Central Florida Episcopalian Newspaper March, 2017

CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA • WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 2 • March 2017

Camp Wingmann Special Edition

Celebrating a Call to Common Mission

Our Youth are Making a Difference

Photo Club Provides Missions Opportunity Episcopal Church Women are Making Waves

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them!

For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

Matthew 19:14 (NLT)

The Diocese of Central Florida The Right Reverend Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop Serving 15 counties through 86 churches and 30,000 members

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

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

Central Florida Episcopalian The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer. Bishop The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe Retired The Rt. Rev. Hugo Pina-Lopez Retired The Rt. Rev. John Said Retired The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell, Retired The Rev. Canon Timothy Nunez Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb

Table of Contents Bishop Brewer’s Column...................................................................................................... 3 Youth Experience and Make a Difference.............................................................................. 4 Reaching Young Girls in a Fun Way....................................................................................... 7 Mission, Youth Ministry Emphasized at Convention............................................................... 8 Bishop Brewer’s Convention Address.................................................................................... 9 Rt. Rev. Graham Kings Speaks at Convention........................................................................ 9 Debate Heats Up............................................................................................................... 11 Linda Fox Shares Bridge-Building Plan............................................................................... 11 Election Results................................................................................................................12 CAMP WINGMANN SPECIAL SECTION A Letter From the Director.................................................................................................. 14 Camp Wingmann: A Special Place...................................................................................... 15 Winter Camp 2017............................................................................................................ 16 What Is ‘Happening’.......................................................................................................... 16 New Beginnings................................................................................................................ 17 All Saints Academy Visits Camp Wingmann for a Different Reason....................................... 18 Summer Camp Registration Now Open............................................................................... 18 Annual Golf Tournaments Raise Funds................................................................................ 19 Something Big Is Happening at Camp Wingmann................................................................ 19 Camp Wingmann/Canterbury Calendars............................................................................ 20 Diocesan Calendar/Bishop’s Visitations............................................................................ 21 Getting to Know Becky Chapman........................................................................................22 Adam Young’s Ordination...................................................................................................22 Celebrating a Call to Common Mission............................................................................... 23 Photo Club Provides Missions Opportunity......................................................................... 24 Children Connecting With Children.....................................................................................26 Episcopal Church Women Are Making Waves...................................................................... 28 Coming Soon to ICS...........................................................................................................30 Transitional Deacon Ordinations........................................................................................ 31

Canon for Vocations The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson Street • Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Email: eperez@cfdiocese.org • www.cfdiocese.org

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BISHOP BREWER

Youth Ministry: Creating Laboratories of Discipleship

By Bishop Gregory O. Brewer.

R

ecently, I met with youth leaders from around the diocese and asked them what they wanted attendees at our recent diocesan convention to know.

“We want a church environment that welcomes children and youth into our worship services, and that starts with the rector,” they said. “We want intergenerational participation in worship planning and in worship services. Also, we need prayer. But above all we need relationships, particularly with older adults. Don’t sequester us in a back room.”

I must underscore the importance of what they are saying. As we continue to adjust to what I believe is a post-biblical culture, it is critical that our churches become what I call “laboratories of discipleship,” where we are learning how to disciple, catechize, and raise up the next generation of Christians.

But we cannot assume parents can do that alone.

My wife and I certainly couldn’t. And most of our families need all the help they can get. Nor is a “normal” Sunday school program and youth group an adequate answer, although it is a good place to start.

Our Book of Common Prayer offers the following prayer at baptism: “Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, the spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” That, in fact, makes a great outline with which to approach youth ministry, to creating these laboratories of discipleship. Let’s examine it a bit more closely.

“An Inquiring and Discerning Heart”

child who dies on the shores of Italy is just as important to God as the banker in Washington. The This means the capacity to be plight of persecuted Christians curious, something that has to be is just as important to God as the taught. Ask questions, encourage health of our congregations. And a hunger for learning, and instill minority Christian populations a biblical knowledge that allows are not to be considered young people to discern good expendable collateral damage in from evil, better from best. our ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

We must continue to talk about Bishop Greg Brewer “The Courage to these subjects with our youth, Will and to Persevere” giving our time and money to care for others both locally and internationally in this I believe this means instilling within our youth global Anglican communion and “not to forget the capacity to live and witness for Christ as the poor” (Galatians 2:10). minority Christians, which is who we are, and to have a sense of character that guides their I close this column with a series of questions decisions, even when those decisions are for your consideration: Is your church talking to unpopular. both adults and youth about giving and service?

“A Spirit to Know and to Love You” This means an intimacy with Christ, not just learning about God, but having an experiential relationship with God. Our profound desire must be that our youth know by experience the empowering companionship of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

“A Sense of Joy and Wonder in All Your Works” We must instill in our young people a sense of knowing both the love and forgiveness of God that brings joy and confidence. And the enduring quality of childlike wonder, not only regarding nature, but the capacity to see each human as worthy of wonder, care, and respect.

Leading by Example To be a laboratory of discipleship means leading by example. To support these persons in their life in Christ means it is our common task to grow together—not just learning about God, but learning to walk with God, demonstrating that all people matter. For example, the Syrian immigrant

How are we training parents, godparents and grandparents to set an example for our children and our grandchildren? Are there classes in Christian parenting that you know about? Are we teaching our families how to pray together? Do husbands and wives pray together? Where are the parents who covenant together to support each other in raising children as strong Christians?

Where is the support we could provide single parents? Where are the congregations that commit themselves to supporting Christian families? If this work is not happening for our local churches, we can safely assume it is not being done at all.

I pray that God will reawaken within each of you the prayer of baptism.

Grace to You,

Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

This column is distilled from portions of Bishop Brewer’s Address to the 2017 Diocesan Convention. For a full transcript, visit www.cfdiocese.org/cfe/convention-address-2017.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Youth at Saint James', Ormond Beach, Experience and Make a Difference Three individuals share their stories

Winterlight: December 27, 2016–January 1, 2017

By Sydney Snowden

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interlight’s 2016/17 theme was Here I Am, from the story of Moses and the burning bush. The main focus was on who we are and the difficult question of who God is. That may sound like an impossible question for young people in ninth through twelfth grade to answer, but it is surprising how open the young mind can be.

Beauty was evident throughout the conversation, in that everyone had their own personal view of God as well as different opinions and stories about their own experiences. However, there was never an ounce of judgment or questioning, because at Kanuga youth can be themselves and not have to worry about being judged by others.

Kanuga is built upon loving everyone God created.

Counselors are incredibly open to discussing the aspects of religion and God that teens don’t usually know how to talk about. The people who fill the seats at Kanuga are ridiculously selfless and kind, even more than the best of friends you could ever have back home. God is present in this special place, from the times of worship to the service projects to the lip-sync battles. He’s most present at the top of Eagle Rock, where the feeling after a long hike up is indescribable. The sun hits the trees and everyone goes silent, in shock from the beauty, even after the thousandth climb.

God’s presence is even more prevalent during a personal trek around Kanuga Lake, where hikers feel almost as if God is there, walking with them like an old friend. I see God most during these camps on the day of the healing service, which includes different ways to pray and seek relief from the struggles of everyday life. Everyone is in one chapel, in their most vulnerable and emotionally naked state, yet everyone is comfortable and

Winterlight location

content, full of more love than one could describe.

It is a beautiful feeling and one of the main reasons I cannot imagine not returning to Kanuga.

Winterlight, along with Youth Week at Kanuga, also includes a final Eucharist, always my favorite church service. At the end of this year’s service, we were told to take off our shoes to connect back to the story of Moses, when God told him to do the same thing. We were told that now, anytime we are barefoot, feeling the ground against our feet, we will be able to feel our own holy ground. We will know what keeps us grounded, and we will feel that we are alive.

Keeping Kanuga in mind, whether spending time at the beach, in the shower, at school, or at home after a rough day, I can wiggle my toes and know everything will soon turn out exactly the way God has planned.

St. James Youth at Winterlight location

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Annual Sleeping Bag Challenge Collection

The Annual Sleeping Bag Challenge Taylor S. Sturgeon, 16

O

ne day in the early spring of my sixthgrade year, when it was still brisk and a little chilly at night, I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to our local Halifax Urban Ministries (H.U.M) to help serve food to the less fortunate. I know this sounds familiar, as many students looking for volunteer hours do the same thing. At first, I was one of them, but at the end of our day I saw something that took me aback and changed my experience.

As we were leaving, I saw a group of homeless people, whom we had just served, gathering in a parking lot. Stopped at a red light, I decided to look back and see what they were up to. What I saw next horrified me, and made me hope and pray something like that would never happen again. I saw them picking out parking curbs to use as pillows for that night, with nothing to cover the curbs but the dirty shorts and shirts they were wearing. Who knows how long it had been since

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they were able to wash their clothes?

to discuss it later. When we did, we decided we should collect the sleeping bags throughout the month of October, which is right when it starts to get a little colder outside at night. Next, we had to decide on a goal. I immediately said, “Three hundred.” I explained that the day we had served at H.U.M., I had asked the woman who ran it why we had to roll 300 silverware sets, and she said that was about how many people normally came.

I immediately pointed out the situation to the rest of the group, and they agreed it was sad. But when I said we should do something about it, they all gave that fake response: “Yeah, we should!” I could tell they didn't really mean it, and by nightfall, I'm sure they'd probably forgotten about it.

But for me, it stuck.

Sleeping Bags

That night, I experienced an epiphany; I realized what I could do to help. Sleeping bags provide padding and shelter; plus, they are easy to carry.

You can lay down a sleeping bag wherever you want. I knew that would be the best route, but I didn’t know how to get so many sleeping bags by myself, so I asked my mom what we could do. She told me to talk to Ms. Tracy (our youth leader).

The next Sunday, I talked to Ms. Tracy about my idea, and she completely supported it. We agreed

The plan was set, and the ball started rolling. All we needed was to let the people know. When October came around, we announced our plan. The first year, we collected about 350 sleeping bags. Now, three years since our first collection, we receive donations of blankets and socks along with the sleeping bags.

I still love to take a day out of my time to feed the less fortunate and pass out our collection. I'm truly blessed to have God choose me to do his work in my community.

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Jessica's Journey to Africa 2016

By Jessica Anderson, 15

T

his past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Uganda to install solar panels and lights through the organization Solar Light for Africa. I originally had a lot of doubt in my ability to fundraise for the money to go on the mission trip, as I needed about $4,000. I gave my first presentation at my church, St. James' Episcopal, to only two people. However, just from that first presentation, I raised $1,100, and I knew I was meant to go on the trip.

I knew no one going on this trip and, at 15, I was the youngest person traveling with SLA. I had never met Mrs. Charlene Turner and Rev. Eric Turner, our trip leaders, in person; we had only talked to them over Skype. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be comfortable and would have difficulty fitting in. But that was not the case at all. As soon as I got to the Turners’ house before we left for the airport, I felt incredibly welcomed by everyone, and it already seemed as though we were a little family.

The trip overall was one of the best experiences of my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Being able to travel to a third-world country and to experience how they live was priceless.

My favorite aspect of the trip was the people.

Ugandans are so vibrant, full of joy and love.

When we were at the sites installing the solar panels, the children would run up to us and just want to be around us, laugh, and play with us. Although there was a language barrier, the love was still easy to see. Seeing the faces of the children glow with happiness when we turned the lights on for the first time was a priceless memory, one I’ll cherish forever.

Three Ugandan guards, three Ugandan youth, and two Ugandan contractors traveled with us

Jessica Anderson with Sloar Light Group

and quickly became a part of our little family. They loved talking to us about our lives and America and telling us their stories. The amount of hope they have for their country and its growth through our help was inspiring. These people who have so little have so much hope, love, joy, and faith.

Sometimes it seems difficult to keep a strong faith with all the recent negativity in our country, and at times, it can feel like nothing is going right. When I begin to feel this way and question God and his reasoning, I take a step back and think about this trip. These people have so little, yet are so strong in their faith and overall optimism, and I am so extremely privileged.

Having those memories and the experience of the SLA summer youth trip has helped my faith grow, as well as my appreciation for everything that I have and all the good in the world.

To learn more about Solar Light for Africa, go to www.solarlightforafrica.org.

Jessica Anderson

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Reaching Young Girls in a Fun Way Holy Spirit Church in Apopka Hosts an American Heritage Girls Group

What is American Heritage Girls?

AHG

is a scouting-like organization founded in the summer of 1995 by a group of parents who wanted the scouting experience for their girls to reflect Christian values. The organization is fun, challenging, memorable, and God-honoring.

AHG’s mission statement is, “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.” All girls are welcome, regardless of race or status, as long as they agree to live according to the standards of the AHG oath and AHG creed. The oath states simply, “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.” The creed declares, “As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be: compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal, perseverant, pure, resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.”

In the fall of 2015, the Rev. John Pallard, priest of Holy Spirit Church, approached the vestry with an idea of chartering an American Heritage Girls Group. The vestry agreed that this would be a great ministry.

From that point on, the Rev. Pallard was persistent in trying to find a troop that needed a charter. He and Debbie O’Donnell put a lot of prayer into whether to charter an AHG Group. One day, Debbie happened to be in the church office when Lisa Martin and Angela Messina came out of the priest’s office. Angela’s daughter had attended the school Debbie had worked at years before. The three women joined forces to create the AHG Board, which consists of Debbie O’Donnell (charter representative and troop shepherd), Lisa Martin (troop coordinator), Cheryl Brown (co-chair), and Angela Messina (troop treasurer).

Their troop number is FL6013.

The group started with 12 girls and now has 22. The girls are put in units or groups by age. Pathfinders are 5-6 years old (typically in kindergarten); Tenderhearts are 6-9 years old (typically in grades 1, 2, or 3); Explorers are 9-12 years old (typically in grades 4, 5, or 6); Pioneers are 12-14 years old (typically in grades 7, 8); and Patriots are 14-18 years old (typically in Grades 9, 10, 11, 12). All the girls earn badges except for the Pathfinders, who receive beads.

The Holy Spirit group meets every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m-8:00 p.m. and now has three units with three leaders: Pathfinders, Tenderhearts, and Explorers/ Pioneers. In the fall of this year, the group has two young women who will be moving up to Patriots.

The girls have enjoyed activities such as a Memorial Day celebration, a visit from Bishop Brewer, feeding the hungry, and helping with the First Responders dinner. Many other fun and service-driven activities happen throughout the year.

If you live near the Apopka area and would like more information on how to join Holy Spirit’s American Heritage Girls Group, please email AHGtroop6013@gmail.com for details.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CONVENTION 2017

Photo: Erick Perez

Mission, Youth Ministry Emphasized at Diocesan Convention

By Larry J. Leech II

A

t the Forty-Eighth Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, January 27-28, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Gregory O. Brewer challenged clergy, the lay order, and visitors to get more involved in missions and youth ministry.

“We have to get out there where they are,” said Bishop Brewer during his State of the Diocese address on Saturday. “To be the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement is to be a group of people who are committed to not just hoarding the gospel amongst ourselves, but rather actually turning and understanding that our focus is to bring the gospel to the world.”

“I find it encouraging that as a diocese our bishop is pointing us to make missions important, whether it’s overseas or in our neighborhood,” said the Rev. David Peoples of St. Stephens’, Lakeland. “The gospel is primary in everything we do.”

Bishop Brewer singled out the response of the diocese's Cathedral to the Pulse massacre, the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. He

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noted the Cathedral provided emergency triage and hosted an enormous funeral service and a community-wide prayer vigil. In addition, Bishop Brewer applauded the generosity of people from the Diocese of Central Florida and from around the country for raising over $11,000 for Proyecto Somos Orlando, an organization that provides emergency aid such as counseling and legal assistance for the families of victims.

Pastoring youth is equally important to Bishop Brewer. With 46 active youth groups in the diocese, he feels there is still room for growth in this ministry.

During a recent meeting, youth group leaders told the bishop, “We want a church environment that welcomes children and youth into our worship services, and that starts with the rector.”

Bishop Brewer rallied the crowd by saying, “As we continue to adjust to a post-biblical culture, it is critical that our churches become laboratories of discipleship, where we are learning how to disciple, catechize, and raise up the next generation of Christians. We cannot assume that parents can do that alone. Most of our families need all the help they can get.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

“Bishop’s address was mind-blowing,” said Rev. David Bumsted of Emmanuel, Orlando. “The conviction and level of support from the diocese for evangelism and missions, as well as our mission to youth people.”

Eight deputies (four clergy and four lay order) were voted to the General Convention, as well as other appointments and elections. Also, in an otherwise calm convention, the most excitement came during the discussion period regarding the resolution to meet the mandatory assessment voted on by General Convention.

More than 500 attended the two-day event held at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park. The convention began Friday night with a Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Brewer. The Right Reverend Dr. Graham Kings gave the sermon. Josh Head, choirmaster of Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala, led worship throughout the weekend.

“Every convention over the last few years has offered a level of corporate worship that is so encouraging and inspiring,” said Rev. Peoples. “As a rector, it inspires me to go back and recapture just a little bit of that in my own congregation.”

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CONVENTION 2017 CONVENTION NEWS

Convention Theme: Forming Partnerships for the Greater Commission

By Larry J. Leech II

T

he Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer stressed two key points— missions and youth ministry—during his State of the Diocese address.

“The landscape has changed since 2015,” Bishop Brewer said. “A new presiding bishop [Michael Curry] is bringing a new vision for The Episcopal Church.”

“A new emphasis has been put on bringing the gospel out into the world,” Brewer said. The attitude toward missions differs greatly from the old ways of The Episcopal Church and has blossomed into a major movement. Last year, for the first time in decades, The Episcopal Church hosted and sponsored a conference on evangelism. There, Bishop Brewer co-led a workshop, “Made for Evangelism: How Vision, Focus, and Institutional Structures Are Being Reshaped to Support the Work of Evangelism.”

Bishop Brewer noted the new Spanishlanguage services at three parishes, a burgeoning network of diocesan congregations helping homeless people

Rt. Rev. Graham Kings Sets Tone

By Larry J. Leech II Photo: Erick Perez

Bishop Focuses on Mission and Youth During Annual Address

Bishop Brewer giving his address

get back on their feet through The Open Table, and several parishes working in interdenominational networks to reach their regions with the gospel and serve those in need. And this work lines up with what Bishop Brewer sees as Curry’s “new vision” for The Episcopal Church.

“Our presiding bishop,” said Bishop Brewer of Bishop Curry, “is taking our Church through a theological turn to the center. And that center is Jesus.”

With youth ministries in 46 parishes, progress has been made to share Jesus with youth throughout the diocese.

Bishop Brewer challenged those in attendance to do more—lead by example and make youth part of the conversation.

“Every young child has the capacity for a tender and intimate relationship with God, and we are bereft if we are not making that an intentional focus, not just for our kids, but for our neighborhoods,” he said.

Making Jesus the center will drive missions and youth ministries in the changing culture of The Episcopal Church, a Church, Bishop Brewer said, “that sees herself as a part of a global whole where she is called to serve, a laboratory of discipleship for people of all ages.”

T

he Rt. Rev. Graham Kings perfectly played the role of setup man during Friday night’s Eucharist.

Rt. Rev. Kings, much like a point guard in basketball or middle reliever in baseball, set the stage for what was to come. He regaled attendees with a touch of Anglican history, two poems he wrote, and stories of missions and evangelism.

One such story involved the Rendille people in Kenya. A national bishop traveled from Marsabit and shared Jesus with the unreached group. Afterward, some of the tribe asked if they could pray to this Jesus. The bishop said yes, and the people prayed for water, a much-needed commodity in the semi-arid dessert. Of course, soon after they prayed, the Rendille started digging.

“They found water,” said Rt. Rev. Kings, in Orlando for the second time in less than a year and less than a week after his father’s death.

“They named the well The Jesus Well. So when other Rendille came for water and asked who Jesus was, the story continued.”

That kind of ongoing evangelism is what the world needs, according to Rt. Rev. Kings. From his poem, “The Resistance Movement,” written during Holy Week in 1987 and referring to Martin Luther, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa, Rt. Rev. Kings said, “What we need today in the United States of America and throughout the whole world are people like Luther, Parks, and Mother Teresa.

“We need those people in this diocese,” he continued. “There might be people in this room who can hear a call to do that—to be part of the Kingdom of God because this is God’s Resistance Movement.”

Bishop Graham Kings

Rt. Rev. Kings’ call to action provided the perfect setup for the theme of the convention: “Forming Partnerships for the Great Commission.”

Photo: Erick Perez

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CONVENTION 2017

Episcopalians Accept Invitation to Spread the Gospel Missions is a focus for the church “It is clear that not only is the world coming to our door, but we are being invited to go out into the world,” said Bishop Gregory O. Brewer during his State of the Diocese address on Saturday.

A

nd many Episcopalians from the Central Florida Diocese have accepted that invitation, spreading the gospel here in the U.S. as well as abroad. A few— Julie Brown, The Rev. John Kelly, Deacon Nancy Bryson, The Rev. Loren Fox and The Rev. Chris Royer—shared their mission experiences to highlight the convention’s theme of “Forming Partnerships for the Great Commission.”

During Julie’s second trip to Uganda, she encountered God in a dramatic way. “One particular night I wrote page after page asking God why, basically rambling on about my insecurities, anxieties and fear of the unknown.

The next day, a teenage orphan, whom I’d been getting to know, asked me to take a walk with her in a field,” she said. “We sat with some other kids around. She handed me a folded up piece of paper. In this letter was an answer to every single question I had written in my journal the night before. She wrote that God put it on her heart to tell me

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He loves me, I’m His daughter and I needed to trust Him with all my being because He will never fail me.”

The once-dreaded “e” word—evangelism—has now become an important word in the vocabulary of today’s Episcopalians. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who often refers to himself as “Chief Evangelism Officer,” has been the driving force behind the new approach.

Rev. Dan Smith Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Sanford “Missions brings your faith alive, teaches you faith in a new way, and reminds you of what’s important: following Christ and striving to change the world for Christ.”

Rev. Loren Fox Church of Our Savoir, Palm Bay

Te s t i m o n i e s : Josh Gritter Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach “When I first started going [on trips], I was under the mistaken impression that we were white saviors going across the country to save them or pull them out of poverty. I have since learned that we experience different types of poverty—spiritual; material; in broken relationships with God, the world, each other; systems and institutions. Being able to mutually encourage and support each other, sharing our understandings of the gospel from different communities, has been incredibly impactful for me.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

“For me missions have taught me that my faith and the church itself has a purpose bigger than me.

In Sunday school growing up and in many of the sermons I’ve heard, the focus of faith is, what do I get out of it. When I go on a mission trip and keep going back and pray for different missionaries, or when I engage with different mission projects that our church is involved in around the world, I am reminded there is a purpose to the gospel—to declare God’s glory to the ends of the earth.”

Tom Phillips St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary “The God that exists every day in my world here in Orlando, then in North Carolina, is the God that exists in Poland. The people are different, the language is different, the scenery is different, but God is the same. He is a relational God who wants to know his people. That understanding of the person and character of God completely changed my life.”

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CONVENTION 2017 CONVENTION NEWS

Debate Heats Up Over Mandatory 15 Percent Assessment

By Larry J. Leech II

I

n an otherwise calm and orderly convention, the heat rose during the discussion period regarding R-1 Episcopal Church Assessment, the mandatory 15 percent assessment scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2019.

After years of using an “asking formula,” the National Church changed the wording to “mandatory” with Resolution D013 at the 78th General Convention in 2015 and set by Resolution C001. In the past, under the asking formula, a parish suffered no consequences if it did not contribute to the National Church.

Currently, the asking stands at 16.5 percent. Some parishes, which oppose certain policies and practices set forth by the National Church, pay their money to the Diocese of Central Florida, but direct the diocese to forward 10 percent of their money to “Alternate Giving” rather than to the National Church. R-1 put the diocese on record as working toward solutions to comply with the new canons. Work on those solutions will begin within a month.

“I heartily support the efforts being made to find ways for us as a diocese to meet the 15 percent financial assessment voted on by General Convention,” said the Bishop Gregory O. Brewer during his State of the Diocese Address. “Among other reasons, because the financial funding brings integrity to the work for change, moreover, the work for change brings integrity to the financial funding.

The two go hand-in-hand.”

After heated and impassionate pleas from both sides, R-1 passed with a significant number of dissenting votes.

WHAT THEY THINK “I have mixed emotions about that. I guess it is something that we are supposedly required to do, so we probably should do that.”

—The Rev. James Shevlin, The Church of Our Savior, Okeechobee

Linda Fox Shares Bridge-Building Plan for Missions

By Larry J. Leech II

L

inda Fox doesn’t look like a carpenter, but she has become one of the top bridge builders in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.

Fox shared her six-step technique at the Clergy Spouse Luncheon hosted by Laura Lee Brewer.

Using the Wind and Air Bridge of the Dong people in China, Fox laid out her plan of Learn, Pray, Mobilize, Send, Welcome, and Go for those interested in missions.

THE STEPS: • Learn about the world and its needs.

• Pray to keep the bridge firmly grounded in God’s heart, vision, plan, purposes, and power.

• Mobilize and share God’s global vision with others.

• Senders provide the financial and prayer support for those who go.

• Welcome immigrants, international students and refugees to the U.S. so they can learn about Jesus.

• "Go" is usually the first thing people think, but only a small fraction actually does.

“If you want to have an impact on the world, these steps are what we need to do,” said Fox, consultant with Bridge Builders, an organization devoted to equipping people, teams, and churches to reach the unreached and least-evangelized people in the world.

But, she admitted, people get stuck by asking such questions as, “How am I supposed to pick up and go to the other side of the world?” or “How am I supposed to do something with people from another culture?”

“How can they believe if they have not heard?” she said, referring not just to the Dong, but to other people throughout the world. “The Great Commission is for all of us.”

Photo: Erick Perez

To learn more about “I think we have time to proceed with more caution. Not simply take a place at the table, which has been repeated regularly over the years, but actually use this time to become leaders within the church as a whole.”

Bridge Builders, visit bridgetotheworld.org.

—The Rev. David Peoples, St. Stephen’s, Lakeland

www.cfdiocese.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CONVENTION 2017

Elections results, ratifications, and appointments Deanery Elections Results The Reverend Rick Burhans The Reverend David Peoples Mr. Randy Wiseman Mr. Charles M. Armstrong Mrs. Fran Dunn

Dean, Northeast Deanery Dean, Southwest Deanery President, Northwest Deanery President, Southeast Deanery President, Northeast Deanery

3-year term 3-year term 3-year term 3-year term 1-year term

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee is a council of advice to the bishop. When there is no bishop, the Standing Committee is the ecclesiastical authority for all proper purposes.

Clerical Order, 4-year term The Reverend Dave Newhart, St. Elizabeth’s, Sebastian Lay Order, 3-year term Mrs. Patty Tew, St. Michael’s, Orlando

Diocesan Board

The Diocesan Board is the board of directors of the corporation known as the Diocese of Central Florida, Inc. The affairs of the diocese not falling within the exclusive province of the bishop shall be managed by the Diocesan Board. Board members are expected to serve on a commission or committee of the diocese.

Clerical Order, 3-year term The Reverend Lisa Hinkle, St. Mary, Belleview Lay Order, 3-year term Mr. Sid Glynn, All Saints, Lakeland Mr. Jim Waters, Church of the Ascension, Orlando

Trustee, University of the South

Trustees of the University of the South elect and appoint the board of regents, a chancellor, the vice chancellor and a chaplain. Trustees hold the land in trust for the university, promote church support and student enrollment, and approve or reject plans for growth and development.

Clerical Order, 3-year term The Reverend Cameron Nations, All Saints, Winter Park Election Results

Deputies to the General Convention 2018

The Diocese of Central Florida shall be entitled to representation (four clergyman and four laypersons) in the House of Deputies at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, which is to convene in Austin, Texas, July 5-13, 2018. Deputies will hold office for two years and thereafter until their successors have been regularly elected.

Clerical Order The Reverend Canon Tim Nunez The Reverend Jim Sorvillo Sr., Church of the Ascension, Orlando The Reverend Phyllis Bartle, St. Jude’s, Orange City The Reverend Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando Lay Order Mr. Tom Alday, All Saints, Winter Park Ms. Krisita Jackson, St. John the Baptist, Orlando Mr. Erick Perez, Church of the Incarnation, Oviedo Mrs. Sonya Shannon, St. Luke, Orlando

Commission on Ministry

Clerical, 4-year term The Reverend Carolyn Biggs, Christ the King, Lakeland The Reverend Dr. Jerry De Jesus, Non-parochial, Kissimmee The Reverend Brian Garrison, St. Barnabas, Deland The Reverend Michelle Roach, St. John’s, Kissimmee The Reverend Tom Rutherford, Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden Lay Order, 4-year term Mr. Dennis Beck, St. Paul’s, Winter Haven Mr. Orman Kimbrough, All Saints, Winter Park Ms. Monica Taffinder, All Saints, Winter Park

Disciplinary Board

Clergy, 3-year term The Reverend Dr. Robert Moses, St. David’s, Lakeland Lay Order, 3-year term Mrs. Kim Spear, St. Edward’s, Mount Dora

Committee on Constitution and Canons Clerical The Reverend Christopher Brathwaite, St. Mark’s, Haines City The Reverend Christopher Rodriguez, Trinity, Vero Beach The Reverend Gary Jackson, Holy Trinity, Bartow Lay Order Mr. William Grimm, Chair, Emmanuel, Orlando Mr. Sid Glynn, All Saints’, Lakeland Consultant Mr. Council Wooten, Chancellor, All Saints, Winter Park

Photo: Erick Perez

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

2017

Enriching young lives

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

by deepening relationships with Christ www.cfdiocese.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

13

CAMP WINGMANN

A Letter From the Director

Floating dock as it was

Camp Wingmann has undergone some great changes

By Father Deke Miller

Dear Friends of Camp Wingmann,

T

here has been a lot of work done at our camp over the years. In fact, the pace of the work has not slowed down since my arrival. Over the last two and a half years, we have completed our cabin renovations with Trail’s End Cabin. We have also completed several smaller projects, including the additions of a handicap ramp to Anhinga, a new deck on our floating dock, a new lifeguard stand, a new walkway for Shady Oaks, an entrance sign, and many other small projects. We could not have done any of these things without the help of our volunteers and church groups. We even had a group affiliated with a Rotary club volunteer some time to help.

New wood on dock

Hall for your donation. Stay tuned for more information!

I am also thrilled to report that Happening is back in the Diocese of Central Florida. This is an intense weekend for high school students, focused on the Christian faith. We now have two of these weekends under our belts, and both have been simply awesome. It is amazing to see the work God does in these events. Our next Happening is coming up in April, and if you are in grades 10-12, you won’t want to miss it. Please visit our website at www.campwingmann.org for more information.

Thank you to all who have given of your time, treasure, and talent to this great camp.

Thank you to the Rev. Becky Toalster, the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, and all those who have worked so hard to bring this ministry back to life in this diocese.

The future looks promising and, yes, more projects are in the works. The big undertaking on the docket is the renovation of Yates Hall.

We are working on a plan to raise the necessary funds to begin this endeavor. If you wish to help now, please visit www.cfdiocese.org and click on the donate/pay tab. The dropdown box will allow you to select Camp Wingmann-Yates

Another great event taking place again in March is the New Beginnings weekend. We are honored to host this diocesan middle school weekend twice a year. This powerful time of renewal offers a wonderful opportunity for middle school youth to come and learn about Christ and how He works in our relationships.

It’s also a lot of fun! New Beginnings is a

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

weekend to which you’ll want to return over and over, so sign up at www.campwingmann. org and join the adventure.

As the director of Camp Wingmann, I praise our Lord Jesus for the opportunity to serve you all.

We can do all the things we do because of the generous support of individuals and churches. If you are not a regular monthly donor to the camp, would you prayerfully consider becoming one?

Would your church prayerfully consider putting us in their outreach budget? Your donations go a long way in helping us to meet our expenses and keep our tuition for camps low. There are two ways to give: visit www.cfdiocese.org where you can choose to donate to Yates Hall or Camp Scholarships or go to www.campwingmann.org and click the donate button.

Again, thank you for all your love and support, and we will see you at camp!

Blessings,

The Rev. Deke Miller Director, Camp Wingmann

www.cfdiocese.org

CAMP WINGMANN Dave Coleman's life guard stand

Camp Wingmann: A Special Place

Wingmann to shape the hearts of His children comes from Rachel LaVo, a senior counselor:

Children and adult lives are changed here

Camp Wingmann holds a very special place in my heart. It is where I first saw and understood the love God has for me and every person that attends the camp sessions.

By Father Deke Miller

W

New beginnings prayer cross

hat makes Camp Wingmann so special? For me, it is the work Jesus does in the hearts and minds of the people who visit. It is also the tranquility of the space: a sacred space, a thin place between heaven and earth where people can come and rest in His presence. However, although I can write on and on about my feelings, I think it is best to let the testimonies speak for themselves.

this was the place where they accepted their call to ministry. We recently had a donor comment on a Q-give line, “I learned who Jesus was and began my walk with Christ here.”

Joszelen Gallegos, age 12, writes:

Parents who have been past campers now come back and serve as volunteers. One of them is Carol Menendez, or, as we know her, “Nurse Carol.” Now it is her daughter’s turn to come to camp. Carol writes: “The rustic cabin where my daughter laid her head down was the same cabin where I, at 14 years old, woke up early one morning and started to wonder about my life and what I was going to do.”

Camp Wingmann has changed my life forever.

When I first went to camp, I always thought of my life as a puzzle; I was missing a piece in

my life, and that piece was God. After my first time at camp, I came home to my family and they said that I was happier because of camp.

My grandma said that I was happier because of God. (Later in the same letter): The first time that I walked into the chapel, it was amazing.

I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. After I felt the Holy Spirit, I knew it was the presence of God. Before I had felt heavy, but after I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence, I felt lighter, like all of my problems were lifted off my shoulders.

I once had a 72-year-old man come to visit the camp. As we stood in the chapel, he told me this is where his walk with Christ began. I have also had a number of clergy visit the camp and tell me

www.cfdiocese.org

A little girl named Arabelle Willenbrock, an elementary camper, wrote a letter to Camp Wingmann, saying, “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to come to your summer camp. … It was a blast!!!!”

Our own Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Tim Nunez, is no quiet fan of Camp Wingmann.

He wrote this: “Camp Wingmann is a vital part of our family’s faith. Our children have come to own their faith and learn to share it there and have developed as responsible leaders by serving as counselors. Now we are sending our grandchildren. We love that camp!”

As a camper, I learned so much about my faith and discovered so much more in my passion for ministry and spreading God’s Word. I opened up to my cabin about many problems I was facing, and the campers and counselors were extremely supportive in helping me understand that no matter how difficult something may be, the love of God never fails. I learned that you are never unworthy to receive God’s love or spread it to others.

This passion brought me back to camp year after year and pushed me to work on staff as a counselor to continue my walk with Christ.

I would not be where I am today without the impact summer camp had on my life.

Please know there are many more and longer stories about Camp Wingmann that would take up far more than my allotted space. But I think this small sampling communicates why the camp is so special.

Please consider getting involved by sending your child, grandchild or great-grandchild to camp. Visit www.campwingmann.org for more information. Or you can give to help another child go to camp. Visit www. cfdiocese.org and click on Donate/Pay to provide a scholarship opportunity to a child. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

One more important testimony about how God uses Camp

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CAMP WINGMANN

What Is ‘Happening’?

A great way for teenagers to experience Christ By the Rev. Becky Toalster

H

appening is a Christian weekend experience presented by teenagers for teenagers with the help of clergy and lay adult leadership. It is designed for youth in grades 10-12 and sponsored

by The Episcopal Church.

These weekends are meant to bring students to a fuller personal knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship. Most young people have serious questions about Jesus and the church. Happening is a time for them to make new friends who share similar concerns and questions. A teenager who serves as “rector” leads the weekend with the help of a staff consisting mostly of young people.

During a Happening weekend, participants experience the love of Christ through prayer, worship, play, and study. Discussion and

Happening Praying

Happening Games

exploration are encouraged through teen-given talks, among other activities. The weekend moves the Happeners toward making their renewed faith a part of their everyday lives. Happening shows how Christianity can keep pace with the many changes in our lives and our world.

When asked about the weekend, one participant said: “Others should attend Happening because I think it’s a great time learning more about God and having fellowship with others your age. If people think it’s just New Beginnings for an older crowd, it’s very different.”

The Diocese of Central Florida has a fall and spring Happening each year. We are so excited

about the Happening 103 weekend, scheduled for April 28-30. If you are in 10th-12th grade and are interested, please contact the Rev. Becky Toalster at becky.toalster@gmail.com, or go to the Diocese of Central Florida youth web page at http://cfdiocese.org/episcopalyouth.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.

Winter Camp 2017

Winter Camp 2017 A time of fellowship and fun

By Father Deke Miller

C

amp Wingmann’s Winter Camp Weekend this year was simply awesome! We had 50 campers and about 20 counselors come together for a special time of games, activities, and great worship.

Winter Camp is a wonderful opportunity for youth to enjoy a minisummer camp experience.

Although we were not able to swing on the ropes course due to weather, we did enjoy competitive games, bonfires (with s’mores), small-group sessions, and plenty of time to fellowship and catch up with one another.

Camp Wingmann is all about youth coming to know Jesus in an atmosphere of friendship and love. One of our senior counselors, Yanique Brooks, put it this way, “The best moment for me was when we were taking turns praying and a camper said, ‘Thank you, Lord, for these counselors that see us campers as friends and not as students.’”

Winter Camp is a time for campers and counselors to reconnect with friends and, yes, with Christ. As Rachel LaVo, another fantastic senior counselor, commented, “Winter Camp allows young campers to get away from the outside world and spend genuine time with friends from around the state.”

Thank you to all who came out for this great weekend, and we hope to see everyone again in the summer!

For the summer camp schedule, visit www. campwingmann.org/UpcomingEvents.html.

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www.cfdiocese.org

CAMP WINGMANN

New Beginnings

New Beginnings Band (left image) Burning Sins (image below)

A weekend for middle school kids to experience Christ

I’ve really enjoyed the fellowship, lessons, and activities because it feels like exactly what it is: a retreat.”

By the Rev. Phyllis and Kevin Bartle

Weekends are held in the spring and fall of each year at Camp Wingmann, giving students the opportunity to participate regularly. New Beginnings 108 is happening March 24-26. For more information or to download the participant application, go to the diocesan website at www.cfdiocese. org/episcopalyouth/event/newbeginnings/ or contact the Rev. Phyllis Bartle at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, (386) 775-6200.

N

ew Beginnings began in the Diocese of Central Florida more than 30 years ago. It was originally crafted by a team of folks headed up by Pete and Joy Lockwood. The weekend ran successfully but shut down after many years. A team of dedicated young people and adults have restarted the weekend and are working hard to keep it fresh and relevant for today’s students.

We encourage all to attend: students, parents, youth leaders, clergy, and anyone else who loves young people and wants to see Christ come alive in their lives.

A New Beginnings weekend is designed for middle school students and run primarily by high schoolers. Adults including youth leaders, clergy, and others attend and help to shape the team’s leadership and ministry skills.

The central theme for each weekend is Relationships and it covers things we all have in common: relationships with self, peers, friends, siblings, parents, Jesus, the church, and the world. Although the basic schedule of the retreat follows the same set of relationships, different Spiritual Directors, Masters of Ceremonies, and Junior Weekend Advisers interject their own personal stories and understandings. This—along with a rotating list of skits, videos, and other methods of explaining the various topics—makes each New Beginnings unique and uplifting.

Daniel Buchell from Resurrection in Longwood said: “New beginnings genuinely changed my life in every way. I don’t know where I would be today or if I would be here at all without the

www.cfdiocese.org

experience that New Beginnings gives me every single time. The origin of my faith and my love will forever rest in the fact that I finally faced toward God when I stepped foot at New Beginnings.”

Another participant, Lauren “Taylor” Boeckler said: “During my experience at New Beginnings, while serving on a team and being a participant, I learned a lot about God and myself. New Beginnings gave me a great start in branching out while in middle school. New Beginnings helped me establish confidence and leadership skills I didn’t know I had. Everything we do at New Beginnings is geared toward everyday experiences and applying what we learn to them.

One such adult couple, Stephen and Brooke Hackler from Incarnation, Oviedo, said: “New Beginnings will always hold a special place in our hearts because it is where we first met, working on team. The weekend teaches foundational principles of relationships with family, friends, and God. Middle schoolers are met where they are in their walk. They journey together through the weekend, building relationships that will last a lifetime, which is why Sunday goodbyes are always warm and fuzzy.”

Register today to enjoy this fun, Christ-filled weekend.

Rev Phyllis Bartle, rector, St Jude's Episcopal Church, Orange City, FL

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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CAMP WINGMANN

All Saints Academy Visits Camp Wingmann for a Different Reason Camp is for more than just a sleepover

By Mary Ann Luciano, 6th grade adviser and team leader, All Saints Academy

T

he sixth-grade students from All Saints Academy recently participated in a day of service, learning, and leadership at Camp Wingmann.

Student teams completed service projects that included cleaning up camp grounds, repairs, and beautification by weeding out the gardens at the lodge and trimming the bushes around Serenity House and All Angels’ Chapel. Father Deke (The Rev. Deke Miller, camp director) and teacher chaperones facilitated the projects.

After a great Jeffersonian lunch at the lodge, the students enjoyed the low ropes course and several team-building, goal-oriented gym activities.

All Saints Academy is an independent Episcopal college preparatory school affiliated with the Diocese of Central Florida. ASA serves the spiritual needs of a diverse religious community made up of students in preschool 2–grade 12.

Above all else, All Saints Academy inspires independent thinkers, principled leaders, and humble learners through project-based learning.

Online SUMMER CAMP Registration Now Open

Summer Camp Fun

Reserve your spot today!

By Nikki Jenkins

C

amp Wingmann’s summer camp program is designed to encourage campers to exercise, eat right, get proper sleep and grow in their faith. Having fun is a priority, and campers enjoy many activities such as all kinds of sports, silly games, arts and crafts, and swimming or kayaking in beautiful Trout Lake. A ropes course challenges middle schoolers and up. The air-conditioned cabins and lodge are furnished with comfortable bunk beds. And in the dining hall, the kids are treated to the best camp food anywhere!

Camp Wingmann encourages campers to grow in their faith in God. Time is set aside every day for biblical teaching; singing fun, contemporary Christian songs; and chapel services. Through it all, by word and example, the staff of Camp Wingmann encourages kids to love the Lord Jesus and serve Him all their lives.

Although Camp Wingmann is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, we encourage all kids, no matter what their background, to come to camp. Our priority is not to promote a particular denomination but to introduce campers to Christ. We strive to live out the camp motto: “Camp Wingmann is a fun place for kids to come and to know and grow in Christ!”

This year’s Summer Camp Schedule: June 11-16 – Camp St. Mark: High school grades 9-12 June 18-23 – Camp St. Barnabas: Middle school grades 6-8 June 25-30 – Camp Trinity: Elementary school grades 3-5 July 9-14 – Camp St. Peter: High school grades 9-12

All Saints Clean Up

July 16-21 – Camp St. Francis: Middle school grades 6-8 July 23-28 – Camp St. Mary: Elementary school grades 3-5 Cost is $350 per week. A $75 nonrefundable deposit is due at time of registration.

If you have any questions, please call Camp Wingmann toll-free at (866) 526-3380 or visit www.campwingmann.org.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

CAMP WINGMANN

Something Big Is Happening at Camp Wingmann!

Yates Hall Plans

Yates Hall is getting a new look Fr. Bill and Joanie Yates

Annual Golf Tournaments Raise Much-Needed Funds A fun way to show your support

C

amp Wingmann hosted its first golf tournament in February 2012. Since the camp is right next to River Greens Golf Course, this seemed like the perfect fundraiser. And thanks to the kindness and generosity of hole-sponsors and participating golfers, the tournaments have raised several thousand dollars for camp programs and expenses through the years. These annual events have also increased community awareness about the camp and everything it has to offer.

Camp Wingmann tournaments include 18 holes of golf and a wonderful dinner and awards ceremony afterward at the camp. Following the presentation of awards comes a brief introduction to the camp for new participants, which allows them to see and learn more about this wonderful facility.

The next tournament is planned for Sunday, February 19, 2018 (Presidents’ Day). Please plan to join the fun.

Of course, the golf tournament is not the only way Camp Wingmann receives the support it needs to carry out its life-changing work. If you would like to make a donation to the camp, please visit www.cfdiocese.org and click on the Donations tab. A drop-down gives you the opportunity to donate to Camp Wingmann. You may also give online at www.campwingmann.org.

www.cfdiocese.org

By Father Deke Miller

T

he board of Camp Wingmann has begun the planning stages of a Capital Campaign to raise the funds needed to renovate the old Mess Hall or, as it has been properly renamed, Yates Hall. This is going to be a huge undertaking with new offices, bathrooms, floors, windows—and yes, we cannot forget the new roof—in the plans.

Yates Hall was originally constructed in the late ’30s to early ’40s, complete with full kitchen, serving wall, and full dining area. It served in that capacity for years before the kitchen was removed and dining began in the lodge. Since then, the building has been used as our Recreation and Program Center. Presentations, shows, dances, and programs all have come to life in this wonderful old space.

The interior walls and ceilings of Yates Hall are filled with names and dates from campers past. We are planning to preserve the names and dates as we renovate this historic building.

Our goal is to preserve the history while making the space more usable.

We are excited about what this renovation will mean for Camp Wingmann’s future. Due to all that takes place within its walls, Yates Hall has been described by many as the heart of the camp. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved!

If you would like to make a donation to Camp Wingmann, please visit www. campwingmann.org or the diocesan website at www. cfdiocese.org and click on the Donations tab. The drop-down allows you to choose Camp Wingmann and make your donation.

Front of Yates Hall

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CAMP WINGMANN /CANTERBURY

Camp Wingmann Calendar

Canterbury Calendar

March 24-26 – New Beginnings

May 11-13 Spirit-Filled Ministry in an Empty World

A weekend especially designed to respond to the issues, concerns, and needs of teenagers in middle school. It was created to help young people grow in their love of themselves, of others, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

April 28-30 – Happening This powerful, spiritual weekend for high school students is meant to help them grow in depth and breadth in their walk with Jesus.

with the Rev. Mike Atkins

June 11, 5 p.m.

Canterbury Celebration Dinner Celebrating 35 years of mission and ministry

July 23-28 | Icon Writing Retreat A week of contemplative art with Teresa Harrison

August 4-5 | Dangerous Prayer Retreat

2017 Summer Camp Schedule: June 11-16 Camp St. Mark: High school grades 9-12 June 18-23 Camp St. Barnabas: Middle school grades 6-8 June 25-30 Camp Trinity: Elementary school grades 3-5 July 9-14 Camp St. Peter: High school grades 9-12 July 16-21 Camp St. Francis: Middle school grades 6-8 July 23-28 Camp St. Mary: Elementary school grades 3-5

August 11-12 | Gearing–UP Youth ministry leader training and equipping for the Diocese of Central Florida

August 25-26 Worship in Spirit and Truth A gathering to equip, encourage, and grow the ministry of worship in the church

For more information or to register, visit www.canterburyretreat.org

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

DIOCESAN CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Diocesan Calendar March 12, 2 p.m. – Downtown Progressive Organ Plus

The American Guild of Organists presents a delightful variety of organ music with other instruments in four mini-concerts. Cathedral of St. Luke, Orlando

Bishop's Visitations

March 16-19 – Coed Cursillo

Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center

March 23-26 – Women’s Cursillo March 26, 6 p.m. – Lenten Evensong

Take time to pause and reflect on your Lenten spiritual journey as the Cathedral Choir leads a traditional Anglican service of music from many eras and styles. Cathedral of St. Luke, Orlando

3/5/17

DeLand, Holy Presence

3/12/17

No Visitation (Spring House of Bishops, Kanuga Conference Center)

3/19/17

Mt. Dora, St. Edward’s

3/26/17

Cocoa, St. Mark’s

March 30-April 2 – Men’s Cursillo

4/1/17 Auburndale, St. Alban’s (Priesthood Ordination – Speropulos)

4/2/17

New Smyrna Beach, St. Paul’s

April 14, 7:30 p.m. – Tenebrae

4/9/17

No Visitation

4/13/17

Orlando, Cathedral (Maundy Thursday)

4/14/17

Orlando, Cathedral (Good Friday)

April 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Living the Journey

4/16/17

Orlando, Cathedral (Easter)

4/22/17

Ocala, Gateway to Hope at St. Patrick’s

April 22 – Episcopal Church Women NE Deanery Meeting

4/23/17

The Villages, St. George

4/30/17

No Visitation (N.T. Wright Fresh Expressions Conference)

Camp Wingmann

Our Cathedral Chamber Singers present a powerful Service of Darkness for Good Friday. Cathedral of St. Luke, Orlando

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Orlando

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Daytona Beach

April 29 – Episcopal Church Women Southwest Deanery Meeting

5/7/17 (a.m.) Kissimmee, St. John’s (Central Deanery Day)

5/7/17 (p.m.) Bartow, Holy Trinity (New Ministry – Toalster)

Camp Wingmann

April 30, 2 p.m. – Cathedral Concerts Downtown

5/13/17

Orlando, Cathedral (Acolyte Fest)

5/14/17

Haines City, St. Mark’s (SW Deanery Day)

5/21/17

Louisville, KY, St. Francis in the Fields (DEPO)

5/28/17

No Visitation (Diocese of Honduras Convention)

June 23-25 – Two-Day Cursillo

6/1/17

Sebastian, St. Elizabeth’s (SE Deanery Evening)

6/4/17

Daytona Beach, St. Mary’s (New Ministry – Murbarger)

July 24-29 – Soul in the City

6/11/17

Crystal River, St. Anne’s (NW Deanery Day)

This five-day event for middle and high school youth will engage

youth from across our diocese in community service.

Visit www.cfdiocese.org/episcopalyouth/event/soul-in-the-city/ for

more information.

6/18/17

Ormond Beach, Holy Child (NE Deanery Day)

6/25/17

Clermont, St. Matthias

Concert Organist Simon Johnson A virtuosic young star in the constellation of world concert organists.

Cathedral of St. Luke, Orlando Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center

September 16 – Daughters of the King Assembly

www.cfdiocese.org

Bishop Brewer’s visitation dates are subject to change.

Please refer to www.cfdiocese.org for the most current visitation listing.

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DIOCESAN FAMILY FAMILY DIOCESAN

Getting to Know Becky Chapman

A

lthough Deacon Becky Chapman is the newest member of the diocesan staff, she has been volunteering in the offices for the last year and a half.

Deacon Becky’s broad background in finance, nonprofit development, training, hospitality, and largeevent management have helped her become the staff utility player. In addition to coordinating catering and hospitality for the last two convention lunches and this year’s convention dinner, she assists in planning other hospitality and training events for the diocesan office.

Becky has used her experience as a workplace cultural-diversity facilitator for the Walt Disney Co. and her passion for reconciliation and justice to rewrite the diocese’s antiracism training curriculum and to present the required training annually to aspirants to the ministry.

Along with the Rev. Chris Brathwaite, chair of the Bishop’s Commission on Anti-Racism, she is expanding the commission’s antiracism training throughout the diocese.

Becky worked closely with Archdeacon Kristi Alday to launch the new ICS website in July 2016 and continues to be heavily involved with the ICS curriculum and students.

She uses her finance and accounting background to support the diocesan

Rev. Adam Young’s Ordination

By Becky Chapman

administrator’s office with specific projects, such as assisting smaller congregations. She is a member of the Diocese CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Team.

Becky and her husband of 34 years, Rod, attend Church of the Ascension in Orlando, where she previously served on the finance committee, vestry, altar guild, LEM/Lector, and LEV ministries.

In addition to her 20 years of experience with the Walt Disney Co. in a variety of roles, including film and television development, corporate alliances, “imagineering,” and Disney sports, Becky also brings to the diocese experience in nonprofit/institutional development as director of corporate and foundation relations for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

O

n the afternoon of January 15, 2017, the Rev. Adam Young was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gregory Brewer at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando. Adam will continue to serve on the Cathedral staff, where he has been serving as a transitional deacon. Congratulations to Adam and blessings on his present and future ministry.

Rev. Young and Bishop Brewer at Rev. Young's ordination.

Becky is a native West Virginian and an avid knitter, quilter, and baker.

The deacon’s role of bringing the church into the world is perfect for Becky because she is passionate about serving her community. A lifelong 4-H’er, she has also served on the board of directors for the Citrus Council Girl Scouts USA, the Orange County Extension Advisory Board, and United Arts of Central Florida.

Photos: Erick Perez

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

DIOCESAN FAMILY Fr. Larry Recla

Celebrating a Call to Common Mission

for Armed Services and Federal Ministries. The cross is authorized to be worn with dog tags. The Rev. Jensen is also an ordained ELCA priest and a longtime friend of mine.

Episcopal and Lutheran clergy assist one another in special ways By the Rev. Larry Recla In 1999 and 2000, the Synod of ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and The Episcopal Church USA agreed and ratified a Call to Common Mission. This agreement enabled our two faith-traditions to be in communion with one another. I rejoice that I have been able to live out this common vision on many levels.

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have been proud, humbled, and profoundly grateful to be the priest-incharge of St. Francis’ Episcopal Church in Bushnell, Florida, since fall 2012. I was ordained as a priest in the Lutheran Church in America in 1972 and have served as parish pastor in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Utah, and New York City. But I have never been as blessed in people, bishops, and diocesan staff as I have been in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. I was first licensed in this diocese in 2009 under Bishop John Howe and served as priestin-charge at Holy Trinity Episcopal in Fruitland Park for about six months. I have supplied at Holy Faith Episcopal, Dunnellon, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Ocala.

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I was called to St. Francis’ during a time of abrupt lay leadership change, but the time since has been a celebration of the unmysterious workings of the Lord in everyone’s life, including mine. It is ironic that the adjustments of the people to my Lutheran liturgical habits include the introduction of the use of a cope, chanting the Verba, the burning of palms as a parish event on Shrove Tuesday, the striking of “new fire” at the Easter Vigil, and the Epiphany chalking of doors.

Two different ELCA congregations have printed our Sunday worship bulletins (which contain the entire service, including hymns and lessons), one of which does so as a purely benevolent act with no charge for paper or copying. We received an Allen organ and upright piano from an ELCA congregation that closed. Other gifts from this congregation have overflowed from us to other Episcopal and Lutheran churches.

In June 2015, one of our graduating high school seniors enlisted in the United States Navy. She received an Episcopal Service Cross sent from the Rev. Canon Dr. Wollom (Wally) Jensen, executive officer and deputy endorser, on behalf of the Rt. Rev. James Magness, bishop suffragan

I am the dean of the Florida Chapter of the Society of the Holy Trinity (STS), which is a Lutheran ministerium/religious order of Lutheran priests from all the various Lutheran denominations in the United States and Canada. The Society gathers regularly for hearing the Word, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, prayer, theological reflection, and aiding one another to be faithful to the promises spoken when we were ordained. Members of St. Francis have attended Chapter retreats, as have Episcopal deacons and priests, as well as the archdeacon and canon to the ordinary.

In May 2016, my wife, Sherry, died. She was loved by the folks here, and she greatly loved them.

Bishop Brewer presided at her requiem, and Archdeacon Alday preached. Sherry’s interment in St. Francis’ Memorial Garden was led by the Rev. Kenneth Blyth, STS, and assisted by Archdeacon Alday.

At the June Florida STS Chapter Retreat, another requiem for Sherry was celebrated with Canon Nunez presiding, Archdeacon Alday assisting, and the Rev. Paul Schweinler, STS, preaching. The support and ministry of the bishop, canon, and archdeacon have been vital and necessary in both my life and healing and the parish’s.

I daily thank God for the privilege of serving him in this place with these people and for the Call to Common Mission that made it possible.

Fr. Larry Recla is the priest in charge at St. Francis in Bushnell since 2012. He also serves as the Chaplain for the Wildwood Police Department and the Villages Fire and Rescue.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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DIOCESAN FAMILY REACHING OUT

Photo Club Provides Missions Opportunity

By Becky Riley

Seven years ago, Becky Riley’s love of photography led her to join a photo club that has professional judges and professional photographers who give lessons. One day, Becky received a call that a world-class photographer was coming to the next photo club session. This sounded interesting, so she made sure to attend.

W

hen she arrived, she met the special guest, Bill Bachmann. He was very interesting and, during his time with the club, mentioned that he takes people to different places around the world. He was getting a group together to go to Cuba on a humanitarian mission.

Excited, Becky knew right away she would be a part of the mission group.

She let her church, Grace Episcopal in Port Orange, know about the opportunity and what she needed for the trip. The church contributed so many items for the Cubans that Becky didn’t know how to pack them. She had more donations to take than all the rest of the travelers put together.

When the group got off the plane in Havana, a bus and guide (both to be with them for the next two weeks) were waiting.

The first stop was at the Christ statue across the river from Havana. What a beautiful spot! Then on to the capital, which made everyone think they had gone back in time to 1958. The city was filled with old cars and buildings that looked as though they should be torn down, but people lived there. Many sat on their balconies beside their hanging laundry. Just walking through the streets, taking pictures and giving treats to the kids was a great experience. The people have so little and were delighted in the things the group brought.

As the group left Havana and went out to the small, poor villages, Becky realized what was important: giving. A day’s jourBecky Riley visiting a Cuban village

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

ney would start out at a clinic, loading their counter with everything from Tylenol to cough syrup. Next, a walk around town to play with the kids and give gifts to the people. Becky took pictures of everyone.

One thing she was happy to see is that in Cuba, religion is alive and well. The doors of the churches are open. People wear crosses and speak freely about their faith.

The next year, when Becky returned to Cuba, she brought with her the pictures she had taken and shared them with the people in the photos. You would have thought she had given them gold. When the team left, the whole town waved goodbye. They knew the American bus had stopped and that the foreign visitors cared enough to bring baseballs and caps and spend time with them.

Becky’s favorite clinic there is a high-risk pregnancy center where the expectant mothers stay on bed rest. It is very clean but is cooled only by a fan. In 2016, the mission team gave 18 bottles of prenatal vitamins along with other items for these women. Becky gave them all lollipops and gum, which they loved. The group also gave the workers toothpaste, pens, and hand lotion. No one else has donated to this clinic, so that made the group’s visit extra-special.

In 2016, Becky received an email from a mother in Havana who needed a pediatric catheter for her son’s upcoming surgery.

Dr. Santi, a member of Grace Episcopal Church, got what was needed, and Becky mailed it to Miami so someone else could take it to Havana. The surgery was a success, and the boy is now in great health.

Becky was so pleased that God helped her make that happen.

That same year, Becky was asked to bring

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REACHING OUT Poor area in Cuba

adult diapers to a 101-year-old woman. Before her trip, she filled all the side pockets of her suitcase with these diapers.

Special Disaster Preparedness and Response Training Event

Becky is now a professional at getting into homes in Cuba, many of which are in bad shape. For example, some of the homes have only part of a roof. If a storm comes, the people just move the furniture out of the way and return it when the sun comes back out. In one home, Becky met a woman in a wheelchair who was 100 years old. She had one leg and a great big smile.

Giving these people shampoo, Tylenol, toothpaste, and gum was so much fun.

Becky also got into the house of the roller-skating champion of Cuba. She and Claudia are now good friends. By the end of this year, Claudia will be a physical education teacher. Education is free, but her books are expensive. For the last couple of years, Becky has bought them for her.

Becky now has her own driver in Havana, a middle school English teacher who makes more

money from driving his old car around than from teaching. Every time Becky boards the plane to come home, she realizes how lucky Americans are and how we take everything for granted.

This year, the group will be taking their last trip to Cuba together. This is Becky’s seventh trip, and she will miss serving in Cuba. She has learned so much from these humble people.

Becky has always worked with outreach in Grace Episcopal Church. Carol Titkemeier, Grace’s outreach leader, has been a wonderful help in getting supplies and last year paid Becky’s overage to take the supplies into Cuba.

Becky thanks Grace Episcopal Church and Carol Titkemeier for all their help with this ministry throughout the last seven years.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s U.S. Disaster Program will hold a special disaster preparedness and response training for Florida disaster coordinators, team members, and diocesan staff March 29-31 at Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center.

The training will address asset-based community development, risk assessment, and The Episcopal Church’s role in disaster response. Particular attention will be paid both to the ways participants can boost inter-diocesan resilience and the specific concerns of Florida-based dioceses.

Episcopal Relief & Development can cover the cost for up to two people per diocese to participate in this training. Our only request is that whoever attends agrees to help promote disaster preparedness at the diocesan level. We would love to work with you to identify participants for this training.

Please direct questions to Lura Steele, lsteele@episcopalrelief.org.

Trinidad High Risk Pregnancy Clinic

www.cfdiocese.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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REACHING OUT

Children Connecting With Children Letters that touched the hearts of many

By Father Stephen Dass

In a previous column, I gave a simple challenge for the churches to write letters to our children and teens in the streets. Slowly but steadily, the letters came in. Then one day, we got a package that contained a bunch of letters written by children from a church in a small city in Florida. The letters were open and honest in a way only children could write. We did not want to overwhelm our children, so we read only one at a time. Most of them have never received a letter before.

buildings. Sandro said he should write back that São Paulo has everything the city where this boy lives has, but I told him this wasn’t true. The letter was written in a small town in Florida, and São Paulo has a hundred times as much as they have there. Sandro could not fathom that he was living in a city bigger and richer than the one where this boy lives. But the difference in age and distance did not stop the two from having a simple connection through a thin slip of paper

with some rudimentary drawings.

The next letter, for Felipe, came from a young girl, probably about 10 years old. Not long ago, Felipe lost his dog, whom he loved dearly. The young girl seemed to understand what it meant to lose something or someone precious. “I hope that you are not lonely without your dog. If you are, you won’t be anymore because I am your new best friend.”

RUAN writing

after recieving letter

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he first letter was to a young man named Sandro. I wrote a brief description of him to the churches, stating that he liked airplanes. Someone who was obviously a young child wrote to him and drew a picture of a plane.

“Maybe one day you could get your own airplane and fly around,” the letter said.

Sandro listened intently. He smiled and said this was his wish too. He is 20, but he still is very childlike. He liked the simple picture and said he was going to keep it.

The letter-writer also wanted to know if where Sandro lived there were cars, buildings, and an airport. Where he lives, there are just cars and

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

REACHING OUT São Paulo FELIPE Something else is happening. The letters are opening doors for us to talk with the street children about their responsibility to people. They have lived most of their lives abandoned by their families and society, without any responsibility to fellow human beings. Now they are receiving unconditional love in the form of letters from children who have nothing to gain from them.

They have to learn how to respond. Perhaps this is something we can help them to do this year.

There was no ceremony or hesitance in her offering of friendship. Felipe listened, touched, with a shy smile on his face. He did not laugh off her words as a childish gesture but was able to perceive the genuine intention of this child.

São Paulo Mercy Ministries,

However, it wasn’t just a one-sided offer. The girl thought Felipe could help her as well. He likes stories from the Old Testament. She wrote out a Bible passage, Hosea 12:1-2, and asked if Felipe could write back to her and explain the meaning of these verses.

and click on the donate button.

Drop down will allow you to select this ministry.

The final letter this week was for Ruan. The simple words read, “I want to let you know that we are praying for you, and when you get into trouble, God is with you, and He will forgive you.”

You can support please visit

www.cfdiocese.org

Fr. Stephen and Mary Dass are missionaries sent by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida where Stephen served as an ordained priest.

SANDRO

These words immediately brought a smile to Ruan’s face. He is always getting into trouble. It wasn’t the words that touched him, however, but the intention. The child did not judge Ruan and focused instead on a gracious and forgiving God. Ruan said he wanted to write her back.

All the letters were received with shy smiles. The children were happy to hear their names being mentioned because it meant someone out there knows their names.

Some unforeseen results of the letters are developing. Felipe started getting interested in learning English. Ruan is beginning to read simple words and has been doing his exercises with Mary faithfully.

www.cfdiocese.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

Episcopal

Church Women Are Making Waves The annual retreat and annual meeting inspired all

By Winsome E. Stern, Diocesan ECW President

Province IV Annual Retreat

ECW Annual Meeting

The 2016 Province IV Annual Retreat was held June 6-8, 2016, at the Kanuga Conference, Retreat, and Camp Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The Diocese of Central Florida had the largest delegation present with nine (seven of whom were board members) out of a total of 70 registrants.

The theme for the 2015-2018 ECW Triennial is

Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation with a different focus for each year:

2016 – Year 1: Peace and reconciliation within

ourselves and our families

2017 – Year 2: Peace and reconciliation within our

parishes and communities

2018 – Year 3: Peace and reconciliation in the world.

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rovince IV ECW President Pat Rutenberg and Province board members welcomed everyone warmly at a meet-and-greet. The Rev. Lindsay Hardin Freeman, author of Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, was the speaker/chaplain for the retreat.

Freeman conducted four sessions with group discussion, selecting different women from her book while focusing on the retreat theme and the various leadership skills of the women selected. “Peace,” she said, “is like shalom—not the absence of conflict, but the presence of love.”

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

Accompanying the Rev. Freeman was her husband, the Rev. Leonard Freeman, a poet, priest, and contributor to her writings, who led many fun rounds of Bible Women Jeopardy.

It was a privilege to have in attendance the National ECW president, Lisa Towle, from the Diocese of North Carolina. In her address, she said The Episcopal Church is in the middle of a huge transition of “Making room at the table for younger people, while not pushing out the old.” President Towle announced her platform for her first year as “Change.”

Days began with Morning Prayer and ended with Compline. The retreat concluded with Eucharist in The Chapel of the Transfiguration, a beautiful pineframed structure with handcrafted pews dedicated in 1942.

The Central Florida ECW were honored to conduct one of six workshops on Dynamic Diocesan ECWs. Dr. Deborah (Dee) Henson-Govenor (second vice president: training and education officer) and Winsome Stern (president) were co-presenters with material input from LaVerne Collins (former president), who was unable to attend. The presenters emphasized the importance of communication to the bishop, diocesan staff, churches, and all women’s groups. They stressed the benefits of an email service, social media, training programs, deanery meetings, annual meetings, and a quarterly newsletter, Episcochat. They also explained that using a conference call system for board meetings saves on time and travel. Many complimentary evaluations/comments were received after the presentation.

Topics of the other five workshops were: Church Periodical Club (CPC); United Thank Offering (UTO); Reading Camp; Fatal Attraction: How to Reach Millennial Women; and Girls’ Friendly Society.

It was good to renew old relationships, make new friends, and prepare for a change of venue for the June 5-7, 2017, Province IV ECW Retreat at Camp McDowell, Birmingham, Alabama.

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

47th Annual Meeting The 47th ECW Annual Meeting on October 15, 2016, was held at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Leesburg, hosted by the Rev. Tom Trees and the ECW, led by their president, Rita Clements. We all enjoyed the beautiful architecture of the church and its beautifully manicured grounds.

One hundred and fourteen attendees representing 17 parishes wore the red and white/cream ECW colors (thank you!), seven of whom were clergy. The theme was Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation Within Ourselves and Our Families, and the chaplain, Pastor Greer McBryde, opened with the invocation and ECW prayer.

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t was an honor to have Bishop and Mrs. Brewer among the guests. Bishop Brewer served as our celebrant at the Eucharist, where he blessed the Book of Remembrance for our deceased sisters in 2015 and installed the new officers and board members.

In his sermon, Bishop Brewer addressed the collect of the day for Teresa of Avila, a nun who died in 1582. “Teresa was one of two women who were declared a ‘Doctor of the Church’ in 1970, primarily because of her two mystical contemplative works,” he said. He added that Teresa had a quiet trust in God to live in bravery and to speak truth in power with clarity and compassion.

He said he is longing for a present-day Teresa to rise up. He also related Teresa’s life to the Gospel reading, Matthew 5:13-16, which spoke of the salt of the earth and the light of the world. “Teresa was like a present-day rebellious teenager,” he said. He concluded by informing us that God placed something of himself in each of us like the salt and light so we can become supernatural and give glory to God the Father.

The offering for the Eucharist was donated to the memory of the 49 Pulse Nightclub victims. Gatlin Creative in Orlando held a showing of portraits painted of the 49 victims by 17 local artists on September 24, 2016. The portraits need to be framed to be able to preserve them and transport them to other exhibition sites.

Following the service, we had a question-and-answer forum with the bishop.

He explained that immediately following the Pulse Nightclub massacre, the Central Florida Diocese was the only religious organization offering prayers, care, and compassion.

www.cfdiocese.org

Canon Holcomb at ECW Annual Meeting

Our guest speaker, the Rev. Canon Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, took a different and dynamic approach to the day’s theme, saying we need to identify the problem before we can find peace. “The opposite of peace and reconciliation is discord and conflict, along with pain, anxiety, and brokenness,” he said. The first reason for addressing the topic of relational peace is found in Genesis 3, 4, and 6.

Canon Holcomb explained, “We are all under the conflict sin brings between us and our creator, … [such as the conflicts between] husband and wife as they blame each other” and the conflict of brothers Cain and Abel.

“The need for peace and reconciliation is not just something we know from the Bible, but from life,” he said. He told how he has a bumper sticker on a bookshelf with a quote from Jean-Paul Sartre: “Hell Is Other People.” One person asked, “How many people would think that of me if they saw this sticker?”

In essence, we need to look inside ourselves and not always point the finger of blame at others.

“We need grace in relationships. The opposite of grace is disgrace. God gives grace. He restores, repairs, and recreates. Grace is unconditional love, and through this we get reconciliation. Reconciliation from God causes reconciliation between others,” Canon Holcomb concluded.

During the afternoon session, Rita Clements, St. James’ ECW president, welcomed the group and then shared with us “Eight Positive Goals on Aging,” a well-received presentation.

Overall, both events were inspiring and energizing. The ECW is ready to take on any challenge we are given for the glory of God.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

Coming Soon to Spanish offerings online

By Nikki Jenkins

The Institute for Christian Studies is pleased to announce that the first Spanish course will be available as an online-class offering soon. The first class to be offered will be Introduction to the Bible. Here is a brief description of the four-part course.

Introducción a la Biblia – Cursos en Español

Introduction to the Bible – Spanish Language Instruction

Primera Parte – La Biblia: esta sección actuará como introducción a

Part 1 – The Bible: This session will act as a general introduction to

la Biblia. Se cubrirán los siguintes temas: ¿Qué es la Biblia? ¿Cómo la Biblia surgió? ¿ Por qué tenemos dos Biblias?

the Bible. Topics covered will include: What is the Bible? How did the Bible surface? Why do we have two different Bibles?

Segunda Parte – Los libros de la Biblia / El Antiguo Testamento:

Part 2 – The Books of the Bible / Old Testament: This

En esta sección, se discutirá la division de la Biblia entre Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento, también introducirá al estudiante a los libros del Antiguo Testamento.

session will discuss the division of the Bible into the Old and New Testaments and will introduce the student to the books of the Old Testament.

Tercera Parte – Los libros de la Biblia / El Nuevo Testamento:

Part 3 – The Books of the Bible / New Testament: In

En esta sección. el estudiante aprenderá como el Nuevo Testamento se organizó para poder tener un mejor entendimiento de los evangelios, el libro de Los Hechos y las epístolas de el apóstol Pablo.

this session, students will learn about the arrangement of the New Testament and will deepen their understanding of the Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline Epistles.

Cuarta Parte – La Practica y el Estudio de la Biblia: Esta sección

Part 4 – The Practice and Study of the Bible: This session

terminnará nuestro curso en la Biblia al discutir los siguintes temas – Entendimiento del texto y contexto de la Biblia, La Biblia y la Liturgia, La Biblia como reflección personal y communal.

will wrap up our study of the Bible by discussing the following: understanding the text and context of the Bible, the Bible and liturgy, and the Bible: personal and community reflection.

For more information, visit www.icscourses.org.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

www.cfdiocese.org

DIOCESAN FAMILY

Transitional Deacon Ordinations Servanthood is our foundation

By Becky Chapman

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ishop Gregory Brewer ordained the following nine candidates as transitional deacons on the evening of January 30 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando: Karl Nicholas Braunschneider, John Garry Edwards, Joshua Michael Gritter, Lauren Renee Ellis Larkin, Zachary David Neubauer, Gladys Rodriguez, Frank Wayne Samuelson, Louise Bernhardt Samuelson, and Ashton Knight Williston.

Ordination as a transitional deacon is the final step before becoming a full-fledged priest and is a role that requires a minimum of six months’ service.

We were honored to have additional bishops in attendance at the ordination: the Right Rev. Dr. Graham Kings, mission theologian in the Anglican Communion; and the Right Rev. Dabney Smith, bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Bishop Brewer delivered an inspiring sermon on “The Unshakable Call to Service as a Deacon.” He said: “Servanthood is the foundation on which all Christian leadership is built, regardless of the office, be it bishop, priest, deacon, or layperson.

A servant is no greater than his master, and Jesus said, ‘I am among you as one who serves.’ It is not just that we are never above lowly tasks like cleaning the toilets. It is more encompassing than that. Servanthood is a lens through which we view the entirety of the Christian life.”

Most of these new deacons will return to seminaries across the country to complete their final studies prior to being ordained to the priesthood.

Becky Chapman was ordained to the Diaconate in 2016. She attends Church of the Ascension, Orlando with her husband Rod. She is actively involved in the Bishop’s Anti-Racism Commission and ICS.

Lenten Meditations 2017

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o you strive to deepen your spiritual discipline each Lent?

For Episcopal Relief and Development’s 2017 Book of Lenten Meditations, we asked those who know our work best to share the spiritual practices that strengthen them to do the work of healing a hurting world.

“Lent can be a time of lone introspection, but there is also tremendous power in joining together in community to examine our lives and consider what we can do to become reconciled to God, to one another, and to creation,” said Sean McConnell, senior director of engagement for Episcopal Relief & Development.

“Under the theme of ‘Together We Can … ‘ this year’s Lenten meditations explore how strong relationships and strong communities enable people of faith to share God’s love with each other and with the world around us.”

Visit www.episcopalmarketplace.org and click on the Episcopal Relief and Development logo to order these free booklets. Shipping charges do apply.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has served as a compassionate response to human suffering in the world. The agency works with more than three million people in nearly 40 countries worldwide to overcome poverty, hunger, and disease through multi-sector programs using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, it works closely with the Anglican Communion and ecumenical partners to help communities create long-term development strategies and rebuild after disasters.

Photo Erick Perez

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Transitional Deacon Ordination Group Picture CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • March 2017

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Now Available

30 Days Toward Healing Your Grief A new resource from members of our diocese

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ased on Walking the Mourner’s Path, an eight-week support program designed to accompany people in their grief, 30 Days Toward Healing Your Grief differs from other support resources by using a proven methodology that does not leave people in their pain but gently leads them forward from “that my loved one died” to “how my loved one lived” and, finally, to “how I must live to honor his or her memory.”

Authors Danielle Morris and Kristen Alday are excited about this new resource to take people who are in extraordinary grief to a place of life and joy. This is not a devotional but an interactive, tender workbook that is also a tribute to Danielle’s mother and Kristen’s father. The authors both lost these parents in their teen years and spent four years together traveling the country sharing in grief counseling.

30 Days Toward Healing Your Grief is available now.

Please visit www.churchpublishing.org/30daystowardhealingyourgrief to order yours today.

CENTRALFLORIDA

EPISCOPALIAN

NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 2 • March 2017

Page 7

Who are the American Heritage Girls Club?

Page 9

Rt. Rev. Graham Kings set the tone at Convention.

Page 17

Find out what happens at New Beginnings.

Page 15

Why is Camp Wingmann so special?

Page 26

How are children from the States connecting with children overseas?