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1 Easter 2016 Volume 47, Issue 1 MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PLUS: DaySpring Renewal Lenten Meals Parish Dividends The Pelican and Grace Pelican on Gulf of Mexico, Photo © Peter Brannon

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This edition of Southern Cross includes Order of St. Luke, History of Bishop John Durham Wing, DaySpring Calendar, Mission and Ministry Dividend, Youth Ministry and a profile of the Rev. Matthew Grunfeld of Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach.

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  • 1Easter 2016 Volume 47, Issue 1

    MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

    PLUS: DaySpring RenewalLenten Meals Parish Dividends

    The Pelican and Grace

    Pelican on Gulf of Mexico, Photo Peter Brannon

  • 22016 SESSIONSJune 15-18 Session 1, Break Out Elementary CampJune 19-24 Session 2, Middle School CampJune 26-July 1 Session 3, High School CampJuly 10-15 Session 4, Mission CampJuly 17-22 Session 5, Elementary CampJuly 24-29 Session 6, Youth Leadership Camp

    DATES AND PROGRAMSCounselor TrainingJune 12-15

    Session 1, BREAKOUT Elementary CampJune 15-18, Rising 3rd 5th Grade, $260BREAKOUT is a special spiritual program aimed at the needs of elementary aged students, along with all the traditional and fun camp activities.

    Session 2, Middle School CampJune 19-24, Rising 6th-8th Grade, $390 Full camp activities and program for middle schoolers. Canon Michael Durning, chaplain.

    Session 3, High School CampJune 26-July 1, Rising 9th-12th Grades, $390Canoeing, high rope, sports and zip line. Featuring Fran McKendree, nationally known Christian musician and conference leader. The Rev. Kevin Warner, Chaplain.

    Session 4, Mission CampJuly 10-15, Middle School or High School, $390Teams of middle school students and adults from congregations come to camp, learn about and experience day missions. This year will feature mission work with migrant children, homeless services and Camp Able. The Rev. Bryan OCarroll, Chaplain.

    Session 5, Elementary CampJuly 17-22, $390, Rising 3rd 5th Grades, $390All the traditional and fun camp activities at DaySpring for students going into the 3rd grade to 5th grade.

    Youth Ministry Leadership Camp and ConferenceJuly 24-29, $390This is a leadership training for high schoolers based on the successful After Damascus training program developed by Youth Presence Ministries. There will also be special training for adults who work with youth. This all will feature a leadership team of eight youths plus Barney Waterbury, The Rev. John Palarine and Andrew Forrester. It will be coordinated by Andi Daniels, youth director at Christ Episcopal Church, Bradenton.

    ABOUT CAMP AT DAYSPRINGEstablished in 1983, DaySpring is known as one of the top church camps in the Southeast. Campers participate in a Christian program designed to help them grow spiritually and emotionally, providing opportunities to explore new interests, skills and friendships. Six week-long sessions have been programmed for elementary, middle and high school students. Visit CampDaySpring.org.

    DaySpringSummerCamp 2016

    EASY ONLINE REGISTRATIONReserve your spot at episcopalswfl.org keyword campAdditional registration materials will be mailed upon receipt of deposit and registration forms. Tuition for the week-long camp is $390; register before March 31, 2016 and save $30!

  • 3From the BishopUnfinished Business Until the New Creation

    My dear friends,

    In speaking with one of our senior seminarians recently, I posed this question: What do you need to learn?

    This question, directed at a person preparing to graduate from seminary and begin serving in the Church was, and is, intentional. No one graduating from the academic rigors of a theological graduate school knows everything necessary for the ordained life. They should know though what remains to be learned by having been introduced to a multitude of significant church life categories. To say it more simply, a theology school graduate never humanly graduates from the life of learning.

    This truth is an ongoing reality for every baptized person that claims the role of disciple. Disciples are students of Jesus that never graduate. Disciples spend their lives being formed, changed, challenged, and taught by the Master.

    I found it both helpful and interesting that our second bishop, The Rt. Rev. Paul Haynes, in referring to DaySpring, our diocesan conference center, talked about the unfinished business before us. DaySpring is still an unfinished business but my greater point is simply this: every congregation in this Diocese is populated by people who are unfinished business but are Gods business.

    As I write this, we are in the midst of Lent, a special time in the Church year in which Christians are often more intentional about dealing with their

    spiritual unfinished business, or areas of growth and challenge. The point of Lent is being about the business of discipleship in being Easter people. We are the people that live on the journey of being students, disciples, towards the fullness of Easter. And each of us has more to learn.

    The great Wesley hymn Love divine, all loves excelling describes it this way:

    Finish then thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation Perfectly restored in thee: Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

    I am certain that no one reading these words feels finished or, indeed, pure and spotless! Each of us remains an unfinished business until the eternal love of God in Christ finishes in us the new creation.

    Easter is our destination; discipleship is our journey. What do you need to learn? then is not an idle question, nor simply a question for seminarians. It is a question for the journey of the baptized. I ask you to personally consider two texts from

    Easter prayers for your own learning. Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christs Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith, and Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection.

    Think about these Easter prayer texts; pray them; plan your life with them.

    What do you need to learn? X

    Bishop Dabney Smith is Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

    Disciples are students of

    Jesus that never graduate.

  • 4In this Issue

    Features

    MacArthurs Landing by Anastacio Caedo, at Leyte Landing, MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, Philippines. Photographed by the Rev. Ray Bonoan.

    For more information on his trip, see p. 31. Facing page, Ordinations, December 5, 2015.

    2010

    8

    13 Mission and Ministry Dividend Osprey flies with ideas for rebate15 DaySpring Breaks Ground Pool and program take shape18 Find Yourself at DaySpring DaySpring and Diocesan calendar for A.D. 2016

  • 524

    3427

    Briefs: Needlepoint and Christian Formation ............................................................................................ 7 Meet the Priest: The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld ................................................................................................ 8 Youth: Summer Camp Plans .................................................................................................................................10 Art: New Painting for Jubilee Center, Englewood ...................................................................................... 20 Easter: Speak Sweeter, The Rev. Canon Eric Cooter .................................................................................. 22 Food: Lenten Meals by Jan Nothum ......................................................................................................... 24 History: St. Thomas Chapel by Peggy Curlin ......................................................................................... 26 History: Records and Archives Advice by Garland Pollard ...................................................................... 27 History: The Work of Bishop Wing, by the Rev. Canon Michael P. Durning ................................. 28 Parish Life: St. Luke Chapter Grows by Marcia Allison ............................................................................... 29 Parish Life: About Altar Guild ..................................................................................................................... 30 Around the Diocese ............................................................................................................................................. 32 Glancing Back: Journaling the Diocese .............................................................................................................. 34

    Departments

  • 6Bishop, The Diocese of Southwest Florida: The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith

    Assisting Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison, The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe

    Editor: Garland Pollard

    Contributing Writers: The Rev. Canon Eric Cooter, Peggy Curlin, Sarah Hill, The Rev. Canon Michael Durning, Martha Goodwill, Sarah Hill, Jan Nothum, The Rev. Canon John Palarine

    Photographers: Peter Brannon, The Rev. Ray Bonoan, Anne Vickers, Garland Pollard, The Rev. Canon Michael Durning

    Advertising Inquiries: Garland Pollard, 941-556-0315 or [email protected]

    Subscriptions: The Southern Cross is mailed to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Email your address to [email protected] to subscribe or update delivery preferences.

    Editorial Submissions, Letters: The editor welcomes submissions of articles for every section of the magazine including features, news and departments. Email [email protected]. Manuscripts must be in Microsoft word format. We invite letters to the editor on subjects of interest to the entire Diocese.

    Identification Statement: The Southern Cross is published by the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Department of Communications. USPS permit No. 946.

    Diocese of Southwest Florida DaySpring Episcopal Center 8005 25th St. East Parrish, FL 34219 941-556-0315

    web: www.episcopalswfl.org email: [email protected] Twitter: @episcopalswflISSN 2372-7861 (print version) ISSN 2372-8159 (online version)

    Year 47 | Issue 1 | Easter 2016X

    First Published A.D. 1970

    Connect

    The Rev. Eric Cooter, Canon for Ministry Development [email protected], ext. x978 The Rev. Michael Durning, Canon to the Ordinary [email protected], x984 Marilyn Erfourth, Receptionist [email protected], x987 Martha Goodwill, Parish Administration Resource [email protected], x980 The Rev. Christopher Gray, Canon for Stewardship [email protected] Barbara Leonard, Bookkeeper [email protected], x981 The Ven. Dennis McManis, Archdeacon [email protected], x976 Michelle Mercurio, Administrative Assistant [email protected], x977 Jan Nothum, Bishops Administrative Assistant [email protected], x986 Carla Odell, Executive Director, DaySpring [email protected], 941-776-1018 The Rev. Dr. John Palarine, Canon for Program & Youth [email protected], x989 Garland Pollard, Director of Communications [email protected], x979 Tana Sembiante, Admin. Assistant to Canon Durning [email protected], x983 Anne Vickers, Canon for Finance &Administration/CFO [email protected], x982

    Diocesan House, A to Z

    Marilyn Earfourth, Receptionist,

    greets visitors to Diocesan House.

  • 7Needlepoint Cushion Restored at Cathedral

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The needle-point cushion from the Diocese of South-west Florida that resides at the National Cathedral has been restored.

    The Cathedral, thanks to a donation from the Diocese, has been able to do the much needed cleaning, re-stitching and finishing necessary to restore the piece to its original condition. X

    Christian Educators Set To Gather April 23

    PARRISH The Diocese is compil-ing a list of every person involved in a leadership position in Christian forma-tion in advance of an April 23 gathering at DaySpring. The event will bring all those interested in Christian formation together in order to share information, network and assist parishes. This working group is envisioned to include anyone interested in Christian formation. The idea is to create regular Diocesan gatherings where staff and lay leaders can learn from others and create a strong network. X

    Questions? Contact The Rev. Dr. John Palarine, at 941-556-0315 or [email protected].

    BrieflyOur Suncoast Friend, The Pelican, by Nature Photographer Peter Brannon

    On the Cover

    THE COVER OF this edition of Southern Cross is the Pelican, a bird that appears on our Diocesan shield.

    It was taken by Peter Brannon, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Brannon is a nature photographer currently based in Tampa. He has a special interest in birds, and had one of his photographs selected in

    the Top 100 of the 2015 International Audubon Photography Contest. He became interested in bird photography in 2011 while living in South Florida.

    The shield was designed by artist Miss Amie Medary of St. Petersburg in 1969. Her explanation of the seal (on facing page) described its elements in detail:

    On a blue field, we have the star from the shield of the Diocese

    of South Florida, interpreting it to represent Canopus, brightest star of the Southern Cross, and visible in the United States only from the southernmost locations.

    In the lower half of the shield, the wavy lines of white and blue heraldically represent the Gulf of Mexico, with a flaming sun slipping below the horizon in a golden sunset sky.

    Above the shield is the conventional bishops mitre (termed precious because it is jeweled) resting upon crossed keys showing ecclesiastical authority and also the traditional symbol of St. Peter.

    In the upper right of the shield (and it is always the shields own right) appears none other than our Suncoast friend, the pelican. He has been curiously glorified by early monks into a common symbol of the sacrifice of Christ feeding us with His blood, or of Mother Church feeding her young with the life blood from her breast. This symbol is found so carved in many churches throughout Christendom. X

    See Brannon online: peterbrannon.com

    Original Diocesan Pelican Drawn in 1969

  • 8Q: You grew up in the Episcopal Church in Georgia. What is your earliest great memory of being in church?A: I grew up in an interfaith household in Columbus, GA. (My mother is Episcopalian. My father is Jewish.) They had me baptized as an infant at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Going to church was the activity I did with my maternal grandparents. My earliest memories of church were sitting between them during the Eucharist. Its a memory that became really vivid again a few years ago when I returned to St. Thomas to officiate my grandfathers funeral.

    Q: Was there a particular moment you decided to answer the call and become a priest?A: I went to Emory University in Atlanta. While it is a Methodist school, religious organizations, including Canterbury, had a prominent place on campus. I met Nancy, the Episcopal chaplain, at the same time I officially checked in on my first day there. During the semester, we would have an intimate Eucharist in the college chapel, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. A few weeks into freshman year, Nancy asked me what I was considering as my major while driving from campus to dinner. After saying that I was considering political science, she said, You know the church has a lot of politics. Have you ever thought about becoming a priest? We have a discernment program geared to college students in the Diocese of Atlanta. I had no idea what to say at the time, but a seed was planted. I went through the discernment process as a college senior, and the rest is history!

    Q: How is Anna Maria Island so far? What do you like to do in your free time?A: I feel very blessed to be doing ministry in such a beautiful location. The people at Annunciation are very wonderful, and they keep me on my toes! As the church and rectory are a block from the beach, I try to get out there as much as possible. On my final Sunday at my last parish in Alabama, they brought a kayak down the center aisle during the announcements as a going away gift. I am beginning to explore Manatee County from the water.

    Q: You have embraced social media like Twitter with a great sense of humor. How can we all use these tools?A: The life and work of being a priest brings me into some very weighty situations, but I try not to take myself too seriously in the process. Christianity, after all, is meant to be a joyful thing. Social media like Facebook and Twitter have been great ways to remain connected with people I know who are scattered far and wide as ministry has taken me to new places.

    I think its also a double-edged sword as there is much on social media that tears others down. While I periodically have my moments of levity, I really want to avoid being another destructive voice online. Hopefully I am sharing a glimpse into the life and ministry of a parish priest.

    Q: Do you have any especially favorite hymns?A: As a graduate of the General Theological Seminary, the hymns Chelsea Square (#521) and General Seminary (#382) have a special place in my heart.

    Q: As a younger priest, what do we in the Diocese need to be doing to invite those in their 20s into the church?A: While I think we need to be open to taking risks to preach the gospel in new ways, we have great ministries engaging young people in a variety of traditional and innovative settings. As we clergy were reminded by Dean Peay at the recent Chrism Mass, authenticity is at the heart of good ministry. I believe that is particularly true as we invite millennials to church. X

    Fr. Matthew was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Emory University in Atlanta and a M.Div. from the General Theological Seminary in New York. Before accepting the call to Anna Maria Island, he served as rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently educating his parishioners who are originally from up north on barbecue and football. He is also looking forward to seeing the Atlanta Braves come to Florida for spring training.

    The Rev. Michael Grunfeld is the new priest-in-charge at Church of the Annunciation, Anna Maria/Holmes Beach

    The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld, Holmes BeachMeet the Priest

  • 9Lic. 580300102

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    Did you know

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    5615 Midnight Pass Rd. Siesta Keybonifacechurch.org/preschool

    Office: 349-5616 ext. 330

    Since 1970, The Southern Cross has been the voice of The Episcopal Church in Southwest Florida. In 2014, the Diocese of Southwest Florida re-launched this award winning publication.

    Three times a year, The Southern Cross brings its readers the best of Southwest Florida, as seen through the

    lens of The Episcopal Church. Upbeat stories on outreach, arts, garden, food and mission help readers better understand their lives and Gospel calling.

    To advertise, contact Editor Garland Pollard at [email protected] or call 941-556-0315.

    Reach over 16,000 Episcopal Households

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    941-776-1018, dayspringfla.org

  • 10

    Youth MinistryDifferent In Every Place; Possible in Every PlaceBy The Rev. Canon John Palarine Canon for Program & Youth

    PARRISH - My primary goal in my position as Canon for Program and Youth is to help every church have a strong youth presence regardless of its size or circumstance. Some congregations dont see this as a possibility because of demographics or other factors. Some just cant find the leadership. Some have tried but struggled, and some are thriving with

    young people in their midst.

    How is your church doing with its youth presence? This is not to judge or criticize but to offer to help. The Diocese is here to assist you in chang-ing young lives and helping each of us deepen our relationship with Christ. It just takes three things:

    Desire: Having some adults who have a passion for young people and the strong desire to have young people in their congrega-tions.

    Commitment: This presence takes time and commitment to build. It doesnt happen over-night. Give us a year or more to work with you congregation and see possibilities you have never seen before.

    Leadership: Our approach is a team approach not the one per-son Pied Piper model. Let us show you how to raise up adult teams and offer them some ex-citing and effective training.

    These are the keys to success in building a strong youth presence in your

    congregation. This is not a quick fix for youth ministry. It will take hard work and ongoing dedication. The result will be well worth the effort and will provide a long term and vibrant youth presence.

    The other goal we have which is even more important is to help make a differ-ence in the faith of young people both in Diocesan events and by working with your congregation to share the love of Christ with youth. There is nothing more powerful or satisfying than sharing in a faith journey with a young person and seeing the difference it makes in their lives and the life of the congregation. Join us in a movement in this diocese to lift up young people and share the presence of Christ. X

    Contact The Rev. John Palarine at 941-556-0315 or [email protected].

    Youth Leader Training Held Across Diocese

    ON FEBRUARY 13, Holy Trinity Clearwater, above, hosted a training focused on building a relational and incarnational youth ministry and developing faith among teens. About two dozen from six congregations attended and are now equipped with new ideas, approaches and resources in working with youth. The same training was offered a week later at Christ Church, Bradenton with three more churches taking part. X

    Diocesan youth used the opportunity of a Hootenanny dance on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Saint Stephens Episcopal School in Bradenton to promote upcoming summer camps, New Beginnings and Happening.

  • 11

    Training

    St. Davids Englewood & St. Augustines

    The Diocesan Youth Ministry in partnership with Youth Presence Ministries offered two visioning trainings, one at St. Davids, Englewood (above, below) on January 15-16 and one at St. Augustines, St. Petersburg, January 29-30 (at right). The Diocese offers this opportunity on an ongoing basis. X

    What you can do:

    Send a group of middle schoolers to New Beginnings, which is a renewal weekend designed not only to touch participants lives but to send them back to ignite middle school ministry in their congregations. The next weekend is March 13-15.

    Tell your senior high students about Happening, a powerful spiritual renewal weekend led by young people. Many lives have been touched by Christ and Gods love at these weekends.

    Support DaySpring Summer Camp. It is amazing what can happen for a young person over a five day period in a loving, fun and Christ centered environment. Our camp expanded last year offering five sessions and this year offering six very different and wonderful experiences. Give us a week with your camper and see the difference it will make.

    Invite us into conversation with you about where you are in your ministry with young people. We will come to your congregation and it will give us a snap shot of where to begin. Or call about a visioning session on a Friday evening and Saturday. Almost 20 churches have participated so far.

    Attend Adult Training and the Adult Youth Leaders Gathering. Join us for the Youth Leader Day at DaySpring on April 23, 2016. We are also inviting Christian Formation leaders on that day. X

  • 12

    TransitionsMcCook to St. Margaret of Scotland

    SARASOTA - The vestry of St. Margaret of Scotland has called The Rev. Carla McCook as priest-in-charge beginning Feb. 1. Prior to coming to Sarasota and the Manasota Deanery, The Rev. McCook was bish-ops assistant for christian formation in the Diocese of Milwaukee. While there, she published the Living Com-pass curriculum for camp and Vaca-tion Bible School, and served on the Standing Committee. She succeeded The Rev. Everett Walk, the churchs longtime rector who recently retired from the Clark Road parish.

    She was rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury in Greendale, Wiscon-sin from Sept. 2006 to Sept. 2011, and before that assistant rector of St. Pauls in Salem, Va. and St. Albans, Annandale, Va., where she began her career as a seminarian.

    A graduate of Virginia Theologi-cal Seminary and Flagler College, she married Shane McCook in 1994. They have three children: Sean, Kris-ten and Madeline.

    Hamilton at St. Edmund, Arcadia

    ARCADIA - The Rev. Lisa Ham-ilton is the new priest-in-charge at St. Edmunds the Martyr, Arcadia. She has worked as an associate at Christ Church in Greenwich, Connecticut and St. Thomas, Snell Isle, St. Peters-burg.

    Her first career was as an Asso-ciate Director of Public Relations for Mister Rogers Neighborhood. She later moved to Connecticut and en-tered Yale Divinity School, receiving her M.Div. in 1995. She served Trin-ity Church Wall Street in New York as a video producer, writing, directing, and producing the spiritual biogra-phy series Pioneers of the Spirit.

    Born in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1959, Rev. Hamilton has held a

    number of positions ranging from that of a professor of freshman com-position at both Indiana University and University of Pittsburgh, to that of a radio producer for WQED-FM.

    From her own experience with grief, Rev. Hamilton has written For Those We Love But See No Longer, a prayer book designed for individual or corporate prayer. X

    December Ordinations

    Five seminary students from the Diocese were ordained as deacons in December, 2015 at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg. Upon graduation, they have received the following calls from parishes: Chase Dumont Ackerman, St. John, Tampa; Robert Charles Douglas, St. Mary, Bonita Springs; Daniel James Lemley, Church of the Ascension, Clearwater; Margaret Louise Sullivan, St. Mark, Venice; and Christian Michael Wood, Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota.

  • 13

    parishes in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, decided to send that money back to its parishioners, any member who was interested, with the idea that they would invest it in something and grow it into something more.

    We gave them $25 in cash, basi-cally on Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents, said the Rev. Michael Todd, the parish rector. We called it the Mat-thew 25 project, with the understanding that their job was to make it grow, said Todd.

    Church of the Holy Spirit in Osprey is one of the smallest parishes in the Di-ocese, though in the last two years, it has

    The Rev. Michael Todd went on a one-day ride with his $25, raising $1,400 and much awareness.

    By Garland Pollard

    OSPREY EVERY January since 2010, the Diocese of Southwest Flor-idas Diocesan Council has returned roughly one months apportionment to its parishes.

    This Mission and Ministry Divi-dend, as it is called, goes to any congre-gation that has honored their appor-tionment commitment to the Diocese in a timely way the previous year.

    One of the smaller churches in the Diocese tried a new experiment with the dividend in 2015. Church of the Holy Spirit, Osprey, one of the smallest

    grown. Funds for outreach are always tight. Because of the size of the church, what they got back was about $700. The idea was to sow it into a project or a fun-draiser in order to bring back a return. The youngest participant was 7 years old and the oldest, 91.

    One used it to buy ingredients for baking bread, and would sell the loaves of bread, said Todd. Another family with children held a pancake breakfast, netting over $100 profit.

    Another member carefully bought items at garage sale and sold them again, taking them to a consignment shop.

    One issue the church faced with

    Matthew 25 Project Grows DividendsMoney from parishioners to parishes to Diocese goes back to parishes, then parishioners

  • 14

    dozens of fund-raising schemes (and something all churches face when they do fund-raising) was that their ideas might cannibalize other members of the church and not expand the pie. We tried to keep them from selling to the church, said Todd.

    Other $25 investments included buying ingredients for a bake sale, sell-ing about $200 in bread and putting in a newspaper ad for a garage sale. An-other contractor announced he was going to donate the proceeds from certain fix-it jobs, and whatever peo-ple would normally pay him, would donate to the church.

    As rector, Todd accepted the $25 challenge as well. He used it toward buying supplies for an all-day bike ride through Sarasota County. The supplies included a granola bar and water. Todd bicycled all day from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and found sponsors as far away as Arizona who supported him on a GoFundMe web page. To promote the cause, Todd and others used social media. He raised $1,400 Altogether, the parish raised almost $5,000.

    Todd said that it is empowering what people can do with the talents and gifts they have. We are kind of saying we will give you money from the church, said Todd, and you in some way shape or form will give it back.

    When you just kind of ask people we need to give more or do whatever it is to make the budget, sometimes that seems like sort of a drag, said Todd. I think what they learned it can be fun. X

    About the Mission & Ministry DividendFOR EVERY YEAR since 2010, Diocesan Council has returned a portion of the years apportionment revenue to those congregations that have been able to honor their commitments to the Diocese of Southwest Florida. This return of revenue to the parishes comes about because the Diocese budgets a 5 percent allowance for unpaid apportionment as a reserve each year, in case the apportionment becomes uncollectable.

    Although the churches may spend the money as they choose, the Diocese suggests a number of options to leverage the dividends impact, citing examples from previous years.

    Capital Campaigns: Fully 27 of our parishes either started or continued a capital campaign in 2015. A capital campaign does not just mean a new building, a sanctuary upgrade or a renovated parish hall. Many of our parishes invest in things that bring returns in other ways, for instance new Hymnals or instructional materials for Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

    Other parishes can use the funds for starting a capital reserve.

    Setting up an Endowment: Since 2014, 15 congregations have started new endowment programs. These endowments provide income to the parish, and since 2014 these churches now have a total balance of $783,760.

    Sending Youth to Camp: Very often, parishes subsidize sending children to camp at DaySpring. Often a way to assist students to attend is to provide a match, to allow more to go to camp.

    Starting a New Ministry: Church of the Holy Spirit Osprey (see story) created a new program with their dividend.

    Support an Existing Ministry Relationship: Some used their funds to support existing ministries, or have contributed their dividend to the yearly Bishops Appeal. Other causes include Dominican Development Group, Family Promise, Sure and other overseas charities in our Companion Diocese, the Dominican Republic. One parish even gave its dividend to a struggling neighboring parish, saying recognizing that we are only as strong as our fellow brothers and sisters, we seek to share our bounty with another community of faith in our midst. X

    Dividends Per YearBelow are the total dividends paid back to parishes:

    2011 $175,0002012 $171,7502013 $111,6192014 $150,0002015 $210,000 $818,369 total

  • 15

    Looking from the west, a view of the new Program Center as it will be built.

    THE NEW PROGRAM Center at DaySpring Episcopal Center is a welcome addition to the dioceses 97-acre religious and conference center in Parrish, Florida.

    Designed by Fawley Bryant Architects and constructed by Willis Smith Construction, the 12,500-square-foot center will serve as DaySprings primary facility for youth and adult programs, art and music recreation activities, retreats, teaching and worship. The Rt. Rev. Dabney Tyler Smith, Bishop of the diocese, will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony, which

    will include representatives from the architectural and construction project team. Over 100 Episcopal priests from around the diocese will be in attendance, as well as Episcopalians from all corners of the diocese.

    The new program center replaces an aging temporary building, and represents the first of a multi-phase, 10-year master development plan, initiated in 2014. The Program Center includes an auditoriam that seats 200 and two classrooms that seat 50. The new 2,000 square foot pool and reorganized activity courts create a sector optimized for youth programming.

    Construction for phase one is projected to be complete by December 2016. The master plan calls for two additional phases which will include construction of a new worship center and residential facilities.

    Over 31,000 Episcopalians are a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida which stretches from Marco Island north to Brooksville. The 77 congregations of the diocese include congregations

    Diocese Breaks Ground

  • 16

    encompassing 12 counties across Southwest Florida including the Tampa Bay area, Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, and Naples.

    DaySprings original vision was to create a place to serve the spiritual growth and development of the people of God in the diocese, said Bishop Smith. In just 35 years, the vision has been fulfilled and continues to unfold.

    The religious retreat and conference center encompasses 97 acres of Old Florida land along the Manatee River, a significant portion of which is home to untouched wildlife.

    The architectural design has an emphasis on attention and appreciation to the wildlife areas and nature paths enjoyed by visitors at DaySpring, said Jedd Heap, project architect. As a vital centerpiece to the master plan, the environmentally friendly Program Center includes gathering spaces and porches that are covered by the natural overhangs

    of surrounding trees. Architects introduced energy reducing measures into the design by using increased wall and roof insulation, insulated glass, LED lighting and highly efficient air conditioning. In addition to the architect and builder, the project team for phase one includes the engineering firms ZNS Engineering, Hees & Associates, and ME3 Consulting Engineers.

    The Diocese and its DaySpring Development Committee are implementing the project through a three-part fundraising plan, which is already underway through the existing capital apportionment structure funded by parishes.

    A large portion of the funding for the Phase One project will be contributed by our 77 local churches, said Anne M. Vickers, canon for administration and chief financial officer for the Diocese. We are grateful for the participation and support of our diocesan community. X

    Goodbye New Pavilion!After the construction of the new Program Center, the Diocese will say goodbye to the New Pavilion. The Pavilion, actually a triple-wide portable, was installed in 2001 and intended to be a temporary space for large groups at DaySpring. In the last 15 years, the aging portable has served hundreds of groups and countless activities, including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori. It has outlasted early expectations and will be removed after the construction of the Program Center is finished in November.

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    The Rt. Rev. Paul Haynes, Second Bishop1979On Easter Monday, the Diocese acquires the original 76 acres of DaySpring property along the Manatee River from the Hall family.

    1982Official Groundbreaking performed by Bishop Haynes on December 11, 1982.

    1983Curry Hall is built and named in honor of Mac and Chris Curry. Construction of this first building at DaySpring is made possible in large part by monies from the Mac and Chris Curry Fund, established in 1975.

    1984 DaySpring has its first paying guests on February 16. Curry Hall and cabins 1-6 dedicated on April 28-29, 1984.

    1985-94Diocese purchases an additional 17 acres, bringing the total to 93 acres. Directors House, Retreat House, Dome House and Pool House purchased, bringing total number of semi-private rooms up to 40.

    1986Pavilion A is constructed to the west of Curry Hall.

    1988Originally built in 1914 as Safety Harbors Church of the Holy Spirit, the St. Thomas Chapel is moved to DaySpring. The building is transported to DaySpring in the middle of the night on January 20, 1988. Moved in two pieces to clear the bridges on the 70 mile trek, The Chapel is dedicated on June 12, 1988.

    The Rt. Rev. Rogers Harris, Third Bishop1989Mike Rivera, then executive director, builds the Outdoor Chapel.

    Timeline 1990 Construction, Bishop Haynes Lodge. This adds meeting rooms, bunk rooms and a lounge adjacent to Curry Hall.

    The Rt. Rev. John Lipscomb Fourth Bishop19982000Construction for The Youth Cabins begins in June of 1998 and is complete by July of 2000. They are dedicated on November 19, 2000.

    2001The New Pavilion, a temporary building installed to meet DaySprings need for a large meeting room, was brought in and assembled out of four sections.

    The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Fifth Bishop2010Diocesan Council decides to relocate the Bishops office, Diocesan House, to DaySpring. Labyrinth constructed adjacent to chapel, paid for by Episcopal Church Women and built by DaySpring staff.

    2012The new Diocesan House is dedicated on Wednesday, September 12. The Office of the Bishop moves from Lakewood Ranch to the entrance of the newly titled DaySpring Episcopal Center. That year, the family of the late Chauncey Brown supports the expansion of DaySprings Brown Memorial Library.

    2014DaySpring Development Committee conducts a comprehensive program and facility assessment producing a 10-year Master Plan. In December, Diocesan Council votes to approve the plan and proceed to the permitting process with Manatee County.

    2015Revised Master Plan presented to Diocesan Council and DaySpring Development Committee. Tree Canopy Walk built and dedicated. Design and construction planning of Phase One Program Center and Pool completed. Two remaining adjacent properties of interest for the Master Plan are purchased, one for staff housing for the onsite Canon for Program and Youth, and the other to preserve 2.5 acres of wooded area along the perimeter of the property. In December, Manatee County approves Master Plan. X

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    WORSHIPQuiet DayA day of guided quiet reflection, sponsored by School for Ministry Development. Saturday, Sept. 3, 9 a.m.-noon

    Morning PrayerSaturdays at 8 a.m.; sponsored by School for Ministry Development, all are welcome.March 5, 12; April 2, 16; Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 22; Nov. 5, 19; Dec. 3, 17

    Weekday Morning Prayer Sponsored by the Diocesan Staff during Lent, all are welcome.Feb. 11-March 24, 9 a.m.

    Monthly Holy EucharistFirst Wednesday of the month; featuring priests in the Diocese. Lunch follows for $10.

    April 6, The Rev. Christian Maxfield, St. Johns-NaplesMay 4, The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw, St. Andrew, Boca GrandeJune 1, The Rev. Carla McCook, St. Margaret of ScotlandSept. 7, The Rev. Daniel Lemley, Church of the AscensionOct. 5, The Rev. Margaret Sullivan, St Marks-VeniceNov. 2, The Rev. Christian Wood, Church of the RedeemerDec. 7, The Rev. Robert Douglas, St. Marys-Bonita Springs

    FORMATION & RENEWALCursilloA Short Course in Christian Living, a weekend opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality. Upcoming #133 and #134May 19-22 (Spanish, #133); Sept. 29-Oct. 2, #134

    Christian Formation Gathering The event will bring all those interested in Christian formation together in order to share information, network and assist parishes. April 23

    Recovery MinistriesFor all people working a 12-Step Recovery Program.April 24-26, Steps 4, 5 & 6

    EfM Mentor TrainingAnnual training event for new and current mentors in Education for Ministry. May 19-21

    Fall Clergy RetreatThe annual fall clergy retreat at DaySpring; Presentation by The Rev. Andrew McGowan, Dean, Berkeley Divinity School, Yale.Sept. 26-28

    Vocation Information DinnerDinner and conversation for those discerning a call to ordained ministry.Tuesday, Nov. 8

    LEADERSHIP TRAININGCommunications & Digital Evangelism Practical discussions on how to get the Word out to bring new people into our schools and churches.Tuesday, April 19

    Vestry RetreatThis year, the Diocese welcomes the Rev. Ronald Byrd, Episcopal Church Foundation, for Vital Teams 101: building relationships, having clear processes and focusing on results.Saturday, May 7

    ACS Users DayA day of fellowship and learning for users of the ACS church bookkeeping system.Tuesday, May 24

    QuickBooks Users DayPlease join us for a round-table discussion of topics that interest QuickBooks users.Wednesday, May 25

    Stewardship WorkshopDiocesan Stewardship Workshop facilitated by Rick Felton, Director of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship.Saturday, Aug. 20

    2016 DaySpring ProgramsMARCH - DECEMBER 2016

    The Rev. Andrew McGowan

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    Benefits and Budgeting WorkshopReview and explanation of healthcare plans and benefits offered by Medical Trust combined with the annual workshop to aid vestries and rectors with budgeting.Tuesday, Oct. 25

    Church Employee GatheringEmployees of parishes from across the Diocese are welcomed to this day of relaxation and renewal, facilitated this year by the Rev. James Reho.Friday, Dec. 9

    YOUTH & CAMPS

    Summer CampsCampers participate in a Christian program designed to help them grow spiritually and emotionally, providing opportunities to explore new interests, skills and friendships. Six sessions have been programmed for elementary, middle and high school students.

    June 15-18 Session 1, Break Out Elementary CampJune 19-24 Session 2, Middle School CampJune 26-July 1 Session 3, High School CampJuly 10-15 Session 4, Mission CampJuly 17-22 Session 5, Elementary CampJuly 24-29 Session 6, Youth Leadership Camp

    New Beginnings New Beginnings is a weekend event designed especially to respond to the unique challenges and concerns of young people in grades 6-8. It was created by adults and young people to help participants grow in their love of themselves, others and for Jesus Christ.March 11-13, #59; Nov. 13-15, #60

    Youth Leader Day Attend Adult Training and Adult Youth Leaders Gathering. All are invited from across the Diocese. Christian formation leaders are also invited. April 23

    Acolyte FestivalThis event is designed to offer acolytes an opportunity for fellowship and learning in a day-long celebration of their ministry. Saturday, Sept. 24 Acolyte Festival, (at Cathedral)

    Contact the Diocese for EventsContact the Diocese for information and registration on any of the events listed here at 941-556-0315 or Marilyn Erfourth at [email protected].

    Call DaySpring for AccommodationsDaySpring has guest houses, cabins, and dormitories for events. Meals included. Contact DaySpring Reservations at 941-776-1018 or [email protected].

    Relationships, Process & ResultsIn January 2014 the Episcopal Church Foundation launched a new initiative called Vital Teams, the long-term vision of which is of an Episcopal Church where all congregations, regardless of size or budget, can receive highly effective team leadership training tailored to their specific situation.

    The 2016 Diocesan Vestry Retreat will provide participants a glimpse of the Vital Teams 101 training curriculum, including a discussion of three areas that good teams are constantly balancing effectively: relationships, process, and results. This workshop will be presented by Ronald C. Byrd, Lead Consultant for Vital Teams, Episcopal Church Foundation. Bishop Smith and his staff will complement the curriculum by delivering customized resources for your team to utilize throughout the year. Equip your team to serve and serve well together! Diocesan Vestry Retreat is Saturday, May 7, 2016 at DaySpring Episcopal Center. The days events, which include continental breakfast and lunch, are free to lay leaders and clergy in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Registration and breakfast at 8 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m. Prior registration required.

    Vestry Retreat 2016 is Saturday, May 7, 2016 at DaySpring. The days events, which include continental breakfast and lunch, are free to lay leaders and clergy in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Registration and breakfast at 8 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m. X

    Due to the popularity of the event, please register early to Marilyn Earfourth at [email protected] or call 941-556-0315.

    2016 Diocesan Vestry Retreat

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    Education for Ministry Mentor Training, May 19-21Do you feel a call to lay ministry or teaching? One option is Education for Ministry, a program of Sewanee University of the South.

    This May, EfM program will offer training to become a possible mentor. During this class you will discern whether you are called to be an EfM mentor and gain the knowledge and skills you need to successfully mentor an EfM seminar. This class is open to anyone with a working knowledge of the Bible, church history, and theology. We will also offer Spirituality Formation training for active mentors this same weekend.

    EfM groups work under the leadership of mentors. They are not teachers in the traditional sense who are expected to impart information about the Christian tradition. A mentor must work as an enabler rather than as an informer of people. Mentors may be lay or ordained persons. Criteria by which mentors are selected include: having experience in serious religious study, having a familiarity with methods of biblical scholarship, possessing a mature faith, being able to live with the ambiguity within the interpretations of the biblical tradition, and possessing skills which help a group to develop its own life. X Contact Martha Goodwill at 941-556-0315, [email protected] or visit efm.sewanee.edu

    FIND EVENTS ONLINEVisit episcopalswfl.org under EVENTS tab for full list.

    2016 DaySpring Programs

    Key Diocesan events for 2016 are listed below. Visit episcopalswfl.org under EVENTS tab for full list. Saturday, June 4 Diocesan Ordinations, CathedralSept. 6,7,8 Fall Deanery Convocations Friday, Sept. 23 Baseball with the Bishop, Tropicana FieldOct. 14,15 Diocesan Convention Charlotte Harbor Event Center Saturday, Dec. 3 Diocesan Ordinations, Cathedral Episcopal VisitationOur bishops regularly visit the 77 churches in our Diocese.Visit www.episcopalswfl.org for the yearly calendar for the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith and Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison and The Rt. Rev.

    Other Diocesan Events

    School for Ministry Development

    Key Dates for TermsThe School for Ministry Development offers postulants a comprehensive and well rounded education in an environment that stimulates mutual learning, spiritual growth and continued discernment of Gods call. The Schools year is divided into three terms:

    Epiphany Term: Jan.9 through April 16Summer Term: May through August (field education and Clinical Pastoral Training)Michaelmas Term: Sept. 3 through Dec. 17

    Classes are typically held the second and fourth Saturday of the month at DaySpring Episcopal Center. The school begins each class day with Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. in St Thomas Chapel. All are welcome to attend these services.

    MARCH - DECEMBER 2016

    Diocesan GatheringsEach year, hundreds of parishes and groups come to DaySpring for conferences, meetings, seminars and gatherings. Below are some of the key dates for Diocesan-wide groups meeting at DaySpring.Saturday, March 5 Altar Guild Annual Meeting Weekend March 11-13 Clergy Spouse Association WeekendSaturday, April 9 Daughters of King Spring RetreatSaturday, Oct. 29 Daughters of the King Fall Assembly Saturday, Nov. 12 ECW Annual Meeting

    Education for Ministry

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    Art at St. Davids Promotes JubileeMaggie McClellan, a member of St. Davids, has contributed a new work to the celebrate the parishs Jubilee Center. It will be officially presented Sunday, April 3.

    ENGLEWOOD - ARTIST Maggie Mcclellan, a member of St Davids, has contributed a work that is now hanging in the parishs Jubilee Center.

    Maggie McClellan is a painter who teaches workshops across the U.S., the Caribbean and for the La Romita art colony in Terni, Italy. She has also jur-ied shows including the Coconut Grove Art Festival and the Cheyenne National Exhibition. McClellan has exhibited in-ternationally and has received accolades for her work and teaching programs by Steven Dougherty, editor of American Artist Magazine, the curator of the Mu-seum of Modem Art in Santo Domin-go, as well as other art societies, critics and guilds.

    The painting, at right, is entitled Laughing Jesus, to show the joyful work of our Savior.

    St. Davids is part of a network of Jubilee Ministry centers across The Episcopal Church. Jubilee parishes are part of a national network of churches across the nation that have officially es-tablished a Jubilee Ministry as a min-istry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society. X

    To find out more about the Jubilee program, contact the Ven. Dennis Mc-Manis, Archdeacon and Canon for Min-istry, at [email protected].

    Art

    To be a Jubilee Church JUBILEE CENTERS MUST be an Episcopal congregation, Episcopal cluster or an ecumenical cluster with Episcopal presence, and/or an agency with connections to The Episcopal Church. They should be involved in mission and ministry among and with poor and oppressed people wherever they are located. The mission and ministry must be rooted in worship, and include several programs, including at least one human rights advocacy program and one human services program. The program is led by The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Domestic Poverty Missioner. To find out more visit either:

    www.episcopalchurch.org/library/office/jubilee-ministries twitter.com/Matthew2537

    Jubilee in the Diocese All Souls, North Fort Myers Christ Church, Bradenton Church of the Ascension,

    Clearwater Church of the Redeemer,

    Sarasota St. David, Englewood St Giles, Pinellas Park St George, Bradenton St. Mark, Marco Island St. Mark, Venice St. Mary, Bonita Springs Cathedral Church of St. Peter,

    St. Petersburg St. Augustine, St. Petersburg St. James House of Prayer, Tampa

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    EasterSpeak Sweeter and Love Deeper

    ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN, The Lord is Risen indeed. This mes-sage of Good News for some folks, may be difficult to accept. Some-where, there may be those who stand in the midst of pain, tragedy, loneli-ness, or isolation.

    Even in circumstances such as these we may ask if New Life is really possible? Can there truly be a sequel to the story of death? Is there something on the other side of despair? We have hope my friends; great hope. After the trial, beatings and crucifixion of her Lord, Mary Magdalenes words on that third day were, I have seen the Lord. Jesus message of love may have been squelched by the religious and political leaders of that time, but it was quieted for only three days. There was another story to be told on the other side of the cross; the story of resurrection, an emp-ty tomb, and new life.

    New life beyond death seems a little

    difficult for 21st century post-modern, techno-savvy, scientific, folks to com-prehend, understand, or even to accept as a real possibility. We cant seem to get our minds wrapped around the possi-bility that even through death, there is more to the story. Our culture seems to wrestle with death and resurrection, and our exploration of this topic can be set in the context of some really strange notions. I am quite intrigued by some of the attempts by the entertainment in-dustry to explore the issues of immor-tality. Television shows about the para-normal are fairly popular these days. Books about what heaven is like seem to be on the top seller lists. The network AMC found great success with The Walking Dead, a monster infested, post-apocalyptic world in which a disease changes people into walking, decaying mindless carriers of a life-draining in-fection.

    The survivors of this apocalypse struggle, constantly plagued with hun-ger, lack of shelter, lack of safety and-despair. Death abounds all around. For them, there doesnt seem to be much hope. You may ask, what does this have to do with Easter. Im glad you asked because on one episode of the show, when all hope seemed lost for the series group of heroes, there was a particular scene in which, in the midst of death, resurrection took the spotlight.

    I nearly missed that scene, as I got up from the couch and headed for that last snack of the night, but when it hap-pened, my ears perked up, my theologi-cal alarms went off, and my clergy radar turned on. In a season finale, the group came to a major turning point in their journey, and they were at their wits end. Many of the group had been lost in a recent attack and in a brief moment of reprieve, Rick Grimes, the protagonist hero, says something profound to Her-schel Greene, one of the solid, ethical, unmovable characters. Herschel had given up hope and Rick chastised him and said, Youre a man of God! Have some faith.

    Herschel, out of this dark place, in his moment of unimaginable despair, replied, I cant profess to understand Gods plan. Christ promised a resurrec-tion of the dead.

    The point I think of Herschels pro-found statement is that in the midst of his personal tragedy, when he had lost hope, Christs promise of a new day, a new way, a new life, became real for him.

    Resurrection is Gods fulfilled promise, and new life is unlike anything we have known before. Resurrection is where hope abounds, joy emerges, grace showers upon us, and love bursts through. When all seems lost, when all around us is falling apart, we still have

    Even Hollywood attempts to address immortality. The Rev. Eric Cooter reminds that resurrection is without a doubt, hope for us now, today, here, this very minute.

    Our culture seems to wrestle with death

    and resurrection, and our exploration of this topic can be set in the context of some really strange

    notions.

  • 23

    hope. Mary Magdalene said, I have seen the Lord. I know it may be dif-ficult to believe, but even in the worst moments of life, maybe when we ex-perience job loss, maybe when our be-loved abandons us, maybe when our portfolios value drops to zero, maybe when our own health fails, and maybe in that last moment of life, when our very breath is slipping from us, we do have hope. The resurrection is an un-pretentious claim, I have seen the Ris-en Lord.

    The promises of God are not just nice little things to believe in, the prom-ise became real at the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene, the first apostle, real-ized that death had lost its grip on Jesus, the promised One of God and thus, we too can know that it has lost its hold on us as well.

    In the resurrection of Jesus, some-thing new had happened. Something world changing had broken through and things will never be the same again. This story of resurrection is the story of a new way of life, a new beginning each and every day, a reclaiming in Christ the beauty, grace, and the blessed, origi-nal intent of creation.

    The great hope we have is that a new way of living began in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, Messiah, Rab-bi, Teacher, Rabboni, God in Flesh. Death, the great enemy of humanity, has forever been defeated. In Christ, we now have hope.

    We sometimes live so detached from our own sense of mortality and yet death is all around us. We have to accept the fact that we will not leave this life without passing through death in all its forms: emotional deaths, spiri-tual deaths, and relational deaths and yes, eventually physical death. What we sometimes forget is that through death

    we truly learn to live. We must accept that there are doors in this life through which we must pass, and yet on the oth-er side, there is something else awaiting us, and that fact changes how we live.

    Resurrection, that empty tomb, gives us the hope into which we can surely rest our lives. Resurrection is ab-solutely a hope for the future, but it is without a doubt, hope for us now, today, here, this very minute.

    The promise fulfilled in Christ is, Gods love lasts beyond the grave and nothing can stand between us and Gods love. The hope is that even in the midst of some of the great tragedies of life, we are not nor will we be aban-doned to the sting of death, in any of its forms: spiritual, emotional, relational or physical. God does not nor will God ever abandon us.

    This Good News is life changing, because it changes the way we approach life. I sat in a coffee house one day and had a great conversation with a young man about faith. At one point in our conversation he said to me, I dig this Jesus life you talk about, Eric, but I just cant accept that resurrection thing.

    I asked him, What if its true? What if Gods love is forever? What if we have hope that none of the tragedies in the world is the end of the story? What if none of the death, none of the loneliness, none of the brokenness is the end of the story? What if we lived like death is not the end? The young man said, It would change everything. I paused, looked him deeply in the eyes and said, Then my friend, you have a better grasp on the hope of the resurrec-tion than you may know.

    He smiled and said, I get it. May-be I can live with that kind of hope. It changes me, so that I may give the forgiveness I have denied, I can speak

    sweeter, and I can love deeper.The great hope of Resurrection not

    only changes how we live life, it changes us individually, and it has the power to change the world. I dont know about you, but when we leave the presence of the beauty of Easter Sunday, with its lilies, Easter suits and dresses, white banners and vestments, and the sense of hope and celebration that is ripe all around, there will be days down the road when we will honestly say, Im hurting here, Ive messed it up, things are hopeless, and we will declare, I need a little resurrection now, today, this week, this very moment.

    Even then, we can with hope, be-lieve that there is new life possible, new life beyond the grave, new life beyond the tragedy, new life beyond the pain. I believe, because of the faith of those who have gone before, and those who stand beside us, those who have the courage and strength to begin each day with this assurance, this hope, and this great promise, Alleluia, Christ is risen . The Lord is raised indeed, Alle-luia. X

    About the Author: The Rev. Canon Eric Cooter is Canon for Ministry Devel-opment. He blogs at ericcooter.com.

    This story of resurrection is the

    story of a new way of life, a new beginning each and every day, a reclaiming in Christ

    the beauty, grace, and the blessed, original intent of

    creation.

  • 24

    FoodLight for Lent, Waiting for EasterThe weeks in advance of Easter prove the advantages of simple ingredients. Jan Nothum locates some top recipes for Lent from parish cookbooks past.DURING THIS SEASON of Lent, the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, our parishes nurture the soul through times of reflection and worship, while our growing parish cookbook collection offers nourish-ment for our physical well being.

    Leek and Potato Soup2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and sliced2 lbs. leeks ( or yellow onions )2 qts. water2 T. salt2 pkg. frozen chopped broccoliButterSimmer the potatoes, leeks and salt for

    50 60 minutes. Put soup in blender, quart by quart, process until smooth. Return to pot. Season to taste. Add frozen chopped broccoli. Refrigerate until serving time. Heat, serve and add a dab of butter on top (optional). Can also be served cold.

    Phill Urion, Angelic Fare, St. Michael & All Angels, Sanibel

    Soup au Pistou (Provencal Vegetable soup)

    3 qt. water2 cups carrots, diced2 cups potatoes, diced2 cups leeks, diced1 tsp. salt2 cups fresh white beans2 cups green beans1/3 cup pasta1 slice stale bread1/8 tsp. pepper

    In 6 qt. kettle, boil the carrots, potatoes, leeks, 1 tsp. salt and white beans for 40 min-utes. Add the green beans, pasta, bread and pepper and boil for 15 minutes more.Pistou

    4 cloves garlic6 T. tomato puree cup chopped fresh basil cup olive oil cup parmesan cheese, gratedPrepare the Pistou by putting the gar-

    lic, tomato puree, basil, parmesan cheese and olive oil in a food processor and puree. When soup is ready to serve, add 1 cup of the Pistou into the soup. Serve with hot French bread.

    Barbara Vermilye, Let us Keep the

    Feast, St. Hilarys ECW, Ft. MyersCaribbean Shrimp and Black Bean Salad

    1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

    1 small green pepper, finely chopped cup sliced celery cup thin sliced purple onion, sepa-

    rated into rings2 T. chopped fresh cilantro2/3 cup picante sauce cup lime juice (4 limes)2 T. honey tsp. salt

    In 3 cups water, cook 2 lbs unpeeled medium, fresh shrimp. Combine black beans and next 8

    Leeks in preparation for soup. Photo by Rob DeVries, Groningen, Netherlands.

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    ingredients; toss gently, cover, and refrigerate 8 hours. Serve on lettuce leaves, cherry tomato halves for garnish.Yield, 4 servings.

    The V. Rev. Kyle Bennett, Paradise Fa-vorites, St. Marks, Marco Island

    Wild Rice Salad1 pkg. fast cooking long grain & wild rice1 med. unpeeled apple, cored chopped2/3 cup dried cherries2 T. water2 tsp. cider vinegar1 green pepper, chopped1 stalk celery, chopped1 T. soy sauce2 tsp. sugar1/3 cup roasted peanutsCook rice, but omit margarine.

    Spread cooked rice on a large cookie sheet and let stand 10-13 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Make a meal by adding cooked, cut up turkey or chicken and cup chopped dried apricots.

    Diane Urwiller, Cooking with Friends, Good Samaritan: Clearwater

    Citrus Grouper2 medium fresh grouper fillets (or fa-

    vorite white fish)Juice of 1 limeOregano2 cloves garlic, mincedSalt and pepperExtra virgin olive oilBread crumbsPlace fish on baking dish. Salt and

    pepper. Mix lime juice, oregano and garlic in a small bowl, drizzle in olive oil as you whisk together. Pour mixture over the fish and sprinkle plain bread crumbs on top. Place under broiler for 5 minutes. Test for doneness. Serve over a bed of rice and fresh vegetables.

    The Rev. Canon Eric Cooter, Food

    Memories, Lamb of God, Ft. Myers

    Maryland Lady Crab Cakes1 lb Maryland crabmeat1 cut Italian seasoning bread crumbs1 large egg cup mayonnaiseMargarine, butter or oil for frying1 tsp. dry mustard tsp. salt tsp. pepper1 tsp. worchestershire sauce2 T. old bay seasoningShape into patties and fry until brown

    on both sides.Ruth Robinson, Cooking with

    Friends, Good Samaritan, Clearwater

    Cloud Biscuits2 cups all purpose flour

    1T. baking powder tsp. salt6 T. Crisco, cut into large pieces cups plus 2 T cold milk2 T country style Dijon mustardPreheat oven to 400 degrees; lightly

    grease heavy baking sheet. Combine flour, baking powder and place in processor and blend 5 seconds. Add Crisco and process until mix is crumbly, about 30 seconds. Transfer to large bowl. Whisk milk and mustard in small bowl. Gradually pour milk and mustard mixture over flour mixture and stir until just moist. Move dough to floured surface; knead gently un-til dough just comes together. Roll inch thick and cut with biscuit cutter. Brush with milk. Bake 14 minutes.

    Frances Dean, Cooking with Friends, Good Samaritan, Clearwater X

    Virginia Corn Bread1 cup corn meal1 tsp. salt1 cups boiling water1 T. butter1 cups milk3 eggs2 tsp. baking powderMix salt in cornmeal. Scald with water giving a quick stir and covering tightly. Melt

    butter in warmed milk, reserving about 1/3 cup cold milk in which to dissolve baking powder. Mix cornmeal, milk, butter and eggs, quickly and gently stir in the baking pow-der dissolved in the 1/3 cup milk. Bake in a well greased 3 pint pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serves at least 6.

    Eleanor Post, Whats Cooking, Church of the Ascension, Clearwater

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  • 26

    A History of St. Thomas ChapelThe centerpiece of DaySpring is its historic chapel. Peggy Curlin of Diocesan Altar Guild tells the history of the beloved church, which the Guild has lovingly adopted.

    THE ST. THOMAS Chapel at Day-Spring was originally built in 1914 as the Church of the Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor. The architectural style is known as Carpenter Gothic, a style that was common in North Ameri-ca in the late nineteenth century for houses and small churches.

    These structures adapted Gothic elements such as pointed arches, steep gables, and towers to tradition-al American light-frame construc-tion. The invention of the scroll saw and mass-produced wood moldings allowed a few of these structures to mimic the florid fenestration of the High Gothic, but in most cases, Car-penter Gothic buildings were rela-tively unadorned, retaining only the basic elements of pointed-arch win-dows and steep gables. Probably the best known example of Carpenter Gothic is the house in Eldon, Iowa, that Grant Wood used for the back-ground of his famous painting Amer-ican Gothic.

    When the congregation of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church outgrew this church (seating 65), the Holy Spirit in-tervened to ensure its preservation. The building was transported to DaySpring in the middle of the night on January 20, 1988. It had to be moved in two pieces to clear the bridges on the 70 mile trek.

    History

    A plaque in the chapel reads Given to the glory of God by The Church of the Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor and in loving memory of Thomas N. Fluharty by the gifts of his friends and family. Dedicat-ed June 12, 1988.

    Here is the story as told by Steve Fluharty (member of St. Johns, Tampa), son of Thomas N. Fluharty:

    After my father died in 1978, our family decided to donate some funds to the Diocese for a Chapel at DaySpring. At that time DaySpring was in its in-fancy. The donation was made with the caveat that when a Chapel was built it would be named St. Thomas in memo-

    View of St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring, looking north.

    Attend a Service at St. Thomas ChapelThe chapel has had increasing use by Bishop Smith and the DaySpring staff since Diocesan House moved to DaySpring Episcopal Center. Page 18 has a list of services at the chapel, including Eucharists and Morning Prayer.

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    ry of my father Thomas. Several years passed and in Octo-

    ber 1983 we asked the third year archi-tectural design students from the Uni-versity of Florida to come to DaySpring. They split up into about five groups and were asked to design a Chapel that fit into the surroundings. There were about 125 students involved and the de-signs were both rustic and futuristic. We made it interesting by offering a cash prize for the group that was selected for the best design. It was a very interesting exercise, but it was never the intent that the Diocese would build the selected de-sign and I am glad they didnt. In 1988, someone mentioned that the Carpenter Gothic church in Safety Harbor was no longer being used as a worship space. The Diocese decided it was a perfect fit for DaySpring, and the rest is history.

    Steves sister, Susan Fluharty Regan, is on the Altar Guild at St. Peters Cathe-dral in St. Petersburg. Steves son was married at St. Thomas Chapel, and his granddaughter was Christened there. What a wonderful family connection between the Fluharty family and Day-Spring.

    St. Thomas Chapel has been in use at DaySpring since 1988 for prayer, meditation, and worship services. Day-Spring will provide wine and wafers upon request, or the groups priest can bring the elements.

    As there is no congregation at DaySpring, the Diocesan Altar Guild adopted St. Thomas Chapel to serve as its altar guild. In addition to seeing that everything is clean and organized and ready for the celebration of Eucha-rist, several years ago the DAG paid for the installation of a water heater and shelves in the sacristy. We are lucky to have Evelyn Fudge of nearby Parrish as the Chapel Coordinator. X

    Saving a Parish LegacyThe church is the original record keeper. Garland Pollard reports on how best to continue that tradition.KEEPING MEMORIES IS at the heart of our Christian tradition, said Mat-thew Payne, boardmember of the Na-tional Episcopal Historians and Archivists.Speaking at DaySpring Episcopal Center in January to the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers Annual Meeting, he cited Psalm 77 (I will remember the deeds of the Lord) as inspiration.

    Ultimately, what to save and what to keep does not have to mean a room filled with unused files and junk. Instead, there are some things to save that are rec-ommended by guidelines published by The Episcopal Church, including reten-tion schedules for financial information and other important parish documents. In fact, Payne cautioned that saving too much of the wrong thing or duplicates can waste space. A question to ask is is it valu-able to others?

    Payne, whose full-time job is lay canon for diocesan administration at the Diocese of Fond du Lac, spoke to the gath-ered about the importance of a deliberate archives program at any Episcopal institu-tion, large or small. Substance is more im-portant than volume, said Payne. The key to a deliberate approach to archives starts with simply having a climate controlled room where items are stored, preferably with fluorescent light, which does not de-grade paper. Also important is removing items from cellophane scrap books, as they deteriorate and destroy the original papers

    and photos. An important task in an ar-chive would be to create a finding aid and inventory, perhaps putting it on the web so that others may be aware of it. Also im-portant is enlisting more than one person for its care, so that the archive does not get ignored if one person dies or leaves.

    There are resources online to give or-ganizations guidance on what to save and what to pitch. For items that are preserved, they should lie flat, be stored in acid-free boxes, and have paper clips, staples and tape removed, as they will make a docu-ment or photography deteriorate. Further steps once an archive is created include oral histories and an effort to publicly col-lect items of interest that relate to the insti-tution, and can promote the shared history of the institution.

    Every congregation, diocese and Episcopal entity should have an archive, said Payne. X

    NEHA is at episcopalhistorians.org. You can also visit episcopalarchives.org for document retention schedules and advice.

    History

    Matthew Payne shows what NOT to do, i.e. keeping important photos in acidic scrapbooks.

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    The Prophetic Work of Bishop WingThe Rev. Canon Michael Durning reminds how one of Floridas early 20th Century bishops fought the Klan and became a voice for those without a voice. A recollection of John Durham Wing, glassmaker turned crusader for justice. FLORIDA IN THE 1920s would be a foreign land to its current resi-dents. While more than a half cen-tury had passed since the Civil War, the issues that followed that War were very much alive.

    The Episcopal Diocese of South Florida had hard work to do and John Durham Wing, third Bishop of the Diocese of South Florida, was the one chosen and ordained to lead that work.

    According to Joseph Cushmans The Sound of Bells, Wing was unlike any of his predecessors. He was born to Baptist parents and his father was not a clergyman. Following graduation from the University of Georgia in 1903, Wing developed a great interest in English Literature. Up to that point in life he had never read the Book of Common Prayer and in reading it, he decided upon membership in the Episcopal Church. His employer, the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, sent Wing to England on a two-year business venture and it is in England where his vision of Church took root. The Church of England in-creased his love of ceremonial and frus-trated his impatient expectation that the Church could be an effective voice in the transformation of the community at large.

    Discernment and ordination soon

    History

    followed. He was made a deacon and priest by 1910, serving in Georgia and Tennessee. He was asked to lead preach-ing missions in Florida, leading to his election as Bishop Coadjutor of South Florida. He was consecrated September 29, 1925 at St. Pauls, Chattanooga.

    1920s Florida saw a rise of activity in the Ku Klux Klan. Wing took this on directly, also addressing a lynching that took place in Ocala. He wrote a pastoral letter stating that the Klan was a men-ace to good government and a disgrace to our civilization. He encouraged his flock to get active in resistance to the Klans influence in the interest of men who are ashamed to let their faces be seen. He decried mob violence as anti-

    Christian. He was invited to write in the Orlando Sentinel to address the brutality of the Florida prison farm system, seen by Wing as an instrument of cruelty to-ward prisoners of color. Readers were deeply influenced by Wings reports, and their outcry led to a reform of the camp system.

    At a time when people of color were relegated to the back of the hall, Wing insisted that delegates of color sit at a place of their choosing at Diocesan Convention.

    In 1933, Wing cancelled the Con-vention banquet when he discovered that blacks were not allowed entry into the banquet facility. He invited attend-ees to attend services at St. Agnes, (Mi-amis oldest African American congre-gation) instead. He appointed the Rev. John Culmer as Archdeacon for Negro Work.

    The prophetic work of John Dur-ham Wing serves to remind us that the Jesus Movement has deep roots and a long trajectory.

    May we remember his episcopacy as a brave call for the church to move from comfortable pews to that place where justice is summoned by hard work, focus, discipline and truth-tell-ing. X

    The Rev. Michael Durning is Canon to the Ordinary.

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    St. Luke Chapter Heals in Tampa The prayer ministry of the Order of St. Luke spreads the healing work of Jesus. At St. Marks in Tampa, Marcia Allison reports on her membership in the order, which began while her husband was in seminary.

    Parish LifeVENICE - The International Order of St. Luke the Physician is made up of clergy, health professionals and lay people who feel called to make Jesus ministry of healing a regular part of their vocation. It was incorporated as a non-profit in the state of California in 1953 and the national headquarters is currently located in San Antonio, TX. The Northwest Tampa OSL Chapter was started at St. Marks Episcopal in Tampa on Feb 18, 2015 and is now 21 members strong. OSL members share this healing ministry by offering prayer stations for healing at each Eucharist, as well as visiting shut-ins in Pastoral Care.

    Christian Healing and competent medical practice complement each other. We believe healing is an essential part of the teachings of Jesus Christ. We offered the study of Christs healings as a Lenten discipline last year, and 22

    healing ministry. We started a weekly healing service, that at first was not well attended nor received, but grew to a proportionate size for our class. Peo-ple came from off campus when news spread about the healing works of Jesus.

    I would like to share a story with you. A student in my husbands class arrived with a colostomy bag due to a previous surgery. Her underlying con-dition was corrected, and her intent was to have a reversal of her colostomy, allowing her to continue with normal function. She was healthy and under-went this procedure. Once again, medi-cal technology failed her; the reversal failed, and she could not be brought

    people showed up for the first meeting. During weekly study, we wondered if starting an OSL Chapter could benefit our parish? On Sunday May 10, 2015, 17 were inducted as new members with myself, Marcia Allison, as their Con-vener. We meet monthly and practice the Rule of the Order: daily disciplines of prayer, study, receiving Holy Com-munion regularly, and cultivating God-given gifts for healing by active service.

    I became a member of OSL while my husband was attending Nashotah House in 2009. A professor who is also an OSL Chaplain offered a class to semi-narians and spouses. Through the class, I was encapsulated by the call of Christs

    Pictured here, new members inducted by the Rev. Roy Allison. Members emphasize prayer, and utilizing God-given gifts for healing.

    Find out more

    The International Order of St. Luke has a fantastic website with recruitment information, brochures and links to local chapters. Find out more at orderofstluke.org

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    back from the anesthesia. She remained in a coma on full life support for many weeks. On the day the hospital decided to transfer her to a long term care facil-ity, 11 of us from the OSL chapter vis-ited her in the ICU. The fact they al-lowed all of us in there was amazing. We gathered around the bedside and laid hands on our friend and prayed in the name of Jesus Christ to be healed. My husband commanded Meredith to open her eyes and by the grace of God she did. Two weeks later she was in a recovery unit, and by Jesus hand of healing she came to full recovery and graduated on time with her class. Telling this story still brings a tear to my eye and lump in my throat.

    Our Northwest Tampa Chapter members share their own testimonies of opportunities to pray for people in need of healing. When you open your heart to Gods presence and answer Here I Am, Lord he will open oppor-tunities for you to witness in His name. When your church becomes a praying church God moves in so many ways.

    OSL is just one opportunity of sharing the gospel of healing and seeking the Holy Spirits presence. X

    Parishes With St. Luke Chapters

    Across the Diocese, many churches have St. Luke Chapters. Parishes with chapters include: St. Mary, Bonita Springs; Good Shepherd, Venice; Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota; St. Wilfred, Sarasota, St. Andrew, Spring Hill; St. Alban, St. Pete Beach; Holy Innocents Valrico; Good Shepherd, Dunedin; St. Martin, Hudson; St. John, Naples; St. James, Port Charlotte.

    About Altar Guild Sarah Hill of Diocesan Altar Guild tells of some of the activities of this crucial ministry of the table.

    Parish LifeWHAT IS THE purpose of a Dioc-esan Altar Guild?

    The Diocesan Altar Guild always works at their bishops discretion. The Diocesan Altar Guild has a representative from each deanery and a board which works directly with Bishop Smith. In Southwest Florida, our board meets four times a year.

    Work with Diocesan Altar Guild may begin with helping with the Convention Eu-charist or at large gatherings such as Ordina-tions, Confirmations, the Chrism Mass, Epis-copal Church Women gatherings, or special clergy events.

    At Convention, we offer a Free Market Exchange where no money changes hands but any liturgical item that is no longer used may be brought and made available to those seeking gently used liturgical sup-plies. It creates a lively exchange and makes us all good stewards. Call it holy recycling.

    The Diocesan Altar Guild news-letter Altargram, published quarterly, is a wonderful way to share informa-tion as well as getting acquainted with each other and individual churches.

    The Altar Guild can be a wonder-ful resource for the priests within the Diocese and the Diocesan Altar Guild is especially useful when setting up missions or revitalizing a parish.

    The Diocesan Altar Guild offers workshops for candles, linen care

    Here, Bishop Smith celebrates the Eucharist at Annual Convention. Each October, Diocesan Altar Guild prepares the table and prepares the convention hall for worship. The Diocesan Altar Guild also supports the St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring Episcopal Center.

    and laundry, and can offer advice on cleaning out a sacristy. We pro-vide help and resources for ordering new linens and vestments. Practical suggestions are always important to share, including silver and brass care and repair.

    Depending on the size of the par-ish, flowers may be the responsibility of your altar guild, or there may be a separate flower guild.

    Most of all, SHARE the joys and blessings of this most special min-istry which is always done to Gods glory. X

    Find out more about Diocesan Al-tar Guild by visiting episcopalswfl.org, keyword altar

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    MANILA - The Rev. Ray Bonoan, rector of Church of the Holy Spirit recently traveled this February to the Philippines. He was there to attend the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and Episcopal Church Concordant Council, an important step in updating and renewing the concordat agreement between the two churches. The Iglesia Filipina has roots in the struggle for independence from the Catholic Church. Also attending were the Rt. Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick of the Diocese of Hawaii, the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness, Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. Other members of the Presiding Bishops staff were with the team including The Rev. Margaret Rose, Ecumenical Inter-religious Deputy (Team Leader); The Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, Missioner Asiamerica Ministry and Canon Peter Ng, Asia and Pacific Officer and Anglican Relations. X

    From Safety Harbor to PhilippinesThe Rev. Ray Bonoan, Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor, traveled to the Concordat Council of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and The Episcopal Church.

    TravelBonoan with Bp. Bob Fitzpatrick at a fishing

    village devastated by Typhoon Haiyan where an estimated 7 to 10 thousand people died on the island of Tacloban,

    Leyte. Photo Bp. Paul Tobias

    At right, the fish being grilled were part of a feast for the visiting team provided

    by the fisherfolks of that village that were members of IFIs Mission of the Holy Child.

    IFI Mission St. Roch, Balud, Capoocan Leyte.

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    Church of the NativitySARASOTA - Church of the Nativity

    came alive in February with arrangements of flowers of all kinds to depict their theme for this year - The Whole World in His Hands. The yearly floral festival was held this year on Friday Feb. 19 and 20. Afterward, traditional English Tea was served in the fellowship hall.

    St. Alfred, Palm HarborPALM HARBOR - Mayor Julie

    Ward Bujalski of Dunedin was one of many volunteer models for the Inspire Attire Fashion Fundraiser benefitting St. Alfreds Episcopal Church in Palm Harbor and Home-less Empowerment Project.

    Around the Diocese

    Taking Church to the Bus Station Ash Wednesday

    TAMPA- Parishioners at St. James House of Prayer took to the Tampa bus terminal on Ash Wednesday in order to reach out to those who had not come for imposition of Ashes. At center, the Rev. Ernestine Flemister, the parishs rector.

    Absalom Jones Sunday at Redeemer

    SARASOTA - On Feb. 21, The Rev. Dr. Clarence Elliot Butler (pictured here with the Rev. Mario Castro) spoke at the parishs annual commemoration of Absalom Jones Day. Among his accomplishments are serving as Dean at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York and Interim Dean of Community Life at Episcopal Divinity School.

    St. John, ClearwaterCLEARWATER - On May 15, The

    AIDS Partnership will sponsor the Pinel-las County participation in The Interna-tional AIDS Candlelight Memorial for the 30th year. This Memorial celebrates the lives of those lost to AIDS and brings attention to the continuing problems of significant infections. While the panic is over and HIV infection has become viewed as a chronic disease, new infec-tions in the Tampa Bay Area rank among the highest in the country.

    This interfaith Service will take place at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 1676 S Belcher Road, Clearwater at 6 p.m. Call (727) 446-7718. X

    Help Us Spread Your Events and NewsAn easy way to spread your news and post photos to the Diocese is to post it to your individual parishs Facebook page. The Diocese can then repost it to our Facebook page.

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    St. Stephens Annual Car Show

    NEW PORT RICHEY - St. Stephens held their second annual Classic Car Show on Saturday, February 6 as a fundraiser.

    Labyrinth at Sanibel

    SANIBEL - St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal held a Labyrinth Workshop with world famous labyrinth expert Zara Renander on Feb. 13, on the Church grounds. Born in Lahore, India, Renander holds a Masters Degree in Theology from the University of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN, and trained as a nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, and Westminster Hospital, England. She was joined by The Rev. Kerry Holder-Joffrion, an Episcopal priest, founder of the Nativity Center, and president of Turning Point Consultants, an organization of professionals who facilitate healing through pilgrimage and labyrinth practices. Pictured above, the labyrinth committee.

    Ted Irwin Sailing & Christmas Boxes at Indian Rocks

    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - Youth sailors spent four hours on Saturday, Dec. 5 in a Sail-a-thon to benefit Beach Community Food Pantry. The event was named for sailor Ted Irwin, one of nations best known boat builders and sailors. Irwin died in 2015. Similar to a Walkathon young sailors committed to spend time on the water in small sailing dinghys. In other news, the parish (above) packed hundreds of gift boxes for St. Edmunds the Martyr, Arcadia and other parishes with a Latino outreach. The gift box packing is a yearly effort for Calvary.

    Submit News

    Around the Diocese is composed of short news items from our 77 congregations. Send your news into us, with high resolution photo, at [email protected].

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    EACH YEAR, THE Diocese of South-west Florida publishes an annual Journal of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The Journal includes every matter of public re-cord for The Episcopal Church in South-west Florida, though its origin was as a compilation of the records of the Annual Convention. The Journal is truly a com-plete picture of the affairs of the Diocese and makes the operations of the bishopric truly an open book. First and foremost, The Journal is the record of events at each Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and includes yearly budgets and our financial reporting.

    The Journal also includes a yearly re-port on the Episcopal congregations of the Diocese and their respective staffs, listings of vestry members, directories of commit-tees, a directory of clergy (presbyters and deacons), a schedule of Bishop Smith for the year, and a current copy of the Consti-tution and Canons of the Diocese.

    The only thing that traditionally changes is the cover color. For 2015, the cover went back and used a light hunter green that was last