Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

08/25/2026

Yesterday, Bishop Justin Holcomb visited St. Peter's Episcopal Church Lake Mary for a joyful morning in the life of their parish!

We rejoice in all that was celebrated in life of the church: 9 confirmations, two youth and seven adults (including one from St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Orange City), 8 receptions, and 40 reaffirmations of faith!

Preaching on Peter's confession in Matthew 16, Bishop Holcomb reminded us that what happened at the rail rests on God's Faithfulness, not the strength of our grip:

"In baptism, God makes a promise: that you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever. Confirmation is not a graduation from the JV team of Christianity to the varsity team. It is a testimony of God's faithfulness to his promise to each person who comes up."

Please join us in giving thanks for all who were confirmed, received, and reaffirmed their faith this Sunday, and in praying for them as they live into these promises.

08/24/2026

On Saturday, more than 115 people from across the Diocese of Central Florida, those discerning a call and those supporting them, gathered for the 2026 Conference on Ministry at Church of the Ascension in Orlando.

Every Christian is called to faithful service – whether through lay ministry, the diaconate, or the priesthood – and the Conference on Ministry was a day to explore that call alongside people who have walked the road of discernment.

Bishop Justin Holcomb was joined by Orman Kimbrough, chair of the Commission on Ministry, Archdeacons John Motis and Julie Altenbach, the Revs. Stephanie Soper and Mark Lafler, along with members of the Commission on Ministry and diocesan staff. Together with those exploring a call, they discerned and celebrated how God's Spirit is moving in and through our diocese to proclaim the good news of reconciliation with God in Christ to the glory of God the Father!

If you are wondering about your own call, reach our Discernment Team at [email protected].

08/20/2026

Most of us carry a quiet fear that if anyone saw all of it, they would leave.

In his August column, Bishop Justin Holcomb writes about the love that sees all of it and stays. He opens with a hymn written by a man whose fiancée returned the ring when the doctor said he would go blind. He closes with a father who rode 300,000 miles over 24 years looking for his kidnapped son. In between is the trade at the heart of the faith: Christ takes what is ours and hands us what is his. Helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies becomes loved, justified, saved, reconciled.

"God is not moving. God is not looking for a reason to leave."

Read the full column: https://tr.ee/y_yqssqKRW

08/17/2026

He said yes to ministry as a teenager. On Aug. 8, he knelt in Ocala and said it again.

Bishop Justin Holcomb ordained the Rev. Josh Reed to the priesthood at Grace Episcopal Church Ocala, Fl, where Reed serves as associate rector. After 15 years in ministry and a lifetime in a ministry family, his first act as a priest was to offer the peace. A week later, on his first Sunday celebrating, he baptized his 8-month-old daughter, Maisie. Join us in praying for Father Josh, his wife, Caitlin, and their family as he begins this new chapter of service.

Read the full story: https://tr.ee/nbTlSGVwFs

08/12/2026

They came with willing hearts. What happened next was more than they could have done alone.

This summer, 52 young people from across the Diocese of Central Florida gathered for a week of serving neighbors, sharing God’s love and growing together in faith. From caring for the community to worshiping together, they experienced the truth behind Jesus’ five loaves and two fish: when we offer what we have, God can do more than we imagine.

Read the full story of faith in action: https://tr.ee/zI-m_wt760

08/11/2026

From continuing ministries to new callings, this weekend at Grace Episcopal Church Ocala, Fl was a beautiful reminder that God is always at work among us.

Bishop Justin Holcomb joined the Grace community in celebrating the continuing ministry of the Rev. Frans van Santen as Rector, with his formal celebration and installation. Since Fr. Frans has already been faithfully serving the congregation, this moment felt less like a beginning and more like a joyful affirmation of the ministry already taking root.

The weekend also marked a new season for the Rev. Josh Reed, who was ordained to the priesthood and will serve as Associate Rector at Grace. Josh was surrounded by those who love and support him, including his wife, Caitlin, and their children, Graham and Maisie.

The celebrations continued with 14 confirmations and 11 reaffirmations of faith — a wonderful witness to God’s ongoing work in the lives of the Grace community.

So many seasons of faith and ministry, gathered into one joy-filled weekend! We give thanks for the ways God continues to call, strengthen and bless the people of Grace, Ocala.

08/10/2026

Musicians and clergy from across The Episcopal Church gathered in Atlanta for the inaugural Justice, Mercy, and Music Symposium, exploring the history and future of Afro-Centric liturgical music and its role in strengthening historically Black Episcopal churches.

Among the symposium’s leaders was Dr. Carl MaultsBy of St. Richard's Winter Park, whose vision helped bring the gathering to life. His leadership comes alongside another significant honor: he was recently named the recipient of the 2026 Nelson R. Burr Prize. Read the full story: https://tr.ee/DEkdy0W8gS

08/07/2026

Our National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) continue to strengthen ministry across our region. Read how members of the Diocese of Central Florida made an impact at the June Province IV ECW meeting, including the election of Dr. Christine Allen of St. Simon the Cyrenian, Fort Pierce, to the Province IV ECW Executive Board: https://tr.ee/TFqlPEQSyJ

08/05/2026

A beautiful milestone in a sacred journey! Prospective deacons recently gathered for a retreat celebrating the culmination of three years of formation, prayer and discernment. We invite you to read their story and join us in praying for them as they continue responding to God’s call to serve the Church.

Read the full story: https://tr.ee/cTnP62oIRw

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Carl MaultsBy, director of music and organist at St. Richard's Winter Park, on receiving the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church's 2026 Nelson R. Burr Prize! This well-deserved honor recognizes his outstanding scholarship and contribution to Episcopal history through his work on Afro-Centric liturgical music. We give thanks for Dr. MaultsBy's ministry and celebrate this remarkable achievement.

Read more:

The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Carl MaultsBy, director of music and organist at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida, …