In this blog, clergy and lay leaders share helpful resources, ideas, and reflections. The topics range from soul care, to effectiveness, to practical solutions for common issues we are facing. If you have something you would like to submit to be included, please email it to Jessica Jones. We hope these articles are a blessing to you in your ministry.
Next week begins Advent, the start of a new liturgical year, and the celebration of what is to come. Most of you are probably eagerly anticipating a new year following 2020 with more hope than ever before. Advent this year has me considering the juxtaposition of the vital role physical presence played in the first Christmas, with the role physical presence is playing as we...
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10 Considerations for Building Online Church Communities When the pandemic closed Sunday services, churches quickly (and adeptly!) moved online. Everyone I know has been immensely grateful for the work that pastors and church leadership teams have completed, enabling the people to be part of their worshiping community while safe at home. But how has this pandemic changed...
Keep Readingby Catherine Miller, Trinity Anglican, Thomasville In March 2020, I was invited to the first online creative session with United Adoration, a ministry dedicated to revitalizing the church through the arts. I found the online sessions very helpful to me to assist in the process of creating while I was writing a new song. Lyrics don't come naturally to me, or at least not a...
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Leading a local church during a major time of change is clearly hard. We know this because we've all been doing it this year. It's not just something we've read about in a book. A major reason it is hard is that it requires changing the way we do things. It means letting go of ways of doing things we knew and were comfortable with. It means reorienting and adapting to diff...
Keep Reading by The Rev. Mark Eldredge, Canon for Congregational Health I think you'd agree that in the Fall of 2020 in America we could all use more love. We could use more joy. More peace, more patience, more kindness, more goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (especially on social media). Wouldn't more of all those be beneficial to all of us? Those hopefully sound f...
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As a new priest, I have been reflecting on the last four years of formation leading up to my ordination. The days were simply packed with studying, classes, working in my job during the day, and being present to my family. That busy pace is not specific to seminarians or clergy. It seems everyone I know feels strapped for time and energy. It is a constant challenge to main...
Keep Reading A Message To You In Troubled Times The year 2020, to say the least, is a troubled year. My daughter asked me last week how long I thought it might be before the term "2020" starts to be used as a profanity. Like when someone hits their hand with a hammer they will cry out, "2020" instead of some other more common term! Given the way this year has gone so far, I could see ...
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ABUNDANCE FOR OTHERS: Church Planting in New England The Very Rev. Mike McDonald, Rector of Grace Anglican Church and Dean of the Northeast Deanery, Gulf Atlantic Diocese In a season overshadowed by a global pandemic, it may seem strange to focus on abundance for others, but that was the "word" the Lord gave me for our church this year. I knew we would be attempting one ...
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Camp Araminta continues to be integral to our diocesan discipleship of the next generation, even during a pandemic! This summer, approximately 30 leaders (mainly young adult counselors), coordinated and launched Camp Araminta Nights. Camp was held during the scheduled week, but virtually in the evenings. These counselors planned elaborate skits, worship, activities, and ga...
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byRev. Bill Krizner, St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral, Tallahassee "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me.'" - Isaiah 6:8 June 21, 2020. . . I count it as the 5th best day of my life. The date of my ordination to the priesthood fallsonly after my marriage to my covenant partner and best frien...
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