Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

10/08/2026

What does it mean to say yes to God?

For some, it is a first step. For others, it is a return, a reaffirmation or a deeper commitment to the faith they have come to know and love. Whatever the journey, these moments are a celebration of God’s faithfulness — the promise-keeping God who reaches toward us, initiates and sustains a relationship with us. They are moments when we are invited to stand before the Church and say, “Yes.”

On Sunday, November 1 at 5:00 p.m., the Diocese of Central Florida will gather at Holy Trinity Bartow for the Celebration of Holy Eucharist with confirmations, receptions and reaffirmations, with Bishop Justin Holcomb presiding.

As we gather to celebrate those taking this important step, we are also reminded that none of us walks the journey of faith alone. We invite members of the diocese to come celebrate with those who are affirming their faith and entering more deeply into the life of the Church.

Clergy from across the diocese who are interested in bringing candidates for confirmation, reception or reaffirmation should contact Irene Safier at the Diocesan Office at [email protected] or 407-423-3567 x300.

10/07/2026

Guilt and shame can feel closely intertwined, but they are not the same. In his latest reflection, Bishop Justin Holcomb explores the difference between the two and points us toward the hope we have in Christ: forgiveness for our guilt, healing for our shame and the assurance that we are loved and accepted by God.

Read the full reflection: https://tr.ee/shame-vs-guilt

10/06/2026

A call to priesthood is a journey — and no one walks it alone.

Learn how the Rev. Mark Lafler, Advisor for Discernment Formation, works alongside the bishop and diocesan discernment team to support postulants in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida as they navigate formation, theological education, family responsibilities and finances.

Read the full article to learn more about the people and process behind the call to ordained ministry: https://tr.ee/behind-the-call

10/05/2026

For Episcopal Schools Celebration 2026, more than 800 Episcopal schools across the country are gathering around one verse: Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

As part of this nationwide celebration, Bishop Justin Holcomb is sharing this message with the students, teachers, staff and families of the 17 Episcopal schools in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.

But this message is for all of us who are carrying something heavy: You don’t have to hold it all together, because God is holding you.

Please take a few minutes to watch Bishop Holcomb’s message for our 2026 Episcopal Schools Week and reflect on what it means to “be still” and know that God is God.

2026 Episcopal Schools Week: a message from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin...

10/05/2026

This past Saturday, 175 Daughters of the King representing 34 churches from across the Diocese of Central Florida gathered at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for their Fall Assembly. With 1,024 members, our diocese is home to the second-largest Daughters of the King diocesan assembly in the United States!

Bishop Justin Holcomb shared a message from Luke 7:11–17. At the gate of Nain, Jesus saw a grieving widow before she ever asked for anything, and his compassion moved him to act. Bishop Holcomb encouraged us to remember that Jesus sees us before we speak, comes toward us in our grief and weakness, and holds on to us through every season.

A special thank you to Fr. Tom Phillips and the Holy Trinity parish for graciously hosting this year’s Fall Assembly.

We give thanks for the faithful ministry and witness of the Daughters of the King throughout Central Florida!

10/03/2026

This week Bishop Justin Holcomb preached and celebrated at a Diocese-wide service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation hosted by St. Richard's Episcopal Church, Winter Park in the Central Deanery. This was the first of its kind, with future Diocese-wide services being planned in the other four Deaneries.

Candidates from St. Richard's were joined by those presented from All Saints Episcopal Church - Enterprise, FL; Sanford Holy Cross Episcopal Church; Church of the Messiah; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - DeLand, FL; and Church of St. Luke & St. Peter. In all, twenty-seven candidates came before the Bishop: fourteen were confirmed, four were received into the communion of this Church, and nine reaffirmed their baptismal vows.

The Very Rev. Stuart Shelby, Dean of the Central Deanery, assisted with the presentation of candidates. Music was led by a combined choir drawn from St. Richard's, Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist and the Cathedral Church of St Luke - Orlando, FL under the direction of Dr. Carl MaultsBy.

In welcoming the congregation, the Rev. Dr. Dale Truscott, Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. Richard's, observed that those assembled were the family of God in Central Florida, gathered together. He expressed the hope that the evening would be the first of many such gatherings across the Deanery, on a variety of occasions, since each is a way for us to join hands.

In his sermon, Bishop Justin spoke to the significance of what the Church does in confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation by sharing that it's not the candidates making a promise that God will hold them to; but the candidates standing up inside a promise that God has already made and already kept. When the congregation witnesses the candidates and prays for them, it is a testimony that God has never once broken a promise, and He is not going to start now.

A catered reception followed the service, offering a wonderful time of fellowship.

10/01/2026

Today, representatives from the Central Florida Episcopal Schools Association gathered at the diocesan office for their annual meeting.

Canon Dan Smith celebrated and preached at the Eucharist with the group. In his sermon, he reflected on the shared mission of our Episcopal schools: to inspire, explore, empower, and prepare students while grounding them in love of God, respect for themselves and others, and care for God’s creation. These foundational values help shape students not only in mind, but in heart, character and faith. Canon Dan gave thanks for the important work of our educators and leaders and encouraged them to keep these beliefs at the heart of their vocation.

We are grateful for all who faithfully nurture the next generation and for the ways the mission of Episcopal education is lived out across Central Florida. What a blessing to celebrate this work together!

09/29/2026

Bishop Justin Holcomb recently joined bishops and bishops-elect from across The Episcopal Church for the September gathering of the House of Bishops at Camp Allen in Texas. The gathering brought together 118 bishops and bishops-elect, representing 93 dioceses and special ministries across 17 countries and territories.

It was a meaningful time of prayer, fellowship and shared ministry, including time with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and a special visit from the Most Rev. Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury.

We’re grateful for Bishop Justin’s leadership and for the opportunity to be part of the wider life of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

09/29/2026

Early-bird registration for Made New, our fall youth retreat, ends October 1!

This fall, we’re gathering students from across the diocese for a weekend to step away and encounter the transforming love of Jesus. There’s still time to get your students registered at the early-bird rate of $140, but the clock is ticking. After October 1, registration is $150. Register today: https://cfdiocese.org/youth-fall-event/