Central Florida Episcopalian Newspaper July-August, 2018

CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA • WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 120, No. 4 • July-August 2018

DENTRO: ¡El boletín de noticias español está de vuelta! Por favor, consulte las páginas 13-16

A Full House for Annual Dinner Shows Popularity of Canterbury’s Sacred Space St. Mark’s, Haines City, Organist Makes History in England TENS Conference Empowers St. Jude’s Rector to Give ICS Gearing Up for Inspirational Classes This Fall ‘Coloring the Scriptures’ Bringing People Together at Holy Trinity, Melbourne

stewardship

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

The Diocese of Central Florida The Right Reverend Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop Serving 15 counties through 83 churches and 30,000 members

The Episcopal Church The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate An international community of 2.5 million Christians in North and South America, Europe and Taiwan

The Anglican Communion The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury A global community of over 85 million Christians in over 165 countries around the world

Central Florida Episcopalian The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe Retired The Rt. Rev. Hugo Pina-Lopez Retired The Rt. Rev. John Said Retired The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell Retired

Table of Contents Bishop Brewer’s Column – The Call to Stewardship.................................................................3 A Full House for Annual Dinner Shows Popularity of Canterbury’s Sacred Space................... 4-5 Diocesan Contingent Ready to Make Impact at Convention.....................................................5 St. Mark’s, Haines City, Organist Makes History in England................................................. 6-7 TENS Conference Empowers St. Jude’s Rector to Give......................................................... 8-9 We Are Called to Be Stewards to Watch Over God’s Gifts.......................................................10 Church of the Blessed Redeemer on a Mission in Palm Bay...................................................11 Silly Sock Saturdays Brings Joy to Kids in Hospital................................................................12 Spanish Newsletter....................................................................................................... 13-16 Consumerism and Spiritual Warfare.....................................................................................17 Stewardship Workshop Helped Priest Boost Church’s Fortunes....................................... 18-19 Youthful Determination Puts Knox on Top at YMI............................................................. 20-21 Material Greed Leads Us Away From Christ...........................................................................22 ICS Gearing Up for Inspirational Classes This Fall.................................................................23 The ‘Venite’ – the Church’s Traditional Call to Worship..........................................................24 ‘Coloring the Scriptures’ Bringing People Together at Holy Trinity, Melbourne.........................25 Holy Trinity Students Collect Hundreds of Items for Youth in Need..........................................26 Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule, Diocesan Calendar of Events..........................................27

DON’T MISS ANY

The Rev. Canon Timothy Nunez Canon to the Ordinary

LATEST NEWS and ENCOURAGEMENT:

The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb Canon for Vocations

check out CFE Online at http://www.cfdiocese.org/cfe_tax/news/

The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon Mr. Earl Pickett, Diocesan Administrator Mr. Erick Perez, Subscription Manager

CLARIFICATION In a May 2018 Central Florida Episcopalian story about the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis announcing his resignation from the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, he referenced the Lewis and Clark Expedition in how important moments relate to the Episcopal Church.

Davis’ comments about the expedition derived from what he calls “the best book on ministry he had read in the last 20 years,” Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger. The book was inadvertently omitted in the story.

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The Central Florida Episcopalian is published 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 prior to event, and follow-up information as soon as possible to: The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Email: eperez@cfdiocese.org • www.cfdiocese.org Tel: (407) 423-3567 • Fax: (407) 872-0006 Or HigherLife Publishing & Marketing Editorial Director: Jeff Gardenour / editorial@ahigherlife.com Project Manager: Will Hadley / whadley@ahigherlife.com website address: www.ahigherlife.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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BISHOP BREWER

The Call to Stewardship

By Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

“Money, money, money.

That’s all the church cares about.”

“You preachers!

All you ever do is talk about money.”

“The people at church don’t care about me. They only want my money.”

Have you ever heard statements like these? Have you made them?

A Foolish Servant Do you remember the parable of the talents (Matt.

25:10-30)? Jesus tells the story of a master who left his servants in charge of large sums of his money (or “talents”), which he divided up before he left on a long journey. One servant invested the talents he received, doubling them from five to 10.

Another, who had received only two talents, did the same. But the servant with just one talent buried it in the ground to keep it safe. When his master returned, he received a harsh rebuke.

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No, I don’t know many people who bury their money in the ground. But a poor steward will bury his money in investments, in credit card or other debt, in buying too many things. In other words, poor stewards put themselves under so many financial obligations that it’s impossible to be generous.

Stewardship has to do with choosing to be a good steward for what God has entrusted to me. Being a good steward is the responsibility I take to place at God’s disposal all of who I am for His service.

A Vital Shift

ention the word “stewardship,” and for some people, money is all that comes to mind. Scripture does, in fact, make a direct connection between stewardship and money. But real stewardship involves so much more.

A Difficult Topic So why is stewardship so difficult for Christians to discuss? Many of us fear a loss of control. We want to trust God with our lives, but we’re afraid. What will happen if we don’t have enough money? What if our health fails? What if we invite people into our home, and somebody steals from us?

Nothing keeps us more self-centered and self-protective than fear. We live in a fearful culture, where the temptation (meaning it’s from the evil one) is to focus on my own protection rather than making my life available to God. That’s why talking about stewardship is such a challenge. Most people don’t want to face those fears. And if they do, they’re afraid of what God might ask of them.

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Poor stewardship happens in the church, too.

Since generosity and stewardship are directly linked to evangelism and service, sometimes churches shrink because they skip these. They fall back into merely taking care of the people who show up on Sunday. They’re afraid to reach out, and they risk closure.

But the Scripture, by contrast, says: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38). What a different picture this is than that of fear and self-protection!

But a shift is happening in our diocese. Local churches are going from the posture of, “Our first obligation is to take care of our own,” to, “Our first posture is to mobilize our own to serve others.”

The more we make that shift, the more I believe we can become channels for God’s generosity and kindness.

A Prayerful Challenge And that is, in some ways, the challenge of stewardship. It’s not merely a call Bishop Greg Brewer to give more, but also to examine how you live your life. The ungenerous heart says, “I need to have a certain sense of security, and owning these things helps provide that for me.” The ungenerous heart looks not for needs to meet but for excuses not to give.

By contrast, the generous heart is a heart that sees needs and looks for ways to fill them. If someone needs a meal, the generous heart signs up and figures out how to do it, even with a packed schedule. If there’s a financial need at church, the generous heart automatically takes it to prayer rather than saying, “No, I can’t do that.”

Acts of generosity are, in essence, a reflexive response that flow from a generous heart. Since our natural tendency is just the opposite, we need to ask for God’s help. He can give us the capacity to be generous, to be kind, to prayerfully look for ways to serve and to give.

In other words, the call to stewardship cannot be separated from a call to prayer. Will you join me in asking God for a generous heart for yourself? For your church? For your diocese?

Grace to you,

Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

A Full House for Annual Dinner Shows Popularity of Canterbury’s Sacred Space Diners enjoy “A Triple Crown Affair”-themed event

By Jeff Gardenour

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he theme for this year’s Canterbury Annual Celebration Dinner was “A Triple Crown Affair: Run Your Race, Make A Difference, Finish Strong.”

But board members will tell you that Canterbury, itself, will never stop running the race. After all, the spacious, picturesque retreat and conference center is 36 years young and counting.

“I think many Christians immediately think about St. Paul saying I’ve run the good race,” said Canterbury board member Charlie Pierce on Sunday, June 3, at the sixth annual dinner and silent auction. “I hope we all are running the good race. To me, the only trouble with the analogy is it implies a finish line. Well, we are not finished here at Canterbury. We have a long way to go.”

Things are going famously at Canterbury, which has come a long way

PHOTO BY JEFF GARDENOUR/CFE

since 2008 when the retreat fell on hard times with a downturn in the economy. Under Father Jon Davis’ recently completed nine-year tenure as executive director, Canterbury has bounced back with new business ventures and a rededication to being a sacred, spiritual space for all who come here.

Guests mingle in the silent auction area at the 2018 Canterbury Dinner.

Belmont Stakes – that make up the Triple Crown. Attendees wore colorful hats, snazzy suits, and shoes; and mingled and chatted with one another in the reception area.

“The beauty of Canterbury is that people have been here for so many years,” Canterbury board member Doug Dill said. “They love coming here, and just finding that place with Christ, and it’s so easily accessible here. In a world filled with of a lot of hub-bub, the more people that are exposed to it … will guarantee Canterbury being around for a long time.”

Enjoying the affair were Bishop Greg Brewer and his wife, Laura Lee; Marilyn Lang, widow of former Canterbury board chairman Tom Lang, who died in late April, and her daughters Sarah Caprani and Annie Dickman, along with her husband and son; Father Chris Brathwaite of St. Peter’s Episcopal in Lake Mary; Father Tom Phillips of Church of the Incarnation in Oviedo; and many others.

The energy and enthusiasm that is Canterbury 2018 was on full display June 3 when 160 people turned out for “A Triple Crown Affair” event, a play on the three thoroughbred horse races – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and

Many of the attendees came early for the event’s silent auction, which started at 5 p.m. and featured an array of fabulous items, including seven-night beachfront accommodations at the St. James Club, Antigua, Far left: Father Jon Davis, a former nine-year executive director of Canterbury, welcomed guests again to the retreat’s annual dinner.

Left: Canterbury had a full house for this year’s annual dinner.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

gold-and-silver toned necklaces, artwork, tickets to Wonder Works and The Holy Land Experience, memberships to the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts and the Orlando Museum of Art, and much more.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Laura Lee Brewer. “The diocese has a real love for fellowship. We all love each other.”

Following the 1-hour silent auction, guests moved to the dining area, where Canterbury staff member Sue Grosso said a meat stew, pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, string beans, plated salad, and more were served.

“I think this (and other) event(s) at Canterbury have improved dramatically,” said Deacon John Clark of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Titusville. “I’m a retired chef. I think the quality of the food and the variety have been outstanding the last couple of years.”

Also headlining Canterbury on this special night was discussion of the Tom Lang Memorial Fund, established in the aftermath of his death.

Davis announced that $12,000 has been raised in a little more than a month. Proceeds will likely go toward improvements at Canterbury, Dill said.

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2018 GENERAL CONVENTION of THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH DIOCESAN FAMILY “I think the Diocese certainly appreciates the love Tom Lang had for Canterbury and his willingness to always be available to Canterbury,” Dill said. “One of things that Tom was passionate about improving was the kitchen area: commercial, appliances and that kind of equipment… so the staff can more efficiently turn out even better food.”

Marilyn Lang, the widow of former Canterbury Chairman Tom Lang, left, and her daughter, Sarah Caprani, were two of 160 guests to attend this year’s Canterbury dinner.

The food, scenery, events, worship, and friendliness all have been a part of Canterbury’s mission for years: a center for spiritual growth that offers hospitality in a sacred space. And that mission will continue.

“I think when you drive into Canterbury and you see these beautiful trees, the lake, I think you start to immediately get a sense that this is a place set apart, set aside for people to be nourished spiritually, to collect their thoughts, many have questions,” Pierce said. “It’s a good place for questions, to think. And it has a spiritual basis that is just beautiful.”

Diocesan Contingent Ready to Make Impact at Convention

By Jeff Gardenour

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leven people, including Bishop Greg Brewer, from the Diocese of Central Florida this month will be on hand to listen and make their voice known at one of the biggest legislative bodies in the world: the 2018 General Convention of The Episcopal Church.

A projected 10,000 people are expected to attend the 79th annual convention, slated to be held July 5-13 in Austin, Texas.

The convention, which is the governing body of the Episcopal Church, is scheduled to be held mainly at the Austin Convention Center, with additional meetings at the nearby Marriott and Hyatt hotels.

The General Convention, which is a bicameral legislature that is composed of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, consisting of deputies and bishops from each diocese, meets every three years, according to the generalconvention.org website. Attendees examine and discuss a wide variety of significant issues facing the Church.

Work matters accomplished are implemented by committees, commissions, agencies, boards, and task forces established by General Convention in between each triennial meeting.

Seven members of the Diocese of Central Florida contingent received deputation assignments for the 2018 General Convention.

They are: Bishop Brewer, secretary of Evangelism and Church Planting; the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, vice chair of Stewardship & Socially Responsible Investing; Sonya Shannon, Bartle Christian Formation and Discipleship; Krisita Jackson, secretary of Privilege and Courtesy; the Rev. Jim Sorvillo, Congregational and Diocesan Vitality; Tom Alday, Evangelism and Church Planting; and Erick Perez, Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music.

Also representing the Diocese of Central Florida are the Rev. Canon Tim Nunez, Canon to the Ordinary; the Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Canon for Vocations; the Rev. Jose Rodriguez; and Heather Rodriguez.

“I expect this convention to be much like those in the past, with over 800 resolutions passing through committees as they make their way to the floor of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops,” said Bartle, a clerical deputy in the House of Deputies who will serve as vice-chair of the Stewardship Committee.

“Prayer Book revision is one issue I expect will draw much floortime discussion.”

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The convention will be a first for Holcomb, a former priest in the Diocese of Virginia, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 2006. He sees the convention as an important opportunity for the Church to address multiple issues and for the Diocese of Central Florida to share its vision for the Church, among other things.

“There are numerous challenges, such as the presiding bishop’s call and focus on evangelism, the challenge of declining attendance in TEC (The Episcopal Church) churches, and more,” Holcomb said. “However, I see the most important challenge is the need for wisdom regarding how to walk together in Holcomb unity as the Episcopal Church in light of significant and important doctrinal disagreements, and also how TEC relates to the global Anglican Communion.

“At the invitation of the presiding bishop and the archbishop, Bishop Brewer and our diocese have served as a bridge in the midst of disagreement both in the Episcopal Church and the global Anglican Communion,” Holcomb said. “I think this General Convention is an important opportunity to continue that ministry.”

The General Convention also is a test of will and stamina for many of the participants. Father Jim Sorvillo, rector of Church of the Ascension in Orlando, will head to the convention for the third time.

“In my opinion, it takes a couple times to go through General Convention in order to get an idea of how it works, and how one can work in it,” said Sorvillo, who is making the trip despite being on sabbatical with his church. “Between morning committee meetings and resolution hearings to time on the floor of the House of Deputies to evening hearings and meetings, each of the 12 days can run from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. It can be both grueling and exciting to be a part of such a process.”

When all is said and done, Jackson hopes to be feeling good about the Church’s future: “Hope to walk away from the 2018 General Convention with my faith reaffirmed that this Church which I was raised and continue to serve in is committed to living out Matthew 25:35-40. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me ... just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

St. Mark’s, Haines City, Organist Makes History in England

By Jeff Gardenour

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he Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan

Markle wasn’t the only historical event this spring in England. Davenport’s Joslyn Williams can testify to that.

The director of music, organist and parish administrator at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City on April 28 was inducted into The Guild of Musicians and Singers at the level of Fellow in a formal ceremony at All Hallows-by-the-Tower Church, which is situated close to the Tower of London. Founded in 1993, The Guild is a learning society consisting of more than 400 members, including several prominent musicians among its honorary fellows, according to https://www. musiciansandsingers.org.uk on the internet.

the United States, and also having the prestigious honor from Queen Elizabeth, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.”

Williams said the event was a prestigious moment for church musicians and others as people from as far away as Australia attended. The event commenced with a procession of the officers of the Guild, followed by prayers and an address on Handel’s “Messiah.”

But what made the induction historic was that Williams was the first black person to be awarded a Fellowship of the Guild of Musicians, and first from the U.S. Nineteen individuals received their fellowship: 16 men and three women.

“The ceremony was phenomenal,” said Williams. “This was a historical moment for me and also for the Guild. Everyone was ever so happy to welcome me. The initials FGMS (Fellow Guild of Musicians and Singers) have been added to my name. I was received gracefully with all the respect being the only recipient from

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

Names were called in alphabetical order, and a biography of each person was read in the packed church. “The Guild was very excited that I had traveled from North America to accept my Fellowship,” Williams said. “The mention of my honors from the Queen of England as a Member of the British Empire (MBE), which was received while I lived on the island of Antigua, received thunderous applause. The Congressional Award received for contribution to music while I lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands was received with enthusiasm, and my walk from my seat to collect my diploma was ‘on air.’”

Additionally, greetings were announced publicly to be extended

for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, and the Diocese of Central Florida, Williams said. “My task on my return to the United States is to assist in connecting church music organizations, choirs and other musical groups to engage in exchange events by having concerts and recitals, etc.,” she said. “The event was indeed historical for me.”

Williams began her trek to history while growing up in Antigua, where she learned how to play a makeshift piano made from cardboard and clothes pins. It was an unorthodox start to music but one that struck a chord deep inside her heart.

“My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Davis, now deceased, saw my gift,” Williams said. “This was a ritual every night in our home, where I played and my parents sang. This gave them the impetus for me to start piano lessons. I started to learn the piano at age 10, and at 14 I started playing the organ for Sunday services. I have been using this God-given talent of music for the Lord (for) over 50 years. Thank you, God!” Years of practice helped Williams become an award-winning musician, and then some.

“The Guild of Church Musicians is a charity to help encourage high standards in church music,” Williams said. “It offers members examinations, courses and awards. The Guild is a fellowship of those who sincerely desire to offer the best in Davenport’s Joslyn Williams is all smiles after being inducted into The Guild of Musicians and Singers at the level of Fellow in a formal ceremony at All Hallows-by-the-Tower Church, which is situated close to the Tower of London.

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DIOCESAN FAMILY PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE GUILD OF MUSICIANS AND SINGER

music to the service of the church.

The Guild is considered one of the top organizations in England and is relative to the American Guild of Organists in the United States.”

Williams’ love for music has afforded her much opportunity in many places. She served as music director/organist at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Antigua for more than 30 years. While a member of the This marked the first time that WilProvincial Board for the Anglican liams made application to the guild, Church in Antigua, she served on and it proved to be an easy process the compilation committee for imbased on her prestigious backplementing and completing a New ground. A recipient of the Queen’s

Provincial Hymnal for the Anglican Honours (MBE), director of music/ Church of the Province of the West organist for more than 50 years, Indies. She wrote a hymn for the Dean of the American Guild of OrNew Hymnal-CPWI Hymnal. ganists for the Antigua Chapter, and having earned a Bachelor of Science After relocating to St. Thomas in degree from Hartford University, the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2004, she Williams was approved at the highserved as director of music and orest level of membership: Fellow. ganist at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. She also served as an “When I had received the email inorganist for evening services at the dicating that the council had met Episcopal Church Nazareth by the and was very pleased to accept me Sea, and directed a 60-voice choir at as a member of the highest level – a the Cathedral Church of All Saints Fellow – I jumped for joy. I thanked on St. Thomas.

God,” she said. “I forwarded the communication to my relatives Williams also was presented the and friends to celebrate this great Congressional Award for contriachievement.” bution to music while living on St.

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Thomas. And, she even has been honored at her current church. In 2015, the congregation of St. Mark’s honored her with a proclamation, declaring the first Sunday of Advent of each year, Joslyn M. Williams Day. “Music has been my life, and sharing my talent has brought inspiration and joy to many, either at Sunday services, concerts, baptisms, weddings (or) funerals,” she said.

Above: Joslyn Williams, second from left, was the first African-American to be awarded a fellowship of The Guild of Musicians and Singers. She is director of music, organist, and parish administrator at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City.

Below: Joslyn Williams, front row and third from right, poses with 2018 fellow inductees of The Guild of Musicians and Singers in London, England.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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STEWARDSHIP

TENS Conference Empowers St. Jude’s Rector to Give The Rev. Phyllis Bartle will share stewardship principles at special event

By Jeff Gardenour

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE REV. PHYLLIS BARTLE

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship The Rev. Phyllis Bartle discusses some stewardship material with St Jude’s parishioner Barbara Holladay. The book is “A Spirituality of Fundraising” by Henri Nouwen.

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he Rev. Phyllis Bartle has always felt a passion about doing the Lord’s work, whether it’s serving as rector at St. Jude’s in Orange City, guiding middle schoolers at the New Beginnings camp or teaching others about the importance of stewardship.

the spirit. It is a sign of spiritual maturity and growth, so it is a very important component of our life in the Lord.”

The Volusia County rector said she learned a lot from TENS, which joined with multiple organizations – Center for Faith and Giving for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Presbyterian Church USA, Ecumenical Stewardship Center, and the United Church of Christ Office of Philanthropy & Stewardship – to put on this year’s conference in Dallas. And, it was a rousing success.

So, when the opportunity arose for her to attend this year’s annual TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) Conference, known for its energetic crowds and powerful storytelling, she jumped at the chance. This year’s conference was held at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas on April 3-5.

The biblical view of stewardship is essentially supervising and making effective use of resources that the Lord provides for the betterment of His people and society.

With the spotlight on faithful stewardship and generous giving, the conference’s theme of “Pathways to Generosity: Signs of Hope” resonated through numerous keynote speeches and multiple breakout sessions in which attendees could learn more about an array of topics.

“Bishop Brewer appointed me to go to this three-day event, and I went willingly to bring back information for our diocese that will help individual churches in their stewardship efforts,” Bartle said. “As the vice chair for the General Convention’s Committee on Stewardship and Responsible Investing, I also feel a passion for the topic.”

from this year’s TENS Conference in keynoting a stewardship workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11, at Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden. Prior to that, she will attend the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church on July 2-13 in Austin, Texas. There, she will serve as a clerical deputy in the House of Deputies.

Bartle is using the resources and information she gained

“We will share some of the ideas that came out of this conference,” Bartle said. “Stewardship is a matter of

Phyllis Bartle

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“The organizers used that theme to give the primary speakers a focus,” Bartle said.

The event opened April 3 with dinner, worship and a reception, Bartle said. The conference then officially began April 4 with instruction and sharing.

The Rev. Dr. Katie Hays, who is the lead evangelist of Galileo Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greater Fort Worth, Texas, gave the first keynote speech: “Why Walk the Path.” “Her primary mes-

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STEWARDSHIP

sage was that organizations need to be encouraged to find ways to reconnect people with why the church exists – their mission,” Bartle said.

The Rev. Dr. Eric Law, executive director of the Kaleidoscope Institute, which supplies resources to help church leaders produce sustainable churches and communities, followed on the afternoon of April 4 with

an insightful keynote: “What Do We Do on the Path?”

Pedro Suarez

trust that the Lord will provide because we own nothing,” Bartle said.

“He spoke to the audience about blessings as currency,” Bartle said. “He said we need to move from maintenance to mission, from fear to grace, and from scarcity to abundance thinking.”

Between keynote speeches, more than 200 of the conference attendees were able to choose from a number of breakout sessions to learn more about various topics. Bartle attended sessions on Preaching Stewardship, Bridging the Generosity Gap, and Year-Round Generosity.

On the morning of the final day, April 5, Aimee Laramore, a consultant/strategist for faith and philanthropy, gave a keynote message on: “How Do We Tend to Our Paths?”

“She said we need to rethink generosity,” Bartle said. “It’s not based on what you have; so all can be generous.”

The yearning to improve with stewardship is something Bartle hopes to share with diocese members. “Recognizing that all we have been given is entrusted to us and is not our own should help everyone be more generous,” she said.

Pedro Suarez, the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, then delivered a speech the afternoon of April 5 entitled: “Next Steps on the Path.” “He emphasized that we need to learn to live by faith and

“But, truly, people give to the things that matter to them,” Bartle said. “That being said, the mission of Christ to spread the gospel and care for God’s people are the kinds of things that will cause giving to increase.”

All items in the St. Jude’s food pantry cabinets are donated by parishioners. The pantry is open the first and third Tuesdays of the month to help neighbors. Held concurrently is a Pet Food Pantry where folks can get dog and cat food items for their furry babies, according to the rector, the Rev. Phyllis Bartle.

STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOP

Saturday, August 11 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Church of the Messiah 241 North Main Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787 The Episcopal Network for Stewardship www.cfdiocese.org

Keynoter: the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, vice chair for the 2018 ConPHOTOS General PROVIDED BY SEAN DAVID DUNCAN vention’s Committee on Stewardship and Responsible Investing.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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STEWARDSHIP

We Are Called to Be Stewards to Watch Over God’s Gifts Among Christians, stewardship is considered overseeing and making effective use of resources that the Lord provides for the betterment of His people and society. The Central Florida Episcopalian contacted clergy in the Diocese of Central Florida for a Q&A on the importance of stewardship to the Church and the impact it has on Christians.

Name: Rev. Gary

Jackson

Title: Rector of St.

Mark’s Episcopal Church, Cocoa From a Christian perspective, stewardship is considered overseeing and making effective use of resources that the Lord provides for the betterment of His people and society. How important is stewardship to the Church in general?

Stewardship is central to the Church for it involves the practice of sacrifice.

Our Church is built upon the sacrificial self-offering of our Lord who gave all of Himself for all of us. Our stewardship is a grateful response to that sacrificial offering.

How is stewardship built properly?

Stewardship is built on a proper theology of stewardship. It is vital to understand that stewardship is part of every identity given to every Christian in baptism. We are called to be stewards of all that is entrusted to us – our bodies, for life is a gift from God; creation – because creation is a gift from God given to us to manage; each other – yes, we are called to be stewards of those around us; the Gospel – we must see that the Good News is carried forth and passed on; and as a result of these things it seem only natural that stewardship of our finances

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would follow. The proper foundation for stewardship is understanding that all of life is a gift from God, given for our enjoyment and betterment of each other. We give back to God as a sign of our gratitude for the many gifts which God has bestowed upon us.

What examples of stewardship has your church presented that you are most proud of?

We have a retired member, now in her 80s, that got pumped up about stewardship. She got herself out of credit card debt at a late age, formulated a budget, and greatly supported us financially in going to Honduras.

I asked her to be one of our stewardship speakers and she was able to speak from the heart and from her own delightful experience of stewardship and God’s grace.

How does stewardship bring us closer to Christ?

Stewardship brings us closer to Christ because we begin to understand the nature of sacrifice.

Stewardship, like any other plausible adventure in church life, must be built on prayer and the foundation found in scripture. Like any other plan, there must be the what, where, why, and how; that’s the platform but it must all be undergirded by prayer.

What examples of stewardship has your church presented that you are most proud of?

The Church believes that stewardship is a mandate of the mission of the Church. When we speak about stewardship, most people think we focus on tithing and pledging money for the financial running of the church, but stewardship involves more than money. The church is called to be a good steward of all of God’s goods, including, but not limited to, the welfare of God’s people, the proper use of His word, and the good land He has given us.

How does stewardship bring us closer to Christ?

Stewardship draws us closer to Christ because we learn to rely on His word and works for the guidance needed to be a steward. We can follow Jesus from the distance checking in when we need something. The very nature of the word steward means taking responsibility for something belonging to another. The Church is given responsibility for the mission and ministry of Jesus. The better stewards we become the closer (we) get to Jesus, and the closer we get to Jesus the better stewards we become.

Name: Rev. Chris

Name: Rev. Becky

Brathwaite

Toalster

Title: Interim rec-

Title: Rector of Holy

tor of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary How is stewardship built properly?

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

Trinity Episcopal Church, Bartow

How is stewardship built properly?

Stewardship is built through the con-

tinual teaching of scripture, focusing on the practical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of giving. It’s not enough to just ask people to give, and by doing only that, we deprive our congregations of an opportunity to grow spiritually. We need to teach and explain more fully that we are not just called to give to keep the lights on at the Church, but we are giving back to God, what is already His, to be good stewards of the gifts He has entrusted to us.

How does stewardship bring us closer to Christ?

Stewardship is vital to the Church and to our own spiritual lives because it is the acknowledgement that all we have is not ours, but is God’s.

It is through stewardship that we also learn to more fully trust in God because to give sacrificially you are stating you believe what is found in scripture in Matthew 6 that God will provide for our every need.

Name: Rev.

Gullett

John

Title: Rector of

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Auburndale How important is stewardship to the Church in general?

I believe Christians are called to bring the whole of life under the Lordship of Christ in a posture of repentance and faith. So, the way we steward our money and our things matters to God. How does stewardship bring us closer to Christ?

A commitment to tithing brings us closer to Christ by teaching us that God Is the one who truly provides for our needs.

— Compiled by Jeff Gardenour, CFE Episcopalian Editorial Director

www.cfdiocese.org

STEWARDSHIP

Church of the Blessed Redeemer on a Mission in Palm Bay

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he Episcopal Church of the Blessed Redeemer in Palm Bay is a Mission of the Dio cese of Central Florida, and is on a mission for Christians.

“We’re not your traditional church,” says Rev. Brian Tuner, vicar. “The building is pre-fab and looks like a warehouse. The front is cross-shaped.”

Turner is now the church’s third priest. He was preceded by pastor Hazel Kundinger, who served from 2007 until her retirement in 2015. The Mission was in search of a priest until Turner accepted the post in February 2017.

The Mission now serves the Caribbean community of Palm Bay, with 95 percent of the members coming

The pre-fab building resembles a warehouse more than a church, but the Blessed Redeemer congregation and its work resemble Jesus.

The church also annually holds a Harvest Festival celebrating the Caribbean Thanksgiving. “Our members brought in various fruits, vegetables, and baked goods, and we blessed them, giving thanks to God for the earth’s bounty.

We sold these items as our main outreach fundraiser of the year, with a portion of the funds raised going toward The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.”

By Nina Keck

The church was formed in 2003 by Church of Our Savior in northeast Palm Bay. “They realized that they needed to reach out to the neighborhoods in west and south Palm Bay,” Turner said. “Father Ron Manning was the first missioner to the south and west and southwest Palm Bay. The first services were at Bayside High School. In 2005, they were officially recognized as a Mission of the Diocese. The building dedication was in July of 2012.”

PHOTOS BY REV. BRIAN TURNER

from Jamaica, Trinidad, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, and Haiti. Says Turner: “They moved from the Caribbean to the UK, Canada or America as young adults. There was a big exodus to Palm Bay about 30 years ago when Palm Bay began advertising in the north about the great weather and how enjoyable it would be to live in Palm Bay. This community started moving down here.”

Although the church is only 15 years old and has just 90 members, its unique congregation has a big heart. That heart is visible in the three outreaches they do every year.

“We collect canned goods for the Child Hunger Project so kids on food stamps or free lunch can take a backpack of food home every weekend,” Turner said.

Long-term goals for the congregation include paying off the building note.

Four fundraisers are planned to help with this goal: a Caribbean brunch, a dinner dance, a yard sale, and a picnic.

Other goals are to become more self-sufficient and go from a Mission to Parish status. “We are trying to reach out to the community. We need to get more people excited about Jesus and build a community for Jesus. We want to reach people with Jesus’ love and mercy,” Turner said.

For more information on Church of the Blessed Redeemer, please call 321-725-6881.

The congregation also supports Gifts from the Heart Gift Shop and donates new toys to place in it. “Parents with low incomes and kids participating in the Esteem program can buy new, amazing Christmas gifts for their children at the shop for about an 80-percent discount,” Turner said.

Members of Blessed Redeemer take part in the market of the Harvest Festival.

www.cfdiocese.org

Members of Blessed Redeemer in Palm Bay decorated a giving tree for the Gifts from the Heart donations.

Many gifts were donated.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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STEWARDSHIP

Silly Sock Saturdays Brings Joy to Kids in Hospital Holy Cross Episcopal youth shows generosity in Polk

By Jeff Gardenour

T

he familiar look of blue hospital socks gave Zachary Kirkland all the inspiration he needed for a school assignment. But the innovative youth’s decision to take things a step further has made him a shining example of generosity in Polk County.

A Winter Haven resident and member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Zachary formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation called Silly Sock Saturdays after receiving a school assignment last school year at Bok Academy in Lake Wales. Under Zachary’s guidance, Silly Sock Saturdays gives silly socks and other items, as well as comfort, to kids in local hospitals.

“The idea started originally as a school assignment to come up with an idea to better your community and I took it one step further and actually created Silly Sock Saturdays,” Zachary said. “I came up with the idea of Sill Sock Saturdays because I had different friends and family members in the hospital at the time and one thing they would always talk about is the long, blue socks with grips on the bottom, so I wanted to work off of that and wanted to make their stay at the hospital much easier.”

It only took a month to get going and Silly Sock Saturdays made its first delivery on April 8, 2017. Currently, the non-profit only goes to Lakeland Regional Health and makes deliveries the second Saturday of each month.

“We deliver to their pediatrics unit and make our bags for the child from ages of 3-5, 6-11, and 12-18 years old, then the pediatric unit disperses the bags as needed to each patient,” said Zachary, who now is a freshman at Lake Wales High School.

The socks are incredibly attractive and funny at the same time. From funny faces to musical notes to polka dots in all sorts of colors, the socks are huge-

Silly Sock Saturdays president and CEO Zachary Kirkland poses with some of the socks that will be donated to sick children at Lakeland Regional Health.

ly popular. Zachary even has Wonka Nerds and Fruit Loops socks to wear to special events.

The socks, along with other items such as crayons, toys, and more, are placed in bags and taken to the hospital to cheer kids up. Everything Silly Sock Saturdays receives is from donations or from wholesale purchases with money that was donated, Zachary said.

The reactions have been positive, according to Silly Sock Saturdays’ Facebook page. Among the comments: “Thank you so much for the gift you provided for my son Sammy. He is 13 years old and has asthma! You really put on a big smile on his face when he opened up the gift bag. Thanks again for your kindness and great idea!”

“My 5-year-old received one of your silly sock bags today at Lakeland Regional hospital after being admitted yesterday... It was such a nice gift, and it really made her day brighter. Thank you for your kindness and service to the community!

“My 2-year-old was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago and while we were there we received one of Zachary’s get-well gift bags. My son’s face

lit up when he saw all the goodies. Thank you so much for all the wonderful work and time you put into your organization.”

“To help ease a scary situation is fantastic! But when you are laying there and knowing someone cares is beyond warming a heart.”

“The response (from) the patients, parents, staff, and community (is) all have really loved the idea of Silly Sock Saturdays and the impact it has had on kids’ stay in hospitals,” Zachary said.

Zachary’s heartfelt effort for community youth also has impacted many outside the hospital. Canon Tim Nunez of the Diocese of Central Florida wants Zachary to make a 5-minute presentation for an upcoming convention. Newspapers and TV stations have done stories on the youngster.

“Zach is an extremely faithful, bright and pleasant young man,” Nunez said. “But to have this spark of inspiration and to follow it through is truly extraordinary. God’s hand is on him.”

Zachary keeps the sock-giving machine humming through his Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/SillySockSaturdays/ and his website http:// www.sillysocksaturdays.com, as well as word of mouth.

Individuals and businesses are welcome to donate to Silly Sock Saturdays through either page.

A nurse thanks Zachary Kirkland’s recent contribution on a Silly Sock Saturdays trip.

“We are very proud of all that he has accomplished,” said Father Deke Miller, vicar at Holy Cross. “Zach has taken his faith in Christ and the work of the Church to heart. He has a concern for others that is contagious, and he lives it out.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SILLY SOCK SATURDAYS

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

www.cfdiocese.org

CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN en español

NOTICIAS DE LA DIÓCESIS EPISCOPAL DE LA FLORIDA CENTRAL • WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volumen 120, Núm. 4 • julio-agosto 2018

Organista de San Marcos, Haines City, hace historia en Inglaterra Por Jeff Gardenour

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a boda real del Príncipe Harry y Meghan Markle no fue el único evento histórico esta primavera en Inglaterra. Joslyn Williams de Davenport puede testificar de eso.

En abril 28, la directora de música, organista y administradora parroquial de la Iglesia Episcopal San Marcos (St. Mark’s) en Haines City fue iniciada en el Gremio de Músicos y Cantantes al rango de Miembro Honorario en una ceremonia formal en la iglesia All Hallows-by-the-Tower,

ubicada cerca de la Torre de Londres. Fundada en 1993, el Gremio es una sociedad de aprendizaje compuesta por más de 400 miembros, incluyendo varios músicos prominentes entre sus compañeros honorarios, de acuerdo con https://www.musiciansandsingers.org.uk.

Pero lo que hizo que la iniciación fuera histórica fue que Williams fue la primera persona negra en recibir una beca del Gremio de Músicos, y la primera de los Estados Unidos. Diecinueve personas recibieron su beca: dieciséis hombres y tres mujeres.

“La ceremonia estuvo fenomenal”, expresó Williams. “Fue un momento histórico para mí y también para El Gremio. Todos estaban felices de darme la bienvenida. Las iniciales FGMS (Fellow Guild of Musicians and Singers) se han agregado a mi nombre. Fui recibida dignamente con mucho respeto, siendo la única ganadora de los Estados Unidos, y también teniendo el prestigioso Honor de la Reina Isabel, la Excelentísima Orden del Imperio Británico”.

Williams comentó que el evento fue un momento prestigioso para los músicos de la iglesia y otros, ya que asistieron personas de lugares tan lejanos como Australia. El evento comenzó con una procesión de oficiales de El Gremio, seguido de oraciones y un discurso sobre “El Mesías” de Handel.

Los nombres fueron llamados en orden alfabético y se leyó una biografía de cada persona en la iglesia que estaba abarrotada. “El Gremio estaba muy emocionado de que yo hubiera viajado de los Estados Unidos para aceptar mi Membresía”, dijo Williams. “La mención de mis honores por la

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La conferencia TENS empodera a la rectora de San Judas a dar

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La Rda. Phylllis Bartle compartirá principios de mayor domía en un evento especial Por Jeff Gardenour a Rda. Phyllis Bartle siempre ha sentido una pasión por hacer la obra del Señor, ya sea como rectora en San Judas (St. Jude’s) en Orange City, como guía de los estudiantes de escuela secundaria en el campamento Nuevos Comienzos o para enseñar a otros acerca de la importancia de la mayordomía.

Así que cuando surgió la oportunidad para ella de asistir a la conferencia anual TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) de este año, conocida por su multitud enérgica y la poderosa

Vaya por favor a BARTLE, página 15

www.cfdiocese.org

Taller de mayordomía ayudó a clérigo a aumentar las finanzas de la iglesia Actualmente retirado, Al Jenkins recaudó ingresos de más de un millón en All Saints’, Lakeland Por Jeff Gardenour

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a supervisión y el uso efectivo de los recursos que el Señor provee para el mejoramiento de su pueblo y la sociedad es la visión de mayordomía cristiana que el Rdo. Al Jenkins aprendió, y puede cambiar radicalmente a una iglesia.

En el 1990, el Obispo John W. Howe de la Diócesis de la Florida Central

envió a Jenkins al Taller de Mayordomía de la Iglesia Episcopal en Erie,

Pensilvania. Cuando Jenkins regresó, su conocimiento ayudó tremendamente a la Episcopal Todos los Santos (All Saints’) de Lakeland.

“El resultado fue el aumento del ingreso de la All Saints’, de aproximadamente 300 000 dólares a más de un millón de dólares anuales en un periodo de 25 años”, dijo Jenkins, quien sirvió como rector en All Saints’ de Lakeland (1989-2015) por 26 ½ años. “Todavía está sobre un millón”.

Sin embargo, Jenkins será el primero en decirle que el aumento financiero a través de la mayordomía es una responsabilidad que requiere mucho tiempo y esfuerzo, y exige paciencia y dedicación. Él aprovechó el conocimiento adquirido en Erie y se convirtió en uno de los líderes prominentes de la diócesis en el tema de mayordomía.

El rector del Condado de Polk sirvió como presidente del Comité de Mayordomía de la Junta Diocesana por varios años, enseñó mayordomía en varias parroquias, y entrenó a varios rectores, quienes hicieron citas para aprender más sobre cómo hacer crecer una iglesia exitosamente.

Además, se desempeñó como presidente del Comité Permanente del 2009 al 2011.

“Pero teníamos otras tareas para el Obispo Howe además de mayordomía, principalmente la de ayudar en la selección del próximo obispo”, expresó Jenkins. “He participado en dos equipos de selección de obispos, el del Obispo (William H.) Folwell y el del Obispo Howe. Dicho eso, la junta pareció tomar su propio curso en asuntos de mayordomía y crecimiento de iglesia, lo cual me pareció bien”.

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• Calendario de visitas del Obispo Brewer… página 16 Traducción al español por HigherLife Publishing & Marketing

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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CFE EN ESPAÑOL

El llamado a la mayordomía

Por Obispo Gregory O. Brewer

“Dinero, dinero, dinero. Eso es todo lo que le importa a la iglesia”. “¡Ustedes, predicadores! Todo lo que hacen es hablar de dinero”.

“La gente de la iglesia no se preocupa por mí. Ellos solo quieren mi dinero”. ¿Alguna vez ha escuchado declaraciones como estas? ¿Las ha dicho usted?

M

encione la palabra “mayordomía”, y para algunas personas, el dinero es lo único que le viene a la mente. La Escritura, de hecho, establece una conexión directa entre mayordomía y dinero.

Pero la verdadera mayordomía implica mucho más que eso.

La mayordomía tiene que ver con escoger ser un

buen mayordomo de lo que Dios me ha confiado.

Ser un buen mayordomo es la responsabilidad que asumo para poner a la disposición de Dios todo lo que yo soy para su servicio.

Un tema difícil

Entonces, ¿por qué es tan difícil para los cristianos hablar sobre mayordomía? Muchos de nosotros tememos perder el control. Queremos confiar en Dios, pero tenemos miedo. ¿Qué sucederá si no tenemos suficiente dinero? ¿Qué pasa si nuestra salud falla? ¿Qué sucede si invitamos a personas a nuestra casa y alguien nos roba?

Nada nos mantiene más egocéntricos y autoprotectores que el miedo. Vivimos en una cultura temerosa, donde la tentación (es decir, del maligno) es enfocarme en mi propia protección en lugar de poner mi vida a la disposición de Dios.

Es por eso que hablar sobre la mayordomía es un desafío. La mayoría de la gente no quiere enfrentar esos miedos. Y si lo hacen, tienen miedo de lo que Dios podría pedirles.

Un siervo inútil

¿Recuerda la parábola de los talentos (Mateo 25:10-30)? Jesús cuenta la historia de un amo que dejó a sus siervos a cargo de grandes sumas de su dinero (o “talentos”), las cuales dividió antes de irse en un largo viaje. Uno de los siervos invirtió los talentos que recibió, duplicándolos de cinco a diez. Otro, que había recibido solo dos talentos, hizo lo mismo. Pero el siervo que había recibido un solo talento, lo enterró en la tierra para mantenerlo seguro. Cuando el amo regresó, recibió una dura reprimenda.

No, no conozco a muchas personas que entierren su dinero en la tierra. Pero un mayordomo pobre enterrará su dinero en inversiones, en tarjetas de crédito u otras deudas, o en compras innecesarias. En otras palabras, un mayordomo pobre se somete a tantas obligaciones financieras que le es imposible ser generoso.

Un cambio vital

La mayordomía pobre también ocurre en la iglesia. Dado que la generosidad y la mayordomía están directamente relacionadas con la evangelización y el servicio, a veces las iglesias se reducen de tamaño porque saltan esto. Vuelven a caer sim-

14

plemente en cuidar de las personas que se presentan el domingo. Tienen miedo de ir a alcanzar a otros y se arriesgan a tener que cerrar.

Pero la Escritura, por el contrario, dice: “Den a otros, y Dios les dará a ustedes. Les dará en su bolsa una medida buena, apretada, sacudida y repleta. Con la misma medida con que ustedes den a otros, Dios les devolverá a ustedes” (Lucas 6:38, DHH). ¡Qué cuadro diferente es este al del miedo y la autoprotección!

Pero un cambio está sucediendo en nuestra diócesis. Las iglesias locales están pasando de la postura de: “Nuestra primera obligación es cuidar de nosotros mismos”, a: “Nuestra primera postura es movilizar a los nuestros para servir a los demás”. Creo que entre más lo hacemos, más nos convertimos en canales de la generosidad y bondad de Dios.

Un desafío devoto

Y eso, de alguna manera, es el desafío de la mayordomía. No es simplemente un llamado a dar más, sino a examinar cómo usted vive su vida. El corazón poco generoso dice: “Necesito tener un cierto sentido de seguridad, y tener estas cosas me ayuda a proveérmela”. El corazón avaro no busca dónde están las necesidades para satisfacerlas, sino las excusas para no dar.

Por el contrario, el corazón generoso es un corazón que ve las necesidades y busca la manera de llenarlas. Si alguien necesita una comida, el corazón generoso se enlista y busca cómo hacerlo, aun con una agenda repleta. Si hay una necesidad financiera en la iglesia, el corazón generoso lo lleva automáticamente en oración en lugar de decir: “No, no puedo hacer eso”.

Los actos de generosidad son, en esencia, una respuesta reflexiva que fluye de un corazón generoso. Dado que nuestra tendencia natural es hacer todo lo contrario, necesitamos pedir la ayuda de Dios. Él puede darnos la capacidad de ser generosos, ser amables, buscar en oración maneras de servir y dar.

En otras palabras, el llamado a la mayordomía no se puede separar de un llamado a la oración. ¿Se une conmigo para pedirle a Dios que le dé un corazón generoso? ¿Para su iglesia? ¿Para su diócesis?

Gracia para usted,

Greg Brewer

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

Casa llena en la cena anual muestra popularidad del espacio sagrado de Canterbury

Por Jeff Gardenour

E

l tema de este año de la Cena de Celebración Anual de Canterbury fue “Un asunto de la Triple Corona: corra su carrera, haga una diferencia, termine fuerte”.

Pero los miembros de la junta le dirán que Canterbury, en sí mismo, nunca dejará de correr la carrera. Después de todo, el espacioso y pintoresco centro de retiros y conferencias tiene 36 años y continúa.

“Creo que muchos cristianos inmediatamente piensan en San Pablo cuando dice que ha corrido la buena carrera”, expresó Charlie Pierce, miembro de la junta de Canterbury, el domingo, 3 de junio, en la sexta cena anual y subasta silenciosa. “Espero que todos estemos corriendo la buena carrera.

Para mí, el único problema con la analogía es que implica una línea de llegada. Bueno, no hemos terminado aquí en Canterbury. Tenemos un largo camino por delante”.

Las cosas van muy bien en Canterbury, que ha recorrido un largo camino desde 2008 cuando el retiro pasó por tiempos difíciles con la caída de la economía. Bajo el mandato de Padre Jon Davis como director ejecutivo, Canterbury se ha recuperado con nuevos negocios y una nueva dedicación a ser un espacio sagrado y espiritual para todos los que vienen aquí.

“La belleza de Canterbury es que la gente ha estado aquí por tantos años”, dijo Doug Dill, miembro de la junta de Canterbury. “Les gusta venir aquí y encontrar ese espacio con Cristo, y es tan fácilmente accesible aquí. En un mundo lleno de tanta algarabía, entre más personas están expuestas a ella… nos garantizará que Canterbury estará presente por mucho tiempo”.

La energía y el entusiasmo que es Canterbury 2018 estuvieron en exhibición el 3 de junio cuando 160 personas asistieron al evento “Un asunto de la Triple Corona”, una obra sobre las tres carreras de caballos purasangre: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes y Belmont Stakes, que forman la Triple Corona. Los asistentes vistieron trajes y zapatos elegantes y sombreros coloridos; compartieron y conversaron los unos con los otros en el área de recepción.

FOTOS POR JEFF GARDENOUR/CFE

Padre Jon Davis, ex director ejecutivo por nueve años de Canterbury, dio la bienvenida a los invitados nuevamente a la cena anual del retiro.

Estuvieron disfrutando la actividad, el Obispo Greg Brewer y su esposa, Laura Lee; Marilyn Lang, viuda del ex presidente de la junta directiva de Canterbury, Tom Lang, quien falleció a finales de abril, y sus hijas, Sarah Caprani y Annie Dickman, junto con su esposo y su hijo; el Padre Chris Brathwaite, de la Episcopal San Pedro en Lake Mary; el Padre Tom Phillips, de la Iglesia de la Encarnación en Oviedo; y muchos más.

Muchos de los asistentes llegaron temprano para la subasta silenciosa que comenzó a las cinco de la tarde, presentando una gran variedad de artículos fabulosos, incluyendo siete noches de alojamiento frente a la playa en el Club St. James en Antigua, collares de oro y plata, obras de arte, entradas para Wonder Works y The Holy Land Experience, membresías para el Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts y el Museo de Arte de Orlando, y mucho más.

“Creo que es maravilloso”, compartió Laura Lee Brewer. “La diócesis tiene un amor real por la confraternidad. Nos amamos unos a otros”.

Luego de la subasta silenciosa de una hora, los invitados se trasladaron al área del comedor donde el miembro del personal, Sue Grosso, dijo que sirvieron un estofado de carne, lomo de cerdo, papas asadas, judías verdes, ensalada y otros platos.

“Creo que este y otros eventos en Canterbury han mejorado dramáticamente”, dijo el Diácono John Clark de la Iglesia Episcopal San Gabriel en Titusville. “Soy un chef retirado. Creo que la calidad de la comida y la variedad han sido excepcionales en los últimos años”.

Otro titular esa noche especial en Canterbury fue la discusión del Tom Lang Memorial Fund, establecido después de su muerte. Davis anunció que 12 000 dólares se han recaudado en poco más de un mes. Es probable que las ganancias se destin-

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El boletín Central Florida Episcopalian en español es publicado por la Diócesis Episcopal de la Florida Central a través de los esfuerzos cooperativos de HigherLife Publishing & Marketing en Oviedo. Las propuestas de escritos son bienvenidas pero están sujetas a la discreción de uso y edición de Central Florida Episcopalian. Los servicios de traducción al español son proporcionados por HigherLife Publishing & Marketing.

Favor de enviar los avisos dos meses previo al evento e información de seguimiento tan pronto como sea posible a: The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Correo electrónico: eperez@cfdiocese.org • www.cfdiocese.org Tel: (407) 423-3567 • Fax: (407) 872-0006 o HigherLife Publishing & Marketing Director Editorial: Jeff Gardenour / editorial@ahighlerlife.com Gerente de Proyectos: Will Hadley / whadley@ahigherlife.com Dirección web: www.ahigherlife.com

www.cfdiocese.org

WILLIAMS … continúa de la pág. 13

JENKINS … continúa de la pág. 13

Reina de Inglaterra como miembro del Imperio Británico (MBE), recibido por haber nacido en la isla de Antigua, recibió un estruendoso aplauso. El Premio del Congreso recibido por contribuir a la música mientras viví en las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos fue recibido con mucho entusiasmo, y mi caminata desde mi asiento para recibir mi diploma fue como caminar ‘en el aire’”.

Utilizando su conocimiento y tiempo, Jenkins diseñó un plan de mayordomía que benefició mucho más que a All Saints’, Lakeland. Escribió un nuevo modelo de mayordomía aplicando lo que aprendió en Erie, llamado el “Modelo Estelar” [Star Model], y luego lo expandió a un modelo de crecimiento de iglesia.

Además, públicamente se enviaron saludos para la Iglesia Episcopal San Marcos en Haines City y la Diócesis de la Florida Central, añadió Williams. “Mi tarea a mi regreso a los Estados Unidos es ayudar a conectar las asociaciones de música de la iglesia, los coros y otros grupos musicales para participar en eventos de intercambios mediante conciertos, recitales, y otros”, dijo ella. “El evento fue realmente histórico para mí”.

Willliams comenzó su trayectoria histórica mientras crecía en Antigua, donde aprendió a tocar un piano improvisado hecho de cartón y palillos para tender la ropa. Fue un comienzo poco ortodoxo de la música, pero uno que tocó las fibras más sensibles de su corazón.

“Mis padres, el Sr. y la Sra. Earl Davis, ya fallecidos, vieron mi don”, contó Williams. “Este era un ritual todas las noches en nuestra casa, donde yo tocaba y mis padres cantaban. Esto los impulsó para ponerme en clases de piano. Empecé a aprender piano a los diez años, y a los catorce comencé a tocar el órgano en los servicios dominicales. He estado usando este talento divino de la música para el Señor por más de cincuenta años. ¡Gracias, Dios!”.

Años de práctica ayudaron a Williams a convertirse en una música galardonada y mucho más.

“El Gremio de Músicos de la Iglesia es una organización benéfica que ayuda a alentar altos estándares en la música de la iglesia”, explicó Williams. “Ofrece a los miembros exámenes, cursos y premios. El Gremio es una comunidad de aquellos que sinceramente desean ofrecer lo mejor de la música al servicio de la iglesia. El Gremio es considerado una de las principales organizaciones en Inglaterra y está relacionada al Gremio Americano de Organistas en los Estados Unidos”.

Esto marcó la primera vez que Williams aplicó para el Gremio y resultó un proceso fácil basado en su prestigiosa formación. Receptora del Honor de la Reina (MBE), directora de música, organista por más de 50 años, Decana del Gremio Americano de Organistas, capítulo de Antigua, y con una licenciatura en ciencias de la Universidad de Hartford, Williams fue aprobada al rango más alto de membresía: Miembro Honorable.

“Cuando recibí el correo electrónico indicando que el consejo se había reunido y que se complacía en aceptarme como miembro al rango más alto, Miembro Honorable, salté de alegría. Le di gracias a Dios”, dijo. “Les envié el comunicado a mis familiares y amigos para celebrar este gran logro”.

El amor de Williams por la música le ha brindado muchas oportunidades en muchos lugares. Se desempeñó como directora y organista en la Iglesia Anglicana San Pedro en Antigua por más de 30 años. Mientras era miembro de

la Junta Provincial para la Iglesia Anglicana en Antigua, ella sirvió en el comité de compilación para implementar y completar el Nuevo Himnario Provincial para la Iglesia Anglicana de la Provincia de las Indias Occidentales. También escribió un himno para ese himnario.

Luego de mudarse a St. Thomas en las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos en el 2004, sirvió como directora de música y organista en la Catedral de San Pedro y San Pablo. También sirvió como organista en los servicios nocturnos en la Iglesia Episcopal Nazareth by the Sea, y dirigió un coro de 60 voces en Iglesia Catedral de Todos los Santos (All Saint’s) en St. Thomas.

Williams también recibió el Premio del Congreso por su contribución a la música mientras vivía en St. Thomas. Además, ha sido honrada en su iglesia actual. En el 2015, la congregación de San Marcos la honró con una proclama, declarando el primer domingo de Adviento de cada año, el Día de Joslyn M. Williams.

www.cfdiocese.org

Williams

“Se requiere mucho esfuerzo y tiempo en la aplicación de un modelo de mayordomía exitoso”, dijo Jenkins.

“En el seminario no me enseñaron nada sobre mayordomía, ni tampoco me entrenaron en ese tema. Lo que he aprendido se lo atribuyo al Obispo Howe, quien me animó a “ir y aprender” y traer lo aprendido a casa. Antes de eso, no tenía ningún interés en la mayordomía por encontrarla aburrida, al menos los modelos anuales que conocía.

“Todo fue diferente en Erie”, contó Jenkins. “Me cambió la vida, podría decirlo así, y le doy ese crédito a la visión del Obispo Howe, quien ha sido un especialista en mayordomía y crecimiento de iglesia.

El conocimiento que recibió Jenkins sobre mayordomía fue tan beneficioso que continuó los estudios de

ICS, e incluso participó en una “Todo mi tiempo allí fue para conferencia educativa para aprender a cómo ser un sacerclérigos en el Centro de Condote”, recalcó Jenkins. “Algunas ferencias y Retiros Canterbury veces tuve éxito y otras no. Pero en Oviedo, donde Jenkins, el aprendí de ambas. No tuve caObispo Howe y algunos otros pacitación sobre mayordomía Jenkins rectores enseñaron sobre el antes de Erie y, de hecho, no tema. “Ellos enseñaron sobre la es- me interesé hasta que quise aumenpiritualidad de la mayordomía y yo tar las ofrendas para que nuestra parenseñé el modelo”, dijo. roquia pudiera alcanzar una visión “El seminario que encabezó el Padre más amplia. El curso que escribí era Al fue fundamental para ayudar a que para All Saints’, pero lo compartí con Santa María (St. Mary’s) de Belleview cualquiera que quisiera aumentar el creciera” dijo el Rdo. Canon Tim nivel de donación en su parroquia o Núñez, uno de los clérigos que recibió misión y agregar más miembros”. entrenamiento de Jenkins. “Vino toda la junta parroquial y transformó su liderazgo de la iglesia. La mayordomía es casi un sinónimo de discipulado, y cada iglesia debería tomarlo muy en serio”.

Ahora ya jubilado y haciendo trabajo de suplente para rectores y vicarios en el Decanato del sudoeste de la Diócesis, Jenkins pasó gran parte del inicio de su carrera aprendiendo a ser un fiel sacerdote. Antes de llegar a All Saints’, Lakeland, trabajó en la Diócesis del Suroeste de la Florida y se desempeñó como rector en Santa Margarita (St. Margaret’s) en Inverness.

Aunque Jenkins se ha jubilado, su buen trabajo sobre mayordomía lo siguen llevando a cabo varios clérigos, incluyendo el Rdo. Dr. Reid Hensarling, actual rector de All Saints’ de Lakeland, quien anteriormente sirvió como rector asociado de Jenkins durante doce años.

“All Saints’ compró una propiedad de la ciudad poco después de yo llegar y construimos un edificio de dos pisos”, dijo Jenkins. “A medida que la mayordomía y el crecimiento continuaron, levantamos un edificio de cuatro pisos mientras edificamos una cultura de crecimiento espiritual”.

BARTLE … continúa de la pág. 13 narración de historias, aprovechó la oportunidad. La conferencia de este año se llevó a cabo en la Iglesia Luterana Rey de Gloria (King of Glory) en Dallas del 3 al 5 de abril.

de eso, asistirá a la 79a Convención General de la Iglesia Episcopal del 2 al 13 de julio en Austin, Texas. Allí, ella servirá como diputada clerical en la Cámara de Diputados.

La visión bíblica de la mayordomía es esencialmente supervisar y hacer

un uso efectivo de los recursos que el Señor provee para el mejoramiento de su pueblo y la sociedad.

“Compartiremos algunas de las ideas que surgieron de esta conferencia”, dijo Bartle. “La mayordomía es una cuestión del espíritu. Es un signo de madurez espiritual y crecimiento, por lo que es un componente muy importante de nuestra vida en el Señor”.

“El obispo Brewer me designó para ir a este evento de tres días, y fui voluntariamente a traer información para nuestra diócesis, que ayudará a las iglesias individuales en sus esfuerzos de mayordomía”, explicó Bartle.

“Como vicepresidenta de la Comisión de Mayordomía e Inversión Responsable, también siento pasión por el tema”.

Bartle está usando los recursos y la información que obtuvo de la conferencia TENS de este año para presentar un taller de mayordomía de 9 a. m. a 3 p. m., el sábado, 11 de agosto, en la Iglesia del Mesías (Church of the Messiah) en Winter Garden. Antes

La rectora del condado de Volusia expresó que aprendió mucho de TENS, donde convergieron varias organizaciones, como el Centro para la Fe y la Donación de la Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo), la Iglesia Presbiteriana Cumberland, la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América, la Iglesia Presbiteriana en Canadá, Iglesia Presbiteriana USA, el Centro Ecuménico de Mayordomía y la Oficina de Filantropía y Mayordomía de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo, que se unieron para la conferencia de este

año en Dallas. Y fue un éxito rotundo.

Con el enfoque puesto en la mayordomía fiel y la generosidad Bartle del dar, el tema de la conferencia, “Caminos hacia la generosidad: Señales de esperanza”, resonó a través de los numerosos discursos y múltiples sesiones en las que los asistentes pudieron aprender más sobre una variedad de temas.

“Los organizadores usaron ese tema para enfocar a los oradores principales”, dijo Bartle.

El evento se inauguró el 3 de abril con cena, adoración y una recepción, añadió Bartle. La conferencia comenzó oficialmente el 4 de abril con instrucciones y un compartir.

La Rda. Dra. Katie Hays, quien es la principal evangelista de la Iglesia Cristiana Galileo (Discípulos de Cristo) en Greater Fort Worth, Texas, pronunció el primer discurso de apertura: “¿Por qué caminar el camino?”.

Vaya por favor a BARTLE, página 16 CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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CFE EN ESPAÑOL

El consumismo y la guerra espiritual Dar a Dios es una buena mayordomía personal Por el Rdo. Cameron MacMillan

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sted probablemente no sabía que cuando usted escribe “amazon.com” en su barra de búsqueda URL, está entrando en una guerra espiritual. Lo sé, no es una página pornográfica. Y no hay criaturas malévolas con cuernos saliendo de su pantalla con sus horcas sangrientas, burlándose de usted. Pero tan pronto como sube esa página, las voces del deseo le llaman:

MacMillan

“¡Necesita un dispositivo activado por la voz para manejar su casa más fácilmente! ¡Necesita muebles más modernos! ¡Necesita una televisión HD mejor!” Y, para aquel los de nosotros que somos tipos “cerebritos”, ¡necesita todos esos libros de teología!”.

Cuando usted y yo navegamos en Amazon, o vamos a un centro comercial local, somos inundados de publicidad. Leí un artículo hace unos años que decía que la mayoría de nosotros estamos expuestos a más de 6000 imágenes publicitarias por día. Y eso fue hace años. Es innegable que el mundo en el que vivimos quiere que compremos cosas. Y admitámoslo: el mundo es bueno para convencernos de que necesitamos cosas.

El consumo es necesario. Necesitamos consumir para sobrevivir. Solo trate de pasar más de una semana sin comer a ver qué pasa. Pero el consumo necesario y el consumismo no controlado son dos cosas diferentes, y algunos de nosotros luchamos para reconocer la diferencia. (Empiece a prestar atención de cuán frecuente dice: “Necesito…”, cuando realmente solo lo quiere). Piense en esto: el recurso fundamental que nuestro enemigo usó para atraer a la humanidad a su actual condición rebelde fue una falsa sensación de necesidad. La serpiente convenció a Eva de que lo único que ella necesitaba era lo único que Dios le había prohibido. “Cuando la mujer vio que el árbol era bueno para comer, y que era agradable a los ojos, y que el árbol era deseable para alcanzar sabiduría, tomó de su fruto y comió” (Génesis 3:6, NBLH).

Podríamos decir que la serpiente era una anunciante astuta. Y podríamos decir, literalmente, que el primer pecado fue un pecado de consumismo.

En su incisivo libro, Ser consumidos: Economía y deseo en clave cristiana, William Cavanaugh señala que las personas en los Estados Unidos no están tan apegadas a las cosas sino separadas de las cosas. Compramos cosas solo para descartarlas.

Hacemos dinero solo para gastarlo rápidamente. Nuestra inquietud consumista nos lleva no solo a comprar, sino a ir de compras. “Comprar detiene temporalmente la inquietud que caracteriza el consumismo. Esta inquietud, de movernos a comprar otra cosa, sin importar lo que uno acaba de comprar, establece el tono espiritual para el consumismo”.1 Después de haber comprado un reloj nuevo hace unos meses, estaba en Amazon comprando otro. De acuerdo, la corona que ajusta la fecha se rompió, pero si soy sincero, admitiré que también quería algo que se viera un poco mejor.

De nuevo. Comprar en Amazon no es un pecado. Pero los cristianos deben desconfiar de sus hábitos de compra y de cómo esos hábitos moldean sus deseos y alimentan sus pasiones. Sé que para mí, un poquito de autocomplacencia generalmente conduce a una necesidad percibida de querer más. No va a doler hacer clic y “Agregar al carro” una vez más, ¿cierto?

A nuestro Señor se le ofrecieron todos los reinos del mundo si solo doblaba su rodilla al diablo una sola vez. «Entonces Jesús le dijo: “¡Vete, Satanás! Porque escrito está: ‘Al Señor tu Dios adorarás, y solo a Él servirás’”» (Mateo 4:10, NBLH). Jesús sabía que la tentación del consumismo era fuerte y que ceder a ella equivalía a adorar a un ídolo.

Quizás nosotros también podamos aprender a ser más cautelosos sobre lo que nos ofrece el mundo. Y tal vez estaríamos mejor equipados contra esas tentaciones si desarrollamos prácticas específicas que nos mantengan más dependientes de Dios que de nuestras cuentas corrientes. Digamos, ¿qué pasaría si usted redirigiera hacia el reino de Dios parte del dinero que usa para el exceso de compras en esta temporada de dar? En el reino invisible, podría ser un golpe fatal para su enemigo y una victoria ganada en unión con Aquel “que siendo rico, sin embargo por amor a ustedes se hizo pobre, para que por medio de Su pobreza ustedes llegaran a ser ricos” (2 Corintios 8:9, NBLH).

–Padre Cameron MacMillan es el rector de la Iglesia El Buen Pastor

(The Good Shepherd) de Maitland.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

Calendario de visitas del obispo Brewer 7/21/18

7/22/18

7/26/18 7/29/18

8/5/18 8/12/18 8/19/18 8/26/18 9/2/18 9/8/18

9/9/18 9/15/18

9/16/18 9/23/18 9/30/18

St. Cloud, St. Luke y St. Peter (Reuniones informativas sobre la Convención General 2018) Kissimmee, San Juan (Visitación y bendición de la casa de la Trinidad) Lakeland, All Saints’ (Alma en la Ciudad) Maitland, Good Shepherd (Ministerio Nuevo – El Rdo. Cameron MacMillan) Port St. Lucie, Holy Faith/Santa Fe Daytona Beach, St. Timothy’s Lakeland, Christ the King St. Cloud, St. Luke y St. Peter Dunnellon, Holy Faith Orlando, Cathedral (Ordenaciones de Diáconos) Winter Garden, Messiah DeLand, St. Barnabas (Asamblea de otoño de las Hijas del Rey) Ormond Beach, St. James Longwood, Christ Church Orlando, St. Michael’s

Las fechas de visitas del Obispo Brewer están sujetas a cambio.

Por favor, refiérase a www.cfdiocese.org para la lista actualizada de visitas.

BARTLE … continúa de la pág. 15 Su mensaje principal fue que las organizaciones necesitan ser alentadas a encontrar maneras de reconectar a las personas con la razón por la cual la iglesia ex iste: su misión”, expresó Bartle.

El Rdo. Dr. Eric Law, director ejecutivo del Instituto Kaleidoscope, que suministra recursos para ayudar a los líderes de la iglesia a producir iglesias y comunidades sostenibles, continuó en la tarde del 4 de abril con un discurso profundo: “¿Qué hacemos en el camino?”. “Él habló a la audiencia sobre las bendiciones como monedas”, explicó Bartle. “Dijo que necesitamos pasar del mantenimiento a la misión, del miedo a la gracia, y de la escasez al pensamiento de abundancia”.

En la mañana del último día, 5 de abril, Aimee Laramore, una consultora y estratega de fe y filantropía, trajo un mensaje de apertura sobre: “¿Cómo nos ocupamos de nuestros caminos?”. “Ella mencionó que debemos reconsiderar la generosidad”, añadió Bartle. “No se basa en lo que usted tiene; por lo que todos pueden ser generosos”.

CANTERBURY … continúa de la pág. 15

Canterbury tuvo casa llena en su cena

anual de este año.

en para mejoras en Canterbury, expresó Dill.

“Creo que la Diócesis ciertamente aprecia el amor que Tom Lang tuvo por Canterbury y su disposición a estar siempre disponible para Canterbury”, añadió Dill. “Una de las cosas que a Tom le apasionaba era mejorar el área de la cocina: comercial, electrodomésticos y ese tipo de equipo… para que el personal pueda producir aún mejores alimentos más eficientemente”.

La comida, el paisaje, los eventos, la adoración y la amabilidad han sido parte de la misión de Canterbury durante años: un centro de crecimiento espiritual que ofrece hospitalidad en un espacio sagrado. Y esa misión continuará.

“Creo que cuando usted conduce a Canterbury y ve estos hermosos árboles, el lago, creo que de inmediato comienza a tener la sensación de que este es un lugar apartado, separado para que las personas se alimenten espiritualmente, recompongan sus pensamientos, y sus muchas preguntas”, dijo Pierce. “Es un buen lugar para reflexionar, pensar; con una base espiritual que lo hace simplemente hermoso”.

Pedro Suarez All items in the St. Jude’s food pantry cabinets are donated by parishioners.

The pantry is open the first and third Tuesdays of the month to help neighbors.

Held concurrently is a Pet Food Pantry where folks can get dog and cat food items for their furry babies, according to the rector, the Rev. Phyllis Bartle.

Pedro Suárez, obispo de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de América (ELCA, por sus siglas en inglés) del Sínodo Florida-Bahamas, pronunció un discurso en la tarde del 5 de abril, titulado: “Próximos pasos en el camino”. “Hizo hincapié en que tenemos que aprender a vivir por fe y confiar que el Señor proporcionará, porque nosotros no poseemos nada”, continuó Bartle.

Entre los discursos principales, más de 200 de los asistentes a la conferencia pudieron elegir entre una serie de sesiones para aprender más sobre diversos temas. Bartle asistió a sesiones

como: Predicar sobre mayordomía, Unir la brecha de la generosidad, y Generosidad durante todo el año.

El anhelo de mejorar en la mayordomía es algo que Bartle espera compartir con los miembros de la diócesis.

“Reconocer que todo lo que se nos ha dado, se nos ha confiado, y que no es nuestro, debería ayudar a que todos sean más generosos”, expresó ella.

“Pero, de verdad, las personas dan para aquellas cosas que les importan”, afirmó Bartle. “Dicho eso, la misión de Cristo de difundir el evangelio y cuidar al pueblo de Dios es el tipo de cosas que aumentarán el dar”.

www.cfdiocese.org

STEWARDSHIP

Consumerism and Spiritual Warfare Giving to God is good personal stewardship

By Rev. Cameron MacMillan buy things. And let’s admit it: the world is good at convincing us of our need for stuff.

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ou probably didn’t know that when you type “amazon.com” into your URL search bar, you are entering spiritual warfare. I know—it’s not a pornographic website. And there aren’t malevolent horned creatures jumping out of your screen, taunting you with their bloody pitchforks. But as soon as that homepage loads, the voices of desire are calling out to you: “You need a voice-activated gadget to run your house more smoothly! You need more modern furniture! You need a better HDTV!” And, for some of us nerdy types, “You need all of these theology books!”

When you and I browse Amazon, or go to a local shopping center, we are inundated with advertising. I read an article a few years ago that said most of us are exposed to more than 6,000 advertising images a day. And that was years ago. It’s undeniable that the world we live in wants us to

www.cfdiocese.org

Consumption is necessary. We have to consume to survive. Just try to go more than a week without food and see what happens. But necessary consumption and unharnessed consumerism are two different things, and some of us struggle to know the difference. (Start paying attention to how often you say, “I need …” when you actually just want.) Think about this: The most fundamental tool our enemy used to lure humanity into its current rebellious condition was a false sense of need. The serpent convinced Eve that the one thing she needed was the one thing God forbade her. “So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Gen. 3:6a). We could say that the serpent was a crafty advertiser.

And we could say, quite literally, that the first sin was a sin of consumerism.

In his incisive book Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire, William Cavanaugh points out that people in the United States are not as much attached to things as detached from things. We buy things only to discard them.

We make money only to spend it quickly. Our consumeristic restlessness leads not just to buying, but to shopping. “Buying brings a temporary halt to the restlessness that typifies consumerism. This restlessness—the moving on to shopping for something else, no matter what one has just purchased—sets the spiritual tone for consumerism.” After having purchased a new watch just a few months ago, I was on Amazon shopping for another. Granted, the date adjustment crown

broke; but if I’m honest, I’ll admit that I was wanting something that looked a little nicer, too.

Again. Shopping on Amazon is not a sin. But Christians must be wary of their shopping habits and how those habits shape their desires and feed their passions. I know that for me a little bit of self-indulgence usually leads to a perceived need for more. It won’t hurt to just click “Add to Cart” once more, will it?

Our Lord was offered all the kingdoms of the world if He would only bend the knee to the devil just once. “Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him”’” (Matthew 4:10). Jesus knew the temptation to consumerism was strong and that caving into it was tantamount to worshiping an idol. Perhaps we too could learn to be more cautious about what is offered us by the world.

And perhaps we’d be better equipped against those temptations if we developed specific practices that kept us more dependent on God than our checking accounts. Say—what might happen if you redirected some of your excess shopping money toward the kingdom of God this giving season? In the unseen realm, it just might be a fatal blow to your enemy and a victory won in union with the One who “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).

— Father Cameron MacMillan is the rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

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STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Workshop Helped Priest Boost Church’s Fortunes Now retired, Al Jenkins Raised Income to $1M-plus at All Saints’, Lakeland

S

By Jeff Gardenour upervising and making effective use of resources that the Lord provides for the betterment of His people and society is the Christian view of stewardship, which the Rev. Al Jenkins learned can turn around a church in a hurry.

In the 1990s, Bishop John W. Howe of the Diocese of Central Florida sent Jenkins to the Episcopal Church’s Stewardship Workshop in Erie, Pennsylvania. When Jenkins returned, his knowledge helped All Saints’ Episcopal, Lakeland, in a huge way.

“Its result was raising the income

at All Saints’, Lakeland, from about $300,000 to over $1 million annual-

The Rev. Al Jenkins, a retired priest, is one of the most knowledgeable speakers on the subject of stewardship in the Diocese of Central Florida.

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Jenkins

ly over about 25 years,” said Jenkins, who served as rector at All Saints’, Lakeland, from 1989-2015 – a span of 26 ½ years. “It is still over 1 million.”

Jenkins will be the first to tell you, though, that financial windfall through church stewardship is a labor- and time-intensive responsibility, one that demands patience and dedication. He has taken his knowledge from the Erie workshop and become one of the diocese’s preeminent leaders on stewardship.

The Polk County rector served as Chairman of the Diocesan Board Stewardship Committee for several years, taught stewardship in several parishes, and coached multiple rectors who made appointments to learn more about how to be successful at growing a church. Additionally, he served as president of the Standing Committee during his 2008 to 2012 tenure.

“But we had other tasks for Bishop Howe other than stewardship,

The Rev. Al Jenkins and others celebrate the dedication of the Weddell Building on Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland in 1992. The building’s lower floor is for administration and clergy offices, conference room, archives, Heritage Center, and the new main entrance and lobby. The building’s second floor is a Children’s Center with a chapel and kitchen. The project cost $1,250,000, which also included some renovations.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

mostly in guiding the selection of the next bishop,” Jenkins said. “I had been on two bishop selection teams, one for Bishop (William H.) Folwell and one for Bishop Howe.

That said, the board seemed to take its own course in matters of stewardship and church growth, which was fine with me.”

Utilizing his knowledge and time, Jenkins slowly crafted a stewardship plan that benefited more than All Saints’, Lakeland. He wrote a new model for stewardship based on the application of what he learned in Erie, called the “Star Model,” and then expanded it with a “Star Model” for church growth.

“Successful stewardship takes work in the application of a model and time,” Jenkins said. “You have to keep in mind I was not taught anything about stewardship in seminary or ever coached on the subject. I attribute what I have learned to Bishop Howe encouraging me to ‘go learn’ and bring what I learned home. Prior to that I had no interest in stewardship, as I found it very

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STEWARDSHIP PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE REV. AL JENKINS

boring—at least the annual models I understood.

“Things changed in Erie,” Jenkins said. “It was life-changing, I guess you could say, and I give that credit to the vision of Bishop Howe who was/is a church-stewardship and church-growth specialist.”

Jenkins’ stewardship knowledge

was so good that it found its way into ICS studies, and even into a teaching conference for clergy at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo, where Jenkins, Bishop Howe and a few other rectors taught on the subject. “They taught on the spirituality of stewardship, and I taught the model,” he said.

“The seminar Father Al led was instrumental in helping St. Mary’s, Belleview, grow,” said the Rev. Canon Tim Nunez, one of several clergy who received coaching from Jenkins. “The entire vestry came, and it transformed their leadership of the church. Stewardship is almost synonymous with discipleship, and every church should take it very seriously.”

Now retired and doing supply work for rectors and vicars in the diocese’s Southwest Deanery, Jenkins spent much of his early career just learning how to be a faithful priest.

Before coming to All Saints’, Lakeland, he worked in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and served as rector at St. Margaret’s in Inverness.

“All of my tenure there was learning how to be a priest,” Jenkins said.

“Sometimes I was successful and sometimes I was not. But I learned in both situations. I had no stewardship training before the Erie work-

www.cfdiocese.org

Bishop Greg Brewer, second from left, and The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon, in purple coat, were on hand for All Saints’ ribbon cutting of the McClurg Building in 2012. The McClurg Building’s four floors are one for middle and high school youth, one for adult teaching classrooms, one for worship leadership teams (choir, clergy, acolytes), and the top floor is a new Parish Hall, called Woodsby Hall.

shop and, matter of fact, was not interested in it until I became determined to increase the giving so our parish could reach a larger vision. The course I wrote was for All Saints’, but I shared it with whoever wanted to raise the level of giving in their parish/mission and add more members.”

Although Jenkins has retired, his good work with stewardship is being carried on today by several clergy, including the Rev. Dr. Reid Hensarling, the current rector at All Saints’, Lakeland, who formerly served as an associate rector under Jenkins for a dozen years.

“All Saints’ bought a piece of city property shortly after I arrived, and we built a two-story building,”

Jenkins said. “As the stewardship and growth continued, we built a four-story building as we built a spiritual growth culture. To this day, the Lord continues to bless All

Saints’ abundantly as the congregation faithfully shares their financial resources for the sake and witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The Rev. Al Jenkins, right, and his wife, Vivian, have been familiar faces at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Lakeland for many years.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

19

STEWARDSHIP

Determination Puts Knox on Top at Youth Ministry Institute

By Jeff Gardenour

Pastor’s Daughter Felt Calling to Serve at 17

D

oing unto others was never some-

thing that Kirsten Knox just read

about in the Bible. It was something she learned to value and practice from a very young age.

Growing up in rural Indiana in a pastor’s family, Knox was raised in multiple United Methodist Churches, as her father was a United Methodist pastor. The family often resided next door to the church where her father worked.

“Being a PK (pastor’s kid) allowed me to experience the profound truth that all people matter,” Knox said. “People would stop by our house day and night when they were in crises or needed assistance. I watched my parents love people, no matter who they were. This shaped me and planted the seed of service in my heart.”

He has done an amazing job. I have big shoes to fill.”

A graduate of Asbury Ministries, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Christian Youth ministers listen to a talk from the Rev. Tim Nunez, Canon to the Ordinary, in blue shirt, Ministries, Knox also at the Bishop’s Event held earlier this year at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park. is a YMI graduate. She said she felt called to accept the position as existers on the board invested in me. She believed ecutive director because “she knew this was what in me, and her belief in me helped me believe in God was asking me to do.” myself. She showed me I had something to offer of value to the kingdom of God ... as a teen.

“I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and our YMI team to do His work,” Knox said. “I’m passionate about youth ministry and giving students the opportunity to experience God’s unwavering love for them. God used a youth minister to speak into my life when I was a teen in a very powerful way. I feel honored to now be a part of an organization that develops and trains youth ministers and resources the local church.”

That seed of service evolved into working as a youth minister, which has led Knox to one spiritual calling after another. The latest calling is serving as YMI (Youth Ministry Institute) executive direcDespite her parents’ love for the Knox tor, where she will assist local Lord, Knox’s calling for youth churches and youth ministries. She has been with ministry didn’t come immediately as a child. BeYMI for eight years, serving as a developmental cause Knox’s father worked in small churches, he coach, field coach and certified assessor. Knox often was the only employee. It wasn’t until she got replaces Steve Schneeberger, who has moved on involved in the Conference Board of Youth Ministo another position. try as a teen and met youth ministers that she felt this could be her life profession.

“Excited to be able to serve the local church and youth ministers in this capacity,” said Knox, 38.

“I couldn’t believe there was such a job, which “Also, some nervousness about taking over for intrigued me,” Knox said. “One of the youth minSteve. YMI is his vision, creation and success.

Kirsten Knox, far left in back row, poses with PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KIRSTEN KNOX

20

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

“Then, when I was 17, I felt God call me into the ministry,” Knox said. “After receiving my call into ministry, I made one commitment to God: that I would go wherever He led me. My inquiry of Him was to make it clear, and I would follow. He has been faithful to lead me, and each opportunity has prepared me for the next.”

fellow youth ministers during a meeting.

www.cfdiocese.org

STEWARDSHIP Participants in the Bishop’s Event pose for a group shot in front of the cross at Camp Wingmann.

After graduating from Asbury, she moved to Clearwater to work with an established ministry – a move that proved to be quite the culture shock for a small-town girl from Indiana. “It was vastly different from growing up in small-town churches,” she said.

Knox served four years as an associate youth director before leaving for a position working with

students outside the church. She served as a middle school program director for the YMCA, overseeing eight before/afterschool programs, before becoming a social worker and working part time in youth ministry at a local church.

But it wasn’t until she received a call to serve as the youth minister for Pasadena Community Church in St. Petersburg that she landed on the road to YMI. “Pasadena introduced me to the Youth Ministry Institute, since becoming an YMI student was a part of my hiring agreement,” she said. “Ten years later, I heard God calling me to a new avenue of serving students: by equipping their youth ministers through YMI. When I said ‘yes’ to follow God, I had no idea the adventure on which He would take me. I am grateful for that journey and thankful God offers us His power to do His work!”

Knox said the promotion to YMI regional director gives her a chance to coach and serve as a role model to youth ministers more than ever before.

“I served as the youth minister at Pasadena Community Church, which means I was on the front lines of working with youth and their families daily,” Knox said. “The biggest difference is now I get to invest, coach and consult with those who are on the front lines serving in the local church. I get to help those leading in ministry to develop healthy and sustainable youth ministries by training youth ministers to be skilled and effective leaders. When leaders get better, everyone wins!”

Knox has wasted no time in establishing some new goals in her new position. They are: To become more ecumenical by serving more denominations.

www.cfdiocese.org

To continue to get the word out about ways we can be a resource for the local church to help them develop healthy thriving youth ministries.

To continue to find ways we can effectively support and train youth ministers to create longevity and minimize turnover.

“My ultimate goal is creating opportunities for teenagers to experience God’s unwavering love for them,” Knox said. “We do that at YMI by consulting with churches, developing strategic plans with them, and coaching and training youth ministers.”

Youth enjoy games in the Bishop’s Event held earlier this year at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park.

Kirsten Knox was on hand as a youth minister.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

21

STEWARDSHIP

Material Greed Leads Us Away From Christ Loving Others More Than Things Is Emotionally Healthy

By J.J. West

L

iving in one of the richest countries in the world, we frequently face greed in our own hearts as well as in others’. Material greed causes us to isolate ourselves and ignore the needs of those around us. However, we were designed by God, in His image, to be both relational and generous, as God Himself exemplifies these qualities. When we allow our hearts to be hardened by material greed, we become less than who we are meant to be.

In “Money, Possessions and Eternity,” author Randy Alcorn warns us of the dangers of material greed: “Materialism will inevitably produce the kind of society increasingly evident in America – a society of individualism, where people live parallel lives, not meaningfully intersecting with others. A society where independence is the only absolute, where self-interest is the only creed, where convenience and expediency and profitability are the only values.

A society where people know the price of everything, but the value of nothing – where people have a great deal to live on, but very little to live for.”

sponse. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:21) Why did Jesus give the wealthy man this, seemingly, extra command?

Is Jesus anti-wealth? A socialist? A first century Robin Hood?

West tions with others are required for emotional health.

Jesus had an interaction that helps illustrate this point. While He was teaching, a young man ran up to him to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus reminded him of his knowledge of the commandments, which the young man claimed to have kept since boyhood. I am fascinated by Jesus’ re-

We often assume this passage is a lesson about greed, that the rich, young ruler couldn’t follow Jesus because he loved his wealth more than God. I believe that is only partly true. He also wouldn’t follow Jesus because he loved his wealth more than he loved people.

I believe Jesus gave this “additional” command to reveal to the man that in his heart he had not truly kept “all the commands.” His unwillingness to be generous with his wealth and help those in need around him revealed his true heart.

In fact, the hardness of his heart can be further seen by the fact that he walked away sorrowful, even as Jesus stood in front of him with love in his eyes. Jesus reminded the young man that you can’t claim to love God while ignoring your neighbors’ needs. The apostle John reminds us of the very same thing, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17) Material greed can so dehumanize us that we become oblivious to those around us in need, and ultimately harden our hearts, becoming unmoved by God’s love. We must remember that not only are we made in God’s image, but those around us are also made in God’s image. Jesus said that whatever we do for the “least of these” we do for Him; so when we are caring for the needs of others, we are truly loving God. Let us not be disheartened and walk away from God. Instead, let our hearts be full, connected to God and to others through generosity.

J.J. West, M.Ed./Ed. S., second from right, and his Grace Clinic Christian associates provide counseling in Winter Park.

Our relative affluence does not insulate us from our interdependence on one another, as strong connec-

22

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

www.cfdiocese.org

EPISCOPAL & ANGLICAN NEWS

ICS Gearing Up for Inspirational Classes This Fall

By Jeff Gardenour

T

his upcoming school year, the general public as well as students in the process of pursuing ordination to Alday the diaconate, can explore the Bible and spirituality in an array of fascinating and riveting courses in the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) – thanks to the Diocese of Central Florida.

2018-2019 ICS Course Schedule ­——— ALL COURSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ­———

LIVE COURSES

Diaconate Students please note specific tracks (D1/D2) DATE

TITLE

INSTRUCTOR

DIACONATE

9/22/18 LIVE Introduction to Inductive

Bible Study

Rev. Tom Phillips D1

9/22/18

Rev. Dr. Rob Strenth D2

LIVE Strengthening Your Soul

10/13/18 LIVE Old Testament Survey – Part 1

Rev. Todd Schmidtetter D1

10/13/18 LIVE Spiritual Warfare *

Rev. Scott Holcomb D2

*Registration requires approval of

Born out of the Faith Alive movement in the late ’70s when people were looking for strong Christian education, ICS “provides strong theological teaching for laypersons as well as serves as the educational arm of the diaconate formation process,” said Archdeacon Kristi Alday, who is the Dean of ICS. “ICS continues to evolve to offer the highest quality instruction in a variety of formats to best meet the needs of our fast-paced world. Courses are available live at the diocesan office in downtown Orlando and online for any individuals or groups.”

Dean of ICS, Archdeacon Kristi Alday

10/27/18 LIVE Old Testament Survey – Part 2

Rev. Todd Schmidtetter D1

11/10/18 LIVE Diakonia in the Modern Word

Rev. Tom Williams D1

11/10/18 LIVE Ministry in a Multicultural Context

Mr. Clay Rivers D2

2/16/19

LIVE The Reformation

Rev. Tom Rutherford D1

2/16/19

LIVE The Pauline Epistles

Rev. Dr. Jon Davis D2

ICS classes for the 2018-19 school year can be taken live or online. At least eight instructors will teach live courses, and seven will teach online courses.

3/16/19

LIVE Isaiah

Rev. Todd Schmidtetter D1

3/16/19

LIVE To Be Announced

To Be Announced D2

Live classes include courses such as the Introduction to Inductive Bible Study by newly ordained priest, the Rev. Tom Phillips; Spiritual Warfare by the Rev. Scott Holcomb; The Reformation by the Rev. Tom Rutherford; and Isaiah by the Rev. Todd Schmidtetter. Registration for the Spiritual Warfare class requires the approval of Archdeacon Alday.

ONLINE COURSES – AVAILABLE ANYTIME

Online courses include the following classes: New Testament Survey by the Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd; Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by the Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb, Canon for Vocations; Raising Up Leaders by the Rev. Jonathan French; and Finding Margin by the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis. Students can register and gain information about online classes via the internet any time at www.icscourses.org.

“The online classes have become very popular, and their audience far exceeds the boundaries of the Diocese of Central Florida,” Alday said in an article last year. “We have also received requests to link ICScourses. org to other websites, such as the World Wide Anglican Communion, because of the quality of the teaching.”

Students are asked to check the ICS website at www.icscourses.org for the most current course schedule and updates, Alday said.

www.cfdiocese.org

Diaconate Students please go to website for specific due dates and courses for your track

TITLE

Doctrine New Testament Survey Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Raising Up Leaders Our Anglican Heritage Feasts and Festivals of the OT The Universe Next Door Know the Heretics Addictions and Faith Ethics Finding Margin Mapping Your Ministry A History of the Episcopal Church in America

INSTRUCTOR

Rev. Chris Brathwaite Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb Rev. Jonathan French Rev. Scott Walker Rev. Dave Newhart Rev. Dave Newhart Rev. Justin Holcomb Julia Suerth Rev. Dr. Jon Davis Rev. Dr. Jon Davis Rev. Danielle Morris Rev. Tom Rutherford

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

23

EPISCOPAL & ANGLICAN NEWS

The ‘Venite’ ‘Venite’– –the the Church’s Traditional Call to Worship

By Joslyn M. Williams

THE VENITE

T

he Venite is Latin, from “Come.” The Venite is the church’s traditional call to worship, based squarely on Psalm 95. In the source of church history, several different versions of the Venite have been used—some more hymnic, others chanted, some complete, others shortened.

antiphonally; that is, sung alternately by sections of the choir facing each other from the opposite sides of the aisle. The Venite was treated as a separate canticle, usually as part of the full morning worship.

Formerly, the Venite had its own set of invitatory tones and was preceded and followed by a Responsorial chant, the mode and melodic ending of which matched the Venite chant in the same way the antiphons matched their particular psalm tone.

Sometime after the mid-16th century, the practice of changing the Venite as its own invitatory to the daily psalm became the favored procedure.

The Venite has been used in liturgies of virtually every major branch of the Christian church and is part of the ancient Christian liturgy as far back as it can be traced. St. Benedict incorporated the Venite into the morning prayer service.

At some point, a Trinitarian doxology was incorporated into the ending of the Venite. This became standard practice in Christian usage of the Psalter very early in church history. The Venite was used as a call to worship in the temple and synagogue.

Williams

As we sing the Venite, it should be kept in mind that we are exhorting one another to engage the Lord in worship. Sing with vigor, sing with understanding so other worshippers will respond to ensure you receive their word of encouragement. In the Venite, we call each other to “come” to gather to worship the Lord. Indeed, we might say that God Himself is calling us to draw near to come to Him through each other’s voices.

The Venite and the Psalm for the day were sung

24

Let me add that the notes of a chant tune have no time value of their own, only rhythm. The Venite is one of them.

The Venite calls on the people of God to come before the Lord with songs of praise and celebration.

The Venite addressed another important matter related to worship. The psalmist speaks about bowing and kneeling before the Lord. The physical postures are not arbitrary. What we do with our bodies during worship really matters. Not only do the physical motions express the emotions of the heart from inside out, but also from outside in.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

We may not feel well on a Sunday morning, but kneeling with our bodies to confess sin helps to adjust our frame of mind. God desires us to worship with our whole bodies.

Finally, the Venite ends with a warning; it prepares for what we are about to encounter in the rest of the liturgy.

Singing the Venite on a regular basis will make us ask ourselves, “Are we going to harden our hearts when we hear His voice today?”

O come let us sing unto the Lord, Let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving And show ourselves glad in Him with psalms.

— This music column, the first presented this year by the Central Florida Episcopalian, was written

by Joslyn M. Williams, BSc; AGO, MBE, FGMS is the Director of Music and organist and parish administrator at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Haines City.

www.cfdiocese.org

REACHING OUT PHOTO BY ELISABETH KECK

‘Coloring the Scriptures’ Bringing People Together at Holy Trinity, Melbourne

By Nina Keck

W

hat started as a devotional session and healing prayers for the residents of Trinity Towers South has blossomed into two totally different ministries for different audiences – thanks to a Psalms coloring book and more.

A completed coloring sheet by Nina Keck.

“At Trinity Towers South, I wasn’t getting anyone (to come) to the devotionals I was leading once a month,” said the Rev. Meghan Farr, assistant rector for pastoral care at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melbourne, “so, I asked the social worker what she did that got people coming out regularly. She said coloring, and arts and crafts, and anything to do with music.”

When she returned the next month, Farr brought a Psalms coloring book with her. “That’s how I came up with “Coloring the Psalms” program. I would choose one each time we met. We read the Psalm first and talked about it as we colored and listened to hymns. The hymns were all kara-

Marion Sargent, foreground, and Deacon Victoria Collins, background, enjoy the day’s coloring sheet.

PHOTO BY NINA KECK

The Rev. Megan Farr, right, readies the music selections for the group to listen to as they color. Sandy Blankenship, left, gets her materials ready to color.

PHOTO BY NINA KECK

www.cfdiocese.org

oke versions, so we could sing along. We closed with prayer requests. “ People in the parish heard what Farr was doing at Trinity Towers and fell in love with it. Some asked if the church would host a coloring session for the congregation. “We were also looking for something to do that might attract more folks to the church from the neighborhood,” she said.

By that time, she had already amassed quite a collection of coloring materials; not just The Psalms. “I decided to call it ‘Coloring the Scriptures,’” Farr said. “Each session begins with a devotional that reflects whatever verse is on the coloring sheet. Then, we color and chat and listen to hymns and other Christian music. We close with prayer requests.”

Coloring can be so much more than just a way to relax when you combine it with Scripture because the word of God is alive and powerful. “More than anything, I think it is an hour where people can pray and connect in fellowship and enjoy a peaceful and de-stressing activity. More and more studies are being done on how coloring, much like prayer and meditation, can help people relax. It is being used as a tool for people with Alzheimer’s and those who suffer from PTSD.” One of the great things about coloring Christian coloring pages for adults is that it does not require any artistic talent. And there is no right or wrong way to color — just do it however you like. “I’ve really enjoyed this group and activity. We are up to about to about nine of us that attend regularly,” Farr said. https://www.

BibleJournalingJumpstart.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

25

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Holy Trinity Students Collect Hundreds of Items for Youth in Need

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL ACADEMY

Honor Society donates pajamas, books to Brevard Family Partnership

By Nina Keck

I

t started as a simple community service project but became a personal mission for members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy’s National English Honor Society (NEHS) – thanks to some incredible generosity.

An email that senior Sydney Levy received from a national clothing company after Hurricane Irma inspired the project. “NEHS was looking for new ways to do community service, and I had received an email from Vineyard Vines in support of the Pajama Program,” Levy said. “I thought it would be a great idea for NEHS to participate in, so I brought it to Mrs. Pedicini to initiate the project.”

Stefani Pedicini, the NEHS advisor, thought it was a good idea that the school’s NEHS group collect pajamas and books to give to children in need. “Initially, it was a project just for NEHS members who were looking for community service credit,” she said.

“They were asked to bring in one book or one pair of pajamas. At the beginning of the drive, I was skeptical about how successful the event would be. We advertised it and opened it up to other students, faculty, and staff members.

26

Jubilant members of the National English Honor Society at HTEA pose with all the books and pajamas donated to the Pajama Program. Foster children in Brevard County benefitted from the largesse. Members are from left: Joshua Knight, Julie Spicer, John Allen, Seneka Epasinghe, Soyoun Choi, and Lauren LeBeau.

However, the students and the faculty and the school community exceeded my expectations.”

The Pajama Program is a national organization dedicated to ensuring children have a clean pair of pajamas and a bedtime story at night. Holy Trinity senior Soyoun Choi contacted the Pajama Program.

“When I first reached out to the PJ Program, I didn’t know where these items would go,” Choi said.

A representative from the Pajama Program suggested they give what they had collected to the Brevard Family Partnership, a non-profit group that oversees 269 foster children in 143 fos-

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

ter homes in Brevard County. “After they connected me to Brevard Family Partnership, it became more personal,” Choi said. “And after hearing that many of the kids don’t have many resources, I felt like that the items we collected would be of great use to them.”

The students were able to collect 162 pairs of pajamas and 153 books from Jan. 16 to Feb. 2.

The effort didn’t go unnoticed.

LaChrista Jones, director of licensing for the Brevard Family Partnership, had this to say about the contribution: “The impact is huge because a lot of our kids that come into care sometimes just leave their home with the clothes on their back. A lot of times,

we don’t have the opportunity to pack their bag. To arrive at a home and have a new pair of pajamas and also a book is wonderful. It gives the foster parents an opportunity to read them a bedtime story.”

The group initially ordered four collection boxes. “That was not enough,” said Pedicini. “We had to find more boxes to pack up our collection, so we could deliver it. I am very proud of our NEHS students on how they participated in this community service opportunity.

They brought way more than just one book or one pair of pajamas. The students truly enjoyed donating to this cause, and that, in itself, is the most rewarding part of the drive!”

www.cfdiocese.org

DIOCESE • July 5-13—General Convention

The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas.

July 5-13 ECW

ECW Triennial Meeting, Austin, Texas.

July 8-13 – Summer Camp

Diocesan Calendar •

July 23-27 – “Soul in the City” Youth Event

Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Lakeland.

7/21/18

St. Cloud, St. Luke and St. Peter (General Convention 2018 Debriefing)

July 29, 4 p.m. – Celebration of New Ministry

7/22/18

Kissimmee, San Juan (Visitation & Trinity House Blessing)

Fourth 2018 summer session, Camp St. Peter, at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park. Camp is for senior high school-age campers entering grades nine through twelve.

Celebration of the new ministry of the Rev. Cameron MacMillan, Church of the Good Shepherd, Maitland.

7/26/18

Lakeland, All Saints’ (Soul in the City)

7/29/18

Maitland, Good Shepherd (New Ministry – The Rev. Cameron MacMillan)

8/5/18

Port St. Lucie, Holy Faith/Santa Fe

July 9-13, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – “Fixer Upper”

July 30-Aug. 3 – “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus”

VBS at Church of the Ascension, Orlando.

8/12/18

Daytona Beach, St. Timothy’s

8/19/18

Lakeland, Christ the King

8/26/18

St. Cloud, St. Luke and St. Peter

Bishop’s Oratory, diocesan office, Orlando.

9/2/18

Dunnellon, Holy Faith

Aug. 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Stewardship Workshop

9/8/18

Orlando, Cathedral (Deacon Ordinations)

9/9/18

Winter Garden, Messiah

9/15/18

DeLand, St. Barnabas (Daughters of the King Fall Assembly)

9/16/18

Ormond Beach, St. James

9/23/18

Longwood, Christ Church

VBS at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Sanford.

July 15-20 – Summer Camp

Fifth 2018 summer session, Camp St. Francis, at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park.

Camp is for middle school-age campers entering grades six through eight.

July 16-20 – “Heroes Helping Others (H20)”

VBS at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary.

July 21, 10 a.m.-noon – General Convention Debriefing

A post-convention report will be presented by Bishop Greg Brewer and fellow members of the Central Florida deputation to the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church at the Church of Saint Luke and St. Peter, 2745 Canoe Creek Road, St. Cloud, 34722.

July 22 – Blessing

Blessing of Hispanic Mission House, St. John’s, Kissimmee.

July 22-27 – Summer Camp

Sixth 2018 summer session, Camp St. Mary, at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park.

Camp is for elementary school-age campers in grades three through five.

www.cfdiocese.org

Aug. 9, 10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with Confirmations & Receptions

Event at Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., in Winter Garden will feature keynote speaker, the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, rector of St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Orange City, and vice-chair for the 2018 General Convention’s Committee on Stewardship and Responsible Investing.

Aug. 18, 9 a.m.-noon – Cursillo

Cursillo Commission, diocesan office, Orlando.

Aug. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Conference on Ministry

The Commission on Ministry will host the annual Conference on Ministry at Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main Street, in Winter Garden. To register, contact Caroline Miller at cmiller@cfciocese.org or call her at 407423-3567, ext. 317.

Aug. 26-31 – Writing Retreat

An Icon Writing Retreat will be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo. Lifelong Episcopalian Teresa Harrison will teach iconography or icon writing, which technically is a painting

9/30/18

Orlando, St. Michael’s

Bishop Brewer’s visitation dates are subject to change.

Please refer to www.cfdiocese.org for the most current visitation listing. process. The retreat is designed for beginners, but experienced iconographers also will find the course rewarding. Retreat includes the Eucharist, Gregorian chant, praying with icons, readings, silence, lively conversation, free time, and social hours.

For more information, contact Harrison at tshart2@gmail.com or access www. teresaharrison.com on the internet.

Sept. 8, 11 a.m. – Ordinations

Deacon ordinations, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando.

Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-noon – Cursillo

Cursillo Commission, diocesan office, Orlando.

Sept. 15, 10 a.m. – Daughters of the King (DOK) Fall Assembly St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, DeLand.

Oct. 12-14 – Cursillo

Co-ed Weekend at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

Events and dates subject to change.

Please check www.cfdiocese.org for the most current listings.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July-August 2018

27

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ALL ARE WELCOME!

Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 4111 ORLANDO, FLORIDA

GENERAL CONVENTION

DEBRIEFING A POST-GENERAL CONVENTION REPORT

from Bishop Greg Brewer and the Central Florida deputation to the 79th General Convention,

SATURDAY, JULY 21 • 10 a.m. to Noon,

at Church of St. Luke & St. Peter,

2745 Canoe Creek Road, St. Cloud, 34772.

SIGN UP FOR REGIONAL SEMINARS Presented by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

Aug. 4 \ Sharing Your Faith

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 414 Pine St., Titusville, FL 32796

Aug. 11 \ Growing Your Church

St John’s Episcopal Church,1709 N John Young Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Sept. 22 \ Growing Your Church

Grace Episcopal Church, 4110 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange, FL 32127

Oct. 27 \ Growing Your Church

Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, 1601 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, FL 32765 For more information, access the website: http://www.cfdiocese.org/churchgrowth/

CENTRALFLORIDA

EPISCOPALIAN

NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 120, No. 4 •July-August 2018

Church of the Blessed Redeemer on a Mission in Palm Bay

Page 11

Page 12

Silly Sock Saturdays Brings Joy to Kids in Hospital

Consumerism and Spiritual Warfare

Page 17

Stewardship Workshop Helped Priest Boost Church’s Fortunes

Pages 18-19

Page 25

‘Coloring the Scriptures’ Bringing People Together at Holy Trinity, Melbourne