NEWS & STORIES

By: Joe McDaniel, Jr.* The Rev. Michael Curry, former presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, built many of his sermons around a single, aching question from the prophet Jeremiah: “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?” (Jeremiah 8:22, New Revised Standard Version). It is one of the rawest lines in Scripture, not a statement of faith but a cry of grief. Jeremiah looked at a nation fractured by i

By Jill Showers-Chow, member of Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile At Christ Church Cathedral, the Loaves and Fish ministry, led by Deacon Pratt Paterson, provides food, hygiene products, and other necessities for the Blessing Box on Church Street. Parishioners donate these essentials to help neighbors experiencing food insecurity meet their daily needs. The ministry has also begun addressing a significant need among students at Bishop State Community College through a weekly fe

Dear people of God who are the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, May the grace and peace of God be with you as we prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Isaias. As we wait and watch, I find myself buoyed by these words from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed.”(2 Corinthians 4:8–9) Paul reminds us that we carry a treasure in fragile vessels of flesh. We are n

Whether you’re leading worship, planning the church year, preaching, or looking for fresh ways to connect with your community, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and share with others around the diocese. Mark your calendar and join us! 1. Licensed Lay Leader Offerings a. Lay Lead Church Zoom — Monthly Planning worship and programming in a lay-led church? You don’t have to do it alone! These one-hour Zoom gatherings offer practical help for looking ahead, planning for

Ericca Cavender-Caldwell Hello! I’m Ericca Cavender-Caldwell, a member of St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea in Destin, a postulant for Holy Orders, and the new Lay Missioner to the City of Freeport. My spouse, Chris, and I call Northwest Florida home, and I am very glad that the next chapter of my formation is bringing me back here more fully. Before seminary, I spent much of my professional life as an executive chef. At St. Andrew’s, I also served as coordinator of our Jubilee Ministr

On August 29, we celebrated six years since our Lay School for Ministry began! What began with a vision to equip lay people for ministry has grown into a vibrant, expanding part of our diocese's life. We celebrate the many lay leaders who have answered God’s call to serve, as well as Bishop Kendrick’s vision to strengthen and equip lay ministry across our diocese. This year, approximately 40 people are participating in our lay tracks, and by graduation in June 2027, our dioce

Church pews designed and built by members of the Commission on Global Mission Engagement. Dominican Republic 2016. In 2006, we learned that the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic needed church furniture for both new churches and older ones that had fallen into disrepair and were being restored to active service. Our Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast responded to that need by organizing a construction mission team to the Dominican Republic to primarily build

By Kim Giryluk St. Francis Episcopal Church is pleased to announce it has been awarded an $8,500 Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to launch a new community initiative, Healing for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit: Come and Be Loved. This funding will support a year-long series of monthly healing services designed to foster spiritual renewal, emotional well-being, and meaningful community connection. Building on St. Francis Episcop

Status: Starting process; forming search committee Contact: The Rev. Ashley Freeman, Canon to the Ordinary, at ashley@diocgc.org with inquiries. Location: 1050 Azalea Rd, Mobile, AL 36693

Status: Starting process Contact: The Rev. Ashley Freeman, Canon to the Ordinary, at ashley@diocgc.org with inquiries. Location: 14755 Oak St, Magnolia Springs, AL

Status: Interim in place; search committee formed Contact: The Rev. Ashley Freeman, Canon to the Ordinary, at ashley@diocgc.org with inquiries. Location: 28 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL