Advent is a season of waiting, one in which Christians throughout the world anticipate the celebration of the birth of Christ. But in the case of the Diocese of Central Florida, Advent 2022 is also a season of waiting for the election of its fifth bishop. The Search Committee has selected the three candidates, and…
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The Rev. Dr. Robert Strenth, one of the newest priests in the Diocese of Central Florida, has been called to serve as rector of St. Matthew’s, Orlando. His ordination took place Nov. 19 at Holy Cross, Sanford. Strenth had been serving Holy Cross as a deacon there since 2017 but sensed a call to the…
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God continues to move through the Diocese of Central Florida’s bishop search process, now entering its final phase. Even before The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer’s official announcement at the 2022 Diocesan Convention of his July 2023 retirement at age 72, as mandated by the canons of The Episcopal Church, the Standing Committee had put…
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“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” Each week, deacons around the world dismiss congregations with these or other similar words. “But how many of us actually know what they mean or how to do that?” asked Jeff Carver, who serves as co-coordinator of Alpha with his wife, Susan, at St. Andrew’s, Fort…
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Food pantries in the Diocese of Central Florida have moved into crisis mode as they deal with increased numbers because of the devastation of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole along with inflation and realize the situation is permanent. In addition, they continue to help their existing clients. All of this prompts a tremendous opportunity to support…
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The annual diocesan Clergy Conference followed the theme of this year’s guest speaker, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, who urged participants toward the challenge of “going deeper” in faith and fellowship amid the peaceful setting of Canterbury Conference Center in Oviedo. Held Monday afternoon, Oct. 24, through Wednesday noon, Oct. 26, the conference…
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First responders received blessings, encouragement and a courtesy luncheon via a special Blue Mass service held by St. Thomas, Eustis, on Oct. 2. The church invited local police, fire and rescue, EMS and sheriffs to come and receive anointing followed by lunch. It was the first time the church had offered the service, although similar…
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The Rev. Andrew Lazo is the newest participant in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida’s residency program, serving as apprentice rector at Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden. The Houston, Texas, native and his wife, bestselling author Dr. Christin Ditchfield, made the move to Central Florida from Virginia in June and have quickly felt at…
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On May 10, Russell Franck, a parishioner at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Wales, took part in a miraculous emergency landing. “My best friend and pilot, Ken Allen, had called me a week prior and wanted to know if I wanted to fly with him over the Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas to take…
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In a neighborhood safely out of a flood zone, The Rev. Jason Murbarger, rector of St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach, looked out of his window mid-day on Thursday, Sept. 29, to check on his property in the onslaught of Hurricane Ian. Water extended halfway over the sidewalk in front of the house, and since it was…
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