2020 Christmas Southern Cross Magazine

VOLUME 51 | ISSUE 3

CHRISTMAS 2020

Southern Cross MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

The Weary World

Rejoices

KEEP CALM AND WELCOME ON • CONVENTION WRAP UP A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS • HOPE IN HUDSON • BLUE BOX GARDEN GIFT

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! Planning for 2021 is underway: for the latest updates and more details, head to

CAMP

WWW.DAYSPRINGFLA.ORG

2021

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 Matthew Bowers, Camp Director / Director of Youth Ministry & Programming at

mbowers@episcopalswfl.org

BEST. SUMMER.

EVER.

From the Bishop WONDERFULLY CREATED, MORE WONDERFULLY RESTORED My favorite prayer or collect for Christmastide is the one set apart for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day. We do not always get to use it as we do not always have two Sundays after Christmas. This prayer reads: O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen This prayer is used in the Great Vigil of Easter and of the Votive “Of the Incarnation.” It is a prayer that dates to the mid 5th century from the oldest surviving book of the Roman Rite, where it was used as the collect for the first Christmas Mass.

The petition asking to share in the dignity of God’s Son echoes a statement attributed to Saint Leo the Great: “The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” Even though the language is dated, the theology is clear and potent.

The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology notes that “the doctrines of the incarnation and the Trinity have given historical Christianity its characteristic shape, transcending the divisions between West and East and between Catholic and Protestant.” It continues with “the significance of the doctrine of the Incarnation in Christian theism is very great. The gap between God and man is here held to have been crossed from the side of God, who by making himself known within the human world in a life of dedicated self-sacrificial love overcomes the vagueness characteristic of religious awareness generally and makes possible a much more personal and intimate saving knowledge and experience of God for the believer.”

The New Testament clearly attests to the mystery of the Incarnation. Some key texts include: “the Word became flesh” ( John 1:14); “God sent his son, born of a woman” (Gal 4:4-5) and “ Christ Jesus, who ....emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness” (Phil 2: 5-9). Theologian Robert Krieg stated that the Incarnation pertains specifically to Jesus Christ shedding light both on the mystery of human life and on the mystery of God. He writes “In the Incarnation God is shown to be so devoted to creation and to humankind as to enter completely into the human situation, knowing firsthand its joys, limitations, and burdens. Simultaneously, the Incarnation discloses the essence of being human, namely, openness to God and the longing to enter into relationship with God.” This particular issue of the Southern Cross reveals a great desire to be compassionate that is lovingly revealed in welcoming, feeding, worshiping, Youth Ministry, caring through Covid, Mental Health First Aid, abundant Thrift Store ministry, financial care, creative video sharing, growing and sharing food, caring for people showing up in Lamborghinis and showing up as the new priest or as a new parishioner.

God Incarnate is what we observe and celebrate during the Christmas season. Revealing Christ Incarnate in our lives is what we offer in faith...every day of our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Bishop Dabney Smith Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida

SOUTHERN CROSS

YEAR 51 | ISSUE 3 | ADVENT 2020 FIRST PUBLISHED AD 1970

Matthew Bowers | Director of Youth Ministry & Programming mbowers@episcopalswfl.org Geraldine “Jerry” Buss | Bookkeeper jbuss@episcopalswfl.org Marilyn Erfourth | Receptionist merfourth@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Martha Goodwill | Director of Congregation Support mgoodwill@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Christopher Gray | Canon for Stewardship cgray@episcopalswfl.org

Bishop | The Diocese of Southwest Florida The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, The Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO Anne Vickers SOUTHERN CROSS

Michelle Mercurio | Administrative Assistant mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org

Editor & Director of Communications Garland Pollard

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

Managing Editor & Creative Director Shannon Weber

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 Tana Sembiante | Administrative Assistant to Canon Norman tsembiante@episcopalswfl.org

Contributing Writers Matthew Bowers, the Rev. Martha Goodwill, the Rev. Matthew Grunfeld, Ray LaGrange, the Rev. Dr. James Reho Advertising Inquiries Garland Pollard | 941-556-0315 | gpollard@episcopalswfl.org Subscriptions | The Southern Cross is mailed free of charge to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Contact merfourth@episcopalswfl.org to subscribe or update delivery preferences.

Anne Vickers | Canon for Finance & Administration | CFO avickers@episcopalswfl.org

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

ADJUNCT CLERGY

2020 Submission Deadlines Easter Issue: February 5 Pentecost Issue: March 18 Advent Issue: October 15

The Rev. Ann Dieterle | DaySpring Program Coordinator adierterle@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Carol Fleming | Diocesan Missioner, Parrish cfleming@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Adrienne Hymes | USF Chaplain, Missioner Church Ext. ahymes@episcopalswfl.org The Rev. Michael Todd | State College of Florida Chaplain mtodd@chsosprey.org

On the cover:

A longstanding tradition at St. Nathaniel’s Episcopal Church in North Port is their annual Christmas Tree Sale. While services and worship were upended during the coronavirus, the tree sale continues for 2020.

Facing page: St. Raphael stained glass, restored this year.

FEATURES

22 KEEP CALM AND WELCOME ON

A once-in-a-generation population boom hits Southwest Florida at the same time we are welcoming congregations back after COVID. Tips, ideas and insight. By Garland Pollard

28 A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Harkening back to that first Christmas, this Christmas, by the Rev. Dr. James Reho, of St. John, Tampa. Plus, the Rev. Matthew Grunfeld’s visitors on Holmes Beach mirror those watching for Baby Jesus.

32 CONVENTION WRAP-UP

Wrap-up of our 52nd Convention, including the first steps to the election of a Bishop Coadjutor.

DEPARTMENTS Youth | Expanding Participation Meet the Deacon | Pam Milhan DaySpring | First Aid for the Soul Mission | Blanket Ministry, Food Pantries, Uganda Mission Mission | Thrift Stores Reopen Episcopal Charities | Hope in Hudson Art | St. Raphael's Historic Windows

COMMUNICATIONS | I STREAM, YOU STREAM, WE ALL STREAM Garden | Benison Farm Wins UTO Award Church Cookbook Love | Cake is all you Need Community | Grace in a Time of Trials In Memoriam Transitions Looking Back

6 8 10 12 14 16 17

18 20 37 38 40 41 42

Youth

EXPANDING YOUTH PARTICIPATION FOR 2021

By Matthew Bowers, Director of Youth Ministry and Programming

I

remember most everything about the first Episcopal youth retreat I attended when I was in high school. It was Happening #97 at Camp Weed, and I went with four other youth from my youth group. In fact, the picture of the five of us standing outside of Cabin Howard, wearing our brightly colored nametags and ‘warm & fuzzy necklaces’ can still be found in the youth room of Trinity Episcopal in St. Augustine where I grew up. I remember every word of our theme that weekend, ‘Let The Praises Ring,’ along with the harmonies and callouts that the group discovered through singing. I remember my small group, Parousia, and exactly where each person would sit when it was time to discuss a talk or do an activity within our group. I remember receiving a “Caritas” letter from someone in the Diocese of Chicago who, though they did not know me personally, told me that I was loved by God and being prayed for by so many others around the world.

That was the resounding theme for that weekend, and it’s that same resounding theme that echos forth through every retreat weekend and summer camp session. It’s a resounding theme for all Episcopal youth ministry. We were constantly told that God knew us, loved us, and would never leave us. Along with that we were now a part of a community that knew us, loved us, and would never leave us. The message was effective then and it’s just as effective now.

That message is also why I’m eager to get back to our own regular youth offerings in our own diocese. While we have cancelled events in 2020, we are looking forward to a full, safe, and joy-filled season in 2021. During this year, however, we’ve been working on that resounding theme and I’ve been pushing to draw a wider circle with whom we are reaching. This is why we’re adding more youth to our Happening Steering Committee, why we’re starting Summer Camp staff hiring earlier than usual, and why we’re running our “Camp for Christmas” program to send a Christmas gift to youth whose parents register them early for 2021 Summer Camp, where the dates are already set. I am pushing these things because the youth ministries of the Episcopal church had a profound impact on who I was when I was growing up.

For me, as a child of a single parent who struggled to find his place and identity as a shy Episcopalian in a Catholic school, that was what I had been searching for. I wasn’t an athletic youth, nor was I particularly committed to my studies, and for that I struggled to find my place in the world and in my faith. So to hear from a community that I was loved for who I was and that I didn’t have to ‘try’ to be someone else was monumental.

66

Perhaps it shouldn’t have been. After all, I was a cradle Episcopalian and a model for church participation. I started off as the youngest acolyte in my church because it was recognized how well I behaved during service. In high school, it wasn’t uncommon for me to acolyte at the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services, lead worship music for the 5 p.m. contemporary service, play guitar for Monday high school chapel at school, and then do the same for the Tuesday middle school service.

Church had always been ‘my thing.’ So, if an Episcopal retreat had such a profound impact on my life, imagine what it might do for someone else.

I’ve been working in Youth Ministry for over ten years now. There is a resounding chorus of truth in every place I’ve been and that’s that youth crave to hear about our God who knows them, loves them, and will never leave them. The message is just as strong now as it was then, and I consider my job to not just preserve that message, but to expand it, seeking to draw the circle wider. This is driving all of the things I’ve been doing in my first few months serving as the Director of Youth Ministry and Programming.

Though we’ve not been able to meet in person during this time of pandemic, it is my goal to jump that hurdle in the new year. It might not look like how it does normally at first, but the safety of our participants is of the utmost importance. I believe that to address someone’s spiritual health, you must first address their emotional health; before you address someone’s emotional health, you must first address their physical safety.

We see this in the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, where Christ physically puts himself in the open and safe place by the well. He invites the woman to share her water, and they discuss who she is and who she has been, and finally she

recognizes the Messiah and the living water that Christ offers.

This is the template from which Happening, New Beginnings, Vocare, Summer Camp, and all of our Episcopal retreat offerings operate. “Hearts unfold like flowers before thee” can only happen after we can provide a safe garden and nourishment for those flowers to grow. Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find stories of youth groups doing just that as they are starting to return to different forms of in-person youth groups.

Episcopal youth ministry is in a very different place than it was a year ago, but that doesn’t change its importance or mission. This is because it is still rooted in the love of God, and

though we are expressing it and interacting with it in vastly different ways than we anticipated, there is no place I’d rather be. In Will Reagan’s “Set A Fire” he sings “No place I’d rather be than here in Your love / So set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, that I can’t control / I want more of you God.” When I attended my first retreat as a youth over ten years ago, a fire was set in me that I couldn’t contain and I couldn’t control. My prayer and intention with this time is to do the same with our retreats and our summer camp. It is my prayer that we are in a time where we are setting a fire, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

YOUTH GROUPS RETURN IN PERSON Across the diocese, our youth groups have begun meeting in person - albeit carefully - and our Episcopal Youth Community groups continue to flourish.

ST. JOHN'S, TAMPA - St John's EYC has implemented a hybrid model this fall for our youth meetings. Most Sundays, we meet in our parish hall, as our regular youth house is too small for social distancing, and hold an outdoor event on the first Sunday of each month. So far, our outdoor EYC events (combined 6th-12th grades) have included a Game Night, Pet Blessing, and Halloween Party. Our Parish Hall EYC meetings are split--middle schoolers gather from 4:30-5:30 p.m., while high schoolers gather from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Although our service options are limited during this time, we were able to hold a pet food drive in conjunction with the Pet Blessing, and we will be making sandwiches for Faith Cafe in November for St. John's Sandwich Sunday.

Our numbers have stayed pretty consistent, with between 15-20 total kids attending each week. We require masks for EYC, and make every effort to stay socially distant during the games and lessons. We currently serve snacks and drinks, but are considering adding dinner back in as we move into 2021. – Ayana Grady HOLY INNOCENTS', VALRICO - Over the summer, Holy Innocents’ youth group gathered a handful of times for outdoor activities like tailgates, canoe/kayak trips, and held weekly Zoom meetings to stay connected. Beginning in September, we returned to our normal Sunday meetings in-person, with a few important adjustments: we implemented a COVID covenant, signed by both youth and their parents, agreeing to maintain physical distancing, wear masks, and abide by other safety precautions. We started with meeting in the church sanctuary to provide ample space for distancing, but realized it provided a little too much space to have successful, meaningful conversations and worship with a group of our size. We have since then moved to gathering in our Parish Hall, which has a smaller capacity but adequate space to spread out. We also

provide a Zoom link every week for students that are not yet comfortable attending in person but wish to participate in our new curriculum series.

We have cut out meals from our meeting currently, with plans to implement them once we’re more comfortable with the idea of eating together; meals would be individually packed and consumed outside when we begin this phase of gathering together, which may be as early as the start of the new year.

Our Youth Sunday School hour has been put on hold for the time being. However, we still conduct our intergenerational weeknight study every Wednesday, both in person and online.

Fr. Bryan and I have planned a number of engaging six-week series for the year, with an outdoor tailgate & compline at the end of each series. – Morgan Brownlee CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, SARASOTA - We moved from Zoom youth group meetings to in person meeting on September 23. Our Youth groups are back to their normal meeting times on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, and we have rooms set up for social distancing, always encourage mask wearing, and try to do activities outdoors whenever possible.

Our confirmation class is meeting Wednesday evenings, socially distanced, with masks inside on Wednesday evenings.

Seventh graders in Confirmation also have the option to join confirmation class in a hybrid manner and can join the class live on Zoom.

Our young people have been participating in monthly service projects reaching out to those who are staying home during this time with prayer cards and painted pumpkins in October, honoring our veterans in November, and participating in an Adopt-a-Family project in December. Our Sunday School has been online with monthly supply kits sent home at the beginning of each month. During Advent we will take advantage of the cooler weather and offer family Sunday school 7 outside. – Jacki Overton

Meet the Deacon THE REV. PAM MILHAN, ST. ANNE OF GRACE and discernment with Deacon Linda Barley and the Reverend Glad McCurtain. At first the calling wasn’t clear, just a feeling or sense that I was called to do “something” and I had to figure out what that was. Once I read the service for ordination of a deacon and the words of the Examination, I knew that was what I had been called to do.

Q: What is your earliest Episcopal Church memory?

A: I was baptized in the Episcopal Church when I was seven months old. I can’t say that I have memories of that day, but I have treasured photographs of me at the old wooden gothic All Saints Church in Jacksonville, Florida, with Father Bulloch, my grandmother, my parents, and Godparents. My first memory of being in church is being told not to stand on the kneelers (I just wanted a better view), and sitting on the kneeler at my mother’s feet absorbing the beautiful music, the smell of candle wax and warm wood, and listening to the voices of corporate prayer. I loved being in church from a very young age.

The Rev. Pam Milhan cuts the cake as St. Anne of Grace celebrated her ordination to the Diaconate.

P

am Milhan is a fifth-generation Floridian, and her father Lynwood Arnold Sr. served a decade in the Florida House of Representations and Florida Senate. After attending Agnes Scott College, she taught for four years, and eventually earned an MA degree in family relations. Her master’s thesis was “The Impact of an Episcopal Marriage Encounter Weekend on Couples Communication.” While attending FSU, she met her husband Randy Milhan at Advent Episcopal Church following an Epiphany service. After their adoption of two children, she returned to graduate school, this time at USF for an MS in Library Information Science. Following graduation, she became an elementary school librarian. She is the (soonto-be) adoptive parent of four grandchildren, Abigail (11), Archer (7), Ansley (4) and Avaleigh (5).

Q: How did you first decide you might be called to the diaconate?

A: In hindsight, I now see signs that I was being called to ordained ministry throughout my whole life. When the time came for me to do this, it was revealed to me through prayer 8

I also remember growing up to be a girl with lots of questions for my Sunday School teachers. One question I remember was, why do we only say “men” in worship. I was told that “men” just stood for “all mankind”. I didn’t like that, so I would just skip over the word “men” or substitute “people”.

For example, I would say under my breath in the Confession, “Maker of all things, Judge of all ‘people’.” A quiet little radical, I guess.

Q: What was it about the church that made you stay?

A: I love all Christian churches and have worshiped and served in many. Each denomination (and non-denominational church) has so much to give to our collective Christian journey. I pray with Jesus that we may someday all be one.

The Episcopal Church has a history of broad-minded theology and a tradition of beautiful liturgy focused on the Eucharist that always pulls me back.

Q: What is the special role you play at St. Anne of Grace as a deacon?

A: My role is not so special. I love participating in worship as a symbol of servanthood. I am honored to proclaim the Gospel each Sunday. It is a wonderful experience for me each Sunday to hear the Gospel words come from my mouth to listening ears. I also give a weekly Children’s sermon which is fun to do.

I teach Adult formation classes and help pull together all sorts

MEET THE DEACON (continued from page 10)

of projects and events. I believe my gift and calling is to speak truth, ask questions, and make connections. In the words of the Examination at my ordination, I was admonished to “interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” My life experience gives me words to speak on behalf of mental health issues, struggling families, children exposed to trauma, and those battling addictions.

Q: Is your work as a deacon different than what you expected?

A: Absolutely. This is God’s work and I follow Him. It has been an adventure that has unfolded before me.

Q: Was there a challenge in ministering this year, and how did you get past it?

A: This year has forced all of us to completely rethink everything we do. Each of us has had to re-prioritize. It has been a blessing to me, causing me to slow down, re-focus and let go of worrying about the outcome. Certainly, my diaconal outreach program came to an abrupt halt. Our St. Anne’s Promise outreach to support adoptive and foster families completely stopped when COVID restrictions hit. It was impossible to do what we had planned to do. No more weekly hot meals to foster families, no more blanket donations, no Foster Awareness Community event. My priorities have shifted from serving foster families through St. Anne’s to personally focusing on being one. I am now a licensed Level I foster parent. Most of my time, talent and treasure now goes into my role as a mother to four young children, ages three, four, seven and eleven. Hopefully before the end of 2020, this “mid-century modern” grandmother (together with Randy, my husband of 43 years) will adopt our grandchildren out of the foster care system.

Q: Are there special needs in your part of Pinellas County that our deacons need to respond to?

A: As of January 2020, Pinellas County ranked #2 in Florida for children in foster care, more than Miami/Dade and Broward, the two largest counties in the state. At a foster care awareness event held locally pre-pandemic, I learned that our Seminole area has the most critical shortage of foster parents in Pinellas County. We as churches can best respond by raising awareness of the needs of these children, encouraging people to become foster parents, and then supporting the foster and adoptive families throughout the process.

Q: What is your favorite hymn?

A: "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God."

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN HOLD 50TH AT DAYSPRING The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southwest Florida met Thursday, Nov. 12 at DaySpring, both in person, and online via Zoom and Facebook Live for their 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The Rev. Alexander Andujar of St. Vincent Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg helped broadcast the meeting by Zoom and Facebook Live, a first. The group unanimously elected Michelle Schombs their new president.

Their speaker was the Very Rev. Kim Coleman, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Arlington. She currently serves as a Delegate to General Convention and member of the Union of Black Episcopalians and has served on both the Diocesan Standing and Executive Committees as well as an Adjunct Professor for Virginia Theological Seminary. Her talk is available online on the ECW Facebook page.

From left: officers Barbara Counts, Berry Ludwig, Miriam Benitez-Nixon, newly elected President Michelle Schombs, outgoing President Leila Mizer, Nancy Monti, Jackie Smith, & Ann Beers.

SAVE THE DATE | JANUARY 23, 2021 Embrace your story: a ladies luncheon retreat for the Diocese of Southwest Florida DaySpring Episcopal Center | Parrish, FL This event will help us see God’s hand on our personal histories, strengthening our faith and trust in him to enable us to better witness to His Grace in our lives today and tomorrow.

We will hear several short talks by ladies about a particular point in their history and how God used it, how they are changed or have grown because of it. We will consider asking God if there is any part of our story He needs in the future.

It’s a positive, upbeat look at life with the Eternal perspective, not the Earthly world view. We will enjoy good music and good food and good fellowship and even a good laugh.

This retreat is open to all ladies in our diocese but space is limited. Register at

www.redeemersarasota.org 9

DaySpring

FIRST AID FOR THE SOUL DaySpring adds Mental Health First Aid training to its portfolio of offerings for 2021 and beyond.

A

new pilot program at DaySpring Episcopal Center involves Mental Health First Aid, a training certification of the National Council for Behavioral Health. The day-long seminar and certification program is intended to mimic classic first aid training, helping non-mental health practitioners better know how to deal with every manner of mental health issue.

“You’ve got to listen, and make the person feel heard,” said April Lott, president, Directions for Living, who co-led the training. Lott said that this year included many pandemics, including drug and alcohol abuse, all stemming from COVID-19.

Lott led the training on Nov. 19, 2020, along with Stoney Dvornik, director of the Tampa Bay area foundation Love IV Lawrence, a charity formed in honor of Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt IV, who died in 2017. Love IV Lawrence, which co-sponsored the training, aims to change the conversation around mental health by de-stigmatizing issues around depression and suicide.

It included practical tips, as well as discussions on different ways imagined scenarios might be perceived by different types of people.

The training covers issues such as addiction, panic, psychosis, self-harm, suicide, depression and other behavioral challenges. The idea is that everyday people in contact with family, work, and organizations can better identify these issues early, before they become problems. It is part of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay’s regional effort to train 5,000 key personnel in nonprofits, faith communities and other community settings to identify, understand and respond to signs of 10

addictions and mental illness within the next three years.

Attending for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay was Clara Reynolds, the center’s president and CEO. Reynolds is also the chair of the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network; she attended to update her own training. One of her agency’s key offerings is the Hillsborough County 211 mental health emergency telephone service, which was explained at the training. The 2-1-1 functions much the same as 9-1-1, except that it is for mental health emergencies.

Holding the event at DaySpring was not just practical; it was for many in the group a first time out at a public event since the beginning of the pandemic. For a Zoomed-out audience, being able to safely meet in a serene woodland setting, apart from day-to-day stressors is key for engaging this sensitive topic. Part of the days’ activities included role-playing some of the difficult questions of how to deal with a person in crisis.

“Our goal is for DaySpring to host a regular schedule of open Mental Health First Aid classes available to the public, as well as hosting groups of all types who schedule private classes as a part of their focus on the rise of behavioral health issues,” said Canon Anne M. Vickers, CFO of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. “Through this year’s COVID pandemic, we have watched an explosion of needs for mental health support and resiliency among healthcare, education, government and faith-based organizations, and practically all workplaces in our community at large. The impact on

individuals and families is palpable and continuing into the foreseeable future.”

DaySpring is well-known in the diocese for its church and para-church programs, but its role as a home for regional training and education continues to grow. Its stated mission to be a “safe and sacred place in the heart of our community that exists to enrich and empower all people” aligns directly with this broad community initiative.

In recent years DaySpring has served as host for similar trainings including disaster cleanup Team Rubicon Disaster Response, active shooter training for Manatee County and orientations for schools and regional leadership programs. DaySpring has been a center for community arts programs for decades. When a local need arises, DaySpring Executive Director Carla Odell has been quick to promote DaySpring as a home; one summer, DaySpring hosted a complete summer children’s YMCA day camp program.

“Our longstanding relationships hosting over 500 community groups each year delivering programming for wellness, spiritual strength, addiction, renewal and recovery positions us as a center for wellness and resiliency,” said Vickers.

Clergy that attended the Mental Health First Aid training included the Rev. Michelle Robertshaw of St. Andrew, Boca Grande; the Rev. Adrienne Hymes, USF Chaplain and priest in charge of St. Paul's (Wesley Chapel Episcopal Church); and the Rev. Michael Todd, rector of Holy Spirit Osprey and chaplain for State College of Florida.

mentalhealthfirstaid.com

Matthew Bowers, the diocesan director of youth ministry and programming, is also tapping into these resources. His attending Mental Health First Aid training was not only to get himself certified, but to take the next step and become a trainer, so that all counselors serving DaySpring Summer Camp are fully trained in Mental Health First Aid for summer 2021.

Last summer, and during the middle of the pandemic, Bowers brought in a video trainer to certify DaySpring Summer Camp counselors in lifeguard training. This dovetails with other training and certifications offered to camp leaders, including the Church Pension Group’s Safeguarding programs for youth, and traditional physical First Aid. This effort is larger than just DaySpring as those trained return to their parishes, now able to teach others.

“Our network of Episcopal congregations and schools extend this awareness and these important skills deep into the day-to-day lives of our local neighborhoods,” said Vickers. “We are here for a time like this.”

DAYSPRING UPGRADES As groups slowly return, it's all hands on deck at DaySpring, where upgrades to many facilites have been completed or are underway. Projects include: INTERNET AND WIFI | DaySpring beefed up its wifi for future events. Capacity for the Program Center was upgraded. St. Thomas Chapel, home of the Parrish Episcopal Church worship community, also received its first ever wifi and ethernet, to begin streamed services, not only for Parrish Episcopal Church, but for diocesan chapel events upon their return.

RESTROOM RENOVATIONS | Most notable recent improvements are new restroom updates on the deck, serving the meeting rooms, and dorms.

NEW ROPES COURSE | The move of the Ropes Course to an area of DaySpring near youth cabins is finished, with safety testing complete. New groups, including a local Young Life gathering, were among the first to beta test the course this November, led by Common Ground Adventures, a DaySpring partner agency.

To find out more about the Love IV Lawrence Foundation, visit

loveivlawrence.org

From left, Lawrence and Vevie Dimmitt at the DaySpring pier on a walk after a full day's training; newly-certified "firstaiders" at the conclusion of of the session at DaySpring's Program Center; certified Mental Health First Aid trainers Stoney Dvornik and April Lott.

11

Mission

BLANKET MINISTRY AT ST. HILARY'S In the midst of a pandemic, a home-based project transforms the lives of both maker and recipients.

T

his year has been a challenge for all of us, to say the least.

However, 2020 has had some special moments as well; In the fall of 2019, we moved to a new home with much more room; enough room, in fact, for me to transform the den into a quilting room. I purchased a computerized long arm quilting machine and a frame so I could start an at-home business of edge-to-edge quilting. For various reasons, I did not do anything with my purchase or my goal of developing the at-home business at the time, but in March, about the time that COVID-19 took center stage, I decided I needed to focus in and learn how to use the long arm equipment. After some online research, I practiced using small pieces of fabric, pretending they were quilts to build my confidence so I could master the technique.

One evening, I was reading a blog created by Jo Kramer in Waucoma, Iowa, where she talked about receiving several quilt tops from her blog readers and needed some long armers to quilt the tops and to donate them to charity.

I volunteered my services, not really thinking that she would even consider sending me any tops. Surprise! A few days later I received a dozen tops of various sizes, colors, and patterns in the mail.

One Thursday while Senior Warden helping Margie Ehle with some finance business, I mentioned the quilts that I was working on. Our conversation inspired us to start an outreach project with the quilts; Fr. Charles Cannon liked the idea and encouraged us to move forward. In the meantime, Jo and I stayed in touch. I would send her pictures of the quilts as I finished them, and she started sending more tops to me. We discussed 12

the challenge I was running into with fabric to use for the quilts, and she said she would put a notice in a blog post that I needed a stash to use for the backings.

The response was incredible: I started receiving emails from ladies all over the US with offers to assist with fabric, more tops, and thread. Help came from everywhere, but I especially appreciated the huge stash donation from Debbie and Pam in Florida. Pam was moving and needed a home for all her fabric, and they gave me so much that it filled my Subaru Outback to the brim.

My gratitude is ongoing: I have received fabric, orphan blocks, quilt tops and monetary support from members of St. Hilary’s. On top of that, Nancy Findley, Jo Lane, Margaret Lane, Dorothy Marshall and Maria Lombardo have been great at piecing fabric together for the backings that are needed. Kathy Corey has been picking up the finished quilts and putting a label on each quilt. The labels say:

There is an abundance of gratitude from the recipients of the quilts. There is also the gratitude that comes from the various ladies that have sent me fabric and tops. They are so excited to see that someone has completed something they started and given it to someone that needs a lift in their life: that even though COVID has isolated them in some way, they are still a part of something good.

It is the collective community of people coming together for the good of others that generates gratitude and love. These blankets are no longer considered charity quilts, but rather community quilts, because of the community involved in creating them, and the reason the project has been named – Love in a Blanket. ~ Ray LaGrange

May God’s peace be with you always Saint Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Fort Myers.

At present, over thirty-five quilts have been completed and donated in the name of Saint Hilary’s. Twenty-two of those quilts have been placed with Hope Healthcare for their patients, with the remainder placed with various persons as part of the Outreach Ministry, providing the comfort and love that goes with a quilt.

But that is just the beginning: I have more quilts ready to be donated, with several in the process of having labels added. There are sixty-five quilt tops that are ready for me to quilt. I am doing my best to keep up, but have had to put a hold on Jo and others sending me any more tops until I can get some of the inventory of tops quilted.

Above: A few of the many quilts donated through the blanket ministry at St. Hilary's this year.

Mission DAILY BREAD RISES ON MARCO ISLAND St. Mark's Food Pantry, like the ubiquitous "pandemic loaf," keeps growing and growing.

MARCO ISLAND – The St. Mark’s Our Daily Bread Food Pantry has added extra storage to grow capacity, and serve even more clients. This fall, they recently annexed the front half of a storage facility of St. Mark’s.

According to Doug Eichten, St. Mark’s Food Ministry Coordinator, Our Daily Bread will use the space for additional food storage, adding to their existing location on Winterberry Drive. The undertaking is in response to the massive demand for donated food during COVID-19 and unemployment, where they were left entirely out of space at their building on Winterberry Drive.

The first load of food delivered on September 1 was set aside in case there was an emergency following a hurricane or other natural disaster. The storage room needed to be climate controlled at 70 degrees; to ensure this, St. Mark’s replaced an old window air conditioner and had a second air conditioner inspected and serviced. To ensure food safety, the pantry’s volunteer staff will be the only individuals permitted to enter the new storage.

Clergy and parishioners worked together to make the project come to life, including the parish vestry and the Rev. Jessica Babcock and the Rev. Kathy Schillreff. Other supporters of the addition included Doug Eichten, Cathy Weis, Mike and Cheryl Mueller, Elaine Cole, Tom Weis, Wendy Happney, and Bob Brown.

This project was supported by an Episcopal Charities Grant: see page 16 for more details.

OVERSEAS MISSION |

UGANDA

K

abale is a small city in the Southeast of Uganda, north of Rwanda and to the east of the Congo. This year, the American charity group Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation were made aware of a situation where The Central High School in Kabale urgently needed a latrine and working water system. The Central High School is a small, independent school that is devoted to giving children who cannot afford school fees an education.

In our diocese, Deacon the Rev. Gary Cartwright serves as treasurer of EGR, and has been involved in the group since 2005. Cartwright is a former archdeacon who serves at The Church of the Redeemer. When the group became aware of the situation in Uganda, the need for water was critical: the current situation - where two young girls were walking two kilometers to a polluted river to get needed water - was unsustainable.

This summer, the board voted to send their headmaster, Sunday John, notice that they could provide $1,500 to construct the latrine; after the donation another donor came through with a rainwater catchment system.

After the completion of the projects, the group found out that there was money left over. They found out that there were three girls who were in their last year at school, and approved our funds to keep those three girls in school.

13

Mission

THRIFT STORES REOPEN AROUND DIOCESE Forced to close temporarily due to COVID-19, St. John's Thrift Shop and others are back in buiness.

C

losed since March due to COVID-19 concerns and a planned relocation of the Thrift Shop to the Church’s Ministry Building, renovations for St. John’s Thrift Shop have now been completed. The Thrift Shop occupies a newer and more attractive space to better serve its customers.

“We’ve been anxiously awaiting the re-opening of the Thrift Shop and look forward to serving our loyal customers in a new facility,” said Rev. Kathy Walter, Rector at St. John’s. “The expanded and more up-to-date facilities should also bring in new customers from the surrounding community. We are all here to help support each other.”

“St. John’s Thrift Shop helps to meet many needs of the local community. We are known for our great prices, and now shoppers will continue to find bargains in more pleasant and

cheerful surroundings,” said Thrift Shop Manager Nancy Smith.

In addition to a large selection of gently used clothing, St. John’s Thrift Shop also offers home goods, books, DVDs, CDs, electronics and seasonal items.

The relocation of the Thrift Shop to the church’s Ministry Building would not have been possible without donations from parishioners, a loan from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, and approval of plans by Largo city officials.

Church members also pitched in to paint, construct shelving and display areas and move store inventory from the old thrift store building to its new quarters.

The St. John’s Thrift Shop is located at 1676 South Belcher Road and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at the drop-off shed by the old thrift shop at any time.

THRIFT STORES

T

AROUND THE DIOCESE

his fall, our diocesan network of vintage and thrift stores are reopening, after closing due to coronavirus. Hours may have changed, and some stores may not have opened fully. Our parishes rely on these stores not only for money for mission, but for operating funds. They are also a key part of building awareness for their respective congregations. Consider them also for your donations; always call ahead.

ST. PETERSBURG DEANERY

VENICE DEANERY

St. Alban, St. Pete Beach: The Attic Shoppe 316 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach | 727-360-5647 Wed.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.

St. David, Englewood: St. David's Thrift Shop 485 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood | 941-474-1047 Mon.-Fri., 9:30-12:30 and Sat., 9:30-12:00

St. Bartholomew, St. Petersburg: Located at St. Bartholomew 3747 34th St. S., St. Petersburg | 727-867-7015 Tues.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.

St. Mark, Venice: Divine Consign Shop 212A S. Tamiami Trail, Venice | 941-488-3219 Mon. – Sat. 10:00-4:00.

St. Vincent, St. Petersburg: St. Vincent's Thrift Shop 5124 22nd Ave. S., Gulfport | 727-321-7215 Weds.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.

14

CLEARWATER DEANERY Ascension, Clearwater: The Shed Thrift Shop is located at Ascension 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater | 727-447-3469 Thur., Fri. and Sat., 9:00-12:00 Good Samaritan Episcopal, Clearwater: Good Samaritan Thrift Shop 2167 NE Coachman Rd., Clearwater | 727-447-9581 Thurs.-Sat., 12:00-4:00 Good Shepherd, Dunedin: The Little Thrift Shop 506 Main Street, Dunedin | 727-734-8238 Mon., Thur., Fri. and Sat. 10:00-2:00 The Furniture Thrift Shop is located just south of the light at Alt. 19 and Sunset Pt. Rd., Clearwater | 727-600-5820 Tues.-Sat., 12:00-3:00 Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor: The Thrift Shop 601 Philippe Pkwy., Safety Harbor | 727-725-4726.

Thur.-Sat., 9:00-1:00 Holy Trinity, Clearwater: Holy Trinity Thrift Shop 3240 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater | 727-723-7631 Mon.-Sat., 10:00-4:00 St. Andrew, Spring Hill: Karen's Kit 'N Kaboodle 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill | 352-686-1114.

Closed due to COVID St. John, Clearwater: The Thrift Shop 1676 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater | 727-531-6020 Tues., Thur. and Sat., 9:30-3:30

NAPLES DEANERY

St. Stephen, New Port Richey: St. Stephen's Thrift Shop 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey | 727-846-1378.

Open Mon.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.

St. John, Naples: St. John's Shoppe at Tamiami Square 14700 Tamiami Trail N., Naples | 239-597-9518 Mon.-Sat., 10:00-3:00 St. Mary, Bonita Springs: Penny Wise Thrift Shop 9801 Bonita Beach Rd., Bonita Springs | 239-947-3363 Weds.-Sat., 10:00-3:00

FT. MYERS DEANERY All Souls, North Ft. Myers: The Ruth Tucker Memorial Thrift Store is located at All Souls 14640 N. Cleveland Ave., North Ft. Myers | 239-656-6229 Tues., Thur., Fri. and Sat., 9:00-3:00 Iona-Hope, Ft. Myers: The One More Time Thrift Shop is located in Gulf Point Shopping Center 15660 San Carlos Blvd., Unit 6A, Ft. Myers | 239-437-5333 Mon.-Fri., 10:00-5:00 and Sat., 10:00-4:00 St. Michael and All Angels, Sanibel Island: The Noah's Ark Thrift Shop is located in the last building behind St. Michael and All Angels 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel | 239-472-3356.

Temporarily closed due to COVID

St. Paul, Naples: The Unique Boutique at St. Paul Farmers' Market 3901 Davis Blvd., Naples | 239-353-2804 Temporarily closed due to COVID

MANASOTA DEANERY Christ Church, Bradenton: Christ Episcopal Thrift Shop 4030 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton | 941-747-3709 Thurs - Fri, 10:00-2:00 Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota: Episcopal Thrift House 1503 Second St., Sarasota | 941-365-1519 Tues.-Sat., 10:00-1:00 St. Mary's, Palmetto: St. Mary's Thift Shop 1010 24th Ave. W., Palmetto | 941-722-5292 Sat. 10:00-1:00 15

Episcopal Charities HOPE IN HUDSON

A

cross the diocese, dozens of small charities assist and build up community among those who are often forgotten. One such charity is Project Hope, run by St. Martin’s, Hudson, which was supported this year and in previous years by Episcopal Charities of Southwest Florida grants.

Hudson is a small, sleepy town on the Gulf, best known as a town of marinas and mangrove marshes along the Gulf of Mexico in Pasco County. Located on Route 19, it has a steady number of transient residents, many of whom have substance abuse problems. To help, the parish offers a program called Helping Other People Everyday, or Project HOPE, which offers meals to the needy through a local restaurant.

“We know them [the clients] by name,” said Parish Administrator Lisa Collier, who helps supervise the voucher program. The program began in 1998, when parishioner Kathy Gosselin got the idea of helping these residents, not just with a cold sandwich and a handout, but something more.

She, along with the parish, decided to do something about it, in a small but meaningful way.

Today, the program provides hot meals through a meal voucher with Frank’s Restaurant, just up Route 19 from the parish. Frank’s, which is a popular lunch and dinner spot within the parish community, offers sets of discounted vouchers to the church, which provide for discounted meals for the homeless. At the restaurant, those with vouchers are treated with respect, and with that $10 voucher, they can get an actual warm meal, said Collier. St. Martin’s also provides small toiletries and essential items for those in need. Since it began, they have success with the program; they even had a client become a part of the St. Martin’s community and begin to attend AA meetings at the parish.

In recent months, the need has increased, not only due to COVID-19 but also from some services being cut back when the local charity ACT Center burned down. The grant for Project HOPE was one of 16 distributed this fall, with St. Martin’s receiving $3,000 for the program.

Another program that works with restaurants is the Beacon Bites program, supported by St. John’s, Pine Island.

The program supports 22 people who are completely homebound, with daily meal service, similar to Meals on Wheels. Because of the traffic issues, particularly in winter, Meals on Wheels could not properly serve the island, which includes Matlacha. Volunteers, which include members of St. John’s, deliver the meals. The meals come daily, and are either frozen, fresh-prepared, or from local restaurants. The 16

volunteers are not just food delivery, but help to check in on people who are living alone, and do not easily get out.

“If there is a problem, they bring it back to me,” said Nancy Buthman, director of community programs and client services. When they hear of problems, the Beacon agency can help; it has two case managers, and offers everything from transportation to tax preparation to budgeting classes, supported by local churches and their own thrift shop. In 2020, Episcopal Charities awarded the program $4,000.

In 2020, the Diocese of Southwest Florida has had two rounds of support distributed from the Episcopal Charities Fund, totaling $49,575. The second round of grants was sent out this fall, after an application process and recommendation list from the Council on Deacons.

FALL AWARDEES Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg Resource Room at Florida Resurrection House, $5,000 Church of the Ascension, Clearwater RCS Food Bank, $10,000 Good Shepherd, Dunedin Pack A Sack, $2,500 St. Augustine's & St. Thomas', St. Peterburg Filling the Beds, $2,500 St. Bede's, St. Petersburg Little Free Pantry, $2,500 St. Catherine's, Temple Terrace Vincentian Faith & Grace Garden, $2,500 St. Chad's, Tampa, The Open Arms of Jesus, $1,000 St. David's, Englewood Jubilee Center Advocates, $1,275

Art ST. RAPHAEL'S HISTORIC WINDOWS

The stunning windows of St. Raphael get some much-needed (and much appreciated) TLC.

A

ll 15 of the historic stained-glass windows at St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church have been renovated, including repair and cleaning.

The building was designed by the English developer and builder Cyril Shawcross and Cyril Harby in 1951 and finished in 1953. Shawcross, a pioneer who helped lay out the Tamiami Trail, died before the building was completed.

His other building, the since-demolished Commodore Hotel, was also built with beach sand, coquina, and limestone rock.

The windows are notable in that they are jalousie stained glass.

The project was completed through funds from an anonymous donor.

The original design, according to the Rev. John Adler, included plain glass jalousie windows, fit in such a way that they could be opened for cooling.

“At a later date,” said Adler, “it was decided to create ‘stained glass’ windows.” Once they were made, they were brought to the church and installed in the same frames. For

years, they worked well, but have been sealed in place during the restoration. For safety and wear, they were covered on the outside by a protective glazing called Klear-Flo. “The windows are now truly beautiful - both inside and out,” said Adler.

St. Giles Episcopal Church, Pinellas Park SAGE Food Ministry $1,000

St. George's, Bradenton Food Pantry Assistance $3,000 St. James House of Prayer, Tampa Cornerstone Kids, Inc., $2,500 St. John's, Pine Island Beacon Bites Meal Delivery Program, $4,000 St. Mark's, Marco Island Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, $5,000 St. Martin's, Hudson Project H.O.P.E., $800 St. Mary's, Bonita Springs St. Mary’s Outreach Commission, $3,000 St. Mary Magdalene, Sarasota Outreach Ministry, $3,000

Views of the historic windows and the window restoration at St. Raphael's.

17

Communications

I STREAM, YOU STREAM, WE ALL STREAM

If 2020 has taught us anything, it's how useful video streaming can be to get your message out there.

A

cross the diocese, our congregations have rallied around the cause of making worship accessible. In just a matter of weeks following pandemicrelated closures, 70 of our 78 parishes have been able to offer some form of online worship. In many cases, this began as a temporary setup; a way to help people feel connected to church at home. As the weeks have progressed, however, churches are offering every manner of class online. But as the diocese slowly moves back to in-person worship, parishes are reassessing what they need to offer online, especially as most congregations have gone back to inperson worship, with distanced seating.

Churches such as All Souls, North Ft. Myers, have purchased a multicamera setup with a switcher, so that the

1

INTEGRATE YOUR

AUDIO

Most of our parishes have an audio board with a designated person who monitors the sound. With streaming programs such as Boxcast, you can take the sound from the board’s headphone jack, and connect it to the outbound stream, eliminating the need for two microphone systems. In addition, the person who works the audio – which is not an easy job – can, in a pinch, also monitor or assist with the video feed with proper training.

18

service can be filmed with HD cameras.

Treasurer Barbara Kelly says that they are working with a local vendor and using a simple Black Magic switcher, which gives the worship a professional look. Holy Trinity, Clearwater, has used Boxcast as a platform, but is also investigating a multi-camera operation, according to the Rev. Daniel Lemley. The Rev. Peter Lane, at St. Alfred, Palm Harbor, is talking to other congregations in his deanery about shared part-time help, so that, for instance, one person might be able to help multiple congregations on a part-time basis. This is done with accounting and administration, as many congregations share bookkeeping staff.

In most cases, there has been strong congregational support for the costs of the equipment; donors have realized that even a few thousand dollars invested can

2

JUST KEEP

SWIMMING

No one can make the perfect plan; that’s a fact. What’s most important is that you start, continue to practice and improve, and realize that you will make mistakes along the way. Don’t let it stress you out; remember that no one is expecting perfection. Just try! You can’t truly fail unless you never begin something.

quickly expand the potential audience for a congregation.

Congregations are also deciding what would be the best and most sustainable video program over the long term, after COVID-19 has abated.

The complexity of video, even as it has become simpler, is yet one more thing to worry about, and find time to organize. Congregations are still having to print service bulletins, and yet are also expected to offer everything else.

To help, the diocese has published a guide to next steps and streaming. It shows various cost scenarios for church video setups, from inexpensive (free YouTube and Facebook Live) to threecamera setups. It includes hardware recommendations, and is available on our website at:

episcopalswfl.org/video.html

3

BE

MODULAR

Any equipment you buy should not preclude later use as you upgrade.

For instance, if you start with a cheap HD camera, as a one-camera stream, as you add more cameras, the old camera can be used as a second camera. A second computer, for instance, can be used in a conference room for Zoom only, so that you do not have to disconnect it, and move it around.

TRUMPET CONCERT Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota held their Redeemer's Summer Concert Series online, taking advantage of strong local talent. Here, Anthony Limoncelli on trumpet, in a concert with Organist Sam Nelson. Limoncelli introduced audiences to the work of trumpet composer Adolphus Hailstork.

VIDEO VISIONARIES In the last six months, our congregations have posted hundreds of videos, totaling thousands of hours and viewers.

Pictured here is just a sample of what we've seen our parishes do to get creative and stay connected.

4

LEARN FROM

CHANGE

If there is one consolation from the last six months, it is that even the most professional networks - all of them - are using some of the same technology that you’re using, and they often look homegrown. In recent months, some of our parishes have had better music quality than The Tonight Show, thanks to good audio and HD video, while networks were streaming from houses using some of the same tools.

At St. Andrew, Spring Hill, vestry member Connie Mehr addresses the congregation, to talk about the successful efforts of the parish leadership during coronavirus, as they have returned to in-person worship. She also thanked the parish for continued giving and support while at home.

GOSPEL READING

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS At Holy Trinity Clearwater, the Rev. Daniel Lemley offered announcements weekly via video, in a series of short conversational segments.

VESTRY UPDATE

PROMOTIONS FOR GROUPS At St. John’s in Tampa, the parish filmed a promotional video for adult Christian formation activities, including the Ven. Kathleen Moore.

Also in the video was Michael Eachon, a verger who also described activities like the Men’s Bible Study. The video was part of a series highlighting the laity who lead parish ministries.

5

ASK FOR

HELP

The clergy should encourage the laity to take control of the video process, so that as many people as possible can be involved. It is difficult to preach and lead a service and at the same time worry about the technology and logistics.

Volunteers will need to be trained, and will learn from each other.

At St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, the Rev. Mack Bauknight, reads the Gospel. The parish quickly established its sermons on YouTube after the pandemic.

6

DON’T SWEAT THE

TECH

In the last six months, equipment and corresponding technology has evolved at near-warp speed. Products like Zoom are adding features, while platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo are changing their rules and requirements. If you get comfortable with a program or service only to notice new add-on charges appear, new features get added or old ones vanish, remember: it's all part of the learning process.

19

Garden BENISON FARM KEEPS IT MOVING

Not even a global pandemic can stop the efforts of St. Thomas and St. Augustine from helping those in need.

B

enison Farm, a joint mission project of two Episcopal Churches in St. Petersburg, has won a $25,000 grant from the United Thank Offering. The award, announced this fall, is part of the UTO’s Feeding Response program, with the theme ‘Recovering with Love and Gratitude: An Episcopal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Local Contexts.’

Benison Farm is a two-year-old partnership between St. Augustine’s and St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. Located at St. Augustine's in a suburban area of Pinellas County the farm provides fresh produce in St. Petersburg’s food desert neighborhoods. Their mission is to give away and sell our crops in these areas, and establish and train others to expand the program locally, and in the diocese.

"We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the United Thank Offering," said Deacon Martha Goodwill. "This $25,000 UTO grant will support a dedicated area to wash and process our increased harvest and a cooler/refrigerator for storage so we can harvest daily."

When the quarantine was ordered, volunteers could not immediately harvest or tend the property. The farm was no longer able to hold their newly created farmers market and local food pantry, which had been the farm’s outlet for free produce. Youth groups and high school volunteers also were no longer available to help.

Nevertheless, the farm volunteers began distributing what they could to individuals they found by word-ofmouth, and started a new partnership with an at-home produce delivery service. They also took advantage of slowed activity to prepare for the peak growing season by doubling their 20

Harvest food pantry delivery at Benison Farm this November.

planting beds. Thanks to a diocesan Episcopal Charities Grant, they filled those new planting beds with organic garden soil.

Pinellas County is Florida’s most densely populated county and has many “food deserts” that are defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as “impoverished urban areas with no access to fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthful foods, usually due to lack of grocery stores, farmer’s markets and other health food providers.” South St. Petersburg is a high-poverty, low-access area, and the area Benison Farm hopes to target. Pinellas County is also one of the areas hardest hit by COVID-19. Within Pinellas County, people of color suffered the most, with three times as many diagnosed cases and two times as many

hospitalizations as the white community.

Due to quarantine and illness, unemployment has risen drastically.

This year, the United Thank Offering is not collecting in person, as it has in the last century. Donations are still possible online.

"Our diocese has a long history of supporting UTO and I hope everyone will find a way to make a contribution this year," said Goodwill.

INTERESTED? To learn more about Benison Farm, visit

benisonfarm.org

T

he tradition of the Blue Boxes of The Episcopal Church began in 1889 at the Triennial Meeting of the church’s Women’s Auxiliary, where they instituted a “United Offering” for the support of specific mission projects and individual missionaries. The first United Offering totaled $2,188.64, and it was used to both build a church in Anvik, Alaska which still stands to this day, and to send a woman missionary to Japan.

The United Offering eventually became known as the United Thank Offering and was not just a vehicle for collecting money, but to also collect the prayers and grateful offerings of the women of The Episcopal Church in thanksgiving for the many blessings.

They became an important part of the

life of the Episcopal Church when they began distributing “Blue Boxes” to collect the offerings of church women.

Cardboard boxes to collect small charity gifts were common in most of the 20th Century through all denominations and charities; Unicef is known for its orange mite boxes distributed at Halloween, and the Lutheran Women in Mission have a purple coin box. And at Lent, mite boxes were distributed in the Episcopal Church to children as a way for them to collect Easter offerings and bring them to church, to be placed inside a crossshaped box.

Whatever the source of the funds, every penny given to the United Thank Offering is given away the following year. Through the gratitude and

generosity of those who contributed through Blue Box donations, UTO awarded about $400,000 in grants nationally and will send out a second round in the Spring of 2021.

READY TO GIVE? Text INGATHER to the UTO at 41444, or visit unitedthankoffering.org/give to donate

21 19

KEEP CALM AND

WELCOME ON

18 22

W

hen the Rev. Bob Kinney attended an Episcopal church in Hendersonville, N.C. while on vacation a year ago, he was happy to see a church with three services on Sunday, one packed full with at least 300 in the pews, all with only an interim rector. Stationed by the entrance, before the service, were greeters with guest books, and after the service, others welcomed he and his wife, Nancy, to coffee hour.

“Nothing pushy,” said Kinney. “Ten days after that, a letter arrived. It was very impactful,” said Kinney, who serves as deacon at All Saints, Tarpon Springs. After seeing this success, he came back to encourage the same thing at All Saints, where he is part of a half dozen in the congregation who are working on a plan for doing a better job of greeting and welcome, both online and when church fully gets back to in-person workshop. The group meets regularly via Zoom to look at the parish website, video feed, social media and in person amenities, especially as in-person worship returns.

This basic sort of welcome, which is always valued and productive in growing a church, is sometimes absent, forgotten, or seen as the job of the clergy. “I come out and spot someone that is standing by themselves,” said Kinney.

“It shouldn’t just be my job, or Janet’s (the Rev. Janet Tunnell) job.”

And being welcoming is particularly difficult in the environment we’re living in this year. The usual prescriptions, including handshakes and food, are verboten, and every step for the new worshipper has had to be reconsidered.

The newest church plant in the Diocese of Southwest Florida is Parrish Episcopal Church, which has been meeting at DaySpring Episcopal Center’s St. Thomas Chapel. Although the chapel was the perfect size for a church who had only recently begun regular services, the small space meant that there was not a lot of room for social distancing.

For months, they only met online, and talked with the attendees about under what circumstances they wished to return. Bible studies are still online; in those situations if there is a latecomer, they have learned to welcome them to the group. “It’s frightening to be too welcoming. I don’t know your bubble,” said the Rev. Carol Fleming, diocesan missioner.

“How do we effectively ‘welcome’ in the age of the pandemic.”

The most important thing is for clergy to meet everyone where they are. A regular with asthma did not feel comfortable wearing a mask; she was able to sit away from the rest. Others put a chair on the porch, and she propped the door open.

In all of this, Florida’s weather is a blessing. Now that weather is cooling off, setting chairs out on the labyrinth is

enjoyable, and everyone can be as close, or as far, as they feel safe. “They tease each other,” said Fleming. “They say, 'you're sitting in the aisle!'”

WAVE OF ARRIVALS The issues of welcoming newcomers are more critical in 2020 than they have been in generations. The University of Florida’s Richard Doty, GIS Coordinator and resident demographer for the Bureau of Economic and Business Research in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said that his department is still trying to understand what has been and is happening in 2020. It is true that Florida has been averaging 1,000 people moving here a day over the last two years. “What we see,” said Doty, “is more robust growth than expected.”

Current 2020 demographic information is not final.

Because of the coronavirus, the university survey unit had not expected such explosive growth, but one look at the number of households from Florida’s electric utilities’ records, and they are certain that the migration is very, very real.

Florida, says Doty, always sees more deaths than births.

There is always an aging of Florida’s population, which already skews older than the rest of the U.S. Each year, that population gets replaced organically by a mix of foreign and U.S. migration. This year, the international migration has slowed, and U.S. migration has become the norm.

There are different scenarios in different parts of Florida, and rural areas are not seeing the growth that is being seen along the coast. Particularly in more affluent areas, snowbirds are staying put rather than heading home, and an increased number of individuals and families are coming down temporarily.

Statewide, building permits over the last three years have increased 7.6 percent, 7.2 percent and 9.2 percent annually.

This growth mirrors earlier decades in Florida. Florida’s over 21 million residents are up from roughly 15 million in 2000. One parish in the diocese in the midst of the growth is St. Margaret of Scotland, founded in 1986 in the middle of a cattle ranch west of Interstate 75 in Sarasota. It is miles past 75, and has been among planned subdivisions for all of the parish’s existence. In the last two years, however, those pastures are now turning into streets, and in two years, the church will be surrounded by 3,500 houses.

The Rev. Carla McCook has been contemplating the future of the parish since she arrived in 2016. All around the parish, developments, which had ceased during the Great Recession, have rebounded. “The growth is just astronomical,” said McCook, who still hears people call St. Margaret the “rural church.”

Instead, they need to rethink their purpose, and become relevant to the people who are nearby, and will be arriving.

“We have to see ourselves as the village church,” said McCook.

“The village is growing around us.”

Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum at the recent St. Margaret of Scotland celebration of St. Margaret Day.

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Getting to know the neighbors comes in many ways.

They will have an outdoor service, with bagpipes, not only to be safe, but to make a presence known along Route 72. New signage attracts anyone going by. And they are discussing what kinds of outreach to pursue, including direct mail by zip code. Reaching out also includes going outside the church, and visiting the neighborhoods first-hand. “I went and played interested homebuyer,” said McCook.

The new houses being built around Clark Road are and will be luxury homes chock full of community centeranchored amenities like pools, tennis courts, and rock walls, to name a few. Because of this, McCook realized quickly that newcomers do not need new playgrounds or coffee and computer places. Instead, what they need had to be grounded in Faith.

“People are seeking God,” said McCook. “They don’t always know how to find Him.” Before coronavirus, the church was growing slowly while considering its overall approach to new visitors, including a new sign, and interior improvements. While this approach was working, they were never too worried about trying new things. Trial and error, instead, was their friend. “If it doesn’t work, OK. Don’t do it that way then,” said McCook. “We learn when things don’t quite go the way they should.”

The coronavirus has been difficult, but has also been a valuable learning experience. Eight months in, they have learned much. “Jesus tells us do not be afraid,” said McCook.

“Do not be afraid.”

TOURISM AND VISITORS Florida’s unique weather and tourism-based economy has been centered on welcoming new people for generations.

Residents often come to Florida first as a vacation. and make a decision on where to live after that, according to Jack Wert, senior warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Naples. Wert looks at “welcome” both from the angle of the lay church leader, and as the executive director of the Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, the international agency that markets and promotes Collier County to the world.

This year, Wert said tourism is down, but not as much as it would have expected. The visitor to Collier County is beginning to travel again, with guests closely watching coronavirus numbers. As his parish moved beyond 25 percent limited capacity worship, he is beginning to see new faces from people who have moved to Florida. “At 50 percent, we started seeing new people,” said Wert, “People are inviting new neighbors to come to church with them.”

Wert has spent almost three decades promoting tourism in Collier County, active on the Executive Committee of Visit Florida and international tourism agencies. He also 24

serves the boards of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Resort & Hospitality School and Collier United Arts Council. From that perspective, he believes our churches should look to their respective visitor bureaus to be a resource for them as they try to grow membership. To that end, and as our churches begin to safely open up again, Wert believes that they should let their visitor bureaus know of events, as regional agencies are always looking for programs and get togethers. The church then becomes a resource and asset.

In the early part of the 20th century, tourist postcards of Southwest Florida cities routinely featured our Episcopal Church. Today, not only buildings and worship offerings have appeal to newcomers, but shrimp dinners, farmers’ markets, classical concerts and book studies provide valuable opportunities for people to connect. “[The Church] is part of the experience that people have when they come to Florida,” said Wert.

OUT ON THE KEY Longboat Key is one of the wealthiest resort zip codes in the nation, and this year is seeing very specific changes in its visitors. Because Longboat is landlocked, there is little new construction, which is booming in other parts in the diocese.

Instead, the attendance has completely changed, said the Rev. David Marshall, the parish rector, who is in his second year at the parish.

“It’s a different world out there, and it shifted very fast,” said Marshall. Some winter visitors stayed through the summer, telling him that “It’s not so bad, we might do that again.” The most recent Sunday in Longboat had 44 people at their in-person service, the highest attendance since March 2020. He knows that fall has arrived when the cars return. “I have seen a bunch of Ferraris and Lamborghinis,” said Marshall.

The church now has five ways to worship, including inside the church at a limited capacity, outside on the terrace, via Zoom, via YouTube and on radio. The radio broadcasting was a bit of luck for the parish, as across the country, lowwattage radio transmitters have sold out because of their use with churches that wished to broadcast to attendees in cars.

One of the parishioners had an FM transmitter that he used for a Christmas lights display at home; the FM broadcast was used to play Christmas carols.

The broadcasts have not just been church services, but organ concerts as well; a Veterans Day drive-in recently was a big hit. Marshall just finished a series on St. Benedicts Toolbox via YouTube and Zoom, and was pleasantly surprised when a parishioner told him that she “binge-watched” the episodes.

Coffee hour has transitioned to outside, with two different (and distant) coffee stations, to bring folks into the fresh air and prevent too much milling about inside the church.

These new audiences have been a pleasant surprise for our churches, which have energetically moved online. Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota has actually had members join the church only because of online offerings. This echoes the earliest days of broadcasted religious services, when a person might be a member of their local church, yet support another more distant broadcast or prayer ministry.

Reaching remote workers is also a new opportunity for all of our churches, as other places are locked down and experiencing colder temperatures and bad weather, and people who can work anywhere have chosen to do it from a warm, sunny place near the water. (continued on page 26)

Facing page: The Rev. Carol Fleming celebrates the Holy Eucharist outside on the DaySpring ECW Labyrinth as part of her mission work for the new Parrish Episcopal Church. Inset, the interior of the chapel, also used for worship. This page, from left, new banner for Parrish Episcopal Church at the new sign for St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring; Church of the Redeemer has moved its social events outside, to their grass courtyard, including this November dinner for single members of the parish. Distanced seating on the labyrinth.

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WELCOME THE WELCOME In her daily work with Wesley Chapel, the Rev. Adrienne Hymes has seen firsthand what has worked - and what hasn’t - in her corner of Pasco County. While the ideas below may not universally apply to all congregations in the diocese, consider how some of these strategies could work for your own church community.

FIND YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY Time-strapped editors are often searching for local filler bits for their weekly community papers. A 300-word excerpt from a sermon, with church photo and headshot, is always welcomed, and can give the church sought-after visibility, Hymes said.

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(continued from page 27)

Marshall, who came to Southwest Florida from California, says that his regulars who have been around say that it feels very much like the 1970s in Florida, when tourists stopped coming to Florida, and other Floridians flocked to Southwest Florida beaches in order to have vacations closer to home. “In the gas crunch in the 1970s, the same thing happened,” said Marshall. “It’s feeling like it did during the Carter administration.” While overnight guests in hotels have declined, three-week rentals have boomed, which is a positive for local churches looking to welcome guests, even for a short time.

BLUE BLAZER WELCOME This fall in Boca Grande, the island is bustling with people, said the Rev. Michelle Robertshaw, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The church, before pandemic, was welcoming 30 or so more people to membership each season. Today, about 80 percent of the regular residents are back on the island, and of the ones that are here, they are not traveling back and forth, as has been the custom in previous years. And there are extended families together; even grandchildren have come from across the country in order to socially distance as a family unit in Florida.

“I’ve got almost my whole congregation back,” said Robertshaw, who said that they are here about two weeks earlier than before in 2019. While the numbers are the same, 26

JOIN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The local chamber of commerce or county business association is key source for connection points. In Wesley Chapel, the local chamber found the congregation a free place to meet at a local car dealership as they worked on finding a more permanent home. Clergy that show up are often welcomed in these groups, as they can become unofficial chaplains for those in the surrounding community.

2 they are not coming in conventional ways, and are attending online and in person.

For a Friday Bible Study, they had two dozen in an online class. Four of them are not even members of the parish, but asked to join from across the country as friends in the parish recommended the group. One woman found out randomly.

As our diocese slowly opens up, St. Andrew’s is falling back on plans laid before the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the parish instituted a team of greeters who stand outside on the sidewalk, and say hello to attendees, separate from the usher crew. In the past, any visitor that did not have the blue blazer or Easter dress might not always have received the same greeting. The changes did not change the nature of the experience, only the welcome.

“You can now come to church with a tie,” said Robertshaw, “or without a tie.”

Dealing with issues that arise, and practicing new ways to meet people where they are helps the welcome committee do their job with confidence, so that everyone knows what to say. In this time, welcome does not have to be flashy. Instead it needs to be appropriate to the times. A less rousing, but more considered welcome, might just be the ticket.

“People are really stressed out and they are looking for places of comfort and healing,” said Robertshaw.

WORK WITH LOCAL REALTORS Local real estate agents are the best friend of a growing parish.

Get to know the ones in your congregation (and beyond) and let them know that you are happy to offer home blessing services to new households. New arrivals to a city are eager to connect, and churches are a great “one-stop shop” for the best local dentists, doctors, HVAC contractors, and other local services in the area. Your church can be a place of worship and connection point to your local community.

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ASK PEOPLE WHY THEY CAME When new faces arrive, ask them about what led them to come to the church. Not only is this is a basic part of marketing, but it also provides valuable information about what sort of approach works best in their own community. People also like to tell their stories, and asking open-ended questions with follow-up opens the door to more meaningful conversations with newcomers.

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MAINTAIN YOUR WEBSITE Your website should be current, well-designed, and easy to navigate so people in all demographics can find out more about you at the touch of a button. Don’t overdo your information: keep things organized and concise, mindful that for many potential visitors, it may be their first (and hopefully not last) impression of your church.

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Your church is not just about members; it’s about friends and building those friendships. There are always people who might come every six months or so, but not join, or they might come once, when here in Florida for part of the year, and not come for awhile again, but then join later. Considering your intermittent visitors as part of the congregation and treating them as such makes them feel welcome and often inspires them to come back more regularly.

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and above all...

DON'T "HARD SELL" People do want and need a genuine invitation to come to visit. Don’t try to “sell” potential congregants on your church - that approach often feels like the polar opposite of what a welcome should be. People come to explore the church, its members, and hopefully join at some point in the future. At Wesley Chapel, the couple that has brought the most new people to church merely likes to come and bring friends to share in that joy; no hard-sell required.

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ALLOW FOR INTERMITTENT MEMBERS

BE EPISCOPAL People who have come to an Episcopal Church are often searching for just that - an Episcopal Church. While there are different personalities to Episcopal Churches across the U.S., ensuring that offerings are consistent with the rest of the church helps to make newcomers feel immediately at home.

In Wesley Chapel, a goodly amount of the congregation is from the Anglican Church operating in Anglo-Caribbean countries. Across the diocese, Canadians and Brits also find a home in Episcopal Churches. The Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal are key. “They are looking for what they left at home, the Anglican tradition without a lot of other distraction going on,” said Hymes.

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A Light in the Darkness Christmas is more about sign than solution. Jesus’ birth is a sign to us, a very real picture of God’s presence among us, observes the Rev. Dr. James Reho, in this reflection on the season, written for the Southern Cross. No matter the darkness, he writes, the star of Christmas shines brighter.

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by The Rev. Dr. James Reho

D

ue to the angle of the planet’s axis to its nearest star, it was the darkest time of the year. Imperial troops, the strong arm of the Empire, were present everywhere. The local inhabitants of the eastern quadrant of this planet, advanced in spirituality but lacking in technology, had easily been overcome by the Empire’s might. The draining of local resources, and the new economic system put in place to support it, continued to spin the locals into poverty, with more and more becoming landless and radicalized against the Imperial presence, which itself was becoming more harsh in response. This far-flung part of the Empire was rife for trouble.

This is the context in which Jesus is born among us: Jesus, Emmanuel (God-with-us), comes to us in a “bleak mid-winter” of difficulty, struggle, and dread. It seems no accident that the celebration of Christmas in the west was fixed early on near the winter solstice, the time when—at least in the northern hemisphere—the darkness seems at its greatest power, and the light at its weakest.

For many of us, 2020 seems to have placed us into the same sort of darkness marking that first Christmas. The destabilizing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the further rending of our social fabric in a contentious and divisive election year—coupled with rampant fires in our western states and economic recession—have made many fear that things are falling apart, and that the center cannot hold. Has our social falcon finally flown out of earshot of the falconer?

Do the best lack all conviction, and are only the worst filled with passionate intensity?

No, this is not the beginning of a Star Wars movie; rather, it’s the setting for Christmas, at least for that first Christmas, as told in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Often, our eyes are drawn toward the quaint parts of these Christmas stories: exotic Persian astrologers following a star (or comet) that comes to rest over the Savior’s manger THIS IS THE CONTEXT IN WHICH JESUS IS BORN (The Gospel of Matthew), or AMONG US: JESUS, EMMANUEL (GOD-WITHshepherds abiding in fields US), COMES TO US IN A “BLEAK MID-WINTER” experiencing the heavenly host OF DIFFICULTY, STRUGGLE, AND DREAD. IT and coming humbly to Jesus’ crib (The Gospel of Luke).

SEEMS NO ACCIDENT THAT THE CELEBRATION What we often miss is that this OF CHRISTMAS WAS FIXED EARLY ON NEAR first Christmas occurred in THE WINTER SOLSTICE, THE TIME WHEN THE dire times: times of difficulty, DARKNESS SEEMS AT ITS GREATEST POWER, struggle, and dread.

AND THE LIGHT AT ITS WEAKEST. The Roman Empire had a strong military presence on the ground, as there were constant uprisings against Rome by Judean and Galilean zealots. The Empire’s taxes and the Roman practice of allowing the private holding of debt were creating more and more landless poor who were easily recruited by radicals. The ruling elite was becoming spellbound with the culture of the Empire and was slowly abandoning the traditions and practices that had held society together. Other groups turned away from it all and withdrew into the desert to wait for a day of action. The world was unstable, and didn’t seem to be getting any better. It seemed that things would fall apart. In the first stanza of his poem The Second Coming, W.B. Yeats describes such a situation: Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.

Over and above the way we decorate, play holiday music, prepare feasts and attend Lessons and Carols (all great things!), it is the way we approach times of darkness that determines whether we truly have the “Christmas spirit.” In the poem quoted above, Yeats seems to take a negative approach to the darkness of his own times… at the end of the poem he asks,

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?

Our Scriptures give us a different picture than does Yeats: Scripture offers us a Christmas image of God-with-us, of the surprising appearance of the Holy in the midst of the darkness of the night, the darkness of the year, the darkness of the world. Our Scriptures reveal a God who is a risk-taker (the infant mortality rate in the first century Roman Empire was 30%), who enters the world as a small glimmer of hope, invisible to most, and—just like any infant—needing our nurture to develop into its fullness.

If we have the “Christmas spirit,” we search for, and put our faith and energy into, that small glimmer of hope.

Many say they can’t wait for 2020 to end, as it’s been such a difficult year. Yet we know that none of the issues mentioned above will magically end with the turning of the year (or of the equinox). Nor did the troubles of first century Judea and Galilee end with the coming of Jesus. (continued on page 30)

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(continued from page 29) Christmas is more about sign than solution. Jesus’ birth is a sign to us, a very real picture of God’s presence among us, a vital and vibrant presence that works in us and then through us to transform the darkness into light. This sign is an icon of all the small starts of God’s kingdom coming to birth here and now, of that better world our hearts know is possible showing up in small, risky ways. Whether we relate more with the erudite and elite Persian astrologers or the salt-of-the-earth shepherds, we can come to meet this hope with all we have and invest ourselves into the workings of our God who makes all things new (Rev 21:5). If we hold the deep hope present in the image of the manger, of that first Christmas, we ourselves give birth to Christ in our own living and loving.

And so Christmas is about us as well as about Jesus; it is about now as well as about first century Palestine. The (once admired, later condemned, and recently re-emergent) medieval preacher Meister Eckhart asked in a famous sermon, “What good is it for me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God 1,400 years ago and I don't give birth to God's Son in my person and my culture and my times?”

Perhaps some things will fall apart; perhaps the center will not hold. Yet with the coming of Christmas, we are reminded that Christ, always desiring to be born, is always coming into world as a sign of God’s abiding promise, presence, and power. No matter how dark the darkness, the star of Christmas shines brighter. It is no rough beast that slouches toward Bethlehem to be born: it is God-with-us, gathering us to places of new birth, opening our eyes and our hearts to the light, even on the darkest of nights.

The Christmas Season Ushers in Special Guests In this reflection on the upcoming Christmas season, The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld looks to practical, as well as spiritual matters. Grunfeld, a priest at Church of the Annunciation, Anna Maria Island, looks foward to being a waystation to the unknown visitors who arrive each Christmas season.

by The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld

About the Author The Rev. James Hughes Reho, Ph.D., is an Episcopal priest with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University. He has served on the staff of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami, as the Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Formation at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, and currently is at St. John Tampa, where he is the associate rector of the church and school chaplain. You can find his most recent online writings at episcopalcafe.com

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ll guests who present themselves will be welcomed as Christ.” Thus begins Chapter 53 of the Rule of St. Benedict. For more than half a century, our parishes have announced our presence in the community with “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” sign. The good news we proclaim is not just for our own benefit. It is a message of hope to be shared with others!

I am blessed to serve as the Rector of the Church of the Annunciation on Anna Maria Island, a seaside parish one block from the Gulf of Mexico. I can see the beach from a few upstairs windows in the rectory. When I accepted the call to Annunciation back in 2015, a friend of mine told me that I was becoming a “beach priest.”

There is much about being a beach priest which is similar to my former ministry settings elsewhere. There

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is the Sunday Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Christian life. There are parishioners in need of pastoral care. There are vestry meetings and diocesan commitments. During this unique season of history, I have been challenged to replicate the bricks-and-mortar experience of being church through digital means. I do my best, but Zoom meetings seem to only reinforce the power of physical presence.

looks like an anachronism. I am figuring out the logistics of holding drive-in Christmas Eve services in our parking lot this year.

As a beach priest, I am well aware that most who show up on the big feasts are unlikely to request a Pledge Card and a Letter of Transfer. (Though I certainly would not object if someone asked!) Still, I am pleased that we are able to be a way station for those who are visiting Anna Maria Island over the holiday. I am glad the Church of the Annunciation is able to offer a holy witness during a family’s holiday. When the Christ-Mass is concluded, I send our guests and regular parishioners forth with Christ’s blessing. I hope everyone leaves deepened in their knowledge and love of the Word Made Flesh.

What makes ministry at Annunciation special is that our community includes short-term visitors and seasonal residents. I realize that this is a dynamic experienced at many of our parishes in the diocese. In normal times, we receive guests at our liturgies virtually every Sunday of the year. Like many parishes, we receive those who are from the community and are As I approach my sixth looking for a church home.

Christmas at the Church We also have others who are LIKE MOST PARISHES, WE HAVE OUR GREATEST of the Annunciation, I am visiting for a short period NUMBER OF GUESTS ON EASTER SUNDAY realizing the connections from far away. We hope all between this experience AND CHRISTMAS EVE. I RECENTLY FOUND A feel welcomed. and the biblical narratives PHOTO FROM ONE OF LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS Despite the pandemic, of the Nativity of our Lord.

EVE SERVICES. THE CHURCH WAS FULL OF we have recently begun In the Gospel of Luke, the THOSE WHO HAD CHOSEN FLORIDA SUNSHINE seeing visitors show up at angels announce the birth INSTEAD OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS. PEOPLE our parish again. While of Jesus to the shepherds in WERE SQUEEZED SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER we continue to observe the fields who are keeping IN OUR PEWS AS WE SANG “SILENT NIGHT” BY necessary safety protocols, watch over their flocks by many of these visitors are night. They go with haste CANDLELIGHT. GIVEN THE EVENTS OF 2020, IT grateful to be reconnected to to Bethlehem to visit the LOOKS LIKE AN ANACHRONISM. the Sacrament of the Altar, baby Jesus in the manger. which has often been in In the Gospel of Matthew, short supply back home. wise men from the east travel to pay the Christ child homage and offer their gifts of gold, frankincense, and Like most parishes, we have our greatest number of myrrh. guests on Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve. I recently found a photo from one of last year’s Christmas Eve services. The church was full of those who had chosen Florida sunshine instead of a white Christmas. People were squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder in our pews as we sang “Silent Night” by candlelight. Given the events of 2020, it

I wonder what Joseph and Mary thought of these visitors?

About the Author The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld is rector of Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach, on Anna Maria Island. A native of Columbus, Ga., Grunfeld’s mother is Episcopalian and his father is Jewish. He was baptized in the Episcopal Church, and grew up attending church with his maternal grandparents.

He holds a political science and sociology major from Emory University, where during college he was part of the Discerning Young Vocations Experience and was recommended for postulancy at the conclusion of the process. He enrolled at the General Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2008.

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THE 52 ANNUAL ND

Convent ion

!

L A U T R I <V

WRAP-UP E

ach year, a convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida is a not only a legal necessity, but it is also a time of fellowship, worship and education for the church body as a whole. Like so many events in 2020, the 52nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida moved online, due to the pandemic.

For 2020, the idea was to replicate as closely as possible the elements that could stay the same, and making sure that replacement elements, such as workshops and Friday night worship, were exactly the same.

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he diocese had much going in its favor. There was time to plan and prepare for this event, unlike our congregations, who had to immediately switch gears and move their worship online due to the pandemic earlier this year. Additionally, in our cycle of diocesan conventions across the Episcopal Church, Southwest Florida’s gathering came relatively early, which meant that we could invent the method and logistics, and not have to follow others, which took the burden of expectations off of the diocesan staff.

The technology for the gathering involved a hybrid model of new elements, and past practices designed for conventions’ past. This year, congregations would gather at their own parish halls and join via Zoom, casting votes using their own devices.

The convention itself, as in past years, would be streamed to the public on Facebook Live, the diocesan website, and other platforms. Pre-convention convocations, traditionally an introduction to the convention process, would be eliminated in favor of a practice convention, where the basics of the budget, and the convention logistics, would be explained.

Before the final elements of the convention were finalized, Ted Tripp, the diocesan chancellor, reviewed by-laws. Canon Anne Vickers distributed newly released Robert’s Rules of Order for an electronic meeting, which solved many of the questions of how to adapt an in-person meeting to an online affair.

Through it all, even the less technical elements of the convention were not forgotten. At the center was the work of Marilyn Erfourth, our diocesan receptionist, and Jan Nothum, the recently retired assistant to Bishop Dabney Smith. They assembled a “Convention in a Box,” which included all the aspects of a traditional convention (name badges, handouts and Convention Guidebook) along with two new free booklets (see sidebar) with contributions from our congregations.

The boxes were organized in the Bishop Haynes Conference Room at DaySpring; Erfourth ordered 78 2x2 boxes for the packing. These “Conventions in a Box” were delivered to our 78 congregations the week of convention, by diocesan staff, with instructions not to open until the morning of convention.

The boxes were a unique addition to this year's event.

At in-person conventions, the rule is that nothing can be distributed on tables, so as not to clutter the voting surfaces, and to discourage campaigning. Having the boxes enabled our tables to have DaySpring cookies, mugs and other freebies.

VOTING AT CENTER A main consideration was the integrity of voting and elections. In previous years, the diocese has used paper ballots, using an optical scan process. Convention delegates mark a ballot, with pen, and each “election” for a position uses a separate ballot. The ballots can then be saved. This is a foolproof method, as the ballots are marked by pen, and saved for each vote.

For 2020, different options were considered, including using the free polling function inside Zoom. Because it was the first time using electronic voting, the Lumi voting platform was selected. Lumi had two features important to process. It was independently run, and the voting process was administered by an outside project manager, Adam Zuber, who could not only ensure the easy functioning of the voting, but call the votes as they happened.

Because there would be no paper trail for online voting, the number of delegates and their unique logins allow for a record of the voters present. With a unique login and password, votes could be submitted individually, and anonymously, by each person, on their own devices, so that other members of the congregation could not see their votes. Members tested the voting at the September convocation.

Diocesan workshops and speakers are always held the Friday morning of convention. For 2020, these events were moved and spread out, on Wednesday evenings, through September and October. The Clergy Spouse Association also adapted. During convention each year, they traditionally leave the convention mid-day for a lunchtime gathering and banquet lunch. This year, they organized a Zoom meeting ahead of the convention.

Friday Worship, traditionally a Holy Eucharist held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda, would be recorded. Bishop Smith came to Church of the Redeemer, and recorded his sermon and Evening Prayer; the Redeemer Choir recorded its music separately, so that it could fully utilize as many choirmembers as needed, all the while operating safely.

AT THE CONVENTION The 52nd Annual Convention was held at DaySpring Episcopal Center with diocesan staff and leadership, including convention Program Chair Judy Stark, Chancellor Ted Tripp and Parliamentarian Michael Durant. Each year, the diocese streams and records the video from the convention, with the help of videographers Phil Dean, Gary Sullivan, and Bob South.

The trio, who work on professional video for local corporations, jurisdictions and networks, revamped their workflow for unique needs of this year. They continued to stream and record the convention as they would normally, but fed the convention, including audio, back through Zoom, so that members of convention would be able to see what was happening and participate by speaking into their own cameras. Brian Lyle, a Florida sound expert adept at sports broadcasting including PGA events, was added, as sound in previous years is provided by the convention center.

After multiple site visits and two practice sessions, the convention setup worked. Just as our congregations have had to invent workflows and procedures for their own streaming, the unique configuration allowed for everyone to feel present,

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Continuing the Work on Racism ADDRESS AFFIRMS FORMAL RESPONSE TO BECOMING A MORE INCLUSIVE CHURCH

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ishop Dabney Smith took on the vestiges of racism in the Episcopal Church during his address to the 52nd Convention.

“It has been said that this is the year of two pandemics: the deadly Coronavirus pandemic and the deadly systemic racism pandemic,” said Smith in his address. “The Episcopal Church has been studying and trying to address the stranglehold of racism for at least two generations.”

He shared anecdotes on the topic of racism, including personal stories of discussions of racism between Episcopal bishops. He also reported that the House of Bishops had spent significant time discussing formal diversity and inclusion programs, processes, and possible parochial report questions for data gathering for the whole church.

In addition to the stories, he offered more specific steps including: •

Reinstituting the diocesan Race and Reconciliation Committee to provide guidance to the diocese on helpful programs, and to make recommendations for the canonical requirement for anti-racism training among our clergy.

•

Use of Becoming Beloved Community groups as a means of certifying and accountability groups for the canonical process for those in the local ordination process and for those who need to renew their certifications. This process will also report to the wider church.

(continued from page 33)

supervised passwords and login issues. DaySpring staff, as hosts, set the room and meals up for social distancing.

Many staff aspects of the convention remained the same, but moved online. Secretary of the Convention and Canon to the Ordinary the Rev. Richard Norman, performed his normal duties during elections. Congregations were welcomed in Zoom by the Rev. Martha Goodwill and Tana Sembiante, the latter of whom handles registrations,

The final product was more than a videoconference, it was among the first-ever true “broadcasts” of an Episcopal Church convention. One of the last actions of the convention, as in previous years, was for the convention to vote on the location for the 53rd Annual Convention. While many lessons were learned in 2020, we pray to be able to be in person, together, next fall.

WHAT IS A:

but also produce a convention to the same audio and visual standards as years before.

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BISHOP COADJUTOR? A Dictionary for Episcopalians defines a Bishop Coadjutor as a bishop “elected by a diocesan convention to be bishop of that diocese when the present diocesan bishop retires. A coadjutor differs from a suffragan bishop in that the suffragan is elected only to assist the diocesan bishop.” Currently, the Diocese of Southwest Florida has two assisting bishops, who have retired other dioceses, and assist the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe is the retired bishop of the Diocese of West Missouri and the Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison is the retired Bishop of Western New York.

step by step to the next bishop CONVENTION APPROVES COADJUTOR ELECTION PROCESS

A

t the 52nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Bishop Dabney Smith told gathered lay and clergy delegates that he was calling for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor, or successor bishop. The process to elect a new bishop, including a process for studying the diocese, screening and selecting candidates, and ultimately electing a Bishop Coadjutor, will take at the least 18 months.

“This will not be a time of more loss,” said Bishop Smith in his address to the convention. “Rather, it will be a time of renewal.”

The announcement of a process of picking a Sixth Bishop does not mean that Bishop Smith is leaving soon.

Instead, the idea of a Bishop Coadjutor is that the newly elected bishop can serve alongside the current bishop as he acclimates to his new position.

1 3 5 7

FORM A COMMITTEE

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After the convention, the Deans and Standing Committee are meeting with Bishop Smith and the Episcopal Church to form an Episcopal Election Committee.

SET PROCEDURE

SEEK NOMINATIONS

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8

The committee, with members chosen by each deanery with additional appointments, will present a slate of candidates.

Candidates will participate in town hall-type “walkabouts” open to the entire diocese.

HOLD SPECIAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION

WIDER CHURCH APPROVAL

The Committee will set a timetable. The process will be governed by Canon XVIII of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, which sets out Episcopal Election Committee rules. The Episcopal Church also sets out rules for episcopal elections, particularly Title III Canon 11 Section 1. Southwest Florida is unique in that it has its own canons about the process.

Nominations for the office, and input from the wider diocesan community, will be sought by the Committee

SLATE OF CANDIDATES APPROVED

HOLD WALKABOUTS

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“Mary and I have not yet determined a retirement date,” said Bishop Smith in the address. “That will depend on the length of time it takes to call a bishop coadjutor, my health and stamina, and the diocesan budget.”

At the 52nd convention, the then Standing Committee President the Rev. Charles Connelly presented a motion to the gathered convention for a process to call for the election.

It passed 274 to 2. This set the motion in place for the bishop election process to move forward.

The Standing Committee is in charge of the process, and is now working on the first steps of the process. While it is a job search, it is much more than that, said the Very Rev. Carla McCook, the newly elected president of the Standing Committee.

“I think the most important thing we want everyone to remember is that this is process, a spiritual process for the entire diocesan body,” said McCook. “It’s a prayerful spiritual process.”

Each congregation will send delegates to an electing convention, separate from our Annual Convention.

Elections require the consent of a majority of Standing Committees of the the Episcopal Church.

CONSECREATE NEW BISHOP

The new bishop will be consecrated by at least three other bishops of the Episcopal Church, with a transition committee appointed.

9 SERVES UNTIL RETIREMENT The new bishop may serve only for a total of three years as coadjutor before succeeding Bishop Dabney Smith.

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Treasurer's report highlights Paycheck Protection Help | Our congregations and schools collectively secured forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $7.2 million to secure over 1,000 jobs through the first months of the COVID-19 disruption.

Leadership Skills & Expertise | With a record attendance of 300 at the Diocesan Vestry Retreat in May and over 200 at the Stewardship Workshop in August (both virtual), leadership development is strong in Southwest Florida. Through September, the finances of most of our congregations are holding steady, as we adapt and roll forward our learnings from this extraordinary year into our budget for 2021.

DaySpring Plans | The leadership of this diocese (including Diocesan Council, Finance Committee, Endowment Fund Board) have a precise handle on the carefully structured Diocesan and DaySpring budgets, and the levers that we can utilize through the uncertainty that remains ahead. With a 60 percent year-over-year drop of conference center revenue, the details of the financials for year-end 2020 will certainly look different, as will the story the numbers tell. We are on track with a sustainable combined operating budget as we continue operations into the new year. These structures and discipline are here (in place) for a time like this.

Funds for 2021 | For 2021, the $3.8 million of income funds Budgeted Expenses of: $1.4 million for the work of diocesan staff supporting congregations and ministries (with a 0% salary increase in 2021); $826,000 of grants to our 78 congregations; $218,000 of funding for continued church planting; $595,000 to support of the life beyond our diocese via the ministries of our Episcopal Church; and $721,000 for continued programs, events and communications of our diocese in both time-trusted and new ways.

Endowment Growth | Endowments funds have grown across the diocese. Recently, St Bede St. Petersburg, Good Shepherd Punta Gorda, and St. Francis created new endowments in the Diocesan Endowment Management Program, or DEMP. Congregations have contributed $350,000 to their DEMP endowments this year-to-date, continuing their good stewardship of legacy assets.

ELECTION RESULTS Delegates at the convention voted remotely, via the Lumi voting application. Elections results: • Standing Committee, Lay | Elected were Mr. James H. Corn, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg (184) and Mr. Duane A. Hollier Sr., St. Martin, Hudson (183).

• Standing Committee, Clergy | Elected were The Rev. Carla B. McCook (247), the Very Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw (222) and the Rev. James C. Teets (147). The Rev. Teets was elected to a two-year, unexpired term.

• Diocesan Council, Clergy | The Rev. Edward F. P. Gibbons, St. Monica, Naples (Election by Acclamation) • Disciplinary Board, Lay | Mrs. Glenna Hileman, St. Stephen, New Port Richey (Election by Acclamation) • Disciplinary Board, Clergy | The Rev. Barry P. Kubler, the Rev. Kevin C. Warner, St. John the Divine, Sun City Center (Election by Acclamation) • University of the South | Mr. Jeffrey L. Patenaude Esq., St. John, Tampa (Election by Acclamation)

After the convention, the newly formed Standing Committee, The convention also affirmed Diocesan Council elections, held elected new officers in a Zoom meeting. These officers are: in September. These are: • Naples | Tom Connolly [2022 – 1st Term] * Elected by deanery subsequent to Convocation • Ft. Myers | Paula Paquette [2022 - 1st Term] • Venice | The Rev. Vickie L. McDonald [2022 – 2nd Term] • Manasota | The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld [2022 – 2nd Term] • Tampa | The Rev. Alissa G. Anderson [2022 – 1st Term] • St. Petersburg | Mr. Russell Ball [2022 – 3rd Term] • Clearwater | Mr. Jim Rissler [2022 – 2nd Term]

• • • • •

President | The Rev. Carla B. McCook Vice President | Mr. Ray Stoll Secretary | The Very Rev. Ryan R. Whitley Liaison to the Commission On Ministry | Ms. Jackie Smith Members | The Very Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw, The Rev. A. Charles Cannon III, The Rev. James C. Teets, Mr. James Corn, and Mr. Duane A. Hollier

The convention also approved two changes in status for congregations. St. Anne of Grace, Seminole, was approved to become a full parish. In addition, Wesley Chapel Episcopal Church was named to mission status, and adopted the name St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

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Church Cookbook Love

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST? CAKE, ALWAYS.

SWEDISH COFFEE CAKE

By Annette M. Hann From the "Our Daily Bread" Cookbook ECW Calvary Church, Indian Rocks Beach Let's face it: we deserve cake this year more than ever, and a cinnamon and walnut-strewn coffee cake is the perfect way to indulge that craving morning, noon and night.

What's the only thing better than cake for breakfasts? Easy cake for breakfast! This one is built from ingredients you likely have already, and takes mere minutes to throw in the oven. The result? a softly spiced, bouncy cake, not too sweet, and perfect next to a steaming cup of coffee.

PREP STEPS Preheat oven to 350Ë&#x161;F. Butter and flour a 9-inch Springform pan, tapping out excess flour.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 cup sour cream For topping: 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon Whisk flour, baking powder and baking sugar together; set aside. Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl; add eggs and sour cream and beat until smooth. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Spread half of the batter in prepared pan, sprinkle half of the topping over; add remaining batter and top with remaining topping. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

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Community

GRACE IN A TIME OF TRIALS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AN ONLINE EVENT Excerpts from the November 17th conversation; the full video is available at episcopalswfl.org ON THE RACISM WE FACE AND THE WORK WE NEED TO DO

ON HOW WE MAKE OUR WAY FORWARD THROUGH THE WORLD

ON WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO DO DURING THIS TIME OF TRIAL

Very Rev. Randolph M. Hollerith Dean of Washington National Cathedral

The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright Bishop of The Diocese of Atlanta

The Rev. Winnie Varghese Priest at Trinity Wall Street

"The [National] Cathedral's doing all kinds of things to try to live in to this particular moment in which we're in, but from a very personal point of view, and it connects to my story very personally. It's been a really interesting time - a sort of existential examination in some ways: In the midst of all of this - the racial unrest, the violence that has taken place against people of color, the rising up of this systemic racism that's always been there, but has really bubbled up again - has made me as a white male to do a whole lot of deep thinking about where I am...what work do I have to do, personally?"

"I think what I personally call on is that 'great cloud of witnesses' that we refer to in scripture, the men and women, brothers and sisters who have gone before us, who didn't think they were changing the world, just thought they were being faithful and decent. I think a lot about those men and women who I want to live up to their example personally, who continue to inspire me to go beyond myself. "

"I think people of faith have a call to lead, and to cast a vision for the kind of society we're supposed to be.

As [Baptist minister and Yale Divinity Professor] Willie James Jennings says it, our neighborhoods are immoral. They're not neutral sites. And he's not saying they're immoral because there's a bad shop on the corner. He's not saying there's a liquor store or something like that. He's saying the nature of how we've developed our neighborhoods, and who has wealth.

The fabric of who we are is immoral, and I agree with that; I think many of us would agree with that. That's a much larger language than partisan politics."

"We have ceded the cultural media background to our evangelical fundamentalist brothers and sisters, in a way that that has left a voice that's very important, out of the conversation. And I think it's really important that we try to reclaim that. I think the Episcopal Church has something really valuable to say at this moment in the life of our nation: about our inclusivity, about how we understand God, about Bishop Curry's very simple message about the Way of Love. He, in his sermons, has a very loving, inviting way of moving through subjects that are deeply tied to the Gospel and that are challenging for folks."

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"I'm also always encouraged by St. Paul, the apostle Paul, who was sort of bopping around the then known world, trying to make their way, trying to sort of put his foot in the door, trying to create a way out of no way. I'm inspired by his agency and his entrepreneurial sort of gift and skill, he reminds me that we are called beyond the walls of the church, and so I ask myself regularly, am I living into this broader notion of what it means to be faithful?"

"I think when we have this task to cast a vision and just to have a more expansive imagination than people have, than our politicians and others have for the communities that we are, then what's practically possible. And then we have to be the people that demand that we live in a moral society. So I think that means supporting people that are that are trying to change things. But I also think we have a very particular work. There's no one else to do that, if we don't do that."

Hope

ON WHAT'S GIVING YOU THE REV. VARGHESE "I am so encouraged by all those feet on the street, I do not find that to be troubling, of course, you don't want people harmed. I don't want fascists out there harming people. I don't want that. But the fact that there are a whole bunch of Americans optimistic enough about change and enraged enough about our history and are today to go out and try to do something, not to hide, not to drown it in substances, but to actually get out there, to me is such a sign of hope for this country. And it keeps me going."

THE RT. REV WRIGHT "I'm actually, in a weird way, acknowledging that the temperature of where we are right now and all the division, et cetera, is actually the perfect precondition for something new to be born. And so I'm seeing the positive possibilities. I like how the church is being squeezed. The status quo is inadequate - it's completely inadequate - and time and time again, history says that it was times like these that squeeze the church, and force the church to find a witness to rummage around her heart and her trick bag and find an authentic witness to bear. And so I'm really hopeful that that is happening. I've seen it happen in my diocese. I've seen it happen beyond on places on the fringe, in places at the center. And that's exciting. I'm hearing people talk more about the fact that our ministry right now is proclamation. We have ceded this space to other people for so long. Now is the time to talk about God being big and loving and for us, and for neighbor."

THE VERY REV. HOLLERITH "I keep finding bits of Grace everywhere I look in the midst of this. That's not to downplay the incredible pain and tragedy that's been going on, the two hundred and forty plus thousand Americans that have died. But still, I see bits of Grace all the time, which does encourage and gives me hope that God is moving in the midst of this.

What I love is the wonderful broad breadth of colors and ages of people on the streets standing up at this moment for a different way of being in the world...itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the incredible speed with which the ingenuity of our nation and the world has been developing this vaccine, faster than anything that's ever happened as far as a major vaccine produced.

We've had the largest voter turnout in the history of the country. Even though we're incredibly divided, that that's a great and gracious thing, that we've gotten them all so many Americans out taking part in their democratic process."

FOR FURTHER READING ISABEL WILKERSON

Caste The Warmth of Other Suns

SARAH AZARANSKY

This Worldwide Struggle The Dream of Freedom

PAULI MURRAY

Proud Shoes Pauli Murray: The Autobiography of a Black Activist, Feminist, Priest and Poet

The preceeding were excerpts from a two-hour conversation, held over two nights. The full video of this event is available online. please visit: episcopalswfl.org/reconciliation.html

(also published as Song in a Weary Throat)

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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

Cindy M. Hannon, 1958-2020 SARASOTA - Cindy M. Hannon, business manager of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, after a long illness. "She was a problem-finder but also a problem-solver,” said the parish's rector, the Rev. Wayne Farrell. In addition to the accounting and business management, Farrell said that she wore many hats at St. Boniface, including the HR hat and tech hat. In her 33 years, she worked for four rectors and numerous interim rectors, and helped to move the church from paper ledgers to electronic book-keeping. "She was the institutional memory around here," said Farrell.

Cindy M. (Wadsworth) Hannon was born June 4, 1958 in Ticonderoga, New York. She attended Fulton Montgomery College, graduating in 1978. It was there that she met her husband David. Her career at St. Boniface Episcopal Church started within days of arriving in Sarasota; after applying to their ad, the church fell in love immediately and Cindy stayed for over 30 years, as an integral component of the church.

The Rev. George Curt, 1927-2020 NAPLES - The Rev. George Curt, a priest who served congregations in Tampa, Englewood, Naples and Bonita Springs, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. Born in 1927 in Detroit, the Rev. George Curt's first career was as a carpenter supervisor for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners from 1952 to 1972 in Kentucky.

After attending the Sewanee School of Theology, Curt became a deacon, then priest under Bishop Addison Hosea in 1975 in the Diocese of Lexington. After arriving in Florida, he served as vicar of St. Bede, St. Petersburg from 1977-78; vicar of St. Chad, Tampa from 1978-83; and rector of St. David, Englewood from 1983-90.

The Rev. Robert James Elliott, 1924-2020 TAMPA - The Rev. Robert James Elliott, 95, of Tampa, Florida, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Aug. 2, 2020. Born Dec. 8, 1924 in Coshocton, Ohio, he is the son of Pearl (Banahan) and Frank Elliott, brother of George and John Elliott, and step-sister Anne Larr, all deceased. He was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 23, 1956. Robert served parishes in Galion and Marion, Ohio, was Chief Chaplain at Toledo State Mental Hospital, then St. Mark’s Church in Cleveland, Ohio where he retired due to macular degeneration. Having trained with the National Interim Ministry, he served seven parishes as an Interim priest. After moving to Tampa, he served on the staff at St. John’s Episcopal Church until he retired on the 50th anniversary of his priesthood in 2006.

The Rev. John T. Franklin, 1935-2020 BRADENTON - The Rev. John T. Franklin, a priest associate at Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach, died Sunday, July 12, 2020. The Rev. Franklin was graduate of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, a seminary for American Roman Catholics to pursue formation for ordination at the Holy See. Upon returning to the United States, he was ordained to the priesthood and served in Roman Catholic ministerial settings during the era of the Second Vatican Council. Responding to a call to the vocation of marriage and family, he transitioned to the mental health field, eventually settling in the Detroit area. In 1972 he married Cheryl Marie Cunningham, who survives him, along with children Beth Yeh (Brian) and Brian Franklin (Keehae Park).

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Transitions

RECENT STAFF AND CLERGY CHANGES NEW ADMINISTRATOR AT ST. MONICA'S, NAPLES NAPLES - Laura Stamper is the new parish administrator at St. Monica’s.

She was previously parish administrator at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, N.C. A former military wife, she has traveled the United States for over 19 years. She is a mother of two adult children and a grandmother to 2 school-aged children. Originally from Kentucky, she is a huge University of Kentucky basketball fan. She enjoys bowling and crafting.

She and her new husband were just married this year, which granted her two more adult children. While in Florida getting married, they loved the area so much, they decided to start their new lives here in Florida. Putting everything in God’s hands, they went back to Ohio, sold everything, packed up their clothes and their dog, Hunter, and moved to Cape Coral, which in turn brought her to St. Monica’s.

NEW RECTOR AT ST. MARK'S, VENICE VENICE - The Rev. Michael Rau is the newly elected rector for St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He will officially join the parish Jan. 13, 2021.

The Rev. Rau comes to St. Mark’s with extensive experience and training in youth ministry as well as five years of experience as rector of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania.

He also served as associate rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan, Connecticut.

He is a graduate of General Seminary in New York City. During the decade

prior to entering seminary, he worked in various positions of increasing responsibility in the Montgomery County Office of Domestic Relations in Pennsylvania. Fr. Michael’s wife, Melissa, works as a consultant to various churches around the country and recently began working as Chief of Staff at Bexley Seabury Seminary. The Raus have three children – Talie, a sophomore at Boston Conservatory of Music; Kiersten, a tenth grader; and Peyton, an eighth grader.

NEW RECTOR AT ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, SANIBEL SANIBEL - The Rev. Bill Van Oss is the new rector of St. Michael and All Angels, Sanibel.

Matthew’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul.

Their rector, the Rev. Grant Abbott, treated him like a colleague, and there began discernment to find out if God was calling him to serve in The Episcopal Church. After parish and diocesan discernment, they moved to Evanston, IL, for a year of Anglican Studies at Seabury Seminary. He was received as a priest in June of 2000 at the cathedral in Faribault, Minn.

IN OTHER NEWS

A native of Green Bay, Wisc., the Rev. Van Oss with his wife, Sue, of 25 years, began their new ministry in Sanibel on September 14th, 2020. Sue has been a Christian formation director and youth minister for more than 30 years, and is also highly skilled in website and digital ministry. They have a daughter, Luisa, who is a freshman at DePaul University in Chicago.

The Rev. Charles "Chip" Connelly retired on October 31 as rector of St. John, Tampa. He arrived at the parish in 1997, where he first attended before his ordination. After attending The General Seminary of the Episcopal Church, he returned to St. John's. In 2013, the bishop, wardens, and vestry asked him to serve as the Bishop’s Vicar, followed by serving as Priestin-Charge. He was elected Rector in August of 2014. He served as the President of the Standing Committee.

For the past 14 years, the Rev. Van Oss has been rector of St. Paul's in Duluth, Minnesota. During that time, he helped the church grow and expand, mostly through the addition of families. Prior to that, he served as rector of All Saints in Northfield, Minn. along with a campus ministry at Carleton and St. Olaf colleges.

The Rev. Ethan J. Cole is the new Canon for Congregational Life at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter. In that role he will be responsible for creating the rota, or schedule, for presiding and preaching, making pastoral calls, participating in formation, and being the Assistant to the Dean.

The Rev. Van Oss grew up Roman Catholic and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

He met his wife, Sue, in Appleton. He resigned from his position, married and moved to St. Paul. There, they found a warm, welcoming church home at St.

Music Director and Organist at Cathedral Church of St. Peter Dwight Thomas has the new title of Canon for Music and Precentor.

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L O O K I N G

The upcoming year has a number of parish anniversaries. St. Mary Magdalene in Lakewood Ranch will celebrate 25 years; St. Andrew Spring Hill will celebrate 50 years; Church of the Good Shepherd Punta Gorda will celebrate 125 and St. Andrew’s Tampa will celebrate 150 years.

As we look back, it reminds us that much about our diocese has a long tradition. Below, our congregations that have a founding date before 1900. Note that our congregations celebrate anniversaries in many ways, some from the beginning of their mission, and others from the date of their becoming a parish.

OUR 19TH CENTURY CONGREGATIONS St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tampa, 1871 Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, founded 1885 St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ft. Myers, 1885 Church of the Good Shepherd, Dunedin, 1886 St. Bede's Episcopal Church, St. Petersburg, 1887 St. John's Episcopal Church, Brooksville, 1888, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dade City, 1891 All Saints Episcopal Church, Tarpon Springs, 1892 St. Edmund The Martyr, Arcadia, 1893 St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, St. Petersburg, 1894 Church of the Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda, 1896 Views of Punta Gorda’s Church of the Good Shepherd, which celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2021: Parish youth in Punta Gorda in an October 1921 flood, at West Marion Ave. and Taylor Street. In 1926, a hurricane came across Lake Okeechobee and struck Punta Gorda on the way to the gulf.

The church was reported a “total wreck” with the tower blown off, and the building off foundation.

Services continued in the rectory.

An undated confirmation class, from a visit by then Bishop Henry Louttit.

The old Church of the Good Shepherd building, in a file from Diocesan House. The view shows the church before the church moved to its current location in 1980.

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BACK

This issue, we look forward to upcoming parish anniversaries by taking a look back at when they began.

2020

LAST CHANCE FOR 2020!

support the

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

ASSIST DAYSPRING ENDOWMENT DaySpring is a sacred place that seeks to enrich and empower its visitors in Christ through prayer, worship and fellowship. Your gift protects the legacy and ensures the permanent viability of DaySpring.

TEAR HERE AND RETURN

BE A PART OF THE 2020 BISHOP’S APPEAL GIVING LEVELS

After prayerful consideration, I/we wish to contribute $5,000 $1,000 $500 $100 $50 $25 $

USE MY GIFT

For the Episcopal Charities Endowment Fund For the DaySpring Endowment Fund Both! Share my donation equally between the two funds

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

I would like to remain anonymous I would like to set up an automatic recurring contribution Donate my gift in honor of I have already included the Diocese in my estate planning My company matches donations; the matching form is enclosed

Name(s): Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Parish: Email:

MAIL A CHECK

Please make check payable to: The Diocese of Southwest Florida, 8005 25th St. East, Parrish, FL 34219

DONATE ONLINE AT EPISCOPALSWFL.ORG

The Diocese of Southwest Florida has a safe, secure online donation page at episcopalswfl.org/appeal.html

LET’S TALK MORE

I would like to be involved in development plans for DaySpring Episcopal Center. Contact me through the information above.

THE SOUTHERN CROSS THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DAYSPRING EPISCOPAL CENTER 8005 25TH STREET EAST PARRISH, FLORIDA 34219

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The Rev. Robert Barry Crow leads prayer before procession at St. Anne of Grace, Seminole.

The 52nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida awarded parish status to the Pinellas County congregation.