It’s always cause for rejoicing in heaven when an individual responds with genuine faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This rejoicing, then, is surely palpable in response to the work God is doing in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, where more and more churches are seeing God move to bring people to belief…

The Rev. Stephanie Soper was ordained into the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on Nov. 24 in a service held at the Church of the Ascension, Orlando. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, presided. She was one of seven in the diocese ordained as transitional deacons on…

Grace, Port Orange, has received an $89,000 matching grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, to restore its historic chapel. Tinny Ryder wrote the grant, with contributions from Bobbi and John Palmer, Kimberly Mansfield, Hal Read, Lynda Moore, Glenda Coursen and all of the church’s parishioners. “I am thankful for Tinny,”…

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, ordained five deacons in three separate services in November, with one priest to be ordained Nov. 24 (watch for that story in our December issue). The new deacons are the Revs. Colleen Rothrock, Dan King, Wesny Dubic, Stephen Feibelman and…

An early autumn evening set the scene for a remarkable event in the Diocese of Central Florida, as nearly 200 people gathered on Oct. 16 to watch and discuss a film dramatically portraying a vibrant contrast between theism and atheism. Several churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, including All Saints, Winter Park; the…

During the Requiem Eucharist for the Rt. Rev. Dr. Dabney T. Smith on Nov. 11 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, pointed out that everyone in attendance, regardless of position or responsibility, was there for the same reason:…

Dear Survivors of Abuse, News of abuse can stir up echoes of past wounds, drawing painful memories to the forefront for survivors. We understand that this painful remembering can bring feelings of powerlessness and a sense of being overwhelmed. With this in mind, we write to offer care and comfort, reminding you of the love…

Hurricane Helene unleashed unexpected devastation across the Southeast on Sept. 26, carving a path of destruction over 500 miles and striking inland communities unaccustomed to the impacts of tropical storms. Hurricane Milton followed on Oct. 9, just two weeks later. In response to both storms, the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida exemplified God’s call to…

This fall, two deaneries hosted events designed to equip clergy and laity for mission and ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Organized by their respective deans, the Very Rev. Deke Miller of the Southwest Deanery, vicar of Holy Cross, Winter Haven; and the Rev. Dr. Porter Taylor, former dean of the Southeast Deanery…

The Rev. Darin Metz was ordained into the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on Sept. 22 in a service held at Church of the Incarnation, Oviedo. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb presided, and the Rev. Dr. Rob Lord, retired associate priest, Emmanuel, Orlando, preached. Metz was one of seven in the Episcopal Diocese of…