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As part of the Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Gulf Atlantic Diocese partnered with the Charles Simeon Institute to launch a new annual conference called Equipping the Saints. This Conference seeks to empower and equip people across the Diocese in key areas identified as strategic opportunities of growth, and especially focuses on the development of laypeople.
The workshop tracks offered this year were:
- Training & Certification for Lay Eucharistic Ministers (Facilitator: the Rev. Debra Gordon)
- Church Musicians: Pastoring through Music and Liturgy (Facilitator: the Ven. Dr. Jessica Jones)
- The Bishop, The Rector, and the Vestry (Facilitator: the Rev. David Trautman)
- The Ministry Of Hospitality: Welcoming Friends & Strangers Into God’s Community (Facilitator: the Rev. Canon Bill Krizner)
- Running Alpha in Your Community (Facilitator: Ms. Jenny Noyes)
- Youth: Apologetics for the Next Generation (Facilitator: the Rev. Canon Christopher Jones, assisted by Hannah McDonald and Jordan Franco)
- Children’s Ministry: Discover the Art of Engaging Young Hearts – A Godly Play Workshop (Facilitator: Ms. Ruth Seawell, assisted by Kim Harris)
Friday evening, about 140 clergy and lay leaders from across the Diocese gathered for dinner in the Cathedral’s Parish Hall, then headed upstairs for choral Evensong officiated by Canon Michael Petty with musical leadership from Canon Precentor Chris Garven and an ensemble of the Cathedral Choir. Participants then split up for the first of five workshops in their elected track.
Saturday morning began with Morning Prayer officiated by Ms. Jennifer Webster, Executive Director of the Charles Simeon Institute. Participants engaged in two more workshop sessions before breaking for lunch. Two afternoon sessions followed, and attendees dispersed to return to their diverse ministry contexts.
“The material seemed really foundational, but there’s so much for me to bring back to our ministry back home. It’s been really good,” said one participant from Middleburg, who attended the Youth Apologetics track. Another attendee, from Jacksonville, noted how his workshop had combined the theory behind ministry with practical details, and especially appreciated the way the facilitator addressed things from the perspective of churches of various sizes. Perhaps the best feedback came from an attendee of the Hospitality track: “I am so ready. Let’s do this!”
Look for Equipping the Saints to return in Spring 2026, with a fresh slate of workshops addressing key needs expressed by our parishes.