NEWS & STORIES

55 th ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION BISHOP’S ADDRESS THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST THE RT. REV. J. RUSSELL KENDRICK 27 February 2026 Good morning. So I was told some time ago that a homily was a short sermon. This is not going to be a homily, but I promise it will not be longer than 1 hour and 47 minutes. This is my eleventh address as your bishop. Eleven years. Years that have included hurricanes, a global pandemic, institutional strain, and now a polit

Authored by The Rev. Clelia Pinza-Garrity, LCSW Since October 7, 2023, I have witnessed with profound dismay and deep sadness the progressive destruction of the Gaza Strip and the shocking death of a staggering 64,000 children, including at least 1,000 babies. Overall, out of the approximately 2.2 million people living in the Gaza Strip in July 2023, an estimated 67,075 people have been killed and169,430 injured. Early in the war, I registered for as many Zoom interviews with

Complete Study Material Packet Below are the individual documents included in the Study Material for the 55th Annual Diocesan Convention. All delegates should review the Study Material in its entirety prior to the convention. Should you have any questions, please contact Jenn Roberts at jenn@diocgc.org . Printed Materials will be available at the convention. Study Material Bishop's Memo and Important Details Schedule of Events and Convention Agenda Youth, Lay, and Alternate D

by Kris Branch, member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Mobile Pictured: Front Row (L-R) – Georgia Kennedy, Louise Butler, Daisy Branch, Julie Cox, Ykenna Edwards, Dr. Angenia Clark, Joan Duggins, Vera Finley. Second Row –(L-R) Kris Branch, Angelica Howard, Andrew Howard, Elizabeth Schlosser, Rev. Ken Cumbie, Tyra Lancaster, Rodney Duggins. Photographer – Mr. Edward Brewster Each Sunday during the month of February, Good Shepherd joyfully celebrates Black History Month by hon

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, Greenville, AL Rev. Linda Suzanne C. Borgen In Genesis 1:14 God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons and for days and years…” God created a seasonal rhythm as one of His first acts of creation. As part of God’s creation, we participate in this rhythm, and as followers of Jesus, we observe seasons through the symbols of our worship as we remember the seasons of

Download the liturgy In a pastoral message given at the end of January, Bishop Russell called for prayerful discernment, asking individuals and congregations to observe an hour of prayer on Monday, February 2, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. This video is the recording of the online prayer vigil offered by Bishop Russell and diocesan staff members.

By Joe McDaniel, Jr. and Valerie Mitchell, co-chairs of the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast February’s designation as Black History Month invites intentional reflection and celebration. As the interracial co-chairs of the Diocese’s Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation, we offer our perspectives on why Black history must be honored. While our viewpoints are shaped by our respective backgrounds – Vale

The 2026 Pre-Convention Meeting was held on Zoom on Sunday, February 1. Presentation slides

By Steve Murray and Albert Kennington The Museum of Alabama at the state’s Department of Archives and History is dedicated to telling the stories of Alabamians throughout history, using records and artifacts to connect today’s visitors with the experiences of those in the past. Prominent in this telling has been the service of Alabama men and women in uniform, both within the state’s borders and around the world. Following years of planning and five months of constructi

January 28, 2026 MEMORANDUM To: All Rectors, Vicars, and Priests and Senior Wardens in charge of congregations From : Bishop Russell Kendrick Reference: Pre-filed General Resolutions to the 55th Annual Diocesan Convention Rule VI of the Rules of Order of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast states that “…pre-filed resolutions shall be distributed to each congregation within the Diocese no later than thirty (30) days prior to the first day of each Convention”. Included with

and Invitation to an online Prayer Vigil Link to Join Prayer Vigil on Monday, February 2, at 6 p.m. CT Link to Liturgy Dear friends and neighbors of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, Grace and peace be with you. “How can I serve the world when the world’s condition is so heavy?” is a question that framed a recent reflection by the Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. We are living in troubled times. Our very souls are troubled. The world’s condition i