Around the Diocese

Around the Diocese

Read about what's happening around the diocese this spring.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island celebrates ‘Blue Zone’ designation

Striving for a longer life through mind, body, and spirit, St. Mark’s, Marco Island is celebrating its new recognition as a “Blue Zone," a place that promotes well-being and healthy lifestyle choices.

The church earned its certification

by complying with the nine tenants of a Blue Zone. The Rev. Kathy Schillreff said it wasn’t that hard because committing to God and committing to yourself go hand in hand. “Jesus fed people, Jesus healed people, all of those things.”

Blue Zones focus on feeding, healing, and much more. The movement mimics the practices of people worldwide who live the longest, healthiest lives. St. Mark’s is the first Blue Zone church on Marco Island.

“For some people eating better does bring them closer to God. You know what I mean? Or going for a walk on Marco Island on a beautiful day does bring them closer to God,” said the Rev. Kathy Schillreff.

Blue Zones are about much more than eating and exercising. The group’s team of researchers identified seven other practices for a long and healthy life. One is “Purpose.” St. Mark’s purpose is to raise money to do laundry for people who can’t afford it.

Cathy Weis runs Laundry Love for the church. She said, “I believe we find God, we find Jesus in those acts of kindness that are given toward others as well as acts of kindness that are given to us.”

Katie Gotzman said, “God created everything, and we’re lucky enough to be part of that creation.” Gotzman helps tend the church garden. The garden helps the church keep up with the Blue Zone’s continued on pg. 15 9

Around the Diocese, continued from page 9

tenant of a mostly plant-based diet. It also helps with a sense of belonging and a sense of community. “I’m a widow, and I was isolated. Zoom is pretty good too. But this is real. This is real,” said Gotzman.

If you would like to learn more about Blue Zones and the tenants that encompass it, you can do so by visiting https://www.bluezones. com/2016/11/power-9/.

"Into the Wilderness" Quiet Day led by Canon Richard Norman

The Rev. Canon Richard Norman, our diocesan Canon to the Ordinary, led The Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg's annual Quiet Day in February to provide an opportunity to stroll in the stillness of God’s presence. Through scripture and art, the group joined Christ during his 40 days in the wilderness. The group explored how the wilderness provides us with the opportunity to refine our own discipleship and discover once again what it means to follow Christ—and in doing so, take our Christian vocation of living in the poem of creation more joyously and generously, as if we have come out of a desert.

The pace, uncertainty, and anxiety of the last two years have had an effect on us all. Canon Norman’s Quiet Day created space for participants who felt caught up in the clamor and haste of life and allowed them to step away for a moment and try on a period of contemplation and reflection.

St. John's Tampa Creates The Venerable Dr. Kathleen M. Moore Formation Fund

St. John's, Tampa, announced the creation of The Venerable Dr. Kathleen M. Moore Formation Fund. All donations made in honor of Archdeacon Kathleen will go toward a fund that will enable St. John’s parish to invite special speakers for

outstanding learning opportunities for this parish and beyond.

Formation and education were great passions for Archdeacon Kathleen. We want to honor her legacy by naming this fund in memory of her life, her work as an educator, and her ministry as a deacon of the Episcopal Church. To support this effort, please visit our online giving page, https://onrealm. org/StJohnsEpiscopa83429/-/form/ give/now noting "Archdeacon Kathleen" in the dropdown menu.

St. Mark’s, Venice Plans A Pilgrimage for 2022

Have you ever thought about taking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land? Don't miss your opportunity to join friends of St. Mark's, Venice, from November 7-16 for an unforgettable experience. We'll travel to Jerusalem, Caesarea by the Sea, Mount Carmel, Nazareth and Megiddo, the Sea of Galilee, Tel Dan, the Jordan River, Caesarea Philippi, Bethlehem, Jericho, and many more destinations. Our journey will follow the footsteps of Jesus, and will undoubtedly change the way you read and engage with the Bible. Participants also have the opportunity of extending their stay for one of two optional tours to Cairo & the Route of Exodus or Petra & the Wonders of the Dead Sea.

For more information, please be in touch with St. Mark's church office by emailing info@stmarksvenice.org or calling (941) 488-7714.

The Rev. Canon Richard Norman led the “Into the Wilderness” art series including the above paintings “Christ in the Wilderness The Scorpion 1939,” and “Christ in the Wilderness The Hen 1954”

“Christ in the Wilderness The Scorpion 1939"

“Christ in the Wilderness The Hen 1954”

Around the Diocese

Read about what's happening around the diocese this spring.

by complying with the nine tenants of a Blue Zone. The Rev. Kathy Schillreff said it wasn’t that hard because committing to God and committing to yourself go hand in hand. “Jesus fed people, Jesus healed people, all of those things.”

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island celebrates ‘Blue Zone’ designation

Striving for a longer life through mind, body, and spirit, St. Mark’s, Marco Island is celebrating its new recognition as a “Blue Zone," a place that promotes well-being and healthy lifestyle choices.

The church earned its certification

Blue Zones focus on feeding, healing, and much more. The movement mimics the practices of people worldwide who live the longest, healthiest lives. St. Mark’s is the first Blue Zone church on Marco Island.

“For some people eating better does bring them closer to God. You know what I mean? Or going for a walk on Marco Island on a beautiful day does bring them closer to God,” said the Rev. Kathy Schillreff.

Blue Zones are about much more than eating and exercising. The group’s team of researchers identified seven other practices for a long and healthy life. One is “Purpose.” St. Mark’s purpose is to raise money to do laundry for people who can’t afford it.

Cathy Weis runs Laundry Love for the church. She said, “I believe we find God, we find Jesus in those acts of kindness that are given toward others as well as acts of kindness that are given to us.”

Katie Gotzman said, “God created everything, and we’re lucky enough to be part of that creation.” Gotzman helps tend the church garden. The garden helps the church keep up with the Blue Zone’s continued on pg. 15 9

Around the Diocese, continued from page 9