Proposed Budget

2022 Diocesan Budget

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Episcopal Charities Grant Awards

The Episcopal Charities Fund of Southwest Florida exists for the purpose of funding parish-based outreach and special needs ministries through a competitive grant program that is open to all churches within the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Grants are awarded annually by Diocesan Council following recommendations made by the Council on Deacons. Below are the 2021 grant awards.

All Saints, Tarpon Springs All Souls, N. Ft. Myers Church of the Ascension, Clearwater Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota Pack A Snack Wednesday Outreach Food Bank Interview Room Improvement FYI: Foster Youth Initiative $ 2,000 $ 2,686 $ 1,700 $ 4,000

Holy Innocents, Valrico St. George, Bradenton St. James House of Prayer, Tampa St. John, Pine Island St. Margaret of Scotland, Sarasota St. Mark, Marco Island St. Mark, Venice St. Mary, Bonita Springs St. Peter, Plant City TLC - Transforming Lives for Christ St. George’s Food Pantry Assistance Cornertone Kids, Inc. $ 4,500 $ 5,000 $ 4,000

Beacon Bites Meal Delivery Program Crafters for Hope Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Venice Area Community Dinners

$ 3,000 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 $ 2,500 Lending Library and Reading Program Project $ 1,800 Friends in the Park $ 1,000 St. Thomas & St. Augustine, St. Petersburg Benison Farm Hen’s and Mangos $ 3,000 The Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg Fresh Food Program at Florida Resurrection House $ 5,000

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Reports to Convention

Bishop’s Cabinet for DaySpring Development

Pictured above: The groundbreaking of the new DaySpring Maintenance Building.

The Bishop’s Cabinet continues to drive the implementation of the 10-year Master Plan for DaySpring. In December 2019, Diocesan Council approved a set of three transitional projects that are appropriately placed between our completed Phase 1 Program Center and Pool to the next larger phase of new adult lodging facilities.

The 2021 projects include the Spring of Support fountain and gathering area which will honor the contributions of many and provide an iconic visual for the center of our campus; the relocation of our ropes course to the site defined in the 10-year master plan; and the construction of a Maintenance Building to consolidate our services away from the guest areas and make room for the future new meeting/ worship space.

These projects are supported by multiple grants from community foundations and individual donors that share our appreciation for DaySpring as a Sacred Place in the heart of our community. With the grace of God and love of Jesus Christ, DaySpring will continue as a caring and resourceful haven for all His people.

Michael H. Kline, Chair

Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation, Inc.

The Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation’s financial assistance program continues to provide financial aid to lowincome senior Episcopalians from the Southwest, Southeast, and Central Dioceses of Florida seeking help with the costs of retirement living and medical expenses. We do still gratefully receive donations from individuals and parishes from the three dioceses, as well as through estate charitable planned giving. The board of trustees would like to preserve the endowment fund as much as possible, using the income from investments for distributions.

In 2021, we helped 56 Episcopalians, living in retirement communities, assisted living, and senior facilities/apartments in the three dioceses, and about $550,000 was distributed for financial assistance mostly in the form of monthly housing grants. Sample retirement facilities housing foundation financial aid recipients:

Savannah Court of Lake Wales; Riverview House, Lake Worth; Savannah Court of Maitland; Century Village, W. Palm Beach; Oakmonte Village, Lake Mary; Palm’s Edge ALF, Riviera Beach; Westminster, Winter Park; St. Andrews Residence, W. Palm Beach; Orlando Lutheran Towers; Arbors at Belleair, Clearwater; Westminster Towers, Orlando; Pinellas Heights, Largo; Magnolia Towers, Orlando; McCown Towers, Sarasota; New Horizon Share Home, Winter Haven; Woodlands Village, Bradenton; Trinity Towers West, Melbourne; Heron East, Sarasota; Haines Manor, Haines City; Hampton Point, Punta Gorda; Lake Point Senior Apt., Tavares; Sodalis Senior Living, Largo; Hampton Manor, Ocala; Grand Reserve, Zephyrhills

BGR Foundation Board of Trustees: • Southwest Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith, President; Dr. C. Thomas Gooding; Ms. Barbara Kelly, Asst. Treasurer; The Rev. Bill Moyers; The Rev. Denise C. Healy • Southeast Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton; Dr. Helen Bhagwandin; Dr. Harlington “H” Hanna; Ms. Barbara MacKenzie; Mrs. Malvern V. Mathis • Central Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, Vice President; Mr. Alexander C. Mackinnon, Secretary; Mr. Guy D. Colado, Treasurer; The Very Rev. Hugh McGlashon, Jr.; The Rev. Kim Spear Ginger Van Valkenburgh, Exec. Director

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Chaplains to Retired Clergy

Our diocese has 13 chaplains who provide pastoral care for approximately 300 retired clergy and 250 spouses. The chaplains are assigned regionally by deanery and under the direction of the Office of the Bishop. We provide pastoral care when needed with illness and at the time of a death. Our focus is to connect the retiree with a local congregation if they are not already attached. In the spring the bishop sponsors an annual Retired Clergy/ Spouse Day at DaySpring. This year’s zoom conference was facilitated by the Rt. Rev. Frank C. Gray and was one of the best yet. The following is a sampling of our ministry: hospital visits, luncheons with clergy and spouses, mailing birthday and Christmas cards, attending funerals and following up as needed; phone calls and home

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visits to the ill and infirm and transportation on occasion. The Chaplains are: The Rev. Canon Chris Gray and Paula Gray (Diocesan Chaplains), The Rev. Leo Crawford and Ann Crawford (Clearwater Deanery), The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe and Mary Howe (St. Petersburg Deanery), The Rev. Jerry Stadel and Anne Stadel (Tampa Deanery), The Rev. Fred Robinson and Linda Robinson (Manasota Deanery), The Rev. John Warfel (Venice Deanery), The Rev. Kathy Schillreff (Naples Deanery), and The Rev. Suzanne Post (Ft. Myers Deanery).

The Rev. Chris Gray, Canon for Stewardship

Clergy Spouse Association

The Clergy Spouse Association (CSA) continues in carrying out its mission of supporting the spouses of ordained clergy by providing opportunities for enrichment, fellowship and outreach. Our community strives to connect and engage with spouses of clergy who are active, retired or widowed. We gathered twice this year for annual events that were designed to build relationships for support and communication.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSA’s 2020 Annual Convention Luncheon was held as an evening virtual event on the Zoom Platform. The event featured the introduction of new clergy spouses, the election of the 2021 Slate of Officers, time for sharing and a guided meditation led by Fr. Michael and Dr. Rita Piovane. Those elected for 2021 Offices were: Ann Crow, President; Erika Cannon, Vice-President; Barbara Brotherton, Treasurer; Joseph Gilpin, Secretary; Betty Creelman, Chaplain; Sharon Teets, Sunshine Chair; Sherre Henley and Desiree Hudson, Communications.

The Annual Gathering and Retreat, scheduled for February 5-7, 2021, was cancelled due to continued concern for the safety of the community during the pandemic.

The CSA has continued to offer an opportunity to connect at the Zoom socials held on the third Thursday of every month. This monthly event remains enthusiastically supported by members who are grateful for the opportunity to check-in with one another on a consistent basis.

In the area of outreach, the CSA provided an annual Advent gift to diocesan students at residential seminaries through the Mary Ellen Smith Memorial Endowment Fund. The four residential seminarians to receive the 2020 Advent gift were: Brian Cleary, Marcella Robinson, Diane Leavengood and Anne Hartley. The Sunshine Committee sent greetings, good wishes and condolences to diocesan spouses of clergy as such occasions arose throughout the year.

Growth of the Mary Ellen Smith Memorial Endowment Fund was bolstered this year by a $15,000 donation given by The Standing Committee and Finance Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida to honor Mary Wallis Smith for her time spent filling in as Executive Assistant to the Bishop. As a result, the fund ended the year just short of $40,000. Symbolic gifts such as these are made to “honor the essential role that each Clergy Spouse serves” and they expand the capacity for the CSA to fulfill its strong commitment to outreach to our community.

In closing, all spouses of clergy are warmly encouraged to join us for our unique fellowship with one another. Our annual events provide opportunities to create individual relationships and support systems throughout the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Clergy Spouse Association events are publicized through mailers, social media, diocesan publications and the diocesan website.

39 SEE, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW Joseph Gilpin, Secretary

Commission on Ministry

Members of the Commission on Ministry (COM) are lay and ordained persons who serve the church at the pleasure of the Bishop alongside an appointed member of the Standing Committee who serves as liaison. In conjunction with the Standing Committee, the Canon to the Ordinary, the Office of the Bishop, congregations, aspirants, postulants, and candidates, members of the Commission on Ministry have worked to create an environment of prayerful discernment. While COVID-19 presented numerous challenges, the COM continued to gather as a committee via ZOOM to conduct the business of interviewing and listening to those who are interested in ordained ministry. We look forward to continuing to serve and keep in prayer all those who seek to live out their baptismal ministry. For more information about the Commission on Ministry contact the Chair, the Rev. Janet Tunnell, at revjanet@allsaintstarpon.com The Rev. Alexander Andujar, Chair

Companion Diocese Committee

Like so many who are engaged in mission and ministry, the members of the Companion Diocese Committee have had the challenge of how to stay in relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in the Dominican Republic. After much prayer and thought, we have discovered ways to work from afar in order to continue several projects. For more than 25 years Church of the Redeemer has been actively involved in adult mission work in the D.R. During this time frame, some of the projects Redeemer has funded and helped build include several churches, a parish hall, a vicarage (priest residence on church property), an assisted living facility, and several schools. Our current project is to build a second floor parish hall on Monte Sión (the church that was constructed by mission groups from Redeemer over the last few years). Plans have been approved for a 6-10 person team to go to the D.R. in November of this year in order to complete work on this

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addition that has been done by members of the Monte Sión congregation in the hope that the parish hall will be ready to be dedicated in late February 2022 to coincide with the Dominican Diocesan Convention. Summer 2020 marked the twenty-first consecutive year that churches from the Tampa Deanery have participated in God’s work in the Dominican Republic. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no Tampa teams were able to travel to the D.R. so arrangements were made to fund local workers to build a perimeter wall to secure a new site in Catalina in preparation for proposed construction of Santo Nombre de Jesús. The traditional model of mission was adapted and a “Mission from Afar” program was developed in which devotionals and services were live-streamed from the site. St. John’s, Tampa, continues to support the Clinica Esperanza y Caridad, a medical clinic dedicated to bringing health services to the poor, in San Pedro de Macorís. For the second year in a row, the Cathedral Church of St. Peter has been unable to send a mission team to help with the Vacation Bible School(VBS) program at the churches of La Anunciación and San Lucas, located in Santiago de los Caballeros. We are hopeful and anticipate that by summer 2022, we will be able to once again join our faithful Dominican Episcopalian friends and clergy. Once we receive the theme and scripture passages from the Comité Educacíon Cristiana at the Diocesan office in Santo Domingo, we will once again create the VBS program booklet for all VBS teams or any Dominican Episcopal Church that would like to use it. The Naples Deanery continues to support the Albergue Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan Children’s Shelter) in San Francisco de Macorís which provides vital assistance to the children in this poor community through its quality nutritional and educational programing. The ECW for SW Florida continues to support critical educational initiatives for the children in the Dominican Episcopal Church schools through the scholarship program. They also support the Santo Tomas children’s nutritional and educational programs. Education programs sponsored by the Dominican Episcopal Church are being updated with a new online scholarship program on the DDG website, https://dominicandevelopmentgroup.reachapp.co/projects. Several of the schools identified were constructed by teams from the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The members of the SWFL Companion Diocese Committee pray that we will be able to once again join in person with our Dominican brothers and sisters in Christ to continue our mission and ministry in 2022. Dcn. Kathy Gilpin, Chair

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Council on Deacons

Given the significant reduction in diocesan activities due to the COVID-19 restrictions during 2020, the major responsibility of the Council on Deacons has been the review of applications and the development of recommendations regarding annual awards under the Episcopal Charities Grant program. The recommendations for 2020 awards were developed at the Council meeting in July and approved by Diocesan Council for promulgation at the Diocesan Convention. Parish-based outreach programs, with an emphasis on those that address food insecurity in our communities, were funded for a total of $43,000. The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore, Archdeacon

Cursillo

Cursillo is a movement of the Episcopal Church, under the authority of the Presiding Bishop and diocesan bishops, to develop lay leadership across our diocese. Cursillo is one method for training, supporting, encouraging the ongoing development of Christian leadership. This experience gives an opportunity to grow in faith within our parish communities and out into our extended environments. Our Presiding Bishop spoke of how the Episcopal Church can help the world live out a life in Christ. He mentioned how having a Rule of Life can be an effective way to do this that will hold ourselves accountable. The Cursillo method contains two main components, a 3-day weekend filled with 15 talks, group discussions, worship, and fun. Cursillo of Southwest Florida has been working in this Diocese for 41 years to do just that. There are two English language Weekends and one Spanish language weekend that teach the method. After attending a Cursillo weekend, Cursillistas (participants of the Weekend) are encouraged to meet in small groups on a regular basis for encouragement and accountability. Larger gatherings are held throughout the diocese for sharing and encouragement. There is a “witness talk” that is centered on apostolic action.

This past year still proceeding through a pandemic we have had many reflections of our past weekends to our upcoming weekends. The Cursillo community is still grouping with one another, sharing with one another, being patient, and helping others when called.

“Make a Friend, Be a Friend, Bring a Friend to Christ”

As a lay ministry, we fully rely on spiritual direction from our diocesan priests and deacons, familiar with our rule of life. Are you looking to enhance your walk with Jesus? Are you feeling a call to serve but not sure of the next step?

Please visit our website cursilloswfla.org. We are all about living a Christ-centered life and would like to help you on your journey.

Kristina Hodge, Lay Director

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Daughters of the King

Pictured above: Daughters of the King install new members at St. Monica’s.

Daughters of the King are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of our sisters. A Rule of Life is a self-imposed spiritual discipline practiced daily by an individual. It includes regular and seasonal devotions, both private and public, and is a commitment intelligently and prayerfully considered. A Rule of Life sets apart an order from other church organizations.

We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun, and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others. We don’t just enroll as members and attend meetings. After a three-month period of study and discernment, each new member takes vows to uphold the two Rules of The Order: the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service and Evangelism. The Daughters of the King hold two Southwest Florida Diocesan Assemblies each year at DaySpring and/or on Zoom. The Retreats have guest speakers bringing an uplifting renewing message to our Daughters as food and strength for journey.

Daughters who attend parishes that do not have a chapter are able to maintain their Rule of Life and membership as Daughters by becoming Daughters-atLarge or joining a Chapter in another church.

The Diocese of Southwest Florida has more than 30 chapters of the Order of the Daughters of the King. If you are interested in starting a chapter in your church, please contact Jackie Smith at jlsmith1211@icloud.com or 215.337.7615.

Jackie Smith, President

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Disciplinary Board

We are pleased to report that the Disciplinary Board services were not required this last year. Due to COVID-19, the bishop agreed to postpone our postconvention organizational meeting unless there was something actionable. Thank you to the members of the committee:

Lay Members: Mr. Robert K. Sawyer, Jr., Esq., The Hon. Jack Day, Esq., Mrs. Glenna Hileman, The Hon Doug Spangler, Jr. Esq.

Clergy Members: The Rev. Barry P. Kubler, The Rev. Paige A. Hanks, The Rev. Chester J. Trow, Esq., The Rev. David J. Marshall

The Rev. Kevin C. Warner, President

Diocesan Altar Guild

Our ministry has not been able to serve on a diocesan level during the COVID-19 pandemic but we remain available to support individual parishes and any event that may take place at DaySpring. We work under the bishop and carry out his wishes on liturgical matters.

The most effective part of what we do is to sponsor the very popular exchange tables at Convention during the annual convention. Churches bring liturgical items they no longer need or use and offer them to churches who can use them. No money exchanges hands and enables all to be good stewards.

We also deconsecrate and burn old linens and vestments every two years at DaySpring. These items are collected at Convention and burned in the winter.

During the pandemic we have been able to support smaller churches by helping clean out sacristies, and find ways to repair or clean liturgical goods. We are always available as a resource for ordering new items or training new members. There are lots of things in storage and we look forward to offering the exchange tables again. Sarah Hill, Directress

Ecumenical & Inter-religious Relations

The National Workshop of Christian Unity, usually held in-person in April of every year, was held this year entirely online, due to COVID-19 concerns. Hopefully in 2022 we can return to an in-person gathering. Some local ecumenical efforts have been able to continue during this time, however, several churches in the St. Petersburg Deanery joined with other denominations and participated in the 6th Annual “Not My Son”

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rallies aimed at curbing violence and creating safer neighborhoods. Several of our churches band together with multiple denominations to work towards social justice. For example, St. Mark’s (Tampa) participates in HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality), and in Pinellas County, churches like St. Augustine’s (St. Petersburg), Good Samaritan (Clearwater), and St. John’s (Clearwater) participate in FAST (Faith and Action for Strength Together). Good Shepherd (Dunedin) participated in the annual interfaith United Faiths Walk of Peace, which they began years ago. Other churches, like Annunciation (Holmes Beach), participate in broadly focused ecumenical organization, such as the All Island Denominations (AID) which helps with needs for people who live, worship or work on Anna Maria Island. Normally, they hold two ecumenical services at Pentecost and Thanksgiving, though those were cancelled this past year due to COVID. We hope, like all of you, that this pandemic is lifted soon and we can resume more robust normal activity. The Rev. Ryan Whitley, Diocesan Representative

Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) began in our diocese in 1987. We are a sponsoring diocese, which means that our students receive a $110 discount on tuition each year. This program continues to be a source of education, theology, and individual development for many in the diocese. Some graduates have continued into ordination paths, but many more find their ministry developed for service within their churches and communities.

EfM has been described by some as ‘just another Bible study,’ but those who take part in the four-year study – one year at a time – know it to be much more. There is Bible study, yes. The first two years consist of studies of the Hebrew Scriptures (year one) and the Christian Scriptures (year two). Then Church History (year three) and Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Encounters (year four) are covered. Along with reading and discussion, theological reflection takes place, and for most, this becomes the most important part of the session each week.

During the 2020-2021 EfM year, there were five groups meeting in the diocese. Most of our groups sought to continue the program through virtual means. EfM mentor training events are offered here at least once a year and attract mentors from various dioceses. The 2022 EfM mentor training is scheduled for May 19-21, 2022 at DaySpring. Training of new mentors and regular in-service training for current mentors maintains the quality of the EfM program and assures students that mentors are well-prepared and able to effectively facilitate an EfM group.

If you have interest in and/or questions about this rewarding program, please contact The Rev. Deacon Martha Goodwill at marthag@stthomasstpete.org.

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“Almighty God, we pray that You will bless our work in mission and ministry in the world.” These are the opening words of the Episcopal Church Women’s Prayer. With these words the women of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, go and serve those around us. In November of 2020, we held the 50th Anniversary Annual meeting for our Diocesan Episcopal Church Women (ECW). As with every activity during that time, our in-person participation was limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. New officers were installed for the executive board. Jackie Smith joins us as president-elect and Nancy Monti, is the new deanery director for the Manasota Deanery. ECW continues to support and encourage our churches to be part of the United Thank Offering (UTO) and Church Periodical Club, Sundays. In 2020 we were able to provide 17 students and seminarians, with scholarships of $150.00 each. We currently have $16,912.00 in the UTO holding account to be sent to the National UTO. On November 11, 2021 our Annual Meeting will be held at DaySpring. Our theme for the meeting and 2022 is “Here I Am Lord”. Our speaker will be Dede Lomenick. She is the founder of “Unleashed” a non-profit with this vision statement: “To form a movement of women in South Florida who embrace their gifts and maximize their power and potential to serve, lead and bring positive change in the world.” As we continue to emerge from our time of being separated and quarantined, the women of the Diocese of Southwest Florida continue to serve our Lord with vigor, compassion, and joy.

Michelle Schombs, President

Episcopal Relief & Development

Episcopal Relief and Development is the compassionate arm of the Episcopal Church. With their help of in-kind support of facilities, we are proud to consistently report that between 90% and 92% of every donated dollar helps in three major categories: Women, Children, and Climate.

Episcopal Relief & Development contributes to the transformation and healing of a hurting world by encouraging its staff, partners and wider constituency to act as facilitators that engage and energize people through an appreciation and affirmation of the gifts that exist within a community. This is done by recognizing and reinforcing people’s assets – their gifts, ideas, decisions and existing resources – versus simply their needs.

As with each new year, we encounter unexpected and unique challenges to keep us always focused on creative and productive ways to serve the needs of our target populations

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and focus programs. The year 2021 has been no different. With the ongoing pandemic associated with COVID-19, it has been challenging to continue to promote our programs and support our volunteer partners within the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

At convention in 2019, it was the bishop’s hope to have partners in every parish and school in the diocese. We reported in 2020 that we are represented in 33% of the parishes, but due to the pandemic we have experienced limited growth. Recruiting has been challenging due to the pandemic and the nature of isolation required to fight the spread. National staff has been offering Zoom workshops and services to anyone interested.

Ongoing fundraising and awareness campaigns are happening all over the diocese. The efforts are too numerous to mention in this short report, but the involvement of the parishes, missions, and schools is encouraging.

We are currently looking for two new coordinators to continue to support our partners in the parishes with Zoom meetings and personal contacts. Please consider who in your parish might be called to share with us in this ministry. Call 614-302-1267 or elightneri1@gmail.com. Ellen Lightner, Diocesan Ministry Partner

Hispanic & Latino Ministries

The Hispanic and Latino Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida has been tasked with increasing awareness of Hispanic and Latino Ministry, supporting existing congregations with Spanish speakers, and providing mission and outreach to the Hispanic and Latino community in the diocese.

After a year-long hiatus, the committee was excited to host its annual “Salt and Light” conference in person and online at Dayspring. The theme was “Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts”. More than 50 people were able to attend in person with others watching at home. Workshops included learning about how to discern one’s spiritual gifts as well as learning from the examples of service from those who have gone before us.

Looking ahead, the committee hopes to reach out to every parish in the Diocese to share the importance of this mission and what all of us can do to welcome this growing population within our neighborhoods and cities. Have questions? Want to get involved? Email committee at Ministeriolatinoswfl@ gmail.com.

The Rev. Alexander Andujar, Vice-President

Race & Reconciliation

The newly reconstituted Race and Reconciliation Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida serves the diocese as we live out our Baptismal Covenant and honor the resolutions of our General Convention. Our work focuses on education and advocacy with the purpose of dismantling racism and lifting up racial justice and reconciliation in Christ. Our purpose is to develop and support training, resources, events, and communication to the diocese and its parishes to increase awareness and advocacy around individual and systemic racism. We strive to enkindle in the hearts of all a passion for, and action toward, an inclusive, diverse, and joyful vision of the Body of Christ, in which the image of God is celebrated in each and every human person.

The 2021 Race and Reconciliation Committee members include: Ning Bonoan; The Rev. Doris Buchanan Johnson; The Hon. Jack Day; The Rev. Deacon Martha Goodwill; Ayana Grady; The Rev. Paige Alvarez Hanks; The Very Rev. Peter Lane; Rebecca Lyons: Leila Meizer: The Rev. James Reho: The Rev. Kathy Schillreff: Tania Wilkes: The Rev. Christian Wood

The committee is charged with developing anti-racism training for the diocese, providing resources and training for anti-racism work for parishes, and planning and implementing anti-racism events for the diocese. In the first year, the committee has accomplished much of this charge, and invites the parishes and other entities within the diocese to join in the work of dismantling the sin of racism in whatever way you feel called. Contact any member of our committee for support in this work of the Gospel. The Rev. Paige Alvarez Hanks, Chair

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School for Ministry

At the end of 2020, the School for Ministry completed its second year as a member of the Iona Collaborative, a cooperative project directed by the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Twenty-seven Episcopal dioceses throughout the country are members of the Collaborative. Through the Collaborative, clergy formation programs in the member dioceses work together to develop and maintain high-quality theological education for the formation of priests and deacons in local diocesan settings, educating a new generation of ordained leaders who for various reasons cannot attend a residential seminary.

Participation in the Iona Collaborative enables the School for Ministry to be part of an innovative curriculum and to take advantage of resources, facilitator training, and materials that would otherwise be unavailable locally.

In past years, the School for Ministry has focused exclusively on diaconal formation. In 2020, the School responded to a new and exciting charge from Bishop Smith and began development of a curriculum to prepare students for ordination to the priesthood. Three students are currently following this vocational path. The return from a COVID-19 driven, completely Zoom-based program to in-person class meetings at Dayspring Conference Center has been another most welcome development for the School. The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore, Dean

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Standing Committee

The Standing Committee works closely with the Commission on Ministry and has canonical responsibility for approval of applications for Candidacy and Ordination to both the Sacred Order of Priests and the Sacred Order of Deacons. In exercising that responsibility, the Committee is required to interview all candidates for Ordination and those from other branches of the Body of Christ seeking reception to ordained ministry in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Since bishops are elected to serve the entire church, they are canonically required to receive consents to their election by a majority of the diocesan Standing Committee. The Standing Committee acts on these requests for consent as they are received, deliberating on each with care. The Standing Committee also acts as a cabinet of advice for the Bishop and exercises canonical responsibilities related to property matters involving sacred spaces, clergy disciplinary actions, and matters involving clergy leaving The Episcopal Church. Much of the work of the Standing Committee is confidential. A major focus of our work has been the oversight for the search process for election of the Bishop Coadjutor. We are grateful for the work of the Co-Chairs the Rev. Jessica Babcock and Mr. Trevor Whitley and members of the Search Committee and for the Chair, Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald and members of the Transition Team who are coordinating with us in oversight of the search process.

Current members of the Standing Committee are the Rev. Carla B. McCook (President), Mr. Ray U. Stoll (Vice President), the Very Rev. Ryan R. Whitley (Secretary), Ms. Jackie Smith (Liaison to the Commission on Ministry), Mr. James H. Corn, Mr. Duane Hollier, the Very Rev. Charles A. Cannon III, The Very Rev. Michelle Robertshaw, and The Rev. Jim Teets. All the members of the Committee appreciate your prayers.

The Rev. Carla B. McCook, President

Youth and Family Ministry

Pictured above: DaySpring Summer Camp Summer 2021

Youth Ministry in our diocese has been in a process of reopening and rebuilding during 2021, and while the road to restarting everything that took place before the COVID-19 pandemic is still long, we have made great strides this past year. Our two biggest accomplishments being the return of Summer Camp and our New Beginnings retreat that was held in March 2021. Through communicating with other dioceses during this past year, we learned that we were one of a handful equipt to host a weekend retreat. We did this through our health and safety protocols which included limiting numbers, extensive disinfecting, and wearing masks. The activities of the retreat had to accommodate these changes, but this was expected. Some activities which required people to be close were adapted, the adults on the weekend tended to skew younger, and singing was limited. The team and participants knew that simply being able to have this retreat take place was the priority. Because of our success on that New Beginnings retreat, we were able to start developing Summer Camp with the retreat serving as a test run for how we’d run our camp protocol. First, our staff who could be vaccinated made the choice to get vaccinated. This was a huge step to ensure that any sickness didn’t transfer from weeks. Beyond that, we were able to focus our protocols on those things that had the biggest impact. Because of these efforts, no cases of sickness have been reported from our almost 200 campers. Even during our summer, we didn’t encounter more than a stomachache or sprained ankle. Heading into the fall, our Diocesan Youth Ministry is active in many of our parishes. Our congregations with full time or part time designated youth ministry programs have remained stable and, in some places, even flourished in the past year. This is a testament to the incredible work and outreach of our congregational youth workers. Beyond that, we are preparing for the return of Happening, New Beginnings, and already starting to place for Summer Camp in 2022. There is plenty of work ahead in 2021, and our youth are energized to walk this path of return. Matthew Bowers, Director of Youth Ministry and

Convention Reports

Since the earliest days of the diocese and our predecessor dioceses, each of our conventions has published a series of reports of the committees of the diocese. These reports are scheduled to appear in our annual Journal of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, along with the events and minutes of this convention.

Please read them carefully and check in with the various chairs or leadership if you have questions about the work of any committee before convention.

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Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee Update

Below is an excerpt from the Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee website.

At the 52nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida in October 2020, Bishop Dabney Smith announced to the gathered lay and clergy delegates that he was calling for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor, or successor bishop. Bishop Smith explained that the process to elect a new bishop, including the process for studying the diocese, screening and selecting candidates, and ultimately electing a Bishop Coadjutor, will take at the least 18 months.

A total of 10 clergy and 11 laypersons were selected 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.

Members of the Bishop Coadjutor Search

Committee: Mr. Trevor Whitley (co-chair), The Rev. Jessica Babcock (co-chair), The Rev. Janet Tunnell, Mr. Phil Beauchamp, The Rev. Christian Maxfield, The Rev. David Marshall, Ms. Jackie Overton, Mr. Michael D. “Mick” Moore, Jr., The Rev. Robert Douglas, Ms. Katie Arp, The Rev. Roy Tuff, Ms. Kathy Silverberg, The Rev. Ann Dieterle, Ms. Hazel Hudson-Allen, Ms. Ning Bonoan, The Rev. Dr. Lynn Grinnell, Mr. Greg Hearing, The Rev. Adrienne Hymes, The Rev. Michael Kitt, Mr. Kraig Koach, and Mr. Steve Salvo.

Below is an excerpt from the “Election Of A Bishop,” printed in the 2021 Easter edition of Southern Cross.

Following the selection of the committee, the committee created and released a diocesan-wide survey in June of 2021, receiving close to 1,800 completed surveys. In July

Upcoming Important Bishop Coadjutor Search Dates

September 2021 - The Search Committee will begin 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 - Election date of Bishop Coadjutor. September 24, 2022 - Pending Presiding Bishop approval, Bishop Coadjutor will be consecrated and commence ministry with Bishop Dabney Smith.

and August of this year, the Search Committee hosted 12 Listening Sessions with more than 350 participants in attendance. In September the Search Committee will begin accepting bishop nominations. Review of nominations, background work, and interviews to follow through January 2022.

After the creation and publication of the diocesan profile, the application process can begin. The process of going through the submitted nominations can be lengthy; for instance, in 1995, there were 172 names submitted for consideration. Information on those nominees must be gathered and presented so that a slate for the election can be considered. In past elections, and in most dioceses, there is a second publication for the election itself. This is a booklet that includes nominee profiles, and information about a walkabout, a meeting that will help people learn as much as possible about potential nominees. The Search Committee is looking to schedule a walkabout in the spring of 2022.

After the election, the bishop will first be coadjutor, and then would be set to become the Sixth Bishop of Southwest Florida, pending approval by the wider Episcopal Church, and after serving a time alongside Bishop Dabney Smith.

Getting there is not a fast process. In the life of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, we have only gone through this process five times; the first election of Bishop Suffragan was Bishop William Hargrave, elected in 1961 before the 1969 creation of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The last election held in the diocese was for Bishop Dabney Smith, in December of 2006.

For more information about the Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee, please email info@bishopsearchswfl.org.

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SEE, I MAK e ALL THINGS N E W. 53rd ANNUAL CONVENTION DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

46 SEE, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA