About Us
Welcome!
At St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, our mission is to catch, grow, and go into the world in faith. To catch is to help people “catch” the faith of Jesus Christ and become one of His followers. To “grow” is to join our church family and walk with us as we all seek to grow in our faith. To “go” is to be dedicated to sharing our faith with those outside of the church through gifts of the Holy Spirit, service, and acts of love and mercy.
Rev. James Hedman is passionate about reaching people through the love of God. He sees the Lord in all aspects of life, and conveys his deep faith through sermons, classes, and actions. His passion for Scripture is unmistakable, and conveyed through every activity that he undertakes. The church hosts several life groups and Bible studies weekly, all of which are open to the public. Join us to discover the full meaning of the Lord's words, and how they can enrich your life.
Throughout this site you will see glimpses of a congregation full of life and spirit. We are a community made up of many members with a variety of gifts and interests, yet we remain one body united in love and the proclamation of the Gospel. In the pages of our website you will see that there are numerous opportunities for worship, study, and service. If you are in the Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch area, we encourage you to come and join us for worship on Sundays.
Faith
Faith is the cornerstone of our church. It is part of every activity that we do, every meeting that we hold. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died for our sins, he was raised bodily from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Our faith holds that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Word
The scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation. Though we hold to scripture, tradition, and reason, we hold the scriptures to be the greater authority. We look to the Lord for guidance in our lives. In Scripture, we find all that we need to guide us in the right path. Reading and understand Scripture helps us all live meaningful lives.
Community
We are a community of followers of Jesus Christ. As the body of Christ, we welcome each and every one of you to encounter the Lord's saving grace, and tranformation power. Join us as we worship Him, and as we seek Him to transform our lives.
Our History
- October 1996: Land purchased at the Southwest Corner of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and Route 70. Rev. Jack Kline took over the project along with a steering committee. Deacon Phil Davis came in to assist. First service held Dec. 7, 1996 in the D.A.V. Hall.
- January 18, 1998: Dedication of the Manasota Mission Church and the property.
- Fall 1998: Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida recognized the Manasota Mission as an Organized Church named St. Mary Magdalene. Later in the year, Rev. Kline retired prematurely due to ill health. Rev. Gayle King came in as the interim rector.
- May 1999: Rev. James (Jim) Williamson became the new rector.
- Late 1999: Ground clearing occurred, and the beginnings of our new church emerged on the property at the corner of Route 70 and Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
- June 25, 2000: St. Mary Magdalene dedicated and consecrated.
- January 2, 2005: Fr. Jim Williamson leaves St. Mary Magdalene.
- January to May 2005: Led by Fr. Wes Wasdyke.
- June 2005 to August 2006: Led by Mother Michelle Robertshaw.
- October 8, 2006: Fr. Jim Hedman’s first Sunday as Vicar.
- February 25, 2007: Fr. Jim Hedman instituted as 4th Vicar of St. Mary Magdalene by Bishop Dabney Smith.
- October 9th, 2010: St. Mary Magdalene is officially recognized as a parish at the diocesan convention.
The Jerusalem Declaration
At St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, we stand united in our commitment to the core tenets of the Jerusalem Declaration. This declaration reaffirms our dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing salvation, transformation, and the importance of biblical teachings. We celebrate our Anglican heritage and the call to share the good news with all nations, fostering a community rooted in faith, love, and service. Together, we strive to uphold the values of our faith while embracing the diversity that enriches our global fellowship. For more information go to https://gafcon.org/about/the-jerusalem-statement/
Children's Ministry
The Gospel has a message for everyone, of every age, and in every language. Exposing your child to the Lord's path when they are young gives them guidance, hope and strength that lasts a lifetime. To learn more, contact us.
Our Team
Rt. Rev. Douglas Scharf
Bishop of the Diocese of SW Fl
Rev. James E. Hedman
Rector
Carol Whitfield-Matthews
Organist/Choirmaster
Neil Keith
Worship Team Leader
