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YOUTH
CENTRAL
EPISCOPALIAN WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG / NOV-DEC 2020 / ISSUE 6 / VOL 123
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Light in the Darkness
cfdiocese.org
BISHOP BREWER writes about the already, the not yet
and the light piercing our dark times, p. 3
A R T Í C U L O S N O T A B L E S E N E S P A Ñ O LCFE
Nov / Dec 2020
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CENTRAL
CONTENTS
EPISCOPALIAN NOV-DEC 2020 / ISSUE 6 / VOL 123
ESPAÑOL
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4 Venga Su Reino, por Obispo Brewer 12 Resplandece la Unidad del Reino
BISHOP BREWER
3 Thy Kingdom Come
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
5 Annual Thanksgiving Offering to Supply Tech
F LO R I DA
Needs for Honduran Children
When The Rev. Jonathan French of Grace Episcopal Church, Ocala, envisioned what would become the Grace Residency Program, he had no idea it would grow into what it is today.
LEADERSHIP 6 Church Plant Clings to Christ Amidst COVID-19 Challenges
8 The Grace Residency Program: Impacting the Kingdom,
One Priest at a Time
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15 Rodriguez Honored by US House of Representatives
OUTREACH
10 North Lake Wire Outreach: Sharing Light in the Darkness 13 Kingdom Unity Shines as Diverse Churches Join to Meet
Local Needs
DIOCESAN FAMILY
While distinct, Christ the King and Jesús de Nazaret work together and build on each other’s strengths to serve, without distinction, the community they share. “The church needs to be an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation so that we can forgive past injustices. There is no reason we should suffer these divisions.”
16 Love: The Focus of Race Reconciliation Events at
St. Peter’s 20 Upside-Down Turned Right-Side Up
MINISTRIES
18 Canterbury Renovations 19 Despite Pandemic, Kingdom Work Continues
Through Cursillo
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DIGITAL DIOCESE
21 Where to Find News, Events, Social Media and More
LAST WORD
22 Punching Holes in the Darkness
DIOCESAN CALENDAR
23 Bishop Brewer’s Visitations, Ordinations, Transitions
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
Connect with us on social media @cfdiocese
THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
A global community of more than 85 million Christians in more than 165 countries worldwide
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cfdiocese.org
B IS H OP B REWE R
Thy Kingdom Come BY THE RT. REV. GREGORY O. BREWER
The coming season of Advent fills our hearts with images of light piercing the darkness – a perfect picture of the kingdom of God. But what is the kingdom? Whenever Jesus used that term, he described it as an extension of himself. His own life is the manifestation of the kingdom, whether through proclamation, healing miracles, service to the poor or death and resurrection. If it has to do with the kingdom of God, we can clearly trace it to the word and work of Jesus: Emmanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23).
Kingdom Longing At Advent, we remember God’s work in and through Christ Jesus: his birth, his life and his imminent return, of which we are the grateful recipients. And yet scripture says what we experience now is incomplete. Even the Hebrews 11 “hall of faith” heroes experienced God’s real presence in their lives but knew there was far more to come. The Holy Spirit produces within us a deep longing for what we have yet to realize (see Rom. 8:26). Many of us experience this longing for “kingdom come” most deeply at Advent. We know Christ’s presence now, but when we compare it to everything the Bible promises, we realize the gap between the two must one day be filled. A new heaven and earth are coming. The pandemic has given us new room to recognize what we may have missed before: the longing we have for God. Our longing for kingdom fulfillment can motivate us to find creative ways to serve others, to bless others, to nurture others. And that’s what cfdiocese.org
I see happening in our churches, as you will read throughout this issue. Yes, COVID-19 is still with us. But more important than that, Emmanuel is still with us. And God’s presence and power in our lives change everything.
Kingdom Witness This truth and this longing also give us permission to speak with others in an authentic way. Advent says, “There’s more to the story than ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come.’ It’s also, ‘We’re in sorrow, because he’s not completely here yet.’” That speaks to us in the midst of this very unusual season. No matter what lies ahead, we understand that God has not finished with the world. The coming year will likely have all of the same kinds of difficulties we’ve just faced, and perhaps more. So “kingdom come” includes a call to patience. We must take care to enhance our own faith in ways that will help us endure this time of restricted activity. We must draw near to the one who holds us close, even in a time of isolation. And so God’s kingdom requires creative thinking and praying: “Lord, in the midst of this, what would you have me do?” When we ask that, when we listen and obey what God says, we experience the reality of kingdom come – not only at Advent but in all the days ahead. Grace to You,
Bishop Gregory O. Brewer CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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OBISPO BREWER
Venga Su Reino POR OBISPO GREGORY O. BREWER
La temporada de Adviento que se aproxima llena nuestros corazones con imágenes de la luz penetrando la oscuridad, esa es una perfecta imagen del reino de Dios. ¿Pero qué es el reino? Cada vez que Jesús usó ese término lo describió como una extensión de sí mismo. Su propia vida es la manifestación del reino, ya fuera a través de la proclamación de sanidades milagrosas, la ayuda a los pobres o su muerte y resurrección. Si tiene que ver con el reino de Dios, podemos claramente seguirle la pista en la palabra y obra de Jesús: Emanuel, Dios con nosotros (Mateo 1:23).
Añorar el reino En el Adviento recordamos la obra de Dios en y a través de Jesucristo: su nacimiento, vida e inminente regreso, de lo cual somos beneficiarios agradecidos. Aun así, las escrituras nos dicen que lo que experimentamos ahora está incompleto. Hasta los héroes del “salón de la fe” en Hebreos 11 que experimentaron la verdadera presencia de Dios en sus vidas, supieron que vendría mucho más. El Espíritu Santo produce dentro de nosotros una profunda añoranza por lo que aún no se ha concretado (ver Romanos 8:26). Muchos de nosotros hemos experimentado ese deseo por “venga su reino” más profundamente durante el Adviento. Conocemos la presencia de Dios ahora, pero cuando la comparamos con todo lo que la Biblia promete nos damos cuenta de que el lapso entre los dos debe llenarse un día. Se acercan un nuevo cielo y una nueva tierra. La pandemia nos ha permitido reconocer lo que quizás no nos dimos cuenta en el pasado: el anhelo que tenemos por Dios. Nuestro anhelo por la realización del reino nos puede motivar a encontrar maneras creativas para servir, bendecir y nutrir a otros. Eso es lo que veo sucediendo en nuestras iglesias y es lo que leerás en esta edición.
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Sí, el COVID-19 sigue entre nosotros, pero más importante que eso es que Emanuel está con nosotros. La presencia y el poder de Dios en nuestras vidas todo lo transforma.
Testigos del reino Esta verdad y este anhelo nos dan permiso para hablar con otros de manera auténtica. El Adviento dice: “Hay más en la historia que ‘Alegría para el mundo, el Señor ha venido’. Es también, ‘Sentimos melancolía porque aún él no está aquí del todo’”. Eso nos habla en medio de esta temporada tan inusual. No importa lo que el futuro nos traiga, entendemos que Dios no ha terminado con el mundo. El año por venir probablemente venga con las mismas clases de dificultades que hemos enfrentado o quizás más. Así es que “venga su reino” incluye un llamado a la paciencia. Debemos realzar nuestra propia fe de manera tal que nos ayudará a soportar esta temporada de actividades restringidas. Debemos acercarnos a aquél que nos sujeta aun en un tiempo de aislamiento. De manera que el reino de Dios requiere pensamiento y oración creativa: “Señor, en medio de todo esto ¿qué quieres que yo haga?”. Cuando nos preguntamos eso, cuando escuchamos y obedecemos lo que Dios dice, experimentamos la realidad de venga su reino, no solo durante el Adviento sino también durante los días por venir.
Su gracia sobre ti,
Obispo Gregory O. Brewer cfdiocese.org
to Supply Tech Needs for Honduran Children BY MARTI PIEPER
People in the United States have a reputation for complaining about unimportant issues. There’s even a social media hashtag that encapsulates this syndrome: #firstworldproblems. The problems we experience as a result of COVID-19 seem monumental: Isolation. Loneliness. Job loss. Decreased income. Food insecurity. Illness. Even death. None of these counts as a “first world problem.” But what happens when you take those problems and add the distinction of living in an already-impoverished country? That’s what the people of Honduras and our sister diocese there face every day. And that’s what each gift given to our annual Thanksgiving offering will help alleviate.
Bishop Lloyd Allen,
who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, said in a recent video call that with his country reopening, there is great concern that a second phase of COVID-19 will sweep the nation. “The beaches are swarming, no masks, the buses are crowded to 100% capacity,” he said. “This will have its toll and effect.” As in the United States, a huge part of the overall impact of the coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown has taken place in the schools. Schools are back in operation, he said, but fear of the coronavirus has kept registrations at 50% and fewer. The Episcopal schools “will continue doing school virtually, and the kids will not return to the classroom till 2021, Lord willing,” Allen said. “Honduras is basically a rural country,” he added. “Sixty percent of school-age kids will lose a year or be promoted to the next level without
having had that formation. These kids have no access to computers. Some are receiving classes over computer or possibly cell phone. But the majority of those most vulnerable are unable to have or receive their classes,” he said, due to the lack of technology.
THANKSGIVING OFFEREING
Annual Thanksgiving Offering
The Diocese of Central Florida, The Episcopal Church and other dioceses and individuals have given generously throughout this crisis to help support the Diocese of Honduras. But the “computers for kids” project represents a unique response to a specific need that lies close to the heart of Bishop Allen and to the heart of God. Allen will use the offering to distribute laptops to kids and to help them gain access to the education they so desperately need. Kingdom relationship includes kingdom responsibility. As you pray over your Thanksgiving offering this year, consider its value in a land where even a small gift can have significant impact.
Someday when we look back on the year 2020, we will recall its many challenges. But I hope we will also recall how God showed up in faithfulness. It is with that spirit of gratitude that the Diocese of Central Florida has made the Diocese of Honduras, led by my dear friend Bishop Lloyd Allen, the annual recipient of its Thanksgiving offering. And it is with that same spirit that I urge you to give.
Recall what Bishop Allen has said about the desperate need for technology for the many children who have no access to education without it. In Honduras, technology can make a world of difference for those little ones about whom Jesus said, “it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matt. 19:14b). Grace to you,
Bishop Gregory O. Brewer
Donate with checks made payable to: "Diocese of Central Florida." Memo: "2020 Thanksgiving Offering" Mail to: Diocese of Central Florida, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32801 CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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Fr. Jim Sorvillo assists in All Souls' final pre-lockdown service at Bay Lake Elementary, March 15, 2020.
Church Plant Clings to Christ Amidst COVID-19 Challenges BY M A RT I PIEPER
“Everything changed with a press conference on March 16,” The Rev. Matt Ainsley said. Ainsley, missioner of All Souls Mission, a church plant in the Horizon West area of Orlando, was referring to the new world his church and so many others were thrust into after that press conference, when President Trump announced a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What would Ainsley and his “brand-new old church” do?
Changes and Challenges “Everyone has had challenges, and there are challenges that are particular to each congregation,” Ainsley explained. “We had just started, and coming out of Christmas and going into Lent, we really had a lot of momentum. All Souls was growing, and we were getting a steady flow of visitors.” 6 CFE
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One of the first things that changed was the church’s meeting place: Bay Lake Elementary School in Horizon West. “Of course, schools were closed,” Ainsley said. “There were months that you could not rent them even if you wanted to.”
easier than ever. “We weren’t doing any of that before,” he said. “And we did it on a dime with an iPhone and a little mic. … If this had happened five years ago, it’d be much more expensive to stream services. But now, it’s really plug and play.”
As of March 18, the diocese also suspended all in-person gatherings for public worship. And having no access to the school left Ainsley and his congregation worshipping from home.
For a young church plant like All Souls, the lack of in-person meetings also meant that “all the momentum we had was really stopped in its tracks,” Ainsley said. “But it’s really been amazing, and I think we’ve done about as well as we could possibly do. People have stayed engaged; they’ve continued to support the church, all that.”
“No matter how great you make your online streaming service, it’s not the same,” he said. “And especially for families who have children, it’s crazy. I’m the priest, and my kids are running around the living room while we’re trying to watch what Daddy recorded. But you make it work.” Ainsley is thankful, though, that today’s technology has made streaming
Still, Ainsley said he and his congregation experienced the grief many have felt in response to this season of change. “As this has gone on, you realize you’re not really going to be able to pick back up where you left off,” cfdiocese.org
Hope and Help On Saturday, March 22, since the school was no longer available, All Souls began recording services for Sundays at the Dean Johnson Memorial Chapel at Emmanuel Episcopal, Audubon Park. “They’ve got this little chapel; it’s amazing,” Ainsley said. “We did that in March, April and May, three months.” But when All Souls returned to inperson worship, Bay Lake Elementary still wasn’t an option. Because of the pandemic, the school chose to limit outside guests. And even today, All Souls can’t meet there. “I would say about 60% of the congregation has returned to inperson, 50 to 60%,” Ainsley said. “So that means when we first reopened, it was 20%, so the majority were staying online.”
this really strong, and, in a way, replant. At this point, we’re probably looking at 2021 – in 2021, the Lord providing a place for us to nest and to be able to put down roots and really relaunching in a way in the eyes of the community,” he said.
Weaknesses and Worship “I feel like we’re in a really good spot,” Ainsley said. “And the Lord has brought us through this. … I’ve tried to look on our weaknesses as strengths. We don’t have a lot of overhead to run this right now. … And it makes us flexible. If your church has been around 200 years, you can’t pick up and go record over here and go meet over there. We were nomadic in that way, and it really is like the parallels between church planting and Israel wandering in the wilderness.” When the pandemic ends, Ainsley does not plan to continue livestream services, although he will still record sermons. Online church was “better than nothing,” he said. “But it’s not a replacement for the people of God gathering together as at the foot of the cross.”
Once again, God provided a meeting place, this time at what Ainsley calls the church’s From May 31 to the present, All Souls has held hybrid services (in“grandmother,” person and livestreamed) at the Church Church of the of the Messiah in Winter Garden. Messiah in Winter Garden, which “I think doing planted All Souls’ mother church, hybrid small groups for the foreseeable Church of the Ascension in Dr. Phillips. future is a good takeaway,” he said. “You can have people gathered in a “We’re doing a dual thing where it’s home or at the church, and you set up in person, but it’s also streamed on an iPhone and share that to the screen, Facebook,” Ainsley said. “And that has been a wonderful blessing. … So when and people can Zoom in. … And again, that’s better than someone not the dust settles, we can come out of cfdiocese.org
“God never calls us to do something that he doesn’t also equip us to carry out.”
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he said. “So the reality is, we can cry about it, or we can trust that the Lord called us into the wilderness and that he’s going to be with us.”
being able to participate.” All Souls’ tagline “a brand-new old church” means the church has consistently pressed into the ancient faith and the Book of Common Prayer, Ainsley said. “And there’s such a stability to that. And I think I’ve found it comforting to know that the liturgy itself, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the prayers that we pray – that was being done long before I was born, and it will be done long after I’m gone. And God is constant; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. “So I think having supremely the person of Jesus Christ, but the historic worship of the church as an anchor, has been extremely comforting to this church plant,” Ainsley said. “And realizing this is new to us; something like this has never happened in the digital age. But the church has seen everything, and the church has been through everything. And the Lord has not abandoned her. “And so if we look at the Lord’s track record, we had better roll up our sleeves,” he said. “We have to pray and work. So we’re going to pray. But we’re also going to faithfully do what God has called us to do. And trust that he’s going to provide, and he’s going to heal. “He’s going to equip us,” Ainsley said. “God never calls us to do something that he doesn’t also equip us to carry out.”
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The Grace Residency Program:
Impacting the Kingdom, One Priest at a Time When The Rev. Jonathan French of Grace Episcopal Church, Ocala, envisioned what would become the Grace Residency Program, he had no idea it would grow into what it is today. God has exceeded his expectations and given it a kingdom reach. French, program leader and Grace’s rector, said, “It may sound cheesy, but it’s true. I believe if I can help develop excellent priests, the program can transform churches and communities and inevitably change the world.”
Fr. Daniel, Fr. Jonathan and Rev. Caroline
Now more than ever, the church worldwide has a need to equip strong, dynamic leaders, and with its residency program, which took almost four years to develop, Grace is leading the way. Just as fledgling doctors complete residencies for hands-on experience after medical school, new priests attend the church’s residency program to extend their leadership skills. They participate for two to three years before Grace sends them out to lead and serve the church and the kingdom.
increasing responsibility designed to empower them and help them grow into true kingdom servants.
Residents in the program receive robust training that involves thorough mentorship, book studies and debriefing. In addition, they have the opportunity to observe and participate in decision-making – a vital leadership skill.
THAT PERSONAL TOUCH Since launching the residency in 2019, French has worked with two residents. The first, The Rev. Caroline Osborne, completed the program earlier this year, and The Rev. Daniel Pinell is a current resident. “It’s been a genuine privilege to get to do life with the future of our church,” French said. “It brings me great joy to see folks so hungry to see the kingdom of God grow. It’s been a blast!”
NOT YOUR FATHER’S CURACY French created the residency program at Grace because he recognized key elements most curacy programs lack. Unlike a residency, a curacy is considered a position for a “junior priest.” Often, the curate receives trivial tasks to perform. Although some learning occurs, most aspiring clergy view a curacy as a steppingstone to future ministry. In contrast, Grace’s residency program focuses on the learning of the resident rather than the convenience of the clergy. Residents receive 8 CFE
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The residency program also aims for a more handson approach than a curacy, in which a curate receives mentorship through a course and regular meetings. Most of the responsibility for learning falls on the curate. But Grace’s residency program invests in participants in a more practical way.
As program leader, French witnessed each resident’s growth firsthand. “The way Caroline has grown the most is through her confidence,” he said. “It’s not that she didn’t have confidence coming into the program. I was just able to see her truly live it out in a healthy and fun way as she took on greater responsibilities at the church. I’m so proud of her.” French also loved seeing how Osborne interacted with the parishioners, he said. His most memorable moment with her came when a
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Emphasizing Kingdom Work with Kingdom Values parishioner asked them both to preach at the funeral for her husband, a huge supporter of equal rights. Osborne spoke fondly of her experience in the Grace residency and agreed that her confidence as a parish leader grew significantly through that time. She faced unexpected challenges, from managing the church during French’s sabbatical to the departure of fellow staff members. “Although it was challenging, it gave me the confidence to know I can tackle anything, and I can figure things out,” she said. Her favorite aspect of the residency was the thoroughness and intentionality of the learning process, Osborne said. She now has practical knowledge and is able to manage various tasks, from running a vestry meeting to leading a funeral service, with true confidence. Osborne also said she felt blessed to have an excellent mentor in French, who genuinely cared about her growth. She will soon begin serving in a church in Nashville, Tenn. THREE FOCAL POINTS Few residency programs are as comprehensive as the one at Grace, which has three focal points: preaching, parish care and developing each resident’s unique gifts. “Preaching may not be what gets people to stay at
a church, but it can bring them to the church,” French said. Residents not only practice the art of preaching but receive feedback via a rubric he developed. This model aims to equip them to preach with both excellence and clarity. Grace’s residency program also teaches residents the business and administration aspects of successfully leading a parish. This includes everything from day-to-day operations to analyzing profit and loss statements. Residents gain experience in administering the sacraments and performing weddings and funerals. One of the most unique features of the Grace Residency Program is its tailored design for each student. Along with teaching the foundational parts of a ministry position, French assigns other tasks designed to call forth residents’ strengths and opportunities for growth. He has a deep desire to help them move forward in their unique God-given gifts. For example, Osborne wanted to explore her studies in counseling, and she received the space and encouragement to do so. GROWTH AND GRACE Pinell began the program earlier this year, not long before COVID-19 struck.
Despite the pandemic’s impact, he appreciates the lessons this season has taught him about the importance of adaptation. “I’ve loved seeing Daniel’s wide-eyedness,” French said. Pinell loves the immersive aspect of the residency program, he said. One of his most memorable experiences occurred when he had to serve as chaplain at a manufacturing plant, a new and unfamiliar role. Although some situations still feel uncomfortable, he appreciates the opportunities they provide for professional and personal growth, he said. He recognizes that these experiences will help him more easily adapt to future clergy responsibilities and environments. As a book-lover, another of Pinell’s favorite parts of the program has been the required reading, which covers a variety of topics, including real-world issues such as anti-racism.
Beyond the impact of COVID-19, learning how to receive feedback, especially when it comes to sermons, has proven one of the most challenging parts of the residency program for Pinell. Since sermons come from the heart, it’s difficult to have them picked apart, he said. But he also recognizes these critiques will make him a stronger and more effective preacher. The Grace Residency Program has already had a significant impact on its first residents and on the church. Soon, the program will acquire its third resident, coming all the way from Amsterdam. Excited to continue leading this vital aspect of Grace, French has great hope for the future of his church, of the residency program and of its continuing emphasis on kingdom work with kingdom values. “I only wish I could have been doing this sooner,” he said. CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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North Lake Wire Outreach:
Sharing Light in the Darkness BY LINDA GILDEN
“When I got up this morning, I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!’ The Lord answered my prayer, y’all,” a resident of the North Lake Wire neighborhood in Lakeland said. “I’ve been living here for 47 years, and this side has never looked this good,” she added. “I just wanted to come out this morning and tell you. It was a blessing to see that somebody cared.”
Lawnmowers whirred, saws buzzed, volunteers called to one another and residents chatted as this woman shared her excitement. Her heartfelt joy came in response to the kingdom work of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Lakeland, on its recent outreach day. Under the leadership of The Rev. Kathy Hulin, assistant rector, and The Rev. Bob Johnson, deacon, church volunteers of all ages pitched in on Sept. 26 to parents. Older volunteers cut clean up and improve this impovershrubbery, pushed lawnmowers and ished community. painted the home of an appreciative “About 20 young people gave up resident. This year we weren’t sure their Saturdays to be part of this what the turnout would be like. But day,” Hulin said. “They picked up all ages showed up to help.” trash, put together food boxes, This recent outreach was All played with the neighborhood Saints’ fifth event in the North Lake children and helped with Wire neighborhood. Though the various other jobs. In the safety precautions of COVID-19 past, children as necessitated some marked changes young as 3 have from previous come to work years, including the with their wearing of masks and the absence of child-friendly offerings such as a bounce house and slushy machine, the work continued throughout the day. And the neverending smiles from both residents and volunteers did too. 10
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Purposeful Partnerships The North Lake Wire Outreach began when policemen assigned to the area identified it as gang active and violent. Out of a desire to help residents of North Lake Wire and similar neighborhoods, the officers formed a committee called the Gang Task Force. The city then asked the Dream Center of Lakeland, a faithbased nonprofit that already had connections in impoverished neighborhoods, to help with this outreach. Johnson of All Saints’ became involved with the task force, and Mike Cooper, director of the Dream Center, is also a Lakeland Police Department chaplain. The committee organized Gang Task Force events throughout the city and found that gang activity in these neighborhoods reduced to almost zero. Johnson said, “All Saints’ participated in these Gang Task Force events with other churches. But we saw each neighborhood only every couple of cfdiocese.org
years, and this lacked consistency. The events had limited effect.” He added, “All Saints’ decided to adopt a neighborhood to make a lasting effect on a specific area. We asked the Dream Center for a neighborhood dealing with drugs and prostitution, and they recommended North Lake Wire.” All Saints’ decided to offer two major North Lake Wire events each year in March and September along with smaller events each month. Twice a year the Lakeland Police Department joins over 200 people along with neighborhood churches, charities, city officials and residents in this effort. “Cleaning up the neighborhood makes the residents feel better about where they live,” Johnson said. “Many of the elderly have been there for decades. For many newer residents, living here is the most affordable way to have shelter for their families. When the residents see us arrive and start working, they come out and join us. And that’s what we want – for them to take
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pride in where they live.” Between the major events, volunteers continue to mow and clean up the neighborhood, and other organizations have joined their efforts. Paint Your Heart Out, a volunteer organization that sponsors a one-day event to paint homes in Lakeland, came to North Lake Wire to paint one man’s house. There, leaders spoke with another man, a veteran. They discovered that although his home also needed painting, a leaky roof had caused the problem. The committee contacted an area roofer to see if he would help, and he repaired the man’s roof and took time to fix a leaky roof in a neighborhood church too. All Saints’ wants to not only clean up the physical area of North Lake Wire but also to build relationships with the families who live there. Church volunteers deliver food boxes to the residents along with potted plants or flowers for their homes. As they do, they ask residents about specific ways they can pray for them.
The North Lake Wire Outreach has yielded results that go far beyond improving the neighborhood’s curb appeal. God has worked through the kingdom efforts of the All Saints’ volunteers to bring about lasting change. The North Lake Wire neighborhood is now accepted as a neighborhood with a legitimate goal. Residents want to learn and be good neighbors to others. And All Saints’ continues to work with the city to find the most effective ways to address various community needs. The Lakeland Police Department’s neighborhood liaison officer said he has been amazed with the improvement in this area since All Saints’ has been working there. His officers now feel safer performing their duties, he said. About All Saints’ community outreach, Johnson said, “The police performed an extensive before-and-after evaluation of the neighborhood and observed a 35% reduction in calls for service in the North Lake Wire neighborhood, and violent crimes were reduced.” The Rev. Dr. Reid Hensarling, All Saints’ rector, recognizes that the North Lake Wire Outreach is helping his church fulfill its kingdom purpose. “We are modeling what it’s supposed to be like: People helping people.”
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Lasting Results
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The Healing Hunger Food Pantry team of Jesús de Nazaret and Christ the King
Resplandece la Unidad del Reino a medida que dos iglesias diversas se unen P O R R EV. JOSÉ RODRÍG UEZ
En su oración sacerdotal Jesús les mostró a sus seguidores cómo luce la unidad del reino: “Yo les he dado la gloria que tú me diste, para que sean uno, así como nosotros somos uno: yo en ellos y tú en mí. Permite que alcancen la perfección en la unidad, y así el mundo reconozca que tú me enviaste y que los has amado a ellos tal como me has amado a mí” (Juan 17:22-23, NVI).
entre los esfuerzos para satisfacer las necesidades dentro de la diócesis.
para satisfacer las necesidades locales La pandemia del COVID-19 ha agravado muchas de las
Dentro de la Diócesis Episcopal de la Florida Central, la unidad del reino luce como dos iglesias diversas que comparten un edificio, una dirección y la pasión de ser sal y luz en su comunidad. La Iglesia Christ the King Episcopal Church (Iglesia Episcopal Cristo el Rey) y la Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret, en el vecindario de Azalea Park en Orlando, operan en común la despensa de alimentos Healing Hunger (Sanar el Hambre). Por años ambas iglesias han laborado juntas no solo para enfrentar la necesidad de alimentos sino también las disparidades en el cuidado de la salud, asistencia laboral, asistencia para la vivienda, y otras causas benéficas. Todas estas necesidades se intensificaron — junto con los rápidos cambios en la comunidad — después del huracán María. El banco de alimentos representa el alcance multicultural diocesano más grande
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cargas que experimentan algunas familias, incluyendo inseguridad para obtener alimentos, lo cual muchos están enfrentando por primera vez. Esto le da a la despensa de alimentos Healing Hunger una doble carga: suplir alimentos y asegurarles a las personas que no deben avergonzarse por recibir asistencia. Muchas personas no saben que muchas de las despensas de alimentos tienen que comprar su comida en otras despensas o bancos de alimentos con mayor capacidad. Cuando azotó lo más fuerte de la pandemia, la iglesia Jesús de Nazaret inmediatamente se puso en contacto con miembros del Congreso, así como con oficiales locales. Como resultado, Healing Hunger y otras despensas en el condado Orange, recibirán alimentos gratis departe del Second Harvest Food Bank hasta el fin de año. De acuerdo con la Iglesia Episcopal, testificar sobre el reino envuelve ayudar a aquellos en necesidad y una de las maneras de hacer eso implica realizar activismo cívico. Christ the King es una iglesia multicultural que le sirve a sus miembros en Inglés. Jesús de Nazaret es la iglesia Lati-
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Desde sus comienzos, el movimiento humano y la migración han sido parte de la historia de ambas parroquias, cuya misma dirección es 26 Willow Drive. En esta experiencia en común, su misión converge y ambas laboran como un mismo representante y testigo Episcopal. Aunque la iglesia Christ the King y Jesús de Nazaret se diferencian en cómo celebran la liturgia común, ambas tienen un profundo entendimiento de cómo sus diferencias trabajan en conjunto para apoyar la obra del reino.
Hoy día, cada iglesia sabe cómo, cultural y lingüísticamente, satisfacer su deber de cuidar de la comunidad a la que le sirve. Cada iglesia sabe que su distinción en cuanto a cultura y lenguaje solo existe con el propósito de comunicar efectivamente el evangelio e incorporar nuevas personas al Cuerpo de Cristo. Cada iglesia tiene una porción de responsabilidad compartida para llegar a la comunidad con el corazón y la mente de Cristo. Los nombres de las iglesias sirven como recordatorios efectivos de que no hay un Jesús Latino y un Jesús Blanco. Cada iglesia comprende que Christ the King y Jesús de Nazaret son testigos del mismo Salvador, el que murió en la
cruz para salvar al mundo. Las representaciones de Jesús como soberano tanto como el hijo de un carpintero de Nazaret revelan diferentes aspectos de la naturaleza única de Cristo.
OUTRE AC H
na multinacional y transnacional que le sirve a sus miembros en Español. Aunque son distintas, ambas iglesias laboran juntas y se complementan para servir, sin distinción, a la comunidad que comparten.
De igual manera, la obra del Espíritu Santo en Español en Jesús de Nazaret y en Inglés en Christ the King revelan una imagen más completa de Cristo para la comunidad local. Al alimentar y ocuparse de las ovejas de Cristo a través de la despensa de alimentos Healing Hunger y otros ministerios, ambas iglesias llevan a cabo el papel más amplio de la Iglesia en el mundo y logran fomentar el reino dentro del vecindario Azalea Park.
Christ the King se estableció a finales de la década de 1950 para servir un nuevo desarrollo de viviendas de familias suburbanas jóvenes que llegaron a la región debido a la carrera espacial. Jesús de Nazaret fue una de una serie de iglesias misiones establecidas dentro de la diócesis a principios del 2000, sirviendo a inmigrantes Hispanos siguiendo trabajos y oportunidades regionales.
Kin g dom Unity Shines
as Diverse Churches Join to Meet Local Needs BY T HE REV. JOSÉ RODRÍG UEZ
In Jesus’ high priestly prayer, he showed his followers what kingdom unity looks like: “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23). Within the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, kingdom unity looks a lot like two diverse churches that share a building, an address and a passion for being salt and light in their community. cfdiocese.org
Christ the King Episcopal Church and Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret in the Azalea Park neighborhood of Orlando operate the Healing Hunger Food Pantry as a shared ministry. For years the two churches have worked together to address not only food insecurity but health care disparities, employment assistance, housing assistance and other charitable causes. All these needs escalated — along with rapid community changes — after Hurricane Maria. The food pantry represents the largest diocesan multicultural outreach effort addressing needs within the diocese. CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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OUTRE ACH
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the burdens families experience, including food insecurity, which many now face for the first time. That gives the Healing Hunger Food Pantry a double burden: to supply food and to reassure people there’s no shame in receiving assistance. Many people don’t realize that most food pantries have to buy their food from larger food banks or pantries. When the force of the pandemic hit, Jesús de Nazaret immediately engaged with members of Congress as well as local officials. As a result, Healing Hunger and all other Orange County food pantries will receive free food from the Second Harvest Food Bank through the end of the year. According to The Episcopal Church, kingdom witness involves helping those in need, and one of the ways to do that involves civic activism. Christ the King is a multicultural church serving its members in English. Jesús de Nazaret is a multinational and transnational Latino church serving its members in Spanish. While distinct, both churches work together and build on each other’s strengths to serve, without distinction, the community they share.
part of the story of both parishes, co-located at 26 Willow Drive. In this shared experience, their missions converge, and both work as one Episcopal witness. While Jesús de Nazaret and Christ the King are differentiated in the ways they celebrate the common liturgy, both churches have a deep understanding of how their differences work together to support kingdom work. Christ the King was established in the late 1950s to serve a new housing development of young suburban families brought to the region by the space race. Jesús de Nazaret was one of a series of mission churches established within the diocese in the early 2000s, serving a migrant Hispanic community that followed regional jobs and opportunities. Today, each church knows how, linguistically and culturally, to best fulfill its duty of care for the
worshipping community it serves. Each church knows that its cultural and language distinctions only exist for the purposes of effectively communicating the gospel and incorporating new people into the body of Christ. And each church owns its portion of a shared responsibility to step out into the community in the heart and mind of Christ. The church names serve as effective reminders that there is not a Latino Jesus and a white Jesus. Each church understands that Christ as King and Jesus from Nazareth bear witness to the same Savior, who hung on the cross to save the world. The portrayals of Jesus as both sovereign and as the son of a carpenter from Nazareth reveal different aspects of Christ’s one nature. Likewise, the work of the Holy Spirit in Spanish at Jesús de Nazaret and in English at Christ the King reveal a more complete image of Christ to the local community. In feeding and tending to Christ’s sheep through the Healing Hunger Food Pantry and other ministries, both churches together fulfill the wider church’s role in the world and advance the kingdom within the Azalea Park neighborhood.
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BY L AR RY J. LEEC H I I
L E ADE RS H IP
Rodriguez Honored by US House of Representatives The Rev. José Rodriguez, vicar of Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret, Orlando, has been honored this fall with special recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives as a “Distinguished Leader in Florida.” In the announcement, Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., who represents the 9th District, noted that Rodriguez’s desire “to build up a resilient community where all families have access to safe communities, a living wage, affordable housing and health care” is one of the many examples of his leadership and cultivating relationships. Rodriguez moved from Puerto Rico with his mother and father in 1987. He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College in Winter Park and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Since that time, Rodriguez has worked tirelessly helping and connecting communities across various ethnicities in Central Florida. After serving for more than a decade as the Episcopal chaplain at UCF, Rodriguez moved into his role in 2017 as vicar of Iglesia Jesús de Nazaret. Shortly after he began his new position, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, both record-setting in multiple categories, brought billions of dollars of damage to the Caribbean and U.S. mainland. Rodriguez and his church immediately became the driving force in the area and in the Diocese of Central Florida to provide and direct aid to thousands of families affected by the hurricanes, particularly the many Puerto Ricans who were displaced to Central Florida. Even three years after those hurricanes, Rodriguez and his team of “abuelitas,” (“grandmothers”) a group of Spanish-speaking women from local churches, are still helping area families. He also has joined UCF Restores, a clinic within the university’s College of Sciences that
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Fr. José Rodriguez
offers treatment to veterans, professionals and survivors living with stress-related disorders.
Last year, Heart of Florida United Way named Rodriguez among honorees for its 2019 Change Makers Impact Award. The award recognizes “key players who make our community a better place to live.” Rodriguez was awarded the Impact Leader for Advocacy for his work during and after the hurricanes.
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DIOC E SAN FAM ILY
LOVE
the Focus of Race Reconciliation Events at St. Peter’s After the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May, images on newscasts, social media and news websites emphasized one thing: hate. However, after a conversation with a black staff member following the George Floyd incident, The Rev. Jeremy Bergstrom of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary, who is white, decided on an alternative approach using a different four-letter word: LOVE.
Earlier this month, St. Peter’s hosted a race reconciliation series that brought together members of the congregation and outside pastors to raise awareness of discrimination, neglect and perceptions in the black community. “We love them,” Bergstrom said, referring to the black members of his staff and congregation. “To hear their pain and to think we (the leadership and other parishioners) don’t care – they are wrong. Our toxic society has told them we don’t care. And they have every reason to believe it. In our ignorance, we don’t know they are having such a hard time.” The series of events kicked off with a listening session during a combined Sunday worship service at St. Peter’s. Black members of the congregation spent 60-90 minutes sharing stories, both horrific and heartbreaking, of living in the United States. “Gut-wrenching, all these stories,” said Bergstrom, who heard many of them while preparing for the series of events. “It was a valuable learning experience for me, 16
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walking with them and feeling with them. I have not experienced what they have experienced. They have a wide variety of experiences and perspectives on this. “These people are sweet, wonderful people,” he continued. “To hear about children being excluded from birthday parties, that’s horrible. We’re not talking about lynchings here; we’re talking about isolation and the pain of being left out.” The last event featured Célestin Musekura, a Rwandan based in Dallas who does tribal/racial reconciliation ministry in Africa and the U.S. Musekura’s family and friends were murdered while at church during the Rwandan genocide that lasted a little over three months in 1994. Astonishingly, he reconciled with the murderers of his family and village. Today he financially supports the children and grandchildren of the murderers. “Nobody has more credibility than that guy,” said Bergstrom, referring to reconciliation. In the mid-1990s, Musekura, a Baptist minister who earned his Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary,, cfdiocese.org
DIOCE SAN FAM ILY
about them. They thought people might think they were complaining.” But that wasn’t the case. After the vestry meeting, the idea of sharing their stories with the congregation gained traction and evolved into the three events. “Our conviction was that society has been doing these types of conversations in the abstract,” Bergstrom said. “We see the extremes portrayed in the news. We wanted to have a conversation with Christians in the context of the church between people who know and love each other. Fr. Bergstrom and Rev. Aitcheson
founded African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries to train leaders in the process of restorative justice. Last year in a Q&A with Faith and Leadership, Musekura said, “In restorative justice, we restore the brokenness.” The middle event, held the Tuesday after the Sunday event, featured The Rev. Michael Aitcheson of Christ United Fellowship, a Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) church plant in Orlando, who joined Bergstrom for a Q&A session on the topic after the two preached on Acts 17:22-31 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, which focus on unity and diversity in the body of Christ. Aitcheson, married with four children, was raised in Miami, Florida, and awarded a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he received a bachelor’s in social work. In 2011 he earned a Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary and was ordained a PCA teaching elder in 2013. “Pastor Aitcheson is a younger black man who has all the experience and education on these issues that I don’t have, growing up in the upper Midwest where a lot of white people are from,” said Bergstrom. “He is extremely cfdiocese.org
knowledgeable about this, biblically sound and well educated.” Bergstrom first conceived the idea of a reconciliation series after he asked a young black staff member how they were doing following the George Floyd incident. The individual told him it was a personal breaking point. They also shared a few stories about what they had experienced growing up in America and how the Floyd incident brought suppressed emotions and frustrations to the surface. His staffer’s response shocked Bergstrom. Soon afterward he spoke with other blacks on staff and in his congregation. He spent three hours listening to their stories. At the end, he asked them, “How are we going to do this with the rest of the congregation? They need to hear your stories, and they need to love on you for a while.” The idea took months to plan. Those willing to share their experiences were still concerned about being judged and condemned. Instead the group met with the vestry first. “They weren’t ready to share with the congregation,” said Bergstrom. “They were worried that people wouldn’t care
“We didn’t base this on education alone, but with relationships and sharing their experiences with their brothers and sisters in Christ, who share this common bond as members of the body of our Lord.” As with any well-thought process, clear end goals were established. “First,” Bergstrom said, “that people will get a deep awareness or for the first time understand they are, when in Christ, a new creation. Old things are past, new things are to come. This is the foundation of our unity in Christ. That is the primary goal. “Second will be a deeper love for one another in Christ that flows out of that new creation and forgiveness of sins.” As those goals take root in the members of St. Peter’s, Bergstrom believes the messages of love, racial reconciliation and forgiveness will spread into the community. “I am a firm believer in the power of the gospel in the individual heart, and that’s how we change this (injustice), one person at a time,” said Bergstrom. “The church needs to be an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation so that we can forgive past injustices.
“There is no reason we should suffer these divisions.” CFE Nov / Dec 2020
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M INISTRIE S
BUF F ET IN DINING HALL
Renovations
For nearly a year, Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center Director Chalmers Morse and his 32-person staff have painted both buildings, inside and out, renovated all guest rooms, upgraded light fixtures in all buildings and modified the outside patio. Instead of using contracted labor, Morse chose to use his staff to keep them employed throughout this pandemic year. Renovations are expected to continue into 2021. ENTRY & Foyer
BEFORE AFTER
Inside dining hall
BEFORE
AFTER
GUE ST RO OM BATH RO OMS
BEFORE AFTER
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AFTER CanterburyRetreat.org
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Images Provided by Canterbury Conference Center
Outside patio lo oking f rom main building toward lake
M INISTRIE S
Despite Pandemic, Kingdom Work Continues Through Cursillo BY N A NCY GO RD O N A N D C HU C K P I ERC E
Both The Episcopal Church and Cursillo have faced numerous challenges in the year 2020. Due to COVID-19, churches have had to cancel or modify services, and Cursillo canceled all activities, including weekends, reunion groups and Ultreyas. Ultreya is a Spanish term of encouragement meaning “onward,” but for Cursillo groups, the term has a special meaning. It refers to a reunion of reunions, a place where cursillistas (Cursillo alumni) come to support and encourage one another. Even with the pandemic and its challenges, God is opening doors to fresh kingdom paths and ideas for Cursillo. The Cursillo Commission and Servant Community (Cursillo leadership) remain in ongoing prayer for God’s guidance as they consider how to hold future Cursillo Weekends and how to effectively communicate the Cursillo message to the church, to parish Cursillo communities and to Episcopalians who have never experienced the joy and uplifting spirit of these sacred weekends. Through this season, God has given the Cursillo leadership the opportunity for an inward look at themselves and an outward look at Cursillo. With the Lord’s guidance, they intend to facilitate an improved Cursillo Weekend that will continue to produce Christ-centered lay leaders for The Episcopal Church and the Christian faith.
Gordon provided music. Following two songs, everyone was assigned to breakout rooms, where small groups shared the invocation and discussed moments of nearness to God along with piety, study and action. When the large group came back together, Arbri, who attended Coed Cursillo No. 129 last September, presented a dynamic lay witness talk. She spoke of the values she learned in her Cursillo Weekend and how she applies them in her life with family, work and friends as well as at church. Gordon provided an echo (a brief talk meant as a reflection on and “echo” of the larger message) with a Gospel echo by Griffith. A song followed some brief announcements, and Griffith led in Compline. The Ultreya closed with the singing of “De Colores.”
The Holy Spirit Ultreya Team offers praise to God for achieving its goal of hosting the Zoom Ultreya despite technological pitfalls and limited knowledge of the Zoom platform. If another parish wants to learn how to offer a similar event, please contact Holy Spirit’s Cursillo parish coordinators, Cindi Shaffer and Nancy Gordon. Join us. Pray, think and build action plans to help make Save the Date Cursillo a continued blessing Coed Weekend Oct. 1 - 3, 2021 to the kingdom of God both during and after the pandemic. For more information, contact Ultreya: upward, onward, Phil Phillips, strumminguy55@yahoo.com persevere! Karen Stout, 4karenjs@gmail.com
Since in-person events had to be canceled, on Sept. 20, Church of the Holy Spirit, Apopka, hosted a Zoom Ultreya. The church’s Ultreya Team first sent announcements to the Central Deanery of the diocese's rotating Ultreya group and then to the diocesan Cursillo Yahoo and Facebook groups. Parishioners from 11 churches registered to take part. As participants gathered online, they had time to get acquainted via an open chat. The Ultreya began with a welcome by master of ceremonies Cindi Shaffer, followed by an opening prayer from The Rev. Rob Griffith. Next, Dolly Arbri, Sally Davala and Nancy
Kim McMaster, kmcmaster1@cfl.rr.com You can also access the diocesan Cursillo website at: www.cfepiscopalcursillo.org. Connect to the Central Florida Facebook page @CentralFloridaCursilloGroup. If you are not receiving the Cursillo information emails, please let one of us know.
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M INISTRIE S
Upside-Down Turned Right-Side Up BY E R IK G U Z M A N
More than 50 stained-glass windows adorn the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in downtown Orlando. Until recently, one of them was installed upside down.
MOSES
High above the altar, over the right shoulder of a large, gravity-defying wood carving of Jesus, within a stained-glass window depicting a bearded figure holding the Ten Commandments, a single pane of colored glass read, “
.”
Some say there’s a tradition in Gothic church construction that compelled builders to intentionally introduce a minor imperfection as a visual illustration that only God is perfect. However, when Anne Michels, cathedral administrator, historian and archivist for the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, researched Gothic architecture and church building, she found the exact opposite to be true. According to Michels, “They wanted everything in that church to be as beautiful and perfect as possible, because God is worthy of having our finest and our best. In no way would they have ever purposely done something imperfect.” The oldest stained-glass window at the cathedral dates back to the late 1880s to early 1890s. Most of the windows were designed and fabricated by Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, including the one with the upside-down panel. That Moses window was placed up in the “clear story” – the official term for the upper level of the church – in 1987. “I don’t know exactly when people first noticed that the panel was installed upside down,” said Michels, “but what I heard when I got here was kind of a legend that had developed about that window, that the panel was purposely installed upside down.” In addition to her research of Gothic architecture, Michels also contacted Willet studio. “I sent them a picture and asked them, ‘Does that ever happen? Do you think that panel was installed upside down on purpose?’ They were horrified and said, ‘Absolutely not!’” So, while Michels wasn’t sure who did the actual installation, it was probably just a mistake. In the fall of 2019, the Cathedral Church of St. Luke kicked off its ongoing Light, Legacy, Love capital campaign to raise funds to preserve the historic cathedral. Donations have allowed for the replacement and resealing of the exterior protective coverings over the stained-glass windows, and in conjunction with that work, the righting of the upside-down panel.
“The old coverings had been there for at least 30 years, and they had gotten very, very cloudy, very dull,” Michels explained. “This was preventing the natural light from coming through the windows, and now with the clear coverings and the sunlight hitting the glass, we see beautiful colors coming through the windows again, and it’s a lot lighter inside the church.” For those interested in visiting the Cathedral Church of St. Luke to experience the multicolored light now streaming through the stained glass, Michels extends an invitation to services on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Go to ccslorlando.org for service times and more information. Visitors and parishioners might just hear a sermon illustration about the grace of God that references the upside-down Moses turned right-side up. After all, the good news of the gospel is that Jesus’ death and resurrection make it possible for everyone – with all of our imperfections flying in the face of the Ten Commandments – to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. By faith, we have been granted the perfection of Jesus himself, and as we read in 1 John 3:2:
“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.”
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We’re delighted to welcome Erik Guzman to the diocesan staff as our new director of communications. Guzman previously served as vice president of communications for Key Life Network, the national multimedia ministry of Steve Brown. In addition to his ministry work with Key Life, Cru, Z88.3 and others, Guzman has extensive experience managing projects for a variety of clients and startups across departments: marketing, branding, web development, social media, video production, podcast production and live events.
DIGITAL DIOC E S E
New Diocesan Director of Communications
Since joining the staff in October 2020, Guzman’s impact on diocesan communications has extended to our virtual clergy conference, the new magazine format of the Central Florida Episcopalian and the new CFE Digital Diocese email newsletter. 2021 will see more changes, including a redesigned CFDiocese.org! Subscribe to the CFE Digital Diocese at the link below for news from across the diocese. Also, visit the 2021 Diocesan Convention link on this page for the latest information as we take that event virtual as well.
CFE Digital Digest Email Newsletter Subscribe today to receive news and updates from across the diocese, Bishop Brewer’s sermons, articles and more! Subscribe at CFDiocese.org/CFEDigitalDigest.
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Virtual Annual Convention Information The 2021 Diocesan Convention will be 100% virtual. As plans progress, everything you need to know will be posted online. Visit CFDiocese.org/2021DioCon.
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L AST WORD
Punching Holes in the Darkness
Healing Hunger Food Pantry distribution (pp. 12-14)
As a boy in the 19th century, Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, was mesmerized by the lamplighters who lit the streetlights in the night. One evening, as he watched a man move from lamppost to lamppost with his ladder and torch, Stevenson’s parents asked, “Robert, what in the world are you looking at out there?”
With unbridled delight he replied, “Look at that man! He’s punching holes in the darkness!” It has been a dark year. For many, night has fallen. But watch for the light of the world as he walks our shadowy streets. His kingdom is piercing the darkness.
Inspired by The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb’s book, Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault, page 194.
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C E L E B R AT I O N O F N E W M I N I ST RY The Rev. Bert Daly Sunday 12.06.20 10 a.m. St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Lake Placid FL
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