“Sounds like what my granny would say.” “They just think that way because they’re old and have forgotten what it’s like to be young.” “Those young people just don’t think about the consequences.” Have you ever heard someone in your parish make those comments? Or maybe you have had similar thoughts but kept them to…

In a society overflowing with negative messages about physical appearance and personal worth, children’s body image is an urgent issue. Children need to know God made their bodies and made them special. Parents and caregivers have the privilege and opportunity to help children understand that God crafted them with care and intentionality. This is foundational…

The lives of immigrant children in Marion County, Florida, will be enriched and impacted thanks to the efforts of Ocala’s Grace Episcopal Church, which recently received $10,000 in grants from The Episcopal Church and the David and Lisa Midgett Foundation. The monies, awarded for churches addressing racial disparity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, will…

Camp Wingmann will host its winter camp on Jan. 1-3, 2021. “This is a weekend retreat that mimics summer camp in the best way, but it’s in the middle of winter!” said Camp Wingmann’s office manager, Christin Hill. The camp is open to grades 3-12, and the cost is $125 per camper. COVID-19 guidelines and protocol are…

The youth group at St. Elizabeth’s, Sebastian, has started a new ministry. Adopt a Grandfriend pairs a young person with an elderly retired person. In the early fall, Joanne Knott, the church’s youth minister, began thinking of a project that would involve the youth group and the parish seniors. Knott said, “Our parish is predominantly…

 God of knowledge and wisdom, we pray to you for all the schools across this country, which are part of the Episcopal Church. We remember them in their variety, in their differences, and in what they share. Give us open doors, open minds, and open hearts that we might accept, learn, and love everything…

Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Youth Ministry Institute (YMI) has noticed several common factors. The need for community among ministry leaders is real. We are experiencing a collective traumatic event. Personal growth and development have never been more critical. Finally, we all have many questions about our most basic ministry programs.  As the diocesan…

https://youtu.be/DxaQWtRDRus Videographer: Isaac,10 years old Presenter: Madison, 8 years old Video editing: Isaac and Madison In this video, Madison makes a prayer box. “A lot of people are going to need some prayers because this coronavirus is a really bad virus,” says Madison. Follow along with this process video to learn how to create a…

New Beginnings is a weekend retreat where sixth through ninth graders can learn about relationships, meet peers throughout the Diocese of Central Florida, enjoy skits, listen to talks and participate in small-group activities. The next retreat will be held Oct. 4-6.  The Rev. Tracy Dugger, the retreat’s spring 2018 spiritual director, said, “I would highly…