February 2024 Communiqué

Dear brothers and sisters of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese,

As we hit the two-week mark of our journey through Lent, I want to share with you a brief message of encouragement. The season may rightfully be solemn, but by no means should it be joyless.

It was the early morning of May 16, 1968, in apartment 90 on the 18^th floor of the 22-story Ronan Point apartment tower in London. A fifty-six-year-old cake decorator, by the name of Ivy Hodge, awoke and went to make herself a cup of tea like she did every morning. But when she lit the stove, the spark from the match triggered a ravaging gas explosion. In fact, the blast tore through the joints that connected the walls to the floor. This left the four apartments below Ivy’s without any structural support. Then, like a terrible game of collapsing dominoes, they fell one by one until the entire corner of the building was no more. Sadly, seventeen people were terribly injured and four died. The shocking thing was that the building was brand new. It had only opened a month earlier and, from the street, Ronan Point was a place of true beauty. So how could this tragedy have taken place?

What can the Church learn from this disaster?

I so look forward to the weekend as I know it will be another amazing trip to spend with another parish. Many questions come up during our visits, especially about our family and my own background. It warms my heart that people genuinely want to know about my sweet family!

Alex and I have three children. Our oldest …

The Equipping the Saints Weekend is designed to train parishes across our diocese in areas of ministry that were identified at the diocesan strategic planning meeting in May 2023. Each participant will get to choose ONE workshop and will receive 5 training sessions over the course of two days.  It will be a time of worship, connection and education; and we look forward to gathering together!

The Center for Ministry, a Strategic Initiative in the 2023-2028 Diocesan Strategic Plan, is hosting this event in partnership with the Cathedral’s Charles Simeon Institute. Event information and registration can be found here.

Camp Araminta

Camp Araminta 2024 registration for campers and applications for leaders are now live!

Quick facts:

• Araminta 2024 will be held July 22-27 at Lake Swan Camp in Melrose
• Camper age is rising 4th -12th grades
• Cost per camper: $525
• Students may apply for leadership beginning in 10th grade with Flight Crew. Cost for LITs (Leaders-in-Training under 18): $396
• Counselors and other adult volunteers needed!
• For questions about registration email Camp staff

Hope to see you this summer!

Soul in the City

Soul in the City registration is also live! SitC is empowering teenagers to live a life of service to God and neighbor through the love of Christ. It's a week-long overnight summer camp where rising 7th - 12th grade students physically and relationally invest in the local community with their time and talents by being the hands and feet of Jesus. During this action-packed week, students live on the Grace Anglican Church campus in a mission-styled setting. Students serve during the day at various mission sites, have fun with friends, and gather at the Barn in the evening for worship, teaching, and small group discussion.