The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine 

Jefferts Schori, 

Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, will visit the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast during the last week-end of May of this year. At Bishop Philip Duncan’s invitation, she will visit several congregations and all three agencies of the diocese. She will spend time with diocesan clergy and spouses, with clergy and lay leaders of the diocese and their spouses, and with youth from throughout the diocese.

     Her schedule begins at mid-day on Friday, May 29, when she arrives in Pensacola and ends with her departure from Mobile on Monday, June 1.

     In looking forward to the Presiding Bishop’s visit, Bishop Duncan said, "For the past nine years I have had the privilege to come to know and work with The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, who is not only a committed Christian but also a bishop of our Episcopal Church. I am most pleased that she has accepted my invitation to be with us as our Presiding Bishop and Primate, and invite the entire Diocese to come and be with her as she experiences our life and walk with Christ in this part of the kingdom. “

     On Friday, May 29, she will lead a three-hour retreat for all clergy and spouses beginning at 1:30 pm at St. Francis’ Church, Gulf Breeze. At 5:30 pm, she will be principal celebrant and preacher in the Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, Pensacola. This service is open to all, and a reception will follow the service. Clergy are invited to be vested and in procession (although registration in advance is required) and seats will be reserved for representatives of all congregations. (Details of this are being sent to all clergy and wardens in charge of congregations.)

     On Saturday, May 30, at 9:15 am, she will visit the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and St. Anna’s Church north of Atmore. This event is open to all.

     She will have lunch at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center where she will join a diocesan-wide youth event. (Details of this youth event have been sent to all congregations.) This gathering is for youth and adults who work with youth. On Saturday at 4:00 pm, she will dedicate the new parish life center at St. Paul’s Church, Daphne. This service, and the reception following, is open to all. She will spend Saturday and Sunday nights in Mobile. 

     On Friday evening in Pensacola and on Saturday evening on the Eastern Shore, the Presiding Bishop will attend dinners for clergy and lay leaders of the diocese and their spouses. Attendance is by invitation only.

     On Sunday morning, May 31, she will visit with the residents and staff of Murray House Assisted Living Residence at 9:30, and at 10:30 am, she will be principal celebrant and preacher at the Pentecost Day Eucharist at All Saints Church, Mobile, as this parish celebrates its centennial year. This service is open to all.

     Following the service she will dedicate a nearby Habitat House. A reception will be held at the house, given by the parishioners of All Saints. 

     She will have Sunday lunch with the children and staff of Wilmer Hall where she will be entertained by "The Good Shepherd Steppers" - a youth dance group from the Church of the Good Shepherd.  The Presiding Bishop will then be at Christ Church Cathedral for Sunday Evening Prayer at 4:30 pm. This service and the reception following is open to all, and reserved seats for representatives of all congregations will be available. (Details of this are being sent to clergy and wardens in charge of congregations.) She will leave Mobile early the next morning.

     Bishop Duncan invites and encourages the clergy and lay members of our diocese to participate as much as possible in the Presiding Bishop’s visit and to welcome her as she learns about and shares in the ministry of the Gospel in our diocese.