Bishops Appeal 2017 Diocese of Southwest Florida

Bishop’s Annual Appeal

2017 Highlights Episcopal Charities Mission Impact DaySpring’s Revival Endowment Growth Diocese of Southwest Florida

March 1, 2017 Dear friends in Christ,

with the hope of Bishop’s Annual Appeal the n ga .” be we ago rs yea Eight , with mercy in mission , building for the future in us led ab en “honoring our tradition have s in the past eight years of Countless generous gift treasure to the Diocese a are rs no do al nu an r Ou . all , ion 00 vis s 5,0 thi $2 g to expandin g from $2 ve provided gifts rangin Southwest Florida and ha . ion vis red er in our sha of which bring us togeth nd approaching an Episcopal Charities Fu nities in congregations These gifts have created rtu po op ” y-filled mission erc “m fit ne be to 0, ,00 $750 ent Fund is approaching The DaySpring Endowm throughout our diocese. in “honoring our an incredible gift to assist $800,000 and has been the future”. tradition and building for d by people like you st Florida is truly blesse d to serve The Diocese of Southwe tions to come. I am blesse era gen for acy leg a ng through the who are creati your generosity expressed for ul tef gra d an p ho bis as your h we serve together. d and the greater Churc en att u yo s ion gat gre con hop’s Annual eration to this year’s Bis sid con ful yer pra e giv ll “honor our tradition, I hope you wi g a financial gift to help kin ma in me n joi d an Appeal God bless us in the work mercy in mission.” May th wi , ure fut the for ild kingdom entrusted to bu of this portion of Christ’s we do for the building up our care.

Faithfully yours,

ith The Rt. Rev. Dabney Sm

ON THE COVER

View of the new pool at DaySpring, part of our new Program Center and Pool. This page, detail from stained glass from St. Andrew, Tampa.

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR YOUTH

2016 marked the 30th year for the youth weekend program New Beginnings at DaySpring.

Middle schoolers experienced Christ’s love, all the while celebrating our Episcopal traditions.

DaySpring

ENDOWMENT FUND

DaySpring is the physical center of our diocesan life, including Diocesan House (Office of the Bishop) and a 97-acre overnight camp and conference center facility.

This sacred space in the heart of our diocesan community is the treasure through which we experience a full range of Christian formation, leadership development and personal restoration.

DaySpring summer camps, youth retreats and leadership training programs develop our youth for mission and ministry in their home churches and communities. Each year, DaySpring engages over 5,000 youth in various programs by both Episcopal and other non-profit and educational organizations. Leadership development programs at DaySpring support the mission and ministry of congregations by strengthening administrative health and spiritual vitality.

Your Bishop’s Appeal donation, allocated for DaySpring, assures a permanent endowment that protects the legacy of DaySpring by creating a fund for upkeep and maintenance. Any donation, large or small, will ensure that this sacred space and beacon of Gospel training continues in perpetuity.

Episcopal

CHARITIES FUND

Episcopal Charities is a funding support mechanism

for congregation-based community outreach and special needs ministries. It promotes, encourages and supports congregation-based ministries serving the poor and marginalized, all working through the diocesan Council on Deacons. The fund aims to assist programs that are self-perpetuating, and expand the capacity of our parishes to assist the poor: FOCUS ON RESULTS • Community outreach initiatives that address compelling Above, a client with first paycheck after a human needs and the alleviation of poverty Resurrection House • Special needs and emergency initiatives that develop anywhere training program. in the Diocese • Projects that partner with other non-profit organizations and parishes for broad charitable endeavors.

Our Charities’ Impact ...

Impact by Wheel

The All Souls Outreach Program North Ft. Myers Transportation is a critical part of helping those who live on the edge.

The mission program at All Souls is the church’s raison d’etre; most of the congregation are engaged in the mission and thrift house, and half of the volunteers are from outside the parish. It provides a food pantry, client identification program, medical triage and other assistance. One challenge they have is transportation; the Episcopal Charities gift helps magnify the program by helping with everything from occasional bus tickets to an emergency Greyhound ticket home to family. Volunteers also refurbish old bikes and provide locks and repairs. “We had a gentleman visit our Wednesday program. He got a job,” said The Rev. Dr. David Jackson, Rector, All Souls. “About a year and a half later he came back and gave us $1,000. With that, you think: Wow!”

Impact by Backpack

Pack a Snack All Saints, Tarpon Springs Last year, Episcopal Charities gave seed money to start the Pack a Snack program in Pasco County Schools in partnership with All Saints, Tarpon Springs. The parish had been looking at the needs of the community, and

The Rev. Bob Kinney, a newly ordained deacon, had seen information about children going hungry over the weekend at county schools. Along with a retired school social worker and other volunteers, they began by targeting a dozen students at a northern Pasco elementary school; they bring the food to the school, and the children are able to remain anonymous as the food is distributed by staff. Kinney hopes to expand the program as support within the parish grows. “The first few weeks you get this funny look,” said Kinney.

“The people at the school now bend over backwards to thank us.”

Impact by Freezer

Beach Community Food Pantry Calvary, Indian Rocks Beach For years, Calvary Indian Rocks Beach has had a major commitment to their community through their food pantry. Their hastily converted classroom, 12-years tired, was showing its age as a storage facility for community foods. Aging, second-hand refrigeration meant spoilage and less capacity. With a $4,900 grant from Episcopal Charities, Calvary replaced their refrigeration with a more efficient, larger and more dependable 47 cubic foot Turbo-Air freezer, as well finished a complete overall of their storage room. Today, Calvary is able to serve more nutritious food, to greater numbers with less spoilage and easier operations for volunteers.

Charities Grants for 2016 For 2016, the following grants were announced: • •

• • • • • •

$2,000 for the All Saints, Tarpon Springs Pack a Snack program. $2,500 for the Iona Hope Lee Interfaith for Empowerment STEADY ENDOWMENT GROWTH after school program in Ft. Above, the purple bars represent our Episcopal Charities Endowment, which has grown from Myers. $36,000 to now $734,802. At top, Resurrection $2,500 for All Souls, North House in St. Petersburg. Below, Calvary Indian Ft. Myers Transportation Rocks Beach Community Food Pantry.

Outreach program. $4,900 for the Calvary Indian Rocks Beach Food Pantry Renovation. $1,700 for Church of the Holy Spirit’s Holy Spirit Kingdom Care. $7,500 for new air conditioners at St. Bartholomew’s Food Pantry. $4,150 to launch a new Science and Mathematics based curriculum at Tampa’s St. James House of Prayer with Cornerstone Kids. $3,750 for the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s Resurrection House.

VIEWS OF RENEWAL

From top: Episcopal Church Women hold first meeting & Holy Eucharist in the new Program Center. Below, new pool area and basketball court.

DaySpring

RENEWED THANKS TO YOU

2016 was a landmark year for DaySpring

Episcopal Center. The beginning of the year commenced with the county’s approval of a longterm master plan for DaySpring. In February, we broke ground on a necessary and initial phase of the master plan which included the new Program Center and Pool. This building complex completes our youth area, by adding a large auditorium, classrooms and a resort-style pool. The new construction was enthusiastically received and put in use by events such as the Episcopal Church Women, youth gatherings and Quiet Day. Increased attendance capacity and event quality with new foodservice equipment, bathrooms, audio and wireless capabilities and handsome, quiet interiors has enhanced the life at DaySpring.

Our Bishop’s Cabinet also initiated awareness gatherings around the Diocese to tell the story of what we do, under the banner of God’s Word, Your Light, Our Legacy. Supporting the effort was a prayer team that ensured that our efforts were infused and undergirded at all times by a Gospel component. This year, further small-scale, incremental improvements are planned, including regular interior upgrades to our other conference facilities, supported by DaySpring Endowment Fund distributions.

We realize that DaySpring is not about buildings. The buildings are but a tool, as much as a baptismal font, youth cabin bunk, kneeler, mattress or even a roof over camper or Cursillo-pilgrim heads. Last December, Bishop Smith dedicated a new, portable altar for the Program Center crafted

by Christ Church Bradenton parishioner Aaron Welch. It is already in use for Eucharists at events like Cursillo. On the front is a Jerusalem cross, which represents, among many meanings, Christ’s message going out into the four corners of the world.

Christ is here among us, and always reachable, but the imperative is not just that He is around, but that we know how to share your light and His word to those who do not yet know. Your donation, at whatever level you prayerfully consider, will provide DaySpring with dedicated funds that give, year after year, into Eternity.

All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Questions? Call (941) 556-0315

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

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

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I would like to be involved in the development plans for DaySpring Episcopal Center. Please contact Anne M. Vickers, C.F.O., through the information above.

LET’S TALK MORE

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

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Be a Part of the 2017 Bishop’s Appeal

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The Diocese of Southwest Florida DaySpring Episcopal Center 8005 25th St. East Parrish, FL 34219 (941) 556-0315 www.episcopalswfl.org/appeal.html

• HONOR OUR TRADITION • • BUILD FOR THE FUTURE • • MERCY IN MISSION •

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