“Who are these women?” Nadine Craig wondered when she began attending St. Mary’s, Belleview. “These women” were those “who seemed to just have a glow and a light about them, and they were always smiling, and they were wearing these Fleury crosses,” she explained. “And then someone said, ‘Do you know about the Daughters of…

When the Holy Spirit speaks, it pays to listen. The Rev. Canon Ellis Brust, rector of St. Andrew’s, Fort Pierce, has a special reason to embrace that truth after a recent divine encounter. On Sunday, Jan. 15, Brust sensed that God was impressing something on him as he prepared to baptize three children. “We had…

If your community is anything like mine, you have seen some new people moving into your town, and new construction projects have been breaking ground. As a Lakeland citizen, I had been paying attention to the changes, especially downtown, since 2020, but it wasn’t until January 2022 that I woke up to the potential of…

“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…

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…

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…

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…

Sister congregations Jesús de Nazaret and Christ the King in Azalea Park, Orlando, are supporting victims of Hurricane Fiona in Loíza, Puerto Rico, by collecting flashlights, batteries and cash donations. “Loíza is a resilient community that has faced many challenges caused by the hurricanes, the economic upheaval in Puerto Rico and a history of racial…

The seven schools of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras are all meeting in-person again after a long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this good news for the Diocese of Central Florida’s Communion Partner brings with it a problem that has prompted The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen to ask for help: a teacher shortage….

Summer mission trips can be transformative experiences, especially for youth. And when these trips are done well, they can also have a great impact on local communities. Nonprofits and other organizations thrive on volunteer help to accomplish their mission. So when a group of youth partnered with a local church converges on a single community,…