NEWS & STORIES

St. Christoher's EYC Mission Trip to Birmingham

Kate McGurk, Youth Minister, St. Christopher's

Aug 27, 2019
1 min

St. Christoher's EYC Mission Trip to Birmingham

Fourteen awesome youth from St. Christopher's EYC along with the Rev. Nick Phares, associate rector; Joe Taylor, Christian education minister; Michelle Haskew, parish administrator, and myself traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, at the end of July for our annual summer trip to serve in various capacities. During the week our teens spent time tutoring and mentoring children at Sparkle, painting homes, serving the elderly, and working at a local clothing and food distribution cen

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St. John's celebrates "Worship on White Island"

Pat Page, St. John's, Pensacola

Jul 22, 2019
1 min

St. John's celebrates "Worship on White Island"

St. John’s in Pensacola staged it very first WOW! Worship on White Island! In celebration of St. John the Baptist, the members of the parish gathered on the warm white sands of this tiny little island, White Island, which forms the entry to Bayou Grande, in Warrington, Florida. Thirty three souls celebrated the Holy Eucharist and three dogs were blessed. We were ferried to the island on pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes and ski boats. Our very own Rev. Christie Hord made her entr

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Peter, Paul and Be Merry: A Progressive Picnic

Katie Goodson

Jul 7, 2019
2 min

Peter, Paul and Be Merry: A Progressive Picnic

It was hot! The kind of hot and humid that you can see in the waves coming off the pavement... so hot it took your breath away when you stepped outside. This was the day for our feast celebration, Peter, Paul and Be Merry, to celebrate the lives and ministries of the saints Peter and Paul with our sister churches. The travelers in our progressive picnic began with a rich variety of appetizers, the delicious smell welcoming us into the parish hall of St. Peter's in Bon Secour.

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Old goats in Bay Minette win for Episcopal Relief and Development

The Rev. Albert Kennington, Immanuel Bay Minette

May 20, 2019
2 min

Old goats in Bay Minette win for Episcopal Relief and Development

In each of the last few years, Ryan Gillikan, junior warden of Immanuel Church, Bay Minette, and the local representative of Episcopal Relief and Development, has come up with a new, fun-filled, and productive way for parishioners to support ERD in Lent. Sometimes, she and the vicar, the Rev. Albert Kennington, do some friendly sparring about the goal. All is well, because ERD always wins. Perhaps only southern gentlemen in our politically correct Episcopal Church could h

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The Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard

May 8, 2019
2 min

Destruction vs. Resurrection

"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

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The Rev. Jeff Garner retires from Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores

Post

Mar 26, 2019
3 min

The Rev. Jeff Garner retires from Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores

The Rev. Jeff and Angela Garner are preparing for new adventures during their retired life. Photo credit: Jeff Garner. As Angela and I were stationed in Montgomery at Maxwell AFB where I was teaching advanced degrees at Command & Staff and War College, we found ourselves enjoying the worship and many other social/spiritual growth opportunities at St. John's in the capital city. A "cradle Episcopalian," I became deeply involved as a chalice bearer and lector; and experienced

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Sharing the Light of Christ with the World: A Liturgical Practice for Any Season

The Rev. Mary Alice Mathison

Mar 13, 2019
3 min

Sharing the Light of Christ with the World: A Liturgical Practice for Any Season

For season of Epiphany we did things a little differently at the end of our services at Grace and St. Thomas. Instead of doing the blessing and dismissal inside our church, we immediately processed out after the post communion prayer, followed the cross straight out the doors, and offered our blessing and dismissal outside. At Grace, we were visible to travelers along Highway 98; and at St. Thomas, neighbors could hear us singing the final hymn. This all started after hearing

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St. Jude's holds successful bake sale for hurricane relief

Michelle Crawford, St. Jude's, Niceville

Jan 18, 2019
2 min

St. Jude's holds successful bake sale for hurricane relief

Above: St. Jude's bake sale for hurricane relief was supported by parishioners of all ages. (Photo by Michelle Crawford) The Community Christmas Parade is one of the biggest events on Niceville, Florida’s calendar. Thousands of people line the streets to watch the dozens of floats, marching bands, and groups walking in the parade and throwing candy. St. Jude’s Episcopal Church is located directly on the parade route, providing a unique opportunity for outreach and evangelism.

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St. Andrew's opens space for at-risk teens

The Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard

Sep 11, 2018
2 min

St. Andrew's opens space for at-risk teens

In March of this year, St. Andrew’s, Panama City welcomed a new ministry into their education building. The LGBTQ Center of Bay County (The Center) or more lovingly called “Room 6” operates the only youth program of its kind in the Panhandle of Florida, and St. Andrew's was more than honored to provide the space needed. The Center has created a “safe place” where diversity is celebrated, and all people are respected, valued and affirmed, inclusive of their sexual orientatio

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St. James, Eufaula, holds patriotic dinner and flag retirement ceremony

Bradford Lee Moore

Jul 10, 2018
1 min

St. James, Eufaula, holds patriotic dinner and flag retirement ceremony

It was a red, white and blue supper club at St. James Eufaula, on Saturday, June 16. An emotional flag retirement ceremony was held where many parish members remembered relatives and friends who were veterans. Everyone then enjoyed an All-American dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs with blueberry cobbler and apple pie a la mode for desert. Following dinner the group sang patriotic songs like "America the Beautiful," "This Land is My Land," "God Bless America" and many more. Tha

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St. Jude's youth celebrate Christmas in July

Nancy J. Turner, St. Jude's, Niceville

Jul 10, 2018
2 min

St. Jude's youth celebrate Christmas in July

The residents of The Twin Cities Pavillion, an assisted living facility in Niceville, received an unexpected and very pleasant surprise on Sunday, July 1. The children and youth of nearby St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, accompanied by sponsors and parents, arrived at The Pavillion loaded with gifts and surprises for every resident – all wrapped in Christmas paper. It was a special Christmas in July event as the young people of St. Jude’s distributed gifts, spent time with reside

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The Rev. Mary Alice Mathison, Grace and St. Thomas

Jun 19, 2018
6 min

Six Months of Shared Ministry in Panama City

It has been six months that since arriving in Panama City Beach and it has been wonderful getting to know the parish communities of Grace and St. Thomas. After taking some time getting to know the parishes, St. Thomas and Grace vestries and Shared Ministry Team had a retreat at the end of April. This retreat helped build relationships, and offer direction in what our next steps are in shared ministry. The shared ministry between Grace and St. Thomas is an effort to disc

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Father B's Garden Spot at Immanuel, Bay Minette

The Rev. Albert Kennington, Vicar

Jun 19, 2018
2 min

Father B's Garden Spot at Immanuel, Bay Minette

Left - The Branscomb Family: Morgan, Lisa, Anna, Sarah, and John. Middle - statue of St. Fiacre. Right - Marcia Pepperman and Albert Kennington. Photo credit: Andrew Williams. On Father's Day, June 17, the vicar and congregation of Immanuel, Bay Minette, dedicated a garden spot in memory of the Rev. Canon William Maurice Branscomb who served as priest-in-charge 2006-2008. He and his wife, Joan, were much loved in Immanuel and are remembered with affection. Their son and daugh

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Diva Statements and Becoming a Butterfly

Sarah Elizabeth McCarren, St Christopher's

May 23, 2018
3 min

Diva Statements and Becoming a Butterfly

Each April, the women of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Pensacola are invited for a weekend retreat at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center. The theme of this year’s women’s retreat was Transitions to Transform. From Friday evening until Sunday morning, 80 women from my parish deepened existing relationships and formed new connections as we prayed, played and shared stories along the serene shores of Weeks’ Bay. For me, one of the most powerful, memorable events of the

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Annual Interfaith service comes to Nativity

Stuart Ibberson

Dec 11, 2017
4 min

Annual Interfaith service comes to Nativity

Nativity's Children's Choir, under the leadership of Dr. Ken Thomas, performed the offertory. Approximately 225 people from many different faith communities visited Nativity on November 21 for the 10th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Representatives from several Christian denominations in the Wiregrass area of Dothan, Alabama, came together with ministers from the Spiritual Enrichment Center and people from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faith groups. The over

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Staff post

Nov 7, 2017
2 min

Congregational Enrichment Venture sessions begin November 17

Church teams signed up for the Congregational Enrichment Venture (CEV) will begin their first year of work and collaboration with the first of four sessions starting on November 17, at St. Simon's on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach. CEV offers a two year training program for churches to explore ways to further the Kingdom of God, not merely to survive but to be vital and viable congregations. The first year, entitled Hopeful Leadership, will focus on fostering hope, and the co

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Christ Church Pensacola holds Biennial Women's Retreat

June Linke, Christ Church Pensacola

Nov 6, 2017
2 min

Christ Church Pensacola holds Biennial Women's Retreat

Participants learned how to make colorful silk scarves which were blessed during the retreat. Lively fellowship, creativity, and quiet spiritual reflection abounded October 20-22 at Camp Beckwith at the Christ Church Pensacola Biennial Women's Retreat. The Rev. Mary Alice Mathison guided the group throughout the weekend. Keynoting the retreat were the Rev. Marshall Craver and his wife, Jan. "Spirit Space: More Life-Less Stuff," was this year's theme. Forty-five women from Chr

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Bishop Russell approves intern to help populate the Episcopal Asset Map

Staff post

Oct 23, 2017
1 min

Bishop Russell approves intern to help populate the Episcopal Asset Map

Meet Brady Johnson, cradle Episcopalian, college sophomore at the University of West Florida, member of St. Christopher's in Pensacola, and Bishop Russell approved intern for the office of communications at the Duvall Center. Over the coming weeks, Brady will be reaching out to church leadership to gather information about each church's ministries and available resources that are open to the community. From there he will populate the information into the Episcopal Asset Map,

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Three congregations to host Blessing of the Animals in Bay Minette

Sherri Killam-Albee, Immanuel, Bay Minette

Sep 21, 2017
1 min

Three congregations to host Blessing of the Animals in Bay Minette

The Rev. Albert Kennington, the Rev. Blair Beaver and the Rev. Jay D. Cooper begin the Blessing of the Animals service. You never know what kind of creature will show up for the Blessing of the Animals at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Bay Minette. In 2016, twin lambs were among the pets blessed by ministers of three area churches. This year, the second annual joint Blessing of the Animals will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the church yard of Immanuel Episcopal Church. Sisters Lynn BI

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St. Francis Day Festival ~ Blessing of the Animals

Leo Cyr, St. Francis, Gulf Breeze

Sep 20, 2017
2 min

St. Francis Day Festival ~ Blessing of the Animals

THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AND ST. FRANCIS DAY FESTIVAL begins at 10 A.M. on Saturday, October 7th in St. Claire’s Garden at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 1 St. Francis Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL, 32561. Father Tim Backus, rector of St. Francis, will circulate through the crowd and bless each animal individually. The Blessing is open to all parishioners, guests and the public. There is no charge. Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets on a leash for the safety

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NEWS & STORIES

Discipleship. Development. Discernment.