advent christmas 2015 volume 46, issue 3 advent/christmas ... · saturday, oct. 24, 2015. the rev....
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Advent Christmas 2015 Volume 46, Issue 3Advent/Christmas 2015 Volume 46, Issue 3
MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
PLUS: Christmas RecipesRejoice, Always Convention Roundup St. Francis Anew
Festival 2015
Acolytes Celebrate
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Advent Christmas 2015 Volume 46, Issue 3
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Academic Year – Call Today!2101 S. Hubert Avenue, Tampa
(813) 258-5508 • www.smeds.org
}}
3THE SOUTHERN CROSS
From the BishopGreetings From Bishop SmithMy dear friends,
When I was a rector in South Bend, Indiana, the congregation I served de-termined to relocate. I was concurrently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree so I chose as my thesis topic “Congrega-tions who relocate.” I thought it would be a difficult topic to study but discov-ered, in the late 1990’s, 12 percent of all congregations relocate over the course of their histories.
We now celebrate with St. Francis, Tampa, as it undergoes a relocation transition into a new creative future. If we surveyed all of the congregations that comprise the Diocese of Southwest Florida we would find a number of congregations that have relocated for a wide variety of reasons. The key for suc-cess in congregational relocation is the desire to create a new future!
This issue of the Southern Cross has a number of examples of congrega-tions, clergy and lay leaders that reveal a
continued energy to create a new future. That is, of course, in the very nature of the Church. God’s desire for us is to be changed or transformed which means a new future always lies before the bap-tized and faithful congregations.
As you explore the pages of this issue of the Southern Cross I think you will agree with me that it is both stimu-lating and creative for God’s future. The story of Fr. Livan and St. Francis is, again, a story of wonderful celebration.
A priest’s self-description of spiritual direction and desired growth speaks well of the individual’s need to intentionally participate in the creation of a new future.
Just as clearly, the information regarding the master site plan of Day-Spring reveals the Diocese moving for-ward to create space for better “people development” through all of the exist-
ing and new programs at DaySpring.Finally, the display of the 2016
calendar shows our Diocese moving forward with energy and purpose. I personally find it an exciting diocese to be a part of.
Remember, as Christians, we pray with daily regularity “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done,” as we recite the Lord’s Prayer. The very prayer Jesus taught us both reminds and informs us that God calls us and equips us for a new creative future. What a blessing to be so called! X
Bishop Dabney Smith is Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.
God’s desire for us is to be changed or
transformed
Procession at the last service at the old St. Francis.
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In this Issue
Features
Rendering for proposed program center, DaySpring Episcopal Center
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10 St. Francis Moves A New Garden for St. Francis at St. Chad14 47th Convention Roundup Elections and other news17 DaySpring Plans Move Forward Program and youth first priority in new plan18 Calendar DaySpring and Diocesan calendar for A.D. 2016
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Christmas doors, St. Edmund’s the Martyr, Arcadia
Briefs: Thistle Farms, Clergy Notes ................................................. ..……………………................…...... 7 Meet the Priest: The Rev. Christian Maxfield ……......................……………………………................ 8 Youth: Summer Camp Plans .............................................................……………...…………….................. 9 Art: Altar for St. Chad, by Martha Goodwill ..............………………………….....…....................22 Advent: Rose Sunday, The Rev. David Danner ……......................................…………………...…....... 23 Campus Ministry: Urgency at SCF by Billy Pardy …….........................…………………………....... 25 Food: Christmas Recipes by Jan Nothum ......……......................................………………..................... 26 Parish Life: Good Shepherd, Venice ..............................……...………………................................. 29 Parish Life: Action on Alcohol, by the Rev. Canon Michael P. Durning .....……................................... 30 Parish Life: St. Chad Library, by Jennifer Rich .................……………...............………............... 31 Obituaries .....................…..............………………………………………..………………………... 32 Glancing Back: Convention 1975 …..........................……………………….………............................... 34
Departments
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Bishop, The Diocese of Southwest Florida: The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith
Editor: Garland Pollard
Contributing Writers: The Rev. David Danner, The Rev.Canon Michael Durning, Dominick Maldonaldo, Martha Goodwill, Jan Nothum, Pete Muller, William Pardy, Jennifer Rich, Anne Vickers
Photographers: Anne Vickers, Garland Pollard
Advertising Inquiries: Garland Pollard, 941-556-0315 or [email protected]
Subscriptions: The Southern Cross is mailed to parishioners of the Diocese of Southwest Florida from member parish lists. Email your address to [email protected] to subscribe or update delivery preferences.
Editorial Submissions, Letters: The editor welcomes submissions of articles for every section of the magazine including features, news and departments. Email [email protected]. Manuscripts must be in Microsoft word format. We invite letters to the editor on subjects of interest to the entire Diocese.
Identification Statement: The Southern Cross is published by the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Department of Communications. USPS permit No. 946.
Diocese of Southwest Florida DaySpring Episcopal Center 8005 25th St. East Parrish, FL 34219 941-556-0315
web: www.episcopalswfl.org email: [email protected] Twitter: @episcopalswfl
ISSN 2372-7861 (print version)ISSN 2372-8159 (online version)
On the Cover: The acolytes of St. Francis, Tampa at the Diocesan Acolyte Festival this September.
Year 46 | Issue 3 | Advent/Christmas 2015X
First Published A.D. 1970
A DIOCESAN-WIDE YOUTH EVENT:
Rootin’ Tootin’ Hootenanny
Calling all middle/high school youth, young adults, and youth leaders.
Come dressed in your best country attire to line dance the day away. Food
& drinks. No charge.Hosted by: Youth Leadership Team,
Diocese of Southwest Florida
Who: Barney & His Band, Urban Gypsies of Florida
When: January 23, 2016, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: St Stephen’s School Gymnasium, 315 41st St W. Bradenton
R.S.V.P: With Michelle Mercurio at [email protected]
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Noted Entrepreneur & Priest Becca Stevens at St. Alban’s Jan. 26
ST. PETE BEACH – The Rev. Becca Stevens, an author, Episcopal priest and founder of Thistle Farms, a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction, will speak at St. Alban’s on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.
Thistle Farms employs residents and graduates of their two-year residential community program. The project houses a natural body care line, a paper and sew-ing studio, Thistle Stop Café, and its new global initiative, Shared Trade.
Stevens started the Thistle Stop Café to empower women survivors. But when she discovered a connection between café workers and tea laborers overseas, she em-barked on a global mission called “Shared Trade” to increase the value of women sur-vivors and producers across the globe. Her book, The Way of Tea and Justice: Rescu-ing the World’s Favorite Beverage from Its Violent History, recounts the victories and unexpected challenges of building the café.
Attendees will also hear from two
graduates who will share their experiences and how they have changed their lives through the work of Thistle Farms, which is located in Tennessee near Nashville. Ste-vens preached at the Episcopal General Convention in Salt Lake City last summer.
At the talk, guests will enjoy a Social Justice Tea and taste Thistle Farms tea, enjoy desserts and gain awareness about what can be done today to have a residual impact on issues that are impacting wom-en across the world. $5 Donation at door.
RSVP to St. Alban’s at [email protected] or 727-360-8406. X
Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers Holds Annual Meeting at DaySpring This January
PARRISH – The annual meeting of the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers will be held at DaySpring begin-ning January 24 to 29. This is the first time DaySpring has hosted the ECCC, which includes about 100 camps and forma-tion centers across the U.S. Speakers in-clude Jerry Huncosky, CEO of Frost Val-ley YMCA, a 5,000 acre property in the Catskill Mountains.
The Rev. Kyle Bennett, rector of St. Mark’s Marco Island, will speak about special needs ministries at our churches, camps, and conference centers. And Lynd Matt, Director of Development for the Diocese of Massachusetts, will speak on fund-raising.
Questions? Email [email protected] with any questions about the conference.
BrieflyClergy Changes
THE REV. DR. Gina Walsh-Minor is the new priest-in-charge at St. Alfred, Palm Harbor. The Rev. Walsh-Minor has served the Diocese of New Jersey since 2003 as vicar at St. Clement’s, St. Mary the Virgin, Keyport, and Interim Rector St. James, Long Branch as well as interim director of human resources at the Riverside Church in New York.
The Rev. Edward C. Gleason became the eighth rector of Trinity-by-the Cove Episcopal Church on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. The Rev. Gleason began his ministry at Trinity-by-the Cove as an associate rector.
The Rev. Daniel Moore is now associate rector at Trinity-by-the-Cove. Moore is a recent seminary graduate, having received his M. Div. and certificate in Anglican Studies from the Duke Divinity School in May 2015.
The Rev. David Bumsted accepted a call to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Orlando. He had been associate for youth ministry at Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota.
The Rev. Robert Baker, ordained last January, is the assisting priest at St. John, Tampa.
The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld of the Diocese of Alabama will serve as the new priest in charge of Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach.
The Rev. Dr. John S. Adler is the new vicar of St. Raphael, Ft. Myers Beach. He replaces The Rev. Don Nicholson, who died in August. X
Transitions
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Q: How did you and Kate decide to answer the call to Naples?A: Ordained ministry for me has involved serving as youth, young adult and family minister and also serving as rector and priest-in-charge. As I was sensing God’s call to move, I found myself being drawn once again to a larger parish with a staff where I could focus on youth and family ministry. For us, this search for a larger parish meant looking south; and though we never would have thought we would move as far south as Naples, we are so blessed to be serving the St. John’s family.
Q: Did you grow up in the Episcopal Church?A: I was raised American Baptist and my Christian walk brought me to Lutheran and Evangelical Covenant churches before the Episcopal Church. To top off my denominational circuit ride, studying at Nashotah Houses Seminary gave me a rich Anglo-Catholic experience.
Q: What is unique about St. John’s?A: One of the things I find really unique about St John’s is the way so many people in the church are sensitive to, in tune with, and growing in God through the work of the Holy Spirit. St. John’s is a loving and welcoming community actively seeking God’s will and desiring His work in both their parish and in their personal lives. Coming to St. John’s my eyes have been opened even further to the work of the Holy Spirit through the disciplines of healing and contemplative prayer. “Season” was a new concept for me, and while I understood it in theory, being here and experiencing “season”- and what
that means for a parish- continues to be a learning experience!
Q: What are some books that inspired, or continue to inspire you?A: Besides “Calvin and Hobbes” (which occasionally does make it into a sermon), I enjoy reading the witness of the church fathers and the early church, as well as the writings of C.S. Lewis.
Q: What do you and Kate like to do in your off time?A: Kate and I enjoy taking advantage of this lovely area as much as we are able. We take our dog, Gracey, to the dog park and to the beach, and I enjoy skating on my long-board with Gracey as she pulls me down the road. We also enjoy taking as much advantage of the coast as we can by paddle boarding, skim boarding and just plain sitting at the beach as well as the pool.
Q: In a recent sermon, you preached on mistaking allies for enemies, and the
ability of daily prayer to keep us relying on God’s word and Holy Spirit. How do you keep a prayer life, and do you have any suggestions for us?A: I have been blessed to have found a spiritual director early on in my ministry in Southwest Florida, who has guided me through healing prayer and helps to give me accountability in setting aside time for personal prayer and contemplation. Being a minister I find that I am in the Scriptures a lot, praying prayers all through my day and leading a spiritual life, but where I need accountability (and I believe this is the same for many) is in carving out daily quiet time out of our busy days just to sit in quiet contemplation, personal prayer and listening. When I do carve out the time, my days are better, my sermons are better, I am better and I am better to those around me – all of which brings glory to God. It is easy to be busy with the day-to-day duties and activities of life. It takes discipline to place God above self but the blessing we receive when we do so, is incredible. X
Here, The Rev. Christian Maxfield of St. John, Naples, conducts a children’s sermon.
The Rev. Christian Maxfield, St. John’s NaplesMeet the Priest
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YouthEarly Camp Registration OpensBy The Rev. Canon John Palarine Canon for Program & Youth
PARRISH - Even bigger and better camp sessions are coming this summer to camp at DaySpring. There is something for everyone. A chance to meet new friends, to have more fun than ever imagined, to experience community and the abundant love of God and to return home a new creation ready to serve others and the church.
Counselor TrainingJune 12-15
Session 1, Break OutJune 15-18Rising 3rd – 5th Grade, $390A new and exciting elementary age Christian experience with all the fun camp activities at DaySpring.
Session 2, Middle School CampJune 19-24Rising 6th-8th Grade, $390Full camp activities and program for middle schoolers. Special addition of Canon Michael Durning as chaplain.
Session 3, High School CampJune 26-July 1Rising 9th-12th, $390Canoeing, high rope, sports and zip line with even more additions for 2016.
Session 4, Mission CampJuly 10-15Middle and Senior High, $390
Briefly
Teams of middle and high school students and adults from congregations come to camp, learn about and experience various missions in the Diocese. We had a great mission in 2015. Don’t miss it this year.
Session 5, Elementary CampJuly 17-22, 3rd to 5th Grades, $390All the traditional and fun camp activities at DaySpring.
Session 6: Youth Ministry Leadership Camp and ConferenceJuly 24-29, $390Teams of senior high and adults will participate in leadership training that will make a difference in their congregation and community. Great way to raise up the leadership of young people for your parish or mission. Note: there will be adult leader training as part of this event. XContact The Rev. John Palarine at 941-556-0315 or [email protected].
Happening and New Beginnings Can Change Lives
Happening is a weekend experience for high school aged youth that has changed the lives of many through the power of God’s love and the Holy Spirit. Our diocesan youth ministry offers Happening every year. It is led by young people for young people and is very powerful. It also makes an impact on the congregations upon the young people’s return from this weekend. During a Happening weekend, participants will experience the love of Christ through music, talk, prayer, worship and a community led by fellow students, all of which is supported by clergy and lay adults. God’s love can change lives.Next Happening: February 26 – 28, 2016.
New Beginnings is a special weekend for Middle Schoolers. It also shares the love of Christ in powerful ways but it is aimed at the needs of those in this age. The unique thing about New Beginnings is that it is meant to be a group experience. Adult leaders bring their group and share in the weekend and then are encouraged to take the experience back to their congregation. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your Middle School Ministry through this amazing experience that changes lives and congregations. Next New Beginnings: March 11-13, 2016
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By Anne M. Vickers Canon For Finance and Administration
TAMPA - On July 28, 2015, Bishop Michael Garrison, reading a procla-mation on behalf of Bishop Dabney Tyler Smith, deconsecrated the St. Francis church building at 6907 N. Nebraska Ave. in Tampa.
The Rt. Rev. Garrison read the words: “do hereby revoke the said Sentence, issued by my predecessor, and do remit this building, and all
A New Garden for St. Francis
objects remaining in it, for any lawful and reputable use, according to the laws of this land.”
After that pronouncement, St. Francis, which dates from 1952 as a mission church, would no longer have a home at 6907 N. Nebraska Av-enue in Tampa. The congregation will be worshipping at the St. Chad’s Epis-copal Church location for 12 months while they determine the details of their new location, which will be lo-cated further west in the heart of the
Hispanic/Latino community in Tam-pa in a building that more closely fits their needs.
St. Francis will be sharing space with St. Chad, the Tampa church led by The Rev. Christian Villagomeza. St. Chad, organized in 1953, will remain a separate mission, though sharing facilities.
After weeks of packing and mov-ing the contents of over 50 years, this Sunday was a day of celebration and ceremony. The hallways were packed
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Last Day on NebraskaFacing page, the final service. Fr. Livan addresses the congregation. Above, Fr. Livan leads the acolytes in prayer before worship. Right, parishioners parade out with flags representing their many countries of origin. Below, a group of youth share their feelings about St. Francis.
with families of all ages, tending to their weekly tasks while the choir was practicing ahead of the service, singing “Gloria a Dios, Gloria a Dios, Gloria al Padre”.
Getting the word out about their new location was not difficult.
“Oh, all the members already know. In the Latino community, ev-erybody knows – you tell one per-son and the rest gets around,” said church leader Dominick Maldonado, who serves on the Diocesan Stand-ing Committee and has become an evangelist in the Diocese of South-west Florida for attracting Spanish-speakers to the Diocese. “Everyone has the address, and we have the same phone number so we won’t lose contact. We immediately began to evangelize at the new location – in the new neighborhood saying ‘Hi we are here! I’m coming over for coffee! Come! Come!’ We know we are going to grow! I have one concern – we will fill that church soon.”
“I feel a little sadness because my daughter has found a lot of friends here,” said a nostalgic Luz Dary. “We’re carrying our friends to the new church building. But it’s sad say-ing goodbye. Even the little tables in the ladies room – I miss them.”
“We were there (28 of us) for an open house. In our church, even your purse has a spot – we wondered, how will we fit? – Well, we’ll have to sit next to each other and we’ll hold the purses.” She smiles brightly.
Even the youth were nostalgic. “I’ve been coming here since I was little,” said German Perez, a teenager active at the church. “I’m sad to see us leave but it will be exciting going to a new environment - to experience our Continued on page 13
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gree in family medicine and in 1999, he completed his residency as an in-fectious disease specialist.
He left Cuba, and travelled to Uruguay as a missionary, where he completed his seminary work in Montevideo, Uruguay. His dedica-tion and commitment to the most vulnerable led him to become medi-cal director of a residential facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, the majority of which had a long history of substance abuse. His wife Lazara Judith, who also worked in the medi-
Here, Fr. Livan greets Fr. Hector Lopez, the previous vicar, who arrives to celebrate with the congregation.
By Dominick MaldonadoSt. Francis, Tampa
BORN AND RAISED in Havana, Cuba, Fr. Livan (pronounced Lee-van) Echazabal’s first calling was as a physi-cian, attending the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana, the oldest medical school in Cuba. Fr. Livan’s calling to serve God came in 1992, attending the Evangelico de Matanza Seminary (Evangelical Theo-logical Seminary) of Matanzas.
In 1994, he graduated with a de-
cal field as a registered nurse, joined him. While there, Fr. Livan found himself having to advocate for this group of people that were very much discriminated against for many rea-sons. Fr. Livan lived with his wife in Uruguay for 13 years, where their daughter Nicole was born.
In 2006, Fr. Livan first served in the diaconate, and in 2007 he became an ordained priest. During those 13 years in Uruguay, Fr. Livan worked in various hospitals, performing emer-gency medicine, family medicine and
Meet Fr. Livan, Shepherd of St. FrancisPhysician Priest Leads Spanish-speaking Congregation in Tampa
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Facts on St. Francis
St. Francis began as a mission May 1, 1952, under the old Diocese of South Florida, around the same time St. Raphael’s Ft. Myers Beach, St. Alban’s St. Pete Beach and the old Glades Cross Mission in Everglades City began. It has ‘mission’ status as the priest is appointed by Bishop Smith in consultation with wardens. Because Fr. Livan leads a ‘mission,’ his title is vicar, not rector.
infectious disease medicine, in addi-tion to his service as a priest.
In 2005, Fr. Livan travelled for the first time to the United States, at the invitation of the Dioceses of Colorado and Southeast Florida, and followed up with additional trips. In 2011, Fr. Livan was invited to St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tampa, where he presented a workshop on Pastoral Health. That was the begin-ning of his relationship with St Fran-cis. At the same time of his visit, Fr. Hector Lopez, the long-time Vicar at St. Francis, was about to retire. The St. Francis vestry invited Fr. Livan to an interview and presented him to the Diocese. In 2012, Bishop Smith, ap-pointed Fr. Livan as Vicar of St. Fran-cis Episcopal Church.
Both the vestry and congrega-tion have welcomed their Cuban-born priest with open arms and are working very well together. Fr. Li-van immediately began to share his vision and teachings of God. The youth liked their priest, and began to get involved; so did the women, and men. Over the last three years at St. Francis, he has worked extremely hard with the vestry to rebuild the congregation. He also began a second mission in Spring Hill at the home of parishioner Hector Chamorro. When the group grew, they approached Fr. Lance Wallace, Rector at St. Andrews Church in Spring Hill. Fr. Wallace welcomed the meeting with open arms, lots of love; for the past year, Fr. Livan has been travelling every Satur-day to perform mass at 6 p.m.
Some of his challenges include improving his English and attending school; he is planning to take his medi-cal boards so that he can perform his second love of his profession in medi-
cine. His most pressing challenge is finding a new location for St. Francis Episcopal Church. This year the church and the property on N. Nebraska Av-enue were sold, and now the church is sharing space with St. Chad’s.
Fr. Livan would like to express his most sincere gratitude to Bishop Smith and the entire Diocesan staff for all their help and support to both him, his family and St. Francis. X
About the author: Dominick Mal-donado, a parishioner at St. Francis, serves on the Standing Committee as a lay member. He was a leader of the first Spanish Cursillo in the Diocese this year.
faith growing in a different place.”The community loves their
leader, Fr. Livan Echazabal, the en-ergetic center of the congregation (see sidebar). A native of Cuba, Fr. Livan came to St. Francis with his wife Judith and daughter Nicole.
During the service, Fr. Livan warmly welcomed words from the congregation, including long-time parishioner Jose Orozco, who wrote a poem to memorialize the day. Also part of the service were the congregation’s elementary school children, who shared their thoughts and a song. Bishop Mi-chael Garrison greeted the con-gregation in Spanish and preached the Gospel story of Jesus speak-ing as he walked across the water and the disciples sat in their boats, scared.
“It is I. Do not be afraid!”Bishop Garrison cheerfully
noted the colorful procession of the flags symbolizing the many na-tions represented in the St. Francis community, symbolizing that we are all related to one another.
“We come from many coun-tries and culture, but as we sing, we are one body of Christ, and Christ lives forever,” said Bishop Garrison.
As those gathered snapped pho-tos of the large Crucifix carefully and lovingly taken down and prepared for move, let us remind ourselves that Jesus is with us in this new ad-venture. A mover summed it up best, “We take care of Him because He takes care of us.” X
continued from page 11
Moving St. Francis
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October Diocesan Convention is 47th in Southwest Florida
Convention on Mission
Seminarians were introduced to the Convention. They are, from left, the Rev. Marcia Tremmel, Margaret Sullivan, Robert Douglas,
Daniel Lemley, Christian Wood and Chase Ackerman.
THE 2015 ANNUAL Convention of the Diocese was held Oct. 16-17, 2015 in Punta Gorda. The event is the annual gathering and business meet-ing of the Episcopal Diocese of South-west Florida. Friday’s events included a ministry fair, speakers and Holy Eucharist featuring Abagail Nelson of Episcopal Relief & Development.
The plenary speaker for the 2015 Diocesan Convention was Brian McLaren. McLaren, an author, public theologian and leading figure in the “emerging
Watch Sessions Online
The full Saturday business session of convention is online, as well as handouts, stories and the annual Convention Guidebook, which includes budgets, elections, reports, speakers and contacts. Go to episcopalswfl.org and visit the CONVENTION tab atop the home page.
church” movement, attends St. Mark’s, Marco Island. He is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational church in the Baltimore-Washington region.
On Saturday, voting clergy and delegates from the Diocese’s 77 congregations gathered to vote on the 2016 budget, consider resolutions and hear Bishop Dabney Smith’s convention address, which this year was taped ahead of time.
Visit episcopalswfl.org/tv.html for both business sessions of the Saturday Annual Convention. The first session includes the Annual Convention Address of the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith. X
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Each of the four General Conven-tions that I have been privileged to attend has faced critical issues related to the mis-sion of The Episcopal Church. This Con-vention is no exception and will include the election of our next Presiding Bishop. We are particularly honored to have our own Bishop Dabney Smith as one of the four Bishops who has been nominated for this position. And our own Anne Vickers is running as a Trustee of the Church Pen-sion Board.
. X
Bishop’s Appeal Awards Announced
At the 47th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, grant recipients for Episcopal Charities of Southwest Florida were announced. Awards were as follows:• $4,483, St. Raphael, Ft. Myers Beach,
Leap of Faith After School Program• $3,000, St. Chad, Tampa, Food Pantry
and Community Program• $7,062, St. Edmund’s the Martyr,
Arcadia, DeSotoCares DayCenter for the homeless• $4,455, St. James House of Prayer, Tampa, Cornerstone
Kids After School Reading Enrichment Program• $3,000, All Souls, North Ft. Myers, Food Pantry and
Outreach Services• $3,000, St. Wilfred, Sarasota, Beneva Christian Food
Pantry Cooperative X
Each year, landmark events in the history of the
Diocese are celebrated. This year, All Souls North
Ft. Myers celebrated its move from mission status to becoming a full parish.
Above, parishioners parade through the
convention hall. At top right, The Rt. Rev. Michael Garrison, assisting bishop,
as he prays during the censing of the altar.
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Standing Committee and Other Elections at Convention • Kevin M. Fitzgerald, St. Mark’s, Marco Island, was re-elected to a
three-year term as lay representative to the Standing Committee.• The Rev. Dr. Randall Hehr, Holy
Trinity, Clearwater and The Rev. Cesar Olivero, St. James, Port Charlotte, were both elected to three-year terms as presbyter representatives to the Standing Committee.
• W. Blanton Garnett of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and Allen O. Getz of St. Andrew, Tampa, were elected as at-large representatives to Diocesan Council.
• Virginia Harper, Iona Hope, Ft. Myers and The Hon. Doug Spangler, Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, were elected to three-year terms as lay representatives to the Disciplinary Board.
• The Rev. Charles Roy Allison, St. Mary’s, Tampa was elected to a three-year term to Disciplinary Board by acclimation as clergy representative.
• Mr. Aaron Welch, Christ Church, Bradenton, was elected to a three-year term as trustee to University of the South. X
Standing Committee, from left: The Very Rev. Cesar Olivero, The Rev. Dr. Randall Hehr, The Rev. Fredrick Robinson, The Rev. Charles Connelly, Mr. Dominick Maldonado, Ms.
Glenna Hileman, Mr. Wayne Ford, Mr. Kevin Fitzgerald, The Rev. Lance Wallace
Deanery Representatives to Diocesan CouncilPUNTA GORDA - Diocesan Council, which meets six times a year on Satur-days, is the legislative and financial body of the Diocese. It handles finance, prop-erty and governance manners for both the Diocese and her 77 congregations. The 47th Convention ratified the following deanery representives to council:
• In the Manasota Deanery, Jody Maxwell of Church of the Redeemer was elected. She will replace Kraig Koach, who is rotating off the council.
• In the Venice Deanery, Donna Francisco of St. Nathaniel, North Port, was elected. She will replace Robert Wood, who has served his third term.
• In Naples, The Very Rev. Edward Gleason was re-elected to represent the Ft. Myers Deanery.
• In Ft. Myers, The Rev. Charles Cannon was re-elected to represent the Ft. Myers Deanery.
• In Clearwater, the clergy representative re-elected was The Rev. Wayne Farrell, rector of All Saints, Tarpon Springs.
• In Tampa, Hal Wiley was elected for a first term as a lay representative to council. Wiley attends St. John’s, Tampa.
• In the St. Petersburg deanery, the Rev. Robin Whitlock, rector of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, was re-elected. X
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Site Plan for DaySpring Episcopal Center Renovation PARRISH - Development and planning work continues at DaySpring Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, including design work for the initial phase of the project.
This December, the new master plan for DaySpring will be presented to Mana-tee County for their planning purposes, including roads, wetlands, zoning, build-ing sizes and building locations. Part of the master plan approval for officials is phase one of the DaySpring project, which will include a new program center and a pool.
“The first step is to be sure that our full master plan is approved by the county,” said the Rev. Ed Henley of the DaySpring Development Committee. The DaySpring
committee has been working for two years to get to the point where a project could be presented to Manatee County. It is now meeting weekly to iron out the exact cost and details of phase one.
The master plan process for Day-Spring began in 2013, with the decision that DaySpring’s facilities needed an over-
DaySpring Master Plan
Above, a rendering for the front of the proposed program center building, which would replace the deteriorating portable building that has served as the “New Pavilion.” Below, aerial view of the area, showing the existing youth cabins.
continued on page 14
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2016 Diocesan CalendarKey Diocesan events for 2016 are listed below. Visit episcopalswfl.org for exact details, times and other events. Events at DaySpring Episcopal Center unless noted.
Diocesan EventsThursday, Feb. 11 Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter, The Rev. Dr. Stephen PeaySaturday, Feb. 27 Deacons’ Retreat, DaySpring, Lt. Col. Sarah Shirley, USSCOMTuesday, March 1 College of Presbyters, DaySpringWeds., March 2 Retired Clergy Lunch, DaySpringMarch 11-13 Clergy Spouse Association WeekendSaturday, May 7 Vestry Retreat Saturday, June 4 Diocesan Ordinations, CathedralSept. 6,7,8 Fall Deanery Convocations Across DioceseSept. 12,13,14 Fall Clergy RetreatFriday, Sept. 23 Baseball with the Bishop, Tropicana FieldSaturday, Sept. 24 Acolyte Festival, Cathedral Oct. 14,15 Diocesan Convention Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center Saturday, Dec. 3 Diocesan Ordinations, CathedralFri., Dec. 9 Church Employee Gathering
DaySpring 11 a.m. Eucharist & LunchWednesday services at 11 a.m., lunch for $10 follows
Wednesday, Jan. 6 The Rev. Daniel Moore Wednesday, Feb. 3 The Rev. Becky Robbins-Penniman Wednesday, April 6 The Rev. Christian Maxfield Wednesday, May 4 The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw
Wednesday, Sept. 7 Fall Eucharist and Lunch Wednesday, Oct. 5 Fall Eucharist and Lunch Wednesday, Nov. 2 Fall Eucharist and Lunch Wednesday, Dec. 7 Fall Eucharist and Lunch
Episcopal VisitationOur bishops regularly visit the 77 churches in our Diocese.Visit www.episcopalswfl.org for the yearly calendar for the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith and Assisting Bishops The Rt. Rev’s Michael Garrison and Barry Howe.
School for Ministry DevelopmentSaturday, Jan. 9 Opening of Epiphany Term, Quiet Day Saturday, Sept. 3 Opening Michaelmas Term, Quiet Day
Special WeekendsFeb. 4-7, 2016 Cursillo #132 Saturday, March 5 Altar Guild Annual Meeting Saturday, April 9 Daughters of King Spring Retreat May 19-22, 2016 Cursillo #133 (Spanish #3)Sept. 29-Oct. 2 Cursillo #134Saturday, Oct. 29 Daughters of the King Fall Assembly Saturday, Nov. 12 ECW Annual Meeting
Specialized Parish TrainingTuesday, Jan. 19 WordPress Training Day Tuesday, Feb. 2 Parochial Report, Audit Workshop Tuesday, April 19 Digital Evangelism DayMay 19-21 EfM Mentor TrainingSept. 24, 25 QuickBooks & ACS User Days Tuesday, Oct. 25 Benefits & Budget Workshop
Youth & CampsJanuary 23 Hootenanny at St. Stephen’s Feb. 26-28 Happening (High School)March 11-13 New Beginnings (Middle School)June 15-18 Session 1, Break Out Elementary CampJune 19-24 Session 2, Middle School CampJune 26-July 1 Session 3, High School CampJuly 10-15 Session 4, Mission CampJuly 17-22 Session 5, Elementary CampJuly 24-29 Session 6, Youth Leadership CampSept. 24 Acolyte Festival, Cathedral Nov. 13-15 New Beginnings (Middle School)
Calendar at Right = Major Church Holidays, with Liturgical Colors 26
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Epiphany Leadership Camp
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continued from previous pagehaul. The existing master plan for the con-ference center, last visited in 2000, was out-dated and not suited for the current vision and mission of DaySpring. In 2014, the Diocese hired the master planning firm Kaleidoscope to assess needs. Their report, issued in December of 2014, identified specific future space and program needs for DaySpring. The report also stressed the importance of the Episcopal mission of DaySpring. Supporting and strengthen-ing the local parish should be a critical and relevant ministry and outreach to Episco-palians should be primary.
After approving the findings, the Diocese’s DaySpring Development Com-mittee began a design process, including a specific master plan and the details of a possible phase one for the project. Part of the planning process was a neighborhood meeting, where initial drawings and site plans for DaySpring were presented.
Phase one was identified to be a program center building to replace the decrepit triple-wide portable structure called the “New Pavilion,” and a pool. The
Views of the proposed phase one of improvements to DaySpring. At top, the new pool, including shaded zero-entry area, handicap ramp access and deeper lanes for relays. Side
view of covered porch and colonnade overlooking lawn. Significant site work is required for proper placement of
buildings, parking and utilities.
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EARLY ON A recent Saturday morning, 11 “youth groupers” and three adult chaperones set out for DaySpring Camp and Conference Center.
It was a beautiful morning and even the sound of complain-ing teens having to get up so early couldn’t put a damper on the drive ahead. We had been plan-ning the Ropes Course adventure for months. The weather was perfect........not too hot since the nip of Fall was in the air. As we traveled the 50 minute ride, chatter increased and sleepy youth began to wake and become excited for what was to come; some had done a Ropes Course, some not.
The Ropes Course is designed specifically for the group. There are “low ropes” activities and then the “high ropes.” No one has to do the high ropes, but everyone partici-pates in the low ropes. Our two facilitators divided the group into two smaller ones and spent a good hour on the low ropes activities, which bond the participants and strengthen them as a team. They learn quickly that there’s no letter “I” in “team.”
Next it was onto the high ropes. Climbing up there is no small feat! Most of our youth did go up the high ropes. Those that didn’t were part of the as-
By Barbara KunathYouth & Children Director Holy Trinity, Clearwater
new building will be located near the four youth cabins at DaySpring, becoming the focal point for large groups and youth events. Henley says this building will be a vast improvement over the current one, which two decades later, is falling to pieces.
“The existing building is well beyond its useful life,” says Henley. “It’s tied us over for a number of years.” While the building and pool are phase one of the DaySpring project, they are really finishing an unfin-ished project.
“We needed to complete that activities area that had functioned for a long time with a temporary building,” said Henley. The new building, will be much more use-ful to groups, as the current portable build-ing only has one large room.
Visitors to DaySpring and poten-tial guests have long decried the lack of a pool at DaySpring. Years ago, campers and groups relied upon a residential pool on the property, but it was too small to safely accommodate anything more than small groups. In addition, it did not have handi-capped accessibility.
The current design, pictured at left, will include a handicapped access point and a graduated area so that small children can play. While the lack of a pool has been a drawback in bringing groups to Day-Spring, Henley believes it was right not to try to build one until it was part of a larger master plan.
“The pool will be a real highlight in the activities area,” says Henley.
Lead architect for the project is Jedd Heap of Fawley Bryant Architects. As the building is currently being conceived, it will feature a large 5,000-square-foot multi-use recreation/meeting hall, two classrooms for smaller groups and a kitchen.
“It really will put a very useful build-ing into the mix,” said Henley. X
Everyday DaySpring: Youth Visit from Holy Trinity
sistants known as the Belay Team that secured the ropes for the climbers. The person as high as thirty feet in the air had to trust that the Belay Team would do their job perfectly. It wasn’t un-common to hear the youth up top shouting “Are you sure you’ve got me?” more than once!
A little over three hours later, we had a wonderful lunch in the dining hall at DaySpring. Then it was on to the Canopy Walk, which is a new element at DaySpring. There you walk up wooden stairs to a walkway built in the trees, sort of like a treehouse.
We also got a look inside St. Thomas Chapel, a landmark trans-ported from Safety Harbor many years ago.
The youth are now anxious to plan another date, and they especially want to do more low ropes. X
continued from page 14
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An Altar for St. ChadMike Rivera literally built an altar for Tampa’s St. Chad. Martha Goodwill tells of an artist who literally takes us back to the time of Christ.
THE LAST TIME I saw Mr. Mike Rivera he was on a high lift replac-ing and painting the wood soffits and gutters of St. Chad’s Parish Hall. It has always been that way for Mike at St. Chad’s (and around the Diocese). If there is a job that needs to be done, Mike will figure out how to do it.
That is how the altar and other sanctuary furnishings came to be created at St. Chad’s. Rivera spent months staring at the altar from his pew during Sunday morning servic-es. It was just too high and too wide and it took up too much room.
So in 2001 when their new priest, Fr. Christian Villagomeza, accepted the call to St. Chad’s, Rivera knew he had to do something about that altar. So, he set about building the church a new altar. He used the old altar for the structure of the new altar. It is built out of oak and travertine mar-ble, as are all of the candle sticks, the tabernacle, chairs and lectern.
Rivera did some research on travertine and found that it was an old material, about 2,000 years old, and would have been forming at the same time that Christianity was forming. He thought this made trav-ertine a very appropriate material for St. Chad’s new altar.
Rivera’s talents were already
known around the Diocese. In 1993, Mike was asked to build all the al-tar furniture for St. Mary’s in Bonita Springs when their new sanctuary was constructed.
Even before St. Mary’s and long before St. Chad’s were blessed with Rivera’s gifts, he was our first director at DaySpring.
For nine years, Rivera oversaw the construction of almost all of the buildings we see today. During the excavation of the dining hall, they dug up many large boulders. Rivera had the idea to save at least one of these and had it moved. He told the crane operator to take it down around the pond as far as he could make it in the damp soil. Where the crane operator dropped the boulder is where Rivera
built the outdoor chapel that we all enjoy at DaySpring.
Rivera also built the frames for the stained glass windows in the out-door chapel. These windows were originally in St. Thomas Chapel, but because of the thickness of the facet glass and the oaks surrounding the chapel, the interior of the chapel was just too dark. The ½” thick glass piec-es and the cement grout make these windows perfect for the outdoor cha-pel.
Rivera has never had any formal training in liturgical arts.
He served in the Tampa Fire De-partment for 25 years, working 24 hour on/48 hour off shifts. This left him with two days off to pursue oth-er interests. He owned a plane paint shop for a while and worked in con-struction, remodeling and home re-pairs. You can learn a lot in 80 years, he says. I know many are thankful that he never stops learning. X
Art
View of the altar at St. Chad’s.
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AdventRejoice Always This Gaudete Sunday
LET’S START WITH a quiz. Back in Sunday School you probably mem-orized the shortest verse in the Bible. What was it? (John 11:35) “Jesus wept”. And do you know the second shortest? It is Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice al-ways”. Actually this is a trick question, since the shortest verse depends on which version of the Bible you’re using.
Whatever the version or language, the command – and it really is that, a command – the words of St. Paul to “rejoice always” might strike us as just another one of the many Biblical in-junctions which we can label “easier said than done”. After all, we know that “Jesus wept”. So was he rejoicing then? Paul doesn’t say, “Rejoice sometimes”; or “Rejoice when times are good and the economy is strong”. He simply says, “Rejoice always”. Let’s take a deeper look at what he might be saying to us.
Since the 9th century –1,200 years – Paul’s injunction to rejoice has formed part of the liturgy on this third Sunday of Advent. In earlier times, Advent was re-garded not only as a solemn season but as somber, penitential time, much like Lent. To the medieval mind, the com-mand to rejoice in the midst of these dark days was so extraordinary that it had to be marked in some tangible way. Hence, the pink candle on the Advent wreath, and for churches that could af-ford such luxury, the vestments and all
the hangings were changed to pink for this third Sunday. The day came to be called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word meaning to rejoice. The soon-to-be-fulfilled promise of redemption in the birth of the Christ Child indeed gives us cause for joy.
Christmas 1980 found me working in a community clinic in Toronto. Although part of a large mental health facility, its cli-entele was little different from what you would find if you dropped in to Resurrec-tion House in Sarasota. This time of year, choirs from local churches, service clubs, and schools often visited the clinic to sing holiday music and afterwards mingle with the homeless so that they could feel that they had done their duty. One could learn a lot by watching the reaction of the clinic’s clients to what was being sung. Songs like Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman and White Christmas were always met with great en-thusiasm, with those present joining in.
But it was the hymns which held real power, often resulting in a deep sense of awe. On one occasion there was a request from the audience for O Holy Night. As the choir began to sing, this frail wreck of a man joined in with the most pure baritone voice that any-one could imagine. Almost immedi-ately the choir fell silent as he contin-ued on, “It was the night of the dear Savior’s birth…” Tears streamed down his cheeks as he sang, “Long lay the
world in sin and error pining / Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth / A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices / For yonder breaks a new and glori-ous morn!” When he finished there was profound silence. I think we were all afraid to speak, to shatter the moment, for he captured the deepest longing in everyone’s heart for a Savior.
There are many opportunities dur-ing the Christmas season to experience joy. But the writer of Thessalonians would have us experience joy all year long. He would have us experience joy when the carols and the lights and the nativity scenes have all been put away. How do we do that? We do it by observ-ing the rest of the sentence from I Thes-salonians. The two words, “Rejoice al-ways,” represent only the first phrase in a sentence with three parts. The entire sentence reads like this: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” These are the three keys to having the Christmas spirit in your life at all times ”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,” and “give thanks in all circumstances.”
“Rejoice always.” Paul is saying to us, first of all, that joy is a primary char-acteristic of a Christian. If you do not have a sense of joy in your life, you need to examine your Christian faith to see if perhaps you have a problem that you
The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, or Rose Sunday. The Rev. David Danner tells the meaning of the day, which actually applies to our whole year.
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are not acknowledging. We must note, however, that joy
does not come from having life all fig-ured out. Rather joy comes from living in the knowledge that we are loved by God. There is a charming story in James Boswell’s Life of Johnson. One day John-son met a man named Edwards whom he had not seen for over forty years since their days together at Oxford. They talked of many things. Speaking of what he had done since they had last met, Edwards said, “You are an eminent philosopher, Dr. Johnson. I too have tried in my time to be a philoso-pher; but, I don’t know how, cheerful-ness was always breaking in.” There are many people who rob themselves of joy because they think they need to under-stand the ups and downs, the twists and turns, of life. Let me assure you that will never happen. Instead we live by faith.
Just as joy does not come from having life all figured out, neither does it come from always living in the sun-shine. C. S. Lewis wrote of the differ-ence between joy and pleasure. Joy, Lewis said, comes from within. It is steady and abiding. Pleasure, on the other hand, is extrinsic and comes and goes in response to whatever is happen-ing in our environment. We all have our small pleasures, and that’s fine. But one day they will fail us. Joy will never fail us. Joy resides within and undergirds us regardless of what is happening on the outside. It is the free gift of God that comes with faith in Jesus Christ.
“Rejoice always.” The next verse tells us, “Pray without ceasing.” In other words Paul is telling to cultivate a sense of God’s presence within us – a presence that we can carry with us always. If we have a sense of God’s presence in our lives at all times, we will be able to rejoice. That is how we can pray continually. Prayer is not a mere
ritual in which we repeat the same words over and over, “Forgive us our sins… take care of my family…God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food.” Paul doesn’t mean for us to mouth formulas all the time. And he certainly doesn’t mean for us to bow our heads and close our eyes while we’re driving. When he says “pray without ceasing,” he is telling us to dwell in God.
Years ago, journalist Skip Thurman told of meeting a remarkable Wash-ington, D.C. cab driver named Percival Bryan. Bryan came to the U.S. in 1924, as a stowaway on a banana boat from Jamaica. Bryan had the quirky habit of asking each passenger to sign a guest book. After 40 years, eight cabs and over 160,000 passengers, Bryan’s auto-graph collection found its way into the Anacostia Community Museum.
Bryan was remarkable for his friendliness and poise. One night, two passengers robbed him. But before the ride was over, not only had they given back the money, they had both signed his guest book. “What keeps you go-ing?” asked Thurman. Bryan said, “My friends but most of all, God. Every morning I get down on my knees…I ask God to ride with me, protect me, and let me share myself with others…I tell you, sometimes I feel very rich.”
Percival Bryan is with God now,
but those autographs speak of a man who knew how to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing. God was his con-stant companion. That’s the second key for keeping the Christmas spirit all year long. Cultivate a sense of God’s pres-ence and carry it with you everywhere you go. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,” and here is the third key, “give thanks in all circumstances.”
In seminary I took a course from a professor who had spent over two years in a Nazi prison camp. He told us how, over time, 8 to 10 prisoners formed a community of Christian believers. This tiny cell was able to meet for prayer and simple worship a couple times a week. He told how on Christmas Day 1944 they managed to secure some bread and wine and celebrated Communion, Catholics and Protestants together. They had no Bibles but recalled the words of Scriptures as best they could from memory. This professor, who was at the time a Lutheran pastor, recalled the simple verse from today’s epistle, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” and offered words of hope to his fellow pris-oners in the form of a simple sermon. Years later this man told his students, “The Gospel is no less true when cir-cumstances are most terrible. If we im-merse ourselves in this truth we shall never find ourselves saying we have no reason to celebrate”.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceas-ing, give thanks in all circumstances”; this is God’s will for us. Listen to the message of these three short verses and I promise you the spirit of Christmas will be with you throughout the year. X
About the Author: The Rev. David Danner is rector of All Angels by the Sea, Longboat Key.
‘There are many people who rob themselves of
joy because they think they need to understand the ups
and downs.... Let me assure you that will
never happen.’
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BRADENTON - The pulse of Campus Ministry of State College of Florida has been revived as our open doors have welcomed more students than ever to participate in Christian fellowship and reach out to the campus. This semester, we have truly been able to reap what has been sewn in prayer and vision of the campus ministry at SCF. Having established our internship program and implementing an assisting chaplain role, we were ready to begin a full academic calendar year 2015-16 with great hopes. Our hope and vision of witnessing a Christian community rise out of the student body is becoming an astounding reality.
Each fall brings a large influx of new students. As a team, we excitedly met this new influx with open doors. We launched a free coffee outreach for the simple pur-pose of generosity. We are quite intention-al in providing an excellent cup of coffee, both in how it tastes and how it carries for the student on the go. It is a small yet comforting reminder that they are cared for. Thanks to this simple outreach, we re-ceive regular traffic from across the cam-pus. Indeed, even the nursing, dental, and physical therapy students, who typically stay within their buildings, now regularly venture over to our side of campus. We have given over 600 cups of coffee away. And this has given us the opportunity to engage many different students in ways we would never have imagined.
Our outpost on campus has inspired students to launch and participate in
ministries. We have formed relationships with four student leaders. We have been able to walk with these young leaders and encourage them with their minis-try, while also showing support and help, to facilitate with any practical needs. We have four groups led entirely by students, which meet, on a weekly basis. There is a bible study, a campus fellowship, a prayer gathering, and lastly, some young men are meeting for the purpose of holding each other accountable and becoming up-standing and Godly men. There is overlap of turnout varying in these groups as well as other organizations within the student body, including student government.
This activity has also extended into our weekly worship and Eucharist, as more and more curiosity has attracted interest in our tradition of Communion. With such marvel among the students, Fr. Bryan O’Carroll has had many opportu-nities to invite students in to celebrate the sacraments. He has also taken the time to explain the liturgy, the confession, the prayers, the peace, and indeed, the memo-rial of our redemption. During a service I participated in a few weeks ago, a student leaned over and quietly said to me, “Hey, this is really deep, you say this stuff every time you take communion?”
Statements like these have led into incredible discussions, encouragements and teaching opportunities. Each week, after our Eucharist, students are gather-ing to discuss deep theological principles.
In these dialogues, themes continue to emerge around the varying manipulations of biblical understanding, doctrinal prin-ciples, and ultimately what it really means to be “in Christ.”
While the world repeatedly sells people the notion faith and spirituality should be tailored to one’s own personal-ity, we are sitting in the midst of “culture,” and we are finding young people are look-ing for something outside themselves. The same old religion, and the same old world get old fast in this generation. They want change. They want to be changed. So we are repeatedly pointing them to Jesus.
The culture is ever changing. If I had to use one word to describe the mission of our ministry, it would be urgency. There is such a longing for the Gospel message in our day and age. There are so many lies floating throughout culture. Truth is almost completely subverted and subju-gated to fit anyone’s desire. The primary concern of Campus Ministry at SCF is the Gospel of Jesus. We bear witness to a col-lision of Heaven and earth found solely in the Lord Jesus and His redemption from sin and suffering. The Gospel is our driv-ing fuel. We recognize the students in our midst will be subject to competing ideas; and so, it is our main desire to inspire their imagination and hope with the person and work of the Lord Jesus. And we thank you for allowing us to do just that. X
If you would like to know more about SCF, contact me at [email protected]
The Gospel Says ‘Go’The Diocesan mission at State College of Florida is reaching out with urgency. Billy Pardy reports on the evangelism there, which begins with hospitality.
Campus Ministry
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FoodEpiscopal Christmas FavoritesThe Diocesan collection of Christmas recipes is a treasure trove of culinary history. Jan Nothum finds some favorites from times past that are just as appealing today as when they were made generations ago.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON is upon us, far more quickly than many of us are pre-pared. This special time provides us many opportunities for reflection, thanksgiving, celebration, expectation and much rejoic-ing. There is time for gathering together and time for quiet self meditation. Take in-tentional advantage of all the various ways to spend your time over these weeks and make the most of these special days.
Many of us mark the season with the gift of hospitality, whether hosting, prepar-ing, serving or as a guest. What follows is a collection of recipes from the ever grow-ing cookbooks provided by congregations. This collection is not comprehensive by any stretch, just a “gift” from the food ar-chives of our past.
Percolator Punch“Perfect at Christmas”1 (46 oz.) pineapple juice unsweetened1 (48 oz.) cranberry juice cocktail2-1/2 cup water1/2 tsp. salt1 cup brown sugar2 tbsp. whole cloves6 sticks cinnamonPut all liquids in bottom percolator,
add cloves, cinnamon, salt and sugar in the top. Perk and serve hot. Serves 20 - 25 punch cups
From Betty Lou Totten, Burnt Cakes, St. Alfred’s Episcopal Church, Palm Harbor, FL 1988
Pralines3 cups sugar1 cup buttermilk1/4 tsp. salt1 tsp. baking soda1-1/2 cup chopped pecans2 tbsp. butter1 tsp. vanillaIn a large pot, combine sugar, but-
termilk, salt and soda. Cook to the soft ball stage (238 degrees) stirring constantly. Add nuts and bring to 238 degrees again. Add butter and vanilla and let cool slightly. Ladle out rapidly, a spoonful at a time, onto waxed paper. The candy will be caramel color.
Recipe from All Angels Fare, All An-gels By The Sea, Longboat Key,1988
Five Cheese Ball(makes 3 balls)1 cup grated Cheddar cheese1 cup grated Monterey Jack or
Muenster cheese1 cup grated Swiss cheese1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese1/4 cup crumbled bleu cheese2 Tbsp. soft butter or margarine1/4 tsp. salt1 tsp. instant minced onion1/2 cup dry white wineIn a large bowl beat all ingredi-
ents until smooth and well blended. Shape into balls, logs or pack into a jar or crock. Cover and refriger-ate until ready to use or freeze. Will
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Pecan Pie1 unbaked pie crust1/4 cup Butter1 cup Brown Sugar1/4 tsp. Salt
keep about 3 weeks refrigerated or 6 months frozen. If desired, roll balls in chopped nuts, wheat germ, parsley or paprika before serving.
From Laurie Segraves, Recipes from St. Paul, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Naples, FL 1981
Cranberry Fruit Salad1 tbsp. unflavored gelatin1/4 cup cold water1 cup cranberry juice cocktail1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup ground fresh cranberries2 Tbsp. lemon juice2 Tbsp. grated orange rind1 navel orange, sectioned1/2 cup chopped appleSprinkle unflavored gelatin over cold
water. Bring cranberry juice to boil. Add to gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add sugar, stir until dissolved. Cool. Add remaining ingredients. Chill until firm. Serve with mayonnaise diluted with one part sour cream to two parts mayonnaise. Garnish with slivered almonds.
From Mary E. Richardson, Re-deeming Recipes, Women of the Church of the Reedemer, Sarasota, FL 1982
Christmas Doughnuts1 pound butter1-1/2 pounds of sugar6 eggs1 quart of milkNutmeg and cinnamonSet a sponge with half the milk;
when very light warm the other pint and melt the butter in it. Add the other ingredients and mix. Let rise again, roll out and fry in hot lard.
Recipe by Mrs. E.S. Warner, Palma Sola, from Cullinary Cullings from Competent Cooks, Christ Church Guild, Bradenton, 1901
Sweet Potato Muffins1/2 cup butter1-1/4 cup sugar2 Eggs1-1/4 cups canned, mashed sweet
potatoes1-1/2 cups all purpose flour2 tsp. baking powder1/4 tsp. salt1 tsp. cinnamon1/4 tsp. nutmeg1 cup milk1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or
walnuts1/2 cup chopped raisinsCream butter and sugar. Add eggs,
mix well. Blend in sweet potatoes. Mix in dry ingredients, which have been sifted together, alternately with milk. Do not overmix. Fold in raisins and
nuts. Grease muffin tin and fill 2/3 full. Bake in 400 degree oven for 25 minutes. These may be frozen and reheated.
Recipe from Mrs. George Wainscott, inspired by Christiana Campbell’s Tav-ern, Williamsburg. Published in Trinity By The Stove, Trinity By the Cove Episco-pal Church Women, Naples, 1987
Pumpkin Cake RollFilling:1 cup confectioners sugar2 (3 oz.) cream cheese4 Tbsp. margarine1/2 tsp. vanillaCombine filling ingredients and
beat smooth.Cake:3 Eggs1 cup sugar
St. Peter’s, Plant City Pecan Pie
3 Eggs - well beaten1 cup light corn syrup1 tsp. vanilla1 cup pecansPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare unfilled pie shell. Cream butter
and brown sugar. Add salt. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bake 40 - 50 minutes until edge of filling is set and center is soft.
Recipe by Margaret Stevens, 100 Years of Cooking, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Plant City, 2008
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2/3 cup pumpkin1 tsp. lemon juice3/4 cup all-purpose flour1 tsp. baking powder2 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. ginger1/2 tsp. nutmeg1/2 tsp. salt1 cup chopped walnutsBeat eggs on high speed of mixer for
5 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Stir together dry ingredients. Fold into pumpkin mixture. Grease and flour a sheet of foil and place in 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan. Top with nuts. Bake in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Turn out on tow-el sprinkled with confectioners sugar. Starting at narrow end, roll towel and cake together and cool. Unroll and spread filling over cake, then re-roll and finish cooling.
Recipe by Nancy Mello, Celebration Cookbook, St. Nathaniel’s Episcopal Church, North Port, 2007
Grandma’s Molasses Krinkles3/4 cup shortening1 cup brown sugar cream together1 egg4 tbsp. molasses2-1/4 cup sifted flour1/4 tsp. salt2 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. ground ginger1/2 tsp. ground clovesBlend all together and pinch off
dough about 1 tsp. at a time and make into small balls. Dip on side of each ball in sugar and put on cookie sheet, sugar side up. Bake 10 - 15 minutes in 375 degree oven.
From Elizabeth Forsyth, Our Daily Bread Cookbook, Episcopal Churchwomen, Calvary Episcopal Church, Indian Rocks Beach,1966
Apple Nut Cake3 Tbsp. margarine1 cup sugar (brown or white)1 egg1 tsp. vanilla3 cups diced firm apples1 cup flour1 tsp. baking soda1/2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. cinnamon1/4 tsp nutmeg1/2 cup nuts (chef ’s choice)Cream margarine. Add sugar, egg
and vanilla. Cream together and mix in apples. Sift dry ingredients. Blend into batter with nuts. Bake in a greased 8x8 inch pan for 40 - 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cake is moist and stays moist. Top with Cool Whip or Whipped Cream.
From Edna Day, Redeeming Reci-pes, The Women of Church of the Re-deemer, Sarasota, 1982
Chocolate Peppermint SquaresMakes about 3 dozen pieces2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter1/2 cup sifted flourdash salt1 cup sugar2 EggsMelt butter and chocolate over hot wa-
ter. Beat eggs until frothy and stir in sugar and chocolate. Add flour and salt. Mix thoroughly. Pour into greased 9 inch pan. Bake in 350 de-gree oven for 20 - 25 minutes. Cool. Make peppermint mixture with:
3 Tbsp. butter1 cup sifter Powdered Sugar1 tbsp. milk1/4 tsp peppermint1-1/2 oz unsweetened chocolateWork 2 tablespoons softened butter
into powdered sugar, add milk and pep-permint and stir until smooth. Spread top of cake with a thin coating peppermint mixture. Refrigerate cake. Melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon of butter over hot wa-ter. Drizzle over cake. Refrigerate at least 5 minutes. Cut into small squares.
All Angels By The Sea Episcopal Church, Longboat Key, FL 1988 X
The Diocese is attempting to collect all of the cookbooks from our parishes from the last century. Pictured here are a selection of the cookbooks, which now reside in the Diocesan Archives. Do you have an old cookbook? Email Jan Nothum at [email protected].
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New Field for Good Shepherd A series of repairs, improvements and updates has brought new life to the Venice parish Good Shepherd. Pete Muller reports on the renovation, which will be consecrated this February.
Parish Life
VENICE - The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, founded in 1988 as a mission congregation, has announced the completion of a $400,000 building renovation.
The project, which began last spring, included a newly designed and expanded sanctuary as well as extensive interior and exterior repairs and im-provements.
The Rev. Gary A. Wilde, rector of Good Shepherd, said parishioners will celebrate completion of the project with an open house for friends, neighbors and the general public on November 1.
Bishop Michael Garrison will con-secrate the new sanctuary in February.
Architecture and construction was provided by Stroop Design and Con-struction of Sarasota. The parish fi-nance committee responsible for raising funds for the project is headed by Steve
1993 on its present site at 1115 Center Road. The original structure consisted of a chapel and screened-in courtyard. Eleven years later, office space, class-rooms and a library were added and the courtyard was enclosed for use as a par-ish hall.
In 2005, Good Shepherd complet-ed the transition from mission to par-ish status in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
The original 76-member congrega-tion now has 343 members. X
Eibling. John Buntel is project manager for the parish and coordinated on site daily with the primary contractor and all subcontractors until final clean-up.
“This beautification of Good Shep-herd Church is a testament to the pa-rishioners themselves, who provided the funds, and my gratitude for their generosity is unbounded,” Fr. Wilde said.
The church began its life with wor-shippers meeting at the nearby YMCA until construction of a building in
Pictured here, the expanded sanctuary that will be consecrated in February.
Venice Deanery
Good Shepherd is one of the churches in the Venice Deanery. Other churches are St. Andrew, Boca Grande; St. David, Englewood; St. Nathaniel, North Port; St. James, Port Charlotte; Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda and St. Mark, Venice.
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Call for Action on Alcohol This issue of The Southern Cross comes to us between last summer’s General Convention and “the holidays.” The Rev. Canon Michael Durning writes that it has something to say to us about alcohol and how we order our lives.
Parish Life
THE GENERAL CONVENTION addressed several actions recommended by the Legislative Committee on Alco-hol and Substance Abuse. One resolution recommended that those discerning for ordination be questioned at the beginning about how alcohol abuse and substance addiction have affected the ordinand’s family system. A second resolution ac-knowledged that the Church has been part of the problem (in some ways) and offered four points of action:
• Confront and repent of the Church’s complicity in a cul-ture of alcohol, denial and en-abling.
• Speak to cultural norms that promote addiction.
• Promote spiritual practices as a means of prevention and healing.
• Advocate for public funding and health insurance cover-age for prevention, interven-tion, treatment and recovery, and collaborate with qualified community resources offering these services, and to respond with pastoral care and ac-countability.
A third resolution proposed pol-icy updates and recommended that this policy be presented in all jurisdic-tions. Our Diocesan Council received a
draft policy update at its October 2015 meeting. I hope you ask your Diocesan Council representative about it.
The awareness of how alcohol af-fects the Church seems to be ever-wid-ening. At a recent gathering, a group of clergy requested that time and space be set aside for a 12-step meeting. A simi-lar request was made regarding future Diocesan Conventions. As a priest in this Diocese, I welcome the courage and the honesty of our clergy who are seeking ways to gather that are safe, sup-portive and friendly to recovery.
The ongoing impact of the General Convention’s work will, I am sure, take some time to play out. In the meantime, “the holidays” will offer ample oppor-tunity to consume. Set before all of us
Here, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts-Schori addresses the House of Bishops at General Convention. Issues of alcohol and substance abuse were the subject of resolutions.
will be the usual cookies, pumpkin pie, egg nog, mulled cider, spiced wine, craft beer, hot toddies, Irish coffee, ad nau-seum. I intend to enter into this end-of-year madness with a new perspective. This year I will remember…
• …that I have colleagues, friends and family who are deeply struggling with their own recovery
• …that Jesus had difficult things to say to those who served as a stumbling block to others
• …that 88 thousand people died in the U.S. last year due to alcohol abuse
• …that alcohol abuse is an affront to the dignity of every human being
Most of all I will remember that the long-expected Jesus of Advent was born to set God’s people free. X
31
A Fine Anglican Research LibraryThe St. Petersburg parish St. Bede has a standout library of Anglican theology and history. Jennifer Rich reports on its history and its lay librarian, Helen Bohman.
ST. PETERSBURG - Ask Helen Bohman and she’ll tell you she isn’t a librarian. She likes finding books but not lending them out. She’s too much of a mother hen.
“There are two types of librarians, one who likes to collect books and give them out. The other thinks the books should be chained,” she laughed.
The former St. Petersburg College English professor loves books and that love has led her to help establish one of the best libraries in the Southwest Dio-cese, at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg.
The library, started in the 1950s shortly after the church was formed, has grown from a collection of devotional and Sunday School material donated by parishioners to a solid research library.
Highly regarded volumes like the Anchor Bible Dictionary and commen-taries on the individual books of the Bible line the shelves of the one-room library.
“This is going to be an Anglican li-brary,” she said with a determined tone. “I want to make sure the bones are good and then I’ll begin to move in the essen-tial furniture.”
Ironically, her love for book collect-ing started when she was in sixth grade and was sent to the school library as punishment.
“I pulled a three-volume series on Scotland out and saw a picture of Sir Walter Scott’s library,” Bohman said. “I decided I wanted one just like it so I skipped lunch and saved that and my trolley fare and bought books.”
After a Tuesday spent in the li-brary, the 86-year-old cradle Episcopa-lian goes home to her personal library which she had built years ago as a 40-foot addition with a spiral staircase and 8-foot high stacks housing thousands of volumes.
Bohman took over St. Bede’s library after her sister, Caroline Whitman Ev-erett, the former librarian, died in 2005. Former rector The Rev. Boyd Carson,
knowing Bohman’s passion for books, immediately began hinting that she should continue in her sister’s footsteps.
“He nagged at me for two years be-fore I gave in,” she said. She started by weeding out less important material to make room for serious Christian theo-logians like C.S. Lewis and Frederick Buechner.
“If I don’t like something, it devel-ops feet,” said Bohman with a twinkle in her eye and a characteristic chuckle. “Everything I put in are the classics.”
The result, according to Priest-in-Charge Frederick Mann, is “one of the most comprehensive church libraries I’ve seen except for a cathedral library.”
Mann, who is the former dean of St. James Cathedral in South Bend, Indiana and once had a 900-volume personal library of his own, thinks St. Bede’s library is unusual given the size of the church and its resources.
“Most church libraries have books on a variety of subjects, but this is more of a research library,” he said. “It would be a great resource for someone doing a project and needing Biblical research.”
Bohman is still cataloguing and her wit is often reflected in the process. “When I got to the section on saints I marked it BS for biographies of saints,” she said with a smile. “Nobody has ever said a word.” X
Parish Life
Helen Bonham in the St. Bede Library.
32
The Rev. Bill BurdenST. PETERSBURG - The Rev. Wil-
liam Robertson “Bill” Burden, an assistant at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, has died. Born in Rockford, Illinois in 1943, The Rev. Burden assisted seasonally at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, beginning in 2010. Burden received a B.A. from Bos-ton College; M.Div. from General Theo-logical Seminary and M.A. from Loyola University. Canonically resident in the Diocese of Chicago, he served most of his priesthood at Trinity Episcopal Church in Aurora, Illinois from 1972-2005. He also served at All Saints in Chicago; and Christ Church, Winnetka, Illinois.
Susan Shaw DoingFT. MYERS - Susan Shaw Doing,
81, of Fort Myers, wife of The Rev. Rob-ert Doing, died Oct. 27, 2015. The Do-ings were married 61 years. A Requiem was held at All Soul’s, North Fort Myers on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Rev. John HartnettST. PETERSBURG - The Rev.
John Hartnett, rector of St. Vincent’s and a long-time rector of St. Giles Pinel-las Park, died Saturday, August 15, 2015 just before noon. The Rev. Hartnett served the Diocese of Southwest Florida from 1990 until his death.
Born in Carroll, Iowa on August 13, 1950, he attended the University of Iowa for his undergraduate degree and attended Nashotah House from 1983-1986. He was made deacon in Chicago in June of 1986, and priest in San Diego in December, 1986. He served as Assis-tant Headmaster of All Saints, San Di-
ego, from 1986-90. He came to Florida to serve at St. Giles, Pinellas Park, where he was rector from 1990 to 2008. In 2008, he moved to St. Vincent’s in St. Petersburg. At the Diocese, he served as chair of the Evangelism Commission from 1992-99, as well as the Church Growth and Development Commis-sion from 1997-98.
“Fr. Hartnett took a special inter-est in evangelism and renewal, serving as Spiritual Director for several Cursillo weekends and as a member of Cursillo Secretariat,” said the Rev. Canon Mi-chael Durning, Canon to the Ordinary.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Wendy Sue MacInnes Hartnett and sons, Michael Hartnett and Jeffrey Hartnett and daughter-in-law, Jennifer.
Orville Charles MizerTAMPA - Orville Charles Mizer,
husband of former Daughters of the King President and current Episcopal Church Women President-elect, Leila Mizer, died suddenly July 27, 2015.
He joined the United States Navy im-mediately after his high school graduation in 1956. He was a Senior Chief Petty Of-
ficer and served as a Medical Field Techni-cian. He took advantage of educational op-portunities afforded to him and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1982.
As a civilian he worked as a medical records supervisor and technology spe-cialist for several insurance companies. He retired from that job in 2001.
He was reared Roman Catholic, but was received into the Episcopal Church in 1994. He volunteered at St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church as Treasurer, Secretary, Newsletter Publisher and Junior Warden. He was a founding member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and served as President, Vice President and Secretary.
Cynda MortST. PETERSBURG – Cynda Mort,
62, died on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Born Oct. 25, 1952 in Fort Wayne, she was a daughter of Willard Muzzy and Sue Allman Muzzy. She graduated from West Noble High School in 1971 and then from Ball State University with a degree in Journalism.
She began working at The News~Sentinel, Fort Wayne, in the Fea-tures department in 1973. On June 2, 1973, she married Kevin Mort.
Cynda worked at the Elyria Chron-icle Telegram, the Tampa Tribune, and the St. Petersburg Times. In 2001, she began a journalism track at Melrose Elementary, John Hopkins Middle School, and Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg.
She is survived by her husband, The Reverend Kevin Mort; two sons, Zachary and Andrew; mother, Sue Muzzy Stellges; and brother, Larry (Sue) Muzzy; Kevin’s parents, Joseph and Marilyn Mort of In-diana; his brother, Tristan of Indiana; and his sisters, Joni Walter and Janeen Meinert, both of Indiana.
Obituaries
33
The Rev. Don NicholsonFT. MYERS BEACH - Diocesan
House is saddened to report the death of the Rev. Donald Robert Nicholson, 80, Vicar of St. Raphael’s Church, Fort Myers Beach, on the evening of Monday, August 10, 2015. Nicholson joined the Marines out of high school, and for 14 months he was a guard at The White House during the Eisenhower Administration.
He received a B.A. degree from George Washington University in 1960, and an STB degree from the Berkeley Di-vinity School at Yale in 1964. In 1999, he received a degree from the Academy of Chinese Healing Arts as an Acupuncture Physician. He was ordained Deacon the same year and a Priest in 1965 by Bishop Harry Lee Doll.
He transferred to the Diocese of Maryland in 1964 where he served as Vic-ar, Church of the Holy Spirit, Aberdeen. He then moved to the Diocese of Western Massachusetts in 1968 where he served as the Assistant at St. Peter’s, Springfield. In both Boston and Baltimore, he identified himself as a “street priest” who worked to bring the disenfranchised into church.
Nicholson came to Southwest Florida in 1997 where he assisted at Christ Church, Bradenton. He also served at St. Peter’s Ca-thedral and St. Alban’s, St. Pete Beach. In 2008, he was Interim Rector at Church of the Good Samaritan, Clearwater. His most recent assignment, Vicar of St. Raphael’s, Fort Myers Beach, included the 60th an-niversary celebration of the parish and its designation as historic by the town of Ft. Myers Beach. Don Nicholson and Beverly Hunt married November 27, 2004.
The Rev. Ray PerssonPARRISH - Diocesan House is
saddened to report the July 10, 2015 death of The Rev. Raymond Edward Persson, at the age of 71.
Persson was ordained to the diaconate in 1991 by Bishop Rogers Harris and was assigned to St. John’s, Clearwater.
His ministries included Kairos, a prison ministry, and Epiphany, a pro-gram for juvenile offenders. Ray and his wife, Beverly, moved to Buckeye, Arizona in 2008.
Hamilton ‘Chip’ Rice, Jr.BRADENTON - H. Hamilton
‘Chip’ Rice, Jr., Esquire, who served as County Attorney for Manatee County from 1983 to 1997, died June 11, 2015.Born Aug. 25, 1935, he practiced law in Manatee County until retirement.
Born in Kentucky, anyone who knew Chip Rice referred to him as a ‘true Kentucky gentleman’. He served in the United States Army and the Army Reserves. Chip shared his time, talent and wisdom through his involvement with many non-profit organizations serving Manatee County including serving as Senior Warden at Christ Episcopal Church. He was Chancel-lor Emeritus of the Diocese and of the Manasota Deanery.
Chip Rice is survived by his wife, Lester; his son, H. Hamilton Rice, III, and daughter-in-law, Kim Rice; his daughter, Margaret Rice Owen; step-son, Phil Bartles, Jr.; step-daughter, Sarah Kathryn Bartles, and son-in-law, Bret DeBenedictis; and grandchildren Brent Haire, Taylor Ravenna, Lindsay Rice, Trace and Ronan DeBenedictis.
Martha ScovannerLARGO - Martha Scovanner, 91,
beloved wife, mother and teacher, died March 22, 2015.
Preceded in death in 1996 by Daniel, her husband of 51 years, she is survived by three sons, Wesley (Cathy), Dennis (Jane) and Douglas (Mary); seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A gifted and popular teacher for over 40 years, she taught Latin and French at Largo High. A memo-rial service was held on April 18 at Church of The Ascension, Clearwa-ter, where Daniel was Associate Rec-tor and she sang in the choir. X
34
THE SOUTHERN CROSS reports on the Seventh Convention held in Clear-water that October. Sadly, all the clergy and delegates were sent out of the Sheraton Sand Key because of a bomb threat. Clergy took the opportunity to take a group pho-to on the fire truck as police and firemen searched unsuccessfully for a bomb. Said one clergyman, “I’ve worked in New York City and Washington and live in New Jer-sey and have never had such an experience and certainly never expected this in quiet Florida.” The convention is still mourn-ing the death of the Rt. Rev. William Lof-tin Hargrave, who died Oct. 15, 1975 in Cocoa Beach. A memorial is established in his name; the diocese also designates the Manatee Junior College Chaplaincy Home as the Williiam L. Hargrave Chap-laincy Home.
At the convention, the Ven. Herbert E. Beck is installed as the first Archdeacon and the Rt. Rev. Richard Martin visited from national church headquarters, saying that The Church Center acts as “control tower” to remind aircraft of other aircraft around it. The Rev. Stackley Hurst, Di-ocesan Missioner, speaks on evangelism. “Evangelism is the lay person’s ministry, it’s a local task, basically.” The Rev. Thomas Redfern Jr. and the Rev. LeRoy D. Lawson are in charge of the Commission on Min-istry and the Rev. Alexander Comfort is chairman of The Court Array.
That December, St. Thomas, Snell Isle and St. Raphael Catholic Church join in a production of Godspell. Mrs. Marilyn
L a r s e n , choir di-rector, di-rects.
In ECW News, Mrs. Robert W. Turn-er III reports on the “fine Christian educa-tion material” collected by Laura Hooker, and a booklet on talents by Marge Blox-ham. That year, The Rev. Richard Wil-liams resigns as rector of St. Christopher’s, Tampa to move to Jacksonville.
A symposium on women’s ordination is held, with lead speaker The Rev. John A. Bendon of the Episcopal Counseling Cen-ter. The Rev. Gerald Lowe retires as rector of Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach.
Other news from 65, 20 and 10 years ago in December:
1950Meetings are held across the Diocese
of South Florida for the Diocesan Com-mittee on Laymen’s Work. Representatives are Mr. Emery L. Puckett, presiding at St. John Tampa, and a “Mr. Cooke” presiding at Church of the Redeemer. That Decem-ber, Bishop Louttit visits St. John’s, Tampa on Dec. 10 and St. Bartholomew’s and St. Ambrose’s Church on Christmas Eve. New Year’s Eve has the Bishop at St. Luke, Ft. Myers. On Sexagesima Sunday on Jan-uary 28, he was to visit St. Mark’s, Venice.
That fall, St. Andrew’s Tampa hosts the provincial synod; their main topic was support of the Episcopal Hour radio show.
1995That year, seminarian Vladimir
Nikolaevich Kapustin in St. Petersburg, Russia is supported through the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge’s U.S.A. arm. St. Mark’s, Venice is celebrat-ing the expansion of their parish in the wind up of a campaign called The Long Line of Love. The campaign, undertaken in February, March and April of 1995, raises $1,350,000 for the project. In the campaign, 55 percent goes to construc-tion, 25 percent to the preschool, 3 percent to cover campaign costs and 10 percent is tithed to the Diocese.
2005Ten years ago, Jan Nothum arrives as
assistant to then-Bishop John Lipscomb. Meanwhile, parishes are rallying to aid Ka-trina victims in New Orleans and Wilma victims in the Diocese of Southeast Flor-ida. There is some minor damage to par-ishes in Southwest Florida, including to the roof of St. Mark’s, Marco Island. In youth mission, upcoming events are New Begin-nings #39 and Happening #55. There is also an Advent Camp at DaySpring. X
Looking Back is taken from the archives at Diocesan House. If you have questions about your archive or can donate items of interest, contact the Communications Of-fice at 941-556-0315.
Glancing Back1975: Bomb Threat Makes Fire Truck Photo
35
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Acolyte Festival Procession, Sept. 26, 2015, Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg