Dear Diocesan Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.

There is much to share, but if you are like me, you are overwhelmed by long emails. So let me just share some news briefs and recommendations:

Camp Araminta has just ended for this year. We are so grateful for all the campers who came and  for all those counselors, leaders and helpers who made it all possible!

We welcome four parishes who are in the process to join us as full members: St. Francis at the Point (Point Clear, AL) Resurrection Anglican Church (Jacksonville Beach, FL) Christ Church Anglican (Jacksonville, FL) and Trinity-by-the Fields (Pace, Florida). We expect to be officially admitting them into the diocese at our Synod in November. The last three are joining us from the Anglican Mission (often known as AMiA). Resurrection and Christ Church have already been partner parishes with us in the diocese for several years.

Bishop John Miller, my assisting bishop, and I have had two meetings with Anglican Mission clergy and leaders to discuss options for future ministry together as the Anglican Mission reorganizes as a mission society. One gathering was held in Montrose, Alabama at Church of the Apostles of our Western Deanery. The other took place at Epiphany Church in Eustis, Florida, an Anglican Mission parish. Both meetings were honest and forthright, with everyone hoping that we can build stronger bridges among our various ministries. 

Please pray for the Anglican Mission Inaugural Assembly July 31-August 1 as they start on their new path as "A Society for Mission and Apostolic Works." Bishop Miller will be attending as he remains a part of that ministry. In mid-August he becomes the rector of Christ Church in Vero Beach, a parish in our diocese. I will be at the Assembly as an observer. 

Let me close with two reading recommendations. The first is the book Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics. It is written by Ross Douthat, a faithful Christian and a well-known New York Times columnist. He recounts the history of the American churches since World War II, including the turmoil in the Episcopal Church and other mainline churches. While one may well disagree with his interpretations of particular events or trends, I believe he has the big picture right. The book especially helps us to understand the challenge ahead of re-evangelizing our culture. For a taste of Douthat's perspective, click on this link to his Times article, "Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved?" I also recommend a challenging Newsweek article about internet addiction entitled "Is the Web Driving Us Mad?" I am in no position to judge its accuracy, but I believe it raises important pastoral and even theological questions. Please consider it.

May the Lord Jesus bless you as you seek to serve Him in His Kingdom.

In the Messiah,

+Neil

The Rt. Rev. Neil G. Lebhar