For the next few months, we are going to examine a key portion of our Anglican liturgy: the Comfortable Words. These are four scripture passages arranged in a specific order and meant to be read by the priest right after the confession of sin. Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, who compiled the Book of Common…

“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer Almost 90 years ago during the struggles that led to World War II, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was actively sharing his thoughts on living as a Christian. He wrote the book Gemeinsames Leben (“Life Together”) during that…

A quick (as in 0.54 seconds) Google search for “home cooked meal in college” returns 97 million results. Ranging from quick dorm-friendly microwave recipes to forums where college moms seek tips on shipping home-cooked meals across the states, the results make clear that college students are thinking a lot about food. In a 2021 survey…

Soul in the City, the summer youth mission/service trip for the Diocese of Central Florida, continues to transform local communities as well as the lives of the 50-plus youth and youth leaders who show up for a weeklong community service experience. The youth groups from All Saints’, Lakeland; the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando;…

Treinta y seis estudiantes de secundaria participaron recientemente en tres campamentos patrocinados por Cristo Rey y Jesús de Nazaret, ambas de Orlando, y se enfocaron en prepararlos para carreras después de graduarse. El programa, realizado en tres lugares de tres condados diferentes, se realizó en conjunto con la Renacer Foundation (Renacer en Vida Nueva) y…

Thirty-six high school students recently participated in three camps sponsored by Christ the King, Orlando, and Jesús de Nazaret, Orlando, and focused on preparing them for careers after graduation. The program, conducted in three locations in three different counties, was done in partnership with the Renacer Foundation and made possible through a $150,000 grant from…

“This is spectacular.” With that simple declaration, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb described the ordination of Brian Stankich to the transitional diaconate. The service took place on Thursday, July 27, at Grace, Ocala, where the Rev. Stankich participates in the residency program, and was Holcomb’s first ordination since his June 10 consecration as…

Mrs. Carrie Brown, a parishioner at St. John the Baptist, Orlando, led a workshop at “It’s All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement” held in Baltimore, Maryland, from July 9-12. The churchwide festival focused on worship, learning, community and action, organized around three topics: evangelism, racial reconciliation and creation care. Brown’s workshop was…

As director of communications for the diocese, I thought it was important to commemorate and encapsulate the recent consecration of our new bishop. Until June 10, 2023, I had never experienced an ordination and consecration service. That, coupled with my love for Bishop Holcomb and his family, made for a day that I will cherish…

The Diocese of Central Florida values beloved community. Since 2022, the diocese has had a task force of clergy and lay individuals who have been reflecting upon the challenges we face in our churches and communities in Central Florida regarding racial diversity; they are prayerfully encouraging us toward transformational practices. All Saints’, Lakeland, began an…