Parishioners of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church were called to come home in late July, and dozens showed at the church’s doorsteps in Haines City.

Just four years after dedicating a new sanctuary at the church, St. Mark’s held its inaugural Homecoming on Sunday, July 30. Eighty-seven people turned out for the service, which included a special guest speaker and plenty of singing and praise. Church leaders served food afterward.

“In the summer, we have a low attendance,” St. Mark’s rector, the Rev. Chris Brathwaite said. “We had 87 people – not as many as we hoped, but thankful for what God has done.”

Brathwaite said some members of the church had left during construction of the new sanctuary in 2012 and 2013, and the rector decided to call them home.

“Very often, people may leave a church on their own and wait with bated breath for an invitation to return,” Brathwaite said shortly before the service. “Let’s face it, everyone wants a place to call home.”

Brathwaite reminded those parishioners who returned for Homecoming, but are worshipping elsewhere, that they are always welcome at St. Mark’s. Those in attendance witnessed a joyful service that included guest speaker Father Hugh McGlashon Jr., rector emeritus of St. Mark’s, who delivered the sermon. McGlashon, an 85-year-old retired priest, stepped down seven years ago when Brathwaite took over.

“The choir sang their hearts out, Father Hugh preached a thoughtful sermon, the food was scrumptious, and the Holy Spirit showed up,” Brathwaite said. “We could not have asked for a better homecoming service.”

Brathwaite said the homecoming service had special meaning for him. “On the eve of completing my seventh year at St. Mark’s, I am thankful to God for the way he has blessed this ministry and for the people whose lives I know we have touched,” he said. “God is doing a new thing in Haines City, and I am glad that the Episcopal Church is a part of it.

“Communities are developing, and the smiles on the faces of the people say, ‘I am glad I live in Central Florida,’” Brathwaite said. “The city manager tells us that commercial real estate is developing.”

Homecoming attendees were treated to an array of Caribbean-American food following the service. “Let me tell you, nothing beats the ribs,” Brathwaite said. “They were good.”

The St. Mark’s rector said he hopes to hold another homecoming service in the fall. “What we may do is hold a homecoming service later in the year when we can engage the people from up north; we call them snowbirds,” Brathwaite said.