Diocesan News
Prayer before harvest becomes annual ritual for St. Paul's curate and parishioner
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L-R The Rev. Steve Pankey, Curate of St. Paul's, Foley prays with parishioner and farmer, Craig Cassebaum in a peanut field before the harvest.
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ELBERTA, AL - Craig Cassebaum, a parishioner at St. Paul's, Foley and member of the 2009 Dominican Republic Construction Mission Team, is a farmer in the South Baldwin County community of Elberta, Alabama. His family has been farming the area for generations. This year Cassebaum has three main crops ready for harvest: peanuts, cotton, and soybeans. With the exception of 2010, Craig and his priest, The Rev. Steve Pankey, have driven each year to one of his fields and offered prayers to God before the harvests begin. The liturgy is one Fr. Pankey adapted from several sources in the Church of England.
"We begin by confessing the role we play in the sin of luxury," says Pankey. "We ask God's blessing upon those who labor, from the migrant laborer on up to the board of directors of "ag" businesses and grocery stores."
Craig admitted that his yields were down last year and he attributes the lower harvest to their not being able to pray together before the 2010 harvest. The reason it didn't happen? Scheduling conflicts. Tsk Tsk....
Download the liturgy here.
Times-Picayune features The Rev. David McDowell-Fleming in front page photo
Submitted by Norman Vickers, Coastline Communicator, St. Christopher's, Pensacola
NEW ORLEANS - The Rev. David McDowell-Fleming, priest in our diocese, participated in a jazz camp this past summer in New Orleans. Times-Picayune photographer, Ted Jackson, snapped a photo of our diocesan priest taking a break during a parade in which he marched through downtown New Orleans. The photo appeared on the front page of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
St. Luke's Episcopal Opens Doors to Open Table UCC
Submitted by The Rev. Ken Cumbie, Rector
St. Luke's, Mobile
Mobile, AL - On Sunday, October 2, many Christian congregations around the globe will celebrate World Communion Sunday to recognize a oneness in Christ that transcends denominational and cultural diversity. On that day, two area congregations in Mobile-one a well-established Episcopal church and the other a new United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation-will commence an ecumenical relationship.
Open Table, the first UCC congregation in southern Alabama, is a voice for progressive Christian theology, social justice, and extravagant welcome for all. When the rector, Rev. Ken Cumbie, and the vestry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church learned a UCC congregation had been founded in Mobile, they reached out in a spirit of ecumenism to offer worship space on Sunday evenings. Open Table will make donations to the ministry of St. Luke's in appreciation for the use of that space.
Full story here
For more information, see the churches' websites:
stlukesepiscopalmobile.org
opentableucc.org
www.facebook.com/opentableucc
Related story in the Mobile Press-Register
_________________________ EVENTS Please check our online calendar for the most up to date combined calendar listings of events (includes Bishop Duncan's calendar, Youth Calendar) Newly added items are marked * The 41st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will be held February 2-4, 2012 at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama. Information will be forthcoming and hopefully, registration will be online. A link to a convention webpage can be found on the left navigation column under the title Diocesan Convention. Check back often as information will begin to be added soon. Musica Sacra Chamber Choir to sing Choral Evensong at All Saints, Mobile on Sept.29thSubmitted by Jeff Clearman, Principal Parish Musician
All Saints, Mobile
The Musica Sacra Chamber Choir will be singing Choral Evensong at All Saints Episcopal Church, Mobile on Thursday, September 29th, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, at 6:15 pm. Works by Philip Moore, Richard Webster, Charles Villiers Stanford, William Byrd, and Edward Bairstow will be sung. Everyone is welcome. The church is located at 151 S. Ann Street at the corner of S. Ann and Government Streets in Mobile, Al.
ECW and Altar Guild Fall Conference set for Sept 30th thru Oct 2nd, 2011
The 2011 ECW and Altar Guild Fall Conference will take place at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope the Weekend of September 30th - October 2nd. Mrs. Beth Wilson facilitator and Curtis Kennington is the music director. The topic is "Embracing our Belovedness in Christ". Workshops include "Laughing Yoga", Embroidery on Paper, and Healthcare CEU's. Download the registration flyer!
Registration is due by September 19th, please!
St. Augustine's, Navarre offering "A Splash of Spirit" Oct. 1, 2011
Submitted by Libby Crowe, Coastline Communicator
St. Augustine's, Navarre
Come enjoy an evening of fun! "A Splash of Spirit" Silent Auction will be October 1, 2011 at 6 to 8:30 p.m. Besides the silent auction, there will be door prizes and heavy appetizers.
Tickets are on sale now! They are $10 each and will be available at the door, or you can call the church at (850) 939-2261. The proceeds will go to the parish's Building our Future fund.
More details here!
Noah's Park Pet Carnival and Blessing of the Animals hosted by Redeemer, Mobile, October 1-2, 2011
The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer invites everyone to the Noah's Park Pet Carnival on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 11 am - 3 pm. The carnival is a celebration for pets and their humans and will feature The Spotted Dog Cafe, Pink Poodle Spa, Pet Photos with St. Francis ; Games and contests and more!
On Sunday, October 2, please join Redeemer for a "Blessing of the Animals" service at 2 pm. All animals are welcome! Click here for more information and registration!
St. Francis, Gulf Breeze, planning weekend of St. Francis Day activities Oct. 7-9 Submitted by Chris Miller, Coastline Communicator
St. Francis, Gulf Breeze
St. Francis Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida is making a weekend out of St. Francis day October 7 - 9, 2011. The weekend begins with wine, cheese and art and closed with family day on Sunday.
Details on each event here!
"Wild about Birds" workshop slated at Redeemer on Oct. 15 Are you interested in birdwatching but don't know how to get started? On Saturday, October 15, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will offer a two-part, daylong workshop that includes a session on birdwatching and a session on drawing wild birds. Click here for details! BBQ & Blues at Advent, Lillian on Oct. 22
Don't miss this great event! Each year is better and better with more auction items, both silent and loud! The big band sound of the Don Lewis Orchestra will fill the air while you enjoy BBQ and shopping at the vendor booths. For more information, tickets, or vendor application click here!
St. Simon's on the Sound, Ft. Walton Beach, hosting two day Arts & Crafts Fair, Nov. 4-5
Submitted by Christina Westphal
St. Simon's on the Sound in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, will host its 37th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair on November 4th and 5th, 2011 at the church. The fair will be open on Friday, Nov. 4th from 9 am until 5 pm and on Saturday, Nov. 5th, 9 am - 3 pm.
This popular fair features over 100 different artisans and St. Simon's own traditional items including cajun pickles, pepper jelly, pumpkin rolls and other delicious baked goods. Come shop and relax, stay for lunch at St. Simon's Country Kitchen where everything is homemade. Proceeds from the fair support Sharing and Caring, Shelter House, Habitat for Humanity, Children in Crisis and other agencies in town. All are invited! * CONTEMPLATIVE WOMENS' RETREAT Saturday, November 5, 2011
9:30 A.M.-1 P.M.
at St Augustines' Episcopal Church
7810 Navarre Parkway
Navarre, FL
All women & girls are welcome to join us for a time of
guided & individual contemplative meditations.
NO CHARGE to attend, but please bring your Bible & a fresh fruit or vegetable.
For more information please call the church office at 850-936-4678 * A Quiet Day.....a quiet way....Submitted by Debra Strickland, Coastline Communicator
Church of the Nativity, Dothan
At the end of the calendar year- which marks the beginning of the liturgical year-we somehow, despite our best intentions to slow down and enjoy the season, shift into high gear. "The reason for the season," we sigh to ourselves as we buzz about doing things that seem more important than they are. With these thoughts in mind, you are most cordially invited to join us for a pre-Thanksgiving/Advent "Quiet Day of Meditation and Reflection" on Saturday, November 19, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 pm Central Daylight Savings Time at the Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat (BTSR) located at 107 Holy Trinity Rd., Fort Mitchell, AL 36856. The retreat is sponsored by Nativity's Daughters of the King*. Cost is $45 which includes lunch. Details here
* Editor's Note: To allay any questions that may come up over semantics, Nativity's DOK chose to keep the Daughters of the King name rather than changing to the new diocesan group, The Episcopal Community.
* Immanuel's ECW planning yard and bake sale for Nov. 5, 2011
The ECW of Immanuel, Bay Minette, will hold a yard and bake sale on Saturday, November 5th, 2011. Everyone is invited!
* Jazz communion and brunch planned on All Saints' Sunday at St. Christopher's, Pensacola Submitted by Norman Vickers, Coastline Communicator St. Christopher's, Pensacola St. Christopher's Episcopal Church will continue its tradition of jazz communion service on All Saints Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 10:30 am. There will be special music by the choir and a Dixieland quintet led by trumpeter Roger Villines. A jazz brunch will follow in the parish hall immediately after the service. This celebration is in its tenth year. More details here!
All Saints', Mobile, sets date for annual Bayou Bash
November 12 is the date for All Saints' annual Bayou Bash fundraiser. More details will be coming in the weeks to follow. Bayou Bash is our annual fundraiser, benefiting the community ministries supported by All Saints. Mark your calendars for this great event!
* Trinity Gumbo Sale slated for November 19, 2011
From The Visitor
Trinity, Mobile's newsletter
We are now taking advance orders for our yearly Gumbo Sale. Gumbo, along with sweets, will be sold Saturday, November 19 from 9 am to 3 pm in the parish hall. Please pick up all orders at this time. Cost will be $8 per pint. Gumbo freezes well. You may want to get an extra supply for thanksgiving. All proceeds go the church. Please come and support us. To order gumbo and for additional information contact Lucy Sturges at 666-1208.
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COMMISSIONS Commission on World Mission Medical Mission Trip 2012 From Team Leader, Keith Greene The Commission on World Mission has designated the following dates for the next Diocesan Medical Mission to the Dominican Republic: Departure: Saturday, March 3, 2012 Return: Sunday, March 11, 2012 Our medical mission will be returning to our assigned area in the D.R. of Iglesia San Marcos in Haina, District of Paravia, some 20 miles west of the capitol city of Santo Domingo. Details and registration Commission on Communications Submitted by Cindy McCrory, Coastline Editor, Director of E-communications for the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast &
Chair, Commission on Communications
New Episcopal Church Welcomes You signs, graphic guidelines and affordable websites available
Redesigned "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" signs, in bold colors with easy-to-read type, are now available for purchase in both English and Spanish. Additionally available for dioceses, churches, organizations and Episcopal institutions at no fee are the new graphic guidelines, outlining such details as fonts, color palette, use of the shield, etc. Also, the Office of Communication has also partnered with a website company, Ecclesia 365, for "affordable" websites. The sites are very nice, but they do cost some $$$. But be sure to check it out! Scroll down for the links...
FACEBOOK
Some of you who were at the diocesan convention this past February may remember my "call to action" about churches needing to have a Facebook page..... read this article and you'll see how important social networking is for capturing the attention of the internet users. The "internet generation" is not just a generation...its everyone! The internet AND Facebook is used by all ages. Did you know.....a Facebook page for a church may be accessed by all..no need to have a personal Facebook page! Many users messenging via Facebook rather than by regular email. Facebook is simply an important part in communications these days and as parishes we cannot ignore it if we want to communicate both internally and externally.
Here are the links you need to key communications initiatives for congregations and dioceses:
To purchase signs: www.episcopalmarketplace.org
Brand guidelines: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/TEC-styleguide-v5.pdf
White Paper on Social Media and the Episcopal Church:http://episcopal.ekklesia360.com/white-paper/
White Paper Social Media and the Episcopal Church in Spanish:http://episcopal.ekklesia360.com/white-paper/es/
I am very familiar with these new offerings by the Office of Communications. When it comes to websites, as much I like the product offered by the partnering company, I do know there are less expensive resources. The Commission on Communications is compiling a list and will soon publish it on our website. Feel free to email or call me for a multi-facted package that is very affordable.
coastline@diocgc.org or 251.509.6635.
Disaster Preparedness Is your parish ready?
September is National Disaster Preparedness Month and Episcopal Relief and Development has compiled a workbook for parishes to use as guidelines for disaster preparedness. The workbook includes much of the lessons learned from our own diocese. A link under "Parish Administration" on the left navigation menu of our website is now posted so parishes can download the workbook on demand.Click here if you would like a copy
Commission on Diocesan Missions The annual Small Church Conference will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Crestview, Florida, from 9am until 3 pm. More information is forthcoming. |
Prayer and Reflection
Sermon By The Rev. Jim Flowers at the Ordination of Glenn Roher, August 20 ,2011 Click here Episcopal Church offers six-week reflections on stewardship: "Feasting On Gratitude"
From the Office of Public Affairs
The Episcopal Church, NYC
The Episcopal Church Office of Stewardship has developed a six-week series of readings, reflections and questions called "Feasting on Gratitude" to assist in discerning the practice of intentional and proportional giving to one's faith community.
"Feasting on Gratitude" invites individuals and congregations to reflect and discuss stewardship principles and practices, based on the Sunday gospel readings from Matthew for October 2 through November 6, which is All Saints Sunday.
Prepared by six Episcopalians from across the country, "Feasting on Gratitude" is designed to complement and support a congregation's annual giving campaign. The contributing writers explore stewardship, giving, gratitude and generosity in connection with the Gospel lection for each Sunday. More..
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Employment Currently there are no listings. Editor's Note: Clergy, Parish Administrators, Senior Wardens.. have a job opening in your church? Email your information to coastline@diocgc.org and your job post will appear on the employment page of the diocesan website and continually announced The Coastline until the position is filled. |
Episcopal News Service
Click here for the most recent national church news
ERD offers module for "Blessing of the Animals"
Episcopal Relief & Development is delighted to announce the release of a brand new "Blessing of the Animals" module of the Abundant Life Garden Project, available absolutely free from the
Christian Formation page on our website. This module, in the form of a pdf document, is a Children's Chapel Liturgy of the Word, designed specifically for St. Francis Day and specifically for children.
This module is "print and go" or "download and go" and can be used with little or no preparation by volunteers. It includes child-friendly prayers and a homily that can be read while photographs of children participating in Episcopal Relief & Development's programs are shown on a screen, laptop, or in print form. There are also discussion questions and suggestions for outreach activities you might do.
If you use the module, we'd love to hear how it went! Just send an email to churchengagement@er-d.org, and please include your name and the name of your parish or organization. If you have not used Episcopal Relief & Development's Christian Formation resources before, please check this out and give it a try!
Episcopal Church conference focuses on small churches: New Chapter: Your Church in God's Unfolding Story
The Office of Public Affairs
The Episcopal Church
Registration is open for New Chapter: Your Church in God's Unfolding Story, an Episcopal Church conference specifically for small churches, slated for December 1-3 in Williamsburg, VA.
Part of the popular Start Up! Start Over! Conference series for small churches, New Chapter features keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and ample opportunities to share experiences while learning from others.
Details here!
Episcopal Relief & Development partners with Church Publishing to produce 2012 calendar
Episcopal Relief & Development has teamed up with Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) to produce a 12-month calendar featuring engaging, full-color images of the organization's programs worldwide. Calendars are $12 each, and may be purchased through CPI's website (www.churchpublishing.org) or over the phone through Cokesbury's customer service center (1.800.672.1789). A portion of sales for the new calendar will benefit Episcopal Relief & Development's global efforts to alleviate hunger, create economic opportunities, promote health, and respond to disaster.
Details and how to order
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Prison Ministry
PRISON MINISTRY CYCLE OF PRAYER
The Diocesan Commission on Prison Ministry has developed a Cycle of Prayer for prisons, prisoners, staff, and families of prisoners and staff, encouraging prayers for various institutions in the Diocese.
Prayer dates for October, 2011:
Sept 25 - Oct 1 Coffee County Jail County Complex, New Brockton, Alabama Oct 2 - 8, 2011 Choctaw County Jail, Butler, Alabama Oct 9 - 15, 2011 Dale County Jail, Ozark, Alabama Oct 16 - 22, 2011 Geneva County Jail, Geneva, Alabama Oct 23 - 29, 2011 Henry County Jail, Abbeville, Alabama Oct 30 - Nov 5, 2011 Houston County Jail, Dothan, Alabama
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