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:…

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…

It began in 1885 as a small group Bible study led by Maggie Franklin, a young wife and mother living in New York, who believed that the women in her church could come together for more than potlucks or sewing circles or charity bazaars. She thought women could encourage each other to grow closer to…

As coordinator for New Beginnings weekend, the Rev. Kevin Bartle, rector of St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, and one of three diocesan youth ministry coordinators, never wants the youth in attendance to concern themselves with keeping a schedule. That’s his job. Instead, he wants them to focus on only one thing: getting to know…

The year 2024 is an exciting time in the history of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando. The church is celebrating its establishment as the first worshipping Episcopal parish in Orlando and welcoming others to celebrate as well. This is the 150th year since Frances W. Eppes, grandson of Thomas Jefferson, established the first…

The month of August saw five ordinations to the Sacred Order of Priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, each one holding a unique significance for the newly ordained priests. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb had previously ordained four of the five to the diaconate in a Jan. 11 service at the…

Each summer, youth from around the Diocese of Central Florida gather to encounter the truth of the gospel and live out their faith. The five-day event called Soul in the City is hosted each year at a different parish, where the youth work on service projects in that community. (For a look at the 2023…

There’s a lot of darkness in our world today. Unfortunately, the children and youth in the Diocese of Central Florida aren’t exempt from experiencing that darkness. This summer at Camp Wingmann, the theme of “The Darkness and the Light” helped them see and understand how the light of the gospel changes things in their lives….