ABOUT US

St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church is one of 77 parishes in the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

We a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church in the United States.

The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith is the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, serving as our spiritual leader.

We are 77 parishes and missions total some 31,000 baptized persons who share an exciting pilgrimage

of ministry. On any given Sunday, about 13,000 people worship in Episcopal churches in Southwest Florida.

We extend along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, with our northernmost congregation in Brooksville and our most southern on Marco Island. We include the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Fort Myers. Our easternmost congregations are in Plant City, Arcadia and LaBelle.

As a diocesan community of faith we seek to live out Jesus' Great Commission which insists that we should be in the world to make disciples of all people ministering God's redemptive gifts of love and grace.

"Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded." Matthew 28:19-20a.

The Episcopal Church in the United States.

We are highly influenced by the American Revolution, as our spiritual forefathers and mothers were English colonists migrating to the New World between the 1670’s and 1770’s.

These days we are home to native born Americans, persons of Caribbean descent, persons from other faith communities, and those who have embraced our faith.

This configuration of members makes the Episcopal Church diverse.

The congregations and congregants

Can be evangelistic, charismatic, conservative, Anglo-Catholic, and liberal. St. Hilary’s Congregation is a broad mixture of all the above.

First and foremost, Episcopalians are Christians.

We believe God has created us, we proclaim and follow Jesus Christ as Lord, we believe that God is active in our day to day lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We embrace the church as the body of which Jesus Christ is the head and all baptized people are the members.

As part of the Anglican Communion, we are a spiritual fellowship which consists of an estimated 85 million Christians who are members of 45 different independent national churches.

All of the national churches are autonomous and all are in communion with the Church of England.

All Anglican churches are drawn together by a common loyalty to:

• Holy Scripture as the revealed Word of God;

• The historical Creeds of the Church as sufficient statements of Christian belief;

• The celebration of the seven sacraments of the Church with special emphasis on Baptism and Eucharist;

• The apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons in the life of teaching and service in the Church;

• The use of Holy Scripture, Church tradition, and Reason in matters of belief and practice.

In worship, Episcopalians sit, kneel, stand, sing, pray aloud and pray silently.

Some bow and make the sign of the cross; others don't.

During our formal and communal worship we use the Book of Common Prayer, The Hymnal and (in many places) a service bulletin with the liturgy included.

These tools are designed to help us worship and pray together, something very important to Anglican Christians.

Episcopal worship calls for the full participation of all the people.

The Prayer Book (and the service bulletin) will guide you in what to do, what to say or sing.

Our people are friendly and helpful.

We have an open communion; those who are Baptized Christians may take Holy Communion.

If you need help during the service, please contact Father Charles Cannon, priest and rector for guidance.

Our Story

Mission & Meaning

We are the faith community you have been looking for - where progressive Christianity meets the tradition of common prayer, social justice and outreach.

St. Hilary's Episcopal Church is committed to befriending followers and non-followers of God, acting in a compassionate manner and being subject to one another. We have learned that honest gestures and beneficence is the most meaningful way to embody the love of God. We invite you to join us.

Our Rector

The Rev. A.Charles Cannon, III
Priest, Pastor & Rector

Fr. Cannon is a lifetime Episcopalian who enjoys learning about the Christian faith, serving those in need and interacting with all people who are seekers of God.

He was educated in the Liberal Arts at the University of Florida, Gainesville, earned a Master's Degrees in Clinical Social Work from Barry University, Miami, FL, and in Theology from the School of Theology in Sewanee, TN.

His passions in ministry include providing loving Pastoral Care,

St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church is one of 77 parishes and missions in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith is fifth Bishop of our diocese, and he serves as the spiritual leader of some 31,000 baptised persons who share in an exciting pilgramage of ministry.

We are a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church in the United States. Our roots date back nearly 2000 years, and our faith is pulling us ever forward.

Our Vestry

Saint Hilary's Vestry - Our Elected Governing Body

The vestry is the elected governing body of the parish that works cooperatively with the Rector to oversee the business operations and property of the parish.

The vestry essentially assists the Rector (AKA: priest, pastor, or minister) in defining the mission and executing the ministries of the church.

The vestry is primarily responsible for the promotion of the message of hope, love and salvation found in the Gospels of Jesus Christ. They are also responsible for maintaining the physical plant of church and its finances.

The vestry is elected annually at the Annual Parish meeting, by church members. Each member serves a 3 year term.

The Vestry meets monthly on the third Sunday at 11:30 am at the church. All are welcome to attend and learn about the exciting ministries of the parish.

Our Staff

Please feel free to contact us with questions, suggestions and concerns via phone (239) 936-1000 or email: frcharles@sainthilarys.org

Staff:

Rector and Priest - The Rev. A. Charles Cannon, III, has a passion for ministry and would love to speak to you about how St. Hilary's can offer you opportunities for timeless Anglican Worship, Christian Education, Fellowship with Loving and Inspired People, Life-changing Outreach to those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity; and Personal or Relational Healing through Pastoral Care.

Parish Deacons - The Revs. Cynthia Montooth and Anne -Carlton Jones have a passion for liturgy and pastoral care.

Youth Group Coordinator - Karin Winter

youth@sainthilarys.org

Parish Administrator - Alicia Gibbons
office@sainthilarys.org

Children's Church
youth@sainthilarys.org
Parish Organist - Alena Michel
elenkaty1@yahoo.com
Adult and Child Choir Director - Lester Erich

music@sainthilarys.org

Nursery Supervisor
nursery@sainthilarys.org

FAQ

When You Walk Into Our Church
GREETERS WILL MEET YOU

At Saint Hilary’s we believe in creating a welcoming hospitality.

Beside the command to “love one another,” we find clear evidence in our Bible that loving one another is the imperative of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• We greet each worshiper at the door of the church

• We freely offer information about our faith,our worship and our community of faith

• We set out our finest linens and silver on the altar to honor the living Christ in our midst.

• We welcome all who come seeking God into our fellowship

Preaching the Holy Gospel, Teaching the Faith, Shaping Lives through Discipleship and Presiding over Liturgy. His goal in ministry is to ultimately build Strong and long living Communities of Faith.

He serves the Diocese of Southwest Florida through its Governing Council, its Endowment Board and the Committee to revise and update the Canons.

He is certified in “Walking the Mourner’s Path” - 2017
He is certified in “Fresh Start” – 2011 & 2014
He received Project Management - 2007 from the University of Florida

Contact Fr. Charles Cannon at 239-936-1000, extension 102 or email frcharles@sainthilarys.org

Our Story

Mission & Meaning

Our Rector

Our Vestry

Our Staff

FAQ

Contact:

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