The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi is the regional body of The Episcopal Church serving parishes, missions, clergy, and lay leaders across the state of Mississippi. Led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells, the diocese carries out its mission—drawn from the Book of Common Prayer—"to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ," striving to be "One Church in Mission; Inviting, Transforming and Reconciling." From the Gulf Coast to the Delta, the diocese connects a wide and diverse family of congregations through shared worship, formation, governance, and outreach.
At the heart of diocesan life is a commitment to keeping every parish and mission informed, supported, and spiritually nourished. The diocese provides a broad range of resources for clergy, vestries, and lay leaders—including the Clergy Manual, financial guidelines, scholarship opportunities, and active transition ministry overseen by the Rev. Canon Gary Meade. Canonical officers, a Finance Committee, and a professional staff team ensure that the institutional and pastoral needs of congregations are met with care and consistency.
Communication is central to the diocese's shared life. The Mississippi Episcopalian, published monthly by Alice Skelton, serves as the official newsletter connecting parishes with diocesan news, ministry stories, and pastoral messages. Official statements from the bishop—such as the October 2023 pastoral letter on the Crisis in the Holy Land—demonstrate how the diocese speaks with a steady, pastoral voice on matters of significance to the church and the world.
Beyond Mississippi's borders, the diocese has long embraced a global vocation. The Honduras Medical Mission, founded in 1982, continues to bring medical, dental, and veterinary care to communities in Honduras in partnership with the Diocese of Honduras. A companion diocese relationship with Panama deepens that global perspective through shared prayer and fellowship. Together, these commitments reflect a diocese that is rooted in Mississippi and reaching outward in the spirit of the Gospel.
