Saturday Worship Time : Temporarily Postponed
Saturday Worship Date : Temporarily Postponed
Sunday Worship Time : 10:30 a.m.(UPDATE)*
Sunday Adult Bible Study : 9:00 a.m.(UPDATE)*
Childrens Sunday School : 10:30 a.m.(UPDATE)*
Sunday Fellowship Hour : 12 N-1 p.m.(UPDATE)*
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Resurrection Campus - Sanctuary
A Word From the Bishop
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A WORD FROM THE BISHOP ABOUT TRANSITIONS IN URBAN
MINISTRY
Dear brothers and sisters,
A number of clergy and laity in Jacksonville have been in active
study and prayer concerning our mission to evangelize and grow the
church, focusing particularly on our ministry in Jacksonville's
urban core. Over the course of nearly two years, church
leaders from this area (St. John's Cathedral, St. Mary's, St.
Phillip's, Church of the Good Shepherd and Church Without Walls)
have been engaged as we have sought to discern God's will for our
ministry to the city.
During this time, I have taken inspiration from the lyrics of the
Chris Tomlin song "God of This City."
You're the God of this
city
You're the king of these people
You're the lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this
city
As we have talked and as we have prayed, a vision has arisen for
urban ministry that will unfold in concert with our new initiative
on evangelism and growth. The Rev. Beth Tjoflat will serve as
Canon for Urban Ministry, leading a broadened and inclusive
approach to urban ministry. She will build on partnerships
within the diocese and community as she continues to oversee our
"church without walls" ministry. As we strive to enlarge our
communities of worship and service, I feel that this ministry will
be one of real and lasting significance.
Sue Carmichael, who has lovingly and passionately served as Lay
Missionary at St. Mary's will step down from that position at the
end of July. After a sabbatical time for much deserved rest
and discernment, Sue will return to us in December. We look
forward to collaborating with her and supporting her in her future
ministries with a new ministry focus. She
will remain on our diocesan staff until her retirement, and I know
that she will share her gifts with us in new and exciting
ways.
In August, Beth Tjoflat will assume responsibility for the St.
Mary's campus. In the meantime, Sue and Beth are working together
closely to ensure a smooth transition. Beth will build on the St.
Mary's legacy of service, developing that campus into a community
resource grounded in Eucharist and prayer. St. Mary's will
serve as a place of intergenerational training and support for
laity and clergy serving in the urban core.
On July 23, there will be a festive celebration of Sue
Carmichael's 35 years of leadership and ministry at St.
Mary's. We hope that all of you will join us for this
milestone celebration. In the meanwhile, I ask that you join
me in prayer for our changing urban ministry and for the cities and
towns of our Diocese.
"Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of
that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory:
Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties
of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able
leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression,
that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order,
and that men and women from different cultures and with differing
talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their
humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard
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