Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast announces opening of seminary in DeFuniak Springs

From Florida-

This past week Bishop Russell Kendrick, of the Episcopal Church of the Central Gulf Coast announced the church would be opening an educational facility on Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs next month in the church rectory adjacent to St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church.

Making the announcement, Kendrick work has been underway for the last two years to establish a local school for the education, formation, and transformation of those called to ordination either as a deacon or as a priest.

Kendrick says what began two years ago as an idea is now set to become a reality this September, with seven students already signed up.  “We have a team of instructors and a dean, and a curriculum,” said Kendrick in his formal announcement.

Describing the School for Ministry as a residential model for formation,  Kendrick said students will learn and live together for one weekend each month for over ten months for a period of three years.


More here-

http://fosterfollynews.com/2017/08/15/episcopal-church-of-the-central-gulf-coast-announces-opening-of-seminary-in-defuniak-springs/

New Episcopal bishop to be consecrated at Mobile Civic Center on July 25

From Alabama-

The new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will be ordained and consecrated at a ceremony on Saturday, July 25, at the Mobile Civic Center Expo Hall in downtown Mobile. The event is set for 2 p.m. and is expected to draw more than 1,000 people.

The Rev. J. Russell Kendrick, who was elected in February, will succeed the Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, who has served as the diocese's third bishop for more than 15 years. The Central Gulf Coast diocese includes 63 worshiping communities and about 20,000 members in southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/07/new_episcopal_bishop_to_be_con.html

Appleyard: Church grows from unique beginning

From Central Gulf Coast-

The Pensacola area is a community of churches, and one — Old Christ Church — is easily recognized by many. Faithfully restored in its location opposite Seville Square, the facility is an icon. However, few recognize its unique beginning. The story merits telling.

When Pensacola became part of the United States, it had but one practicing Christian denomination — the Catholic Church. However, with the coming of a new government, several Protestant denominations felt the isolated Florida population was fertile ground for recruiting. Gov. Andrew Jackson had hardly departed when the first missionary arrived. Alexander Talley represented the Methodists. He arrived with a year's assignment to enroll members in Pensacola and Mobile. However, his 12 months brought no results. Other Methodists followed: Ashley Hewitt, Henry Cook and Charles Hardy. The Rev. Hardy did raise a small chapel, but gained few members.

Presbyterian David Robinson Preston's survey brought hopeful reports; however, he concluded that the time was not yet right for a church.

Then came the Rev. Ralph Williston, an Episcopalian. Rather than make individual solicitations, he placed an ad in the Gazette inviting all practicing protestant Christians to meet and to discuss combining forces to establish a common church. The meeting drew 12 Episcopalians, 10 Methodists, two Presbyterians and two Baptists and, with amazing fortune, all agreed to proceed to obtain a charter, raise funds and erect a church.

More here-

http://www.pnj.com/story/life/2015/04/03/john-appleyard-christ-church-grows-unique-beginning/70856352/

Episcopalians elect new bishop for Central Gulf Coast diocese

From The Central Gulf Coast-

The Rev. James "Russell" Kendrick, a Birmingham rector who began his ministry in Dothan, has been elected the fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to succeed the Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, who is retiring.

Kendrick, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Birmingham, received 60 percent of lay votes and 59 percent of clergy votes in the third ballot, cast electronically at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile, the site of the diocese's 44th Annual Convention.

The earlier two ballots, which had included three nominees, did not result in an election. For a bishop to be chosen, he or she must receive a majority of lay votes as well as a majority of clergy votes.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/02/episcopalians_elect_new_bishop.html

Episcopal delegates unanimously approve resolution pressing for reforms in Alabama, Florida prisons

From Central Gulf Coast-

Delegates to the 44th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast approved a resolution Friday to call upon state officials in Alabama and Florida to end inmate abuse in prisons.

The vote was unanimous, said Wayne Verry, a delegate from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Foley, who introduced the resolution. The convention is being held Feb. 19-21 at Trinity Episcopal Church in midtown Mobile.

The resolution calls upon Gov. Robert Bentley, the attorney general, the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, and leaders of both houses of the Legislature in Alabama and Florida to "continue to take necessary actions to end all forms of abuse in prisons, and to uphold the fundamental dignity of every human being." It also urges other Episcopal diocese to take similar action.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/02/episcopal_delegates_unanimousl.html

Retiring Episcopal Bishop Philip M. Duncan comments on the state of the Church, same-sex blessings and what's needed in his successor

From The Central Gulf Coast-

The first time I met the Rt. Rev. Philip Menzie Duncan II, he was standing outside Trinity Episcopal Church on Dauphin Street on Dec. 26, 2012. An EF-2 tornado had hit midtown Mobile the day before, tearing a hole in Trinity's roof and turning the front of Irving Hall into a pile of rubble.

"Ultimately, property is property," he said at the time. "People are the important thing for me."

After serving for 14 years as the third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Gulf Coast, Duncan, 70, is retiring this summer. His successor will be chosen by votes of the clergy and laity on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the diocese's 44th Annual Convention, being held at Trinity.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/02/retiring_episcopal_bishop_phil.html

Central Gulf Coast diocese announces bishop nominees

From ENS-

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast has announced a slate of four nominees to stand for election as bishop of the diocese. The nominees were presented to the Standing Committee by the Bishop Search Committee on Dec. 3.
The nominees announced are:

• The Rev. James Russell Kendrick, 54, rector, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Birmingham, Alabama (Diocese of Alabama);
• The Very Rev. Edward Francis O’Connor, 47, dean, Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew, Jackson, Mississippi (Diocese of Mississippi);
• The Rev. Canon E. Daniel Smith, 58, canon to the ordinary, Diocese of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri (Diocese of Missouri);
• The Rev. William C. Treadwell III, 54, rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco, Texas (Diocese of Texas).

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/12/05/central-gulf-coast-diocese-announces-bishop-nominees/

Emotional services for Mobile congregations rendered 'homeless' by Christmas Day tornado

From Mobile-

The Rev. Julius Bryant said he felt nervous Sunday morning as he stood before his congregation, which was displaced by the Christmas Day tornado. 

Since taking the position of senior pastor at Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church only three months ago, he thought he had overcome the nerves he felt the first few times he preached.

“It was a very emotional service for my church, but they were not emotional in the sense of sadness but emotional in the sense of thanking God that we were all together and had such a good turnout,” said Pastor Bryant, recalling the morning service Sunday night. He said he turned to Joshua 6:1-5 from the Old Testament to deliver a sermon on “when victory looks like defeat.”

Bryant estimated that about 240 people – almost a normal crowd -- attended the Sunday service, which was held at Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church, not far from damaged Sweet Pilgrim on St. Charles Avenue. “It was quite an awesome experience today,” he said.
More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/12/post-tornado_mobile_congregati.html

Trinity Episcopal's parish hall is 'structurally sound,' says rector

From Alabama-

Trinity Episcopal Church’s parish hall is structurally sound, despite losing its front wall, according to the Rev. Bailey Norman, rector of the church that was severely damaged by a Christmas Day tornado.

Irving Hall served as a temporary sanctuary when the church underwent significant renovations in 2010, members said Wednesday as they gathered to survey the damage.

In a report on the church’s website, Norman said that engineers would be coming today to evaluate the sanctuary area, which lost part of the roof and had a bulge in the east wall. “We will then make an assessment of what we need to do in terms of repairs,” he said.

Trinity was established in 1845 as Mobile’s second Episcopalian church and today has a membership of about 300. The current structure was moved brick by brick to Dauphin Street from a downtown location in 1945 in order to preserve its Gothic Revival architecture.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/12/post_79.html

Pastor proud to serve both the military and the church

From Florida-

When the first strains of the closing hymn started, Holy Cross Episcopal Church pastor the Rev. Jeffrey A. Jencks was still wearing his purple cassock, a symbol of his priesthood.

By the time "Amazing Grace" finished, Jencks was standing near the church altar in full Army uniform, his military awards dripping from his uniform.

For years, Jencks had been a soldier and a priest, moving between disparate worlds. No more.

About 200 people stayed after Sunday's service at Holy Cross to honor Jencks for his military service. And congregation members were honored for sharing their spiritual leader with the Army. Jencks retired in January after a 21-year military career that included two tours in Iraq. His Army affiliations include service with the Rhode Island National Guard, the Army Reserve and active-duty Army.

More here-

http://www.pnj.com/article/20120227/NEWS12/202270306/Pastor-proud-serve-both-military-church?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

Woman accused of stealing $129,000 from a church

From Central Gulf Coast-

A local woman has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $100,000 from a church.

Carla Croud was the treasurer at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Panama City, officials said, and she used her position to cash the church’s checks and keep the money.

Croud was arrested for the first time in this case on Sept. 26 when the church was contacted by the manager of Dodge’s Chicken, authorities reported. The manager told church officials that Croud had been cashing checks at his store for large amounts of cash.

Croud was charged with grand theft and 35 counts of forgery on Sept. 27. Then on Friday, investigators arrested Croud again after an investigation and an internal audit revealed that $129,000 had been stolen, according to a Bay County Sheriff’s Office news release. Croud cashed the checks at several local businesses, officials said.

On Friday, Croud was charged with a first-degree felony of grand theft of $100,000 or more. Officials added that the investigation is ongoing and more victims and charges are expected.

More here-

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/city-97811-newsherald-panama-stealing.html

Church group home after mission trip

From Central Gulf Coast-

Members of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Pensacola are expected to return home today from a mission trip to Le Pretre, Haiti.

The group is flying into Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport from Miami on American Airlines and are expected to arrive at 10:30 p.m. A delegation from St. Christopher's plans to welcome them home. The public is invited.

Volunteer workers on the trip include Shelley Long, Dianne Blair Vogelsang, Skip Vogelsang, Sandy Fairchild, Dr. Rex Northup, Larry Northup, Nancy Kulb and The Rev. Susan Sowers, associate rector at St. Christopher's.

Rex Northup is a pediatrician/neonatologist at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital and Nancy Kulb is a nurse practitioner. Sowers is a retired army colonel and West Point graduate. Shelley Long, an educator, is wife of the Rev. Eric Long, rector of St. Christopher's.

More here-

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110610/NEWS01/106100326/Church-group-home-after-mission-trip

Local store offers free prom dresses

From Central Gulf Coast-

Prom is right around the corner for local high school students but not every girl can afford to buy a dress. The Pretty in Pink Boutique opened at Bel Air Mall Saturday. The boutique offers area high school girls a free dress.

The Interact Club at St. Paul's Episcopal School helped the mall to collect the dresses and set up the boutique.

To get a dress, girls had to show their valid school identification or proof of enrollment.

The left over dresses will be packed up for next year.

More here-

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/local-store-offers-free-prom-dresses

Episcopal women already planning Back to School Literacy Fair for August

From Central Gulf Coast-

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Gulf Breeze will sponsor a Back to School Literacy Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at church Parish Hall.

The event is being spearheaded by Dottie Kilpatrick, Vice President of ECW, and everyone in the south Santa Rosa and Pensacola Beach area is invited to come and bring the children. Many children are needed to make this event a success; the first 100 schoolage children will receive a bag of school supplies. There is no charge for this event.

“This is a unique event for the church women, and we feel it is St. Francis’ gift to the communities,” ECW President Sarah Lee Menzer said.

The group recognizes that there are many children who love to read and need no encouragement to pick up a book, but there are numerous others who for various reasons avoid reading whenever possible. They would like to foster a love of reading in all children.

more here-

http://www.gulfbreezenews.com/news/2010-06-24/Community/Episcopal_women_already_planning_Back_to_School_Li.html

Bishop returns to birthplace

The first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church arrives in Pensacola today for a three-day Gulf Coast visit.


The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, who was born in Pensacola, leads the church's 2.4 million members.

She's the first woman to lead one of the 38 worldwide provinces of the Anglican Communion, which originated with the Church of England in the 16th century.

Jefferts Schori, 55, who is based in New York, will lead a retreat for clergy today at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze. After that, she will lead an afternoon service at Christ Church in downtown Pensacola. On Saturday and Sunday, she will be at various churches and events in Mobile and Daphne, Ala.

Jefferts Schori is visiting at the invitation of Bishop Philip M. Duncan II, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, which includes Pensacola and Mobile.

"I've known her for nine years," Duncan said. "She is very bright, and she is a gifted theologian. She is a deeply spiritual person who spends a great amount of time in prayer and meditation each day."

More here-

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090529/NEWS01/905290325

Episcopal bishop to visit the Gulf Coast

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is no stranger to headlines.

The first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, she has shepherded the United States' branch of the Anglican Communion during days of controversy.


Chief pastor of the Episcopal Church's 2.4 million members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses, she's also the author of "A Wing and a Prayer" and former bishop of Nevada.

Still, many may know Jefferts Schori simply as a name. Perhaps a photograph. Maybe a statement.

Next weekend, Gulf Coast residents will have the opportunity to get to know her as a person.

Invited by Bishop Philip M. Duncan II of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast,

Jefferts Schori is visiting diocesan agencies and parishes May 29-31.

"She's coming down just to get to know our people and for our people to get to know her," said the Rev. Albert Kennington, coordinator for the presiding bishop's visit here.

"She is not coming here to deal with national and international issues. That's not what this visit is about," Kennington said.

"What I hope will come out of this is that number one, people will get to know her better, she gets to know us better. That we become human beings to each other in a way that it's all title and photographs now," he said.

"And I would also hope that when we get back into the next controversy -- whatever it's about, it will come -- that maybe there's a memory that this is a disagreement among real people and real friends and not its and images."

More here-

http://blog.al.com/forthelove/2009/05/episcopal_bishop_to_visit_the.html

Good Stuff in TEC: Central Gulf Coast (FL)

Quilters celebrate 30 year

In an era beset with complexity, one local group still traffics in a simple pleasure - the irreplaceable privilege of being warm and comfortable.

Almost 30 years ago the St. Andrew Bay Quilters' Guild was formed. Since that time the group has embarked on a charitable mission, transferring an old-time hobby into a tsunami of patchwork blankets for organizations.

"Our philosophy, so to speak, is to gather and quilt to spread the word about quilts, to educate ourselves and the public about quilts and to donate our skills and our time," said Jo Ellen Rogers, president of the guild.

At Wednesday's meeting, held at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, members of the group unfurled 20 quilts for Catholic Charities St. Barnabas House, a shelter for women and children.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/celebrate_71228___article.html/city_panama.html

Good Stuff in TEC: Central Gulf Coast

Diocese of Central Gulf Coast has a place for needy children. Where does an orphan get a top hat ?

Wilmer Hall

In a perfect world all children would grow up in caring and loving homes. Unfortunately, we live in a sinful and broken world where many young people long for a place to call home, or to obtain services to help them get through the problems of life. We do not understand all things, but by God’s saving grace we respond to the needs of others. We seek to serve Christ in all persons and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Bishop Richard H. Wilmer recognized the needs of his neighbors and responded by establishing a home for children whose families had been ravaged by war, poverty, or disease. Since 1864, the Episcopal Church has been faithful to Bishop Wilmer’s vision to minister to children and youth in need regardless of religion, class, race, or ethnic background.

As we look to the future, we anticipate doing great things for children in Christ’s name. We will continue residential services; help children learn; provide therapy and life skills counseling; and help teenagers on the brink of adulthood make a successful transition. We are also exploring options in community-based services and locations outside Mobile county.

To do all this we need your help. First, we ask for your prayers -- that God will lead us where we need to go. Second, we need your interest, moral support, and participation in our activities. Third, we urge you to support us financially and in-kind.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” May we, by word and action, follow his command.

http://www.diocgc.org/committeeswilmer.html