BISHOP’S COLUMN
Bishop Frade Reflects on 30 Years of Ministry
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s the 30th anniversary of my consecration as a Bishop is now upon us, and after serving over 13 years as your Bishop, I am reflecting on what brings the most joy to my heart and what has formed our ministry in the diocese of Southeast Florida. When I became your “Third Interim” Bishop, I was so grateful for those who had brought this diocese to such a healthy state. I quickly discovered that if the diocese was to remain healthy, there were some issues that needed to be addressed in a prayerful and strategic manner. As the “Discovering Our Future” process confirmed and reminded us, South Florida has been and is an increasingly diverse culture with numerous swings in the economic and real estate markets. These conditions offer great challenges to our congregations and stretch our resources as we seek to respond. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team to give leadership to a diocese. I have found that one person cannot possess all the gifts and skills needed. I have not been afraid to seek consultation, originally contracting with Susie Miller to help me assess the present state of the diocese and then to initiate a plan to make a difference in South Florida. A big part of that initial plan was the assembling of a team who would provide the gifts necessary to lift the diocese to an even greater ministry. I have cherished the ministry of Bishops James Ottley, Calvin Schofield, John Said, and Onell Soto as well as Archdeacons Fritz Bazin, Tom Bruttell, Mary Gray-Reeves, Bryan Hobbs, and Paul Rasmus. The “team” approach has generated tremendous fruit in South Florida, and I am so grateful! I have had three exceptional deployment officers who have effectively helped me call new leadership to almost every church in the diocese. I am so proud and thankful for all of you. You have brought diverse and creative skills to our common ministry and have produced excellent results. I am also especially proud of how the Gospel is being taken to those who are most fragile in South Florida. Family Promise has been established in both Palm Beach deaneries; Episcopal Charities has grown to the point that nearly $300,000 each year goes to social ministries across the diocese; we have strengthened all of our diocesan schools and have established two charter schools to assist our church ministries; youth ministries that never existed before at churches such as St. Matthew’s, Delray Beach and St. Columba’s, Marathon are thriving; Deanery Youth Coordinators
in each deanery have had tremendous success; and the Haitian ministry at St. Paul et les martyrs d’Haiti, Miami, is breaking all attendance records. Who would have ever dreamed! I am also especially proud of everyone who has taken advantage of the Nehemiah Process. When I sit before you at convention and see so many congregations come forward for special recognition, I am filled with awe, especially since I am acutely aware of how many challenges you have overcome to become so successful. In addition, when I visit each church for confirmation, I find enthusiasm and joy where originally I encountered skepticism and a diminished sense of hope. Six parishes who were surviving on diocesan support when I arrived are now self-supporting congregations. It brings me great joy to see so many miracles! The social justice Commission has facilitated a number of provocative dialogues across racial and ethnic lines. There have been several forums initiated by the Office of Social Justice and Immigration Ministries that have brought acute awareness to very sensitive issues and these conversations help us to know our neighbors and invariably enhance the community. Many tough issues regarding race, adversity and gun violence have been tackled head-on and provided an increased level of understanding and a path towards healing. I have been proud of the work we have done on behalf of disenfranchised members of the community as it relates to wage disparity and the treatment of migrants. I was also extremely enthusiastic about the formation of pro bono legal assistance for immigrants and refugees though our newly organized St. Ives Guild of Episcopal lawyers. I am especially thankful for the growth of the Hispanic ministry in the diocese. We have been blessed over the past 13 years with many new clergy and church leaders who have expanded our outreach to the Hispanic community. My prayer is that their ministries might become more and more effective in reaching Hispanics who do not yet have a church home. I would be remiss if I did not mention how much joy I felt at seeing the fulfillment of Bishop Duncan and Bishop Schofield’s dream of building the Schofield Chapel and the Larry Stahl Buildings at the James L. Duncan Center; and, of course, I love the TGI Frade pool complex. And last but not least, my heart is filled with joy at the rapid expansion of our foreign and domestic missions. We now have missions to Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Madagascar, Navajoland, Belize, and Our Lit-
tle Roses in Honduras. Thanks to all of you who have helped the Our Little Roses ministry that is very dear to me and my wife Diana. With your help and prayers we have been able to transform the lives of many girls. These girls who were rescued from abject poverty and exploitation live today a life of hope; many are graduates from both the university and medical schools. So many of you have a heart to help beyond our borders with financial assistance, medical missions, construction missions, and Vacation Bible schools. My heart is especially full that you have chosen to support this ongoing ministry that Diana and I started. Your prayers and support have moved me. I could go on but space does not permit me to congratulate all of you on your many successful ministries that started as small initiatives of compassion and have blossomed into viable ministries to God’s people. As I visit around the diocese and see the miracles you have birthed, I am so very proud to be called your Bishop! You make me proud because of your many faithful and sacrificial ministries that help to transform lives. As I look back over my 13 years with you and my 30 years as Bishop, I give thanks to God for your prayers and loving support. You have carried on our work with faith and unwavering determination to follow your heart in serving Jesus. I am grateful for you all.
The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida Winter 2014
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