee Corner | | | | | |
Coloring Book for Kids: "So You're Getting a New Bishop"
We're excited to share this great resource for children (and adults!) to learn about the role of a bishop. The Reverend Chris Dell skillfully created a children's coloring book, and we are grateful for his exceptional work.
This is a great activity for Sunday School classes and kids' activities.
Download the booklet on the Bishop Election webpage.
| | The Bishop's Institute: Volume 92 | | | |
The October issue of The Bishop's Institute newsletter celebrates St. Luke, the Evangelist and include interviews with Sandi Dunnavant on the Cathedral Bookstore and Dean Kate Moorehead Carroll on her new book.
Read the interviews and explorations in the newsletter linked below. Subscribe to receive book recommendations, spiritual formations, and more each month!
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November 1: Bp. Stokes visits St. Paul’s by-the-Sea
November 1: Holy Trinity, Gainesville Music Series String Quartet Concert
November 5: Friendsgiving for Parish Office Staff
November 13: East of Eden: Seen, Known, Restored Conference
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