Rev. Rick Burhans’ final Sunday as rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Port Orange, on May 30, 2021, marked the end of an era for Burhans and his wife, Carolyn, now retiring and moving to North Carolina. But that era, and the Burhanses’ relationship with the church, extends much further back than the 13 years Rick…

  No one can say The Rev. Cynthia Brust isn’t up for a challenge. Not only did she and her husband, The Rev. Canon Ellis Brust, accept new positions in the Diocese of Central Florida and move from Kansas in the throes of the pandemic, but she also embarked on a huge ministry project in…

The Rev. Dan Smith, rector of Holy Cross in Sanford and former canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Missouri, serves as a consultant to the Diocese of Central Florida.   Like all of us, I have been giving a lot of thought lately to what the church and the congregation I serve will…

“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…

The Central Florida Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians recently recognized the outstanding service of The Rev. Canon Nelson W. Pinder. A May 15 virtual name dedication ceremony was held announcing the chapter’s renaming as The Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida in Pinder’s honor. The webcast included testimonials and tributes by…

You might say The Rev. Becky Toalster, rector of Holy Trinity, Bartow, was born for Cursillo. Her family and church heritage in the movement stretch back for many years. “My parents attended Cursillo in this diocese when I was about 3,” she said, adding, “I grew up in a very Cursillo-centric congregation, St. Stephen’s in…

For the first time in over a year, members of the Central Florida Episcopal Schools Association (CFESA) met in person. On April 29, the CFESA held its annual meeting at Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center. The Rev. Russell Wohlever, president of the CFESA and associate rector at All Saints, Winter Park, organized the event. “It…

In the garden, Jesus prayed “that they may all be one” (John 17:21a). Since that time, the Christian world has experienced many moments of division and unity. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, churches and leaders from diverse backgrounds are fulfilling Christ’s call to unity while offering the gift of life beyond the virus….

“Every person in the pews on a Sunday morning is a theologian, whether they realize it or not,” said The Rev. Porter Taylor, rector, St. David’s by-the-Sea, Cocoa Beach. With this philosophy in mind, the church has launched The St. David’s Institute (SDI) to provide accessible theological training for members of St. David’s and beyond….

On Sunday, April 25, 2021, The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer ordained The Rev. Ángel Jesus López to the priesthood at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kissimmee. The entire service can be viewed on YouTube. Join in the celebration! Just click the play button above.