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The Word
Hydrating the Soul. Reawakening the Spirit.
2025 Water and the Word Conference Fully Alive in Christ Resources
On February 21 & 22 nearly 200 people from across the diocese gathered for the Water and the Word Conference where they immersed themselves
Lindsey Nickel
2 min read


2024 Water and the Word Conference Resources
On April 25 & 26 close to 200 people from across the diocese gathered for the Water and the Word Conference where they immersed...
Lindsey Nickel
2 min read


Trust in God's time.
Jesus often uses the image of a seed when he is teaching about the kingdom of God. This past Sunday, he said that "unless a grain of...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


When what hurts us, heals us.
John 3:16 is arguably one of the most well-known verses in the entire Bible. But before John 3:16 is John 3:14 where Jesus says, “Just as...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Keeping Jesus at the Center of Our Journey in the Wilderness
For most of us, a smart device has become an indispensable part of our lives. But did you know that we encounter more data and...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Responding to God's Call in the Wilderness
Did you know your brain makes about 35,000 decisions every day? Many of these are almost imperceptible, and yet, they make a difference...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


God's Call to Recalculate
"One of the apps I have been using a lot this past year is my map app. In fact, during my first six months as your Bishop, I drove more...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


In The Wilderness
Today, on Ash Wednesday, I find myself reflecting on the image of wilderness. And in particular, the fact that God's people spend a lot...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Water and the Word Resources
On May 5 & 6 more than 150 people from across the diocese gathered for the Water and the Word Conference where they emersed themselves in...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Marked as Christ’s Own: Baptism in the Present Tense
It all begins with Baptism. "We are all one in Christ because each and every one of us have passed through the same baptismal water."...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


A Season of Emergence
Sermon Preached at the Annual Chrism Mass 2023 Diocese of Southwest Florida April 4, 2023 - St. Mark’s, Venice The Rt. Rev. Douglas F....
Bishop Doug Scharf
5 min read


Holy Week Prayer
The Lord be with you. In this week’s #LentenReflection, we invite you to join in prayer with Bishop Doug Scharf. Tomorrow we will once...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


A Community of Healing
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but it was the community that was called to unbind him and set him free. In this week's...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


God's Truth Will Set You Free
It all comes back to creation. In this week's #LentenReflection, Bishop Doug Scharf recalls the themes of darkness, light, water, and...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Step into the Light
In this week's #LentenReflection, Bishop Doug Scharf begs the question - are we hiding in plain sight? In the Samaritan woman who meets...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


New Life Starts in the Darkness
In this week's #LentenReflection, Bishop Doug Scharf contemplates the story of Nicodemus, who came to Jesus in the darkness of night...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Clearing Away for Growth to Happen
This last Sunday in our churches we heard about Jesus' time in the wilderness, where he faced challenges and overcame temptation. For...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Ash Wednesday, the most Counter-Cultural Day of the Year
Ash Wednesday, the most counter-cultural day of the year? It is a big question we wrestle with when we reflect on our desire for...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Healing & Renewal - a Lenten Journey
As we enter the season of Lent, we are reminded of the need for reflection and introspection. Join us every Wednesday as Bishop Doug...
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read


Faithfully Memphis
I join the Rev. Dorothy Wells, Rector of St. George's Episcopal Church, Germantown, TN for #FaithfullyMemphis this week.
Bishop Doug Scharf
1 min read
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