St. Mark’s, Cocoa, has called the Rev. Stephen Pessah as its new rector. He began his new ministry on Aug. 1. The parish has been without a rector since March 2022. “Our previous rector left in March 2022,” explained the Rev. Nancy Oliver, who serves the church as deacon. “We had an interim priest, Mother…

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…

In a significant move toward recognizing and embracing the diversity of cultures within the Diocese of Central Florida, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb, bishop, has announced the renaming of the diocesan Hispanic Commission to the Latino Ministries Commission. This shift reflects a broad vision of cultural representation, moving beyond linguistic boundaries to embrace the…

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…

Many leaders have it all wrong. They work hard to motivate the people they lead, but instead, they need to stop demotivating them. This is crucial for leaders to learn, or they will hurt people, discourage them and lead less effective teams. Demands, threats and promises of reward don’t motivate people to work harder or…

Throughout Scripture, we see God speaking to His people through visions and dreams. While such experiences may seem less common today, they still happen in powerful ways, as evidenced by the journey of the Rev. Audrey Sutton (or Mother Audrey, as she prefers to be called) and her family. Sutton has been called to serve…

Being faithful ministers of the gospel means being equipped to minister to the whole person, including mental and emotional needs. As explained in “The Great Dechurching Event,” held Aug. 23, 2023, at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, the church has an opportunity to be a catalyst for that kind of healing and restoration…

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…

“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….

The Institute for Christian Studies in the Diocese of Central Florida is offering General Courses for laypeople this summer: seven classes with seven different instructors in seven locations. While ICS is renowned for its diaconate training, the General Courses offer a unique opportunity. These courses, open to all, delve into theology, tradition and scripture, providing…