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News from the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast       July 7, 2010

In This Issue
Lectionary for July 11th, 18th
PB's sermon on July 4th
Clergy news
St. Anna's Youth honored at The National Cathedral
Bay Prays service at St. Andrews, Panama City
Holy Cross Girl Scout Troop goes to Memphis
VBS at St. Michael's, Ozark
VBS Students build hair boom (video)
Province IV Women's Conference attended by two from our diocese
Liturgical Arts Conference features artist from our diocese
ERD News
Commission on the Environemtn and Integrity of Creation
Employment
Around the Diocese
Videoconference on innovative ministry
Books
SOLO Flight
ECVA Call for entries


Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
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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
The Green Sheet

July/August 2010 - letter size
MannaCheck us out on Facebook...
The Coastline

The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

ERD in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Greetings!

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

___________________________

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




  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

____________________________

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
Presiding Bishop's Sermon - July 4th

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


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

Sowers

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
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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
Dwyar - Rotary


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


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
St Annas Youth

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.
  BAY PRAYS

Submitted by Tom Floore, Coastline Communicator
St. Andrew's, Panama City
Email Tom


Bay Prays - St. Andrews PC
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.

Holy Cross Girl Scout Troop 424 visits Memphis

Submitted by Betty Enfinger, Coastline Communicator
Holy Cross, Pensacola
Email Betty


Holy Cross GS TroopMemphis, 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 Holy Cross GS 2Scout 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.
St. Michael's, Ozark VBS leader available to help other churches start program

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


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!
Two from our diocese attend Province IV Women's Conference

Submitted by Carolyn Levonsailor, Coastline Communicator
St. Paul's, Mobile
Email Carolyn
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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.
Kanuga Liturgical Arts Conference features artist from our diocese

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.
Sally Boom
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
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
PBBeck
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
 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
Vacation Bible School offerings

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.  
Employment

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.

Events Around the Diocese

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 19-23
Music and Arts Week
St. Christopher's Episcopal Chuch
Pensacola

CALL 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.

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July 21
Gazebo Night
Holy Cross, Pensacola
5:30 pm

Fun for the entire family under the Gazebo -dinner at 5:30, music by Cross + Walk, and basket raffles
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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


National Church News

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
Books
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!

SOLO FLIGHT: "One is a Whole Number"

solo flight logoAs 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
ECVA call for entries

ecva logo

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:
 Justice - Peace logo
"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.


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