NEWS & STORIES

"What made you sad/angry?" What bright spot have you found?" Several days following the devastating forces of Hurricane Michael, Katie Mears from Episcopal Relief and Development came to St. Andrew’s, Panama City. We sat around in the heat in the garage of the rectory - our “command post” - and talked about the overwhelming emotional surge that was happening in our parish. Katie suggested we give folks a forum to express their feelings, so among the first things we did was

"And it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of a house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.'" They were locked up for fear of the Jews. I suspect there was a lot more going on in that room than just that life as they knew it was over. Their hearts were shattered, and they had no idea what to do next. There were whispers that Jesus was alive. If Jesus is alive, t

My name is Joanna Seibert and I am beginning my 18th year as a deacon licensed in the dioceses of Arkansas and the Central Gulf Coast. When I overheard a friend talking about the deacon formation program that started in Arkansas in the late 1990s, I immediately knew, “this is who I am.” Deacons at their ordination take a vow “in the name of Jesus Christ to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely. “ (Book of Common Prayer, 543) My first s