Central Florida Episcopalian Magazine - Advent 2021

CENTRAL

FLORIDA

EPISCOPALIAN CFDIOCESE.ORG / ADVENT 2021 / ISSUE 2 / VOL 124

IB SHOP R B EWER

writes, O " ur o j yful service has its roots in an ancient faith that gives us the strength to endure despite hardship." p. 3

Ancient Faith Joyful Service ARTÍCULOS NOTABLES EN ESPAÑOL

CENTRAL

FLORIDA

E IP SCOPALIAN

CONTENTS

ADV E NT 2021 / ISSU E 2 / V O L 124

COVER PHOTO The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer delivers the homily during solemn evensong at Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, Texas, during the 2021 RADVO Conference.

ESPAÑOL

4 Fe antigua, servicio gozoso, por Obispo Brewer 10 La Diócesis Episcopal de Puerto Rico traza el camino

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provincial a seguir

BISHOP BREWER 3

The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer represented Province IV during the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico’s special convention to discern its place within The Episcopal Church. Decisions have been made, but more relational work remains.

Ancient Faith, Joyful Service

DIOCESAN FAMILY

5 Annual Thanksgiving Offering Will Raise the Roof 7 The Parish Profile Project Begins Soon 16 Ancient Faith, Pandemic Practices 17 CFE Digital Digest Roundup 21 Diocesan Communications Update

12 Advent is embodied by two drastically different journeys.

Commercial America dictates the first. Scriptures and liturgies proclaim the second. Both stories seek to capture and captivate our hearts.

ADVENT 6 12

God Is Keeping His Promises Ancient Advent

EPISCOPAL COUNCILS 8

14

Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico Charts Provincial Path Forward

LEADERSHIP

14 Bishop Patrick Augustine: Ambassador for the Sake

of the Gospel

CHILDREN & YOUTH 18

Youth and Youth Workers Return to ‘Soul in the City Reimagined’

MINISTRIES 19 20

Ancient Faith, Fresh Features Merge at Camp Wingmann Daughters of the King Return to Canterbury

LAST WORD 22

Praying With Eyes Open

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

THE DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Right Reverend Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop Serving 15 counties through 81 churches and 30,000 members

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate

24 Bishop Brewer’s Visitations, the Nativity of Our Lord,

An international community of 2.5 million Christians in North and South America, Europe and Taiwan

THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

Ordinations, Subscriptions

Connect with us on social media @cfdiocese

2

At 69, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Patrick Augustine was dreaming of retirement. Now he is serving as missionary bishop in the Diocese of Bor, South Sudan, and sharing his vision for ministry with the Diocese of Central Florida.

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The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

A global community of more than 85 million Christians in more than 165 countries worldwide

cfdiocese.org

BIS H OP BREW ER

Ancient Faith, Joyful Service

BY THE RT. REV. GREGORY O. BREWER

During Advent, our ancient faith moves us to look both backward and forward to the wondrous work of God (see The Rev. Porter Taylor’s excellent article on “Ancient Advent," p. 12, for further explanation of this truth). I use the term “wondrous work” because, although circumstances occur that we would never choose on our own, the sovereign hand of the Lord moves throughout – and in the end, we can find the blessing in each one.

As I contemplate the multiple ways God has worked within the Diocese of Central Florida in this eventful year of 2021, I must first respond in humble gratitude for the many gifts we have received. Yes, the pandemic continued in ways none of us could have anticipated, but we also saw God use it to open doors wide for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We saw our clergy and congregants respond in ways that clearly communicate God's love to a hurting world.

Whether pandemic-related or otherwise, our joyful service has its roots in an ancient faith that gives us the strength to endure despite hardship, the grace to minister to others despite our personal pain and the power to proclaim the love and truth of Christ in a world filled with anything but.

I think of online stories the diocese has featured throughout the year (see the “Digital Digest Roundup,” p. 17) that point to such Spirit-empowered ministry. All Saints, Winter Park, restarted its Glennon House healing ministry, offering critical soul care by phone, Zoom and now in person.

Some of our churches had only a small food pantry or none at all. But hungry people can’t wait on

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committees. St. John the Baptist in Orlando’s Washington Shores neighborhood was one of many that kicked its food pantry into high gear.

And I can’t fail to mention the tremendous vaccination effort, particularly among our churches that minister to the underserved Hispanic community. The Rev. Dr. José Rodríguez, vicar at Jesús de Nazaret in Orlando’s Azalea Park area, worked with a vibrant team to bring vaccination centers to Spanish-speaking Episcopal churches and other Latin-friendly sites.

But God does not confine his work to the past. As you peruse these pages, you'll find ongoing examples of joyful service that also stand as present-day expression of our ancient faith. “Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico Charts Provincial Path Forward” (p. 8) points to our key role in the councils of the church as well as to the work of repentance and reconciliation that lies ahead.

In “Bishop Patrick Augustine: Ambassador for the Sake of the Gospel” (p. 14), you’ll read of a man who, rather than making the easy choice of retirement, allows his faith to propel him to selfless and joyful service in the Diocese of Bor, South Sudan.

The “not yet” of Advent means we will have still more opportunities to celebrate God’s great work. Will you join me in watching for it, both in this holy season and the year ahead?

Grace to You,

Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

CFE Advent 2021

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OBISPO BREWER

Fe antigua, servicio gozoso POR OBISPO GREGORY O. BREWER

Durante el Adviento nuestra fe nos lleva a mirar por delante y por detrás la maravillosa obra de Dios (lea el excelente artículo del Rev. Porter Taylor titulado “Ancient Advent” [Adviento antiguo] en la pág. 12 para una explicación más a fondo de esta verdad). Utilizo el término “obra maravillosa” porque aunque se dan circunstancias que nunca escogeríamos por nosotros mismos, la soberana mano del Señor se mueve por todas partes, y al final, podemos encontrar bendición en cada una.

Mientras contemplo las muchas maneras que Dios ha obrado dentro de la Diócesis de la Florida Central en este memorable año 2021, primero debo responder con una actitud humilde por los múltiples obsequios que hemos recibido. Sí, la pandemia continua en maneras que ninguno de nosotros podía anticipar, pero también hemos visto cómo Dios la ha usado para abrir las puertas del Evangelio de Jesucristo. Hemos visto a nuestro clero y feligreses responder de maneras que comunican claramente el amor de Dios a un mundo herido.

Ya sea relacionado o no con la pandemia, nuestro servicio gozoso tiene sus raíces en una fe antigua que nos da la fuerza para soportar a pesar de las dificultades, la gracia para ministrar a otros a pesar de nuestro dolor personal y el poder de proclamar el amor y la verdad de Cristo a un mundo lleno de cuanta cosa hay.

Pienso en las historias en línea que la diócesis ha presentado a lo largo del año (vea el “Digital Digest Roundup” [Resumen del boletín digital], p. 17) que apuntan a tal ministerio empoderado por el Espíritu. All Saints, Winter Park, reinició su ministerio de sanación Glennon House, ofreciendo cuidados críticos del alma por teléfono, por Zoom y ahora en persona.

Algunas de nuestras iglesias solo tenían una pequeña despensa de alimentos o ninguna. Pero la gente

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hambrienta no puede esperar en los comités. La Iglesia St. John the Baptist en el vecindario Washington Shores de Orlando fue uno de los muchos que impulsaron la despensa de alimentos a toda velocidad.

Y no puedo dejar de mencionar el tremendo esfuerzo de vacunación, particularmente entre nuestras iglesias, que ministran a la comunidad hispana desatendida.

El Rvdo. P. Dr. José Rodríguez, vicario de la Iglesia Jesús de Nazaret en el área de Azalea Park de Orlando, trabajó con un equipo vibrante para llevar los centros de vacunación a las iglesias episcopales de habla hispana y otros sitios latinos.

Pero Dios no limita su obra al pasado. Al leer detenidamente estas páginas, encontrarás ejemplos continuos de servicio gozoso que también son una expresión actual de nuestra antigua fe. “La Diócesis Episcopal de Puerto Rico traza el camino para seguir hacia adelante” (p. 8) señala nuestro papel clave en los consejos de la iglesia, así como en las tareas de arrepentimiento y reconciliación que tenemos por delante. En “Obispo Patrick Augustine: Embajador por el bien del Evangelio” (p. 14), leerás acerca de un hombre que, en lugar de tomar la decisión fácil de jubilarse, permite que su fe lo impulse a un servicio desinteresado y alegre en la Diócesis de Bor, Sudán del Sur. El “todavía no” del Adviento significa que tendremos aún más oportunidades para celebrar la gran obra de Dios. ¿Te unirás a mí para vigilarlo, tanto en esta temporada santa como en el año venidero?

Gracia sobre ti,

Obispo Gregory O. Brewer

cfdiocese.org

BY MARTI PIEPER

Photos: Bishop Allen

When is an offering more than an offering? When it touches and changes people’s lives.

For decades, the fruit of the Diocese of Central Florida’s Thanksgiving offering has gone to the Diocese of Honduras.

This year’s giving will again reach out to our companion diocese — and again, it will be more than an offering.

The 2021 Thanksgiving Offering will seek to raise the roof, according to The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, bishop of the Diocese of Honduras. He intends to use funds raised to repair or replace (depending on the amount received) the roof of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in the port city of Tela.

Holy Spirit has a rich heritage. Founded in 1914, it is one of the diocese’s oldest churches and has provided The Episcopal Church with two bishops and two priests — one of those being Allen himself.

“So I have a very strong tie to that congregation,” Allen said. “And the roof is in pretty bad shape; it’s leaking.”

Tela, like the rest of Honduras, was hard-hit by twin hurricanes in November 2020 even as the country dealt with the continued impact of the COVID-19

Rt. Rev. Allen and the young iPad recipient

pandemic. “That increased the crises in the country,” Allen said. Still distributing tablets and computers to children using funds from last year’s Thanksgiving offering, he thanks the Diocese of Central Florida for its generous partnership in joyful service.

He also shares the story of a little boy whose family helps run the program at the diocesan camp and conference center. “The three kids would fight over the mother’s cellphone because that was the only tool they had to be able to receive their classes and do their homework,”

Allen said. The little boy’s two older sisters wouldn’t let him use the phone.

Allen brought him a refurbished iPad furnished through the 2020 offering and told him, “You will not have to wrestle with your sisters for your mother’s phone anymore. This is your iPad.” “He was so happy,” Allen said. “You cannot imagine the expression on this little boy’s face.”

But Allen has even better news. “Today, that little boy is excelling in his class; he’s on the honor roll; he can do his homework,” he said.

When is an offering more than an offering? When it touches and changes lives.

Pray, give and stay tuned to the Central Florida Episcopalian as we help Allen raise the roof.

Donate with checks made payable to: “Diocese of Central Florida.”

Memo: “2021 Thanksgiving Offering” Mail to: Diocese of Central Florida, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32801

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, Tela, Honduras

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CFE Advent 2021

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D IOCES AN FAM IL Y

Annual Thanksgiving Offering Will Raise the Roof

AD VEN T

God Is Keeping His Promises

BY TH E R EV. CA N O N D R . J U ST I N S . HOLCOM B

to build a temple, God counters that he himself will build his own “house” through David’s dynasty, ultimately dwelling among his people as God with us – Immanuel – in Jesus Christ. God promises that he will Holcomb make for David a great name and an everlasting kingdom while giving his people eternal rest from enemies (2 Sam. 7:9–16). He fulfills these promises in the coming of Jesus.

God Delivers

Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, “Ascension” stained glass panel

At Advent, we celebrate God’s faithfulness to his promises in sending Jesus, and we trust that he remains faithful as we look forward to Christ’s second coming.

Throughout the Old Testament, God makes promises to his people of a future deliverer he will send. Often, his people try to develop their own plans to receive deliverance or to win God’s favor and love. But God continually points ahead to a coming savior.

Isaiah 7:10–16 recounts the story of Ahaz, king of Judah at a time when the land faced a foreign invasion. Ahaz hoped for help from the king of Assyria, but the prophet Isaiah instead points to God’s ultimate divine intervention — an intervention through a baby born in Bethlehem. Isaiah says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

Something similar happens in 2 Samuel 7:1–16, when God corrects King David’s human plans by revealing his divine one. When David makes plans

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With the coming of Jesus, we see God’s faithfulness. Paul tells us the gospel message was “promised beforehand through [God’s] prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son” (Rom. 1:2–3). The good news of salvation is that God has been faithful to his promise in sending Jesus Christ, his Son. At his second coming, Jesus will complete what he started.

Jesus’ coming obliterates the system of sacrifices for sin and all our human attempts to save ourselves or win favor with God on our own.

Because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, “It is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10). When we think about Jesus’ birth and rejoice in the salvation he has brought, we have courage, knowing God is faithful to his promises.

God Is Faithful

The Advent season is a journey through the biblical story that shows us how “in [Jesus Christ] every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’”(2 Cor. 1:20). Advent points us to Jesus, just like all scripture. At his first coming, which we celebrate at Christmas, Jesus showed us his humility, his love for us and his heart of grace toward sinners and sufferers. At his second coming, which we look forward to in Advent, he will complete what he started, bringing a final end to suffering, sin and death, restoring his creation and setting up a new kingdom of righteousness and peace.

God keeps his promises. cfdiocese.org

E PIS COPAL COU N CIL S

Episcopal Ep iscoa p l DioceDiocese se of of

e uPPuerto rto RicoRico ChartsCharts

rPProvincial ovincial Path Path Forward Forw ard

La Rogativa monument at the Plazuela de la Rogativa, San Juan, Puerto Rico

BY TH E R EV. D R . JO S É RO D R Í G U E Z

The Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico met in a special convention on July 31, 2021, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to discern a path toward finding its place within The Episcopal Church. Early on, it became clear the special convention was choosing between union with Province II and its historic Puerto Rican community in New York, and Province IV, which includes Florida and thus houses the largest population of Puerto Ricans outside of the island.

The Episcopal Church is a union of dioceses in the United Stated States and dioceses encompassing entire countries outside the United States. We are an international church within the Anglican Communion, and our provincial structure leaves many of our international dioceses tucked away in either Province II or IX. Puerto Rican nationality is complex but represents the transnational identity of the church at large. It is politically American but ethnically and linguistically unique. The Episcopal Church in Puerto Rico has a rich history, drawing from both English and American missionary efforts while also bringing in the independent, catholic and apostolic tradition of the Iglesia de Jesús that merged with Puerto Rican Anglicanism in 1922.

Since 2003, Puerto Rico has found its ecclesiastical home in Province IX. In many ways, Puerto Rico’s inclusion into the rich tapestry of Province IX set it up as an outsider within a province with historical and geographic ties and a very different identity from its sister U.S. territory diocese.

Anglicanism in Puerto Rico has had to wrestle with its relationship to the other U.S. dioceses while simultaneously navigating a province it faithfully served but eventually felt called to leave.

In resolving to leave Province IX during its special convention, the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico called upon the Holy Spirit for more than 12 hours to help the laity and clergy discern a path forward.

PRESENT PAIN The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer had the task of introducing the special convention to Province IV with the help of a presentation developed by his staff and Puerto Rican leaders within the Diocese of Central Florida. The presentation was

HISTORICAL ROOTS Anglican worship began on the island in 1869 during Spanish colonial rule when Puerto Rico was under the Anglican jurisdiction of the West Indies. Jurisdiction was transferred to The Episcopal Church after the United States military forcibly seized Puerto Rico from the Spanish crown in 1898. From 1979 to 2003, Puerto Rico enjoyed independence as a diocese extra-provincial to the See of Canterbury before returning to The Episcopal Church in 2003.

Left to right, Rev. Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Rt. Rev. Mike Klusmeyer, Rt. Rev. Orlando Guerrero, Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales Maldonado and Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer

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FUTURE POSSIBILITIES While the door remains wide open for this future relationship, we should not dare enter it as a diocese and province without serious consideration of the sin of racism that has left our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico feeling estranged from us. There will be many ways to respond to Puerto Rico’s gesture of friendship. Still, before we do, we must lead the way in calling ourselves and our community into repentance for the sin of racism, bias, discrimination and prejudice that has injured our brothers and sisters.

We have a part to play in this call to repentance. In Easter, the Passion reading builds up to us crying out, “Crucify him!” in remembering both our individual and communal transgressions against God. This Advent, let us reach into Christ’s infancy narrative and remember that not only was King Herod disturbed, but “all Jerusalem with him”

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well received, and the special convention truly struggled between Province II and Province IV. As an observer, one of my most difficult experiences was hearing the laity’s concerns in eventually choosing Province II. Themes of estrangement, colonialism and conquest seep through the story of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico as well as the special convention. In choosing a new provincial home, another theme appeared. The legacy of racism in the U.S. South was palpable and present in the minds and shared experiences of the special convention.

The sin of racism and prejudice was present in the lived experiences of those attending the special convention and their families in the South.

Multiple rounds of voting and frank, earnest conversations took place between clergy and laity as truth-telling and healing took place. As a guest, I had no voice to speak out for my province, but I also had no right to contradict the shared experiences of so many. After many hours the special convention discerned Province II as its new provincial home, a decision later affirmed by Province II. A final vote will occur during the 2022 General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

As a direct result of Brewer’s presentation, which highlighted much of our diocese’s work in welcoming displaced Puerto Ricans, the Diocese of Puerto Rico also resolved to enter a special relationship with the Diocese of Central Florida.

Rt. Rev. Brewer participates in opening Eucharist alongside Rt. Rev. Maldonado.

(Matt. 2:3b). In the same way that we participate in Christ’s crucifixion, let us remember that we collectively and individually participate and benefit from the estrangement and oppression of others.

Advent offers us an opportunity to repent for making strangers out of our brothers and sisters and communally persecuting the vulnerable. May this Advent provide us an opportunity to look at all the estranged in our society with contrite and repentant hearts.

PRAY WITH ME: We remember today, O God, the estrangement and persecution of our brothers and sisters.

We repent for not loving you with our whole hearts and not loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Have mercy on us, Lord. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your tender mercy all those who are victims of our collective estrangement, indifference and oppression, and by your great might frustrate unjust leaders and the communities that empower and enable them.

Establish your rule of justice, love and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Rt. Rev. Maldonado addresses the special convention.

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CON S EJOS EPIS COPAL ES

La Diócesis Diócesis Episcopal Episcopal de de

Puerto Rico traza Puerto traza el camino camino provincial provincial a seguir seguir

Plazuela de la Rogativa, San Juan, Puerto Rico

P O R RVD O. P. D R . J O S É RO D R Í G UEZ

La Diócesis Episcopal de Puerto Rico llevó a cabo una convención especial el 31 de julio de 2021 en Bayamón, Puerto Rico para discernir la senda a seguir dentro de la Iglesia episcopal. Desde el principio quedó claro que la convención especial estaba eligiendo entre la unión con la Provincia II y su histórica comunidad puertorriqueña en Nueva York y la Provincia IV, que incluye Florida y por lo tanto alberga la mayor población de puertorriqueños fuera de la isla.

La Iglesia episcopal es una unión de diócesis de los Estados Unidos y de las diócesis de países fuera de los Estados Unidos.

Somos una iglesia internacional dentro de la comunión anglicana y nuestra estructura provincial deja a muchas de nuestras diócesis internacionales situadas en ya sea la II o Provincia IX. La nacionalidad puertorriqueña es compleja mas representa la identidad transnacional de la iglesia en general. Es políticamente estadounidense, pero étnica y lingüísticamente única. La Iglesia episcopal en Puerto Rico tiene una rica historia basada en los esfuerzos misioneros ingleses y estadounidenses, que también incorpora la tradición independiente católica y apostólica de la Iglesia de Jesús que se fusionó con el anglicanismo puertorriqueño en 1922.

Desde el 2003, Puerto Rico ha encontrado su hogar eclesiástico en la Provincia IX. En muchos sentidos la inclusión de Puerto Rico en el rico tapiz de la Provincia IX lo configuró como un forastero dentro de una provincia con lazos históricos y geográficos y una identidad muy diferente a su territorio hermano, es decir las diócesis estadounidenses. El anglicanismo en Puerto Rico tuvo que luchar en su relación con el resto de las diócesis de Estados Unidos mientras navegaba simultáneamente por una provincia a la que sirvió fielmente, pero a la que finalmente se sintió llamada a dejar.

Al determinar dejar la Provincia IX durante la convención especial, la Diócesis Episcopal de Puerto Rico le pidió al Espíritu Santo por más de doce horas que ayudara a clérigos y laicos a discernir la senda a seguir.

DOLOR ACTUAL El Rvdmo. Gregory O. Brewer tuvo la tarea de presentar la convención especial a la Provincia IV con la ayuda de una presentación desarrollada por su personal y líderes puertorriqueños dentro de la Diócesis de la Florida Central.

RAÍCES HISTÓRICAS El culto anglicano comenzó en la isla en 1869 durante la colonización española cuando Puerto Rico estaba bajo la jurisdicción anglicana de las Indias Occidentales. La jurisdicción fue transferida a la Iglesia episcopal luego que el ejército de los Estados Unidos tomó a Puerto Rico por la fuerza de la corona española en 1898. De 1979 a 2003, Puerto Rico disfrutó de la independencia como una diócesis provincial a la Sede de Canterbury antes de regresar a la Iglesia episcopal en el 2003.

Desde la izquierda, El Rvdo. P. Dr. José Rodríguez, El Revdmo. Mike Klusmeyer, El Revdmo. Orlando Guerrero, El Revdmo. Rafael Morales Maldonado y el Revdmo. Gregory Brewer

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POSIBILIDADES FUTURAS Mientras las puertas permanecen abiertas para esta futura relación, no debemos entrar sin antes hacer un reconocimiento moral como diócesis y provincia por el pecado de racismo que ha dejado a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Puerto Rico sintiéndose distanciados de nosotros. Habrá muchas formas de responder al gesto de amistad de Puerto Rico. Aún así, primero debemos tomar la iniciativa y convocarnos a nosotros mismos y a nuestra comunidad al arrepentimiento por el pecado de racismo, prejuicio y discriminación que ha herido a nuestros hermanos y hermanas.

Tenemos un papel que desempeñar en este llamado al arrepentimiento. En la Pascua la lectura de la Pasión manifiesta:

CON S EJOS EPIS COPAL E S

La presentación fue bien recibida y la convención especial verdaderamente luchó entre la Provincia II y la Provincia IV. Como observador una de mis experiencias más difíciles fue escuchar las preocupaciones de los laicos al elegir eventualmente la Provincia II. Temas como el distanciamiento, el colonialismo y la conquista se filtraron en la historia de la Diócesis Episcopal de Puerto Rico, así como en la convención especial. Al elegir una nueva casa provincial, otro tema surgió. El legado del racismo en el sur de EE. UU. estuvo palpable y presente en las mentes y las experiencias compartidas en la convención especial. El pecado del racismo y los prejuicios estuvo presente en las experiencias vividas por los asistentes a la convención especial y sus familias en el Sur. Se llevaron a cabo múltiples rondas de votación y conversaciones sinceras y serias entre el clero y los laicos; a medida que la verdad salía a la luz tuvo lugar la sanidad. Como invitado no tenía voz para hablar por mi provincia, tampoco tenía derecho a contradecir las experiencias reales compartidas de tantos. Después de muchas horas la convención especial determinó a la Provincia II como su nueva sede provincial, esta decisión luego fue afirmada por la Provincia II. El voto final se llevará a cabo durante la Convención General 2022 de la Iglesia Episcopal en Baltimore, Maryland.

Como resultado directo de la presentación de Brewer, que destacó gran parte del trabajo de nuestra diócesis para darle la bienvenida a los puertorriqueños desplazados, la Diócesis de Puerto Rico resolvió entrar en una relación especial con la Diócesis de la Florida Central.

El Revdmo. Brewer participa en la Eucharistia al lado del Revdmo. Maldonado.

“¡Crucifícalo!” al recordar tanto nuestras transgresiones individuales como comunitarias contra Dios. En este Adviento adentremos la narrativa de la infancia de Cristo y recordemos que no solo el rey Herodes fue perturbado, sino “toda Jerusalén con él” (Mateo 2:3b). De la misma manera que participamos de la crucifixión de Cristo, recordemos que participamos colectiva e individualmente y nos beneficiamos del distanciamiento y la opresión de otros.

El Adviento nos ofrece la oportunidad de arrepentirnos por tratar como extraños a nuestros hermanos y hermanas y por la persecución comunal de los vulnerables. Que este Adviento nos brinde la oportunidad de mirar a los marginados de nuestra sociedad con corazones contritos y arrepentidos.

REZA CONMIGO:

Oh Dios, hoy recordamos el distanciamiento y la persecución que experimentaron nuestros hermanos y hermanas. Nos arrepentimos por no amarte con todo nuestro corazón y por no amar a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Ten misericordia de nosotros, Señor. Te rogamos que recibas en los brazos de tu tierna misericordia a todos los que son víctimas de nuestro distanciamiento colectivo, indiferencia y opresión, y por tu gran poder detén a los líderes injustos y a las comunidades que los empoderan y habilitan. Establece tu gobierno de justicia, amor y paz por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, que vive y reina contigo en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

El Revdmo. Maldonado se dirige a la convención especial.

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ADVENT

Ancient Advent

BY T HE R EV. PORT ER C. TAYLOR

Every family has special traditions marking the weeks leading up to Christmas. Whether it is making a favorite dish (Nana’s fudge), watching a favorite movie (The Bishop’s Wife) or another seasonal activity (decorating cookies), we celebrate the same rituals every year. Growing up, I marked the beginning of the Christmas season by circling my hoped-for gifts in an archaic publication called a “catalog.” The Christmas Eve pageant brought Jesus in at the last minute, but the rest of my childhood Advent experience was defined by toys, twinkling lights and trees.

Taylor

For Christians, Advent is embodied by two drastically different journeys.

Media corporations, advertising conglomerates and every toy-andChristmas-accoutrement manufacturing company under the sun narrate and dictate the first. Commercial America tells us parties, traditions, presents and matching family pajamas are the reason for the season. Bombarded with visions of the good life, we drown in enticements to spend money on things we don’t need, toys our children won’t want and gifts we can’t afford. The season ends with the unwrapping of presents, performed in a ritualized ceremony. (I should note that our family celebrates Christmas with presents, lights, a tree and other traditions, but these are not the reason for Advent.)

Scriptures and liturgies, some of the church’s earliest and most significant documents, proclaim and embody the second journey. The story our liturgical Advent presents stands in direct contrast to contemporary consumer culture.

Scripture and worship proclaim the truth: The Incarnation is the reason for the season. Jesus’ first coming is the in-breaking of God’s earthly dominion as he assumes our humanity

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in order to transfigure, transform and redeem it. Rather than ending with the unwrapping of presents, the season culminates in the birth of the incarnate one, the Messiah who has come to restore, rescue and reconcile creation to the Creator.

Ancient Observation Both stories seek to capture and captivate our hearts, but the true Advent is far more compelling than the holiday industry’s offerings. Advent is neither about having the newest, the latest or the greatest, nor does it focus on the unnecessary accumulation of stuff to achieve happiness. True Advent gets to the heart of what it means to be human.

It tells us a story at once ever ancient, ever new: the tale of God’s great love for his people made manifest in his covenant faithfulness: God with us, Emmanuel.

Christians have observed Advent since the middle of the fourth century, or more than 1,500 years, based on writings from St. Gregory of Tours. Even the word has an ancient feel, derived from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming.”

The church has seen fit to set aside a time for annual prayer and fasting, the Feast of the Incarnation, as believers

prepare their hearts for Jesus’ birth.

Throughout Advent, the lectionary hurls us backward into Israel’s prophetic tradition and, as author Karen O’Donnell first put it, Luke’s “Annunciation-Incarnation event” narrative. With the prophets, we join a story already in motion. We discover an Israel subjected to exile, captivity and foreign occupation, a people who believe God has forgotten his promises.

God sends his prophets again and again to preach a message of repentance and hope, of contrition and expectation.

We cannot separate Advent from the rich soil of exilic longing.

The lectionary readings, liturgical prayers and hymnody of Advent teem with references to the prophetic period as they anticipate Jesus’ birth. For four weeks, they plant worshippers firmly within this period of Israel’s past, inviting us to step into the narrative and lift our voices with the prophets, crying out for mercy and redemption, asking God to remember his steadfast love. Advent carries a palpable clamor for the arrival of Messiah, the holy one who will save Israel.

We cannot separate Advent from the bright future of Messianic fulfillment. cfdiocese.org

AD VEN T Photo: St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang.Cod. 103, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: The Poissy Antiphonal, folio 30v {{PD-US}}

New Traditions In 2021, we live on the other side of the Incarnation. We remember Christ’s first coming, and we look forward with faithfilled hope toward his second Advent, when he returns to put the world to rights. Advent forces us to maintain the tension between the already and the not yet as we look both backward and forward. The relationship between exile and Messiah, longing and fulfillment, already and not yet is perhaps best captured through the ancient Advent words of the O Antiphons.

First mentioned in A.D. 515, the O Antiphons became a normal component of eighth-century Advent worship.

Based on the words of Israel’s prophets and expressed within a common liturgical-hymnody structure, the O Antiphons trace salvation history from the beginning of time (“O Wisdom”) to Jesus’ birth (“O Emmanuel”).

The beginning letter of each of the seven antiphons forms an acrostic. The acrostic cfdiocese.org

reads, “ero cras,” meaning, “Tomorrow I am coming.” We begin singing one antiphon a day on Dec. 17 and finish on Dec. 23, when our Lord reminds us that “Tomorrow I am coming.” We celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation at sundown the next day.

You may know the O Antiphons by another name; they are the lyrics of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” (Thanks to Rebecca Taylor for her research and liturgical work on the O Antiphons.)

These ancient Advent words help shape us as disciples. They capture the prophets’ cries, they sum up Israel’s hopes, and they tell the world-changing story of when “the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14a, MSG). Toys, tinsel, twinkling lights and trees will

never be able to compete with the true Advent. Advent helps forge our faith in the ancient fire of word and worship.

I invite you to add new traditions to your Advent journey this year.

Consider using the “O Antiphons Liturgy̕​̕ found at stdavidsbythesea. org/sdi-resources. Dig deeper into the prophetic books of scripture and yearn with Israel for redemption.

Pray the Magnificat every day, joining with Mary as she rejoices in God’s actions. Let our liturgies shape a prophetic imagination and Messianic hope within you.

May your hearts be captured and captivated by an ancient Advent – a true Advent.

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L E A D E RSH I P

Bishop Patrick Augustine Ambassador for the Sake of the Gospel B Y T H E R E V. J O N AT H A N F R E N C H

ehT .tR eR .v rD .rtaP ickguA su it en

am roj ti suM-y mil tnuoc ry. siH af ther aw s an acilgnA n rp ei st ohw dluow read artielc s no row dl evaegn azil tino and transal te them to rU ud to share tiw h aP tri,kc sih tom eh r and two sisgnilb . sug A tien eno sat at the ef et fo sih af ther elihw eh related storei s rf mo yl iB rG ahas’ m row ediw l sin m try. ecnO , eh rulb ted tuo , aP“ ap ,iJ ac n I eb emoc ekil yl iB rG aham to take the sog ep l fo eJ sus rhC si t to the ensd fo the row ”?dl eiL di eh wonk that doG luow luf sih amtib snoi ni euqin aw sy .

A N D T H E R E V. D A N I E L P I N E L

aw s rob n ni aP sik tan, a

Augustine began his international ministry in the United States in 1983, serving in Episcopal churches in Chicago, Virginia and Wisconsin. After 44 years of parish ministry, he looked forward to retirement.

“I had just turned 69 … and was dreaming of retirement at the end of 2020,” he said. But God opened a new door for him to serve as the missionary bishop in the Diocese of Bor, South Sudan.

This summer, the Diocese of Central Florida had the privilege of hosting Augustine in visits to five different churches.

“Bishop Brewer graciously invited me for two reasons,” he said. “The first was for an opportunity to proclaim the gospel, celebrate the sacraments and share stories of the people of Sudan, their persecution and how to rebuild their broken walls like Jeremiah. The second was to invite people to partner

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with me in this mission to which Christ has called me.”

Augustine has high hopes and deep prayers for his return to South Sudan, including those for ministering to young people.

“I’d like to bring clean water to over 3,700 students,” he said. “I’ve recently talked to the dean of the cathedral, and he said the city of Bor is trying to bring water to the entire city. I’d like to see that happen because the children don’t have clean water to drink.

“We also would like to build a couple of classrooms for 700 students and provide them with books,” he added.

“This is a big project, and I’d like to start with two classrooms and then build more from there.”

“I’d also like to reopen the sewing center for young ladies,” he said, noting that this ministry site has been closed for three years. “I’d like to work with the Mothers’ Union, a strong arm of the church, to start training with the young ladies and empower them.”

Augustine also considers diocesan leadership a priority. “I want to hold a clergy retreat,” he said. “In South Sudan,

.tR eR .v guA su it en greetsrap ishioners rGta ca e,cO .al

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more opportunities to share the gospel, to pray for other people, to celebrate the sacraments. They could visit their parishes more often as well as the small communities where they are serving.”

One church has already provided money for Augustine to buy a motorcycle. “We gave that motorcycle to the evangelist so that he can travel in the diocese,” he said. “Before that, he was walking everywhere.”

Augustine sets forth two ways churches and individuals can partner with him and his Rt. Rev. Augustine preaches at Holy Faith, Dunnellon. ministry. “First, as a prayer Photo: Paul Hamilton partner,” he said. “Our main ministry is to pray for each other the ministry in Bor and travel expenses. in the name of Jesus Christ.”

With this money we can start building Augustine also has financial needs. the classrooms, which would cost His and his wife’s pensions from their $15,000 to $20,000 apiece. previous employment cover their “We want classrooms with solar panels personal needs. Although he receives no so they can have some light, because they salary or compensation, the work of the are really dark,” he explained. “None of ministry in the Diocese of Bor does not that money will go to my personal needs, come without cost. but for the ministry and travel expenses.

“I’d like for churches and individuals Out of that up to $10,000 a year will go to partner with me and support our for travel, because COVID has made ministry financially by setting aside some travel more difficult. It takes me four or percentage during their stewardship five days to reach Bor, for example.” season to help us continue our ministry and stand in solidarity with us,” he said.

The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer “We need $50,000 for the next two years, and the Diocese of Central Florida which will go for the infrastructure in encourage your prayerful support of Augustine and his joyful service for the sake of the gospel. You may send checks payable to Grace, Ocala with “Help with Compassion” in the memo line to: Grace Episcopal Church, 510 SE Broadway Street, Ocala, FL 34471.

Rt. Rev. Augustine with acolytes and The Rev. Jonathan French at Grace, Ocala cfdiocese.org

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they don’t have three years of seminary training as we do. Most of them are on the run as refugees under great pressure. I’d like two weeks to teach them the letters of Paul, the Gospels and church history.

“I’d also like to buy at least 10 bicycles for the priests in my diocese since they have no transport to travel across the diocese,” he said, adding that some of them have to walk distances as far as 10 miles to visit parishioners.

The bicycles would help the clergy in multiple ways, Augustine said. “The bicycles would make them more effective ministers. It would also be easier to travel to the diocesan headquarters, and they wouldn’t have to travel for five hours to get there.”

The provision of bicycles would also allow the priests to minister in their farranging parishes more often and more directly. “The priest needs to provide pastoral services and prayers. Priests are the leaders in those communities, spiritual and even political leaders,” Augustine said. “Whether there are social issues, whether there are tribal conflicts, priests are the main persons the people are going to seek out as their leaders. They carry their voice to the government, and they are their spiritual leaders.

“The bicycles would enhance their ministry tremendously and would connect them with their people,” he explained. “They would have

D IOCES AN FAM IL Y

Ancient Faith, Pandemic Practices DiocesanChurchesContinueMinistryAdaptions

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much about our world and our way of doing church. The celebration of the Eucharist has morphed into new Communion traditions: drive-thru, hand-delivered, in one kind or via pre-intincted wafers. Looking across the Diocese of Central Florida, we see many other changes, some with lasting impact.

Out of necessity, sacramental ministry to the dying has become a more common priestly duty during the pandemic. The Rev. Dr. José Rodríguez, vicar of Jesús de Nazaret in Azalea Park, said in this season, he has performed virtual last rites multiple times. “It turns a private blessing into communal prayer,” he said.

‘More Than Attending Worship’ The Rev. Tom Phillips, rector at Incarnation, Oviedo, has also seen the pandemic change the face of his church’s ministry. “I think that being part of a church is of course more than attending worship on Sundays,” he said. “It’s important to be connecting with others relationally, by serving somehow and by giving. Interestingly, all of these things can be done — to some degree — by an online member 16

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or attender. We’ve tried to create pathways for that to be the case.”

One such pathway is the church’s Wednesday evening programming, now offered both online and in person with what Phillips said often includes equal numbers from both groups.

The church has also confirmed an online member, Phillips said. “Our spring membership class (called our DNA class) had an online contingency, and one attender from Ohio requested to come and join the church formally through confirmation. She flew into town and was confirmed by the bishop. This is clearly her home church, even though she attends digitally from Ohio.”

‘New Ways to Be the Church’ The Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, priestin-charge at Holy Cross, Sanford, has also received online members. The church has active worship viewers and givers — some of them members — from eight states and two countries.

Smith has done visits and pastoral counseling with both local and online members via phone and FaceTime.

Online members Terry and Kathi Thomason, whom he knew from previous ministry in Hawaii, have made a powerful connection with Holy Cross, Smith said. “They had recently moved to Las Vegas, and because of the pandemic they couldn’t go out to find a church.”

After discovering Holy Cross online, the couple was soon active in every way possible. So when the church was forming a Parish Discernment Committee for The Rev. Rob Strenth, “I tried to get a little bit creative,” Smith said.

Smith said he knew Kathi would “take the role seriously and ask the hard questions” needed. The committee met

by Zoom, planning around the time zone challenge.

“Kathi did a great job,” he said. “It worked really well.”

This June, the Thomasons connected with Holy Cross in person during a Florida vacation. “We blessed their 50th anniversary, and we had a dinner for the Discernment Committee,” Smith said.

Despite its forced changes, the pandemic has brought some exciting options, Smith said. “We are finding new ways to be the church.”

Kathi Thomason, Rev. Smith and Terry Thomason celebrate the couple’s 50th anniversary.

cfdiocese.org

D IOCES AN FAM IL Y

Here’s a quick summary of the top stories featured in our monthly CFE Digital Digest. Visit cfdiocese.org/ cfedigitaldigest to read the stories in full and subscribe FREE.

The Central Florida Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians recognized the outstanding service of The Rev. Canon Nelson W. Pinder with a May 15 virtual name dedication ceremony featuring testimonials and tributes by honored guests, including The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church.

Pinder became a leader in the civil rights movements in Orlando after his arrival to the area in 1959. “Our renaming commits us to carry on with the fervor and intent that Father Pinder had in his work,” said Dr. John Robertson, president of the chapter now renamed as The Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches and leaders from diverse backgrounds are fulfilling Christ’s call to unity while offering the gift of life beyond the virus.

“This has God’s hand all over it,” said Ericka Gómez-Tejeda, a community organizer with Hablamos Español who helped spearhead efforts for church-sponsored vaccinations. In six weeks’ time, she and fellow Episcopalian Carmen Torres brought together 100 volunteers who served and more than 3,050 people who received vaccinations.

Participating diocesan churches included St. John’s, St. John the Baptist, Jesús de Nazaret and Blessed Redeemer plus other area congregations. “The faith community has really stepped up in a big way,” Gómez-Tejeda said.

cfdiocese.org

Two longtime best friends, Grace Peters, 17, and Kate Crawley, 18, of Holy Trinity, Melbourne, have now been appointed as the two youngest vergers in the Diocese of Central Florida on June 20 and Aug. 8, respectively.

The Holy Trinity clergy, along with Head Verger Vern Lester, chose Peters and Crawley for their new positions, giving them separate installation dates because of scheduling conflicts.

Both young women have sensed the call of God on their lives.

“I felt the call when I became an acolyte,” Peters said. “The first time I felt a calling was when Vern asked me to be a verger,” Crawley said.

When Hope Blume realized how many women in St. Matthias, Clermont, had spouses suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, she saw a need for a support group.

She shared the need with Care Ministry team members Jessie Gustafson and Pat Meeker. “Together, we decided it would be very beneficial for these women and any future women and men to have a safe place to meet and share their feelings, challenges and experiences,” Blume explained.

After an introductory luncheon and finding leaders from among the members, REFRESH Support began meeting every other Monday at noon in the parish library on March 29. The 90-minute meetings are open to all parishioners, and currently, five caregivers attend.

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CH IL D REN & Y OUTH

Youth and Youth Workers Return to

‘SOUL IN THE CITY REIMAGINED’

BY DEWAYNE H A M BY

After last year’s pandemic-based cancellation, youth and youth workers embarked on an abbreviated “Soul in the City Reimagined” event July 21-22, providing joyful service to the Lakeland community and fellowship for diocesan youth. Seventy youth and youth workers took part in the event, sponsored by the Youth Ministry Institute and held in Lakeland and the Orlando area.

On July 21, the group gathered at Lakeland’s All Saints’ and went on to participate in service projects benefiting the Dream Center, The Salvation Army and Parker Street Ministries. Projects included trash pickup in the communities, landscaping and warehouse organization at The Salvation Army, landscaping and beautification projects at the Dream Center, and participation and leading games for summer camps provided for low-income families. The day concluded with dinner and worship.

“These projects helped that community know the Dream Center is invested in them and cares for them,” said Kirsten Knox, senior director of ministry partnerships for Youth Ministry Institute.

Soul in the City’s second day, held at St. Edward’s, Mount Dora, included a field day with water games and swimming in the church’s pool.

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Knox explained that the abbreviated schedule, which did not include an overnight stay, resulted from a desire for safety and effectiveness amid coronavirus concerns. “When we look at Soul in the City, two of the big values are one, cultivating a heart of service for teenagers, and two, creating opportunity for them to connect and build community with youth ministries and other people within the diocese,” she said.

Knox said service is a “critical” element that attracts the younger generations, and this aspect of Soul in the City made a virtual option less than optimal.

“We have oftentimes seen worship Sunday mornings as kind of our front door to a community where we would want people to come,” Knox said. “And I would say, with this generation, part of that shift that we’re seeing, and we’re also trying to cultivate, is really, they have a desire to make a difference.”

Soul in the City drew a positive response from participants. The first comment Knox received was how good it was to be back together after missing last year’s gathering. For many, the event was a great time of bonding with their own youth groups and others.

“It was such an amazing two days,” said Stephanie Paul of All Saints’. “Our kids had a blast. It was beautiful, and I hope our kids’ hearts were touched a little deeper.”

“My kids had such a great time, and we’re so happy to be back again!” added Bailey Waters of St. Luke and St. Peter, St. Cloud.

Planning for Soul in the City 2022 is ongoing with leaders’ watchful eyes on the pandemic, and they are praying and hoping for a return to the original weeklong event of service and smiles.

“We hope that we get to go back to the full week of mission experience with our students and the churches,” Knox said. cfdiocese.org

M IN IS TRIES

Ancient Faith, Fresh Features Merge at Camp Wingmann

BY GL E N N HAGE R

Coming Up at CAMP WINGMANN: Winter Camp for grades 3-12, Jan. 7-9, 2022 For more information, visit: campwingmann.org.

So many people who have experienced Camp Wingmann refer to it as a “thin place” where they catch a glimpse beyond the veil that separates the earthly from the divine.

action became a metaphor for overcoming fears, such as bullying, difficulties at home, mental health issues and so on. The kids often referred to the meaningfulness of this simple exercise.”

This year the camp, which boasts a new ropes course and water slide, is up to date in every way a youth camp should be. Yet the ancient faith the campers have discovered and rediscovered there for nearly a hundred years remains the same belief in the same Jesus.

“It’s the people who make camp,” Joseph explained. “This year we had three outstanding assistant directors: Lauren Forgey, Andrea Ambert and Jordan Vines.” He met with the group every week, beginning in February. Some meetings were virtual, but each one involved an assignment. The meetings culminated with three days of on-site training.

“This year we served over 200 kids in five weeks of camp,” said Director Joshua “J.J.” Joseph. “They were especially appreciative and ‘hungry for camp’ this season.”

“The tone for the year was set in week one,” he added. “A 16-year-old camper who was struggling and wavering in his faith rediscovered who God is and how he loved him as he was. At camp, he also discovered ‘his people’ and asked to be baptized. A staff member also decided to affirm her faith through baptism. That is how the Holy Spirit led from the beginning. Of course, there was a big celebration.”

Some interesting things also happened 30 feet in the air. “The new ropes course had a much deeper effect on the kids than anticipated,” Joseph said. “Being suspended that high in the air and letting go to swing over to a trapeze bar several feet away is an anxious moment, even with redundant safety gear. That simple

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“A lot of things are lost in today’s modern world that are revived at camp, including a connection with nature, the ability to socialize face-to-face and the formation of real community,” Joseph said. “These are the things that make us human, and these are the places where God shows up. Camp is a safe place where kids can be real and where the superficial things fall away as lifelong relationships are formed in the process. Our goal is to help kids become respectful, productive, spiritual people who shine the light of Christ everywhere.”

And there are still more reasons Camp Wingmann is special.

“It looks like a camp from a movie set, only more beautiful,” Johnson said. “It began in 1928 and moved to its present location in 1939. All that time, people have been praying that it would be used by God. That’s what makes it special – thousands upon thousands of prayers.”

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M I N I S T R I ES

Daughters of the King

Return to Canterbury

The Order of the Daughters of the King, Diocesan Assembly of Central Florida, has been involved with the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center since its founding in 1982. On Saturday, Sept.

18, the assembly returned to Canterbury for the first time since March 2019. The recent renovations to the main building, guest rooms and meeting spaces were stunning and welcoming, the food was delicious, and the staff was very attentive.

The day started with Holy Eucharist in the St. Augustine Chapel. Participants described the worship and fellowship as “beautiful and a wonderfully spiritual experience.” The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, preacher and celebrant, delivered a profound message on the life and works

of Edward Pusey (1800-1882), priest, as well as intercessory prayer.

“Having an intentional prayer life is a sacrifice,” Brewer said, adding that Daughters are called and gifted to a Rule of Prayer in which they intercede for their clergy, parishioners and others.

Bishop Brewer also installed officers for 2021-2024 as follows: Dr. Karen Adderly Clark, president, St. John the Baptist, Orlando; Nadine Craig, first vice president, St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach; Terry Deer, corresponding secretary, St. Barnabas, DeLand; Marie Hunsaker, recording secretary, St. Gabriel’s, Titusville; Nancy Kelly,

second vice president, St. Augustine, Vero Beach; Sue McIlrath, treasurer, Grace, Port Orange.

Following the worship service, Clark called the business meeting to order and announced Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center as the elected outreach project for 2021-2022. After being introduced, Chalmers Morse, Canterbury’s executive director, shared his vision for the conference center, expressing his gratitude to the Daughters for selecting Canterbury as the organization’s outreach project.

If you have an interest in the outreach project, becoming a Daughter or starting a senior/junior Daughters chapter, please send an email to kac.dok12@gmail.com.

A Tranquil Escape From the Ordinary • • • •

Enriching Lives Through: Meetings & Seminars • Spiritual & Educational Events Conferences & Conventions • Team Building Training & Workshops • School & Youth Groups Leadership Retreats • Weddings & Receptions

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B Y E R I K G U Z M AN , DI R E C TOR OF COMMUN I C ATI O N S 2021 has been a whirlwind transition year for the diocesan communications department. Before the lights dimmed on the first-ever virtual Annual Convention in February, the team was already laying the groundwork for a complete redesign of the diocesan website.

That work continued as we updated the current site, launched the monthly CFE Digital Digest, managed social media, published the 2021 Easter edition of the Central Florida Episcopalian (the second issue in our new magazine format) and produced videos for the Diocese of Puerto Rico’s special convention (see pp. 8-11) and the RADVO (Radical Vocation) conference in Dallas.

D IOCES AN FAM IL Y

Diocesan Communications Update

The foundation our team laid for the new website included a comprehensive brand guide. In the guide, we researched, defined and documented our mission, vision, values, attributes and audience, including official diocesan colors, fonts and photography samples as well. We also created a monochrome diocesan shield/logo and updated the design to reflect a more modern aesthetic while maintaining its defining characteristics.

The brand guide is now complete and, in fact, the theme of this edition of the Central Florida Episcopalian, “Ancient Faith, Joyful Service,” marks the unveiling of our new diocesan tagline. It captures our commitment to the “faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3b) and the spirit in which diocesan leadership serves.

Beyond the guide, the redesigned CFDiocese.org is almost ready to launch!

When it does, you can be sure we’ll feature all the new functionality in this magazine and the monthly CFE Digital Digest (make sure you subscribe, free of charge, at CFDiocese.org/cfedigitaldigest).

For now, we’re excited to pull back the curtain on our branding work and give you a sneak peek of the design elements already incorporated into our new site. Peruse the images on this page – and stay tuned. The whirlwind continues.

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ADV E NT 2021 / ISSU E 2 / V O L 124

SAVE the DATE 53RD Annual Diocesan Convention