2018 Pentecost Southern Cross

PENTECOST 2018

VOLUME 49 ISSUE 2

SouthernCross

MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

A CAPITAL IDEA BUILDING & RENOVATING OUR PARISHES CONVENTION PREVIEW OUR FIRST 50 YEARS

PRESIDING BISHOP VISIT

RISE AGAINST HUNGER

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

ADOPT-A-CAMPER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Support our diocesan youth ministry by participating in the Adopt-A-Camper Scholarship program! Your donation sends a child to a camp session they may otherwise be unable to attend, and gives them memories which last a lifetime. You’ll receive a thank you note from your camper, and if you choose, you can inspire them with a note to your camper ahead of their camp session. For more information about this program, contact Greg Randall, Camp Director / Director of Youth Ministry &Programming at

grandall@episcopalswfl.org

WWW.DAYSPRINGFLA.ORG PERFECT SUMMER: DAYSPRING YOUTH CAMPS

SCENES FROM THE

CAMP 2018

Our campers participate in a Christian program designed to deepen their faith and strengthen their friendships through a variety of activities. Campers learn team-building skills and are challenged on our ropes courses, enjoy canoeing and kayaking on the Manatee River, and get a chance to just be themselves playing games and creating arts and crafts. Come experience God’s love through great music, worship and food this summer! Six sessions are planned for 2018.

Clockwise from top left: Elementary Breakout Camp, Mission Camp, Mission Camp out in the community, High School Camp

From the Bishop GOD IS BUILDING THE CHURCH Dear friends in Christ, I have experienced a lifetime of blessings, gifts, and encounters with the holy. Sometimes I feel so captivated

by God’s merciful love that I feel spiritually shocked that others don’t know or even deny the existence of that merciful love.

I am personally humbled to address you in the midst of this particular issue of the Southern Cross as God’s merciful love is directly pointed towards us over the past 50 years. I know that you will enjoy reading of the challenges that congregations face as they build or rebuild facilities to provide a place where the holiness of God is expected to be encountered. Financial giving, architectural planning, creating liturgical space for worship, and making intentional room for hospitality for those whom God loves is reflected as an ongoing concern in the congregations of Southwest Florida.

There is also a wonderful sense of spiritual empowerment in the lives of teenage and young adult camp leaders.

I believe you will be both spiritually moved and encouraged in how God is building the Church in the lives of the young. Please know that there is still time to register children and teens for Summer Camps at DaySpring.

There is always the opportunity to financially support the cost of Camp for people from your own, or other, congregations. Please be prayerfully mindful of the fact that our adult Church leaders often rise through the ranks of first being church campers.

We live in a great diocese that is filled with opportunities for Spiritual growth and missionary zeal. Some of our friends and neighbors do not know the merciful love of God. But I do, and I am grateful. I know that you do too. Sharing that knowledge and that love is called Evangelism. Sometimes it happens when we rebuild our church facilities. Sometimes it happens around the campfire at DaySpring. But it happens. We have a good fifty years of evidence and encouragement. Please enjoy this issue of the Southern Cross. I know that you will be inspired!

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

Bishop Smith with confirmands from St. John, Tampa on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

SOUTHERN CROSS YEAR 49 | ISSUE 2 | PENTECOST 2018 FIRST PUBLISHED AD 1970

The Rev. Michael Durning | Canon to the Ordinary mdurning@episcopalswfl.org

Bishop | The Diocese of Southwest Florida The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith

Marilyn Erfourth | Receptionist merfourth@episcopalswfl.org

Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, The Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe

Martha Goodwill | Director of Congregation Support mgoodwill@episcopalswfl.org

Canon for Finance & Administration Anne M. Vickers

The Rev. Christopher Gray | Canon for Stewardship cgray@episcopalswfl.org

Editor & Director of Communications Garland Pollard

Adrienne Hymes | USF Chaplain, Missioner Church Ext. ahymes@episcopalswfl.org | 813-418-1281

Managing Editor & Creative Director Shannon Weber

Geraldine “Jerry” Buss | Bookkeeper jbuss@episcopalswfl.org

Contributing Writers Elizabeth Deane, The Rev. Jonathan Evans, Nancy Fees, Tom Hallock, Carole Jesiolowski, Karen Owen, Garland Pollard, The Rev. Maggie Sullivan

Michelle Mercurio | Administrative Assistant mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore | Archdeacon kmoore@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Richard Norman | Canon for Mission & Ministry rnorman@episcopalswfl.org Jan Nothum | Bishop’s Administrative Assistant jnothum@episcopalswfl.org Carla Odell | Executive Director - DaySpring execdirector@dayspringfla.org Garland Pollard | Director of Communications gpollard@episcopalswfl.org Greg Randall | Director Youth Ministry & Programming grandall@episcopalswfl.org Tana Sembiante | Administrative Assistant to Canon Durning & Canon Norman tsembiante@episcopalswfl.org Anne Vickers | Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO avickers@episcopalswfl.org 4

Advertising Inquiries Garland Pollard | 941-556-0315 | gpollard@episcopalswfl.org Subscriptions | The Southern Cross is mailed to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Contact merfourth@episcopalswfl.org to subscribe or update delivery preferences Editorial Submissions | The editors welcome submission of articles for every section of the magazine, including features, news and departments. Please submit articles to gpollard@episcopalswfl.org On the cover A vintage postcard, undated, of the Church of the Redeemer, atop plans for the future building.

FEATURES 22 A CAPITAL IDEA

A new round of parish improvements are making for an improved reception for both current and future congregants.

28 50TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Our 50th all-diocese convention will include a visit from our presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry.

31 GREETINGS FROM FLORIDA

Getting to the present means looking at our past. A few key moments from our diocesan history, decade by decade.

DEPARTMENTS Around the Diocese Meet the Priest | Rev. Jonathan Evans of St. Boniface Outreach | Good Shepherd, Rise Against Hunger at St. Boniface Youth | Meet our 2018 DaySpring Summer Staff

TECHNOLOGY

Taking Your Parish Live 10 Essentials to Streaming

Events Calendar | What’s Happening this Spring DaySpring | The Road to Emmaus Disaster Prep | Hurricane Season Parish Life | All Angels Longboat Key Briefly Looking Back | Two Decades of Diocesan Websites

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Around the Diocese M. Walker followed the next week with a workshop, “St. Augustine’s Soul Stories: Hope for the Beloved Community.” Finally, Lucy Yeager closed out the season-long program with a discussion “Meals of Reconciliation.”

At St. Augustine’s, Julie Armstrong and the Rev. Josie Rose with organizer Andrew Walker.

ST. PETERSBURG - Keeping with the Episcopal Church’s call for “Building the Beloved Community” through story sharing, St. Augustine’s held a series of panel discussions on racial reconciliation.

Each presentation was accompanied by a simple supper of soup and salad, prepared by members of the congregation. The programs made the most of the diverse community at St. Augustine’s, an historically black and now multicultural community.

The journey began with a round table led by St. Augustine’s congregants Jan Neuberger, James Corn and Hazel Allen, “Reflections on Dr. Meek’s Convention Presentation.” The next week’s conversation, “Buried Racism and Loving Thy Neighbor,” was led by social worker Anita PernelArnold. For week three, Dr. Thomas Hallock brought together longtime St. Petersburg residents Jana Perkins-Hall, Irving Sanchez III, and Gwendolyn Reese for a panel presentation and talk back, “Difficult Chapters in our City’s History,” focusing on the impact of “urban renewal” on AfricanAmerican neighborhoods. Andrew 6

The coordinated efforts created an environment for sharing. “The sessions got people comfortable telling their stories,” said Andrew Walker “allowing us to reflect on our journey from an historically African-American mission to a now multicultural church.”

An archival record of the discussion “Difficult Chapters in our City’s History,” has been deposited in the Special Collection Department of Poynter Library, at the University of South Florida Petersburg. The evening was attended by not only members of the congregation, but by friends from across the city. By extending and preserving this important conversation, St. Augustine’s hopes the community will continue to remember, forgive, and grow.

BRADENTON – On Sunday, April 22, St. George celebrated St. George’s Day. St. George made an appearance at the 10 a.m. service; most of the children were fascinated by him as he read notes about himself. The kids asked questions, e.g.: How old are you? Answer: 1,700 years old. How can you wear glasses if you are 1,700 years old?

Can we see your sword? Following the service, the parish had a very nice pot luck luncheon with St. George’s wife, Anne Hime.

CLEARWATER - To highlight their practice of radical hospitality, Holy Trinity hosted the Shower of Stoles Project during the month of May. The Shower of Stoles Project is an extraordinary collection of more than a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of faith. Thirty of the beautiful stoles along with a powerfully moving narrative for each will be displayed in the church.

This extraordinary collection celebrates the gifts of LGBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “This special project will highlight our sensitivity to members of the LGBT community,” said the Very Reverend Randall Hehr, Rector of Holy Trinity. - Karen Owen HOLMES BEACH - A ship visiting Tampa Bay had an unusual need for a blessing last week that called The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld of Church of the Annunciation into service. A cargo ship arriving at the port had a recently deceased seaman on board. Upon arrival, the crew wished for the ship to have a blessing, as the remains had been on ship while out at sea. The wish, according to Grunfeld, was to bless the ship and “reclaim the space.”

There is not an exact service in the Book of Occasional Services to deal with such a situation; he used the blessing of houses as well as other liturgies. He went through the entire ship, blessing the common rooms, infirmary, kitchen and other areas.

Meet the Priest

THE REV. JONATHAN EVANS - ST. BONIFACE A: We're enjoying our new neighborhood, our new friends, and so much that Sarasota has to offer, as we love the beach, water, and sun.

Q: How is the Episcopal liturgy since you joined the church as a priest?

A: My soul is nourished through the liturgy. I find it provides a way to experience reverence, mystery, and beauty.

Q: What surprised you most about St. Boniface?

A: I am continually surprised how the Spirit is at work here, how many resources comes from the people, from their lives, their skills, their spirituality, and their love.

Q: Part of your duties are the growing the youth program there.

How is it doing?

The Rev. Jonathan Evans began work as an assistant priest at St. Boniface last summer. He and his wife Barbara and their children Luca and Vittoria, had been living in Naples, Florida, where he was a deacon and youth minister at St. Monica’s. Evans was first ordained in the Presbyterian Church, spending five years as the assistant pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Naples. He was ordained priest June 28, 2017 at St. Boniface. He 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.

A: I've always said that youth ministry is the most high maintenance and fluid ministry in the church, but it is so worth it. To see young people grow, question, and be challenged is beautiful.

Q: How have you adjusted to life here in Sarasota and Siesta Key?

Q: What is a favorite aspect of your ministry?

A: I love Sarasota and the Key. Just this morning, I went for a ride along Casey Key and I thought about how wonderful it is to live here. My family and I are so grateful to live in this part of the country.

A: I like so many parts of my work, it's hard to say just one. I enjoy the preaching, pastoral care, relationship building, and helping others develop ministry together.

Q: Is your family enjoying the new location?

Q: Favorite Hymn?

A: What Wondrous Love Is This.

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Outreach

GOOD SHEPHERD OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Matthew 25:40 - ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

The Outreach Ministry of Good Shepherd, Venice, under the direction of Diana Hillock, is a very busy group that take their call to serve others very seriously.

Their outreach ministries include St. Baldrick’s Foundation for kids with cancer; Center of Hope – an organization that assists the homeless with food and clothing; the local Venice Salvation Army food pantry; the Venice Habitat for Humanity; an annual mission trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, building homes with Habitat; and, within the last year, the Sarasota based All Faiths Food Bank.

On the first and third Wednesday of each month, clients begin to line up at 6 a.m. for the arrival of the All Faiths Food Bank truck and the 15 – 20 volunteers (snowbirds included!) from Good Shepherd

who come to serve. These dedicated volunteers help unload the trucks, unpack and distribute the food, and clean up. Good Shepherd does not have facilities to store food, so this is a great opportunity to participate in feeding the hungry without having that capability.

Ninety to one hundred sixty individuals pick up canned goods, boxed foods such as cereals and pastas, beans, rice, fresh vegetables and meat for their families.

Approximately 350 people are fed through these food distributions that are hosted by similar church food pantry ministries, soup kitchens, schools, youth organizations, senior centers, and emergency shelters.

All Faiths Food Bank receives donations from the food and

grocery industries, government agencies, food drives, local growers, individuals and other organizations.

They do use financial donations to purchase meats from vendors such as Publix and Walmart. All Faiths inspects donated food and ensures safe storage and reliable distribution to where it is needed most. Their 11 trucks and volunteers from organizations like Good Shepherd distributed more than 10.2 million pounds of food that moved through their warehouse last year.

The Outreach ministries of Good Shepherd are blessed in great measure by their service to those in need. We do this in response to God’s call to His people to go and do extraordinary things in the name of Jesus - so that all might see, hear and experience God’s love in tangible ways. - Nancy Fees

from left: Good Shepherd volunteers Joe Franco, Kay Lang, Bob Lang, Ellie Van Tol with rector the Rev. Gary Wilde; the packing table.

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ST. BONIFACE RISE AGAINST HUNGER

Over 20,000 meals were packed at this March 2018 event.

On St. Patrick’s Day, 104 members and friends of St. Boniface Episcopal Church gathered at the parish to pack 20,088 nutritious, non-perishable meals for distribution by the Rise Against Hunger organization.

Clockwise from top: Brother John Brendan Filkins and Dick Walker box meals for shipping; the Rev. Jonathan Evans and son Luca help Helen Francis and Suzanne Gregory measure meal ingredients; Betty Hazard dons a green hair net for the St. Patrick’s Day event; RAH facilitator Jason Haulbrook stands with a pallet of boxes.

Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) is an international hunger relief agency that seeks to end global hunger by coordinating the packaging and distribution of food and other life-changing aid to recipients in 74 countries. It engages more than 350,000 volunteers every year in this mission; and those at St. Boniface are proud to be a part.

Combating hunger has been of special interest to St. Boniface.

The March 17 event is the fourth meal-packing session its congregation has engaged in. In November of last year, the parish packaged over 20,000 meals for victims of the three devastating hurricanes. Congregants have engaged in preparing food backpacks with Sarasota’s All Faiths Food Bank, for at-risk students to have at home; and they have sorted food at AFFB for distribution to local families.

Donations of food and money, to Rise Against Hunger and All Faiths, are commonly given at St. Boniface. – Elizabeth Deane

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Youth

MEET OUR 2018 DAYSPRING SUMMER STAFF DaySpring has an energetic summer camp staff for 2018, with both returning and new counselors. We asked each of them to tell the diocese a little bit about themselves.

IAN

I am so excited to be serving as head male counselor this summer!

DaySpring has been a part of my life for about 8 years now, and I have been on staff for summer camp here for the past two years.

In the diocese, I have been involved in many Happenings, New Beginnings, and I have gone to EYE 2014 and 17 in Philadelphia and Oklahoma City. I don’t know what my life would look like without everyone I have met at DaySpring and all across the diocese.

I am a freshman, soon to be sophomore at Georgetown University in DC majoring in Chemistry and possibly minoring in Arabic. In my nonexistent free time, I love to swim, play the piano, and read Netflix is always a guilty pleasure. I’m on the club swim team here, and I swam in high school. I like all kinds of music, from classical piano to rap.

IAN SHARFF

JOEY PEARSON

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JOEY

My name is Joey, but my friends call me Jowee. I am an Extended Day Cove teacher for the 1st grade at Ketterlinus Elementary. I love Happening, New Beginnings, and all things youth-oriented because of how loving and accepting people are. I also attend full time college at Saint John’s River state college in St. Augustine. I don’t go out a lot due to how busy I am but when I do I enjoy orchestrating a unique social conundrum of some sort; I don’t have cable but I enjoy my Netflix and I’ve picked up playing a children’s video game called Fortnite because it’s easy. I’m really into reading; once I start I can’t put a book down. My interest is also beginning to lean towards art, specifically sketching.

One of my favorite parts of camp is the progression you not only see, but are actively a part of. Every week we help to mold the campers, ourselves, and our fellow staff members in different ways, much more than we realize. Our growth is directly influenced by us being the best we can be.

It is my belief that we will have the most positive effect on each other this way in order to have the greatest summer camp experience of all time.

JULIA

I love horses and doing headstands. I also love exploring, hiking, spending time outside and trying new things! I have two dogs, one who we rescued from the woods about a year ago.

He’s only 5 lbs but is definitely in charge. I also have a younger sister who you will meet this summer. My favorite part of camp is the community that forms and watching campers trying new things. I’m super excited for this summer and to meet you all!

REBECCA DAVIS

I’m from Seminole, Florida and a member of St. Anne of Grace. I’ve been a part of the Dayspring Summer Camp staff for the past two years and a camper years before that.

New Beginnings and Happening have been a part of my life throughout my years in high school. I’m currently one of the coordinators for the Youth Leadership Team of SWFL, went to EYE in OKC last summer and was at the Province 4 youth networking meeting this year. This May I am graduating from Osceola High School and am going to be a freshman at FSU next fall.

I’ve grown up going to Camp Mikell and was super involved with the Diocese of Atlanta in high school.

I was on team for Happening, was head of DYC, just served at New Beginnings as the JWA in February, and went to summer camp. Being an Episcopalian is one of my defining qualities, and something I am really proud of. I am really extroverted and love meeting new people, and I’m really artsy and love to work with my hands so I’m your girl for anything involving photography or paint. I am super passionate about the environment and always do whatever I can to save it!!

JULIA LINTHICUM

I’m a freshman at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, majoring in visual communications with a minor in business administration or fashion marketing.

At school, I’m involved with my sorority and other service organizations. I love hiking and spending time outside as well as live music. I really enjoy being with my friends and going on crazy adventures/road trips.

CONRAD

REBECCA CONRAD NEWTON

I’ve gone to Summer Camp all my life and am super excited to become a part of the DaySpring community. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Georgia studying international affairs and classics. At UGA I’m on the club cross country team and am a service ambassador. I am also involved with the Episcopal center on campus.

Some of my favorite things are running, hiking, service and spending time with my fam. I love exploring new places, meeting new people and spending time outside. My favorite part about camp has always been the relationships and community I experience while there. DaySpring looks so beautiful and I can’t wait to spend my summer there with everyone.

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ALEXIS

This is going to be my first summer at DaySpring. I’m a freshman at the University of Georgia and I’m double majoring in sport management and finance. At school I’m super involved in my sorority, service clubs, and I’m on almost every intramural sports team imaginable (soccer, b-ball, tennis).

I’m a music junkie and love attending concerts at Georgia Theatre in Athens. I also play the ukulele and am hoping to learn guitar soon.

I grew up as a camper and counselor at Camp Mikell in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. I was really involved in DYC and Happening in high school including being on the planning team for four Happenings. I also attended EYE in OKC this past summer. Some fun facts: I have longer appendages than most people (seriously let’s compare leg length... I’ll win).

I eat five meals a day, and I am the Jeopardy! queen.

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This will be my third year as the female head counselor at DaySpring. I’ve grown up going to DaySpring and it is such a huge part of my family.

Most of my siblings and cousins will be at camp as campers at some point. I am a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero where I am studying communications. I am a server at a restaurant down here, and am also the Youth Coordinator at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs.

My favorite things in this world include laughing, Starbucks, being outside, and killer whales. I’m the second of four which is why I love being surrounded by people and positive energy! I do a lot of funny/weird things and laugh at just about everything, especially after long camp days. I’m so excited to share these 6 weeks with everyone.

COURTNEY

LAINEY

COURTNEY CROSBY

ALEXIS BIONDI

LAINEY TICER I’m a current junior doing concurrent degrees in psychology and behavioral healthcare from USF in Tampa. This will be my third summer here at DaySpring; I have previously worked as a junior counselor at Camp Weed and as a team member for the Break Out! youth retreat.

I absolutely love working at camp, especially canoeing and counselor hunt! I’m a pretty big nerd and love going to comic conventions with friends and family, and I previously played collegiate Quidditch for two years. I’m excited to get to know everyone this summer!

GREG WEST

DAVE

SEMINARIAN

GREG

I will be the camp seminarian for the first month. I am currently in my second year at Virginia Theological Seminary, studying to become a priest.

I grew up in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and have been to DaySpring many times. However, this will be my first camp experience. I am very much looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone.

DAVE WYLY

I’ll be counselor chaplain, and it’s so awesome to be coming back to camp this year. I am currently finishing my A.A degree at Santa Fe College in my hometown of Gainesville, (yes I am a Florida Gator fan) and will have it in May. I am also active in the UF Campus Ministry and in my home parish of Holy Trinity Episcopal church I have a passion for worship and bringing kids to God as well.

KATIE

I am the associate camp director this summer, and it is my 7th summer at DaySpring. I’m a third grade teacher, on vestry at my church, and am also the Lay Director for New Beginnings in Southwest Florida. I went to EYE this summer, and have attended the Province 4 Youth Network meeting twice. I love going to concerts and sporting events, especially USF football games. I’m going back to USF this fall to start my masters degree. GO BULLS! One of my favorite parts of camp is the relationships I get to build with staff, campers, and their families. I love that camp is a place where we get to be wild and weird. Messy games are my favorite! (Pudding toss anyone?!)

KATIE ARP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR 13

MAKENZIE TEAL I am a freshman at Young Harris College in the beautiful north Georgia mountains. I’m sort of in an in-between spot with my major right now, but ask me again this summer and hopefully I’ll be able to give you an actual answer by then. I’m a member of Phi Alpha Phi, a local Christian sorority, and I’m part of various organizations around campus.

I have three older siblings, my brother Alex, and my sisters Katie and Becca, and I have the sweetest little ding bat of a dog, whom I love with my whole heart.

I have been going to summer camp since 2007, but this will be my first summer somewhere other than Camp Mikell and I am beyond excited for it.

I’m excited to be tossed into a completely new environment with new people, new activities, new scenery, and new experiences. I have been crazy active in the Diocese of Atlanta all throughout high school and college so far, and I have represented the DioATL at the Province IV networking meeting in 2016 and EYE17. I teach Children’s Chapel at the local Episcopal Church while at school, and I jump on any chance I have to help at youth events in DioATL. I also play the guitar. While I am not greatly skilled, I still love playing and learning new stuff from other people.

MAKENZIE

DANIEL DANIEL

I’m a second semester freshman at Berry College in Rome, Ga. I’m a biology major and anthropology minor. I also work in Berry’s sports information department, so I’m at practically every sporting event! I also row for the college. I’m very extroverted; I love meeting new people and building friendships and such. I’m super excited to come to DaySpring and build all sorts of new community with camp. I love the great outdoors.

I camp, backpack, and kayak. I love watching nearly any sport (yes, even curling). I love to play basketball, disc golf, and volleyball.

HANBERRY

I’m a very goofy individual. I’ll always crack jokes and break the ice. I make it a goal of mine to put as many smiles as possible on people’s faces every day, I believe it is very important to spread positivity and a good attitude everywhere you go. Once again, I’m super excited to come to DaySpring, I’ve wanted to staff a summer for so long and I’m so excited to be given this responsibility and this amazing opportunity. I look forward to meeting everyone.

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GREG RANDALL I am thrilled to work with such a great staff this summer! The mission of DaySpring Summer Camp is to transform lives by offering fun and formative experiences in a Christian community. Our counselors are mission minded young adults that love working with children. Some are veteran DaySpring-ers while others are new and bring valuable experience from working at Episcopal camps in other states.

I began working at DaySpring last summer after my family and I moved down from Northern Virginia on June 1. Previously, I worked in Education as a teacher and school administrator. During and after college, I served as a part and full-time youth minister, camp counselor, head counselor and camp director in Alabama and North Carolina.

I play the guitar and sing- often at the same time. I used to play tennis, soccer, ultimate frisbee and even enjoyed running. However, these days I don’t get much more exercise than driving around the Diocesan golf cart (that’s sort of a sport, right?). I’ve been a ropes course facilitator in the past and love being outdoors, especially in the water. DaySpring has a great ropes course and is set upon the beautiful Manatee River so I know I’m in the right place.

Building upon the mission of DaySpring, to transform lives, I often pray for God to grant me with His vision for how our summer camp can be a lighthouse to young people in Southwest Florida. We have the ideal setting- equipped with natural beauty and modern facilities to host programs that offer fun and growth in a loving, Christian community. I can’t imagine a better place for children to learn how great the Church can be. I envision DaySpring as the setting where lifelong and sacred memories are created- singing with friends, praying in new ways, conquering challenges on the ropes course, and balancing on a paddle board on top of the Manatee River. These experiences are more important today than ever as we yearn to raise our children with Christian values in a world saturated with competing technology, ambition and sometimes isolation. God uses us at DaySpring to acknowledge our vulnerability face-to-face with others while reaching out, connecting, and supporting each other as we’re called to in Christian community.

GREG ADOPT A CAMPER SUMMER CAMP 2018 The diocese now has an official “Adopt-a-Camper” program in place for the 2018 DaySpring Summer Camp season. In past years, the Diocese of Southwest Florida has had an unofficial scholarship program; parishes and groups including the diocesan Episcopal Church Women have all donated to ensure that all youths can attend camp.

In 2017, multiple ECW groups contributed $2,535 for scholarships, of a total scholarship amount of $10,754, much of it from the diocesan budget. The ECW has also supported the cost of counselors for the summer program.

The cost for a camper to attend a full session is $390; the Breakout session price is $260.

Donors may adopt a single camper, or multiple. Letters or postcards from the camper will be mailed to their donor before camp and during/after.

for more information, please call

941-556-0315

Technology

TAKING YOUR PARISH LIVE At least five parishes across the diocese now stream their services to parishioners. In each case, it has helped to build parishioner involvement in unexpected ways.

The rapid changes in video technology and social media have created a new opportunity for parishes to use video to expand the audience of a parish. In Southwest Florida, at least five parishes are now regularly streaming their worship services over the Internet. “Once you start using the equipment you just become really cognizant of the wider community that is worshipping with you and how you are impacting that community,” says Church of the Ascension Parish Life Coordinator Alyce Goldsmith, who is in charge of streaming all services at the Clearwater parish. Ascension was the first parish to regularly stream its services in the diocese, a project begun by the Rev. Mike Branscome before he returned to his native Britain.

At the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, they stream both regular services and special events. The Cathedral has a two-part approach to live video. At least twice a day, The Rev. Katie Churchwell does Popup Prayer on Facebook Live. The ministry began during Hurricane Irma, when the church was closed.

These broadcasts include readings from the Daily Office, as well as comments and reflection from Churchwell. During the broadcasts, she acknowledges visitors; often the combined viewership of these broadcasts is over 900.

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At St. Andrew, Boca Grande, about 10 people regularly tune in to their AngelCam live feed, either homebound parishioners or those who are traveling. As opposed to others who stream just the service, the feed in Boca Grande is always on. In the summer, viewership is about 25. Weddings, concerts and funerals are much higher. At St. Boniface, they average about 30 views a week; holidays around 75.

Using the technology as a lure for youth to participate in church works. At Church of the Ascension, Goldsmith has trained high school students to assist when she is not able to run the cameras. “That’s great until they go off to college.

When they come back, I can use them during the summer.”

The streaming at Ascension uses three cameras, which is a more complex process than the one camera stream that other parishes use. “I try to do a quality streaming.

It’s like watching TV. I use the pan in and pan out. We have three cameras. I am begging for one more.

Once you have a great idea, you want to make it a better idea,” said Goldsmith.

A Wider Parish Audience The cameras have made for new opportunities. Ascension is beginning to use the video feed so that people who are present in the congregation can see what is happening in the service. One particularly useful time is during Baptisms, where the camera can show the baby’s expression to the

CHURCHES THAT STREAM Cathedral Church of St. Peter

spcathedral.com

Church of the Ascension, Clearwater churchofascension.org St. Andrew, Boca Grande St. Boniface, Siesta Key St. Michael & All Angels, Sanibel

standrewsbocagrande.org bonifacechurch.org saintmichaels-sanibel.org

WAYS TO USE VIDEO There are a number of different methods to use when streaming services.

The simplest is to use your smartphone; register for a simple account with Facebook and Twitter and you can use their streaming services for free. Twitter uses the Periscope live feed service and Facebook has Facebook Live; each require little more than a good tripod that can steady the camera during worship, and a steady wifi signal.

A more effective effort is to have a one-camera feed using services such as Boxcast or Livestream’s Broadcaster Pro. The camera, often an off-the shelf digital recorder, connects directly to a streaming box, and the box connects directly to the internet. The most effective and most complex effort includes having multiple cameras and uses simple switching board that allows the operator to move between scenes and use opening and closing slides and indentifiers.

For sound, most streaming takes an audio feed directly from the earphone jack of a sound board of the church. This ensures that the best audio possible is connected to the video, which is often High Definition. rest of the parish, who then can see it on monitors in the nave.

At the Cathedral, large services such as ordinations and Christmas services have had over 500 views.

Church of the Ascension has not yet started streaming on Facebook Live or Youtube Live.

Nevertheless, the streams attract about 35, with significantly more at Christmas and Easter.

Streaming a service is not about doing things just to be up with technology. It has particular benefits with our demographics and worship styles. As parishioners age, the streamed service can reach them when they cannot get to church.

With a simple $79 tablet computer, an elderly person can receive both the video and audio of Sunday services. The audio is a key part of the benefit; each parish that streams has a strong choir program, and delivering those voices via high-quality audio gives our music programs much-deserved attention.

Special events are also good ways to build audiences for the parish with streamed services. Funerals, when streamed, not only provide a permanent record of the service for family, but they enable family who cannot attend to be a part of the service.

The addition of Facebook Live and Youtube live to the streaming mix makes the services suddenly available on web television services such as Roku, Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire. This adds audiences in new ways. In the annual migration of Southwest Florida parishioners heading north for the summer, parishioner Jenny Grimmke listened as she drove through the mountains of Pennsylvania. She later said about the service, “Thank you St. Peter’s!

Family together electronically.”

Goldsmith has learned much about the audience from doing the production each week. “There are a number of regular viewers who

watch intently and text me when I screw up,” said Goldsmith. “It’s actually a great problem to have.

Then I know they are listening.”

Meeting People Where They Are “At first, we averaged 37 views of our usual Sunday 10:15 service.” says the Cathedral’s John DiPietro.

“It took a long while to teach our parishioners how to view it directly from our website, with a lot of help from some very patient volunteers.

The numbers remained flat for some time and then increased to 50-60 views on average. As we started using Facebook Live, we saw the average numbers increase instantly; threefold, fivefold and so on. Our February 2018 Choral Evensong has been viewed 593 times with 120 people physically attending (on average). By combining with social media we reached 700.”

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10 ESSENTIALS TO STREAMING Define your audience. Decide who you want to reach, but don’t obsess over it. While a streaming program can reach shut-ins, new parishoners and Episcopal music lovers, who actually sees it is sometimes serendipitous.

Start small. It is not necessary to record and stream all the services. Try recording a rector’s Bible study or coffee hour talk.

Jump In! Technology is an iterative process. That means that while you can make a plan to do it, you won’t know how to do it until you start. There will be problems and issues.

Scrounge Equipment. If you want to start a video program, you can do it with a cheap camera and video files that you upload to YouTube. Experiment with what you have, and think about camera angles, audio and such as you practice.

Enlist your youth. A program of streaming is really about using new technology to bring the Gospel to new audiences. Advertise in your bulletin that you are going to start a program, and recruit for volunteers.

Music is the secret sauce. The Anglican music tradition is our Episcopal ace-in-the-hole. While larger nondenominational churches sometimes have large praise rock bands, our hymns are easily sing-able, well known and dependably executed, even in the smallest churches. In addition, most parish music programs have strong choirs and repertory that are popular around the world.

Capture the motion of devotion. The worship in an Episcopal Church is physical, and involves elements that are visually interesting, from the procession to the individual motions of the parishioner and priest during the service.

This means that there is something to actually see, unlike most non-denominational streamed services which include a praise-band song set and a long sermon from the preacher. Position the camera so you can catch this.

Plan ahead. Do you have Ethernet in your church? While every parish has wifi and internet, to stream you need a hard-wired connection to the internet that will not be interrupted by bandwidth issues.

Consult with others. Go visit or call on churches that are streaming, including Church of the Ascension, Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Boniface, St. Michael and All Angels and St. Andrew, Boca Grande. See what they do and adapt it to your space.

Think of it as part of a larger whole. What you do with video should be part of a larger process of your parish’s social media profile. Use this opportunity to consider new ways to share your parish with the world.

NEED HELP? The Diocese is available to see if a streaming program is possible at your parish, and help you with details; we also offer regular training in social media at Annual Convention and in our Word Out conference in January. Contact Director of Communication Garland Pollard at 941-556-0315 or gpollard@episcopalswfl.org.

Vestry Retreat

REDEFINING EVANGELISM

Each May, vestries from around the diocese gather for a retreat at DaySpring. In 2018, 262 representatives from 41 congregations gathered to focus on the practical specifics of evangelism, mission and parish life.

“Evangelism has to do with growing into a mature relationship with Jesus raised from the dead by God to give us strength now and forever,” said Bishop Smith in the lead session of Vestry Retreat 2018.

In the talk, Bishop Smith referenced a 1918 definition of evangelism from the Episcopal Church that he still believes is useful today. It is much more meaningful than the sometimes-found and argumentative “evangelism as abuse” that can drive people away from the church. The definition?

“Evangelism is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in such ways that persons may be led to believe in him as savior and follow him as Lord within the fellowship of his church. It’s a good definition, don’t you think?” said Bishop Smith.

From top: Bishop Smith at lecture; Gen. Charly Shugg and Richard Scantlebury, Church of the Redeemer; Bishop Smith with the Rev. Ryan Whitley, Mary Jane Park and Mark Howerton; the Vestry of Trinity by the Cove.

Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Michael P. Durning discussed the life cycle of congregations. He cited examples from across the diocese of parishes engaging in change after founding, citing, for instance, St. Monica, Naples, that started in a less formal worship style, but gradually modified it, adding candles and vestments, as a new rector and new congregants arrived.

“You don’t get to there until you ask yourself: what was the original vision?” said Durning. “And of course, it has changed in 60 years. What has been accomplished? What is new that was not anticipated? Where do we want to see this ministry in two to five years?”

Canon for Finance and Administration Anne M. Vickers presented statistics on our parishes, including mission, attendance, planned giving and VESTRY RESOURCES ON DEMAND stewardship, with the overall Resources, practices and tools goal of managing resources and from the day are available online, engaging in mission. “Getting including the Benchmark Report started and seeing it, measuring it on our congregations in 2017, and somehow communicating that presentation slides, handouts, and it is even happening is a tricky outreach examples. thing,” said Vickers.

Visit episcopalswfl.org/retreat.html

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Events Calendar JUNE | JULY | AUGUST June 5-29 July 8-20 July 26-27 August 25

Summer Camp Sessions 1 through 4 Summer Camp Sessions 5 through 6 Fresh Start Presbyters’ Weekend Stewardship Workshop

SEPTEMBER

STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP Each August, the Diocese of Southwest Florida offers training for parishes in advance of yearly stewardship programs.

Representatives from parishes are invited to attend. To register, email Marilyn Erfourth at merfourth@ episcopalswfl.org or contact The Rev. Chris Gray, Canon for Stewardship & Pastoral Care, at cgray@episcopalswfl.org. Canon Gray is also available for parish visits, including preaching, teaching and training.

Sept 4-6

Fall Deanery Convocations

Sept 5 Sept 15 Sept 24-26 Sept 28

DaySpring Eucharist & Lunch - The Rev. Andrea Hayden, St. Nathaniel Acolyte Festival, Cathedral Fall Clergy Retreat, The Rev. Benjamin Anthony Baseball with the Bishop, Tropicana Field

BASEBALL WITH THE BISHOP TROPICANA FIELD

Come join us for an evening of fun and fellowship as parishioners and their families from all around the diocese gather for a night out at the ballgame. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Episcopal Charities Fund.

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OCTOBER Oct 3 Oct 5-7 Oct 12-13 Oct 25-28 Oct 26-28 Oct 30

DaySpring Eucharist & Lunch - The Rev. Brandon Peete, Berkeley Prep New Beginnings #64 Diocesan Convention NEW BEGINNINGS #64 Cursillo #140 The New Beginnings weekend retreat is Recovery Ministries Retreat designed to respond to the unique spiritual Benefits & Budget Workshop and social challenges facing youth in grades

VOCATIONAL GATHERING The Diocese of Southwest Florida hosts a Vocational Information Gathering for those considering Holy Orders to provide information about the discernment process. Spouses, along with Rector / Priest-in-Charge / Vicar are encouraged to attend.

6 through 8. Created together by adults and young people, this program encourages participants to express their feelings in a judgement free zone, and results in growth in their love for God, themselves, and those around them. All weekends are located at DaySpring Episcopal Center.

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER Nov 2-4 Nov 3 Nov 7 Nov 13 Nov 15 Dec 1 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 7

Happening #77 Daughters of the King Fall Assembly DaySpring Eucharist & Lunch: The Rev. Ryan Whitley, St. Thomas Vocational Gathering, DaySpring Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting Ordinations, Cathedral Advent Quiet Day with Bishop Smith - “The Disciplined Life” DaySpring Eucharist & Lunch - The Rev. Jonathan Evans, St. Boniface La Noche de Velitas, St. Mark, Tampa

LA NOCHE DE VELITAS Please join us as families gather together, light candles and honor the Virgin Mary as we begin the Holy seasons of Advent and Christmas at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. A liturgy of Advent prayers and music will be led for everyone and time will be given for families to offer their own prayers together while lighting candles. “La Noche de Velitas,” or “Candle Night” is a Colombian tradition that marks the unofficial start to the Christmas season in Colombia, which is a member of Province IX in the Episcopal Church.

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A CAPITAL IDEA

BUILDING & RENOVATING OUR PARISHES

Today, the parish hall is named for John Hamilton Gillespie, the most important early lay leader of the early congregation. Gillespie, by birth a Presbyterian Scotsman, was brought to the Episcopal Church by a group that included a devoted female tutor and mentor, Mrs. E. W. Morrill.

to worship and read the Book of Common Prayer. Gillespie, Sarasota’s golf-promoting first mayor, became the home church’s licensed lay reader, as there was no priest. In 1903, the women of the church raised money for a tiny-house sized chapel, which was situated, like today’s tiny houses, in Gillespie’s back yard, rather like a doll house.

In 1904, the chapel, under the direction of pioneering Bishop William Crane Gray, became an official diocesan mission, named after Morill’s Biloxi, Miss. parish.

The group, beginning around 1885, gathered around dining room tables and boarding houses

Redeemer grew organically over the years as Sarasota grew, and eventually built a proper wooden

SARASOTA – Like so many parishes in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Church of the Redeemer had extremely modest beginnings.

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gothic church. But after World War II, it became clear that the replacement wooden building would no longer be able to accommodate the parish, especially with the now universal expectations of post-war growth and prosperity.

Anticipating that future was the rector, Rev. John Harvey Soper (1942-52), who led the effort to build a new church on Sarasota’s waterfront.

Everything about Soper’s plan was bold. The ambitious plan would be crafted by what was the greatest gothic architecture firm in the world at the time, Boston’s Cram & Ferguson. The firm, which still

exists, had only decades before built famous structures such as Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, St. Thomas’ Fifth Avenue, and the Episcopal Cathedral in pre-Castro Havana, Cuba.

The new location would also be prime; a waterfront spot along Sarasota Bay and Tamiami Trail.

The funding for the scheme, too, was highly unorthodox; part of the land that was donated came from a Jewish property owner, Ida Klein. Some of the money for the building was donated by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which held a special benefit performance at what was then their Winter Quarters in Sarasota. By 1950, the project was complete and the facility became, like Christ Church in nearby Bradenton, an anchor church that would spawn eight separate parishes, all still flourishing.

Today, Redeemer is embarking on a new phase, equally ambitious.

This plan, entitled Christ is Our Foundation, includes a 28,000-square-foot building that will house classrooms and offices, creating a new entrance and greeting space for weekday visitors. Later, as yet unfunded phases include a new 4,380-squarefoot chapel, which would handle overflow at Easter, and allow for smaller contemporary services and smaller funerals and weddings.

Because of the character of the actual chancel, nave and narthex, the original church building will not be altered. Instead, the idea is to increase the capacity around the church, and make the worship space more useful, and adding a rooftop deck that overlooks Sarasota Bay.

A New Era The Rev. Fred Robinson, the current rector, came to the parish in 1994.

Soon after his arrival, they expanded classrooms and the parish gift shop, and made handicapped access easier. Later improvements included renovations to the parish hall.

Smaller projects over the years helped to refresh the building, and came as surprise blessings. A new veranda was a memorial gift.

Improvements to the entrances and facilities came from what Robinson jokingly calls the “funny money” of selling an option to air rights (not air rights, but an option) above the parish, which raised $400,000.

The first major campaign in recent years for the parish was in 2003, when they raised money for a new organ. “That was a $1,000,000 project which required lots of people to be involved,” said Robinson. “And that was controversial.” But they proved that they could do what was needed, especially as the organ is one of the key aspects of worship.

In 2008, the parish created a new strategic plan, which identified that

the parish was desperately in need of more classroom and office space. But because of the economic downturn, the parish couldn’t afford it.

“Nobody would have given to it,” said Robinson. Instead, the plans were shelved, but not forgotten. In the meantime, the same need for infrastructure existed.

“We still have a couple of priests sharing an office,” said Robinson.

“We have a financial assistant in the hallway. We have the publications office separated from everything else in the second floor. Our storage is up in the bell tower.”

As times got better, they revisited the strategic plan, and again realized that the facility was still lacking.

Robinson himself realized that he needed to take it on, as it would have been a tough project for a new rector. It was not a certainty that the funds could be raised.

“Redeemer is not a monochrome parish like people like to think of it,” said Robinson. “We are probably the most diverse parish in the diocese, in terms of political ideology, theological persuasion, certainly with respect to economic

An early view of Church of the Redeemer before later additions.

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backgrounds of parishioners. We have people who are very poor, and people who are quite wealthy and everything in between.”

Redeemer also did not have a large endowment. While Redeemer is the largest parish, by attendance, in the diocese, its reserves do not reflect it. “We are not a rich church,” said Robinson. “We have a good sized budget, and we are very intentional about using 10 percent for outreach.”

Making the campaign work without an endowment meant rethinking some things. One of the largest financial assets of the parish is a parking lot called Strawberry Hill.

It is home to a relic of the Great Recession, a portable sales building that was intended to be used for the development of a glitzy condo tower. The project, separate from Redeemer, failed, and Strawberry Hill came back to the church.

Currently, Strawberry Hill is used for parking, but it is also a prime development site in downtown Sarasota, where dozens of Miamilike towers have been constructed in the last three years. There was an idea that said they might sell the property to build the addition, but Robinson said that some in the parish were against it. Robinson is still unclear about whether to sell it or not.

“Maybe it shouldn’t be sold. I think maybe the people that were so against it are right,” said Robinson.

“But one thing that we decided was that because of the controversy of that piece, we did not need that kind of conflict as we were trying to build a building. And we need the building whether we sold the property or not.”

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Top to bottom: View looking west; the upstairs gathering space; view looking down at entrance, with proposed new chapel to right.

In January 2017, a campaign to raise the funds for the first phase of the project began; at the announcement they celebrated over $4 million in cash and pledges. In the year since, the total is now over $5 million, enough for the first phase. The groundbreaking was May 20, 2018, with special invited guest the retired Bishop of London, Rt Rev’d and the Rt Hon Lord Richard Chartres, KCVO, Bishop of London (ret.).

Leading the campaign is parishioner and Campaign Chairman Bob Morris, who in his letter to the parish, cited a mission approach to express the need. “With over 100 active ministries, we nurture our parish and community by providing the opportunity to love our neighbors as ourselves every day. It

Rev Wallace symbolically burns St. Andrew Spring Hill’s mortgage; the parish became debt free in 2018.

is easy to speak in lofty terms about that mission, but without the proper infrastructure support, we fall short.”

Why Church Buildings?

Each Sunday, average attendance is over 800 at the parish’s five services. But many parishioners do not stick around for Christian education, as there is not room for it. Some, what Robinson calls a “goodly number,” come out on Wednesday nights, but it’s a mere fraction of the parish membership.

“If we want to do Christian formation for adults, we don’t have any space to do it,” said Robinson.

“And Sunday morning is the time when you get the most people.”

Part of keeping them in the parish is instruction; if the attendee does not advance in faith, they disappear. Redeemer has been good at attracting people, but they still lose some. “I think that we keep bringing new people into the parish. They come to church but

they need to be instructed. They need to have opportunities to learn about the faith because people just need to do that. We have to provide those opportunities.”

“With churches in decline, obviously some congregations need to look at ways to function without the problems that buildings present. But I can’t imagine Church of the Redeemer doing 95 percent of what it does without the buildings that we have.”

Redeemer feels itself very blessed to be a growing parish in a period of time when many Episcopal parishes are stagnant. “These are challenging times for the church,” said Robinson. “People are not flocking to the church. We happen to have the right thing going here that is attracting people.”

“If you don’t respond to that growth in a positive way, then it will stop,” said Robinson.

ADDING UP CAPITAL PROJECTS

Capital projects and campaigns such as the ones in Sarasota, Spring Hill and Tampa have increased dramatically in the last two years, matching the level of projects from back in 2004, at the height of the previous expansion. From 2004 to 2017, the capital income of parishes has varied from a yearly low of $2 million in 2012 to a high of $6 million in 2004 and 2017.

Capital projects are not just large projects; think drainage issues, HVAC equipment and roofs. A full 59 of our 76 congregations met capital needs in some way in the 2016-17 year, for either large building maintenance projects or new construction. Projects in progress this year range from $50,000 to $10 million, though many are phased projects or specific programs such as solar power installations. The money raised in the 2016 season included $2.5 million at Redeemer, $628,000 at St. Michael and All Angels, $608,000 at St. John, Tampa, $537,000 at Iona-Hope Ft. Myers, and $528,000 at St. Peter, Plant City.

Money for capital projects can be raised money or borrowed money from the diocese. About a dozen parishes have borrowed from the over-$5 million Diocesan Revolving Loan Fund. In 2017, new loans ranged from $40,000 to $300,000. Currently there are 20 capital loans to parishes from the fund, totaling roughly $3.4 million, with annual interest income redeposited into the fund. Diocesan Council and Finance Committee have the final say in any parish debt, and can work with parishes to meet improvement needs.

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A Tale of Two

Renovations ST. CLEMENT’S, NORTH TAMPA

There are many church buildings across the diocese from the 1960s and 1970s that are in need of renovation. For the Tampa parish of St. Clement’s, the need to improve the North Tampa campus has been a continual process. The parish began in 1957 as a mission; its early building had a concrete bunker feeling. Decades later, with new buildings and additions, the space felt confusing.

“They were old. They were tired. Everything about the building said tired,” said the Rev. Andrew Heyes, the parish rector. “I like church buildings being used. There is nothing worse than driving by a church building that is dead.”

The mission question helped the parish find the answer for what to do. “Why do we think God wants us to have these buildings?” asked Heyes. “Every parish has to assess that.”

Heyes had a good start on buildings. In his native England, he had worked at an architecture firm. In 2007 - a year after he joined St. Clement, he was raising money to improve the building, which looked worn and was halffunctional. “Part of the importance of a church building is curb appeal,” said Heyes. The question for St. Clement was how to improve that without rebuilding. The question, said Heyes, was “What can we do with the aesthetic we had?”

The recent renovations, which included new church offices and dozens of other updates, did not start with grand schemes. Heyes recalls one time, literally, having to preach a sermon with an umbrella due to roof repairs. The needs were neverending: plumbing was getting “more dodgy by the day,” staff needed safe offices, and the youth area needed a legitimate building. The campus needed wheelchair accessability and a p.a. system. A person in a wheelchair could not easily access the building and bathrooms.

There were other larger issues. The original building was not ideal for some specific needs, such as allowing for the width of a casket. “A casket has to go around these corners,” said Heyes. What was to be an original 12-week project has dragged on over a year, but it will be finished this month. Though challenging, throughout the project the lay leadership of the parish has carried the torch, and improved the quality of the work. “God makes use of that time when we think we are treading water, said Heyes. “You not only need a plan B, you need a plan C, D and E.” A blessing for the project came unexpectedly. While they had begun the needs assessment, they were blessed by a gift from mother and daughter parishioners Mildred and Susan Hawk “To me, this is pretty much like a reboot,” said Heyes. “It didn’t speak sacred. Now it does.”

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ST. ANDREW, SPRING HILL At St. Andrew, Spring Hill, the “a-ha” moment to begin a campaign for their 1970s parish came when the rector, the Rev. Lance Wallace, was struck with the fact that there was no place for young children in the narthex, and parents had to leave service if crying ensued. They started with small improvements, but as with any renovation project, other larger needs were unearthed.

“When we got that done, we realized our pews were falling apart,” said Wallace. Along with the pews, flooring improvements became necessary. At the same time, some of the doors of the sacristy did not work properly.

“We started with the entry, and worked our way back,” said Wallace, who estimates that they have spent just over $200,000 for the project, which included construction and everyday maintenance like painting, including library, music room and fellowship hall, all small maintenance. “It’s easy to let those things slide,” said Wallace.

The style of the renovations arose from not just sheerly liturgical needs, but rather the building itself. St. Andrew, Spring Hill is a modern building - what Wallace calls a “neo Frank Lloyd Wright” design. During the renovation, Wallace and his vestry stayed true to the existing design, resisting the temptation to make the building into something it was not. “Whenever we do any type of renovation, we have to keep in mind the architecture,” said Wallace.

Some changes have been gradual, including the use of television monitors for the liturgy, which was encouraged by the vestry. This helps with those from outside the Episcopal tradition, and others who find it easier than navigating an unfamiliar Book of Common Prayer. For Wallace, he believes that for people coming into the church, the physical plant itself should not become a stumbling block to anyone. Visitors have many options for church, and if there is an immediate “I don’t like this” reaction, it discourages a return. “It can be overcome, but it is a lot harder.”

This early 1970’s fundraising sketch shows the first schematic of St. Andrew, Spring Hill. By 1972, the parish had broken ground for what would be St. Andrew’s by the Lake, with sanctuary construction beginning years later on Palm Sunday, 1979. The parish has made steady improvements since 2013, with the arrival of the Rev. Lance Wallace, including a multi-purpose addition, new church narthex and improved pews, flooring, and nave. This year, they burned their mortgage, making the parish debt-free (pictured on page 25.)

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50th Annual

Convention Preview

This fall, the Diocese of Southwest Florida will celebrate its formation at its 50th Annual Convention.

It will be a special weekend; in addition to the normal business of convention, the event will be highlighted by the visit of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry. On Oct. 12, Bishop Curry will lead a plenary session for the entire diocese; that evening he will preside and preach at a 5 p.m.

Holy Eucharist to which the entire diocese is invited.

“This convention will be not only be a celebration of what Christ has done in the last half century in our diocese, but what can and will be,” said Bishop Dabney Smith. “This will be a special weekend and time together.”

Annual Convention is a two-day affair. Friday is always a day of seminars, fellowship and training, highlighted by a Holy Eucharist with the entire clergy and leadership of the diocese. While the 5 28

p.m. service has always been open to all, this year there is a special invitation for people from across the diocese to attend. The service is always special moment for the diocese. All of the active clergy and many retired clergy serve, vest and process in the service.

The music is always exceptional; Dwight Thomas, the organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, will lead the music, which includes a convention choir. The service is a high mass, including incense and the assistance of our Archdeacon Kathleen Moore and vergers from the cathedral. Following the service, there will be a reception out on the lawn, overlooking the Peace River.

On Saturday, voting clergy and delegates from the diocese's 76

congregations will gather to approve the 2019 budget, consider resolutions, elect diocesan officers and hear Bishop Dabney Smith's convention address.

This 50th Annual Convention will be one of three 50th anniversary celebrations across what was the former Diocese of South Florida.

Out of that diocese, three dioceses were created, the Diocese of Southeast Florida, the Diocese of Central Florida, and the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Presiding Bishop Curry, the former Bishop of North Carolina, was elected in 2015 at General Convention. The 2018 convention will be Friday Oct. 12, with official business session on Saturday, Oct. 13. It will be held, as in past years, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center.

Our First 10 Conventions

1969

ST MARKS VENICE | NOV 19

1970

CLEARWATER POINT HILTON | OCT 28-29

1971

SHERATON FT MYERS | Oct 13-14

1972

MANGER MOTOR INN TAMPA | Oct 11-12

1973

CATHEDRAL, PRINCESS MARTHA ST PETE | Oct 23-25

1974

BEACH CLUB NAPLES | Oct 29-30

1975

SHERATON CLEARWATER BEACH | Oct 28-30

1976

SARASOTA HYATT HOUSE | Oct. 26-28

1977

HOLIDAY INN TAMPA | Oct. 26-27

1978

HILTON ST PETERSBURG | Oct. 24-26

Presiding Bishop Visits to Southwest Florida

The organizing convention of the diocese was on Oct. 16, 1969 at the storied Bath Club in Redington Beach. The club was famous worldwide for its visitors, including Joe Dimaggio and ex-wife Marilyn Monroe, who visited there in 1961. The first actual business convention of the diocese was at St. Mark’s in Venice. Through the years, most of the conventions have been held in Punta Gorda, owing to its central location. Before the construction of the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, Punta Gorda conventions were held at the Charlotte County Memorial Auditorium, now demolished after being destroyed in Hurricane Charley. Below are the first ten convention sites.

Over the years, the Diocese of Southwest Florida has had numerous visits from our current and retired presiding bishops. The last visit to our Annual Convention was in 2013, when Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori attended our 45th Convention, including presenting at our plenary session and preaching at the Friday Holy Eucharist. Katharine Jefferts Schori spent a week with the diocese in 2008, attending the National Association of Episcopal Schools conference in Tampa. While here, she attended convention and addressed diocesan clergy on Nov. 7, 2008 on the Feast of St. Willibrord, apostle to the Frisians. On Oct. 4, 2004, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold attended convention; he came officially again in retirement in Feb. 2013, when he preached at the annual Chrism Mass, that year held at St. Boniface, Siesta Key. While Bishop Curry was the Bishop of North Carolina, he attended and preached at our Chrism Mass in March of 2014.

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50th Annual Convention

Schedule of Events

8 a.m. | Registration opens, continental breakfast 9 a.m. | Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. | Morning workshops 12 noon-1 p.m. | Lunch on the Riverwalk 1-2:30 p.m. | Plenary Session with Bishop Curry 2:45-4 p.m. | Afternoon workshops 4-4:45 p.m. | Break 5 p.m. | Opening Eucharist with Bishop Curry 7 p.m. | Reception

saturday

friday

8 a.m. | Registration opens, continental breakfast 9 a.m. | Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. | Bishop’s Address, voting, appointees 12:00 p.m. | Noonday Prayer, necrology 12:30-1:15 p.m. | Lunch on the Riverwalk 1:15 to close | Report of the Treasurer, 2nd ballot

Greetings from

a d i r o l F

r e h t e g o T s r a e Y y t f i F t s r i F r u O FEATURE #3

With the rapid growth of our neighborhood, resort, island and downtown parishes since the early 20th century, we have created and sustained a diocesan identity that is completely unique, and in many cases, quite close to paradise.

Our first 50 years have been eventful and Holy Spirit inspired. In half a century, we now encompass 76 congregations, 13 schools and hundreds of ministries. The following pages are by no means the whole story: there are thousands upon thousands of everyday saints who have done so much to get us where we are.

However, we picked a few of the more important and telling events of recent decades, with an eye to not only understanding where we came from, but seeing how our journey also reflected and sometimes resisted the events in the decades in which we lived.

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1950-1959

BISHOP MARTIN J. BRAM

BISHOP WILLIAM F. MOSES

25

CONGREGATIONS ESTABLISHED

FL POPULATION BY 1959

4.8

M

After World War II, Florida’s population explodes by a full 79 percent. At one period in the 1950’s, one new congregation in South Florida is established every six weeks. It becomes apparent that one bishop cannot adequately minister to such a large area, which spans from Daytona Beach to Tarpon Springs on the Gulf, and all the way down to Key West. To keep up with the growth, the diocese elects two suffragan bishops. The first, Bishop Martin J. Bram, serves from 1951-56, and is succeeded by Bishop William F. Moses, who serves from 1956-61.

BISHOP WILLIAM L. HARGRAVE BISHOP JAMES L. DUNCAN

1960-1969

The tumultuous decade of the 1960s with assassinations, protests and a Space Race begins with tragedy; in 1960 Hurricane Donna destroys thousands of buildings and injures thousands of individuals in Florida, killing 14. Donna also destroys the beloved Glades Cross mission of Deaconess Harriet Bedell. Three administrative areas, called archdeaneries, are set up to serve a growing population: Central Florida, East Coast, and Gulf Coast. A committee recommends that the Diocese of South Florida formally divide itself into three separate dioceses. In October 1961, two suffragan bishops are elected: Bishop James L. Duncan to the lower East Coast Archdeanery and Bishop William L. Hargrave to the Gulf Coast Archdeanery. On April 28, 1969, the Diocesan Convention of South Florida votes to divide itself, and the Diocese of Southeast Florida is formed at an organizing convention on October 8, 1969, with the continuing diocese set as the Diocese of Central Florida. The Diocese of Southwest Florida is formed at its organizing convention on October 16, 1969 and Bishop Hargrave - suffragan of South Florida - is elected first bishop. Bishop Hargrave later chooses St. Peter’s Church, St. Petersburg, Florida, as the Cathedral.

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8

6.8

FL POPULATION BY 1969 CONGREGATIONS ESTABLISHED

M

BISHOP WILLIAM L. HARGRAVE

1970-1979

BISHOP EMERSON P. HAYNES

Florida’s population continues to grow in the 1970s, as Walt Disney World opens its doors. Congregations that began in the 1960s mature and add buildings and parishioners, and four new congregations are added into the diocese. During this period, the trial use of a new Book of Common Prayer begins. In 1973, at the age of 69, Bishop Hargrave requests the election of a coadjutor bishop, and on April 27, 1974, the Rev. Emerson Paul Haynes, rector of St. Luke’s, Ft. Myers, is elected. He is consecrated Bishop in St. Peter’s Cathedral on September 21, 1974. Bishop Hargrave retires August 1, 1975 and unexpectedly dies on October 15, 1975. Work also begins in searching for a new camp and conference center. In the year of the Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford visits Church of the Redeemer and the diocese hosts the first of many Cursillos. During this decade, Diocesan House offices are first at 2016 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg, later moving to the Koger Center in on Fourth Street North.

9.5

M FL POPULATION BY 1979 CONGREGATIONS ESTABLISHED

4

BISHOP EMERSON P. HAYNES

1980-1989

1

FL POPULATION BY 1989 CONGREGATION ESTABLISHED

12.6

BISHOP ROGERS SANDERS HARRIS

Bishop Haynes, successful in his search for a camp and conference center in 1982, celebrates the groundbreaking for DaySpring Episcopal Center on the north bank of the Manatee River. The Rev. Ron Sutherland is its first executive director; that same year a new Hymnal 1982 is introduced.

Diocesan offices are at 219 Fourth Street North, in property owned by the Cathedral. After a very brief illness, Bishop Haynes dies May 30, 1988.

The Standing Committee becomes the Ecclesiastical Authority upon the bishop’s death. The Rev. Jack Iker of the Standing Committee is its president, resigning when his name comes under consideration as a possible candidate for bishop elsewhere. The Rev. Philip Duncan II is elected to preside at the next convention. Under the guidance of a Succession Committee on April 15, 1989, four candidates for bishop are interviewed at a convention at Manatee Civic Center. At a special diocesan convention on April 29, 1989, The Rt. Rev. M Rogers Sanders Harris, suffragan bishop of Upper South Carolina, is elected as the 3rd Bishop of Southwest Florida.

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1990-1999 FL POPULATION

BY 1999 Both the diocese and Florida continue to grow steadily: at its 25-year anniversary, the diocese counts 81 congregations. Under Bishop Harris, the diocese ordains its first female priest, the Rev. Carol Schwenke, on April 28, 1990. In this decade, new programs of church safeguarding are instituted. On August 1, 1991, The Rt. Rev. Telesforo Isaac, former Bishop of the Dominican Republic, is called as an assisting bishop. In May 1994, a new diocesan office is dedicated in the former St. Andrew’s Hall and Cathedral Book Store building, diagonally across the street from St. Peter’s Cathedral. At the 1994 convention, Bishop Harris receives consent to elect a bishop coadjutor. On September 1995, the Diocesan Convention elects the Rev. John B. Lipscomb.

He is consecrated Feb. 24, 1996. Bishop Harris retires Sept. 27, 1997.

15.7

BISHOP JOHN B. LIPSCOMB

M

4

CONGREGATIONS ESTABLISHED

BISHOP JOHN B. LIPSCOMB BISHOP ROGERS SANDERS HARRIS

2000-2010

BISHOP DABNEY T. SMITH

At the beginning of the century, the population in Florida stands at nearly 16 million, with much of that growth happening in Southwest Florida. That year, new youth cabins are added to DaySpring, along with a modular activity building. In 2001, the September 11 attacks rock not only the world, but our diocese, as it was the location of the president during those fateful moments. In his diocesan address a year after the attack, Bishop Lipscomb said, “For many it is hard to think about the distant future of 2020 when we are apprehensive about tomorrow. I would suggest that far more important than courage is our need as Christians to be faithful in this fateful moment to the Gospel of Grace.” In that decade, Diocesan House moves from temporary quarters at DaySpring to an office park at Merchant Court in Lakewood Ranch. The decade saw other difficulties, including a fire that burned Church of the Nativity, and the destruction of by hurricane of the historic St. Edmund’s the Martyr in Arcadia, quickly rebuilt. In 2006, Bishop Lipscomb announces his retirement. The Rev. Dabney T. Smith is elected bishop coadjutor on Dec. 9, 2006, ordained as bishop on March 10, 2007 and seated as 5th diocesan bishop on Sept. 15, 2007. A year after Bishop Smith’s arrival, the Great Recession begins, with market crash in September of 2008. At the 41st Annual Convention, Bishop Smith first mentions the idea that diocesan offices could return to DaySpring, with an intentional approach that is “thoughtful and responsible.”

15.7

FL POPULATION BY 2009

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M

2010

BISHOP DABNEY T. SMITH

At the 42nd Annual Convention in October of 2010, Bishop Smith begins the decade with the Five Marks of Mission as the convention theme. The Marks of Mission include proclaiming the Good News and teaching, baptizing and nurturing new believers, as well as responding to human need. To that end, he announces a renewed commitment to parish ministry, with the establishment of Jubilee Churches. In his address, Bishop Smith reports on the work of the DaySpring Development Steering Committee, which would soon begin work on a new Diocesan House.

Construction begins in October of 2011 on Diocesan House. In less than a year, the diocese celebrates its dedication. Following the move to DaySpring, the diocese begins the development of a new Master Plan for DaySpring, envisioning the campus as a center for ministry and mission, as well as spiritual nourishment.

Fruits of that effort include the approval of the new plan by Manatee County and the 2017 completion of a new Program Center and Pool.

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2018

FL POPULATION CURRENTLY

MILLION...AND GROWING!

From top left: Bishop Smith cutting the ribbon to Diocesan House on Sept. 12, 2012; the new Program Center; the pool in the revamped youth area; view west toward Diocesan House at its dedication.

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DaySpring

THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Matthew 25:40 - ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Have you been on that road, to Emmaus? I'm sure you have. Maybe without even stepping off the property. It's that place we trudge along, when life seems too much, when trouble surrounds us, when hope is hard to come by. It's the path that we get on just to take us somewhere away from our pain.

Cleopas and his companion left Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus on Easter morning with their hopes shattered. They had believed Jesus was the one to redeem their people.

They had faith and had been part of the community of believers; they knew what they had expected, and they knew what had been reported, and there was nothing to keep them in Jerusalem any longer, no Jesus, no community.

As they walked the road away from Jerusalem, they talked. One of the commentators pointed out that one of the words chosen for talking and discussing indicated a "concussive exchange of words." I imagine the two, filled with bitterness and blame, no so much in conversation, but instead, alternating monologue.

They were so wrapped up in their own words, rehashing the awful events in Jerusalem, recounting their crushed expectations, that they didn't notice the stranger who had joined them, until he spoke, asking what they were discussing.

His question stopped them in their tracks. Pain and sadness welled up in them. In response to Jesus' gentle probing, they revisited the events and presented them, step by step.

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When God entered the conversation, the pattern was disrupted. The tape that played again and again in each of them, the looping soundtrack of each individual's private pain, was interrupted. When God enters the conversation, wisdom can take back some of the space that pain had usurped.

And the two were able to hear the voice of wisdom, as Jesus put all that had happened in the context of God's promise. And the two were once again open to community, urging Jesus to stay and join them.

And when they were at table with Him, their eyes were opened to the presence of God among them as the familiar pattern unfolded. Bread taken, blessed, broken and given.

The Living Sacrament there among them. And their eyes and their hearts were opened, and the light of Christ filled them, illuminating the truth, and warming their hearts.

This chapel was the inn on the road to Emmaus for me, over 20 years ago now. I was here at an ecumenical women's retreat, a welcome “mom's night away” from two preschoolers, but also yet another attempted retreat from the well-hidden pain and shame that surrounded me. It was a distraction for me, the day's plan and the overnight, but the next morning God unexpectedly entered the conversation.

We had a celebration of Eucharist here in the chapel, and I didn't go

The Rev. Maggie Sullivan with worshippers at St. Thomas Chapel.

up for communion, as I was not an Episcopalian. I didn't know if I was welcome, but from the altar and the women gathered at rail, I was literally invited, hands beckoning me to come. And I did, and I was fed the Blessed Sacrament and hands were laid on me for healing.

And my eyes and my heart were opened, to the Promise and the Community, and I was healed.

I wasn't suddenly struck sober, but I knew then that I was acceptable and accepted, loveable and loved,

and that was enough to start my journey back to wholeness, and on to a new life in Christ I couldn't have imagined.

We encounter Christ in many ways on the road and see his light in many faces. May we remember always to welcome God into all our conversations along the way.

May we never forget the power of invitation, as we become the hands that beckon. And may the power of the Living Sacrament: taken, blessed, broken and given

for the new life promised in the resurrection be with us, to guide us and lead us, now and evermore.

Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

The Rev. Maggie Sullivan is associate rector of St. Mark’s, Venice. She preached this sermon at the St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring Episcopal Center on April 4, 2018.

Disaster Prep

The 2017 season with Hurricane Irma was the first major exposure to a major hurricane in over a decade for Southwest Florida. Thankfully, Southwest Florida was spared major damage, though there was damage to parishes and Diocesan House at DaySpring Episcopal Center. The diocese has a number of elements to our hurricane and disaster planning.

Parish Disaster Response Plan - The plan has recommendations for what a parish should do before, during and after a disaster. These specific recommendations, all fairly simple, can be executed by someone at the parish, either lay or clergy staff or one of the parishioners or wardens. Often it is the junior warden who helps prepare the parish.

The plan is online at episcopalswfl.org; the disaster page includes links to helpful preparation tips.

Emergency Alert - In the event of a disaster, the diocese has an electronic mass notification system in place, called AlertMedia. It enables the diocese to quickly communicate to our churches at one time by text and email; you can also respond to us with your comments or reports, which are all saved. We will also have a record of those alerts, and your responses, so they can be quickly reviewed. This invaluable check in program, which is supported

by Episcopal Relief & Development, allows the diocese to immediately know about the safety of all diocesan leadership.

Printed and PDF Contacts - Before the hurricane, make sure that you have copies of our annual Journal of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, either electronic or printed. These include contact information for all parishes in the diocese, as well as clergy.

Video Conferencing - During the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the diocese held daily Zoom conference meetings with anyone in the diocese working on storm recovery.

Episcopal Relief - During the aftermath of Irma, the diocese worked closely with Episcopal Relief & Development and their United States Disaster Response Team to ensure there was available aid for emergencies.

If you would like to talk about your disaster preparedness plan and emergency planning resources, or have a question, contact our Diocesan Disaster Preparedness leader, Deacon Micheal Sircy, at 941-779-4193 or sircymj@ gmail.com. If you have questions about communications, email Garland Pollard at gpollard@episcopalswfl.org or call 941-981-2320.

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Parish Life

ALL ANGELS LONGBOAT KEY

In today’s car-crazed culture, where a car ride is just an Uber phone call away, it is hard to imagine that at one time, not too many years ago, getting in a car and driving to church on Sunday morning was a hardship. Especially in Longboat Key, a barrier island located across the bay from the City of Sarasota.

In the early 1970s, members of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, declared an oil embargo targeting nations perceived as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. When the embargo ended, the price of crude oil had quadrupled.

A few years later, the price of oil increased again when oil output had decreased in the wake of the Iranian Revolution, bringing with it increased anxiety about availability.

Long lines of cars appeared at gas stations, and it was not uncommon to wait in line for hours to fill up.

To counter the lack of availability, gasoline was rationed. Those with odd-numbered license plates could purchase gas only on oddnumbered days; those with even could purchase on even-numbered days.

Episcopal residents on the barrier islands attended services at Church of the Redeemer in downtown Sarasota, about a ten-mile drive and a couple gallons of gas across several bridges. To eliminate travel to the mainland, a group of residents petitioned the Diocese of Southwest Florida to form a mission church on Longboat Key. 38

The request was granted in 1979 and the day after the announcement was made, 60 people attended services held on the second floor of Coast Federal Savings and Loan in a room that affectionately became known as the “Upper Room.” It was in this room that The Venerable Hoyt B. Massey gave his first sermon as vicar of

and began to grow the mission.

Weekly services were held in the bank’s upper room until 1983, when the church moved to a building erected on two acres of land purchased at the end of the street. In 1987, the mission was admitted as a parish, and by 1994, a sanctuary building housing a new church was dedicated. The first

The Venerable Hoyt B Massey and his wife Glennie established the first vicar house at All Angels by the Sea on their houseboat at a nearby marina.

the new mission, impressing upon the congregation that they were serving as the Lord’s Angels in their outreach to bring God’s word to Longboat Key. The mandate stuck, and the congregation voted overwhelmingly to establish the name of the mission as All Angels by the Sea. Father Massey docked his houseboat at a nearby marina

structure now contains a parish hall, library and church offices.

Longboat Key is only 4.26 square miles around: almost 11 miles long and .05 to 1 mile in width.

Its full-time population of 6,900 residents can increase during the winter season to 14,000 and as high as 25,000. By many assumptions,

Longboat Key is considered conservative, homogeneous, set in its ways, and…aged. The reality is quite different. The Reverend David L. Danner, rector of All Angels since 2005, says he was quite surprised when he arrived at All Angels from a parish in Newton Centre, Massachusetts.

“What I found was a highly educated, very dedicated group of broadminded people willing and eager to share a diverse set of skills and experiences.” All Angels may even be called a melting pot. Its parishioners, both full time and seasonal, come from across the globe with an above-average cache of talent.

Ironically, not all parishioners live on the barrier islands. What started out as a mission church so Episcopalians could save gas and not have to travel over the bridges to get to the mainland has become a place where almost 40 percent of parishioners travel the other way from the mainland over the bridges to get to All Angels, some driving 50 miles round trip to attend services. Why do they do it?

Key Pioneers Carol Hambrecht and her husband Bob were the first to come to All Angels from a distance. They moved to Sarasota in 1986 and with no church nearby, attended one they found to be too big.

Along with etchings of local birds and flora on the glass doors from the narthex into the church, the beauty of God’s creation is displayed on the embroidered kneelers designed and crafted by parishioners Daphne and Bill Walker, depicting angels amongst water, fish, and sandpipers; gardens and walkways lovingly maintained by parishioners create a peaceful, sacred space surrounding the church.

Friends invited them to visit All Angels where they immediately experienced friendship and community. It takes almost 45 minutes to drive to Sunday services, but Carol says she “comes to celebrate church with family.”

Ginger Shipp moved from Texas to Florida three years ago. A recent convert to the Episcopal faith, Ginger searched for a parish close to her home in Lakewood Ranch, one that was similar to her parish in Texas. She visited five churches before deciding to join All Angels.

“I was taken in by the beautiful liturgies, the warm and friendly congregation, the great staff, and the parish’s work in the community to help those less fortunate.” In season, Ginger’s drive to and from All Angels can take almost

an hour, but she does not have second thoughts about attending another church. She uses the time to reflect on the sermon and enjoy the beautiful drive to and from Longboat Key. Driving 25 miles from their home in Ellenton is not a big deal for Kathy and John Nelson, who relate to the “beauty and dignity of the liturgy.” They point out the quality of the mid-week offerings, particularly the lecture series, and make a special point of acknowledging the hard work of Music Director Dale Hooey and the choir who “bring a real joy to the services.”

Fritz and Barbara Thiel are usually in Europe during the tourist season, so they miss the big traffic.

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When in town, they happily make the 30-minute drive from their home in Sarasota. Prior to joining All Angels three years ago, they attended two other churches but found the congregations to be too large to experience a close-knit service. “The fact that All Angels was not so crowded was important to us,” says Fritz. “The more-open viewpoints of the parishioners were also important.”

When Mike and Gail Clay moved to Florida from Michigan in 2015, they rented a condo on Longboat Key for four months. “We were so warmly welcomed at All Angels and made several close friends,” says Mike, “that when we moved to our house on the mainland, we didn’t want to change churches.”

In the off season, the drive is only 25 minutes long, but the months of February through April are

another story. Mike sometimes has second thoughts while sitting in a line of traffic going to the beaches or waiting for a drawbridge to go down. But those thoughts quickly dissipate. “The atmosphere of the church, the rituals of the liturgy and the friends keep us coming back.” Mike is a member of the Vestry and heads up the Outreach Committee; Gail coordinates the Flower Guild and is ECW president, so both often make several trips each week to All Angels.

Mary and Ed Ortiz lived on Longboat Key before relocating to the mainland. “We looked at other Episcopal churches on this side of the bridge,” says Mary, “but none compared favorably with All Angels. We find great peace and solace in the gardens and in the church itself.” Mary is a member of the Vestry, and she and

Ed serve as greeters, ushers and counters. She says that attending worship services or fulfilling their roles relative to the services are nonnegotiable, even if the traffic to get to Longboat is sometimes ghastly. “We have come to know the congregation and the clergy, and to care greatly about each and all.”

Acting On Our Faith It is this feeling of community and care that permeates All Angels, whether it be in the liturgy, outreach, fellowship or educational forums on a variety of relevant topics. It is a feeling that is first experienced upon arriving at All Angels, where it is hard not to be taken in by the natural beauty and the peaceful surroundings.

Baskets of orchids hang from banyan trees leading up to the church entrance. Sculptures are

TRANSITION AS RENEWAL The Reverend David L. Danner, who has been serving as the rector of All Angels by the Sea since 2005, announced his retirement at the parish’s annual meeting in February 2018. Father Danner plans to move back to Toronto, Canada, closer to his family, where he will attend the University of Toronto to complete his doctoral studies.

Father Danner has garnered a lot of experience from time spent working as a consultant to parishes in the Diocese of Massachusetts going through a transition, whether due to a change in leadership, demographics or financial reasons. While leaving a parish is usually the result of much prayer and self-reflection on the part of the priest, it is also an opportunity for the parish community to do the same. “It’s a significant time in the life of the parish. The experience becomes an opportunity for parishioners to reflect on who they are as a community and their ministry, what their strengths are, where they can do better, what they have to offer.” He refers to this time as a time of renewal for the parish. “Everyone needs to take some time to stop and ask: Is this parish as it is right now meeting my spiritual needs? If not, in what ways have my needs not been met? What do I need in order to grow in my walk with Christ, in my spiritual life? This reflection naturally leads to a discussion of the qualities parishioners want to see in a new priest.”

In addition to All Angels by the Sea, Father Danner has served as rector at Trinity Parish in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He understands that every leader brings his or her own particular gifts and skills to a parish. “The most important thing for every new rector is to get to know the congregation. Listen. Listen. Listen,” he advises. And he has advice for those in the pews. “Do not make comparisons. Let the new priest be his or her own self. It’s difficult coming into a new situation, and people will make mistakes. Give the new priest a chance.”

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placed throughout the grounds with benches nearby. A memorial garden with natural flowers lovingly cultivated by parishioners honors the dead. Everything on the property seems to flow into a design where one discovers something of the sacred that leads into prayer. Upon entrance to the church, there is always a smiling face and a welcoming handshake or hug waiting to greet parishioners and guests.

It is a long-standing tradition that after Communion each Sunday, guests are introduced and greeted with a welcome and round of applause. On a recent Sunday in Spring, visitors from Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, California and Canada were welcomed and invited to fellowship after the service.

All Angels’ outreach efforts reflect the many and varied skills of its

Briefly

parishioners and are opportunities for ministry. In addition to a monthly collection of food for food banks in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the church and its members support Tidewell Hospice, Meals on Wheels, UnidosNow and Children First not only with donations, but with time and volunteer support.

From its humble beginning as a mission church to its vibrant, joyful presence today, those days in the upper room of a local bank are never far from parishioners’ hearts and minds. For it was in that Upper Room in Jerusalem where Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another, to go out and to spread the good news. Through this directive, All Angels By The Sea has become a community of faith, a place of belonging where all are welcome to experience this good news with others and with God. - Carole Jesiolowski

SARASOTA – A message of healing was delivered to Southwest Florida clergy during Holy Week with the visit of the Rev. James Harlan, rector of Palm Beach’s Bethesda-bythe Sea. Harlan’s message to the clergy was to remind them of the “great privilege” of serving God in the world.

The Rev. Rick Marsden of Church of the Redeemer with the Rev. James Harlan, Bethesda by the Sea.

“That’s what the church does,” said Harlan, who addressed clergy at the Diocese of Southwest Florida’s annual Chrism Mass Tuesday, March 27, this year held at Church of the Redeemer. “The world we live in desperately needs that healing.” The Chrism Mass is an annual event in the diocese held during Holy Week. It includes a blessing of two types of oil used during the upcoming year.

After the service, Harlan led a lunchtime q & a with clergy, reflecting on his call to ministry, and discussing the individual calls to ministry of the gathered clergy. Attending with his wife Eli, he also answered questions about his unique parish, Bethesda-by-the-Sea. His is a unique role of a priest who must minister to not only a president and his family, but to the wealthy of Palm Beach, as well as other curious visitors who come to see the church just because of its fame.

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Briefly TAMPA - The Rev. Adrienne Hymes was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Tampa. She is the chaplain at the St. Anselm’s Chapel Center at USF, and the diocesan mission in charge of a new Episcopal church plant in Wesley Chapel.

From left: the Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison and Dabney Smith with the Rev. Adrienne Hymes, center; the Rev. Hymes with the Canon for Mission and Ministry, the Rev. Richard Norman.

On Wednesday, May 9, a day after the ordination, she celebrated her first Holy Eucharist at the new Episcopal worshipping community at Wesley Chapel, which began in September 2017. The church will celebrate a monthly Holy Eucharist the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

FIRST BACCALAUREATE AT CATHEDRAL ST. PETERSBURG – The first Baccalaureate was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter on April 28, 2018.

Twelve 2018 graduates were honored in the service, with Bishop Smith celebrating and preaching. Attending was the Rev. Bryan Smith, of Florida State University and representing University of Florida as well as our own chaplains, Billy Pardy of State College of Florida and The Rev. Adrienne Hymes of University of South Florida’s St. Anselm’s Chapel. Honorees were: Doreen Adjus | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater | Clearwater High School Hayes Chatham | St. Mark's, Venice | Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Ashley Clenindin | All Saints, Tarpon Springs | River Ridge High School Christen Crosby | Cathedral Church of St. Peter | St. Petersburg High School Caroline Davidson | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater | Berkeley Preparatory School Rebecca Davis | St. Anne of Grace, Seminole | Osceola Fundamental High School John Hedman | St. Mary Magdalene, Bradenton | Bradenton Christian Rachel Hernandez | All Saints, Tarpon Springs | Palm Harbor University High School Naudia King | St. Augustine's, St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg Collegiate High School From left, Christen Crosby, Rebecca Davis, Ashley Clendenin, John Hedman, Rachel Hernandez, Bishop Smith, Naudia King, Hayes Chatham, Sarah Mankowitz, Jennifer White, Caroline Davidson

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Jennifer White | St. Mark's, Venice | Venice High School Sarah Mankowitz | St. Mary Magdalene, Bradenton | Southeast High School

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Briefly

CLERGY & LAY STAFF NEWS PARRISH – The Rev. Richard H. Norman joined the Diocese of Southwest Florida staff as Canon for Mission and Ministry on April 23, 2018. He is the former rector of Grace Episcopal Church and School in Monroe, La. “I am glad to welcome to diocesan staff the Rev. Norman,” said the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith. “As he gets to know the people and congregations in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, please give him your warmest welcome.” Norman is assisting the bishop in matters pertaining to church planting, Hispanic/ Latino ministry, campus ministry, and exploring new models for an evolving church.

Since 2013, Norman has served as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church and School, Monroe, La. His prior ministry experience includes service at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Minneapolis, Minn; Church of the Redeemer, Greenville, S.C.; and All Saints, Chevy Chase, Md. He also served in the Diocese of London. He holds S.T.M. and M.Div. degrees from the General Seminary, an M.A. and B.Sc. From Louisiana State University. The Rev. Norman and his wife Adrienne, a native of New Zealand, are the parents of two children, a son, Hudson, and daughter Olivia.

From left: Barbara Leonard and Geraldine “Jerry” Buss with Bishop Smith during the transition; The Rev. Canon Richard Norman and Jerry Buss in front of St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring. Norman preached at the service, his first Holy Eucharist at the chapel.

Diocesan House | Geraldine ‘Jerry’ Buss is the new bookkeeper at the diocese, taking the place of retiring Barbara Leonard.

All Souls, North Ft. Myers | The Rev. Walter Mycoff is the interim priest at All Souls.

Lamb of God, Ft. Myers | Pastor Carol S. Gates is the new Interim Pastor at Lamb of God Church. She was previously at Living Waters Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, Ill. after serving as the executive director of a 900-student Lutheran school system.

St. Chad, Tampa | On Sunday, April 1, The Rev. Christian Villagomeza celebrated his last day at St. Chad's Episcopal Church, retiring from 18 years of active ministry as rector at the Tampa parish.

Christ Church, Bradenton | Rector Rev. Joel Morsch celebrated his last Sunday in ministry at Christ Church on April 23, 2018.

St. Alfred, Palm Harbor | The Rev. Peter Lane is new rector of St. Alfred's, Palm Harbor. He was previously assistant at St. David's on the Hill, Cranston, R.I. St. George, Bradenton | The Rev. Ralph Strom is the interim priest at St. George's, Bradenton.

St. Mark, Marco Island | The Rev. Kathryn Schillreff, the retired rector of St. Monica's Episcopal Church, has joined St. Mark's, Marco Island, as interim priest.

St. Mary, Tampa | The Rev. Bob Douglas has been called to St. Mary, Tampa as rector elect. He was at St. Mary, Bonita Springs.

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Looking Back During the 1960s, the late Billy Graham was a cultural force, and his frequent televised shows and local rallies inspired Christians from every denomination. Graham, who spent much of his formative early ministry in Florida, held 14 rallies in every major city in Florida in 1961. The next year, the Diocese of South Florida, under the leadership Bishops Henry I. Louttit and William Hargrave, tried a bold experiment.

It would not only hold its own evangelistic rallies, but it would execute them in a dozen locations across South Florida, calling 1963 a “year of evangelism.”

It was a busy time of growth in the diocese, which then encompassed the areas of Southeast, Southwest

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and Central Florida dioceses. During the 1960s, millions were moving into Florida from other states, and the diocese had to find a way to reach out those people. The Palm Branch of January 1963 reminded of the “thousands upon thousands of people who are each month moving into our part of the State of Florida to live as our neighbors.”

Their solution? Hold a series of evangelistic rallies across the state to encourage existing Episocopalians and invite new neighbors into the church. The diocesan magazine Palm Branch wrote that the Crusade of Faith would try to reach the 40 percent of Americans who say that they have “no religion at all” as well as reaching out to some 10,000

“lapsed Episocopalians” as well as “semi-active Christians” who “long for the fullness and the richness of the historic faith which is ours.”

“It is fitting, then, that on this Feast of the Epiphany we should begin in the Diocese of South Florida our Crusade of Preaching Missions in the 12 population centers of our Diocese to thee and that the vast numbers of people who are our neighbors here in South Florida may hear through the preaching of the Word, the good news of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and in hearing of Him come to put their trust and confidence in Him and confidently call upon His Name...”

The Rt. Rev. James Duncan, suffragan bishop, coordinated and

planned the program. The logistics of the campaign were led by Mr. R.A. Ostiguy, a public relations consultant who organized the effort gratis. It included rallies at city auditoriums, armories and tents in Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Lakeland, Cocoa, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Leesburg, St. Petersburg, Miami, Ft. Myers and Daytona. Each of the city events were scheduled for five evenings, making for a total of 60 nightly rallies, promoted by a “drumbeat of publicity” including 30,000 bumper stickers distributed Christmas week, 1962.

Preachers for the series were the Bishop of North Queensland the Rt. Rev. Ian Shevill; Bishop of Montana the Rt. Rev. Chandler Sterling; the Bishop of Western North Carolina the Rt. Rev. George Henry and the

Bishop of West Virginia the Rt. Rev Wilburn Camrock Campbell.

They were each picked for different reasons. Bishop Shevill was noted for his increase of 60 percent in his Australia flock. Bishop Sterling of Montana was well known for his “Gulliver-like” travels across the U.S. as a relevant speaker. Bishop Campbell of West Virginia was noted for his own “Sword of the Spirit” movement for spiritual awakening in his diocese.

Episcopalians were expected to not only attend “Your Crusade of Faith” but also ask friends and organize carpools. “Make a list of those persons whom you know and feel should attend. Be very definite. Tell them that you will pick them up.”

Attendees were given a small stapled hymn booklet with 25 Episcopal greatest hits, popular favorites

including “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “O Zion Haste”, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” and “Crown Him with Many Crowns.”

The response to the ambitious effort was reported in local papers and media; the St. Petersburg Times quoted Bishop Hargrave as saying the effort was “tremendously successful.” For instance, the St. Petersburg rallies at the National Guard Armory attracted over 5,300.

Bud Housner, publicity chairman for St. Petersburg, noted that there was a traffic jam on 34th Street for the first night.

The Living Church interviewed Ostiguy after the Crusade was finished, who said it was but one twelfth of the efforts set for 1963.

“If we are to expand the Episcopal Church, we must take every step toward evangelism.”

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At the Clergy Spouse Association Picnic Dinner April 13, 2018 at DaySpring Episcopal Center, from left: The Rev. Ryan Whitley and Elise Whitley of St. Thomas, Snell Isle; Jeanne and the Rev. Chase Ackerman of St. John, Tampa; and Catalina Randall, the wife of Greg Randall, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry & Programming.