News from the Episcopal
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast July 7, 2010
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| Quick Links | 
Check this page on our website for daily news updates on the oil spill, cleanup, and pastoral resources.
Click here for multiple links related to the Episcopal Church
Top news for the diocese is added daily to our homepage! www.diocgc.org
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Greetings!
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Many more days remain of the poisoning of our waters before the oil comes to a stop. In spite of the sadness and uncertainty we are experiencing, parishioners everywhere are continuing with summer plans for Vacation Bible School, mission trips, cookouts and fundraisers. Thanks be to God! Scroll down to see some of the good work that is being done.
I received this today....
Prayers and liturgical resources focusing on the Gulf oil spill disaster
are available from The Episcopal Church: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/119103_123121_ENG_HTM.htm.
Works by priests in our diocese are featured!
The oil crisis page on our site continues to be updated daily. The most current oil trajectory map is updated each morning.
Let us pray for all of creation....
Peace.
Cindy McCrory Director of Communications, Editor, The Coastline coastline@diocgc.org
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Please note: The COASTLINE will be bi-weekly through August. The
diocesan calendar is significantly slower in July and August. But you won't miss
anything! E-postcards will be sent as needed to get short-term
information to
you. The next Coastline will go out on July 21st. Deadline for entries is noon, July 20th.
How 'bout a break from oil spill pix? Above photo: Vacation Bible School students cool off in a pool after a week of fun activities at St Michael's, Ozark.
Below: VBS students enjoying their day at St. Michael's, Ozark VBS Photos courtesy of Lael Walding, St. Michael's, Ozark


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This Sunday
| The Revised Standard Lectionary Year C RCL
The Lessons Appointed for Use on The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 11, 2010
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, you have built your
Church upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit
by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Readings
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The Lessons Appointed for Use on The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 18, 2010
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you
know
our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have
compassion
on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our
unworthiness
we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness
of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Readings
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Bulletin Inserts
**Oil Spill Bulletin Inserts by ERD (this insert may be used at any time; photo chosen for the insert is from the coastline photo gallery) Liturgy Toolbox
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Presiding Bishop's Sermon - July 4th
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Type caption text here. | Invited to bathe in the river of freedom....
Episcopal News Service]
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori preached on Sunday, July
4, at Christ Church St. Lucia, in the Diocese of Brisbane, as part of an informal visit to the Anglican Church of Australia.
"Our communities are still pretty well divided up between the haves
and the have nots, the white and those of darker hue, the straight and
those who aren't. Yet we're all meant to cross over those boundaries
that keep some enslaved to others' definitions," she said. "We are all
invited to bathe in the river of freedom, to be washed clean of the
shame of thinking that some are different enough to be pushed out of the
community, away from the feast God has set from the beginning of
creation.
"Healing and reconciling need our active labor and participation,"
she added. "Disciples are supposed to build bridges wherever possible." Click here for the full sermon
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Clergy News
| St. Christopher's, Pensacola welcomes new Associate Rector
The Rev. Susan Sowers brings unusual life experiences
The Rev. Susan Sowers Photo courtesy of Tom Bray
 | Pensacola, Fl - The Rev. Susan Sowers will assume her new duties as Associate Rector
at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Avenue. "We are
excited to have Susan as Associate Rector at our growing church. Her
depth of experience, warm personality, innovative approach to problem
solving and profound faith will add greatly to the ministry of St.
Christopher's Church," said Eric Long, Rector. Ms. Sowers began her
duties on July 1.
Ms. Sowers grew up as a self-described "military brat." Both her
father and grandfather were graduates of the US Military Academy at
West Point. She said, "Dad was on the faculty, as a instructor of
Mechanical Engineering, when I was growing up. As a young child, it
was inspiring to see the cadets march with precision , and I knew
several of them personally, as they would come to our home on the
weekends. Unaware that women were not being admitted at the time, I
just assumed that I would someday attend the Academy... More here _______________________________________________
The Rev. Thomas Dwyar installed as Vice President of local Rotary Club
L-R: Mr. Bill Crawford - Past District Governor, Mr. Russ Sholz - outgoing club President, Ms. Lorinda Gingell - incoming club President, and The Rev. Thomas Dwyar - incoming club Vice President  |
Port St. Joe, FL - The
Rev. Thomas Dwyar, Rector of St. James, Port St. Joe was installed as
VicePresident of the Rotary Club of Port St. Joe, Florida . The
installation dinner was held at St. James on Thursday, July 1, 2010.
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Fr. Keith Talbert joining three church mission team to work in Haiti
By the Staff of the Diocese of Alabama
Fr. Keith Talbert will join an
11-member mission team from two Episcopal Churches in Alabama and one in
Tennessee. The team is scheduled to depart for Haiti July 11 to help
build a clinic for the care of critically malnourished children. The
churches are St. Mary's on-the-Highlands in Birmingham, St. Paul's in
Foley, and St. Paul's in Murfreesboro, TN.
The new facility will serve as
permanent home to Lespwa Timoun (Hope for the Children), a nutrition
clinic operated by Carmel Valdema, a Haitian public health nurse, and
wife of Episcopal Priest the Rev. Fritz Valdema. Full story here
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St. Anna's youth honored at The National Cathedral in Washington, DC
| Submitted by Lee Martin, Coastline Communicator St. Anna's, Poarch Email Lee
L-R: Douglas Mitchell, Kortlan Peebles Brantlie Thomas, Ashton Thomas, Nathan Smith, Andrew Daughtry, Alia Snow, Halle Ra Peebles, Dallas Lindsey, and Elizabeth Mitchell  | Washington, DC - The youth of St. Anna's, Poarch, were recognized in the 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist on Sunday, June 20th. The trip was made possible by proceeds from fund-raisers held by the youth and by a grant from the Poarch Creek Indians Endowment Committee.
Thanks to special arrangements made by St. Anna's parishioner Robbie McGhee, Government Relations Advisors with the Poarch Cheek Indians, the youth also toured the White House, the National Capitol and several other museums. Accompanying the youth were Velma Amos, Brenda Faircloth, Keesha O'Barr, Teresa "Shada" Thomas, and Susan Wicker.
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BAY PRAYS
| Submitted by Tom Floore, Coastline Communicator St. Andrew's, Panama City Email Tom
 Panama City, Fl - St. Andrew's, Panama City, invited the other Episcopal churches in Panama City, as well as the surrounding neighborhood to come together Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. to pray for the Gulf of Mexico. Taking part in the service, along with the Rev. Dr. Margaret Shepard, were The Rev. Julia Phillips, St. Patrick's, and Ed Richards, representing Holy Nativity. Following the service which took place on St. Andrew's Bay, the Wildlife Federation presented a program on how to deal with animals affected by the oil spill. A light supper was served following the presentation.
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Holy Cross Girl Scout Troop 424 visits Memphis
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Submitted by Betty Enfinger, Coastline Communicator Holy Cross, Pensacola Email Betty
Memphis, TN - Girl Scout Troop #424 traveled to Memphis, Tennessee over Memorial Day weekend and participated in the Memphis Children's Theatre Festival. After visiting the festival last year, Rachel Odle Oversen, leader of Girl Scout troop #424, had the idea of bringing the scouts to the festival to perform and participate.
The Junior scouts cast themselves in an American Girl play called Actions Speak Louder than Words: A Play about Samantha. They rehearsed and made their props, scenery, and costumes.
The Cadette and Brownie Scouts hosted the concession stand which featured yummy muffins, pb&j sandwiches, granola bars, gogurts, and girl scout cookies. They also provided a "go green" lemonade and iced tea stand with refillable bottles. In addition to participating at the Theatre Festival, they visited the Memphis Zoo, dined at a fancy restaurant, visited the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, and enjoyed a picnic along the mighty Mississippi River. The troop funded the trip by selling
over 8000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies!
Their good deeds exemplified that Actions Do Speak Louder than Words!
Holy Cross has sponsored Girl Scout
Troop 424 for nine years. The 27 member troop is multi-aged with
Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior Girl Scouts.
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St. Michael's, Ozark VBS leader available to help other churches start program
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Ozark, AL - VBS organizer, Lael Walding of St. Michael's Episcopal
Church, Ozark, AL reports that Vacation Bible School was a great success last week! The theme this year was King David. The stories started with
the birth of Moses and followed the ark to Jerusalem, and King Solomon
building a temple
to put the ark in it.
Lael is very encouraged that St. Michael's was able to sustain a five day Vacation Bible School; so much so that she is offering her help to other small churches who may be hesitant to embark on a five day VBS program.
She says, "We had a great week! I hope when you put this on the web site with the
write up, it will encourage other churches to do this. St. Michael's
only has 48 members, and if we can do a full week of VBS than I think no
other church has an excuse! We all had a good time! I think the children learned too."
 Read Lael's daily record of the week's program
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VBS
Students Build Hairboom for Week's Bay (with video)
| Submitted by The Rev. Steve Pankey, Curate St. Paul's, Foley Email Steve Check out his blog!
5th and 6th grade students from
St. Paul's, First Presbyterian, and Foley UMC helped save Week's Bay
last week by building hairboom as part of their outreach efforts during
Vacation Bible School. Click here to see the video!
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Two from our diocese attend Province IV Women's Conference
| Submitted by Carolyn Levonsailor, Coastline Communicator St. Paul's, Mobile Email Carolyn ________________________________________
L-R: Roni Kelly-Lake City, Fl, Karen Jackson-Nativity, Dothan, Al, Linda Baker, Jacksonville, FL, and Carolyn Levensailor - St. Paul's, Mobile, Al  | Hendersonville, NC - Carolyn Levonsailor, St. Paul's, Mobile and Karen Jackson, Nativity, Dothan attended the Province IV Women's Conference at Kanuga in early June. Women from all over the the Southeastern United States enjoyed fun and fellowship in the relaxing atmosphere of Kanuga Camp and Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
In addition to the annual business meeting, the conference offered two days of workshops with topics including evangelism, carmaking, body prayer, praying in color, knotting rosaries, journaling, church periodicals, the United Thank Offering ministry and mission work.
The Rev. Gigi Conner of Woodstock, NY served as chaplain and keynoter with her talks focusing on the theme "Believe in a Miracle: Come and See, Go and Tell." Singer-songwriter Fran McKendree of Hendersonville provided the music.
The Province IV ECW is an organizationi of Episcopal women in nine states dedicated to engaging in worshp, prayer, study and service. The annual conference is open to all women, not just ECW members.
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Kanuga Liturgical Arts Conference features artist from our diocese
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Sally Boom, former chair of diocesan Liturgical Commission, will be an instructor at the August Liturgical Arts Conference at Kanuga Camp and Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina the week of August 22-27, 2010. Among the several courses offered during the week, Sally will be teaching Canvaswork Sampler - Art Nouveau Style. This class will be for all levels of expertise from
beginner to those who have been stitching for years.
Sally Boomre. | Educated at the College of Arts and Crafts and the
University of California at Berkeley, Sally Boom has taught all
levels of canvas embroidery, silk and metal thread embroidery, canvas
painting, color and design. With a special interest in church needlework, she has
designed kneelers, taught classes and consulted for churches and other
groups throughout the Southeast for the past 35 years.
More about the course Full conference details here Email Sally
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Episcopal Relief and Development news
| Submitted by Eugene Johnston Interim Diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator Email Eugene
Episcopal Relief and Development is currently linking its website to ours for prayer resources regarding the oil spill. Other ERD coordinators and communicators are also relying on our website for information and photos. Additionally, our diocese has been providing the only known Photo by Cindy McCrory  | photographs of the Presiding Bishop standing near Gulf Coast waters. Content in our e-news and on our website have given consolidated information as a resource to others who are reporting on the oil spill to the larger church.
Editor's note: The set of photos Eugene mentioned were taken during the Presiding Bishop's visit to the our diocese in May of 2009 during her stop at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Our Province of the Episcopal Church leads the way in disaster preparedness. The Province IV web site has available to download, the Province IV Disaster Relief Manual: Click here for your copy
This manual can be very helpful in ministering to those in our parish and those in our community, especially the elderly who may need extra assistance when a disaster strikes.
The manual is broken down into five parts: * Part 1 is the Introduction * Part 2 deals with decisions that a parish can make in advance, that will help during and after a disaster. I call your attention to "Church-in-a-box." It is a very comprehensive home communion kit. * Part 3 deals with decisions that individuals and families can make in advance. I would like to call particular attention to "Ready-to-go" kits found on Page 4 * Part 4 deals with what to do when a disaster occurs ... I think you can skip the Winter Weather section * Section 5 lists additional resources. I like the information found on NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) On the NOAA web site you can track severe weather http://www.weather.gov/
They also have a nice preparedness page.
Peace - Eugene
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Commission on the Environment and Integrity of Creation
| Submitted by Michelle Bende, Chair Commission on the Environment and Integrity of Creation Email Michelle _______________________________________
Volunteers needed for a Peer Listener
Training Program regarding the oil crisis
A Peer Listener Training Program (PLTP) is being initiated to train
local residents with basic knowledge to provide help to the Deepwater
Horizon Oil Spill impacted communities. The lay listener acts as an
advisor, friend, and referral agent for individuals within a community
who may not desire to seek professional services, or may not know that
help is available.
Peer Listeners should be individuals within a
community who are highly trusted, dependable, and discreet resident
volunteers. They should be representative of all cultural, ethnic, and
age groups within coastal communities. More here
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Volunteer training now available on demand or by DVD
Oil Spill Response is a 5-part training series that provides
important health and safety information for clean-up workers. Created
with the assistance of the US Coast Guard, this series examines all
recognized clean-up technologies and emphasizes waste management
techniques. It is used worldwide by the US Coast Guard and some 500
other organizations. It is ideal as a crash course ot meet OSHA and USCG
regulations. Details here
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Vacation Bible School offerings
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VBS Page set up on the website
A
listing of VBS offerings around the diocese may be found on the diocesan website here. The page is updated as more
information comes in from churches. VBS directors or clergy, please
email your VBS information to coastline@diocgc.org if you wish to be on the list. Thanks.
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Employment
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St.
Monica's, Cantonment has opening for organist/choir director St.
Monica's, Cantonment, FL is searching for an organist/choir director.
This position consists of one Choir practice per week and one Sunday
Service. Please contact St. Monica's at 850-937-0001 or by email: office@stmonicas.gccox.com.
The
applicant may also call or email Fr. Milledge Baker @ 251-359-7677; frmilledge@gmail.com.
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Events Around the Diocese
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Wednesdays through July Summer Serenade Concert St. Christopher's, Pensacola 6:30
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church continues its Summer Serenade Concert Series
by featuring popular local jazz musicians each Wednesday on the lawn.
The Summer Serenade is part of St. Christopher's outreach program. There
is adequate parking at the church. The event is free. For information call
St. Christopher's Church at 433-0074 or visit the website: www.scpen.org. Click here to see the remaining schedule
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July 19-23Music and Arts WeekSt. Christopher's Episcopal ChuchPensacolaCALL FOR
YOUNG ACTORS FOR MUSICAL, K THOUGH 6TH GRADE
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, in association with St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, will host the second annual MUSIC AND ARTS WEEK on July
19
through July 23. All incoming kindergarten through 6th graders are
invited to participate. Preparations for presentation of the children's
Musical, "David and the Giants," a humorous rendition of the David and
Goliath
story will be held that week. Presentation of the musical will be at
St. Christopher's Church, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, on Friday evening July 23
at
7:00 p.m. Classes meet Monday through Friday mornings (July
19-23) from 9:00 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at St. Christopher's. Fun classes will include singing,
drama, instruments, arts & crafts, games and Bible study. A
nutritious
snack will be served mid-morning. The week is free for participants but
a $5.00 donation for supplies would be appreciated. Early
auditions for two main speaking parts, David and Saul, will be
held Sunday July 11 in the choir room at St. Christopher's from 11:30
a.m.to 1:30 p.m. Auditions for the three other smaller parts will be
on Monday
July 19th, in association with the beginning of Music and Arts Week. For
information, early registration application, call Sammie Tucker,
Music Director at St. Christopher's, 433-0074 or e-mail Sammie@scpen.org.
St. Christopher's website is www.scpen.org.
_________________________ July 21 Gazebo
NightHoly Cross, Pensacola5:30 pm Fun for the entire family under the
Gazebo -dinner at 5:30, music by Cross + Walk, and basket raffles _________________________ July 25"Canoecharist!"St Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Navarre, will
celebrate " Canoecharist" at Juniper Creek, July 25, 2010. The schedule:
8am Holy Eucharist (regular early service at St. Augustine's) 9:30am
Gather for head count and float plan 10am Depart for Bob's
Canoes 11am Arrive at Bob's, begin float 1pm Find sand
bar suitable for Eucharist and Holy Baptism, then Lunch 2pm
Resume float 4pm End float All Float times are
Approximate! Prices: Canoes: $19/person - minimum of
$38/canoe (kids 2-11 can canoe for free) Tubes: $16 (no personal
tubes allowed) Cooler tubes: $8 Kayaks: $23 (sit in or sit
on top) Dogs: $10 each Hauling your personal canoe or
kayak: Half price of regular fee so $19/canoe and $11.50/kayak The
float times they quote are: Tubes 3hr float + stops, Canoes 2hr float +
stops. We'll be staying together so the Tube float time will be our
guide. With floating and church, we will on the river 4 hours at a
minimum.
Please call Fr. MacWhinnie to make your reservation!
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August 5 World Famous Fish Fry St. Peter's, Bon Secour 5 - 7 pm
The first Thursday of each month is the big day for St. Peter's Famous Fish Fry in Bon Secout. $8 buys you a plate of fried fish and all the trimmings, including homemade desserts. Join us for a great time!
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August 15 Mobile Mystery Dinners St. Andrews Mobile St.
Andrews Episcopal Church Presents Mobile Mystery
Dinners Performed by:
Murder Mystery Dinner Players Sunday, August 15,
2010...5:30 PM "1863" Murder At
The Mansion Reserve your place
today...limited seating Tickets $25 per
person Full Course Dinner
w/beverage & wine included Call
today...479-0336 (leave name & # in party) Or Email: phyllis_findley2010@comcast.net Reservation
deadline: July 31st All payments due
by August 7th...please Download the flyer
Happening #52 postponed
Happening
#52 (originally planned
for August 6-8, 2010) has been postponed until Spring of 2011 due to
lack of participation. Please contact Happening Chair, Heather Mills,
at hmkiwi@gmail.comor Vanessa Riutta, at cgcyouth@diocgc.org with any
questions.
"Please be on the look-out for information on how
you can help with the growth of this ministry. Peace be with you all!" -
Vanessa 850-434-7337
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National Church News
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July videoconference on innovative
ministry development features Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Email questions accepted in advance [July 7, 2010] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori will be the featured participant in a public
videoconference on new, innovative ministry development July 15 at 2 pm Central. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Office of
Ministry Development, the July 15 event is the next in the Church
Planting videoconference series, conducted on the third Thursday of each
month. "This is an important conversation, and an
invitation is offered to be a part of the conversation by emailing
questions and topics in advance," explained the Rev. Thomas Brackett,
Program Officer for Church Planting and Redevelopment for the Episcopal
Church. Among the topics slated for the 90-minute
presentation are the future of Church
Planting and new Ministry Development, the Presiding Bishop's vision,
funding questions and ways of opening up new mission fields. The schedule calls
for a 30-minute interview followed by an hour of questions and answers. To
send questions in advance: tbrackett@episcopalchurch.org. The videoconference will be facilitated by
Brackett and the Rev. Frank Logue, Canon for Congregational Development
for the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. Episcopal Church New Ministry Development: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/123107_ENG_HTM.htm
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Books
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EPISCOPAL BOOKS & RESOURCES PICK
"Journey to the Heart - Centering Prayer for Children" by Frank Jelenek, paperback, 32 pages, c. 2007, $14.95.
[Paraclete Press] Centering prayer is a way of opening our whole being to God, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. It is simple and practical...a way of preparing heart and mind to receive the gift of intimate relationship with God. Jesus said, "When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)
Frank Jelenek shows young children just how to do that. The first guide to a contemplative prayer practice for children, Journey to the Heart both instructs and inspires. Many parents and teachers will learn from this colorful treasure of a book, as well! Until now, parents and teachers had no resource available to introduce children to the joys of communicating with God in this special, intimate way.
This loving book makes it easy for children to share in the spiritual nourishment of centering prayer through age-appropriate illustrations and text that provides clear directions and encouragement in simple, fun language. Ideal for ages 3-10.
To order, please visit Episcopal Books and Resources online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org,
call 800-903-5544, or visit your local Episcopal bookstore.
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Summer Clearance SALE!
Over
100 of our pamphlets, book, and
booklets are on sale as we clean our warehouse. Enjoy our best prices of the season.
Browse now!
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SOLO FLIGHT: "One is a Whole Number"
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As Solo Flight
gathers for its 20th consecutive year, the coordinators
are discerning the future and looking to conduct visioning sessions
centering on being single in The Episcopal Church.
"Solo Flight Episcopalians - single, divorced and widowed of all ages
- have been gathering for a weekend of personal and spiritual growth,
fellowship, networking, worship, outreach, evangelism, and fun for two
decades," noted Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin, founder of Solo Flight
Ministries With Single Adults and Solo Flight Conferences. "This year,
we are discerning together where God is calling The Episcopal Church in
general and Solo Flight in particular in terms of ministry with single
adults, and if the Solo Flight ministry for single adults continues."
The
2010 Solo Flight National Conference for Single Adults will be
September 3-6 at the Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond, Virginia. Full details here
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ECVA call for entries
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CALL
FOR ENTRIES: JUSTICE AND PEACE DEADLINE: AUGUST 15
In
this
exhibition, the third in our Baptismal Covenant series, we
invite
you as artists to respond to these lines from the covenant: 
"Will
you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help."
Though
our call to justice and peace flows directly from
Jesus' prime commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves,
it is
surely not unique to Episcopalians, or even to Christianity:
a
concern for justice and peace, and compassion which is the
root of
that concern, are common to all faith traditions.
And
yet, despite our common call to compassion, the
indignities of war and injustice are experienced daily
throughout
the world without regard as to nation or faith.
More about this call for entries ECVA website Current exhibition
The mission of The Episcopal Church and
Visual Arts (ECVA)
is to
encourage artists, individuals, congregations, and
scholars to
engage the visual arts in the spiritual life of the
church. ECVA
values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual
formation
and the development of faith, and creates programs to
support
those who are engaged in using the visual arts in
spiritual life.
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Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks
be to God.
Cindy
McCrory Editor, The Coastline Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast coastline@diocgc.org |
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