The Rev. Holly Ostlund lives in a home bought by the diocese that also serves as her office and meeting space for the congregation known as Church @ The Grove, according to an article in the Pal Beach Post newspaper.

A group she calls "The 15:58" is helping her to get a church established in the community.

"They are named after Corinthians 15:58," Ostlund told the newspaper. "Basically, the Scripture says that if you keep working, your work will pay off."

She said the group is planning on launching a church next February, despite the county's refusal to approve an anticipated large residential development in the area.

In the meantime, the worshipers gather for prayer and charity work and holiday celebrations in various places around town, the paper reported.

"We don't have a building, which I think is nice," she said. "I think people out here in Loxahatchee like the outdoors and wildlife."

The members held a service earlier this month to pray for an end to the drought and to keep dangerous hurricanes away.

"We, of course, are praying for moderate but adequate rain," Ostlund told the newspaper. "We realize there are parts of the country [that] are getting too much rain and flooding."

Ostlund, who was living in Miami during Hurricane Andrew and was in Stuart, Florida during Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, says that she and about seven others in her congregation gathered outside for the service.

"When people are gathered, their prayers are heard that much more," she said. "Of course, we are praying for the safety of the world. We're all in this together."

The congregation held an Easter sunrise service at a wildlife refuge, and handed out flags and prayed for the troops at a local Publix grocery store during Memorial Day weekend.
Ostlund even held a Christmas service on December 23 to accommodate people who couldn't attend on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

"We are a contextual church with contemporary people," Ostlund said.

The Diocese of Southeast Florida comprises about 37,400 Episcopalians worshipping in 83 congregations.