NEWS & STORIES

Whenever I meet with candidates to discuss the confirmation service, I focus on the two questions of the examination: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil? And do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ? I point out that both hinge on that tiny, telling prefix re. And because of that little syllable, I remind the candidates that confirmation is rooted not in something new, but in something already given—baptism. In baptism, God bestowed the gift beyond all gifts: life

By Ethan Rowell, member of the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation St. Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869 in western Sudan to a respected and prosperous father in the village of Olgossa. In February of 1877, at no more than seven or eight years of age, she was abducted by Arab slave traders and forced to walk barefoot 600 miles to El Obeid, where she was bought and sold twice before her arrival. Over the course of twelve years, she was bought and sold three more

55th Annual Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast "Let There Be Light" Friday, February 27, 2026, to Saturday, February 28, 2026 Hilton Pensacola Beach 12 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach, Florida Hosted by St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Gulf Breeze Dear clergy and senior wardens in charge of congregations, Below are links to important memos and information for our 55th Annual Diocesan Convention. Please read over the details carefully and communicate

The beautiful music at St. Paul's in Foley is even more joyful thanks to the recent installation of the Noack Organ Opus 170, made possible by a generous donation from an anonymous donor. The organ, one of few, only-pipe organs in Baldwin County, was dedicated on November 1st during an Evensong for the Feast of All Saints, with more than 115 church and community members attending. The installation was more than two years in the making. In 2023, the Rev. Brent Norris was appr

Four churches across the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast have something new to celebrate—a set of large barbecue grill trailers designed to strengthen parish fellowship, expand community outreach, and provide a vital resource in times of disaster. Bishop Russell's matching contribution helped make it possible for St. Jude’s, Niceville; St. Paul’s, Foley; Trinity, Apalachicola; and St. Mary’s, Andalusia, to each acquire a new smoker or barbecue trailer. These trail

The Rev. Antwon Lewis, D.Min. was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on November 5, 2025, by the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Andalusia, AL. The Rev. John Coleman gave the sermon. Rev. Lewis will serve as curate at St. Mary's, Andalusia. The livestream is available on St. Mary's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17BsAcvGVo/ The photo album is available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DioCGC/posts/pfbid02KWsUWDi

The Rev. Mark Waddell was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on October 29, 2025, by the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Navarre, Florida. The Rev. Steve Campbell, D. Min., gave the sermon. Rev. Waddell will serve as priest-in-charge of St. Augustine's, Navarre. The livestream is available on St. Augustine's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fx6TAAxYW/ The photo album is available on our Facebook page:...

The Rev. Salem Saloom was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on October 22, 2025, by the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, at Wind Creek, Atmore, AL. The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, retired suffragan bishop of Virginia, and bishop of the Office of Pastoral Development for The Episcopal Church. Rev. Saloom will serve as priest-in-charge of St. Anna's Episcopal Church, Atmore (Poarch). The livestream is available on St. Anna's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?sto

As co-chairs of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission, we are thrilled to announce that the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has awarded our Commission a $15,000 Beloved Community Grant to support the Africatown Truth and Education Initiative (ATEI). The Commission is joining with the Rev. Dr. Robert E. DuBose Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopians, Joycelyn Davis and All Things Africatown, and the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Mobile, to promo

Dear Friends in Christ, I am writing today with some tragic news about an incident that took place last night at our beloved diocesan ministry, Wilmer Hall. Please see the following letter from our Executive Director, the Rev. Deacon Pratt Paterson. Dear Friends of Wilmer Hall, I am writing with very hard news. Last night, a former companion of one of the residents in our transitional family program broke into the cottage where she was staying with her infant child and killed

Status: In process; starting transition Contact: The Rev. Ashley Freeman, Canon to the Ordinary, at ashley@diocgc.org  with inquiries....