Very few people adapt to change easily. For most of us, change is uncomfortable and "doing things the way we've always done them" is easier. This pandemic has caused all of us to change and it hasn't been easy. But with change, comes the opportunity for innovation and improvement. Sometimes change brings surprising blessings, as well. We wanted to encourage you by sharing ...

by Rev. Dr. Jessica H. Jones This season in ministry has forced churches everywhere to move to an online environment, exploring video conferencing, live streaming, pre-recording and video editing segments for their website, and trying to navigate pastoral care for those not connected, as well as those already saturated with online content. Someone joked last week on our c...

by Rev. Taylor IshiiChurch of the Apostles, Eastern Shore One principle of good communication is to know your audience. I remember once teaching in a youth group setting and using 9/11 as an example of a moment where time seemed to stand still. I then asked the students if they remembered where they were on 9/11. I got nods from the adults in the room, but blank stares fr...

Contributors: Dr. Sarah Hall, Rev. Ben Jefferies, Rev. Dr. Jessica Jones, Rev. Carrie Klukas, The Very Rev. Andrew Rowell In God's grand narrative we see the power of prayer over and over. God's people cry out to him, primarily because he is the only one who can do anything! Now is the time to teach children and youth about prayer, if we haven't done so already. In the m...

Contributors: Dr. Julia Marie Halderman, Rev. Dr. Jessica Jones "This is the day the Lord has made, let us go forth and deal with it," said my son years ago when he was about 6 years old, after a particularly hard week. He did not want to rejoice and be glad in it. I reminded him that rejoicing was a choice and we serve a good God. This week he reminded me of the sam...

byRev. Mark Eldredge, Canon for Congregational Health When the first ever church was formed in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost the believers basically did five things. We can read about this in Acts 2:42-47: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and...

by Rev. Dr. Jessica Jones As God's people, are we struggling with what to say during this time? Times like this have a way of disabling my speech, even sometimes to God. But expressing our emotions to God, all of our emotions, is exactly what he asks of us. The Psalms provide an outline for expressing our emotions to God, even during difficult seasons such as this. The...

by Rev. Dr. Jessica Jones,Canon for Next Generation Discipleship, Gulf Atlantic Diocese Director of Family Ministry, ACNA Next Generation Leadership Initiative byRev. Aaron Buttery,Associate for NextGen Leadership, C4SO Diocese Due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, we are in the beginning of a new season of ministry with young people. This season of challenges p...

by Rev. Jessica JonesCanon for Next Generation Discipleship Many of you may be facing the issue of how to best support your students and small groups during social distancing. This is a difficult time for many and when students face the unknown, or their routine is disrupted, it can cause anxiety and have ongoing ramifications. We have the opportunity during this time to...

Due to social distancing, our diocese went online almost overnight. Some churches will offer services virtually, but most will not have them temporarily. Below are some ideas for you as you seek to lead alternative options for worship during this difficult season. Please note: The Gulf Atlantic Diocese does not specifically endorse the individual websites or authors of th...