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Volume 48, Issue 2
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MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
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Br Ou and Pr r ne new ! & Pogra w oo m C l c o en mp ter lex !
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'I h the ave lif y m com ab e and ight e tha h un da hav ave t ntl e it y.'
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LIV THEM E LO ING L : VIN AR G L GE AR , GE
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DAYSPRING SUMMER CAMP 2017
"I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
Session 1, Break Out Camp, June 7-10 Session 2, Middle School Camp, June 11-16 Session 3, High School Camp, June 18-23 Session 4, Leadership Camp, June 25-30 Session 5, Elementary Camp, July 16-21 Session 6, Mission Camp, July 23-28
Register online
visit our site campdayspring.org 2017 SUMMER CAMP DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
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Call (941) 556-0315 for questions.
From the Bishop
Mrs. Gertz and See Spot Run My dear friends, I remember learning to read in first grade at St. James Episcopal School in Ormond Beach, Fla. Mrs. Gertz taught me to read the book, “See Spot Run,” and that first reading experience grew into a lifelong love of books. When I was in fourth grade at St. John’s Episcopal School in Tampa, there was a terrible November day when we were all ushered into the church to pray before being sent home as President Kennedy had just been assassinated. The President had just been in Tampa days before and we all experienced the emotional trauma. I remember singing for the first time, “God the Omnipotent!” The text from that hymn ends with “give to us peace in our time, O Lord.” It is impossible for me to sing that hymn without thinking about that traumatic childhood experience. These two brief remembrances reveal in me the power of Episcopal School education. One has helped me live all of life, and another, the hymn, taught me the spiritual power of sacred music to touch the hurting soul. This summer issue of the Southern Cross has some illuminating stories about, and from, Episcopal Schools in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Even more though, is the larger landscape of education and formation that is continuous. One of my favorite and most striking canons in the Constitution and Canons of the 3
Episcopal Church is Title III, Canon 1 regarding the Ministry of All Baptized Persons that unequivocally states “that all baptized persons are called to sustain their ministries through commitment to lifelong Christian formation.” That, of course, leaves no one out! One of the topics at the recent Province IV Bishops meeting and the Province IV Synod at Kanuga Conference Center was the College
‘All baptized persons are called to sustain their ministries through commitment to life-long Christian formation.’
for Bishops, which exists for the formation and ongoing education of Bishops. I, as your Bishop, am not left out of the need for lifelong Christian formation either. I believe this current Southern Cross issue regarding Education is well, educational! You will discover stories and concerns, calendar and mission purpose realities about Campus Ministry, Deacon Education, Episcopal Identity at Episcopal Schools, Seminary, Youth Ministry, the needs of education and formation at the local congregational level, the Clergy Spouse Association, Summer Camps, important events in the lives of several congregations and more. I pray that all have a spiritually sustaining summer. Perhaps you can add the Southern Cross to your summer reading. While you are having a time of recreation and reflection, I invite you to think of your own personal needs and areas for growth regarding your own lifelong Christian formation. Talk to your priest and discover what your own congregation is offering for growth and education. You never know when a little book, or an unknown hymn, will change you for the rest of your life! Love in Christ, Dabney T. Smith The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith is Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.
Connect
Year 48 | Issue 2 | Pentecost 2017 First Published A.D. 1970
Here, Diocesan staff in 1976 in St. Petersburg, surrounding 2nd Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Paul Haynes.
Diocesan House The Rev. Eric Cooter, Canon for Ministry Development ecooter@episcopalswfl.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 Editor: Garland Pollard
The Rev. Michael Durning, Canon to the Ordinary mdurning@episcopalswfl.org
Contributing Writers: Carolyn Bartoo, Jacki Boedecker, Donna Davis, Martha Goodwill, The Rev. Virginia Herring, The Ven. Kathleen Moore, The Rev. Dr. John Palarine, Dave Wyly
Marilyn Erfourth, Receptionist merfourth@episcopalswfl.org
Contributing Photographers: Joshua Bruner, Bonnie Jean Durning, Garland Pollard, Anne M. Vickers
Martha Goodwill, Director of Congregation Support mgoodwill@episcopalswfl.org
Advertising Inquiries: Garland Pollard, 941-556-0315 or gpollard@episcopalswfl.org
The Rev. Christopher Gray, Canon for Stewardship cgray@episcopalswfl.org
Subscriptions: The Southern Cross is mailed to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Email your address to merfourth@episcopalswfl.org to subscribe or update delivery preferences.
Adrienne Hymes, USF Chaplain, Missioner Church Ext. ahymes@episcopalswfl.org, 813-418-1281 Barbara Leonard, Bookkeeper bleonard@episcopalswfl.org Michelle Mercurio, Administrative Assistant mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore, Archdeacon kmoore@episcopalswfl.org Jan Nothum, Bishop’s Administrative Assistant jnothum@episcopalswfl.org Carla Odell, Executive Director, DaySpring execdirector@dayspringfla.org The Rev. Dr. John Palarine, Canon for Program & Youth jpalarine@episcopalswfl.org Greg Randall, Director Youth Ministry & Programming grandall@episcopalswfl.org Garland Pollard, Director of Communications gpollard@episcopalswfl.org Tana Sembiante, Admin. Assistant to Canon Durning tsembiante@episcopalswfl.org Anne Vickers, Canon for Finance &Administration/CFO avickers@episcopalswfl.org 4
Editorial Submissions: The editor welcomes submissions of articles for every section of the magazine including features, news and departments. Email editor@episcopalswfl.org. Manuscripts must be in Microsoft Word format. We invite letters to the editor on subjects of interest to the entire Diocese. Identification Statement: The Southern Cross is published by the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Department of Communications. USPS permit No. 946. Diocese of Southwest Florida DaySpring Episcopal Center 8005 25th St. East Parrish, FL 34219 941-556-0315 web: www.episcopalswfl.org email: editor@episcopalswfl.org Twitter: @episcopalswfl ISSN 2372-7861 (print version) ISSN 2372-8159 (online version) On the Cover: Icons and photos of our 13 preschool, primary and preparatory schools in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. At right, Manatee River upstream from DaySpring Episcopal Center. Photo by Anne M. Vickers
Features 14 16 19
Episcopal Identity
Education & Schools, pages 13-26
Academy at Berkeley
New program expands the school’s reach
Education: Episcopal Schools Our Episcopal Schools
20 Education & Formation
More than Sunday School
22 Deacon Education
School for Ministry Development
24 At Seminary
Dave Wyly at VTS
26 Education for Ministry
Theological education from Sewanee
28 Take Me to the River A row down to DaySpring
Departments
Briefs: New Archdeacon, St. Anselm USF ….………............................……………………… 6 Youth: Greg Randall Joins Staff ….….......…………………..............….…………………… 7 Youth: Camp Director Katie Arp ….………………………….……………………….… 9 Youth: Report on Youth, The Rev. Canon Dr. John Palarine …....….…………………… 10 Ordinations Upcoming ….…….……................………………….……………………….… 25 Pentecost: By the Rev. Virginia Herring ….……………………….………………… 31 Music: St. Alfred’s Kevin Phillips ……….……………………….……………………….… 33 Parish History: St. Paul’s Naples, 50 Years .……………………….……………… 34 Parish Profile: Good Samaritan by Donna Davis .……………………….……………… 35 Glancing Back: All Saints Tarpon Springs …….........……………….....………………….… 38
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Briefly
Baseball With the Bishop Set for Sept. 15
ST. PETERSBURG - The date for the annual Baseball With the Bishop at Tropicana Field is Friday, Sept. 15, 2017; proceeds benefit the 2017 Bishop’s Appeal. The event is the Rays vs. Boston Red Sox. Lower level tickets are $25. All churches who participate are eligible for the Rays Group Leader Rewards Program. To order, call Jeane Drury at 727-342-5719 or jdrury@ raysbaseball.com X
Fall Relaunch for USF’s St.Anselm’s Episcopal Chapel Center
TAMPA - Celebrate the restored campus ministry at the University of South Florida as the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith rededicates the St. Anselm’s Episcopal Chapel Center to the glory of God on Sunday, Oct. 29. Founded in 1961, the Episcopal Chapel Center is a part of diocesan history. Last fall, Adrienne Hymes was appointed by
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Bishop Smith to serve as chaplain and director to shepherd the ministry into a renewed purpose rooted in mission. The rededication will celebrate the renovated Chapel Center as a spiritual resource for the USF academic community and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as a spiritual retreat and meeting space for churches and ministry groups within the diocese. Join the friends of St. Anselm’s Episcopal Chapel Center as we honor 56 years of the Episcopal Church’s presence at USF and rejoice in the vibrant movement of the Holy Spirit breathing life into the ministry and into the community. A reception follows. RSVP to Marilyn Erfourth at 941-556-0315, merfourth@episcopalswfl.org. X
New Archdeacon in Diocese
TAMPA- Dr. Kathleen Mary Moore has been named Archdeacon of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The role of the Archdeacon is described in the Diocesan Constitution as one who assists in the administration of the affairs of the Diocese. In the Canons, the Archdeacon serves ex officio as a voting member of the Council on Deacons. The Ven. Dr. Moore currently serves as chair of our Council on Deacons, and is the Parish Deacon of St. John’s, Tampa with the primary responsibility of adult Christian formation. She will continue to serve as deacon at St. John’s. Moore holds a B.A. in modern
languages from the University of Durham, an M.S. in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Adult Education) from the University of South Florida. She also completed the Harvard University Graduate School of Education program in the Management of Lifelong Education. She grew up in the north of England and began her professional career in Europe as a teacher of English as a second language. She has been a member of St. John’s since 1990. X
July 23 Mission Camp OffersYouth Group Opportunity
PARRISH - Mission Camp at DaySpring Episcopal Center is a unique opportunity for 6th graders and up to take part in camp activities while experiencing and learning about outreach. This year camp is led by The Rev. Bryan O’Carroll, St. George’s, Bradenton and The Rev. Chase Ackerman, St. John, Tampa. We visit mission sites Monday through Thursday and then return for sports, games, swimming, arts and crafts. From July 23-28, $390. Register at campdayspring.org or call 941-556-0315. X
Look Ahead to Our 49th Convention Annual Convention is the weekend of Oct. 13-14 in Punta Gorda. This 49th convention theme is Work, Pray, Give. Find out more at episcopalswfl.org under the “2017 Convention” top link.
New Youth Director
Greg & Catalina Randall at DaySpring
Q: How did you and Catalina meet? Randall: I lived in Medellin, Colombia for four years and taught Science in an international school. I also taught part-time English to Colombian adults and Catalina was studying at the same institute. We met outside of the institute as we waited for our classes to begin. We continued to get to know each other while waiting for other classes and eventually started dating. Q: Tell me about how your teaching has affected your view of youth ministry? Randall: Teaching and school administration have broadened my vision of effective youth ministry and increased my skill set. I’ve been able to contrast goals and practices of education with those of youth ministry and though many are similar, others are very different. Understanding the differences helps me define how we, as youth ministers, relate to young people and share Christ with them. Q: How did you come to love camp ministry? Randall: I became a camp counselor at Beckwith in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast the summer after I graduated high school. I was young, skinny, crazy, and could fall asleep despite 14 middle school boys shining flashlights and making flatulence noises in the cabin with me. I loved the waterfront 7
activities, ropes course, music, counselor skits, dances, and forming deep friendships with other staff members that I still cherish to this day. Q: What is the value of our Episcopal
camp system? Randall: I’ve recently read research findings by Jacob Sorenson, PhD, who is a practical theologian and researcher. He has a deep interest in continued p. 8
Greg Randall Joins Diocesan Staff PARRISH - Gregory Randall has been named Director of Youth Ministry and Programming for the Diocese. Randall joined June 1 as part of a planned transition period for the role prior to the retirement of the Rev. John Palarine on December 31, 2017. Randall and Palarine will work together leading the 2017 DaySpring Summer Camp sessions. In the fall, they will support congregations with youth ministry and Diocesan youth programs, as well as developing youth leadership programs. Randall, formerly dean at Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling, Va., holds an undergraduate degree in business communication from the University of South Alabama and a master’s degree in School Administration from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He has over five years’ experience as a parish youth minister and many years in various aspects of youth ministry. He also has worked as a camp counselor and associate director at Camp Beckwith in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Gulf Coast and has served as head counselor at Camp Kanuga in Hendersonville, N.C. A fluent Spanish speaker, Randall taught at The Columbus School, Medellin, Colombia. Randall enjoys the outdoors especially around the water including kayaking, swimming and nature. He plays guitar and loves being around teenagers and helping nurture their faith and leadership. Randall and his wife Catalina have a seven month old son, Charlie. X
bringing scholarly attention to outdoor ministries. Dr. Sorenson writes, “The Christian summer camp experience has positive and lasting impact that extend well beyond the temporary high of a week at camp, affecting family devotional practices, church participation, personal well-being, and faith commitment. These impacts are clear and recognizable in camps that are intentionally Christ-centered, relational, participatory, safe, and different from home.” I am impressed with his mission and research and one can read more on his website vibrantfaith.org. Q: How much should a summer camp be education vs. fun? Randall: Summer Camp should be the most fun educational experience a student has ever had! Q: What is the best way to teach our Episcopal traditions to young campers, many of whom do not know that much about the church? Randall: I think the best way to teach the traditions to young campers is to engage them in the practice surrounded by counselors that they look up to, with interesting Chaplains that provide meaning and understanding, and a mission to go forth and continue the traditions in their congregations and diocese. Q: What is a favorite camp tradition from youth? Randall: I always loved the final camp dance, party, or “Hootenanny” as we say here at DaySpring. It’s such a fun combination of music, dancing, socialization, and watching funny people do funny things! X 8
At DaySpring
A Visit During Eastertide
By Lorraine Thurber, Trinity-by-the-Cove, Naples
PARRISH - On Tuesday, April 25, my husband Cliff and I boarded the bus, which was to take us and nine other Trinitarians to DaySpring, the Episcopal Conference Center on the Manatee River. We were excited as this was our first visit to the conference center and were looking forward to hearing from our Bishop. Arriving at this beautiful and special place, we learned that Bishop Dabney had broken his arm a few days earlier and was waiting to be operated on. Bishop Dabney, although in pain, chose to continue with this teaching event and we who were there were truly blessed by his teaching. He began with this true story. A young child, while gazing at the crucifix on the wall in the parish office asked this question: “Who is the guy on the stick”? Bishop Dabney used this question as a starting point to our quiet day. He led us through a “reality check” as he called it. He used Holy Scripture and the writings of the first century historian Josephus to make the point that this Jesus we worship (the guy on the stick) was a true living man – and the Messiah that the Old Testament foretold. Through the use of The Apostle’s Creed and the writings of Josephus we can believe that He did exist but the important point was that even though He died, and died for our sins, He was resurrected and that fact changes everything.
What was truly wonderful was to hear the Bishop’s story of how he came to ordained ministry. He told of a medical recuperation he had during his early adult years and while recuperating, questioning his purpose in life. During this period of enforced rest he realized the fact of his absolute dependency on God. He came to the truth that “I can’t even sin without God’s assent.” My most important takeaway was his comment that he came to know that “God has a claim on my life – for my life.” Bishop Dabney encouraged us to live into our Baptismal Covenant and to seek to live into the knowledge of the resurrected life. He concluded his talks by sharing another personal anecdote – again about a young child. A child that knew he was called Father Smith. After a Good Friday service and while he was still in clerical vestments this small child said to him “I am sorry about your son”. The contrast between the statements made by the two children point to the fact that we have to make a choice in our life and choose one or the other. So who is Jesus for us? Do we ask, “who is the guy on the stick?” or do we answer God by saying “I am sorry about your Son”. These poignant thoughts keep rolling around my head and I hope I can live into the beautiful statement Bishop Smith made - “Jesus has a claim on my life – for my life”. X
Youth
Katie Arp on DaySpring Summer Camp Q: How did you first get involved with CampDaySpring? A: I had some interest in becoming involved with camp for a number of years before I actually started. I began as an adult sponsor for New Beginnings and then once I graduated from college, I was able to make the time in my schedule to commit to camp. It really just grew from there. When I began, there were only two weeks of camp, now there are six. What a difference. Q: What do you see as the biggest emotional need of our campers? A: Acceptance. I think camp is one of the greatest opportunities in the world for children and youth to come into a place and be immediately accepted for exactly who they are. They may not always realize it right away because nerves can get in the way, but a few hours in, everyone is definitely feeling the love! Camp is so cool because kids get to be their own person, and we get to help them be comfortable with that person. Q: Has there been a change with our campers over the years in terms of their understanding of the Gospel? A: The biggest change I have noticed over the years is the amount of time we spend in the scripture. Looking at it from different angles and discussing it in our Ohana groups rather than being passive participants has led to a deeper understanding of God’s love for all of us. One really cool thing that has really taken shape over the last few years are
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Last fall, Bishop Smith honored Katie for her work with youth at a New Beginnings weekend. She became involved with camp through that middle school program.
our prayer stations. When we provide opportunities for campers to pray and be with God in some nontraditional ways, the knowledge of the presence of God is really apparent. Q: How is serving on vestry different than camp director? A: I’m actually realizing that they’re really quite similar in many ways! I think one of the biggest differences is that while the vestry is working for the same church but on different projects, we only gather together once per month as a whole group, so building that sense of trust and community takes longer. When we’re at camp, the staff spends many days living together and being together and sharing experiences even before the campers
show up. We put in long hours and are faced with unexpected challenges but we have a bond that allows us to help each other with whatever may come up. Q: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at camp? A: Wow. This is probably the most difficult question to answer. I could write a book on all of the funny things that have happened at camp. I guess the first thing that really comes to mind as the first funny memory that really sticks with me is my first year as a counselor when we were doing Camp Olympics. During Camp Olympics, the campers choose counselors to throw spoonfuls of chocolate pudding at. What an experience that was! X
Youth
A Report on Our Youth Ministries By The Rev. Dr. John Palarine Canon for Program & Youth
PARRISH - Young lives matter to God, to us, and to the church. Not only are they precious souls to Christ, but I would go so far as to say that the health and vitality of the Church depends on their presence, leadership and gifts. Now. Youth ministries are growing in our Diocese. We are creating a movement that lifts up the gifts of young people, and empowers them to be all that God calls them to be in their families, schools, communities, and churches. Presented here are some things to know as our youth ministries grow: Strength of Youth Presence: I have put churches into four categories based on a vision and model of ministry, adult leadership, activities and leadership of youth. The categories are: thriving – 12 congregations; building – 18 congregations, struggling – 17 congregations; no identified youth ministry – 30 congregations. We have worked with or consulted with all of the churches in the first three categories totaling 47 churches. The other 30 are small churches most of whom have congregations with the majority over 55 years of age. We hope to reach out to those congregations in the next six months to help them see new possibilities with youth. Congregations in Youth Ministry: Thirty two churches are directly 10
involved in key leadership positions in our diocesan programs with youth. There are several other churches not represented in this number involved on teams for Happening and New Beginnings. The total number of youth and adults involved in Diocesan youth ministry in 2017 is 70. Youth Leadership Team: The YLT is the group of youth and adults from around the Diocese who set the direction and provide leadership for youth activities. In 2017, there were 22 youths and 17 adults representing 25 churches. Of that number, all but four youths and two adults remain active in leadership with this group for the year. This was coordinated by two teens from our congregations. Recommendations for the 2017-18 season are now being taken for youth and adults. We hope to continue to expand representation of congregations on this leadership team. Paid Adult Youth Leaders: Thirteen churches have paid lay youth leaders. Two of these positions are full time. Three other churches are looking to hire someone in the near future. Five parish clergy have major oversight of Youth Ministry in their congregations making the total paid lay, clergy and those looking, 21 positions. Visioning: The Diocese in partnership with my own Youth Presence Ministries group has offered a visioning process that usually goes from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. Twenty nine churches
Youth at our first Camp Open House, held April 3 at DaySpring to encourage camp sign ups, and included lunch and swimming.
in our diocese have participated in the process. We have consulted with many other congregations directly, and have offered youth leader training days. Youth Network: Our network of adult youth leaders is ever growing. We have just established “Hubs” that link churches together in geographical areas. We have seven great Hub Coordinators (HubCos as we call them). This is just beginning to build. Wider Church: We are blessed in this Diocese to have youth and adults involved in the wider church with Province IV (20 dioceses in the South) youth network and on a National (international) level. We are hosting the Province IV Youth Ministries event Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2017 at DaySpring and we have a great team of four youth and four adults from our diocese who are helping design the conference. We have 16 youth and five adults attending the Episcopal Youth Event in Oklahoma City. One young person from our Diocese was chosen for
the design team of this international event. Also, one young person and one adult serve on the National Happening Committee. Camp: In 2015, we moved to a six-week DaySpring Summer Camp program. Not only have we grown in numbers, but in depth. We provide all the fun of summer camp with a strong formational/transformational and community building model. This year we take the next step with a great staff of counselors and high school aged junior counselors and a youth-led camp program called “Living Large, Loving Large” based on John 10:10 “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” We also offer a Leadership Camp for high school and adult youth leaders (youth ministry training) and Mission Camp. The mission week this year focuses on children of migrant workers, homeless services and a food bank. Drawing on the last two verses of the 20th chapter of John we are reminded: Jesus has done many other signs in the presence of the disciples (our youth and adults) which are not written here but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. And that’s all we need to know as each of us continue to grow in the love of Christ. X Note: In my study of youth presence and leadership in our Diocese since 2015, I have not listed the names of churches and other details; you might want to look at where you think your congregation and your youth fit. The full report is available by request. 11
DaySpring Events
Vestry Retreat, Gatherings
Clockwise from top: Sherre Henley, the wife of the Rev. Ed Henley, at the 2017 Clergy Spouse Weekend; West Texas Bishop Gary Lillibridge, lead facilitator at Vestry Retreat 2017; Laraine Lavis and St. Margaret of Scotland Sr. Warden Fran Evans; at bottom Brian McLaren, a lead speaker at Food For the Journey. Behind him is a slide from Camp Able; he volunteered at the camp last year. Above, Tom and Charlene Connelly from St. Paul’s,
DaySpring Events
The Rev. Barbara Price of New York
PARRISH - The Rev. Barbara Price, for eight years a chaplain to the Community of Spouses/Partners of the House of Bishops, visited DaySpring Episcopal Center for the annual Clergy Spouse Association weekend held May 5-7. While she does not discuss her work as chaplain with the House of Bishops, she instead brought her work with Myers-Briggs testing and helped clergy spouses discern how it related to their prayer lives. With the spouses, she took a special look at clergy personality types and saw how they matched or complemented their spouses. The testing, then, becomes a tool to see “who God has formed them to be.” She said that spouses, in particular, have a challenge at parishes, as they are in the role of clergy, but are not trained as clergy, and unlike clergy often develop close friendships with other parishioners. “The spouse needs to also find ways to have friendship needs met,” said Price, who also instructed the spouses in the differences between types of prayer and personal temperament, including Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan and Thomistic prayer. Price is priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lewiston, New York and an associate priest at St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Buffalo. Price is also a member of the Bishop’s staff in the Diocese of Western New York, where she served as the Bishop’s 12
ishes that go beyond hosting A.A. meetings. “Trinity Church in downtown Buffalo started a Thursday evening program in recovery,” said Price. “The attendance in that program got up to 100 and its not anything like a Sunday morning liturgy. But it certainly is a deeply spirit-filled liturgy. About 30 percent of the people attending that service are now part of the church.” Above, The Rev. Barbara Price, right, with Virginia Gleason, wife of The Rev. Ed Gleason of Trinity-by-the-Cove.
Consultant for Congregational Mentoring. Work With Recovery Part of her work in the Diocese of Western New York is within the recovery movement, as she is Director of The Hope Center, a “safe place for recovery” in Amherst, N.Y. that hosts a variety of 12-step groups and events. She is a second career priest; she first was a registered nurse and became a priest in 1997. Her interest in recovery ministry has also led her to chair the Diocesan Recovery Committee. “For me, 12-step spirituality is the healthiest spirituality out there,” said Price, who believes that supporting people in their recovery is an important and historic role for the Episcopal Church. “We don’t develop it as much as we should.” There are many models of par-
Tackling Opiate Scourge Like Southwest Florida, Western New York is suffering from the epidemic of opium-related drugs. “We have had more deaths than there have been days in the year so far,” said Price, who reminded that one in three families are impacted by addiction. “So when you are sitting in a congregation of 100 people, at least 30 people sitting there have some kind of subtsance abuse affecting them or their family,” said Price. However, supporting 12-step theology is also good for everyone, what Price calls “ways to live, for you and I.” Issues like acceptance and the AA prayer of “granting the serenity to accept the things I cannot change” are useful lessons for everyone. “Congregations that have a healthy spiritual culture are going to naturally be abiding by healthy 12step principles without necessarily calling it that.” X - Garland Pollard
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Inside: The Episcopal School Identity, p. 14 The Berkeley Academy in Tampa, p. 16 Episcopal Schools Directory, p. 19 Formation in the Parish, p. 20 School for Deacons at DaySpring, p. 22 Dave Wyly at Seminary, p. 24 Education for Ministry, p. 26 13
Above, morning run at Good Shepherd Episcopal School, Punta Gorda.
Both large and small Episcopal Schools share a common Episcopal identity. By Garland Pollard
The Diocese of Southwest Florida has 13 schools, from the large, comprehensive preparatory schools like Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton to St. Petersburg’s twocampus, K-12 preparatory school Canterbury School of Florida. There are also many smaller schools such as St. Wilfred Preschool in Sarasota and Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Punta Gorda, which serves preschool to 8th grades. While they have vastly different budgets, student populations and institutional structures, what they do
Episcopal Church. But unlike churches, they are quite different, and more analogous to our Episcopal camps and conference centers, which serve a wider audience well beyond the church. Around the nation, about 15 percent of their 400 or so Episcopal school
Episcopal Education in a Secular World have in common is a connection to students are Episcopalians. “Schools the Diocese of Southwest Florida, ei- are different kinds of institutions,” said ther through their parish or directly to Heischman. “They are contractual inthe bishop’s office, and strong sense of stitutions.” Heischman says that Southwest mission in reaching out to the wider Florida has a good concentration of community. “Episcopal schools are at the schools that represent the wide variety forefront of reaching the unaffiliated,” of members of the N.A.E.S. Because said The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, N.A.E.S. is not an accrediting institution, there is no D.D., the Execuspecific criteria for tive Director of the National Associa- Education & Schools what an Episcopal school has to be. tion of Episcopal Schools, based in New York. Schools, The association instead is a gathering Heishman says, are an important, of like-minded educators who in a indeed key, part of the future of The way become intermediaries between 14
Pictured above, Greg Summers with the newly installed sign for Good Shepherd Episcopal School. The prep school’s music department is familiar to recent Diocesan Conventions, where they perform at Morning Prayer.
the Episcopal Church and the secular world, Heishman says. While they share some things in common with private Christian education, Episcopal schools are also very different from Catholic, evangelical or homeschool educational environments, Heischman says. In each diocese, the types of schools and relationships vary; in some places the schools are more parish-based and in others, the schools are more separately incorporated. Being “Episcopal” presents itself in many different ways, from liturgy at chapel to connections with sponsoring parishes or dioceses. What has been successful for all of these schools has been to revisit and reclaim their story, and the school’s sense of itself. The wrong approach has been to somehow worry that that religious approach might “scare some people away” and instead schools embrace the Baptismal Covenant through worship, community life and service.
“Be clear about who you are,” said the Rev. Heischman. “Be who you are.” One of the smallest of our Diocesan schools is St. Wilfred Preschool, which is part the Sarasota parish St. Wilfred. When the Rev. Virginia Herring arrived at the Wilkinson Road parish from North Carolina, she immediately saw the preschool as an opportunity for both church and school. While having an attached preschool is not as common in Southwest Florida because of demographics, it was commonplace in North Carolina, Herring said. She began by engaging the parish and the parents of the preschoolers, most of whom do not attend the church. She contacted the parents, explaining to them the church seasons, and telling them that they would be talking about Advent in chapel. While the parish does not have a large youth contingent, the preschool still had a thriving Christmas pageant. The parish was also reminded that it did have plenty of youth, the preschool, and these families were a great opportunity to reach out. The school also has a list of home-
15
Above, exercises after morning chapel in the schoolyard at Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda. At bottom right, Good Shepherd Head of School Greg Summers inspects some about-to-be-dissected fish.
bound and institutionalized parishioners. The older kids’ classes send them cards and pictures. “These folks love it and send back notes,” said Herring. The parishioners have a Book Buddies program where they match children to parishioners. The school also has a babies program, which stays full with a waiting list. Both the parish and the school are growing. Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Punta Gorda has been growing as well. This year, newly arrived Head of School, Greg Summers, had one of his first goals as restoring the Episcopal identity of Good Shepherd. Good Shepherd, which has a larger preschool program and a smaller K-8 program, saw the need to assert that identity. Summers, a Tallahassee native who served in the Air Force and taught political science at the Air Force academy, had 21 years of teaching ex-
perience, most of it at The Episcopal School of Jacksonville and St. Andrew’s School of Boca Raton. His charge by Good Shepherd Rector Roy Tuff was two things, to get the school accredited, and to reassert the Episcopal identity of the school. “I have a good sense of what that means,” says Summers, who believes it’s not as much about a name, but instead about being open to all kinds of students, and presenting the Gospel to them in a way that relates to each student, and truly aims to work hard at human identity. The formal Episcopal identity came easily. The school had been The Good Shepherd Day School, and they discussed if the school needed to be Good Shepherd School, Good Shepherd Episcopal Day School or some other variation. Good Shepherd Episcopal School won out. X
Launching a New Academy at Berkeley Berkeley Preparatory School’s newest program, The Berkeley Academy, was created to expand the reach of the school. We talk to Head of School Joe Seivold about its progress, and the future of Episcopal education. By Garland Pollard Q: Tell us about The Berkeley Academy. Seivold: The Academy is an outgrowth of an exercise that we did at the board level the first summer I was here. Thinking about Berkeley, and thinking about some of our weaknesses or threats, one of those that was pointed out over and over again in small group board-level discussions was this idea that some segment of the Tampa Bay community may see us as elitist. And so I posed the question as a way to frame this conversation. Look: If somebody were to take Berkeley off the planet, would anybody miss us? And frankly, I wanted the answer five years from then to be a much more resounding yes. And so part of that is developing a signature service program, one that really makes strong impact. You can go pick up trash on the side of the road all day long, and I am not sure anybody’s going to miss us if we weren’t doing it. 16
The Berkeley Academy is sort of our highest ideal around service. So basically it’s a six-week summer program, full-day plus Saturdays once a month, for under-resourced, highly motivated public school students from Town and Country and beyond. One way to conceive of the concept is teachers teaching students, teachers teaching teachers in addition to providing this service for these low income kids to try to curb summer learning loss. Eventually, they’ll be 240 kids in the program. Six grade levels of 40. We’re hoping to keep them on track toward college placement. Our goal is for every child enrolled in The Berkeley Academy to achieve college. It’s all free. They get breakfast, a snack and lunch. We sometimes send them home with food for the weekend. And then they come Saturdays once a month. The Saturday program is run solely by our students. They propose classes that they want to teach these kids so they’ll demonstrate the lesson that they’re going to deliver. They get approved. And so it’s these rising 7th graders from the
public schools joining with our high school kids, 9 to noon on a Saturday.... The other side of this is in addition to serving these kids, we’re frankly growing young teachers. Our core academic teachers in the summer are college students, by and large. They are trained by mentor teachers. These are Berkeley teachers who stay and work through the summer with these young teachers, teaching them how to deliver content, teaching them how to manage behavior, teaching them how to get the kids back on track. We sort of see it as a service to the profession. Q: Are there other prep schools that have done anything like it? Seivold: There are programs like this in other places, at the Blake School in Minneapolis. They call it Learning Works. There’s a whole consortium
‘The other side of this thing is, in addition to serving these kids, we’re frankly growing young teachers. Our core academic teachers in the summer are college students, by and large.’
of schools, and they do something called The Breakthrough Collaborative. I think one of the unique factors for us is that we really are going to stay with these kids through college. A lot of these programs are for middle school kids. Middle school’s a time where kids really are at increased risk. If you show a spark, if you show a love of learning in second, third or fourth grade, you can sustain that even in a tough school environment or a tough home environment, or both. But middle school comes, and with that adolescence comes a possibility for distraction. Q: Can you tell us about the Episcopal identity of Berkeley? Seivold: As you think about Berkley’s Episcopal identity, the Academy is perhaps the most authentic expression of our Episcopal identity; this nod towards service. Again, the Berkeley Academy is just one leg of this. We provide so much service locally, nationally and internationally. We do two family service Saturdays a year where kids and their parents serve together. One of those is feeding children everywhere. We have a trip that goes to the Dominican Republic that serves the village of Bonao, a really impoverished village in the center of the country. We go there and we put together water filters to provide water and bring doctors who do prescription eyeglasses. We taught the kids how to do that. I think our greatest kind of representation of our Episcopal identity, is doing unto others. Q: What percent of your students are Episcopal? Seivold: At the time of enrollment it’s a volunteer question on the 17
some sort of direct connection to the spiritual rumblings in a young person’s soul. And again I don’t mean just the Christians or the Episcopalians having a conversation about where one fits in the larger world, thinking those big questions. This might not occur to a second grader, but by sixth or seventh or eighth grade, I think we can help kids as they start their own spiritual awakening. If they remember application. I would say it’s no greater our chaplain fondly as they move on, than any school like us. For us, the maybe they’re more likely to engage in National Association of Episcopal church experience because it’s not so Schools notion of Episcopal identity foreign to have known a chaplain. is what matters. We believe that EpisQ: What do you look for in a copal affiliation grounds us in the chaplain? formation of character in a spiritual Seivold: We are a big communicontext that allows for us to have con- ty. Pastoral care matters. I want every versations using the Bible or Christian child to feel known and nurtured here. teachings as a way to people’s think- And when you think about whose job ing. As a matter of contemplation that is to make every child feel known we’re certainly not proselytizing or and nurtured, well that’s their teachconverting everybody, and obviously er’s job, and it’s the counselor’s job and you know the very ethos of Episcopal it’s the dean’s job and it’s the division schools is diversity. I don’t feel the need director’s job. to kind of bury or subdue it in the adBut a chaplain can also play a missions process. huge role in that. To be known by Q: There is a discussion that another person, who frankly doesn’t Episcopal schools in some places are have to grade your papers, doesn’t growing faster than the church. have to discipline you in these other Seivold: I have some macro theo- contexts, you can make someone feel ries on the whole thing, not just Epis- nurtured, but after giving them a 68 copal. People turn to on a paper it’s sort organized religion Education & Schools of hard. Your job when things are reis to solely love ally bad. Life has gotten softer than the kids and have kids know that they ever. I think more people are driving are a child of God and loved by God to select soccer tournaments on Sun- whether they acknowledge that or not. days instead of going to church. That sort of assurance, the calm that Q: What do you see as the role of can come because of that I think is sigan Episcopal chaplain? nificant. And so for the chaplain to be Seivold: One of the things I think a great contributor to the pastoral care our chaplain can do here is provide of the flock matters a lot.
‘As you think about Berkley’s Episcopal identity, the Academy is perhaps the most authentic expression of our Episcopal identity, this nod towards service.’
I want the chaplain out in front of Convocations. I want some portion of those Convocations to be chapel talks, homilies. We can give a message. We can take a story from the Bible, a line from the Bible, and we can contemplate that as a group some number of times. I think someone who’s thought provoking, and who’s become a trusted member of our community can leave kids with some things to think about as they walk away. Q: How often is chapel? Seivold: We have convocations which is a division-wide assembly four times a week. Over the course of an entire school year a chaplain speaks to the students 15 or 18 times and delivers some sort of message that is thought provoking and perhaps stimulating of spirituality, or character forming in some way; just kind of grounding these things. Q: That might be more church than a lot of kids actually get. Seivold: The Episcopal chaplain, I think, has to nuance that enough to make sure that the non-Episcopalians in the audience aren’t going to be turned off, or tuned out. It’s got a message of inclusion....Everyone has to hear themselves in that message. I think kids are unbelievably respectful, we will gather there for an all school convocation five or six times a year…kindergarten through 12th grade will be out there. When we introduce the chaplain for the prayer, you’ve got 1,500 people in there, dead silent. And it’s a long enough and a thoughtful enough prayer that it’s hard for the kids not to listen. Everybody’s quiet, heads are bowed; whether they’re praying along with 18
‘Pastoral care matters. I want every child to feel known and nurtured here.’ the chaplain or just standing respectfully, something’s sinking in. And I think in the end what’s sinking in for some kids might just be this sense of peace and calm. And again this notion that, wow, we are cared for. I think that’s what comes across to the entire population. If that’s all we get out of this, then that’s ok. Times have never been easier. Fifty years ago, 16 year olds were not killing time ‘til age 25 ‘til they actually got real jobs, it was like let’s go. Let’s face it. Things have gotten really easy and yet, ironically, kids seem more anxious than ever. There’s a lot of anxiety and angst and nerves, and just a lack of peace, frankly. Which is interesting because it shouldn’t be that way. So we have got to do our part to make sure kids have the confidence that comes with knowing that adults, and God, frankly, cares for you, loves you, exceptionally. Q: It’s almost like you’re managing success or managing prosperity. Seivold: It’s just trying to keep kids confident, right? By the way, let’s be fair. We have about seven hours a day, about 170 days. It’s not the majority of their lives, even during the school year. Parents, families, other institutions like church need to play a role in this. I think a lot of times the anxiety of the parents sloughs off on the kids. And kids innately, even subconsciously, when they are very young, pick up
on parental anxiety. Q: Is there a place here for kids that just, do O.K., that are not driven and successful? Seivold: Absolutely. We have a very broad community academically. So if you think about it, we admit 40 kids in pre-K, nearly all of them stayed with us all the way through; 20 more in kindergarten. So there’s 60. It is hard to test a four-year-old to figure out how much of a genius they are. As kids go through, their talents are kind of uncovered. Our biggest value add is character and community. Q: Is there anything you’re working on that is new? Seivold: I’m really proud of what we just did for our college seniors. We had the baccalaureate dinner Sunday night. We brought them back here yesterday, and we did a whole day on messaging around college, the freshman experience. We talked overtly about sexual assault. No meaning no. Don’t take a red cup if you don’t know what’s in it. We’ve done everything else right, guided them through their college process, we train them for the ACT and SAT. For sending them off, we wanted to do something else. I think complacency is the biggest danger. There’s a complacency that can set in around success that I think is dangerous because people get lazy and they take their eye off the prize. They rely on past applications where we should be thinking more about what is needed today. How can we serve kids as best we can today for their tomorrow? And it may not be how they were served five years ago or certainly 50 years ago. X
Episcopal Schools in the Diocese of Southwest Florida The Diocese offers 13 primary, secondary and preschools across Southwest Florida. Below, a listing of the grades and contact information.
Bradenton
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Grades: Pre-kindergarten-12th grade Head of School: Ms. Janet S. Pullen 315 41st St. W. Bradenton, FL 34209 Phone: (941) 746-2121 Web: saintstephens.org
Clearwater
Ascension Day School Grades: Pre-kindergarten to age 4 Director: Ms. Pam Rilling Chaplain: The Rev. John D. Hiers, Jr 702 Orange Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone:(727) 447-3469 Web: churchofascension.org Saint Paul’s School Grades: Prekindergarten – 8th grade Head of School: Samantha Kemmish Chaplain: The Rev. John D. Hiers, Jr. 1600 St. Paul’s Dr. Clearwater, FL 33764 Phone: (727) 536-2756 Web: clearwatersindependentschool.org
Ft. Myers
Lamb of God Pre-School Grades: Ages 2-5 Director: Ms. Gaye Williams 19691 Cypress View Drive Fort Myers, FL 33912 Phone: (239) 267-3525 Web: lambofgodchurch.net/ministry/ preschool-at-the-lamb/
Punta Gorda
Good Shepherd Episcopal School Grades: infant to pre-kindergarten; kindergarten-8th Head of School: Mr. Greg Summers Chaplain: The Rev. Roy W. Tuff 1800 Shreve St. Punta Gorda, FL 33950 19
(941) 575-2139 (school) (941) 639-5454 (preschool) Web: gsespg.org
Sarasota
St. Boniface Preschool Grades: 18 months to 5 years Director: Ms. Sarah Schebel 5615 Midnight Pass Rd. Sarasota, FL 34242 Phone: (941) 349-5616 Web: bonifacechurch.org/preschool St. Wilfred Pre-School Grades: 18 months to 5 years Head of School: Ms. Lonnie Hershman 3773 Wilkinson Rd. Sarasota, FL 34242 Phone: (941) 923-3088 Web: stwilfredpreschool.com
St. Pete Beach
St. Alban’s Episcopal School Grades: Ages 2-5 years Director: Ms. Beth Gregory 8410 Boca Ciega Drive St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 Phone: (727) 363-1533 Web: stalbanstpetebeach.org
St. Petersburg
Donor and parent Elizabeth Moore cuts the ribbon for the Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Marine Science Center. The new center, opened in 2016, is the focus of the school’s science curriculum.
St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School Grades: Pre-kindergarten-8th Headmaster: Mr. Robert S. Stephens, Jr. Chaplain: The Rev. Charles E. Connelly Ass’t: The Rev. Robert O. Baker Admissions: Ms. Cindy M. Fenlon Primary Division Head: Ana Ibanez Lower Division Head: Ariana Jewell Middle Division Head: Ted Pearre 906 S. Orleans Ave. Tampa, FL 33606 Phone (813) 849-4200 Web: stjohnseagles.org
Canterbury School of Florida Head of School: Mr. Mac H. Hall Lower School: Ms. Nancie M. Hobby Middle School: Ms. Claudine D. Cieutat Upper School: Dr. Margaret Scot Smith Phone: (727) 525-1419 Grades: Prekindergarten to grade 4 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg, FL 33704 Grades: 5th to 12th 990 62nd Ave. NE St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Web: canterburyflorida.org
St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School Grades: Prekindergarten–8th Headmaster: Mr. Scott D. Laird Primary: Ms. Lisa Lockhart Intermediate: Mr. Matt Schifeling Middle School: Mr. Steve Edwards Rector: The Rev. Eric Kahl Admissions: Mrs. Kathleen Lopez 2101 South Hubert Ave. Tampa, FL 33629 Phone: (813) 258-5508 Web: smeds.org
Tampa
Venice
Berkeley Preparatory School Grades: Pre-kindergarten-12th Headmaster: Mr. Joseph W. Seivold Upper Division: Mr. Hugh A.R. Jebson Middle Division: Ms. Cynthia M. Boss Lower Division: Mr. Andrew Hamilton Chaplain: The Rev. Brandon B. Peete 4811 Kelly Rd. Tampa, FL 33615 Phone (813) 885-1673 Web: berkeleyprep.org
St. Mark’s Preschool Grades: Pre-kindergarten to age 5, School age care ages 5-11 Director: Ms. Barbara Levesque Rector: The Rev. James H. Puryear 508 Riviera St. Venice, FL 34285 Phone: (941) 484-8707 Web: stmarkspreschoolvenice.com
Formation: More Than Sunday School Attracting families to church is not so much about what you do, instead it is the way that you approach what you do, writes Jacki Boedecker of Church of the Redeemer. WE’VE HEARD ABOUT the that will only happen if they “sense changing dynamic of families today. we will move heaven and earth for So the question for those of us involved them, and that we are in tune to the in Christian formation and education demands of modern parenting, and of becomes: How do we ignite families to course, we do move heaven and earth partner with us in forming the faith of all the time for pastoral reasons.” “As a the next generation? modern parent, I want this parish and I asked this question specifically the church to be as accommodating of my own clergy at Church of the Re- and respectful of people’s time in our deemer, who I work with each week to modern and post-church world as we devise ways to encourage young fami- can be,” says Wood. “The question is – lies in our church. They both have a how do we get them to know it?” working wife and young children who The Rev. Charleston Wilson beaccompanied lieves that the central them to semi- Education & Schools message was to not nary. overthink things. “I The Rev. Chris Wood, who leads think a key to getting people coming to our Episcopal Youth Community, church more often begins with demcomes to youth ministry from the onstrating how easy it is for them and view of being a father. His view is to for their children to enter our outpost encourage other parents to feel “en- of God’s community of love,” said Wilticed” to be there every Sunday, and son. “Show how we truly long to have 20
them, together with all of us, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ together each week. Love engenders love.” As a church, we must partner with families to pass on the faith, combining our collective efforts to create the next generation of disciples. But how? 1. Make Room for All: Invite all parents and children to live into the astonishing mystery of the Incarnation. An example is our Good Friday Stations of the Cross walk on Main Street. What began as a small men’s group event grew into a family event, and then a community event of hundreds as we encouraged families to come, and invited children from the community, and not just our parish, to read to the gathered hundreds. 2. Ask the Hard Question: Do we really welcome families with children? Are we intentional in designing
parish events and liturgies that include entire parish family? Two examples. Our outdoor movie on the lawn invites the entire parish for supper and dessert. During our annual meeting, we offer “Pancakes and Pajamas.” 3. Don’t Reinvent: Look at what you already do as a parish. Partner with parents, and find a way to gently revise those things so that you may truly welcome parents and children into living amidst the already present mystery of the faith. For example, our Advent Lessons and Carols had become adults only. The complexion intentionally changed when youth (grades 6-12) were invited to read all the readings, partnered with a member of the clergy, and the children (K5th) were invited to “build” an Advent Wreath between readings. It became a family parish event and new tradition. 4. Not on Sunday: Partner with parents to empower them to take “church” home and live out faith “between Sundays” with events. Our Day 4 Hope assisting kids going back to school is a full day on Saturday, when parents and children work together to serve the community. For Advent during coffee hour, we encourage families to make a wreath together to take home, along with a Christ Candle from recycled church wax. Our Little Chefs, Big Hearts was a Lenten evening program where primary school aged children prepped and delivered food for Salvation Army each Wednesday night during Lent. 5. Include Parents: We partner with parents in the major faith formation milestones, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and mission trips. First Communion 21
classes, for instance, are attended by children and their parents each week during Lent. Children and parents learn together, and conversation can continue at home with a Home Communion set – part of our Instructed Eucharist class – K and their parents. The grand part of the class – parents get to take the liturgical vessels home and “play church.” X
Key church events across the Diocese involve youth from the start. Here, the Cathedral Church of St. Peter stages Benjamin Britten’s opera Noye’s Fludde with the St. Petersburg Festival Chorus. Facing page, Stations of the Cross in downtown Sarasota. The event started as a small men’s group walk down Main Street. As it grew, organizers encouraged youth inside and outside the church to participate. Today, it is a civic event, attracting neighboring downtown missions and churches, including the Salvation Army.
New Chaplain in the Diocese TAMPA - Berkeley Preparatory School has hired the Rev. Brandon Peete to assume the duties of the Berkeley Chaplain, beginning July 2017. The Rev. Peete will be leaving St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, where he has served as Associate Rector since 2013, and also as Director of Spiritual Life at their parish day school since 2016. Brandon earned a B.S. in financial investment management from the University of Alabama in 2002, and a Master of Divinity from Emory University in Anglican Studies, Formation and Witness in 2010. Starting in 2005, he embarked on an independent school teaching career that took him to Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he taught high school philosophy and religion classes and coached basketball, baseball and softball. Brandon has also served in various capacities as spiritual advisor, director of youth ministries, teacher, mentor and coach at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge Island, Washington, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas, and Christ Episcopal in Tyler, Texas. He will be joined in Tampa by his wife Hillary and their young children Felix and Beatrix. X
Educating Future Deacons at DaySpring
Two Saturdays a month, DaySpring is home to the School for Ministry, reports The Ven. Kathleen Moore, Archdeacon. THE SCHOOL FOR Ministry, der that the ordained person may located at DaySpring Episcopal serve as an “ordained messenger of Conference Center, is the primary the faith” outside the walls of the resource in the Diocese of South- congregation and raise awareness of west Florida for equipping and these needs to the parish as a whole. serving individuals who have dis- Deacons must learn to be in the cerned a call to the vocational Di- church and in the world as servants, aconate. The school holds classes and to energize and inspire servanon Saturdays at DaySpring; in- thood in others – helping the Laity structors come from within the to discover places where they can Diocese. connect with God in Christ beyond The word “deacon” is derived worship services in the church. Deafrom the Greek meaning “servant” cons, together with Laity and other or “envoy.” The unique role of a Dea- clergy, are not expected to do the con among the ordained is to repre- work alone but rather to lead, guide, sent Jesus Christ and His redemp- encourage, inform, equip, and raise tive love in the world – specifically the awareness of all people. by interpreting the needs, concerns, As an individual begins to exand hopes of plore a sense of call the world out- Education & Schools to diaconal minside the doors istry, the discernof the church. The role of a Deacon ment journey begins in the home requires very special gifts as well as parish and moves through a series a serious formation process in or- of deliberate steps to the larger com22
munity of the Diocese. Postulancy may be granted at the conclusion of the discernment process by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry, the Bishop’s Advisory Panel, and others. If made a Postulant by the Bishop, the individual may enroll in the School for Ministry to begin the formal training that will lead to ordination as a Deacon. The curriculum follows the Canons of the Episcopal Church, which state that Deacons must be prepared in, and demonstrate basic competence in, five general areas. These include academic studies (Holy Scripture, Theology, and the tradition of the Church); diakonia and the diaconate; human awareness and understanding and spiritual development and discipline, along with practical training and experience.
Deacons must be academically trained in Holy Scriptures and be able to integrate scripture into their ministry and the liturgy – which may include preaching. They must be conversant in Christian ethics and societal/cultural issues. Deacons must also possess theological understandings of – and the ability to discuss – the Paschal Mystery, the Incarnation, Baptismal servanthood, and the Eucharistic community. They must also complete Clinical Pastoral Training and three semesters of Field Education. Formal studies are supplemented by regular Theological Reflection, Retreats, and Quiet Days that help to integrate a deeper sense of vocation and ministry. The year is divided into three terms: Epiphany (January-April); Summer (May-August); and Michaelmas (September-December). Summer is generally designated for Field Education and Clinical Pastoral Training. A student who successfully completes the first two years in the School will be ordained in December of the second year. The Canons require two additional years of post-ordination training: Years III & IV focus on specific, applied topics such as grief counseling or family systems. In Year IV the new Deacon works individually with a designated mentor. The School for Ministry may also provide instruction and workshops for lay persons desiring to earn a specific license to become a Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Preacher or Worship Leader. X 23
School for Ministry Instructors • The Rev. Gary Cartwright serves as a Deacon at Holy Innocents’, Valrico Years I & II Students and occasionally at Church of the William Gilmore Redeemer, Sarasota. Gary is Co-chair Martha Goodwill and treasurer of Episcopalians for Global Elisa Hansen Reconciliation, a group advocating for the Mercedes Marshall UN’s Millennium Development Goals Scott Nonken and the reduction of Global Poverty. He is Years III & IV a retired IBM employee of 34 years. The Rev. Deborah Brown • The Rev. Canon Michael Durning The Rev. Rosalind Hall serves as Canon to the Ordinary. He holds The Rev. Bob Kinney an M. Div. from the General Theological The Rev. Pam Milhan Seminary. Among other duties, he advises The Rev. Kathleen Moore the Bishop regarding the Canons of the The Rev. Cynthia Roehl Church and the Prayer Book. • The Rev. Lisa Hamilton is pursuing a D.Min. with a project entitled “Preaching to build trust in a new congregation.” • The Rev. Joe Hudson has a graduate degree from Denver Seminary with extensive experience as a hospice chaplain. He is currently in the ordination process for the Priesthood. • The Rev. Frederick Mann is a 1972 graduate of the University of Florida, with a BA in Psychology and Mathematics; a veteran of the United States Navy submarine corps; and has a M.Div. from Nashotah House. • The Rev. Allan Rogers serves as a deacon at St Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key. He has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and advanced work in Counseling Psychology. He has specialized in Addictions and Family Therapy for most of his career. • The Rev. Melissa Sands serves as a deacon at Calvary Episcopal Church on Indian Rocks Beach. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She serves at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. • The Rev. Everett “Ev” Walk recently retired as rector of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Sarasota. He has an M. Div. from the Virginia Theological Seminary. • Anne Walker has experience as a mediator, trainer, and church consultant in conflict mediation and healthy church concepts since 1998. She was a Fresh Start trainer and facilitator for the Diocese from 2011 to 2015. X
Dave Wyly at Virginia Theological Seminary An update letter from our seminarian in Washington, D.C. ALEXANDRIA - I thought, before
I got here, it would be like going back to school for another master’s degree. That was true. However, it is so much more than that. The academics are just as challenging as I had expected. This year, I completed coursework in a biblical language (Koine Greek), scripture, church history, musicianship, liturgy, practical theology, and chaplaincy, just to name a few. In addition to the academic coursework, there is a formation component to seminary, which includes weekly small group worship and conversation, chapel planning teams, and corporate worship. Last year Virginia Theological Seminary began requiring all students to live on campus. Which means there are about 200 seminary families (fulltime faculty are required to live on campus as well) living on the 80-acre Above, Dave Wyly at Washington National Cathedral with his daughters Reagan and campus. This means on every issue Samantha. This year, Wyly served communion there on Christmas and Easter. in my class. Of places even more demands on my that arises on campeople, time. Getting kids to and from school, pus, there are at least Education & Schools those there are several cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, 100 differing opinions. While this makes living in com- that I have developed, what I hope are, all continue in seminary. There are munity challenging at times, it is also lifelong friendships. These are friends also always chapters to read, papers to incredibly rewarding in the bonds of that I can count on to talk to, to vent write, and worship services to plan and frustrations with, and to rejoice in suc- attend, which doesn’t leave a whole lot friendship that are formed. of time for exercise or other activities. One of the true blessings of liv- cesses with. The biggest adjustment to life is I think seminary life is as much about ing in community at the seminary has been the opportunity to form relation- learning how to manage time. The learning balance as it is about learning ships with many people. I can honestly demands of time are relentless and un- scripture. It is as much about learning say I am friends with all the people yielding. Being a husband and father healthy boundaries as it is about learn24
Ordinations Evans, Hudson, Hymes, McDonald Ordinations
The Rev. Vickie McDonald, at center, at graduation at New York’s General Theological Seminary. She will be ordained June 18.
ing history. It is about learning how to care for oneself, spiritually, emotionally, and physically while caring for the needs of others. We have a gorgeous Chapel here on campus. The Immanuel Chapel (2015) was constructed after the 1881 Immanuel Chapel was destroyed by a fire in 2010. Immanuel Chapel serves as the primary worship space for the seminary with three regularly scheduled worship services daily. This volume of services requires a dedicated group of people to maintain the space and prepare it for worship. Here at VTS, those dedicated individuals are the Sacristans. I am very proud to report at the beginning of my second semester, I was chosen as one of five Sacristans. I will complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Experience this summer. CPE is an educational experience which seeks to teach clergy, and others, the art of how to provide pastoral care. CPE is a primary method of training hospital and hospice chaplains and spiritual care providers. I will be commuting to Baltimore to complete this unit at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. While I am not looking forward 25
to the commute, which will likely be about 3 1/2 hours because of Baltimore and D.C. traffic, I am however very much looking forward to the experience. Nadine found a job working in the operating room of a hospital not far from campus, INOVA Fairfax. She works with mostly orthopedics, podiatry, and sports medicine physicians, and loves every minute of it. Ethan and James will be finishing their school year next week and Nadine’s parents will be bringing them to Virginia to spend the summer with us. Ethan just had his 13th birthday and is playing alto saxophone in the middle school band. James is 11 now, and is having fun being 11. Samantha and Reagan will not finish their school year until the end of June, but they are both doing very well in school. Reagan wanted to play baseball this year so she is playing coach pitch/tee ball this year and loves it (she is the only girl on the team). Jackson and Jillian have been going to the Butterfly House (the oncampus daycare) and have been loving it. Jillian talks more than Jack but both have blossomed. Please know that all of you remain in our prayers and we miss all of you very much! X
The Diocese has four upcoming ordinations for 2017. June 18: Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests for the Rev. Vickie McDonald at St. David, Englewood at 6 p.m. She finished seminary at General Theological Seminary this spring. While there, The Rev. McDonald attended Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, N.J. June 24: Ordination of Joe Hudson to the Sacred Order of Deacons at St. Mark, Venice. Joe Hudson grew up in Colorado before joining the Marine Corps, stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Okinawa, Japan. Hudson had been ordained in the Wesleyan Church. June 28: Ordination of the Rev. Jonathan Evans to the Sacred Order of Priests on Wednesday, June 28 at St. Boniface, Sarasota. Evans holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Georgia, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University and a M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He began his ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2008, having served six years as a pastor. Sept. 17: Ordination of Adrienne Hymes to the Sacred Order of Deacons at Church of the Ascension, Clearwater. Hymes, a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, is missioner for church extension at the Diocese. Hymes came to Florida in 2014 to complete her clinical chaplain residency at Morton Plant Hospital. X
Education for Ministry Begins 2017 Season
A recent EFM training group meeting at DaySpring.
If you would like to be a participant in EfM, please contact these group mentors:
Education & Schools
Naples: Betsy Smith, at St. Monica, Naples Tuesdays from 6:30-9 p.m., betsy71smith@icloud.com, (239) 591-4550 Punta Gorda: Jane Kelly, at Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda janeyk@centurylink.net, (941) 625-5106 Venice: Gary Parker, at St. Mark’s, Venice Mondays from 5:30-8:30 p.m., gary.parker321@att.net, (941) 412-6220 Sarasota, Siesta Key: Sandy Wilbur, at St. Boniface, Siesta Key Fridays 10:15-12:45, sandywilbur76@gmail.com, (941) 366-7003 Pinellas County: Shari Layne, at St. Giles, Pinellas Park, Mondays, 6-8:30 p.m., slayne1261@hotmail.com, (941) 556-0315 Tampa, St. John: Oliver Roberts, at St. John’s, Tampa, Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m.. oliver.w.roberts.dmd@gmail.com, (727) 798-2224 For those who do not have a group nearby, online groups are also accepting registrations. For more information, see efm.sewanee.edu X
26
NEW EDUCATION FOR Ministry groups will begin meeting across the Diocese in September. 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. Along with reading and discussion, theological reflection takes place, and for most, this becomes the most important part of the session each week. The seminar group is the nucleus of the EfM program. A group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God’s kingdom. Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them. Through discussion and guided reflection, the seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen understanding of the reading materials. EfM began in our diocese in 1987. We are a sponsoring diocese, which means that our students receive a $100 discount on tuition. (Tuition is $375 per year and includes books.) This program continues to be a source of education, theology, and individual development. Some graduates have continued into ordination, but many more find their ministry developed for service within their churches and communities. X - Martha Goodiwll
Minis
Events
Key events for 2017 are below. Visit episcopalswfl.org for details, times and other events. All subject to change; consult episcopalswfl.org for details.
Diocesan Events June 18 June 24 June 28 Sept. 5, 6, 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept.17 Sept. 18-19 Oct. 13-14
Ordination to Priesthood, The Rev. Vickie McDonald St. David’s Episcopal Church, Englewood Ordination to Diaconate, The Rev. Joe Hudson St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Venice Ordination to Priesthood, The Rev. Jonathan Evans St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Sarasota Fall Deanery Convocations Baseball with the Bishop, Tropicana Field Acolyte Festival, Cathedral Ordination to Diaconate, The Rev. Adrienne Hymes Church of the Ascension, Clearwater Fall Clergy Retreat Diocesan Convention, Charlotte Conference Center
DaySpring Monthly Eucharist & Lunch First Wednesday services at 11 a.m., lunch for $10 follows Sept. 6 Oct. 4 Nov. 1 Dec. 6
The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld, Holmes Beach The Rev. Wayne Farrell, St. Boniface, Sarasota The Rev. Marcia Tremmel, St. Wilfred, Sarasota The Rev. Canon Katie Churchwell, Cathedral
Special Weekends June 17 July 28,29 Oct. 5-8 Oct. 28 Nov. 16
Cursillo, Back to the Mountain Fresh Start Presbyters’ Weekend Cursillo #137 Daughters of King Fall Assembly Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting
Specialized Parish Training Aug. 26 Oct. 24
Stewardship Workshop Benefits & Budget Workshop
Youth & Camps June 11-16 June 18-23 June 25-30 July 10-14 July 16-21 July 23-28 Sept 16 Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Nov. 3-5
Session 2, Middle School Camp Session 3, High School Camp Session 4, Leadership Camp Episcopal Youth Event, Oklahoma Session 5, Elementary Camp Session 6, Mission Camp Acolyte Festival, Cathedral New Beginnings #62 (Middle School) Happening #75 (High School)
Diocese of Southwest Florida, 8005 25th St. East, Parrish, FL 34219 Diocesan House: 941-556-0315 DaySpring Reservations and Front Desk: 941-776-1018 27
Briefly
Glass Cross at DaySpring
PARRISH A new glass-filled cross, designed and built by former DaySpring Executive Director Mike Rivera, is now installed across the Curry Hall pond at DaySpring Episcopal Center. The cross, which was placed across the lake at the encouragement of Bishop Dabney Smith, is made from the same glass used in the outdoor chapel at DaySpring. Rivera, DaySpring Director from 1982-89, built the Outdoor Chapel from leftover glass from the windows of St. Thomas Chapel. Historic St. Thomas Chapel is the former original Church of the Holy Spirit in Safety Harbor. X
Annual Journal Includes Spanish Canons
PARRISH - The Diocese of Southwest Florida has published the 2016 Journal of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, a compendium of the life of the diocese. For the first time, the 2016 edition includes the Spanish language Constitution and Canons of the Diocese. The book, which includes convention addresses from the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith and Canon Anne M. Vickers as well as contact information, is published each year in the Diocese. Find a link to the Journal on our Publications pages under the “About Us” tab of episcopalswfl.org X
Clcckwise from top: Palms along the upper Manatee River; riding the wind and current under the power lines of a developing Parrish; nearby Florida Power & Light has added a large solar array to their Parrish plant. Below, the $32 million Fort Hamer Bridge Project that extends 2,300 feet over the Manatee River will connect Fort Hamer Road to Upper Manatee River road starting in August 2017. At left, arriving at the thatched chickee hut dock of DaySpring.
Here, the ECW Labyrinth, situated between St. Thomas Chapel and the Canopy Walk. 28
Take Me to the Manatee River
By Anne M. Vickers
I’VE BEEN WORKING on the Manatee River for seven years now, on the Bishop’s staff of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, headquartered at DaySpring Episcopal Center. My two children have attended DaySpring Summer Camp for each of those seven summers, enjoying canoe activities on the Manatee River. But through all that time, I have not explored this hidden treasure. I set out with my husband Jay, daughter Katie, and son Jacob, to explore DaySpring’s surroundings by river. To see it, we charted a one-way, nine-mile voyage down the river from a launch point upstream at Ray’s Canoe Hideaway, to DaySpring. Most people who know DaySpring have never driven up Route 301, beyond our entrance, to the rural, unincorporated community of Parrish, originally established in 1879. To get to the other side of the river, you need to go through Parrish, and then along Rye Road, named for early pioneer settler Erasmus Rye, whose riverside village has long disappeared. The 36-mile Manatee River, flows through a dam at the Lake Manatee Reservoir, just 12 miles east of DaySpring. The lake serves as Manatee County’s primary water supply, and is home to Lake Manatee State Park. From there, the river flows through both pristine and developing land - continuing past DaySpring, under Interstate 75, through downtown Bradenton to Tampa Bay and finally the Gulf of Mexico. Upstream, where we begin at Ray’s, the Manatee River is wider than I expect, and clean. The banks of the river are lined with oaks, Spanish moss and palm trees. I especially appreciate the newest aerial roots of the mangroves just touching the water. Wildlife here can include alligators, but mostly we see herons, turkey vultures, and yellow-bellied sliders (turtles) resting on logs. The dam has not been opened in many months due to low rainfall, so the river is brackish with tidal flows. Our trip is a leisurely paddle, and we practically surf the waves with 17 knot winds and a tide blowing with us westward through the twisting paths of the 29
Above, a stop at the the new Manatee County Rowing Training Facility at Fort Hamer Park, used in coordination with Nathan Benderson Park for team training. This explains why we see the graceful and powerful sculling vessels cross by the DaySpring cove early in the foggy morning. Several rowing teams now utilize DaySpring during their winter training trips as their home base, using the unique facilities to eat, sleep and relax around the fire pit and heated pool.
river sections. It would be painful or impossible to travel in the opposite direction that day. I have heard about the need for DaySpring’s “chase boat” utilized during summer camp canoeing activities, and now I see why. It’s not often that you can kayak right through the construction of a brand new bridge! We paddle past the busy drilling of the final stretch of the $32 million Fort Hamer Bridge, set to open in late summer 2017. The new roadway will certainly increase the awareness of the pristine nature of this beautiful area, as well as provide a speedy connection to
Bradenton and Sarasota. At the base of this new bridge sits another exciting addition – the new $825,000 Manatee County Rowing Training Facility at Fort Hamer Park. Over the last five years, the Manatee/ Sarasota region has invested heavily to become a center for the rowing community, with the milestone of hosting the World Rowing Championships in September at the competitive facility at Nathan Benderson Park just along I-75. In preparation, rowing teams from across the country schedule week-long winter training camps at both Benderson Park and this new Fort Hamer facility. As we make our way towards the familiar Dayspring cove, noting the recognizable thatched-roof hut on the dock, the kids reminisce about zany summer camp canoe games. I recall thoughts from the contemplative stroll I took along DaySpring’s shady Point Trail during the Bishop’s Quiet Day, or my usual custom of an early morning “photography walk” out to the river before 250 diocesan Vestry Retreat guests arrive each May. This is yet another view, from the river, of my diocesan home - truly a sacred place in the heart of our ever-changing community. X 30
Nearby Manatee River Attractions DaySpring’s home, the Manatee River, is lined with historic and natural resources, in addition to the historic cities of Palmetto and Bradenton near its mouth: Lake Manatee State Park: This state park, which features camping and nature trails, sits along Lake Manatee, accessible off Route 64 and the south side of the river. Rye Preserve & Nature Center: This 145-acre county park encompasses the old village of Rye. It is upstream from Ray’s Canoe Hideaway. The property encompasses trails, the gravesite of the Rye family, campsites, canoe launch and the Rye Preserve Nature Center, which opened in 2016. Fort Hamer Park: This Manatee County Park was once a site important in the Seminole Wars. Archaeologists have found Cuban-made firearms that the Seminoles used during the war. Ellenton: This village is home to both the Gamble Plantation, which dates from the Civil War, and Feld Entertainment, which until this spring housed the Ringling Brothers Circus at its mammoth riverside studio complex, and now is the home of Disney on Ice. Gamble Plantation, a Florida State Park, is believed to be the place where Confederate Judah P. Benjamin escaped . Emerson Point Preserve: This 356-acre park at the mouth of the Manatee in Palmetto includes the Portavant Temple Mound, used by natives for both observation and worship. X
Pentecost
Take on the Holy Spirit
Getting beyond fire can take us to a more daring place, writes The Rev. Virginia Herring. That gift is a spirit of truth that the world cannot know.
THIS SEASON OUR eyes and ears are drawn inexorably to that odd picture of the birth of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. This season, we inhabit the Pentecost story from the Book of Acts. The disciples had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of Pentecost, an ancient agricultural festival which by the first century also celebrated the giving of the law to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Jesus’ friends travelled to Jerusalem for the feast. We read that as they sat visiting in someone’s living room “suddenly there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and rested on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages.” Can you imagine such a scene? One of the marvels of the internet age is the search engine Google. I like to go to Google, type in the name of a biblical story – like the Day of Pentecost – and then, when the results come up, click on “images.” Instantly I am given a tour of fabulous museums around the world, and I can see right in front of me a selection of great art from across the ages. As I scrolled through Google’s offerings, I saw that the Pentecost paintings all have one thing in common – tongues of fire. 31
Here, the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples in a window at The Rev. Herring’s parish, St. Wilfred, Sarasota. Notice the seven flames coming out of heads.
Artists imagined this phenomenon in many ways, but most of them are a variation of a single flame, resting in the center of each person’s head. My favorite painting is an Italian piece from the early Renaissance. The disciples are pictured in a beautiful room, sitting in
circle with heads bowed. Atop every head, sits a lovely red and gold flame. I’m not trying to disparage art or artists, but really, it looks pretty silly! In fact most of the Pentecost pictures look silly, because they show the disciples as immobile, sitting, kneeling, or
standing, with fire blazing away above them. My imagination simply will not go there. Try it. You’re visiting friends, perhaps over an evening meal. Outside festival crowds are celebrating in the streets. Suddenly a huge wind blows, INSIDE the house. Now, what would you do? I would head for the nearest door. I would at least jump up, grab the person next to me and say “Let’s get out of here!” And then suppose flames suddenly appear in the air? What does everyone do then? You sure don’t stand still! The first thing coming to my mind is what I was taught as a child – stop, drop and roll! So I envision a picture of pandemonium, with people running, bumping into each other, hollering, rolling about on the floor - chaos. The writer of Acts hints at such a scene. We assume the disciples must have rushed out of the house, because they are suddenly in front of a large crowd. There we find the strange wind and fire has brought a peculiar linguistic anomaly. The disciples begin speaking, not in strange tongues requiring interpretation, but simply in other languages, for the crowd is full of people from many lands. The people are amazed and astonished at it all. They watch for awhile, and finally decide Jesus’ friends are drunk. I figure they must have looked FindSoFr. Cooter Online pretty funny, and not at all dignified Theand Rev.pious. Cooter is Canon I can only for assume that Ministry Development in the across the centuries, artists have been Diocese, which influenced byincludestransitions the institution of the and ordinations. His work appears church. No institution likes chaos. Inon the Christian ministry resource stitutions do not DO “silly.” Their very website ministrymatters.com and he nature is order and control. blogs at ericcooter.com So two thousand years later we 32
come to the Pentecost season decently and in order. What has happened? Have we, through sheer force of centuries of human will, managed to domesticate the divine Holy Spirit? I don’t think so. God is God. The Spirit blows where and when it will. What we have done is learn to control our responses. Those first disciples were like children who have been waiting all day for a longpromised visit from Grandma and Grandpa. Finally, the car pulls in the driveway and the kids go wild. They race for the door, knocking each other down, shrieking, “They’re here! They’re here!” We, of course, are the adults in the family. We rise and go to greet our guests, with happy faces and warm hugs, but definitely NOT with pandemonium. What would happen to the Church, and indeed to the world, if we embraced the gifts of the Spirit as freely as did those first disciples? What if we left here today punch-drunk, silly because we are filled with the love of God? St. Paul reminds us that we are God’s children filled with that Spirit. Jesus said, “Believe, and God’s Spirit will be with you.” That Spirit, said Jesus, is truth - not the truths of the world, but the truth of God, which is Jesus Christ himself. I suggest to you that the energy which was manifest in flames that first Pentecost is the creative energy of the God’s love. If that Spirit is also ours, then surely this season is an annual opportunity to imagine new ways of living with that flame. Pentecost invites us to dream. What would happen if we dared to do something different,
something outside the norm? What if we allowed joy to move us to dance? What if we allowed a sudden compassionate impulse to carry us across the street to that homeless man, to give him a meal? What if we established a class and we all studied Spanish together, so we could communicate with some of our nearest neighbors? How silly is that? Theologian Verna Dozier reminded us that God has a dream – a dream of peace and beauty, where the lion and lamb live together, where all are fed at one great banquet, where children play and grownups dare to join them. Each one of us carries inside ourselves a piece of God’s dream. My piece, your piece, each is unique. No one has one like it. The ultimate fulfillment of God’s dream then, rests with each of us, because the dream will not be complete until we have each offered our part. Pentecost is a season filled with God’s free-flowing creative energetic Spirit. Thus today is a day to dream, for yourself, for St. Wilfred Church, for the world at large. Maybe justice IS possible. Maybe you can be actually freed from that which binds you. The world is caught up in struggles over values, power, and money. We are even managing to fight over which bathrooms we can use! But we are different. We are the Church. We are God’s special, blessed children. We are filled with God’s Holy Spirit. We each have access to the gifts of that Spirit, which Paul set forth in his letter to the Galatians. Those gifts, you remember, are ten in number. They are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,
and patience. These gifts are the Spirit of Truth that the world cannot know. These gifts cannot be manufactured or farmed, or created in a test tube. These gifts come only from God. If the world is to experience them, it will have to be through people like you and me. The church and the world today does not need new laws, new theology, or new structures. What is needed is enthusiasm, inspiration, courage and spiritual strength. My friends, never doubt the power of God’s Spirit. God can and will turn this world upside down. God needs our hands, our feet, our ears, eyes and lips to bend toward that task. To help us in this mission, I invite you to an exercise in spiritual imagination. Imagine that you have received a flame this day, a bit of God’s energy, not fluttering above our heads, but lodged deep inside our hearts.Imagine that your flame contains all the gifts of the Spirit, but that one gift is larger than the rest. During this long season, which stretches all the way from here until the Sunday before Advent I, make this gift the focus of your daily life and prayers. Stick it on your bathroom mirror, put it on a Post-it on your steering wheel. Be creative. Which gift will it be? Maybe it will be a gift that feels strange, stiff and unused. In that case your job will be to learn to accept it, love it, and use it. Maybe your gift is something you already feel is a personal strength. In that case your job will be to figure out how to share it more openly, how to give it away. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life during the Pentecost season this year and who knows what may happen next! X 33
Music
Choral Tradition
St. Alfred’s Kevin Johnson mixes favorites and new tunes to keep a small choir strong.
PALM HARBOR – One of the larger choirs for a medium sized church in the diocese is St. Alfred’s, led by organist/choirmaster Kevin Johnson since 2000. Johnson was first full-time musician in the history of the church. The all-volunteer choir numbers from 20 to 30, with a season that runs from September to June. “I think the parish really appreciates and supports the choir,” said Johnson, who came into his first Episcopal Church organist/choirmaster position just as the 1940 Hymnal was being replaced. Johnson arrived at St. Alfred’s after 17 years at St. John’s in Clearwater. As a youth he attended the Free Methodist church, and learned to play the piano, beginning the organ in high school. “They had a great tradition of singing,” said Johnson. While he was in college at Northwestern, a friend invited him to attend a weekday Eucharist at the Episcopal seminary Seabury Western. Following the service, there was a dinner for everyone who attended. He says that one thing that helps the congregation’s singing is to allow the parish their favorites. “We have such a great treasure of resources in our Prayer Book and Hymnal,” said Johnson. At St. Alfred, among many greatest hymn hits is “Lift High the
Cross”. Among his personal favorites is #51, “We the Lord’s People” sung to the Richard Dirksen tune Decatur Place. While Johnson sometimes finds arrangements from the prior Hymnal, he is not opposed to the new. There is nothing wrong with new songs, only that they are considered carefully. “You have to be careful with unfamiliar things,” said Johnson. “They need to be introduced.” The parish was initially singing psalms to the Simplified Anglican Chant, but switched to the Hymntune Psalter, which draws on familiar hymns to encourage corporate singing. Last summer, the parish organized a hymn sing. It was not just a choral performance or joint singing exercise, but a learning experience for choir and parishioner alike. To begin, Johnson published a request in the bulletin for parishioners to request their favorites. The church obliged with dozens of requests. “We had to do it in two sessions,” said Johnson. “I couidn’t pack it into one.” X
History
St. Paul’s Makes 50
This year, St. Paul’s celebrates 50 years in Naples. Below, a timeline of events of the parish, once a mission of Trinity-by-the-Cove. NAPLES – The year 2017 marks the 50th year of St. Paul’s. The parish is in the middle of a 14-month celebration that aims to bring 50 new members, 50 new ministries and 50 new gifts. Below, a timeline of how the parish got to half a century: 1967: Begins as a mission of Trinity-by-the-Cove, led by the Rev. Karl Bell, assistant priest at Trinity. At first, they meet in the Chulmsky Building at the strip mall at the corner of Davis Boulevard and U.S. 41. 1968: Trinity-by-the-Cove donates the site of the present location on Davis Boulevard and finances the first sanctuary, which is now called Trinity Hall. 1970: St. Paul’s is accepted as a full “self-supporting” parish of the new Diocese of Southwest Florida at Annual Convention. 1971: The Rev. Larry Smellie named rector of St. Paul’s, after serving as vicar of St. Alban’s Mission Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. During his tenure from 1971 to 2000, the number of communicants grows from 66 to over 400. 1977: Serson Hall is built to provide office space and classrooms needed due to growth. The Rev. Charles McDonald Serson, a retired priest from the Anglican Church of Canada, serves as an 34
Bishop Dabney Smith, Fr. Bill Faupel and Dcn. Mary Abrams stand with parishioners who are wearing their 50 Jubilee! tee shirts.
assistant priest for several years. 1990: Current St. Paul’s sanctuary built and Trinity becomes the parish hall. The mortgage is paid off and burned in 2000 at Fr. Smellie’s retirement party. 1990s: The Rev. John Lindell serves as assistant priest and under his leadership St. Mathew’s House is established. 1999: St. Paul’s helps support the Church of the Resurrection, a startup mission established by the Diocese in East Naples located in Lely Elementary School and later in St. Andrew’s Mall on U.S. 41. 2000: The Rev. Tom Damroshch serves as rector until 2006. 2005: The Rev. Tara McGraw is ordained priest; becomes assistant rector at St. Paul’s and vicar
of CORE. That year, Hurricane Wilma destroys the strip mall and the CORE worship space, CORE is invited to move to St. Paul’s and worship in Trinity Hall. 2007: The Rev. Tara McGraw named priest in charge; that year the farmer’s market is established. 2008: Church of the Resurrection combines with St. Paul’s. 2009: The Rev. Tara McGraw appointed rector of St. Paul’s. Assistants have included The Rev. Ryan Wright, The Rev. Dwayne Varas, the Rev. Jon Roberts. 2013: The Holy Name of Jesus Haitian congregation becomes part of St. Paul’s. 2015: The Rev. Dr. D. William Faupel is appointed priestin-charge. X
Parish Profile
Good Samaritan, Clearwater
Parishioner Donna Davis introduces us to her congregation, Good Samaritan, in the Skycrest area of Clearwater. CLEARWATER - IN the early
1950’s Clearwater, Florida was growing. Already Trinity Presbyterian, Skycrest Methodist, a Baptist church and Light of Christ Catholic church were being established. So, not wanting to be left behind, a group from the Church of the Ascension’s congregation, petitioned the Bishop to build a church in the “Skycrest” area, east of downtown. The first organizational meeting was held at Clearwater High School on December 28, 1955, with 35 present. The first service for the new “Mission” was held at Clearwater High School on January 6, 1956 with 101 people in attendance. The Rev. Murray Voth was vicar at that time and served until August of 1957. Services continued to be held at Clearwater High School until Good Samaritan acquired our present property at 2165 N.E. Coachman Rd., Clearwater, to build the Parish House. The first service in the new Parish House was on the fourth Sunday in Advent, December 2, 1957; the Rev. Guy Argeauex officiating. On December 23, 1958, Lee and Marvin Moore were the first couple to be married in Good Samaritan. They both are still members of Good Samaritan and Lee still sings in the Good Samaritan choir. In 1961 the Episcopal Church 35
Women erected a stone entrance on Coachman Road to mark the entrance; construction of the new church began with first liturgy on April 12, 1964. On Whitsunday May 17, 1964, the Rt. Rev. William Hargrave, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of South Florida, dedicated the new church as The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. Men Made Kneelers Many changes have taken place since the time when, in 1964, the men of the church made kneelers to put in front of chairs for our sanctuary. Women, such as Isabelle Laney
made the choir vestments. In 1975, the Rev. Norman Howard was called and served until his retirement in 1992. In January 2004, Good Samaritan celebrated its 50th Jubilee with the Rev. Leo Crawford. In 2006, construction began for our labyrinth, a gift from Esther Miseroy in memory of her husband, John and at the head of the labyrinth a Celtic cross given by Ann Brewer, in memory of her son Robin. Father Leo Crawford retired in 2008. The Rev. Donald Nicholson served as our interim, during our search for a priest. Father Ron Kowalski was called to Good Samaritan in 2009 and retired in 2014. Like many organized churches we have experienced ups and downs in growth. We have had the good fortune to have excellent advice from our Diocese. Bishop Dabney Smith, Canon Michael Durning and lately
Canon Eric Cooter, have always been available to assist Good Samaritan. We continue to receive encouragement from Fr. John Hiers from Episcopal Church of the Ascension. During our transition, The Rev. William Shiflet served as an adviser. With the leadership of The Very Rev. William Shiflet and the Bishops committee, four priests were asked to serve Good Samaritans for Sunday services. I am proud of our strong lay leaders that served in pastoral care, Lay Visiting Eucharistic ministry, led prayer services, assisted at the altar, hosted wonderful fellowship, volunteered in our office, in children ministry, and of course served in our Thrift Shop. In 2016, Good Samaritan began its search for a permanent part-time priest in charge. In November of 2016, we called The Rev. Brian Beno. He and his wife Terry came to us from Wisconsin to serve. Father Brian had served as Dean to the Cathedral in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In January of 2016, Good Samaritan celebrated its 60th anniversary. Joyful Place I find Good Samaritan to be a joyful, family sized church, that is truly warm and welcoming to all who enter its doors. We have a wonderful priest in Father Brian. He is spiritual, pastoral and loving. I look forward each Sunday to Father Brian’s homilies that somehow seem to address what I need to
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Obituaries The Rev. Jesse Fosset Anderson
hear that day; a message from God! I love our sanctuary that is a beautiful worship space, with its large cross with the Risen Christ, hanging high over the beautiful hand-carved oak altar. But what I like best about Good Samaritan, are the people, our church family, that support each other, love each other and worship together through tough times and the best of times. I’m excited to be part of Good Samaritan as we move forward to follow our Lord and live out our Baptismal Covenant. We enjoy Bible studies, weekday prayers and week-day Holy Eucharist, and the many activities and committees that keep us all busy not only helping and supporting each other but reaching out into our community to know and help our neighbors in need; in mercy and social justice. Our music concerts and summer music camp for young people offered to the community at large are well accepted. I see Good Samaritans as hopeful, optimistic, and willing to work hard to be as our mission statement reads “To share Jesus by reaching out to others through Christian love and service, bible study, worship, fellowship and prayer.” Amen. X Southern Cross welcomes profiles of your parish, written by parshioners. Email us at gpollard@episcopalswfl.org
SARASOTA - The Rev. Jesse Fosset Anderson Jr., an assistant priest at St. Wilfred, Sarasota, died peacefully at his home the morning of Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The Rev. Anderson was ordained deacon on June 10, 1961 by the Rt. Rev. Andrew Y. Tsu and ordained priest on Oct. 10, 1962 by The Rt. Rev. Joseph Gillespie Armstrong.
The Rev.Tom Fitzgerald SARASOTA - The Rev. William Thomas “Tom” Fitzgerald, the longtime rector of Church of the Redeemer from 1960-78, died April 20, 2017. The Rev. Fitzgerald became a deacon on June 28, 1960 under The Rt. Rev. Henry Louttit and priest under The Rt. Rev. William Francis Moses. He served as rector of Christ Church Federica and Vicar of the St. Ignatius Church mission on St. Simon’s Island. He married his wife Martha Trezevant Simpson Fitzgerald on June 14, 1962; she died in 2016.
The Rev. Roy Ostenson BOULDER, Co. - The Rev Roy Oliver Ostenson, 95, a priest of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, died April 13, 2017 at his home in Colorado. In 1984, The Rt. Rev. Paul Haynes appointed Ostenson the executive director of the Church Counseling Center of Naples, from which he retired in 1989. His wife Sondra, whom he married in 1982, survives him. X
Around the Diocese
Grace Church Tampa Palms Launches Building Project
TAMPA - The Amazing Grace Project is a collective effort and mission to build a new sanctuary and to enhance the presence of Grace Episcopal Church within the Tampa Palms community. The Amazing Grace Building Project Ground-Breaking Ceremony was held Saturday, June 3rd at 11 a.m. with the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith presiding. Visit gracenewtampa.org
St. Bartholomew’s Celebrates 130Years
ST. PETERSBURG - St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church celebrated the 130th anniversary of their founding in 1887 on April 30 with a concert from Concordia Vocal Ensemble. The day included Jerry Knight, church historian, who presented remarks on the early days of this faith community, which was the 8th church established in the Diocese. Visit stbarts.dioswfl.org Above, Bishop Smith at the groundbeaking for an expansion at Grace Episcopal Church, Tampa. Holding the Diocesan crosier is Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
Resilient All Saints, Tarpon Springs Continued from previous page, Looking Back: 125 Year Anniversary
window depicting Christ receiving and blessing children, which has inspired and been viewed by generations of worshipers as it is believed this window was installed when the church was built in 1906. By 1918, records show 24 registered communicants. In 1921, a garage was built on the property and in 1926 a house next to the church was renovated with the assistance of the Diocese. During the Depression, however, this house was made into apartments as the rent was needed. At one period in the 1930’s there were so few men that the Bishop had to consent to have two women serve on the Vestry. By 1958, the congregation had grown to 82. In November of 1970, All Saints 37
was admitted to parish status and the Rev. Willis Doyle became the first Rector. The congregation came to realize the limitations of the church’s facilities. By 1977, a successful stewardship program led to the decision to purchase a heavily wooded four-acre site on Lake Tarpon. At midnight June 20, 1979, a procession moved onto Tarpon Avenue to proceed to a tract of land on Keystone Road. Those who accompanied the church on that summer night will long remember the coordinated efforts made by the utility companies who trimmed overhanging tree limbs and raised and lowered telephone and power lines, as well as the dexterity of the movers who took such special care of the church through the long night. The police department, aware of the
historic value of the little building, escorted the move. Shortly after 7 a.m. the church and its procession of believers, some on foot, some in cars, some on bicycles, arrived at the large bluff-like piece of property at the edge of Lake Tarpon. A decision had been made to leave the priceless stained glass windows in place, as well as the antique chandeliers that had been installed in 1966 and all survived without incident. The fine craftsmanship of All Saints’ Episcopal Church showed its fortitude. By 1982, the number of parishioners had increased and the need for more pews in the church was evident. In 1989, expansion of the east side was completed and a nine-rank Reuter pipe organ was installed. These additions brought All Saints’ to its present size.X
Glancing Back
All Saints Tarpon Springs Celebrates 125 Years One of the oldest bits of history in Tarpon Springs is All Saints. Parishioner Carolyn Bartoo dives into the story.
IN 1892, THE Episcopal Diocese of Florida was divided into two sections: The Diocese of Florida to the north and the Missionary District of Southern Florida. Bishop William Crane Gray presided over the southern district. It was in that year that the first mention of All Saints Episcopal mission appeared in the Diocesan Journal with 10 communicants. As a church building was not in existence, services were held in parishioners’ homes, ministered by the combined efforts of Bishop Gray, the Rev. T.J. Purdue, and the Rev. Charles Gray. It is also noted in the Journal that the Rev. J.B. Tewett was the Vicar of the new mission for a short time, followed by the Rev. G.W. Southwell, who covered the communities of Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs. Early in 1902, the Rev. Gray assumed duties at All Saints. In 1905, the Rev. Gray met with the men of the mission, which now had 24 communicants, to make plans for erecting a church building. A choice block of property near the center of the town of Tarpon Springs was offered by Mr. Henry T. Asbury, a businessman from Philadelphia. The conservative committee, without anticipating further growth, selected only an 85 foot by 185 foot portion of that block at the 38
May 7 procession on the 125th anniversary of All Saints, Tarpon Springs. The Rev. Canon Michael Durning is at front, followed by parish youth.
corner of Tarpon and Grosse Avenues. Each committee member pledged one thousand dollars to the building fund and with due diligence, additional funding was raised and plans for construction began that same year. The little church, begun in 1906, was constructed of native Florida pine, cut locally, to which aging imparted an almost indestructible hardness. In fact, when preparations for the first lateral expansion of the church in the early 1980s were being made, it proved impossible to save the wall being removed. Instead, new material had to be stained to match the three original walls which had been crafted more than 75 years earlier. The church was built in the Florida Gothic style. The first sermon in the new church building was preached on December 30, 1906 by the Rev. S.A. Potter. According
to an excerpt from the diary of Bishop Gray, a large company of Greeks had already had a service in the church, held by one of their Greek priests. Consecration of the church building by Bishop Gray was held on February 23, 1907. It was noted that several Greeks were among the Episcopal congregation. The first parish meeting was held in the church in 1908. Mrs. John Cheyney not only served as organist at the dedication, but also founded the women’s organization known as St. Margaret’s Guild in 1905. This guild, later to be called Episcopal Church Women, provided all of the original pews and altar linens, while donations from other parishioners and friends paid for the building and interior fittings. Probably the first memorial is the high altar stained glass Continued previous page 37
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