CENTRAL
FLORIDA
EPISCOPALIAN CFDIOCESE.ORG / EASTER 2022 / ISSUE 1 / VOL 125
Leadership L egacy & THE RT. REV. WILLIAM FOLWELL: A Legacy of Mentoring and Mission “His joy was ‘to follow him who came, not to serve, but to be served.’” p. 6
ARTÍCULOS NOTABLES EN ESPAÑOL
CENTRAL
CONTENTS
FLORIDA
E IP SCOPALIAN
EASTER 2022 / ISSU E 1 / V O L 125
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COVER PHOTO The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell (Oct. 26, 1924 - Feb. 7, 2022), second bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida
ESPAÑOL 4 14
Abre puertas nuevas de ministerio, por Obispo Brewer Convención Diocesana 2022: Abriendo puertas para el ministerio
BISHOP BREWER 3
Open New Doors of Ministry
DIOCESAN FAMILY 5 11 12
The Gospel of Easter
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2022 Diocesan Convention: Opening New Doors for Ministry
The Rt. Rev. William Folwell: A Legacy of Mentoring and Mission Music Ministry in 2022 Diocesan Bishop Search Is Well Underway: ‘Top Rate’ Search Committee Has Been Working for Months
EPISCOPAL COUNCILS 17 20
Diocesan Deputation Prepares for Impact at General Convention Lambeth Conference 2022: Sharing the Stories
OUTREACH 8
Lilly Grant Has Wide-Reaching Impact
CHILDREN & YOUTH 9
Renovations Enhance Camp Wingmann’s Welcome Canterbury ‘Grateful’ to Welcome Guests After COVID Slowdown
DIOCESAN CALENDAR 23
“Opening New Doors for Ministry,” theme of the Diocese of Central Florida’s 53rd annual Diocesan Convention, describes both the Convention and future diocesan opportunities.
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Just as God is at work long before we realize it, the Standing Committee was at work behind the scenes, choosing the Search Committee months ahead of Brewer’s retirement announcement. And God was deeply involved in that process.
Youth Ministers Unite to Plan Full ‘Soul in the City’ Event
MINISTRIES 21 22
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This Is the Night: A Message of Easter Hope
LEADERSHIP 6
“The gift Bill Folwell offered to the Diocese of Central Florida … was that he was first and foremost a pastor to his clergy,” recalled The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida.
Bishop Brewer’s Visitations, May Loose Change Offerings, Ordinations, Subscriptions
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 An international community of 2.5 million Christians in North and South America, Europe and Taiwan
THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
Connect with us on social media @cfdiocese
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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
Open New Doors of Ministry BY THE RT. REV. GREGORY O. BREWER
By now, most of you have heard or seen the news that, per the mandatory retirement age required by the canons of The Episcopal Church, my role as diocesan bishop will draw to a close. But until my official resignation on July 6, 2023, God has much for us to do together. As I think about the year ahead, I believe God would have me give time and attention to the three initiatives I mentioned in my Convention address: developing a better system for the pastoral care of our retired clergy; improving race relations; and especially in encouraging our clergy and congregations to think deeply and act on how they can tell others about Jesus. How can we find new ways to follow Christ’s example to “seek out and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10b)? I am beyond grateful that some of our churches are doing just that. Several offer the Alpha Course, which directly connects individuals with the gospel. I am hoping for a renewed commitment to stretch beyond our walls to reach the unreached, creating ways to connect with people who would never otherwise darken the doors of our churches. In case you missed it, please go to the video of the Diocesan Convention at CFDiocese.org/2022DioCon, 32:48, and watch The Rev. Kim Spear, deacon from St. Edward’s, Mount Dora. She shares about how God used her church in a redemptive community outreach program that began with a drive-through spaghetti supper. “The meal was simply the tool to bring the gospel and the hope of Jesus,” she told us.
cfdiocese.org
Having an enthusiasm to tell others about Jesus begins not with a new program but with a new heart. A new heart is the fruit of being found by Christ and the wonder of knowing that our sins are forgiven. We know ourselves to be rescued. We live in the stark knowledge that God, in his mercy, has rescued us and drawn us to himself with a cord of love. We are grateful that God cared enough for us to bring us to the end of our own denial about our true spiritual condition. We have been stopped dead in our tracks by the revelation that without Christ, we would be utterly lost. To tell others about Jesus is to move in the assurance that we are loved, forgiven and empowered to serve others in his name. Clergy, how can you lead your congregations into this kind of passion? How might you and others rediscover the fire that God has put within us to “serve the world in his name”? (Book of Common Prayer, p. 372). As our Convention theme reminds us, new doors of ministry are opening before us. Let us walk through them with faith, seeing them as divine appointments God has created that we might love others. May God help us to represent Jesus well wherever we are. Grace to you,
Gregory O. Brewer
CFE Easter 2022
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Abre puertas nuevas de ministerio POR OBISPO GREGORY O. BREWER
En estos momentos la mayoría de ustedes han escuchado o visto la noticia de que, según la edad de jubilación obligatoria requerida por los cánones de la Iglesia Episcopal, mi función como obispo diocesano llegará a su fin. Pero hasta mi renuncia oficial el 6 de julio de 2023, Dios nos tiene mucho por hacer juntos. Mientras pienso sobre el próximo año, creo que Dios me pide tiempo y atención a las tres iniciativas que mencioné en mi discurso de la Convención: desarrollar un mejor sistema para el cuidado pastoral de nuestro clero jubilado; mejorar las relaciones raciales; y especialmente en alentar a nuestro clero y congregaciones a pensar profundamente y actuar sobre cómo pueden hablarles a otros acerca de Jesús. ¿Cómo podemos encontrar nuevas maneras de seguir el ejemplo de Cristo de “buscar y salvar a lo que se había perdido” (Lucas 19:10, NVI)? Estoy más que agradecido de que algunas de nuestras iglesias estén haciendo precisamente eso. Varios ofrecen el curso Alpha, que conecta directamente a las personas con el evangelio. Espero un compromiso renovado para extenderse más allá de nuestros muros para alcanzar a los aún no convertidos, creando formas de conectarnos con personas que de otro modo nunca entrarían por las puertas de nuestras iglesias. En caso de que se lo hayan perdido, vayan al video de la Convención Diocesana en CFDiocese.org/2022DioCon, 32:48, y observen a la Reverenda Kim Spear, diácono de St. Edward’s, Mount Dora. Ella comparte cómo Dios usó su iglesia en un programa comunitario de redención que comenzó con una cena de espaguetis por servicarro. “La comida fue simplemente la herramienta para llevar el evangelio y la esperanza que hay en Jesús”, nos dijo.
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Tener entusiasmo por hablarles a otros acerca de Jesús no comienza con un programa nuevo, sino con un corazón nuevo. Un corazón nuevo es el fruto de ser encontrado por Cristo y la maravilla de saber que nuestros pecados son perdonados. Sabemos que hemos sido rescatados. Vivimos con la absoluta certeza de que Dios, en su misericordia, nos ha rescatado y nos ha atraído hacia él con una cuerda de amor. Estamos agradecidos de que Dios se preocupó lo suficiente por nosotros para llevarnos al final de nuestra propia negación acerca de nuestra verdadera condición espiritual. Hemos sido detenidos en seco por la revelación de que sin Cristo estaríamos completamente perdidos. Hablar a otros acerca de Jesús es moverse en la seguridad de que somos amados, perdonados y empoderados para servir a otros en su nombre. Clero, ¿Cómo pueden llevar a sus congregaciones a este tipo de pasión? ¿Cómo podrían usted y otros redescubrir el fuego que Dios ha puesto dentro de nosotros para “servir al mundo en su nombre”? (Libro de Oración Común, p. 294). Como nos recuerda el tema de nuestra Convención, se abren ante nosotros nuevas puertas de ministerio. Caminemos a través de ellas con fe, viéndolos como un puesto divino que Dios ha creado para que podamos amar a los demás. Que Dios nos ayude a representar bien a Jesús dondequiera que estemos. Su gracia sobre ustedes,
Gregory O. Brewer
cfdiocese.org
L EAD ERS H IP
Annual Thanksgiving Offering Will Raise the Roof
The Gospel of Easter BY THE VERY REV. STUART SHELBY
Photo: © Jorisvo | Dreamstime.com
“Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal” (The Tragedy of King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4). The divine message of Christ’s gospel is not “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”(Matt. 22:37b, 39b). That is the Lord Jesus’ Summary of the Law (Book of Common Prayer). It is not his gospel. If I could sing like Roger Daltrey, you would hear me scream “No! No!” the next time I hear the Summary of the Law presented as the gospel (“Won’t Get Fooled Again,” The Who: Live at the Capital Centre, 1976). The divine message of Christ’s gospel greets us again this Eastertide. “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day” (Acts 10:39b-40a). Christ’s gospel is a word of intervening help and rescue for King Lear’s “unaccommodated man.” This heavenly word reaches us “poor, cfdiocese.org
bare, forked animals” again in the midst of our anxious, distracted age. The implications are far-reaching, but we experience this personally before we see a ripple effect across society. The implications of Christ’s gospel include our eternal life. By “eternal life,” we mean that peculiar confidence in the newness and fulness of life in Christ, the coming of Christ in glory and the completion of God’s purpose for the world. We also mean being reunited in the Resurrection with everyone COVID or cancer or oxycodone has ever stolen from you. We mean new life after a dead marriage. We mean the restoration of relationships with adult children who moved far away from you in order to heal. We mean a brilliant future for parishes whose former glory casts long shadows. What is the source of this peculiar hope as we grieve or stumble out of bed, weary and heavy laden? It is Christ’s gospel. The gospel is the announcement of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and
the assurance of pardon and eternal life because he is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36c). According to this astounding passage from the book of Acts, which can be read on any given Easter Day, God shows no partiality. So this message is now for every “poor, bare, forked animal.” Peter’s message to that old softy of a Roman stormtrooper named Cornelius reaches us today in the wake of the pandemic and whatever the pandemic revealed in your life, your household, your parish and your neighborhood. Christ’s gospel reaches us in the deep eddy of everything lost and found of late – as it has, as it does, as it will. Jesus Christ our Lord is the true Paschal Lamb, sacrificed for us. He has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
“Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia,’’ (Book of Common Prayer, p. 323) Alleluia! CFE Easter 2022
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The Rt. Rev.
William Folwell A Legacy of Mentoring and Mission
BY C F E STA F F
“Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve.” Book of Common Prayer, “The Ordination of a Bishop,” p. 517 “He cared.” That’s how The Rev. Canon Nelson Pinder described the legacy of The Rt. Rev. William Hopkins Folwell, retired bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, who died on Feb. 7, 2022, at the age of 97. “He cared,” Pinder repeated. He then paused, adding, “I’m going to miss him.” Leading up to his consecration as the second bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida in 1970, Folwell served for 11 years as rector of All Saints, Winter Park. During this time, Florida’s population was booming, and The Episcopal Church was experiencing unprecedented growth in the state. Folwell was appointed to chair a committee tasked with studying a potential restructuring of the Diocese of South Florida, under the leadership of The Rt. Rev. Henry Louttit Sr., bishop. In September of 1969, a special General Convention of The Episcopal Church agreed with the restructuring committee’s conclusion on the necessity of dividing the existing South Florida diocese into three new dioceses to better serve the growing number of churches: the Dioceses of Central Florida, Southwest Florida and Southeast Florida. Folwell was then elected and subsequently consecrated as the second bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida in February of 1970, coinciding with Louttit’s retirement.
A Model and Mentor “Folwell came in as the bishop at a good time, because he brought to the diocese a sense of family again,” Pinder said. Under the newly consecrated Folwell, Pinder served as canon for missions, overseeing the diocese’s work in the areas of civil rights, housing and social ministries. “And he loved clergy,” Pinder continued.
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The Rt. Rev. William Folwell at the consecration of The Rt. Rev. John Howe in 1989
“The gift Bill Folwell offered to the Diocese of Central Florida … was that he was first and foremost a pastor to his clergy,” recalled The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida. “That was the most important thing that he did.” “He really did his best to try to make the time for the clergy who wanted to see him and that was, in fact he is, my model for what I think a bishop ought to be,” Brewer added. “He really was, for me, both a model and a mentor.” Pinder also emphasized Folwell’s role as pastor to the pastors. “It is a very important part of his legacy,” he said. “He did a lot of pastoring of his clergy. Those who got in trouble, he pastored them out of it.” The Rt. Rev. Christopher Epting, retired bishop of the Diocese of Iowa, summed up Folwell’s impact as a leader of leaders in an cfdiocese.org
LE A D E R S H IP
article for The Living Church. Folwell “proceeded to lead the diocese brilliantly through an exciting time of charismatic renewal which spawned new life in the solidly catholic southern diocese,” Epting wrote. “Prayer groups and Bible studies abounded and Central Florida became a leader in the renewal of the diaconate, training scores during the 1970s and 1980s at the Institute for Christian Studies.” Epting also wrote in an email to Episcopal News Service that Folwell “mentored and sent forth at least six bishops from Central Florida into the wider church, including me.”
A Legacy of Mission “The diocese grew on ministering,” Pinder said. “[Folwell] found a ministry for everybody.” He gave L-R, The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer with The Rt. Rev. William Folwell circa 1976 several examples, including Cursillo, Daughters of the King and the Awareness Center, the mission Folwell’s three adult children offered remembrances. His of which Pinder said was “to bring awareness to people about oldest daughter, Ann Folwell Stanford, shared that her father missionary work known as integration or civil rights.” struggled with Alzheimer’s during his final three years, making it difficult to bring him back to the present. However, when In addition to Folwell’s leadership in Central Florida, he was asked about the Bible or a theological question, “immediately, instrumental in establishing the companion relationship he was in the present; he knew exactly who he was,” she said. between the Diocese of Central Florida and the Diocese of Stanford referred to the long, lucid conversations they had at Honduras. The Episcopal Church in Honduras struggled in the these times as “parentheses of light, because he was with us.” early 1970s, with only four congregations and three priests. In 1973 at General Convention, what is Brewer and Gray reprised their now the longest-running companion respective roles at a memorial service relationship in The Episcopal Church held on Feb. 24, 2022, at All Saints, was formally established. Winter Park. “There couldn’t be a more appropriate place to offer liturgical “[Folwell] loved Honduras,” Pinder farewell to Bishop Bill Folwell than said. “And he made all of us commit this church,” Gray said. “It was at All ourselves to Honduras with mission Saints parish where Bill was rector for work. Churches went over there to 11 years, and it was at All Saints parish Honduras and did wonderful things.” that he was further formed for the The Diocese of Central Florida came preparation of being a bishop in the together to provide clean water, build church of God.” facilities and send medical mission teams that would treat nearly 3,000 Forty-seven members of the clergy people during each five-day trip. vested and processed, with an additional 10 in attendance. Folwell’s In a video documenting the history of L-R, The Rev. Dr. Tom Downs, then canon to the daughters offered remembrances, the Diocese of Central Florida, The Rt. ordinary, and The Rt. Rev. William Folwell at with his youngest, Susie Folwell, Rev. John Howe, retired third bishop the 1987 Diocese of Honduras Convention commenting, “My family and I are of the diocese, shared the impact of the deeply touched; [we] haven’t seen this work in Honduras. “One of the first many clergy gathered together in a while.” things I did after becoming bishop coadjutor was to travel to Honduras to experience it for myself,” he said. “And I was These services recounted Folwell’s passion for mission and immediately taken with the vitality of the church there.” mentorship, a legacy that can be summed up in the words from “The Ordination of a Bishop” in The Book of Common Funeral and Memorial Service Prayer. His joy was “to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve.” Folwell was laid to rest on Feb. 11, 2022, following a funeral service held at St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, Or, as Pinder put it, “He cared.” North Carolina, with Brewer presiding and The Rt. Rev. Frank Gray, retired bishop of Northern Indiana, preaching. cfdiocese.org
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When the Diocese of Central Florida learned in December 2020 that it had been awarded a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its nationally competitive Thriving in Ministry Initiative, rejoicing ensued. More than a year later, that rejoicing has translated into practical, spiritual blessings that have brought more rejoicing – and more ministry.
The first Cranmer lecture, held Jan. 6, 2022, with co-sponsor Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando, represented the first event in a series that focuses on supporting and training leadership, key parts of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative. The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb asked that the inaugural lecture be “pastorally powerful and academically rigorous,” and the speaker, The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Linebaugh, delivered just that, focusing on the scriptures the Anglican tradition refers to as “The Comfortable Words.”
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BY DIOCESA N STA F F
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Linebaugh delivers the inaugural Cranmer lecture.
Holy Trinity Episcopal School, a ministry of Holy Trinity, Fruitland Park, also has a connection to the Lilly grant. The school received a recent award of $5,000 from Lilly grant outreach funds via the Northwest Deanery, The Very Rev. Lisa Wimmer, deanery dean, with the required matching funds coming through a church-sponsored golf tournament. Geared especially to those with learning challenges, the school hopes to expand its important work but has maxed out existing space, said The Rev. Samuel Nsengiyumva, rector. While the school will use the grant funds as a seed for expansion, Nsengiyumva’s vision matches the grant’s emphasis on outreach and leadership collegiality. “It’s such an important work, and we alone cannot do it,” he said. “If we are to grow, we’ll need the support of others. This is a first step.”
The Northeast Deanery, The Very Rev. Roy Allison, deanery dean, also expressed a vision for outreach and leadership collegiality through its recent support of two area nonprofits, the Jesus Clinic-Daytona Beach, a free, full-service medical clinic; and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Volusia County, a support and resourcesharing ministry of Holy Child, Ormond Beach. The 11 deanery churches matched the $5,000 in Lilly grant funds for a total of $10,000 in disbursements to serve thousands in the name of Christ. And the grant’s emphases may find no better expression than the Central Florida Residency Program, led by The Rev. Jonathan French, rector of Grace, Ocala. With the support of the Lilly grant, the program has now expanded to an additional site: Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden, and has two additional residencies to fund. “Residency is a real, long-term commitment for residents and churches,” French said. “The No. 1 goal is sustainability. We want to partner with churches who will continue the program even after the grant funding ends.” Qualifying as a residency sponsor includes a minimum two-year commitment as well as an agreement to fund a portion of the resident’s salary. But church size shouldn’t determine participation, French added, noting that multisite residencies are possible with alternative funding, active donations and creative thought. “The Bible tells us we are part of the process, but God provides the increase,” he added. To learn more, visit CFResidency.org.
PHOTOS: Erik Guzman
OU TREACH
iL rG yl satHn iW de-eR ca ih gn capmI t
The Rev. Jonathan French provides guidance to Grace, Ocala, resident, The Rev. Frans van Santen. cfdiocese.org
PHOTOS: Courtesy Kirsten Knox
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Full ‘Soul in the City’ Event
BY DIOCESAN STAFF
pring has just sprung, And the Soul in the City but diocesan youth experience extends beyond ministers have already service projects. Youth put plans in place for ministries also spend “Soul in the City,” the annual time in devotions, meals, summer youth mission event rest, free time, games and for the Diocese of Central evening worship, with Florida. Youth leaders from accompanying messages across the diocese began focused on this year’s theme, meeting in January to “Under the Influences.” prepare, said Kirsten Knox, “Different youth ministers, diocesan youth ministry or sometimes priests, will liaison and senior director take a night and teach,” Knox of ministry partnerships for said, noting that students Diocesan youth ministers meet with liaison Kirsten Knox at the diocesan Youth Ministry Institute. office to plan upcoming events. L-R, Gariné Adams, Dan King, Danny look forward to reconnecting During the height of the Bushnell, Skylar Jones, Knox, Stephanie Paul, Brian Lawson each year with those from pandemic, the group held other churches. its meetings via Zoom, but in-person meetings resumed in “The really cool part is these youth ministers come together December at the diocesan office on the second Wednesday of on this team and really can divide up responsibilities based each month at 10 a.m. on their gifts and talents,” Knox said. “And so you have such “Typically it’s every other month, but sometimes when we a great product, for lack of a better word, at the end, because have a project, we need a little bit more,” Knox said of the everyone has come together and brought what they really do team meetings. well in their strengths.” This year’s Soul in the City, set for July 25-29 at St. Barnabas, To learn more about Soul in the City and register your DeLand, marks a return to the traditional Monday-Friday church, visit CFDiocese.org/EpiscopalYouth. schedule. The 2020 Soul in the City was canceled altogether, and in 2021, the diocese offered an abbreviated, two-day version. This year, youth from churches across the diocese will arrive on Monday for a half-day of service, with full days of ministry Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, dismissing at noon on Friday. “Soul in the City’s vision is to provide a very economical [$125/student] mission trip for the youth groups around the diocese,” Knox said, highlighting its two primary purposes: to serve together and to build community and connection. Serving together helps students “recognize as middle schoolers and high schoolers that you have something to offer the kingdom, and that you can do things to impact people’s lives in a positive way,” she explained. “You don’t have to wait until you’re an adult; God has given you gifts and skills to do that today. So we want to provide an opportunity to really cultivate the heart of serving others. And also empowerment comes with that, empowering them to make a difference.” But connection is also important, Knox said, and youth ministries of all sizes can participate in Soul in the City. Skylar Jones, youth and family minister at St. Barnabas, will network with area nonprofits to provide projects, with work crews of students and leaders from different churches serving in morning and afternoon shifts. CFE Easter 2022 9
CH IL D REN & Y OU TH
Youth Ministers Unite to Plan
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Music Ministry in 2022 BY ANDREW WALKER
Music ministry at St. Michael’s, Orlando; Andrew Walker, director
In 2022, you can surround yourself with music from the time you wake up until you go to sleep, out loud or in the privacy of your brain. You may also choose to have no music at all. The same is true for music in the church; a liturgical service is complete with or without music. In The Episcopal Church today, we find all manner of musical styles, genres and types. If not done well, music can absolutely detract from a positive worship experience. The reverse? No matter the style or group, music can transport our spirits to the gates of heaven. The following societal forces work against a parish church’s ability to offer music that provides a positive contribution to worship: • Lack of ability or experience in producing wonderful, spirit-moving music. The typical church’s untrained, minimally experienced volunteers, perhaps led by one trained musician, find it difficult to reach excellence. • The bigger, better, faster, on-demand, always-busy culture. Musicians need time to master a song, to learn to play or sing well together, which often means a commitment to weekly rehearsal. Combating other attention-grabbing options seems all but impossible. • Other than the person who grew up playing and singing church music, who would consider giving up one or more nights a week to lead a church music program?
Yet we must not abandon hope. Jesus is present “where two or three are gathered” (Matt. 18:20a), so the shared experience of creating sacred music carries a transcendent quality. Our entire liturgy, spoken and sung, rests on a foundation of joint acts of worship, connecting with Christians over the centuries and reaching past the latest prayer, preaching, music style or worship format. So how can churches, especially smaller ones, best provide music for worship in today’s climate? I offer a few suggestions. If your church finds a talented musician who genuinely loves God and people, plays the organ, keyboard and/or guitar and can navigate choir leadership, pay them a living wage. If you have volunteer musicians, understand exactly where their capabilities lie, and keep most of your music at that level. If you are the music leader, “know thy congregation”: likes, dislikes, abilities and lack thereof, and communicate well and often. But what if your church has no music leader? • Pray that God will send one. • Recite together, responsively, the text of hymns; the hymnal contains some wonderful poetry. • If one person has a strong voice, reads music and will stand to sing in front of the congregation, have them lead in unaccompanied singing. • If one person remembers enough from childhood piano lessons to “one finger” a melody, that will provide basic leadership. • If you have a few adults and children who sing, put them together as a family choir. Never stop recruiting. Encourage a parish culture of listening for the voice that might lead, the musician who might play. Always extend the call to ministry in any situation where you detect the slightest interest in music. You need only echo the words of Jesus: “Come and see” (John 1:39b).
Royal School of Church Music America National Choir at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., February 2016
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cfdiocese.org
Photo © Romolo Tavani | Dreamstime.com
D IOCES AN FAM IL Y
This Is the Night A Message of Easter Hope BY THE REV. CANON JOSH BALES
Hope is a hard thing. It’s hard because we all need it, but we all lose it. When did you lose hope? “Sure, I hoped, back when I was a child,” you might say. “But that was before the abuse.” Or “I hoped before corporate used me, chewed me up and spit me out … before the divorce … before the cancer … before.” And so most of us hate hope. It makes us angry. It feels like a farce, a lie. Without realizing it, we’ve inherited the worldview of philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche or Albert Camus for whom hope is absurd. Nietzsche wrote in Human, All Too Human that hope is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of humanity. And Camus saw religious hope as no different than Sisyphus pushing his boulder up that hill every day. Not long after Nietzsche died, one of his fans, Adolph Hitler, put this same hopeless worldview into practice, killing millions in the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, wrote about his experience in the concentration camps in his book Night: Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. … Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never. cfdiocese.org
Literary students would have us note the way Wiesel uses a rhetorical device called an anaphora, a sequence of words repeated again and again: “Never shall I forget.” What is it Wiesel won’t forget? Night. Hitler’s night. Evil’s night. In the Easter Vigil, the opening liturgy of Easter, Christians also encounter an anaphora in the text of the Exsultet. Again and again, we proclaim, “This is the night.” But it’s a very different night: This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. … How holy is this night. … How blessed is this night (Book of Common Prayer, p. 287). To be clear, none of us has experienced a night like the Holocaust. But in our own profound ways, we each know something of Wiesel’s night. Easter is when Christ’s night conquers evil’s night. In his death and Resurrection, Jesus reaches into our nights and pulls us out of our hells. Jesus kills our hopelessness. He takes the worst nights of our lives and redeems them.
This is the night. The night when our Lord is risen, indeed. Alleluia! CFE Easter 2022
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2022
DIOCESAN FAMILY
Diocesan Convention
BY MARTI PIEPER
“Opening New Doors for Ministry,” theme of the Diocese of Central Florida’s 53rd annual Diocesan Convention, describes both the Convention and future diocesan opportunities. Planned as a return to in-person after the first-ever virtual Convention last year, the event shifted to virtual weeks before its Jan. 29 date amid the rapid resurgence of COVID-19. Diocesan staff and vendors, including CommCo, which broadcast live via Zoom (delegates) and YouTube (all others); and VPOLL, the platform for the platform for electronic voting, worked together to yield a smooth, successful and Godhonoring event from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Canterbury Conference Center once again opened its doors as host. The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, diocesan bishop, called the meeting to order, welcoming participants and opening
The Hon. Council Wooten Jr. and The Hon. William Grimm pose as wise old owls who give “two hoots” about their service to the diocese.
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“For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” LUKE 19:10 with prayer. He then introduced Morning Prayer, led from Nashotah House Theological Seminary by Elizabeth Garfield and Jacob Schlossberg, both in the diocese’s discernment process. Dr. Karen AdderlyClark, soloist, and Dr. Carl MaultsBy, pianist, presented “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” via video. The Rev. Canon Scott Holcombe, canon to the ordinary and chair of the Dispatch of Business Committee, led participants through the voting process. Brewer introduced Convention officers (complete with comic regalia): Mrs. Sarah Caprani, secretary; The Hon. Council
Wooten Jr., chancellor and parliamentarian; and The Hon. William Grimm, vice chancellor. Following that, Holcombe instructed participants in establishing a quorum. Brewer introduced The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, canon for vocations and chair of the Credentials Committee, who announced quorums in both clerical and lay orders.
ALL SOULS
Holcombe guided participants through the voting process for the agenda and rules of order, and after affirmation of both, Brewer introduced a video about All Souls in Horizon West.
The Rev. Matt Ainsley and members of All Souls with The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer as the church is admitted as a diocesan mission cfdiocese.org
DIOCESAN ELECTION
Brewer introduced The Rev. Jason Murbarger, chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, who facilitated the voting process. Announced near the close of the Convention, those elected are: Standing Committee:
The Rev. Sara Oxley (clerical order, four-year term), Mrs. Monica Tyedmers (lay order, three-year term).
Diocesan Board:
The Rev. Cynthia Brust (clerical order, three-year term), Mr. Milton Malespin (lay order, three-year term), Mrs. Heidi McIntyre (lay order, three-year term).
Trustee, University of the South: Mr. Henry Setser (lay order, threeyear term).
Deanery Elections (pre-Convention):
The Very Rev. Lisa Wimmer, dean, Northwest Deanery; The Very Rev. Porter C. Taylor, dean, Southeast Deanery; Mrs. Terri Sims, president, Central Deanery.
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D IOCES AN FAM IL Y
“All Souls shouldn’t even be here,” The Rev. Matt Ainsley, vicar, said as the video opened, adding that its existence stands as “a witness to the faithfulness of God and to the fact that he called us here.” Upon the video’s conclusion, The Very Rev. Stuart Shelby of All Saints, Winter Park, dean of the Central Deanery, presented a resolution to admit the mission congregation, and a group from All Souls offered an enthusiastic second. After the motion’s approval, Brewer prayed for the new congregation.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS A video from the Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation, shown between elections, focused on ongoing ministry to elderly Episcopalians. After voting closed, Brewer introduced a video featuring The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, bishop of the Diocese of Honduras, a nearly 50-year companion partner of the Diocese of Central Florida. Allen highlighted the work achieved through the partnership, including meeting educational needs of children amid the pandemic. He also cited Honduras’ need for more ordinands and requested prayer for a shelter he hopes to establish on the border with Guatemala to assist the many migrants being returned there. After Allen’s video, Brewer thanked longtime (19942021) Convention Treasurer Bruce Bauder and introduced new Convention Treasurer Lena Combs. Brewer thanked God for the diocese’s financial health, noting that after feedback from pre-Convention deanery meetings, its annual budget was amended to remove the planned 1% assessment increase. The use of retained earnings from previous years will eliminate that need. Combs then presented the amended 2022 budget, which the diocese voted to approve.
During his address, The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer announces he will retire in July 2023.
BISHOP BREWER’S ADDRESS
Brewer began his annual address with prayer, a word about the challenges of 2021 and a reminder of God’s presence in affliction. After thanking his wife and the diocesan staff for their unwavering support, he praised several congregations’ ministry gains and the 12 recent ordinations. Brewer did not shy away from problems, noting that necessity moved Holcombe to develop a diocesan-wide policy on the use of clergy discretionary funds. He also showed a video from Canterbury, which has experienced a severe pandemic-related shortfall. The Canterbury Board has undertaken a short-term fundraising effort to bring in at least $150,000 toward this cause; a $50,000 challenge grant will supplement donations.
Brewer also praised diocesan generosity supporting various international relief efforts. Brewer then announced his upcoming retirement when he reaches age 72 in July 2023, per the canons of The Episcopal Church. The Standing Committee has already appointed a Search Committee and begun seeking a successor. Brewer then set forth his priorities in the remaining time: Supporting retired clergy. He will develop a team to build a network to this end and invites interested parties to contact him.
Building diocesan race relations. The Canon
Nelson Pinder Union of Black Episcopalians Chapter of Central Florida will consult with him in this effort.
Encouraging evangelism. Brewer first
played a video featuring The Rev. Kim Spear of St. Edward’s, Mount Dora, and
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D I OC E SAN F AM I L Y
the church’s mid-pandemic outreach events. Several diocesan churches offer the Alpha Course, he said, emphasizing the need for more creative ways to connect with the unreached.
“Where this starts is not with a new program, but with a new heart,” Brewer said, challenging congregations to move in “the opposite spirit of this spiritual coldness in the deep assurance that we are loved, forgiven and empowered to serve others in his name.”
MOVING FORWARD
The Rev. Chris Rodriguez, Trinity, Vero Beach, chair of the Bishop Election Search Committee, spoke next, assuring the diocese that the committee is already “well underway in the process.” Find more information on pages 18-19 or at DCFSearch.org. Holcombe returned to introduce newly ordained clergy, and Holcomb introduced seminarians and prospective ordinands. He highlighted funds received from the Lilly grant for deanery outreach, localized training and the diocesan residency program. Find more information at CFResidency.org. Seminarian and discernment process participant Zacher
Bayonne of Virginia Theological Seminary led Noonday Prayer before a 30-minute recess. The meeting resumed with a video from Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden, created for the Parish Profile Project. Brewer called the meeting back to order, announcing deputies and alternates to the 2022 General Convention of The Episcopal Church (see “Diocesan Deputation Prepares for Impact at General Convention,” p. 17) and praying for their work. Following Murbarger’s presentation of election results, The Very Rev. Porter Taylor, dean of the Southeast Deanery; and Dr. Katherine Cobb, president of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne, presented a video invitation to the 54th annual Diocesan Convention at Holy Trinity Feb. 3-4, 2023, site of Brewer’s first Convention as bishop-elect in 2012. Following this, The Rev. Frans van Santen, chair of the Memorials Committee, led in a time of silent prayer in recognition of deceased clergy’s consecrated and loyal service. After a prayer by Brewer, The Rev. Canon Josh Bales led in worship via video, and Brewer led in the General Thanksgiving and officially closed the Convention.
Timeline presented by The Rev. Chris Rodriguez during his Search Committee report.
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Convención Diocesana
2022 POR MARTI PIEPER
El Obispo Brewer pronuncia una bendición al final de la Convención.
“Abriendo Puertas para el Ministerio”, es el tema de la 53va Convención Anual Diocesana, lo cual describe tanto la Convención como las futuras oportunidades diocesanas. Se planificó como el regreso a las reuniones presenciales luego de la primera convención digital el año pasado, el evento se cambió a virtual pocas semanas antes del 29 de enero debido al rápido resurgimiento del COVID-19. Empleados y comerciantes, incluyendo CommCo, quienes transmitieron en vivo via Zoom (delegados) y YouTube (los demas); y VPOLL, la plataforma para las elecciones anuales, laboraron juntos desde 8:30 a.m. hasta la 1:00 p.m. para lograr un evento exitoso que honró a Dios. Canterbury Conference Center una vez más abrió sus puertas y sirvió de anfitrión. El Reverendísimo Gregory O. Brewer, obispo diocesano, convocó la reunión, dio la bienvenida e hizo la oración de apertura. Luego presentó Morning Prayer (Oración matutina) cfdiocese.org
El Rev. Canónigo Scott Holcombe, canónigo del ordinario y presidente del Despacho del Comité Empresarial, dirigió a los participantes a través de un proceso de votación. Brewer presentó a los oficiales de la convención (con todo y gala cómica) Sarah Caprani, secretaria; el Hon. Council Wooten Jr., cancilier y parlamentario; y el Hon. William Grimm, vice cancilier. Luego Holcombe dio instrucciones a los participantes sobre cómo establecer quorum. Brewer presentó al Rev. Canónigo Dr. Justin Holcomb, canónigo para vocaciones y presidente del Comité de
Credenciales, quien anunció quorum tanto en órdenes clericales como laicas.
ALL SOULS
Holcombe dirigió a los participantes a través del proceso de votación de la agenda y las reglas de orden, y después de la afirmación de ambos, Brewer presentó un video sobre All Souls (Todas Las Almas) en Horizon West. “Todas Las Almas ni siquiera debería estar aquí”, manifestó el Reverendo Matt Ainsley al comienzo del video, y agregó que su existencia es “un testimonio de la fidelidad de Dios y del hecho de que nos llamó aquí”. Una vez culminado el video El Muy Reverendo Stuart Shelby de All Saints, Winter Park, decano del Decanato Central, presentó una resolución para admitir a la congregación misionera, y un grupo de All Souls apoyó con entusiasmo la moción. Después de la aprobación de la moción, Brewer oró por la nueva congregación.
ELECCIÓN DIOCESANA
Brewer presentó al Rev. Jason Murbarger, presidente del comité de nominaciones y elecciones, quien facilitó el proceso de votación. Cerca del final de la Convención anunciaron los que fueron elegidos: Comité permanente: La Rev. Sara Oxley (orden clerical, término de cuatro años), Sra. Monica Tyedmers (orden laica, término de tres años).
Junta diocesana: La Rev.
Cynthia Brust (orden clerical, término de tres años), el Sr. Milton Malespin (orden laica, término de tres años), Sra. Heidi McIntyre (orden laica, término de tres años).
Miembro del consejo, University of the South: El Sr. Henry Setser (orden laica, término de tres años).
Elecciones del decanato (preconvención): La Muy
Reverenda Lisa Wimmer, decana, Decanato del Noroeste; El Muy Reverendo Porter C. Taylor, decano, Decanato del Sureste; la Sra. Terri Sims, presidenta, Decanato Central.
OTROS ASPECTOS DESTACADOS Un video de la Fundación de Retiro Obispo Gray, mostrado en medio de las elecciones, se enfocó en el ministerio a los episcopales de edad avanzada. Luego que culminara la votación, Brewer presentó un video con el Reverendísimo Lloyd Allen, obispo de la Diócesis de Honduras, diócesis compañera por cerca de 50 años de la Diócesis de la Florida Central. Allen destacó la obra alcanzada a través de esta asociación incluyendo lograr educar a los niños a través de la pandemia. También citó la necesidad en Honduras de más ordenandos y pidió oración por un refugio que espera establecer en la frontera con Guatemala para ayudar a los muchos migrantes que son regresados allí. Luego del video de Allen, Brewer agradeció a quien fue tesorero de la convención por muchos años (1994-2021) Bruce Bauder y presentó a la nueva tesorera Lena Combs.
PHOTOS: Erik Guzman
La secretaria de la Convención, la Sra. Sarah Caprani, brinda un alivio cómico mientras blande su pluma emplumada.
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dirigido desde el Nashotah House Theological Seminary por Elizabeth Garfield y Jacob Schlossberg, ambos son parte del proceso de discernimiento diocesano. La Dr. Karen Adderly-Clark, solista, y Dr. Carl MaultsBy, pianista, presentaron por video “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” (Sus ojos están en el gorrión).
FAM IL IA D IOCES AN A
Brewer agradeció a Dios por la estabilidad financiera de la diócesis, señalando que después de los comentarios de las reuniones de decanato previas a la Convención, se modificó su presupuesto anual para eliminar el aumento planificado del 1% en la evaluación. El uso de utilidades retenidas de años anteriores eliminará esa necesidad. Combs luego presentó el presupuesto modificado para el 2022, el cual la diócesis votó para aprobarlo.
EL DISCURSO DEL OBISPO BREWER
Brewer inició su discurso anual con una oración, mencionó los retos del 2021 y habló sobre la presencia de Dios en la aflicción. Luego de agradecer a su esposa y a los empleados de la diócesis por su apoyo incondicional, elogió los logros del ministerio de varias congregaciones y las doce ordenaciones recientes. Brewer no evadió los problemas, señaló que la necesidad movió a Holcombe a desarrollar una política diocesana sobre el uso de los fondos discrecionales del clero. También mostró
un video sobre Canterbury, que ha experimentado un grave déficit relacionado con la pandemia. La Junta de Canterbury ha emprendido un esfuerzo de recaudación de fondos a corto plazo para aportar al menos $150,000 para esta causa; una beca de $50,000 complementará las donaciones. Brewer también elogió la generosidad diocesana tras apoyar varios esfuerzos de ayuda internacional. Brewer anunció su retiro cuando cumpla los 72 años en julio del 2023, según establecen los cánones de la Iglesia Episcopal. El comité permanente ya nombró un comité de búsqueda y comenzó a buscar un sucesor. Luego en el tiempo restante Brewer habló de sus prioridades: Apoyar al clérigo jubilado. Desarrollará un equipo para construir una red con este fin, invitar a participantes interesados a contactarlo.
Construir relaciones raciales diocesanas. El
capítulo Nelson Pinder de la Unión de Episcopales Negros consultará con él sobre este esfuerzo.
PHOTO: Erik Guzman
El Reverendísimo Lloyd Allen, obispo de la Diócesis de Honduras, se dirige a la Convención a través de un video.
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Animar al evangelismo. Brewer primero presentó un video de la Revda. Kim Spear de St. Edward’s, en Mount Dora, y los eventos de alcance de la iglesia en medio de la pandemia. Varias iglesias diocesanas ofrecieron el curso Alpha, señaló, enfatizando la necesidad de formas más creativas de conectarse con los no alcanzados.
“Donde esto comienza no es con un programa nuevo sino con un corazón nuevo”, dijo Brewer, desafiando a las congregaciones a moverse en “el espíritu opuesto de esta frialdad espiritual en la profunda seguridad de que somos amados, perdonados y empoderados para servir a los demás en su nombre”.
SEGUIR ADELANTE
El Rev. Chris Rodríguez, de Trinity en Vero Beach, presidente del Comité de Búsqueda de Elección de Obispos, habló a continuación, asegurando a la diócesis que el comité ya está “bien avanzado en el proceso”. Puede encontrar más información en las páginas 18 y 19 en DCFSearch.org. Holcombe volvió a presentar al clero recién ordenado, y Holcomb presentó a los seminaristas y futuros ordenandos. Destacó los fondos recibidos del Lilly Grant para el alcance del decanato, la capacitación localizada y el programa de residencia diocesano. Para más información visite CFResidency.org. El seminarista y participante del proceso de discernimiento Zacher Bayonne de Virginia Theological Seminary
(Seminario Teológico de Virginia) dirigió la oración del mediodía antes de un receso de 30 minutos. La reunión se reanudó con un video de Church of the Messiah (Iglesia del Mesías), en Winter Garden, creado para el Parish Profile Project (Proyecto de Perfil Parroquial). Brewer volvió a llamar al orden a la reunión, anunció a los diputados y suplentes para la Convención General de la Iglesia Episcopal del 2022 (ver “La delegación diocesana se prepara para el impacto en la Convención General”, pág. 17) y oró por su trabajo. Después de la presentación de Murbarger de los resultados de las elecciones, El Muy Reverendo Porter Taylor, decano del Decanato del Sureste, y la Dra. Katherine Cobb, presidenta de la Academia Episcopal Holy Trinity, en Melbourne, presentaron una invitación en video para la 54.ª Convención Diocesana anual en Holy Trinity el 3 y 4 de febrero de 2023, donde se llevó a cabo la primera convención de Brewer como obispo electo en el 2012. Después de esto, El Rev. Frans van Santen, presidente del Comité de Conmemoraciones, dirigió un tiempo de oración en silencio en reconocimiento al servicio leal y consagrado del clero fallecido. Después de una oración de Brewer, el Reverendo Canónigo Josh Bales dirigió la adoración en video, y Brewer pronunció un mensaje de agradecimiento general y cerró oficialmente la Convención.
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Photo © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com
EPIS COPAL COU N CIL S
Diocesan Deputation Prepares for Impact at
GENERAL CONVENTION BY DIOCESA N STA F F
“It’s absolutely fascinating,” said The Rev. Phyllis Bartle. “And I love how it works because it is such a democratic process.”
through each General Convention and is considered over the years between Conventions,” Bartle said.
But that’s not all Bartle loves about the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, which is both a meeting and its governing body. The rector of St. Jude’s, Orange City, first served as a Convention deputy in 2003 in Austin, Texas, and will attend her fifth and the church’s 80th Convention July 7-14, 2022, in Baltimore. She serves as deputation chair for the Diocese of Central Florida and as a member of the Convention’s Christian Formation and Discipleship Committee. “I’m a deputy,” Bartle said. “I’m not a delegate. And deputies vote their own conscience.”
Brewer also emphasized the body’s legislative function. “All your time is organized around hearing legislation, debating legislation, meeting in smaller groups to talk about how to present a piece of legislation or even how to combat a piece of legislation that you oppose,” he said. He serves with some of his fellow bishops on the Legislative Review Committee, charged with reading proposed legislation and reporting to the March House of Bishops meeting. He also serves on the Program, Budget and Finance Committee.
But Bartle’s leadership responsibilities – as with the other members of the diocesan deputation (deputies: The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Mrs. LaNora Holcombe, The Rev. Canon Scott Holcombe, Ms. Krisita Jackson, Mr. Erick Perez, Mrs. Heather Rodríguez and The Rev. Dr. José Rodríguez; alternates: The Rev. Tracy Dugger, Mr. Eric LeBron and The Rev. Kay Mueller) – started long before July 7. The deputation and Brewer began meeting in February and will travel to Baltimore July 4 for pre-Convention duties.
Despite the intense pace, Bartle and Brewer agree on the Convention’s value. Brewer plans to continue his standard practice of providing daily video updates via social media, and Bartle offered suggestions for those who want to take an active part, which she said could include contacting deputies ahead of time to let them know of areas of concern so they can research possible resolutions related to those areas. Interested parties may email her, revpbartle@stjudescentralfl.org; she also encourages following the bishop’s daily updates.
The Convention meets triennially, the 2022 gathering following a pandemic-based postponement in 2021. Its bicameral organization resembles that of the federal government, consisting of a House of Deputies and a House of Bishops, all from participating dioceses. Between triennial meetings, Convention agencies, boards, committees, commissions and task forces meet to implement its decisions and tasks. “An incredible volume of resolutions comes
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But Bartle presented an even more vital way to engage with the Convention. “Prayer is absolutely the biggest and best thing that anybody can do when we’re meeting together, for committees, for travel, for physical safety,” she said. “Pray that the deputation is making an impact for the gospel, that we are impacting things that will go well into the future.”
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Diocesan Bishop Search Is Well Underway ‘Top Rate’ Search Committee Has Been Working for Months BY DIO C E S A N ST A F F
Editor’s Note: For additional information on the bishop search process, please visit DCFSearch.org.
With The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer’s announcement at this year’s Diocesan Convention of his pending retirement, both clergy and laity have questions. But The Rev. Chris Rodriguez of Trinity, Vero, chair of the Bishop Search Committee and former president of the Standing Committee, has one overreaching answer: “The Standing Committee and the Search Committee are really on top of this.” Although Brewer’s recent announcement surprised many, diocesan leadership already had the situation well in hand. In the spring of 2021, Brewer alerted the Standing Committee of his plans to retire in July 2023 at age 72, as required by the canons of The Episcopal Church, and of the planned
announcement of this decision at the 2022 Diocesan Convention. “We got busy back in the summer of 2021 and got the ball rolling on the process,” said Rodriguez, who worked in corporate management prior to accepting the call to the priesthood. “I’ve run teams of people in my corporate job and in my church career, and the Search Committee is really top rate. I feel very confident we’re going to get this done sooner than we need to.”
Beginning the Journey
Just as God is at work long before we realize it, the Standing Committee was at work behind the scenes, choosing the Search Committee months ahead of Brewer’s announcement. And God was deeply involved in that process, Rodriguez said. “The Standing Committee set about trying to identify people we thought
would be good for the Search Committee,” he explained. “We decided as a group that we wanted to do this in a manner that was prayerful and biblical.” During the summer of 2021, Standing Committee members began what Rodriguez calls a “confidential discernment” process to select the Search Committee. “Everybody took three or four weeks in prayer and thought about who would be good on the Search Committee, and then they all sent the names to me, independent of each other. “What was really interesting was that we saw the same people’s names come up from several people independently,” he said. Rodriguez compiled a list, and the Standing Committee chose Rodriguez as chair and prayerfully reduced the list to the remaining 16: nine clergy and seven laity. Following is the full list of Search Committee members:
Clerical Order: The Rev.
Matthew Ainsley, The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Bergstrom, The Rev. Sarah Bronos, The Rev. Eleanor Brown, The Rev. Dr. Richard Gonzalez, The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd, The Rev. Charles Myers, The Rev. Jacqueline Ponce, The Rev. Chris Rodriguez (chair), The Very Rev. Stuart Shelby.
Lay Order: Mrs. Linda
Anselmini, Mrs. Nadine Craig, Dr. Marianne DiQuattro, Ms. Lexy Fields, Mrs. Heather Hetzel, Mr. Chalmers Morse, Dr. John Robertson. Members of the Search Committee with The Rt. Rev. Patrick Augustine, spiritual adviser, and Standing Committee member, The Rev. Sara Oxley
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L EAD ERS H IP
Chair of the Search Committee, The Rev. Chris Rodriguez, delivering his report on the bishop search during the 53rd annual Diocesan Convention
Continuing the Process
Selecting the Search Committee was only the first step, Rodriguez said. If a diocese so desires, The Episcopal Church provides for a transitional consultant, and the committee chose one this past summer. “We were given a list of about 20 names,” Rodriguez said. “Each member of the Standing Committee picked three or four and did our research on them. In our group meeting, we settled on The Rev. Dr. Gary Butterworth. He’s a transitional consultant from The Episcopal Church, helping us with the process of selecting a bishop.” However, Butterworth does not make decisions for the Search Committee, Rodriguez emphasized. “He’s not trying to persuade. He even told us, ‘I want you to pick whom you want.’” The Search Committee held a December Zoom call with the Standing Committee as well as a meet-and-greet. On Jan. 14-15, the Standing Committee and the Search Committee held a joint retreat at Canterbury Conference Center, marking the official start of the search process. After Rodriguez led in a Mass, The Rev. Jason Murbarger, senior priest on the Standing Committee, presented the Search Committee’s official Charge cfdiocese.org
with a laying on of hands. The Charge sets forth the committee’s specific duties, including that of presenting three to five candidates for bishop to the Standing Committee by late September 2022. Since then, the Search Committee has held meetings, both virtual and in person, every two weeks. A key task of the Search Committee, as the Charge states, is to “capture the hopes and dreams of the people of the diocese” via discernment meetings, surveys and other means. The committee will use the information gleaned to prepare a diocesan profile, the primary means by which it communicates its sense of whom God is calling as the next bishop. The Standing Committee will review this profile before an April 30 online posting date. For the four weeks following, the Search Committee will receive candidates, all of whom must be nominated “by a priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Central Florida and another communicant in good standing (lay or ordained) from the Diocese of Central Florida,” per its Charge. The Search Committee will create a list of nominees, which it will then distill to five to seven possibilities through screenings, background checks and interviews, Rodriguez said. Those potential candidates will come for a retreat Sept.
12-15, and by Sept. 30, the Search Committee will present its final candidate slate to the Standing Committee.
Finishing the Work
At this point, the Search Committee will have completed its Charge. Once the candidates have been presented, the Transition Committee (chosen by the Standing Committee after this article went to press) will oversee the phase of diocesan walkabouts, through which the diocese and candidates will have the opportunity to meet and learn about one another. On Jan. 14, 2023, the diocese will hold a Special Electing Convention at which the new bishop will be elected by a majority of both lay and clergy electors, who are the delegates from the 2022 Diocesan Convention. The Standing Committee wants the bishop-elect present for the next Diocesan Convention, Rodriguez said. “That person will be there to provide some continuity, and then Bishop Brewer will run that Convention. And then the new bishop will be consecrated on June 10.” “Transformation and transition are always anxiety-producing, but I just want to reassure people that we are all over this,” Rodriguez said. “Please pray for us. And if they have questions, the website (DCFSearch.org) is the place to go.” CFE CFE Advent Easter 2021 2022
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PHOTO: © Typhoonski | Dreamstime.com
E PIS COPA L COUNCILS
LAMBETH
CONFERENCE
Sharing the Stories BY DIOCESA N STA F F
Listening. Learning. Sharing the love of Christ. All those purposes – and all those opportunities – underlie the 2022 Lambeth Conference, an international gathering of more than 600 Anglican bishops and their spouses for prayer, Bible study, worship and fellowship. Held every 10 years, this year’s conference takes place July 26-Aug. 8 at the University of Kent, Canterbury Cathedral and Lambeth Palace in Kent, Great Britain, with the theme, “God’s Church for God’s World – walking, listening and witnessing together.” “The plan is for this to still be an in-person event,” said The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida. “It will be an opportunity for us to hear others’ stories about what it’s like to minister in their countries and in their environment.” Early this year, Brewer watched a required video for all bishops attending Lambeth. It told the story of an Anglican minister, The Rev. Canon Dr. Joseph Zebedayo Bilal Kenyi, who serves in South Sudan, where The Rt. Rev. Patrick Augustine also ministers. “I’m born in war,” Kenyi said as the video began. “Grew up in the war. Married in war. Had children born in the war.” He then “told the story of what brought him to Christ” Brewer said. “It happened during the time when there was profound tribal warfare, with people killing each other. And the country became so hostile that even people who used to get along as neighbors were taking up arms and fighting one another just because they were in different tribes.”
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People in Kenyi’s neighborhood who came from a different tribe kidnapped him, Brewer said. They dragged him off, intending to kill him. “He knew he was going to die,” Brewer said. “And a man walked in whom this group knew and respected, and basically said, ‘You are not going to kill this man,’ took him by the hand and walked him out. And that’s what brought this young man to Christ. “Now, he gives his life as a minister to share the gospel with people, particularly as a way for people who, from these various tribes, can find a way to get along with each other and learn how to live together again. … He’s given his life to reconciliation,” Brewer explained. The video story had what Brewer said was its intended effect, moving him to think more deeply about how Kenyi’s passion for reconciliation can inform and inspire his own faith and ministry. This, he said, illustrates the true purpose behind Lambeth. “We do other things,” he added. “We state the teaching of the Communion; we try to think creatively about the future. But at its heart, the reason we come together is to hear one another and support one another and really be changed by other people’s witness in a way that makes us more faithful to Jesus Christ.” To learn more about the Lambeth Conference, visit LambethConference.org. Pray for Brewer and his wife, Laura Lee, as they attend, and watch for his Lambeth highlights on social media channels. cfdiocese.org
M IN S TRIES
Renovations Enhance Camp Wingmann’s Welcome B Y N I N A K E CK
Lakefront Building renovations were completed in time for the staff Christmas party and Winter Camp.
PHOTOS: Courtesy Camp Wingmann
Renovations on Yates Hall will be completed soon.
Staff and volunteers at Camp Wingmann spent the off-season renovating the Lakefront Building and Yates Hall after previous hurricane damage. Renovations on the former were completed in time for Winter Camp, held Jan. 7-9. “We will complete renovations on Yates Hall by session one of Summer Camp,” said Camp Wingmann Director Joshua “J.J.” Joseph. The camp raised $550,000 for the renovations to Yates Hall through a capital campaign. “We have used every bit of that on the build due to the increased price of lumber,” Joseph said. “We still have to raise funds to outfit the building with appliances.” “The wind blew down walls in the Lakefront Building,” Joseph added, noting that the funds for its renovations came from insurance payouts following damage from Hurricane Irma. “We practically had to rebuild it.” Yates Hall, named after The Rev. Bill Yates, camp founder and vicar, will be the camp’s new dining hall and multiuse space. “Yates Hall has always been the white whale of the staff, the board and the diocese,” Joseph said. “It is dead center in the middle of the camp and needed to be renovated. We knew the cost would be enormous. Having lots of the work being done by volunteers has been a big help.” For this year’s Summer Camp, Joseph expects 300 campers. “We’re getting out of the half-capacity camps. The kids are past the oddness of being with other people and are ready to be part of something.” However, COVID protocols remain in place. “This will be part of our lives for a while, and we just have to live with this,” Joseph said.
The staff invites families to take a camp tour anytime between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 30. “Camp Wingmann is all about families,” Joseph explained. “This tour gives us a chance to show them what Camp Wingmann is all about and to show them all of the safeguards we have in place. The last thing we want is for the kids to stay away. They’d miss out on the chance to grow as a person and a Christian.”
To register for Summer 2022 camps, go to CampWingmann.org/Registration. To donate to the capital fund, please go to CampWingmann.org, click on “Giving,” and enter “Yates Hall” in the “Additional Information” box.
The cost for Summer Camp is $495 per camper, with a $20 canteen credit immediately applied to each camper’s account. In addition, Camp Wingmann offers a sibling discount of $25 off the tuition of each additional sibling. If campers sign up for a second session, they receive a $25 discount. Registration is now open. Camps St. Mark and St. Peter for incoming grades 9-12 are June 5-10 and June 26-July 1, respectively. Camps St. Barnabas and St. Francis for incoming grades 6-8 are June 12-17 and July 3-8, respectively. Camp St. Mary for incoming grades 3-5 is June 19-24. “My hope for Camp Wingmann is that the kids connect with Jesus and spread that connection far and wide in their communities,” Joseph said.
Register for Summer Camp 2022 at CampWingmann.org/Registration. cfdiocese.org
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Canterbury ‘Grateful’ to Welcome Guests After COVID Slowdown BY D EWAY N E H A MBY
The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer addresses the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce Business Expo at Canterbury.
“There’s an increase in guest satisfaction,” he said. “The guests who are coming are just very happy to be back.” In October, Canterbury hosted the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, which drew in hundreds of Christian business professionals. Chalmers Morse, Canterbury’s executive director, said he was “grateful” for the new event. “We turned our main room into an exhibit hall, and then two of the other meeting rooms were used for a series of lectures two or three times a day, each with different speakers,” he said. “They were TED Talk-type presentations about business, expanding your business in the power of God. It was a fascinating event, and we were grateful to have the business and have the people here – and more and more people learning about Canterbury.”
Morse said Canterbury was also happy to host the Jan. 29 Diocesan Convention, which shifted to a virtual event at the last minute (see “2022 Diocesan Convention,” pp. 12-14, for details). “Erik Guzman did a fabulous job in coordinating and orchestrating everything,” he said. “They had quite a production crew here. I think they had six or seven AV technicians broadcasting the whole thing and then livestreaming to all the various churches and participants with the voting online. It was very successful, and everybody went away happy.” In April, Canterbury hosts its annual Easter Brunch, complete with worship services and an Easter egg hunt. Small groups also continue to hold retreats at Canterbury, expanding its ministry far beyond Central Florida. Some of these are made possible by crucial donations that allow Canterbury to keep its doors open, Morse explained. Visit CanterburyRetreat.org to give. “It’s wonderful to see people from all over the world gather for the same purpose and talk about Christ and how he has affected their lives,” he said. “That lets us know that we’re doing what God has called us to do: serve his people.”
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Canterbury’s St. Paul’s room transformed into a broadcast set for the hybrid (virtual and in-person) 2021 diocesan Clergy Conference Easter 20
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PHOTOS: Courtesy Canterbury Conference Center
As reservations pick up and cancellations slow down, the staff of Canterbury Conference Center, CanterburyRetreat.org, is seeing a return to normalcy for the Oviedo campus, fulfilling its mission to serve and unite believers. The recent shortening of its name from Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center reflects its updated surroundings and renewed paths ahead. Arnold Soliman, director of sales and marketing, said that in December 2020, the center faced a 90% cancellation rate due to the pandemic. That has now slowed to 50%, and many of those are postponements. “The good news is that most of the groups postponed their events, meaning they moved them further into spring, summer and fall,” he said. “So we probably lost only about 30% of our business in cancellations.” Canterbury is following CDC guidelines and adding extra layers of safety to enhance guests’ peace of mind. Soliman added that while Canterbury is doing its part to double down on cleaning efforts, each guest group has its own policies and procedures for combating or containing the COVID-19 virus.
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Each year during the month of May, churches are encouraged to earmark their loose change offerings for Canterbury Conference Center and Camp Wingmann. These diocesan treasures offer the perfect settings for stirring events and unforgettable camp experiences that change lives. Please help to preserve the facilities and properties of these vital diocesan ministries for generations to come. Make checks payable to “Diocese of Central Florida” with the memo line, “Canterbury Conference Center” and/or “Camp Wingmann,” and mail them to Diocese of Central Florida, 1017 East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32801.
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