CFE - Feb-March 2014

CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

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north miami beach HISTORIC CHURCH:

the ancient spanish monastery

MORE NEWS INSIDE:

A GREAT YOUTH GROUP, p.5

VOLUME 116, No. 2

LENT, 2014

THE FLORIDA HOUSE

PAGE 10

BISHOP GREETED IN DUNNELLon, p. 8

HISTORIC “STATE HOUSE” LOCATED IN WASHINGTON D.C. PAGE 9 CANNON RICHARDSON, p. 19

hat of the month!, p. 21

diocesan convention meets in the villages

Bishop Gregory o. Brewer’s Address to the 45th Discurso del Obispo Gregory O. Brewer en la 45ta Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Convención Anual de la Diócesis Episcopal de Central FloridaSt. George’s Church, The Villages, Fla. Central Florida St. George’s Church, The Villages, Fla. January 25, 2014 25 de Enero de 2014 Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace, so clothe us in your Spirit that we reaching forth our hands in love may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you, for the honor of your name. t is my joy to stand before you at this second convention at which I am the Bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida. I want you to know that I bring you personal greetings and prayers from my two immediate predecessors, bishops John Howe and Bill Folwell, as well as Bishop Lloyd Allen of Honduras. They each told me that they are praying for us as we gather together, and I CONTINUED ON P. 2 am exceedingly grateful for their prayers.

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Oremos: Señor Jesucristo, tú que abriste tus brazos cargados de amor en en duro madero de la cruz de manera de que todos pudieran quedar dentro de tu abrazo salvífico, revístenos con Tu Espíritu para que podamos extender nuestras manos cargadas de amor para atraer aquellos que no te conocen y así te conozcan y te amen, por el honor de tu nombre. s con gran alegría que vengo a dirigirme a ustedes en esta segunda convención en que me presento como el Obispo de la Diócesis de Central Florida. Quiero que sepan que traigo los saludos y las oraciones personales de mis dos predecesores inmediatos, los obispos John Howe y Bill Folwell, así como del Obispo Lloyd Allen de Honduras. Cada uno de ellos me dijo que están orando por nosotros los acá reunidos, y estoy tremendamente agradecido por sus oraciones. CONTINUED ON P. 3

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The Episcopal Church IN CENTRAL FLORIDA A community of 38,000 baptized members at 87 parishes & missions in 15 counties.

Companion to the Diocese of Honduras.

Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer IN THE UNITED STATES A community of 2.5 million memebers in 118 dioceses in the Americas & elsewhere. Established in 1789.

Presiding Bishop: The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 500 dioceses. Covers 164 countries in 38 member provinces.

Archbishob of Canterbury: The Most Rev. Justin Welby

Central Florida Episcopalian

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

Continuing The Palm Branch (1894), diocese (1971)

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The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer Bishop The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson The Rt. Rev. Hugo Pina-Lopez The Rt. Rev. John Said Retired Bishops The Rev. Canon Ernest Bennett Canon to the Ordinary The Ven. Kristi Alday Archdeacon Joe Thoma Editor & Communications Officer Fina Florez Design Editor Erick Perez Subscription Manager

Contents FRONT COVER: Bishop’s Address to the 45th Annual Convention p. 2 The Florida’s House - Story on p. 9 The Ancient Spanish Monastery - Story on p. 10 5

What Makes a Great Youth Group

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Dunnellon Greets Bishop

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Lenten Resources 2014

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Congregational Development Grants Available

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Buildings for a New Tomorrow

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Cannon Richardson: Remembered for Healing Churches

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Postulant Wins Leadership Award

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The Werk Bequest: A Gift from the Past

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Where is the Hat?!

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Bishop Baptizes and Confirms in Legato

The Central Florida Episcopalian is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.

Submissions are welcome, but are subject to editing and use at the discretion of the Central Florida Episcopalian.

Please submit notices two months before event to: The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Tel.: (407) 423-3567, ext. 316 Fax: (407) 872-0006 Email: jthoma@cfdiocese.org www.cfdiocese.org

THE RT. REV. GREGORY BREWER CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT COVER

ingredient that strengthens and buoys us by the Spirit of God. There is no adequate substitute for concerted and regular intercessory prayer. I have the sense that when we get to heaven and the annals of eternity are opened, we are going to find, particularly those of who are up front a lot, that if progress was made in the Kingdom it was not so much by our strategies or our great ideas, but it was done in the secret rooms of those who fought on our behalf in intercessory prayer. I just know that I stand or fall by the intercessory prayers of other people, and I am always grateful.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer

Convention Exhibit

S. Ifill of The Episcopal Church office for Black Ministries, Diversity, Social and Environmental Ministries.

I know that there are other individuals in congregations who are and have been praying for us, including the Daughters of the King, for whom intercession is a vocational calling.

New chapters of the Daughters of the King have been springing up around the diocese, and that is very, very gratifying.

I never take lightly the gift of intercessory prayer. It is the irreplaceable

Riding the Zipline When I thought about what it’s been like to serve here in the diocese this past year, I found a metaphor. Some of you have seen it. It is a video. It was taken in Honduras with me on the zipline, several thousand feet up in the air.

In May, Laura Lee and I spent three weeks in our companion diocese of Honduras. We attended language school in Copan, where we learned some very rudimentary skills in Spanish, so now if I work hard and

St. George’s Church

have a script, I sound like a toddler.

Laura Lee knows more Spanish than I do, since she took it in high school.

I also presided at two communion services at the Espiritu Santo, the closest Episcopal church to Copan. I brought official greetings to that congregation and to the diocese, all in Spanish, and even spent some time as a part of the healing prayer team that was going on at a vigil at that church. That was just a blast.

In the summer, Laura Lee and I had the privilege of sharing a lunch with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in his palace in Canterbury. Joining us were his wife, Caroline, along with our son, Todd, who is studying in Durham for his Ph.D. in New Testament, his wife, and five other American bishops who are members of the Communion Partners.

We shared a communion service together in their family chapel, and then the bishops met privately with Archbishop Welby for the better part of an afternoon. It was an extraordinary generous gift of his time, discussing the state of the communion with us, and he, too, assures us of his prayers.

Other travels include meetings of the House of Bishops, a meeting

of Province IV Bishops, and a visit to four of our seminaries: the Sewanee School of Theology – I go there as a board member as well as the bishop of one of the dioceses that own Sewanee; Nashota House, where I preached at their weekly Eucharist and met with seminarians; Trinity School for Ministry, where I also met with seminarians. I’m also a board member at Trinity, and, finally – thanks be to God - finishing a Doctorate of Ministry degree there. I also visited Virginia Theological Seminary, of which I am an alumnus, to see what they were doing to train future leaders. This year I received honorary doctorates at Sewanee and VTS. As you know, the raising up of future leaders, both lay and ordained, is a crucial piece of what we are doing here at this diocese, and the need is for now as well as the future. As you are aware, it is for that purpose that Canon Holcomb has joined our staff.

Since our last convention, I ordained six people for the transitional diaconate: David Bumstead, Megan Farr, Reggie Kidd, Jose Rodriguez, Berek Smith, and Jerry de Jesus; and four into the priesthood: James Brzezinski, Rebecca Toalster, David Bumstead, and Jose Rodriguez. CONTINUED ON P. 6

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Also, as some of you may know, Chris Folwell took a fall a few weeks ago. She is progressing slowly, but is progressing, and Bill is being Bill, complaining about all of the aches and pains of old age. They are both doing really quite well, and they send their love from North Carolina, as do John and Karen Howe from Orlando.

I received a note from the presiding Bishop’s office telling me of the prayers offered last Wednesday on behalf of our convention at the Chapel of Our Lord at The Episcopal Church headquarters. And we have with us the Rev. Canon Angela

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CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT COVER

Es posible que algunos de ustedes sepan que Chris Folwell sufrió una caída hace unas semanas. Ella se recupera lentamente, pero se está sanando, y Bill está siendo Bill, quejándose por todas las molestias y dolores de la edad avanzada. A ambos les está yendo en realidad bastante bien, y envían su amor desde Carolina del Norte, al igual que John y Karen Howe desde Orlando.

Recibí una nota de la oficina del Obispo presidente donde se me informa de las oraciones ofrecidas el miércoles pasado a nombre de nuestra convención en la Capilla de Nuestro Señor en la sede de la Iglesia Episcopaliana. Y

cuando vayamos al cielo y se abren los anales de la eternidad, vamos a encontrar -particularmente aquellos quienes están seguido en primera línea- que si hubo progreso en el Reino fue no tanto por nuestras estrategias o nuestras buenas ideas, sino por lo que hicieron en sus habitaciones en secreto aquellos que lucharon a nombre nuestro mediante la oración de intercesión. Yo solo sé que puedo estar de pie o caer por las oraciones de intercesión de otra gente, y siempre estoy agradecido de ello.

Haciendo Canopy Cuando reflexioné en cómo había sido prestar servicio aquí en la diócesis este

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

Convention Exhibit

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St. George’s Church

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer

tenemos con nosotros a la Rev. Canóniga Ángela S. Ifill de la Oficina de la Iglesia Episcopaliana para Ministerios Afroamericanos y Ministerios de Diversidad, Área Social y Medioambiente.

Sé que hay otros individuos en congregaciones que están y han estado orando por nosotros, incluidas las Daughters of the King, para quienes la intercesión es un llamado vocacional. Han estado brotando nuevos capítulos de las Daughters of the King en torno a la diócesis, y eso es algo muy gratificante.

Nunca tomo a la ligera el don de la oración de intercesión. Es el ingrediente irreemplazable que fortalece y nos mantiene a flote mediante el Espíritu de Dios. No hay sustituto adecuado para la oración de intercesión concertada y regular. Tengo la sensación de que

último año, se me ocurrió una metáfora. Algunos de ustedes lo han visto. Es un video. Fue grabado en Honduras mientras yo hacía canopy, a varios miles de pies de altura.

En mayo, Laura Lee y yo pasamos tres semanas en nuestra diócesis compañera de Honduras. Asistimos a la escuela de idiomas en Copán, donde adquirimos un dominio muy rudimentario del español, así que si ahora me esfuerzo y tengo un libreto, puedo sonar como un niño que está aprendiendo a hablar. Laura Lee sabe más español que yo, porque ella lo tuvo como curso en la secundaria.

También presidí dos servicios de comunión en Espíritu Santo, la iglesia episcopaliana más cercana a Copán.

Transmití los saludos oficiales para esa

congregación y para esa diócesis, todo en español, e incluso pasé algún tiempo como parte del equipo de oración de sanación que iba a una vigilia en esa iglesia. Eso fue simplemente fabuloso.

En el verano, Laura Lee y yo tuvimos el privilegio de compartir un almuerzo con el Arzobispo de Canterbury, Justin Welby, en su palacio de Canterbury. Con nosotros estuvieron su esposa, Caroline, y nuestro hijo, Todd, que está estudiando en Durham para obtener su Doctorado en el Nuevo Testamento; también estaban la esposa de él y otros cinco obispos estadunidenses que son miembros de Communion Partners.

Compartimos un servicio de comunión en su capilla familiar, y luego los obispos se reunieron en privado con el Arzobispo Welby en lo que transcurrió la mayor parte de la tarde. Fue una extraordinariamente generosa donación de su tiempo, que dedicó a discutir sobre el estado de la comunión con nosotros; él también nos prometió sus oraciones.

Otros viajes fueron a la Casa de los Obispos, una reunión de Obispos de la Provincia IV, y una visita a cuatro de nuestros seminarios: la Escuela de Teología Sewanee voy ahí como miembro del directorio y también como el obispo de una de las diócesis que tiene Sewanee; Nashota House, donde hice la prédica en su Eucaristía semanal y me reuní con seminaristas; la Trinity School for Ministry, donde también me reuní con seminaristas. También soy miembro del directorio en Trinity, y ahí, por fin -gracias a Dios- estoy terminando un

Doctorado en Ministerios. También visité el Seminario Teológico de Virginia (VTS), del que soy exalumno, para ver qué están haciendo para capacitar a futuros líderes. Este año recibí doctorados honorarios en Sewanee y VTS. Como saben, la educación de futuros líderes, tanto laicos como ordenados, es una pieza crucial de lo que estamos haciendo acá en esta diócesis, y la necesidad es tanto para ahora como para el futuro. Como ya fueron informados, es por este fin que el Canónigo Holcomb se unió a nuestro personal.

Desde nuestra última convención, he ordenado a seis personas para el diaconado transicional: David Bumstead, Megan Farr, Reggie Kidd, José Rodríguez, Berek Smith, y Jerry de Jesús; y cuatro para el sacerdocio: James Brzezinski, Rebecca Toalster, David Bumstead, y José Rodríguez.

Alrededor de la diócesis, he hecho 38 visitas congregacionales en la mañana de domingo, un poco menos que el año pasado, pero solo porque estaba de viaje, así como también asistí a otros 93 eventos diocesanos y congregacionales.

Todo, desde cierres de Cursillos hasta visitar el recientemente reestablecido Retiro New Beginnings para estudiantes de secundaria. Te agradezco mucho, Phyllis Bartle, por tu liderazgo.

Pronuncié charlas en dos veladas de una conferencia del Ministerio de Sanación en la Iglesia de Todos Los Santos en Winter Park. Laura Lee y yo hemos sido anfitriones de ocho cenas de clérigos con sus esposas que suman

AROUND THE DIOCESE

What Makes a Great Youth Group?

By the Rev. Skip Brady

W

e at St. Anne’s have been chasing this question for several years, as many say we need more kids for our church to grow. So, we asked around, “who has the best youth programs and why?”

There were many answers, and we will not bore you with them, some work and some don’t.

But, we think it is a commitment to a relationship with each child, the parents, and the neighborhood.

It all started for us a couple of years ago when Fr. Stephen and Mary Dass were Missioners for St. Anne’s in Crystal River. They regularly walked the local neighborhood seeking a relationship with each home, and meeting people on the street. Then a Parishioner, Harold Walker, started picking up the kids for Tuesday night youth group in his personal vehicle, talking to parents at each stop, telling them about us and what we are doing. His wife Evelyn,

son Jonathan and his wife Julie, became more involved in many ways; Bible games, Easter activities, car washes, trips to local and distant attractions, etc.

Several others committed to this group; Bert Bakker, who was the Acolyte Warden, Jerry Barger, who began an Acolyte training program for the kids (they ALL serve each Sunday morning), Janet DeRosa who worked with the kids on reading skills so they can read well from the Lectern or at the service on Tuesday evening, Becky Nolan who loves and mother’s the kids. Tami, Shirley, Pauline, etc. And, especially Fr. Kevin, who is “all in,” preparing a mini-service with music and a dramatized Bible message each Tuesday along with his normal activities. A “special” bulletin is enthusiastically typed and copied by Maryann Hoyt.

One day while sitting in the pew watching our youth group during the scaled down version of the normal Eucharist, this writer observed, “These kids are into it. They WANT to read Holy Scripture, they WANT to sing praises to our God, and they LOVE to hear the dramatized bible stories.

They ARE excited to learn more about Jesus on Sunday mornings, and ARE being baptized.” And, their parents are starting to attend on Sunday mornings as well. At least eight at last count.

I quick look at our statistics demonstrates the results of the individual commitments. Our youth group was five parish kids in 2012; this has grown to the current 34 parish and neighborhood kids: ranging from 4 to 14 years old in less than two years and still growing. There have been 14 youth Baptisms which can be directly related to youth group activities.

It seems we have a pretty good youth group right here under our noses as a result of the relationship with our neighbors!

In addition to businesses and other organizations, the following Churches and the Diocesan office had a collection box and helped Calhoun with his efforts: St. Matthews, St. Richards, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, St. Michaels and Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.■

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“These kids are into it.

They WANT to read Holy Scripture, they WANT to sing praises to our God, and they LOVE to hear the dramatized bible stories.”

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

Fr. Tim Nunez and Maggie Thompson

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Around the diocese, I have made 38 Sunday morning congregational visits, a few less than last year, but only because I was traveling, as well as an additional 93 congregational and diocesan events, everything from Cursillo closings to a visit to the newly revived New Beginnings Retreat for middle-school students. Thank you very much, Phyllis Bartle, for your leadership.

I spoke for two evenings at a conference on the Healing Ministry at All Saints’ Church, Winter Park.

Laura Lee and I have hosted eight clergy-and-spouse dinners that totaled over 200 guests, and Laura Lee has revived the annual lunch event for clergy spouses – 70 came to our home for an outdoor meal – and, of course, the spouse lunch today.

Needless to say, Laura Lee continues to be famous for her hats. We also host the annual diocesan staff Christmas party. It was a great time of delicious food; everybody brings something, and there’s a cutthroat gift exchange. The thing most sought after at this year’s exchange was a bottle of Scotch. This Christmas we had a very special occasion where we gave thanks for the 45th anniversary of Canon Ernie Bennett’s ordination.

He actually also got his own special bottle of single-malt.

A Year of Firsts This has been a year of firsts. This is the first time – at least according our historic annals – that any presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church has come for an official visit. Yes, some presiding bishops have come to preach at local churches and events.

But we were the very last diocese Katharine Jefferts Schori had officially visited, out of all in the Episcopal Church.

Another first was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, now continuing under the leadership of John Davis.

I was the first Episcopal bishop – maybe even clergyperson – to preach at First Baptist Church, Orlando, the host site for my ordination and consecration.

And this is the first time the diocese has employed a half-time candidate for a vocations. You were present at Eucharist yesterday afternoon when we commissioned both Canon Justin Holcomb and our chaplain for retired clergy, Fr. Jim Kurtz. A third person also has been retained specifically on a part-time basis to serve our youth. That is Mr. Steve Schneeberger. He is the executive director of Youth Ministry Institute of Orlando.

He has a passion for helping youth

ministers become genuine leaders.

He will be active as a consultant to any congregation in the diocese that needs his assistance. The diocese has agreed to cover Steve’s fees and travel expenses so that any congregation can use Steve as a consultant with the bill going to the diocese. In other words, you won’t get charged.

Your consultation with Steve could be on how to start a youth ministry if you don’t have anything going, or how to work with an existing youth group, no matter what its size, to make it better. It does not matter how large a church, from a very few youths and one volunteer, to a large congregation with a full-time youth staff. I would encourage you to contact him, and you will hear more from him later.

Each of these “firsts” is tied directly to the strategic plan that came out this past year. The plan began with parish surveys. A leadership team was formed that included current and former members of the Diocesan Board and the standing committee. We met in early February, and later the plan was approved by the Diocesan Board. I’m happy to say that we are starting to fulfill that plan. This is not one of those plans where everybody takes a survey and then you never see it again. We have

put a lot of work into it, and are carefully managing its progress.

Five Strategic Points I want to go over those five key points very briefly and talk about what we’ve done and how it relates to fulfilling the strategic plan.

Number One was a commitment to strengthen our relationships with one another in the diocese. That’s one of the reasons that Laura Lee and I started these dinners. We wanted to re-create something that I knew when I was in this diocese 20 years ago, which was the sense of us being a family together. I am profoundly committed -- because all of us in the room are believers in Jesus, even though we may be of very different theological stripes -- that we respect and honor and serve one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.

We must not live in the kind of high spirit that can divide and hurt us, not just relationally, but by sapping our energy for a mission that we may “bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you.”

Because if we not doing that, we aren’t truly in communion. I’m continuing to show up at deanery meetings and other places to make myself available to pastorally support clergy as best I can. My passion is serving

Bruce Bauder and Chuck Armstrong

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

200 invitados, y Laura Lee reestableció el evento de almuerzo anual para esposas de clérigos 70 vinieron a nuestro hogar para una comida en la terraza y, por supuesto, el almuerzo de esposas de hoy.

Ni qué decir que Laura Lee sigue siendo famosa por sus sombreros.

También organizamos la fiesta navideña para el personal diocesano. Pasamos un muy buen rato con comida deliciosa; todos trajeron algo, y hubo un feroz intercambio de regalos. Los más buscado después del intercambio de este año fue una botella de whisky. Esta Navidad tuvimos una ocasión muy especial donde agradecimos por el aniversario número 45 de la ordenación del Canónigo Ernie Bennett. Incluso él mismo trajo su propia botella especial de whisky.

Un Año de Debuts Este ha sido un año de debuts. Es la primera vez al menos según nuestros anales históricos que algún obispo presidente de la Iglesia Episcopaliana ha venido para una visita oficial. Sí, hay algunos obispos presidentes que han venido a predicar a iglesias y eventos locales.

Pero fuimos la última diócesis que Katharine Jefferts Schori había visitado, de todos en la Iglesia Episcopaliana.

Otro debut fue la celebración del aniversario número 30 del Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, que

ahora continúa bajo el liderazgo de John Davis.

Fui el primer obispo episcopal tal vez incluso el primer clérigo que predicó en la First Baptist Church, Orlando, que fue sede de mi ordenación y consagración.

Y esta es la primera vez que la diócesis emplea a un candidato de medio tiempo para vocaciones. Ustedes estuvieron presentes en la Eucaristía de ayer por la tarde cuando encargamos la misión al Canónigo Justin Holcomb y a nuestro capellán para clérigos retirados, Padre Jim Kurtz. También se retuvo a una tercera persona específicamente para atender a nuestros jóvenes en jornada parcial. Ése es el señor Steve Schneeberger. Él es el director ejecutivo del Youth Ministry Institute de Orlando. Siente verdadera pasión por ayudar a los jóvenes ministros a convertirse en líderes genuinos. Estará activo como consultor para cualquier congregación en la diócesis que necesite su asistencia.

La diócesis acordó cubrir los honorarios y gastos de viaje de Steve para que cualquier congregación pueda recurrir a Steve como consultor y enviar la cuenta a la diócesis. En otras palabras, a ustedes no se les cobrará.

Su consulta a Steve podría ser sobre cómo iniciar un ministerio para jóvenes si no tienen nada en marcha, o cómo trabajar con un grupo de jóvenes exis-

Cinco Puntos Estratégicos Quiero repasar esos cinco puntos clave bien brevemente y referirme a lo que hemos hecho y cómo se relaciona con dar cumplimiento al plan estratégico.

El Número Uno fue un compromiso para fortalecer nuestras rela-

ciones uno con otro en la diócesis.

Esa es una de las razones por las cuales Laura Lee y yo comenzamos estas cenas. Queríamos recrear algo que conocí cuando estaba en esta diócesis hace 20 años, que era la sensación de ser todos una familia. Estoy profundamente comprometido con la visión -porque todos nosotros en esta sala somos creyentes en Jesucristo, aunque podamos tener vetas teológicas muy distintas- de que respetamos y honramos uno a otro como hermanas y hermanos en Cristo.

No debemos vivir con el tipo de ímpetu que puede dividirnos y herirnos, no solo a nivel de relaciones, sino al agotar nuestra energía para la misión de “llevar a quienes no te conocen al conocimiento de Ti y al amor por Ti”.

Porque si no estamos haciendo eso, no estamos viviendo una verdadera comunión. Sigo apareciendo en reuniones de decanato y otros lugares para ponerme a disposición para dar apoyo pastoral a los clérigos de la mejor manera que pueda. Mi pasión es prestar servicio a los líderes: ellos están en la primera línea del ministerio, y yo quiero hacer todo lo que esté a mi alcance para apoyarlos.

Número Dos, hemos hecho el compromiso de generar nuevos líderes para el clero y los laicos.

Para ese fin designé al Canónigo Holcomb. Este año vamos a reforzar

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The Revs. Michael Matheny and Reggie Kidd with Chip Vanture

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Brandon McGuire, Scripture Union

tente, sin importar cuál sea el tamaño, para mejorarlo. No importa qué tan grande sea una iglesia, de unos cuantos jóvenes y un voluntario, hasta una gran congregación con un personal de jóvenes de tiempo completo. Los invito a ponerse en contacto con él; más tarde él mismo se dirigirá a ustedes con más detalles.

Cada uno de estos “debuts” está directamente ligado con el plan estratégico que surgió este año recién pasado. El plan comenzó con encuestas en las parroquias. Se formó un equipo de dirección que incluyó a miembros actuales y pasado del Directorio Diocesano y del comité permanente. Nos reunimos a principio de febrero, y posteriormente el plan fue aprobado por el Directorio Diocesano. Me alegra poder decir que estamos empezando a dar cumplimiento a ese plan. No se trata de uno de esos planes donde todo el mundo hace una encuesta y nunca más se vuelve a saber sobre la iniciativa que la motivó. Hemos trabajado de manera bien diligente en eso, gestionando con cuidado el avance.

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Church of the Advent, Dunnellon, greets Bishop

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Bishop Greg and Laura Lee Brewer visited Church of the Advent, Dunnellon, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013.

After Bishop Greg preached an inspiring sermon, they joined members and Fr. William R. Barrett, Priest-in-Charge, for a delicious luncheon.

Fr. Barrett is a retired pastor from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is in full communion with The Episcopal Church.

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From Church of the Advent: dvent Church is a dynamic, growing and lively church in the Anglican/ Episcopal tradition. Considered “transitional sized”, belonging to Advent can be compared to being in a very large family made up of smaller sub-families. We have a fair share of programs and small groups as well. Many of our founding families are still here, however we do have a healthy mix of new folks, too. We are composed of people of many different backgrounds, young and old, retired and working, and of many different nationalities and ethnicities.

The worship life at Advent is best described as “Three-streams Anglicanism”. We have a fully catholic liturgy and church structure, preach and teach the evangelical message,

A

and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to use His gifts to strengthen, heal, and sustain others. Our worship is traditional but not at all stuffy.

We use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and occasionally other worship music as well. We use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible and follow the Revised Common Lectionary. We offer two services each Sunday from September through May. The 8:00 celebration is a said, simple communion service with no music. The 10:00 AM Sunday Holy Communion service is a sung Mass, complete with chant, and choir and occasionally with incense. Our “Healing Angels” offer laying on of hands and anointing for healing during both Sunday services.

During the months from September

through May, our Sunday service is combined at 9 am.

We offer a weekday mass in our chapel every Thursday at 9 AM. This is a Rite 2 (contemporary language) celebration and often concludes with a Rosary. We also have special services during the year to commemorate particular events in the life of the church. We pride ourselves on being a warm and friendly church and are always willing to welcome strangers into our fold!

Advent Church is a faithful witness of historic Christianity as expressed in Anglicanism. We affirm scripture as the Word of God, applicable for our life today, and understand it to be the rule of life for the Christian.

At Advent Church, we hold to the following theology: 1. The Lordship of Jesus Christ, His Virgin Birth, His vicarious death, His glorious bodily Resurrection and His Ascension to the right hand of God. We believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, fully God, fully man, and without sin. We believe saving faith in Jesus Christ is essential to salvation.

2. The Holy Trinity - one God as revealed in Trinity of Persons and unity of Being, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-eternal, co-equal and altogether one Almighty God. 3. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing all things nessesary to salvation.

4. The Holy Eucharist as the central act of Christian worship (It is also

called the Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy, the Supper of the Lord, or the Mass). We believe that Jesus is truly present: Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the consecrated elements. We further hold that in order for a person to receive Holy Communion at our church, they need to be a baptized Christian.

Advent Church is involved in missions, evangelism efforts, the Cursillo movement, the Catechumenate, Alpha, the Order of the Daughters of the King, women’s ministries, scripture study, youth formation, and community outreach. There is always something going on as we try to spread the Kingdom of God on earth.

Would you consider joining us?

We are ready to have you come and share in our life as we seek to serve the Lord Jesus and make His love known to all the nations - beginning right here in southwest Ocala.■

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Florida House a delightful oasis in Washington “Florida House, our “state house,” is a beautiful historic townhouse located a stone’s throw from the Capitol, where history is in the making.” center, we’ve found a way to do it…by the people, for the people.”

Florida House is furnished and maintained throughout by generous contributions from thousands of Floridians. No state or federal funds have been involved. It is truly “a home away from home” given by the people of our state for the people of our state, their friends, visitors, tourists, and the Washington community. There the visitor will experience abundant hospitality – rest, refreshment, information, a meeting place, banqueting facilities.

If Florida House were ever to be given up, the property would revert to the State of Florida.

Since its establishment in l973 the functions of Florida House have expanded considerably.

On Florida Day, some 30 years ago at Washington National Cathedral, the choir of our Cathedral Church of St. Luke was invited to participate in the service. There was a rest stop at Florida House, where we sat on the floor, relaxed, sipped free orange juice, and watched a video of sights-to-be-seen in the nation’s capital. Since that time many more services have been added, and tourists can now enjoy almost everything except overnight accommodations.

Florida House

Rhea Chiles is president of Florida House. It is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation with a Board of Trustees that represents a cross-section of Floridians. In furtherance of the mission of Florida House certain objectives have been formulated: to provide educational opportunities for Floridians of all ages; to be the unparalleled leader in hospitality and graciousness; to be of service to all Floridians; to be an integral part of the core of the Florida/ Washington, D. C. community and our Florida delegation; to become a recognizable, sound and thriving institution providing an endowment to ensure the existence of Florida House for generations to come.

Christmas and Epiphany are a delightful time for a Washington vacation. The national Christmas tree is all aglow, the museums and historic sites are festooned for the holiday. In Lafayette Square, in the heart of the capital, you’ll find St. John’s Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Presidents; its rector, Luis Leon, has ties to our diocese – he was ordained to the diaconate here in Central Florida by former Bishop William H. Folwell.■ Florida House is located at Number One Second Street, N. E., Washington, D. C., 20002 Phone 202-546-1555

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e have come upon that time of the year – Advent to Epiphany – when we look forward to celebrating the happiest event in human history – the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Bethlehem. This is the real Christmas – the reason that lies unseen, yet motivates all of the activities of the spiritually aware Christian, whether it be gathering with families and friends, gift giving and attending parties, and participating in some of the many social events that celebrate the season.

The Scriptures enjoin us to be “given to hospitality,” (Romans 12:13) and “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Heb.13:2) On the basis of numerous inquiries, it would appear that one of the best kept secrets among Floridians is that showing hospitality is what they are doing, week after week, in the capital city of our nation where Florida is the only state to have its own “embassy.” There we extend a welcome not only to our own people visiting Washington, but to all visitors who use its facilities. They number approximately 10,000 a year.

Florida House, our “state house,” is a beautiful historic townhouse located a stone’s throw from the Capitol, where history is in the making. It is close to the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Founded in 1973 by the late Senator Lawton Chiles and his wife, Rhea, Florida was the first state, and is still the only state, to have such a facility, the purpose of which has been described by its founders: “With all its tradition and inspiration – The Capitol, The White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian – Washington can also be a confusing, difficult and very inconvenient place for people who are not familiar with it. We want to make every Floridian’s visit here as pleasant and as valuable as possible.

With Florida House, an information and activity

By Beatrice Wilder

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

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The ancient Spanish monastery: A unique Episcopal church

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By Beatrice Wilder, Photos by Joe Thoma

he study of economics reveals that periodically we encounter cycles of prosperity and depression such as we are now experiencing.

In 1893 there was a financial panic. The following year in Florida came the Great Freeze ruining the entire citrus crop and causing great suffering in a state that was still in its pioneering stage. The years 1923 to 1926 were very much like the present. Marjory Stoneman Douglas describes them in Florida: The Long Frontier.

“Lots were selling everywhere, new buildings going up...new people were coming in with money, eager to make more money. It was the beginning of that extraordinary time when people from everywhere acted as if gold in millions was to be picked up in Miami streets, the Miami boom, the Florida boom, of 1923 to 1926...Houses, stores, apartments office buildings changed hands every day,

at higher and higher figures...The fever of millions made overnight was like an infection. Yet it was all on paper, titles, mortgages, options, promissory notes.”

As he went from place to place on his visitations, our bishop at that time, Cameron Mann, was scandalized at all this restless activity and predicted that it could not last – and it didn’t.

It was during this period of lush prosperity that William Randolph Hearst, a multimillionaire and newspaper magnate, purchased an ancient abandoned monastery in the province of Segovia, Spain. In 1830 the social order in that region underwent an upheaval during which revolutionists seized the Cloisters and Monastery outbuildings of the Cistercian Order of Monks, and converted them into a stable and granary. Thus they remained for nearly a century until Hearst took possession in 1925.

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“Drawn to its ancient altars and amenities, the public simply enjoys the opportunity to experience a little bit of heaven.”

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“Magnificent cloisters, the pre-Gothic architecture, the luxuriant gardens graced with pleasing statuary.”

AROUND THE DIOCESE

their home for 700 years. It was named for Bernard, their abbot who, despite his involvement in the crusades, papal politics, the social and theological issues of his times, had no higher ambition than to be an abbot, the father of his monks, and to live a life of prayer, quiet, holiness, and spiritual contemplation.

Starting out as a mission, the Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux honors this saint whose

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The buildings were disassembled, numbered stone by stone, given a protective covering of hay, packed in approximately 11,000 wooden crates, and shipped to the United States. The U. S. Department of Agriculture quarantined them on arrival. It was reported that Segovia was in the throes of an epidemic of hoof and mouth disease, and the hay was probably contaminated. So the crates were opened, the hay was burned and the shipment stored in a Brooklyn, N, Y. warehouse where it spent the next 25 years. Hearst had encountered financial problems and sold his purchase at auction. Two Miami entrepreneurs bid for it, planning to turn it into a tourist attraction.

Unfortunately, when the stones had been reassembled they were not replaced in the proper order and it took over a year and nearly a million and a half dollars to rebuild it at its present site in North Miami.

An amazing story! Miami, Florida’s southern metropolis, home to an ancient Spanish Monastery. The last place you might expect to find a serene, secluded, spiritual retreat under the aegis of an Episcopal church, that of St. Bernard de Clairvaux.

The monastery’s history dates as far back as the early 12th century, when it was built by a group of Cistercian monks in Segovia and was

love for God was paramount in his life and who strove to inspire others to lead a holy life devoted to God and the Scriptures. In 1964 the church property was purchased by Bishop Henry Irving Louttit for the Diocese of South Florida. Later, after division of the diocese into Central, Southeast, and Southwest, financial difficulties forced its sale to the consternation of St. Bernard’s parish. Happily, a multimillionaire benefactor of Episcopal churches, Col. Robert Pentland, Jr., purchased it and donated it to the church.

Today, the Ancient Spanish Monastery and the church actually are North Miami Beach tourist attractions. Visitors are drawn to the magnificent cloisters, the pre-Gothic architecture, the luxuriant gardens graced with pleasing statuary.

Drawn to its ancient altars and amenities, couples vie for time and place at St. Bernard de Clairvaux for their weddings and receptions, while the public simply enjoys the opportunity to experience a little bit of heaven bequeathed us from a remote and unfamiliar time.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is 1ocated at N. E. 167th Street and W. Dixie Highway, west of Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami Beach. It is open all through the week and there is an admission fee. It is advisable to call before visiting 305-945-1461.■

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

Lenten Resources 2014

By Joe Thoma

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

Josh Bales, Fr. Jon Davis and Bishop Brewer prepare for the Lenten Retreat March 7-8

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Fellowship at Bishop Brewer’s Lenten Retreat 2014: God’s Assurance; Our Adventure

he Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer opened the Diocesan chapel to the community for Ash Wednesday, March 5, for communion, imposition of ashes, and sermon.

“The contrast in proclaiming the call to repentance on Ash Wednesday and the call to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, could not be more stark,” he said.

Easter is “home base, for me,” he said, because he knows great confidence and joy on Easter Sunday, “the most evangelistic Sunday in the entire church year.”

Easter is a great opportunity to introduce people to -- and remind Christians of -- the extraordinary power of God. Lent “feels very, very different,” he said.

“And the reason is, at Easter ... my heart has been changed by the resurrected power of Christ.”

Whereas, during Lent, “repentence is “something that one never quite grasps. Because who can plumb the depths of the human heart?”

It is hard to see repentence for the gift that it is, he said. In repentence, “God has to break through and show us things about ourselves that we are not willing to see, and not merely to see them, but to see them rightly,” he said.

Our tendency is to regard repentence through the lens of two extremes: the despair of mere condemnation, “where there appears to be no aid,” he said. Or we see our sins in a facile way, concluding that they are covered by the blood of Jesus.

“Neither of those speaks of the spirit of Christ,” he said.

Reconciling the tension between hopeless condemnation and facile forgiveness allows us to know and live in both the intimacy of Jesus and his sacrifice, and the wonder of God using us to make a difference in the lives of other people, he said.

LENTEN RETREAT “God’s Assurance, Our Adventure” was the theme of the Lenten Retreat with Bishop Brewer March 7-8 at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

Central Florida Episcopalians joined Bishop Brewer in exploring the great adventure God has planned for us, as the Diocese observes holy Lent in reflection, meditation on God’s Word.

Bishop Greg led four interactive sessions, encouraging the attendees to examine the way they might better find and exercise their true purpose in God’s call to them.

The retreat started Friday with dinner at 6, followed by a teaching session and compline.

Saturday, the retreat continued includes teaching, prayer, quiet time, as well as breakfast and lunch and an afternoon Eucharist.

I believe with all my heart that that god is inviting us over the next few hours we have until tomorrow afternoon, hopefully to a place of deep reality,” Bishop Greg said in the opening session. “It’s not an easy place to get to.”

We live at such a distracting pace, that it is exceedingly hard to listen either to God or to our own hearts, even at church on Sundays, he said.

One of the ways we may overcome that often-perfunctory attention to our deeper relationship to God could be to discern the ingrained, worldly habits of thought that is our heritage, from God’s assurance that we are meant for mission.

Bishop Greg used the analogy of our clenched fists, tightly holding on to comforting beliefs and routines -- even self-defeating ones -- versus our open hands, reaching out to the world in mission.

Josh Bales (http://www.joshbales.com), Orlando-based singer/songwriter, worship leader, and interning psychotherapist, led the group in soul-stirring songs of his own composition as well as worship standards.

For full videos and more resources, see http:// www.cfdiocese.org/Lent2014.■

Congregational Development Grants Available

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By Fr. Rob Goodridge, Congregational Development Commission

y Resolution of the Diocese of Central Florida during the 45th Annual Convention January, 2014, a grant program was established for congregational development within the Diocese as a new resource for growing existing self-supporting congregations and their ministry opportunities. This Statement of Grant is based upon the Grant Resolution and the “Five Strategic Points” contained within the Bishop’s address to the Convention January 25, 2014.

Self-supporting congregations are encouraged to apply for a Congregational Development Grant (1) for new ministries; (2) for existing ministries needing new funding to expand: (3) to meet the needs of continued growth; and, (4) other new initiatives.

The aggregate monetary amount of grants that may be approved and accepted in any given year is currently $50,000. The minimum grant application is $10,000. The maximum grant application is $25,000. While it is intended to fund grant applications aggregating $50,000 each year, there is no requirement that any grant application be approved and accepted in any given year.

Grants are not to be used in multiple years and must be expended by the next June 30 following the date of grant application approval and acceptance. Subsequent Reports of grant successes shall be provided by the recipient congregation six (6) months and (12) months from the date of the grant approval and acceptance. Additional reports and information may be requested as needed for Diocese reporting purposes.

A special one-time grant of any amount up to $2500 may be approved and accepted for determination of feasibility for a proposed outreach ministry or for needs of neighbors and communities of the congregation designed to establish an outreach ministry that is relevant.

The Congregational Development Commission of the Diocese (CDC) shall be the administrator of the Congregational Development Grants program. The CDC, in its function as administrator, shall have as ex officio members the Bishop and Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese who may attend

deliberations at their respective discretions. The CDC shall from time to time make recommendations to the Board of the Diocese regarding approval and acceptance of grant applications which are creative and compelling. Grant applications must be received by the CDC at the Diocese on or before June 30 of any given year for a grant year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. The CDC may make recommendations to the Board (1) in amounts less or more than the amounts requested in the grant application; (2) with or without modifications or alterations of the grant application; and, (3) with or without conditions or restrictions. In making its recommendations to the Board of the Diocese, the CDC shall uniformly apply criteria and rules as determined by the CDC from time to time and made available to congregations as soon as practical. All decisions of the Diocesan Board are final and non-appealable.

The Chairperson of the CDC, or other designated member of the CDC, may contact a grant applicant for question, clarification or comment in connection with a grant application. The CDC shall work with all applicants so that grant applications may receive a positive recommendation to the Board of the Diocese each year to a maximum of $50,000.

A member of the CDC or Board whose congregation is applying for a Development Grant shall recuse himself or herself from all deliberations and approvals of all grant applications for the period ending June 30 of any given year. However, the Chairperson of the CDC whose congregation is applying for a grant shall continue to function as Chairperson without vote.

The CDC may require from time to time as a pre-condition to receipt of funds under an approved and accepted grant application a grant contract that contains (1) appropriate indemnifications; (2) certifications of liability insurance; (3) a commitment to compliance with the contents and intent of the grant application as approved and accepted; and, (4) special conditions or restrictions connected to the grant approval and acceptance.

For more information and forms, see www.cfdiocese.org/CDCgrants.■

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he Healing Ministry at All Saints Church is pleased to host a Healing Mission with Fr. John Rice. Tuesday, April 8th – 12 p.m. at the Noon Hour Prayer and 6 p.m. at the Healing Service.

For twenty-four years, the Rev. John Rice served as a parish priest for Episcopal churches in Vermont and western North Carolina. During that time he also led workshops on healing prayer ministry in churches and OSL Chapters throughout the southeast and other regions of the U.S. The current focus of his teaching ministry is “to encourage, equip, and empower God’s people for Jesus’ healing ministry.” In 2009,John began leading mission teams to bring Jesus’ healing ministry to the Diocese of Durgapur, India. In the fall of 2012, forty-six individuals were inducted into one of three OSL Chapters in the newly formed OSL India.

In February 2012, John retired from parish ministry in order to serve as Director of OSL Region 3 (S.E. states and Caribbean areas). He is currently serving on the North America OSL Board of Directors. (The International Order of St. Luke is an ecumenical healing ministry actively at work in the U.S. and other countries.)

John and his wife, Debra, live in their new home in Franklin, North Carolina. Family life and a little gardening, tennis, and fishing keep him well occupied when home.

The Healing Ministry at All Saints Church looks forward to seeing you. Please visit our website for upcoming details about the Sheffield Healing Mission: http://www.glennonhouse.org. For more information you may also call Kirsten at the Glennon House: 407-647-8925 or e-mail kirstena@allsaintswp.com.■

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Fr. John Rice Healing Mission, April in Winter Park

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AROUND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

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MORE INFO: TINYURL.COM/NEHA2014

Buildings for a New Tomorrow ECBF ‘Buildings for A New Tomorrow’ symposium goes ecumenical, international The Episcopal Church Building Fund’s annual symposium, “Buildings for a New Tomorrow” was created to bring together innovators to discuss ways in which church buildings can be used as real estate assets for the financial sustainability of congregations, and ways to use church buildings and land so they are thriving hubs in the community.

This national gathering provides robust networking opportunities for support systems and creative synergy.

To underscore their support of this work, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Mission Investment Fund and the United Church of Christ Building & Loan Fund are both underwriting the April 28-30, 2014 event, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are sending over a dozen senior ministers and staff to hear new ways of using church buildings to further congregational mission and increase revenue. Several Episcopal bishops and one new parish have donated funds to cover the travel costs of the wide variety of speakers that present at BFNT. The Anglican Diocese of Toronto’s Dave Robinson will share methods they have created to strategically assess the sustainability of Canadian congregations who face challenges with financial self-sufficiency and maintenance of their church buildings.

The vision of usable space has expanded to include the land. The keynote speaker is Ron Finley, who has been described as the “Eco-lutionary Gansta Gardener of South Central LA.” He is well known for challenging the city government to allow growing produce in the parkway strip between curbs and sidewalks. He ended his online TED talk with, “Let’s plant some sh*t”, which is the theme of this year’s symposium. Finley was featured as the cover article in “Spirit”—the magazine of Southwest and AirTran airlines as well as The New York

Times. His appearance at BFNT has been underwritten by Church Insurance, part of the Church Pension Group.

“I am overwhelmed by this support,” said Julia Groom, ECBF president. “This just signifies how the challenges across denominations are affecting us all. To get this kind of diverse attention in just four short years tells me we’re onto something.”

Ms. Bonnie Anderson, former President of the House of Deputies and now senior warden of her parish in Pontiac, Michigan, an economically depressed city that was described as “the town for sale” since many public buildings are available for purchase, will “Light Lay People’s Pants on Fire”. The Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan, Executive Director of the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund will also be a luncheon speaker.

Presentations have been designed for both returning attendees and first timers, for clergy and laity.

Popular topics will return that address best practices for merging and closing congregations, and practical ways to save on energy costs. Also returning is the open forum panel in which Episcopal bishops take questions and offer their insights into where the church is headed. This year seven Bishops will participate.

New offerings include ‘The Benefits of Being Strange’, ‘Ditching the Building’, ‘Rethinking Space and Architecture’, ‘Property Deals’ and ‘Farming, Priests, and Manure’. The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton is preaching at the open celebration of Holy Eucharist.

The ECBF was founded in 1880 as a self-funding and autonomous organization of the Episcopal Church to make loans to Episcopal congregations for building projects. In recent years its ministry expanded to help congregations redevelop themselves in the former and highly successful Start Up, Start Over Congregational Development training programs, and now Buildings for a New Tomorrow.

More information is available at www.ecbf.org or by calling 804.893.3436.■

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April 28-30, 2104 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Lifetree Café at the Episcopal Church of Holy Presence 355. N. Kepler Rd, DeLand, Fl. 32724

Lifetree Café is a conversational café where people gather weekly to explore life and faith. Join us for compelling stories about fascinating people. Stories from the news. Stories from our own lives. The story of what God is doing in the world around us. At Lifetree Café, we explore all those stories and make sense of our faith and our lives. The Lifetree motto is: You’re welcome just as you are. Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome. We’re all in this together. God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are offered. Come dressed casually, and bring a friend!

Thursday March 27th @ 7:15 P.M. Why Do Bad Things Keep Happening? Finding Hope…Against All Odds Remaining hopeful while facing difficulties will be discussed at Lifetree Café. The program features a screening of the short film My Last Days. The film chronicles the experiences of Ryan and Amy Green and their young son Joel as he faces repeated health challenges. “It’s hard each time, but there’s still hope each time,” says Amy Green of her son’s life-threatening issues. Participants in the Lifetree program will experience an hour of encouragement and hope.

Thursday April 3rd @ 7:15 P.M. Friends for Life: 10 buddies. 20 years. 1 week a year The secrets of lasting friendships will be explored in this session which features the filmed story of a group of guys who have remained friends 20 years after graduation from middle school.

“Our lives have gone lots of directions,” says Rodney Stewart, one of the original core of middle-school buddies. “Marriages, divorces, addictions, the death of family members, successes and failures-we’ve walked through them together. We have what many people wish they had: longstanding friendships.”

Participants in the Lifetree program will have the opportunity to discuss the factors involved in making and keeping friends, as well as the benefits of longtime friendships.

Thursday April 3rd @ 7:15 P.M. Family Secrets: What Mama Never Told us

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How to navigate family secrets will be explored. This program features the exclusive filmed story-shot live as events unfolded-of a woman who discovered a missing family member. “A young woman gave her son up for adoption because she couldn’t afford to care for him,” says Lifetree representative Craig Cable. “Years later, her second child discovered there was an older sibling. We were there when they met for the first time.” The Lifetree event offers practical tips on handling a wide variety of family secrets.

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Camp Wingman Family Camp!! - April 4 - 6, 2014

Spend a weekend bonding with your family at a fun, Christian Camp. Have a great time playing games and sports, kayaking, doing arts-n-crafts together, making a family sand castle on the beach, having s’mores around a campfire, gazing at the stars and singing together in chapel.

Enjoy delicious home cooked meals that you don’t have to cook yourself !

The Family Camp begins with registration at 5 p.m. Friday (supper will be at 7 p.m.) and ends Sunday after lunch. Lodging will be in Louttit Lodge and in cabins.

Special rate for families is $75 for all adults and teens, children 12 and under are $50 (That’s a 25% discount on regular rates.) Children 3 and under are free.

To register go on-line to www.campwingmann.org or call Vicki Colman at Camp Wingmann 863-453-4800

Time to Register for Summer Camp!!

For Senior High Age Campers entering grades 9-12: Camp St. Mark: June 8-13, 2014 Camp St. Peter: July 6-11, 2014

For Middle School Campers entering grades 6-8 Camp St. Barnabas: June 15-20, 2014 Camp St. Francis: July 13-18, 2014

Elementary Age Campers entering grades 3-5 Camp Trinity: June 22-27, 2014 Camp St. Mary: July 20-25, 2014

Register on line at: www.campwingmann.org or call Vicki Colman at 863-453-4800

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Postulant Wins Leadership Award

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Terri is serving her 6 month Diaconate Fieldwork Assignment at St. Mary’s. As a third year student ICS, Terri has been admitted as a Postulant for the Holy order of Deacons in the Diocese.

Terri has a deep and varied history in The Episcopal Church. She has been a member of Grace, Port Orange for 30 years. Terri has been active in all facets of life at Grace Church, including Vestry, search committees, and has served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a Sunday school teacher and on various other committees.

Terri is also a member of Daughters of the King, and her artistic passion is offering flower arrangements for Christ’s Altar.

At. St. Mary’s, she assists at the altar, and leads the Bible study at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays.■

Music at the Cathedral LENTEN VESPERS CONCERT SUNDAY, APRIL 6 @ 4:00 P.M.

Enjoy choruses and arias from Oratorios, Cantatas, Requiems, and other monumental horal works, sung by The Cathedral Choir with Choirs from All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, College Park.

Program: FREE concert.

Vierne’s Kyrie from Open general seating.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Messe Solennelle, Stainer’s God So Loved the World, Handel’s Surely He Hath Borne Please make this part of your Our Griefs, Lenten journey!

Mozart’s Lacrymosa, Go to www.stlukescathedral.org Bach’s Rest Well and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and click on “Music” to learn more Faure’s Libera me, about our concerts as well as parkMendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, ing information.

Brahms’ How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. LUKE Vaughan Williams’ 130 N. MAGNOLIA AVE. Love Bade Me Welcome, and Wesley’s Blessed Be the God ORLANDO and Father (407) 849-0680

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Terri Malia

erri Malia, a third-year student at the Diocese of Central Florida’s Institute for Christian Studies, received the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Award at the annual Chamber Banquet, Jan. 25 at the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center.

“We are extremely proud of Terri and her participation in the life of her community, as well as her commitment to a life with Jesus,” said the Ven. Kristi Alday, Dean of the ICS. The award is “For Unwavering Leadership, Strength of Conviction and Enduring Contributions to Our Community.”

Terri, whose home church is Grace Episcopal Church, Port Orange, and her husband, Michael, joined the family of St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach in 2013.

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BAHAMAS, c. 1969: 1) The Rev. Canon Warren Richardson 2. Fr. Drexel Gomez, later Bishop of the Bahamas and Archbishop of the West Indies. 3. Fr. Michael H. Eldon, later Bishop of the Bahamas (immediately before Bishop Gomez) and at the time of the picture (ca. 1969?) Archdeacon of the Northern Bahamas. 4. The Rt. Rev. Bernard Markham, then Bishop of Nassau and the Bahamas, including the Turks and Cacaos Islands. 5. Fr. Eric Sam, Assisting Priest on Grand Bahama and originally from Guiana in South America.

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Canon Richardson remembered for healing churches

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he Rev. Canon Warren E. Richardson, the cement salesman who ultimately spent 50 years in the Episcopal ministry, died Jan. 24 in his Fern Park home after a long illness. He was 86.

Much of his pastoral career was served in Central Florida, where he became known for wearing two hats: A cement salesman during the week and a supply priest on Sundays at many of the diocese’s 87 parishes and missions.

His specialty was ministering to congregations — often split by disagreements — as they conducted searches for new pastors.

Fr. Richardson did it so often that he told his family he wanted his epitaph to be, “He mended broken churches.”

A funeral service and interment was held Feb. 8 at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, Winter Park.

“I was so grateful to be a part of Warren Richardson’s funeral service at St. Richard’s yesterday,” said the Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer, who presided at the service. “The words of remembrance were heartfelt. Canon Ernie Bennett did a fine job of preaching. Warren’s own African ‘Abba’ anthem was sung. The Rev. Alison Harrity did a fine job of orchestrating it all. People came from congregations across Orlando where he had faithfully served.”

“There are many in this Diocese who are in his debt,” Bishop Brewer said. “He brought hope and healing to a number of congregations that had been broken and wounded. There are Rectors today who are succeeding precisely because they are building on his fine work.”

“Honor to whom honor is due.”

READ THE ORLANDO SENTINEL TRIBUTE: http://tinyurl.com/RevCanonR Although slower in gait in recent years, his booming voice was heard throughout the Anglican Church, including a Bahamian radio broadcast Nov. 15, 2011, titled “The Church Speaks.”

The broadcast highlighted the 50th anniversary of Christ the King Anglican Church, the first church constructed and dedicated in what was then the new city of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.

Fr. Richardson had served as one of the first rectors of Christ the King, during the early days of the church and the city.

When Fr. Richardson served at Christ the King, Freeport was an outpost in the then-100-yearold Anglican diocese of Nassau and the Bahamas, which includes the Turks and Caicos lslands.

In the 2011 interview, Fr. Richardson, speaking from Orlando via telephone, was featured

along with parishioners who had been members of Christ the King between 1967-1970, when he was rector.

Fr. Richardson recalled how the city quickly became a “boom town,” attracting professionals and laborers from Barbados, Antigua, the British and American Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Haiti, Belize, Puerto Rico, England, Wales, Scotland, Canada and the United States, and other Bahamian islands.

Anglicans from all of those places -- rich and poor, educated and illiterate, black, white and Asian, found Christ the King to be the community where all Anglicans, including American Episcopalians, could worship and congregate using the English language and Book of Common Prayer, he said.

“It was a wonderful time, back when Christ the King was young,” Canon Richardson said. “I hope we can see a similar celebration some day from our companion diocese of Honduras. Our Diocese of Central Florida has had a long and fruitful companion ministry with Honduras. which continues to this very day.”

He later served in Zimbabwe, with his beloved wife, Pamela, as well as his long tenure healing troubled congregations in Central Florida.■

AROUND THE DIOCESE

The Werk bequest: A gift from the past an immigrant from Germany who started his soap and candle factory in Cincinnati in 1832. He applied stateof-the-art manufacturing techniques that he had learned and Europe and he also held several industrial patents of his own.

In addition to soap and candles, Michael Werk was active in horticulture, especially viticultutre, and wine making.

His children, their families and their descendants also were civic and business leaders in Ohio.

Grandson George H. Werk established an irrevocable charitable trust in 1954 and his wife, Julia B. Werk, created another in 1964.

Their children, George B. and Alice R. Werk were the initial beneficiaries of the income from the two trusts.

The Episcopal Diocese of South Florida, now divided into our three dioceses, was named a remainder beneficiary upon the death of the children. Alice died in 1995 and George B. died in 2013.

The Episcopal Church Foundation: Help in establishing estate planning for the future of our church.

From Jim Murphy, Managing Program Director for Financial Resources at the Episcopal Church Foundation: The Episcopal Church Foundation works with all Dioceses, parishes and churches across the country as well as Episcopal organizations including schools and Conference Centers.

The Episcopal Church Foundation has tremendous resources, available for free or for very low cost.

Some of the easiest ways to get educated would be to listen to one of the free webinars. There are live webinars, and recorded webinars on the leadership website, ecfvp.org (for “Vital Practices”). All of the webinars are recorded there and you can play them at any time.

In addition, there are tremendous resources you can find on ECF websites from booklets and brochures that help people begin to plan

their estate, to just learning the basics about planned giving.

And just remember, regardless of the type of gift that someone eventually chooses, it all comes from the same emotion of wanting to participate in the future mission in ministry of your congregation. I encourage you to help people express the reasons why they chose to make their gift. They won’t talk about any tax advantages. they’ll talk about the life-giving ministries of your congregation and how they wish to have that last into the future.

Find links to planned-giving resources at: http://tinyurl.com/WerkSoap.■

HAT OF THE MONTH!

Where’s that Hat? ¿Dónde está el sombrero?

Round V

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G

ifts to our churches often yield their blessings decades after they are made.

Under the terms of two irrevocable trusts established more than a half century ago, the dioceses of Central, Southeast and Southwest Florida each recently received a $1.5 million bequest. The trusts were established

by George H. Werk and his wife, Julia B. Werk, heirs to a business fortune founded in the 1800’s on soap, candles and wine.

Originally from Cincinnati, George and Julia Werk had a home on Miami beach and were members of All Souls Episcopal Church, where they worship regularly. George was a successful physician and businessman in Ohio and an equally careful steward of his inheritance.

His grandfather, Michael Werk, is best known for his innovations in the processing of lard to make tallow candles and soaps during the mid19th century. Michael Werk was

As many know, Laura Lee Brewer has a hat for every occasion. Her chapeaus are showcased when she accompanies Bishop Greg Brewer on his weekly visitations to our Central Florida churches. The first person correctly names the church location of Laura Lee’s Hat of the Month, above, will win a valuable prize from the CFE Storehouse of Treasures. E-mail responses to: jthoma@ cfdiocese.org.■ 21

CONTINUED FROM PG 6

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leaders; they are on the front lines of the ministry, and I want to do all that I can to continue to support them.

Number Two, we have made a commitment to raise up new leaders for the clergy and laity. To that end I have appointed Canon Holcomb. This year we will be strengthening our offerings of clergy education. I am working with Sarah Bronos, rector of Good Shepherd, Maitland, and the Clergy Events team for that. I’m also working with a team of people to develop a conference for training lay leaders, probably sometime in 2015.

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Neither of those things is unimportant, to split how we understand ministry along those lines I don’t believe is biblical. We should have a collaborative respect for one another’s gifts, and out of that we find a way to move together in a way that in fact advances the Kingdom. Lay people should never be considered second-class citizens, ever, in the church or anywhere else.

Donations are continuing to come in for the Timothy Fund, so that by this coming fall we will be able to fund at a new level residential seminary education.

development. I believe that some of our best incubators for leadership are these schools to which God has entrusted us.

Reading Our Neighborhoods Number Three, a commitment to look at our neighbors and our neighborhoods and face the missionary challenge that is in front of us. I believe that is our biggest challenge: finding ways to reach out to our neighbors in such a way that people as people want to come and see who we are and hear the good news that God has given us. We need leaders who

Diocesan convention meets in the villages

I’m also working with Canon Holcomb and the Commission on Ministry in refining our process for ordination. Canon Bennett and I have inaugurated an annual meeting where we meet with Wardens, another first.

Because for a congregation to succeed, it takes a collaborative team, a team of clergy and lay people who honor one another, who respect one another, who really throw out the window the old paradigm that says the clergy take care of the spiritual things and the lay leaders make sure that the bills get paid.

I have appointed Mr. Craig Maughan, Headmaster of Trinity Preparatory School, to chair a committee to recommend to the diocese on how best the diocese and our Episcopal schools can work together.

We are trying to answer the question: What does it mean for a school to call itself an Episcopal school?

How do you identify that? How does that show up in their life and work together. Why do I think this is important? Because I think they are a gift. It’s again all about leadership

not only know how to read their Bibles. We need leaders who know to read their neighborhoods. Too often clergy and laity tragically limit their responsibility to the pastoral care of the people on their rolls, rather than understanding that God has given them a responsibility to reach their region, their neighborhood, and in fact, the world, with the gospel.

Do you know what the needs of your neighborhood are? How can those needs be met in the name of Jesus Christ? Some of our parishes

have wonderful overseas partnerships, and I rejoice that they exist and would only want to see them flourish, and even proliferate, but such an overseas partnership does not excuse an absence of evangelism and outreach into our local neighborhoods.

I just have to ask, and you’ll hear me asking this: tell me how are you reaching your neighborhood?

The Wider Church Number Four, a commitment to take our place within the councils of the Episcopal Church, as far as is possible. I am committed to being an active member in the House of Bishops. That is why I make the time to attend their meetings, to build relationships with them, and find ways to work together. That is why we are sending a full deputation to General Convention in 2015. That is why we welcome the presiding bishop to this diocese. That’s why I go to the provincial meetings. We are not an outpost. We are a part of a larger family, which we want to prayerfully support. We want to find ways to be mutually accountable, speak with clarity the theological convictions that have been given us, and to be on the team.

Youth Ministry Number Five, our commitment to revitalize children and youth ministry. The appointment of a diocesan youth consultant, Mr. Steve Schneeberger, is a step in that direction. We have very strong support for what’s happening with New Beginnings. My hope is that this year will be, especially for me, a time of exploration. I spoke with our diocesan youth consultant this past week, and I said that my hope is that not only will he serve congregations but also provide feedback to me. We must find a better way to assess the state of youth and kids’ ministry in our diocese to see what steps we should take to make this commitment of revitalization a reality.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION CONTINUED FROM PG 6

nuestra oferta en educación para el clero. Para ese fin estoy trabajando con Sarah Bronos, rectora de Good Shepherd, Maitland, y el equipo de Eventos para el Clero. También estoy trabajando con un equipo de personas para desarrollar una conferencia donde se capacitará a líderes laicos, probablemente en algún momento del 2015.

También estoy trabajando con el Canónico Holcomb y la Comisión para el Ministerio en afinar nuestro proceso para ordenación. El Canónigo Bennett

ir la manera en que entendemos el ministerio sobre esa perspectiva. Cuando colaboramos, debemos mostrar respecto por los dones de cada uno, y aparte de eso encontrar una manera de avanzar juntos para que, en efecto, avance el Reino. Nunca se debe considerar a los laicos como ciudadanos de segunda clase, jamás, ni en la iglesia ni en ninguna otra parte.

Las donaciones siguen llegando para el Timothy Fund, así que para el próximo otoño deberíamos estar en condiciones de financiar un nuevo nivel

creo que es importante? Porque creo que ellos son un don. Otra vez tiene que ver con el desarrollo de liderazgo. Creo que una de nuestras mejores incubadoras de liderazgo son estas escuelas que Dios nos ha confiado.

Cómo Leemos a Nuestros Barrios Número Tres, un compromiso para ver a nuestros vecinos y nuestros barrios y enfrentar el desafío de misionar que está delante de nosotros. Creo que ése es nuestro mayor desafío: encontrar maneras de

¿Conocen ustedes cuáles son las necesidades de su barrio? ¿Cómo se puede responder a esas necesidades en el nombre de Jesucristo? Algunas de nuestras parroquias tienen asociaciones maravillosas con el extranjero, y me da mucha alegría que existan y solo quisiera verlas florecer, e incluso proliferar, pero esa asociación con el exterior no es una excusa para ausencia de evangelización y actividades de extensión en nuestros barrios locales. Solo voy a preguntar, y me van a escuchar hacerlo: cuéntenme, ¿cómo están llegando a su barrio?

Marion Pinder

y yo inauguramos una reunión anual donde nos encontramos con los Guardianes; otro debut. Porque para que una congregación tenga éxito, se necesita un equipo colaborador, un equipo de clérigos y laicos que se honren unos a otros, que se respeten unos a otros, que realmente tiren por la ventana el viejo paradigma según el cual el clero se encarga de las cosas espirituales y los líderes laicos se aseguran de que se paguen las cuentas.

Ninguna de esas dos cosas es menos importante; no me parece bíblico divid-

de educación de seminaristas en residencia.

Designé al señor Craig Maughan, Director de la Trinity Preparatory School, para que presida un comité que recomendará a la diócesis cómo pueden trabajar juntos mejor la diócesis y nuestras escuelas episcopales.

Estamos tratando de responder esta interrogante: ¿Qué significa para una escuela denominarse escuela episcopal? ¿Cómo se identifica eso? De qué forma se manifiesta eso en la vida y el trabajo de ellos simultáneamente. ¿Por qué

llegar a nuestros vecinos de forma tal que la gente de por sí quiera venir y ver quiénes somos y a escuchar la buena nueva que Dios nos ha dado. Necesitamos líderes que no sólo sepan cómo leer sus Biblias; necesitamos líderes que sepan cómo leer sus barrios. Es muy frecuente que, trágicamente, el clero limite su responsabilidad al cuidado pastoral de la gente en sus círculos, en vez de comprender que Dios les ha dado la responsabilidad de llegar a toda su región, su barrio y, de hecho, el mundo entero, con su evangelio.

Ministerio de la Juventud Número cinco, nuestro compromiso para revitalizar el ministerio para niños y jóvenes. Una medida en esa dirección es el nombramiento de un consultor diocesano para jóvenes, el señor Steve Schneeberger. Tenemos un apoyo muy sólido para lo que está sucediendo con New Beginnings.

Tengo la esperanza de que este año será, al menos para mí, un tiempo de exploración. Conversé con nuestro consultor diocesano para jóvenes la semana pasada, y le dije que mi esperanza era que no solo prestara servicio a congregaciones sino que también me diera

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La Iglesia Más Amplia Número Cuatro, un compromiso para ocupar nuestro lugar dentro de los concilios de la Iglesia Episcopaliana, en la medida de lo posible.

Me comprometo a ser un miembro activo en la Cámara de Obispos. Es por eso que me hago el tiempo para asistir a sus reuniones, para establecer relaciones con ellos, y encontrar maneras de trabajar juntos. Es por eso que estamos enviando una representación completa a la Convención General del 2015. Es por eso que damos la bienvenida al obispo presidente a esta diócesis. Es por eso que voy a las reuniones provinciales.

No somos uno puesto remoto. Somos parte de una familia más grande, a la que queremos apoyar mediante oraciones. Queremos encontrar maneras de rendir cuentas mutuamente, hablar con claridad sobre las convicciones teológicas que se nos han dado, y estar en el equipo.

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DIOCESAN CONVENTION I don’t to just to throw money at it. I want us to have concerted and strategic action. How do we reach out in new ways to the children and youth God has given us in this diocese?

Why is all of this important? Because the missionary challenge to reach our neighborhoods, our world, with the gospel is before us. That’s what you heard yesterday from Kevin Higgins.

When most people outside our fellowship think about our churches, they look like this.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

Successful Congregations To most people outside of the Episcopal Church, we are considered largely irrelevant to the pressing and acknowledged spiritual hungers. It’s not that they’re not there. They just don’t think of us when they think about getting those questions answered.

As some of you have heard me say repeatedly, my commitment is to see congregations succeed, so what do succeeding congregations look like? Here are a few brief points characterizing successful congregations (I cribbed these from Bill Hybels, who gave a talk at Holy Trinity Brompton in London about this very subject): Number One, at successful congregations, people who are far from God come alive and are found in Christ. The question that must always be in front of us as we are evaluating the effectiveness of our ministries is this: Are lives being changed by the power of the Gospel, or not? If not, why not, and what do we need to do so that we can be more effective in actually seeing people come to Christ?

Number Two, people who are alive and found, then grow in Christ. They grow into maturity.

Transformation happens when you come in contact with the Holy Trinity. You can’t help but be touched by it, and that transformation is both personal and corporate. Congregations should start to look like Jesus in action. As in Luke 7:22: Go and tell 24 John that the blind see, the deaf hear,

and that the poor have good news preached to them.

Number Three, lost and lonely people get drafted into biblical community, and they stop pretending. There can be an air of artificiality about our relationships in church and especially about our worship. Church should not be a place where people pretend. It should be a place where people are loved enough to be real, and if so, sharing what’s really in their hearts, discovering the one who wants to fill their innermost being with His river of living water.

Number Four, people find a purpose that guides them through the rest of their lives.

One’s purpose in life is not merely to have enough money to retire comfortably, play games and hang out with one’s grandchildren. While many people are happy with that, in this community that purpose is just too small. Our world is desperate for people who can give their lives in the service of something far, far greater.

I want to ask, will you begin to prayerfully consider what purpose God has called you to fulfill? It’s bigger than you think. The more I press into my journey, the more I continue to be surprised, both by how amazing Jesus is -- far beyond anything I can ever ask or imagine -- but the fact that I get to get in on God’s purposes in the Earth and see lives changed, to see communities begin to be transformed.

What we’re talking about here is not only individual evangelization, it has to do with challenging unjust structures. It has to do with being salt and light to your community. It’s far bigger than anything that you or I ever think, but the only way to get in is to step out and say, “Here I am, Lord,” and see the doors that God opens in your life.

Number Five, people of means, both small and great, begin to seize the opportunity to financially and personally give of their time and their money to see their neighborhoods and their

world change for the better through the power of the Gospel. If the goal of your stewardship program is to pay the light bill, you will not get much response. People give to vision.

It’s not that paying the light bill is unimportant. Believe me, I get that, and churches should be known as places that pay their bills on time. It is an incredibly poor witness to have creditors knocking on your door.

But in the end, people give their time, talent, and their treasure to a vision that calls them to something greater, and that “greater” is making a difference in our world and touching our world with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

The goal is not merely renewed congregations. I put this out on Twitter this morning: “The goal is a renewed world, renewed communities.” For example, I’d say at St. Johnthe-Baptist Church, Washington Shores, the goal is not only to see the parish come alive in Christ. It is that, but in the end, it’s also that Washington Shores can literally be touched by the power of the Gospel. It’s not just for St. George’s Church in The Villages to have a whole network of ministries for people who care about each other, it’s that, as His people literally move here from all over the country, they begin to know that there’s an alternative to just lowering their golf score. It’s bigger than that.

It’s saying to God, “I want to do it for you and for your purposes. How can I be a part of that?”

We are about talking money and we are talking about time. It’s servanthood. It’s an understanding, especially if you’re moving into retirement and you have some accumulated income. If you want to keep a very large nest egg just in case something might happen to you physically, that’s a big concern. I get that. I’m now old enough to begin to think about such things. But if that’s all you’re doing with your income, you’re robbing God, as it says in Malachi.

The Rev. Justin Holcomb

We are called to give financially, and personally, sacrificially. Again, not to pay the light bill but to literally make a difference in our world, and if that’s not being called up in your church, then clergy and lay leaders, get with it! Or it may be that even if your clergy and lay leaders can’t hear that call, God is bigger than that. Go to Him and say, “Lord, what would you have me do?” I believe God will show you.

To have a congregation like that, though, requires leaders who are people of vision and also have a deeply trustable integrity. They know how to articulate a vision. They know how to mobilize people to pray, learn, love, and serve together, which takes us right back to the need of leadership development, continuing education, and raising up people, to take our congregation into this new millennium with that kind of passion and vision.

Dr. Martin Luther King, whose memory we celebrated this past week, said, “All too often the religious community has been a taillight instead of a headlight.”

May that not be said of the Diocese of Central Florida. As the world is moving to Central Florida, can we find a way to ask God to help us to be a headlight, guided by the one who is the light of the world?

Thank you.■

Congregaciones Exitosas Para la mayoría de la gente de fuera de la Iglesia Episcopal, somos más que nada irrelevantes para las respuestas a las reconocidas y urgentes ansias de espiritualidad. No es que ellas no puedan ser encontradas ahí. Es que simplemente no piensan en nosotros cuando piensan en cómo responder a esas interrogantes.

Como algunos me han escuchado decir más de una vez, mi compromiso consiste en ver que las congregaciones tengan éxito; entonces ¿cómo lucen las congregaciones exitosas? Aquí tengo algunos puntos muy breves que caracterizan a las congregaciones exitosas (Seleccioné estas de Bill Hybels, que dio una charla en Holy Trinity Brompton en Londres sobre este mismo tema): Número Uno, en las congregaciones exitosas, la gente alejada de Dios cobra vida y se encuentra en Cristo. Esta pregunta debe estar siempre frente de nosotros cuando estamos evaluando la efectividad de nuestros ministerios en esto: ¿Están siendo cambiadas las vidas por el poder del Evangelio, o no? Si la respuesta es no, ¿por qué no? y ¿qué tenemos que hacer para que podamos ser más eficaces en ver que realmente la gente venga a Cristo?

Número Dos, la gente que cobra vida y es encontrada, después crece en Cristo. Ellos crecen para llegar a la madurez. La transformación sucede cuando se toma contacto con la Santísima Trinidad. No se puede evitar ser tocado por ella, y esa transfor-

mación es personal y corporativa. Las congregaciones deben comenzar a verse como Jesús en acción. Como en Lucas 7:22: “Id, haced saber a Juan lo que habéis visto y oído: los ciegos ven, (...) los sordos oyen (...) y a los pobres es anunciado el evangelio.”

Número Tres, la gente perdida y sola es absorbida por la comunidad bíblica, y ellos dejan de fingir.

Puede haber un aire de artificialidad sobre nuestras relaciones en la iglesia y en especial en torno a nuestra alabanza.

La iglesia no debe ser un lugar donde la gente finja. Debe ser un lugar donde la gente sea amada lo suficiente para ser auténtica, y si es así, compartir lo que realmente hay en sus corazones, dejando al descubierto a aquel que quiere sentir pleno su ser más interno con el río de agua viva de Él.

Número Cuatro, la gente encuentra un propósito que los guía durante el resto de sus vidas. El propósito que se tiene en la vida no se limita a tener dinero suficiente para tener un retiro confortable, pasar el tiempo en juegos y disfrutando a los nietos. Aunque mucha gente se siente contenta con eso, en esta comunidad ese propósito simplemente es muy modesto. Nuestro mundo está desesperadamente necesitando a gente que pueda donar sus vidas para el servicio de algo muchísimo mayor.

Les pregunto: ¿van a empezar a considerar en oración para qué propósito Dios los ha llamado a ustedes? Es mucho más grande de lo que ustedes creen. Mientras más avanzo en mi camino, más sigo sorprendiéndome, tanto por lo asombroso que es Jesús -mucho más de lo que alguna vez puede haber pedido o imaginado- y por el hecho de que logro conseguir los propósitos de Dios en la Tierra y ver vidas cambiadas, ver comunidades que empiezan a ser transformadas.

De lo que estamos hablando acá no es solo de evangelización individual, sino que tiene que ver con desafiar estructuras injustas. Tiene que ver con ser la sal y la luz de su comunidad. Es mucho más grande de lo que ustedes o yo hayamos pensado, pero de la única manera que podemos ponernos en camino es diciendo “Héme aquí, Señor”, y ver las puertas que Dios abre en la vida de cada uno.

Número cinco, las personas de medios, tanto pequeños como

grandes, empiezan a aprovechar la oportunidad de dar financiera y personalmente su tiempo y su dinero para ver sus barrios y su mundo cambiar para mejor a través del poder del Evangelio. Si el objetivo de su programa de mayordomía es pagar la cuenta de la luz, no van a obtener mucha respuesta.

La gente dona a la visión.

No es que pagar la cuenta de la luz no sea importante. Créanme, lo entiendo, y las iglesias deben ser conocidas como lugares que pagan sus cuentas a tiempo. Es un testimonio increíblemente pobre tener acreedores golpeando a su puerta.

Pero al final, la gente dona su tiempo, su talento y su tesoro a una visión que los interpela para algo más grande, y eso “más grande” es marcar la diferencia en nuestro mundo y tocar a nuestro mundo con el amor y la misericordia de Jesucristo.

El objetivo no es simplemente tener congregaciones renovadas. Esta mañana publiqué lo siguiente en Twitter: “El objetivo es un mundo renovado, comunidades renovadas”. Por ejemplo, yo diría que en St. John-the-Baptist Church, de Washington Shores, el objetivo no es solo ver que la parroquia reviva en Cristo. Es ése pero, al final, también es que Washington Shores pueda ser literalmente tocado por el poder del Evangelio. No es solo que St. George’s Church en The Villages tenga una completa red de ministerios para la gente que se preocupa uno de otro; es que, cuando la gente de Él empiece literalmente a llegar aquí de todo el país, empiecen a saber que hay una alternativa a solo disminuir su puntaje de golf.

Es mucho más grande que eso.

Es decir a Dios: “Quiero hacerlo para Ti y para Tus propósitos. ¿Cómo puedo ser parte de eso?”

Estamos hablando de dinero y estamos hablando de tiempo. Es servicio. Se da por entendido, en especial si se está llegando a la edad del retiro y tienen algún ingreso acumulado. Si quieren mantener un nido bastante grande en caso de que algo físico les suceda, esa es una gran preocupación. Lo entiendo.

Ahora soy lo bastante mayor como para empezar a pensar en esas cosas. Pero si eso es todo lo que están haciendo con su ingreso, le están robando a Dios, como dice en Malaquías.

The Rev. B.G. Garrison and Sid Glynn

Estamos llamados a donar financieramente, y personalmente, con sacrificio. Insisto, no para pagar la cuenta de la luz sino literalmente marcar una diferencia en nuestro mundo, y si eso no es inspirado en su iglesia, entonces les digo a los líderes del clero y de los laicos: ¡póngase manos a la obra! O también puede suceder que si sus líderes del clero y de los laicos no pueden escuchar este llamado, Dios busque que su grandeza se muestre a través de los pequeños. Acudan a él y díganle: “Señor, ¿qué quieres que yo haga?”. Yo creo que Dios se los mostrará.

Sin embargo, tener una congregación como esa requiere líderes que sean gente con visión y también tengan una integridad profundamente confiable. Ellos saben cómo articular una visión. Ellos saben cómo movilizar a la gente para orar, aprender, amar y servir juntos, lo que nos retrotrae a la necesidad de desarrollar liderazgo, educación continua, y hacer crecer a la gente, para llevar a nuestra congregación a este nuevo milenio con ese tipo de pasión y visión.

El Dr. Martin Luther King, cuyo día celebramos la semana pasada, dijo: “Con mucha frecuencia la comunidad religiosa ha sido luz posterior en vez de luz delantera”.

Que eso no pueda ser dicho de la Diócesis de Central Florida. A medida que el mundo se traslada a Central Florida, ¿podemos encontrar una manera de pedirle a Dios que nos ayude a ser luz delantera, guiados por el único que es luz del mundo?

Gracias.■

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retroalimentación. Debemos encontrar una mejor manera de evaluar el estado del ministerio para niños y jóvenes en nuestra diócesis para ver qué medidas adoptar a fin de hacer realidad este compromiso de revitalización.

No quiero solo tirar dinero en eso. Quiero que tengamos una acción concertada y estratégica. ¿Cómo llegar a través de nuevos caminos a los niños y a los jóvenes que Dios nos ha dado en esta diócesis? ¿Cuál es la importancia de todo esto? Porque ante nosotros tenemos el desafío misionero de llegar a nuestros barrios, a nuestro mundo, llevando el evangelio. Eso es lo que escucharon ayer de boca de Kevin Higgins. Cuando la mayoría de la gente de fuera de nuestra hermandad piensa en nuestras iglesias, buscan eso.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN - FEB - MARCH 2014

AROUND THE DIOCESE

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The engaged and energetic congregation

Bishop baptizes and confirms in Lecanto

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t was another of God’s great days over at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Lecanto, Feb. 16.

Fr. Ladd K. Harris is serving as Supply Priest while this lively congregation seeks its next full-time rector.

An active, involved membership and the revs. Joan Clark, Mike Hall and Linda Liebert-Hall, deacons, work hard to keep Shepherd of the Hills on a positive trajectory.

Bishop Greg and Laura Lee Brewer enjoyed a night of Mystery Dinner Theater on Saturday. At the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Bishop Greg confirmed, received and/or reaffirmed Katie Cable, Erin Dieric, Lynn Meyer, Kathy Murat, Ron Murat, Betty Longerich, and Jo Hagen.

Confirmation Kaitlyn Cable, sponsored by Lee Cable Betty Longerich, sponsored by Margie Johnson Lynn Meyer, sponsored by Jack Holeman Reception Kathleen Murat, sponsored by Jan Fontaine Ronald Murat, sponsored by Richard Fontaine Reaffirmation Erin Diericx, sponsored by Judy Harris Jo Anne Hagen, sponsored by Ladd Harris

Check out the church’s new website: www.SOTHEC.org.■

1 1.-Bishop Brewer and Fr. Ladd Harris greet members.

2.-Shepherd of the Hills, Lecanto.

3.-The church’s special mosaic.

4.-There is always a cake!

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WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG - LENT 2014

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN 1017 E. Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32801-2023

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid PERMIT NO. 4111 ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Take the Central Florida Church Communications Survey

Go to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7F9S928

The Diocesan Office of Communications will continue to offer a series of training classes in 2014 for all who work with church communications, including print, special events, websites and social media.

Class topics will include:

Metrics: How to measure the reach and effectiveness of your communications.

Free and low-cost evaluation tools and how to use them.

Google: How to use Google webmaster tools and Search Engine Optimization to make it easier for people to find your parish on Google

Website Tune Up: Some of the common problems in web content for parishes, and easy ways to fix them to make your site more functional for your visitors

Social Media Strategy: How to set up social media for your parish, how to use the social media once you’ve set it up, and a Best Practices review.

Website Trends: How to implement trends in website design into your parish web presence and easy ways to make your website and social media profiles more visually appealing.

SURVEY INFO:

The linked survey information will only be used by the Office of Communications to announce information relating to classes and to compile information relating to improvement and collaboration in communications.

Also, please note:

In smaller parishes, there may be overlap in these positions -- List them all! If you have additional staff or volunteers that help with online content and there is not a spot for them in the main fields of the form, please put that information in the final field of the form.

Thank You! Joe Thoma, Communications Director / 407-341-6615

New Beginnings

March 28 – 30, 2014 Camp Wingmann, Avon Park, FL

What: New Beginnings is a weekend especially designed to respond to the issues, concerns, and needs of teenagers in middle school (approx 12 – 15 year olds). It was created to help young people grow in their love of themselves, of others, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Participants do not have to be Episcopalian but must be recommended by an Episcopal Church and have the backing of an adult (over age 21) from that church that will be attending the weekend as a sponsor. It is expected that all participants, sponsors, and team stay for the entireweekend due to the building nature of the talks and activities.

Arrive: Fri. eve at 7 p.m. (Please eat dinner before you arrive) Ends: Approximately 1:30 Sunday afternoon Cost: $85 per person What to Bring: Comfortable clothes, Extra pair of shoes (in case it rains), Towel Lightweight jacket, Bathing suit (girls – one piece suits), Bible, Toiletries, Sleeping bag, pillow.

There will be T-shirts available for $10 but no other cash will be needed on the weekend.

What NOT to Bring: (in order to make this a true retreat, students are encouraged to leave behind the technology that takes them away from group participation. If these items are with the student, we will ask them to put them away until bed time). Cell phone, I-Pad, other electronics, Watch, Valuables.

For further questions, please call The Rev. Phyllis Bartle 386-775-6200