Connecting with our neighbors at St. Philip’s

Dear St. John’s Cathedral family,

During the era of segregation, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on Union Street was started as a church for the African American community. Today, we are seeking not only to atone for the sins of that era but also God’s guidance as to what we might do together with St. Philip’s to bring us closer to the kingdom of God. Both parishes are now racially diverse and welcoming, and both want to serve Jesus. What can we do together?

For the past few months, the Cathedral has been sending our priests over to St. Philip’s on Sunday mornings to lead worship. We have been welcomed and moved by their faithfulness. The Rev. Marsha Holmes, a long-standing deacon in the church who has served for years at Christ Church in Ponte Vedra, has recently been appointed to serve at St. Philip’s. And this coming Sunday, we are initiating the first “exchange a pew” Sunday, in which some of our parishioners will attend St. Philip’s and some of their parishioners will come to us. Find out how to get involved here.

What will the Holy Spirit do with all this? I really don’t know, but I do know that it feels like we are moving together in the right direction. And I am grateful.

In Christ’s love,

Kate+