Advent is here!
Share your thoughts and observe Advent and Christmas through Episcopal Church social media www.facebook.com/episcopalian and twitter.com/iamepiscopalianSubmitted by Cindy McCrory, Coastline Editor
November 28, 2011 - The Episcopal Church Office of Communications is offering myriad avenues to enjoy, share, and actively participate in observing Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Starting this past Sunday, the first day of Advent, the Episcopal Church Facebook and Twitter features special Advent and Christmas elements: conversation-starting inquiries, a word of the day, videos, and links to Advent resources. Full story here
PARISH NEWS
From the Pensacola News Journal
 Retired Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead, left, delivers the Sunday sermon at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church while longtime and Associate Rector The Rev. Susan Sowers looks on. Halstead, now a motivational speaker and leadership consultant, traveled to Pensacola to visit Sowers and deliver a special sermon in honor of Veterans Day. / Travis Griggs/tgriggs@pnj.com
Pensacola, FL - The rectors of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church stepped aside to let one of the Army's finest deliver special Veterans Day services on Sunday, November 13, 2011. In honor of the holiday, The Rev. Eric Long, Rector of St. Christopher's and The Rev. Susan Sowers, Associate Rector invited retired Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead to the church to deliver morning sermons and speak with an adult class Sunday. Full story here!
Epiphany holds its 2nd Celebration of Harvest Service
Submitted by Nancy Delierre, Coastline Communicator
Epiphany, Crestview
Epiphany Episcopal Church in Crestview, Florida celebrated its 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Harvest Festival on Sunday, November 6, 2011. This service is a combination of two older Anglican celebrations, the first being the original celebration of harvest established in 1862 by the Church of England coupled with a Eucharist that is accompanied by a tradition of offering the first fruits of the harvest, gifts of fresh produce and breads. Story with photos here
St. Anna's, Poarch parishioner earns doctorate
Submitted by Lee Martin, St. Anna's, Poarch
Kelly Fayard, a cradle Episcopalian and member of St. Anna's Episcopal Church in Atmore (Poarch), and a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, recently earned her Ph.D in anthropology from the University of Michigan, following which St. parishioners honored her with a gift and reception in St. Anna's Parish Hall.
Full story here
Building of new church moves swiftly at Advent, LillianSubmitted by The Rev. Martha Kreamer, Vicar
Church of the Advent, Lillian The new church is finally happening in Lillian at the Episcopal Church of the Advent! Members, and interested onlookers gathered to watch the seven separate trucks roll in with the walls, which were partially constructed off site. They have been put together on the foundation, and on November 1, the lifting and placement of roof trusses began! On November 4th, as the final truss was prepared to top off the roof peak, Bible verses were inscribed before it was lifted into place. The verses for the peak of the roof included the "Shema" (Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deut 6:4) and John 3:16. On All Saints Sunday, members of Church of the Advent covered the unfinished walls with their prayers for the church and with their favorite Bible verses. Story with photos here!
By Norman Vickers, Coastline Communicator
St. Christopher's, Pensacola
The harp is not a particularly common instrument when compared to the guitar or piano or a school band instrument. But the work that can be done through a harp's peaceful music can be widespread. Harpist Cynthia Tappan, a member of the Standing Committee of our diocese, also and a vestry member of St. Christopher's, serves her parish and community through her musical talent. The Rev. Eric Long, Rector of St. Christopher's Church said," As a Vestry member, Cynthia Tappan demonstrates how one can use one's gifts for ministry in a multitude of settings. She is a model and a blessing to many of us." More
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PARISH EVENT CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2011
Please check our online calendar for the most up to date combined calendar listings of events (includes Bishop Duncan's calendar, Youth Calendar). Event listings generally are posted on the online calendar upon receipt of the information.
St. Christopher's, Pensacola
Submitted by Norman Vickers, Coastline Communicator
St. Christopher's, Pensacola
The fifty-fifth annual Christmas Caravan sponsored by St. Christopher's Episcopal Church will be held Friday and Saturday December 2-3. On Friday at St. Christopher's, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, there will be a bake sale, a bazaar with unique gifts for sale, and a luncheon. Also, there will be booths by local vendors offering gift items at nominal retail cost. A silent auction will begin on Friday with numerous items from plants to artwork and special outings.
On Saturday evening there will be a special candlelight dinner. Special holiday food prepared in the church's kitchen by dedicated parishioners will be served to patrons by youth of the church. There will be holiday music performed by Arturo, a classical/Latin/jazz guitarist. The silent auction will conclude on Saturday evening. A tour of three homes, decorated for the holidays will be held on Friday.
St. Mary's, Coden
 Everyone is invited to visit St. Mary's in Coden, Alabama on Saturday, December 3, for St. Mary's First Holiday Festival and Open House. Open house and the Festival will be from 8 am until 5 pm. St. Mary's is located at 4875 Highway 188 Coden, AL 36523.
Map
Phone: (251) 873-5602
St. Lukes, Marianna
 St. Luke's, Marianna welcomes all to barbershop singing by the men of "The Capital Chordsmen" chorale. The concert is at 4:00 on December 4th and will be followed by a "Meet the Artists" concert in Parish Hall. Donations are accepted for the Fine Arts Series, now in its Seventh Season.
Holy Nativity, Panama City
Submitted by Marqua Brunette, Director of Choirs
The Chancel Choir of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, located at 222 North Bonita in The Cove, will present a Festival of Lessons and Carols on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7th starting at 6:30 pm. The music of the evening will be enhanced by the voices of The Chancel Choir and several soloists, organ, piano, and a string quartet. This evening promises to be a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the music will resonate in our sacred space and hearts. Details here
St. Paul's, Daphne
Submitted by Rebecca Dyson
 St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Daphne will again host the Annual Come and Behold Crèche Exhibit at their Life Center the weekend of December 9-11, 2011. Just as the first visitors to the birth place of Jesus Christ, brought their own unique gifts, members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and other community members will offer their time and talents in a myriad of ways: from offering crèche displays, organization and design, hosting, music, graphic design, data management, publicity and construction of these awe inspiring crèche displays. Last year there were around 150 displays and in a variety of mediums, representing religions and traditions from countries all over the world.
Details here!
St. Cyprian's, Pensacola
Come celebrate the season with St. Cyprian's at their Annual Tea, December 10, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 pm. Wear your favorite fancy couture hat and enjoy tea and refreshments. There will be entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction for your enjoyment of the afternoon. For tickets or silent auction item donations, please contact us via phone, email or member of St. Cyprian's ECW. Donation: $10.00.
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church 500 W. Reus St. Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 438-1958 stcyprians@gccoxmail.com
Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 11, 2011
10:00 am
Danielle Darrington, Flautist; Kim Harden, violinist;Christ Church Cathedral Choir;
Christ Church Cathedral Handbells;Christ Church Cathedral Children
Advent Music at Noon
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
10:00 am
Enen Yu, violinist; Bob Holm, pianist
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mithril Duo:Tom Morley & Andra Bonet
Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24, 2011
4:30 pm Prelude
5:00 pm Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Tom Morley, violinist;Paul Hanceri, cellist;Christ Church Cathedral Choir;Christ Church Cathedral Handbells
Christ Church, Pensacola
Advent Music
Sunday, December 11, 6:00 pm. All are welcome.
A Taste of Taizé - Quiet, musical, and meditative Advent worship. Taizé services are meditative, with simple and accessible music, interplay of light and darkness, and word and music interspersed with silence. The service is in the shape of evening prayer, about 30 minutes, and can be a retreat from life's pressures in the season of preparation for the Incarnation.
Sunday, December 18, 6:00 pm. All are welcome.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Music from the Christ Church Parish Choir
Sunday, December 11, 6:00 pm. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Choral Prelude Concert
Music from the Christ Church Parish Choir
10:30 pm. Festival Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
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COMMISSION, COORDINATOR NEWS
Regional Disaster Coordinators appointed
David Brady, Diocesan Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness, has developed a plan to divide the Diocese into five Regions, with each Region having a Regional Disaster Coordinator. Each Regional Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating with their parishes and missions (collectively congregations) and acting as a liaison with the Diocese, in case of a disaster. Also, they will assist each congregation in developing their own disaster preparedness plan to meet their specific needs.
See the list of appointees and their regions here
Prison Ministry 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 through December, 2011:
Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, Washington County Jail Chatom, Alabama
Dec 4 - 10 Wilcox County Detention Center, Camden, Alabama Dec 11 - 17 Bay County Jail, Panama City, Florida Dec 18 - 24 Calhoun County Jail, Blountstown, Florida Dec 25 - 31 Gulf County Sheriff, Port St. Joe, Florida 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 Construction Mission Trip 2012 From Team Leader, Geary Gaston The Construction Mission Team will be going to the Dominican Republic March 10-18, 2012. Plans are to continue, and hopefully finish, the project of building pews for the Church of San Andres in Santo Domingo. This team is limited to 20 members and slots fill quickly. The application can be found on the Diocesan website here. If you have any questions, please call the team leader, Geary Gaston (251) 649-7327. Commission on Cursillo Coastal Pilgrims website offers easier access, articles, and downloads!
Submitted by Clay Rankin, Coastal Pilgrims webmaster
Cursillo's website, www.coastalpilgrims.com, has a new look and feel! The home page lets you get directly to Pilgrim and Staff applications and to the Pilgrim & Staff List for the upcoming weekend.
Also, we have a new "Articles" page that is in "Blog" format, where you can browse through the latest Articles ("Posts"), seach them, select subgroups of information by Categories and Tags, and you can post comments on the Posts.
Check it out!
The 2012 Cursillos are: #147 February 9th - 12th; #148 September 13th - 16th (changed from April 26th - 29th); and #149 November 1st - 4th.
ERD: Matching Gift Challenge to Raise $1Million for Global Needs
Until November 30, any donation made to Episcopal Relief 
& Development will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000. This means a total of up to $1 million for relief and development programs in the places that need them most. Give today and double the impact of your support!
read more
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AGENCY NEWS WILMER HALL Wilmer Hall has published the children's Christmas Wish List! If you can help with any of these items, please contact Margaret Scarborough at Wilmer Hall: mscarborough@wilmerhall.org or call 251-342-4931 or from out of the area, 1-866-591-4931.
Wilmer Hall is located at 3811 Old Shell Road in Mobile, Alabama, 36608.
See full list here!
BECKWITH
Winter Woods 2011 canceled, camp staff reunion planned, interviews for 2012 camp staff to be held during Christmas break.... details here!
Beckwith's Wish List
From time to time, Beckwith produces a "wish list" (other than financial needs!) that they would love to receive. The current list includes bicycles, safe ladders, and trampoline (preferably with safety net). If anyone has any of these laying around with no need, please contact Massey Gentry at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center (251) 928-7844. _________________________________________
CATHEDRAL NEWS
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 11, 2011
10:00 am
Danielle Darrington, Flautist; Kim Harden, violinist;Christ Church Cathedral Choir;
Christ Church Cathedral Handbells;Christ Church Cathedral Children
Advent Music at Noon
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
10:00 am
Enen Yu, violinist; Bob Holm, pianist
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mithril Duo:Tom Morley & Andra Bonet
Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24, 2011
4:30 pm Prelude
5:00 pm Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Tom Morley, violinist;Paul Hanceri, cellist;Christ Church Cathedral Choir;Christ Church Cathedral Handbells
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CLERGY AND DIOCESAN OFFICE NEWS
Clergy and diocesan business news can be found in the most recent November/December Green Sheet. November/December 2011 - legal size November/December 2011 - letter size Pledges received through 10-31-2011 The December/January issue will be out early to mid December and will be posted on the website.By the grace of God and with the affirmation of the people The Right Reverend Philip Menzie Duncan, II Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will ordain
Robert Patrick Dixon
Darin Stant Hyer
Joseph Paul Mathews
Sandra Kirby McLeod
Erin Jean Warde
Peter Reginald Wong
to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ's one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church on Wednesday the twenty-first of December two thousand and eleven at eleven o'clock in the morning Christ Church Cathedral 115 South Conception Street Mobile, Alabama Your prayers and presence are requested. Reception Following The Festival Color is Red
Last Year for Tax-Free Charitable Donations from IRAsIf you are 70.5 years of age or older and are considering making a donation to a charity, you may wish to consider the option of making the contribution from your IRA account. or 2011, you can donate up to $100,000 to your favorite charity, provided it is an eligible charitable organization, tax free from your traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or a SEP or SIMPLE IRA. To be considered valid, the distribution from the IRA to the charity must be made directly. It cannot pass through your hands or other accounts. Note: These distributions are not permitted from ongoing SEP or Simple Plans, i.e. plans to which a contribution has been made for the year. related to making a donation using this provision of the law.
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CONVENTION NEWS
Website for the 2012 Diocesan Convention now liveby Cindy McCrory, Coastline Editor and E-communications Director for the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Clergy, delegates, vendors and guests may now access the 2012 Convention website for information, forms, deadline schedule and registration at http://convention2012.diocgc.
The diocesan staff is excited to offer the online registration as an alternative to "snail mail" hard copy registration forms. Registrants are given the opportunity to pay online, or simply register online and send in a check. This latter option will aid parishes that cover registration costs for the parish delegates. Of course, the standard downloadable form is available to complete and mail to the diocesan office.
Additional information, photos, announcements, or changes will be added as needed.
The 41st Diocesan Convention will be held February 2-4, 2012 at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama.
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Employment 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. |
National News
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop's calls Advent "a time of listen, a time to reflect"
November 23, 2011 Calling Advent "a time to listen, a time to reflect," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori urges in her Advent Message 2011 to "rest, wait, yearn" for the coming celebration of the birth of the Savior.
The Presiding Bishop's video Advent message, taped at General Theological Seminary in New York City park, is available here: http://vimeopro.com/episcopalchurch/advent-2011
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop's office notifies Diocese of Alabama of successful canonical consent process
Bishop Sloan investiture on January 7
The Governance of The Episcopal Church: This information is another in an ongoing series discussing the governance of The Episcopal Church.
The Office of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has notified the Diocese of Alabama that Bishop Suffragan John McKee Sloan has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process. Full story here
From the Office of Public Affairs, The Episcopal Church
November 17, 2011
The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to provide service and share their expertise worldwide through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30.
Find out more here....
EM4 offering grants through the remainder of this year
 Environmental Ministries of Province IV, (EM4), is offering grants of $500 - $1,000 to Episcopal Environmental ministries in the Province. These grants are available for the rest of calendar year 2011. Find out who can qualify! More....
Episcopal News Service
Click here for the most recent national church news
A news feed from the Episcopal News Service is available in the lower right column of the diocesan homepage. News is updated and rotates through the viewer as each story comes in.
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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Correction request:
November 3, 2011 - The statement concerning Nativity's DOK made in the last "Coastline" and the current "Coastline" - "Nativity's DOK chose to keep the DOK name rather than changing to the new diocesan group, The Episcopal Community" is incorrect. We remain a part of the National DOK from which The Episcopal Community has chosen to disassociate. We are now two different groups. We would appreciate a correction in the "Coastline". Thank you, Karen Brookshire-Jackson Nativity, Dothan DOK
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