The Episcopal Churches of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are interwoven—with one another as well as with the coastal communities they serve—and recently, two parishes—Saint Peter’s By-the-Sea and St. Mark’s, both of Gulfport, received special recognition from another crucial component of any community: the local schools.

Each year, the schools of the Gulfport School District honor outstanding contributions to education with Community Partner of the Year Awards. Saint Peter’s “Casting Nets” program and St. Mark’s “KidsConnect” initiative were among this year’s honorees.

Superintendent Glen East has expressed the District’s commitment “to providing educational excellence and a multitude of educational experiences for all of our students.” Through programs such as Casting Nets and KidsConnect, the district is able to expand that commitment to experiences outside of the classroom.

St. Peter’s Casting Nets program won its award from Central Elementary School, which serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The goal of this partnership is to enrich the lives of students by promoting involvement in their community. They take field trips to places such as the beach and aquarium where they learn about the local ecosystem and spend time fishing and playing together. They also get to learn about arts and culture with the help of volunteers and community members.

“[Casting Nets] is one of the best ways for children to learn new skills and open their eyes to uncharted territory,” says program volunteer Justin Taylor, “all the while creating stronger relationships with schoolmates.”

St. Mark’s KidsConnect program was honored by 28th Street Elementary School, also serving K-5 students. One of many programs hosted at the church’s Community Arts Center, the KidsConnect mission is to “provide a space where people of all ages can create, discover, and experience their creative spirit through the arts.” By the end of 2023, volunteers had dedicated their time to connecting 60 children with art. Crafting provides a fun way for kids to spend time after school and gives them the skills they need to work hard, learn their talents, and create masterpieces.

The awards highlight the importance of community partnerships on the Coast and throughout the diocese and serve as an outstanding example of parishes fulfilling the covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving their neighbors as themselves.