Emmanuel Episcopal Church Orlando holds 2023 Annual Parish Meeting, discusses future church plans

The Emmanuel Episcopal Church Orlando held its 2023 Annual Parish Meeting, talking about the achievements of the church and its future plans. Image courtesy of Sincerely Media|Unsplash

The Emmanuel Episcopal Church Orlando recently held its 2023 Annual Parish Meeting Monday, Feb. 6, at the church premises.

During the meeting, Fr. Jonathan Turtle gave his Rector's Report, where he talked about the church's plans, a post on its Facebook page bared.

Father Turtle said that for this year, the church's focus is 'Adoration, Formation, and Transformation.'

The meeting also included the Treasurer's Report, Junior and Senior Warden Report, Acolyte Report, the Presentation of the 2023 Budget, and important church updates. The meeting likewise highlighted the $25,000 check that the church received. The Afternoons at Emmanuel program reportedly donated the amount to the parish.

During the event, church and ministry members also discussed their respective milestones and progress, the post revealed.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church Orlando

The church’s official website bared that it is a member church of The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida that caters to the Audubon Park Garden District.

The church says it is in the middle of the district and close to downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and the Audubon Park School. 

The church provides traditional and contemporary worship to cater to all congregation members.

Apart from this, it provides opportunities for fellowship so that people can have 'first-rate Christian formation' in the Anglican tradition.

According to the church, it first held its service at a real estate office in 1953. Today, the church stands in a lot donated by the Audubon Park developers in 1955.

Stained Glass Windows of Emmanuel

The Emmanuel Episcopal Church Orlando is known for its stained glass windows, which Percy Hubbard donated in 1967. 

The windows have the writings 'Enter thou into the house of the Lord' and 'Peace I give to you' at the entry and exit points of the church, respectively.

Apart from the words, there are biblical events also depicted by the stained glass windows. This includes a three-piece set depicting Jesus Christ's nativity, which even includes the witness shepherds and the 'Three Kings' who brought gifts.

It also has windows depicting the growth of Jesus Christ, which includes Him working in a carpenter's shop, talking to Mother Mary, and standing at the temple.

Almost all of the church windows were designed by Willett Studios, the same creator of the stained glass of the Cadet's Chapel at West Point.

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida’s website said it has some 30,000 members making up over 80 different congregations in 15 counties in the Central Florida area. The diocese has five deaneries: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

Apart from its parishes, the diocese also has schools, camps, and other providers of faith resources.

The diocese has been a part of Central Florida for over 50 years but has roots that go back even further to 1838.

Today, Rev. Gregory O. Brewer leads the Diocese of Central Florida as its fourth bishop.

Bishop Brewer was appointed to the position on March 24, 2012. He first served as a rector of the Calvary-St. George Church and the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli.

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