Curry
The Diocesan 50th Annual Convention will lead off with quite a celebration on Friday, Feb. 1 – thanks to what is believed will be a record-setting turnout.
The “Keep Saying Yes to Revival,” which kicks off the two-day convention, has surpassed 4,000 registrations and will now place additional attendees into the overflow section of The First Baptist Church in Orlando. It is believed to be the biggest turnout ever for a Diocese of Central Florida convention, and, quite possibly, one of the largest ever for an Episcopal revival in the country.
Much of the excitement for the revival centers around the appearance of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who will serve as guest preacher for the event. Curry has become a worldwide celebrity after preaching at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last May. He also has achieved notoriety for his revivals around the country.
Doors open for the revival at 5 p.m. Worship music begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the revival service at 7 p.m. with Curry. The revival service concludes at 9 p.m., with prayer teams remaining available for those in need.
“When the revival was first announced, I think that those clergy who were supportive of the idea of a revival have continued to be encouraging and inviting,” said the Rev. Scott T. Holcombe, rector of St. David’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Cocoa Beach. “The Episcopal Church holding a revival should be newsworthy, and the presiding bishop a worthy draw. I hope we fill the place.”
Holcombe said he plans to attend the event with his wife, and that several others from St. David’s will be attending and volunteering to help with parking, prayer teams, etc.
The participation of St. David’s parishioners from the Space Coast is indicative of the widespread interest in the revival. And the fact that Curry will be on hand to celebrate the diocese’s golden anniversary is especially meaningful to many.
“I am still amazed that our Bishop (Greg Brewer) could make this happen at this time of the year when the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry is busiest,” said Rev. Chris Brathwaite, formerly interim rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary and currently assisting Brewer in providing pastoral care to the clergy in the diocese.
“Over the past two years, Central Florida has been bruised badly by the ills of society,” Brathwaite said. “The Pulse shootings, the day-to-day senseless shootings and the seemingly disregard for civility and truth begs for something new and different. What is new is a church which is known for ordered worship and a structured liturgy has opened up to one and all to come and say, ‘Yes to Jesus,’ led by the man who rocked the world with a few words ‘the power of love.’
“What is different is the enormous amount of non-Episcopalians who have signed up or are very complimentary about what is about to happen on February 1,” Brathwaite said. “I am excited that the church which I love dearly is having this type of response and I am pleased that the tireless efforts of Bishop Brewer is bringing all to a better understanding about the church and the Jesus we serve.”
The revival has even stirred interest from diocesan churches as far as 2 ½ hours away from downtown Orlando. Church of Our Saviour in Okeechobee recently sponsored a fundraiser to pay for bus transportation to the event and raised exactly the amount required.
“I believe God is in every detail of this revival from its inception,” Church of Our Saviour deacon Kay Mueller said. “The initial vision was prayerfully purposed, planned, and is about to be presented for the glory of our Lord and Savior. Even at the most minute level, God is present.
“Matthew 18:20 says, ‘for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them,’” Mueller said. “Based on the promise of God and the fact that current registrations are in excess of 4,000 attendees and growing, I anxiously and enthusiastically anticipate revival in every way … rebirth, reconciliation, restoration, rehabilitation, renewal! Thanks be to God!”