CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA • WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 4 • July 2017
‘A Vigil In Remembrance of Pulse’ TENS Conference Draws Energetic Crowd St. Mark’s Group Serves Up Open Table Two Deacons Take the Call for Fresh Expressions Father Sorvillo: ‘ICS Is Ready to Equip the Workers’
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 Canon for Vocations The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon Mr. Earl Pickett, Diocesan Administrator Mr. Erick Perez, Subscription Manager
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
Contents Called to Intercede................................................................................................................3 Pulse Memorial Service.........................................................................................................4 Keynote Speakers Motivate Evangelicals to Reach Out to the Lost...........................................5 Powerful Speeches Energize TENS ‘Journey to Generosity’ Conference.................................... 6 ‘Beyond Walls’ Reaching Beyond Borders for Its Conference...................................................7 Youth Transforming Lives Through New Beginnings..................................................................8 Diocesan Youth Learn How to Lead – the Christian Way...........................................................9 High School Retreat at Camp Wingmann Planned for November..............................................9 St. Mark’s Students to Form Friendships With Honduran School............................................10 Honduran Women Create Beauty in God’s Grace Linens........................................................11 Episcopal Historian Dazzled All With Intellect, Wit and Writing...............................................12 ICS Cover............................................................................................................................13 The Institute for Christian Studies aka ‘Not Your Daddy’s Oldsmobile’....................................14 The Harvest Is Plentiful and ICS Is Ready to Equip the Workers..............................................15 ICS’s Gift: Building Up the Body of Christ..............................................................................16 A Q&A with ICS instructor Todd Schmidtetter........................................................................17 ICS Studies Courses – Live Classes......................................................................................18 ICS Studies Courses – Live/Online Classes..........................................................................19 ICS Studies Courses – Online Classes..................................................................................20 ICS Studies Courses – Online Classes..................................................................................21 A Q&A with ICS Student Julie Altenbach...............................................................................22 A Q&A with ICS Student Rob Strenth....................................................................................23 A Q&A with ICS Student Cheryl Berg.....................................................................................24 A Q&A with ICS Student Mary Delancey................................................................................25 ICS Classes Prepare Two Deacons for Their Newest Challenge...............................................26 Big Crowds, Baptisms Highlight Easter Weekend..................................................................27 Ladies Display Color, Style at Parade of Hats........................................................................27 St. Mark’s Church Member Remembers Making History in the 1950s....................................28 Canterbury ‘Gearing Up’ for Two-Day Youth Ministry Training.................................................29 From Coffee Hour to National Open Table.............................................................................30 Diocesan Calendar of Events/Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule..........................................31 The Central Florida Episcopalian is published by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida through the cooperative efforts of HigherLife Publishing & Marketing in Oviedo. Submissions are welcome, but are subject to editing and use at the discretion of the Central Florida Episcopalian.
Please submit notices two months prior to event, and follow-up information as soon as possible to: The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Email: eperez@cfdiocese.org • www.cfdiocese.org Tel: (407) 423-3567 • Fax: (407) 872-0006 Or HigherLife Publishing & Marketing Editorial Director: Jeff Gardenour / editorial@ahigherlife.com Project Manager: Will Hadley / whadley@ahigherlife.com website address: www.ahigherlife.com
BISHOP BREWER
The Power of Intercession in a Distracted World By Bishop Gregory O. Brewer
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friend of mine posted the following online, and I found it fitting as I taught recently about the witness of Monnica, mother of St. Augustine.
We see this on the news every day … it’s possible to hear about devastating attacks one minute, and one minute later, hear about celebrity gossip [or] hair color. We have been disciplined, [made] disciples, in a culture that rejects contemplation, meaningful reflection, and thoughtful engagement.
But his mother, Monnica, persisted in prayer. One day, as Augustine was reading the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit broke in on his life and convicted him of arrogance and pride. And eventually, through Ambrose, one of the early church fathers, he was brought to faith and baptized. Monnica’s prayers made the difference. Her story reminds me of the example of Samson’s parents. The angel of the Lord spoke to Samson’s mother, saying, “Even though you’re well past childbearing years, you’re going to have a son, and he’s going to be a Nazirite, and the deliverer of Israel” (see Judg. 13:3-5). Her husband, Manoah, listened, and, without once questioning what had happened, he went before God: “OK, clearly what my wife is saying is true, so send your angel back to teach us what we’re supposed to do with this son” (see Judg. 13:8).
We don’t even know if she was pregnant with Samson yet, but Manoah acted in faith. This happened because he had a specific way of seeing the world. Manoah knew that God was the Lord of the universe and that what God decides comes to pass.
Persistent
Out of Sync
The fruit of this kind of cultural discipline is a near inability to enter into serious intercession. And yet, the key to Monnica’s witness was just that. She had a capacity to enter into prayer on behalf of both a pagan husband and a pagan son in an undistracted way that might seem quite foreign to our preoccupied American culture today.
What is this way of seeing the world? When Jesus tells the disciples, “You will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy” (John 16:20), he’s talking about the space believers occupy between time and eternity. We are in both the pain of the present and at the same time held firm by the eternal God who loves us. These words set a pace for all Christ-followers giving us a different way of seeing the world. We never feel quite at home here, nor should we.
You may already know Augustine’s story, laid out in his Confessions. As a young man, he wasted his time with riotous living and Greek philosophy but finally escalated as an academic. He became extraordinarily famous in his Mediterranean world as a scholar in rhetoric, a formal method of argument that included all sorts of flourishes and literary allusions. Yet he denied God.
So we live in this place of discontinuity. But we’re here not just so we can feel out of touch, out of sync and slightly uncomfortable. We’re also here because God is ordering our life in a new way based on how we understand existence. We
Bishop Greg Brewer
see things from a different vantage point. And out of that we’re called to intervene, to step into that unseen realm, to enter a relationship of intimacy with God that provides for us, out of His grace, the capacity to ask and receive.
Undistracted But if we live instead in a place of distraction, we’re actually denying the reality of our existence in Christ. We’re committed, in a way, to blend in rather than stand out from our distracted culture. We forsake the capacity we have been given to serve as mighty intercessors for God. Because there are things God longs to do in this world and chooses to do by intercessory prayer that come no other way, there is no Plan B. Intercession is a large and important task. Maybe where it starts is less TV and more silence: less binge-watching, more time alone with Christ, and a capacity to enter a world that we cannot see with the natural eye but is, in fact, more real than anything we can see, touch, taste or smell. So, we can begin to step into the calling we have, like Monnica, to move away from distraction and into an intimate relationship with Him. A relationship that, as we intercede with power, can literally change the world. Grace to You
Bishop Gregory O. Brewer
www.cfdiocese.org
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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EPISCOPAL AND ANGLICAN NEWS
On Living, Forgiving, and Loving: A Vigil in Remembrance of Pulse By Clay Rivers Clay Rivers, 56, is an Orlando resident and has been a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke for 10 years. An author, publisher, and actor, Rivers spoke at the Pulse Remembrance in Orlando on June 11 and provided the Central Florida Episcopalian a first-person perspective of the event.
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or me, viewing televised reports of mass murders and terror attacks had become, dare I say, commonplace. Yes, a detached sadness accompanied these tragedies, but those types of events happened in “other” cities. Disasters like that would never happen in my hometown. But on June 12, 2016, that all changed when 49 victims were murdered, the gunman killed, and scores more injured at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub minutes from downtown Orlando. The profound loss of life and heart-rending grief have become an indelible part of our city’s history, but even more so has Orlando’s united response of love and support for the victims’ families, loved ones, and the LGBTQ and Latino communities. To mark the one-year anniversary of the Pulse massacre and honor the victims, the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida hosted a candlelight service for the community at large, entitled “A Vigil in Remembrance of Pulse,” on Sunday, June 11, at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. Parishioners, visitors, and city officials braved thunderstorms of near biblical proportions to fill the Cathedral for what proved to be a cathartic journey via music, prayers, and readings. The theme of the service, from beginning to end: God’s love and its power to conquer hate. Tomaso Albinoni’s “Adagio in G Minor” set an appropriate mood of reflection. The Orlando Gay Chorus, directed by James Rode, performed three uplifting and musically diverse selections. My personal favorite was the rousing rendition of the spiritual “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit,” arranged by Moses Hogan. Other participants in the Vigil included organists, soloists; bagpipers from the Orlando Fire Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Rosie O’Grady’s Pipeband; City Commissioner Robert Stuart; city officials; guest clergy; and the combined voices of the Chancel Choir of First United Method-
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
Attendees of the “A Vigil in Remembrance of Pulse” service light candles at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke.
ist Church of Orlando, directed by William Shortal, and The Cathedral Choir, directed by Benjamin Lane and Michael Petrosh. Dean Reggie Kidd’s welcome address brought to mind the heroism, grace, and kindness exhibited by first responders and everyday citizens during the shooting and in the weeks afterwards. While I have many friends in both the LGBTQ and Latino communities, I didn’t know anyone who lost their life or was injured. And so, I was surprised at how quickly my own feelings of grief and loss on the behalf of others bubbled up to the surface. Blame it on the scripture readings interspersed with anthems and hymns, all presented in English and Spanish, which spoke of the Father’s love for us, His promises to comfort and provide, and Christ’s command to love one another. Bishop Gregory O. Brewer’s message of how forgiveness and compassion are at the heart of God’s love, even in the face of acts of abject degradation, challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and strive to make my own expressions of love more like Christ’s. Between the subsequent reading of the 49 victims’ names; performance of ethereal selections by the choirs, including “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” a communal reading of the prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi; and a final blessing from Dean Kidd, the Vigil proved to be an inspiring celebration of life. The city of Orlando’s legacy is not in the tragedy that occurred on June 12, 2016, but in the tangible ways its citizens demonstrated the unconditional love of Christ to hurting people—ways that continue now and will in the future. And we, the Diocese of Central Florida, are commanded by Christ to love one another just as He loved us. We should not be afraid to live, to forgive, and to love; because we are His.
EPISCOPAL AND ANGLICAN NEWS
Keynote Speakers Motivate Evangelicals to Reach Out to the Lost
Positively Evangelical: 2017 EFAC-USA Conference is big success By Jeff Gardenour
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hat hit me the hardest was when you said that Evangelicals need to be a praying people even more than we need to be a preaching people. I have always been a preaching pastor, but haven’t been a praying pastor. Over the last couple of months, the Lord has changed that. He is making me a person of prayer first and foremost, and it is changing me, my family, and my ministry. Thanks again for your bold words. I know they were from the Lord, and I needed to hear them.” Those powerful words were sent in a note by the Rev. Nick Braunschneider, transitional deacon at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Auburndale, to the Rev. Charlie Holt, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary, following Holt’s keynote speech in mid-April at “Positively Evangelical”, the 2017 EFAC-USA Conference at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo. Holt’s speech, entitled, “Encouraging Lay People in Evangelism,” was one of several well-received orations at this year’s EFAC (Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion)-USA conference. Holt and Braunschneider were two of approximately 50 people representing 10 dioceses from throughout Charlie Holt, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary, gives a keynote speech.
Attendees of the Positively Evangelical 2017 EFAC-USA Conference listen to a speech from Bishop Greg Brewer.
North and South America who attended the annual event, according to EFAC-USA spokesperson the Rev. Zac Neubauer. The three-day event offered attendees the opportunity to meet evangelicals from across the country, discuss plans, be inspired, hear notable speakers and worship the Lord. “I thought it went very well,” Neubauer said. “Everyone commented how encouraging it was to meet together.” The event was unique in that it allowed folks from the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada as well as the Anglican Church of North America to come together for fellowship, discussion and prayer. “There was zero animosity or awkwardness, as everyone gathered was there to be encouraged and to be better prepared to be a witness to the gospel, whatever his or her location or denominational jurisdiction,” Neubauer said. Speeches by Holt and fellow keynoters Bishop Greg Brewer of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and the Very Rev. Andrew C. Pearson Jr., dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, kept people’s attention throughout the conference. “I think we have reached a place where evangelical witness has become a desperate need,” said Holt, who spoke as a conference plenary speaker for the first time. “Living in a post-Christian time, the call of the evangelist to reach out to the lost is mission-critical. We can no longer take for granted that if we build an Episcopal institution, all of the Episcopalians in the area will flock to it.
But, the task now is more basic than counting on transfer growth. “We are called to make disciples out of the nations,” Holt said. “As evangelical Christians, our call is to take the gospel to the population that desperately needs to hear the saving message of Jesus Christ.” Holt said Brewer gave an excellent speech on “Recruiting for the Church of the Future That Is Needed Right Now.” Pearson spoke on “Cheerful Protestantism” on opening day. Brewer’s speech was one of three from a representative of the Diocese of Central Florida. Josh Head, who is director of music at Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala, spoke on “Shared Vision: Collaboration for a Thriving Music Ministry.” “It was nice to hear those three speak because even being in the same diocese, they didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to do so before,” Neubauer said. Holt said he used the passage from Ezekiel 37 about the valley of dry bones as inspiration for his speech. “I encouraged us to see that the church is a vast army that is mobilized primarily through visionary preaching of the word of God and invoking prayer which calls upon the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit,” he said. Attendees also discussed ideas, and provisional nominations were accepted for members of a board for the organizational restructuring of EFACUSA, Neubauer said. The board will be reorganized at a yearly meeting in June.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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EPISCOPAL AND ANGLICAN NEWS
Powerful Speeches Energize TENS ‘Journey to Generosity’ Conference
The Rev. Canon J. Edwin Bacon spoke about his book, “Eight Habits of Love,” at the 2017 TENS Conference.
Approximately 85 people attended two-day event at historic St. Mark’s in Minneapolis By Jeff Gardenour
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ttendees of the latest TENS conference felt a powerful energy like none before, listening to electrifying speeches about the importance of acknowledging God for His awesome generosity.
Stories included a grandmother helping a mentally challenged neighbor, worldwide effects of generosity, and a challenge for people to invite others to be of generous spirit.
Dave Toycen, former president of World Vision, Canada, did a presentation of the “Power of Generosity.”
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship’s (TENS) “Journey to Generosity” conference May 19-20 drew approximately 85 people to St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Church in downtown Minneapolis. The event featured keynote speakers that engaged and impelled attendees on topics such as advocating political change for human rights, social justice ministries, and expanding progressive causes on issues such as faith and justice—all through the love and example of Jesus Christ. “There was more energy at the conference than I’ve experienced before,” said Richard W. Felton, executive director of TENS. “The conversations around the tables were a vital part of the overall conference.” This year’s conference was unique in that it drew three bishops to the event: Bishop Brian N. Prior of Minnesota, Bishop Jake Owensby of Western Louisiana, and Bishop Dan Edwards of Nevada. Owensby and Edwards sit on the board of directors for TENS. Additionally, the Very Rev. Paul Lebens-Englund, dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, preached the Opening Eucharist.
The Rev. Winnie Varghese of Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street delivered an inspiring speech at the TENS Conference.
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The bishops and the rest of the attendees were treated to empowering speeches from Dave Toycen, former president of World Vision, Canada; the Rev. Winnie Varghese of Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street; and the Rev. Canon J. Edwin Bacon, rector emeritus of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. “Dave Toycen kicked off the conference with an inspiring presentation on the ‘Power of Generosity,’” Felton said. “Us-
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
ing a video and telling powerful stories, Dave showed real-life examples of how generosity has transformed so many lives around the world.” But it may have been Varghese’s speech that generated the most enthusiasm. “(She) challenged the conference attendees, first by reminding all of the challenges of growing up and living as a member of a minority group in the United States,” Felton said. “Then, she inspired us with a story of her grandmother’s care of her grandchildren and of a neighbor in India who was mentally challenged. “She said, following on Jesus’s assurance that ‘My father’s house has many rooms,’ that it’s not important how many rooms are in your home, but how many doors allowing people to enter and the sounds of the city to energize,” Felton said. Bacon then energized the attendees to go out and invite people into greater generosity. “Calling on his book ‘Eight Habits of Love’ he said the very first habit is generosity,” Felton said. “He said, ‘There’s no greater compliment you can pay a person than by asking them to give generously to the gospel of Jesus.’” Inspiring people who lead stewardship efforts in their churches and diocese was a principle goal of this year’s conference, along with providing tools to ensure success in developing stewardship journeys, Felton said. The conference also featured a new element this year with its pre-conference subject matter: developing transformational leadership teams. “Presented by a Table Group Principle Consultant, James Felton, the preconference gave leaders important methods to build and encourage leadership teams that can transform the mission and ministry of their local congregations and dioceses,” Richard Felton said. Richard Felton added that the importance of stewardship cannot be understated: “Until we can acknowledge God’s awesome generosity in our lives with deep gratitude and then attempt to follow God’s example of generosity in all aspects of our lives, we will fall short of being living examples of God’s love.”
EPISCOPAL AND ANGLICAN NEWS
‘Beyond Walls’ Reaching Beyond Borders for Its Conference By Jeff Gardenour
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ozens of people from around the world are expected to converge upon Kenyon College this summer to learn how to put their faith into words.
Sarah Kahrl, director of Kenyon Institute, announced that registration is going strong for “Beyond Walls: Spiritual Writing at Kenyon,” which will be held July 9-15 at the picturesque Kenyon College campus in Gambier, Ohio. Clergy, spiritual directors, and lay leaders will learn about the strength of words and the impact they can have on people beyond their congregations at the weeklong conference. Instructors will utilize top methodologies in Christian and Jewish writing traditions to help students write sermons, newsletters, social media posts, blogs, opeds, and more. “We have over 50 registrants from 27 states and two countries, to date, as well as clergy, faith-based social service directors, journalists, spiritual directors, and denominational executives and communications directors from a wide variety of faith backgrounds,” Kahrl said. Kahrl said the conference has drawn close to 80 participants in the past, and she hopes to see that kind of turnout again. The conference’s registration and financial aid program remain open through June 1. The intensive program’s unique goal is a big reason for its popularity. “’Beyond Walls’ is designed to help clergy and spiritual writers of all kinds reach beyond their denominational and congregational walls to engage with seekers and believers online and in their communities,” Kahrl said. “Our program is a form-based writing intensive that helps writers master the blog, op-ed, essay, social media, and other writing forms and hone their message in small-group writing seminars led by spiritual writers and social media specialists.” “Beyond Walls” is broken up into three platforms to help students reach the widest audience: small group seminars, solo writing, and writing groups with feedback. Additionally, students can attend varying skill-level social media workshops daily.
The Kenyon Institute will hold its “Beyond Walls: Spiritual Writing at Kenyon,” on July 9-15 at the picturesque Kenyon College campus in Gambier, Ohio.
The writing conference will open with a dinner at 6 p.m., Sunday, July 9, and close with a special event at noon, Saturday, July 15. Jonathan Merritt, a writer for The Atlantic and columnist for Religion News Services, will be among the featured speakers. Interested persons can register online and obtain costs and details about accommodations at http://www.kenyoninstitute.org/programs/beyond-wallsspiritual-writing-at-kenyon/ and by calling 740-427-5250.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Youth Transforming Lives Through New Beginnings
The cross looms large over Trout Lake at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park, where many youth-oriented events are held. COURTESY PHOTO
er teens serve as small-group leaders, prayer team, servant team and are part of the music team.
By Jeff Gardenour
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ew Beginnings is transforming lives in positive ways, bringing youth closer to Christ through prayer, leadership and service.
The spring weekend retreat March 24-26 for middle school youth drew a whopping 70 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to Camp Wingmann in Avon Park. Students participated in a series of discussions, talks, games, videos and skits to examine relationships with friends and peers, siblings, parents, God and Jesus, and the church, according to the Rev. Phyllis Bartle, New Beginnings director and rector of St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Orange City.
“There are adults too, of course,” Bartle said, “specifically a priest to serve as spiritual director, an emcee, a couple as part of the music group, a nurse, a weekend adviser and a couple of adults in the background area.” Miller said in an earlier interview that New Beginnings helps youth learn about the basics of faith and who they are in it. “It brings together the kids so they can know more about their faith,” he said. The ministry’s format of encouraging youths to return for future retreats helps reinforce what they learn and encourages them to grow even closer to Christ. Bartle said most of the attendees are middle schoolers ages 12-15, but New Beginnings also accepts first-time participants who are high school freshmen.
The March retreat “went very smoothly,” Bartle said. “It’s such a wonderful blessing.” New Beginnings is held twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. The next retreat is scheduled for October 6-8 at Camp Wingmann.
For more information, contact Bartle at 386-775-6200.
“New Beginnings is about relationships,” Bartle said. “It begins by exploring the students’ relationship with themselves. It is a weekend that welcomes those young people who have no (or limited) relationship with Jesus and moves them to a point that a decision to follow Christ is made before the end of the weekend. “One of the cool things about New Beginnings is that a student can come over and over, the idea being that the seeds that are planted begin to sprout and grow on subsequent weekends,” Bartle said. Helping to plant those seeds in March were the Rev. Thomas C. Seitz Jr. of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales; Father Deke Miller, Camp Wingmann director; and Bartle. They were part of a 34-person ministry team that included 22 high school leaders and 12 adults. “Much of the team is made up of high schoolers who serve in various ways,” Bartle said. “These old-
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
Adult leaders, from left, Rev. Deke Miller, Rev. Becky Toalster, Rev. Phyllis Bartle and Rev. Robert Dinnerville were on hand for last December’s youth event. Bartle and Miller also were on hand for New Beginnings in March. COURTESY PHOTO
YOUNG ADULTS
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Diocesan Youth Learn How to Lead – the Christian Way
High School Retreat at Camp Wingmann Planned for November
Team building, five speakers highlight function at Camp Wingmann
Low enrollment for April ‘Happening’ event prompts leaders to reschedule
By Jeff Gardenour
By Jeff Gardenour
It is often said that leadership is an inherent trait. This may be true, but encouraging the discovery of that characteristic is something young-adult leaders in the Central Florida Diocese want to ensure for their peers.
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small potential turnout may have derailed the latest “Happening” event at Camp WIngmann, but leaders are hoping for bigger things for the next go-around.
To that end, 16 people ages 17-23 recently attended the Young Adult Leadership Discovery Conference at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park. The three-day event was open to young adults in college as well as juniors and seniors in high school.
The Rev. Becky Toalster, rector at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow, said the “Happening” scheduled for April 28-30 was canceled because of low registration numbers.
Among the featured speakers was Steve Schneeberger, executive director of the Youth Ministry Institute and youth ministry consultant for the Diocese of Central Florida. Schneeberger said the event had a nice, familiar spirit.
“Happening” is a Christian revival of sorts held at spacious Camp Wingmann in Avon Park, located in northern Highlands County. The April event would have been the third “Happening” for high school youth since leaders revived the event last year after a decades-old absence. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church, “Happening” is a ministry run by teenagers for teenagers serving youth in 10th through 12th grades.
“They (the participants) were all people who grew up in the diocese going to Camp Wingmann,” Schneeberger said. “The young people were engaged with each of the speakers, taking notes, and processing leadership concepts.” Schneeberger said each of the five speakers focused on a Bible character and outlined different aspects of the character’s leadership style. Also speaking were the Rev. Deke Miller, director of Camp Wingmann; the Rev. William Yates, Vicar of the Church of the Redeemer in Avon Park; the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, executive director of the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo; and Kevin Bartle, seminarian at Asbury Theological and Gordon-Conwell Theological seminaries and leader of “New Beginnings” weekends. Participants also discussed a variety of topics, including “What is Christian leadership?”; “Do you have to be ordained to be a Christian leader?”; “Does being a Christian leader mean that I have to be one of those ‘crazy evangelists’ that stand on the street corners?” and “What does the Bible say about being a Christian leader?” “We also worshipped together and were challenged in low ropes team building,” Schneeberger said. “It was a great weekend. We all hope it builds momentum like our other Diocesan events. I expect it will happen again and that more people will attend.”
For more information on future events at Camp WIngmann, call 863-453-4800.
“A group of folks is now working on an alternative option for ‘Happening,’” Toalster said. Toalster said organizers are now planning for a high school weekend retreat to be held Nov. 10-12 at Camp Wingmann, just a few weeks before Thanksgiving. “We are still in the very early planning stages for this event and talking about the cost of the weekend, schedule of events, and who the speaker will be, but we hope to have more information to share in the coming weeks,” Toalster said. The “Happening” events are much like “New Beginnings,” its highly successful counterpart for middle school youth; but “Happening” took a different approach. “With ‘New Beginnings,’ you get the kids together and they get to know more about their faith,” said the Rev. Deke Miller, director of Camp Wingmann. “They talk about the basics of faith and who we are in faith. “With ‘Happening’ they got to see Christian life lived out,” he added. “They got a vision of what the Christian community looks like.” Unlike “New Beginnings,” which often sees returning participants, “Happening” draws a new youth group each time. Some of the “Happening” team leaders are former participants, which gives the event a sense of fluidity and credibility. “There were adult advisers, but it was the youth who were running the event,” Miller said of a previous event. Miller said the main purpose of “Happening” is spiritual growth for the participants, but there is an added advantage: “It’s not only that they got
Participants listen to youth ministry consultant Steve Schneeberger, in green shirt, last month in the Young Adult Leadership Discovery Conference at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park.
Please see RETREAT Page 10
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
St. Mark’s Students to Form Friendships with Honduran School Cross-cultural relationship includes digital teleconferencing, textbook swapping By Tim Ritter
COCOA – The students at St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy are about to have some new pen pals, 21st century-style.
T
he Cocoa school is in the early stages of setting up a cross-cultural partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Siguatepeque, located in the central mountains of Honduras, and St. Mark’s leadership couldn’t be more excited about it.
“We have a lot of hopes for enriching our lives and theirs with some cross-cultural ministry,” said the Rev. Gary Jackson, rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The idea originated with Jackson two years ago when he saw a similar partnership with a Honduras church and school go into effect at St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church in DeLand. He said the reports he heard from that arrangement were “really good.” Forming a similar partnership became one of Jackson’s first big initiatives when he arrived at St. Mark’s last year. Two church members, Delores Spearman and Marla Glover, went to Honduras on a scouting trip with a couple of experienced clergy from other churches and found a receptive partner in St. John’s. “It was wonderful,” said Glover, who travels frequently but had never been to Honduras. “All the children impressed me with how happy they were – they were so happy! And they were so curious about us.” The planning has really accelerated in the last month, with Jackson and Gigi
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
Students at St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy will have some new pen pals, 21st century-style, when the Cocoa school sets up a cross-cultural partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Siguatepeque, Honduras.
Pedroso, a teacher of Spanish and Latin at St. Mark’s, just returning from a trip to visit the school and hammering out some details. After all of these burgeoning plans are put into effect, Jackson expects an incrementally growing program that will include digital teleconferencing between classes, textbook swapping, idea exchanges and, eventually, a shortterm teacher exchange. The benefits? Many, Jackson believes. He can’t wait to get started. “Friendship and relationship and receiving from them and giving to them and listening,” Jackson said, listing some of his expectations for the project. “Our kids will be able to have a greater awareness of the world outside of suburbia.”
RETREAT continued from page 9 into a deep relationship with Christ, but they developed friends here. It was about community and relationships. It was a pretty close and ever-growing community.” The forging of relationships in a Christian community has left a powerful impact on some, Miller said. “We’ve had stories where (someone) goes back to their church to be baptized,” he said. That sense of community, Miller believes, helped “Happening” attendees get more out of their participation and see how bringing a Christian message into a community helped them work as a Christian. “They found kids struggling with the same things they were,” he said. “They found new strengths with their relationships. They returned home with a newfound energy.”
For more information, call Toalster at 863-370-7185.
AROUND THE WORLD
Honduran Women Create Beauty in God’s Grace Linens By Susan Garrison
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uiet murmurs can be heard outside the fellowship hall of the church. The voices grow in volume, and laughter can be heard amid the conversation.
As we step closer and peer through the door, we see a group of women gathered around a table. They are diligent in their work, hands busy pushing needles down through the fabric, pulling the white thread tight. Obediently following the drawn pattern, together, they create beautiful embroidery. As they share their faithful work with one another, they also share their lives. Round the tables, they encourage one another with the word of God, applying these teachings to the circumstances they face. These women take joy in the work of their hands, knowing the linens they design will beautifully set the table of the Lord. They pray over their handiwork and over the people in the churches, both familiar and far, who will use their linens for years to come.
With God’s grace, the work of God’s Grace Linens continues in three congregations in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras: La Anunciación Episcopal Church, San Pedro cerca del Río Episcopal Church, and San Juan Evangelista, and others throughout the country. Through this microenterprise, the Lord is impacting the lives and the families of those who participate. Workshops and teachings offered through the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras allow them to learn to tithe and give back to their churches as well as save for themselves. With the goal of becoming self-sustaining as a diocese, the churches of Honduras, under the leadership of Bishop Lloyd Allen and Canon to the Ordinary Connie Sanchez, have established this and other microenterprises across the country. Bishop Allen and Canon Sanchez visited the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida’s Annual Convention in January in Winter Park. From the convention stage, Bishop Allen discussed the vision and work the Lord is doing amid our companion diocese. He also highlighted the work of the sewing co-ops, including clergy shirts and the altar linens from God’s Grace Linens. After this message, laity and clergy from the convention flocked to the tables with enthusiasm, a blur of people purchasing linens and placing orders. Through the support of the people at the Diocesan Annual Convention as well as the Diocesan Annual Altar Guild meeting held shortly thereafter, God’s Grace Linens earned a profit of more than $900. This will go far in a country of extreme poverty, where a day’s wage is counted in a few dollars.
Women work on linens as part of the God’s Grace Linens project in Honduras.
Thank you, members of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, including the Honduras Commission and the Diocesan Altar Guild, for your financial and prayerful support of the work of God’s Grace Linens. By honoring these women with the purchase of their products, you are making a difference in many lives and churches of our companion Diocese of Honduras. Orders may be placed through the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida or directly through the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras. Please contact Canon Sanchez at csanchezhn@gmail.com, visit the God’s Grace Linens website at www.godsgracelinens.net or call Susan Garrison at 386-717-8352 for more information. “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:3-6). Susan Garrison is a member of St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church in DeLand. Women from three congregations in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, pore over their work.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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DIOCESAN FAMILY
Episcopal Historian Dazzled All With Intellect, Wit and Writing Former cathedral librarian and diocesan historiographer Wilder dies at 106.
Bea Wilder, who lived to 106, was one of the Episcopal Church’s greatest historiographers. She is remembered daily in the Diocese office.
By Jeff Gardenour
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he was many things to many people – sister, aunt, colleague, poet, choir member, Sunday School teacher – but Beatrice “Bea” Wilder’s greatest gift to others might have been writing herself into one of the Episcopal Church’s greatest historiographers.
A lifelong writer and editor who also worked as a public relations executive and Spanish teacher during her career, Wilder made her biggest mark as editorial librarian for the Central Florida Episcopalian, diocesan historiographer, and librarian of the C. Arthur Yergey Memorial Library at the Cathedral of St. Luke in Orlando. She wrote scores of articles, published a book of her articles about the Episcopal Church, and helped grow the libraries of the diocese, the Cathedral, and All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park into monumental book collections. It’s safe to say Wilder cast her legacy into stone; it is a legacy fondly remembered today by friends and family after her death on March 27. She was 106. “Beatrice was an extremely valuable colleague,” said Joe Thoma, former communications director for the diocese, in an email. “She had personal knowledge of the history of the church and an excellent grasp of our voluminous archives. Her attention to detail in writing her monthly column for the Central Florida Episcopalian and proofreading the entire publication showed her encyclopedic knowledge of the Episcopal Church, the diocese and every one of its churches, current and past. She continued to proofread for me in retirement. “Putting her book together was a special privilege for me,” Thoma said. “It is a collection of her columns, which are still great reads – both witty and erudite.” A New York native, Wilder was well-known for her sense of humor, a funny aside to her striking genius, no pun intended. She earned several degrees, including a master’s in history, and could speak four languages: English, French, Latin, and Spanish. But she could make you laugh as easily as impress you with her smarts. “She was well-known for her genius in history and her insatiable appetite for reading, which was reflected in her wittiness,” said Wilder’s niece, Mary Manry, who served as caregiver for Bea. Wilder, who never married and had no
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children, moved from Orlando to Manry’s home in Land O’ Lakes in February 2013 before a fall forced her to rehab in Tampa in 2014, where she lived the final years of her life. “Indeed, she had a style for living a godly life by example that was orderly, positive, humorous, and uplifting.” Looking back, Manry will tell you that Wilder lived life to the fullest, writing, traveling, hiking, and much more. Wilder told her niece she climbed most of the mountains in New York and once walked from New York to Connecticut. “I greatly miss her stories from growing up in New York City and family summer vacations in Asbury Park (New Jersey) and along the Eastern seacoast,” Manry said. But it may have been Wilder’s undying love for history and writing that set her apart from many. A sharp memory certainly helped her along the way. “When you asked Bea what her favorite Bible verse was, to my amazement she would recite whole chapters in the Bible,” Manry said. “Her memory was razor sharp, citing much poetry, anthems, high school alma maters, French national anthem, ‘Te Deum,’ and so much more.” Wilder was raised as Christian Scientist, but later followed her brother into the Episcopalian faith and her commitment to the church grew with her writing and interest in being a librarian. She turned a volunteer position at the diocese into a paid position over time and wrote articles for numerous publications. “She also loved her longstanding prayer circle of friends at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she was the librarian,” Manry said.
Beautiful flowers were presented in remembrance of Bea Wilder, who died on March 27.
Preparing the body of Christ for Ministry in the Church and to the World. CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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The Institute for Christian Studies aka ‘Not Your Daddy’s Oldsmobile’
I
n response to the Faith Alive movement in the late ’70s, people were searching for sound Christian education. Hence, the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) was born! ICS provides strong theological teaching for laypersons as well as serves as the educational arm of the diaconate formation process.
ICS continues to evolve to offer the highest quality instruction in a variety of formats to best meet the needs of our fast-paced world. Courses are available live at the diocesan office in downtown Orlando and online for any individuals or groups. The online library consists of a diverse range of topics and can be easily accessed at ICScourses.org. The online classes have become very popular, and their audience far exceeds the boundaries of the Diocese of Central Florida. We have also received requests to link ICScourses.org to other websites, such as the World Wide Anglican Communion, because of the quality of the teaching. In closing, let me invite you to explore the world of ICS for the first time or to revisit this dynamic and vibrant center for learning! In His Service,
Kristi Alday, Archdeacon Dean of the Institute for Christian Studies
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The Harvest Is Plentiful and ICS Is Ready to Equip the Workers “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4: 11-13
I
n my opinion, this reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians sums up the goal and work of the Institute of Christian Studies to a T. The formal mission of ICS states, “The mission of the Institute for Christian Studies is to provide adult Christian education and training for interested lay persons, aspirants to the vocational diaconate, and clergy seeking continuing education.” It is, unfortunately, one of the best-kept secrets of the Diocese of Central Florida. I say “unfortunately” because ICS offers such a wealth of experience and education, but it is used only by a small percentage of our diocese. In May 2015, the Pew Research Center released its findings from a study on the numbers of U.S. Christians. As reported by the BBC, the study found: “The number of Americans who identify as Christian has fallen nearly eight percentage points in only seven years, according to a new survey. Pew Research Center found that 71% of Americans identified as Christian in 2014, down from 78% in 2007. In the same period, Americans identifying as having no religion grew from 16% to 23%. “Fifty-six million Americans do not observe any religion, the second-largest single community after Evangelicals. The United States still remains home to more Christians than any other nation, with roughly seven-in-10 identifying with some branch of Christianity.
“In 2007 and then again in 2014, Pew conducted the ‘Religious Landscape Study’, interviewing 35,000 people each time. Pew researchers say the losses they discovered were driven mainly by a decrease among liberal Protestants and Catholics and occurred in all regions of the US and among all ages and demographics. “About 5 million fewer Americans now identify as Christian compared to when the study was conducted in 2007. … Greg Smith, Pew’s associate research director, said the findings ‘point to substantive changes’ among the religiously unaffiliated, not just a shift in how people describe themselves. “Nonreligious Americans have become increasingly organized since 2007, forming political groups designed to keep religion out of public life.” To say the “harvest is plentiful” is an understatement these days! My question is, “Where are the workers?” Do me a favor, stop reading for a minute. Look under the heading of “Ministry” and read the first Q & A. What is the first group listed as ministers? That’s right … lay persons. Not bishops, priests, or deacons, but laypersons! Our own diocesan statistical chart shows that we have lost more than 7,000 members since 2005. There are multiple reasons for this that I will not go into in this article; however, I present these numbers as a wake-up call to the 27,000 who still call the Episcopal Church home in Central Florida! What would it look like if each of these 27,000 parishioners in our diocese invited just one person to church in the coming year? Just one, not five, not 20; just one? What would we do with 27,000 new members in our churches? Oh, my goodness, someone new might sit in your seat on Sunday, and then what would happen? OK, I hope that I’ve made my point. It would serve us well to be reminded that our diocesan staff, which includes our very capable Archdeacon Kris-
Rev. Dr. Jim Sorvillo
ti Alday, the dean of ICS, is passionate about equipping the saints for the work of ministry! The Institute of Christian Studies stands at the core of this endeavor.
The pallet of gifts and talents found in our Central Florida churches is rich and colorful indeed. And it is from this pallet that ICS draws its teachers. These teachers, including the one writing this today, are also passionate about bringing what we can to share with those who thirst to bring Jesus Christ to the world. You don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. ICS will stand with you to achieve whatever next step you need “to become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” If not you, who? If not now, when? Or do we wait to lose another 10,000 members to get serious?
Take a moment to check out ICS course offerings at: www.icscourses.org. Then sign up to take the next step in your spiritual life. You won’t be disappointed!
The Rev. Dr. Jim Sorvillo has been the rector of the Church of the Ascension in the Dr. Phillips/Windermere area of Orlando for 14 years. As a second-generation Episcopal priest, he has seen the best and worst of church life. His passion for healthy churches was born out of the desire to see churches live into their mission. He also works with the diocese as a consultant for churches experiencing congregational dysfunction. You can learn more about his M*A*S*H Church Consulting at www.mashchurch.com
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Biography of The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis is a veteran youth worker with more than 30 years of ministry experience. He has served as a youth pastor at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia (a 10,000-member church), and at Saint Andrew’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Destin. Davis is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, holding a Master of Divinity degree. He earned a diploma in Anglican studies from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry and was ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church in the fall of 2001.
ICS’s Gift: Building Up the Body of Christ Jon Davis “The gifts He gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
L
eadership in the church is essential, and The Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) is about raising up leaders to serve. I believe it is a place where these gifts are distributed and consequently we see the building up of the body of Christ. Through the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching several courses for ICS. I have taught in a number of settings (the church, seminaries, conferences). I walk away from an ICS class enriched because the students are so very hungry for the material being taught. They are fully engaged with the class, which leads to meaningful discussions and interactions around a specific issue or subject. That dynamic sets up a very positive environment for learning and teaching. Teaching sharpens me personally, and in preparing for a course, I gain insight and understanding as I dig into a text or a topic. ICS offers needed and practical education that serves the local church in its mission. Those who attend gain skills in pastoral care, servant leadership, worship,
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prayer, discipleship and more. In reality, the ICS offerings are comprehensive to the Christian faith and the call for all believers to grow in their knowledge and love for Christ. Yes, it does prepare folks for the call to the Sacred Order of Deacons, and that is significant and important. ICS does more in helping all people to live into our Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305). We answer the questions in the Baptismal Covenant with: “I will, with God’s help.” I believe ICS is a tangible expression of God’s help, fueling us to grow deeper into Christ. As a past member of the Standing Committee, it was a privilege to interview candidates for Holy Orders, many of whom were on track to become vocational deacons. Many times, the interviews occurred toward the end of their process. Often these candidates came with renewed excitement and energy around their calling because of something specific they learned in an ICS course. The formation gained in ICS defined and refined them. I believe we all benefit greatly from the investment the diocese has made in The Institute for Christian Studies. ICS is a treasure and has even greater potential to bring people to maturity in Christ—one of the stated goals of this process laid out in the Ephesians text above.
So, sign up, take a course, listen, learn, grow, enrich your spiritual journey, gain skills, make friends, hear a calling. All that and more is waiting for you at ICS!
In June of 2013, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation and earned a Ph.D. in Theology from Graduate Theological Foundation. He completed his doctoral residency and studies at the University of Oxford Summer Program in Theology. His doctoral dissertation is on “A Theology of Image and the Impact on the Use of Technology and Media in Liturgical Christian Worship.” Davis is an accomplished musician, worship leader and songwriter with a strong desire to lead people into the presence of God. Additionally, Davis is a youth ministry trainer, equipping people for the challenging work of youth ministry and serves as one of the founders on faculty of Youth Ministry Training School. Davis served as canon for youth ministry at the Diocese of Central Florida from 19912003. He then joined the clerical staff as associate and assistant rector at All Saints’ Church in Winter Park, where he designed and led evangelism efforts, worship and supervised youth ministry. In July of 2006, Davis became a church planter, starting Church of the Incarnation in Oviedo. Davis and his wife, Beth, have a little farm in Oviedo where they tend horses and watch chickens peck the ground. In 2009, Davis added to his ministry and duties the role of executive director of Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center. In February of 2014, Davis left Church of the Incarnation and entered a full-time role as Canterbury’s executive director.
Introverted as a Child, Rector Now Wows Them in Church, ICS Schmidtetter Strives to Help People Be Lifelong Learners of Christ
Todd Schmidtetter is the rector at Church of the Holy Apostles in Satellite Beach. He will
be teaching an ICS class on Isaiah in January. Todd joined us for a brief Q&A about the Episcopal Church and the challenge that awaits him in teaching one of the most fascinating books of the Old Testament.
How long have you served as rector at Church of the Holy Apostles? Can you give us a brief summary on your religious background? Where you have served after graduating, and so on? I have been the rector at Holy Apostles in Satellite Beach for almost four years. I did not grow up in a family that attended much church. Yet, through a series of events, Jesus intervened in my wayward life, and I found myself regularly worshipping in an Episcopal church. Upon graduation from high school, I wanted to see what other Christian traditions had to offer, so I bounced around a variety of nondenominational churches, as well as the Presbyterian Church, until Jesus once again intervened, placing me back into the Episcopal Church, where I have been for the last 15 years. Upon graduation from seminary, I served as “longterm supply” at a very small church in Pittsburgh (Church of the Atonement in Carnegie, Pennsylvania) for about a year until I received the call to be the rector at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church.
How many ICS classes are you teaching this year? I’m teaching only one class – Isaiah.
I understand you are teaching Isaiah in January. What are your thoughts on that? I’m excited to teach Isaiah in January; it’s a real challenge! It’s not an easy book to teach and
carries with it a lot of unique issues that make it both challenging and extremely important to the overview of biblical studies and theology. To be honest, it’s a little overwhelming and humbling to be asked to teach on such an important book and on the critical issues contained within this book. It’s also given me the opportunity to press into this book in a way I haven’t in quite some time.
People say you are an excellent teacher. How did you develop your teaching skills? Any teaching ability I have is really just a gift from God. I know people say that all the time, but I can’t say anything else. In fact, my whole ability to be in front of a crowd at all is itself a gift from God. Anyone who has seen me at Diocesan events would know that I have a pretty severe case of introvertedness, if that’s a word. Yet, even as a teenager, for whatever reason, I was able to preach, teach, and give a testimony in front of large crowds without any problem. It’s just something God has enabled me to do in ministry, and I’m so grateful for that gift.
What would you say is the value for academic preparation for deacons? And what would you say is the value of lifelong learning, especially through ICS? We don’t do ministry in isolation from biblical studies, theology, or church history. Ministry is an extension of these, and each of these “academic” areas is in and through the ministry we are involved in. Ministry, when done right, is biblical,
it’s theological, and it’s drawing on the history of the church. But if we don’t know the Bible, if we don’t know theology, if we don’t know church history, I think oftentimes ministry just turns into helping people. Not that there’s anything wrong with helping people, but social workers help people. What’s distinct about what a deacon or a priest does is that although we may give practical aid, encouragement, and advice, our main job is to point them to the one who can truly help them— to, in a sense, show them where God is at work in their distress, in their joy, in their struggle, in their everyday life. Yet that task is practically impossible if we are not biblically and theologically prepared for ministry. ICS is a great training tool for the Diocese of Central Florida. It enables many to not only prepare for ministry, but also continue learning throughout their life. We are never going to exhaust the topic of God, but that should never stop us from trying. All Christians, but especially those in ordained ministry, need to be lifelong learners because when we stop learning and growing in Christ, we have nothing to give to those around us. Being a lifelong learner is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it’s about growth in Christ. That’s why I care so much about teaching. I really don’t care if you learned some cool new concept during my teaching. I care what that cool new concept is going to produce in you through Christ. That’s what’s really cool about study and why I’m honored to be a part of ICS this year.
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Institute for Christian Studies Courses For more information, visit our website at www.icscourses.org 2017-18 schedule as of May 1, 2017
Live classes – held at the Diocese of Central Florida offices unless otherwise indicated.
reveal exciting ways to create and deliver meaningful, biblical proclamations of faith without watching parishioners check messages on their phones.
(Class date, title and description; and instructor’s name and current work post listed).
Episcopal Church, Titusville.
Sept. 16, 2017 Introduction to Inductive Bible Study For more than a century, Inductive Bible Study (IBS) has been a major way scholars have interpreted and applied the Bible. Join Tom Phillips of Emmaus Ministries for this basic and enlightening overview of IBS.
Instructor: Tom Phillips, Emmaus Ministries, Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.
Oct. 14, 2017 New Testament Survey The New Testament, or the second part of the Bible, is a collection of writings that Paul once called “God’s many-sided wisdom” (Eph. 3:10). In this course, you will explore each book’s promise and challenge for our call to do the work of the ministry.
Instructor: The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando.
Oct. 28, Nov. 11, 2017 Homiletics – Parts 1 and 2 Basically, there’s only one place in our 21st century culture where people on their day off get cleaned up, hop into their cars, drive several miles, walk into a building, and sit silently for 15 minutes while listening to someone speak about important issues: the Sunday Sermon. This two-part course will
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Instructor: The Rev. Rob Goodrich, St. Gabriel’s
Jan. 6, 2018 The Book of Isaiah The book of Isaiah is one of the most important books of the Old Testament. While little is known of the personal life of the prophet, he is considered to be one of the greatest. The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive, prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament. This course dives deeper into this book, which stands as a testament of hope in the Lord, the One who saves His people from themselves.
Instructor: The Rev. Todd Schmidtetter, Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, Satellite Beach.
Jan. 6, 2018 The Pauline Epistles Oftentimes confused, misquoted, and misunderstood by many, Paul was a man with a passion to know Christ and make our Lord known in the world. Journey with Paul through the book of Acts and his letters to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work of Jesus Christ and the advancement of the kingdom of God.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, Oviedo.
Feb. 10, 2018 The Reformation This perfectly timed course will help you understand the ideas, events, and conditions leading to and resulting from the Protestant Reformation and subsequent Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. You will meet the main players involved: Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, and Ignatius Loyola, and see their impact on contemporary Anglicanism as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Instructor: The Rev. Tom Rutherford, Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden.
Feb. 10, 2018 Mapping Your Ministry in the World This thought-provoking class will leave you wanting more. How does the gospel intersect with the world? Is the church a dead end, a rest stop, or a scenic route? How do your brokenness and giftedness combine to fuel your ministry? This course, drawing from 2 Corinthians, is designed to be practical and to challenge and help you articulate your unique calling and commitment.
Instructor: The Rev. Danielle Morris, retired.
March 24, 2018 The Universe Next Door Discover the foundations of competing worldviews and where they align and diverge from Christianity. This enlightening course will help you understand the basic concepts of differing worldviews in a way that will aid you in defending the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instructor: The Rev. David Newhart, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Sebastian.
Live classes – held at the Diocese of Central Florida offices unless otherwise indicated.
Online classes – may be accessed through the ICS website at www.icscourses.com
(Class date, title and description; and instructor’s name and current work post listed).
(Class title and description; and instructor’s name and current work post listed).
March 24, 2018 Prayer-Book Spirituality
Old Testament Survey
Instructor TBD
The Book of Common Prayer is not only a welcome resource we use on Sunday mornings, but also a rule of life that governs the spiritual disciplines of all the faithful. This course is designed to be a prayer-book spirituality that forms disciples of Christ in the way God desires.
Instructor: To be determined.
April 21, 2018
The Old Testament, one of the most compelling literary pieces ever written, is filled with stories of faithfulness and failure, God’s judgment, and redemption. Broaden your knowledge with this insightful class that provides an overview of every book in the Old Testament and explores the big picture of how the books function together and work redemptively for God’s people.
Instructor: The Rev. Charlie Holt, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary.
The Episcopal Church in America Learn all about the history of the Episcopal Church in this fascinating course. How did the Episcopal Church develop in America? What is “The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society”? Join Father Rutherford, a passionate church historian, as he delves into where we have come from and where we might be going in one of ICS’s most interesting classes.
Instructor: The Rev. Tom Rutherford, Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden.
Spring of 2018, dates to be announced
Social Media How do we proclaim the good news of our Lord in the fast-paced 21st century? It is a never-ending challenge, but one we must embrace. Leap forward into today’s technology-driven, newsbased society and discover how social media can help you get the good news into the hands of those who need it most. This hands-on class covers websites, as well as social media staples Facebook and Twitter.
Instructor: The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.
Students listen to an instructor during a live class at the Diocese of Central Florida.
Pastoral Ethics
Doctrine Learn about how the doctrines we believe and follow are key to our amazing Christian journey. This fascinating course looks at key doctrines using the book of Romans and the historical documents of the church. It also will look at the dynamic between sin and grace and how these doctrines are lived out in the Episcopal tradition.
much more.
This thought-provoking course discusses how to look at situations from a pastoral perspective with the objective of answering such tough questions as, “How do you stay true to biblical teaching and doctrinal and ethical guidelines while ministering to someone who is in crisis or is hurting?” and
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, Oviedo.
Instructor: The Rev. Chris Brathwaite, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Haines City.
Know the Heretics Heresy is a strong word that dominates many conversations these days. The frequency and volume of accusations of heresy suggest that some Christians have lost a sense of the gravity of the word. This eye-opening course provides an accessible “travel guide” to the most significant heresies in Christian history and their impact on faith.
Instructor: The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.
Finding Margin in Your Life This wonderful class helps us find ways to decompress from our busy lives. In today’s overscheduled, overfilled existence, it sometimes seems like every day is a struggle of how to pack in “just one more thing.” We have more things but less peace in our hearts and souls. How do we find the white space in our lives that keeps the days from running together with less meaning and more stress? This class gives us the practical wisdom and tools to restore reserves to our overloaded lives.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. John Davis, Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, Oviedo.
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Students discuss a topic at an Understanding Grief class recently at the Diocese of Central Florida.
Online classes continued – may be accessed through the ICS website at www.icscourses.com (Class title and description; and instructor’s name and current work post listed).
and relationship with God in our present-day worship. And you thought Leviticus would be boring …
Instructor: The Rev. David Newhart, St. Elizabeth’s
The Reformation
Episcopal Church, Sebastian.
This perfectly timed course will help you understand the ideas, events, and conditions leading to and resulting from the Protestant Reformation and subsequent Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. You will meet the main players involved: Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, and Ignatius Loyola, and see their impact on contemporary Anglicanism as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
M.A.S.H. – Moving Ahead to Spiritual Health
Instructor: The Rev. Tom Rutherford, Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden.
Addictions and Faith A fascinating in-depth look at the point where faith and God meet someone struggling with an addiction. Learn how spirituality can help free a person from the grips of addiction that deceive and control. Understand how dependence results from a lack of connections and submission to God, and learn how to allow faith to be a part of addiction recovery.
Raising Up Leaders – A Paradigm Shift This thought-provoking course considers why leadership matters in the church, biblical models of leadership, whether or not you’re a leader, and how to attract more leaders both like and unlike you. You will gain an entirely new and fresh perspective on leading.
How do we respond when dysfunction in the church distracts the body of Christ from its participation in God’s mission? This analytical class offers practical tools for identifying areas of dysfunction and a process for healing and reconciliation.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jim Sorvillo, Church of the
Instructor: The Rev. Jonathan French, Grace
Ascension, Windermere.
Church, Ocala.
Diakonia in a Modern-Day World
Understanding Grief
The deacon is the icon for servant ministry, the herald of the good news in Jesus Christ, and the one who leads the faithful into the world for mission and ministry. This enlightening course will focus on the places the deacon intersects with the church and the world.
Instructor: The Rev. Tom Williams, Deacon,
Grief is similar to a foreign language. It is easy to understand if you know the language but frightening, confusing and frustrating if you are grieving or working with someone in grief. Learn how grief impacts us as individuals and how we can better understand and handle this emotion as Christians.
Church of Our Savior, Palm Bay.
Instructor: The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon,
Instructor: Julia Suereth, MA
Introduction to the Book of Common Prayer
Go Forth on Purpose
Feasts & Festivals of the Old Testament
This insightful course will give you an understanding of the history and emphasis of Anglican worship. It places the Book of Common Prayer in the context of theological and historical development, and provides a connection between worship and living. This course will give you a better familiarity with our Book of Common Prayer and an appreciation for the depth of instruction it provides.
This interesting class addresses how God defined in the Old Testament the feasts and offerings that were to be presented, and how. Each of the offerings and feasts had a specific purpose in deepening people’s relationship with God. In the New Testament, these feasts are not defined, yet we read about Jesus attending them. Today the role of feasts and offerings are celebrated peripherally in our worship. This course helps us to gain a deeper understanding
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Instructor: The Rev. Danielle Morris, retired.
Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.
Learn how to clarify and build the foundations of your ministry with this informative class. Learn how to define your personal purpose and ensure that your identity is truly anchored in Christ and from this anchor build the foundation of your personal ministry.
Instructor: Kevin McCarthy, Orlando.
Online classes continued – may be accessed through the ICS website at www.icscourses.com
Leadership in a Multicultural Context This informative course seeks to empower future leaders who intend to work in a multicultural context and enlighten them to the obstacles they may face, as well as the not-so-subtle threads of culture and social alienation that often slip through theological formation.
(Class title and description; and instructor’s name and current work post listed).
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence This insightful course provides a study of various forms of violence and abuse and the theological and practical implications of the gospel of the kingdom for these topics. Students will gain understanding of the numerous dimensions of sexual assault and domestic abuse, become aware of the scope of the problem and its effects on victims, formulate a theology about violence and abuse, and articulate how gospel-based hope and healing relate to violence and abuse.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Gerardo DeJesus, Orlando.
In this fascinating course, various approaches to the preparation, delivery and critique of the sermon are explored. After viewing this course, the student should be better prepared to research, write and deliver a meaningful sermon or message for their congregation.
Instructor: The Rev. Noy Sparks, The Episcopal
Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.
Church of Hamilton County, Fort Worth, TX.
Shame – The Confusion of Faces
Your Body, God’s Temple
Instructor: Debbie Miller, LMHC, Orlando.
Christian Peacemaking Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5-9a). The principles, behaviors and techniques of peacemaking can be taught and learned. This insightful course is essential for anyone who desires to become a more effective student and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instructor: The Rev. Charlie Holt, St. Peter’s Episco-
This inspiring course explores biblical reasons and ways to seek God’s peace within the shadow of your city with the Great Commission and Great Commandment in mind. Learn how to identify the mission field that exists for you personally and for your church within your neighborhood and city, as well as the world.
Instructor: The Rev. Anthony Clark, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Beaumont, TX.
Homiletics
Instructor: The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb,
Since Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, shame has been a constant companion for the human race. This course will help you debunk common cultural myths about vulnerability, better define shame and examine its triggers. You will explore the neuroscience of our responses to shame and find ways we try to protect ourselves from vulnerability and shame in this enlightening class.
Mission in the City
Ethics in Action We can easily become perplexed when our understanding of moral theology (what scripture and tradition teach us) conflicts with our pastoral care, what reason teaches us, and what social or communal needs demand from us. This empowering course is intended to give us tools to build a personal pastoral, ethical foundation.
Instructor: The Rev. Ed Bartle, Associate Rector, St. George’s Episcopal Church, The Villages.
This interesting course examines scriptures that teach about care of the temple and the practicalities of changing our lifestyles to create optimal health. It will teach you how to integrate all aspects of your life – physical, spiritual, and mental – into a more effective whole.
Instructor: Brooke Holt, local consultant.
Genesis and Interpersonal Relationships An in-depth look at the point where faith and God meet someone struggling with an addiction. Learn how spirituality can help free a person from the grips of addiction that deceive and control. Understand how dependence results from lack of connections and submission to God, and learn how to allow faith to be part of addiction recovery.
Instructor: Debbie Miller, LMHC, Orlando.
Introduction to the Bible In this introduction to the Bible, the student will get an overview of the Bible’s history, development, and structure so they can better understand its content and the message of salvation it brings us.
Instructor: The Rev. Luis De la Cruz, Spanish Missioner, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Kissimmee.
Introducción a la Biblia Este curso es una introducción a la Biblia. El estudiante obtendrá una visión general de historia de la Biblia, el desarrollo y la estructura por lo que pueden entender mejor su contenido y el mensaje de salvación que nos trae.
Instructor: Padre Luis De la Cruz, misionero español, Iglesia Episcopal de San Juan, Kissimmee.
pal Church, Lake Mary
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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ICS Classes Give Student Firm Foundation in Pursuit of Diaconate Studies Help Altenbach Aid Others in Getting to Know Christ
Julie Altenbach is a teacher at Independence Elementary School in Winter Garden and has
been an ordained deacon at Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden since September 2015. She has been a student of ICS since 2011 and will once again take a class this fall. Julie joined us for a brief Q&A about her commitment to becoming a deacon and how ICS paved the way to the diaconate.
helping people who are experiencing grief, suffering from addiction, and in many other situations where they feel lost and in need of God’s comfort.
Talk about some of the friendships you have formed from ICS. The people I took classes with became more than fellow students; they became my brothers and sisters in Christ. I learned with and from them. They gave wise counsel, and I still look to them for support, guidance, and love. We became united in the path to which God called us and we helped one another discern how becoming deacons would look for each of us as individuals.
What do you currently do for a living? For how long?
How has ICS helped you in your career path?
What is your take on the quality of instruction?
I have been a school teacher for the last 27 years. I have taught students in kindergarten through college age. Currently, I am teaching art to elementary school students.
ICS helped me to understand the role of the deacon as being in the world as well as in the church. I try to seek those at my school and in my community who need to experience the love of Christ. I try to meet those individuals and pray with them and do what I can for them. My prayer, in doing so, is that they will come to know Jesus and that they are part of His family. I want others to understand the body of Christ is all around them and that they can be a part of it, too. God has a role for each of us, and I encourage and try to help others find what that role is for them.
I was very impressed with the quality and variety of instruction. The different instructors offered insights and shared their knowledge in a way that was both engaging and informative. I refer to my notes and books to this day.
How long have you been involved with ICS as a student? Do you take online and/or on-campus classes? I have been a student with ICS since 2011. I first audited a class and loved the opportunity to learn more in this forum. Shortly after, I began the discernment process to become a deacon and began the classes for the diaconate path. I have taken the classes on campus but look forward to taking some online classes this coming year.
How do you feel about ICS and how it has helped shape your faith? ICS was instrumental in shaping my faith. The classes and instructors were supportive of my understanding about how I can share the gospel with others.
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How are you using ICS Studies today? To what end? The classes I took at ICS gave me a well-rounded education that equipped me for my calling as a deacon. The biblical teachings, as well as Anglican studies, gave a firm foundation. There were many classes that gave me practical ways of
What do you plan on taking this fall, or looking ahead? There are many classes that appeal to me, as I believe it is important to continue to learn new ways to reach God’s people. The classes at ICS allow me and others to do just that. I am hoping to take Doctrines and Moving Ahead to Spiritual Health. – Interview conducted by Jeff Gardenour Julie Altenbach and her ICS classmates enjoyed this cake from a retreat they attended together at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo. Prior to the exam, the students spent the evening preparing for their exam and ordination in study, worship, prayer and fellowship. COURTESY PHOTO
Diaconate Courses Finished, ICS Student Comes Back for More Orange County Principal Looks to Grow Stronger in Christ
Rob Strenth is the principal of Prairie View Elementary School in Orlando and has already com-
books and articles. I have taken courses with a variety of instructors, including deacons, priests, canons, and lay experts. The instructors have pushed me to reflect on my own understanding of the subject matter and to use the Scriptures, Anglican theologians, and Christian thinkers to either confirm my position or to develop a new understanding.
pleted the educational requirements for ordination as a vocational deacon. A student of ICS since 2015, he has taken dozens of online and campus-based courses. Rob joined us for a brief Q&A about how ICS has shaped his faith and how he incorporates what he has learned into daily life.
What do you currently do for a living? For how long?
How are you using ICS Studies today? To what end?
I am a school principal for Orange County Public Schools and I have just completed my 20th year.
What I have learned is incorporated daily into my prayer life, studies, interactions with my family, parishioners, and those I meet and serve in my school and community.
How long have you been involved with ICS as a student? Do you take online and/or on-campus classes? I have been a student at ICS since September 2015 and have taken 30 online and campus-based courses.
How do you feel about ICS and how it has helped shape your faith? ICS is an excellent source of quality instruction in a variety of areas to strengthen understanding of Anglicanism, theology, and Scripture. ICS has given me the knowledge to put my faith into action and has helped me be able to articulate my faith in Christ and why I am an Episcopalian.
How has ICS helped you in your career path? The coursework I have completed at ICS has assisted me in meeting the educational requirements for ordination as a vocational deacon.
What do you plan on taking this fall, or looking ahead? Now that I have completed the diaconal coursework, I am looking for classes that will continue my growth, expose me to new understandings, and challenge me to live my life better as a servant of Christ.
Talk about some of the friendships you have formed from ICS. I have been blessed to meet some amazing people in my coursework at ICS. Many have become close friends through collaboration and the shared activities we have completed. I have been able to meet active lay and ordained people of our diocese as well as non-Episcopalians. All of these people have deepened my understanding and broadened my perspective on theology and my faith.
– Interview conducted by Jeff Gardenour
What is your take on the quality of instruction? I have earned two graduate degrees from the University of Florida and a doctorate from the University of Central Florida and I can say that the overall quality of instruction has been very good. I have been challenged by the coursework and the related Prairie Lake Elementary School Principal Dr. Rob Strenth, left, receives the Prestigious Superintendent’s Superior Customer Service Award Coin from Dr. Barbara Jenkins, Superintendent for Orange County Public Schools, for outstanding service to the school and community in a special ceremony in February of 2016. COURTESY PHOTO
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New Testament Course Drives Budding Preacher Onward All Saints church member broadens personal view of the church with ICS
Cheryl Berg is the Christian Director of Education at All Saints Episcopal Church in Enterprise,
located in Volusia County. She is currently taking ICS classes while working toward being a licensed lay preacher. Cheryl joined us for a brief Q&A about her commitment to becoming a lay preacher and how ICS has impacted her relationship with God.
What is your current occupation and how long have been you there? I currently serve at All Saints Episcopal Church as the Christian Director of Education. I have been serving in that capacity since the fall of 2016. I have been serving in the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” program for the past two years. I am fully trained as a Level One Catechist and am halfway through my Level Two Certification.
How long have you been a student of ICS and how has it helped you? I started at ICS in the spring of 2016. I was excited to take the class on the New Testament taught by Father Reggie Kidd. My husband had gone to seminary, and he had met Father Reggie there, and I was thrilled that ICS offered a class of his. While I had intended to keep taking classes from that point on, I really didn’t start my training until the fall of 2016. I just completed my year one courses a few weeks ago. What I love about ICS classes are the breadth of topics that are covered in such a short time. In just one year, I have been introduced to study about My Purpose, the Reformation, Church Doctrine, Homiletics, the Old and New Testaments, Principles of Leadership, Heresy in the Church, Anglican Church History, Feasts and Festivals of the Old
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Testament, Leadership in a Multicultural Context, The Universe Next Door (Comparative Views), and the Call of a Deacon. I find that amazing! I got insight into many topics that I knew very little about. I also received great resource information if I ever want to extend my study. Not only did I get a broad view of many topics, but I also sat under so many great teachers and priests working within our diocese. It is invaluable to meet so many dedicated leaders within our church body, either in a physical class or in the convenience and comfort of my own home through online classes. I like putting names with faces and getting a broader view of the way church is done.
It’s my understanding that you are working toward being a licensed lay preacher? How much longer? Yes, I am working toward becoming a licensed lay preacher. Ever since I saw that title on some information from the diocese, I felt pulled to explore this calling and am excited that I have now completed my year of study. What is left is the mentorship part of the training. After completing the year one classes, I will mentor with another priest for six months before becoming licensed.
How has ICS prepared you for this calling? ICS has prepared me for this calling by broadening my view of many subjects and introducing me to many different priests and rectors. I am gaining a better understanding of the Episcopal Church. Writing papers and taking time for reflection helped me to process what I learned. The fact that the study took one year allowed me to continue to listen for the Good Shepherd’s voice throughout. ICS helped me to take a desire and confirm it as a calling. I am thankful that there was a prescribed path to answer the call that was resounding in my heart.
What is your opinion of the quality of instruction at ICS? The quality of instruction is held to a high standard overall. The teachers were very competent and knew their material well. At the same time, I appreciated that the classes were conducted on a pass/fail basis. It put the focus on the formation of the individual over the acquisition of material. In such a short time, we were introduced to a lot of information. It expanded my horizons and aided further study. I loved learning without the pressure of grades. – Interview by Jeff Gardenour
ICS Training Leads Deacon to Fight for Justice in the Philippines Grace Episcopal Church member moved to help those in modern-day slavery
Mary Delancey is a deacon at Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala, where she has been a mem-
ber since 2009. Mary joined us for a brief Q&A about her commitment to the diaconate, time spent in the Philippines and how ICS led her closer to the Lord.
What is your current post and how long have you been there? I’ve been a member of Grace since 2009 and deacon there since December 2012, except for the year I was in the Philippines. I serve as chaplain for Grace’s VPK, caring for the children and their families as well as the teachers and staff. In 2015, I served as deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Philippines in two churches.
What kind of ICS training have you had in the past? Did you take online and/or on-campus training here in Orlando? Three academic years “on campus” when it was in Winter Park. Online classes were not offered at the time.
What has God led you to do with your training and diaconate, the Philippines and now IJM (International Justice Mission)? I had always seen myself as a helper, even before becoming a Christian in middle age. Through ICS training, I learned that serving others in Jesus’ name is the heart of the Christian life. My time at ICS helped me learn to hear and, more importantly, to listen to God’s voice. God has led me on a journey that I did not expect. It started with a Bible study for my DOK (Daughters of the King) chapter. This study was on Exodus and what it says about God’s thoughts on slavery. This made me want to learn more about modern-day
slavery. Then, when I was at a conference, I picked up some information about an organization working with victims of human trafficking and I felt that God was calling me to this work.
How good was the instruction at ICS?
Many things had to come together for me to leave the country for a year. I have a house, a car, a dog and four cats. My church family was fantastic and took care of all these, as well as giving me other material and spiritual support.
Some was life-changing; some provided solid, basic information; some led to further exploration of the topic. All were invaluable.
What was one of the best classes you took at ICS and why?
Since I’ve been back in the U.S., I have worked for human trafficking awareness and prevention both locally and regionally. My desire is for our diocese to take an active role in prevention and in restoration of those who have been trafficked. While I was living in Southeast Asia, I became increasingly aware of the broader issues of not only modern-day slavery, but also the injustice that is unfortunately common in the daily lives of the poor throughout the world. In the Philippines, I had the opportunity to meet IJM folks also working in aftercare and learned more about the organization and the work IJM is doing to help people find justice within the systems that often oppress the poor in their countries. Although this work can often be a test of faith, I found that it also drew me closer to the Lord. It became obvious that without the hope that is inherent in the gospel, we can do little. But I had the very powerful conviction that working for justice is truly doing God’s work and it can only be accomplished when we work with Him.
So when a friend suggested that I apply for a volunteer position on the new team that IJM was organizing in the Orlando area, I knew that this was an opportunity to take this ministry deeper. I applied and was selected to be Freedom Partner (ongoing financial support) Coordinator. My time in the field will help me talk with people about IJM’s work in a very real world. I pray, and ask others to pray, that the Holy Spirit gives me the words to communicate the importance of this work.
There isn’t one class that stands out as the best. The classes that had the most interaction of teacher and students helped me the most. The relationships we built helped me grow as a Christian and identify those areas in which I had strengths I didn’t know were there. That said, I like history and loved the class on the history of the Episcopal Church. I was intrigued by Civil War-era (Episcopal Church). I read primary source documents and even found a letter written by my ancestor, Bishop DeLancey, who was the Bishop of Western New York in the years before the Civil War! It was great fun.
Are you taking any more ICS classes? I have taken an online ICS class and will take others that relate to my ministry or will help me in my growth as a Christian. Given my schedule, online courses best meet my needs now. I’ve seen some courses that piqued my interest. – Interview by Jeff Gardenour
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Deacon Martha Toney, front, center, started a Bible study after attending a Fresh Expressions event last October. Her Bible study started with four people and has since expanded to 30 and counting. COURTESY PHOTOS
ICS Classes Prepare Two Deacons for Their Newest Challenge By Jeff Gardenour
Toney, Motis are leading the way with ‘Fresh Expressions’ movement
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Christmas present and a burgeoning Bible study convinced deacons Martha Toney and John Motis that a fresh approach to bringing people to Jesus was the perfect thing for them to do.
It was Christmas of 2015 when Motis, a deacon at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd of Lake Wales, received a package from Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida Bishop Greg Brewer. It was the book “Fresh Expressions of Church” along with a note from Brewer that asked Motis to read the book and plan to discuss it. The book discusses a new, worldwide movement in which members create new forms of church alongside current congregations to make contact with an everchanging world. The new forms of contact include meeting people in coffee shops, bars, restaurants, parks, and other venues. “In early 2016, Bishop Brewer and I had the opportunity to discuss the book, and I had the opportunity to share my heart for the lost and those in real danger of being lost,” Motis said. “Bishop Brewer shared his vision that this could be a diaconal ministry. Our calling as deacons is to be both out in the world and in the church. We are to bring the needs of the world back to the church.” It wasn’t long before Brewer appointed Motis as chairman of the diocese’s “Fresh Expressions” movement. Motis signed up for a Vision Day, part of the movement, in North Carolina where he could hear about real-life “Fresh Expressions” churches. Since then, he has organized “Fresh Expressions” Vision Days right here in Central Florida. In May, he held an event at University Carillon United Methodist Church in Oviedo. It was the second time that the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida sponsored the event,
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which is open to clergy and laity.
Martha Toney
John Motis
Motis thanked ICS (Institute for Christian Studies) for preparing him for “Fresh Expressions.” He first started taking classes in September 2009.
“One of the first classes was with the Rev. Brian Garrison, entitled ‘Introduction to Ministry: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Exploring Your Role within the Church,’” Motis said. “Father Brian asked: ‘How is God messing with me? Does God have a purpose in my life? Why, how, and where I should serve?’ These are the questions that we all need to search out the answers.” Motis said ICS helped him to prepare for and stand in front of groups of people, and much more. “Through ICS, I acquired the confidence and training to express my faith and my hope,” he said. “I also received the credentials necessary to enter into many existing groups of clergy in the Lake Wales community. I am the only non-senior pastor that has been welcomed and accepted; not possible without ICS.” For Martha Toney, a non-parochial deacon who attends Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala, a “Fresh Expressions” meeting last October helped expose her to the many possibilities of the movement. But it was a chance meeting with four people at her polling place for the general election last November that really set things in motion. Toney invited the four people to her house for a Bible study. Six months later, the study has grown exponentially to 30 people and counting. The attendees come from all backgrounds: Episcopal, Catholic,
atheist, agnostic, Baptist and more. “It (the study) has grown each time,” Toney said. “It’s really a Holy Spirit movement. People are drawing other people.” The study has become a social event all on its own at Toney’s home. Attendees eat a nice breakfast beforehand and then discuss a subject from the Bible. “We talk about the human condition of the subject,” she said. “There are no arguments.” A former opera singer for 30 years who sang abroad as well as in numerous U.S. cities, Toney said she was intrigued by “Fresh Expressions” from the start. “It’s often difficult to bring people to a liturgical church,” she said. “It’s like climbing over a fence. If you do it in a house, however, you get to form relationships.” Toney said ICS helped prepare her well for such a challenge. She started taking classes under Central Florida Diocese archdeacon Kristi Alday in 2012. Toney said taking the classes was not just about becoming a deacon, but “a way of spiritual grace” that you attain from studying in ICS. Now 70, Toney remembers well the class about how to make peace in your church as well as with others. But she will be the first to tell you that her spiritual formation did not end after she was ordained as a deacon in 2014. “It (ICS) helps your formation spiritually,” she said. “You have a relationship with Christ that’s real and meaningful. The definition of deacon is a servant. You’re a messenger or runner between the world and the church.” Toney said Alday is a big reason why ICS is so successful. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how difficult it is,” Toney said. “She has so many personalities to deal with. She puts her heart into it. I love her so much.”
DIOCESAN FAMILY
Big Crowds, Baptisms Highlight Easter Weekend By Jeff Gardenour
Ladies Display Color, Style at Parade of Hats By Jeff Gardenour
arishioners throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida celebrated the 40 days of Lent and entered the season of Easter this year with a fevered passion, overflowing churches and special events along the way.
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At St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, the Rev. Alison P. Harrity said Easter weekend was special: “We had a grand Saturday night Easter vigil where we baptized a father and his 3-year-old child and then, on Sunday, a total of 350 people attended the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.”
“The ‘Hats on to the Ladies 2017’ was nothing short of spectacular,” said Brathwaite. “The Brathwaite Hall was superbly decorated in gold and blue, and the people were dressed for the occasion. The theme this year was ‘Parade of Hats,’ and, indeed, the ladies showcased their elegant hats with class and style.”
Rev. Chris Brathwaite said 125 people from churches around the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and beyond were part of a grand display of color and style on April 15, when St. Mark’s Church in Haines City hosted its seventh annual Easter Afternoon of Elegance with a Parade of Hats event in the new Brathwaite Hall.
Harrity said Sunday’s later service drew about 50 more worshippers than could be seated in the sanctuary, emphasizing what articles in the Christian Standard and Christian Post report: More people attend Easter services than any other service during the year, including Christmas.
Most of the attendees came from St. Mark’s, but others came from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winter Haven, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kissimmee, Church of the Ascension in Orlando, Church of St. Luke & St. Peter in St. Cloud, St. Mary of the Angels Church in Orlando, Gladtidings House of Prayer in Poinciana, and Park View Christian Center in Haines City.
The rector believes the increased attendance on Easter is because of family. “Family invites them, and in the right church, it is really inspiring and beautiful with music and flowers and pomp and circumstance,” she said. Harrity added that she did not notice any significant increase in attendance during Lent; however, she did take note of something else. “People were talking about the state of the nation for sure, in Bible studies and nonworship activities,” she said.
hey wore eye-popping hats of white, black, pink and red, and clothes to match at one of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s biggest events of the year.
Parishioners gather for an Easter service at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park.
At St. David’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Cocoa Beach, the Rev. Scott Holcombe said his church “had an amazing Lent/Holy Week. This is the first year that we have had a Stations of the Cross service every Friday during Lent. It was well-received, with attendance ranging from 13 to 32.” Holcombe said the church’s newly formed worship committee worked hard to provide new and interesting worship options. “In Holy Week, we had daily services from Wednesday through Sunday,” he said. “They were well-attended. Several of the visitors who attended the midweek services returned on Sunday. We had new, professionally made street signs that announced the worship services to the neighbors.” The rector also reported that the Easter altar was beautifully decorated with a mass of living orchids grown by church member Clive Gay. Orchids were chosen to adorn the altar because the rector is allergic to Easter lilies. There were Easter lilies outside in the church’s memorial garden and near the entry doors. “For many, Easter is a day of obligation,” Holcombe said. “Our highest attendance occurs when the bishop visits!” In keeping with tradition, Bishop Greg Brewer celebrated Easter Sunday at the Cathedral in downtown Orlando this year.
Attendees sat at tables beautifully set with cups and saucers for the afternoon tea party, which was organized and set up by Cynthia Bailey. “Here at St. Mark’s, we are blessed to have a world-class events decorator,” said Genevieve Brathwaite, the wife of Rev. Chris. “Cynthia Bailey can make a workshop into a fine tearoom in a few hours. She is gifted, talented and makes normal into extraordinary. We thank God for her, and we are sure other churches in the diocese can use her talents.” Attendees also listened to special guest speaker, Minister Pamela Dulan, and vocalist Coreen Herry. “Nothing topped the speaker,” Rev. Brathwaite said. “She was spiritual, hilarious, had a great sense of humor and a wonderful voice for singing. She brought people to tears of laughter.” The “Parade of Hats” is one of five events the Brathwaites have started since coming to St. Mark’s from the U.S. Virgin Islands nearly a decade ago. The “Parade of Hats,” however, has been the church’s signature event, and that trend continued this year with a contest and prizes for best hats. Winners were Beninga Nurse, first place; Charmaine Thomas, second place; and Esther Mary Magdalene Davis, third place.
For more information on other events and worship services at St. Mark’s, call 863-422-1416.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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DIOCESAN FAMILY
St. Mark’s Church Member Remembers Making History in the 1950s Baldwin was first special-ed teacher in Cocoa during Segregation By Tim Ritter
COCOA – Special education was once far from a given in America.
S
andy Baldwin remembers those times well as the first special education teacher in Cocoa, and just one of two teachers of that specialization in Florida.
“It was terrible,” Baldwin said. “There would be moms in the regular classes who would shun our kids. One parent asked me one time if I wasn’t worried about working with these kids while I was pregnant.” That was many years ago – more than half a century, in fact – back in the 1950s. But while she no longer is affiliated with any particular school after a 45-year career, the longtime member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cocoa is as active as ever in her lifelong mission to help the people who need it most. “I’ve always been interested in helping the people who don’t get accepted by other people too much,” Baldwin said. That interest can probably be traced pretty easily. Baldwin’s father was a doctor and her mother a teacher, and she was often exposed to those struggling with rampant diseases such as polio while she was growing up on the Space Coast. So, her college choice of the University of Georgia was pretty easy, as she said UGA was just one of two colleges east of the Mississippi that offered certification in special education training. Within a year of her graduation she got a call from an old friend in the St. Mark’s congregation. The school system in Cocoa, amid a flourishing NASA presence, was looking to add special education teachers as an added incentive for families to move to the area.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church member Sandy Baldwin was the first special education teacher in Cocoa and the state’s second during the 1950s.
still segregated South. “Everything’s changed a lot in 50 years, which is good,” Baldwin said. During the last half-century, Baldwin went on many other adventures, helping Miami develop its then-burgeoning special education presence before she moved to Saudi Arabia for a few years when her husband got a job in the oil industry. There, she tutored special-needs students in secret. “Everything was underground there, including religion,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin started her work as Pineda Elementary’s first special education teacher – and the state’s second. Before her arrival, children with difficulties ranging from mental and physical disabilities to emotional issues were kept at home.
Now Baldwin is back home in Cocoa, and most of her skills are channeled into outreach for St. Mark’s, whether it’s hosting a weekly coffee hour that welcomes the area’s homeless (many of whom are battling their own disabilities) to helping form the church’s first venture into The Open Table program to tutoring people through their own struggles.
Within a few years, Baldwin was working alongside multiple special-ed teachers, including a black teacher, for the black special-ed students in the
“Sandy brings coffee and cheer and joy to us,” said St. Mark’s rector, the Rev. Gary Jackson. “She’s a true servant of God.”
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
YOUNG ADULTS
Canterbury ‘Gearing Up’ for Two-Day Youth Ministry Training By Jeff Gardenour
F
olks often hear about camps, drills and CrossFit training that can help athletes take their game to the next level. Well, there are also resources that help youths and adults take their spiritual aspirations to the next level.
The Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo will hold a youth ministry training event – Gearing Up: Tooling, Fueling and Equipping You for Effective Fruitful Youth Ministry – on Aug. 4-5.
Davis said the target audience for this year’s event will be people who work in youth ministry: parents, volunteers, church staff, and students in leadership. “We are focused on the (Central Florida) diocese, The Canterbury Retreat and Conthough we might get a few folks from ference in Oviedo will once again other churches,” he said. “Therefore, hold a youth ministry training for it would be great if every church in those who feel it may be their callthe diocese sent at least one person. Rev. Canon Terry Reisner ing. The latest event is Gearing Up: I would say our numbers shall realisTooling, Fueling and Equipping You tically be 50 to 100, in that ballpark.” for Effective Fruitful Youth Ministry on Aug. 4-5. The two-day event will provide inspiration, understanding and know-how for staff youth ministers, adult volunteers, and college and high school students involved in youth ministry. The Rev. Canon Terry Reisner, who is Canon for Youth Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, will serve as keynote speaker. He is a 13-year veteran of youth ministry, serving small- and large-based programs in churches in Arizona, Florida and Texas. “There have been other youth-ministry training events at Canterbury in the past,” said the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, executive director of the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center. “As a matter of fact, the first event ever held at Canterbury was a youth leader training.”
Attendees will learn a variety of methods to aid in their youth ministry, including connecting with youth and finding ways to impact their lives in schools and their communities; helping kids who may be indecisive about their spirituality and becoming brothers and sisters in Christ; making ministry enjoyable without losing efficiency; tackling tough issues in a sometimes troubled society; building a powerful youth ministry team; and discovering methods that are successful in other religious entities. “The common denominators among attendees will be their desire to grow in their effectiveness in ministry to young people,” Davis said. “So, I imagine, given the landscape, we will mainly see volunteers.”
No matter the demographics, the demand for effective youth ministers is great for a number of reasons. “Youth ministry is one of the toughest ministries in the church,” Davis said. “In other ministries, you tend to have some stability. Every year in youth ministry you graduate leaders and take on rookies. It is the natural process, but this can be challenging. “Making the gospel and discipleship relevant and a priority is a challenge, as well,” Davis said. “There is so much competing for the attention of young people, and to be a Christian is becoming increasingly countercultural.” Registration is being accepted. Cost is $75 for double occupancy, $110 single occupancy overnight rate; $55 commuter rate for Friday night and Saturday; $30 Saturday only, and includes lunch. Sign-up includes materials and meals. Scholarships also are available by calling Davis.
To register, call Canterbury at 407-365-5571, email Sue Grosso at sue@canterburyretreat.org or sign up online at www.clear-give.com.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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REACHING OUT
Church Members Take Bold Step to Help Homeless St. Mark’s group goes from Coffee Hour to National Open Table By Tim Ritter
COCOA – They come in often, sitting quietly at the back of the sanctuary for services or crowding into the fellowship hall for the weekly coffee-hour event.
B
ut for the congregation of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cocoa, their frequent homeless visitors are more than regular passers-by — they are friends in need of help.
“We have our coffee hour filled almost entirely with the homeless,” said church member Sandy Baldwin. “They’re very gracious.” And that’s why several church members have spent the last months working hard to launch their own chapter of the popular outreach program, Open Table. It all started when church member Dori Bisbey was performing one of her weekly outreach activities “I feed the homeless every Tuesday afternoon,” Bisbey said. “I always felt like it wasn’t enough, like it was more giving a handout than a hand up.” So Bisbey went home and started researching ways to make a more lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most. There, she found the national Open Table program, which already has been adopted by a handful of Central Florida Episcopal churches. “It sounded wonderful,” Bisbey said. Open Table participants, left to right, Susan Blakeslee, Ray Knodel, Dori Bisbey, Mary Lu Tombleson, Sally Shinn, Sandy Baldwin. Not pictured: Ginny Gleason, Susie Leifer. COURTESY PHOTO
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
The Open Table program teams small groups of congregants to act as mentors and a support system for one individual or family at a time. The groups meet regularly to help those selected get on their feet and back to a place where they can take care of themselves for the long run. St. Mark’s group was chosen, at least partly, for its complementary skill sets and backgrounds. Among the eight members of the St. Mark’s group are a former teacher, family counselor, and successful area businessman. “We have eight members dedicated to sharing their life experiences with someone who will really benefit from those experiences,” Bisbey said.
To get approval to move ahead, the group had to go through months of training via Skype with the Open Table national organization, starting in December. Baldwin says their approval was no rubber stamp. “It was intense,” Baldwin said. Now Bisbey/Baldwin and company are getting ready to move forward. They’ve chosen their candidate and are waiting for a few final tests before they’ll be given approval by the national organization to move forward. The St. Mark’s congregation is ready to start getting those in need back on their feet, one at a time, for as long as it takes. The hardest thing will be just staying patient with so much good still to do. “I wanted to do the whole bunch at first,” Baldwin said. “It’s really very exciting.”
DIOCESE
Diocese Calendar July 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Anti-Racism Training & TEC Canons/Title IV Training
Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule
Two mandatory classes for all aspirants in the discernment process for ordination will be held at the Central Florida Diocesan office, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando. The Anti-Racism training class runs 9 a.m. to noon. The TEC Canons/Title IV Training is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants should bring lunch; drinks are provided. Register and confirm attendance by emailing The Ven. Kristi Alday, dean of ICS, at kalday@ cfldiocese.org or Marilyn Lang at mlang@cfldiocese.org
7/16/17 Consecration of Bishop of North Carolina
July 12, 10 a.m.-noon – Diocesan Youth Leader Meeting
7/23/17 DeLand, St. Barnabas
Bimonthly meeting for anyone in the Central Florida Diocese working with youth. Meeting is at the Central Florida Diocese office, 1017 E. Robinson St., Orlando. Lunch is provided. Email Beverly Jennings at bjennings@cfldiocese.org to reserve lunch.
7/27/17 Lakeland, All Saints’ - Soul in the City
July 24-28 – “Soul in the City” This five-day mission event for middle and high school youth will engage participants from across the Diocese of Central Florida in community service. The event starts at 9 a.m., Monday, July 24, and ends midday Friday, July 28, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 202 S. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland. Cost of $50 per person includes lodging, meals, and T-shirt. All groups oversee their transportation. For details or to register, contact Kathy Hulin at khulin@teamallsaints.org or 863-688-4502. Visit www.cfldiocese.org/episcopalyouth/event/soul-in-thecity/ for schedule and online registration.
July 24, 7-8:30 p.m. – “Reforming the Care of Souls” As part of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the Reformed Theological Seminary presents a lecture entitled “Reforming the Care of Souls” by the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Linebaugh, priest in the Diocese of Central Florida, at the Reformation Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St., Orlando. The lecture will examine how Martin Luther, Thomas Cranmer, and the Puritans united pastoral care with renewed evangelical orientation. The event is free and open to the public, and free parking is available through the church desk.
July 30, 4 p.m. – Ordination The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will ordain the Rev. Nick Braunschneider to the priesthood at Spring of Life United Methodist Church.
Aug. 4-5 – “Gearing Up: Tooling, Fueling & Equipping for Youth Ministry” An all-purpose conference designed to help staff youth ministers, adult volunteers, and college and high school students learn strategies about youth ministries. The event will be held at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo. Participants can learn how to make connections and make a difference in their schools and communities, help youth who are undecided about becoming disciples of Christ, keep ministry fun, handle difficult issues in society, build a results-driven youth ministry team, and learn top methods used in other churches. Cost is $75. Register by calling 407-365-5571 or emailing Sue Grosso at sue@canterburyretreat.org, or going online at http:// cfdiocese.org/episcopalyouth/event/gearing-up-tooling-fueling-equipping-for-youth-ministry
Aug. 14, 7-8:30 p.m. – “Reforming Reading” As part of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the Reformed Theological Seminary presents a lecture entitled “Reforming Reading” by Dr. Wesley Hill, at the Reformation Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St., Orlando.
Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Conference on Ministry The Commission on Ministry’s annual Conference on Ministry will be held at the Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden. The daylong conference is designed for those who have questions about or are sensing a call to licensed lay leadership or ordained leadership in the church. Hear talks from the bishop and other ordained leaders, as well as gather information and a level of discernment about your call to ministry. This is a mandatory conference for aspirants to ordained ministry. Cost is $10. To register, contact Caroline Miller at cmiller@cfldiocese.org or at 407-423-3567, ext. 317.
Sept. 9, 11 a.m. – Ordination of Candidates to the Diaconate The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will ordain candidates to the Diaconate at the Cathedral in Orlando.
Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Daughters of the King Assembly Event to be held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Crystal River.
COMING this Fall Oct. 16, 6 p.m. – Commissioning The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will commission The Rev. Loren and Mrs. Linda Fox at the Cathedral, Orlando.
Oct. 23-25 – Annual Clergy Conference Event to be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo.
Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – ECW Annual Meeting Event to be held at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Vero Beach.
Nov. 11, 5-8 p.m. – Masque Ball Social event at St. Edward’s in Mount Dora, presented by the Cursillo Commission. Attire is black, white, or black and white. Masks will be available at the door for those who do not bring one. Interested persons may extend this invitation to those outside the Cursillo community to afford the opportunity to introduce them to the Cursillo family. Beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres, and music will be provided. Prizes will be presented for best dressed and best mask. A basket raffle also will be held. A $5 donation is appreciated. RSVP to Kim McMaster, 4th Day Chair, at kmcmaster1@cfl.rr.com or 386-672-5903.
7/20/17 Avon Park, Camp Wingmann
7/30/17 Lake Nona, Spring of Life United Methodist Church Ordination to the Priesthood – The Rev. Nick Braunschneider 8/5/17 Houston, TX, St. John the Divine - Ordinations to the Priesthood - The Revs. Frank and Louise Samuelson 8/6/17 Palm Bay, Blessed Redeemer - Celebration of New Ministry - The Rev. Brian Turner 8/12/17 Trinity, Vero Beach - Ordination to the Priesthood The Rev. Joshua Gritter
8/19/17 Cathedral, Orlando - Ordination to the Priesthood The Rev. Lauren Larkin
8/20/17 Crystal River, St. Anne’s 8/23/17 Macon, GA, Christ Church - Ordination to the Priesthood The Rev. Zac Neubauer 8/27/17 Melbourne, Hope 9/5/17 Winter Park, Mayflower Retirement Community 9/9/17 Orlando, Cathedral - Deacon Ordinations 9/16/17 Crystal River, St. Anne’s - DOK Annual Meeting 9/17/17 Okahumpka, Corpus Christi 9/24/17 Fall House of Bishops 10/15/17 (p.m.) Orlando, Cathedral - Commissioning of The Rev. Loren and Mrs. Linda Fox Bishop Brewer’s visitation dates are subject to change. Please refer to www.cfdiocese.org for the most current visitation listing.
CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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Youth Choir Opportunity! The Orlando Deanery Boys’ Choir and Girls’ Choir
are looking for new singers, ages 8 to 18, to join in their 37th season of making music. Students will be asked to sing for the director before joining the choir in September. Students may choose to sing “Happy Birthday” or “My Country Tis of Thee” or any simple song. Auditions and rehearsals are held at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando. To schedule an audition, please email Benjamin Lane at music@stlukescathedral.org Upcoming performances will include a Christmas program, a regional youth choir festival, a spring concert with orchestra, and summer choir camps held at U.S. colleges. Tuition is only $200 per semester, but scholarships are available upon request. Click our links below for more information, and browse more than a hundred YouTube video performances!
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CENTRALFLORIDA
EPISCOPALIAN
NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 4 • July 2017
Kenyon Conference Reaching Beyond Borders
Page 7
Remembering Episcopal Historian Bea Wilder
Page 12
Father Davis: ‘ICS Building Up the Body of Christ’
Page 16
Deacon Praises Firm Foundation of ICS
Page 22
Orange County Principal Can’t Get Enough of ICS
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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • July 2017
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