OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA www.diosef.org

Volume 41 No. 5 October 2010 Aprendo porque Juego New Vision: Frade, diocesan Hispanic leaders help form Coalition of Episcopal Latinos

Bishop Leo Frade and other Hispanic/Latino leaders from our diocese were part of the inaugural gathering of the Coalition of Episcopal Latinos — la Coalición de Episco- pales Latinos— Sept. 15-18 at the Franciscan Renewal Cen- ter in Scottsdale, Ariz. At least 70 participants —lay and ordained of all ages, some from as far away as El Salvador — attended plenary and workshop sessions focused on immigration, evangelism, congregational development, communications and social media, and organizational structure, casting a vision of ad- vocacy, formation, education, inclusion, activism and unity. Frade is a member of the board of the new organization. Other representatives from the Diocese of Southeast Florida were: Manny and Dalia Mesa, Braulio and Gloria Peruyero, lay leaders at San Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes (now St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de Asis); Canon Alejandro Hernandez, rector of Todos los Santos, Miami; Fr. Rafael Garcia, priest-in-charge of Holy Comforter, Miami; Fr. Mario Milian, associate at St. Thomas, Coral Gables: and Fr. Alberto Cutié, priest-in-charge of Church of the Resurrec- tion, Biscayne Park. Photo by Char Vinik Cutié was one of the featured speakers, leading a work- Children enrolled in the Aprendo porque Juego summer reading camp of El Centro Hispano de shop on Faith and Media; and Manny Mesa joined with Todos los Santos at St. Ambrose, Ft. Lauderdale, “learn through play.” See p. 12 for a story about the partnership of St. Ambrose and El Centro in the New River Regional Ministry, a new way of being See COALITION,Page3 church. Diocesan Convention will celebrate mission partnerships

By Mary W. Cox, editor Convention site

The 41st Annual Convention of the Diocese of South- east Florida will be held Nov. 12-13 at St. Mary’s, Stuart, hosted by the North Palm Beach Deanery. The convention theme is “Global Partnership in Mis- sion,” reflecting the shared ministries of our diocese and its companion dioceses in the Caribbean and Madagascar, as well as current and proposed relationships with the Dio- cese of Haiti. Bishops of our three companion dioceses and Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of Haiti have been invited to attend the convention. Duracin plans to attend and has also accepted the invi- Photo by Thomas Winter tation of Trinity Cathedral to preach there on Sunday, Nov. All convention events will be held in the Pittenger 14. Center at St. Mary’s, Stuart. Bishop Todd McGregor, area bishop of Toliara in our companion Diocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar, and his The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, bishop of the Diocese of wife, the Rev. Patsy McGregor, will be at the convention, Southwest Florida, will be the preacher for the Conven- and the convention banquet will be a benefit for their min- tion Eucharist. istries. (See box, p. x.) Smith was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Fr. Emilio Martin Fumero, rector of San Francisco de Southwest Florida on Dec. 9, 2006. He was consecrated Asis in Cardenas, Cuba, will also be a guest at convention. See CONVENTION,Page2 2 The Net, October 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org

Palm Beach Deanery, one calling for the establish- Copies of nominations should also be sent to CONVENTION from Page 1 ment of a Diocesan Committee on Higher Education Diocesan Coordinator Gail McShane, Ministry that would investigate and report to Execu- [email protected]. as a bishop on Mar. 10, 2007 and seated as the fifth tive Board the feasibility of establishing new college The convention will also ratify elections held at bishop of our neighboring diocese on Sept. 15, 2007. and university chaplaincies in the diocese; and the deanery convocations, including the elections of three Prior to his election as bishop, Smith was rector of other asking that Chapel of the Venerable Bede, on the new deans: Fr. Mark Sims, Broward; Fr. Richard Trinity Church in New Orleans, La. After Hurricane campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Aguilar, North Dade; and the Rev. Debra Andrew Katrina he served on the Jericho Road Episcopal be asked to pay full diocesan assessment. Maconaughey, Keys. Housing Initiative and the diocesan rebuilding com- The convention will also be asked to approve Following last year’s successful convention food mittee. changes to diocesan Canons to comply with changes drive, Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida (EC- All convention events, including the Eucharist, made by last year’s General Convention to Title IV, SEFL) is again requesting that all convention dele- will be held in St. Mary’s Pittenger Center. The St. the section of the Canons of the Episcopal Church gates and guests bring a gift of non-perishable food. Joe’s Unplugged Band from St. Joseph’s, Boynton dealing with clergy discipline; and to ratify changes The food collected will be donated to Mary’s Beach, led by Director of proposed by General Convention to the Constitution Kitchen, a ministry of St. Mary’s that serves a weekly Music Charles Milling, of the Episcopal Church. hot meal to needy members of the community and will provide music for Delegates will consider a proposed 2011 diocesan also provides meals for parishioners in times of ill- the Eucharist. budget of $3,072,884, an increase of approximately ness, bereavement or other family emergencies. Convention delegates 2.8 percent over this year’s operating budget. Esti- As a thank-you to the diocesan community for its will consider a resolution mated income for 2011 is based upon a proposed as- support of Episcopal Charities’ ministries, ECSEFL proposed by the diocesan sessment rate of 14.7467 percent, an increase of .75 will host a free breakfast, prepared by Mary’s Kitchen Haiti Task Force and the percent from the current rate, 13.9943 percent. volunteers, for convention delegates and guests, at 7 World Mission Commis- Clergy compensation guidelines for 2011 have a.m. on Nov. 13. sion to establish a new also been submitted for convention approval. The annual Clergy Spouses’ Breakfast, hosted by companion relationship Elections will be held for the following positions: Bishop Leo Frade and his wife, Diana, and the Clergy between Southeast Smith Four lay deputies, four lay alternates, four clergy Spouse Planning Committee, will be held from 7:30- Florida and the Diocese deputies and four clergy alternates to General Con- 9 a.m. on Saturday in meeting rooms 1 and 2 in Pit- of Haiti, prompted by re- vention 2012; one clergy and two lay members of the tenger Hall at St. Mary’s. lationships based on “geographic proximity” between Standing Committee; two clergy members and one Lodging for convention will be at the Marriott the two dioceses and the large numbers of Haitian- lay member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court (and an Hutchinson Island Beach Resort in Stuart. For reser- Americans and Haitian immigrants living in our com- additional clergy member and lay member to be vations call 800-775-5936 or go to www.Hutchinson- munities. Another factor prompting this proposal is elected conditionally, pending approval of the revi- islMarriott.com. The deadline for reservations is Oct. the need for long-term commitment to rebuilding and sion of diocesan Canon XVII, which concerns the 22. restoration in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake. make-up of the court); one lay member of the Due to limited parking at St. Mary’s, shuttle trans- If approved by convention, the proposed relation- Trustees of the University of the South; and one portation will be provided from the hotel on both Fri- ship would then need approval from the Diocese of clergy member of the Cathedral Chapter. day and Saturday. Haiti and from the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Nominations (with biographies of the candidates) Organizations and vendors that plan to have an ex- Council of The Episcopal Church. should be submitted to the secretary of convention, hibit at convention should contact Marilyn Hall, Haiti would be the fourth companion diocese for Canon Richard Miller (email: [email protected]) [email protected] or 561-746-8232. Southeast Florida; our diocese currently has compan- by Oct. 28. A nomination form was included in the Convention information and registration are on- ion relationships with the Bahamas and Turks and fall Deanery Convocation information packets re- line at www.diosef.org; click on “registration.” Reser- Caicos; Dominican Republic; and Antananarivo ceived by clergy and delegates, and is also available vations needed for both the convention banquet and (Madagascar). at www.diosef.org under “resources,” “diocesan the free breakfast on Nov. 13 should also be made on Two resolutions have been submitted by the North forms.” the convention registration form. ■ Convention banquet, other fund-raisers, The Net needs your support will benefit McGregors’ ministries As we recognize the compelling need to expand the reach of the Good News into This year’s convention banquet, like the World Mission Commission din- the virtual communities of social media, is a newspaper still useful? With Facebook, ner held on the Saturday evening after convention last year, will be a benefit YouTube, Twitter and a growing world of other media and websites at our disposal, is for the ministries of Bishop Todd and the Rev. Patsy McGregor in Toliara, in there a reason to continue “killing trees” for our companion Diocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar. a publication on paper? Fr. Marty Zlatic, chair of the diocesan World Mission Commission, rector You obviously think so, because your Get The Net of St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach — and a chef who learned his Italian cuisine generous support for The Net for the past If you’re not receiving The Net in Rome—will oversee the menu and the food preparation for the banquet, eleven years makes me confident that you at home, or if you’d like to make which will be held following the Eucharist on Friday evening, Nov. 12. share my belief in the importance of using sure that a friend or neighbor re- The cost is $30; banquet tickets are available at the convention registration every tool available to communicate with ceives the paper, it’s easy to sub- page on the diocesan website, www.diosef.org, through Oct. 22, and after that each other, and to share the message of the scribe. Go to www.diosef.org, only by email from St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach: [email protected]. transforming love of Jesus Christ with all click on “News and events,” “The Table centerpieces of orchids and Malagasy crafts are being created for the people. Net,” and you’ll find a link to the banquet and offered for a donation of $100. The donor, as well as the donor’s A diocesan newspaper in the homes of subscription form. parish, will be recognized with a thank-you card on the table. The centerpiece the people of our diocese can flesh out—in- is the donor’s to take home; and because St. Andrew’s School is providing all carnate—the stories behind headlines on- materials for the centerpieces, as well as making them, 100 percent of the do- line or the 140 characters of a Twitter post, and can introduce to the whole diocesan nations will go to the McGregors. family some ministries, ideas and disciples that have much to offer to all of us. People Reaching People, the McGregors’ mission support organization, is So I am once again asking for your financial support to make sure that The Net re- also offering several other creative opportunities to donate. mains a part of the vibrant mix of Communications Ministry in our diocese. A matching gift challenge will match all donations received by Nov. 1 up An envelope for your donation in support of The Net should be enclosed with this to a total of $10,000; for a $50 gift a name and/or message will be engraved issue. If you do not have an envelope and would like to make a donation, go to on granite at the Bishop’s Gathering Place in Toliara; and there is an online www.diosef.org, click on “donations” and scroll down to The Net, or make your auction through Dec. 1 at www.biddingforgood.com/mcgregorministry. check payable to “Diocese of Southeast Florida,” marked for The Net, and mail to: Checks for the centerpieces, the matching gift or the engraving should be Diocese of Southeast Florida, 525 NE 15 Street, Miami, FL 33132. made payable to “Diocese of Southeast Florida,” marked with the appropriate — Mary W. Cox, editor memo designation and mailed to: Will Harman, 1134 Island Dr., Delray Beach, FL 33483.■ News www.diosef.org THE 3 NET The Net, October 2010

New grant-making COALITION from Page 1 Frade in a panel presentation on Sept. 17 for the ternative to what they’ve grown up with,” he said, program planned to House of Bishops, also meeting in Phoenix. (See box adding that few were really aware of the Episcopal below.) Church. strengthen leaders, “Our vision is to bring together Latino people in “At a grass roots level, it’s a matter of getting the Episcopal Church,” said the Rev. Floyd Naters people in the door. Then they’ll see what we’re support innovation “Butch” Gamarra, assisting priest at St. Mary’s about. We just have to get the word out.” ■ Church in Los Angeles and a CEL board member. Adapted from an article by The Rev. Pat Mc- That vision includes reconciliation, unity, advo- Caughan, national correspondent for the Episcopal cacy and evangelism, as well as serving as “cata- By Mary W. Cox, editor News Service. lysts for change” with issues of concern to Cuban guest Bishop Leo Frade has proposed a new dioce- Latinos, including im- san program of $1 million in grants over the next migration, leadership four years to congregations and ministries to development and eq- strengthen clergy and lay leadership and encour- uity involving clergy age innovative approaches to mission. deployment, benefits The proposed Bishop’s Ministry Grants would and salaries, he said. be part of a consolidated long-term diocesan strat- A priority is to cre- egy for “Growing Healthier Ministries.” ate local chapters and Key elements of this strategy are already in to send representatives place: Grants and assessment reductions awarded to Nuevo Amanecer, by the Parish Finance and Assessment Commis- the Nov. 14-17 bien- sion; Human Needs grants and outreach ministry nial event designed to grants from Episcopal Charities; and the re- help start and to sources and training already provided to nearly strengthen Latino min- half of diocesan congregations through the Ne- istries, co-sponsored hemiah Process. by the Rev. Anthony New elements proposed are an increase in the Guillén, Episcopal level of grants and loans to congregations from Church missioner for the Property and Loan Committee, and the Latino/Hispanic Min- Bishop’s Ministry Grants Program. Photo by Braulio Peruyero istry. Cutié is also During the summer diocesan senior staff and a scheduled to be a Steering Committee appointed by the bishop con- The CEL gathering provided an opportunity for Latino clergy from Southeast speaker at that gather- Florida to meet the new bishop of Cuba, the Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio vened at his request to develop a working draft ing. (second from left). With her are, left to right, Fr. Alberto Cutie, Canon Alejandro Her- for a new grants program, funded from the pro- Guillén called the nandez, Fr. Rafael Garcia and Fr. Mario Milian. ceeds of the sale of the church property at Scottsdale gathering Guardian Angels, Lantana. “a very positive one. A summary draft outline of the plan was pre- There is some sort of ethnic gathering for all of the sented to clergy and lay leaders at the Nehemiah other groups and there has been relatively little for Retreat in September and to the diocesan Execu- An introduction to Coalición de Latinos,” he said. “We hunger to have opportunities tive Board at its Sept. 28 meeting for review and Episcopales Latinos (CEL) to get together to learn from each other, to celebrate input. Other groups are also being given an op- our gifts and to be a united voice.” portunity to offer their suggestions. Statement by Manny Mesa at a panel dis- He described CEL and his office as “two differ- One part of the plan has already been imple- cussion on Latino/Hispanic ministry, House of ent components of the same ministry, which strives mented: Frade’s call for a tithe — $100,000—to Bishops, Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 17, 2010. to incorporate fully Latinos into the life and leader- be set aside for specific grants to Episcopal Chari- ship of the Episcopal Church.” ties and the Duncan Center, and an amount to be The Hispanic/Latino Ministry is starting to While Guillén’s role includes strengthening ex- divided among our companion dioceses. flourish in our church. It has been a long and isting Latino Episcopal ministries and evangelizing Current plans are for three types of ministry difficult journey. Now we are looking forward and embracing new members, CEL is uniquely posi- grants: to the day that our efforts will yield an abun- tioned to challenge the church. ■ Leadership Development Grants, which dant crop. Our Bishop Leo Frade said that “we “I see their role as one of networking, of being a would provide for training for clergy and lay need an organization that is efficient and inde- voice for issues that relate to Latinos/Hispanics that leaders in such areas as language proficiency, pendent that represents all Hispanic/Latino the office may not be able to speak to or should not preaching, grant writing, music enrichment, stew- people of the church, that allows us to double speak to,” he said. ardship innovations, new member ministry, com- our effort and reassess the evangelization mis- The group also hosted bishops of the Episcopal munications technologies, marketing and sion and the struggle for the rights of our Latin Church and their spouses and partners at a festive evangelism; American brothers and sisters”. buffet-style dinner, where they were entertained by a ■ Seminarian and Ministry Placement Grants, Hence, CEL is an organization that strives mariachi band that provides music for the Spanish which would provide matching funds for a con- to provide a united voice for the interests of the language service at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. gregation to assist with support for the salary and Hispanic/Latino people and the Hispanic min- Frade called the gathering “a moment of matu- benefits of a seminarian or other ministry profes- istry in our church. It is an organization that rity” for Latino Episcopalians that can only facilitate sional; advocates with a united voice for the issues re- “a more effective way of carrying our message to ■ lated to the Hispanic people; that promotes and and Deanery Cluster Grants, which would Latinos, both within and those still outside the Epis- develops leadership of Hispanics/Latinos support creative ministry initiatives involving copal Church.” within the Episcopal Church; that reviews and multi-congregational, regional or diocesan partici- Frade, who preached Sept. 19 at Trinity Cathe- advocates for the necessities of the pation. dral’s Spanish language service, said CEL would Hispanic/Latino clergy, including salaries, po- After receiving a draft of the Bishop’s Min- help to usher in “new culture, enthusiasm and a sitions of leadership, continuing education and istry Grants program from the Steering Commit- change in the DNA of the Episcopal Church.” benefits. We pledge that we will work together tee in mid-October, Frade will review and revise, Cutié, whose congregation grew in months from with the Misionero Oficial del Ministerio and will present the entire strategy to the Dioce- about 28 members to 250, agreed. ■ ■ san Convention. CEL can “bring a greater awareness to a richly Latino/Hispano of the Episcopal Church. diverse Latino community, that the Episcopal Church is here for them as a spiritual home and al- 4 The Net, October 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org

Services in Portuguese Prayers of the Heart begin at St. Nicholas

On Oct. 17, after a year of preparation, Latin Portuguese Ministry of Southeast Florida began a regular schedule of worship in Portuguese at St. Nicholas, Pompano Beach. The fledgling Luso- phone (Portuguese-speaking) congregation is be- lieved to be the first Episcopal Portuguese language ministry in this country. “From the time I came to this diocese, I have felt the need to respond to God’s call to serve the large Brazilian population in our midst,” said Bishop Leo Frade. “The reality is that the largest Brazilian population in the U.S. resides in our diocese—in fact, the three towns in the United States with the largest populations of Brazilians are in the Pompano Beach area of Broward County.” Frade had been bishop of Southeast Florida for Photo by Mary W. Cox less than a Fr. James Reho introduces participants in the Recovery Workshop to a healing meditation technique. year when he called for the offering at the “First Recovery workshop offers Step” dioce- san visioning conference in resources for healing April 2001 to By Mary W. Cox, editor the traditions of desert spirituality. be dedicated Like the desert “abbas” and “ammas” of the to the devel- “Give thanks to the Lord” was the theme of Re- early Church, he said, we can be healed of shame opment of covery Ministries’ 12-step workshop, held at Trinity by finding God in “a place we can visit inside our- ministry with Cathedral, Miami, on Sept. 11. selves.” Brazilians in The day was full of thanksgiving for healing, Guilt, he said, is about what we’ve done—or not our area. along with tools for continuing the life and work of done; but shame, which is characteristic of the dis- But it was recovery—but there was one regret: Few people ease of addiction, is about “our very sense of our- not until last Jose and Glenda Sanchez came to take advantage of the resources offered. selves.” The healing of shame, he said, is key to summer that Fr. Roger Tobin, retired rector of St. Thomas, sobriety. this ministry Coral Gables, looked at the small gathering as he “Shame isn’t something that gets fixed, but it’s began to take shape, when Frade welcomed to the began his presentation on relapse prevention and something that can be healed and transformed.” diocese Fr. Jose de Jesus Sanchez and his wife, noted that, “There are probably more than 14 peo- Reho led the group in the meditation exercise. Glenda. A former Roman Catholic priest from ple in our diocese who are addicted—there are The preacher for the 12-Step Eucharist that Mexico, Sanchez did missionary work in Brazil probably more than 14 clergy…” ended the day was Fr. Stuart Hoke, who teaches a and is fluent in Portuguese. Sanchez is currently Tobin, who is now working as a pastoral coun- course on addiction at General Theological Semi- in the process to be received as an Episcopal selor in private practice, specializing in addiction nary and has spoken at the diocesan Recovery priest; while he is completing this process he is li- and recovery, told his own story of alcoholism, re- Workshop for the past two years. He served as in- censed to preach and perform all the functions of lapse and recovery. He said he determined to stop terim at St. Thomas while Tobin was in treatment. a lay pastor. drinking in 2002, but it was not until the end of “Denial is the number one symptom of the dis- For the past year the Sanchezes, who became April 2008, after an intervention by family and ease,” he said, adding that denial can be broken U.S. citizens last month, have been getting to friends, that he announced in a candid and public through confrontation and education. know the Portuguese-speaking community in letter to his congregation that he was an alcoholic “People are clamoring to be made whole…our Southeast Florida, visiting with families and par- and would be taking a leave of absence for treat- job is to go out and tell our stories.” ticipating in Brazilian community events. ment of his illness. Even after his return to a warm Retired Bishop Calvin O. Schofield, Jr., who Now, with the support and assistance of Fr. welcome from his parish, he still had one more re- was celebrant for the Eucharist, told the group, Tim Thomas, rector of St. Nicholas, and his con- lapse in December of that year. “Today was a real revelation for me…very helpful.” gregation, Portuguese-language ministry in the “I go to a lot of meetings,” he said. We need to “keep throwing it in front of people diocese is formally launched. Sunday Eucharists Tobin described relapse with the metaphor of that this is a disease and that there is help avail- in Portuguese are at 1 and 7 p.m., with weekday cooking a frog: Put the frog in cold water and grad- able,” Schofield said. services Tuesday through Friday at 7 p.m. There ually heat it—”The frog doesn’t know it’s cooking Wendy Barraco, chair of Recovery Ministries for is also a Saturday 7 p.m. service in Spanish. till it’s dead.” the diocese, reminded the group that congregations “Jose and Glenda are wonderful people who “If you’re not moving toward recovery, you’re can be members of Recovery Ministries of the Epis- have made connections with Brazilian groups moving toward relapse,” he said. copal Church; the rate for a parish membership is throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties,” The best way to prevent relapse, he said, is to $100 per year. Thomas said. “Our vestry and congregation are stay in community: “It’s important to stay in the She said that the diocesan committee is planning thrilled to have them with us to lead this exciting center of the herd.” another workshop for Jan. 8 at a location in the new ministry.” He urged the group to “be evangelical” about re- ■ For more information—in English or Por- northern part of the diocese. covery. tuguese—about Latin Portuguese Ministry of In the second presentation of the day, Fr. James Southeast Florida, go to www.latinportuguesemi- For more information on addiction and recovery, Reho, assistant at Trinity Cathedral, offered a medi- go to www.episcopalrecovery.org/ or contact Wendy nistry.org. ■ tation technique, “Prayers of the Heart,” based on Barraco, [email protected]. News www.diosef.org THE 5 NET The Net, October 2010 Church as a verb... McNeal challenges clergy to be ‘missional’

By Mary W. Cox, editor Revolutionary message the disenfranchised, the anti-religious-establishment people.” The Rev. Dr. Reggie McNeal is very funny. He’s He told of a church whose members were chal- also a revolutionary, working to bring about the end lenged to ask people they encountered during the of Church As We Know It. week, “How may I ask God to bless you?” God “Church is not a what, it’s a who.” “showed up and showed off” in extraordinary ways “Christianity is a movement, not an institution.” through these encounters, he said. “Missional followers of Jesus begin to understand One problem, McNeal said, is that all of our ‘church’ as a verb.” measurements for church growth and church “suc- “God has taken to the streets, and he’s not even cess” are based on what’s happening in church, with waiting for the church to go with him—he’s going metrics like worship attendance and number of wild out there!” pledges. As the church moves from an internal to an “I’m not here to help you do church better,” the external focus, it needs new ways to measure what’s pastor, author and consultant told diocesan clergy at working. Start reporting community service hours by the annual Clergy Conference, Sept. 7-8 at the Dun- members, he suggested, or hours spent by clergy and can Center. “I’m here to help you be church.” members engaging in discussions about community McNeal’s wry humor at the expense of himself, concerns at civic meetings; how many community other clergy and the 20th century mainline church in groups use church facilities, how many meals the general, sparked gales of laughter—and lively dis- church has served to hungry neighbors, or how many cussion. children from a local school use church facilities for His topic was “The Missional Church,” which, he afterschool activities. said, means “not just a new scorecard, but a whole Photo by Mary W. Cox “Celebrate the reallocation of resources,” he ad- new game.” vised. McNeal defines the Missional Church as “The Reggie McNeal warns diocesan clergy to move be- McNeal warned that shifting a congregation to people of God partnering with him in his redemptive yond a “church-centric” focus for ministry — ”God’s missional focus will be met with resistance. He de- mission in the world.” not sitting around waiting for church people to ‘get it.’” voted a large part of his final session with the clergy God is a missionary, he said; God pursues; God is to strategies for dealing with transition and the in- a “show-off.” Our job is not to “think up plans and rate of disaffection in the past 20 years…We want to evitable conflicts that come with change. ask God to bless them,” but to ask how we can par- have church conversations, and the culture wants to “Your church will not vote to go missional,” he ticipate in what God is already doing in the world. have God conversations.” said. “Your strategy is to be a viral agent…create Our prayer as we move through our daily lives, We can no longer be “church-centric,” he told the ways for people to get exposed to the virus.” looking at our neighbors and our communities, clergy; we need to meet people where they already He reassured the clergy, “There is a far greater should be, “God, help me to see what you see.” are: in the workplace, in Wal-Mart or Home Depot, willingness among laypeople to go missional than Becoming missional, he said, requires three shifts Starbucks or Burger King, in schools or at sports you imagine.” of focus: from internal to external; from program- events — and in virtual communities online. He urged them to stay focused on people-devel- driven ministry to people development; and from “We have one job: to be people of blessing,” he opment, rather than program. church-centric leadership to apostolic leadership— said. “Church people” need to know that they can do He left the group with four suggestions: Go ”sent out.” this, that they can “be church” in the routine of daily first—be the change; face your own demons—your Christianity is the fastest-growing faith in the life. fear and your need to control; build a support world, McNeal said; but in places like China and “The language of service eventually leads to con- group—you can’t sustain this kind of change by India, where the Gospel is spreading at rates of per- versation about God,” he said, adding that we don’t yourself; keep the long view, “the kingdom view”— haps 40,000 new Christians a day, they’re not “plant- have to be ashamed to let these conversations hap- ask if people are moving toward God because of ing churches.” It’s “viral”—neighbor-to-neighbor, pen. what you’re doing. house churches, small communities of faith. “Jesus is still very popular…he’s just not associ- “We’re all busy,” McNeal said. “You want to Yet in the West, “we’ve managed to double the ated with the church. He’s associated with the poor, know that what you do matters.” ■ Churches reach out through partnerships with schools

Several congregations are already involved in end meals for children whose weekday nutrition is has let the principal know that the congregation is one kind of missional ministry suggested by Reggie dependent upon free or reduced-price school ready to be on-call for other needs that the students McNeal—a variety of partnerships with local lunches. may have. schools. Volunteers meet on Wednesday afternoons at St. This year the Episcopal Church Women of St. For some time, established after-school pro- Gregory’s to fill backpacks with lightweight, easy- Anne’s, Hallandale, in partnership with the Lions grams like Paul’s Place at St. Paul’s, Delray Beach, to-prepare or ready-to-eat foods such as fruit Club of Aventura, held its third annual back to and My Backyard at St. Margaret’s and San Fran- rollups, juice boxes, peanut butter, mac-and-cheese, school shopping spree for close to 100 children cisco de Asis, Miami Lakes, have been providing instant noodles and cereals. On Fridays the back- from area schools. On Aug. 7 the children, along tutoring, recreation and enrichment — and above packs are delivered to Hammock Point Elementary with 25 members of St. Anne’s, went shopping at all, a safe place to be after school hours—for neigh- School and distributed to children participating in Hallandale Beach Wal-Mart; each child was part- borhood students. the program. On Mondays the children return the nered with parishioners and had a $50 gift card with A new after-school program has just begun at St. backpacks to be filled again for the next weekend. which to purchase clothing, shoes or school sup- Ambrose and El Centro Hispano de Todos los San- St. Mary's, Deerfield Beach, has begun a rela- plies. tos, Ft. Lauderdale. (See story p. 12.) tionship with a nearby elementary school; the Church partnerships with public schools range St. Gregory’s and Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca church collected 36 backpacks and three boxes of from donations of school supplies to classroom vol- Raton, participate in Blessings in a Backpack, a na- school supplies to be distributed to students at the unteering and mentoring. Watch for future stories tionwide program with the goal of ensuring week- beginning of the year, and parishioner Irene Myrie about these ministries. ■ 6 The Net, October 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org

Jungle explorer

Episcopal Charities moves forward with resources, grants, networking

On Aug. 28 an energetic group of volunteers of all ages gathered at Church of the Intercession, Ft. Lauderdale, to help prepare the property for its new Deacon Charles ministry—a partnership with Episcopal Charities of Humphries from Southeast Florida. All Souls,’ Miami With ECSEFL’s executive director, the Rev. Beach, marvels at Donna Dambrot, as priest-in-charge, Intercession the towering ba- has begun to serve not only as the site of its own re- nana plants in vitalized outreach ministry program/community Parkway/Tedder Community Gar- center, but also as an Episcopal Charities congrega- den. At right is An- tional outreach resources center open to all in the thony Armstrong, diocese. one of the Park- The first in a series of workshops will be held at way/Tedder team Intercession on Oct. 23—a training session on wel- leading the garden coming visually impaired people into all services, tour. activities and ministries of a faith community. Future workshops are planned on such topics as Photo by Marise Estime/Pompano Pelican creating a free website for an outreach ministry, grant proposal writing and community gardening. The congregational resource center is also in- tended to provide a space equipped for conducting Workshop provides introduction to online grant research. The first gathering of ECSEFL “Messengers” was held at Intercession on Oct 2. Messengers rep- community gardening resenting 10 of the 30 congregations now involved in the “messenger” program participated in the Representatives of three Episcopal congrega- permaculture—agriculture based on sustainable morning of worship, education and networking. tions—Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, Holy Re- land use. Morning Eucharist at the outdoor altar was fol- deemer, Lake Worth, and All Souls’, Miami The Community Garden is designed to be not lowed by a presentation by the Rev. Vanessa Stone Beach—joined with other church and non-profit only a place where neighbors can grow and share on free technology available to help congregational leaders in a Garden Workshop on Sept. 11 at The their own food, but also a site for hands-on learn- ministries run more efficiently. Episcopal Charities Fruitful Field: Parkway/Tedder Community Gar- ing about growing food in ways that are healthy President and Executive Director Donna Dambrot den in Pompano Beach. for both people and the planet. and Program Director Bonnie Weaver spoke about The workshop was co-sponsored by Episcopal There was fruit for sampling — figs and Barba- the role of the Messenger Network in the diocese. Charities of Southeast Florida and Parkway United dos cherries—and time for the group to share in- Messengers will share information during the Methodist Church. The Parkway/Tedder Commu- formation, ideas and experiences that they can use year by email, secure chat room opportunities and nity Garden was started two years ago as a joint in planning their own community gardens. will meet again in the spring. Contact Bonnie project of Parkway and the Tedder Neighborhood Episcopal Charities plans additional workshops Weaver, [email protected] or 561-308-3742 for Watch “to re-connect people and creation with next year on community gardening. more information on becoming involved in the Mes- each other and with God.” “It is part of our ‘Feeding Our People’ effort,” senger network. The day began with a tour of the garden’s six Bonnie Weaver, grants and resource director for ECSEFL is currently reviewing applications acres; the group walked through individual plots, a ECSEFL, told The Pompano Pelican. “We try to from 35 parish-based outreach programs for funding citrus forest, a food forest, food pantry plots and partner with churches in helping to share informa- for this year’s diocesan Human Needs Grants. Ap- an area planted in South Florida native plants. tion, ideas and best practices that will benefit the plications are being processed in preparation for the Along the way there were explanations of community. We also supply grant funding for ■ meeting of the Matthew 25 Committee, a panel of mulching and microorganisms and the basics of small gardens and other feeding initiatives.” clergy and lay representatives from throughout the diocese who review the applications and make rec- ommendations for funding to the Episcopal Chari- Frade will lead pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey in 2011 ties board. Episcopal Charities also has a limited number of Bishop Leo Frade and his wife, Diana, will will be a four-day cruise that takes the pilgrims $1,000 Small Grants still available. To date, seven lead will lead a pilgrimage to Greece and not only to Ephesus, where they will visit the small grants have been awarded for start-up feeding Turkey, Mar. 13-25, 2011. site traditionally thought to be the house of the programs and community gardens. For more infor- The Holy Land pilgrimage previously sched- Blessed Virgin Mary, and to Patmos, but also to mation on this grant program, visit www.ecsefl.org uled for January of next year has been canceled, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini and Crete, where or contact Bonnie Weaver, Program, Grants and Re- due to low registration. There seems to be they will visit the Minoan palace of Knossos. source Director at [email protected]. greater interest in the March pilgrimage, which The cost of this trip is $4,125 per person, Episcopal Charities has set a goal of helping to will follow in the footsteps of St. Paul and St. double occupancy; this includes a $300 tax-de- create 100 new outreach ministries in the diocese by John, Frade said. ductible donation to Our Little Roses Min- 2015. Since January of this year 21 new ministries The trip will trace St. Paul’s journeys to istries. have been founded or guided through ECSEFL’s Athens, Thessaloniki, Corinth and Ephesus, and The complete itinerary is posted at “Feeding Our People” initiative. will offer a trip to the island of Patmos, where www.diosef.org. For reservations contact Globe “On track!” says Dambrot. ■ St. John wrote the Apocalypse. Part of the trip Travel, 305-823-3939. News www.diosef.org THE 7 NET The Net, October 2010 SE Florida cursillistas help launch Cursillo movement in Jamaica

Ready to celebrate Cursillistas from Southeast Florida joined with their sisters and brothers in Jamaica to lead that country’s first Anglican Cursillo week- ends this summer. Teams for the men’s weekend, July15-18, and the women’s, July 29- Aug.1, included cursillistas from our diocese and our companion dio- cese of Nassau and the Bahamas, as well as from Jamaica, working with Rector Bill Poinsett for the men and Rectora Sandra Becca for the women. Thirteen candidates participated in the men’s weekend. Brenda McGintis from Church of the Ascension, Miami, who assisted with the men’s weekend as well as serving on the team for the women, noted that the men were “more young than old,” In the September issue of the diocesan Cursillo newsletter, Counting on You, she explained that when the Happening movement for teens came to Jamaica from Trinidad, young adults, too, began to attend the weekends, although they are de- signed for adolescents. The young men’s “hunger for being spiritually fed” made them ready and eager for the Cursillo experience, she said. Twenty-three candidates “as diverse and youthful as the men” at- tended the women’s weekend. Deacon Bob Sullivan, diocesan Spiritual Director for Cursillo, served on the team for Jamaica. “The thing that moved me the most was to see brothers and sisters in Christ from different nations, different eth- nicities, different social and economic backgrounds all working together as the body of Christ,” he said. “That is what the church is supposed to look like — all God’s children working together to further the king- dom.” “The whole experience and these weekends were not only a blessing Photo by Vasco Coombs to the candidates, but a blessing to us all as a team,” said diocesan Lay Director Vasco Coombs. At Anglican Women’s Cursillo #1 in Jamaica, Southeast Florida team members With Cursillo established in the Diocese of Jamaica, the next week- (left to right) Claudette Wray, Jean Robinson and Juanita Miller help Head Cha-cha Andrea Chin See (right) from Jamaica put the finishing touches on the dining room ends there are scheduled for February 2011. ■ decorations for dinner. For more information on Cursillo, go to www.sef-cursillo.org.

Fr. Bob Cummings, retired priest and missionary Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation helps elderly Episcopalians The Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation’s financial How to apply for assistance The Rev Dr. Robert Cummings, assist- assistance program continues to provide financial aid to To apply for the Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation ing priest and former associate at St. Mary low-income, elderly Episcopalians from three Florida dio- Financial Assistance Program, contact Ginger Van Valken- Magdalene, Coral Springs, died on Monday, ceses—Southeast, Central and Southwest — who need burgh, Executive Director, Bishop Gray Retirement Foun- Sept. 20. He was 86. help with the high costs of retirement community living dation: “He was a scrappy priest,” said Fr. Mark and medical expenses. Ginger Van Valkenburgh Sims, rector of St. Mary Magdalene. “He’d “During 2009, we helped 23 Episcopalians, living in Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation, Inc., been in some retirement communities, assisted living and senior facili- 319 Raintree Court wild places.” ties in the three dioceses,” said Ginger Van Valkenburgh, Winter Park, FL 32789 Although Obituary the foundation’s executive director. Tel: 407-644-9866 Fax: 267-295-8679 Cummings had The foundation is financially sound, and continues to E-mail: [email protected] served various receive donations from individuals and parishes from the Website: www.bgrfoundation.org congregations in Central Florida, California three dioceses, she said. and Virginia, immediately prior to coming Foundation assistance makes it possible for recipients to Southeast Florida in 1998 he had been a to live at a variety of retirement, assisted-living and senior Presiding Bishop calls for missionary in Honduras. living facilities, including St. Andrew’s Residence in West Season of Prayer for Sudan “I appreciate his work as a missionary Palm Beach, which is owned and operated by the Diocese there during my episcopacy,” said Bishop of Southeast Florida. Calling for a Season of Prayer for Sudan, Presiding Leo Frade. Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a letter in Sep- As part of his ministry in Honduras, To be eligible for the Bishop Gray Retirement Finan- tember that details the importance of Sudan and the Cummings helped with the renovation of cial Assistance Program an individual must: grave risk of violence as the country prepares for a refer- Espiritu Santo in the coastal city of Tela, ■ Be age 62 or older, or 100% disabled; endum on January 9, 2011, that could lead to the seces- sion of the southern part of the country. and had returned there to see the completed ■ Be an Episcopalian in good standing with a history The Presiding Bishop urges three steps — prayer, work at the church in October of 1998. of involvement in the life of an Episcopal church in the study, and action. In a report in The Net in February 1999, Southeast, Southwest, or Central Diocese of Florida; Cummings recalled his near-brush with “I want to challenge us as a Church to pray for the ■ Have assets that total no more than $5,000 for one Hurricane Mitch: people of Sudan, to learn more about the forces driving person, $10,000 for two people; “The day I arrived, it started to rain. the violence, and to advocate for a peaceful referen- ■ Have a referral from a clergy member of the individ- After five days I ran for the airport, just in dum, and whatever the outcome, a peaceful future,” ual’s parish describing the amount of involvement the in- front of the hurricane.” she charged. dividual has had in the parish or diocese; He returned to Honduras in late Novem- A Season of Prayer for Sudan, with comprehensive ■ Have an annual income of no more than $28,000 ber of 1998, bringing money and relief sup- information for use by individuals, churches, groups, ($33,000 for two people). plies collected here. and dioceses, has been prepared to better understand A full description of the guidelines is at Cummings is survived by his wife, Olga, the situation and to engage in the process. This re- http://www.bgrfoundation.org. ■ and two sons, William and Chris. ■ source can be downloaded at http://www.episco- palchurch.org/sudan. 8 The Net, October 2010 www.diosef.org THE Parishes in Progress 9 NET www.diosef.org The Net, October 2010

Three...Two...One...GREEN! Guest organist? For God’s Glory

As Fr. David Wilt, rector of Holy Trinity, West Palm Beach, preaches on Oct. 3, the Sunday when the parish welcomed pets for the Blessing of the Animals, an un- likely guest organ- ist has taken his position on the organ bench, Photo by is Bervin Libert awaiting his cue Members of the new youth band at Holy Family, Miami for the next hymn. Gardens, have chosen the name, Sole Deo Gloria, “For the glory of God alone.” The young musicians, under the leadership of Holy Family’s music director Ashworth Matthews, perform contemporary Photo by Sarah Lidinsky Gospel music. They made their debut at the parish’s 10 a.m. service on Aug. 29, and will be part of worship on a regular basis once a Celebrating diversity month. Cleaning the coastline

At the Aug. 29 “ground-shaking” for a new Youth Center and Vestry member Susan Gymnasium at St. Mark’s School, Price and a young friend, Palm Beach Gardens, students James Freeman, share an Jacob Eassa (2nd grade) and all-American style on Inter- Emma Powers (7th grade), Kay national Sunday at St. Carnes, head of school and Palm Faith’s, Cutler Bay. The day Beach Gardens City Councilman was a celebration of the Eric Jablin stand at-the-ready with many cultures represented their “detonators,” as the St. Mark’s in the congregation. Music rector, Fr. James B. Cook, and re- for the service was sung in tired Bishop Calvin O. Schofield Jr. Spanish, English, Latin and give the firing command. An explo- Swahili, with Caribbean sion of green confetti, signifying drum accompaniment. LEED-certified “green” construc- Many parishioners wore tion, showers the dignitaries and the traditional clothing of the more than 400 students and their native, or ancestral, parents assembled for the event. countries; and after the service everyone shared Photo by Jo-Ann Murphy an international feast. Daniel Ledo and Alexandra Junko from St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove (Miami) fill garbage bags at Matheson Hammock Beach Park and Marina in Photos by Donn Colee Photo by Benjamine Reid Coral Gables. St. Stephen’s youth joined with community and school groups as part of the 25th International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 25.

■ At the Blessing of the Animals service on Oct.3 the Pittenger Center on the night of Oct. 28, dressed in tion, lodging and meals. To download a brochure with architecture. A guided group tour will be available for 8:30. For additional information call the church office, grew up at St. Stephen’s. at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach, names of pets their Halloween costumes, for a party and treats complete information, go to www.stmarksepiscopal those choosing to travel by trolley to view a select 305-238-2161. ■ Children and adults at St. Paul’s, Key West, col- that had died during the past year were read aloud, handed out from the decorated trunks of parishioners’ .net and click on “Holy Land Pilgrimage 2011.” group of historic houses of worship and exceptional ■ St. Christopher’s, Key Biscayne, celebrated lected dozens of notebooks, sets of pencils, crayons, giving parishioners the opportunity to remember and cars. ■ St. John’s, Hollywood, celebrated its 100th an- art glass windows in downtown Miami. For more in- Episcopal Schools Sunday on Oct. 3 with an ice-cream markers, rulers and other school supplies, which they give thanks for the animals that had been part of their ■ In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness niversary as a congregation on Sept. 26. The guest formation call Roberta Shevin, 305-755-6096 ext. 16. social following the 10 a.m. family service. donated at the beginning of the school year to “Kids lives. Month, Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines, has preacher was the Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, ■ On Sept. 10 Canon Richard L.M. Barry and the ■ From Oct. 3-17 St. Thomas, Coral Gables, in- Come First,” a program that works year-round with ■ In its continuing support of the Millennium De- hosted a series of Saturday evening seminars through- known for her books and her website, The Geranium vestry of Historic St. Agnes, Miami, hosted a dinner vited families to save their spare change to pay their children in need in throughout the Florida Keys. velopment Goals, Good Shepherd, Tequesta, is fo- out October to raise awareness within the church and Farm (www.geraniumfarm.org), which offers an array for the vestries of St. Kevin’s, Opa-locka, and Trans- children for doing simple household chores. The chil- ■ Deacon Sarah Fowler is now “The Deacon of cusing this year on Goal #2: Achieving Universal wider community of this issue. Topics have included of resources for study and contemplation. figuration, Miami Gardens, to promote the shared dren were then asked to donate the coins they earned Key West.” As of Oct. 1 her assignment is a ministry Primary Education. The parish supports two students teen dating and violence, and support and advocacy ■ On Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m., at Trinity Cathe- ministries among the three North Dade congregations. to help purchase needed items for the preschool at with both Key West congregations: She will be dea- in a school in Guatemala, and is partnering with the services available to victims. The final event of the se- dral, Miami, art historian Ann Rose will discuss ■ On Nov. 17, St. Andrew’s, Palmetto Bay, will neighboring Holy Comforter, Miami. con at St. Peter’s, serving at the altar there three South Florida Haiti Project in support of Ste. Marie ries is an ecumenical service of “prayer, healing and stained glass as “Windows to the Sacred,” and then offer the second of two free lectures on topics of ur- ■ St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove (Miami), cele- Sundays a month, as well as working with develop- Madeleine School in Bondeau, Haiti. Students in Good Eucharist” on Oct. 30 at 7:30 pm. lead a tour of the Trinity Cathedral’s windows. This gent interest to parents, grandparents and foster par- brated its 100th birthday the weekend of Oct. 16-17. ing ministries in that congregation. On the first Sun- Shepherd’s school will be establishing pen-pal rela- ■ Fr. Bob Trache, rector of St. Mark the Evangel- event, which is part of Interfaith Weekend in Miami, is ents of students in middle/high school and college. The festivities began with a Garden Party, with day of each month she will be at St. Paul’s, where tionships with students in Haiti and Guatemala. ist, Ft. Lauderdale, and his wife, Liza Ragsdale, will free and open to the public. Following her talk, people The first lecture, on Oct. 13, dealt with youth suicide cocktails, dinner and dancing, on Saturday, Oct. 16, her title is “associate clergy for pastoral care;” she ■ St. Mary’s, Stuart, is celebrating Halloween lead a 16-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, June 16- are encouraged to visit Miami’s historic and contem- risk; the Nov. 17 presentation is about cyber-bullying and on Sunday, Oct. 17, the guest celebrant and will co-chair the oversight of pastoral care in the with “Trunk of Treat,” inviting children of the parish 27, 2011. The cost per person (double occupancy) is porary churches, synagogues and mosques and dis- and victimization. The evening begins with refresh- preacher for the 10:30 a.m. festival Eucharist was congregation and assist with the development of lay and the community to come to the back parking lot of $4,561, and includes airfare, taxes, ground transporta- cover the treasures of stained glass art and inspiring ments at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture from 7- Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves of El Camino Real, who pastoral ministries. 10 The Net, October 2010 THE From Our Bishop NET www.diosef.org What are WE doing for Jesus and his Church? For many years I have asked myself a simple question every night before going to sleep: What have I done for Jesus this day? I must confess that more than once I have been unable to come up with a positive answer, and when that happens I am encour- aged to try harder the next day. I have a friend who asks me every time he sees me, “What are you doing this day to preserve, protect and perpetuate the Episcopal Church?” Being the bishop of this diocese, I should have a positive answer for him every time he asks; but unfor- tunately there are days when I have to say that I have very little to show for my efforts. I hope that you are not going to go after me for dereliction of duty, because this doesn’t mean that I am not working hard serving our Lord and his Church. I do work very hard, as I think all of my brother and sister bishops do, but there are times when each of us feels that our personal efforts are not accomplishing enough, that the rewards for our efforts don’t show the results that we want. But recently it dawned on me that I have been “Almost every Sunday I visit different churches to confirm, receive and reaffirm the baptismal using the wrong pronoun in asking those questions. vows of hundreds of men and women, young and old, who have made their decision to serve the Lord Instead of asking, “What have I done for Jesus this day?” I should be asking, “What have we done for in our church. I am always curious to know the reason why… In most cases they tell me that they are Jesus this day?” Instead of asking, “What have I done there as a direct result of an invitation from a friend…” this day to preserve, protect and perpetuate the Epis- copal Church?” I should be asking myself, “What Florida—and their bishop — work day in and day out “no” to us. Think about a friend who is not part of a have we done to preserve, protect and perpertuate the to “make known to all people the transforming power community of faith, or anyone you encounter in your work of the Episcopal Church?” of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, including all, daily life who could be in need of God’s blessings— Like Elijah on Mount Horeb (I Kings 19:1-18), I excluding none.” wouldn’t you want to share the best things you know, have realized that I am not the only faithful one left, Almost every Sunday I visit different churches to the transforming love of Jesus Christ and the joy of not the only one doing the Lord’s work. God reminded confirm, receive and reaffirm the baptismal vows of God’s people together, with these friends and neigh- Elijah that there were 7,000 faithful people who had hundreds of men and women, young and old, who bors? never bowed their head to Baal. And God has re- have made their decision to serve the Lord in our If you have been praying to God for a blessing for minded me that I am in the company of over 35,000 church. I am always curious to know the reason why you, it is now time to make a change. Let’s not ask faithful in our diocese who are called to share the they are joining our church. In most cases they tell me what God can do for us; instead, let’s start asking our- Lord’s work with me. that they are there as a direct result of an invitation selves what we can do for God. In the back of the Book of Common Prayer is a from a friend to visit our church, followed by the pas- I invite you to join me each day in answering those section called “An Outline of the Faith,” or the Cate- toral ministry of the clergy and people of the parish. two challenging questions: What have we done for chism. There we read that, “The ministers of the I challenge each of you reading this — are you one Jesus today and also what have we done to preserve, church are lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons.” of those who has invited a friend to visit our church? protect and perpetuate our church? The Catechism also tells us that, “The Church carries Have you cared enough to share with others the out its mission through all of its members.” beauty of our church? That’s “ALL of its members”—not just the bishop I have always said that it is long past time for us to operating as the Lone Ranger! realize that sharing the Good News by telepathy sim- I am happy to tell you that we have faithful priests ply doesn’t work. We actually have to use words — and deacons, who together with the laity of Southeast and be willing to take a chance that someone will say +Leo Frade

Official publication of the olution digital files or clear prints of film photographs, Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida Letters to the Editor preferably on glossy paper. Photographs sized for a web- The Net welcomes letters to the editor. All letters site are generally too small for print. Do not send hard must include the name, address, phone number, and if prints made from digital photographs. The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, Bishop available, email address, of the writer. Parish affiliation is All material – letters, articles or photos – should be also requested, when applicable. submitted electronically to: [email protected], or by The Rt. Rev. Calvin O. Schofield, Jr. The Net reserves the right to refuse publication, and mail to: Mary W. Cox, Diocese of Southeast Florida, 525 S.T.D., Retired Bishop to edit letters for length, spelling and grammar. NE 15 St., Miami, FL 33132-1411. Net Deadline The Rt. Rev. John L. Said News & Information The next Net deadline is Nov. 10. If you have an an- Retired Bishop Suffragan The Net invites news of parish ministries and activi- nouncement or calendar item for events in late Decem- ties, as well as commentary on church-related issues and ber, January or February please have the information to Kathryn Blanton events. Whenever possible, all material should be submit- The Net by Nov. 10. E-mail to EpiscoRat@ aol.com or Convener of Communications Ministry ted electronically or on a disk or CD. Documents sent as mail to Mary W. Cox, DoSEF, 525 NE 15th St., Miami, attachments or on disk should be in Word, or in a format FL 33132-1411. Mary W. Cox that can be opened in Word. Printed material should be Editor an original document or a clean photocopy that can be THE NET (USPS 787-340) is published bi-monthly, scanned — no faxes. six times a year, in February, April, June, August, Octo- Catherine Kohn/PSPress Please include with all material the name, address, ber and December by the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Layout Editor phone number and if available, email address, of the con- Subscription, $5 annually. Periodicals postage paid at tributor. Parish affiliation is also requested, when applica- Miami, Fla., and additional offices. John T. Cox ble. The Net reserves the right to refuse publication and POSTMASTER: Address changes to The Net, Proofreader to edit all contributions. Photographs should be high-res- 525 N.E. 15th Street, Miami, FL 33132-1411. Points of View www.diosef.org THE 11 NET The Net, October 2010 Strength in community “can accomplish great things” By Arlene Holt Baker these moments when our spirits are weakened by the it’s the first countywide ordinance of its kind. It overwhelming scale of pain and suffering and hard- gives fair recourse to our most vulnerable workers Excerpted from a Labor Day sermon given Sept. 5 ship…it’s during these times that we must remember when they are shorted pay — or denied pay — for at St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de Asis, Miami the greatest commandment: We must love Him and work they’ve done… Lakes, as part of the Interfaith Worker Justice “Labor one another. This ordinance, which goes into effect in about a in the Pulpit” program. We then remember that we are not alone, that we week, is a real victory for hard-working people. It’s a share in a divine beauty and love that’s larger than nuts-and-bolts testament to the power of the faith Labor Day is a time when we celebrate and honor any of us, that brightens us and betters us. And that community in the fight for justice… the worker for his labor. Yet this Labor Day too many together, working with the spirit of love, we can ac- Working together, guided by our faith, we have of our workers are without work, though they wish to complish great things, we can fulfill our responsibili- been blessed to help ease some of the pain of those labor in the vineyards. It is a season of ties to protect ourselves and our communities; that we suffering among us. We have helped some of our economic hardship for millions. can provide for ourselves safe and adequate infra- poorest, most frightened and victimized brothers and This is a time when we must work, structures for our health, our commerce and our edu- sisters… fight and pray for mercy and justice cation; that we can protect our families from risks Our nation is great enough, we’re talented enough, for those who suffer. As people of that cannot be endured alone; and that together we smart enough, and good enough, that we don’t need faith, we are called by our Lord and will share the heaviest burdens. to prosper by trampling each other…. Savior Jesus Christ to do just that. As We can be frightened, but we step forward to find We can conduct ourselves and our businesses hon- He has told us in the scriptures, our Holt Baker love, respect and community. estly and openly, and together we can thrive — and Christian mission is to protect the weak, Strength in community — that’s a powerful belief. do good with each other. And in helping each other, the poor, the sick, the elderly and the young. And it reinforces a familiar African proverb — that it we cleanse ourselves, we free ourselves and ease our Is the mission tough? Yes, it is tough. Do we get takes a village. It’s true, I believe, in the raising of own suffering. And we open ourselves more fully to weary? Yes, we get weary. children, but the village itself sometimes needs atten- God's love… We can feel at times it is easier to turn our backs tion… We are here for a reason. Love does guide us in to others who may be hungry, who may suffer injus- Here in southern Florida, your broad faith com- the labor movement, just as it guides us in our faith. tice, especially if we are concerned about the welfare munity has achieved great things. Earlier this year, As we go forward from this Labor Day weekend, of our own households. South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice led a coalition let’s keep these fundamental truths in our heart. ■ We may justify our actions by blaming those who that won a new ordinance to protect low-wage work- suffer. In our great country with its vast resources ers. Arlene Holt Baker is executive vice-president of and great masses of people, it’s easy to do. But it is at It’s called the Wage Theft Ordinance, and I'm told AFL-CIO. “Our gracious welcome of immigrants…is a reflection of God’s grace” A Pastoral Letter from the So our gracious welcome of immigrants, documented (5) We recognize that racism and bigotry impact House of Bishops or undocumented, is a reflection of God’s grace poured debates over migration and immigration. The Episco- out on us and on all. In this light: pal Church is committed to the eradication of all forms (1) Ours is a migratory world in which many people of racism, and decries the use of racial profiling in the Phoenix, Arizona, September 21, 2010 move across borders to escape poverty, hunger, injus- arrest of persons suspected of being undocumented. tice and violence. We categorically reject efforts to (6) We confess our own complicit sinfulness as peo- There shall be for you and the resident alien a sin- criminalize undocumented migrants and immigrants, ple who benefit from the labor of undocumented work- gle statute, a perpetual statute throughout your gen- and deplore the separation of families and the unneces- ers without recognizing our responsibility to them. We erations; you and the alien shall be alike before the sary incarceration of undocumented workers. Since, as passively tolerate an economic and political system that Lord. You and the alien who resides with you shall we are convinced, it is natural to seek gainful employ- accepts this labor from millions of undocumented work- have the same law and the same ordinance (Numbers ment to sustain oneself and one’s family, we cannot ers, and which has received approximately $520 billion 15:15-16). agree that the efforts of undocumented workers to feed in social security revenue from them — revenue from So [Christ] came and proclaimed peace to you and shelter their households through honest labor are which they will never benefit. Yet at the same time we who were far off and peace to those who were near; criminal. treat them as a threat. for through him both of us have access in one Spirit (2) We profess that inhumane policies directed (7) We do not discount the concerns of our fellow to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers against undocumented persons (raids, separation of citizens regarding the danger uncontrolled immigration and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and families, denial of health services) are intolerable on re- poses to our safety and economic well-being. We insist, also members of the household of God (Ephesians ligious and humanitarian grounds, as is attested by the however, that these concerns be approached within the 2:17-19). consensus of a wide range of religious bodies on this broader context of a national commitment and covenant matter. to inclusion and fellowship across all lines for the sake Throughout our meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, we (3) We call on the government of the United States of the common good. have reflected on the immigration crisis facing our host and all governments to create fair and humane immi- (8) We take seriously our commitment to and re- state, the United States, and all nations globally. A num- gration policies that honor the dignity of people on all sponsibility for our fellow citizens, as we strive to face ber of us visited the United States-Mexico border and sides of this issue. In the United States, we seek a rea- the spiritual, moral and economic challenges of life in saw first hand the many troubling and complex issues sonable path to citizenship for undocumented workers; all sixteen nations represented in The Episcopal Church. that face migrants, immigrants, the border patrol, local a plan to reunite families; and a viable system for re- We call on our fellow citizens to remember that the ranchers, and Christian communities seeking to minis- ceiving temporary or seasonal guest-workers, with good of a nation lies beyond its own self-interest, toward ter to all of these groups. We are also mindful that simi- clearly identified points of entry. These measures would a vision of a humanity restored in Jesus Christ, for in lar border issues confront other nations represented in free the United States border patrol to concentrate its him “you who once were far off have been brought near The Episcopal Church, especially countries in Europe, efforts on the apprehension of drug traffickers, terror- by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and Colombia and ists, and other criminals, and not on ordinary people (9) We offer for additional study a theological re- Ecuador. who are simply seeking a better life for themselves and source, “The Nation and the Common Good: Reflec- Holy Scripture teaches us that all human beings are their children. tions on Immigration Reform.” made in the image of God, and that Jesus Christ gave (4) We acknowledge the duty of governments to ■ his life for all people. Furthermore, both the Old and God’s grace be with us all. protect their people, including the securing of borders. New Testaments declare the importance of hospitality The bishops’ theological resource, “The Nation The church has always respected this duty, which is to resident alien and strangers, a hospitality that rests on and the Common Good: Reflections on Immigration grounded in government’s God-given duty to protect our common humanity. All human beings are therefore Reform,” can be found online at www.episco- innocent people and punish wrongdoers (Romans 13:1- deserving of dignity and respect, as we affirm in our palchurch.org/documents/HOB_theological_re- 7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer, p.305). source_on_immigration.pdf. 12 The Net, June 2010 THE Our Diocese NET www.diosef.org Creative collaboration: Regional ministries share vision, resources In a time of diminished financial resources, congregations Welcoming families around the diocese are discovering that there was a reason Jesus sent the apostles out two by two: We’re not meant to go it alone. Two regional ministries, one in Ft. Lauderdale and one in Boca Raton, are exploring the rewards—and challenges — of sharing resources in collaboration for mission. Graduates

Photo by Nancy McKirchy The Rev. Debra Self (rear) watches as families whose children were recently bap- tized at Chapel of St. Andrew and St. Gregory’s visit with each other before the Chapel’s Family Sunday service. REMBR Neighboring churches become partners Photo by Lee Arnette By Mary W. Cox, editor gether for six years—he was my men- Graduates of El Centro’s summer reading camp not only improved their read- ing skills by as much as one grade level, but also created their own “caps and tor…He really believes in collaboration.” gowns” for the commencement ceremony. St. Gregory’s and the Chapel of St. Self continues to meet regularly with Andrew are less than four miles apart, the staff of St. Gregory’s. yet each has been “basically pursuing St. Gregory’s and the Chapel also St. Ambrose and El Centro the mission of Christ independently.” share the ministry of transitional Deacon That’s how Fr. Andrew Sherman, Mark Andrew Jones, who is primarily An “arranged marriage” that’s working rector of St. Gregory’s, describes the sit- based at the Chapel but also preaches uation before the formation of REMBR, about once a month at St. Gregory’s. By Mary W. Cox, editor accepted the call to be priest-in-charge Regional Episcopal Ministry of Boca The two congregations already have of St. Ambrose, a congregation strug- Raton, this summer. combined healing teams and are sharing The Rev. Rosa Lindahl Mallow, gling to remain financially viable, and “That model simply doesn’t work a confirmation class, an EFM group and priest-in-charge of St. Ambrose and El the ministries of El Centro found a new anymore…successful ministries are all a weekday Bible study. When the Centro Hispano de Todos los Santos, Ft. home. collaborative,” said Sherman, explaining Chapel had a Sunday celebration honor- Lauderdale, describes the new partner- St. Ambrose’s parishioners “didn’t why the two congregations decided to ing the families of children baptized dur- ship of the two congregations as “an have much choice,” Lindahl Mallow join forces for ministry that is “collabo- ing the year, baptismal families from St. arranged marriage.” said. “They have had some really rative, creative, mutually encouraging Gregory’s were invited. “We didn’t fall in love—we had to painful moments, but it was matter of and supportive.” Even before REMBR, both congre- learn to love each other.” choosing life or choosing death — the The collaboration came about rather gations participated in the Family Prom- The two mission congregations are congregation very consciously chose naturally: The Rev. Debra Self, who was ise program to help families move out of part of the New River Regional Min- life, staying with the pain and grief and designated priest-in-charge of Chapel of homelessness, and both are now sharing istry, an effort initiated by All Saints, Ft. looking for God’s grace in it.” St. Andrew in July, had been assistant at in the Blessings in a Backpack program Lauderdale, to extend its ministry more “It took a lot of courage—[their] St. Gregory’s and was serving as tempo- at Hammock Point Elementary School. widely into the communities of willingness to walk without seeing rary interim at the Chapel (“a loaner,” in Both Sherman and Self are clear that east/central Broward County. where they were going. I have enor- Sherman’s words) after longtime rector each congregation retains its own iden- Four years ago All Saints began to mous respect for this group of people.” Fr. Steve Zimmerman accepted a call to tity. reach out to the area’s growing His- In July the two congregations came a church in Colorado a year ago. “We each have something to offer the panic population with El Centro, under together for two celebrations. After a “We count the beginning of REMBR other,” Self said. “The Chapel is not the the pastoral leadership of Lindahl Mal- joint July 4 service, there was a picnic to when Debra took over [as priest-in- poor stepchild of St. Gregory’s in any low, the parish’s associate priest and and a patriotic sing-along. On the charge],” Sherman said. way.” Hispanic missioner. The new Hispanic evening of July 23 all members of the “Debra is that instant bridge to St. Sherman is specific about some of ministry first held services in a park, New River Regional Ministry were in- Gregory’s that jump-started the regional the different gifts that make the two then in a store-front. As the ministry ex- vited to share a Latino meal and a night ministry,” said the Chapel’s senior war- churches a complementary match: St. panded to offer a wider range of pro- of salsa dancing lessons. den, Nancy McKirchy. Gregory’s has more members and grams, especially for children and “Music transcended the all differ- “Andrew and I have a special oppor- greater financial resources; the Chapel families in the community, it moved to ences,” said Lindahl Mallow. tunity,” Self explained. “We worked to- of St. Andrew has large meeting facili- a larger retail location. In January of this year, “Rev. Rosa” See PARTNERSHIP, Page 13 See REMBR, Page 13 Diocese www.diosef.org THE 13 NET The Net, October 2009 Nehemiah retreat digs deeper into social media, ministry funding

By Mary W. Cox, editor the group to keep all online content rel- New ideas evant and to make sure that the person “Social media are not going away— who handles social media strategy for it’s not a fad,” PR and marketing spe- the church knows the communities you cialist Marvin Dejean told clergy and want to reach, both internal and exter- lay leaders the Nehemiah Retreat, Sept. nal. 21-22 at the Duncan Center. Dejean led the group in exercises to “Technology is going to change radi- help identify parish ministry goals and cally the way we talk to each other, the how social media could help accomplish way we think about each other, the way those, and to assess the effectiveness of we do church. We’re on the cusp of a the parish website or to measure the suc- human revolution.” cess of a social media strategy. The church has three goals, Dejean Around the room, laptops, Black- said: to communicate the Gospel, to berrys and iPhones were in action as connect people, and to give them a call participants checked their own web- to action. The first question we need to sites against Dejean’s suggestions, up- Photo by Mary W. Cox ask as we begin to use social media, he dated Facebook pages and, at Dejean’s said, is how social media will improve invitation, tweeted comments on the Fr. Orlando Addison and Jan Pushkar of St. James-in-the-Hills, Hollywood, dis- the quality of ministry and help us ac- presentation. cuss with Deb McLaughlin of St. John’s, Hollywood, some of the new ideas pre- complish these goals. Much of the specific material De- sented at the Nehemiah Retreat. Use social media like Facebook, jean presented can be viewed at “In the middle of budget meetings, specific need—music, altar flowers Twitter and YouTube, he told the group, www.slideshare.net; enter “Marvin De- remember why you’re here.” and candles, outreach ministries, she to “share the very culture of your jean” to find his presentations on using She suggested thoughtful review of suggested. She told of asking cathedral church.” social media and measuring the effec- what expenditures can be postponed or parishioners to “buy” figures for the In two Nehemiah workshops in Feb- tiveness of your social media strategy. reduced, exploring creative and collab- new Christmas crèche and engraving ruary, Dejean had introduced the use of On the second day of the retreat the orative fund-raising projects, getting on the underside of organ keys the social media in church communications, group heard presentations by Sharie more people involved and effectively names of donors for the restoration of and as he did then, he emphasized the Blanton, a consultant to non-profit or- communicating needs. the instrument. need for a social media strategy, tools ganizations, and Cheryl Chapman, ex- Chapman spoke of “stewardship of “Be intentional about everything for measuring the effectiveness of each ecutive director of Friends of Trinity donors.” you do,” said Chapman. medium of communication—and the Cathedral, on making wise budget de- You need to know who’s giving, “One on one is the best way to understanding that social media are cisions, finding and keeping givers, when and how much, and build rela- raise money,” she concluded. about interaction. and identifying alternative sources of tionships, she said. “Fund-raising is all In the final session of the retreat “You’ll get feedback whether you funding. about listening.” the group was given an opportunity want it or not!” After asking the group what finan- “Never, ever assume that someone for discussion of the proposed Websites should be dynamic and in- cial challenges they face—deficit can’t give,” she said. “It’s ok to ask.” Bishop’s Ministry Grants program. teractive, he said, and should reflect budgets, property issues, personnel Look for potential major gifts and (See story p. 3) “your passion.” All online tools, he said, costs, varied cultural attitudes toward bequests, she advised. “If we’re not “We’re a people of stewardship,” should be used to ‘bridge the chasm be- stewardship—Blanton advised, “First getting bequests, we’re failing in stew- Dean Horace Ward reminded the group tween people who are already there [in of all, you can’t panic.” ardship.” as the discussion began. church] and those in the virtual world.” She went on emphasize the need for Find ways to let people sponsor a “Dream God’s dream,” he said. ■ “Content is king,” he said, urging a “mission-driven budget.”

PARTNERSHIP from Page 12 The Rev. Angela Cortinas, All Saints’ new priest REMBR associate for children and family ministries, works from Page 12 with a bilingual Catechesis of the Good Shepherd One great gift that El Centro brings to St. Am- program at St. Ambrose and El Centro, and is lead- ties, committed volunteers and a tradition of excellent brose is children. Enrollment in the church pre- ing a combined youth ministry for all three of the Christian formation, with a remarkable record of rais- school has grown significantly since the two New River congregations. ing up disciples for ordained ministry. congregations came together. Because of the school Old ways of being church—the stand-alone, in- He cites St. Paul’s example of the “organic” Body expansion, New River Regional Ministry has been dependent congregation—aren’t working, Lindahl of Christ, each part making its unique contribution, all able to purchase a bus for transporting students from Mallow says. She believes a new model is needed— working together. two local public to a newly established after-school ”more based on the ministry needs of the commu- Both priests admit that one compelling reason to program. nity”—and she has received a grant from the find ways to work together is economic; the recession The classrooms at St. Ambrose have provided Episcopal Church Foundation to pursue exactly what means that neither congregation has sufficient re- ample space for expansion of Aprendo porque Juego she’s doing at St. Ambrose and El Centro: regional sources alone to do all of the ministry it’s called to do. (“learn through play”), the Centro's literacy program “multi-cell” ministry in a “post-parish environment.” But economic necessity “woke us up to the deeper and summer reading camp. Twenty-five children Her grant proposal states: “We are committed to truth that’s there,” Sherman said. “This is a more effec- were in enrolled in this summer’s six-week program, a process of transformation. We are intent on becom- tive way to do the ministry Christ has entrusted to us.” and by the end of the summer, all of the students had ing an effective regional ministry group that can mo- “What’s excited me about regional ministry,” he improved by an average of 22 percentage points on a bilize resources from each of the cells to do active continued, “is that it really feels fun to think about state reading test. Two or three children moved up ministry with measurable results.” ways we can do mission together. Suddenly the vision one grade level. St. Ambrose parishioner Bill Evans is hopeful of what we can do—what we might be called to do— Eighteen volunteers worked with the summer about the new partnership. “I think it’s a great has been enlarged.” program, some of them teens and adults from St. idea—exactly what the church should be doing— Self agrees. “We’re taking advantage of the situa- Ambrose and All Saints, but also people from other and St. Ambrose wasn’t doing any of this before.” tion we find ourselves in, but it’s exciting—I think this denominations. Several of the literacy program’s “I watched my daughter volunteer this summer, is the future of the Church.” regular volunteers are Jewish, and some are even and what she was able to do with those little kids How does the Church work with this model? Sher- atheists, Lindahl Mallow said; all participate be- was just miraculous. At ‘graduation’ a parent man laughed. cause they know they are making a difference. spoke—she said it was the first time she felt anyone “No one knows how to do regional ministry,” he “It’s not just the kids being transformed—it’s the teaching her child really cared about the children.” said. “We’re inventing this.” ■ volunteers, too.” “I think Rosa’s doing a great job.” ■ 14 The Net, October 2010 THE Our Diocese NET www.diosef.org St. Paul’s is sharing its rector’s sabbatical journey By Mary W. Cox, editor Into the wilderness While their rector and his wife have been on their journey of exploration and contemplation, the Canon William “Chip” Stokes, rector of St. congregation been offering a six-week Monday Paul’s, Delray Beach, and his wife, Susan, the evening course on contemplative practices and cen- parish’s director of Children, Youth and Family tering prayer, and is following the themes of the Ministry, are on a three-month sabbatical this fall— Stokes’ travels in a Wednesday night Sabbatical Se- and the parish is sharing the journey. ries, featuring shared reading, study and conversa- St. Paul’s was one of 149 churches that received tion. In September, the congregation’s study a grant from the Lilly Foundation under its 2009 focused first on the idea of “wilderness” in Ameri- National Clergy Renewal Program; the grant (close can history and culture and then on the role of to $50,000) is not only funding the Stokes’ travels, wilderness in Judeo-Christian scriptures and faith. but is also supporting the budget for supply clergy The next two parts of their journey are taking and the parish program of sabbatical-related activi- the Stokes to Celtic sites in Ireland and France, for ties. exploration of Celtic spirituality and of their own The theme of the sabbatical is “Songs of silence, family roots, and to the Lake District of England sounds of solitude.” for “Recollection in Solitude and the Romantic “The grant proposal and the sabbatical plans are Poets.” The congregation is continuing its parallel very intentional in seeking to create a variety of of the phases of the sabbatical with its own studies ‘wilderness experiences’ that will allow Susan and of Celtic spirituality and the Romantic poets. me, as well as the people of St. Paul’s, to try to lis- Photo by Chip Stokes The final phase of the sabbatical will be a re- ten for God in ways that are very different from treat, Nov. 15-21, at Holy Cross Monastery, a Bene- those to which we are generally accustomed,” Canon William “Chip” Stokes and his wife, Susan, dictine community in West Park, NY. Stokes will Stokes told his congregation in a special sabbatical prepared for a desert journey: “This picture is taken return to his parish on the first Sunday in Advent, from Mount Scopus in Jerusalem with the Judean edition of the parish’s e-newsletter this summer. Nov. 28. Wilderness behind us. Tomorrow morning [Sept. 22] Leaving on Labor Day, Sept. 6, the Stokes trav- we leave early for the Negev where, tomorrow night, During the sabbatical period St. Paul’s associate eled to Thomas the Apostle Retreat Center in Cody, we are sleeping in tents at an interfaith retreat center rector, the Rev. Kathleen Gannon, has been serving Wyoming, located a short distance from the western in the desert.” as priest-in-charge, but she said, “We always have gate of Yellowstone National Park, for a week’s someone with us on Sundays…all the clergy of the transition into sabbatical time: “Sounds of Silence, deanery have reached out to say, ‘If you need any- On the evening before their journey into the Songs of the Wilderness.” thing, I’m there.’” Judean desert Stokes wrote: “In most of the tradi- Stokes reflected on his blog, “In Yellowstone “I value that so much,” Gannon added. “It tion of the desert fathers, this kind of withdrawal and Cody it was Creation writ large that struck me means a lot to me and to the congregation. We are and separation was not merely or primarily for the and captured my heart and imagination. That scale feeling blessed!” ■ sake of the self — a form of narcissistic navel gaz- of awesome wonder calls forth a deep humility. It is ing. It was about withdrawing from the clamor and something I will continue to celebrate and ponder.” For more about the sabbatical journeys of Canon noise of the world so that one could be more open Phase II of the sabbatical was a 14-day course Stokes and his wife—and their congregation—go to to God and God's voice; so that one could listen and led by the faculty of St. George’s College in www.stpaulsdelray.org and click on the link for “Sab- obey. Ultimately, this kind of withdrawal is for the Jerusalem, “Ways in the Wilderness,” which in- batical 2010.” Directly beneath that is a link to sake of the community. This is largely what my cluded journeys to the biblical wilderness, Sinai Stokes’ sabbatical blog. sabbatical is about.” and the monasteries of Egypt and Petra. “Back to Church Sunday” focused on invitation and welcome For the past two years two congregations—one names on our church rolls that include ‘members’ and shape lives in Christ, and the church community Haitian and one Hispanic — have shared church fa- who do not attend church regularly or even occasion- will continue to grow in numbers and spirit from Sun- cilities on North Miami Avenue in Miami’s Little ally. day to Sunday. Haiti neighborhood. Therefore, the people of St. Paul’s were given a Iglesia Trinidad chose a similar plan for its Sept. St. Paul et les Martyrs d’Haiti, under the leader- challenge — the charge was to invite family mem- 12 “Back to Church Sunday”— its theme was “Wel- ship of Fr. Smith Milien, priest-in-charge, and Iglesia bers, friends, godparents, godchildren and any other come a friend to church.” Pledging that, “No one Trinidad, led by Milien’s wife, Deacon Marivel Mi- children of God to come back to church. The Gospel will stay at home this Sunday,” the people of Iglesia lien, are both actively involved in the Nehemiah lesson for the day was Luke 15:1-10, in which Jesus Trinidad used the occasion to invite everyone they Process as part of their commitment to grow their teaches in parables about the mercy of God and joy in knew. Each household was called to bring someone to ministries to their surrounding communities. heaven when one who was lost has been found by the church. One of the strategies discussed by the Nehemiah Lord. At the 12:30 p.m. liturgy in Spanish attendance congregations at their August meeting was “Back to The men of St. Paul’s were called to take respon- reached 87—a record for a congregation that aver- Church Sunday”—a time to focus on invitation and sibility to see that everyone in their household was at ages 25 per weekend. Parishioners introduced each of welcome for both first-time visitors and former mem- church on Sept.12. Our attendance for that day was their invited guests for an individual welcome from bers who have not been active. Approximately two 122 persons, compared to an average three years ago the congregation. A spiritual highlight was a moment million people are estimated to visit a church some- of 37; our average weekend attendance at St. Paul’s of special intercessions, which included laying-on of where each Sunday, but only about 15 percent of in 2010 has been 106. hands and anointing; tears flowed, expressing the joy those people return or become active members of the Some who were present that day appeared to be of being found and welcomed by God. At a luncheon congregation; “Back to Church Sunday” not only in- guests, but they were not strangers to the church fam- after the service hospitality continued to flow from— vites visitors, but also seeks to welcome them into the ily—indeed, they were family. and into — smiling hearts. life of the congregation. The service that day (in French) included the bap- St. Paul’s and Iglesia Trinidad are already making St. Paul’s and Iglesia Trinidad set their Back to tism of two children, which added to the family cele- plans for another “Back to Church Sunday.” The ex- Church Sunday for Sept. 12. bration. After the liturgy, the reacquainted and perience of Sept. 12 is proof positive of the spiritual Fr. Smith Milien tells what happened that day: renewed community shared in a bountiful lunch of power of inviting a friend to church. The longtime parishioners of St. Paul’s noted that Haitian cuisine hosted by the family of the newly (Thanks to Fr. Richard Aguilar, priest-in-charge of over the years a number of persons have drifted away baptized. St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de Asis, Miami from the life of the church. St. Paul’s is like many The people of St. Paul’s experienced a transforma- Lakes, for his translation from Spanish of Fr. Smith Episcopal and other Christian churches — there are tional event. These kinds of moments change souls Milien’s account of “Back to Church Sunday.”) ■ Youth www.diosef.org THE 15 NET The Net, October 2009

Young adults grow in faith and service through Level UP NHLC inspires new ideas

In January of this year Holy Sacrament, Pembroke By Emily Gonzalez-Holland Dance happens Pines, began a new ministry for young adults ages 18-30. Happening is a life-changing three-day spiritual Level UP Ministry was founded to encourage retreat for Episcopalian Youth all over the country. It young adults to Level UP their faith in God through is run by youth for youth, giving an opportunity for Jesus Christ; Level UP their capacity for community youth to grow even closer as a community while service; and Level UP their stewardship and their growing in their relationship with Christ. supportive fellowship with each other. It is essential for our youth to have this retreat, so Led by Michael Sewell, Debby Prescott, Veronica it is essential that we have the right tools to keep it Francis, Tony King and Michael Williams, the group alive and growing. National Happening Leadership meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Satur- Conference (NHLC) is a source for those tools — a days of each month. Meetings focus on relating the conference where youth come from all across the Bible and Christian teaching to the experiences of country to share their experiences with Happening daily life. Discussion topics have included the impor- and to help each other expand their Happening Pro- tance of prayer; coping with tribulations of the work- grams. With workshops, small group exercises, the place; financial responsibility; and mental health. learning of new “ice breakers”, networking and more, About 20 young adults now participate regularly in NHLC is an amazing way to refresh the Happening the group. Program. In addition to regular meetings for study, reflec- This summer (July 7-10) two youth from our dio- tion and conversation, members also share recre- cese, Krista Lamberti and I, with adult leader Krisan ational activities like bowling, movies and paintball, Lamberti, attended NHLC 2010 at Montreat Confer- and have taken several road trips. ence Center in Montreat, NC. Photo by Krisan Lamberti Another essential aspect of Level UP is the min- When I say Happening is run by youth for youth, I’m not joking — youth from around the country Krista Lamberti, one of two Southeast Florida youth istry’s commitment to a strong presence in the com- who attended the National Happening Leadership make up the Happening National Committee (HNC). munity. Outreach projects include LifeNet4Families Conference in July, performs an impromptu dance ac- (formerly Broward’s Cooperative Feeding Program), Members of this group hold two-year terms and serve companied by Fran McKendree, who led music for where members work in the soup kitchen, dining hall as the design team for the NHLC Conference. the conference. and food pantry. The group anticipates that this rela- This conference was an eye-opening experience, tionship may expand to include collection of cloth- revealing the amazing things that Happening is capa- we are planning new and exciting things to add to this ing, food and supplies for LifeNet. ble of doing. Many more doors have been opened for three day retreat. We hope that word of a new, better, Level UP Ministry is also planning to work with our diocese to grow in all aspects of the Happening more exciting program will get out, so that even more Habitat for Humanity and Joe DiMaggio Children’s movement. The numerous notes Krista and I took are youth will want to participate in Happening. Hospital and to participate in walks to raise aware- definitely going to be put to good use, For more about Happening, go to http://happen- ness and funds for a number of causes. What we took from this conference was not just ingnational.org. Information on the next Happening “Community service is a fulfilling necessity the the basic information and new knowledge that we are weekend in our diocese will be sent to youth minis- Grapevine members enjoy,” said Sewell. He added, “These past eager to put to the test, but also the connection to a ters and youth leaders and posted in and months, Level UP Ministry has made substantial new network of people all over the country who are on the youth pages of the diocesan website: ■ progress…praying vigorously and dedicating [our- trying to accomplish something bigger and better www.diosef.org/youth. selves] whole-heartedly, the ministry will overcome with youth, all while they, too, are learning and grow- any obstacle and reach its goals — simply doing the ing in Christ. Emily Gonzalez-Holland, a member of St. Bene- work Christ has given us to do.” When Happening was revived three years ago in dict’s, Plantation, is the newly-elected president of the To learn more about Level UP, email levelupmin- the Diocese of Southeast Florida we used and tweaked diocesan Youth Commission, and has served on two some of the Southwest Florida ideas; but since NHLC Happening teams. [email protected] or [email protected]. ■ Youth Convention elects officers for 2010-2011 About 30 youth and adults attended the youth that were approved by last why bad things happen. ation and receptiveness to the presence the annual diocesan Youth Convention, years’ Diocesan Convention and agreed The event also included opportuni- of Christ. held Aug. 6-7 at Hugh Taylor Birch to work for full implementation of ties for different worship experiences. After this good start to the “youth State Park on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. those. One resolution called for restrict- Friday evening ended with a Kirtan year,” Gonzalez-Holland promises “a The event provided time for fun — ing the use of bottled water at all Mass, contemplative worship in the great, successful year” for diocesan reconnecting with friends from around church-sponsored events, and the other, style of the early church with music youth ministry. the diocese and beginning new friend- for the appointment of a diocesan and chant based on Middle Eastern and “Keep your eyes open!” she said. ■ ships; games; swimming and even music committee to present a list of Asian musical traditions. The service breakfast on the beach—but it was also music resources to this year’s conven- was led by Fr. James Reho, assistant at a time for learning, worship and a busi- tion and for the Bishop’s Spring Con- Trinity Cathedral, Miami, and members ness meeting. ference in 2011 to be “an experiential of the worship team that leads the Youth Christmas Ball The major business of the conven- music workshop.” “Awakening” service on the first and Date: Dec. 11 tion was the election of Youth Commis- The Rev. Nancy McCarthy, who third Sunday evenings of the month at Place: Holy Family, sion officers for the 2010-2011 the served for many years as parliamentar- the cathedral. Miami Gardens school year. The new president is ian at Diocesan Convention, led a “Father Reho and his crew truly Cost: $15 per person Emily Gonzalez-Holland from St. workshop for the youth on parliamen- opened up our hearts, souls and minds Dress: Cocktail or formal Benedict’s, Plantation; the other offi- tary procedure and the legislative to a new way of glorifying Christ,” said attire cers are Krista Lamberti, vice-presi- process in the Episcopal Church. Gonzalez-Holland. dent; Sophia Faiella, secretary (both Other workshops included a presen- The youth were asked to keep si- from St. Stephen’s, Miami); and Myles tation by Fr. Joel Turmo on the struc- lence from the end of the Mass through Registration will be from Bullock from St. Faith’s, Miami, ad- ture of the Episcopal Church and the Morning Prayer on Saturday, which 6:00–6:30 p.m., followed ministrative assistant. roles of the four orders of ministry— began at sunrise on the beach—with by dinner and dancing. This year’s Youth Convention did laity, bishops, priests and deacons; and yoga. Reho and yoga instructor A donation of an un- not pass any new legislation, but did re- a discussion led by Fr. Lee Davis that Suzanne Rutrough led the group in wrapped toy is suggested. view the two resolutions submitted by explored the question of “Why me?”— poses that began the day with relax- 16 The Net, October 2010 THE Committed to Mission NET www.diosef.org Madagascar inspires student’s goal: “To solve the problem of extreme poverty”

By Andrew Somers nearby village, Welcoming community hiring them as em- From June 26-Aug. 3, Andrew Somers, a student ployees, teaching at Elon University in Elon, NC, and a member of the them how to make Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, was a summer in- things the hotel tern in Toliara, Madagascar. Along with students can buy from from Ursinus College in Collegville, Pa., Somers them, and pur- worked with our missionaries, Bishop Todd McGre- chasing foods like gor and his wife, the Rev. Patsy McGregor, doing re- rice and vegeta- search for the development of the Miaraka Resort and bles that are Spa, a project planned to improve economic condi- grown in the vil- tions in Toliara. The report below is excerpted from a lage. It was this summary of his experiences and from postings on his discussion that blog at http://andrewpssomers.blogspot.com/. helped us get a greater idea of I was nervous, curious and excited when the time how to make Mi- came for me to leave for my summer internship in araka Resort func- Madagascar. The thought of traveling halfway across tion, and also the world by myself on four different flights, with no sparked my keen idea how to speak the native language, was very interest in making daunting to me. economic devel- But when I landed in Toliara and found the Mc- opment part of my Gregors, it felt almost effortless at first, almost as if I life’s work. were returning home — or at least as if I’d been there Throughout the before. When I arrived at their home in the slums, I weeks in Toliara, was surprised—I had actually expected worse, since just from talking Bishop Todd had told me they lived among the poor- to people, I was Photo provided by Andrew Somers est people in the world. I moved in and felt pretty able to gain a Andrew Somers (back row, second from left) was welcomed by children, as well as good about everything; the conditions were not ex- much better un- adults, in the village of Betaola. tremely comfortable, but I was very okay with it. derstanding of But by the second day, I started to feel the home- where poverty beds. I think it was also very enriching for them as sickness and culture shock that everyone had warned comes from and why it’s so hard to overcome. This well having an American as their guest, taking pic- me about. I realized that I didn’t really know anyone understanding led to a greater desire in me to want to tures of them and trying to share with them what around there and could hardly communicate with the solve the problem of extreme poverty. America is really like. For reasons I still cannot ex- Malagasy people to make any friends. I knew the Mc- The weeks flew by: We visited numerous hotels, plain, the visit to Betaola proved to be one of the best Gregors, but they were so much busier than I was at taught English to numerous Malagasy, made reports and most intriguing moments of my life. that point, and the team from Ursinus College was and kept talking to people. I think the richest part of Going to Madagascar was a miraculous opportu- not coming until a week later. I wasn’t sure what to this entire experience for me was the understanding nity for me. Madagascar may be one of the poorest do with myself. of how precious education is for people in this area. countries in the world, but it is one of the richest in To heal this overwhelming feeling of uneasiness, Education or the lack of it, I found, is a leading cause terms of community. I gained new experiences and the McGregors suggested that I should go out and of the kind of extreme poverty in areas like Toliara. new friends that opened my eyes and mind, and made tour the city of Toliara. I was walking around with During the last week of my stay, I had to visit Be- me more mature; and I discovered my calling to a ca- Pierre, the McGregors’ watchman, who hadn’t taola, a village that needs some agriculture projects reer in economic development. I could not feel any learned much English at all, and since I didn’t know that will help them harvest year-round and not just in more blessed than I do. ■ any Malagasy, we figured we would teach each other the rainy season; my job was to report to Bishop Todd through simple signals and words as we walked about the issues there. This involved my traveling through the city. I do not know if it was the fact that I with a translator a few hours west into the middle of was spending quality time with another human being, nowhere to take notes on why this village was strug- Diocesan mission team returns learning and gaining the trust of that person, or just gling with poor harvests. This also involved my liv- that I had gotten out of the house and explored that ing in the same conditions as some of the poorest of from Madagacscar made me feel so much better, but whatever it was, it the poor in the world. We ate on the floors and we worked amazingly. slept on something so hard it was second only to The 14-member diocesan mission team re- From the moment the other teams arrived, time rock. turned Oct. 1 after two weeks of visiting and seemed to speed up. At first we were all a little un- Needless to say I was rather unenthusiastic about working with our missionaries, Bishop Todd clear as to what the McGregors and the Miaraka Re- going at first. My mentality was more along the lines and the Rev. Patsy McGregor. sort board wanted in terms of research, but as time of, “Ok, let's just get this over with,” rather than, “We were able to accomplish so many went on our work began to unfold itself. The research “Okay, sweet — this will be cool.” It was the farthest things, too many to list — first and foremost was fun, informative and interactive. We simply went I've ever been away from my comfort zone and yet it was the building of relationships, with the team to eight different hotels and asked to be given a was amazing. The only thing I could possibly do was from Madagascar and among ourselves, “ said guided tour of their establishment, which they gra- have an open mind and just do what they told me they the team leader, the Rev. Debra Andrew Ma- ciously gave us every time. needed. So I did, and I've never been treated with conaughey, in an email message to the team and I learned a lot from talking to some of the hotel such hospitality and care. They had so little, yet its supporters on Oct. 2. owners about what it takes to make poor areas like knowing that I was American and trying to help them, First-hand reports from the team, along with Madagascar improve their conditions. It was actually they gave me so much. many photographs, are on the mission website, from talking to the first hotel owner that we gained It felt surreal and amazing to me to hear the issues http://onesteppublishing.com/madagascar/. A the most information about economic development in this village directly from the people, as opposed to full report of the mission trip will be published ■ and how a hotel can make a difference. He told us hearing it from someone else, and to live for a day in the December issue of The Net. about the way his hotel works with the people of the among these people with their mud huts and hard