Why we love the Diocese of Central Florida

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida is a community of Christians worshiping in 15 counties of the Sunshine State. Whether you're attending church for the first time or are a longtime disciple of Christ, you'll find the diocese a friendly, welcoming family of Episcopalians and Anglicans united in a love of Christ. Read more...

From the Bishop

Increasing Average Sunday Attendance

Dear Diocesan Family,

At the request of the Diocesan Board, I convened a meeting in January of eleven of our clergy whose congregations have experienced increases in the average Sunday attendance over the past two years. Our purpose was to attempt to identify factors that may have contributed to these increases, and further to see whether the congregations involved shared identifiable dynamics.

As I have reflected on what we shared with each other three things stand out in the midst of numerous variations on the theme. And it seems to me they are deeply intertwined with each...

Read more...

Diocesan Updates

Help recovery efforts in Haiti

The Rev. Burnet Cherisol, associate rector at Holy Faith Episcopal Church, Port St. Lucie, is praying hard for Haiti, while working to funnel aid to the earthquake-racked country.

"I saw Haiti, the situation is terrible," Fr, Cherisol wrote to the Diocese of Central Florida's clergy e-mail list Jan. 13, the day after the earthquake. "The country is devastated."

Of special concern to Fr. Cherisol, originally from Haiti, is the fate of students and former colleagues at Institut Mixte Pere de Montfort, the school he helped found in Port au Prince. The school was destroyed in the earthquake, and at least one student was trapped inside, news reports said.

UBE Chapter Information and Calendar

Contact
Union of Black Episcopalians-Central Florida Chapter (UBE-CFL)
PO Box 617497
Orlando, FL 32861-7497

Upcoming Events

March 13, 10:30 a.m. UBE to screen Van Peebles' 'A Game'.  Read about the movie:  http://www.21cf.org/agame/  For more information, contact Jacqueline Bailey at (407) 339-7881

Training Opportunities

Attached document:  application/pdf iconMarch 23, 2010 training.pdf application/pdf iconMay10, 2010 training.pdf    

Diocesan Convention 2010

The Forty-First Annual Convention of the Diocese of Central Florida was held on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at The Lakeland Center, Lakeland, Florida.

  NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Elected at Convention Deanery Elections   RESOLUTIONS Resolutions Agreed to at Convention Background Material The Anglican Covenant Report of the Strategic Planning Commission   

Diocese of Central Florida Cafeteria Plan Documents

Attached document:  application/pdf iconEPISCOPAL DIOCESE CAFETERIA PLAN-SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION-PLAN DOCUMENT AND APPENDICES.pdf

Nominations and Elections Information

Attached document:  application/pdf iconNom & Elec Info 11-28-09 .pdf

Empire 75-50 PPO

Attached document:  application/pdf iconEmpire_PPO7550_Summary_2010.pdf

Empire 75 50 PPO

Attached document:  application/pdf iconEmpire_PPO7550_Summary_2010.pdf

Cigna HDHP HSA

Attached document:  application/pdf iconCigna_HDHP_Summary_2010.pdf

Empire HDHP HSA

Attached document:  application/pdf iconEmpire_HDHP_Summary_2010.pdf

Meet a priest

Vann, Deborah Louise
Melbourne - Hope Episcopal Church
Priest (rector)
Brevard
Melbourne

Meet more of our clergy

Strategies for Growth

Report of the Strategic Planning Commission -- Jan. 20, 2010
Strategies for Growth
 Report of the Strategic Planning Commission For the 41st Annual Convention Of the Diocese of Central Florida January 30, 2010  

More Strategies for Growth posts

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Latest Headlines

Holy Spirit, Apopka, annual chili cookoff turns up the heat

Posted March 7th, 2010

The 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Apopka filled their parish hall on January 16th. What a fun evening was had by the capacity crowd.

A successful night was in the making as a new record in funds was made. Loaves and Fishes is the recipient this year and $1,752.50 was collected in their behalf. The Chili Cook-offs have contributed around $13,000 to Camp Wingmann and Loaves and Fishes over the last eight years.

Mental health counselor reflects on 'storms of life'

Posted March 7th, 2010

By:  Ruan C. Humphrey, LMHC This is one in a series of articles about “encouragement,” written by Episcopal Counseling Center counselors.

The Ven. Kristi Alday joins Bishop’s staff

Posted March 7th, 2010

Bishop John W. Howe announced to the Diocesan Board in October, 2009, that he had appointed Deacon Kristi Alday to the position of Archdeacon, and that she also would be Dean of the Institute for Christian Studies.

A graduate of Rollins College with a degree in economics, Archdeacon Alday worked in the private financial sector until becoming Chief Operating Officer of Walking the Mourner’s Path in 2000.

At Walking the Mourner’s Path she spent four years traveling the country training clergy and laity in grief ministry. She was ordained to the Diaconate in 2004 and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Asbury Seminary. Archdeacon Alday has lived in Winter Park and been married to Tom for 27 years.

March, 2010, Central Florida Episcopalian

Posted March 1st, 2010

Attached document:  application/pdf iconcfe0310web.pdf

UBE to screen Van Peebles' 'A Game' March 13

Posted February 25th, 2010

The Union of Black Episcopalians, Central Florida Chapter, invites you to a free screening of the film “Bring Your ‘A’ Game,” directed by Mario Van Peebles, Saturday, March 13, 10:30 a.m., Church of the Resurrection, 251 East Lake Brantley Drive, Longwood, FL 32779. We encourage you to bring your youth to participate in a post-screening conversation on transforming the lives of urban youth–specifically young Black boys and men who are most often the victims of poverty and lack strong male role models to encourage them to play a game that doesn’t naturally include them. For more information click on the “A Game” link on the ubecentralflorida.org website or speak with the Rev.

Beatrice Wilder Remembers -- Part 1

Posted February 15th, 2010

At the end of 2009, Beatrice Wilder, the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida's beloved historiographer, archivist and librarian, announced her semi-retirement at age 99. Here is the first segment of a multi-part series of interviews with her. This section, recorded Feb. 11, 2010, by Joe Thoma, covers her early years, through high school.

The archdeacon looks back on 18 years and more

Posted February 7th, 2010

By:  The Ven. Linda Brondsted These days, I am in a reflective place, as I contemplate retiring as archdeacon and dean of the Institute for Christian Studies. Perhaps this comes with the territory; I wouldn’t know; I’ve never done this before.

I had a conversation with my father, shortly before he died. He asked me, “How old am I, Lyn?” and I replied, “You’re eighty eight, Daddy.” His next comment was, “How did that happen?”

I stand at the brink of retirement! How did that happen, indeed; seventeen years as archdeacon and dean of the ICS; twenty-two years, as dean of the School of Diaconal Training. Three hundred and thirty Saturdays, not counting about forty-five, if we include my own training at ICS as a deacon! Yikes!