OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA www.diosef.org
Volume 41 No. 6 December 2010
Photo by Thomas Winter Diocesan Convention celebrates, expands mission partnerships
By Mary W. Cox, editor Convention coverage online The 41st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, held Nov. 12-13 at St. Mary’s, Stu- Go to www.diosef.org and click on the art, was all about mission — and about the diverse Diocesan Convention link on the left side of the diocesan family coming together to celebrate our page to find links to: shared ministries. ■ Bishop Leo Frade’s address to convention “I was very happy about convention,” Bishop Leo ■ Resolutions approved Frade told the diocesan Executive Board at its Nov. ■ Approved budget for 2011 30 meeting, “happy about our spirit of unity in diver- ■ Elections and ratified elections/appointments sity.” ■ Youth Commission Report Welcoming bishops of our companion dioceses; ■ Convention photo galleries approving a new companion relationship; recognizing congregations that are offering outstanding hospital- ity to their neighbors and service to their communi- Bishop Laish Boyd of the Bahamas and Turks and ties; hearing the enthusiastic reports of youth and Caicos, and his wife, Joanne; Bishop Todd McGre- mission teams — all focused on our common mis- gor, area bishop of Toliara in the Diocese of Antana- sion: “To make known to all people the transforming narivo, Madagascar, and his wife, the Rev. Patsy power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including all, ex- McGregor; and Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of Haiti cluding none.” were present throughout the convention. Bishop Julio Reflecting the convention theme, “Global Partner- Holguin of our fourth companion diocese, Dominican ship in Mission,” bishops from three of the four dio- Republic, was unable to attend. ceses with which our diocese now has companion The convention enthusiastically approved the pro- relationships joined diocesan clergy, delegates and posed resolution to formalize the many connections guests for convention business, worship and a festive banquet in the Pittenger Center at St. Mary’s. See CONVENTION,Page2 2 The Net, December 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org
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between the Diocese of Southeast Florida and the Diocese of Haiti in a companion diocese relationship. “We in Haiti are so grateful for what you have done for us,” Duracin told the opening session of the convention. After the resolution was passed, he again thanked the convention and said, “I think you will enjoy our companionship.” Another guest from an overseas diocese was Maria Gonzalez, wife of Fr. Emilio Martin, rector of San Francisco de Asis in Cardenas, Cuba, who was to have attended the convention but was unable to have his visa approved in time. With Bishop Leo Frade as her interpreter, Gonzalez spoke briefly to the conven- tion, saying that she brought greetings and “a big hug” from her parish. She told of her work with addicts and AIDS pa- tients and with the terminally ill. “God has put this in my heart,” she said. She said of her ministry, “All we ask every day is one more day to serve.” As a clergy spouse, Gonzalez was also welcomed by the clergy spouses at their breakfast gathering on Photo by Mary Cox Photo by Thomas Winter Saturday morning. Standing Committee President Fr. Hallock Martin Clockwise from upper left: drew applause and cheers when he began his intro- “Chef Marty”—Dean Marty Zlatic was duction of Frade in Spanish, then repeated his re- called away from the banquet preparations marks in English, concluding, “I give thanks for the to receive a gift from the convention: a per- foundational strength our diocesan bishop has given sonalized chef’s toque blanche. us in his absolute acceptance of all.” “I have very good news for you,” Frade told the Communion—Bishop Todd McGregor and convention. “We are growing! his wife, the Rev. Patsy McGregor, serve He noted statistics showing growth in both Aver- communion. age Weekend Attendance (AWA) and plate and pledge offering from 2008 to 2009, most significantly Clergy spouses—At the Clergy Spouses’ among congregations participating in the Nehemiah Breakfast Cuban guest Maria Gonzalez (left), whose husband, Fr. Emilio Martin, was Process. This program began in 2003 and has now in- unable to attend the convention, talks with volved nearly half of diocesan churches in a two-to- Deacon Marivel Milien, deacon-in charge of three-year commitment to a process focused on both Iglesia Episcopal Trinidad, Miami, who is reaching out to those without a faith community and also a clergy spouse; her husband, Fr. nurturing growth within the congregation. Smith Milein, is priest-in-charge of St. Paul The bishop also spoke of a number of other signs et les Martyrs d’Haiti, Miami. of growth in the past year: regional ministries; the Photo by Thomas Winter growth of the Haitian congregation at St. Paul et les Martyrs d’Haiti, Miami; the development of a new unions, but at the same time I am also committed to 2006-2009. Hispanic Task Force; the beginning of Portuguese- make this diocese an inclusive place where gays and Sixteen others received awards for growth in the language ministry; the “exporting” of Cursillo to Ja- lesbians — indeed, ALL people — will be respected year 2008-2009. maica; the continued expansion of outreach ministries and have full participation in the life of our church.” Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, on behalf of the Ne- with the support of Episcopal Charities; the growing He also responded to speculation about when he hemiah Process, gave recognition to congregations program and planned expansion of facilities at the might retire. “This past month I turned 67 years old that have shown significant increases in “four Key In- Duncan Center; youth ministries at the diocesan, and the mandatory retirement age for an Episcopal dicators (AWA, Easter attendance, plate/pledge offer- deanery and parish levels; and mission teams sharing Bishop is 72. If my math is correct, then if God wills ing, operating revenue),” or in one of the four. the gospel both locally and in collaboration with our it I’ll be here for a while longer. I love working in this He also recognized six clergy for “Excellence in mission partners around the world. diocese and I love the people who make Southeast Applying Nehemiah Principles” — Fr. Jack Stanton, He outlined the developing long-term diocesan Florida a lively, exciting, hardworking, believing dio- priest-in-charge, St. James the Fisherman, Islam- Strategy for Growing a Healthier Ministry, which will cese.” orada; Dean Debra Maconaughey, St. Columba, include a new program, the “Bishop’s Ministry “We are now beginning to see the fruits of our Marathon; Fr. Smith Milien and Deacon Marivel Nat- Grants,” planned to provide one million dollars over a labors for Christ after many years of hard work, even era Milien, St. Paul et les Martyrs d’Haiti, Miami; four-year period to strengthen the leadership and in- in the midst of financial disaster, anger and dissen- and Dean Richard Aguilar, St. Margaret’s and San frastructure within the congregations of the diocese. sion in our Church — and hurricanes,” he concluded. Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes, and Fr. Horace Awards will be granted to approximately 10 congre- “I challenge you — because I believe our Lord chal- Ward, Holy Family, Miami Gardens, for Nehemiah gations, as well as regional ministries, or special proj- lenges all of us — to complete the work we have mentoring. ects. begun for him, to make certain that the ministries in Praising Nehemiah participants for their creativity, Addressing the issue of blessing of same-sex progress continue to bear fruit in the years ahead.” Hobbs said, “Nobody in the country is doing what unions, the bishop said, “I have authorized the bless- (The complete text of the bishop’s address is on we’re doing,” ing of marriages of same-sex couples who have a pp. 10-12.) (See box on page 4 for a complete listing of HII marriage certificate and have been married legally in The bishop honored nine congregations whose and Nehemiah Awards.) a jurisdiction where that is allowed,” adding that an growth has demonstrated outstanding “Hospitality, In addition to the resolution calling for the com- authorized liturgy for such blessings is available upon Invitation and Incorporation (HII)” over a period of panion relationship with the Diocese of Haiti, the request from the Diocesan Office. several years. All Saints, Ft. Lauderdale, was recog- convention approved proposed legislation that called “Let me make myself very clear,” Frade said. “I nized for its growth of nearly 45 percent over five for: am committed to work with and respect those who years, 2004-2009, and seven other congregations may be in disagreement with the blessing of same sex were honored for growth over the three-year period See CONVENTION Page 3 News www.diosef.org THE 3 NET The Net, December 2010
CONVENTION from Page 2 Elected at Convention Ratified at Convention Changes to diocesan Canons to comply with changes made by last year’s General Convention to Standing Committee: Clergy — Fr. Horace Deanery Elections to Executive Board: Title IV, the section of the Canons of the Episcopal Ward, Holy Family, Miami Gardens; Lay — North Palm Beach — Lay Representative, Church dealing with clergy discipline; Kathy Walker, Incarnation, Miami; John Cox, Julie Bird Winchester, Good Shepherd, The establishment of a Diocesan Committee on St. Margaret’s, Miami Lakes Tequesta Higher Education Ministry that would investigate and General Convention Lay Deputies: (1) Tom South Palm Beach — Lay Representative, report to Executive Board the feasibility of establish- O’Brien, Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach; Bill Unger, St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton ing new college and university chaplaincies in the (2/3) Richard Miller, Holy Family, Miami Broward — Dean, The Very Rev. Mark Sims, diocese; Gardens; Bonnie Weaver, Holy Trinity, West St. Mary Magdalene, Coral Springs; Clergy Approval of Clergy Compensation Guidelines for Palm Beach (tied at 140 votes each); (4) Representative, The Rev. Robert Trache, St. 2011; Karen Phillips Smith, All Saints’, Jensen Mark the Evangelist, Ft. Lauderdale; Lay Rep- An expression of thanksgiving for the approval by the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Beach resentative, Dahlia Cunningham, Atonement, Church in America of full communion with the Epis- General Convention Lay Alternates: (1) Lauderdale Lakes copal Church; Char Vinik, St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton; (2) North Dade — Dean, The Very Rev. Richard The inclusion of the Nehemiah Steering Commit- Manny Mesa, San Francisco de Asis, Miami Aguilar, St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de tee, participating congregations and other pertinent Lakes; (3) Saulo Salvador, Holy Cross, Asis, Miami Lakes data from the Nehemiah Process in the Diocesan Miami; (4) Keith Neely, St. Anne’s, Hallan- South Dade — Clergy Representative, The Journal; and dale Rev. Eric Kahl, St. Simon’s, Miami An expression by convention of full support for General Convention Clergy Delegates: (1) Keys — Dean, The Very Rev. Debra Andrew the September Canon William “Chip” Stokes, St. Paul’s, Maconaughey, St. Columba, Marathon; Clergy 21 Pastoral Let- Delray Beach; (2) Dean Carol Barron, St. Representative, The Rev. Christopher Todd, St. ter from the Luke’s, Port Salerno; (3) Mother Jennie Lou Francis in the Keys, Big Pine Key; Lay Repre- House of Bish- ops concerning Reid, St. Faith’s, Miami; (4) Fr. Horace Ward, sentative, Catherine Roberts, St. Paul’s, Key immigration and Holy Family West a call for “all General Convention Clergy Alternates: (1) New Appointment to Commission on Min- Episcopalians in Dean Richard Aguilar, St. Margaret’s and San istry: The Rev. Alberto Cutié, Resurrection, this diocese to Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes; (2) Fr. Biscayne Park pray and support Frisby Hendricks, All Saints’, Jensen Beach; Officers Elected by Youth Convention: all efforts for the (3) Archdeacon Tom Bruttell; (4) Fr. Bob Tra- President — Emily Gonzalez-Holland, St. adoption of a che, St. Mark the Evangelist, Ft. Lauderdale Benedict’s, Plantation comprehensive Ecclesiastical Trial Court: Lay — Klemie Vice-president — Krista Lamberti, St. immigration bill L. Christie, St. Patrick’s, West Palm Beach; Stephen’s, Coconut Grove (Miami) based on justice, clergy — Canon Howarth “Hap” Lewis, Holy Secretary — Sophia Faiella, St. Stephen’s, Co- Photo by Thomas Winter fairness and Smith compassion.” Trinity, West Palm Beach conut Grove (Miami) A resolution Disciplinary Board: Lay — Carlos Ro- Administrative Assistant — Myles Bullock, St. was offered driguez, St. Phillip’s, Coral Gables; clergy — Faith’s, Miami from the floor, asking that “the 41st Annual Conven- Dean John Tidy, All Souls’, Miami Beach Standing Committee President (elected by tion of the Diocese of Southeast Florida affirms our Cathedral Chapter: Lay — Linda Kelly Standing Committee) — The Rev. Hallock affection and honors The Rev. Canon Winnie Bolle,” Kearson, Incarnation, Miami; clergy — Fr. Martin, Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach and calling for a World AIDS Day Eucharist at the Bob Trache, St. Mark the Evangelist, Ft. Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, at which Canon Lauderdale Bolle would be honored for her work, and especially Lay Trustee, University of the South — for her ministry with HIV/AIDS patients in the early Alyson Crouch Hardin, All Saints, Ft. Laud- years of the pandemic. This resolution also quickly erdale passed. A resolution asking that Chapel of the Venerable Bede on the campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables be asked to pay full diocesan assess- percent. wide range of songs old and new, all offered with ment was easily defeated after explanation of the The convention elected new members to the great joy and a lively beat. unique situation of the Chapel — the property would Standing Committee, the Ecclesiastical Trial Court, As a mark of our wide-ranging commitment to revert to the university if it were no longer the site of the Disciplinary Board (newly established under the “make known to all people the transforming power of Episcopal campus ministry — and a number of ex- revised Canon XVII), the Cathedral Chapter and the the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” the gospel was read in pressions of praise for the ministry and the members Board of Trustees of the University of the South, as five languages: Spanish, French, Malagasy, Por- of Venerable Bede who support it. well as deputies and alternates to the 2012 General tuguese and English. Campus chaplain Fr. Frank Corbishley, who is Convention of the Episcopal Church. In addition, the The preacher for the Eucharist was the Rt. Rev. also priest-in-charge of the congregation at Venerable convention ratified deanery elections of deans and Dabney Smith, bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Bede, explained that the campus chaplaincy is a 32- Executive Board representatives, officers of the Florida, who spoke of the history shared by the Dio- hour-a-week position, so members of the Chapel “pay Youth Commission elected at the Youth Convention ceses of Southeast and Southwest Florida, which both me to do this.” in August, an appointment to the Commission on have many congregations planted by Bishop William “We do pay an assessment,” he said. “ALL of the Ministry and the Standing committee’s re-election of Crane Gray a century ago, and the differences be- Chapel’s income is designated for campus ministry.” its president, the Rev. Hallock Martin. tween Gray’s experience of mission and ours. In other legislative action the convention ratified All those elected or ratified are listed in box “In Bishop Gray’s day, mission was something we changes proposed by General Convention to the Con- above. exported,” he said. “Now it’s no longer helpful to stitution of the Episcopal Church, and approved a All convention events, including the Eucharist, think of going to the nations to take something.” 2011 diocesan budget of $3,072,884, an increase of were held in St. Mary’s Pittenger Center, which offers Now it’s much more about “our collective rela- approximately 2.8 percent over this year’s operating a large multipurpose space with a stage, where the tionship with Jesus Christ.” budget. Estimated income for 2011 is based upon a musicians of St. Joe’s Unplugged Band from St. The Great Commission text “is not best under- proposed assessment rate of 14.7467 percent, an in- Joseph’s, Boynton Beach, led by Director of Music crease of .75 percent from the current rate, 13.9943 Charles Milling, provided music for worship with a See CONVENTION, Page 4 4 The Net, December 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org
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stood as a slogan,” Smith said, noting that Matthew 28 tells us that when the disciples saw Jesus on the mountaintop, “some doubted.” “This world mission to the nations is entrusted to a group of wavering, hesitant — but worshiping — disciples, and I think that’s good news… All author- ity is given to Him, not to you and me, thank God!” A missionary community is one committed to changing its surroundings wherever it may be, he said. Our mission may look different from that of the church in Bishop Gray’s time, “but it’s the same mis- sion.” “God chooses to work in the world through you — and Jesus is with us wherever we are.” The service included the installation of three new deans: The Very Rev. Mark Sims, Broward; The Very Rev. Richard Aguilar, North Dade; and The Very Rev. Debra Andrew Maconaughey, Keys. The offering received at the Eucharist was desig- nated for the Diocese of Haiti. The convention banquet on Friday night was sponsored by the diocesan World Mission Commis- sion as a benefit for the ministries of the McGregors in Toliara, Madagascar. The same space that had Photo by Thomas Winter served as a meeting room and a worship space earlier Unplugged Band—Director of Music Charles Milling (right) and St. Joe’s Unplugged Band, including vocalist in the day was quickly transformed into a banquet Madison Langley (left), led the music for the Eucharist and stayed to provide music for dining and dancing at hall, with table centerpieces of orchids and Malagasy the banquet. crafts. The centerpieces were available for purchase for a donation of $100, and by Saturday morning most had been sold. Bishop’s HII (Hospitality, Increase in all four Key Indicators (AWA, The St. Joe’s Unplugged Band stayed through the Easter, Plate Pledge, Operating Revenue) — evening to provide music for dining and dancing. Invitation, Incorporation) Awards Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach; Trinity Cathedral, World Mission Commission Chair Dean Marty Miami; Todos Los Santos, Miami Zlatic, rector of St. Joseph’s — and a chef who Five Year Growth Trend (2004-2009) — All learned his Italian cuisine in Rome — did most of the Saints, Ft. Lauderdale, 44.8% Increase in three Key Indicators (AWA, Easter, cooking for the five-course Italian dinner, assisted by Plate Pledge, Operating Revenue) — Holy Cross, a team from St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s and other con- Three Year Growth Trend (2006-2009) — St. Miami; St Margaret’s, Miami Lakes gregations of the North and South Palm Beach Luke the Physician, Miami, 51.0%; St. Columba, Deaneries. The servers were members of the youth Marathon, 48.8%; St. Andrew’s, Palmetto Bay, 10% or greater increase in Easter Sunday Atten- groups at St. Joseph’s and St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton, 38.3%; Todos Los Santos, Miami, 31.6%; St. dance from 2008 to 2009 — St Luke the Physi- and international students from St. Andrew’s School, Anne’s, Hallandale, 21.5%; St. Bernard de Clair- cian, Miami, 38.7%; Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton. vaux, North Miami Beach, 6.3%; St. Joseph’s, 34.5%; Trinity Cathedral, Miami 30.2%; St Paul et The food, sodas, beer and wine, as well as materi- Boynton Beach; 3.2% Les Martyrs d’Haiti, Miami, 26%; Todos Los San- als for the centerpieces, were donated, so all proceeds tos, Miami, 21.4%; St. Stephen’s, Miami, 15.1%; from the banquet — approximately $35,000 — were Increase of 77 AWA from 2008-2009 — St. Mary All Saints’, Jensen Beach, 14.5% clear profit for the ministries in Toliara. Magdalene, Coral Springs Saturday morning began with a full breakfast pro- 10% or greater increase in Plate and Pledge vided free by Episcopal Charities of Southeast Honorable Mention from 2008 to 2009 — St. John’s, Hollywood, Florida as a thank-you to the diocesan community for (Increase of 10% or more from 2008-2009): 42.0%; Holy Comforter, Miami, 17.9%; St. Faith’s, its support of ECSEFL ministries. The food was pre- Nehemiah 2009 Parishes — St. Paul et Les Mar- Cutler Bay, 17.2%; Holy Family, Miami, 14.4% pared by volunteers from Mary’s Kitchen, a ministry tyrs D’Haiti, Miami, 55.1%; St. James-in-the- of St. Mary’s that serves a weekly hot meal to needy Hills, Hollywood, 28.3%; Holy Comforter, Miami, 10% or greater increase in operating income members of the community and also provides meals 21.0%; Trinity Cathedral, Miami,19.0%; St. Mar- from 2008-2009 — St. Faith’s, Cutler Bay, 38.7%; for parishioners in times of illness, bereavement or garet’s, Miami Lakes,16.9%; All Saints’, Jensen St. Francis-in-the-Keys, Big Pine Key, 29.2%; In- other family emergencies. Beach, 15.4%; St. Luke the Physician, Miami, tercession, Ft. Lauderdale, 26.8%; St. Margaret’s, As part of the morning’s opening worship and 10.8% Miami Lakes, 20.2%; Trinity Cathedral, Miami, meditation, members of the youth drama group from Non- Nehemiah 2009 Parishes — All Souls’, 18.7%; Atonement, Lauderhill, 2.1% St. Patrick’s, West Palm Beach, celebrated the gifts of Miami Beach, 26.2%; St. Mary’s, Deerfield, African American culture with a presentation of the 23.3%; St. Andrew’s, Hollywood, 20.0%; St. An- Nehemiah Steering Committee: Fr. Orlando Ad- poem by Jewel Diamond Taylor, “I’m Not Giving My drew’s, Palmetto Bay, 17.2%; St. Mark the Evan- dison; Dean Richard Aguilar, Ms. Susan Auld; Ms. Black Back.” gelist, Ft. Lauderdale,15.3%; St. Kevin’s, Karen Phillips Smith; Canon Richard Miller; Mr. After last year’s successful convention food drive, Opa-locka, 14.2%; Transfiguration, Miami Gar- Bob Moore, Mr. Bill Swaney, Fr. Horace Ward Episcopal Charities requested again this year that all dens, 11.9%; St. Patrick’s, West Palm Beach,11.6% convention delegates and guests bring a gift of non- Electronic Communications (“Techie”) Commit- perishable food, which was donated to Mary’s Nehemiah Awards, Class of 2009 tee — Kathy Blanton, Bill Evans, The Rev. Kitchen. Christina Encinosa In her report to convention the Rev. Donna Special Recognition for Excellence in Applying Dambrot, director of Episcopal Charities, showed a Nehemiah Principles — Fr. Jack Stanton, Dean Special Recognition for Generous Hospitality to brief video highlighting outreach ministries around Debra Maconaughey, Fr. Smith Milien, Deacon Holy Family, Miami Gardens, and Holy Spirit, the diocese, and then gave special recognition to the Marivel Natera Milien, Dean Richard Aguilar (Ne- West Palm Beach, host congregations for Ne- hemiah Mentoring) and Fr. Horace Ward (Ne- hemiah meetings hemiah Mentoring) See CONVENTION, Page 5 News www.diosef.org THE 5 NET The Net, December 2010
visit “your cathedral;” and to help CONVENTION from Page 4 in any way possible with restora- tion efforts. various congregation-based and community partner- “The treasure of Trinity be- ship programs supported in part by ECSEFL. (See longs to all of us at this moment in box.) time,” he said, “and we must do Special awards went to the Broward Deanery, for all that we can to make sure it is its support “financially and with volunteers over a here for future generations to lift long period of time” of St. Laurence Chapel and the their voices in prayer and praise.” Jubilee Center of South Broward; and to St. Philip’s, (The full text of the dean’s Coral Gables, as the congregation that models best presentation is posted at the practices in the administration of their outreach pro- Diocesan Convention link on the gramming. diocesan website, “Their major projects include financial and volun- www.diosef.org.) teer support for 12 major outreach projects,” Dambrot Youth Commission President explained. “Members of their outreach committee Emily Gonzalez-Holland of St. Photo by Thomas Winter serve as board members of many of these organiza- Benedict’s, Plantation, reported on tions. Their support ranges from partnerships with youth activities in the diocese, “Not giving my Black other Episcopal Church programs, partnerships with which she described as “stepping back!”--Above, Oriana Gordon and Horatio stones in our journey with Christ.” community nonprofit organizations, international out- Bunch wait for their reach and a myriad of holiday activities. What makes She noted that Southeast cues as Shuquana them unique is their encouragement of their programs Florida youth have also partici- Sharry recites her part to interact and provide assistance to each other.” pated in events at the provincial of the poem, “I’m Not The convention heard reports from two mission and national level. Giving My Black Back.” teams, the Clergy Spouses’ group that recently made “None of this would be possi- Members of the youth its third annual visit to Our Little Roses Home and ble if it weren’t for our bishop and drama group from St. School in Honduras, and the diocesan mission team his vision for youth,” she said. Patrick’s, West Palm that spent two weeks in Madagascar in September She concluded, “As youth of Beach, were part of the (see story, p. 16). the church we understand the re- opening worship on Sat- urday morning. On behalf of the World Mission Commission, sponsibility we hold, and we defi- Dean Marty Zlatic asked that all congregations pray nitely don’t take it lightly. Even as Youth officers — At regularly for the people of our companion dioceses we are having the times of our left, Youth Commission and their ministries. lives, we work towards commit- President Emily Gonza- Deacon Bob Sullivan and Vasco Coombs of the ting ourselves and helping others lez-Holland (right) and Cursillo secretariat described the experience of help- learn of God’s love. Living in Vice-president Krista ing to lead the first Cursillo weekends in Jamaica, Christ as youth is just the start of Lamberti (left) offered and Sullivan urged all congregations to support the what’s to come — we are the fu- youth ministry informa- Cursillo movement. ture, and right now, the future of tion at the youth display “It puts your whole Christian life in perspective,” the Diocese of Southeast Florida in the exhibit hall. he said. is looking pretty bright.” Photo by Mary Cox Trinity Cathedral Dean Doug McCaleb spoke (The full text of the youth pres- about the history, the ministries, the plans — and the entation is posted at the Diocesan ery issued the invitation to next year’s convention, extensive restoration needs — of the diocesan cathe- Convention link on the diocesan website, which will be held at St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach, on dral. He urged everyone to pray for the cathedral, its www.diosef.org.) a date he suggested would not be hard to remember: congregation and ministries, “as we pray for you;” to Dean Marty Zlatic of the South Palm Beach Dean- 11/11/11. ■
Episcopal Charities Awards St. Columba, Marathon; St. James the Fisherman, Islamorada; St. Andrew’s, Lake Worth; St. Andrew’s, Palmetto Bay; All Saints’, The “Big Kahuna” feeding programs Jensen Beach; St. Benedict’s, Plantation St. George’s, Riviera Beach — 100,000 meals/year Holy Redeemer, Lake Worth — 41,500 meals/year Caring for our seniors St. Matthew the Apostle/Miami Community Partnership for the St. Matthews, Delray Beach (20-40 seniors from the community Homeless, Inc.-- 828,500 meals a year. (Ten Miami Episcopal meet weekly for a hot meal, arts and crafts, speakers and field trips) Churches are directly involved with preparing and serving meals; St. Patrick’s, West Palm Beach (25 seniors meet weekly for a light 5% of the food budget for Community Partnership comes from EC- meal, speakers, outings and other activities) SEFL and the diocese. St. Paul’s et Les Martyrs de Haiti, Miami (start-up ministry serving primarily Haitian elderly, who gather monthly at St. Paul’s for so- Afterschool programs cialization, light refreshments and a program) St. Paul’s, Delray Beach — Paul’s Place (Serves children of working North Palm Beach Deanery Chaplaincy Program (26 facilities in the poor Haitian-Americans) deanery receive worship services, one-on-one visits and emergency St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes — My care visits. Over 1300 persons have been served in 2010) Backyard (Serves middle-schoolers) All Saints/St. Ambrose/El Centro de Todos los Santos, Ft. Laud- Family Promise — two special partnerships of interfaith congre- erdale — (New after-school program of El Centro serves His- gations panic/Latino children) They are a part of a nationwide interfaith hospitality network to sup- Holy Family, Miami Gardens — Second Chance (new tutoring and port homeless families with shelter, food, job assistance and daycare homework assistance program for 30 middle school students) while trying to “get back on their feet”. The driving forces in starting these two Family Promise networks are: “A small church with a big heart for outreach” St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton (Family Promise of SPBC) and St. These congregations, though relatively small in size, are supporting Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens (Family Promise of North/ Central the needs of their communities in significant ways: PBC) 6 The Net, December 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org
2011 Bishop’s Spring Conference High visibility will focus on new worship music
Planning is underway for the Bishop’s Spring Conference, scheduled for Mar. 11-12, 2011, at the Duncan Center. In keeping with a resolution proposed by the diocesan Youth Commission and approved at the 40th Thanks to a Diocesan Convention last year asking “that the lucky win by the Bishop’s Spring Conference for 2011 be designated webmaster of St. Margaret’s and as an experiential music workshop to help recruit and San Francisco de train members of the Church to share their musical Asis, Miami talents,” much of the conference will be focused on Lakes, the learning and using new forms of music for worship. message that the The conference will also include a session on Episcopal Church Christian formation. is eager to As soon as complete conference details are avail- welcome Latinos able, information will be posted in Grapevine and was publicized in sent to congregations. ■ Times Square for one day last Delgado installed as bishop of month. Episcopal Church of Cuba Photo provided by Episcopal News Service The Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio was in- stalled as bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba in a Nov. 28 ceremony at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ha- Episcopal Church ad in Times vana. Delgado, 55, was consecrated as bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Church of Cuba on Feb. 7 and has Square offered Spanish welcome since worked with Bishop Miguel Tamayo of the An- “La Iglesia Episcopal les da la bienvenida,” said his parishioners, Isela Gonzalez. She is the volunteer glican Church of Uruguay as he completed his six- the 35’ x 32.5’ electronic billboard high over Times webmaster for www.episcopalmiamilakes.com, the year tenure as Cuba's interim bishop. With Tamayo's Square in New York City on Nov. 17. website for the two congregations, now in the retirement, Delgado becomes Cuba's diocesan bishop The Spanish-language version of the “Episcopal process of finalizing the covenant for their shared and the first woman to serve in that role, as well as Church welcomes you” ad, which featured a photo of ministry. the first female diocesan bishop in Latin America. a young Latino family, members of Todos los Santos Gonzalez, a realtor, became interested in using Among those taking part in the service were Pre- Episcopal Church in Highland Park, Calif., gave the websites and social networking media for her busi- siding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Arch- Episcopal Church a unique opportunity to reach out ness, and is now skilled enough to have offered pre- bishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada. to Hispanic/Latino neighbors—at no cost. sentations at the diocesan Lay Leadership Workshops Bishop Leo Frade, his wife, Diana, along with The photo was provided by photographer Marie in October on using these electronic tools. (See story, Archdeacon Tom Bruttell and his wife, the Rev. Oviedo of Ventura, Calif. The placement of the ad page 12) Susan Bruttell, also attended. was won as a door prize at last May’s Hispanic PR & Like everyone else attending the conference, she “It’s an exciting time for the church in Cuba,” Social Media Marketing Conference in Dallas, Tex., entered her name in the drawings for all the door Frade said. sponsored by Hispanic Public Relations Association prizes—and won the ad placement in Times Square. Bolivia-born Delgado, who was formerly rector of (HPRA) and the Hispanic PR Blog—and there’s a Santa Maria Virgen in Itabo, Cuba, was appointed as Southeast Florida connection. “It was the Lord!” she said. “I think I was meant bishop coadjutor in January by the Metropolitan When Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church to be there just to win that!” Council of Cuba, which governs the Cuban church in Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministry, requested Although the ad appeared in Times Square for matters of faith and order. The council, which is recommendations for someone to represent the Epis- only one day, the ad is now available for congrega- chaired by Hiltz and includes Jefferts Schori as a copal Church at the conference, Dean Richard tions and dioceses to use in their own local advertis- member, has overseen the church in Cuba since it Aguilar, priest-in-charge of St. Margaret’s and San ing. It can be downloaded at http://www. separated from the U.S.-based Episcopal Church in Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes, suggested one of episcopalchurch.org/adcollaborative.htm. ■ 1967. In September 2009, the Cuban church, for the sec- ond time, failed to elect a bishop coadjutor. After 13 Two events will celebrate Absalom Jones inconclusive ballots were cast, the choice of a coadju- tor fell to the council. Next February there will be two opportunities for Southeast Florida Epis- The Cuban church includes about 40 congrega- copalians to commemorate Absalom Jones, the first African-American to be tions and some 10,000 Episcopalians. ■ ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church and the founder of the first African American Episcopal parish, St. Thomas African Episcopal Church in Frade designates Jan. 23 for support Philadelphia, Pa. On Feb. 11, the Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin, bishop of Haiti, our newly of Episcopal Charities’ work approved companion diocese, will be the preacher at the annual diocesan Ab- salom Jones Service at Church of the Incarnation, Miami. A festive Eucharist Bishop Frade has designated Jan.23, 2011, as honoring Absalom Jones has been held annually in this diocese since 1984. Episcopal Charities Sunday. The service, which begins at 10 a.m., will be followed by a luncheon and All congregations are asked to receive a special fashion show sponsored by the Theodore R. Gibson Chapter of the Union of offering that day to support the work of Episcopal Black Episcopalians (UBE). Tickets for the luncheon and fashion show are Charities of Southeast Florida across the diocese. $30. Donations will allow Episcopal Charities to offer On Feb. 26 at the Duncan Center the South and North Palm Beach increased support and funding to congregational out- Deaneries will offer a Gospel music workshop and concert by the choir from Duracin reach programs, and provide essential services to St. Thomas African Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the parish founded by those with the most need in our communities--the Absalom Jones. growing numbers of the hungry and homeless, and Additional information on these events will be posted in Grapevine at the most vulnerable in our midst, the elderly and chil- www.diosef.org . ■ dren. ■ News www.diosef.org THE 7 NET The Net, December 2010 Haiti Connection meeting hears plan for reconstruction and development By Mary Frances Schjonberg Brutus and Duracin said that a commission whose economist Kesner Pharel, conference keynote members are just now being nominated will be speaker, cautioned that such an emergence must in- Participants in the Haiti Connection Conference in charged with formulating a fundraising plan for the clude a “culture of responsibility,” which he said is Miami, Nov. 3-5, heard presentations on a version of reconstruction and development effort. They said that now lacking. the plan for post-earthquake reconstruction and devel- many of the entities in the plan, including the cathe- Pharel, who worked with the diocese to develop opment of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. The cost es- dral, the convent and the Holy Trinity music school, its reconstruction and development plan, called on timate for the first phase is nearly $197 million. already have promises of financial help. the church to “lead by example” and to “manage bet- Close to 185 people from 32 U.S. states, as well as The Episcopal Church's Executive Council in Oc- ter than the government is doing right now.” He also Washington D.C., Canada, the Virgin Islands and Ja- tober committed to a plan for living out its earlier asked Episcopalians outside of Haiti to invest in the maica, were registered to attend the confer- country and to lend their knowledge and skills ence. The participants, who represent to teach Haitians how to run their country bet- organizations engaged in ministry in Haiti, Hope for rebuilding ter. gather biennially to exchange information Margareth Crosnier de Ballaistre, the Epis- about their work. The last conference was No- copal Church Center's director of investment vember 2008 in Port-au-Prince, the now-dev- management and banking and a Haitian- astated Haitian capital. American, told the conference that she and “I am glad to see so many people here,” others plan to hold a financial-accountability Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of Haiti told the workshop for all administrators, project man- gathering. “It is a sign of hope.” agers, social workers and other staff desig- In his homily at the conference’s opening nated by Duracin. Eucharist, Bishop Leo Frade recalled his own She stressed that every partner and organi- anger at God in the aftermath of Hurricane zation working in Haiti “should hold our Mitch in Honduras, but reminded the group brothers and sisters accountable with the that even when we feel that “we are in a horri- same standards used here or in Canada.” ble hole… God is our refuge.” However, she said, Haitians often have a dif- He called Duracin “our Nehemiah,” but ferent reaction to accountability expectations. added that like the biblical Nehemiah, Du- “Not that Haitians cannot be accountable racin can’t do the work of rebuilding without or not that they are not accountable, but as a the help of everyone. Haitian myself, I can tell you we feel that The Plan for the Reconstruction and De- when people ask us for receipts, it's an insult. velopment of the Diocese of Haiti (Phase 1) If I tell you I spent $10 on a taxi … you says that the $196,861,926 cost estimate in- should take my word for it,” she said, adding cludes a $24,319,400 “local contribution,” that as a Haitian-American she has learned thus leaving $172,542,526 to come from out- that lack of trust is not the issue, but instead, side sources. the issue is a need to account for all activities. Duracin, who told the conference that the Abagail Nelson, senior vice president of plan will allow the diocese to live into its programs for Episcopal Relief & Develop- post-quake resurrection, told Episcopal News ment, told the conference that, at Duracin's Service that a supplement to the plan will request, the agency will fund a chief of opera- soon be developed to include the costs for re- tions position for five years to help strengthen pairing Hôpital Sainte Croix in Léogâne near diocesan administrative functions. She also the quake's epicenter. The complete plan will said that accountability begins with an atti- be posted on the Haiti Connection website tude of mutuality between development part- Photo by Mary W. Cox when it is available, said Ken Quigley, one of ners. the conference organizers. At the Haiti Connection meeting Sister Kethia of the Society of St. “It's important that we not patronize peo- The diocese says in the plan that it wants to Margaret, an Episcopal religious order with a significant ministry in ple and that we ask people to work together,” go beyond rebuilding to look at the capacity of Haiti, examines material at a display of new construction techniques. she said. its parishes, schools and medical institutions to The Rev. Frantz Cole of the diocese's relief address community and congregational needs in the challenge to the church to raise $10 million to help and development arm, Centre Diocesain de tradition of the diocese's service to Haiti since the rebuild the diocese. At Duracin's request, that money Développement et de Secours (CEDDISEC), had church was founded in late 1850 by the Rev. James will be dedicated to cathedral reconstruction. earlier asked conference participants to join the dio- Theodore Holly. The quake “has made us live differently,” Duracin cese in its desire for sustainable development. The Jan. 12 magnitude-7 earthquake destroyed 71 told the gathering Nov. 4. “We are obliged to have “We risk perpetuating the system of dependency” percent of the diocese's churches, 50 percent of its new vision.” he said, adding that “dependency holds back devel- primary schools and 80 percent of its secondary He thanked the Episcopal and Anglican organiza- opment.” schools, according to details in the plans. Seventy- tions and individuals who he said have thus far The Rev. Rosemari Sullivan, who with the Rev. five percent of its higher-educational facilities must helped the diocese move towards a “new era of re- Joseph Constant was recently appointed to become be demolished and 33 percent of the rectories, con- creation, rebuilding, rebirth and resurrection.” part of Duracin's staff and help to coordinate the vents and guesthouses are seriously damaged and also The plan contains a list of “priorities among prior- church's response to the diocese's rebuilding efforts, must be destroyed. Also lost were the bishop's house ities because in Haiti everything is a priority now,” told conference participants that they hope to help and the income-producing condominium building. Duracin said. the dioceses coordinate that response so that the Those losses equal an estimated $61.3 million, ac- The projects listed in the plan were chosen be- work can be done “in a way that is much more effec- cording to a list included in the plan as explained by cause they “represent the whole image of the church tive for all concerned.” She and Constant can be con- the Rev. Mathieu Brutus, a Haitian priest who was of Haiti, not only locally but internationally.” tacted at [email protected]. ■ part of the commission that developed the plan. Bru- Many of the conference speakers said that the tus also told ENS that the total reconstruction cost es- diocese needed not just monetary assistance but also This article was adapted from a report by the Rev. timates listed in the version of the plan released to partnerships aimed at helping Haiti to move from de- Mary Frances Schjonberg, a national correspondent conference participants were not accurate and con- pendency to the Haitian government's stated goal of for the Episcopal News Service and editor of Episco- firmed the figures reported above. becoming an “emerging nation” by 2020. Haitian pal News Monthly and Episcopal News Quarterly. 8 The Net, December 2010 www.diosef.org THE Parishes in Progress 9 NET www.diosef.org The Net, December 2010
■ St. Luke’s, Port Salerno, announces the recipients of the Bob Burdon and Stewart Behling Scholarships in the amount of $500 per award. The parish’s Anniversary cake Stone soup Bingo Program matched these awards. The Stewart Behling Scholarship was awarded to Cynthia M. Dorsey. The Bob Burdon Scholarships were awarded to Corey A. Hill, Robert Sims, Robin Lamb, and Olivia Michelle Owens. ■ St. Monica’s, Stuart, has recently launched its first website, www.stmon- Noah Petrucco finds some- ica-stuartfla.org. The website was designed and developed by UTB Produc- thing unexpected in his tions in collaboration with Donna Dupuy, a marketing/public relations bowl on “Stone Soup Day” at consultant who serves on St. Monica’s vestry. All professional services were the Children’s Center at St. donated wholly or in part. James the Fisherman, Islam- ■ The ECW of St. Martin’s, Clewiston, has just published the second edition orada. As part of a pre- of its Fruit of the Spirit cookbook. (The first edition sold out.) The 149-page Thanksgiving lesson on book includes 250 recipes in the categories Appetizers & Beverages, Soups & gratitude and sharing, each Salads, Vegetables and Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads and Rolls, Desserts, of the children was asked to Cookies and Candies, and “This and That,” as well as information on pantry bring a vegetable to add to a basics, herbs and spices, baking tips, timetables for cooking, table decorations, pot of soup that the teachers helped them make, beginning and substitutions and equivalencies. The book is available for $10 from THE with water — and some CHURCH WOMEN, Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church, 207 North W. C. rocks. The children made Owen Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440-3030. Allow an additional $2 for costumes, had a parade and postage and handling. For additional information, call the church office, 863- then listened to the folk tale, 983-7960. “Stone Soup,” in which vil- ■ Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach, will hold its 31st annual Boar’s Head lagers are persuaded to add and Yule Log Festival on Jan. 8 and 9. Performances for the public will be Jan. their ingredients to a pot of 9 at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. water with rocks in it, discov- ering that when everyone ■ Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, is expanding its relationship with neighbor- adds something, the “stone ing Belvedere Elementary School. Parishioners have formed a team of prayer soup” is a savory meal. Then partners to pray daily for each of the school’s teachers, administrators and sup- the class sat down to a lunch port staff who would like to have this prayer support. The parish is collecting of soup, cornbread and cran- books for the school’s summer reading program; and students will be partici- berry sauce — and just a few pating in Holy Spirit’s community garden program (see story p. 14). rocks. ■ Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines, will welcome its new rector, Fr. An- Photo by Stephen Lee Photo by Michelle Lane thony Holder, in January. Fr. Leonard Brusso, retired rector of St. Andrew’s, Palmetto Bay, cuts his cake at an Oct. 24 celebration of the 50th Dancing lessons ■ The Centro Hispano at St. Ambrose, Ft. Lauderdale, celebrated the Vir- anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. At left is St. Andrew’s present rector, Fr. Spencer Potter. Brusso was celebrant gin of Guadalupe, a beloved icon in Latin America, on Dec. 12 with a service for the Eucharist that morning at the altar where he served from 1981 to 1998. in Spanish, a Mariachi band and plenty of traditional food. Fr. Hayden Crawford, ■ On Dec. 4 Bishop Leo Frade instituted Fr. Hayden Crawford as the second Generations Hispanic festival the new rector at Church rector of Church of the Incarnation, Miami. On Dec. 12 the congregation of the Incarnation, held a gala evening at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in celebration of the ministry Miami, and parishioner Eloise Ward practice first rector, the Rev. Canon J. Kenneth Major, who retired last summer after 42 their footwork at Incar- years of service to the parish. nation’s monthly Healthy ■ The ECW of Holy Family, Miami Gardens, anticipated Advent with an Living Through Line “Advent by Candlelight Tea” of the evening of Nov. 19. Tables were set with Dancing class. The fine linens, tea sets and silver service; Advent candles were lighted and guests class, sponsored by the were reminded that Advent is a time to prepare for the arrival of the most im- parish’s Caring Hearts portant guest. The women hope to make this an annual event. Nurses Guild, is de- ■ Holy Family is inviting senior citizens—and young people who dare to face signed to provide an op- off against their competitive elders—to take a break from gift-wrapping on portunity for exercise that’s fun. It’s held at Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. for an evening of Wii Bowling and Tennis Tournaments. ■ 11:30 a.m. on the third Starting this January, St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove (Miami), will offer Saturday of each month. tax-preparation assistance to help low income families in the community take advantage of their earned income tax credits. This will mean savings of as Photo by Marvin Ellis much as $5,500 for some families, most of whom do not file for this benefit. ■ On Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. St. Faith’s, Cutler Bay, will hold a “Blue Christmas” Jericho? service of Evening Prayer especially for people who are dealing with circum- stances that make the festivities of the season hard to bear—health issues, di- vorce, bereavement, job loss or other financial problems. There will be anointing for healing, time for quiet contemplation and prayers for comfort Sunday School and strength. students at St. Mark the Evangelist, Ft. ■ St. Columba, Marathon, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Dec. 19 with Lauderdale, had a a visit from a special guest—Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori! The lively study of the Book Presiding Bishop will celebrate and preach at the 9 a.m. Eucharist, followed by of Joshua this fall: a reception. (Watch for a full report in the next issue.) They built a replica of ■ On Nov. 14 St. Peter’s, Key West, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the the Ark of the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, a ministry that provides food, personal care Covenant, put copies items, nutritional supplements and disposable diapers to people in need. The of the ten command- pantry is sponsored by the congregation in partnership with the Florida Keys Photo by Robin Lawrie ments inside, and while they didn’t have Outreach Coalition (FKOC) and support from Episcopal Charities of Southeast Guests at the Centennial Garden Party on Oct. 16 at St. Stephen’s, Miami, were invited Photo by Braulio Peruyero time to march around Florida. FKOC president and CEO, the Rev. Stephen E. Braddock, spoke at the to come in costumes representing the 10 decades of the congregation’s history. The past — the walls of Jericho, Joyce Harrington (right), dressed for a garden party of the 1920s or ‘30s — talks with the fu- Eucharist at St. Peter’s that morning and a new sign for the pantry was blessed At the Hispanic Festival on Oct. 23 at St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de they did have horns to ture, Paula Coraspe (left). Barely visible behind Coraspe is Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, who during the service. On Nov. 18 representatives from St. Peter’s, FKOC and Asis, children carry flags of some of the many Spanish-speaking countries blow as they marched grew up at St. Stephen’s and was celebrant and preacher for the Centennial Eucharist on Episcopal Charities received a proclamation from Key West Mayor Craig represented in our diocese. The event began with a festive Eucharist, with the Ark around the Oct. 17. Cates and City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley designating the day as Loaves Bishop James Ottley as celebrant, and continued with an international feast classroom. and Fish Food Pantry Day. and performances by musicians and dancers from the Hispanic cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo by Carol Zeber 10 The Net, December 2010 THE From Our Bishop NET www.diosef.org Growth, mission partnerships and a challenge to “complete the work we have begun” Bishop Leo Frade’s address to the 41st Diocesan less of who we are. Convention, Nov. 12, 2010 Later on during this Convention, with the help of the Nehemiah Team under the My beloved in Christ, I say to each and every one direction of Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, of you, welcome, welcome to the 41st Convention of Linda Schlepp-Gray and all those wonder- the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. I have ful people that make up the Nehemiah been eagerly waiting for this wonderful occasion Steering Committee, I will give some when we are able to gather once more as brothers and awards to a number of congregations in sisters in unity to celebrate the many wonderful the diocese that have been outstanding ex- things that God has done and continues to do in our amples this year of Hospitality, Inclusion diocese. and Incorporation. Do you realize that this year I celebrated 10 years Many other exciting things have been serving you as your Diocesan Bishop? If you remem- happening. One of them has been the de- ber, from the very beginning of my ministry in this veloping merger of two struggling North diocese I told you that I was a missionary bishop and Dade congregations into one vibrant min- that I wanted for us to become a missionary diocese. istry. St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de It was out of that proclamation that we stated our Photo by Thomas Winter Asis, Miami Lakes, are in the process of mission: “The mission of the Diocese of Southeast combining resources to become one larger Florida is to make known to all people the transform- One of the primary tasks of and stronger bicultural Episcopal Church ing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including all, in the Miami Lakes area. excluding none.” establishing vibrant ministries It is also worth mentioning the growth Well, I have very good news for you. Our Episco- of St. Kevin’s and Transfiguration, which pal Church in Southeast Florida has made tremendous in our diocese is a commitment grew by 14.2% and 11.9% respectively. advances in spite of the challenging times in which Thirteen new future clergy are cur- we live. We are growing! Yes, we are growing! Our here and abroad to make this rently in the process toward ordination for growth in Average Weekend Attendance and in Plate our diocese; four of those are under 45 and Pledge offerings is quite dramatic and a sign of world a better place to live where years old and two of them are under 30. the continued expansion of our common ministries We are actively recruiting young men and for Christ in Southeast Florida. justice and equality could reign. women to respond Christ’s call to the or- In 2009 our AWA was up 1.4% over 2008, and the dained ministry. Plate and Pledge was up 2%. The growth is even Archdeacon Tom Bruttell has been more dramatic when you consider that the AWA in- pated in the Nehemiah Process have a growth in AWA more than busy shepherding several congregations in creased a total of 4.2% from 2008 to 2009, and the of 4.2% during this period and the Plate and Pledge transition, providing successful interim or transitional Plate and Pledge increased 5.4% in that same time has increased 5.7% in the same period. Also note that periods for seven churches that had clergy vacancies period. We are not flat, and we are not going down— it is only thanks to those Nehemiah congregations resulting from clergy retirement or transfers. we are going up! that we are able to show overall growth of 1.4% for Already two new rectors have been called and will This is an excellent response to Christ’s call to the whole diocese. begin their ministries with us after the first of the share his Gospel in our midst. I have to congratulate Now please know that, unfortunately, this kind of year. you all. growth is not the case across the church. Additionally we have been providing financial But I especially want to commend all the congre- Yet in the midst of all the divisions and quarrels management assistance as well as the tools for im- gations involved with the Nehemiah Process during that our Episcopal Church has been going through in proved bookkeeping systems, to 10 different churches the past seven years. Now we can indeed say with recent years, regardless of all of this turmoil, we have of the diocese. them, “We have come a long way, baby!” been making known to all people in our midst, in- We are also able to rejoice at three different Re- As the figures for our AWA and Plate and Pledge cluding all, excluding none, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to transform each of us, regard- show, those congregations that have actively partici- See BISHOP’S ADDRESS, Page 11
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 Jan. 15. 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 February, ties, as well as commentary on church-related issues and March or April please have the information to The Net by Kathryn Blanton events. Whenever possible, all material should be submit- Jan. 15. E-mail to EpiscoRat@ aol.com or mail to Mary Convener of Communications Ministry ted electronically or on a disk or CD. Documents sent as W. Cox, DoSEF, 525 NE 15th St., Miami, FL 33132- attachments or on disk should be in Word, or in a format 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.com 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. From Our Bishop www.diosef.org THE 11 NET The Net, December 2010
offering in 2001 at the First BISHOP’S ADDRESS from Page 10 Step gathering that was held at St. Andrew’s School in gional Ministry efforts taking place in this diocese. Boca Raton was dedicated to These involve nine churches that are now fully en- a future ministry among the gaged in outreach and partnerships for local commu- Portuguese speaking Brazil- nity building. ians. One of the primary tasks of establishing vibrant The last U.S. census shows ministries in our diocese is a commitment here and that the Pompano area is abroad to make this world a better place to live where where we can find the three justice and equality could reign. largest communities of Brazil- I want to commend Archdeacon Fritz Bazin, who ians in the United States. I was instrumental in the US Government’s decision to want to thank Fr. Tim Thomas grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians and the people of St. Nicholas after the disastrous January 12 earthquake. His efforts in Pompano Beach for wel- here and in Washington helped to bring this about. coming the Latin-Portuguese We also have been working very hard to Ministry of Southeast Florida strengthen the various ethnic ministries of the dio- Photo by Thomas Winter and assisting Fr. Jose cese. A new and restructured Hispanic Taskforce has Sanchez, his wife Glenda and “We are growing!”—Bishop Leo Frade (right) presents an award for growth been created. of nearly 45 percent over five years, 2004-2009, to representatives of All the members of their new I should note that with the guidance of the Ne- Saints, Ft. Lauderdale. Left to right are Alyson Crouch Hardin, Chuck Ebert, worshiping community in hemiah Process, Dean Horace Ward and Fr. Richard Fr. Sherod Mallow, Chuck Dinsmore and Liz Hallford Ward. reaching out to their Por- Aguilar and the leadership of Fr. Smith Milien, the tuguese-speaking neighbors. Haitian congregation of St. Paul’s et les Martyr With their help we are able to empower so many I am proud of the transformational ministry of the d’Haiti has grown more than 50% this year. That is ministries. This year they supported 19 feeding pro- Duncan Conference Center, which is known through- indeed a remarkable achievement. grams that served 264,000 prepared hot meals, as out our diocese, the community and indeed, the We also continue, together with the Union of well as food pantry programs that distributed bags of whole Episcopal Church, as a place of refreshment, Black Episcopalians, to explore ways of increasing a food that fed 48,468 men, women and children. rest and re-creation, where individuals and groups greater black participation in diocesan commissions Be aware that these numbers do not include our can gain renewed energy and inspiration for the work and committees. program partner, Community Partnership for the to which we are called. Every time I go to meetings I am committed to make sure that all the ethnic Homeless, which receives 5% of its annual food around the Episcopal Church, other bishops come up groups of our diocese can share in the leadership budget from an Episcopal Charities grant. This pro- to me and begin to praise the wonderful hospitality of roles of Southeast Florida. We are a diverse diocese, gram provided 828,500 additional meals this year. the Duncan Center. Over 4,000 people—not just in which white-Anglos, African Americans, Haitians, Since 2007, nine of our 18 feeding programs are Episcopalians, but Roman Catholics, Lutherans, West Indians, Hispanics, and now Brazilians, are all new, and the programs more than doubled the number Methodists, many other church and community part of who we are. On any given Sunday we worship of meals served and distributed. Thank you, Episco- groups—stay at the Duncan Center each year; in four different languages, because the mission of pal Charities. through that ministry, we touch the lives of more than the Diocese of Southeast Florida is to make known to 3. The Nehemiah Process mentioned earlier al- 4,000 people! all people—in languages they understand— the trans- ready ministers to 44% of our congregations, provid- The Duncan Center continues to expand its min- forming power of the Gospel of Jesus, including all, ing helpful resources, training and consultations. istry of hospitality with renovations to existing facili- excluding none. The two new elements of this strategy are: ties—all the guest rooms have been renovated—and I also want to mention that in response to the fact 4. I am requesting that our Property and Loan exciting plans for an outdoor gathering place called that same sex couples are now legally permitted to be Committee raise their grant level from $11,000 to the Oasis. You will hear more about that from the married in some states of the union and in several $20,000 or $25,000 per mission congregation, and I Center’s director, Alison Walsh, tomorrow. other countries, I have authorized the blessing of mar- am also asking them to set aside approximately My thanks Alison, her staff and the Duncan Cen- riages of same-sex couples who have a marriage cer- $500,000 (half a million dollars) with 0% interest ter Board for their innovative ideas and faithful ef- tificate and have been married legally in a jurisdiction loans for capital improvement of our congregations. forts. where that is allowed. An authorized liturgy for such 5. I have instituted the Bishop’s Ministry Grant I am also happy to inform you that the Regional blessings is available upon request from the Diocesan Program, which will also provide one million dollars Youth ministry continues to be active and successful Office. I want to thank the committee headed by over a four-year period to strengthen the leadership in the different deaneries. Besides all the youth activi- Dean Doug McCaleb that worked to produce this and infrastructure within the congregations of the dio- ties taking place in parishes and deaneries, we can document. cese. Awards will be granted to approximately 10 boast several annual diocesan youth events like the Let me make myself very clear: I am committed to congregations, as well as regional ministries, or spe- Youth Convention and the always well-attended work with and respect those who may be in disagree- cial projects. It is my prayerful desire that the Acolyte Festival. I am very proud of the success of ment with the blessing of same sex unions, but at the Bishop’s Ministry Grant Program will assist in the re- the two Happening weekends for Senior High youth same time I am also committed to make this diocese vitalization of the Episcopal Church in Southeast that took place this year and also the New Beginnings an inclusive place where gays and lesbians —indeed, Florida. program for Junior High. If the young people of your ALL people—will be respected and have full partici- Now let me share with you other events and min- church are not participating in these life changing pation in the life of our church. istries in our diocese that I find very healthy and ex- weekends you are really doing them a disservice. Get And now some additional important news that you citing: going on this—we need, and Christ wants, our youth will find of interest: I want to congratulate the Cursillistas of this dio- to be on fire! We continue developing a sweeping, consolidated cese not only for a series of wonderful Men’s and But there are other wonderful things that have and long term diocesan Strategy for Growing a Women’s Cursillos that have taken place recently, but been taking place in our diocese. Did you know that Healthier Ministry in this diocese. also for exporting the Cursillo Movement to Jamaica less than two month ago a team from our diocese was There are five elements that help propel this strat- at the request of their bishop. With the leadership of in Madagascar, working alongside Bishop Todd Mc- egy. You may be familiar with three of those elements team members from our diocese, two Cursillo week- Gregor and his wife, the Rev. Patsy McGregor, hand- which are: ends—one for men, one for women—took place this ing out medicine and eyeglasses—and kazoos—in 1. The Parish Finance and Assessment Commis- summer in Jamaica, and now we can proudly say that addition to treating all kinds of medical conditions, sion that annually awards approximately $615,000 in this diocese has exported the Cursillo Movement to from headaches to leprosy? congregational grants. ($175,000 in cash aid and that country, as well as to Honduras and the Bahamas. We continue having mission teams going to differ- $440,000 in assessment reduction). I also rejoice in the beginning of the ministry ent parts of the Caribbean, Central America, Africa 2. Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida which among the Brazilians of our diocese. One of the bur- and Navajoland, and also several of our youth groups along with the Human Needs Committee is able to dens that our Lord placed in my heart when I came to have travelled within the diocese to help with needed award $240,000 to $300,000 per year in outreach this diocese was to reach out to the large Brazilian grants. population in our midst. You may remember that the See BISHOP’S ADDRESS, Page 12 12 The Net, December 2010 THE Our Diocese NET www.diosef.org
Workshops offer a variety of tools for parish leaders Web-savvy
Nearly 100 lay leaders and clergy from congregations around the diocese attended the two Lay Leadership Work- shops on Oct. 9 at Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, and Oct. 30 at St. Mark the Evangelist, Ft. Lauderdale. Fourteen presenters provided information on topics ranging from the nuts and bolts of managing parish finances, to youth and young adult ministry, to using websites, e-newsletters and social media, to “creative management of conflict in the midst of change.” Each workshop began with an introduction by Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, who presented graphs on church growth—and Isela Gonzalez, volunteer non-growth—and factors that make growth more or less likely. webmaster at St. Margaret’s and San Francisco de Asis, Theological orientation (“left/right”) seems to have little or no Miami Lakes, tells participants impact, he noted, but “congregations that don’t want more at the Lay Leadership Work- members don’t grow!” shop on Oct. 4, “Church isn’t Presenters were members of the diocesan staff—Hobbs, just a building… your website Archdeacon Tom Bruttell, Chief Operating Officer Cris is your house — all the social Valdes—along with Bill Bullock of Church Insurance, Canon media are invitations to bring Richard Miller, youth ministry leaders Pam Sahdev and Tracy people back home.” Holland, members of the Nehemiah Steering Committee and leaders from Nehemiah congregations. The next Lay Leadership workshops are scheduled for Feb. 5 and 12, 2011, at locations to be announced, one in the north- ern part of the diocese and one in the south. ■
Photo by Mary W. Cox
being united with others through the Archbishop of BISHOP’S ADDRESS from Page 11 Canterbury—not only with those with whom you agree, but also with the whole Communion, both repair and refurbishing of facilities at other churches those who are like you and those who don’t agree and community outreach ministries. We are a mis- with us and our policies and actions in the Episcopal sionary diocese, in this country and abroad. Church. They are also Anglicans, and they are our Did you know that last month the clergy spouses brothers and sisters. went on their third mission trip to Our Little Roses in Before I end this address let me extend a word of Honduras? thanks and congratulations both to the Daughters of Did you know that we worked together with the the King and also to the Episcopal Church Women. Diocese of the Dominican Republic in providing aid They are our backbone of prayer and a strong work- and support to Haiti after the earthquake? Fr. Smith force of this diocese. Could you imagine a diocese Milien was one of the first persons to arrive in Haiti without the energy and support of our faithful from the whole Episcopal Church to provide help and women? No way, Jose! Thank you for what you do. research ways in which we could be of assistance. At One last thing: I just want to put to rest the won- the time the only access to Port au Prince was Photo by Thomas Winter dering of some about when I am planning to retire. through the Dominican Republic. Brother bishops – Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of This past month I turned 67 years old and the manda- Later on Archdeacons Bazin and Hobbs accompa- Haiti joins Bishop Leo Frade at the altar at the Con- tory retirement age for an Episcopal Bishop is 72. If nied me and Diana to Haiti to be there as a support to vention Eucharist as they prepare to receive the offer- my math is correct, then if God wills it I’ll be here for ing, which was designated for the Diocese of Haiti. their bishop, who is here with us today. These photo- a while longer. I love working in this diocese and I love the people who make Southeast Florida a lively, graphs show the ruins of the Cathedral Sainte Trinité providing leadership and aid to the people of that vil- exciting, hardworking, believing diocese. in Port-au-Prince and what is left of Bishop Duracin’s lage and assisting Father Kesner Gracia, who is the I have said it before and I will repeat it now, my home. This is only a small glimpse of what our sis- priest in charge of that congregation. wife Diana and I give thanks God daily for allowing ters and brothers in the Diocese of Haiti have been Our brothers and sisters in Haiti need us, but we us to minister amongst you. Our only wish is that you facing for the past 10 months, and I am happy to in- need them even more. This Convention will consider may be as happy with us as we are happy with you. form you that in response to the earthquake disaster a resolution to start a Companion Relationship with We are now beginning to see the fruits of our in Haiti we were able to raise $300,000 to assist the Haiti. I hope that you will approve it. labors for Christ after many years of hard work, even church and the people of Haiti. This 41st Convention of the Diocese of Southeast in the midst of financial disaster, anger and dissen- Our diocesan Haiti Recovery Committee under the Florida wants to celebrate and give thanks to God for sion in our Church—and hurricanes. I challenge leadership of David Gury from St. Gregory’s has our companion relationships with the Dioceses of the you—because I believe our Lord challenges all of been working closely with me and with Bishop Du- Bahamas and Turk and Caicos, with the Dominican us—to complete the work we have begun for him, to racin and clergy of his diocese to determine how we Republic and with the Diocese of Antananarivo in make certain that the ministries in progress continue may be most helpful in Haiti’s recovery. Madagascar. to bear fruit in the years ahead. St. Gregory’s, along with several other congrega- We rejoice in the many ways we share in mission I am committed—as are all members of your tions, has established the South Florida Haiti Project with them and with other dioceses of the Anglican diocesan staff—to continue to work with you to ex- that concentrates on helping the Episcopal Church of Communion around the world. In the ministries we pand our common ministry and mission, “to make St. Marie Madeleine in Bondeau, Haiti. They are lit- share, we strengthen each other, and it seems we known to all people the transforming power of the erally transforming the lives of thousands of people never fail to gain more than we give from the power- Gospel of Jesus Christ, including all, excluding who fled the capital after the earthquake to the un- ful commitment of these faithful partners to our Lord none.” damaged coastal community of Bondeau. I wish to Jesus Christ. commend Deacon Anita Thorstad of St. Gregory’s, That is what the church is all about; this is what it God bless you! who has spent a large part of this year in Bondeau means to be an Anglican. You are an Anglican by Diocese www.diosef.org THE 13 NET The Net, December 2009 Fe y Vida offers outreach to Hispanic radio listeners
By Mary W. Cox, editor by Mesa, senior warden On the air of San Francisco de On Saturday morning, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m. the “On Asis, Miami Lakes, and Air” sign blinked “ON” in the small studio at the late Santiago Ro- WWFE, La Poderosa, in Miami, and Manny Mesa driguez Amores of launched into his welcome to the Spanish-language Todos los Santos, Episcopal radio program, Fe y Vida—”Faith and Miami. That program Life.” ran for several years, but The monligual gringa (me) sitting beside him had was eventually ended. a moment of panic—”How is this going to work?” In January of this Then Fr. Rafael Garcia, to my left, began the year, Mesa and a group scripture reading and prayers that open the program of Hispanic clergy (Gar- each week. It was much too late to back out—and cia, Milian, Fr. Samuel prayer is prayer in every language. Pinzon and Fr. Alberto I soon found myself in a lively coversation with Cutié) met with Bishop Mesa and Fr. Mario Milian, also one of the program’s Leo Frade to propose re- hosts that day, about communications in the diocese, viving the radio pro- the need for more bilingual/bilcultural Episcopalians gram, this time as a live, to help us make more of our diocesan communica- call-in show. With the Photo by Mary W. Cox tions available in Spanish and other languages, and bishop’s support, Fe y Fr. Mario Milian (left) and Manny Mesa answer callers’ questions on the the Span- the important role of the Spanish radio program in Vida—the name was ish-language Episcopal radio program, Fe y Vida. letting our Spanish-speaking neighbors know who we Cutié’s suggestion—was are—and that we want them to know that la Iglesia launched. Regular listeners do include Episcopalians, he Episcopal les da la bienvenida. Hosting duties are shared by Mesa, Garcia (priest- says, but a number of callers are from other church Moving seamlessly between languages, Mesa and in-charge of Holy Comforter, Miami), Milian (assis- backgrounds. The station estimates that about Milian asked me questions in English, then translated tant at St. Thomas, Coral Gables), Cutié 125,000 people listen to the program. their questions and my English responses into Span- (priest-in-charge of Church of the Resurrection, Bis- “People from other denominations are very inter- ish for the listeners. Callers asked questions, too, and cayne Park) and Vivian More-Cortiñas, a parishioner ested in who we are [and] many ask where our made comments, which Mesa translated for me, and at St. Thomas. Guests have included “almost all the churches are in the Miami area,” he said. then translated my answers. priests of the diocese that speak Spanish,” Frade and Callers to the radio show are always referred to Hosting an English-speaking guest on a Spanish other bishops, including visiting bishops from other the diocesan website for the listing of our churches, call-in radio show is hard work for the hosts, but the countries. I was the first English-only guest and the and the program’s hosts have an unforgettable creators of Fe y Vida want to expand the scope of first lay member of the diocesan staff to visit the pro- mnemonic in Spanish for the web address, diosef.org: their program and let listeners know that the Episco- gram. Dios es fabuloso! (God is fabulous!) pal Church wants to reach out across the apparent di- Mesa is pleased with the call-in format, which he As a way to communicate with our Hispanic visions of languages and cultures. believes provides a better opportunity than the taped neighbors, Fe y Vida es fabuloso! The Spanish radio outreach of our diocese began program to “let the Hispanic population know about Fe y Vida can be heard every Saturday morning at nearly a decade ago with a recorded program created the Episcopal Church.” 9 a.m. on WWFE, La Poderosa, 670 AM, in Miami.■
Fr. M. Wendell Hainlin, former Christopher Williams, Cursillo rector of All Angels Obituaries leader Fr. M. Wendell Hainlin, who served as rector of Chris Williams, a leader in the Cursillo movement in our diocese, who died Sept. 24 at age 59, had lived All Angels’, Miami Springs, for 25 years till his re- Paul Thomson, former Property tirement in 1990, died Oct. 3, at his home in Black 15 years longer than his doctors expected. Mountain, NC, after a brief illness. He was 84. and Loan chair Diagnosed in 1995 with pulmonary hypertension Hainlin was a Miami native, and returned to Paul Thomson, long-time member of the diocesan and told that without a lung transplant he had only Florida after his ordination at Berkley Divinity Property and Loan Committee and its chair from months to live, Williams asked for the prayers of the School at Yale. He was vicar of St. Simon’s, Miami, 2006 to 2009, died Nov. 8, at age 80, after battling Cursillo community and the whole diocesan family. from 1956-61, and after serving a parish in Central cancer for more than a year. He never got a new lung, but continued to do the work Florida, he returned to this diocese in 1965 to become Thomson, a parishioner at St. Mark’s, Palm Beach he believed God called him to do. rector of All Angels’. He had first preached at All An- Gardens, was a former Baptist pastor and a retired That work included serving on the Cursillo secre- gels’ in 1957, shortly after the congregation was es- commercial contractor and realtor, who brought both tariat and numerous Cursillo teams, several times as tablished as a new mission. his spiritual commitment and his professional experi- rector; and raising funds for and building all-terrain He served several terms on the diocesan Executive ence to his work with property matters in the diocese. wheelchairs to send to developing countries. He wanted Board. He took the lead in the 2009 purchase of by the dio- to do more with the wheelchair project, his wife, In retirement he supplied and assisted in a number cese of St. Andrew’s Residence in West Palm Beach, Wendy, recalled, but “he just wasn’t physically able.” of churches in the Diocese of Western North Car- a facility offering affordable-income rental apart- At St. Ambrose, Ft. Lauderdale, he had served as olina. St. James, Black Mountain, was his parish at ments for senior citizens. Shortly before his death a both junior and senior warden, and was a Eucharistic the time of his death; his funeral was held there and plaque was placed in the residence’s living room, Visitor. Williams and his wife moved their member- his remains are in St. James’ Memorial Garden. stating that the room’s renovations were completed in ship to St. Benedict’s, Plantation, earlier this year, “He was one of those priests who just loves every- appreciation for his service to the facility. and he had already become active as a Eucharistic body,” said Guydana Taylor, a volunteer in St. James’ Thomson was also active in Cursillo and Kairos Visitor there. office. Prison Ministry, and had served as chair of the board “His doctor—the one who diagnosed him 15 years A memorial service was held at All Angels’ on of St. Mark’s School. ago—was at his funeral,” Wendy said. “He always Nov. 7. He is survived by his wife, Joan; five sons and one kept up with us—I think Chris really touched him. He Hainlin was married and widowed twice. He is daughter; seventeen grandchildren and one great- said it was by the grace of God he lived this long.” survived by his son, John Hainlin; a daughter, Susan granddaughter. ■ Williams is also survived by the couple’s daugh- Gonzalez; and eight grandchildren. ■ ter, Amanda (Mandy) Williams Lippe, a seminarian at the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). ■ 14 The Net, December 2010 THE Our Diocese NET www.diosef.org Community gardens grow good food, good neighbors Faith in the City/Temple Israel, Miami Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach
On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, a group of people with gloves and garden tools Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, is gathered at a small plot of land beside Temple Israel, a few blocks north of the among the first congregations in the FOR MORE INFORMATION: Performing Arts Center in Miami, to begin the second season’s planting of a diocese to apply for and receive a downtown community grant from Episcopal Charities of For information on how to help with garden. Now what? Southeast Florida to create a com- the Faith in the City community gar- The garden is a project munity garden. den, call Temple Israel, 305-573-5900, of Faith in the City, an in- On Nov. 20 about 25 people— or email Fr. James Reho, terfaith organization that some from the church and some [email protected]. For information on how to help with includes Temple Israel, from the Poinciana Park Neighbor- Holy Spirit’s garden, email Kelly Kollar, Trinity Cathedral, First hood Association, which is Holy [email protected]. United Methodist Church Spirit’s partner in the project— For information on community garden- and Unity on the Bay, so joined for a day of hard work, build- ing grants, part of Episcopal Charities’ before any plants were set ing the six 4’ x’8’ raised beds where “Feeding Our People” initiative, con- into the beds, prayers the crops will be planted. tact Bonnie Weaver, bonwpb@bell- were offered from each of Irrigation is being installed, and south.net. the faith traditions repre- the coordinators of the garden proj- sented. Fr. James Reho, ect hope to have planting completed assistant at Trinity Cathe- by the first of the year. The winter crop will be tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, peppers, dral, blessed the garden carrots, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. plot, sprinkling the earth Photo by Mary W. Cox “The project will have an impact in the community in many different ways,” with holy water. Master gardener Wendy Saltzburg (right) of Temple said Kelly Kollar of Holy Spirit, head of the garden project. “An otherwise un- A choir from Lotus Israel gives a volunteer fromUnity on the Bay instruc- used area will be put to good use, as the food produced in the garden will be ben- House sang. Residents tions for planting. eficial to participants. In addition, the experience will strengthen relationships and staff from the among the neighbors and parishioners of Holy Spirit.” women’s shelter helped with the garden in return for some of its produce last year, She added that by growing their own fruit and vegetables the children of the and will continue to be part of the project this year. parish and the neighborhood will also learn gardening skills and good nutrition. ■ The idea of the garden began two years ago on Yom Kippur, said Rabbi Jody Cohen of Temple Israel, when she preached about “different kinds of hunger.” Building a garden Members of the congregation began talking about planting a garden to grow vegetables, so that members of the community—like the women and children at Lotus House—could participate in growing their own healthy food. “We spent close to a year doing research,” Cohen said. They talked with Dr. Marvin Dunn, who had begun a community garden project in Miami’s Overtown, and brought in Will Allen, a pioneer of “urban farming” from Milwaukee, for a workshop. The other Faith in the City congregations joined the project, and the first crops were planted last year. The first year they just wanted to see what would grow, the rabbi said, but after a first successful harvest they are more confident about what to plant. This year the volunteer gardeners, including the women from Lotus House and a little boy from the neighborhood who attends the temple’s preschool, were putting in let- tuce, kale, collards, tomatoes, peppers, pole beans and a variety of herbs. “It’s win-win all around,” Cohen said. Members of the faith communities get to know each other and their neighbors in the area just north of downtown, and people who might not otherwise have access to fresh produce get to grow their own good food. Photo by Kelly Kollar “Now we really want people to come help during the week,” she added. Members of Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, and their neighbors line one of the “Weeding!” ■ raised beds that will be used for their community garden.
UM students view exhibit on slavery in Florida today Shocking subject
On Nov. 2 a semi-truck parked by “The Rock,” a large plaza in front of the University Center on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables. Inside was a traveling display highlighting the abuses suffered by some migrant farmworkers in Florida, cases that the courts have determined constitute slavery. There have been nine documented cases of slavery in Florida in the past 10 years. The Florida Modern-Day Slavery Museum, an exhibit organized by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), travels in a produce truck similar to ones in which enslaved farmworkers have been transported. Students and faculty members who visited the exhibit saw graphic evidence of abuse, including chains that held workers in the truck, bloodied clothing and police reports of beatings and inhumane living and working conditions. Fr. Frank Corbishley, Episcopal campus chaplain and priest-in-charge of Chapel of the Venerable Bede on the university campus, is a supporter of CIW and invited the organization to bring the exhibit to the university. Corbishley told e-Veritas, an online newsletter for university faculty and staff, that eco- Photo by Rudy Cortinas nomic justice and society’s relationship to money and possessions “are at the core of Jewish Fr. Frank Corbishley (left) listens as Emiko Soltis (right), an Emory and Christian values.” University Ph.D. candidate working with the Coalition of Immokalee “It is part of our faith. I try to raise that in people’s minds through these kinds of efforts Workers, introduces University of Miami students and faculty members to some of the issues depicted in the Florida Modern-Day Slavery and in my sermons. It is not a marginal issue.” ■ Museum. Youth www.diosef.org THE 15 NET The Net, December 2009 Hooping it up Teen offers Episcopal presence at “Spiritual Block Party on campus
When the MacArthur Resi- What’s Episcopal? dent Student Association (MacRSA) of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter hosted its first “Spiritual Block Party” on the evening of Oct 18, the Epis- copal Church was one of the faith communities represented, thanks to a student from Good Shepherd, Tequesta. Lindsey Wood, 18, was on hand to answer questions, to pro- vide information about Episco- pal/Anglican beliefs, worship and traditions, and to offer an in- Photo by Susan Manwaring vitation to worship at her own parish or other Episcopal Hula hoops were part of the fun at the ECW Chil- churches. dren’s Sunday celebration. “I just wanted to let the stu- dents know that we don’t label Photo by Alex Wood Worship, fun mark annual anyone, we embrace diversity Lindsey Wood of Good Shepherd, Tequesta, answers questions about the and all are welcome,” Wood said. Episcopal Church from fellow students at Florida Atlantic University’s first celebration of children The purpose of the Block “Spiritual Block Party.” Party was to offer a venue where a number of religious organiza- By Susan J. Manwaring tions and places of worship within a 10-mile radius of views in an effort to assist them as they determine a the campus were invited to offer information on their path for their spiritual growth…Quite often new and About 250 children and youth from diocesan con- religious perspectives, traditions and belief systems. existing students go through their college career with- gregations participated in the second annual diocesan “The Block Party has been designed with our stu- out truly examining their religious beliefs or their ECW Children’s Sunday Celebration on Oct. 17 at dents in mind,” said Miguel Rivera, President of spirituality.” Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines. MacRSA. “Our hope is that this program will allow MacRSA hope to offer the Block Party each se- Only the “second annual” celebration? But the students to experience a number of religious mester as new students come in. ■ haven’t the Episcopal Churchwomen of the diocese sponsored an afternoon of worship honoring children every year since the founding of the diocese? Miami acolyte serves as lector at National Acolyte Festival Here’s what has changed. The intention of Chil- dren’s Sunday has always been to honor and reward Acolytes from four Southeast Florida congregations He was “very, very nervous” at first, he said, but re- children as they experience God’s redemptive grace — Holy Comforter and Todos los Santos, Miami; membered what St. Anne’s acolyte master, Maceo and grow in their personal relationship with God Transfiguration, Miami Brown, had told the acolyte team: “Do what you were through the nurturing of their spiritual family, their Gardens; and St. Anne’s, trained to do.” congregation. Hallandale—participated “When I made my first step into the procession, the For many years the focus of the event was a mass in this year’s National nervousness came out of me,” he said.” Then I started in which children took leading roles and provided the Acolyte Festival, Oct. 9 at to do the kick like the other acolytes in my group.” music; but last year Bishop Leo Frade suggested to Washington National Eleven-year old Paul Rainford, also from St. the ECW Board that the best way to celebrate our Cathedral. Anne’s, has attended the National Acolyte Festival for children and to remind them of the presence of God Ten-year-old Gema several years. in every facet of their lives would be to expand the Sanchez of Holy Com- “The procession was well organized with over a observance to include more activities for fun and fel- forter was one of the lec- thousand acolytes waving banners, flags, and stream- lowship. tors at the service, reading ers,” he said. “ This year’s Children’s Sunday Celebration, like the first lesson, Isaiah 6:1- “I especially enjoyed seeing the different colorful the one introduced last year, began with a short mass, 8, in Spanish. Sanchez banners of all the churches around the country and the in which children were lectors and led the prayers and “Seeing all the world. The procession was wonderful with many the music. A highlight of the service was, as always, churches [represented] I churches adding extra flare, for example, one church the opportunity for the children to offer prayers, writ- felt a little nervous,” she said. “After a few minutes had an acolyte from Virginia Beach, Virginia doing a ten or aloud, at the altar and to receive the bishop’s when I got up and read, I grew calm. In such an enor- spiritual dance. My church, St. Anne's, had a special blessing. mous church you could hear the echoes of my voice as step routine where the cross bearer stood still while the After the service, a variety of choices awaited the I was reading.” torch bearers rotated around the cross bearer. This was children: physical activities like a bounce house, Following the festival Eucharist, participants had executed in front of Bishop [John] Chane and other hula-hoops, races, tennis lessons, basketball and foot- lunch on the cathedral grounds and attended work- priests and was well received by the congregation.” ball; and quieter pursuits like electronic games, board shops—including one on the cathedral’s gargoyles—in Being at the National Acolyte Festival reminded and card games and face-painting. the afternoon him how important the service of acolytes is, Rainford And there was plenty of food for all. For Sanchez, as for many of the other Southeast said. The ECW wants to continue to provide our chil- Florida acolytes, it was a first trip to the nation’s capi- Diocesan Administrative Assistant for Youth Min- dren with an annual event that celebrates their value tal. In addition to their time at the cathedral, the young istry Mary Cobiella, who accompanied the diocesan in the eyes of God and in the life of the Church, and people had opportunities to visit historic landmarks acolytes this year, said that she and the acolyte masters provides an afternoon to experience the joy of being and museums. who attended the National Acolyte Festival brought part of a church family. Suggestions for making Chil- For six-year-old Kendrick Moxie of St. Anne’s, the back new ideas that will be incorporated into the plan- dren’s Sunday even more meaningful—and especially trip was his first flight, his first trip to Washington and ning for the diocesan Acolyte Festival, scheduled for more fun—are welcome. Contact Susan Manwaring, his first time at the National Acolyte Festival. “When I April 16, 2011, at St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens. ■ [email protected]. ■ first saw the church, I said ‘WOW, BIG!’” he reported. 16 The Net, December 2010 THE Committed to Mission NET www.diosef.org Madagascar mission trip provided a different kind of “vacation”
By Blair Shiver interpreter were seeing two patients at a Bright eyes time in the four-by-eight foot “room” Blair Shiver, a member of St. Columba, Marathon, whose walls were but a colorful piece of is a staff writer for the Keys Weekly, which published fabric that divided them from the dozens of this article in its Oct. 9 edition. patients eagerly waiting to enter the clinic. The “pharmacy” stocked with general On Thursday, Sept. 16, thirteen friends and ac- antibiotics, cortisone creams and mild pain quaintances from across South Florida and the relievers was set up just a few feet from the Florida Keys met at Miami International Airport to doctors’ table and managed by the petite, set off on a two-week venture half way around the Episcopal nun, Sister Jacqueline, and Dr. world. Zoe’s brother-in-law. Among the crew were a doctor and a nurse, a Half of the church’s pews were filled water quality specialist, a cartographer, a priest and a with every age of man, woman and child wildlife conservationist, a high school cooking waiting to see the doctor. They were teacher, a psychiatrist, several retired teachers and dressed in their finest clothes; some of the even a couple of impromptu optometrists. older ladies even wore hats. Many had trav- After two straight days of traveling, five days of eled quite a distance, and this was quite an sunrise to sunset missionary work and two days of event. decompression before setting off on the return The other half were filled with patients, flight(s) back to Miami, the group met for a debrief- mostly adults, to see enter the eyeglasses ing. The young, novice writer in the group pondered, clinic. A note keeper recorded names and “How do I respond to people’s question of ‘How was what prescription strength glasses were dis- your vacation?’ when I get back home? Because, I’d tributed to each patient. like to say, ‘Well, when was the last time you went on Well after the appointed time, the teams vacation and met someone with leprosy?’” broke for lunch and were hauled across The person who gets squeamish at the sight of a sand dunes in four-wheel drive trucks to eat little blood would be an unlikely candidate to serve as a slice of pizza next the lapping waters of a medical secretary in the clinic of a third-world vil- the Indian Ocean. lage. But after discovering a church constructed of After lunch, part of the team returned to mere twigs and palm fronds, complete with an ex- their hotel and the medical team remained tremely dusty dirt floor in first village of Anketreka, to see patients until just before the sun set. the priest asked the young writer if she wouldn’t The clinic attended to nearly 200 patients mind taking notes for the doctors. on the first day. Photos by Blair Shiver I tucked my knees under my long skirt—a require- The following day began in Andronom- ment for women as exposure of the knees, legs and ena with an overwhelming crowd of pa- Children at one of the clinics set up by the mission team make buttocks, even hidden under a set of pants, would be tients, many who’d traveled by foot or “fish faces” for the camera as they try on pipe-cleaner glasses. akin to walking around the neighborhood topless— oxcart from the first village just for another The team distributed more that 400 pairs of glasses during their and pushed myself against the wall nearest the Eng- opportunity to see the doctors. Diagnoses two weeks in Toliara. lish-speaking doctor and her young, Malagasy ran the gamut from headaches and men- interpreter named Aubin. I pulled out my notebook strual cramping to worms, respiratory and skin infec- concoction from medicinal plants. and tried to hear the doctors’ diagnoses over the gen- tions and abscessed teeth. Then came the young boy, Their removal revealed a deep hole on the sole of tle roar of activity inside the tiny church. maybe five or six, with a gaping wound on the top of the man’s foot. He was a charcoal maker, he ex- The doctors, Dr. Emma Stoll and Dr. Zoe of Peo- his foot. plained. Through hand gestures and rough interpreta- ple Reaching People, nurse Terry Lynn Kelly and the “How did this happen?” the interpreter asked. tion, several young men collected a basin of water to He turned to the doctor and explained, “He said he which a bottle of peroxide was added. The nurse put Clinic got cut with an axe.” on two sets of gloves and set about cleaning the The team surrounded man’s foot. A quick exchange between the doctors the young boy and worked and the nurse, and a diagnosis made – this man had quickly to clean and band- leprosy. age the wound. They worked to bandage his foot and asked that What may have been he come back within a couple of days for a follow up. an hour or two passed, and Edson returned two days later with his brother, a middle-aged man stuck Jonah, whose large, gaping wound on his right shin his head through the win- proved his case was worse than his brother. dow behind the pharmacist As the truck bounced along the pothole- and thrust his medical pocked dirt road, the young writer turned medical notebook, explaining in transcriber turned to the nurse. Malagasy that he had a se- “So, did you think you’d be treating cases of lep- rious injury on his foot and rosy when we set out on this trip?” she asked. he pleaded to be seen right Kelly swallowed a lump in her throat and an away. earnest smile spread across her face as her eyes He turned the corner widened. and entered the clinic. His She didn’t need to say a word. ■ plastic sandal was broken and barely holding to- For more about the team’s experiences go to Crowds gathered every day at the mission team’s clinic, often traveling many gether the bandages cov- www.onesteppublishing.com/madagascar. miles on foot to seek treatment for ailments ranging from headaches to leprosy. ered in something purple the nurse surmised to be a