VOLUME 52 | ISSUE 2
PENTECOST 2021
Southern Cross MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
t d o e t t i mo m
C
Caring
THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN LABELLE
•
EPISCOPAL 101
SEARCH COMMITTEE PROFILES • YOUTH PROGRAMS RESUME • DAYSPRING BREAKS GROUND
SacredSpace A
an d e f a S
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is similar to CPR for physical first aid, and the national certification through the National Council for Behavioral Health is earned via the 8-hour training course. Classes can be as large as 30 students with certified instructors. Group sessions and individual registrations are available. DaySpring is the perfect setting for the one-day training, with our state-of-the-art facilities and access to 97 acres of natural resources and contemplative spaces for walking and quiet reflection. Lodging is available for overnight stays with an advance reservation. With referrals to our certified MHFA instructors, group planners can easily add on a day of MHFA training to enhance their experience at DaySpring. As our communities recover from the challenges of a pandemic and build resiliency within ourselves and our teams, DaySpring is committed to hosting both private group and monthly openregistration classes for individuals at our safe and sacred place. Join us in this important initiative.
UPCOMING COURSES: • THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021 • FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
Interested? Go to
www.dayspringfla.org/mentalhealth for more information
DAYSPRING EPISCOPAL CENTER | 8411 25th St E | Parrish, FL 34219 | 941-776-1018
From the Bishop STILL DREAMING DREAMS My dear friends, This Pentecost season is already shaping up to be one of celebration. On May 16, and following CDC guidance, we allowed for full capacity during Sunday services. We have seen many parishioners, still worshipping at home, come back to pews for in person worship, confident in vaccinations and lowered infection rates. Sadly, though, this is a place we had all hoped to be in the Pentecost season of 2020, but the pandemic took far longer to resolve than any of us imagined. In this challenging year, our parishioners stepped up to do whatever has been needed to keep the operations of our congregations alive. We profile in this issue the congregation of Good Shepherd, LaBelle, who welcomed a new priest-in-charge at the beginning of the pandemic, and planned an addition to their facilties. In the midst of this, a plane literally crashed onto their property, missing the church by just a few feet. LaBelle is our smallest, most rural congregation, but they are not the only ones that have been creative in this last year. This issue also includes a faith testimonial from a member of St. Giles, Pinellas Park, a congregation that has kept its worship (and food pantry) going through the pandemic, even with a transition in leadership. And too, as a diocese, we continue to look forward. Not only did we break ground for a new maintenance facility for DaySpring, we returned to in person confirmation services and visitation. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter preached on the Feast of Pentecost and quoted the prophet Joel as saying, ”in the last days God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” As God’s spirit guides us, we are still seeing visions and dreaming dreams in this diocese. May it ever remain so.
Bishop Dabney Smith Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida
SOUTHERN CROSS
YEAR 52 | ISSUE 2 | PENTECOST 2021 FIRST PUBLISHED AD 1970
Matthew Bowers | Director of Youth Ministry & Programming mbowers@episcopalswfl.org Geraldine “Jerry” Buss | Bookkeeper jbuss@episcopalswfl.org Angie Ford | Registrar & Receptionist aford@episcopalswfl.org
The Rev. Christopher Gray | Canon for Stewardship cgray@episcopalswfl.org Wendy Martucci | Assistant to the Bishop wmartucci@episcopalswfl.org Michelle Mercurio | Administrative Assistant mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore | Archdeacon; Dean, School for Ministry kmoore@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Richard H. Norman | Canon to the Ordinary rnorman@episcopalswfl.org Carla Odell | Executive Director - DaySpring execdirector@dayspringfla.org Tana Sembiante | Administrative Assistant to Canon Norman tsembiante@episcopalswfl.org Anne Vickers | Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO avickers@episcopalswfl.org Director of Communications editor@episcopalswfl.org Director of Congregational Support in transition contact avickers@episcopalswfl.org ADJUNCT CLERGY The Rev. Ann Dieterle | DaySpring Program Coordinator adierterle@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Carol Fleming | Diocesan Missioner, Parrish cfleming@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Scott Nonken | USF Chaplain snonken@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Michael Todd | State College of Florida Chaplain mtodd@chsosprey.org
Bishop | The Diocese of Southwest Florida The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, The Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO Anne Vickers SOUTHERN CROSS Editor & Director of Communications Garland Pollard Managing Editor & Creative Director Shannon Weber Contributing Writers Susie Baars, Garland Pollard, Matthew Bowers Subscriptions | The Southern Cross is mailed free of charge to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Contact aford@episcopalswfl.org to subscribe or update delivery preferences. Editorial Submissions | The editors welcome submission of articles for every section of the magazine, including features, news and departments. Please submit articles to gpollard@episcopalswfl.org 2021 Submission Deadlines Advent Issue: October 15 On the cover:
On Saturday, May 15, members of Diocesan Council and DaySpring Episcopal Center staff gathered for a groundbreaking for a new maintenance center at DaySpring. From left, Mike Kline, chair of the Bishop’s Cabinet for DaySpring Development; Canon Anne M. Vickers, CFO; Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwest Florida Ted Tripp, Esq.; Bishop Dabney Smith; Brett Raymaker, project executive of Willis Smith Construction; and Canon to the Ordinary the Rev. Richard H. Norman. Photo Credit: Peggy Kronos
FEATURES
18 EPISCOPALIAN BY DEFINITION
To long-time Episcopalians, the structure, rituals and objects found in our parishes are well-known, but to a newcomer, it can all be a bit daunting. We dive in with a handy guide to navigate the basics.
24 TWELVE DISCIPLES IN LABELLE
Tiny Good Shepherd in LaBelle has experienced their fair share of trials and tribulations over the years. Today, they're on the rise, thanks to their dedicated and tireless leadership and community.
30 BISHOP COADJUTOR COMMITTEE
A total of 22 clergy and lay persons are charged with finding a candidate who will become the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Here, we get to know the members of the committee and the deaneries they represent.
DEPARTMENTS Around the Diocese Mission | St. Mark's Thrift Store Meet the Priest | The Rev. Jim Teets My Favorite Hymn | John Fenstermaker DaySpring | A Groundbreaking Day
YOUTH | YOUTH PROGRAMS KEEP IT MOVING First Person | Counting My Blessings Briefly Diocesan Events | St. John's Confirmation Parish Profile | Parrish Episcopal Church In Memoriam Transitions Looking Back
6 7 8 9 10
12 14 16 17 36 38 39 40
Around the Diocese
FOOD BANK, NEW GARDEN PROGRAM GIFTS FOR FOOD BANK NAPLES - St. John's Naples is finding people who need continuing support during these challenging times, and have provided two sets of donations for local and international needs. "We are grateful for our Lord's call to help and excited to provide the following," said the Rev. Joe Maiocco, the parish rector. The parish donated a $160,000 Challenge Grant to be equally divided between Harry Chapin and St. Matthew's House Food Banks for an eventual total of $320,000 for hungry neighbors. They also have allotted $101,000 to national and international charities and missionaries helping the needy throughout our world by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ both in word and deed. GOOD NEWS GARDENS ST. PETERSBURG - Do you have a mango tree in your yard? A papaya tree? Do you grow herbs in your kitchen window? If any of these are true, you might be a candidate for a Good News Gardens, a new program of the Episcopal Church. A pilot member of the effort is Benison Farm, in St. Petersburg, an urban farm at St. Augustine’s and supported by the fellow St. Petersburg Deanery congregation, St. Thomas. Good News Gardens is a church-wide movement of individuals (that means YOU!), congregations, schools, colleges, seminaries, monasteries, camps and conference centers involved in a variety of food and creation care ministries – gardening, farming, beekeeping, composting, gleaning, feeding, and food justice advocacy. Collectively Good News Gardens share their abundance, their prayers, and the Way of Love in their 6
communities and beyond. Find out more at BenisonFarm.org. MILLER CELEBRATES 50TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY VENICE - At their Sunday Eucharist on April 25, Good Shepherd, Venice, celebrated with the Rev. Robert Miller his 50th Ordination Anniversary. The Rev. Miller was ordained in San Francisco following a background in electronics and physics research at UC Berkeley. He received degrees in the Philosophy of Religion and in Social Psychology from San Francisco State University and his theological degree from Nashotah Theological Seminary. Fr. Bob served as Director of St. Dorothy's Retreat Center and as Associate Pastor at churches in the San Francisco Bay Area before joining the ecumenical staff of La Casa de Maria Conference Center in Santa Barbara, where he and his wife Margi were wed in 1975.
Fr. Bob and Margi served in Honduras from 1979-1988 to found El Hogar Ministries for abandoned children and to build St. Mary of the Angels Church. Bob retired from Trinity Church in Litchfield, MN and moved to Venice in 2008, when he was assigned by Bishop Smith as Assistant to the Church of the Good Shepherd. The parish celebrated Fr. Bob's 50 years of ministry in their Sunday Eucharist followed by a toast in the memorial garden for continued blessings of his service to God and His people. Fr. Bob was presented with many cards and good wishes as well as very generous donations to the El Hogar Ministry. Editor’s note: The “Around the Diocese” column has been the place for a roundup of parish news published in our diocesan publications since the 1950s. We greatly appreciate your items submitted by congregations. Please help keep us informed by emailing us at editor@episcopalswfl.org.
Celebration of New Ministry. Here, The Rev. Bryan O’Carroll, Canon to the Ordinary the Rev. Richard H. Norman, Bishop Dabney Smith, The Rev. Jim Teets, The Very Rev. Carla McCook, and the Rev. Ray Perica, deacon.
Mission ST. MARK'S TAMPA OPENS THRIFT STORE As we see our way clear from COVID-19 lockdowns, a new thrift store opens its doors.
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t. Mark’s Episcopal Church Thrift Store in Tampa opened for the first time to the public Friday and Saturday, May 7 and May 8. The store, located on church grounds closest to Cain Road, will be open Fridays and Saturdays initially. The store takes up approximately 2,000 square feet of the separate structure on the church grounds; the other half houses an apartment. “We have so many wonderful things,” said Jan Houser, who was part of the volunteer team who received, sorted and set up the store. Houser said the variety of merchandise includes clothes, children’s items, kitchen items, artwork, jewelry and more. As with any thrift store, pricing is key. Houser noted the team worked very hard to not only mark everything fairly, but also have it all affordable. “We understand there are a lot of people in the community who are in need,” said Houser. “We have $1 and $2 things that can really help a family.” She said they also have some very nice specialty items that would look lovely in any home, such as a large pair of stained-class candles for about $25. Houser, a newer church member, said when she heard about the church opening a thrift store ministry, she jumped at the chance to help. “I was immediately drawn to it (the Thrift Store) as I love shopping at thrift stores myself.”
Her hope for the opening is “to get the word out and let people know where we are located, to further the mission of St. Mark’s and what we are trying to do in the community, and to have fun.” The Rev. Robert C. Douglas, St. Mark’s rector, said when he arrived at the church about three years ago, he and church leaders began to search for what church members as faithful followers of Jesus could do to meet the needs of the surrounding community. There was a large, empty house on the property, and it was suggested to divide it into a thrift store and apartment. It took a team of skilled church members two years to complete the conversion. “I am excited by this newest mission, as it will provide low-cost goods to our community through this thrift store,” said the Rev. Douglas. He also added that fifty percent of the store proceeds will go to fund other community missions such as creating care initiatives, taking a larger role in fighting human trafficking and other forms of injustice and oppression, as well as, alleviating food and housing scarcity. “We see this as a continuing step to becoming the beloved community we are called to be," said Douglas, "and to bear much fruit for the Kingdom.”
Above, the interior. Right, the shop, a repurposed campus building which will also have a rental apartment unit, creating even more of a steady income for parish mission work. 7
Meet the Priest THE REV. JIM TEETS, ST. MARY'S, DADE CITY
The Rev. James Teets joined St. Mary’s, Dade City, as their rector-elect on December 15, 2019, just before the coronavirus outbreak. He and his wife Sharon came to Dade City from Church of the Holy Cross in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he arrived after graduating with a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee in 2017. He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on June 3, 2017 at Trinity Cathedral in Miami. He was a school administrator before his call to ordained ministry as head of Glades Day School in Belle Glade, Fla. Q: What was your church experience growing up in Palm Beach County? A: My family was very active in the Episcopal church growing up. We worshiped at St. John’s Episcopal in Belle Glade, Fl. St. John’s was our home church for many years and was the church in which all of my brothers and sisters (not to mention two sons) were baptized and confirmed. In my time there I served as an acolyte and server and was the leader of the EYC program for St. John’s. Q: As a lifetime Episcopalian, who was one person that had an early effect on your love of the church? 8
A: The person that had the greatest effect on me growing up was Father Charles Farrar, the Rector of John’s during my high school years. It was through his mentorship and faith in my abilities that I was groomed for service on the altar and leading the prayers and liturgy at our youth group services. Q: What is your favorite part of your ministry? A: I would have to say that my favorite part of ministry is the pastoral care of my parishioners. I get to be present with them in some of their most vulnerable times and bring them comfort and hope. It is in those moments of just sitting and silence that so many parishioners begin to open up and share their life stories with you. This helps me get to know them better and understand their personal histories and spiritual needs on a closer level. Q: As a Florida native, and Episcopalian, have things changed that much, or are there some constants? A: Having lived through the change from the 1928 to 1979 Prayer Book, things have definitely changed. In fact, when I first started attending the Episcopal Church there was just the Diocese of South Florida, before it split into different Dioceses. I believe that the theological changes in many of the 1979 rites, centering the service more on the needs and representation of the laity, has been a very positive change. In addition, I believe that our inclusion of women and those with perspectives different from my own in the leadership of the church, both lay and clerical, has had a great impact (for the better) on the church. Q: How is it being relatively new at a church during this virus? A: Having to make rapid changes to our worship within three months of being called to St. Mary’s came with its share of challenges but also its share of gifts. With many of our campus buildings closed due to COVID precautions, we used this valuable time to repair and renovate a number of our worship and meeting spaces. There is a great deal of excitement around St. Mary’s and Dade City as we position ourselves for new and vibrant ministry in Dade City and beyond in the months ahead.
MEET THE PRIEST
(continued from page 8)
Q: Sharon is such a part of your ministry, including assisting you with Morning Prayer. How does she work with you at Dade City? A: Sharon has been such a Godsend to me and has always been so supportive of my calling to the priesthood. She is very active at St. Mary’s and is involved with our Daughters of the King chapter as well as helping with the renovations going
on at our campus. She is always willing to step up and pitch in and serves as a Eucharistic minister, was our videographer when we were first learning to stream our services, and is especially good at helping to remind me of the things that I have left undone, keeping me focused on the needs of my ministry. Her support of me and St. Mary’s has been invaluable to the growth of our ministry here.
My Favorite Hymn WHEN CHRIST WAS LIFTED FROM THE EARTH at the Washington Cathedral under Paul Callaway for four years, and then traveled to England for a year’s study under Allan Wicks at Canterbury Cathedral. He was appointed organist and choirmaster of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, a post he held for thirty years before coming to Naples. This month, he announced his retirement.
M John Fenstermaker serves as the Director of Music at Trinity-by-theCove, Naples. A native of Indianapolis, he received his early training as a choirboy at Trinity Church, then as an organ student of Robert Hobbs, organist of Christ Church Cathedral there. After college, he went to the newly formed College of Church Musicians at the Washington National Cathedral, headed by composer Leo Sowerby. He was assistant organist
ore often than not, the words of a hymn are sung to a tune composed for another text. Such is the case of one of my favorites, 603 in The Hymnal 1982. For a hymn to be someone’s favorite, both the words and tune need to be appealing and memorable. The words, “When Christ was Lifted from the Earth”, were written in 1970 by a prolific and influential hymn-writer, Brian Wren, who said that as a pastor of a working-class parish in northern England, he was eager to find hymns whose words spoke directly to people in clear language, rather than in arcane poetic and metaphorical images. One of my favorite hymn stanzas of all time is the third stanza:
“Where generation, class, or race divide us to our shame he sees not labels, but a face a person, and a name." The hymn-tune to which it is set, St. Botolph, was written in 1929 for a children’s hymn “Dear Father Keep Me Through This Day,” by Gordon Slater, organist of St. Botoph’s church in Lincolnshire. A side note: It is interesting to me as a musician, that at the penultimate chord, the composer breaks a rule (avoid parallel fifths between melody and bass); and it is fascinating that there are always some in the congregation who correct this ‘error’ by singing a melody note which does not break the rule (C# instead of E), exactly as in the third measure.
9
DaySpring
A GROUNDBREAKING DAY
Maintenance and operations receive a much-needed upgrade that will benefit the campus as a whole.
O
n May 15, 2021, the Diocese of Southwest Florida and DaySpring Episcopal Center broke ground on a new operations and maintenance center for the 97-acre campus. “We are only as good as what we maintain,” said Frank Beuchene, DaySpring’s Director of Maintenance. Beuchene, who has served the diocesan retreat center for 15 years, said that the building will not only make the center of the campus attractive, but will make the whole process of its operations more efficient, including landscaping, laundry and building repairs. Currently, DaySpring’s maintenance operations are housed in an assortment of aging unattractive sheds and trailers situated in the middle of the campus, just behind the Tripp Pavilion. Guests walking from one activity to another pass through the maintenance area and all service work is staged in full view. By relocating the 5,800 square foot operations hub to a location to the south, the move will restore the natural landscape in the center of campus, and opens that space up for a planned woodland-landscaped worship building. The move is part of a 10-year strategic master plan for DaySpring, approved in 2015; phase 1 of the plan saw the construction and completion of the Program Center in 2016. The construction cost for the Maintenance/Operations Building and its related sitework is approximately $1.2M. Diocesan Council approved the project with a Guaranteed Maximum Price at its March 20, 2021 meeting. Were it simply a maintenance shed, the cost may seem high, but the building will function as a service center for the campus. 10
The total costs cover infrastructure as well, as the construction will involve relocating water lines, sewer, hydrant, and utilities. The relocation of maintenance is the first step in the construction of the next phases of the construction at DaySpring. The maintenance area was originally located at the back of the property, but as the DaySpring campus has expanded and evolved, it currently exists at the center. Today, it is an unsightly hodgepodge of a shed building, open to the weather, and vulnerable to theft. The assortment includes trailers, parked permanently, including one that houses furniture and another that houses lawn equipment. Currently, taking apart any engine or machine leaves little to no room to do anything else: the new setup will have the space to maintain and repair equipment. Also included will be a shower, so that staff can wash up after working outside. Diocesan Council members,
DaySpring staff and representatives from Willis Smith Construction, Plunkett Raysich Architects and Otb Consulting attended the groundbreaking, using the liturgy from the 1982 Book of Occasional Services. “The care of creation is one of the three things that the Episcopal Church, by its administration, is working on so that we do a better job caring for what is beautiful that has been given to us,” said Bishop Smith. “We are breaking ground for a maintenance shed. It’s to maintain the beauty of DaySpring so that when all of us have departed from this Earth, DaySpring will still be here with its beauty as part of creation, as a gift to generations to come.”
FOR MORE INFO To find out what's happening at DaySpring this summer and beyond, visit
DAYSPRINGFLA.ORG
GROUNDBREAKING BLESSINGS A PASSAGE FROM GENESIS 1: 26-30: God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. FROM THE BLESSING READ AT THE GROUNDBREAKING: “Bless all those who have worked or contributed to provide the site which today we set apart + for the building of this place to facilitate the care of DaySpring. May this be a place where all may come to know the presence of Christ, experience the joy of his friendship, and grow in his love.”
11
Youth
YOUTH PROGRAMS KEEP IT MOVING How do you keep youth program running during a pandemic? Some of our youth leaders have some ideas.
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ith summer already here, many of our churches are starting to make plans for our youth in the fall. The time we are in presents a unique challenge to these plans as we are tasked with creating a safe space in the midst of whatever the pandemic may look like in August or September. Many churches have reopened their youth programs and have been meeting regularly and safely since the start of the year, and they have been able to lean on their full time and part time devoted youth workers to create that plan. Many of them have implemented the same practices and protocols which were put together with CDC guidelines in mind. There are many churches in our diocese that don’t yet have that ability, and so I hope to offer a few suggestions and some guidance based on what others have been doing. I’ve heard some people in our denomination express that this pandemic will be the end of youth ministry. They repeat the idea that the church no longer has anything to offer youth. Quite simply, this is a faulty argument and couldn’t be further from the truth. In our own diocese, I point to churches such as St. John the Divine, who worked through struggles and have actually grown their youth program during the pandemic; so much so that Fr. David is about to take youth on his first mission trip with them this summer. There is also Morgan Brownlee at Holy Innocents, who continues to have one of the strongest programs in our diocese as it raises up leaders in various forms. I think of Jackie Overton at Redeemer, who is starting to see the results of the work she did in community building 12
by Matthew Bowers
in the earlier part of the year. These churches have not been without struggles in the past year and a half, but the programs I’m going to mention in this article should be lifted up as leading the way in our diocese for how growth can still happen during this time. First things first: before considering implementation of any plan in which youth groups can reopen, be sure to look at CDC guidelines for gathering. Everything that we’ve done has started with these protocols and have used them to influence our own individual spaces. Some churches have a larger indoor space where people can stand distanced from each other, and churches who don’t are sometimes able to hold youth group in an outdoor space. There is no blanket solution to reopening your youth offerings in the fall, and protocols and practices will need to be tailored to your specific locations. One of the biggest commonalities in congregations that have returned to in-person youth ministry is recognizing the difference between being proactive and reactive. To be proactive in this sense means that your leadership isn’t just thinking about the current week and state of things, but rather what things will look like next month and beyond. Consider capacity limits of rooms, seating plans, and plans for multiple scenarios. You’ll find that the plans themselves don’t change drastically once you start with a solid foundation. This also means that leadership is reaching out to families and asking what they can do to make them feel comfortable in returning: this might mean that you move Sunday school or youth group into the parish hall or other alternate space to accommodate concerns. This is something Ayanda Grady at St. John’s
in Tampa has found success with: she has created a rotating schedule of inside weeks and outside weeks. When her group is inside, doors are left open to increase airflow and people are distanced and masked. When they’re outside, they make accommodations and youth know to dress for the weather. Consider how you dispense supplies for activities. At our middle school retreat earlier this year, we moved away from the idea of the communal marker bucket and individually bagged supplies per participant. It took some extra preparation time as well as some extra people to get things organized, but it was a small change that had a greater effect. Along with this, communication to the parents of youth is vital. Stay in contact with them; they’re a valuable resource for information about what their schools are doing and how they’re handling things. One of the most helpful parts of putting together the plan for New Beginnings was being able to lean
Above, a future camper tie-dying at the Sneak Peek preview day this spring.
on our Lay Director Katie Arp, who also works as a teacher, and was able to see what how our school systems have been adapting to bring youth back into the classroom and implement some of those ideas into our plans at DaySpring. How things will exactly look in the fall is still a bit of a mystery, but the more we plan and the more options we make available, the greater the chance we’ll have of being able to offer some form of ministry to our youth and children. Finally, be confident in your plans, procedures, and protocols: they might look a little different from the church down the street, and that’s okay. We have been called to safely minister to our youth during this time, so be confident in the knowledge that you are putting together a plan that fits the needs of your congregation.
THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR
Summer Camp!
VISIT DAYSPRINGFLA.ORG TO REGISTER
Above inset; critical outdoor activities are emphasized, including the canoeing on the Manatee River. Above, a New Beginnings group talks together at the Outdoor Chapel on the DaySpring campus. 13
First Person COUNTING MY BLESSINGS St. Giles' Susie Baars reflects on her faith journey.
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y given name is Susan am proud to be an Episcopalian from I would make! But in my thirties, after Alice (Smith) Baars, such an early age. There were only experiencing major upheavals in my but to my family, I have two Episcopal churches in the county. life, I found my way back to those “red” always been known as “Susie”. I was Sunday mornings were always spent doors at St. Anne’s. I always found love, born in 1948 in a small northern Indiana at church, Mom served on the Altar support, and purpose with my church town called Warsaw. I am the namesake Guild, my sister, Carrie, and I attended family. I quickly “slid” back into the of my great-grandmother who was EYC meetings on Sunday evenings routine of service to my church and also known as “Susie”. She had twelve and Dad went fishing with the priest! fellow man. I served on the Vestry, sang children and 52 grandchildren. I was There were three lakes inside the city in the choir, and chaired numerous one of her over 100 great-grandchildren. limits, so the journey was a quick one. social and fundraising events over She lived within walking distance of There was practically a church on every the years. After attending a “renewal my home. When I showed up on my corner in that community – Methodist, conference” in North Carolina in 1983, I bicycle, I was always welcomed with Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Lutheran, returned and was inspired to do “more” giant sugar cookies and a with my life. So, I became fresh mug of hot coffee, with the first single woman as a I often say that I lost my way in my twenties probably more cream and foster parent in the county, – actually I really had trouble finding the sugar than coffee, but she fostering about 32 children made me feel so grown up – over the years, and later church’s front doors. I thought I no longer even at seven-years of age. adopting a young man needed God for guidance, since I now Over the years, I have who is now 36 years old. “knew it all“. That was my first big mistake shared these same warm Those years were the most – one of many that I would make! But in my memories with my many challenging and gratifying cousins, and they all seem to of my life. thirties, after experiencing major upheavals have had that same experience We moved to Florida in my life, I found my way back to those with Grandma Susie. No over twenty years ago and “red” doors at St. Anne’s. matter what was going on found St. Giles’ soon in her life, we children were thereafter. I have had the always welcomed into her kitchen for Roman Catholic and ever so many privilege of again serving on several conversation and coffee. Most of us lived Baptists! It almost seems idyllic in my vestry teams, choir, altar guild, and found within walking or bicycling distance memory and problems in the world comfort, peace, and sincere friendships at to her back door. She died at 87 years seemed so far away from the corn fields St. Giles. young, when I was nearly seven years in northern Indiana. I often pretend to visualize myself old, but I have strong memories of her It appeared to me that everyone as a “car”—candy-apple red convertible loving presence in my life. Her daughter attended church in Warsaw on Sunday with the top down, white leather seats, – and my grandmother – was named mornings – just pick any corner in town radio blaring oldies music and chrome “Mabel”. Mabel’s sisters were named and you would be welcomed with the bumpers so brilliant they “sparkle” Edna, Eva, Ida, Treva and Pansy Pearl. music of ringing church bells. My point in the sun! My physical challenges Secretly I was always happy that I did is that church and family grounded me have been numerous -- but I sincerely not get any of those family names. I in childhood, thus readying me for life’s believe that with God’s grace, I will would watch her brush her waist-length adult challenges. survive – maybe not to the success hair into two braids, then wrap them I often say that I lost my way in to my human standards but I do have around her head – like a silver crown. my twenties – actually I really had acceptance, with God’s guidance, of I may have gotten her name but always trouble finding the church’s front doors. what I cannot change! wished that I had gotten her hair. I thought I no longer needed God for The last fourteen years have been My family attended St. Anne’s guidance, since I "knew it all." That was the most challenging to me personally Episcopal Church in Warsaw and I my first big mistake – one of many that and physically. Just when I think I am 14
cruising down the open road with the twelfth year on dialysis. I had assumed again entered the roadway. So, another sun shining on my face – a big boulder that my life on this earth was nearing major surgery, followed by another drops out of the sky and “dents ” my the end -- another wrong assumption thirty or so radiation sessions had just shiny candy-apple red convertible. on my part. I work, I travel, I continue moved into the passenger seat of my My first boulder was a breast to live life pretty fully for a nearly “triple-dented little rusty red car, now cancer diagnosis in 2005. It was quite 72 year old woman. Again, all those with a patched rubber tire”. Per my view, advanced and had spread to my lymph angels behind the “red doors” the boulders seemed to be getting bigger nodes. I immediately started five supported and encouraged me “move and more frequent. Thank heavens months of chemotherapy, then surgery, on down the road”. because my blessings appeared to be followed by thirty radiation treatments. Five years later, as I continued growing, too! Then, continued with chemo infusions to travel down that bumpy road of life Three years ago, the physicians every 21 days for a year, plus five years in my double-dented little red dream recommended that I would be a good of daily medication. That same year, I car, Boulder #3 fell out of the sky. I candidate for a new surgical procedure was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation was being treated for pneumonia that to insert a “Watchmen filter” into my and pulmonary hypertension – probably winter when the CT Scan revealed heart, to reduce the risk of developing complications of chemotherapy. I breast cancer again! Another major blood clots and also would be able to suspected that I was checking out of surgery was performed. Options for stop taking “rat poison” (also known this life BUT I was wrong. I lived . . . . further treatment were quite limited as Coumadin). And I would not have I had just been elected the dietary restrictions that for the first time to the this medication required. It My desire is to share with you a bit of my life St. Giles’ Vestry - so seemed like a good idea at story and to acknowledge that I joyfully serve I had responsibilities the time! Little did I know God through my service at St. Giles’. I have to maintain and a life that Boulder #5 was being to pursue. The church hurled directly in the path discovered that with this knowledge I have “angels” offered continued of that dented sports car! endless physical and emotional strength. comfort and purpose Surgery did not go well. Also, I find understanding in the things I can to my life as my cancer The expected “simple” change and acceptance of what I cannot. I journey progressed. operation developed major Three years later, complications – requiring am at peace. And, with this peace I am fully as I continued to travel open heart surgery, three committed to sharing God’s love. down the road of life, chest tubes, ICU visits, a Boulder 2 came bounding brief stay in a rehab facility due to my other health issues. And after down the hill, sending another dent and a six-week out-patient cardiac rehab checking to see if all my fingers and toes program. My chest has more scars that a into my convertible. After several were attached – I found that I was just hospitalizations, I was diagnosed with Rand-McNally road map. I cannot thank missing a few original ornaments. So, End-Stage Renal Disease, with no hope my St. Giles’ angels enough who cared I continued to drive that now triplefor a kidney transplant. I began dialysis for me and offered encouragement and dented little red dream car on down the treatments three times a week – for the hope for a speedy recovery - again! rest of my life. I will admit, this new rock road of life. Blessings are not always so Two years ago, my little rusty-red bright in color but surely welcomed! was a really pretty big one – but I also convertible with a patched tire, now Then sixteen months later, my had to accept that apparently God was with too many dents to count and rather triple-dented little rusty red sports car not finished with me yet! I have had dull-looking chrome bumpers, jerked was faced with Boulder #4 protruding numerous surgeries on my access site and spewed gallstones – instead of gas! from a gaping giant pothole right in the in my arm over the years and had to Another surgery to add more scars on middle of road of life -- and flattened my my body – now even Rand-McNally change my diet – which proved to be a good thing. I am now celebrating my tire. Breast Cancer for the third time had would get lost! Boulder #6 just dropped Editor’s Note: The Southern Cross invites our parishioners to share their own faith journeys and inspiration. Email editor@episcopalswfl.org 15
in. I have now become a master of rock climbing and could not have succeeded to this point in my life without the love and support of God and my family. My desire is to share with you a bit of my life story and to acknowledge that I joyfully serve God through my service
at St. Giles’. I have discovered that with this knowledge I have endless physical and emotional strength. Also, I find understanding in the things I can change and acceptance of what I cannot. I am at peace. And, with this peace I am fully committed to sharing God’s love. My
joy for life and the desire to share all that I have, or will have, is here at St. Giles’. Please take a moment and “count your own blessings” and may you find peace, joy, and comfort in God’s beautiful earthly world.
Briefly CHRISM MASS AT DAYSPRING ST. THOMAS CHAPEL IN-PERSON VISITATIONS RESUME
EPISCOPAL CHARITIES FUND APPLICATIONS
PARRISH - Bishop Dabney Smith has resumed weekly, in person, parish visitation in the congregations of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. A recent visit included confirmations at St. John, Tampa, where 46 were either confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. During the pandemic, large confirmations had been put on hold. At the April 25, 2021 confirmations at St. John’s, parents, sponsors and confirmands gathered for a noon service, held after the main Sunday services.
PARRISH – The Council on Deacons is now seeking applications for awards from the Episcopal Charities Fund. Each year, the Episcopal Charities Fund seeks these applications from charitable agencies across the diocese. After the application process, the diocese awards gifts from about $1,000 to $5,000 for charitable projects. The grants are funded from several sources including a distribution from the endowment of the Episcopal Charities Fund, a
tithe from the annual Bishop’s Appeal and donations to the fund for specific ministries. For 2021, the submission deadline is July 16, 2021, and awards will be made following approval at the August Diocesan Council meeting. In 2020, the grant awards concentrated on assisting parish-based efforts in alleviating food insecurity. For 2021, this emphasis will continue. Applications, and questions about guidelines and charitable efforts, may be submitted via email to kmoore@ episcopalswfl.org.
CHRISM MASS AT DAYSPRING ST. THOMAS CHAPEL PARRISH - Bishop Dabney Smith held the annual Chrism Mass at the DaySpring Episcopal Center's St. Thomas Chapel on Thursday, April 1. Held each year in Easter week, the service includes a blessing of two types of oil. One is pure olive oil and is reserved for the anointing of the sick. The other, Holy Chrism, is consecrated by the Bishop and is distributed for use by the priest in the administration of Holy Baptism. The holy oils are distributed to each deanery dean for use in our congregations.
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Bishop Dabney Smith and the Chrism Oil at St. Thomas Chapel, DaySpring Episcopal Center. With him is the diocesan archdeacon, the Ven. Kathleen Moore.
Diocesan Events ST. JOHN'S TAMPA CONFIRMATION
St. John's hosts their first in-person group confirmation with Bishop Smith since the beginning of COVID-19.
St. John’s Episcopal Church Confirmation Sunday, April 25
2021
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Epis·co·pa·lian by
by
Definition
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uch of contemporary American Christianity looks remarkably like the rest of the world, at least in visual form. A new mega-church, for instance, is designed specifically to look like a commercial office building. The experience, by choice, is much like a sporting event, from the parking lot greeters to the ushers to the drinks concession coffee bar. The service, too, is closer to a rock concert, from drum-based music to TED-like conference letter, with Power Points, advertising intermissions, and slick production values. This is by design, of course, to create a sense of comfort in those who do not regularly attend church. The idea that church does not need to look like church comes out of the idea of reaching souls. Those in the world, unfamiliar with the church, need to have an approach that relates, and wins the stray person to Christ. This is not a critique, but a fact, and an important theology to a critically important body of the church. In contrast, the Episcopal Church is a rare holdout in the American culture. Our architecture, vestments and service elements all point to other eras, some Roman, some English and most, according to many, hopelessly (or perhaps hopefully) antique. Even the organ, once a staple in every American church, theater and sports stadium is disappearing. For those of us who worship in and visit this living museum each week, we cherish the rhythms, traditions and practices, not because they are antique, but because they have stood the
test of literally two millenia, and continue to be relevant today. We know empirically that some of the most energized of our flock are those who, by some path or process, happened to find their way to The Episcopal Church, and learned to love the church. In these cases, the unique elements of our tradition become not barriers, but outward signs. They are not there to create a sense of unease among newcomers, though we know they sometimes do. Instead, the hope is that when they are properly welcomed, our the new faithful can come to understand our lingua franca, and appreciate it all the more. The ceremonies of the Episcopal Church should ideally not scare anyone away. The layers, instead, should unfold. The newcomer first sees what is said to be a familiar classic church surface. It is only as the weeks go on that the deeper meanings come into focus, and the whole thing, suddenly, makes perfect sense. To the perennial lay volunteer for instance, this guide may all seem a bit obvious. But not all is agreed, and it is helpful to have terms understandable to all. Yes, we all know what a priest is, but as to the exact role of a deacon in the Episcopal Church, there would be as many answers as you asked people. The word chalice is also well known from popular use, but not all use the word for its companion plate, the paten. And ditto with some of the words for our vestments, often called gowns. Who wears an alb, or cassock and surplice? Or are they just robes? Let’s break it down.
The Church CHANCEL | In some churches, the elevated area around the altar area. NAVE | The main section of church where the congregation sits. Derived from an old word for ship; in older churches the roof beams resemble the beams of a ship. Webster’s etymology shows the word comes from the Latin navis, from Latin, ship; akin to Old English nōwend sailor or Greek naus. NARTHEX | The entry lobby of the church, from Greek. PULPIT | The raised platform used for the sermon or homily; it is generally located to the right, as you face the altar, not in the center, as most churches. REREDOS [re-re-doss] | Any design or decoration behind the altar including screens, tapestries or statues. SACRISTY | The room near the altar where priests vest for the service also the room where the communion vessels and vestments are kept. SANCTUARY | The section of a church around the altar.
\i-pi-skə-pāl-yən/ 19
Titles
ACOLYTE | A term that covers not only servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers, thurifers (who carry incense), and banner-bearers. CHOIR | Not only the singers of a worship service, but the area in the church where the choir is seated. In some churches it is in the balcony, in others behind or in front of the altar. The choir is made of choristers. BISHOP COADJUTOR | A bishop elected to succeed a diocesan bishop before the resignation or retirement of a bishop. From the Latin, Latin co- plus adjutor, meaning helper. DEACON | In the popular conception, most Protestant denominations think of a deacon as a church leader. But in the Episcopal Church, a deacon is clergy. Priests must become deacons before they become a priest. Deacons often have special clerical duties including the Gospel reading, but are
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ordained in the diocese, according to the expectations of each individual diocese. RECTOR | The priest that is elected to be in charge of a parish, to which the bishop approves. In Southwest Florida, not all congregations are parishes; mission congregations have a priest-in-charge directly appointed by the bishop. VERGER | The person who keeps order in a service, and carries ceremonial staff or virge in procession; in the past, vergers sometimes had responsibility for the condition of the interior of a church. Outside of the church, a verger carries a mace (the secular symbol of government power) in some government ceremonies. WARDENS | A senior warden is the chief lay official of a parish; the junior warden, also elected, is often, but not always, in charge of the building.
Service ABSOLUTION | The formal act by only a bishop or priest of pronouncing God’s forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
FRACTION | The breaking of the bread at the Eucharist, also used as an adjective as in fraction hymn.
ACCLAMATION | A greeting in the opening dialogue of the Holy Eucharist arranged by verse and response and varied according to the liturgical season.
GOSPEL | This refers both to the first four books of the New Testament in the Holy Eucharist, read by the deacon.
COLLECT | A prayer at the beginning of the service. Those in the Book of Common Prayer are mainly translations by Thomas Cranmer (d. 1556) from the Latin prayers for each Sunday. COMPLINE | A service in the Book of Common Prayer, from the Latin for completion. EPISTLE | The reading from the New Testament other than from the Gospels.
LECTIONARY | This is the list of Bible readings for church throughout the year, divided into three years. The word also refers to the book that has these readings, used in the service. MATINS | A service in the morning, also called Morning Prayer. OFFERTORY | The part of the service where the oblations of the people (bread, wine, money) are received. VESPERS | Another word for evening (ie. vesper light), or the service of Evening Prayer.
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Objects
ALTAR RAIL | Most Episcopal churches have a railing around the altar, for kneeling during Holy Communion.
FONT | Customarily placed near an entrance to the church, used for Baptism.
CROSIER | The staff carried by a Bishop. In our diocese there are more than one, including a formal silver crosier and a wooden one.
LECTERN | This word is also used outside of the church. In the Episcopal Church, the lectern is for Bible readings from the congregation, by a lector. From the Latin lectrum.
CRUCIFIX | A cross with a likeness of Christ on it. Some protestants think of this as “Catholic” but it appears in many of the Episcopal Churches in Southwest Florida.
PATEN | The plate for bread at communion used with a chalice.
EWER | Pitcher of water used during Baptism. FLAGON | The pitcher used to pour wine into the chalice. FRONTAL | The fabric that covers the front of the altar. HOST | The term for the wafer of unleavened bread at Holy Communion.
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PALL | The square card covered in linen that sits atop the rim of the chalice, before and after Holy Communion. A funeral pall is the fabric draped over a casket (ie. casting a pall). STOUP | In many Episcopal Churches, a small bowl of water by the entrance of a door near the steps, to enable worshippers to make a reminder of Baptism. A beverage container, different from the Old English word stæpe which is a step.
Vestments ALB | A white robe worn by the priest when celebrating communion; generally worn over daily clothes but under other vestments, etc. Basic undergarment of the Roman empire. CASSOCK | An ankle-length garment, black, worn by clergy and laity who are in services. Derives from Middle French Middle French casaque. Technically, however, it is the street dress of a cleric.
SURPLICE | A white over-garment worn over other vestments including a cassock; somewhat longer and fuller than a cotta, which is waist to knee length. ZUCCHETTO | A small cap on the head, worn by some clergy.
SOURCES
CHAUSUBLE | The main vestment, often heavy and embroidered, worn “like a poncho” by the priest or bishop during Holy Eucharist.
For those interested, there are great resources to learn more about the church other than the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the 1982 Hymnal. They include:
MITER | The head dress of a bishop. In Southwest Florida, the bishop wears a miter when visiting congregations.
The Episcopal Handbook, Morehouse Publishing (2015) has not only a glossary, but an explanation of basic Episcopal practices and theology, including a simple lesson on How to Pray. Prayer Book Rubrics Expanded, by Byron David Stuhlman (1996) includes answers to most questions of how and why a worship service is the way it is, as well as reflections on the many types of Episcopal worship styles. Church Publishing Incorporated.
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12 DISCIPLES IN
LABELLE
follow the shepherd
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T
hree years ago, tiny Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle was struggling.
By 2018, the congregation had dwindled to 19, further diminished to 15 by the next year on an average Sunday, with a $44,000 budget. The congregation, which had been established in 1976, had previously grown to an average Sunday attendance in of 57 at its peak in 2009, with a budget of $121,000. Seeing that the church had become unsustainable, they came to Bishop Smith for help, and ideas: they were mostly out of them. Among the many suggestions, including help with budgeting and operations, was a plan to have the congregation hold Morning Prayer services on Sunday, led by parishioners rather than clergy. This was not a viable long-term solution; since the 1979 revision to the Book of Common Prayer, it has been the practice that Episcopal Churches offer a Holy Eucharist on Sunday. Instead, this would be an interim measure, to keep the church alive until the right priest came along to lead it. The idea, while uncommon in today’s church, was something out of the past. In the early days of Southwest Florida, there were not always priests available, and when Episcopalians gathered, they pulled out the Book of Common Prayer and held a service, using the prescribed readings. As the group grew, it could afford to hire a priest. “Morning Prayer is a legitimate service of the Book of Common Prayer,” said Smith. “They are not creating something that is brand new.” COWBOY COUNTRY LaBelle, which is situated due east of Ft. Myers, is critical to the future of the diocese. It is the only Episcopal Church in rural Hendry County, and sits at the easternmost point in the diocese. LaBelle is even closer to Palm Beach than Tampa, and Hendry County is best known for the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, one of six reservations of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It has two cities, LaBelle to the west, and Clewiston, located on Lake Okeechobee, to the east. Clewiston is known for both fishing, and the mammoth U.S. Sugar facilities there; they are the largest vertically-integrated sugar refinery in the world, and its holdings include a private railroad, and restored Sugarland steam engine. LaBelle’s location is key as well; it is situated on the Okeechobee Waterway, the main connection point between both coasts for boats. As a result, the once seemingly scrubland shores on the waterway are now beginning to sport mega-mansions, eager for a view of what is Florida’s Panama Canal. As Florida’s West Coast development cannot go any further west, it has to head eastward, and part of Hendry
County is the massive Babcock Ranch, which will be built out over the next century. In prior decades, Episcopal churches in the area have closed, including St. Barnabas in Immokalee. Because Good Shepherd is the only Episcopal church in Hendry County, closing it was not an option. The church was founded in 1976, operating out of a double-wide trailer on Bryan Avenue, that they admit was “not very appealing to visitors.” Their first full-time vicar was the Rev. Wiliam D. McLean III. A church profile in 2001 noted that the “small congregation of faithful plodded along from Sunday to Sunday with visiting clergy and no growth to speak of.” But in 1997, and through the efforts of McLean, the church moved to their current 8.5 acre lot in the giant Port LaBelle development. Like so many other developments in Florida, there were great hopes for the neighborhood that would eventually surround the church; hopes that failed to materialize as it was part of Port LaBelle, a project of Florida’s General Development Corp., which went into bankruptcy. “The church was expected to be at the center of a really hot growth area,” said Bishop Smith. “That didn’t happen.” In recent years, things have finally begun to change, albeit from a macro level. A new developer is building houses on the empty lots. And three years ago, the city welcomed their first Walmart. Today, the town best known as a home to Florida’s cowboys is now home to a craft brewery. Just last month, the church, which has largely operated under the radar in the diocese, was thrust into the media on May 6, 2021 when the grounds of Good Shepherd were hit by a private plane. A Piper Aerostar 600, taking off from the nearby airfield, crashed just a few yards from the church, and very close to the columbarium. One person was killed, another survived. The congregation came back that Sunday to worship, with prayers for the victim, and an even more determined mission to their county. THE FAITHFUL REMNANT Senior Warden Phil Redmond came to LaBelle first as a part-time resident, and later full timer, with his wife Kathryn. Redmond, a retired pharmacist and lifelong Episcopalian, had attended Good Shepherd since the first day that they arrived. After a time, it became obvious that they were not growing as a church, and the leadership began to be very conscious about their finances, which had deteriorated. At the same time, they were losing staff. Basic indicators regarding the overall health of a parish - such as generating budget reports - were flashing red. At one point, Redmond had to write the ledger accounts by longhand to report to the vestry. LaBelle, like many places in Florida, is an area where much of the development promised has not yet come to fruition, and empty lots still abound. Most of the industry is agricultural, and a large part of the population are transient farm workers with no ties to a local church. While the area 25
provides a large evangelism and outreach opportunity, because the population is not stable, it’s nearly impossible to grow the congregation, which provided a continual challenge to the church. COMMON PRAYER SAVES THE DAY When the church went without a priest, Bishop Dabney Smith discussed the matter with the Rev. Michael Rowe, the then rector of St. Mary’s Bonita Springs and the Rev. Canon Richard Norman. Along with the St. Mary’s deacon, the Rev. William Gilmore, they put together a plan. “In effect, we identified four to six people who expressed an interest in Morning Prayer,” said Redmond. “We all learned how to put the Morning Prayer service together.” This was familiar territory to Redmond, who grew up in Maryland attending an Episcopal Church in North Baltimore. Before the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Morning Prayer was often held three Sundays a month, with a communion on fourth Sunday. Gilmore and Rowe trained the volunteers to perform the service. Once a month, there would be communion, and the rest of the time, the church would hold services themselves. “We really got it,” said Redmond, who enjoyed figuring out details like the lectionary years ABC, and other finer aspects. “I really enjoyed it because it reacquainted me with the Prayer Book.” John Hollingsworth, a member since 2008, was one of the dozen stalwarts who pitched in. “It worked out fantastically,” said Hollingsworth. “Twelve people, so it was. We slid into the Morning Prayer service.” Holy Communion was not ignored. The church was blessed in 2019 with the temporary arrival of the Rev. Eddie Gibbons. Gibbons, who now leads St. Monica’s, is an Ireland native who was first a Catholic Priest. He came each month to give Communion after he had been received into the Episcopal Church. There were challenging times, however. During the summer, when seasonal residents were away, they were lucky to get 8 or 10 people on a Sunday. But even with an increase in people, there is no easy road. For a city of about 4,000 residents, there are 40 churches. Which means that if every resident attended on Sunday, there would be, maximum, 100 at each church on a Sunday. A PRIEST ARRIVES Enter the Rev. Elizabeth Nelson, who Bishop Smith knew from their time in the Diocese of Central Florida. She had been leading St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid, but after retirement, she began looking around for a church home. As she lived in Lehigh Acres, a possibility was Good Shepherd, LaBelle, which was about 20 miles to the west. “When we visited Good Shepherd, it was obvious they needed help,” said Nelson. “It was just going along, keeping 26 (continued on page 28)
From top, original rendering of the hoped for campus; only the two buildings on the right were built and the church building awaits. Founding members in the Port LaBelle field. One of two buildings. Bottom, pioneer group with then Bishop John Lipscomb.
ELIZABETH NELSON ON HER JOURNEY
G
od has a plan. I think if anyone asked me what my strongest belief is…that’s what I’d say. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be here today.
It was 1979. I was 31 years old, married, with a full time secretarial job, four children at home, and I attended Cursillo #18 in the Diocese of Rhode Island. My life changed forever: I heard the call to ordination and the journey began. Having been married right out of high school, I had no college degree. So the journey began with night school, two nights a week, for eight years. I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1991 and began the discernment process. I attended Virginia Theological Seminary, graduated in 1996, but because of issues that could not be resolved, I was released from the ordination process five days before graduation. This is where my faith in God was really tested. I had dedicated 13 years of my life for a goal that seemingly wasn’t going to happen, and I was angry with God…for about six months. Then, through a series of supporting phone calls and lots of “candid conversation with God,” I was led to the Diocese of Central Florida where I participated in a discernment process at Trinity Church in Vero Beach. The result of this 10-month process was an ordination date of January 16, 1999.
church—the very first time—we knew. Actually, my husband was familiar with the area and he knew before I did. Good Shepherd needed us…and we needed them. The dozen people who are the heart and soul of that church met us that first day…and we knew. God has a plan for all of us. His plan for my husband and I is to grow this church. Twelve has grown to almost 30 on any given Sunday. We are redoing a screen room and making it a parish hall. Our present building functions as both sanctuary and parish hall, but that is going to change. We have received a loan from the diocese to fund this project and the parish has almost doubled the amount with their generous donations and pledges. We are doing what God wants us to do. It’s as simple as that! When you follow the Shepherd, good things happen.
In September 1998 I received a phone call from Bishop John Howe, asking me how my job search was going and he read me the profile of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lake Placid, Florida. And as they say, the rest is history. I had a phone interview, an in-person interview on Columbus Day weekend of 1998, I was offered the job as Deaconin-Charge for six months, followed by ordination to the priesthood. My diaconate ordination was December 1, 1998 and I was ordained priest June 13, 1999. I was the rector of that church for 21 years until mandatory retirement at age 72, December 31, 2019. My story is filled with strange happenings, failed marriages, Match.com, and a firm belief that “with God all things are possible.” I’ve been married for 10 years to a man who believes as I do…that God is in control, that God has a plan, and it’s up to us to find and follow that plan. Did I expect to be a priest-in-charge after I retired? No. I did hope to do supply work, because I couldn’t imagine being without an altar upon which to celebrate. But when my husband and I visited Good Shepherd 27
the doors open. I couldn’t stand to watch what was going on.” She came to talk to Bishop Smith, which she thought was more of a check-in. But Good Shepherd was on his mind. “That little church had a special place in my heart,” said Smith. What Nelson noticed most about the congregation was the enthusiasm, even among just 12 attendees. There was absolutely no apathy. Instead, the dozen were holding on with vigor, which gave her encouragement. “They depended on God to send somebody,” said Nelson. “There wasn’t one of those persons in that church that hadn’t had some sort of excitement. They just were not going to leave.” Her response was to come, no matter what. “Please let me do this,” she asked. “I don’t care if they pay me.” Nelson arrived in 2020, just before the coronavirus shut the church down. The first Sunday she put together a bulletin was the last Sunday they were able to worship in person. During the time of closure, they held services by car. She, along with the congregation, mastered Zoom. By May, she had been named Priest-in-Charge, and they held their first in-person worship on Pentecost Sunday, 2020. A robust 25 showed up. “They depended on God to send somebody,” said Nelson. The congregation might have just relied upon God, but Nelson also acted. Nelson, for instance, made up promotional cards for the parish, and gave them out everywhere she could think of. Last fall, she encountered a family at the LaBelle McDonald’s, with grandparents, parents and three young children. Approaching them, she found out that the family had left New York State after their house had burned down. She invited them to Good Shepherd. “I baptized those three little kids last week, 6, 2 and 1,” said Nelson. She also re-invited others who had dropped off the rolls. “Elizabeth is not afraid to see someone in the McDonalds and to invite them to church,” said Ivy Somerbell. The family, in turn, brought others, including ones from other denominations that did not have in person worship during coronavirus. At Good Shepherd, they are not overly obsessed about attracting youth. “We do the best we can,” said Nelson. “God needs a place for older people too. With three kids, you do the best you can.” One of the stalwart members of the church is Ivy Somerbell. Born in Jamaica, she left and moved to the U.K., where she was a nurse midwife. She later moved to New York City, and came down to LaBelle, Florida, purchasing a small house for an investment in 1986 . She is now a full-time resident. In spite of growing up and time in countries of the Church of England, she had attended the Adventist Church. “I knew about the Lord. I knew about the Bible. I knew about the scriptures. After moving back to New York and then returning to 28
LaBelle in 1999, she heard a sermon from the then-priest-incharge, the Rev. Alan Kelmereit. She returned to the church. What she heard was that it was time that she “really started moving with the Lord.” The time doing Morning Prayer made them work together, so that they were ready to begin, when God dropped her right in their lap. “We are going to have to keep our eyes open, our ears listening and see who comes,” said Somerbell. “Good Shepherd is placed where it is for a reason.” “Elizabeth [Nelson] is a soul-winner,” said Somerbell. FUTURE OF THE CHURCH The situation at Good Shepherd is being played out across the U.S. and indeed Anglican Communion, as churches struggle with attendance and giving. Many churches, including Episcopal Churches, are closing. Redmond did not come to Good Shepherd to create a master plan for what to do with small rural Episcopal churches who are struggling, but his 12 disciples have come up with a template. “I would encourage them to stay the course,” said Redmond. “It’s important to come together as a community, if we can.” “It’s going to grow,” said Hollingsworth, whose youngest son moved into his house near the church. He and his wife moved into a condo, overlooking a marina on the Caloosahatchee River, which is the Intracoastal connection between Florida’s east and west coasts. It helps that Nelson has inspired the remnant who kept the congregation alive. “The Lord blessed us by sending Elizabeth over a year ago,” said Redmond. “She basically believes that the Lord is leading us and if we believe that things will work out.” During COVID-19, Good Shepherd went to a drive-thru service model, setting up a canopy and table with flowers and a cross. Today, there is new optimism, even as things are still small in size, they are big in heart. Nelson started a Wednesday newsletter/inspirational email entitled the Wednesday Clothesline. The church put up a tent canopy at the Night on the Town event in LaBelle, with a raffle and baskets, and met the community. With these new undertakings, there is the everpresent worry that it is the “same people doing it all”, and if these efforts are paying off: in short, they are. New members are holding a take-out fish fry, which has brought in volunteers who do not attend the church, and others who were not in regular attendance. Internally, and with help from the diocese and a bookkeeper, they have brought the financial reporting up to date. They de-cluttered the church, which had accumulated many trinkets over time. Each improvement, however small, builds and encourages the confidence to have a follow up
improvement. “All of a sudden, we start to look like we know what we are doing,” said Redmond. One issue that the church had is the need for larger facilities; the church is also the parish hall. And for a church that was struggling to stay open, the money to fix that was thought to be hard to find. They also raised money to enclose an outdoor area, which has yet to be done, although the money needed for the project has been raised. “Elizabeth came here, and she dove right in,” said Redmond. “She’s making a believer out of me.” Nelson, who plays the organ and sings, plans to stick around, until God sends someone else. By age 78, she hopes she can finish five years, though she jokes that it will only happen if she “still has all her marbles.” “I might not like it all the time, but when God drops something in your lap, guess what,” said Nelson. “When there are only 15 people, does it make me a little sad? Yeah.” That is not to say that there are places where they need to understand and accept their limitations. As an aging
congregation, they realized that heavy lifting involved in running a thrift shop was beyond them. Nelson admits that it is disappointing that people know that there had occasionally been 130 there, and all of a sudden at times, there were 12. While the two or three gathered is Biblical, it is still difficult. They just had to be the right 12. Which are now about 30, each Sunday, and slowly growing. “The people that needed to be there wanted it to succeed,” said Nelson. “God has just provided too many things. He’s not going to pull out the rug from under us.” “He has a plan for us,” said Redmond. “We’ll just keep going.”
3DECISIONS QUESTIONS FOR GODLY
To turn around a struggling congregation, the most important element has been the trust between the congregation and the priest. Because the numbers were so small at Church of the Good Shepherd, it was important that every decision made was understood by every person in the congregation, to ensure buy in. In the 1980s, the Rev. Elizabeth Nelson attended a sermon at Trinity Church, Newport, R.I. that continues to inform how she makes decisions. She wrote down the message, though she does not recall which preacher preached it. It has guided her through every church decision. And it can apply to any bit of leadership, really, even outside the church. God is in control, and either you don’t think he works, or you do think he works. • Is it Biblical? Because if you believe what you preach, it cannot be any other way.
• Do circumstances make it possible, or are you trying to manipulate? Are you trying to cut the jigsaw puzzle pieces again, to make the puzzle pieces fit? • Do you have God’s peace when you make this decision? Or are you contemplating a course that you blessed well know you should not be doing. 35 29
BISHOP COADJUTOR COMMITTEE
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Profiles
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total of 10 clergy and 11 lay persons are toiling over the next year as members of the Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee, charged with finding a candidate who will become the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. On behalf of all the people of the diocese, they will be looking for, in the words from the Book of Common Prayer, “a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries.” The group includes two representatives from each of the seven deaneries in the diocese along with an additional seven people appointed by the bishop. They are priests and deacons, teachers and lawyers, some who have lived a lifetime in this diocese and others who have come more recently. They bring to their work a multitude of perspectives borne of various cultures and life experiences. But in the end, all will have one thing in common; a desire to find the very best person to fill this important role. What follows is a list of committee members by deanery, concluding with the bishop appointments, a bit about them personally and their thoughts on the importance of this process.
CLEARWATER DEANERY With experience serving in seven churches in this diocese, the Rev. Janet Tunnell is currently rector of All Saints in Tarpon Springs. Recently, she took part in the Congregational Leadership Initiative designed to address the financial and leadership challenges churches are facing in the 21st Century. She says of her service on the search committee, “I trust the process and find joy in being a part of it, working with and learning from other members of the diocese.
Phil Beauchamp retired from hospital administration following a 40-year career during which he was active in a number of civic endeavors. He worships at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Dunedin where he is a member of the vestry and serves as an usher. At previous churches, he has served as treasurer, junior warden, endowment chair and a member of the choir. Of this new task, he said, “After just having led as the senior warden, a very successful search for a new rector, I have the talent and experience necessary to successfully complete this challenge.”
FT. MYERS DEANERY A graduate of Nashotah House Seminary in Wisconsin in 2007, the Rev. Christian Maxfield is the second rector of All Souls in North Ft. Myers where he has been for nearly four years. He previously served as dean for youth, young adult and family ministries at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Peoria, IL, and as rector/priest -in-charge at two small parishes in southwestern Wisconsin before coming to Naples to serve as an associate rector. He sees his contribution to the search committee as, “the ability to work well with others, a discerning nature and a willingness to serve.”
As a partner and financial adviser with Marquis Wealth Management Group in Ft. Myers, Trevor Whitley brings to the committee a lifetime commitment as a member of St. Hilary’s in Ft. Myers as well as financial expertise and leadership experience. He says of his interest in this search effort, “I have received many blessings from my involvement in various diocesan committees and ministries, in particular the Happening ministry. As a result, I wanted to give my talents and time back to the diocese.” Whitley is serving, along with the Rev. Jessica Babcock, as co-chair of the search committee.
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MANASOTA DEANERY
The Rev. David Marshall has been rector of All Angels by the Sea, Longboat Key, for the past two years, bringing with him a decade of experience with the Diocese of San Diego. He received his master’s of divinity degree from the School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA, and also served in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He is a member of the Southwest Florida Disciplinary Board and has taken an active role in administering Episcopal camps. Of his position on the search committee, Marshall said he is excited for the opportunity because it gives him a chance to contribute the gifts of discernment, “in particular listening, prayer, analysis and introspection.”
Currently the youth minister at Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Jackie Overton served on the diocesan level as a member of the Happening and New Beginnings Steering Committee and as summer camp director in 2011. She is president of the board of directors for FLE Santiago, a nonprofit organization that provides educational and community programming in the Dominican Republic. She welcomes this new role. “It has been a blessing for me to see firsthand how wonderfully diverse our diocese is and I’m excited to work to ensure all those voices are being heard and presented in our search.”
NAPLES DEANERY The Rev. Jessica Babcock, who along with Trevor Whitney is the co-chair of the search committee, is rector of St. Mark’s, Marco Island. She brings to this work her passion for serving others through ministry and a wealth of knowledge in regard to communications and technology. She said she is eager to serve on the committee to ensure that a diverse pool of candidates, including women and minorities, is considered in the selection process.
A practicing lawyer, Michael D. “Mick” Moore is owner/partner in the Vanderbilt Beach Resort and the Turtle Club Restaurant in Naples. He grew up worshiping at St. Paul’s but is now a member of Trinity by the Cove. He says, “I have received many blessings as a result of my involvement with the church and its ministries. I felt called to serve on the search committee because I wanted to give back to the diocese and I believe that my long roots in the area as well as my professional skills and abilities will be helpful as the committee conducts its work.”
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TAMPA DEANERY A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, the Rev. David Wyly is currently assistant rector and youth and family minister at St. John the Divine in Sun City Center. On the diocesan level, he is a member of the Youth Leadership Team and participates in summer camp programs and youth retreat weekends. As a life-long Floridian and part of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, he believes it is important to give back to the Christian community that has played such a large role in his life. “Serving on the committee that will help call the next bishop to this diocese is one way of doing that.”
Katie Arp is a second-grade teacher and a longtime member of St. John the Divine in Sun City Center. She recently completed work for her master’s degree in educational leadership and brings particular skills in technological communications and relationship building to her new task. At the diocesan level, Katie is currently the lay director for New Beginnings and the Assistant Summer Camp Director. In considering service on the search committee, she said, “I felt called because I have a deep love for this diocese and its people and I believe I have the insight and skills that will be essential during this process.”
VENICE DEANERY The Rev. Roy Tuff has served as rector of Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda since June 2010 and is a General Convention delegate. Of his role in this search, he said, “The influence our next Bishop will have on our Diocese and wider Church cannot be over-stated. Finding candidates with a depth of being and experience living into our human condition under God’s grace and direction within the Episcopal Church will help us all work together toward unity of spirit in faith and obedience to God in Christ.”
Of her selection for the search committee, Kathy Silverberg, senior warden at St. Andrew’s Boca Grande, had this to say: “It is an honor to be considered for this vital task. The challenges we face as a people of faith in these difficult times call for a church leader armed with a clear vision grounded in the knowledge that God’s unfailing love for his people will bring us together.” Silverberg retired from the New York Times Company and writes a weekly column for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. She relishes her role as wife, mother and grandmother.
BISHOP COADJUTOR PROCESS | UPCOMING DATES September 2021 | The Search Committee begins accepting nominations. Review of nominations, background work and interviews to follow through January 2022. Spring 2022 | “Walkabout” opportunity for delegates to meet final nominees. April 2, 2022 | Convention and election of Bishop Coadjutor. September 24, 2022 | Pending Presiding Bishop approval, Bishop Coadjutor will be consecrated and commence ministry with Bishop Dabney Smith. 33
ST. PETERSBURG DEANERY A priest for more than 15 years, the Rev. Ann Dieterle, is assistant rector at St. Thomas and serves as the Dayspring programming coordinator for the diocese. She has experience as a group facilitator and considers her gifts in discernment and research to be key to her work on the committee. Looking at the task ahead, she says, “I believe a key attribute needed to serve as a bishop in this diocese is the ability to work equally well among a vastly diverse group of people and congregations.”
A retired management analyst and educator, Hazel Hudson-Allen attended Church Teacher’s College in Jamaica, the University of London and Iona College, New York. For the past 29 years, she has worshipped at St. Augustine’s serving in a variety of roles including vestry member, lay eucharistic minister and chair of outreach ministries. She volunteers at Benison Farm, a partnership between the two St Petersburg churches. She welcome the chance to serve on the search committee as, she said, “A one-time opportunity to join with diverse individuals from all our deaneries in helping to discern the individual God has called to be the sixth bishop of our diocese.”
BISHOP APPOINTMENTS
Ning Bonoan, who’s full name is Unidad Soriano Reyes Bonoan, describes herself as a bishop’s daughter, a clergy spouse, a mother of three, a nurse and an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Safety Harbor. In her role on the search committee, she hopes to bring into focus the perspective of community inclusiveness. She says she will be advocating for provisions and support of the bishop and his family so that they may be equipped to care for the people of this diocese in seeking unity in diversity in these unprecedented times.
A sustainability management professor at St. Petersburg College, The Rev. Dr. Lynn Grinnell serves as a deacon at St. James House of Prayer in Tampa. She is a 20-year veteran of the Air Force and holds a master’s degree in management and a PhD in education. She brings to the committee skills in survey development and analysis. As she looks to the task ahead, she says, “In my view, the key attribute needed to serve as bishop in this diocese is love and peacemaking. We have experienced great turmoil in our nation and our church and, as Bishop Michael Curry said, ‘Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live.’ ”
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Greg Hearing, a labor and employment attorney and with GrayRobinson Law Firm’s Tampa office representing local and national management clients, is a member of St. John’s in Tampa. He is a trustee at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and has served as board member and chair of St. John’s Episcopal Day School. He recently completed a term as senior warden at St. John’s and has been active in a number of community efforts aimed at cultivating healthy families in the Tampa area. Of this new role, he said, “I am available to assist the committee with any canonical law questions.”
The Rev. Adrienne Hymes, missioner for church extension and vicar at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wesley Chapel, is serving as chaplain for the search committee. She has experience in the specialized ministry of church planting, leaning on her skillset from a journalism and corporate public relations and marketing career. The next bishop, she believes, “must be a compassionately curious visionary who finds joy in exploring people, the ministries of this diocese and the opportunities for ministries that have not yet been tapped.”
Ordained to the diaconate in 2002 in the Diocese of Chicago, the Rev. Michael Kitt currently serves as a deacon at Good Shepherd, Venice. He retired in 2005 as chief financial officer for a consulting firm and is equipped to contribute his financial expertise to the committee’s work. He believes the key attribute that will be needed by the next bishop is “to serve as pastor to a population that is diverse in culture and demographics.”
Kraig H. Koach is a tax attorney concentrating in estate and trust planning and administration as well as real estate and corporate law and has experience in banking. He is a lifelong resident of Sarasota and worships at the Church of the Redeemer. He currently serves as chairman of the Diocesan Finance Committee and as a member of the Endowment Committee. In a new bishop, he will be looking for a candidate who has the gift of discernment, who is able to make wise decisions in difficult situations.
The head of school at St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School in Tampa, Steve Salvo is a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. His career encompasses more than 20 years as an independent school educator and is a former middle school mathematics teacher. He is an adjunct faculty member for Independent School Management and is on the board of the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals. He hopes to bring to the search committee his passion for the role Episcopal schools play in the lives of children.
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Parish Profile PARRISH CHURCH TAKES THE NEXT STEP
Plans for a parish in Parrish began in 2019, thanks to a handful of faithful members committed to making it work.
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iocesan Council officially approved the newest congregation in the Diocese of Southwest Florida on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The congregation, which had hitherto been known as Parrish Episcopal Church, will now be known as Church of the Apostles. It is the 78th congregation of the Diocese of Southwest Florida with the status of a Canon X Associated Worshipping Community. In a letter to Diocesan Council, Diocesan Missioner the Rev. Carol Fleming wrote, “On behalf of the faithful and dedicated members of Parrish Episcopal Church, please accept this letter of application for your consideration for this growing and vibrant community of faith to become an Associated Worshiping Community according to Canon X.” The congregation is currently meeting at DaySpring Episcopal Center’s St. Thomas Chapel while it is in its formative stages. The original members of the new Associated Worshiping Community joined the Rev. Carol Fleming in that April 18 letter to Bishop Dabney Smith asking for permission to officially recognize the church. The founding signers were Kim Bahlke, Joel Taliaferro, Brooke Taliaferro, Tom Lawson, Laura Lawson, Allen Tremmel, Marcia Tremmel, Joyce Ives, Steve Ives, Alexandra Laser, Kate Cemiglic, Jebidiah Johnson, William Peck, Meg Curulla, Darralene Duggins, Linda Couture, Susan Bullock, Chester Bullock, Kathryn Eckert, Richard Eckert, Julie A. Penelle and David Dumont. As part of the process before Diocesan Council approval, following the steps outlined in diocesan Canon X, the new congregation must evidence the support of a
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nearby congregation. That is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Palmetto, which is nine miles away, on the west side of the city of Palmetto. The Rev. Glen Graczyk and Senior Warden Lynda Priepot wrote in support of the application, pledging to share resources and fellowship with them, and to hold them in prayer. The Rev. Graczyk also reached out to the new congregation to involve them with local ministries. Their prayer was thus: "May God, who has begun the good work in Parrish Episcopal continue to bless them with faith enlightened by the Spirit, hope in the promise of the Risen One, and love that was first given to us by God so we can love one another." While the congregation had been an idea for years, actions began on March 20, 2019, when the Diocese of Southwest Florida advertised in local newspapers about the congregation, and invited the community to be a part of an evening gathering to gauge support. In the notice in Bradenton papers, the diocese said that it was seeking out citizens who wish to “build our next congregation here in this vibrant, growing community that we all call Parrish. At the time, Bishop Dabney Smith, a Parrish resident and fifth bishop of the diocese, laid out a vision for how a new church might best serve the area. Monthly worship, led by the Rev. Carol Fleming, begin that fall with monthly services beginning Sunday, September 15, 2019. During the height of the coronavirus, the congregation met online on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, with an average attendance of 10. After the group began meeting in person, often utilizing the labyrinth for outdoor worship, the
attendance remained small. It was only when vaccinations became more readily available that attendance really grew again, with 37 on Palm Sunday, and 52 on Easter Sunday. In the approval of the Associated Worshipping Community, council also approved an actual name for the group, which had been operating without one. “With your approval of this application, we would hereby like to be called Church of the Apostles, an Episcopal Church in Parrish, Fla.,” wrote the Rev. Fleming.
HOW TO | START A WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY
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anon X, found in the Diocese of Southwest Florida Constitution and Canons, describes how a new worshiping community can begin in the diocese. A new community must have at least 12 persons, and they need to accede to the doctrine and discipline of the Episcopal Church. One nearby church must approve. The bishop should also report this to the diocesan Annual Convention. The bishop has primary oversight of the congregation, and all financial assistance is approved in advance by the Bishop and Diocesan Council. The community has five years to become a full congregation.
Facing page: A view of the labyrinth at DaySpring, where the congregation has held outdoor services. Above, Bishop Smith preached Easter Sunday; the congregation in the woods; at right, organizational meeting at the DaySpring Program Center in March of 2019.
TIMELINE OF A PARRISH CONGREGATION March 20, 2019 August 14, 2019 September 15, 2019 March 15, 2020 October 11, 2020
Visioning gathering for church launch with Bishop 1st evening organizational meeting Monthly morning worship begins Suspension of in-person worship in favor of online streaming Return to in-person Sunday worship Visit the congregation website at
parrishepiscopalchurch.org 37
In Memoriam "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." -Psalm 48:14
Allen O. Getz, 1940-2021 TEMPLE TERRACE – Allen O. Getz, a long-time parishioner of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Tampa, and a former chair of the Finance Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, died peacefully at his home on May 3, 2021. He was born the son of Clarence H. Getz and Florence M. Orcutt on April 17, 1940 in Springfield, Massachusetts. After high school, his family moved to Caribou, Maine and he attended the University of Maine before enlisting in the U.S Army in 1963. In 1967, he married Margaret A. Cannan in Caribou, Maine and then moved to Bangor, Maine where they had their two identical twin sons, Andrew and Matthew. The family eventually relocated to South Portland, Maine in 1968 before moving to Florida in 1982. Allen spent more than 30 years in food/beverage sales working for Kraft Foods, B.D. Stearns and Lykes Pasco, was a proud volunteer for the Engine 6 fire department in South Portland, and a devout Episcopalian parishioner and volunteer at St. Mary's and St. Andrew's Episcopal Churches in Dade City and Tampa, respectively. In the early 1990s he changed careers and became a professional property manager, a career he held until his retirement. He served multiple terms on the vestry of St. Andrew’s and held positions including junior warden and treasurer. There, he was also a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Before he attended St. Andrew’s, he was senior warden of St. Mary’s in Dade City. His service at a diocesan level includes past member of Diocesan Council, Finance Committee (chair), Disciplinary Committee and the Congregational Development Committee. Allen is survived by his sons Andrew (Stacey) of Dade City, Florida and Matthew (Amy) of Kennesaw, Georgia, brother Richard of Falmouth Foreside, Maine, and grandchildren Taylor, Connor, Ryan, Kyle and Amanda.
The Rev. Ernest William Johns Jr., 1932-2021 PORT CHARLOTTE - The Rev. Ernest William Johns Jr., a priest in the Diocese of Southwest Florida who served St. Edmund the Martyr, Arcadia, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Reverend Ernest W. Johns Jr. was born November 29, 1932 at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to Ernest W. Johns Sr. and Jean Sass Johns. Ordained by Bishop Charles Franklin Boynton, he served as rector in parishes including St. Andrew, Brewster, N.Y. from 1959-68; Christ Church, Suffern, N.Y. from 1968-79; St. James, Springfield, Mo. from 1979-82; Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Gettysburg, Pa. from 1982-89; and St. Stephen, Forest, Va. from 1989-93. In Southwest Florida, he served at St. Edmund, the Martyr, Arcadia from 1993-95 and St. James, Port Charlotte. In retirement, he continued his work with congregations in Southwest Florida including Church of the Nativity, Sarasota; St. Nathaniel, North Port; and All Souls, North Ft. Myers. He was a member of the Council of New York, a trustee of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, a teacher of Old and New Testament in the School of Christian Studies in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, a fellow of the College of Preachers at the National Cathedral, and a national Church Examining Chaplain. A graduate of Wagner College, Drew University Seminary, and the General Theological Seminary, he is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Beverly; daughter Katherine Priday and son-in-law Todd; son Andrew and daughter-in-law Susan; granddaughter Jessica; and his sisters Gertrude and Judith. He was pre-deceased by his son Mark, brother David, and sister Sally. 38
Transitions NEW RECTORS ELECTED New leadership in Dunedin and Bonita Springs
THE REV. WHITNEY BURTON JOINS DUNEDIN PARISH DUNEDIN - The Rev. Whitney Burton has accepted a call from the vestry of the Church of the Good Shepherd to be their rector. The Rev. Burton and her husband Steven Smith joined the parish on Monday, May 17th. “Throughout the discernment process, I have been inspired by the Church of the Good Shepherd’s faithful commitment to Christ, your community and each other and I am honored and excited to be called as your next Rector,” said the Rev. Burton. “I know that the Holy Spirit has been at work and I look forward to being in ministry together as we seek to be the People of Christ in a changing World.” The Rev. Burton, a native of Atlanta, has served as associate for outreach and community life at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Va. since 2015. While at St. John’s in the Diocese of
Southwestern Virginia, she served on the Executive Board, where she headed up the Missions Committee, and currently serves on the Disciplinary Committee. Previously she was resident chaplain at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She has also served in the Diocese of Southwest Florida; during the summer of 2014, she was seminarian intern at St. Mark, Marco Island. She holds a Master of Divinity from the University of the South, and a B.A. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. St. John, Roanoke, is a large, downtown church. There, working on community life, she emphasized her work with outreach and fellowship opportunities. “I look at my ministry as an opportunity to empower laity, bring people together in fellowship and be an example of Christ’s love to the world,” she said in her letter to Good Shepherd. "She is a compassionate and thoughtful Priest who embraces all as the beloved children of God,” said Senior Warden Phil Beauchamp. “She is capable beyond her young age and has demonstrated her leadership in her preaching and teaching, as a community builder, and a visionary leader." The Dunedin parish is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, founded in 1886. It operates a major thrift store operation, which helps support many of the parish’s outreach efforts. The parish was led by the Rev. Becky Robbins-Penniman from September 2010 until her retirement in August of 2020. The Rev. Michael Durning, Canon to the Ordinary Emeritus of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, has served as their priest-incharge during the search period.
NEW RECTOR FOR BONITA SPRINGS BONITA SPRINGS - St. Mary’s Episcopal Church has announced its call to the Rev. Ryan A. Wright as its 5th Rector. The Rev. Wright will celebrate Holy Eucharist and preach for the first time at St. Mary’s the weekend of July 3 and 4. Wright, 44, will be the youngest rector in the parish’s history. He is a native of Naples who has lived in Southwest Florida most of his life, most recently with responsibility for Church of the Epiphany in Cape Coral and St. John’s Episcopal Church on Pine Island. A graduate of Stetson University in Deland, FL, and The General Theological Seminary in New York City, Father Wright came to Christ as a young adult and uses his experience as an “unchurched” youth “to break through people’s preconceived notions of what it means to be part of the church. His pastoral experience ranges from programs for the bereaved and terminally ill to years in college ministry; he hopes to bring all that work to bear at St. Mary’s. “I look forward to working with St. Mary’s to grow the parish in every way—spiritually, in pastoral care, in outreach to the larger community and in numbers,” he said. St. Mary’s Senior Warden Robert Foltz described Father Wright as “a real people person, full of energy. He will be a great asset to the parish and to the community.” In his previous parishes, Father Wright has worked with parishioners to establish Walking the Mourners’ Path, an Education for Ministry (EFM) program, a healing service, a farmers’ market, aging-in-place seminars, newmembers’ events, and educational events focused on how to pray, understanding 39
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the Eucharist, Christian ethics and the workplace, and film and theology. He also has a record for emphasizing financial stability and capital improvements in churches he has served. Father Wright’s predecessor, Father Michael Rowe, retired last year after 16 years.
December 1, 2011 | May 28, 2021
March 7, 2013 | May 21, 2021
TRANSITIONING PASSION FROM STAFF TO LAY VOLUNTEER ROLES
A VOCATIONAL TRANSITION FOR DEACON MARTHA GOODWILL The Rev. Martha Goodwill, who has served since 2013 as the Director of Congregation Support at the Diocese of Southwest Florida, is transitioning one of her vocations, joining the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg as their new Director of Finance. “Over the last 9 years, Martha has been a driving force in building relationships and strengthening the financial management and ministry opportunities of our congregations,” said Canon Anne Vickers, Canon for Finance and Administration. “Her development of parochial reporting, audit and benefits administration processes has provided a steady hand 40
for new and seasoned leaders who rely on her insight and expertise. Although we’ll miss her on diocesan staff, we look forward to our continued ministry together in our shared diocesan life.” Martha continues to serve a variety of constituencies across the diocese. She is diocesan coordinator for the Education for Ministry program of the University of the South in the diocese. On Dec. 2, 2017, she was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons, and serves at St. Thomas, St. Petersburg. In 2018, she founded Benison Farm, as a project between St. Thomas and St. Augustine’s congregations. The urban farm and market, funded by the ECW’s United Thank Offering, is now a pioneer in the national network of Good News Gardens hunger relief agencies.
After nine and a half years, Garland Pollard is leaving his position as Communications Director of the Diocese of Southwest Florida to go back to freelance writing and web editing. Garland explains, “while I am sad about leaving the able staff of Bishop Dabney Smith at Diocesan House, I am looking forward to returning to my prior calling, business reporting and editing.” “Garland’s enthusiasm for all modes of communications has ignited the passions of many lay leaders across our diocese for connecting with others with print and social media formats. His joyful support and encouragement, often onsite with cameras and equipment of many forms, has broadened the communication capabilities of our congregations in tangible ways,” said Canon Anne Vickers, Canon for Finance and Administration. Garland continues to live in the area, attending Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, and looks forward to remain involved in diocesan life as lay volunteer.
L O O K I N G
Through the decades, diocesan publications have been a key tool, in sharing our work, and a record, of what went before. Today, the Diocese of Southwest Florida invests in an array of publications to share news. The most consistent effort has been the diocesan magazine. The current version of Southern Cross, published thrice yearly, was revived in the winter of 2014. But it follows a long legacy of publications, beginning with the Art Deco-style The Palm Branch., which dates from 1894. In the Diocesan archives is our oldest, yellowed copy of The Palm Branch, dated Sept. 1932. The cover is not a cover, per se, but more a National Geographic-like window, engraved to high design standards and typography. By 1939, the publication had become almost all type on the cover. The Palm Branch included a message from the Presiding Bishop, then the Most Rev. Henry St. George Tucker, and there were no written stories, only reports. Among them, a new chapel dedication in Winter Haven, Bishops Diary, a page long report of the Woman’s Auxiliary, a list of UTO receipts (to the penny) and a report of Assessments and pledges. The parishes were divided among those pledging more than their proportionate share, their share, and less than their share. The most surprising element is the advertisement for the Solar Water Heater Company Of Miami. The “Duplex” heater promised hot water, day or night. In May of 1951, the masthead of The Palm Branch went stylized, with a full-page photo of the Rev. Martin J. Bram, Suffragan Bishop Elect. Inside was a report of the election, as well as the Bishops Address and reports of the Layman’s Dinner and Women’s Auxiliary Annual meeting. By June 1955, the masthead had changed again, sporting a stylized liturgical feel. The paper quality had increased to a heavy annual report stock, and the 12 pages now included a list of confirmations, and a humorous article on the disease of “Morbus Sabbiticus”, which “attacks church members” being “fatal to the soul” and is “sweeping many into spiritual weakness each year.” By 1961, The Palm Branch had a full picture cover, with extensive coverage of congregations throughout.
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In 1965, the Gulf Coast Beacon for what was to become our diocese was a simple one-page mimeographed sheet. By 1966, the Palm Branch was a considerable 32 pages, with a color cover. The “Around the Diocese” roundup, still a part of today’s Southern Cross, included a feature on the Rev. Gerald Lowe’s loaves, which attracted the attention of a baking firm. At the time, 35,000 copies of the magazine were mailed to households. The 1970's Diocese of Southwest Florida News was the predecessor to the naming of the Southern Cross. In the mid-70s, the Southern Cross was but a one-page spread in a larger print publication called the Episcopalian. Through the 1980s and early 90s, the publication remained tied to the Episcopal Church.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY By 1999, the publication moved to our own newsprint edition, published internally, every other month. By 2008, the Southern Cross was on newsprint, and included 32 pages, distributed by stack, into the narthexes and parish halls of the diocese. The bi-monthly publication stopped in 2011, pending a rethink of communication strategy. And in 2014, the Southern Cross was revived in its present form, mailed to households across the diocese. The beginning of 2019 saw our most recent upgrade, a switch from newsprint to a traditional magazine interior, which brings readers increased clarity in images and increased text readability.
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Youth at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tampa, on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Over 40 were confirmed or received into the church at the service, marking the first time Bishop Smith had had large confirmations since the beginning of COVID-19. While the youth were masked and distanced during the service, they were allowed to remove for their group photo.
