2019 Christmas Southern Cross

VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 3

CHRISTMAS 2019

Southern Cross MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

CHOIRS MUSICIANS AND

Celebrations CHRISTMAS

A NEW SONG

•

FIND A GRANT, SAVE A MINISTRY

INVITE, WELCOME, CONNECT • CONVENTION NEWS • BISHOP GRAY FOUNDATION

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS Our campers participate in a Christian program designed to deepen their faith and strengthen their friendships through a variety of activities. Campers learn team-building skills and are challenged on our ropes courses, enjoy canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the Manatee River, and get a chance to just be themselves playing games and creating arts and crafts. Come experience God’s love through great music, worship and food this summer! Six sessions are planned for 2020: for the latest updates and more details, head to

CAMP

WWW.DAYSPRINGFLA.ORG

2020

ADOPT-A-CAMPER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Support our diocesan youth ministry by participating in the Adopt-A-Camper Scholarship program! Your donation sends a child to a camp session they may otherwise be unable to attend, and gives them memories which last a lifetime. You’ll receive a thank you note from your camper, and if you choose, you can inspire them with a note to your camper ahead of their camp session. For more information about this program, contact Greg Randall, Camp Director / Director of Youth Ministry & Programming at

grandall@episcopalswfl.org

BEST. SUMMER.

EVER.

From the Bishop OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE My Dear Friends, One of the great joys Mary and I experience with gratitude is the pleasure of worship in all of the congregations that make up the Diocese of Southwest Florida. We particularly enjoy the wide variety of musical offerings that lead our congregations in the worship of God. The gifted choirs and talented musicians that lead our worship experiences offer beautiful Anglican Chant, Choral Mass settings, anthems, praise band music, solos, powerful hymnody, and liturgical direction.

In this edition of the Southern Cross there is an abundance of information about the Christmas season music and choral offerings across the diocese. I know I thank all of the choirs and musicians for all of us! Their tireless dedication and comprehensive gift of time shapes the worship, piety, and spiritual practices for us all. We remain thankful.

Congregations are known for many elements of their lives and their musical offerings are often an important symbol of their identity. It happens and develops though over time and, of course, practice. They generally start simply and mature into something significant. We are proud in Southwest Florida to have two new church plants seen in photographs here. Although it is impossible to predict their congregational future, our hope is that they will start simply and then mature in the Lord, in their faith, and in their practice. The new communities of faith in Wesley Chapel, and in Parrish, deserve our prayers for strength in faith. In the years to come their worship, their singing, their music addressed to God, will influence and shape the lives of their members and visitors.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Merry Christmas!

Bishop Dabney Smith Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida

Confirmation visit to Wesley Chapel Episcopal Church; Thanksgiving week Sunday evening Holy Eucharist at Parrish Episcopal Church.

SOUTHERN CROSS

YEAR 50 | ISSUE 3 | CHRISTMAS 2019 FIRST PUBLISHED AD 1970

Geraldine “Jerry” Buss | Bookkeeper jbuss@episcopalswfl.org Ann Dieterle | DaySpring Program Coordinator adierterle@episcopalswfl.org

Bishop | The Diocese of Southwest Florida The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith

Marilyn Erfourth | Receptionist merfourth@episcopalswfl.org

Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, The Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe

The Rev. Carol Fleming | Diocesan Missioner, Parrish cfleming@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Martha Goodwill | Director of Congregation Support mgoodwill@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Christopher Gray | Canon for Stewardship cgray@episcopalswfl.org The Rev Adrienne Hymes | USF Chaplain, Missioner Church Ext. ahymes@episcopalswfl.org Elizabeth Kozin | Bishop’s Executive Assistant ekozin@episcopalswfl.org

Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO Anne Vickers Editor & Director of Communications Garland Pollard Managing Editor & Creative Director Shannon Weber

Michelle Mercurio | Administrative Assistant mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org

Contributing Writers Karen Maurer, Coleman Knott, Garland Pollard, Michelle Schombs, the Rev. Michael Todd, Shannon Weber

The Ven. Dr. Kathleen Moore | Archdeacon; Dean, School for Ministry kmoore@episcopalswfl.org

Advertising Inquiries Garland Pollard | 941-556-0315 | gpollard@episcopalswfl.org

The Rev. Richard H. Norman | Canon to the Ordinary rnorman@episcopalswfl.org Carla Odell | Executive Director - DaySpring execdirector@dayspringfla.org Garland Pollard | Director of Communications gpollard@episcopalswfl.org Greg Randall | Director of Youth Ministry & Programming grandall@episcopalswfl.org Tana Sembiante | Administrative Assistant to Canon Norman tsembiante@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Michael Todd | State College of Florida Chaplain mtodd@chsosprey.org Anne Vickers | Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO avickers@episcopalswfl.org 4

Subscriptions | The Southern Cross is mailed to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Contact merfourth@episcopalswfl.org to subscribe or update delivery preferences Editorial Submissions | The editors welcome submission of articles for every section of the magazine, including features, news and departments. Please submit articles to gpollard@episcopalswfl.org 2020 Submission Deadlines Lent/Easter: January 24 Pentecost: April 24 Advent Issue: October 23 On the cover: Altar at Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg.

FEATURES 18 A NEW SONG

A guide to some of the Advent and Christmas music events happening around the Diocese

22 FIND A GRANT, SAVE A MINISTRY

What can a grant do for your ministry? More than you may think.

Read what it did for St. Wilfred, gather your own ideas, and put together a plan.

28 NOTES FROM CONVENTION 2019

A wrapup of our 51st annual Convention, with photos, resolutions, election results and the Bishop's Address.

DEPARTMENTS

Parish Life | No One Sits Alone in Englewood Communications | Invite & Welcome Meet the Lay Leader | John Cleveland Campus Ministry | At State College of Florida Youth | New Youth Ministers

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ART | RUSSIAN ICONS IN ST. PETERSBURG

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Around the Diocese Outreach | Senior Book Groups Community | Center for Spiritual Transformation Retirement | The Bishop Gray Foundation Church Cookbook Love | Christmas Cookie Favorites Books In Memoriam School News Transitions Briefly | St. Vincent, Trinity by the Cove, and more Looking Back

14 15 16 17 32 34 36 38 39 40 42

Parish Life

NO ONE SITS ALONE IN ENGLEWOOD

A new ministry is taking hold in parishes across the dioceses. It's not about new ideas; it's about taking the old ideas seriously.

by Karen Maurer

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nvite Welcome Connect is a ministry that is transforming churches by encouraging us to share the love of Jesus through sharing stories, sacred listening, and deeper relationships as we are meant to do. We learn to evangelize as we are able in our own way, meeting people on their own spiritual journey.

When we live our Christian life inside the red doors in a community of family and friends we sometimes forget to invite those outside to experience our joy. Failing to welcome the stranger because we are so busy caring and comforting each other. Forgetting to include new people in various ministries because our way is tried and true. In doing this, we have missed the mark.

Invite Welcome Connect helps create the sacred space at that moment when God works within us to live into our baptismal vows and the great commandment, "to love God with our whole heart, and to love our neighbors as ourselves".

When we are on the mark, then the lost, lonely and broken will find the compassionate Christ within us that heals and loves with no exceptions.

The core values of Invite Welcome Connect are: prayerful, intentional, relational, and accountable - to God and to one another.

Based on this foundation, and after much prayer and discussion, St. David's embarked on the journey.

With this foundation, we were able to put a dedicated team of 25 people together - comprised of Vestry members, ministry leaders, clergy and staff - who, after reading the book, met once a week to follow the process suggested. We read chapter by chapter, watched the suggested videos and, when the time came, separated into three tables labeled Invite, Welcome, and Connect. Participants were asked to pray for guidance during that week and chose their table. Table leaders rose up in the creative process, and the end result was a commitment to embrace change and develop a three-year mission plan which is currently being reviewed by our vestry for adoption.

This was a large undertaking with many moving parts: during 6

the process, we requested funding from the Bishop's Growth Grant, which was approved and received in a blessedly short amount of time. This was critical to our movement, as we had no funding in our own budget, and the ministry must be funded and supported by leadership in order to move forward. We are, and continue to be, grateful for that early encouragement and support.

After the June Summit, a report went to the vestry that included three take-aways: 1) Preach, teach and pray information about Invite Welcome Connect at all levels at our churches; 2) Put a systematic, funded newcomers ministry based on those core values - prayerful, intentional, relational and accountable - in place; 3) Believe that Invite Welcome Connect will change your parish and understand that the Holy Spirit may lead you to changes you were not expecting - no one is left behind. This is a parish-wide effort that includes everyone in sharing the Love of Christ and Good News of the Gospel inside and outside the red doors.

Today, we have a mission plan, a fledgling Newcomer's Ministry that includes a tracking system, and an Invite Welcome

Scenes from Invite Welcome Connect training held at DaySpring on Sept. 24. Top, Mary Parmer; center, parish leaders; bottom, Bishop Smith addressing the gathered. Full details on the day are on page 8.

Connect Team in place. Most importantly, we have a congregation whose awareness of the newcomer is elevated.

No one sits alone. Coffee hours are for welcoming the new, encouraging the existing and enjoying our community. A new Wednesday Night fellowship supper has started including Compline and music with about 15-20 in regular attendance.

Best of all, as one fellow worshipper called to tell me a couple of months ago, "there's a new buzz at St. David's, I can't quite identify it", but it must be the Holy Spirit loving on us!

We heartily invite you to look at the program; if you would like more information about the buzz at St. David's we are happy to talk and share. God bless you on your journey.

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

I LOVE YOUR PARISH BUT DON'T QUITE KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE OTHERS? The Diocese now has a guidebook to help our congregations. Called Diocesan Brand Guidelines & Stylebook, it’s a 40 plus page booklet with the basics of how to tell the story of your church to new and existing visitors. Each chapter includes Good, Better and Best recommendations to help harried vestries and evangelism committees triage what they need to do to bring new people into our congregations.

There are no hard and fast “must-do’s” to follow. Some parishes might have a modest website, but excel in areas greeting newcomers and welcoming, while others do well with their websites, but need help with follow up visitor cards and campus signage. Some parishes show well from the curb as you drive by them, but fall short with greeting visitors with energy and enthusiasm.

The booklet provides a checklist of foundational needs, things you can tackle with some work, and “reach goals” for when you’re really ready to take the next step.

GET THE WORD OUT

with help from our new guidebook

Compiled from ideas from across the diocese, get advice on all aspects of church marketing, including: • websites and social media • stragetic signage and curb appeal • printed materials like service bulletins and newcomer cards • greeting and welcome Download a PDF file of the booklet at • social hour episcopalswfl.org/brand.html • follow up & continued contact

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Communications INVITE, WELCOME, CONNECT!

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lergy and laity need to work together, intentionally, to do a better job of inviting and welcoming newcomers to our churches, says Mary Parmer, director of the Invite Welcome Connect program at the Beecken Center, School of Theology, University of the South.

Parmer visited DaySpring Episcopal Center this September. Many across the diocese are familiar with her evangelism work, which began during her time as director of evangelism and adult ministries at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont, Texas, later expanding to Episcopal churches throughout Texas and later relocated to Sewanee as an official outreach effort.

Invite Welcome Connect is not a program, but rather a set of specific ideas for parishes. Rather than instruct, Parmer offers encouraging videos, resources and gatherings to encourage parishes to come up with their own ideas, reflective of their time and place. While clergy need not carry the full responsibility for inviting and welcoming, it’s critical they create a culture of evangelism around them.

When thinking about welcome and relationship-building, it's important to not place too much emphasis on demographics. While every congregation may think they need a youth presence, it's not always necessary - or even possible.

For example, Parmer noted that she knew of a vital and growing Episcopal Church in the Tucson area, where there are no young families nearby. Although the church skewed older, the church was full of exuberance and vitality, with programs and activities galore.

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SIGNAGE Though smaller than it once was, the Episcopal Church name and symbol still carries currency and familiarity. Display the Episcopal shield prominently; from the "Episcopal Church Welcomes You" sign, to cars and materials.

TRAINING Parmer considers greeters and ushers “God’s stand-ins and ambassadors.”

Welcoming does not mean smother or be overly aggressive in your greeting.

Rather, let the welcome reflect the holy place you find yourself at. “Our job is not to pounce on them like we are selling them a used car,” said Parmer.

HANDOUTS Make sure that parishioners have cards that tell about church services, or other handout promotional items. Parmer suggests using memorable, compact businesscard size to advertise service times, that allow for odd shapes and multiple designs.

APPS Popular, demographic-spanning apps like Nextdoor and MeetUp are useful places to promote Bible and book studies, events and services. Websites like Yelp are helpful for church ratings; encourage your parishioners to submit reviews to entice new attendees to visit.

OUTREACH Challenge your clergy and congregation members to go out into their communities and introduce themselves to business owners in the area.

INFORMATION Use the diocese sponsored MissionInsite service to gain valuable insight about the community around your parish. Remember that while information like age, income level, and other statistics are important, there’s no “right” target market: just people you can learn more about serving.

CONNECT Touch base with new visitors quickly to establish a relationship. Clergy should set the example for this. “Don’t ask your parish to invite people to church unless you are doing it yourself,” said Parmer. “At the end of the day, our actions speak louder than words.”

Meet the Lay Leader JOHN CLEVELAND IN MARCO ISLAND

St. Mark's welcomes a new Director of Family Ministries & Communications Coordinator

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ohn Cleveland serves St. Mark’s as the Director of Family Ministries and the Communications Coordinator. The son of two ministers, John acquired first formal experience in ministry as the children’s ministry director for the i church his parents oversaw. A former high school teacher and administrator, he has taught theology and worked in campus ministry in Christian schools. He also served as Assistant Pastor for Community Missions at Fellowship of Joy Church in Dallas,

America for a year, where he worked on various missions and humanitarian projects.

In his spare time, John enjoys meeting people from other countries, dancing salsa and binging on Netflix (particularly when a new, good series appears). He has lived, for significant periods of time, in every major part of the country—including the West Coast, the East Coast, the South and the Midwest. He is now delighted to call Southwest Florida his home.

Q: With both of your parents as ministers, when do you feel like you had a calling to go into ministry yourself?

A: I worked at a Jesuit high school for three years after graduating from college. I was hired to help run a corporate internship program, but excelled most in my volunteer work in campus ministry. This confirmed my calling in my mind, and heart.

Q: Youth with a Mission is well known for its elevation of training in evangelism. Are there particular skills or influences that you received from that time?

A: Training with Youth With a Mission, an interdenominational missions organization, helped me to become more ecumenical and less dogmatic. It also increased my ability to work cross-culturally.

Q: What was the effect of your time in Latin America?

A: My deepest experiences with God to date have been in Latin America. These experiences fostered a profound spiritual connection with Latin American culture and people in me.

Q: How did you decide to take the step to going for a divinity degree at Yale?

A: I had previously studied at a seminary that almost exclusively trained individuals for pastoral work in their denomination.

I felt intellectually limited in this space. Yale offered me the opportunity to study Christianity from many different theological perspectives. I loved that!

where he spearheaded the church’s efforts to creatively minister to the spiritual needs of the community surrounding the parish.

John has a Master of Divinity from Episcopal Yale Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. He also graduated from both a six-month Discipleship Training Program and a six-month Ministry Development Program with Youth With a Mission, an international missions organization. John has lived in Latin

Q: What do you see as some of the family ministry opportunities on Marco Island?

A: The biggest opportunity for me is to connect relationally with the many Hispanic families on the island. To that end, we have started a weekly English Conversation Hour that meets on Sunday mornings, in part, to diversify our children’s formation program. I also aspire to connect more with young families.

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Campus Ministry

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA The Rev. Michael Todd leads a vital student ministry

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oung adulthood is an exciting and challenging time: exploring identity, career interests, relationships, and doing so all the more independently can make for an anxious, uncertain, and fearful mind. How great the need for Christ's peace, light, and truth! His plans are for a hope and a future for every person (cf. Jeremiah 29:11), and the more we can affirm Christ's presence, love, and call for young adults, the more they can rest in him and let him order their steps. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail."

Campus Ministry at State College of Florida in Bradenton is blessed with a great location for a ministerial base: near the library and student union where students frequently cross. Campus Ministry uses the gift of hospitality to promote its presence and engage students in spiritual conversation. Whether it's coffee, simple grab 'n go food, or pizza, students hang around the lobby of the Campus Ministry office, see what we have to offer, share prayer requests, and talk with us to ask questions or just meet new friends. Identifying student leaders and partnering with other ministries/churches expands the opportunity for personal connections and pastoral care, and individual prayer with students (and staff).

We are grateful for the way God is networking and mobilizing the Body of Christ to reach these young adults.

Those who wish are welcome to explore God, the Bible, and the way Christ's love and truth can direct our lives for greater freedom, peace, and real hope. Weekly Bible studies and prayer services are held with expanding options for worship music and Holy Communion. How encouraging it is to hear the testimony of some students that they are growing in their faith, finding greater personal peace, opening more to God in their lives, and even sensing His direction for them.

CAMPUS MINISTRY SUPPORT CHECKLIST Pray (for students to follow Jesus and to develop as Christian leaders) Organize food donations for our hospitality table (cup-a-soup, granola bars, snack cracker packages, single ser ving mac ‘n cheese, microwaveable popcorn) Put together student care bags Write cards/notes of encouragement for students Play worship music (piano or guitar) Set up a prayer station Serve a free bag lunch on campus Follow us on Facebook (Campus Ministry - State College of Florida)

For more information or to get involved, please contact Fr. Michael Todd at mtodd@chsosprey.com.

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Youth E.Y.E. 2020

Episcopal teens gather in Washington, D.C. this summer for national church youth event

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ext July, a delegation of youth and adults from The Diocese of Southwest Florida will travel to Washington, D.C. for the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20) held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Recently, a priest in the Diocese said that of all the Episcopal Church conventions and gatherings he has attended, EYE is by far the best.

Thousands of high school students from around the world, along with youth leaders, clergy and bishops gathered together for a triennial celebration of Christ and the Church, where the energy is high and the vision of a diverse, loving, Christ-centered, exciting

MEET OUR

Episcopal Church becomes real. The three-day event is led by a planning team of youth from around the United States and abroad, supported by youth leaders and clergy. Participants engage in music, workshops, games, deep discussion and rich worship.

INTERESTED? All 9th - 12th graders are welcome. Apply now! Applications are live on the diocesan website: Go to the Youth/Young Adult tab and select "Episcopal Youth Event 2020” from the dropdown menu.

Every three years, in accordance with General Convention Resolution #1982-D079, the Episcopal Church convenes an international youth event so “that the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of the Body of Christ.”

DID YOU KNOW?

NEW YOUTH PASTORS

NAPLES - Laura Guindon is the new interim youth program coordinator for St. Monica’s. A recent graduate of Ave Maria University with a degree in theology and a minor in music, she has experience with youth including leading young boys and girls at different summer camps, participating in the First Presbyterian Church of Naples’ Vacation Bible Study and tutoring.

Guindon is currently a teacher at Crosspointe Academy, assisting and teaching classes.

TAMPA – Matthew Jones is the new youth coordinator for St. Mark, Tampa. He grew up at St. Augustine's of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Vero Beach. He currently teaches music at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Temple Terrace and at the Carrollwood Cultural Center in Carrollwood.

ST. PETERSBURG - Courtney Crosby is the new youth minister at St. Thomas, Snell Isle. A native of St. Petersburg, she was baptized, confirmed, and was an active member of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter before relocating to Ft. Myers to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

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Art

RUSSIAN ICONS IN ST. PETERSBURG An acclaimed artist showcases her work at St. Thomas, Snell Isle, plus an opportunity to attend two events associated with the exhibit.

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T. PETERSBURG - St. Thomas, Snell Isle will host Icons in Transformation, an exhibition that has toured churches, cathedrals, and museums in Europe and the United States.

The show, which runs from now through Feb. 9, 2019, is the work of abstract expressionist artist Ludmila Pawlowska, a Russian émigré to Sweden, and includes more than 100 pieces of her modern icons, along with a dozen traditional religious icons.

Though thousands have seen her work, which has been exhibited in Episcopal churches across the U.S., the exhibition marks the artist’s first appearance on Florida’s West Coast.

“Why churches?” said Pawlowska in an earlier interview. “Churches are holy spaces.”

Pawlowska comes from a family of Soviet dissidents. Her grandfather was deported to Siberia in 1936, when her father was two, while her uncles were taken by the state, separated and scattered across the nation to homes for children of state enemies. Her father grew to be a dissident as well, refusing to join the Communist Party.

Her grandfather was ultimately freed when Nikita Krushchev opened the gulags, although he was not allowed to leave Siberia.

The artist eventually departed Russia after meeting Jan Lech, an early-music specialist. They moved to Sweden in the hopes of starting an artists’ colony. Eventually, she went back to Russia, where she found new inspiration in ancient Russian Orthodox religious icons. Today, her work is firmly abstract expressionist, 12

but it often is seen through the lens of religious iconography. The pieces use various symbols — metal from old doors, locks, coarsely woven fabric, granite, metallic substances, fossils, wood and more to convey a message.

The focus on the eyes is tied to the Veil of Veronica, a Christian relic bearing the likeness of Jesus after it was offered to him to wipe the perspiration from his face.

When the artist approached St. Thomas about hosting her exhibition, the parish was keenly aware of the large time commitment it required: exhibits of this magnitude take over the whole church campuses, with art indoors, outdoors and across each campus.

“Taking on the project was a leap for the parish, but was supported by its rector, the Very Rev. Ryan R. Whitley.

“This will be new to us, certainly,” said coordinator Mary Jane Park. “The power of prayer is amazing. We have had extremely generous sponsors and donors. We are able to hire professional art preparators. These are people that hang art in the Dali Museum; they know what they are doing and are very experienced.”

While the artwork is almost all for sale, it is there for a larger goal; the parish hopes to not only make new people aware of the parish, but to enhance the worship for the current congregation and let them appreciate the spaces that they have.

Visit stthomasstpete.org for more information.

THE REV. DR. JULIA GATTA ON CONTEMPLATION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 | 10 AM Julia Gatta is the Bishop Frank A. Juhan Professor of Pastoral Theology in the School of Theology, the University of the South, Sewanee. A noted expert on Christian spirituality and prayer, Dr. Gatta has led retreats and workshops using the contemplation of icons as a prayer method.

An Episcopal priest, she served parishes in Connecticut for 25 years before moving to Sewanee. She holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from Cornell University. Mother Gatta is the author of The Pastoral Art of the English Mystics (first published in 1987 as Three Spiritual Directors for our Time) and The Nearness of God: Parish Ministry as Spiritual Practice (2010). Go in Peace: The Art of Hearing Confessions, written in collaboration with Martin Smith, appeared in 2012. Her most recent publication is Life in Christ: Practicing Christian Spirituality.

RSVP online pamh@stthomasstpete.org phone (727) 896-9641

THE REV. PAUL FROMBERG ON ICONS SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 | 10 AM The Rev. Paul Fromberg is the rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco. He has a Doctor of Ministry from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and served at Christ Church Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Church, Houston from 1987 to 2004.

Paul is an iconographer and multimedia artist, and has taught courses in liturgics and congregational development at Virginia Theological Seminary. He is a consultant with congregations across the country, and has been a speaker at the Wild Goose Festival and the Greenbelt Festival in Great Britain.

SEE THE SHOW St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church 1200 Snell Isle Blvd, St. Petersburg through February 2020.

Visit stthomasstpete.org for more information.

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Around the Diocese

NEWS FROM OUR PARISHES ST. MARK, VENICE COMMUNITY DINNER MINISTRY

MEDICAL DEBT REDUCTION IN LEE COUNTY

VENICE - Since October 2018, St. Mark’s has sponsored free community dinners for those in need of a meal or in need of loving fellowship. Dinners are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. Attendance has averaged approximately 40 guests for each dinner and has been increasing in recent months. Meals provide a healthy and safe environment for local homeless or otherwise disenfranchised. Many of our guests include the elderly, lonely or hungry. We also have some families with children who attend regularly and enjoy the dinners. Meals provide a full course dinner with vegetables and salad accompanying our entrees. We also provide a dessert and fruit to take home.

Volunteers are mostly from St Mark's; however, we welcome other volunteers from our Venice community that want to help and support those in need. The ministry receives wonderful support and encouragement from our St Mark’s clergy and staff. Volunteers are scheduled to cook, serve, clean up and, most importantly, to serve and socialize and listen to our guests. While the free meal is important to many, the need for community fellowship and caring interaction is just as important. A registered nurse volunteer attends our dinners to provide free blood pressure and blood glucose checks for our guests.

As a special treat, a Christmas meal was provided for our guests and volunteers from the Venice Community Orchestra, a small gift for our guests and a special appearance by St. Nick (our own Deacon Keith Backaus). The thank you’s, smiles, and some tears we have received from our guests was a gift to all of us.

BONITA SPRINGS – St. Mary’s is participating in a massive program to relieve medical debt for thousands of people in Southwest Florida. In Lee County alone, there is about $4.7 million in medical debt in collections.

The groups are working with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to buy that burden for pennies on the dollar. About $28 million in debt can be purchased for about $280,000. Also at St. Mary’s, their Penny Wise/St. Mary's Thrift Store is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. As part of their Celebration, they held receptions at the thrift store after church. Over the years, PennyWise has contributed over 2.5 million dollars to St. Mary's in 2018 alone and contributed $45,000 to Outreach Missions and another $45,000 to St. Mary's Church.

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TRINITY, NAPLES SUNSET ROOFTOP SERVICE NAPLES – Trinity-by-the-Cove held their first ever Sunset Prayer & Praise service the evening of Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. on the YMCA Naples rooftop. Parishioners

and friends of the parish came for a new opportunity to worship in God’s beauty and fresh air accompanied by contemporary musician Charles Milling, who joined the gathered from the east coast of Florida.

ST. ALFRED HOSTS DISCUSSIONS PALM HARBOR – On Friday evening, December 6th, the Rev. Peter Lane hosts the third in a series of conversations being held on the first Friday night of every month at 6:30 p.m. The evening is Welcoming the Stranger: A Christian Response to Immigration. The first topic in October, chosen because it took place on the weekend in which we honor St. Francis of Assisi, was “Human Impact on Our Environment.” The topic in November was “The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” The agendas for this series begin with the statement “Intelligence isn’t knowing everything; it’s the ability to challenge everything you know.” Participants acknowledge certain basic assumptions and agree to follow a few ground rules. The goal is to foster listening to other points of view and accept the rights of others to hold differing points of view.

continued on page 41

Outreach SURVEYING THE MEADOW

Combatting loneliness in our seniors, one book at a time at Church of the Good Shepherd.

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n the spring of 2017, Michelle Schombs and John Russotto had a conversation while weaving palm donkeys for Palm Sunday. What if, they wondered, we offered a program geared specifically to meet the needs of our senior adults? Would anyone attend?

What would the program look like?

Who would oversee its development and achievement? How would it be funded?

No strangers to program development and implementation Michelle is a retired school administrator, while John is a retired mental health

consultant - they continued to brainstorm ideas. Their vision? A program that would offer attendees a safe, secure place to share life experiences, engage in fellowship and participate in group discussions to discover ways to live a life of joy and dignity well into retirement.

And so Surveying the Meadow was born: now all that was needed was a way to fund the ministry. The Diocese of Southwest Florida was seeking proposals to fund innovative programs within a parish, so together, Michelle and John developed and submitted a proposal with the approval of clergy and vestry. In late

2017, the proposal was accepted, with a generous grant to follow.

Surveying the Meadow launched in the spring of 2018 with a study of Traveling Light by Max Lucado. Over 25 participants signed-up for the six weekly sessions, which included refreshments and a copy of Lucado's book. Thanks to strong attendance and enthusiastic reviews of this initial program, more sessions were added.

Since that first meetup, groups have gathered to read and discuss John Ohmer’s book, Slaying Your Goliaths: How God Can Help, and in the spring of 2019, as well as Anxious for Nothing, another Max Lucado offering which explores how to find calm in the midst of a chaotic world. Most recently, groups discussed Henri Nouwen’s With Open Hands - a fitting choice for the challenges we face in our society both today and as we head into the future.

When the Rev. Becky RobbinsPenniman arrived in Dunedin in 2012, some thought that her parish must be closed: after all, it looked that way from the outside, and they hadn’t been in to visit. Changing that perception was imperative. The parish needed a fresh coat of paint outside and upgrades inside, certainly, but the bigger undertaking would be finding a way to bring the community into the church.

Steadily, through hosting events for a wide variety of local groups, she found a way. Yoga. Alcoholics Anonymous. Offering free parking for other surrounding events. The goal?

To be visible to the community in a concrete way.

Pennimen knew that when neighbors in Dunedin set foot in a parish, even once, that one simple step can transform that parish from a passing thought to the cornerstone of a community. Welcoming local organzations and encouraging them to use the church grounds and facilities harkens back to the original idea of the English parish church; a home for people who attend, to be sure, but also a central gathering place for a variety of events.

PRO TIPS: EVENT PLANNING Lay out all events calendar year, either from September to May - the most popular option, thanks to Florida's heavily seasonal nature - or from January to January.

Offer at least one to two larger, community-wide events each year to facilitate interaction between church members and the surrounding community.

Offer outside groups space for meetings, classes, etc., provided they are compatible with theology.

Tap parishioners to get the word out: chances are many of them know of a group who could use the space.

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Community

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION A new outreach avenue opens at St. Boniface, Siesta Key

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wo years ago, a group from St. Boniface Church gathered to find a way to reach out to the community, and reengage with current parishioners. The vision of that group was fulfilled this September, with the launching of the Center for Spiritual Transformation at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. With the encouragement and blessing of the Rev. Wayne Farrell, a team of ten people began meeting to explore ways that the talent, space and opportunities that the parish had to offer could be better utilized not only for the benefit of our congregants, but for seekers who may be less inclined to frequent a church.

While people readily accept the need to maintain a healthy body, how to nurture and nourish a healthy spiritual

life often remains a mystery. What was apparent was the need to integrate the diverse spiritual pathways that already were a part of the parish life and begin to expand our offerings as a whole.

The first step was unifying our current ministries. The Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Healing Mission, Labyrinth, Wonderful Wednesday Speaker series, Sunday Morning Scripture Study, and Book Group all were thriving ministries within the parish; that foundation allowed us to focus on implementing spiritual pathway to connect to nonparish members and spiritual seekers as well.

With the launch of the Center for Spiritual Transformation, we have been able to add a contemplative prayer group, Brown Bag Table Conversations, and

Beyond the Broken Heart, a support group for those experiencing grief and loss. A Taizé service has been revitalized after a hiatus of several years, and we hope to provide some opportunities to experience aspects of Celtic traditional worship. We partnered with our Stewardship Committee to create a mini-retreat experience called Shining the Light, which focused on stewardship as a spiritual pathway. Hikes and Prayers and Prayer and Out are two of the offcampus pathways off campus that meet people where they are, allowing for prayer and fellowship in a non-church setting.

It is with great joy that in this year - celebrating our 65th Anniversary - we have planted the seeds for continued growth and ongoing care of the soul.

ST. MARY'S EMBARKS ON NEW INITIATIVE A longstanding partnership with New Horizons creates a new way to help children in Bonita Springs

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arlier this year, New Horizons approached St. Mary's with a proposal to use the church hall as a site for grade school children from local schools on weekdays for two hours daily during the school year, beginning in August. The group would provide equipment, supplies and experienced staff.

New Horizons, based in Bonita Springs, is a not-for-profit organization which is focused on at-risk children and teens growing up in poverty, academic failure and hopelessness. Over 20 years of dedication to this mission has resulted now in over 600 students at more than 10 locations in Naples, 16

Bonita Springs, Estero and Ft. Myers who are all getting special after-school tutoring and mentoring, as well as help with developing core values. There is no charge to families.

Over the past decade, St. Mary’s has continually supported the work of New Horizons through Outreach Grants of more than $14,000 and parishioner volunteer hours. In turn, each year New Horizon arranges for a large group of their students to join worship services with songs, grateful words and happy smiles, ending with a pizza party. When the vestry was presented with an additional way to help local school children in need, the vestry

enthusiastically endorsed the idea.

As it happens, this program occurs mostly during the time of year when St. Mary's parish is welcoming many of its returning "northern lights."

Combining the collective time and talent of our members with the treasure of our facility just might help to create a special bond with young families by helping them with their children's educational progress. We often mention how fortunate we are as a parish, and we feel this is truly a “God moment” for St. Mary's and its generous church family and friends.

Retirement HELP FOR RETIREES IN NEED

The Bishop Gray Foundation provides assistance to eligible seniors for housing, healthcare

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whopping 25 million Americans 60 and over are struggling financially living at or below the federal poverty level according to a report by the National Council on Aging. Rising cost of living, health care, and little or no savings are but a few of the things affecting seniors' quality of life today.

The Bishop Gray Foundation, a Florida charity that serves retired laity and clergy of the Episcopal Church, is one such organization that is helping people in their retirement years.

First known as Bishop Gray Inns, the organization actually dates back to the late 19th century when the original Florida Church Home and Hospital was founded in Orlando by the Rt. Rev. William Crane Gray. Renamed St. Luke's in 1905, the first housing establishment was purchased by The Episcopal Church in the 1950s and renamed the Holly Hill Inn. In 1968, the foundation renovated and expanded Holly Hill and renamed it the Bishop Gray Retirement Community. In 1987, another retirement community in Lake Wales was built. The Bishop Gray Inns Foundation was incorporated in 1992 to assist retirement communities in Davenport and Lake Worth. Both these facilities were sold in 2004 to K.C. Cross, who continues to operate them. “[The Foundation] was formed to help fundraise for the inns to support their operations and also to begin a type of ‘scholarship’ program for people applying to move in who did not have enough resources to pay the monthly fee,” said Ginger Van Valkenburgh, executive director of the Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation in Winter Park since 1998.

Today, the Bishop Gray Foundation, whose president is Bishop

Dabney Smith, provides financial assistance to retired Episcopal seniors ages 62 and older who request help with housing and health care costs. The foundation is funded by donations from Episcopalians in Southwest, Southeast and Central Dioceses of Florida along with proceeds from the sale of two retirement communities.

“Since 2004, when the inns were sold and the Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation changed to the current program of rent assistance, we have helped 105 people," Van Valkenburgh said. ''This is not just help with moving into a retirement home; it is ongoing monthly housing grants paid to apartment complexes, condos or senior living facilities as well as retirement communities and assisted living facilities.”

More than 60 years after it all began, the Bishop Gray Foundation helps residents with housing and health care costs in at least 17 facilities scattered from West Palm Beach to Ft. Myers to Orlando and beyond.

The Foundation has specific criteria to reach those who are most in need, Van Valkenburgh said. In order to be eligible for financial assistance:

those who do qualify for and receive assistance benefit in various ways. "The Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation assistance ranges from life-saving help, to an extra monthly cushion to relieve the stress of finan­cial burden;" Van Valkenburgh said. "There have been some applicants who have told us that the BGRF saved them from becoming homeless, while others were relying on family and friends to help them get by.”

Helping to keep the Bishop Gray Foundation thriving are donations that are presented as direct gifts or through planned giving through wills and estates. "Currently, we are using the income from the money that is invested to fund our distributions to recipients,” Van Valkenburgh said. The Foundation previewed a short documentary video on the history of the organization, and its expansion into serving more lay Episcopalians.

For more information, write: Ginger Van Valkenburgh, Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation, P.O. Box 233, Winter Park, FL, 32790; call 407-644- 9866; email gwnvalkenburgh@earthlink.net or visit bgrfoundation.org.

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A New Song H 18

ark! We may not be angels, but you wouldn't know that around the holidays, when our parishes lift their collective voices and instruments to celebrate our Lord. The diocese has a wide variety of programs and concerts for all ages during this season of Advent and into the new year. On the next pages are some highlights sent in by our parishes; please consult episcopalswfl.org/christmas for a complete schedule.

NAPLES

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Lessons & Carols with Choir, Harp, and Violin at St. Mary, Bonita Springs, 4 p.m. More information at stmarysbonita.org or 239-992-4343.

14-15 DEC

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Trinity-by-the-Cove Christmas concerts happen Saturday and Sunday, both at 4 p.m. O Holy Night, The Twelve Days of Christmas, The Boar’s Head Carol and others. Accompanied by their Casavant organ, flute, harp, piano and percussion. Reception follows.

St Mary’s Bonita Springs will hold an Advent Learning Day, with prayer and presentations from Fr Michael Rowe and Mel Bennett, and music led by vocalist Charles A. White, from 9am-12PM. Free. More Info at stmarysbonita.org or 239-992-4343.

St Mary’s Bonita Springs will host Winter Concert by Students of Miller's Music at 1p.m. & 2:30. Free. More info at stmarysbonita.org or 239-992-4343.

A Traditional Service of Advent Lessons and Carols Offered by St. Monica’s Choir, Handbell Choir, Soloists, Orchestra and Congregational Participation. A free-will offering received. A Festive Reception follows in the Parish Hall. At St. Monica, Naples at 4 p.m.

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FT. MYERS

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Women’s Chorus at Saint Michael and All Angels, Sanibel.

The women's chorus will sing for the annual Christmas Luncheon of Episcopal Women, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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St. Luke's, Ft. Myers will present a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Anthems by Poulenc, Hassler, Willan, Mathais, Kopylov, and Shaw/Parker plus seasonal carols.

Reception in the parish hall follows. At 3 p.m., 2635 Cleveland Ave.

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St. Raphael’s Christmas Choral Hymns begin at 7:30 p.m. before their 8 p.m. Christmas Eve service on Ft. Myers Beach.

St Mary’s Bonita Springs will celebrate Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist on Dec 24th at 5p.m. with Pageant, at 10p.m. with Choir, and Christmas Day 10am Holy Eucharist.

Bell Service, Christmas Eve. Dress up! Bring the family.

Get in the holiday mood.

Worship the baby Jesus. At St. Hilary, 5011 McGregor Blvd, 4 p.m.

St. Michael and All Angels, Sanibel: 5 pm Christmas carols, a children's pageant with animals for the manger, and much more music, candlelight and joy; 8 pm with carols.

SPECIAL JANUARY EVENT

26 JAN

Dueling Sopranos in Concert with Naples’ own Camille Ortiz and Michelle DeCoste of New York City accompanied

by Dr. Ronald Doiron. Dr. Ortiz and Ms. DeCoste are featured regularly in churches, concert halls and opera performances throughout the United States. This concert will feature wellknown operatic arias and duets and is not to be missed! A Festive Reception follows in the Parish Hall. At St. Monica, Naples at 4 p.m.

VENICE

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Advent Lessons and Carols, St. Marks Choir, led by Peter Madpak. At 6:30 p.m. St. Mark, Venice.

St. Mark, Venice offers carols at 5:15 before their 5:30 family Christmas service with pageant. There are also 7:30 carols before the 8 p.m. Holy Eucharist with choir, and 10 p.m. carols before the 10:30 p.m. Eucharist with choir. At St. Mark Venice.

Christmas Eve with musical prelude, 7:30 p.m., before the 8 p.m. service. At St. Andrew, Boca Grande.

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MANATEE | SARASOTA

5

Advent Organ Recitals & Music, at Christ Church, Bradenton, begin. Daily at 12:15. Julane Rodgers, harpsichord on Dec. 5; Richard Benedum, Dec. 12; Nancy Donaruma, cello, Dec. 19.

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Advent Lessons, Church of the Redeemer. Begin the “marking of the days” with this beautiful, crossgenerational event. Featured are Redeemer’s adult choirs and RSCM Choristers, as well as youth of the parish.

Reception to follow. 5 p.m.

Lessons and Carols for Advent with Christ Church Chorale, at 11:00 a.m. Also on Dec. 8, Sarasota Young Voices with Genevieve Beauchamp, director, at 5 p.m.

Both at Christ Church, Bradenton.

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DEC Seraphic Fire at St. Boniface: St. Boniface is hosting the Grammy-nominated choral ensemble Seraphic Fire on Monday Dec. 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. This Miami-based vocal group has earned rave reviews around the country and has a large following in the Florida area. The group brings together professional vocal and instrumental artists from around the country to perform repertoire ranging from Medieval chant and Baroque masterpieces, to Brahms and commissions by leading living composers. Tickets at bonifacechurch.org/music

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Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota. Celebrate the season in music, from Church of the Redeemer’s Great Music Series. Joanna Fincher, soprano, and Aaron Romm on trumpet.7:30 p.m., Church of the Redeemer.

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Messiah Sing Along at Church of the Redeemer.

Annual Messiah Sing-Along for the Sarasota community.

A Memorial tribute to Daniel Moe. With Adelaide Boedecker (soprano), Joseph Ryan (bass), Marc Lubas (tenor), Thea Lobo (mezzo soprano). 7:30 p.m.

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Christmas Concert, Church of the Annunciation.

Please join us to enjoy the amazing talents of several aspiring vocal artists featuring Dominique Cecchetti who sang with the Sarasota Opera and is a voice major at Stetson University and her friends who are also vocal students at Florida colleges. 5:30 p.m. $20. 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Reservations 941-778-1638 Choral Artists of Sarasota: Sounds of the Season.

Guest Conductor: Todd Craven. Composers: Daniel Pinkham, James Grant, G.F. Handel, Felix Mendelssohn, Gustav Holst, and Daniel Moe. Brass and organ. Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota.

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St. Margaret of Scotland will have special Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at 8:30 pm.

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DEC

CLEARWATER

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Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, will hold a traditional Advent Lessons & Carols Service at 10 a.m. and again at 5:00pm. They will be joined by a Saxophone quartet to compliment the music.

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The Choirs of St. Alfred’s, Palm Harbor, under the direction of Organist-Choirmaster Kevin Johnson, will present a service of Christmas Lessons & Carols on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2019 at 4 p.m. This service is modeled after the one presented at King’s College, Cambridge, each Christmas Eve. After the Prelude music, the service begins with a single voice singing the traditional processional carol “Once in Royal David’s City.” The service then unfolds with a series of readings and music telling the story of our Savior’s birth.

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Christmas Concert with Bay Area Singers directed by Bill Renfroe at Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, 7 p.m.

TAMPA | ST. PETERSBURG

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Christmas Nocturnes at St. Giles, Pinellas Park. Astralis Chamber Ensemble Christmas flute and harp concert with Ms. Katherine Siochi from NY Philarmonic with the Harp and Ms. Angela Massey, the artistic director of the Astralis Chamber Ensemble. 7 p.m.

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Chorus Angelorum, one of the premier a cappella ensembles in the Tampa Bay area, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church present, “Music at an Exhibition”, a free choral concert amid art and icons. This a cappella program includes music from the Renaissance, Holiday Carols, Modern works, and the Romantic Russian sounds of Rachmaninov and Kopylow.

Chorus Angelorum is a premier mixed-voice volunteer vocal ensemble co-directed by founder Rick Smith alongside P. Michael Davis. At 7:00 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd NE, St. Petersburg.

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St. Catherine of Alexandria’s Lessons and Carols in Temple Terrace, December 8th at 10 a.m.

22 DEC

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Andrew, Tampa: The festival began at King's College, Cambridge and was first held on Christmas Eve in 1918. Since then, churches around the globe have continued this time-honored celebration, highlighting the start of the Christmas season. Join us at 5p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tampa as the Louise Lykes Ferguson Memorial Choir, under the direction of Ryan Hebert, presents music for this festive worship service. Our guest organist will be Simon Morley from St. John's. Traditional and new carol settings by David Willcocks, Egil Hovland, Carolyn Jennings, John Rutter, and others are sure to lift your spirits as we commemorate the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following.

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A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols with Holy Eucharist at St. John, Tampa. Music of Philip Stopford, John Tavener and Benjamin Britten at St. John, Tampa. 10:00 a.m.

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Christmas Eve Candelmass at St. Mary, Tampa. Traditional, Joyful ChristMass filled with the Carols and Hymns of the Season. 5 p.m.

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Congregational Carols with the Choir of St. John’s Church, Simon J. Morley Organist and Director of Music, and Holy Eucharist Rite II. 10 a.m.

21 JAN

Chanticleer at Cathedral Church of St. Peter.

Chanticleer, the GRAMMY-award winning male chorus, known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” and "the world's reigning male chorus" by the New Yorker comes to the Cathedral Church of St. Peter. The performance, Faith of our Fathers, will feature works from the 11th century, English, Spanish, Asian polyphony, and traditional American works. 7 p.m. Tickets will go fast!

Visit spcathedral.org/musicevents to purchase tickets today.

SPECIAL JANUARY EVENT

21

Save a

Find a Grant,

Minist ry

By Coleman Knott

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S

t. Wilfred’s initial involvement with a food pantry was at Beneva Christian Church in April 2014. There were six St. Wilfred volunteers who showed up to help.

Facilities were small, equipment and appliances were limited and the number of volunteers that helped each week varied from 12 to 15. At the same time, families (clients) served each week ranged from approximately 25 to 35.

I began volunteering at the pantry in March of 2015. Over the next six months, we gained more volunteers from St. Wilfred; even with the additional physical help, however, the ministry itself was stuck in place with no improvements. Facilities were still small, and appliances and equipment were still limited.

In the Fall of 2015, St. Wilfred submitted their first Episcopal Charities application for a diocesan grant. Soon after, the grant was approved, and the funds were used to purchase two “convertible� appliances (can be used as freezer or refrigerator) and six carts.

The appliances provided much-needed storage space for produce and frozen foods, allowing us to provide more food to families in need. The carts allowed us to take clients' food from the kitchen to their cars in less time, streamlining distribution efforts. During this time, our committment to Beneva Church remained strong as we continued to help staff the pantry. In early 2017, however, Beneva began to discuss the possibility of closing their pantry.

Believing that the need in the community was increasing rather than decreasing, we discussed relocating the pantry to St. Wilfred's along with All Faiths Food Bank and Beneva. The proposed move was discussed with the Rev. Herring, the St. Wilfred's vestry, and key pantry volunteers. After receiving approval for the relocation,

St. Wilfred submitted a second application for a grant from the diocese.

The grant was approved and the funds were used to purchase two freezers, ten commercial shelving units, and covered the cost for critical electrical improvements to support the upgraded appliances. Most importantly, the grant provided resources essential to growing the pantry to serve the needs of the community.

Our first distribution of food at St. Wilfred's was September 1, 2017. At the time, we thought we had addressed all our concerns, and because of this, would begin to see further growth in the

number of families being served. From 2015 to 2017, the pantry has grown from serving an average of 44 families per week to an average of 91 families per week. Despite our preparation and planning, growth the past two years has presented some challenges. Additional carts have been needed for distribution, and additional refrigeration units have been needed to store produce and frozen meats. Storage for dry goods needed to be increased to accommodate requests.

Thankfully, these needs have all be met. Carts have been purchased with donations from volunteers and clients,

23

and a new double-wide refrigerator was provided by All Faiths Food Bank.

Additional dry storage space was provided when St. Wilfred's preschool gave us a portion of their storage space.

Our largest remaining project is providing air conditioning in our food storage areas. Our temperatures in these areas exceed the established maximum temperature required by AFFB. Rather than installing a new unit exclusively for our food storage rooms - a costly endeavor, to say the least we are proposing a new AC unit be purchased to serve not only the pantry storage areas, but the adjacent preschool classrooms as well.

Much has happened over the past 5 1/2 years. A very vibrant food pantry has evolved, and grown, due in large part to the efforts and commitments of the many volunteers - now 30 - 35 per week - dedicated to helping their brothers and sisters in Christ. Help has come from volunteers who assist at the pantry, but also from those who help by supporting volunteers with encouragement and prayer, as well as those who spread information about the pantry and its operation and benefits. The financial support of the diocese has been an integral part of the success of our pantry, and has truly been a blessing.

The pantry is a ministry. The goals of this ministry are to serve as many families as possible - within our limitations of time, money, food available and workers, and to keep spending within our established weekly budget. Most importantly, our focus is to treat each and every one of our clients, and volunteers, with the utmost respect and dignity.

Working to accomplish these goals and sharing the smiles, laughs, tears and joys of those we serve brings joy to each of us. When you hear a 4 year old child ask her mother what was in a meat package - chicken - because she had never seen it before, it brings tears to your eyes and makes you want to reach out and help.

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Our ministry is about so much more than just giving out food to people. There are ministries within the ministry that we call the pantry. We have clients who have been so touched by the way they have been helped, and treated, that they come back on a regular basis to help serve others. One client/ volunteer who started with us at Beneva has served with us regularly; the only thing that has kept him away of late is the stroke he recently suffered. Although he has lost 50% of the use of his right hand and arm he is back to working with us. He still gets food once every 4 weeks but he is back to working every Thursday and Friday.

Another client/volunteer works with us on Fridays. She is Brazilian, and assists with registration by translating between clients and volunteers. Her son helped serve this summer while on summer break. We have volunteers visit from other churches as well; we don’t always know where they attend church services, but that's okay, because

WHEN YOU HEAR A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD ASK HER MOTHER WHAT WAS IN A MEAT PACKAGE - CHICKEN - BECAUSE SHE HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE, IT BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES AND MAKES YOU WANT TO REACH OUT AND HELP.

they're here to do God's work, as we all are. We also have school-aged children that come to help: they get community service credits, but they consistently give more than they get. What's more? they give of their services joyfully. As a motley, demographic-spanning group of volunteers from nearly all walks of life we have grown together as a family, and continue to grow closer as we serve.

If we had not received grants in 2015 and 2017, would we have been able to grow the pantry from serving 35 families per week to as many as 106 families in a week? Perhaps; given the heart and drive of everyone involved, I think we would have accomplished something good. However, I don’t believe we could have accomplished all that we have throughout the years without the continued financial support and encouragment of the diocese and this committee.

Science.

ST. WILFRED HAS ITS FOOD PANTRY DOWN TO A

After all, Coleman Knott, leader of the effort, is a professional engineer by trade. His goal for the operation, after taking it over from another parish, is making the process easy, enjoyable and productive. Not every food pantry can be the same. There are different buildings, different populations, and different economic conditions across the diocese. One important concept to the distribution is gleanings, the idea that the food is “extra” that is not needed by others.

Some tips from the Wilfred operation:

WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS | Some parishes do their distribution intermittently, or monthly. While not every church can do this each week, the parish does its giveaways each Friday at the same time, like clockwork. Guests are only able to come once every four weeks. This helps the parish even out the traffic flow. And a weekly “date” for volunteering helps the effort become more like clockwork, so people remember it, and build it into their schedules.

NO LINES | The food pantry serves about 100 families each week, or 400 a month. When families come, they take a number

after they are checked into the regional All Faiths Foodback database. They then sit in an adjacent room to wait. That means that there is no pushing or lines, and all the items can be given out, without onlooker pressure on good items being taken first.

DEDICATED & CONVENIENT STORAGE SPACE | The parish hall has two large storage closets that lock situated

immediately next to the parish hall. To make it happen, the parish closed down a storage room. It makes it so that food can be stored and secured away from the parish hall, yet it only has to move a few feet when it has to be moved on to tables.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS HELP | Investing in good freezers, tables and such makes the effort faster. One big investment was using Rubbermaid trolleys for guests, who can pick up food by filling it up. It is easier to roll than a shopping cart, and slightly smaller, so it fills up quickly and makes food easy to reach, especially for elderly consumers. It also rolls easily in a gravel parking lot.

MAKE IT FUN | There is an element of embarrassment for some who come to the pantry; at St. Wilfred volunteers get to know its visitors, and welcomes them like family. Eliminating any pride or judgment keeps it like family. Much of the goods are leftovers from generous grocery chains like Publix. And what person is embarrassed to take leftovers?

VOLUNTEER CORPS | The Friday distribution has a volunteer corps that makes the giveaway fun. These volunteers are well known at local grocery stores, and can quickly go by and pick up donations at a moment's notice.

PIGGLY WIGGLY STYLE | St. Wilfred uses a circle path, like the old Piggly Wiggly grocery stores, for its food distribution.

There is no one from the church handing out things in a stapled bag. Instead, the groceries are distributed in a round format, which had customers following a set route, passing by all the merchandise. Meats, often frozen from local grocery chains, require ration cards and are offered at the end, as they are cold.

FRESH FOOD TOO | Some food handouts are high in carbs (mac and cheese, cereal, etc). Wilfred tries to keep fresh food, salads, vegetables and fruits for guests, offered through the bank.

FAMILY FIRST | There are some working poor who are close to the parish who can use some help. They fully qualify for foodbanks. The parish is able to set aside things for them using discretion and assist their own extended flock.

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Writing.

BIG DREAMS, SMALL FUNDING? PUT THAT IDEA IN

Finding money for any new ministry or church growth effort ministry is always a challenge.

New, potentially successful ideas have no proven track record, and fledgling ministries that haven’t attracted enough attention to draw in funding can find it difficult to know what next steps to take. The phrase “it takes money to make money” may not be entirely accurate, but when it comes to new programs and finding support, it can feel very real.

The diocese supports congregation-based mission and evangelism efforts in any way it can. The first step in any new project or existing program is documentation. A social services project may require documenting the overall need, including people served, location of ministry, leaders of ministry, details of the mission project, equipment needed and the all-important question, what funds are needed to accomplish this goal. If the program is already off the ground, photos of program in action and statistics of what has already been achieved through the program can demonstrate what funds are needed to move it forward.

An evangelism or church growth project needs documentation and a prospectus of sorts, which might include details about the project, a timeline, a list of current and future goals, and information about vendors and materials needed.

Also important is the target demographic of people the project wishes to serve, and the background and relevant experience of project leaders. Whatever you do, be creative and persistent. Consult your parish leadership, including rector and senior and junior wardens to get valuable input and ideas.

DIOCESAN GRANTS Episcopal Charities Grants are congregation-based outreach grants funded by the Episcopal Charities Fund of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. These awards began in 2012, and are administered through the deacons of the diocese.

Ideal grants include capital needs for human services projects, instead of funding ongoing needs. The diocese awards approximately $38,000 annually; the amount is determined by interest on the Episcopal Charities Fund of the diocese.

Bishop’s Growth Grants for Evangelism are project ideas presented directly to Bishop Smith which directly support and encourage growth in your congregation. These grants are often related to visibility in the community, whether it be improved signage or streamlined marketing programs and communications. Parishes who wish to head this route should draw up a thorough planning document including proposed budget prior to setting up a time to meet with the bishop. The diocese makes available about $75,000 in these grants annually.

Apportionment Rebate Grants are grants sent back to parishes when yearly apportionment is paid by our congregations. In recent years, Diocesan Council has voted to send about $150,000 back to parishes, and these funds are then used in a manner decided upon by the vestry. To receive this type of funding, the congregation must detail how the money was used, and report that information to the diocese in a timely manner.

Nationally, there are also grants from the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church has a page that includes links. Each grant has individual criteria, and all should be coordinated with diocesan staff, as there may be multiple projects in a diocese. Additionally, many need a bishop’s letter of support. Some programs include:

UNITED THANK OFFERING GRANTS are sprung from the familiar UTO thank offering mite boxes that have been a staple of Episcopal churches for generations. The focus of the 2020 UTO grants will be Bless - share faith, practice generosity and compassion, and proclaim the Good News of God in Christ with hope and humility.

THE ROANRIDGE TRUST AWARD GRANTS are provided annually for creative models of leadership development, training and ministries in small towns and rural communities across The Episcopal Church.

THE EPISCOPAL EVANGELISM GRANTS PROGRAM is designed to grow Episcopal ministries,

resources and gatherings, both local and regional, that energize the Church to boldly and fearlessly share and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Grants Committee will consider proposals for up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan, provincial and other regional collaborations.

CREATION CARE GRANTS The Task Force on Creation Care and Environmental Racism

seeks to support and expand The Episcopal Church’s loving, liberating, life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with Creation.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN GRANTS are small, less than $1,000 grants that are to empower the women of The Episcopal Church to “carry out Christ’s work throughout the world.”

Visit ecwnational.org CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB National Books Fund pays for books and related materials for adults. Grant requests come from schools, libraries, individuals, agencies and parishes throughout the Anglican Communion. Their Miles of Pennies fund is for children’s materials.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH gives small grants for archival and research projects for parishes.

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Convention

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ach year, a key part of Annual Convention are our elections. For 2019, 34 different candidates ran in nine different elections.

The 2019 year was an important year for elections in the diocese; it was the year for General Convention voting. These elections happen every three years. Each year, the diocese elects representatives to Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and Disciplinary Board, as well as trustees to the University of the South. Results from Oct. 12, 2019 elections at the 51st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida are: • Election A, Standing Committee Lay: Elected were Mr. Ray U. Stoll; Ms. Jacqueline Smith.

• Election B, Standing Committee Presbyter: Elected were the Rev. Ryan R. Whitley (3 year term); the Very Rev. A. Charles Cannon III (2 year term).

• Election C, Diocesan Council, at large: Mrs. B.J. Webb Bishop and Mr. Richard R. Helms, were unanimously elected by acclamation.

• Election D, Disciplinary Board, lay: Mr. Robert K. Sawyer, elected by unanimous acclamation.

• Election E, Disciplinary Board, clergy: the Rev. David J. Marshall and the Rev. Paige Hanks, elected to a three-year term; the Rev. Kevin C. Warner, elected to a one-year term.

• Election F, General Convention, Lay: Dr. Navita Cummings James; Ms. Anna C. Haeffner; Mrs. Joan O. Kline, Ms. Jacqueline Smith. Alternates: Mr. David Andrew Yow, Mr. Devon M. Shank.

• Election G, General Convention, Clergy: the Rev. Adrienne Hymes; the Rev. Canon Katie Churchwell; the Rev. Roy Tuff; the Rev. Ryan Whitley. Alternates: the Rev. Charles Cannon; the Rev. Christian Wood.

• Election H, University of the South Trustee, Lay: Mr. Gregory A. Hearing.

• Election I, University of the South Trustee, Presbyter: the Rev. Richard T. Earle.

At the convention, deanery representatives to Diocesan Council were confirmed by voice vote. These deanery representatives had been elected in September 2019 at deanery convocations. They were as follows: Clearwater, the Rev. Robert P. Kinney; Manasota, Mrs. Jody Maxwell; St. Petersburg, the Rev. Sonia Sullivan Clifton; Venice, Mrs. Donna Francisco; Tampa, Dr. Henry E. Wiley, II. Two deanery representatives to Diocesan Council were elected by their respective deaneries at the convention. They were the Rev. Ray Buchanan to represent Ft. Myers, and the Rev. Jessica Harris Babcock to represent Naples. Their elections took place at the Oct. 12 convention because of a hurricane cancellation of the Naples and Ft. Myers deaneries in September.

The convention also confirmed appointments to the Commission on Ministry. Appointed or reappointed were the Rev. Margaret L. Sullivan; the Rev. Jessica H. Babcock; and the Rev. Edward F.P. Gibbons. Lay appointees were Mrs. Janice Straske; Ms. Manon Alewynse; and Mrs. Kathleen McGinnis.

Facing page, the gathered business session on Oct. 12. Above, Standing Committee, meeting after convention. From left Mr. Michael Alford, the Very Rev. Carla McCook, Ms. Jacqueline Smith, Mr. Ray U. Stoll; the Very Rev. Charles E. “Chip” Connelly; the Rev. Ryan R. Whitley.

GRANTS FOR EPISCOPAL CHARITIES | Over $36,000 Announced Each year, grants for Episcopal Charities are announced at Annual Convention. For 2019, a record 16 grants were distributed, for a total of $36,000. Grant money comes partially from proceeds from the annual Bishop’s Appeal and interest on the Episcopal Charities Endowment. Below, recipients and amounts: All Saints, Tarpon Springs | Pack A Snack | $1,000

St. Martin, Hudson | Project Hope | $3,000

Resurrection, Largo | Bottle Filling Station | $1,000

Calvary Indian Rocks Beach: Food Pantry | $3,000

St. Hilary, Ft. Myers | Hygiene Bags Ministry | $1,000

St. Catherine, Temple Terrace: Books for Kids | $1,000

All Souls, North Ft. Myers | Food Pantry | $5,000

St. John, Clearwater: Thrift Store Renovation | $2500

St. Mary, Bonita Springs: New Horizons Partnership | $2,400

St. Vincent, St. Petersburg: Care for Caregivers | $2,000

St. Margaret of Scotland, Sarasota: Crafters for Hope | $1,500

St. Wilfred, Sarasota: Food Pantry | $5,000

St. James House of Prayer, Tampa | Cornerstone Kids | $5,000

St. Chad, Tampa: Food Pantry Generators | $1,000

St. Anne of Grace, Seminole | Family Advocacy Ministry | $1,600 Christ Church, Bradenton: Community Personal Enrichment | $1,000

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THE 51ST ANNUAL CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS UPDATE CANONS | TWO PROPOSED CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION

A

t the 51st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, delegates approved four new resolutions. Two resolutions proposed changes in our diocesan Constitution, and two other resolutions made immediate changes to our canon law.

“They hadn’t been looked at in a number of years,” said attorney Greg Hearing, the chair of the Resolutions Committee and the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwest Florida for the Tampa Deanery. Each year, the Resolutions Committee typically has one or two small resolutions, which are either submitted to the committee before the convention, or proposed by the committee itself.

There are two committees that deal with resolutions.

There is the Resolutions Committee, which is the body that sends resolutions to convention, and then there is a Commission on Constitution and Canons, which looks at the overall body of written law that governs the diocese.

Either committee, or the individuals themselves, can make recommendations to send a resolution to the Resolutions Committee.

The diocese has a Constitution and set of Canons that began in 1969, with the creation of the diocese. In most years, there are only minor changes. For 2019, there were four resolutions, two referring to the Constitution, and 2 referring to the Canons.

RESOLUTION #1 dealt with notice for the annual Diocesan Convention. It proposed amending Article III of the Constitution to allow the bishop to change the time and place of convention. In the past, there had to be ten days’ notice.

Instead, the change required “reasonable notice thereof ” so that if there were hurricanes, which hit in the fall, we would be able to reschedule more easily. The resolution was adopted, and will need to be approved at the 52nd Annual Convention in 2020.

RESOLUTION #2 dealt with the members of convention

as defined in the Constitution in Article V. It more precisely defined voting members of convention. It was approved, with a minor change, referring to General Convention Deputies, who would have seat and voice, but not vote, at convention.

Like Resolution #1, it would need to be approved by the 52nd Annual Convention to become part of the Constitution.

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Resolutions were proposed by the Commission for Constitution and Canons, led by the Hon. Jack Day. The Commission met monthly before the convention to draft the changes. The committee is comprised of six lay members, and three clergy. Laity members serving are Kevin M. Fitzgerald, Glenna Hileman, Brian Trimble and the Chancellor of the diocese, Theodore Tripp. Clergy members are the Very Rev. Charles Cannon, the Rev. Walcott Hunter, and the Rev. Chester Trow along with Canon Anne Vickers and the Rev. Canon Richard Norman.

At the convention this year, all four resolutions passed, though one was amended. Two resolutions proposed changes to the Constitution, which require two successive conventions to vote on and support.

"Our diocesan canon law, and constitution, are important," says Hearing. It is part of a number of written laws that govern our diocese, beginning from U.S., state and local civil and criminal law, down to the Episcopal Church and its system of canon law and its own constitution. Through that canon law, it allows the existence of each of our dioceses, which each have their own unique sets of Constitution and Canons.

“If you are going to have a set of rules, even a staff manual, it takes a certain amount of maintenance,” said Judge Jack Day, who said that the Constitution and Canons “work for us, we don’t work for them.” Having a set of rules that is up-to-date ensures that “we are not just making things up as we go along.”

THE RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION #3 changed one word in Canon VII,

Section 2 referring to congregation bylaws. In the past, the canons said that a congregation “may” adopt bylaws. Instead, it changed the word to “shall”. The resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION #4 dealt with the members of convention referred to in Section 1.f of Canon I, Members of Convention.

It eliminated a phrase on the voting privileges of deacons who already have an “assignment from the Bishop.” It eliminated the phrase “and who are not retired from active service” to refer to deacons having a right to vote. The thinking, said Judge Day, was that the language was “superfluous at best and confusing at worst.” Deacons that had an assignment could not, by definition, be retired. The resolution was adopted.

SCENES

FROM

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OCTOBER 2019 SPRING OF SUPPORT | DONOR RECOGNITION FOUNTAIN

The Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida

SPRING OF SUPPORT Donor Recognition Fountain Concept

The Diocese debuted the proposed renderings for a new entrance feature for DaySpring Episcopal Center at the 51st Convention. The new construction - a fountain and donor wall, pictured here, that will celebrate all that has gone into building DaySpring over the last 35 years, and represents the continuing vision for the next 35 years. Still in its conceptual stages, the design will include recognition for our congregations, which have supported DaySpring from its inception in 1979, and will also honor our many donors, volunteers and leaders. The area will be situated at the main registration entrance to DaySpring at Curry Hall, a key gathering area for all thousands of guests at DaySpring each year.

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Church Cookbook Love HOLIDAY BAKING TIME!

Christmas is all about balance...right? This year, perfect your cookie offerings by pulling from the very official Four Holiday Baking Food Groups - herbs, fruit, spice and savory. by Shannon Weber, Managing Editor Rosemary Shortbread Ronelle Ashby from Redeemer Cooks, Sarasota Makes | 16 pieces | Editor's note - rosemary is one of the most deliciously Christmas-y herbs out there, and it's sorely underused in baked goods. You can keep your chocolate and peppermint: give me a buttery, pine-scented triangle of shortbread any day of the week. It's an unexpected flavor everyone will love. Ronelle Ashby, I like your style.

herbs Raspberry Almond Bars

by Ella Richard from Celebration Cookbook: St. Nathaniel's Episcopal Church 1963-2007

1 cup salted butter, softened 3⁄4 cup confectioners sugar 1⁄4 cup cornstarch 1 1⁄3 cups all‐purpose flour 1 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary leaves sea salt, for sprinkling (optional) | Preparation | Preheat oven to 300˚F. Beat butter until creamy; gradually add confectioners sugar and corn starch, beating well. Stir in flour and rosemary. (Dough will be stiff.) Pat dough into a 1⁄2­inch thick square on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and chill 1 hour. Bake for 30 minutes or until edges are barely browned. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. When cool, cut into squares (or triangles, if you want to be dramatic like me.)

Makes | 24 bars | Editor's note - I've been making a shortbread-based raspberry bar for years, but guess what? I like this one even better than my own. To keep the almonds from getting too toasty, I tossed them in with the remaining crumble topping, which works beautifully. To get your jam to spread a little easier, pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then stir any lumps out.

fruit

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1 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats 1 cup flour 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam 1/2 cup chopped almonds | Preparation | Preheat oven to 375˚F. Combine oats, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in melted butter. Pres 2/3 cup of crumb mixture into greased 9-inch square pan; spread with jam.

Add remaining crumb mixture by sprinkling over jam, patting down lightly; add almonds to top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Slice & Bake Cheese Crackers Editor's note: this is a recipe I've been making for years, adapted from a recipe someone passed along to me. It's especially great during the holidays to throw a little savory into all that sweet indulgence. Best of all? They make the perfect hostess gift for all those Christmas parties you're heading to.

Makes | 20 to 24 | 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, sliced 2 cups packed fresh-grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese 2/3 cup fresh-grated parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling on top 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup all-purpose flour pecans, for topping fresh thyme, for topping

savory

| Preparation | Add the butter, cheddar, parmesan, salt, cayenne pepper, and flour to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to break up. Continue to pulse for a few seconds at a time until mixture comes together into a dough. Remove from food processor and pat with hands into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 350ËšF. Remove plastic wrap and use a sharp, thin knife to slice into 1/4 inch slices; lay 1 inch apart on baking sheet and top with pecans and/or thyme leaves. Bake for 14 minutes until crackers are toasty and golden around the edges; cool completely.

Grandma's Molasses Krinkles Elizabeth Forsyth from Our Daily Bread Cookbook, Calvary Church, Indian Rocks Beach Makes | about 40 | Editor's note: I may have updated this to today's recipe formatting, but I didn't need to change these cookies one bit otherwise: they come together beautifully, and have just the right amount of spice. Bump it up if you like a snappier "gingersnap" flavor, but I like them just the way they are.

3/4 cup shortening 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 4 Tbsp molasses 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp cloves 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling) | Preparation | Preheat oven to 375ËšF. Beat shortening and brown sugar together until creamed, 3 to 4 minutes. Add egg and molasses and beat until combined. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt together; stir into shortening mixture until dough forms. Pinch off dough and form into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar and set on cookie sheet; bake for 10 to 13 minutes until crackly.

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Books

NEW TITLES JUST IN TIME FOR GIFT-GIVING

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he Rev. Dr. Sharon Gottfried Lewis, a longtime priest in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, has been an advocate for healing ministries throughout her clerical life. Her new book, Going Through: The Journey of Healing, details the basics of healing; what she calls “going through life with God”. Lewis’s interest in healing ministries began to grow at the beginning of her ministry at a conference led by therapist Rita Bennett. Upon retirement, she formed Amazing Love Healing Ministry, which holds healing conferences around the world, including many diocesan priests. Going Through chronicles her practice and philosophy of healing, to transform “victims to victors just through the healing power of Jesus Christ.”

Her seminars, led alongside other parish priests, have explored aspects of practical healing, speaking to both lay and clergy about fixing our hurts. The more we are healed, she says, the more we are to love God and others with God’s unconditional love. And that healing is not only for us as individuals; as a group, as a church, we also need healing, as we are all connected through the blood of Jesus Christ.

THE GUARDIANS

By John Grisham A new fiction book from John Grisham, The Guardians, has as its protagonist an attorney turned Episcopal priest, who sets about righting wrongful convictions in Savannah, Ga. The book concerns a wrongly convicted man, Quincy Miller, who has languished in prison for 22 years. Desperate, he writes a letter to the Savannah-based Guardian Ministries, a small nonprofit run by Cullen Post, a lawyer who is also an Episcopal minister.

Post, who travels the country fighting for clients forgotten by the system, says in the book that its “fairly easy to convict an innocent man and virtually impossible to exonerate one.”

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FIND ONE OF THE RECIPES FROM THE BOOK FEATURED IN OUR CHURCH COOKBOOK LOVE SECTION ON PAGE 32.

REDEEMER COOKS: A NEW PARISH COMPENDIUM A Group Effort Church of the Redeemer has published Redeemer Cooks, a new compendium of recipes. This is at least the fourth cookbook for the parish. The cookbook is a fundraiser for the Sarasota-based Caritas Food Ministry and the church’s Adult and Youth Education programs.

In this new cookbook, every parishioner who submitted even one recipe was included, which is how they ended up with almost identical tomato pies. In that case, two ladies only submitted one recipe each. Head to redeemersarasota.org for more information.

be u fe k

PASSIONATE FOR JUSTICE: IDA B. WELLS AS PROPHET FOR OUR TIME

By Catherine Meeks & Nibs Stroupe Ida B. Wells was a powerful churchwoman and witness for justice and equity from 1878–1931. Born enslaved, her witness flowed through the struggles for justice in her lifetime, especially in the intersections of African Americans, women, and those who were poor. This new book, co-authored by Catherine Meeks, who spoke to the Diocese of Southwest Florida convention two years ago, tells the story of an African-American woman who won international acclaim for her campaign against lynching and segregation.

MORE BOOKS! SELECTIONS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

ANGELS OF THE BIBLE: FINDING GRACE, BEAUTY, & MEANING

By Kate Moorehead

HENRY’S MYSTERIOUS VOICE

By Nancy L. Hurley How many of us feel anxious about the first day of school, college, marriage, first job, or even changing jobs? How wonderful it would be if we would listen to the Voice of One who knows us best and what is right for us rather than sink into fear or anxiety. In this children’s book, Henry lets us know we need to rely on the goodness of the Voice to confront the world outside or sometimes inside us so we can move along God’s path and purpose for us.

Angels appear in the greatest of biblical moments: at the gates of the Garden of Eden, at the birth of Christ, and at the tomb of the resurrection. But modernday Christians tend to either dismiss angels as fantasy or caricaturize them as one-dimensional cherubs. In this new paperback edition, Episcopal priest the Very Rev. Kate Moorehead invites us into a more dynamic understanding of the realm of the angels. Her devotions recount fifty key appearances of angels in the Old and New Testaments as she shares stirring theological reflections on the presence of angels and our life of faith.

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In Memoriam "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death." -Psalm 48:14

The Rev. Robert Irwin Maurais, 1931-2019 MT. DORA - The Rev. Robert Irwin Maurais, a priest in the Diocese of Central Florida who served as the first headmaster of the Canterbury School in St. Petersburg, died July 6, 2019. Maurais was rector emeritus of St. Edward's Episcopal Church in Mount Dora. In the Diocese of Southwest Florida, he served at St. Augustine, St. Petersburg and assisted at St. Thomas, St. Petersburg. He was curate at St. Andrew, Tampa and served as assistant at St. John, Tampa from 1961-65. He assisted at the Church of the Redeemer from 1972-78.

Before his time as headmaster at Canterbury, he was assistant headmaster at The Berkeley Preparatory School from 1961-67. He chaired the Commission on Schools in the diocese from 1969-73 and the diocesan Commission on Ecumenical Relations from 1973-79.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, he was ordained under the Rt. Rev. Gerald Francis Burrill on Dec. 20, 1958. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois Erickson and sister Mary Ellen Koeller. He is also survived by his children Mark (Candy), Paul, John Maurais, Holly Long (Bill).

Mary Clowers, 1931-2019 ST. PETERSBURG - Mary Harrell Clowers, who served from 1990-92 as president of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, died June 5, 2019. Born April 19, 1931, she is survived by her husband of 68 years, Lewis Clowers. She is also survived by her daughter, Dr. Deborah Clowers Flanagan-Davis; granddaughter, Aliya Bevans, and one great-granddaughter.

She served as diocesan ECW president from 1990-92; she also served on the national Woman to Woman Program committee of the ECW. In 1997, she presented at their Philadelphia convention on success stories from small-grant programs, including gifts for grocery store entrepreneurship, knitting businesses and grain-grinding mills.

A longtime parishioner at St. Augustine's, she was the first black deanery representative in our diocesan ECW, and the first African American ECW president. She was active in Cursillo in the diocese. A teacher, she was retired from the Pinellas County School Board.

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The Rev. Denniston Rupert Kerr, 1939-2019 CHICAGO - The Rev. Denniston Rupert Kerr, a Jamaica-born priest who served the Church of England's Church Army and the St. James House of Prayer in Tampa, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Born on Nov. 22, 1939 in Hanover, Jamaica, he began his higher education at the College of Arts, Science and Technology in Jamaica. He served the Church of England's evangelism arm, the Church Army.

Returning to Jamaica, he began a long career of lay service to the Diocese of Jamaica as an evangelist and educator. He served as a Church Army officer at Stewart Town Trelawny, Jamaica from 1965-69 and at Barton's Core, St. Catherine, from 1969-70. From 1972-77 he was a Church Army Officer and Evangelist at St. James Parish Church, St. James, Jamaica. He was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 18, 1979. He was first a curate at St. Paul's Tower Hill and All Saints in West Kingston from 1978-79 and then he followed as rector of St. George's Anglican Church, Westmoreland.

In 1992, the vestry committee of St. James Church Tampa called him to the Diocese of Southwest Florida, where he led St. James and later led the merged St. James House of Prayer. He became the first rector of the newly created parish, retiring in the summer of 2008 after 16 years. He married his wife Clarissa Geraldine Henry on July 23, 1966. In addition to his wife Clarissa, he is survived by a son, Kristoph Kerr, who resides in Tampa, and a daughter, Dr. Karen Botsoe of Chicago. Their youngest daughter Dionne died last fall.

The Rev. Edward Anthony Scully, 1940-2019 TEMPLE TERRACE - The Rev. Edward Anthony Scully, a priest in the Diocese of Southwest Florida who served parishes in Florida, Michigan and Canada, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 after a long illness.

Born Nov. 13, 1940 in San Francisco to Edward and Bernice Scully, he grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and attended Jesuit schools. He learned about the Episcopal Church on a one-time school visit. He attended the University of San Francisco, where he received a B. A. in philosophy and an M. A. in educational counseling.

He first served in the Anglican Church of Canada, ordained June 3, 1987 in Brandon, Manitoba, and becoming priest Dec. 29, 1988. He served as priest-in-charge at St. John’s in Bethany, Manitoba and St. Mark's Anglican Church in Minnedosa, Manitoba from 1987-89. In Michigan beginning in 1989, he served at St. Mark, Newaygo and St. John the Evangelist in Fremont. He served at St. James Episcopal Church in Albion, Mich. from 1994-2009. In retirement, he served as priest-incharge of St. Elizabeth, Zephyrhills from 2011-18. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and daughter Therese Elizabeth Legrow (Mike) and Suzanne Hackman (Dan).

Dr. Robert "Bob" Stevens, 1943-2019 TAMPA - Dr. Robert "Bob" Stevens, the founding director of the Dominican Development Group, died July 29, 2019.

Stevens, born May 21, 1943, was the first executive director of the organization. In the last two decades, the organization has sent hundreds of mission teams to the Dominican Republic, from not only the Diocese of Southwest Florida, but other Episcopal dioceses across the U.S. Stevens’ philosophy for aid development echoed Habitat for Humanity founder and mentor Millard Fuller; he believed that plans should not gather dust on the shelves of diocesan offices but instead make flexible, adaptable plans that have broad-scale applications.

Stevens dedicated his life to the service of the Lord through the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity and as a missionary in the Dominican Episcopal Church and with the Dominican Development Group.

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School News NEW CHAPLAINS IN DIOCESE School leadership gathers at DaySpring NEW CHAPLAIN AT CANTERBURY ST. PETERSBURG - The Rev. Sonia Sullivan Clifton has accepted a call to serve as chaplain of The Canterbury School in St. Petersburg. The Rev. Sonia Sullivan Clifton comes to Canterbury from Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, where she has served as a Chaplain since 2003, and from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, where she served as the Rector since 2010.

At Trinity Prep she coordinated a student-led chapel program, taught religion, ethics, and psychology classes, sponsored student clubs, coached girls' basketball, and participated in theatrical productions. At St. Matthew's, she led the parish into financial security, strengthened community-based outreach programs, created new worship services, led a strong pastoral care team, grew youth ministry programming, supported children's ministry, and encouraged the worshipping community to embrace diversity. Her community involvement includes volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, KidsGames, Relay for Life, Coalition for the Homeless, the Central Care Mission, and other organizations.

She has a passion for mission work, both at home and abroad.

NEW CHAPLAIN AT ST. JOHN, TAMPA TAMPA - On Sunday, July 14, St. John's welcomed the Rev. James Reho and his wife Lori. Reho is the new associate rector of the church and school chaplain.Reho holds degrees in Asian Studies, Chemistry, and Divinity. Prior to seminary, he was a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory and then a chemistry professor and researcher at East Carolina

University. As Chaplain to the Day School, Fr. Reho draws on his knowledge base in spirituality, human development, pastoral care, and liturgy. His wife Lori is a healthcare administrator and Christian counselor, and they have two children and three grandchildren spread throughout the Southeast.

Diocesan School Leadership Gathers - This November, school chaplains and heads of school gathered at DaySpring Episcopal Center for their annual meeting with the bishop. From left, Bishop Dabney Smith; Mac Hall, Head of School at Canterbury School of Florida; Pam Rilling, Ascension Day School; the Rev. Sonia Sullivan Clifton, Canterbury; Samantha Campbell, Head of School, St. Paul’s, Clearwater; the Rev. John Hiers, Chaplain, Ascension Day School; the Rev. Rich Clark, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Chaplain; Joe Joseph Seivold, Berkeley Preparatory School, Head of School; the Rev. Roy Tuff, Rector and Chaplain, Good Shepherd Episcopal School; the Rev. James Reho, Chaplain, St. John, Tampa; the Rev. Brandon Peete, Berkeley Preparatory School; Jan Pullen, Head of School, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School; Canon for Finance and Administration Anne M. Vickers; Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Canon Richard Norman.

SAVE THE DATE | CREATION CARE SERIES | 1 • 18 • 2020

with Fred Bahnson

To solve our ecological crisis, Christians need to come to see ourselves as intimately connected to the soil from which we're formed. We have a long tradition of contemplative practices. This is what Christianity most has to offer the world now. Not moral guidance or activism or yet another social program, but a mystical connection to the source of life. Cultivating that divine-human love affair offers us a hope that the world cannot give.

In this retreat, set for January 18th at DaySpring Epicopal Center, Fred Bahnson, author of the book Soil and Sacrament, will tell stories and lead us in contemplative practices that will help us to establish, re-establish, or help us more deeply commit to this way of Contemplative Ecology, that we may experience our own deep connection to the soil, and provide hope in the midst of deep need.

Bahnson lives with his wife and three sons in Transylvania County, NC and teaches at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity where he directs the Food, Health, & Ecological Wellbeing Program.

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Register at

dayspringsfla.org

Transitions

MOVES AROUND THE DIOCESE The Rev. Canon Paige Hanks joins St. Peter, St. Bede

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he Rev. Canon Paige Hanks has joined the parishes of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church and The Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg as, respectively, Priest in Charge and Canon Missioner. This unique partnership between the Diocese, Cathedral and St. Bede’s began at the end of May, and offered a creative opportunity to cultivate and grow the Episcopal presence in the St. Petersburg Deanery.

A lifelong Episcopalian and a native Floridian, she graduated from High Point University with a degree in elementary education and later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of North Florida. She worked for many years as a school principal and administrator.

She served as a deacon at the Cathedral before her ordination to the priesthood in January 2019.

Hanks began her seminary education at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and completed her coursework at Duke Divinity School. She graduated summa cum laude from Perkins and was ordained a transitional deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. Hanks served as Deacon for Vocational Discernment at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC. She, along with her husband, David, and their daughter, Amelia, moved to St. Petersburg in the fall of 2018, when her husband was relocated to Largo.

“As the Catechism from our Book of Common Prayer states on Page 855, the ministers of the church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The laity are listed first and foremost in this list!” she said. “My focus in ministry is to point to the ministry of the laity, so that all members of the community represent Christ and the Church in all that we are called to do in the world.”

More clergy transitions to note: The Rev. James C. Teets joins St. Mary, Dade City, on Dec. 15, 2019. The Rev. Teets holds a recent Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee in 2017, and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on June 3, 2017 at Trinity Cathedral in Miami.

The Rev. Joseph Hudson has been called to be the fourth rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, Venice. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in 2017 and ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in 2018. The former rector, the Rev. Gary Wilde, retired from active parish ministry and moved to Colorado, to be closer to children and new grand-daughters.

The Rev. Eddie Gibbons is an assisting priest at St. Hilary, Ft. Myers, with the Rev. Charles Cannon. Gibbons was received as a priest on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at a service at St. Hilary, Ft. Myers. Gibbons, a native of Ireland, trained for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic community at All Hallows Seminary, Dublin. He was ordained to the diaconate on June 6, 1997 and to the priesthood on October 18, 1997.

The Rev. David Wyly was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at St. John the Divine.

Wyly, a recent graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, was ordained as a deacon on Dec. 1, 2018. He will be assisting at St. John the Divine. Wyly became a seminarian from St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church in Ft. Myers.

St. John, Tampa, welcomed the Rev. James Reho and his wife Lori. Reho is the new associate rector of the church and school chaplain.

At the diocese, the Rev. Canon Richard Norman, formerly Canon for Mission and Ministry, has been named Canon to the Ordinary. Elizabeth Kozin is the new Executive Assistant to Bishop Dabney Smith.

From left, the Rev. Canon Paige Hanks; right, the Rev. David Wyly and family. Far right, the Rev. Eddie Gibbons at St. Hilary, Ft. Myers, with the Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison, Bishop Smith, the Rev. Gibbons' wife Alicia and the Rev. Charles Cannon.

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Briefly Bishop Smith visits Peace & Justice Memorial in Montgomery; church women tackle issues; Sacred Ground Series begins

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he yearly meeting of the Episcopal Church Women of Southwest Florida featured guest speaker Karen Patterson, who is a past president of the Southwest Florida ECW and the current president of the National Episcopal Church Women. In her time as president, she has not only visited almost a half dozen Episcopal provinces, but attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

“The ECW is alive in well,” said Patterson, in the Nov. 21 meeting at DaySpring Episcopal Center. “We have started new chapters in Missouri.

Minnesota had no ECWs. We sat down and talked with those women about their hopes, and aspirations.”

Across the nation, the ECW currently has three main issues for its social work, including human trafficking, immigration and the abuse of women.

Through its history, the ECW has always had a focus on raising money and awareness for women’s issues, including education, even while adding a social component to the parish for women.

“You don’t have to wear your hats and have tea,” said Patterson. “If you want to do it, you can do that.”

Patterson, a professional court guardian and social worker, has brought

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her expertise to her work with the Episcopal Church Women and United Nations. She told the story of winning citizenship for a girl for whom she was a guardian whose parents had not made her a citizen when they had gone through the proper channels. It was a difficult process, but ultimately the federal government empathized and interceded.

In another situation, she worked with a long-time patient in a Tampa-area hospital who had been categorized as here illegally, but the Green Card paperwork and medical charts had been lost.

“I am a big proponent of lay ministry,” said Patterson, who also recently attended a seminar on dealing with the effect of the opioid crisis, led by brother organization to ECW, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. “You do not have to be ordained to have a ministry.”

She came to the Diocese of Southwest Florida four decades ago, and has not looked back since she was elected president of the St. Chad Episcopal Church Women chapter just after being confirmed in the church. She is looking

toward the 150th anniversary of the Episcopal Church Women, and the upcoming 50th Triennial meeting, for which any Episcopal woman can attend, even if they aren't a delegate.

“Never play down your importance in the world,” said Patterson.

Girls Friendly Presentation The ECW Annual Meeting, led by president Leila Mizer, also included a guest speaker from the Girls Friendly Society.

Lydia Kugler, the GFS New Jersey director, grew up as a Catholic in New Jersey, but joined the Episcopal Church after singing in a choir. While in her parish, she learned of the work of the GFS, which was founded January 1, 1875. At that time, girls and young women began pouring into cities in Great Britain after the industrial revolution, when they were cut off from social networks in small towns.

The charity grew in the United States beginning in 1877, as quiet New England towns were being transformed into industrial cities. Today, the organization is worldwide, with chapters in the Northeast and California in the U.S. Kugler says her local chapters thrive on charity work and week-long beach trips, a time for girls to be together and rekindle and develop friendships. These trips are a living legacy of the Girls Friendly Society’s nationwide network of Holiday Houses, where girls from the group could visit beautiful destinations to swam, hike and work on handicraft projects.

“We are still a vibrant and integral part of the Episcopal Church,” says Kugler, who hopes to encourage new groups. “It only takes a place to meet, two leaders and the approval of your rector.”

Clockwise from left: ECW officers; Lana Fitzgerald with the rendering of the new donor recognition fountain at DaySpring; Lydia Kugler.

Bishop Visits Peace & Justice Memorial MONTGOMERY, AL - From Oct. 18-21, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church met in Montgomery, Ala. The visit included a trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

From Oct. 18-21, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church met in Montgomery, Ala. The visit included a trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

Pictured here, Bishop Dabney Smith and Mary Wallis Smith with founder Bryan Stevenson, of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of the book Just Mercy. The book is now an HBO documentary.

Sacred Ground Series Begins PARRISH - On Saturday, Nov. 16 at DaySpring, over 50 gathered to introduce the diocese to Sacred Ground, a 10part film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. The series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. As a result of the gathering, several dialogue circles are forming to read, mark and inwardly digest this material.

INTERESTED? Visit episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/getting-started or contact The Rev. Paige Hanks at phanks@spcathedral.com or The Rev. Martha Goodwill at marthag@stthomasstpete.org

Around the Diocese Continued from page 14 ST. JOHN GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY NAPLES - 2020 will mark the semicentennial anniversary of the founding of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

This Jubilee Year remembering “The Golden Years” has major events planned quarterly and other observances scattered throughout 2020. The focus event will occur Sunday, March 22. It will be a Golden Anniversary Celebratory Luncheon for parishioners following a special 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Worship Service and Remembrance presided over by the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith. Special guests

will be representatives of individuals, groups and organizations who assisted and participated in the founding of the parish. During 2020, a time capsule will be prepared for the future's centennial celebration and a previous capsule will be retrieved and opened. The fall will see an “Old Timers'” gathering. Other special activities and events will be scattered through the year. For further details, see stjohnsnaples.com CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Christmas gifts for children residing at the Homeless Empowerment Program in Pinellas County. Participants will take an ornament inscribed with a wished-for gift from a tree located on a church bulletin board, buy the gift, then bring the unwrapped gift to the church with the ornament attached.

The unwrapped gifts will be delivered on December 13 to HEP (Helping People Help Themselves), where staff and volunteers will wrap them for distribution. Last year St. Alfred’s served more than 75 children.

PALM HARBOR – Through Dec. 12, St. Alfred’s parishioners will purchase 41

L "Where it's fun to belong!"

O O K I N G

An early photo of St. Vincent, St. Petersburg, from May 1, 1958, from diocesan files. Note the jalousie windows, at that time open to the air. The church formally opened the parish hall in September of 1958, with a record 110 children in the mix. The first service had been held in Fire Station #6 in 1955.

From a 1967 news pictorial, a few images from Trinity-by-theCove which was labeled “where it’s fun to belong.” Sunday School Kindergarten class, with Mrs. W. H. Gracely, teacher. Left to right, Katie Tracy, Shiloh Graham, Margaret Minarich, Kim Marshall, John Graham, Candy Luther and Jacque Smith.

The Primary Choir, pictured in 1967. From left, Paige Powell, Lei Ann Marshall, Craig Stevenson, Kevin Harper, Suzanne Scofield and Alexa Smith. In right column, Harriett Gracely, Holly Morris, Woody Carroll, Betsy Whan, Susan Vega and Liz Smith.

Here, a portrait of the Rev. and Mrs. Kee Harrison, in an undated photo of them preparing for baptism and confirmation.

Harrison came to Trinity-by-the-Cove in 1954.

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BACK

In this 51st year of the diocese, we look back at some early images from Trinity-by-the-Cove, Naples, and St. Vincent, St. Petersburg.

LAST CHANCE FOR 2019!

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BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

ASSIST EPISCOPAL CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Episcopal Charities is the funding support organization for congregation-based community outreach and special needs throughout southwest Florida.

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Trinity-by-the-Cove supports Parkside Elementary School in multiple ways, including a Gulf of Mexico sea trip and fund raiser to support their school lunch program. This October, they brought lunch to the school staff and teachers.

This helps with staff retention and consistency for the children and their families. Photo by Colin Edwards