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:…
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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…
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Why would an always-busy bishop from the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida travel all the way to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, for more than a week? For the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, the answer revolves around just two essentials: promises and people. Both drove his participation and leadership in the recent Anglican Safe Church and…
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The Central Florida deputation to the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church, held June 23-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, helped make history by electing and confirming the Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe as the church’s 28th presiding bishop. However, this significant decision was far from the only way the diocesan bishops and deputies contributed to…
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Corpus Christi, Okahumpka, has been awarded a $4,500 Becoming Beloved Community Seed Grant through The Episcopal Church. The grants support the work of racial justice, healing, reconciliation and creation care. The Rev. Dr. Amanda Bordenkircher, vicar, wrote the grant. “I learned about and attended a webinar that explained the purpose and process of the grant application…
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The residency program of the Diocese of Central Florida, already known for its excellence in helping develop new clergy, is expanding this summer to include two new churches: the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, and Holy Trinity, Melbourne. The Rev. Garrett Puccetti, ordained as a deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb…
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“The Prayer for the Election of a Bishop or other Minister” (Book of Common Prayer, 818) concludes with the following phrase: “that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Consecrated on June 10 of last year, the Rt….
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With help from the Rt. Revs. Justin Holcomb and Dabney Smith; contractors; board members; parents; the Rev. Tom Phillips and even Mr. Tiger, the school mascot, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy broke ground on its IDEAS Institute on April 26. The IDEAS Institute, a visionary two-story, 30,000-square-foot, multi-use academic building on the Upper School campus, is…
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The Haitian congregation at Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden, marked its fifth-year anniversary with a special service and celebration attended by more than 200 people on Sunday, April 21. The day’s designation as Good Shepherd Sunday seems especially fitting as both the church and the Diocese of Central Florida recognize God’s work in the…
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Not yet a full year into his episcopacy, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb is already making a difference, not only in the Diocese of Central Florida but also in The Episcopal Church and the broader Anglican Communion. This is especially true as regards what, for Holcomb, is both a long-held passion and an…
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