All Saints 2011 issue - Episcopal Diocese of Florida

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DIOCESAN CALENDAR
NEWS OF THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH IN THE
DIOCESE OF FLORIDA
DIOCESE OF FLORIDA CALENDAR ONLINE AT: www.diocesefl.org
NATIONAL CHURCH CALENDAR ONLINE AT: www.episcopalchurch.org
* Events subject to change or cancellation – confirm date, hour, location before traveling.
* When attending an event at Camp Weed & The Cerveny Conference Center, you must confirm your
lodging and/or meals in advance, either by event registration or by phone: 386/364-5250.
NOVEMBER
15
Deadline to submit UTO Grant proposals to Diocesan House
17
Common Ministry Budget meeting
20
Visitation – Bishop Keyser
24 - 25
Diocesan House Closed for Thanksgiving
27
First Sunday of Advent
Holy Comforter, Crescent City
Episcopal Church
DECEMBER
1
Deadline for The Diocesan Convention Companion issue; mailed Dec. 15
4
Visitation – Bishop Howard
Good Shepherd, Jacksonville
4
Visitation – Bishop Keyser
St. Cyprian’s, St. Augustine
4
Ordination to the Diaconate – Jonathan Baugh
St. Andrew’s, Jacksonville
8
Clergy Holiday Party, Bishop John and Marie Howard, hosts
9
Apalachee Region Ultreya
TBA
17
10 a.m. - noon Diocesan Council
Camp Weed and The Cerveny Conference Center
18
Ordination to the Priesthood – The Rev. Karen Booth
San Jose, Jacksonville
23 - Jan. 2 Diocesan House Closed – Christmas Holiday
24
11 p.m. Bishop Howard
St. John’s Cathedral
31 - Jan. 1 Diocesan Senior Youth Event
Surfs Up! and
spirits are high at
St. George, Ft. George
– Page 7
new ways to involve
working women and
MARCH
6
2012 LARC
APRIL
19
9 a.m.- noon Safeguarding God’s Children class
bring forward the
next generation
of women.
At 121st Annual Meeting,
Diocese of Florida ECW installs
officers during Mandi’s Chapel
service at Camp Weed & The
Cerveny Conference Center.
St. Mark’s, Jacksonville
Winterlight at Kanuga: December 27 - January 1, 2012
Diocesan Ski Trip: January 13 - 16, 2012
New Beginnings: March 16 - 18, 2012
Summer Camp Sessions dates online: www.campweed.net
Photo: Janet Robinson
Full details on page 14
•
•
•
•
young mothers,
Camp Weed and The Cerveny Conference Center
Upcoming Youth Events in the Diocese ...
– Pages 2, 6
challenge, employ
JANUARY 2012
9
7 p.m. Regional Convention Meeting, Santa Fe Region
St. Luke’s, Live Oak
10
7 p.m. Regional Convention Meeting, First Coast East & West St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
11
7 p.m. Regional Convention Meeting, River Region
St. Mark’s, Palatka
12
7 p.m. Regional Convention Meeting, Apalachee Region
Holy Comforter, Tallahassee
12
9 a.m. - noon Safeguarding God’s Children class
St. Mark’s, Jacksonville
14
10 a.m. - noon Diocesan Council
Camp Weed and The Cerveny Conference Center
14
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Phyllis Tickle events St. John’s, Cathedral, Jacksonville
15
10:30 a.m. Eucharist with Phyllis Tickle
St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
16
Martin Luther King Day – Diocesan House closed
20-22
Happening #122
Camp Weed and The Cerveny Conference Center
27
2012 Diocesan Convention - Opening Eucharist
St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
28
2012 Diocesan Convention - Marriott Hotel, Jacksonville
30
Diocesan House closed
FEBRUARY
16-19
2nd Annual Florida Episcopal Quilters Retreat
ECW Communion
vessels honor memory
of Canon Saffran
Women accept
–– Pages 6, 7
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
One hundred young acolytes commissioned with 16 leaders at St. Mark’s, Jacksonville – YOUTH, page 14
NEWS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF FLORIDA
Volume XXVIII, No. 5 Circulation 11,586
WWW.DIOCESEFL.ORG
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
National Episcopal Historians and Archivists
NEHA honors Michael Strock, Diocese of Florida
archivist, for distinguished service to ‘the
ministries of Ecclesiastical History and Archives’
Photo: Bill Schymidt
G. Michael Strock, Diocese of Florida
Historiographer and Archivist.
Conference in St. Augustine. He did
such a memorable job that he was soon
pressed to serve as conference
coordinator, assisting planners of future
conferences as liaison to the board.
In choosing him for the Davis
Award, the board also noted Strock’s
service as a vice president of the
organization, adding that in addition to
serving as conference coordinator, he
has conducted workshops on writing
parish history and organizing parish
archives, has been a mentor to new
members, has solicited and written
articles for The Historiographer, and
has reviewed books for that publication.
A major contribution was his work on
Archives for Congregations, a booklet
that continues to provide valuable help
for parish archivists.
From a report by A. Margaret Landis.
The Historiographer, Vol.XLIX, No. 4.
Historiographer Strock
presents worshop for
Church Historians
During a workshop at St. John’s
Cathedral for Church Historians on
preserving church history, diocesan
Historiographer Mike Strock and
participants study Timeline Rolls of
memorable days created for Rally Day at St. Mark’s, Jacksonville, by
its members.
Bishop’s new greeting video on Diocesan
website at http://diocesefl.org
“The first of four new welcome videos is now on the diocesan website,” says
Jack Tull. “This video will come up automatically when you enter the website.
After a few weeks, we will not have it start automatically; it will be available by
clicking on the button. Please have a look.”
More on page 2
Photo: Janet Robinson
G. Michael Strock, historiographer
and archivist for the Diocese of Florida,
was honored with the Canon John W.
Davis Award, during the Annual
Meeting of the National Episcopal
Historians and Archivists (NEHA) at
Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Ore.. The
Davis Award, named for NEHA’s past
president, is given in recognition of
distinguished service to “the ministries
of Ecclesiastical History and Archives.”
NEHA’s Board of Trustees
recognized Strock for his time and
energy not only as a NEHA Board
member, but also for his many activities
for the organization, including
conducting workshops, contributing
articles for The Historiographer and in
general, for “doing whatever needed to
be done.”
A native of Wauwatosa, Wisc. Strock
earned his bachelor’s degree from the
University of Wisconsin and his master’s
in history from DePaul University. After
successfully passing the Federal Service
entrance exam, in 1965 he went to
work for the U.S. Park Service. His first
assignments were at Fort Caroline in
Jacksonville; then at Castillo de San
Marcos in St. Augustine.
For 31 years, he was posted at
various parks around the country. Upon
retirement he returned to St. Augustine,
the home of his wife, Melinda. There he
became an active member of Trinity
Parish and wrote its history. Unable to
quit teaching, for the past 12 years he
has taught the history of St. Augustine
at Elderhostels.
Strock became a member of NEHA
in 1999 when he was co-opted to host
NEHA’s Annual Meeting and
‘Glory to God’ - Quilt by Jan Harbeson
interprets splendid rose window above
the altar of St. Mark’s, Jacksonville; timed
in celebration of 90th anniversary in 2012
After many years of admiring the
Rose Window located behind the altar
at St. Mark’s, Jacksonville, Jan
Harbeson decided to try to interpret it
in a quilt – about six feet wide.
“As with any project, one does not
really work alone, and this has been no
different,” Jan wrote, extending credit
and gratitude to several “cheerleaders
and advisors” in a carefully detailed
history which will be preserved with this
parish treasure.
“Martha Hallowes is one of our
members and historian. While talking to
her, I mentioned my desire to make the
quilt and she immediately handed me a
picture of the window and offered to
have it blown up into the size I desired
in order to have a pattern. She did have
the copies made and gave them to me
within a week. Thank you, Martha, for
inspiration and guidance.
“Margie Parr, Janice Martin, Leesie
Snell, and Melody Hainline were
cheerleaders and advisors. They
provided technical support, fabric
galore from Margie, and many words of
encouragement and praise. I could not
have completed the quilt without them!
Leesie made and sewed the binding on
and Margie the sleeve on the back.
Another wonderful gift that would
ensure completion of the quilt!
A year in the making
“The project started around August
2010 and I finished the quilting on July
7, 2011. I have no idea how many
hours went into making the quilt and
really do not want to know. It was just
something that I knew I had to make.
“The backing is 100% cotton and
the batting is 80/20 poly blend. The
majority of the fabric used is 100%
cotton. However, I think the turquoise
that surrounds each ‘petal’ is a blend.
Each piece has been fused onto the
petal and then machine stitched using a
zig-zag. Mtr. Michael Armstrong helped
cut some of the pieces out for me while
on quilt retreat at Camp Weed in
February 2011. Margie Parr helped sew
the turquoise pieces on one of the
petals. Many thanks to them for
tremendous help exactly when it was
needed.
“Janice Martin ran over to the
church after receiving a call for help
from me and assisted in pinning the
quilt together. In one short hour we had
it together and I was on my way home
to start the quilting process. Thank you,
thank you, thank you!
“Jane Arnold helped measure
around the quilt in order to cut it into a
circle. I definitely could not have done
that without her help! Awesome!!!
Given to the glory of God
“This is given to the glory of God for
all of the blessings in my life; especially
my husband, Cobb, without whom this
would never have happened. He
bought the sewing machines! Love you
forever. (The quilt was made entirely
using my Bernina 130 Activa.)
“Finally, it is handed over to St.
Mark’s in thanksgiving and with a
grateful heart, to celebrate the 90th
anniversary, April 2012.
Thanks be to God!”
Advent 2011
wholeness and holiness can be encountered, a place where sainthood can be
glimpsed, and a place where our hearts can begin that process of being directed
and ruled by God’s Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite collects, the one for the Sunday nearest September 14,
goes, in part, like this: “Because without you we cannot please you, mercifully
grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule
our hearts…” Asking that God “direct and rule our
hearts” is a prayer for God to be directly at work within
us, transforming us, changing us, drawing us and those
whom we love closer and closer to him.
For most of us, it does not happen every Sunday. It may only occur on
private occasions in lightning flashes of perception and joy that are so stark
against the background of the rest of our lives that they tend to blind rather than
to illuminate. But at least we know the source of the light and so we return again
and again.
I will be the first to admit that some people evidently
do not want God to direct and rule their hearts. Many of
us spend our life surrendering our hearts, not to God, but
to other people and things.
Chemicals…alcohol…sex…the use and abuse of other
people…the pursuit of power…These are the things that
often direct and rule our hearts. We are, indeed, a fallen lot in need of a savior!
In my better moments, I aspire to sainthood, but the truth is that I am a
miserable sinner, absolutely unworthy of the gift which God has given me in Jesus
Christ and which he offers to me time and time again. And I know that I have a
lot of company along the way. Our pews are filled with people brought into our
midst by their own trials and troubles. Each of us is waiting to be filled, waiting
for God’s touch, waiting to have a hunger fed and a need answered. And so,
yearning for him, we open our Prayer Books and we pray that his Holy Spirit
might direct and rule our hearts.
Bottom line: Attempts to find substitutes for God are a part of our
education, our maturation. It is a very rough school. Rough on us, rough on
those around us. For each of us there is a place within us that is waiting for
something to arrive, to fill us, to give us meaning, to satisfy that hunger at last.
Faithfully,
+
And that is why we do church. We come together, we open the prayer book
and say our prayers, we come to the communion rail to receive the Body and the
Blood because we have seen in some small way that here is a place where
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard
VIII Bishop of Florida
Bishop John Howard holds the Walter Saffran Memorial Chalice and Paten,
created by potter Janice Kennedy of St. Andrew’s, Jacksonville, at the
request of the Episcopal Church Women. A lasting memorial in honor of
ECW’s decades-long chaplain, Canon Walter Saffran, the chalice and paten
will be in perpetual service at ECW-related events. Photo: Janet Robinson
Bishop’s New Greeting Video – Continued from page 1
Welcome
The Episcopal Diocese of Florida was founded in 1838 as the entire
state of Florida. Today, our diocese consists of 25 counties in
Northern Florida. Our parishes and congregations stretch from the
Apalachicola River in the western part of our diocese to the Atlantic
Ocean, and from the Georgia border to the Palm Coast region.
I hope that you find that which you are searching for on this site;
and if you visit one of our 66 congregations you will encounter the
love of Christ and the fellowship of those who follow him.
Click here for
Bishop’s Greeting #1
Rich in Diversity
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard, Bishop of
Florida
2
THE DIOCESAN
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
Photo: Phil Ashler
Thank you for visiting the Episcopal Diocese of Florida's website.
The Rev. Abigail W. Moon ordained to the
priesthood at St. John’s, Tallahassee
The Right Rev. Samuel Johnson
Howard ordained the Rev. Abigail W.
Moon to the priesthood on behalf of
the Right Rev. Scott Benhase, Bishop
of Georgia, on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at St.
John’s, Tallahassee.
Mtr. Abi Moon graduated from the
University of the South’s School of
Theology at Sewanee, Tenn., in May
2011. She serves at St. John’s as priest
associate for children, family and young
adult ministries.
Prior to seminary, Mtr. Moon
worked as director of youth ministry at
Church of the Good Shepherd,
Augusta, Ga., and Church of the
Advent, Spartanburg, S.C. She has also
served as a teacher and assistant
chaplain at Palmer Trinity School,
Miami.
Following her undergraduate years at
Sewanee, the University of the South,
she joined the Peace Corps and lived in
Guinea, West Africa. She has led or
participated in pilgrimages to Greece,
Italy and the Holy Land. She and her
husband, Rob, have been married four
years and are enjoying Tallahassee.
Announcement from Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville Inc. and Urban Jacksonville Inc
Jacksonville’s largest non-profit service provider for seniors has new name, new image
‘Aging True’ better reflects mission, programs and services
JACKSONVILLE (Oct. 12) –
Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville
Inc., a non-profit organization enabling
home-based senior independence in
Northeast Florida, and its service
division, Urban Jacksonville Inc., have a
new name, brand image and website –
Aging True.
“Aging gracefully and with dignity is
what every person deserves. For nearly
50 years our programs and services
have helped seniors do just that by
enabling them to stay in their homes
longer. However, the names of our
non-profits did not reflect this mission,”
explained Teresa Barton, executive
director of Aging True. “Our new
name, Aging True, really speaks to our
support and celebration of independent,
graceful aging.”
In addition to the name, the Aging
True branding effort includes a new
logo, brochures about the organization’s
key programs, and a website www.agingtrue.org – that is attractive
and easy to navigate. Burdette
Ketchum, a Jacksonville-based
integrated marketing firm, created the
brand concept, identity, and marketing
and online pieces.
Growth in Aging
Aging True’s mission to enable
home-based senior independence in
Northeast Florida benefits the entire
community, not just the elderly.
Research from the Florida Council on
Aging shows that home-based and
community care costs are significantly
less than the costs for Medicaid nursing
home care – on average $49,580 less
per year per senior. According to
Barton, extending the time seniors live
in their own homes not only has fiscal
benefits for taxpayers, but seniors who
remain in their own homes live fuller,
happier lives.
As the Baby Boomer generation
ages, the senior population increases
each year. In less than 10 years, seniors
(people age 60 and older) will comprise
29.7 percent of Florida’s total
population, according to the U.S.
Department of Health & Human
Services’ Administration on Aging. By
2030, that percentage will increase to
33.9 percent or 9.73 million seniors.
Therefore, services for the elderly will
become more needed and in-demand.
“Being able to quickly and intuitively
find services that assist seniors to
remain in their homes is increasingly
important for seniors and their
caregivers. We believe the Aging True
name and new website will be a step
toward more accessible information in
our area,” Barton stated.
Vital Services
Aging True is one of the oldest and
largest non-profit providers of senior
services in Northeast Florida. Unlike
numerous groups that serve solely as a
resource or reference service, Aging
True develops and administers
programs designed to provide seniors
with the care and assistance they need
to live independently and more
meaningfully. The organization offers
services including nursing-home
diversion, home health, mental health
and wellness, food delivery, and
caregiver support. These vital programs
– such as the Medicare-accredited
Home Health Agency, Meals on
Wheels® and Senior Connections – help
more than 6,000 Northeast Florida
seniors annually.
“Aging True provides dozens of
different programs for seniors and their
caregivers. Some of our clients simply
need a meal delivered to their doors
daily, while others may be enrolled in
programs involving customized care
including meals, companionship,
therapy and in-home medical
assistance,” Barton said.
The most requested programs Aging
True provides in Northeast Florida are:
Home Health Agency
Aging True health professionals help
AGING TRUE
Community Senior
Services
seniors reach their health care goals by
coordinating with their physicians to
develop a strategic plan for in-home
treatment. These services may include
physical, occupational and speech
therapy, skilled nursing and convenient
visits from a medical social worker or
home health aide.
Meals on Wheels
Serving as the Meals on Wheels
program in Duval County, Aging True
coordinates the food preparation and
delivery of nearly 300,000 hot and
frozen meals to frail, homebound senior
and disabled residents each year.
Senior Connections
A dedicated nursing home diversion
program funded by the Department of
Elder Affairs and the Florida Agency for
Health Care Administration
administered by Aging True for the
Northeast Florida region, this program
uses a managed care delivery system to
aid elders who qualify for nursing home
placement to continue to live in their
homes as long as possible.
Another area of focus for Aging
True is its caregiver support services,
which are designed to encourage and
assist those responsible for the full-time
care of an elderly family member. These
services include educational newsletters,
support groups and respite services that
help caregivers and their families by
reducing emotional, physical and
financial hardships.
“The essential services our
employees and volunteers provide to
seniors and caregivers in Northeast
Florida will continue as before. What we
hope will result from becoming ‘Aging
True’ is easier brand recognition and
recall – prompting more inquiries about
our services, increased sponsor and
donor activity, and further interest in
volunteering,” Barton said.
About Aging True
Aging True (formerly Cathedral
Foundation of Jacksonville and Urban
Jacksonville) is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
charitable organization that provides
seniors in Northeast Florida with the
care and assistance they need to live
independently longer. Founded in
1962, the organization develops and
administers health, nutritional and
financial care programs designed
specifically to serve and educate
individuals with disabilities and the
elderly, such as Florida Self-Directed
Care, Meals on Wheels, Senior
Connections and other in-home
health, mental wellness and caregiver
support services. Aging True services
reach more than 6,000 Northeast
Florida seniors each year. For more
information, visit www.agingtrue.org.
More
about
Aging
True . . .
Aging True (formerly Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville Inc. and Urban
Jacksonville Inc.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides
seniors in Northeast Florida with the care and assistance they need to live
independently longer. Aging True is Northeast Florida’s largest non-profit provider
of senior services and a leader in enabling home-based senior independence.
Mission
To provide essential and innovative services and care for individuals, families and
communities throughout Northeast Florida to prepare for and support graceful
aging.
Services
Aging True’s professional staff work with seniors and their families to select the
most appropriate program or combination of services, including health, housing,
financial, educational, nutritional and other vital areas of assistance. Aging True is
the designated lead agency of the Department of Elder Affairs for Duval County.
Impact
+ Aging True services reach more than 6,000 Northeast Florida seniors each year.
+ The organization has served more than 150,000 seniors since its founding in
1962.
+ 95% of Aging True’s clients are kept out of nursing care facilities: Seniors who
remain in their homes tend to live fuller, happier lives.
+ Research from the Florida Council on Aging shows that home-based and
community care costs are on average $49,580 less per year per senior than the
costs for Medicaid nursing home care. Aging True’s services are designed to
keep seniors in their homes as long as possible.
Client Demographics
+ Most Aging True clients were born and raised on the First Coast
+ 55% female, 45% male
+ Average age is 78 years old
+ 60% are at or below the poverty line
Interesting Facts
+ The oldest person served by Aging True is 112 years old.
+ January is the busiest time of year for client referrals to Aging True.
+ Hot dogs and baked chicken are the most popular meals served to our
Meals on Wheels participants.
+ Total meals served in the last 10 years: 2.75 million.
+ Our 600-plus volunteers are primarily seniors themselves.
‘Aging True’ history . . .
1962 Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville Inc. was established as a nonprofit
corporation by a group of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral parishioners who
were concerned over the health and welfare of the elderly in Jacksonville.
1962-1972 Completed construction of four downtown residence communities to
provide affordable housing to seniors and the physically disabled: Cathedral
Towers, Cathedral Townhouse, Cathedral Terrace and Cathedral Court.
1974 Expanded to include Urban Jacksonville Inc. as a focused community service
division dedicated to the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
1983 Sponsored the creation of a 120-bed nursing facility, Cathedral Convalescent
Center, in downtown Jacksonville.
1991 Successfully bid on Community Care for the Elderly program for Duval
County and received designation as lead agency from the Florida Department of
Elder Affairs.
2000 Cathedral Convalescent Center became a separate, independent
organization, Cathedral Gerontology Center.
2006 Became a provider of nursing home diversion services with the Senior
Connections program, a dedicated nursing home diversion program. Approved
by the state’s Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) and Agency for Health Care
Administration (AHCA).
2009 Named administrator of the Florida Self-Directed Care program for
Northeast Florida by the Florida Department of Children & Families.
2010 Created the ACHC-accredited, Medicare-licensed Home Health Agency
focused on frail seniors and senior health issues.
2011 Formally changed its name to Aging True to better reflect its services and
clients. The name “Aging True” speaks to the organization’s support and
celebration of independent, graceful aging through comprehensive programs
and services – what aging should be.
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
3
Completion of years-long ‘Pew Project’
celebrated at Holy Comforter, Tallahassee
Every pew in sanctuary lovingly refinished by congregants
In the summer of 2011, dedicated
and diligent workers in the congregation
of Holy Comforter, Tallahassee,
completed the arduous task of
refinishing every pew in their church
sanctuary. Gene Thornton, the first
Junior Warden in that new
congregation, explained the origin of
the pews, saying, “Dr. Charlie Wall, a
parishioner, paid $4,800 for the new
pews – designed for the new church.
They were built in 1954 by the Strown
Cabinet Company in Blountstown,
Florida.”
Faithful persistence is a hallmark of
this congregation; Holy Comforter had
moved on August 14, 2005, into their
new building located on Fleischmann
Road next to Holy Comforter School.
Until that time and during the building
of the new church, the congregation
had worshiped in the school, after
moving from their previous location
in 2003.
On Sunday, July 10, 2011, six men
carried the last pew to have been
refinished into the church during the
10:30 service. The Rev. Teri Monica,
assistant priest, celebrated the Eucharist;
and the Rev. Canon Ted Monica,
rector, assisted with the service and in
the recognition of the members of the
pew refinishing project.
This long-time work project began
two and a half years ago, under the
direction of Jackie Watts, who serves as
a Vestry member and the Building &
Grounds Commission chair. Parishioner
Steve Craig faithfully supervised the
sanding and varnishing from beginning
to end.
“The workers had to carry the pews,
one by one, out of the church, around
the building, down the slope, and into
the work area – then back again, when
Sandra Cartwright with her Pew
Project’s cross award.
they finished,” explained Harriette
McCarter to a new member of the
parish. The work crew worked on each
pew in adverse weather conditions, all
year long, each Saturday morning, in
the outdoor undercroft. Grounds
committee member Sandra Cartwright
contacted the refinishing project
volunteers, making sure a work team
would be ready each week. Next, she
delivered food to the workers, along
with hot coffee or cold tea, depending
on the weather.
The parish celebrated the project’s
completion as the last pew was placed
inside the church. During the service,
awards were given to all the workers.
Jackie Watts created the awards, hand
crafted wooden crosses made from
some discarded hymnal racks. Following
the joyful Eucharist, the congregation
further celebrated at a lunch in the
Crittenden Parish Hall.
The Rev. Canon Ted Monica recognizes and presents awards to Pew Project
volunteers.
Marge Griffith Memorial Tournament energizes
annual competition for the Church Challenge Cup
Proceeds generate generous support for Camp Weed
Fifty-five golfers competed Oct. 10
at the Champions Club at Julington
Creek, in the Marge Griffith Memorial
Tournament sponsored by the Church
of Our Saviour, Mandarin. The 2011
competition honored Our Saviour’s
much-loved, intrepid golfer and
tournament volunteer, the late Marge
Griffith, in the first Church Challenge
Cup match held since her death.
The Church Challenge Cup was
awarded – for the year - to Karl Brust,
Scott Bendanati, Eric Lane, and Mark
Roberts. The foursome will return the
Cup on October 8, 2012, at the
Champions Club for the next Church
Challenge tournament. Team net
scores: 2nd, Jim Munns, Tony Williams,
Joey Chamberlain, Daniel McMillen;
3rd, Reed Barrett, Kay Behrens, Carol
Curtis, Ed Shore. Individual low net
scores: Men, Mark Roberts; Women,
Kay Behrens; Clergy, Fr. John Palarine.
Proceeds from annual event are for the
benefit of Camp Weed.
The last pew to be refinished is carried into the church by some of those who
have donated their restoration efforts over the two-and-a-half year Pew
Project.
Holy Comforter Food Closet joins
AmpleHarvest.org campaign to link local
gardeners with neighborhood food pantries
Excess garden produce usually left unharvested can now be
donated to neighborhood food pantry
The Holy Comforter Church Food
Closet in Tallahassee has joined the
AmpleHarvest.org Campaign - a
nationwide effort to enable
neighborhood food pantries to be easily
located by local backyard gardeners
wishing to share their excess garden
bounty with neighbors in need.
Local food pantries usually receive
their supplies from regional food banks,
government programs, and
neighborhood donations. They
generally do not include fresh produce
because of distribution and storage
issues, leaving food pantry clients with
access only to canned vegetables and
fruit.
With one out of six American
families now relying on pantries to help
feed them, the pantries often have a
hard time meeting the demand.
At the same time, millions of
backyard gardeners across America
frequently find that their vegetable,
fruit, herb and nut gardens provide far
more produce than they can possibly
use or share with friends. The
remainder is often either left to rot in
the garden or put into the trash, which
contributes to pollution issues.
Gardeners who want to share part
of their harvest are often unable to find
local pantries because they typically do
not have a yellow page listing or an
Internet presence.
To address this, the
AmpleHarvest.org web site enables
food pantries to register their name,
phone, address, an optional
photograph of the pantry to make it
easier to find, and day[s] and time[s]
they can accept the gardeners’ produce.
Gardeners and other donors also have
the option of using the AmpleHarvest
iPhone app available as a free download
from the Apple iTunes store.
Now that Holy Comforter Church
Food Closet is a part of the
AmpleHarvest.org campaign, area
backyard gardeners will be able to
quickly find the pantry using the
personalized driving instructions
available on the site. More than 3,000
(and growing) food pantries participate
nationwide.
According to AmpleHarvest.org
founder and CNN Hero Gary
Oppenheimer, “In 2007, my own
garden grew more produce than we
could possibly use, and I quickly found
that there are only so many cucumbers
you can give to friends and still have
them call you a friend. Our community
garden also left a lot of produce to rot
on the vines. When I searched on the
Internet for pantries, the nearest one
listed was 25 miles away even though
my own town has five. That was when it
became clear that AmpleHarvest.org
was desperately needed.”
Holy Comforter Church Food Closet
welcomes fresh produce donations for
its clients. Additionally, information will
be posted from time to time by the
pantry on the site, listing those store
bought items that are in short supply at
the pantry – this is to enable anyone
wishing to help their neighbors in need.
About Holy Comforter Church Food Closet
The Food Closet is located on the lower level of the church at 2015 Fleischmann
Rd., Tallahassee 32308. It is one of the church’s outreach ministries and serves
Leon County residents on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
Photo: Dorsey Bates
4
THE DIOCESAN
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2011
About AmpleHarvest.org Inc.
AmpleHarvest.org (www.AmpleHarvest.org) is a nationwide 501(c)3 not-forprofit anti-hunger effort, backed and supported by Google Inc, the USDA, National
Gardening Association, Rotary International, VFW, AARP and numerous faith
organizations, which educates, encourages and enables millions of home gardeners
across America to share their excess garden produce with a local food pantry.
More information at http://www.ampleharvest.org/press.php and Holy
Comforter Church - holycomforterchurch@comcast.net - 850-877-2712
Celebrating 60 Years
St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church
A Parish Family
in the Diocese of Florida
Member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion
When St. Catherine’s, Jacksonville, celebrated its 60th Anniversary
on September 25, 2011, travelers and letters arrived from all points of
the compass to join the parish family and The Rev. Nancy Suellau,
rector, in marking the occasion. The Right Rev. Samuel Johnson
Howard, VIII Bishop of Florida, was celebrant at the Eucharist, and
preacher. Organist and choir master Jim Jarrard, the choirs and
musicians, filled the nave with glorious music.
“Each one of us here today,” said Mtr. Nancy, “came to celebrate a
small church plant begun here 60 years ago by Bishop Juhan, the Rev.
Dr. Leatherbuy, and the Rev. Hunley Elebash, and a group of people
with a vision to be the presence of God here on the Westside of
Jacksonville. And ever since then, this wonderful church has been – or
is now – a part of your life.”
Among those the rector introduced were
Bishop Howard; the Rev. Bob Libby, rector
of St. Catherine’s 1960-1967; the Rev.
David Kidd, an associate rector; the Rev.
Henry Hoyt, 1976-1978; the Rev. Bob
Marsh, an interim priest; the Rev. Arthur
Spruill and Charlotte Spruill, former minister
of music; the Rev. Burt Froelich; the Rev.
“You’re here because the city
needs you to be here – sharing
the love of God – touching
them in His name. That’s just
as important today as it was
then, because the field still
waits; the field is the place of
miracles.”
Bishop Howard
David Suellau; the Rev. Sandra Moyle,
representing St. Mrk’s, the church that
planted St. Catherine’s; St. Mark’s senior
warden Hank Wilson; and Pat Pattillo,
architect of the present building.
Mtr. Nancy also named the present
vestry: Sr. Warden Paul Danniels, Jr., Jr.
Warden Mike Carter, Karen Barr, Holly and
Don Chapman, David Phillips, June Argus,
and Elizabeth Dent, also Preschool Director,
and her staff. Charter members John and
Helen Chitty were recognized.
“Most of all, I want to recognize all of
you,” said the rector, “because without you,
and your dedication to serving our Lord
Jesus Christ in this place, St. Catherine’s
would not be a church and would not have
made a difference in the lives of those
around us.” Naming the numerous
ministries and outreaches of the
congregation, she also aked those
who had been baptized and
married at St. Catherine’s to
stand.
“And let us remember those
saints that have gone on to glory
ahead of us. Thank you all!
“But most of all I want to
thank our Lord Jesus Christ for
His love and guidance throughout
our 60 years and into the future.
“We are a family … We are a
church … Welcome Home!”
Luncheon, games, cotton
candy, bouncy house, and pony
cart rides filled out the joyful day.
The Order of Service,
printed in a keepsake album
given to the Sept. 25
worshippers, includes historic
documents, old and new
photographs, letters and warm
memories written by clergy and
laity, even a full-page portrait of
the Archbishop of Canterbury
with his personal note:
American troops serving in Afghanistan
sent comfort items and notes of thanks
from St. Mary’s, Green Cove Springs
GreenFaith partnership offers your
congregation tuition subsidies, webinars,
guidance and support to ‘Go Green’
The Rev. Ron Owen, Diocese of Florida Jubilee Officer
From Bob Buehn
Following a patriotic service on July 3, the congregation of St. Mary’s, Green
Cove Springs, poses on the church steps. Displayed is part of the shipment of boxes
for troops serving in Afghanistan, containing personal comfort items and notes of
thanks. The project was a joint effort with First Presbyterian Church, Green Cove
Springs, and each church assembled and sent ten boxes to troops. St. Mary’s rector,
Mother Celeste Tisdelle, is at center in the photo.
The Episcopal Church and GreenFaith have announced a partnership, which
includes tuition subsidies and free online webinars, to assist churches in their efforts
to “Go Green” in a certification program.
We are called to be good stewards of the resources with which God has blessed
us. The GreenFaith certification program is a two-year, holistic process engaging an
entire congregation through education, worship, environmental justice advocacy,
building and grounds, and developing relationships with the larger interfaith
community. With the subsidies provided by this partnership, churches can enroll in
the entire program for between $250-$750, and receive instruction, guidance &
support, one-on-one mentoring, resources, free webinars and other support.
The goals of the partnership include the development of faithful, strong
environmental leadership, helping congregations to reduce their operating costs and
modeling Creation care, spirituality and justice throughout a congregation’s life and
practices. Any interested congregations should contact Diocesan Jubilee Officer, Fr.
Ron Owen, Holy Trinity, Gainesville, at 352.372.4721 ron@holytrinitygnv.org.
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
5
Episcopal Church Women hold 121st Annual Meeting
with Bishop John Howard as celebrant and preacher
October 20, 2011 - Camp Weed & The Cerveny Conference Center
By Janet Robinson
Installation of ECW officers was held in Mandi’s Chapel, from left: Mtr.
Nancy Suellau, Bishop John Howard, Linda Wilcox, Roni Kelly, and
Linda Baker. Photo: Janet Robinson
Women from all around the Diocese
gathered on Oct. 20 for the 121st
Annual Meeting of the Episcopal
Church Women. The Right Rev. John
Howard was with us to celebrate the
Eucharist and install the newly elected
officers - President Roni Kelly,
President-Elect Linda Wilcox, and UTO
Coordinator Karen Barr. It was also
very special to have Marie Howard with
us. The Rev. Nancy Suellau, ECW
chaplain, was at the altar with the
Bishop, and the clergy from the host
church, the Rev. Michael Armstrong
Reflections on the changing role of women
in the Episcopal Church
“Many remember the first ordination of women as
priests in Philadelphia. That event brought joy and rage.”
By Judy Wright Mathews, Holy Comforter, Tallahassee,
writing in “The Vintage Voice”
In my lifetime, the changing role of
women in the Episcopal Church — both
in and out of clerical collars — has
brought forth joy, rage, satisfaction, and
disappointment.
I have had some extraordinary
experiences with lay women who acted
and still act boldly and creatively — as
Episcopalians, as Christians. I
remember a woman who taught me in
Sunday school in the ’30s, the woman
who directed the youth work in the
Diocese of Alabama in the ’40s, a white
woman who went along with her
African American housekeeper to
integrate a restaurant in the South
when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was
passed. More recently, one bold and
creative laywoman celebrated her
eightieth birthday by giving a party and
asking friends to bring food to the
parish food pantry as her gifts.
When a woman was first elected to
the vestry in my parish in the ’70s, I
told an active woman in our
congregation how happy that made me.
But she worried that as more and more
women started taking leadership roles in
local churches, more and more men
would abandon them. Has that
happened? Perhaps in some parishes,
though certainly not in all.
A strong laywoman, Margaret
Graham Beers, known to many as
Peggy, has served on a national level in
addition to her parish activities in
Washington, D.C. She assisted the first
woman President of the House of
Deputies, Pamela Chinnis, at General
Conventions, hosting meetings and
arranging for speakers to inform
attendees about vital issues including
“peace & justice” and canon law. She
served for eleven years on the board
(five as chair) of Forward Movement, an
official, independent agency of our
Church. During her tenure she was
asked to produce a book of prayers by
women. Echoes of the Spirit, a
compendium of works by many recent
female leaders of the Church, has been
widely distributed.
Peggy Beers expressed her views on
women in our Church: “During the last
quarter-century I have watched women
move from traditional supporting roles
to positions of leadership in all aspects
of church life. Today I feel fortunate to
have been a part of the emerging
presence of laywomen in the Episcopal
Church, and intend to lend my name
and my efforts to future needs. I believe
women have the unique opportunity to
heal the worldwide church through their
own collaborative efforts.”
I grew up in our Church, and I have
known a lot of fine clergymen. Yet, my
experience with ordained women has
6
THE DIOCESAN
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2011
About the Author
Judy Wright Mathews, widow of the
Rev. Lex S. Mathews, lives in
Tallahassee, Florida, has two children,
three grandchildren, and a greatgranddaughter. She has lived in, and
been active in, four dioceses and is a
former employee of the Church
Pension Fund and the Presiding Bishop’s Office. She is a frequent contributor
to The Diocesan.
The Vintage Voice, monthly publication of the Episcopal Church Pension
Fund, offers ‘vintage’ thoughts, theological reasonings, and reminiscences to
readers — lay and ordained — who receive a monthly pension. Each issue is
posted on the Church Pension Fund website.
only been since our Church began
ordaining women in the late ’70s.
However, working for the Episcopal
Church gave me the opportunity to
worship as well as work with our
deacons, priests, and bishops who are
women. I was pleased to be a delegate
when we elected the Right Rev.
Catherine S. Roskam, the first woman
bishop to serve in the Diocese of
New York.
Many remember the first ordination
of women as priests in Philadelphia.
That event brought joy and rage. When
a woman was first elected a bishop in
our Church, we saw another change;
again, joy and rage. Some experienced
satisfaction, others disappointment.
When male bishops began refusing to
accept women ordained as deacons,
priests, or bishops, we once again saw
satisfaction in some, disappointment
in others.
The long and sometimes
discouraging journey of women seeking
ordination reached a dramatic point on
November 4, 2006. The Bishop of
Nevada was invested as the Most
Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, the
twenty-sixth Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church. Episcopalians
rejoiced that day and continue to
support her strong leadership.
Asked to comment on the issue of
“women in the Church” Bishop Jefferts
Schori pointed out that “women have
been important and vital leaders in the
Church since Mary Magdalene became
a disciple — she being the first to
announce the good news of the
Resurrection.” She added: “Mary
Magdalene is, after all, called the
‘apostle to the apostles’ for her
resurrection tidings — and in that
sense was the first bishop.”
Before Presiding Bishop Jefferts
Schori, the highest office was held by
men for 217 years. Wives of the two
Presiding Bishops preceding Bishop
Jefferts Schori gave voice to feelings
about what women can do and have
done. Patti Browning, wife of former
Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning,
talked about two of the women she met
in her travels, one in Japan, working
for peace, another in Okinawa,
teaching young children. “These
women will never meet, but their
common bond is the spirit of Christ,
enabling each to share her ministry, a
gift from God.”
Phoebe Griswold, wife of former
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, said,
“Women have the ability to foster
connections throughout the Anglican
Communion, to make that body more
than merely a place for argument,
but a place where caring relationships
can flourish.”
The journey of women into
ordination includes this account of a
married couple who entered seminary
together. With five children in their
home, they divided the work between
laundry and cooking. The husband was
ordained, served a long and faithful
ministry, and is now retired. His wife
was ordained, then later elected the
Bishop of Vermont, the first woman
elected to be the diocesan bishop,
rather than the suffragan or coadjutor.
The Right Rev. Mary Adelia McLeod
said, “Almost thirty-five years later, I
cook and he still does laundry.” Bishop
McLeod is now retired, and she has
some delightful stories of the reaction
to her episcopate.
Her grandson, age 11, shared and
described her role as bishop with his
class at a parochial school. When
another student said that her church
doesn’t allow that, Bishop McLeod’s
grandson was “at a loss why his
grandmother couldn’t do or be
anything, anywhere.” She added:
“Toward the end of my episcopate, a
young boy received communion from
me, turned and asked his mother,
‘When can boys be bishops?’ ”
Reprinted with permission of the
Church Pension Group.
© 2011 Church Pension Group.
All rights reserved.
and the Rev. Deacon Jimmie Ruth
Hunsinger assisted.
In opening his sermon, Bishop
Howard jokingly praised whoever it was
who’d been in charge of the day’s
flawless October weather. (We know of
course, it was from above.) Since we
were there celebrating the sisterhood
that exists within the ECW (which
includes every woman in the Episcopal
Church), his words were of
encouragement to us. Citing a recent
survey that said women are losing their
interest in church, our bishop
emphatically stated that this is not true
in our Diocese! He offered specific
examples: The vice chair of our
Diocesan Council is a woman Catherine Brantley. About one third of
our clergy is female. We have the only
female cathedral dean in Province IV –
Dean Kate Moorehead. The Rev.
Luanne Loch, rector, leads Holy Trinity,
Gainesville, one of our largest
congregations. Our mission churches in
Tallahassee and Jacksonville have
woman pastors - Pastor Amanda
Nickles and Sue Carmichael. Moreover,
all the altar party with the Bishop that
day were female, and our Presiding
Bishop is of course the Most Rev.
Katharine Jefferts-Schori. Our diocesan
laity echoes this female leadership as
well.
Bishop Howard in his visitations sees
a lot of the graying and balding of
congregations. He challenged us to find
new ways to reach out to working
women and young mothers – to bring
forward the next generation of women.
We answered him with a resounding,
“It’s Not Your Mamma’s ECW
Anymore!” He assured us that
throughout his ministry, he has always
been uplifted by the Episcopal Church
Women.
Our bishop’s teaching continued as
he spoke about the patron saint of our
Diocese, St. John the Evangelist. Bishop
Howard pointed out how many of our
river churches, some of most beautiful
Carpenter Gothic buildings, sprung up
along the St. Johns. In our Diocesan
Seal, seven stars above St. John’s head
represent our seven founding churches,
and can also represent the seven cities
that John wrote about in Revelation, the
sites of the first seven churches.
Bishop Howard told us not to miss
John’s message, and the many stories of
women in Jesus’ life. From the Cross,
Christ commanded John to care for his
mother, and He saw John as a brother
left behind, to take on that special kind
of care. We know that John was the
only disciple that lived to an old age, and
was the only disciple to die a natural
death. In Ephesus (Turkey) are
wonderful ruins to see, and in the
mountains is a site known as Mary’s
House. John and Mary reportedly lived
there for a time until they relocated to
Palestine. The significance of Mary’s
House is not what it is, but what it
imparts. Jesus showed his love for Mary
by trusting her care to John, and He is
still loving and looking out for us in that
same way. In the final words of his
sermon, Bishop Howard reminded us
that Jesus is the symbol of the church
with us. We need to celebrate the light
and the glory He has given us in this
Diocese.
Midway through the service, we
paused to open the business meeting;
Bishop Howard installed the newly
elected officers, and praised the
outgoing president, Linda Baker, as he
bestowed upon her the Past-President’s
Cross. In a heartfelt moment, Linda
unveiled a new chalice and paten given
by the ECW in memory and
thanksgiving for our long-time Chaplain,
the late Rev. Canon Walter Saffran. It is
beautiful rose ceramic with gold accents;
the potter commissioned to create it was
an ECW member from St. Andrew’s,
Janice Kennedy. The pieces were
Continued on page 7
The Committee for “Edward Waters College Day” at
St. Philip’s, Jacksonville
Carlottra Guyton, committee chairperson
St. Philip’s, Jacksonville, in a Spiritual Alliance with the Jacksonville community,
celebrated the Fourth Annual Edward Waters College Day on Oct. 30, 2011, at 4
p.m. in the sanctuary of the church at 321 West Union St. The celebration featured
the renowned Edward College Choir directed by Mrs. Barbara Bouie.
ECW ‘shines on’
– Continued from page 6
consecrated by the Bishop, and used for
the first time at our Eucharist. See
photographs of the chalice and paten
on page 2 and the back cover.
‘Shine on sisters! Shine on!’
Each diocesan ECW president
embraces a theme for her tenure. Linda
Baker’s theme was “Carry The Light;”
incoming President Roni Kelly’s is “A
New Light Shining…” How very
appropriate that the day’s Collect
echoed both. In part, it said: “…Jesus
Christ is the light of the world: Grant
that your people may shine with the
radiance of Christ’s glory…” Shine on
sisters! Shine on!
Late Summer ECW Meeting
The Late Summer ECW Meeting
was held August 27 at Camp Weed &
The Cerveny Conference Center, with
Linda Baker presiding and all five
regions of the Diocese included by the
many churches represented among
those present.
Child care, newly instituted to make
participation possible for more women
of the Diocese – grandmothers as well
as mothers - was enthusiastically
received; twelve youngsters, ages 2 to
11 years old, were entertained in
Dearing Lounge during the ECW
meeting.
Joe Chamberlain gave upbeat
reports on the 2011 summer camp
season under Canon Wiley Ammons,
fulltime clergyperson focused on youth
ministry, and about the continuing
progress toward restoring the lake
waters under Mandi’s Chapel.
Hope McCharen reported that the
United Thank Offering had received
over $7,000 with 22 churches
participating. The Companion Diocese
UTO Grant that provided a car for the
Bishop of Cuba was noted with
gratitude.
Altar Guild chair Janet Robinson,
just back from the gathering at Kanuga,
noted that the current provincial
president and vice president are both
from our Diocese. Mtr. Nancy Suellau
deconsecrated some altar linens during
the Camp Weed meeting.
The ECW Triennial Meeting will be
held July 5-11, 2012, concurrently with
General Convention. The diocesan
ECW president, president elect,
immediate past president, and UTO
representative expect to attend.
A gleeful moment of discovery came
when the group was shown a
needlepoint ECW podium hanging, a
treasure recently recovered from some
forgotten “safe place” in which it had
been stored for years. Former ECW
president Bettye Zowarka instantly leapt
up in the back row, exclaiming “I made
that!” Bettye said it had disappeared
mysteriously long ago.
Upended surfboards flanked the altar and
lined the walls at St. George on Ft. George
Island, and the choir led lively renditions of
“Down to the Water to Pray” and other
water-themed hymns during one of the two
Blessing of the Surfboards services held on
Sunday, July 24, followed by a picnic lunch.
The Rev. Dr. Nancee Martin-Coffey,
rector of the historic parish near the ocean,
blessed the many boards, ranging from tall
to tot-size. Brightly colored boards arrived at
the live oak shaded parking area riding in
the beds of pickup trucks, wedged through
car windows, and tethered to roof racks.
The surfers ranged from knee-high boogie
board owners to tanned and graying
retirees.
Mother Nancee and her congregation
have been “Down to the Water to Pray” in a
creative variety of services, incorporating
their nearby beaches,
surf, and tidewaters
into traditional liturgies
set outdoors, amid
God’s wondrous
creation.
VBB photos
Blessing of the Surfboards celebrates our
gratitude and awe for the sweeping power
and healing beauty of God’s great oceans
ECW dates to remember for 2012:
Winter Meeting – February 11; Spring
Retreat – March 16-18; Late Summer
Meeting – August 25; the 122nd
Annual Meeting - October 20.
Women’s leadership is represented and spread widely around our Diocese:
from left, Susan Towson, Daughters of the King (DOK) president, member
St. John’s Cathedral; Roni Kelly, ECW president, member St. James’, Lake
City; Janet Robinson, Diocesan Altar Guild directress, member St.
Margaret’s, Hibernia; Metro Griffith, DOK president, Province IV, member
St. Philip’s, Jacksonville; Barbara Parks, Altar Guild president, Province IV,
member St. Alban’s, Chiefland. Photo: Janel Robinson
ADVEMT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
7
Resources & Opportunities
Institute of Christian Studies and St. John’s Cathedral host
workshop/conference led by Dr. Phyllis Tickle - January 14
According to Tickle, the
“church” has a “rummage sale”
which occurs about every 500
years, and this is what we happen
to be living through.
The Most Rev. Katharine
Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop
and Primate, The Episcopal
Church, says, “Phyllis Tickle offers
a creative and provocative overview
of multiple social and cultural
changes in our era, their relation to
previous major paradigm shifts, and
their particular impact on North
American Christianity. This is an
immensely important contribution
to the current conversation about
new and emerging forms of
Christianity in a post-modern
environment—and a delight to
Phyllis
read!”
In addition to lectures and numerous essays, articles,
and interviews, Tickle is the author of over two dozen
books in religion and spirituality, most recently The
Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and
Why, and The Words of Jesus, A Gospel of the
Sayings of Our Lord. She is also the author of the
notable and popular The Divine Hours series of
manuals for observing fixed-hour prayer: The Divine
Hours – Prayers for Summertime, The Divine Hours
- Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime, The Divine
Hours – Prayers for Springtime, Eastertide – Prayers
for Lent Through Easter from The Divine Hours and
Christmastide – Prayers for Advent through
Epiphany from the Divine Hours (Doubleday); The
Night Offices from The Divine Hours and The Pocket
Edition of The Divine Hours ( Oxford University Press);
Smalltown parish produces bigtime movie:
‘Five Smooth Stones’ offers film festival outreach upbeat lesson about bullying among today’s youth
What would you do if you were different? And no one would let you forget it?
Bullies come in all varieties, but have one trait in common – fear. In Five
Smooth Stones, a strange new kid, Daniel, shows up on Matt the bully’s soccer
team, and then – surprisingly – proves how the weakest among us can become
the strongest.
http://5smoothstonesfilm.com
George Wentworth, executive producer of Five Smooth Stones, is a member of
St. Anthony’s Episcopal Church in Winder, Ga. He and other members had
brainstormed the bullying issue, were inspired to take action, and began imagining a
plotline and movie. The Rev. Don Harrison of St. Anthony’s recounts the ensuing
remarkable timeline - like mamma from Heaven, the scriptwriter, film professionals,
equipment, funding, talent scouts, cast and crew of more than 100, and film
locations fell into place for the congregation’s project. Filming was completed in
September; look for national release of Five Smooth Stones soon.
Children seem to have an initial tendency to reject differences in others. Matt is
no exception. He cannot accept Daniel, who isn’t like Matt or the others, yet wants
only to be accepted and a part of school life. Just how different Daniel is, Matt soon
discovers. Although a bully, Matt has an unexpected vulnerability, yet when Daniel
accidentally learns this, he does not explicit it for revenge. Instead, in a moment of
transformative discovery. Daniel and Matt experience understanding and acceptance
for each other that change their lives forever. Five Smooth Stones provides a
revelation that fits well into youth group discussions.
‘Healing with Judith MacNutt’ airing weekdays
at 7 p.m. on Pure Radio 103.7 FM & 1320 AM
Judith MacNutt, president of Christian Healing Ministries, is now offering
ministry on the airwaves, in a healing outreach launched in September.
Her radio program, “Healing with Judith MacNutt,” focusing on healing
relationships, airs weekdays at 7 p.m. on Pure Radio 103.7
FM & 1320 AM. Topics range among friendship, marriage,
soul ties, sex, grief, finance, and homosexuality (to name a
few) from the perspective of a psychotherapist/ minister.
The hope is that Christians and non-Christians will listen in
to hear a psychotherapist/minister’s take on these topics.
Listeners are invited to submit questions and comments to
Judith’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/JudithMacNutt,
which she will answer on air.
Judith C. MacNutt, M.A., holds a Master’s degree in
psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and is a licensed
psychotherapist in Florida. She discovered the need for prayer
with her clients as a clinical counselor. After treating patients in state mental health
institutions, Judith spent three years in Jerusalem as a missionary directing a House
of Prayer. There she worked with both Jews and Arabs. In 1977, Judith established
Christian Counseling Services integrating her work as a psychotherapist with
healing prayer. She married Francis MacNutt in 1980 and together they founded
Christian Healing Ministries. They have traveled extensively together and coauthored the book, Praying for Your Unborn Child. Judith continues to travel and
speak about the power of healing prayer.
www.christianhealingmin.org
www.facebook.com/ChristianHealingMin
www.facebook.com/JudithMacNutt
http://twitter.com/CHM_Jax
www.pureradiojax.org to learn more about Pure Radio.
8
THE DIOCESAN
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
Photo: Teresa Hooper
The Institute of Christian Studies and St. John’s
Cathedral, 256 East Church St., Jacksonville, 32202,
will host a workshop/conference led by Phyllis Tickle,
Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch
included. The second presentation will be a 5 p.m. – 7
p.m. reception with wine and hors d’oevres. Phyllis will
speak 6 to 7 p.m. Cost is $25 for either gathering.
Reservations with a check made out to St. John’s
Cathedral and noted for Phyllis Tickle, stating the
chosen event, are a must. Phyllis Tickle will also preach
on Sunday, Jan. 15 at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. The
public is welcome.
Phyllis Tickle is regarded as an internationally
renowned expert on religion, offering incisive
perspectives on the trends and transformation of our
time. She is founding editor of the Religion Department
of Publishers Weekly, the international journal of the
book industry, and is frequently quoted in print sources
like USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, and The
New York Times, as well as in electronic media like
PBS, NPR, The Hallmark Channel, and innumerable
blogs and web sites.
Tickle, an authority on religion in America, is a
much sought after lecturer. Her reflections stem from
not only personal faith but also decades of observation
and analysis. The result is work that meets the
challenge of chronicling a pivotal time in the church’s
history allowing readers to better understand the past
and what the future holds. With excellence, Tickle lays
out the gradual steps leading up to this transformation,
including the influences and effects of Darwin, Freud,
Einstein, the automobile and technological advances.
Her writing has been described as “brilliant
erudition, without exaggeration” and a “masterwork”
that will be cited for decades to come as the most
pointed articulation of the church and Christianity that
is emerging from the compost.
and This is What I Pray Today –
The Divine Hours Prayers for
Children (Dutton).
Tickle, who was with
Publisher’s Weekly until her
retirement in 2004, began her
career as a college teacher and, for
almost ten years, served as
academic dean to the Memphis
College of Art before entering full
time into writing and publishing, In
September 1996 she received the
Mays Award, one of the book
industry’s most prestigious awards
for lifetime achievement in writing
and publishing, specifically in
recognition of her work in gaining
mainstream media coverage of
religion publishing. In 2007 she
received a Lifetime Achievement
Tickle
Award from The Christy Awards
“In gratitude for a lifetime as an
advocate for fiction written to the glory of God.” In
2004, she received the honorary degree of Doctor of
Humane Letters from the Berkeley School of Divinity at
Yale University. In 2009 she received an honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters from North Park University.
Tickle is a founding member of The Canterbury
Roundtable, and serves now, as she has in the past, on
a number of advisory and corporate boards. A lay
Eucharistic minister and lector in the Episcopal Church,
she is the mother of seven children and with her
physician-husband, makes her home on a small farm in
Lucy, Tenn.
The Great Emergence is available at the Cathedral
Book Store and at Amazon.com Tickle will be happy
to autograph her book.
Eucharistic Visitor Training
To register for one of these classes, contact
Pat Burns at pburns@diocesefl.org or call
904-356-1328.
2012 BASIC CLASSES
All classes are 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Registration closes - January 28, 2012
Apalachee Region:
First Coast East:
First Coast West:
River Region:
Santa Fe Region:
2/4
5/19
2/11
4/14
3/10
St. John’s, TLH — Jeanie Beyer & Roy Lima
Diocesan Office, Jacksonville — Ann Bowers
Good Shepherd, Jacksonville — Joe Mazza
Holy Communion, Hawthorne — Diane Whallon
St. James, Lake City — Jimmie Hunsinger
2012 RENEWAL CLASSES
All classes are 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Apalachee Region:
First Coast East:
First Coast West:
River Region:
Santa Fe Region:
10/13
11/10
10/13
TBA
11/10
Advent, TLH — Jeanie Beyer & Roy Lima
Diocesan Office, Jacksonville — Ann Bowers
Good Shepherd, Jacksonville — Joe Mazza
Holy Communion, Hawthorne, Diane Whallon
St. James, Lake City — Jimmie Hunsinger
‘A New Ancient Harmony’ retreat Dec. 4-8
at Lutheridge Conference Center in Asheville, N.C.
Author, Church of Scotland minister, and Celtic Christian leader John Philip
Newell will lead a retreat, A New Ancient Harmony, Dec. 4-8 at Lutheridge
Conference Center, Asheville, N.C. The retreat will focus on Newell’s just released
book, A New Harmony.
Newell will explore a fresh vision that highlights the unity and harmony at the
root of all life. He will show us how a Christianity that is more integrated with the
earth and the rest of humanity can transform our experience of life in the 21st
century. New ways of understanding our faith will enable us to reach across the
boundaries of race and religion that have long separated us, while honoring our
own spiritual traditions.
Educator, poet and writer Judy Brown will also be joining us at this retreat. She
teaches leadership at the University of Maryland, and her work with organizations
revolves around themes of renewal, change, creativity, and the practices of inspiring
leadership. Her books include A Leader’s Guide to Reflective Practice and a
collection of poetry, The Sea Accepts All Rivers. Her commitment is to help
people return “home” with new perspective and new practices for living into life’s
challenges and life’s bounty.
Fran McKendree, River Guerguerian, Brian Prior, and others will weave song,
story, and prayer throughout the retreat.
For retreat questions: Ann Holtz – 865-414-8509 or awakening2011@att.net
For registration questions: Suzanne Delap 828-684-2361 or sdelap@llmi.org
Online registration: http://www.llmi.net/adult/advent2011.aspx
United Thank Offering applications available for
2012 Episcopal Church grants – deadline Jan. 15
All grant requests originating in the Diocese of Florida must be
submitted to the Diocesan Office by Nov. 15, 2011 in order to be
considered for approval by the diocesan bishop.
The application process for the 2011 United Thank Offering grants is now open
with forms available at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/110043_117733_ENG_HTM.htm
Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for
projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and
internationally within Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses.
Applications are due Jan. 15, 2012. Grants will be approved in July 2012 at
Triennium at General Convention. Funds for approved grants will be available
starting August 2012 for a one-year grant period.
UTO information and contact info are available: www.episcopalchurch.org/uto.
Complete instructions, application forms, and additional info are available online.
Information important for applying for the grants:
- one application may be submitted by each diocese of the Episcopal Church,
with diocesan bishop approval;
- one application may be submitted by a U.S. diocese of the Episcopal Church on
behalf of an overseas Companion Diocese (the Companion relationship may be
formal or informal), with approval by both diocesan bishops;
- one application may be submitted by invited provinces of the Anglican
Communion, with approval by the Archbishop or Primate or Provincial Secretary
and, if applicable, the diocesan bishop.
For more information email utoapps@episcopalchurch.org or call the UTO
Office at 800/334-7626, ext. 5130 or ext. 6022. Paper copies of the application
are not accepted. If there is a problem accessing the Internet for the online
application, please contact the UTO office.
2011 Bishops Blend Christmas Boxes
Episcopal Relief & Development and Pura Vida are offering
four boxes this year, with combinations of Fair Trade and organic
coffees, teas and chocolates.
This Christmas, deck the halls with
Fair Trade and organic tea and coffee
products from Bishops Blend. Four gift
boxes are available this year through
Pura Vida, Episcopal Relief &
Development’s partner in the sale of
Bishops Blend products. Fifteen
percent of the purchase price goes back
to Episcopal Relief & Development, to
support its ongoing work to heal a
hurting world.
Healing a hurting world
Each of these four gift box options is sure to please:
* The Blue Box: Stay warm this winter with invigorating Earl Grey and soothing
Moroccan Mint teas from Bishops Blend. Accompanied by two bars of Single
Origin Guatemalan chocolate, the Blue Box package is sure to delight the tea lover
on your gift list!
* The Red Box: The Red Box brings you two sumptuous Bishops Blend coffee
roasts: classic Bishops Blend French Roast, and Kaldi’s Roast – an extra-dark roast
using beans from Ethiopia and Sumatra. Two bars of Single Origin Guatemalan
chocolate round out this popular package.
* The Silver Box: Coffee, coffee, coffee! The Silver Box includes three of the
most popular Bishops Blend coffee roasts: smooth and rich Bishops Blend Regular
Roast, extra-dark Kaldi’s Roast, and Café de la Paz, a blend of Latin American
beans roasted to sweet perfection.
* The Gold Box: Our new premium Gold Box is truly a treasure! With two bags
of Bishops Blend coffee, two boxes of tea and four bars of luxurious Single Origin
Guatemalan chocolate, the Gold Box is guaranteed to please. Two Pura Vida
ceramic mugs complete this ultimate Bishops Blend package.
Although Christmas is the most popular time of the year for
Bishops Blend gift boxes, they are also available for Mother’s Day,
and Bishops Blend coffees and teas are available year-round.
All gift boxes include Episcopal
Relief & Development promotional
materials and a coupon for 15% off of
the recipient’s next order of Bishops
Blend products, as well as a
personalized gift message.
Gift boxes began shipping Nov. 1.
Shipping is free on orders of $30 or
more. Bishops Blend Christmas boxes
can be purchased through Dec. 16 to
guarantee delivery in time for
Christmas. Expedited shipping is
available after Dec. 16. Order online via
www.er-d.org/BishopsBlend/ or by
phone at 877-469-1431.
“Pura Vida is very pleased to be
working with Episcopal Relief &
Development to offer this year’s
Christmas Boxes,” said Sam Snyder,
Director of Marketing and Philanthropy
for Pura Vida. “Bishops Blend products
help support the organization’s work,
which includes efforts to promote
sustainable agriculture, and it also does
this directly, since the products are
organic and Fair Trade certified.”
Buying certified Fair Trade goods
helps ensure that coffee and tea
growers are paid a living wage and have
access to affordable credit. Fair Trade
partnerships also help marginalized
producers gain access to markets and
consumers through fewer
intermediaries. The products are
certified by organizations that monitor
both the product and its supply chain,
promoting safe workplaces, ethical
business practices and fair treatment of
workers. Many Fair Trade partnerships
are also linked to sustainable
development initiatives in producer
communities, promoting education,
gender equality and environmental
conservation.
“Our Bishops Blend partnership is a
natural extension of the work we do,”
said ER-D’s President Rob Radtke.
“Through Pura Vida, we are able to
offer coffee and tea products that are
produced and marketed according to
the same ethical standards promoted
through our international programs.
Environmental and economic
sustainability are cornerstones of the
initiatives we support, which bring
training and tools to small farmers, and
create micro-finance and cooperativebuilding opportunities in rural
communities.”
Give a Present of Life
this Christmas
Ever have difficulty in thinking about a Christmas gift for someone? I know I do.
You want to give something meaningful to someone who already has everything.
Here is a solution that will maximize your gift and give them something they will
never forget. This year’s Episcopal Relief and Development’s Gifts for Life catalog
features items for everyone on your shopping list. Your generosity can provide
individuals and entire communities with the essentials needed to pull themselves
out of poverty.
Go online to http://www.er-d.org/GiftsForLife/ to select
your Christmas gifts. Then in your Christmas card
provide a gift card such as the one below or ask
Episcopal Relief and Development to send a
card when you make the donation.
Healing a hurting world
In celebrating our friendship with you this
Christmas season a donation has been
made in your name to provide a milkproducing cow to a family for nourishment
and to allow them to sell surplus milk in the
marketplace.
Merry Christmas!!
Submitted by Jack Tull, Diocesan Coordinator for
Episcopal Relief & Development
Virginia Theological Seminary accepting entries for John
Hines Preaching Award; and Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans
Award for ministry of the laity; both deadlines Dec. 15
Virginia Theological Seminary is
accepting entries for the annual John
Hines Preaching Award which honors
outstanding sermons in which a
prophetic voice is central and which are
deeply grounded in Scripture and
focused on the seen and unseen needs
of the worshipping community, the
nation, and the world. All bishops,
priests, deacons and laity of the
Episcopal Church in America are
eligible for this award. Entries should be
sermons delivered to a congregation
between Advent 2010 and the end of
the same liturgical year. The recipients
of the John Hines Preaching award will
receive $2,000 and will be invited to
the Seminary to preach. The award
winning sermon will also be posted on
the Seminary’s website and printed in
either the newsletter or annual
magazine. The deadline for the John
Hines Preaching Award is December
15, 2011.
Virginia Theological Seminary is
also accepting applications for its
annual Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans
Award (LPWE) which recognizes the
ministry of the laity in the Church. The
award is given to an Episcopal lay
person who has given leadership and
unique witness to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ within his or her congregation,
community, diocese, and in the world
over a significant period of time. We
seek as nominees individuals who have
reflected outstanding personal initiative
in creating and leading, in a unique and
creative volunteer capacity, a new
ministry outside the Church, serving
either a particular community or the
world. Recipients of the LPWE Award
will receive $1,000 toward the charity
of their choice and a certificate
recognizing their work. If possible, the
award recipient is also invited to campus
to meet with our students. Candidates
for the award must be active laypersons
and communicants in good standing of
an Episcopal congregation and must
reside in Alabama, the District of
Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or
West Virginia. The deadline for the
LPWE Award is December 15, 2011.
The award recipients for both awards
will be announced in the spring of
2012.
Inquiries should be directed to Ms.
Shelagh Casey-Brown, director of
Alumni, Church Relations, and Annual
Fund, at 703-461-1711 or by email at
scbrown@vts.edu.
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
January 2012 Seminar with Chuck Fromm
“God Still Speaks: Worship as a Living Theology of Communication.”
Chuck Fromm is guest lecturer for the January seminar of the Institute for
Worship Studies in Orange Park, Jan. 9-10. The seminar title is “God Still Speaks:
Worship as a Living Theology of Communication.” Register before Dec. 1 for the
best rate.
Fromm’s doctorate is in communications theories, so he is the perfect instructor
for this seminar on a theology of communication for worship. In this day of
incredibly rapid change, manufacturers of communication methods and devices
struggle to keep up with advances in technology and the demands of the
marketplace. What does this mean for worship planners and for churches
committed to reaching a tech-saturated culture? This seminar will examine the
current trends in communications and corresponding implications for the church.
Chuck Fromm is the publisher and founder of Worship Leader magazine and
CEO of its parent company Worship Leader Media, a pioneering
nondenominational communications company serving churches through
remediating ancient content in contemporary language and imagery through various
educational environments and media. He holds a Ph.D. from the School of
Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, and received a communication
award for his doctoral thesis: Textual Communities and New Song in the Multimedia
Age: The Routinization of Charisma in the Jesus Movement. In 1975, Dr. Fromm
became President of Maranatha! Music, the first major church-based Christian
record label, where he served for 22 years.
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
151 Kingsley Ave. OP 32073 800-282-2977
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
9
National & International News
TWO NORTHERN WISCONSIN
DIOCESES APPROVE FORMATION
OF NEW DIOCESE IN ‘JUNCTION’
INCLUDING BOTH HEAVILY
POPULATED AND WILD AREAS
Presiding bishop and Executive
Council applaud historic decision
MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE
DOUBLES IMPACT OF ALL
EPISCOPAL RELIEF &
DEVELOPMENT DONATIONS
UNTIL NOVEMBER 30
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal News Service] The
adjacent Episcopal dioceses of Fond du
Lac and Eau Claire Oct. 22 approved
the formation of a new diocese in
northern Wisconsin.
The formal decision was made by the
annual convention of Fond du Lac and a
special convention of Eau Claire. The
dioceses met separately. The votes in
each diocese were cast by orders (lay
people voting separately from clergy),
and the resolutions had to pass in both
dioceses. Bishop Russell Jacobus of Fond
du Lac and Bishop Ed Leidel of Eau
Claire also concurred with the decision.
The two dioceses must now ask the
77th meeting of the Episcopal Church’s
General Convention next July to
approve what is called “junction.” A
process to organize formally the resulting
new diocese would begin in the fall of
2012 with a new diocese formed Jan. 1,
2013, according to a Fond du Lac
diocesan press release.
Episcopal Church Canon 1.10.1 lays
out the process for junction.
To the applause of the church’s
Executive Council meeting in Salt Lake
City, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori called the agreement “a
remarkable development.”
“I think it is a very significant example
of restructuring, thinking in new ways,
looking at ways that will serve mission in
the most effective way” in the future, she
said.
In a jubilant e-mail later posted on the
Eau Claire diocesan website, Leidel said,
“Never before have two dioceses in the
Episcopal Church ‘junctioned’ together.
So, today we begin a new journey to
create a new diocese in northern
Wisconsin.” He said the diocese would
have “a new name and … a new sense
of identity.”
A diocese incorporating the two
present dioceses would include the
northern three quarters of Wisconsin. It
would extend from the shores of Lake
Superior to Lake Michigan to the banks
of the Mississippi. It would include some
of the most heavily populated and
industrialized portions of the state, and
some of the least populated and
wilderness areas in the north woods, the
release said.
The decision to join the two dioceses
was the result of discussions that date
back at least four years, according to the
Fond du Lac release.
In September, the two dioceses
released a joint report that “although
there is consensus among the
membership of the Joint Diocesan Task
Force that the creation of a new diocese
is an exciting and viable option, there is
also a common resolve that there will be
greater sharing of talent and resources
between the two Episcopal dioceses in
northern and western Wisconsin,
regardless of the outcome of decisions at
the respective diocesan conventions in
October 2011.
The Diocese of Eau Claire has 21
congregations and one summer chapel.
Sixteen congregations have an average
Sunday attendance (ASA) of fewer than
50 people. Twelve of those 16 have an
average ASA under 25. There are three
full-time clergy serving congregations,
according to the joint report.
The Diocese of Fond du Lac has 34
congregations and two summer chapels.
Twelve have an ASA under 50 and eight
of those have an ASA under 25. Sixteen
congregations average between 51 and
100 people a Sunday and six have an
ASA of more than 100. There are 20
full-time clergy serving congregations.
10
THE DIOCESAN
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
The altar and treasured triptych at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-au-Prince,
Haiti before the earthquake in January 2010. Photo: Kyle Evans
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE SPECIALIST NAMED TO GUIDE
RECONSTRUCTION OF HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL IN HAITI
New York – The Rev. John Ander
Runkle, R.A., has been named
Consulting Project Manager to work
with the Project Team implementing
the reconstruction of Holy Trinity
Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Rebuild Our Church in Haiti is a
national, grass-roots effort launched on
the first anniversary of the magnitude
seven earthquake that decimated Haiti
in 2010. Executive Council authorized
the appeal in response to the request
from Bishop Jean Zach Duracin and the
people of Haiti for help rebuilding Holy
Trinity Cathedrai.
For more information visit
www.episcopalchurch.org/haitiappeal.
As both an Episcopal priest and an
architect specializing for over 25 years
in liturgical space, Runkle is uniquely
qualified to head up this project. He
has served as Canon for Architecture
and the Arts in the Diocese of
Washington; on staff with the Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation; in surveying
archaeological sites of medieval Islamic
settlements in the Sahara Desert; and
in restoring historic worship space in
the Anglican tradition.
The Project Team reconstruction
plans, to include Haitian designers and
construction workers, will incorporate
the three surviving treasured murals.
THE APPEAL TO REBUILD OUR CHURCH IN HAITI: 70 PERCENT OF
CHURCH BUILDINGS A TOTAL LOSS IN JANUARY 2010 QUAKE
When the earthquake hit Haiti in
fortunes of those who have depended
January 2010, it effectively leveled the
on Holy Trinity for spiritual succor, for
most populous diocese of The Episcopal
education, and for income. We have the
Church. Seventy percent of church
chance to resurrect the spirit of a
buildings were considered a total loss.
nation.
Diocesan-run schools, clinics and
As they say in Haiti, Men anpil chay
hospitals that served over 100,000
pa lou, or many hands make the load
Episcopalians, as well as countless
lighter. Working together, we can
community members, were wiped out in
complete this project brick by brick, and
thirty-five seconds.
$10 buys a brick.
Epicenter of Ministry
Roll Away the Stones
Many of the services we expect from
Before the walls of a new cathedral
the government— healthcare,
can rise, the rubble must be cleared and
education, culture—are provided in
the land secured against transient
Haiti by The Episcopal Church. And
inhabitants. With help from UNESCO
many governmental agencies and NGOs
and the Smithsonian, workers have
have rushed to fill these needs in the
sorted through the ruins for surviving
aftermath. Episcopal Relief &
fragments of the church’s famous
Development is partnering with the
murals. Where rubble once choked the
Church in Haiti to provide short-term
compound, tin roofs shade open-air
employment, provisional homes, and
classrooms, and the former cathedral’s
sanitation systems in addition to other
checkered floor tiles lie cleared and
community-focused recovery programs.
open to the sky.
The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund sponsored
Brick by brick you can help recover
mobile health clinics, and a United
one of Haiti’s great masterpieces.
Nations fund has underwritten the cleanup of six neighborhoods in Port-auRebuild the Soul of a Nation
Prince.
Out of the destruction of the entire
But there is one thing no one else
Cathedral Complex, new life has begun
can rebuild for The Episcopal Church:
to rise, full of possibilities. The Haitian
Holy Trinity Cathedral. Home of the
government has granted The Episcopal
famous murals that depicted the Biblical
Church a plot of land that will nearly
narrative, the Cathedral was a beacon
double our presence in downtown Portin a land where strength of faith is
au-Prince.
inversely proportional to economic
The Diocese of Haiti has conducted
development.
initial strategic planning, and engineers
Holy Trinity Professional School and
are already at work in Haiti instructing
the primary and secondary schools also
masons in earthquake-safe methods that
located on the Cathedral grounds, raised
are no more costly than the masonry that
up future leaders in an environment of
failed.
cultural and spiritual grace. In 35
To begin, all we need is a brick or
seconds, it was all reduced to rubble.
two,
or ten, or a thousand. If you wish to
Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin and the
make
a donation by check, please mail it
people of Haiti have asked for our help.
to: Rebuild Our Church in Haiti, c/o
The Episcopal Church, acting through
Episcopal Church Foundation, 815
the Executive Council, asks every
Second Ave., New York, NY 10017.
Episcopal diocese and congregation to
Brick by brick, you can help create a
join in this initial phase of rebuilding the
new spiritual home for thousands of
Diocese of Haiti. As the walls of a new
Episcopalians.
Cathedral rise, so too will the hearts and
Through November 30, donors have
the opportunity to make their dollars go
even further toward healing a hurting
world. During the Matching Gift
Challenge, any donation made to
Episcopal Relief & Development will be
matched dollar-for-dollar up to
$500,000. This means a total of up to
$1 million to support programs that
alleviate hunger, promote health, create
economic opportunities and overcome
disaster.
Any size gift to any of Episcopal
Relief & Development’s funds – online,
by mail or by phone – will be matched
in full until Nov. 30, or as long as
matching funds are available. The
matched gift amount will be donated to
the Global Needs fund, which supports
the organization’s work worldwide.
Judy Sawler, Episcopal Relief &
Development’s Manager for Direct
Response Marketing, explains the
impact this doubling can have: “A gift
of $50 provides not one, but two infants
with critical immunizations, vitamins,
medicines and other life-saving
essentials. And $100 becomes $200,
which can help someone set up a small
business by providing a micro-loan and
the necessary tools and training.”
Last year’s Matching Gift Challenge,
also with a $500,000 match, was an
unprecedented success. In just six
weeks, it raised a total of $1.8 million
for Episcopal Relief & Development’s
core programs.
“We are incredibly grateful for the
generosity of all our donors, and
especially those who have provided
these matching funds,” said Rob
Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief &
Development. “It is a wonderful
blessing to be able to continue and
expand our work, despite global
economic uncertainty and disasters like
hurricanes and earthquakes that
compound existing challenges. The
faithfulness of our supporters, both to
our work and to the promises of the
Baptismal Covenant, is truly inspiring.”
To have your gift matched, simply
make a donation between now and
Nov. 30. Making a gift to the Global
Needs fund will ensure that your
contribution will be used in the area of
greatest need, though donations to any
fund – including through the Gifts for
Life catalog – will be matched.
To support Episcopal Relief &
Development’s work, please visit
www.er-d.org or call 1.855.312.HEAL
(4325). Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal
Relief & Development, PO Box 7058,
Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the
international relief and development
agency of the Episcopal Church and
an independent 501(c)(3)
organization. The agency takes its
mandate from Jesus’ words found in
Matthew 25. Its programs work
towards achieving the Millennium
Development Goals. Episcopal Relief
& Development works closely with the
worldwide Church and ecumenical
partners to help rebuild after disasters
and to empower local communities to
find lasting solutions that fight
poverty, hunger and disease, including
HIV/AIDS and malaria.
TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
New website has vast variety of stewarship resources
for congregational leaders, adds frequent new content
You’ve just been appointed
stewardship chair for your congregation.
You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and
get to work – but where in the world do
you start?
Providing answers to that question
and offering support to people engaged
in stewardship ministry is the mission of
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
(TENS). And now, accessing
stewardship resources and networking
with others engaged in this work is
easier with the launch of TENS’ new
website: www.tens.org, filled with
stewardship resources you can put to
work in your congregation, diocese or
ministry right away.
“The launching of this website opens
a new chapter in a long and
distinguished history of stewardship
education and leadership training,” said
the Rev. Angela Emerson, president of
TENS. “Here you will find the newest
and freshest expressions of creative
thinking and practical tools for growing
and nurturing faithful stewards.”
Frequently added new content
A key feature of the new TENS
website is the frequency of new content,
with a team of TENS members as well
as guest bloggers sharing their
stewardship expertise, best practices,
and resources through regular blog
posts. The website also includes
regularly updated stewardship resources
organized by topic, new monthly issues
of Networking, the TENS’ newsletter,
and information on educational
opportunities available throughout the
church. TENS members will find more
in-depth stewardship and other
resources in the members only section.
With stewardship encompassing
annual giving in congregations, one
focus of the website is to provide
inspiring and easily adaptable annual
giving resources. Featured prominently
on the site is the Episcopal Church’s
Office of Stewardship’s Feasting on
Gratitude resources, available in both
English and Spanish; TENS members
also have access to resources such as
sample letters, pledge cards, adult
formation Bible studies, and video
interviews on the theology of giving.
“The launching of the website
represents the power of partnership at
work,” says the Rev. Laurel Johnston,
Program Officer for Stewardship and
Member of TENS Board of Directors.
“Rather than offering stewardship
formation resources in a piecemeal
fashion, the new TENS website will
allow us to make a collective impact on
the ministry of stewardship in the wider
church.”
Many more resources are available
on the website for the practice of
holistic stewardship. “Stewardship
encompasses much more than the
annual giving campaign in a
congregation,” explained The Rev.
Susan Snook, a TENS board member.
“It is a way of life that recognizes that
for Christians, stewardship is all we do,
with all we have, all the time.”
Because stewardship is a way of
responding to God’s generosity with our
own generosity, the TENS website
offers resources in a number of holistic
stewardship areas, including:
• Annual Giving
• Best Practices
• Capital Campaigns
• Congregational Leadership
• Designated Giving
• Environmental Stewardship
• Generations & Stewardship
• Generosity and Discipleship
• Liturgical & Worship
Resources and Prayers
• Personal Financial Planning
• Planned Giving
• Preaching Resources
• Stewardship Formation
• Year Round & Holistic
Stewardship
Church leaders engaged in
stewardship ministry are encouraged to
visit www.tens.org to learn more about
the resources and support available to
them as they engage in God’s mission
to care for the world, using the all the
gifts entrusted to us.
About TENS:
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) is an association of church
leaders who understand, practice, and proclaim God’s call to generosity. TENS’
vision is to provide trailing and resources for stewardship leaders across The
Episcopal Church and beyond, with emphasis on training, encouraging,
nurturing, and supporting stewards. For more information visit: www.tens.org
People
80th birthday greetings to Archbishop
Desmond Tutu were sent swirling
through the Anglican Communion
clouds to tamu@tutu.org.za, via Twitter,
Facebook and email on Oct. 5, 2011.
The Rev. Canon Dr. James M.
Rosenthal, former communications
person for Anglicans globally, spoke the
sentiments of many, “I say without any
hesitation that the face, voice and heart
of our tradition is seen most fully in our
beloved Archbishop Desmond
Tutu...Thanks and praise for all he is, in
Christ, for us. May he live forever.”
Sewanee – The Very Rev. William S.
Stafford announced the appointment
of the Rev. Thelma (Nikki) Mathis
as the assistant dean of community life
for The School of Theology, succeeding
the Rev. Dr. Walter Brownridge,
effective Dec. 12, 2011. Currently
associate rector at St. Paul’s, Atlanta,
before entering the priesthood, she
worked nearly 20 years as a clinical
social worker. While earning her M.Div.
from The School of Theology, Mathis
became the first African American
president of the student body, and
received the Woods Leadership Award
and the Urban T. Holmes III Prize for
Excellence in Preaching.
Sewanee — On Oct. 31, the Very
Rev. William S. Stafford, dean of
The School of Theology, University of
the South, announced his decision to
retire, effective June 30, 2012. During
Stafford’s tenure as dean, the School
launched a new D.Min. in Preaching
program and is preparing to offer new
master’s degrees in Religion and the
Environment and in Theology and
Literature. Dean since 2005, Stafford
also holds the Charles T. Quintard
Chair of Dogmatic Theology. He came
to Sewanee from Virginia Theological
Seminary where he had served since
1976. A specialist in the medieval and
Reformation periods, he did doctoral
study at the University of Strasbourg in
France and post-doctoral at Durham
and Cambridge in England. Stafford has
been an Episcopal priest since 1982,
serving in American and English
parishes.
Around the
Compasrose
‘Journey Into Action: Helping Hands in the Economic Crisis’
Documentary produced by Trinity Wall Street shows
churches aiding those hit hardest by recession
New York – An inspiring new documentary, “Journey into Action: Helping Hands
in the Economic Crisis” tells the story of how – with the recession as a common
denominator – Episcopal churches in the United States and Anglican churches around
the world have stepped in to aid their communities during a time of economic
instability. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA with the Interfaith
Broadcasting Commission (IBC) and produced by Trinity Wall Street, the documentary
is available for broadcast as part of NBC’s Horizons of the Spirit series.
The film spotlights a New Orleans congregation that began in an abandoned
drugstore, ministering to a neighborhood still suffering from the effects of Hurricane
Katrina. It portrays young adults serving in schools and community food banks in
Washington DC, and others farming in California to provide fresh fruits and
vegetables to the community while advocating for the rights of migrant workers.
There are visits to the Great Plains of South Dakota and the Appalachian Mountain
communities of Kentucky, regions where economic distress is an enduring historical
pattern and yet congregations are striving for change.
The filmmakers also traveled to Ghana, where a church-sponsored home cares
for newborn babies whose mothers died in childbirth, and where a Ghanaian
physician journeys village to village to stop the spread of malaria.
“What we’ve seen in producing this program has been both humbling and
inspiring,” said Jim Melchiorre, Senior Religion Correspondent for Trinity Wall Street
and producer-narrator of the program.“I think once viewers see how people are able
to have a real impact on their communities through their churches, they’ll feel more
positive about the future, and may decide to get involved themselves.”
Viewers who would like to see “Journey into Action: Helping Hands in the
Economic Crisis” broadcast in their area are encouraged to contact their local NBC
affiliate. To view the trailer, visit www.interfaithbroadcasting.com/hofs.aspx
Executive Council submits General Convention resolution
saying church is ‘unable to adopt Anglican Covenant’
Decision is up to 2012 meeting of General Convention
[ENS – Salt Lake City] Oct. 24 - The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council will
submit a resolution to General Convention next year that would have it state that
the church is “unable to adopt the Anglican Covenant in its present form.”
The resolution also promises that the church will “recommit itself to dialogue
with the several provinces when adopting innovations which may be seen as
threatening the unity of the communion” and commits to “continued participation
in the wider councils of the Anglican Communion” and dialogue “with our brothers
and sisters in other provinces to deepen understanding and to insure the continued
integrity of the Anglican Communion.”
The 77th meeting of General Convention July 5-12, 2012 will decide whether
to pass, amend and pass, or reject the resolution. Convention is “the only body that
can act on behalf of the whole church in this matter,” Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori said during a post-meeting press conference.
The unanimous decision to submit the resolution to convention came Oct. 24,
on the last day of council’s four-day meeting in Salt Lake City. A covenant task
force, composed of six council members, based its recommendation to council in a
report that is available online in English and Spanish.
Jefferts Schori said the proposed resolution “goes on at significant length and
with great care to remind Episcopalians and other Anglicans that we continue in
solidarity, building missional partnerships, across the communion and that that is
the way in which we understand our relationship – that we are bound to our
brothers and sisters across the communion and we will continue to respect that.”
Just after council’s action on the covenant, members passed a 2012 budget for
the Episcopal Church that includes $1,178,066 to support missional work in the
Anglican Communion and to help support the communion’s administrative work.
Jefferts Schori noted that the reasons given in the report for being unable to adopt
the covenant in its present form have to do with the Episcopal Church’s Constitution
and Canons. The task force’s report noted that the Standing Commission on
Constitution and Canons has said that to adopt the current version “would significantly
alter our current understanding of what it means to be an autonomous province. The
presiding bishop said that the task force was also concerned “that all people of this
church might be included in the life of the church.”
Some Anglican Communion provinces have adopted the covenant or are in the
process of considering it.
– By Mary Frances Schjonberg
Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement on the resignation
of the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral amid London protests
(ACNS) As anti-capitalist protestors continued to camp around St. Paul’s
Cathedral, London, and a second Cathedral clergyman resigned, the Archbishop of
Canterbury on Oct. 31 issued the following statement from Lambeth Palace:
“The announcement today of the resignation of the Dean of St. Paul’s, coming
as it does in the wake of the resignation of Canon Giles Fraser last week, is very sad
news. The events of the last couple of weeks have shown very clearly how decisions
made in good faith by good people under unusual pressure can have utterly
unforeseen and unwelcome consequences, and the clergy of St. Paul’s deserve our
understanding in these circumstances.
“Graeme Knowles has been a very distinguished Dean of St. Paul’s, who has
done a great deal to strengthen the pastoral and intellectual life of the Cathedral
and its involvement in the life of London. He will be much missed, and I wish him
and Susan well in whatever lies ahead.”
The Archbishop also said: “The urgent larger issues raised by the protesters at
St. Paul’s remain very much on the table and we need – as a Church and as society
as a whole – to work to make sure that they are properly addressed.”
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
11
What’s Going On ...
Cause for celebration! Our revered retired bishop,
the Right Rev. Frank Cerveny, and his lovely
bride of a half-century, Emmy Cerveny,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 1.
The Amazing Chili Cook-off to benefit Grace
Mission, Tallahassee, was held Nov. 7; St. Lukes,
Live Oak vs. Holy Comforter, Tallahassee.
It was Dine-In or Take-Out from 5 to 7 p.m, for a
mere $5 donation. Folks got to “Come See,Taste and
Vote. Furthermore, this is apt to happen again: St.
Luke’s and Holy Comforter were throwing the
challenge down to any church that ‘thinks’ they
can beat their best-tasting chili! You cooks might
spark a rematch: call Pastor Amanda at 850-224-3817
or email pastoramanda.grace@nettally.com. Meanwhile,
winter is around the corner...cold weather will soon
reach Tallahassee. Grace Mission is taking donations
for sweatshirts - L - XL XXL+ and warm socks.
Dean Gus Weltsek was honored at St. John’s
Cathedral with the title of Dean Emeritus in
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his
ordination to the priesthood. Installed as dean in June
1985, he served 14 years.
His former diocesan family wants to stay in
touch...many ask for a contact for recently consecrated
Bishop George D. Young, III of East Tennessee
- gyoung@etdiocese.net
Episcopal Relief &Development calendars are
on sale with beautiful pictures representing ER&D’s
domestic and international programs. The calendars
are $12 each and are available at Church Publishing.
The calendar includes feast days and other
celebrations. They make great Christmas gifts!
They’re “retired” and back in this Diocese! The
Rev. Burt and Sherrie Froehlich, 406 B Coopers
Cove Rd., St. Augustine 32095 padreburt@mac.com
and sherfroehlich@bellsouth.net
God willing, Bishop Howard will ordain
Jonathan Baugh to the Diaconate on Dec. 4 at 5
p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7801 Lone Star
Rd., Jacksonville.
God willing, Bishop Howard will ordain
the Rev. Deacon Karen Booth into the
priesthood on Dec. 18 at San Jose Episcopal
Church, Jacksonville, where she is assistant rector.
The Rev. Michael Moore has completed his
ministry at St. Elizabeth’s, Jacksonville.
The Rev. John Satula, formerly of Holy Trinity,
Gainesville, has accepted the call to be Assistant
Rector of Children and Youth at Trinity Episcopal
Church, 36 Main St., Newtown, Conn. 06470.
Deacon Diane Whallon and all Deacons were
honored at Church of the Mediator, Micanopy,
on the occasion of Deacon Diane’s 25th
ordination anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Archdeacon Jeanie Beyer was the preacher. The
Hope Women of the Church surprised Diane with a
Teddy Bear vested as a Deacon, complete with green
stole and sneakers. A letter of congratulation from
Bishop Howard was read and the Memorial Garden
committee gave her a spot in Mediator’s Memorial
Garden “ensuring Diane’s spirit among us for a very
long time.” Letters were also received from Presiding
Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, Bishop John Howe,
Bishop Richard F. Grein, Father Ted Dawson, Father
Bede Thomas Mudge, and many others.
The Rev. Richard Turk continues at Baptist
Hospital, Jacksonville, following heart surgery in
mid-October. He has a tracheotomy; he and Mtr.
Davette are exchanging “I love you” by hand squeezes.
The Rev. George Bedell, hospitalized in late
July, is in assisted living in Gainesville.
The Rev. Richard Corry fell and broke his hip in
late September. By early October he was at home,
healing from “a clean break” and “doing fine.”
The Rev. Patricia Dannals Turk, formerly of St.
Patrick’s, St. Johns, and her family moved in
September to 15 East Manor, Beaufort, SC 29906 843-379-4993.
Deacon Jay Lauer is recovering at home; he
hopes to regain enough strength to attend Diocesan
Convention in January.
Spanish Service at St. Patrick’s, St. Johns
On November 6, St. Patrick’s, St. Johns, began
offering a new service at 5 p.m. each Sunday in
Spanish. Father Janssen Gutierrez from San
Francisco del Campo is the Celebrant. For more
information, contact St. Patrick’s at 904-287-2807.
Diocese of Florida-Diocese of Cuba
Companionship note: Selecia Jones of St.
John’s-Cathedral created a Facebook page to
share information and highlights of trips to Cuba and
Cuba companions’ visits here.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Episcopal-Dioceseof-Florida-Cuba Committee/212635378768257#!/
12
THE DIOCESAN
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
Fashionable priests modeling “stained-glass”
stoles, palanca created for the spiritual advisors
of Men’s Cursillo #126 by Janet Robinson: The
Rev. Dennis O’Neill, rector, St. Mark’s, Starke;
and the Rev. George Hinchliffe, assistant rector,
St. Luke’s, Live Oak. Photo: Janet Robinson
St. Johns speller in national bee: Episcopalian
Grace Remmer tied for 14th place in the Scripps
National Spelling Bee. Grace made it to the semifinals,
then stumbled in the sixth round, misspelling
“casquetel.” (Whazzat?? we ask.)
The theme for the 2012 Diocesan Convention
is “Proclaiming by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ.” The hymn will be #390
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of
creation…” All the information you need for the 169th
Diocesan Convention, Jan. 27-28, 2012, including
registration for delegates, visitors and vendors is on the
diocesan website.
The Hon. Alvin Brown, Mayor of Jacksonville,
was a guest speaker at St. Phillip’s,
Jacksonville, recently. The church was overflowing
with attendance exceeding the 375 mark! Special
guests included the multitalented Jacksonville
Mass Choir.
The Commission on Prison and Related
Ministry is again collecting Christmas Cards for
inmates. More than 30,000 men, women and youth
are incarcerated within our Diocese. Your generous
donation of Christmas cards allows inmates to send
these to loved ones. The cards must have a Christian
message; no foil cards or foil envelopes. For drop off
and more information:
First Coast East: Bill Carroll, St. Paul’s by the Sea
First Coast West: Rev. John Owens, Nativity
Santa Fe: Dot Hill - St. Bartholomew’s
River: The Rev. Sandy Tull - 904-982-9557
Apalachee: David Miner, St. Francis, Tallahassee
The last day for drop off to allow for distribution is
December 1. Thanks in advance on behalf of the
inmates: each says thank you for making it possible to
share Jesus’ birth with family and friends.
Clergy, please hold Tuesday, March 6, 2012
for the LARC (Lutheran, Anglican, Roman
Catholic interfaith) meeting. (It’s NOT in Feb. in
2012.) More details to come at a later date.
The Rev. Robert M. G.
Libby, formerly of this
Diocese, will be
autographing copies of his
first novel at Episcopal
bookstores while here to
speak at St. Catherine’s,
Jacksonville, on Jan. 28
about Food For the Poor. A
Summer Remembered: The
Lake Bradford Hotel 1947, a
coming of age novel set in the shadow of the
Greatest Generation, will be available Dec. 1
through Amazon and Kindle. VBB photo
Outreach idea to borrow: A “movies on the
lawn” autumn evening on the riverbank was
offered at the Church of Our Saviour, Mandarin,
on Sat., Nov. 5, inviting the wider community:
“Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, bring your
friends’ neighbors! We will get our fill of football that
weekend as we begin around 5 p.m. with lawn games
like Corn Hole; enjoy some dinner and then watch
“Remember the Titans” when the sun goes down
around 7 p.m.” This youth-sponsored event was in
support of youth missions and events; a love offering
was to cover the cost of the food. All were to bring
lawn chairs and blankets to watch the movie; In case of
rain, the event was to be moved inside the Great Hall.
The football focus was to continue on Sunday Nov. 6
with the Annual COOS Bowl and cookout.
The ECW of St. Philip’s, Jacksonville, extended
an invitation (again- good idea to borrow!) to their
annual African/American/Caribbean Festival on
Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. Paul’s by the Creek,
offering “exotic foods, enchanting music, and talented
entertainment.” The fun began at 3 p.m.
The Annual Holy Trinity Holiday Bazaar,
“Opening Night,” will be held Friday, Nov. 18, 7-9
p.m. Music, hors d’oeuvres, goodies, wine, coffee,
and punch are part of the party. A $5 donation at
the door is requested on Friday evening. Additional
days of shopping are Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 to –
4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 20 from 12 noon - 2 p.m.
Handmade gifts of all sorts, as well as freshly baked
pastries, jams and jellies testify to the year ‘round work
and talents of a group of artists who create these
things for your delight. The Bazaar benefits the
Downtown Ministry of Holy Trinity for homeless and
working poor, and Duval School, among other
projects.
Trinity, Melrose, is sponsoring its Fourth
Annual “Thanksgiving in the Park,” a
Thanksgiving feast in Heritage Park which is
free to all on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24.
Members of Trinity, and its community, come together
each year to help those who are homeless, hungry,
lonely, or who would just like to be together in a joy
filled, Christian environment on Thanksgiving Day.
“Last year we were blessed to serve over 500
people. We happily welcome everyone who
attends and any blessings which are given,”
Trinity says.
2012 Ecumenical Lenten Retreat with Fr.
William Meninger – Fr. William Meninger,
internationally known Trappist monk, priest, author
and retreat leader, returns to Tallahassee during Lent
2012. Workshops, lectures and preaching begin Ash
Wednesday 2012. Fr. Meninger will lead a weekend
retreat at Camp Weed to include prayer, teaching and
fellowship. The retreat will focus on deepening our
understanding of contemplative prayer through the
teachings of some of the great Christian mystics.
Registration opened for the retreat on October 17,
2011. A registration form is online at www.saintjohn.org. The retreat was expected to will fill quickly.
Cost, $200 per person, includes two nights semiprivate lodging, six meals. Contact Pat Beckett
beckettp@gs.ptdiocese.org .
Bishop Howard and the Diocesan staff invited
all parish office staff (employees and
volunteers) to lunch and an informational
meeting at Camp Weed on Nov. 1. Topics
included Convention Information, Diocesan Forms,
Youth Ministry Update, Q & A with the Bishop, and
Benefits for Lay Employees. It was a great success; all
agreed to make sure this is an annual fall event.
Attention Golfers! Attention Clergy! Special
offer at Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference
Center - Come play the Suwannee Country
Club for $1 per hole; includes cart, all day on
Wednesdays and after 1 p.m. on Fridays. This
beautiful 9 hole course was started in 1924 and is right
next door to Camp Weed. Bring your clergy and
reserve a few rooms for all. Clergy will get free
lodging. Let us help you put together a package. Their
regular fees are $26 for 18 holes weekdays and $29
for weekends. Call us at 386 364 5250 or email at
frontdesk@campweed.org
Sunday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Worsham Hall/Good
Shepherd, Jacksonville: Chamber Music Society of
Good Shepherd presents the UNF Orchestra,
Simon Shiao, director. J.S. Bach: Brandenburg
Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5 featuring soloists: Erin
Bennett, harpsichord; Melissa Barrett, violin; Rhonda
Cassano, flute. Free and open to the public.Future
Concerts: Sunday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m., Messiah; JU
Chorus & Orchestra; Timothy Snyder & Marguerite
Richardson, directors.
Church of the Epiphany at 5230 Harlow
Blvd.,on Jacksonville’s Westside (corner of 103rd
and Harlow) is offering Healing Services every
Wednesday at 10 a.m., as well as Holy Eucharist
on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
‘Lessons in Leadership’ - Dr. Robert Bottoms,
the Interim President and Dean of Seabury
Western Episcopal Seminary and The Rev.
William Sachs, PhD. Seabury Chabraja Fellow
and well known Episcopal Scholar and leader were at
Our Saviour, Jacksonville, Oct. 30 -31, 2011,
addressing leadership in the Episcopal Church. Bill
Sachs preached on the 30th and both facilitated a
leadership forum. They also offered a two day
leadership training on Sunday and Monday. 65 clergy
and laypeople from leadership groups at Our Saviour
and other local Episcopal churches participated .
Charlie Norton’s 99th birthday was Sunday, Oct. 9
and Trinity, Melrose, planned a surprise
celebration. “Charlie is still driving, still living
alone and still our most popular Sunday School
teacher and very involved with all aspects of
Trinity… quite remarkable!,” was the whisper.
“There is nothing material we can give Charlie, but
we can give him our love... a basket filled with
letters from each of you telling him how much we
think of him, how he has touched our lives, and of
our love for him.” Photo: Trinity, Melrose
Blessings still arrive in the mail, months after
The Diocesan last enclosed an envelope
asking its readers for donations to support
more, and more colorful, pages of news. Some
generous folks whose names haven’t been published
in earlier heartfelt “thank you” lists: from
Jacksonville - Michael Corrigan, All Saints;
Peg Perkins, St. Catherine’s; Tim Price, Our
Saviour; Frances M. Upshaw, St. Andrew’s;
and all the way from Woodbine, Ga.: Melinda
Showalter. Bless you all!
Unable to get to church? Weekly sermons from
Our Saviour, Jacksonville, can now be heard on the
website at www.coos.org Click on the link to listen to
the podcast. Please give The Diocesan and Diologue information about other Diocese of Florida
congregation’s podcasts available to the homebound.
Art exhibits in St. John’s Cathedral’s Taliaferro
Hall: Artwork by Billie McCray was on display in
October; November’s exhibit, featuring works by
acclaimed painter John Bunker, opened with a wine
and cheese reception featuring music and sponsored
by the art committee of the Cathedral.
Melissa Gerard, new Communications Director
at St Mark’s, Jacksonville, is an Atlanta and a
graduate of the University of Georgia where she
studied journalism and communications. She joins St.
Mark’s after serving as Communication Coordinator
for St. Elizabeth’s, Jacksonville.
St. John’s, Tallahassee, announced the
launch on Oct. 28 of “Faith, Food, Friday,”
a series of conversations inviting people
across Tallahassee to examine where civic
issues intersect with faith. Dr. Doug Dortch of
First Baptist, Rabbi Jack Romberg of Temple
Israel, Pastor Darrick McGhee of Bible Based
Church and Father Dave of St. John’s are leading
in a partnership with The Village Square, a
nonprofit dedicated to building conversations
across the partisan divide. Meeting one Friday a
month over noon lunch at First Baptist Church,
the goal is to engage a diverse group of
neighbors from across faith communities
and secular communities. The forums are
free and open to the public, lunch is
available for $8 (cash or check) or you may
bring a brown bag lunch. For more
information (menu, maps) or to reserve your seat:
www.tothevillagesquare.org or 264-8785.
St. Mark’s EDS teachers, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs.
Bennett, and Ms. Gorman were with members
of St. Mark’s Church on a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land Oct. 26 – Nov. 8. As they walked in the
footsteps of Jesus throughout Jerusalem, Bethlehem,
and beyond, their experience came alive for their
students through technology. They
videoconferenced with the students, shared a daily
adventures blog, created podcasts, and posted
photographs of their destinations and experiences.
Congratulations to Mrs. Maria Shelor, a fourth
grade teacher, the FIFTH teacher from St.
Mark’s EDS to be recognized as a week’s First
Coast News Teacher of the Week! St. Mark’s
teachers, nominated by students, have been recognized
more than any other school in the area on this
segment.
St. Mark’s EDS Division Head of the Early
Learning Program and ELP II teacher, Stephanie
Kowald, was invited to present at the JCCI event
on Innovation in Early Education. The school was one
of two in the area to join the panel of medical and
educational experts.
VBB photo
Photo: Janet Robinson
Hosting a Parish Gathering? Camp Weed will
deliver their equipment and assist with cooking
for your large church events (at no charge).
For groups of 50-500 Camp Weed has the gear and
will bring it to you. How about a Low Country Boil
for 100 guests for about $5 per person? Or Chili or
Chicken and Rice for 500 guests for even less per
person? Fr. Richard Pelkey called on Camp Weed to
help St Joseph’s, Newberry, with their Low Country
Boil. It was a smashing success and delicious too!
Using the Camp Weed 60 gallon pot and gear, food
for very large groups can be prepared inexpensively.
St. Luke’s, Live Oak was using the equipment for a
“Stone Soup” on Stewardship Sunday. A perfect
metaphor for making something special using
contributions from all. Call Camp Weed today at
386- 364-5250.
Mountain Bikers and Hikers: Come to Camp
Weed for the weekend and bike the new trail at
nearby Stephen Foster State Park. Catfish Hole,
the Suwannee River Overlook, “Beaver
Crossing” and other unique areas along this scenic
trail will provide visitors with an exclusive adventure
throughout the Upper Suwannee River Valley’s diverse
topography. For information call the park at (386)
397-2733. To learn more about the park, visit
ww.FloridaStateParks.org/stephenfoster. Call Camp
Weed for a room, cabin or RV/Tent reservations at
386-364-5250.
Almost three
decades ago,
when our
Diocesan
Convention
resolved to
publish this
diocesan
newspaper
locally rather than continue delivery with the
national paper, delegates gave your editor but two
firm mandates: first, each issue must include
national Church and Anglican Communion news;
and second, (via a motion from a male delegate),
under no circumstances was this paper to carry the
nationally-circulated photo feature, “The
Episcocats.” Inescapably, however, certain eminent
church cats of this Diocese have at times made their
way into the news. Page one of this issue refers to a
meeting of archivists held at St. John’s Cathedral,
where the most infamous item in the Diocesan
Archives is arguably the century-old mummified
corpse of a hapless church cat, found entombed in
the wall behind the altar. Out of delicacy, we give
you here only the image of the box, but be assured
the archivists viewed The Body. As an antidote to
that sad note, we also give you the very vital, nononsense stare of Our Saviour’s church cat, Tabitha,
on guard beside its stern warning to humans of the
ilk of that male delegate 30 years back: “Do not
start with me – you will not win.”
The Cathedral Bookstore and Gift Shop is open
after all services on Sunday, and during weekday office
hours. featuring unique gifts, books and St. John’s
apparel.
Bright Idea Dept.: YAMS (Young Adults,
Married, Single, in their 20s, 30s, 40s) held
their third Theology on Tap on Oct. 21, 5:157:30 in The Filling Station located in Tallahassee’s
Midtown Manor. It’s a laid back atmosphere
and a nice place to get a soda or juice as well.
Come one, come all. Questions? Contact
christineporeba@hotmail.com
The dates are set for St. John’s, Tallahassee’s
2012 Youth Mission Trip: July 15-23, 2012. This
trip is for rising 9-12 grade students.
The Right Rev. William Skilton, Assistant
Bishop of the Dominican Episcopal Church, is
seeking to raise at least $15,000 to provide a
car for Fr. Emilio Martín Fumero, formerly of
the Diocese of Cuba and known to many in the
Diocese of Florida, Cuba’s Companion Diocese. Fr.
Emilio is now serving two congregations in the
Dominican Republic, traveling between them with
difficulty as he and his wife have only public
transportation. Bishop Bill’s request for a UTO Grant
was unsuccessful. Donors can contribute directly to the
fund by mail to: Braden,Gonzalez & Associates, 228
St.Charles Ave. #1230, New Orleans, LA 70130. Tel
(504) 581-2000; Fax (540) 581-2073
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
13
Camp staff welcomes
new Canon for Youth Ministry
As the 2011 Summer Camp season began at Camp Weed,
this Congratulations! banner bearing inscriptions from
Camp Weed s summer camp staff greeted Father Wiley
Ammons, Canon for Youth Ministry, then newly ordained to
the priesthood and celebrating his first Holy Communion
with the summer camp staff.
Photo: Joe Chamberlain
Upcoming Youth Events in the Diocese . . .
Vocare: Took place November 4-6, 2011
Young adults sharing in fellowship with fellow
Christians willing to dedicate their lives to God
Diocesan Ski Trip: January 13-16, 2012
Vocare provides young adults a method of developing, nourishing, living and
sharing in fellowship with Christians willing to dedicate their lives to God. At
Vocare, believers and seekers alike are encouraged to look within and examine how
God is calling, personally, professionally, and communally. We believe that Jesus
Christ has made – and will continue to make – a difference in the world and our
individual lives. Join us and find out how Jesus Christ can make a difference in your
life. To register, go to Vocare Registration on the Diocese of Florida website:
www.diocesefl.org.
High School youth from all over the Diocese of Florida are invited to participate
in a Ski Trip event. This year it will be held in Winterplace, West Virginia, January
13-16.The cost for this event is $310. This includes three nights lodging, two-day
lift ticket, two- day ski rental ($20 charge for snowboards), three hot breakfasts and
two lunch vouchers. The Episcopal churches from Tallahassee will be riding up
together in a charter bus to meet the other youth groups from the Diocese.
Registration and a non-refundable $50 deposit are due Nov. 14; the remaining
balance is due Jan. 5. Talk to your Youth Leader about registration.
Winterlight at Kanuga: December 27–January 1
Students in grades 9–12 join Episcopalians from
many states; explore becoming an image for God
Come on your own, with a friend, or in a group
For students in grades 9-12, Winterlight offers a chance to be in community with
other young Episcopalians from many different states. Come on your own, with a
friend, or in a group. This year’s Winterlight conference at Kanuga Conference
Center in Hendersonville, NC, will explore how we can walk as Christ did and be an
image for God. To register go to http://kanuga.org/conferences/index.asp
Happening #122: January 20–22, 2012
Renewal weekend for high school age young
people; find your place in ministry leadership
Happening is a renewal weekend for high school age young people. The
purpose of Happening in the Diocese of Florida is to renew the spiritual life of high
school students who attend in order that they may take their place in the ministry
and leadership of the parishes and missions which sponsor them. It is a weekend
experience of fun, games, sharing, surprises, and most of all, a time of spiritual
renewal and empowerment. Candidates must register by January 4, 2012.
Register online at www.campweed.net/youthministry/happening/happeningregistration.aspx
New Beginnings offers unique ministry
for middle school youth grades 6-8 –
held at Camp Weed
New Beginnings is a unique ministry that shares the love of Christ with the
middle school youth (grades 6-8). New Beginnings speaks, listens and challenges
the youth of today to be positive about themselves, their family and their
community. The ministry reminds us that we are all children of God, we are special
and we are loved. Each of us is more than a conqueror, and there is nothing we
cannot overcome with Christ.
New Beginnings is held at Camp Weed. The next New Beginnings weekend,
originally scheduled for late 2011, has been rescheduled for March 16-18, 2012.
The cost is $100 per participant. All participants must have a sponsor(s) from their
parish and the sponsor must attend the weekend with them! (Male sponsor for male
participants and female sponsor for female participant.) To learn more about New
Beginnings contact Sarah Minton at work: 904-725-6566 or
sarah@standrewsjax.com; or Tiffany LaMotte at work: 904-261-4293 or
tlamotte@stpetersparish.org To register, go to www.campweed.net/youthministry/new-beginnings.aspx
Around the Regions
All Hallows Eve was marked with a gathering of the Episcopal Area Youth at St.
John’s, Tallahassee in Alfriend Hall. They met from 4 to 6 p.m. for for a “Spooky
Night” in costume - a fun evening and All Hallows Eve service for all sixth through
twelfth grade students, with dinner provided. A special guest, Ryan Cassell, from the
University of the South at Sewanee was there to talk with the youth about college
choices.
Canon Wiley
Ammons celebrates
his first Holy
Eucharist, with the
summer camp staff at
the altar of Mandi’s
Chapel. And - our
Diocese gains its first
fulltime ordained
Canon for Youth!
Youth Lock In offers fun, fellowship, and assurance
that the faithful should ‘Fear Not!’tho’ All Hallows Eve nears
Photo: Joe Chamberlain
Camp Weed Summer Camp participation earns
rewards for churches, Episcopal school teachers
A reward was offered to the congregations with the greatest percentage of
participation in 2011 Camp Weed Summer Camp.
The top three churches were:
* Church of the Epiphany, Jacksonville -100%
* St. James’, Lake City - 80%
* St. Paul’s, Federal Point- 66%
Each of these churches receives a check from Camp Weed & The Cerveny
Conference Center for $375, to be used for future campers from that church.
The three congregations with the greatest number of campers were:
* St. Peter’s, Fernandina Beach - 26 campers
* Church of Our Saviour, Mandarin/Jacksonville -26 campers
* Christ Church, Ponte Vedra Beach - 21 campers
Finally, a reward was offered to the two teachers from Episcopal schools with the
most campers attending summer camp this summer. They are:
* Mr. Alan Bartlett from St Mark’s Episcopal Day School, Jacksonville
* Mr. Brandon Foster, San Jose Episcopal Day School, Jacksonville
Their reward was a gift certificate for a three nights stay at the Clarion Water
Park Hotel near Disney World.
THE DIOCESAN
Next weekend rescheduled to March 16-18, 2012
Episcopal Area Youth – EAY – gathering on All Hallows
Eve includes costumes, dinner, and college information
For the very
first times!
14
High school youth from across the Diocese
to gather in Winterplace, West Virginia
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
St. Luke’s, Jacksonville, hosted a Youth Lock-In event for those in grades nine
through twelve, from 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 until 10 a.m. Saturday, October
29. The theme, “Fear Not,” was based on Isaiah 41:10 and other scriptures.
Gladys Alves is Youth Leader: (904) 894-6985 or alicea.alves@cit.com
One hundred – 100! - acolytes commissioned with adult
leaders by St. Mark’s, Jacksonville, rector on October 2
The Rev. Jonathan B. Coffey, Jr. commissioned 100 acolytes and 16 adult
leaders on Sunday, October 2 at St. Mark’s, Jacksonville. Melody Hainline,
volunteer acolyte coordinator, was praised for her outstanding job recruiting these
wonderful youth and adult volunteers. See photos, page 1
Boy Scouts of St. Margaret’s, Fleming Island, often give
back to the church that has sponsored troop ‘forever’
St. Margaret’s, Hibernia/Fleming Island, had a
special service of recognition for Boy Scout Troop
482, which the congregation sponsors. Nobody seems
sure how long Boy Scouts have been meeting at the
church, but it’s more than the 20 years of current
records they have kept. (Readers, was this troop one of
the many Fr. Yerkes “plants”?) Over the years, some
of the young men have chosen Eagle Scout projects to
Photo: Ian Woolen
benefit St. Margaret’s. At least twice, the old wooden crosses in the
cemetery have been replaced as their project, once by Will Remsen. And about five
years ago, Michael Tanner built the outdoor all-purpose altar and cross, with two
benches for the altar party.
✠ THE RIGHT REV. DR. BERTRAM
✠ DEATHS ✠
NELSON HERLONG
The Right Reverend Dr. Bertram Nelson
Herlong, X Bishop of Tennessee, passed
away surrounded by the love of family and
friends on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. Bishop
Herlong was born in Lake City, Fla. on Oct.
16, 1934. He graduated from Lake City
High School in 1952 and the University of
Florida in 1956. He attended the University
of the South and earned a Bachelor of
Divinity from the School of Theology.
Bishop Herlong began his ministry in the
Diocese of Florida as founding vicar of St.
Jude’s, Valparaiso, and Church of the
Epiphany, Crestview.
He later served as canon pastor of St.
John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, and as
founding chaplain and assistant headmaster
of Episcopal High School.
During his service to the Diocese of
Florida he continued his education over
seven summers to earn his Masters of
Sacred Theology in 1970 from St. Luke’s
Seminary, University of the South. Bishop
Herlong served Trinity Parish, New York
City, as associate rector and vicar of Trinity
Church and St. Paul’s Chapel from 19721979. He served as a founding member of a
hospice at The Beekman Downtown
Hospital in Manhattan and founded St.
Margaret’s Housing Center for senior
citizens. He further served on the Board of
Directors of the New York Board of Trade.
Continuing his education he was awarded
the Doctorate of Ministry degree from New
York Theological Seminary in 1980. In
1979, he became eighth dean and fifteenth
rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in
Detroit, where he galvanized the community
to revitalize downtown Detroit, founding the
Cathedral School, (later renamed the
Herlong Cathedral School in his honor),
which provided early childhood through 8th
grade education, and establishing two senior
citizen housing communities. On Jan. 10,
1993. he was elected tenth Bishop of the
Diocese of Tennessee and was ordained and
consecrated on June 26, 1993. Tennessee
became the fastest growing Diocese in the
Episcopal Church. He established a
relationship with the Diocese of Ecuador
enabling frequent medical and dental
missions.
Bishop Herlong was married for 54
years to the former Barbara Ann Vickers;
they have two daughters, six grandchildren,
and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Oct. 25,
2011 at St. George’s, Nashville, with burial
in St. John’s Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Tenn.
Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s
Community House, St. George’s, Nashville,
or a charity of one’s choice.
✠ THE REV. VERNON A. DOUGLAS
The Reverend Vernon A. Douglas,
beloved friend and colleague, died Tuesday,
Sept. 20, 2011. Rector of St. Michael and All
Angels, Tallahassee, 1984-1986, Fr. Douglas
conducted services throughout his ministry in
many Diocese of Florida churches throughout
the Apalachee region. Funeral services were
held Sept. 24, 2011 at St. Michael and All
Angels.
Fr. Douglas was born Dec. 21, 1923 in
Barbados, West Indies. Married in 1963, he
had three children. He attended the American
Bible College Institute of Theology, MTh ‘52,
‘74-’76; and Princeton Theological Seminary,
‘69-‘72. He was ordained to the priesthood
by Bishop Bert in 1978.
He also served Incarnation, Cleveland,
Ohio, as assistant rector ‘76-’78 and as rector
‘78-’80; as rector of Redeemer, Greenville,
MS, ‘81-’84; and as rector of St. Augustine,
Kansas City, ‘86-‘92. He retired in 1992.
✠ THE REV. ROBERT ALLEN STUART
The Rev. Robert Allen “Bob” Stuart died
on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. He was the
former rector of St. Thomas, Palm Coast,
having served from 1984 until his
retirement in 2007. His memorial service
was held Friday, Oct. 14, at St. Francis-inthe-Field, Ponte Vedra, with Bishop John
Howard officiating and the Rev. Robert
Marsh as preacher. A reception followed the
service with a time for eulogies. Internment
of ashes followed that evening at St.
Thomas, Palm Coast.
Born July 11, 1940, in Canonsburg,
Penn., he graduated from Florida State
University in 1962 and earned an MDiv
from Virginia Theological Seminary in1965,
He was ordained to the priesthood by
Bishop West in 1966. He had three
children, and is survived by his wife of 34
years, Susanna.
Fr. Bob served as priest-in-charge of St.
Thomas, Bunnell, ’65-’67; and St. Paul’s,
Federal Point, ’65-’68; and was chaplain at
St. Johns River College, Palatka, ’66-’68.
He was canon in residence at St. John’s
Cathedral, Jacksonville, ’68-’71; and rector
of St. Andrew’s, Panama City, ’71-’76.
During his ministry he steadily served the
Diocese of Florida in Happening, as a
spiritual director, on Executive Council, the
Strategic Planning Commission, the
Liturgical Commission, the Program,
Budget, and Audit Commission, and as
Secretary of the Diocese.
✠ THE REV. JOHN JOSEPH
MORRETT
The Rev. John Joseph Morrett, born in
Springfield, Ohio, passed away in
Jacksonville on Oct. 14, 2011. He is
survived by his spouse of 37 years, Joan
Lisle Morrett, three children and a
stepdaughter. His first wife, Elnora Day
Morrett, died in 1973. He was a graduate of
Ohio State University in Social
Administration. As an army captain in WWII
he survived the Bataan Death March, years
in Japanese prison camps, and the
torpedoing of his Japanese ship moving
prisoners to Japan. He returned to finish
seminary at Cambridge Theological
Seminary, was ordained in 1947 into the
Episcopal Church where he served for 52
years. His ministries came full circle, starting
in missionary work in China and finishing
with mission work with the Karens and
finally in Kapaau, Hawaii where he worked
until he was 80.
After missionary ministry in China, he
founded Holy Nativity, Honolulu, Hawaii;
was dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral,
Honolulu; rector of St. Alban’s, Columbus,
Ohio; vicar of St. George’s, Pearl Harbor;
served Christ Church, Bangkok, Thailand,
and finally St. Augustine, Kapaau, Hawaii.
During the 1970s in Columbus, he dove into
Faith Alive, which spread throughout the
Episcopal Church; he also arranged a
companion Diocese with Nigeria. In the
1980s he was National Chaplain to the
Navy League, and returned to missionary
work with his wife Joan, as interim at Christ
Church, Bangkok where he helped Karen
refugees flee communist Burma and
consecrated a small mission church, founded
a school and orphanage, and ordained a
number of Karens. After 11 years in Hawaii,
Fr. Morrett retired to Jacksonville in 1999.
He passed peacefully at the VA Medical
Center in Lake City, Fla. Funeral service was
Oct. 19, 2011 at Holy Trinity, Jacksonville;
internment will be at Holy Nativity,
Honolulu, at a future date.
BAPTISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, AND DEATHS WILL BE POSTED ON
THE DIOCESE OF FLORIDA WEBSITE
WWW.DIOCESEFL.ORG
Positions available in the Diocese
Part-time Director of Youth Ministry
All Saints, in the San Marco area of Jacksonville, is seeking a part-time (up to 15
hours) Director of Youth Ministry for a mid-size, growing congregation with an
active Jr/Sr. High youth program. Education majors, teachers, and those with youth
ministry backgrounds or experience working with youth, preferred, but not required.
Good position for an enthusiastic young mom or dad. Minorities are encouraged to
apply. Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications. Key attributes:
1) desire to help young people mature in their faith, 2) demonstrated ability to work
in a team environment, 3) strong organizational skills, and 4) self-motivated. Reports
to the head pastor (Rector). Send resumes or inquiries to the Rev. Gee Alexander:
galexander@allsaintsjax.org.
Part-time Organist/Choir Director
This part-time organist/choir director position will be available in January 2012
at St. Philip’s, 321 West Union Street, Jacksonville. Please contact the church at
904-354-1053; fax: 904-353-2773; email: stphlps@bellsouth.net. Send resume to
the attention of the Rev.Hugh Chapman or call the church office for more
information.
✠ EDWARD HAMILTON WEST IV
Edward Hamilton West IV, 75, son of the
Rt. Reverend Hamilton West, V Bishop of
Florida, and Charlotte West, died Oct. 25,
2011 in Tampa. Services were held Nov. 1
at St. John’s, Tampa, with internment of
ashes at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.
Born Aug. 2, 1936 in Gainesville, Fla., he
grew up in Augusta, Ga. and Jacksonville,
Fla., where he graduated from Robert E. Lee
High. Active on campus at The University of
the South - Sewanee, at graduation he
received the Algernon-Sydney-Sullivan Award.
In 2009, Ed was inducted into Sewanee’s Hall
of Fame for the winning swimming season of
1957-58. In 1968 he attended LSU School of
Banking. After two years in the U.S. Navy, he
began his banking career at Barnett Bank in
Jacksonville, became president of Barnett
Bank, Tampa, in 1976, and executive vice
president of Exchange Bank Corp. Inc. in
1977. After mergers, he ended his career at
Bank of America.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years,
Connie; his two children; his seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the YRS Club
at The University of the South; Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation; St. John’s,
Tampa; or a charity of choice.
The Unlikely Priest – Memoir by the Rev. J. Perry Smith,
Canon for Pastoral Care at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville
The Unlikely Priest, by Fr. J. Perry Smith, is a remarkable story of one man who has led
many lives – bullfighter, Trappist monk, U.S. Army counterintelligence agent, CIA operative,
FBI Agent, and finally, Episcopal priest. Fr. Perry writes about his encounters with bulls, Viet
Cong, spies and thugs, bank robbers, famous officials, movie stars, and just-in-the-nick of time
escapes from Mexico and Central America. This, his first book, is also the personal story of a
secret adoption and the author’s relentless search to find his biological family. Ultimately, it
was his faith and hope that sustained him in the search for himself, and for his one true
father, God. The Unlikely Priest is available at St. John’s Cathedral bookstore for $17; also
sold at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Diocesan House E-Mail Addresses
Bishop Samuel Johnson Howard jhoward@diocesefl.org
Bishop Charles Lovett Keyser charleslkeyser@comcast.net
The Rev. Canon Bob Griffiths bgriffiths@diocesefl.org
Wiley Ammons - wammons@diocesefl.org
Virginia Barker - VirginiaBB@aol.com
Karen Belson - kbelson@diocesefl.org
Vickie Haskew - vhaskew@diocesefl.org
Melinda Showalter - mshowalter@diocesefl.org
Pat Burns - pburns@diocesefl.org
Darby Edwards - dedwards@diocesefl.org
The Episcopal Church
IN THE DIOCESE OF FLORIDA
A 11,586 household community of 70 congregations, 16 schools, in 25
counties. Established in 1838.
BISHOP — The Right Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard
Episcopal Seat: St. John’s Cathedral — Jacksonville, FL
ASSISTING BISHOP — The Right Rev. Charles Lovett Keyser
The Hamilton West Diocesan Center, 325 Market St. — Jacksonville, FL. 32202
904 / 356-1328 FAX 355-1934
“LIVING AND PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL
IN COMMUNITY, EUCHARIST, AND SERVANTHOOD MINISTRY.”
IN THE UNITED STATES
A 2.5 million-member community in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in
16 nations. Established 1789.
PRESIDING BISHOP — The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Episcopal Seat: Washington National Cathedral — Mount St. Alban; Washington, D.C.
20016
Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave. — New York, NY 10017, 1-800/321-2231
IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
A 70 million-member worldwide community of 38 provinces.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY — The Most Rev. Rowan Williams
Lambeth Palace, London, England SE1 7JU — Episcopal Seat: Canterbury Cathedral
Anglican Communion Office — Partnership House -- 157 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UT England
NEWS OF THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE DIOCESE
OF FLORIDA
www.diocesefl.org
An official publication for and by the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Policy,
editorial, and administrative decisions are under the direction of the Bishop, the Diocesan
Council, and the Communications Commission. Memberships held in Anglican
Communion News Service, Episcopal News Service, Episcopal Communicators,
Quest/Ecunet, Religion News Service.
Publisher, The Right Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard, Bishop of Florida 904/356-1328
ext. 14; jhoward@diocesefl.org); Editor: Virginia Barrett Barker (904/268-5138; E-mail
via Internet virginiabb@aol.com; or via QUEST, international Anglican network:
VIRGINIA BARRETT BARKER)
Communications Commission Members: Paula Suhey, Chair (904/403-5024),
rsuhey@bellsouth.net; Virginia Barrett Barker (contacts above); Gary Babcock (904/5364234 C, gbabcock@bellsouth.net); Joe Chamberlain (386/364-5250 W,
joe@campweed.org); Darby Edwards (904/356-1328, ext. 17 (O); 904/355-1934 Fax,
dedwards@diocesefl.org); Bill Fannin (904/233-7756, billfannin0656@aol.com); Ladd
Harris (386/454-8047, laddweb@windstream.net); Dot Hill (386/454-7727 H, 352281-1208 C, dotsantaferegion@yahoo.com); Phaion Hyche (850/728-3147,
phaion.hyche@gmail.com); Theresa Johnson (904/632-9104, ext. 42,
TJohnson@jaxcathedral.org); David Miner (850/556-7450 C, miner@ci.fsu.edu); Matt
Ray (904/245-8500 W, 904/708-7288 C, matt.ray@coxradio.com); Janet Robinson
(904/607-7010 C, fla_episcopal_dag@yahoo.com); Bill Schmidt (904/388-7776 O,
904/465-1714 C, williamgschmidt@bellsouth.net); Nell Toensmann (904/471-0202,
nelltoensmann@gmail.com); Jack Tull (904/823-8552 H, 904/377-3281 C,
tulljs@bellsouth.net); Paul Van Brunt (904/699-2600, paul@vanbrunt.net; John Weidner,
weidnercommunications@gmail.com; Frederick Scott West (352/505-6078 P, 360/2759720 F, scwest1bb@cox.net)
DEADLINES: December 1 for The Diocesan Convention
Companion issue, to be mailed Dec. 15.
Subscribe to Dio-logue, the weekly e-newsletter from Diocesan House.
Sign up at www.diocesefl.org
POSTMASTER: If undeliverable, do not return.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Notify your parish office, not Diocesan House.
The Diocesan welcomes expressions of opinion from our readers. Our
policy is to offer coverage of an issue from its several viewpoints, in an
effort to aid our readers in reaching informed and prayerful opinions.
Anonymous letters will not be printed. Address correspondence to
Editor, The Diocesan, 325 Market Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202,
or e-mail virginiabb@aol.com. Letters are subject to standard editing.
“Our Ministry Is To Strengthen Your Ministry”
ADVENT
A.D.
2011
THE DIOCESAN
15