“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…
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“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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Civic activism and community service from a faith-based perspective are more than longstanding priorities for the Rev. Charles Myers, rector of St. John the Baptist, Orlando, and new vice president of the Florida Council of Churches. “They’re rooted in and continuing the legacy of this church,” he said of the dual emphases that also characterize…
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En la noche del 26 de junio de 2023, aproximadamente 150 personas se reunieron con los representantes de EE. UU., Maxwell Frost, Distrito 9 de Florida, y Darren Soto, Distrito 10 de Florida, en la iglesia Christ the King de Orlando, para honrar a 32 inmigrantes distinguidos y cinco organizaciones comunitarias. El evento, realizado durante…
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On the evening of June 26, 2023, approximately 150 people gathered with U.S. Reps. Maxwell Frost, Florida District 9, and Darren Soto, Florida District 10, at Christ the King, Orlando, to honor 32 distinguished immigrants and five community-based organizations. The event, held during National Immigrant Heritage Month, included a number of honorees associated with the…
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Even though he’s a brand-new resident, receiving hands-on experience under the guidance of the Rev. Jonathan French and other seasoned leaders at Grace, Ocala, for Indiana native and former missionary Brian Stankich, the new role is the culmination of a calling he’s felt since he was a young man. While he was working in the…
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The Rev. Sara Oxley has been called as the new rector at Good Shepherd, Maitland, and looks forward to her new role. She will begin on Aug. 1 and said her celebration of new ministry service will occur later. “I can’t wait to start at Good Shepherd and see what God has planned!” But Oxley…
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