Winter Camp at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park has a different theme every year, but according to  camp executive director Joshua “J.J.” Joseph, the camp maintains the same focus: building gospel-based connections. The recent Winter Camp, which took place the weekend of Dec. 27-29, had the theme “Total Surrender” and revealed the many ways Winter…

Regardless of politics, the topic of immigration has become one of increasing concern in both the U.S. and the state of Florida. Now, the factors surrounding this issue are having direct impact on clergy and congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. According to the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, canon to the ordinary,…

“Churches exist for the gospel, and our diocese must support the churches in every practical way possible to advance its proclamation.” – Bishop Justin Holcomb   The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, insists that the diocesan office exists for the churches, for the gospel. That commitment…

Epiphany, in which we celebrate God’s light coming into the world, is a significant season in the church year, celebrated across many Christian traditions. The word “epiphany” comes from a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “manifestation.” It reminds us that God’s love didn’t stay hidden. In Christ, God revealed himself – not just to Israel,…

The Episcopal Church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 12 days after Christmas. That day commemorates the arrival of the wise men from the East to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Christ child. It also marks the beginning of Epiphany season, a four- to nine-week period that ends on the…

The Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando, canon priest for spiritual formation and pastoral care at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, knows about pain. Not only has she lost both of her parents in recent years, but like many of us, she has also experienced other deep losses. But it was not her grief that…

It’s always cause for rejoicing in heaven when an individual responds with genuine faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This rejoicing, then, is surely palpable in response to the work God is doing in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, where more and more churches are seeing God move to bring people to belief…

The Rev. Stephanie Soper was ordained into the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on Nov. 24 in a service held at the Church of the Ascension, Orlando. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, presided. She was one of seven in the diocese ordained as transitional deacons on…

A recent teaching opportunity with the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, left the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith with a favorable impression of both the seminary and the Anglican Episcopal community there. The Nov. 12 visit also confirmed a positive trend that Smith, canon to the ordinary…

During Advent, we reflect on the prophecies that preceded the birth of Jesus and how he fulfilled them. This grounds the entire season in the story of God’s people waiting for the coming of the Messiah. God is sovereign over the future, and he alone is capable of telling the future perfectly. God told his…