OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA www.episcopalsouthflorida.org VolumeVolume 40 40 No. No. 3 3 June June 2009 2009 Diocese explores creative solutions for struggling churches By Mary W. Cox, editor “We want to save our churches, not close them,” Archdeacon Thomas Bruttell told the congregation at Church of the Resurrection on Pentecost. His words echoed a statement by Bishop Leo Frade at the forum on “The Future of Black Congregations” a day ear- lier: “There is no plan to close churches!” At a time when changing demograph- ics and economic decline are threatening the survival of many smaller congrega- tions of all denominations, the Diocese of Southeast Florida is committed to helping its struggling churches find creative ways to thrive and grow. The Nehemiah Process, now in its sev- enth year, has involved more than 50 con- gregations in a transformational process of discernment, training and implementation of a ministry plan for congregational growth. As a direct result of this process, in the past six months three congregations that had been on mission status (receiving aid and/or assessment reduction from the diocese) have become self-supporting. In February the Executive Board approved Photo by C. M. Guerrero/El Nueveo Herald the restoration of Todos los Santos, Miami, to parish status, and in May, All REBIRTH AT CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION Saints’, Jensen Beach, and All Souls’, A standing-room-only congregation helps Church of the Resurrection, Biscayne Park, celebrate Pentecost. Bishop Leo Miami Beach, were also recognized as Frade has asked for the support of the diocese for rebuilding the ministry of this struggling church. (See story p. 3.) self-supporting parishes. The diocesan Mission Church Initia- purchased for these congregations and training is un- gregational model of ministry to a new flexibility in tive presented by Bruttell at last November’s Diocesan derway for those who will use the program. collaborative efforts that involve several congrega- Convention is providing clear guidelines for financial In a growing number of situations churches have tions, a deanery or the entire diocese. accountability and meeting measurable goals and ob- begun sharing resources in a variety of partnerships Three of these new collaborations are featured in jectives. QuickBooks accounting software has been and regional ministries, moving from a strictly con- the stories that follow on pages 3 and 4. ■ ‘Padre Alberto’ becomes an Episcopalian By Mary W. Cox, editor In a brief service on the afternoon of May 28 at Trinity Cathe- dral, Bishop Leo Frade received the popular Roman Catholic priest Fr. Alberto Cutié and his fiancée, Ruhama Buni Canellis, into the Episcopal Church. In his homily Frade spoke of change as a part of life, and noted that many clergy have moved from one branch of Christian- ity to another. “The road between Rome and Canterbury—and Canterbury and Rome—gets a lot of traffic,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that one church is better or worse than another…it’s just different. The Episcopal Church is a welcoming church, he said. “We don’t look at…if you’re rich or poor, or if you’re perfect or im- perfect—just that you’re a creation of God, and you’re welcome.” Present at the service were a number of the Hispanic clergy of Photo by Danilo Fajardo the diocese, several women priests and five rectors or priests-in- charge who, like Cutié, began their ministry as Roman Catholic NEW EPISCOPALIANS clergy. Ruhama Buni Canellis and Fr. Alberto Cutié pray as Cutié was already well-known nationally and throughout Bishop Leo Frade receives them into the Episcopal Church. See PADRE ALBERTO,Page5 The 76th General Con- guage. Both houses have the right to amend legisla- vention of the Episcopal tion, but the amendment must be accepted by the Church will meet in Ana- other house. heim, California from Q ■ Resolutions presented to convention come from Wednesday, July 8 through A four sources: committees, commissions, agencies and Friday, July 17. The ques- & boards of the church; bishops; dioceses and provinces; tions and answers below, and deputies. adapted from material pre- ■ Debate on the floor is governed by the Constitu- pared by the Diocese of Texas, provide some basic in- tion and Canons of the church, Rules of Order for each formation about this triennial gathering of our house, Joint Rules of Order (that apply to both houses) church. and Roberts’ Rules of Order. Deputies are expected to listen respectfully to the views of others and to adhere Q: What is General Convention? to the rules, which require, for example, that persons A: General Convention is the Episcopal Church’s of different points of view alternate at microphones. triennial gathering of bishops and ■ In the House of Deputies three lay or MILLER ELECTED PRESIDENT elected clergy and lay deputies. Its bi- clerical deputations may request a vote by OF PROVINCE IV SYNOD cameral makeup is the House of Bish- orders. In a vote by orders each diocesan ops, and the House of Deputies, in The Province IV Synod, meeting at Kanuga Con- deputation has two votes: one lay vote and which lay and ordained deputies are ference Center in Hendersonville, N.C., June 3-5, one clerical vote. To cast that vote the dep- equally represented. It is a combination elected Canon Richard Miller as Synod president, to utation is polled. If a majority of a deputa- of legislative assembly, bazaar of take office at the end of the 76th General Conven- tion is in favor, the diocesan lay or clerical goods and services and family reunion. tion next month. vote is cast as a “yes.” If a majority of a deputation is opposed, the vote is cast as a He will be the first layperson and the first person Q: What is a deputy? of color to be elected to the “no.” Tied deputations count as “divided” A: Deputies are elected by the and, in effect, as additional “no” votes. position. Diocesan Convention; four lay and Miller, a member of Holy four clergy deputies are elected, as well as four lay Q: How are the committees made up and what Family, Miami Gardens, is and four clergy alternates. Deputies are not delegates; is their function? secretary of Diocesan Con- that is, they are not elected to represent the electing A: Much of the work of convention is carried out vention; an honorary canon of dioceses. Deputies vote their conscience for the good by legislative committees. The Presiding Bishop and Trinity Cathedral and member of the church. They cannot be instructed to vote one the President of the House of Deputies determine the of the Cathedral Chapter; na- way or another, for to do so would preclude godly de- number of persons who serve on committees and their tional treasurer of the Union bate and preempt the work of the Holy Spirit. membership. Deputies are asked to indicate their pref- of Black Episcopalians Deputies are expected to serve on committees, if ap- erence for membership on committees, and the presid- (UBE); and the senior deputy Miller pointed, to attend forums and hearings, to read the re- ing officers make their choice considering previous from Southeast Florida to Gen- ports to the church from its commissions, committees, experience, expertise and interest, ensuring the com- eral Convention. The 76th Gen- agencies and boards, to listen to, and if so moved, to mittees represent diverse points of view, geographic, eral Convention next month will be Miller’s eighth respond to resolutions on the floor of the house. The ethnic and gender diversity and participation by as a deputy from our diocese. House of Deputies is chaired by the President of the younger deputies. The Province of Sewanee, otherwise known as House, Bonnie Anderson. The Fourth Province of The Episcopal Church, is Q: Is there worship at General Convention? made up of twenty dioceses from the nine southeast- Q: Who are the deputies from the Diocese of A: General Convention meets prayerfully. Each ern states of the United States. Southeast Florida? day bishops, deputies, registered alternates and dele- The Synod president, elected for a three-year term, A: Deputies: Thomas G. O’Brien III, Bethesda-by- gates to the ECW Triennial gather for Bible study and plans the agenda for and presides at Synod and Execu- the-Sea, Palm Beach; Richard Miller, Holy Family, Holy Eucharist. Both the House of Deputies and the tive Committee meetings; works with the Vice Presi- Miami Gardens; Bonnie Weaver, Holy Trinity, West House of Bishops have chaplains, who lead their dent and Executive Committee on program planning Palm Beach; Char Vinik, St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton; houses in regular prayer at the beginning and end of for Synod; represents the province in the Provincial The Rev. William “Chip” Stokes, St. Paul’s, Delray sessions and daily at noon. Chaplains are also asked Leadership Conference; and communicates for the Beach; The Ven. Dr. Bryan Hobbs; The Rev. Horace to pray before the enactment of important legislation. province with the diocesan bishops, the Executive Ward, Holy Family, Miami Gardens; The Rev. Carol Organizations within the church sponsor additional Committee, delegates to Synod, deputies to General Barron, St Luke’s, Port Salerno worship services, while volunteers staff a prayer room Convention, other provinces and the Church Center Alternates: Saulo Salvador, Holy Cross, Miami; in which there is continual intercession for the work ■ staff and networks. Evelyn Moss, St. John’s, Homestead; William Carr, of convention. St. John’s, Homestead; The Rev. Jennie Lou Reid, St. SE FLORIDA YOUTH TO ADDRESS Thomas, Coral Gables; The Rev. Martin W. Zlatic, St.