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…

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…

Quiet pathways. Serene waters, broken by the splash of an occasional fish or water bird. Lush wooded areas. Precious fellowship with other followers of Christ, often accompanied by delicious meals. Times of reflection, worship and praise. Such are some of the many moments and memories of what for many in the Episcopal Diocese of Central…

Leadership books come in and go out of style as quickly as the latest fashion or technological gadget. Usually these bestselling books are how-to guides for being a successful leader, manuals for identifying leaders or stories about famous leaders worthy of emulation throughout the course of history. Today’s leaders can learn much – both positive…

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…

The Hon. Todd Pittenger, appointed by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb as chancellor of the Diocese of Central Florida in January 2024, has received a recent award that speaks not only to his legal expertise but to the quality of his voluntary service as chancellor, which he has already demonstrated is a priority….

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…