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

Volume 41 No. 4 August 2010 AA Summer Summer of of Mission Mission Success Story ummer is traditionally the season for “mission trips” — opportunities for members of our con- gregations to travel to another part of the world (or the country, or the diocese) to join in min- istry with friends old and new. Much of the Snews of our diocese is always directly concerned with mission; but this issue focuses on our outreach in our communities and around the world with an expanded “Committed to Mission” section offering stories not only about summer mission projects, but also about several ongoing outreach ministries.

Paint Crew

Photo by Heidi Shott ERD President Rob Radtke (left) and Canon Richard Miller listen as Simon, a NetsforLife volunteer for the village of Asapaligo, translates for Vita, a mother of five, whose family has not suffered from malaria for four years since they've faithfully used long-lasting insecticide nets.

Members of a youth mission team from Good Shepherd, Tequesta, and St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton begin to paint the outside of the buidlings at Holy Redeemer, Lake Worth. The team spent five days in June helping to refurbish Holy Redeemer’s facilities, inside and out. (See story p. 16.) Photo by Elaine Greenfield Seeing need and hope with ERD in Ghana By Canon Richard Miller located in the northern part of the country, where we met with the staff of Anglican Diocesan Development and What a wonderful Father’s Day gift I gave myself Relief Organization (ADDRO). Later we met with the this year! From June 19-26 I was one of 12 souls brave Director of Health Services for the region and learned of enough to journey to Ghana on a mission study tour the serious threat of malaria and how the NetsforLife sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). program helped in greatly reducing the incidences of During that week I had the opportunity to experience malaria in the region. again what life is like outside of the . We were also introduced to some potentially less It was an 11-hour flight from to Accra, hospitable residents of the area at Paga, where we were Ghana, where we landed on June 20. After a night’s rest, challenged to walk up and touch two of about 500 croc- we began our tour with a visit to the ERD Africa Re- odiles in the pond there, where they are revered and pro- gional Office. Later we visited the archbishop of West tected as sacred creatures. (See photo on p. 2.) We were Africa and bishop of Accra, the Most Reverend Dr. Ofei assured that they were well-fed. Akrofi. That evening we had a welcome briefing and The following day our group went to Binaba and dinner with ERD Africa Regional Office staff. viewed ADDRO development programs. There we vis- On Tuesday we took an early morning flight to ited wells that were dug through an ADDRO program to Tamale, which is located in the middle of the country. provide safe drinking water, and saw how the local We met with the Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Anyindana Arongo, bishop of Tamale, and then traveled on to Bolgatanga, See ERD,Page2 2 The Net, August 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org

ERD from Page 1 Joyful planting women filled their five-gallon containers, lifted them to their heads and walked long distances back to their homes. We saw examples of sharing efforts, as women helped each other till fields and plant seeds in the blaz- ing hot sun, so that all will have food for their families, as well as crops to barter for other household needs. We then visited Yelwoko to view development pro- grams. There we saw the results of ADDRO’s micro- loans to women for starting small businesses. One woman used her loan proceeds to buy sheep, goats and Women in Kukore plant grain. She then bred the animals and sold some to neigh- groundnuts (peanuts) as a part of a seed lend- bors, harvested the grain and made both non-alcoholic ing program that assists and alcoholic beverages, which she offered for sale in with income generation her home. for 400 women in the We also visited a school for young men who have Upper East Region of suffered loss of speech and hearing as a result of Ghana. malaria; at the school they are taught carpentry and sewing skills. NICE crocodile On Thursday we took an early morning flight back to Accra, where we visited the ERD Africa Regional Of- Photos by fice, and then had an opportunity to haggle and barter Heidi Shott with vendors in the local market for gifts to take home. That evening we had a farewell dinner with the Regional Office staff. On our final day in Ghana we visited the Cape Coast Elmina and St. George Castles. The castles are actually forts built by the Portuguese and British to house slaves captured from throughout Africa, prior to their being shipped to American and throughout the . The dungeons where the slaves were housed were dark, un- ventilated and hot. There was a sense of dreariness and death there. We were shown the “Door of No Return” where slaves left the dungeons and were transported by small boats to the waiting ships. We left for the airport at 6 a.m. on Saturday, to allow plenty of time for customs and security procedures for our flight home. Processing for our departure proved to be interesting and instructive: Every item in both our bags to be checked and our carry-on bags was searched thoroughly by the airport workers; this search included linings of shoes and soiled underwear — everything. Going from one processing point to another made one Canon Richard Miller gets personally acquainted with a crocodile at the crocodile pond at Paga, Ghana. yearn for the TSA screeners back home. I returned home with a new appreciation for the small gifts that God has allowed me to have, as I’ve been re- minded of what others have to go through merely to sur- vive on a daily basis—and of how God’s children live in Diocesan Task Force to propose harmony with nature, even without the electricity, run- ning water and other comforts that we consider necessi- new companion relationship ties. In the northern part of Ghana, Bolgatanga, I saw The diocesan Haiti Task Force is working Haiti would be the fourth companion diocese houses built from the only materials the people have with the World Mission Commission on a reso- for Southeast Florida; our diocese currently has available — clay, straw and tin. Families subsist on lution that both hope to offer to Diocesan Con- companion relationships with and whatever they can grow, the animals they raise and the vention in November, proposing a new Turks and Caicos; ; and goods they receive by bartering their crops; but they companion relationship between Southeast Antananarivo (Madagascar). work together and share what they have. Malaria used to Florida and the Diocese of Haiti. Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin of Haiti is plan- take its toll on young children in the area, but the ERD Citing the existing relationships based on ning to attend our diocesan convention at the in- NetsforLife program is a lifesaver. “geographic proximity” between the two dioce- vitation of Bishop Leo Frade, and according to It is important for me to tell others about the needs of ses and the large numbers of Haitian-Americans Frade, is pleased with the proposal for the com- ours sisters and brothers in Ghana and how each of us and Haitian immigrants living in our communi- panion relationship. can help through contributions to ERD at www.er-d.org. ties, as well as the need for long-term commit- The Task Force is also developing a plan for NetsforLife truly saves lives of vulnerable young chil- ment to rebuilding and restoration in Haiti congregations in our diocese to send groups for dren and women in Africa. ADDRO provides the tools— following the Jan. 12 earthquake, the draft reso- brief (two or three days) trips to Haiti to experi- education, clean water, financial assistance — to help lution will ask the convention to “express its de- ence the culture, meet with Haitian Episco- individuals, families and communities better their lives. sire to enter into a companion relationship with palians and see the country’s needs first-hand. Each of us has a responsibility to be part of these min- the Diocese of Haiti.” The Task Force hopes to have a proposed itiner- istries. ■ If approved by convention, the proposed re- ary and budget for such familiarization trips Canon Richard Miller is a member of Holy Family, lationship would then need approval from the ready to present at the Clergy Conference in Gardens, an honorary canon of Trinity Cathe- Diocese of Haiti and from the Presiding Bishop September, in the context of a discussion on dral, secretary of Diocesan Convention and president of and the Executive Council of The Episcopal how we might use a companion relationship Province IV. Church. creatively to work with Haiti in its recovery. ■ News www.diosef.org THE 3 NET The Net, August 2010

Photo by Angharad Parry-Jones Participants and facilitators in the planning pilot conversation for the Continuing Indaba project were: (Front row, left to right) Archbishop Paul Kwong of Hong Kong, Archbishop Carlos Touché-Porter of , Archbishop Colin Johnson of Toronto, Bishop Sunil Singh of Delhi, Bishop John Simalenga of Central Tanganyika, Mrs. Alice Mogwe of Botswana, Canon Mkunga Mtingele of Tanzania, Archdeacon Christine Wilson of Chesterfield (Diocese of Derby), Bishop Leo Frade, Bishop Prakash Patole of Mumbai; (back row, left to right) Bishop Trevor Williams of Limerick and Killaloe, Bishop Alfred Reid of Jamaica, Dr. Joanna Sadgrove, Dr. Cecelia Clegg, Bishop Alistair Redfern of Derby, the Rev. Glenda McQueen of Panama, Bishop William Godfrey of Peru, Dr. Francis Bridger and Bishop Mark Sisk of New York. Frade and SE Florida will be part of Continuing Indaba project Bishop Leo Frade was one of a group of bishops The bishops had been asked to participate in the and global mission in all three participating dioceses. from dioceses as far apart as Hong Kong, Jamaica initial planning pilot conversation as part of the Con- Four of the five pilot conversations to be held and Toronto that gathered last month in London to tinuing Indaba project that was launched in 2009 fol- among diocesan groups have been finalized and a discuss the next steps of the Anglican Communion’s lowing a request by the Anglican Consultative fifth will be announced later in the year. Continuing Indaba project. Council (ACC-14) in Jamaica. The four pilot conversations already set are taking Continuing Indaba is a project focusing on devel- Pilot conversations will typically involve a mix of place among the dioceses of: Hong Kong, Jamaica oping and strengthening relationships within the An- eight lay and ordained participants from three dioce- and Toronto; Delhi, Mumbai, New York and Derby; glican Communion in order for Anglicans to work ses, all visiting the other dioceses to learn first-hand Western Tanganyika, Gloucester and El Camino together in mission as equal partners in the Gospel. the challenges and opportunities of those contexts. Real; and Peru, Mexico and Southeast Florida. The term “Indaba” is a word of Zulu or Xhosa They will also engage in facilitated conversations on See p. 10 for Frade’s comments on Continuing origin and refers to a community gathering for pur- a whole range of topics that have the potential to Indaba. For more on the Continuing Indaba project, poseful conversation about the community’s con- cause disunity in the body of Christ. go to www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/contin- cerns. The ultimate aim of these visits is to enrich local uingindaba. ■ SW Florida bishop will preach at Diocesan Convention The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, will Copies of resolutions and nominations should also be sent to Diocesan Coordi- be the preacher for the Convention Eucharist at the 41st Convention of the Diocese nator Gail McShane, [email protected]. of Southeast Florida, to be hosted by the North Palm Nominations are needed for the following positions: Four lay deputies, four Beach Deanery at St. Mary’s, Stuart, Nov. 12-13. lay alternates, four clergy deputies and four clergy alternates to General Conven- Smith was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese tion 2012; one clergy and two lay members of the Standing Committee; two of Southwest Florida on Dec. 9, 2006. He was conse- clergy members and one lay member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court; one lay crated as a bishop on Mar. 10, 2007 and seated as the member of the Trustees of the University of the South; and one clergy member of fifth bishop of our neighboring diocese on Sept. 15, the Cathedral Chapter. 2007. Any organization or vendor that intends to have an exhibit at convention Prior to his election as bishop, Smith was rector of should contact Marilyn Hall, [email protected] or 561-746-8232. Trinity Church in New Orleans, La. After Hurricane Following last year’s successful convention food drive, Episcopal Charities of Katrina he served on the Jericho Road Episcopal Southeast Florida will again ask all convention delegates and guests to bring a gift Housing Initiative and the diocesan rebuilding com- of non-perishable food. The food collected will be donated to Mary’s Kitchen, a mittee. Smith ministry of St. Mary’s that serves a weekly hot meal to needy members of the Although the convention is still three months away, community and also provides meals for parishioners in times of illness, bereave- these pre-convention deadlines should be noted: Aug. ment or other family emergencies. 14—Proposed changes to Canons submitted to Constitution and Canons Commit- The convention banquet will benefit the ministries of Bishop Todd and the tee; Sept. 28—Resolutions submitted to Secretary of Convention (Canon Richard Rev. Patsy McGregor in our companion diocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Miller, email: [email protected]); Oct. 13—Proposed changes to Canons pre- The cost will be $30 per person, excluding beverages; there will be a cash bar for sented to delegates; Oct. 28—Nominations (with biographies of the candidates) sodas, beer and wine. submitted to Secretary of Convention. A nomination form will be included in the Convention packets will be mailed to clergy and delegates the first week in fall Deanery Convocation information packets received by clergy and delegates September, and registration for convention will be available at www.diosef.org at and is also available at www.diosef.org under “resources,” “diocesan forms.” that time. ■ 4 The Net, August 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org

First female Anglican bishop in Latin American dies in Website to track ‘multifaceted’

(ENS) Retired Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba Nerva Cot Aguilera died suddenly on mission to Madagascar July 10 after a brief There’s not much posted yet at http://onesteppub- ical team; Kirk Maconaughey, the Misseaus, Anne battle with severe ane- lishing.com/madagascar/, the website for the diocesan Morkill and Emily Nell Lagerquist all have experience mia. She was 71. mission to Madagascar next month, but once the team in water and/or conservation work and will lead the en- Cot became the leaves on Sept. 18, there will be daily reports and pic- vironmental team. first female Anglican tures from the ministry in Toliara. According to Andrew Maconaughey, the mission bishop in Latin Amer- Fourteen people, including the team leaders, the will be “multifaceted.” The group will lead Vacation ica when she was con- Rev. Debra Andrew Maconaughey, priest-in-charge of Bible School at two sites; offer a medical clinic and secrated in ’s St. Columba, Marathon, and her husband, Kirk, will be distribute several hundred pairs of eyeglasses; work on Holy Trinity Cathedral in Madagascar till Oct. 1, visiting and working with an environmental project aimed at providing clean in June 2007. Bishop our missionaries, Bishop Todd and the Rev. Patsy Mc- water; and join with the people in Toliara churches and Leo Frade and Trinity Gregor. communities for worship and spiritual conversation. Cathedral Dean Dou- In addition to the Maconaugheys, other team And there will be the kazoos—Andrew Ma- glas McCaleb attended members include: David Lyon, Anne Morkill, Blair conaughey said the team plans to take distribute the consecration. Shiver and TerriLynn Kelly from St. Columba; Rose about six-dozen kazoos: “Anything you can hum, you Presiding Bishop Brown, Holy Family, Miami Gardens; Rick and can play on a kazoo!” Katharine Jefferts Cot Cordella Misseau, Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach; She added that on previous mission trips she’s Schori said she is Sharon Cassell, St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach; Emily found kazoos to be a great way to break down barri- “deeply saddened” by Nell Lagerquist, Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton; ers of language and culture. Cot’s death. Jacky Lowe, St. James-in-the-Hills, Hollywood; Dr. The team is accepting donations toward purchase “The death of the first woman bishop in Latin Emma Stoll from Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon; of the medical supplies, eyeglasses and other items— America has caused great sadness in the Cuban Epis- and Carolyn Mackay, a friend of the Maconaugheys like the kazoos — they’ll take to share with new copal Church,” said Frade. “Bishop Nerva Cot served from Virginia. friends in Toliara. Contact Andrew Maconaughey at only for a few years as bishop after a long service as Stoll and Kelly, who is a nurse, will head the med- [email protected] for ways to help. ■ a priest of our church during very difficult conditions. I was privileged to be part of her consecration in Ha- vana just a few years ago. Her faithful service strengthened the mission of our Church. May her soul Successful appeal for funds could save and the souls of all faithful departed rest in peace.” Cot was selected as bishop suffragan in February Jubilee Center $150,000 2007 by the Metropolitan Council that provides over- sight to the Cuban church and on which Jefferts The Jubilee Center of South Broward, a min- go a long way toward meeting these emergency Schori serves. As bishop suffragan, Cot was responsi- istry that serves hot lunches five days a week to needs; Center Director Joyce Curtis estimates ble for the churches in western Cuba. individuals and families in need, as well as pro- that the $150,000 savings on the final payout Cot previously worked as a secondary school viding a wide range of other services, has an op- amount could pay for meals for at least 70,000 teacher and was one of the first three Episcopal portunity to save money—a lot of money. needy people. women priests ordained in Cuba in 1987. The ministry, which began at St. John’s, Hol- The Center is appealing to supporters in the Her daughter, Marianela de Cot, was or- lywood, in 1984 and is also supported by other community and around the diocese for donations dained in February 2007, and her husband, the Very south Broward congregations, has been making large and small to help the ministry to take ad- Rev. Juan Ramon de la Paz Cerezo, is dean of Holy mortgage payments on its building at 2020 Scott vantage of this opportunity. Checks should be Trinity Cathedral in Havana. Another son is a priest Street in Hollywood for several years. At the end made payable to Jubilee Center of South and another daughter is a church administrator. of the five-year term of the mortgage the payout Broward, Inc. and mailed to the Center at 202 Her funeral was held July 11 at the cathedral in ■ amount would be $500,000, but the lender has Scott Street, Hollywood, FL 33020. Havana. recently made a generous offer: If the Center can On Oct. 7 the Center will sponsor a “Recog- pay off the mortgage by May 4, 2011, interest nition and Awards” dinner, which will also be a payments for the rest of this year would be re- fund-raiser. The event will be held at Hillcrest Trinity Cathedral to host evening duced, and the lump sum amount owed would Golf and Country Club in Hollywood. of “murder” on Oct. 23 also be reduced — to $350,000. For more information on the work of the Ju- With the slow recovery of the economy and a bilee Center, go to What happens when a Cathedral fundraiser goes continued high unemployment rate, the Center is www.jubileecenterbroward.org. very, very badly? It's murder! assisting an increasing number of families that Updates on the mortgage payout appeal and On Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Trinity Cathedral will host have suddenly found themselves homeless or the Oct. 7 event will be posted there. ■ “Murder in the Cathedral”—not the drama by T. S. without sufficient food. The extra funds would Eliot, but a mystery in which the audience plays a key role. Tapas and wine will be served. Individual tickets are $60 for members of Friends of Trinity Cathedral, $75 for “not-yet-members” of “Missional Church” will be theme of Clergy Conference “Friends” and $100 for special friends. Sponsorships, which include two tickets, are $250 The annual diocesan Clergy Conference will be cent work has focused on the theme of missional for “Director’s Table” and $500 for “Producer’s held Sept.7-8 at the Duncan Center, beginning on ministry, and the topic of his presentations at the Table.” Tuesday evening, Sept. 7 and lasting through dinner conference will be “The Missional Church.” Proceeds from the event will benefit the restora- on Wednesday, Sept. 8. In addition to McNeal’s presentations, the confer- tion and preservation of Trinity Cathedral’s historic The speaker will be Reggie McNeal, Missional ence will also be an opportunity for diocesan clergy structure. Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network of to have worship and fellowship together; and the Friends of Trinity Cathedral provides ongoing Dallas, Tex. McNeal has been a pastor, seminary final session, on the afternoon of Sept. 8, will pro- support for the cathedral’s restoration and historic professor and denominational executive; is the au- vide time for conversation with Bishop Leo Frade preservation needs. For more information on thor of numerous articles and books; and for more and Archdeacons Bryan Hobbs, Tom Bruttell and “Friends” or the Oct. 23 event, email friends@trini- than a decade has been a leadership coach, seminar Fritz Bazin. ■ tymiami.org or call 786-888-6694. leader and consultant to church leaders. His most re- Registration is online at www.diosef.org. ■ News www.diosef.org THE 5 NET The Net, August 2010 Final service held at Holy Nativity, Pahokee By Mary W. Cox, editor service included the revocation of Last goodbye the Sentence of Consecration. On June 27 Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, North Palm Barron, representing Bishop Beach Dean Carol Barron and Canon Howarth “Hap” Leo Frade, read a letter from the Lewis led a “service of remembrance and thanksgiv- bishop declaring the building “de- ing” — and a final Eucharist — at Holy Nativity, Pa- consecrated and secularized” and hokee. available for “any lawful and rep- Due to changing demographics, membership in the utable use.” 69-year-old congregation had been declining for some All of the church’s conse- time, numbering in the single digits for the past sev- crated and dedicated objects, such eral years. Only six parishioners remained to attend as the altar, linen and vessels for the final service: Flavy Todd, Laurel and Jeff Tarr, communion, were removed. Most Freddie Alvarez, Vee Harrington and Ted Gallo. of these have been taken to St. During the past decade there have been several John’s, Belle Glade, for use or diocesan efforts to revitalize the ministries in the storage. On July 12 several Holy Glades area. From mid-2002 through 2005 the Rev. Nativity members presented a Denise Hudspeth headed the first regional ministry in crucifix that had hung in the the area, serving as priest-in-charge of both Holy Na- church to St. Mary’s Roman tivity and St. John’s, Belle Glade and working with Catholic Church in Pahokee. outreach into the surrounding communities; but the “To all of us these buildings damaging hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 led to have been hallowed by cherished additional declines in church membership as people memories, and we know that some moved away after the storms. will suffer a sense of loss,” the After Hudspeth left to accept another call, Bishop liturgy acknowledged, and as part Leo Frade appointed Bob Moore, a leader of the out- of the service the church’s remain- reach ministry of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach, ing members were asked to share and member of the diocesan Nehemiah Steering Com- some of their memories of Holy mittee, as “Bishop’s Liaison to the Glades.” Nativity’s place in their lives. Moore said that although efforts to turn around the “It was very, very powerful,” Photo by Linda McKinstry lack of growth were unsuccessful, he will treasure his said Barron—“bittersweet, but a After the final Eucharist at Holy Nativity, Pahokee, the last six mem- experiences with “the remaining wonderful Christians, celebration of what that church bers of the church gather at the altar with diocesan clergy who officiated involved in their churches.” had meant. You really felt your at the liturgy. On the front row, left to right, are: Laurel Tarr, Freddie In November of 2008 the diocesan Executive Board heart breaking—and theirs.” Alvarez, Flavy Todd, Vee Harrington and Dean Carol Barron; back row, voted to begin a transitional process toward selling the But, she added, there was also left to right: Canon Howarth “Hap” Lewis, Jeff Tarr, Ted Gallo and properties of Holy Nativity and neighboring St. John’s, the sense that the parishioners Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs. Belle Glade, noting that the cost of maintaining and in- understood that “it had been a members are undecided. suring the properties had become burdensome for the lingering death—it couldn’t go on.” “It is the intention of the diocese that the congre- dwindling membership of both congregations, leaving As dean, Barron was named priest-in-charge of gation which worshiped here will not be deprived of minimal funding for ministry. During the past year-and- Holy Nativity for the transition. She made sure to get the ministry of the Word and Sacrament,” Hobbs said a-half, Fr. Bill Hamilton, retired rector of St. Andrew’s, the names of the people at the service, so that mem- as part of the deconsecration liturgy, and offered as- Lake Worth, has served as regular supply priest and bers of their sister congregations in the North Palm sistance in providing supply clergy for any who pastor at Holy Nativity. Beach Deanery can pray for them as they begin the might want to continue worshiping together in some- Effective July 1, the church building, which was journey of finding new church homes. One has al- one’s home. consecrated on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 1941, has ready moved to West Palm Beach and is a parishioner Barron will continue as priest-in-charge of Holy been leased by Pahokee Seventh Day Adventist Church at Holy Trinity; one is attending St. John’s, Belle Nativity until the property is sold and the corporation with an option to buy. Because the building will no Glade; one has joined the Methodist Church and an- ■ longer be used as an Episcopal Church, the June 27 other, the Roman Catholic Church; the remaining can be dissolved.

New clergy

Retired Bishop Calvin Bishop Leo Frade O. Schofield, Jr., con- ordains Mark An- gratulates the Rev. An- drew Jones and An- gela Cortiñas after drew Hudson to the ordaining her to the deaconate on June priesthood on July 10 at 5 at Trinity Cathe- All Saints’, Ft. Laud- dral, Miami. Hudson erdale, where she has serves at St. Am- begun a ministry this brose, Ft. Laud- month as Assistant erdale, and also Priest for Children and works in prison min- Families. Also applaud- istry. Jones is serv- ing are Deacon Andrew ing at St. Gregory’s Hudson (left), the Rev. and the Chapel of St Rosa Lindhal-Mallow Andrew, Boca (partially hidden) and the Raton. Revs. Jennie Lou Reid and Mark Sims. 6 The Net, August 2010 THE News NET www.diosef.org Seafarers’ House begins appeal for Frade will lead two pilgrimages in 2011 Shoebox Christmas 2010

For Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades, August is Bishop Leo Frade and his wife, Sacred site not too soon to begin planning for Christmas giving. Diana, will lead two pilgrimages in The ministry has begun collecting items for its annual 2011; in addition to their annual pil- “Shoebox Christmas” program, which provides gifts grimage to the Holy Land, Jan. 17-27, for mariners who work aboard the cargo ships, the bishop and his wife will lead a trip tankers and liners that call at Port Everglades to Greece and Turkey, following in the throughout the holiday season. footsteps of St. Paul and St. John, Mar. Throughout November, December and into early 13-25. January, staff and volunteers will distribute gifts of The Holy Land pilgrimage includes toiletry items, socks, work gloves, pens and pencils visits to such New Testament sites as and calling cards to the mariners who find themselves Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Caper- at sea and far from families during the holiday sea- naum, Cana and Emmaus, as well as son. Churches, schools, civic groups and companies Jericho, Qumran and Megiddo. Pil- are asked to help provide the gifts, as well as to assist grims will spend five days visiting the with wrapping and filling as many as 3,000 gift most sacred sites in and around boxes. Jerusalem, and will have an opportu- In 2009, 3,034 gifts were distributed to mariners nity to worship at St. George’s Angli- from 58 countries aboard 157 different ships. can Cathedral on Sunday, Jan. 23. To contact Seafarers’ House about assisting with The cost of the trip is $3,140 per collections for this project, call 954-734-1580. For person, double occupancy; this in- the complete Shoebox Christmas shopping list and cludes a $300 tax-deductible donation more on the ministries of Seafarers’ House, go to to Our Little Roses Ministries. www.seafarershouse.org. The trip to Greece and Turkey will See p. 11 for a story and reflection from another trace St. Paul’s journeys to Athens, Thessaloniki, Corinth and Ephesus, port ministry in our diocese. ■ and will offer a trip to the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the Fr. Oscar Pineda-Suarez, Apocalypse. The cost of this trip is $4,125 per retired priest person, double occupancy, and also in- cludes the $300 donation to Our Little Fr. Oscar Pineda-Suarez, a retired priest who had Roses. supplied and assisted in virtually all of the Hispanic Complete itineraries are posted at Photo by Leonard Hicks congregations in the North and South Dade Deaner- www.diosef.org. For reservations con- ies, died July 15, following a brief illness. He was 82. tact Globe Travel, 305-823-3939. ■ Bishop Leo Frade and Bishop Julio Holguin of Dominican Re- Born in Colombia, Pineda received his theological public celebrate the Eucharist in the Garden of Gethsemane during education at the seminary in Matanzas, Cuba, and Frade’s 2009 Holy Land Pilgrimage. married the secretary at the seminary, Nila Garcia, in 1959. His wife survives Obituary Libby’s popular Forgiveness Book him, as do the couple’s reissued; CD also available three children and 15 grandchildren. The Forgiveness Book by Fr. Bob Libby, first pub- Pineda served congregations in Colombia, lished in 1992, is back in print. Ecuador and before retiring to Miami. For Libby, the retired rector of St. Christopher’s-by- approximately eight years he was frequently a regular the-Sea, Key Biscayne, and former interim dean of supply priest for San Francisco de Asis, Miami Lakes Trinity Cathedral, has also recorded a CD that is (now part of the shared ministry St. Margaret’s and available with the book. San Francisco de Asis). He also supplied regularly The book contains some 22 real life stories in last year as celebrant for the Spanish Eucharist at which forgiveness is the key issue. Libby’s basic Resurrection, Biscayne Park, during the period when theme is that, “when we define ourselves by the peo- Fr. Alberto Cutié, now priest-in-charge, was prepar- ple who have hurt us or who hate us, we remain in ing to be received from the Roman Catholic Church. bondage to those people until we are able to forgive Bishop Onell Soto, who knew Pineda from their them. When we are unable to let go of the past, our time as newly-ordained priests in Ecuador, called identity is defined by those moments of hatred and Pineda “a gentle man, always ready to serve where pain, but as Christians we are called to identify our- most needed.” ■ selves by the one who loves us and was willing to die on the cross that we might have life.” Listen! Escuche! Since its publication 18 years ago, The Forgive- ness Book has been widely used in small study groups, workshops and retreats, not only in Southeast Our diocesan radio program in Spanish, “Fe y Florida, but throughout the Episcopal Church. Vida” (Faith and Life) can be heard every Saturday As a student at Virginia Theological Seminary, the morning at 9 a.m. on WWFE, La Poderosa, 670 AM, Rev. Jennie Lou Reid, priest-in-charge of St. Faith’s, in Miami. It’s a live, call-in program, so listeners can Cutler Bay, wrote a study guide to be used with the join the conversation. book. Nuestro programa radial “Fe y Vida” se trans- The book and CD, as well as a revised edition of mite todos los sábados a las 9 de la mañana por La the study guide, are available through the Cathedral Poderosa, WWFE, 670 AM de Miami. Es un pro- Book Store at Trinity Cathedral, Miami, 305-759-074 grama en vivo que acepta llamadas en directo, para or [email protected]. The For- que los oyentes pueden participar en la conver- giveness Book is can also be ordered online from iU- sación. ■ niverse.com. ■ News www.diosef.org THE 7 NET The Net, August 2010 ECSEFL plans workshop on community gardening The “Feeding Our People” initiative of Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida is helping congrega- tions find new and creative ways to alleviate hunger in their communities. One new program soon to be introduced will pre- pare congregations for planting community gardens to grow fresh produce for food pantries and soup kitchens. ECSEFL is planning a Garden Workshop for this fall or early in 2011. ceived scholarship assistance from ECSEFL to attend Sponsored in partnership with the Million Meals a July 21 seminar on grant-writing: Brenda Rasmus, Committee, an agency of the Children's Services St. Andrew’s, Lake Worth; Deacon Valerie Vernon, Council of Broward that coordinates all hunger initia- St. Philip’s, Pompano Beach; Charlene Wheat, Holy tives in Broward County, the workshop will provide Family, Miami Gardens; and the Rev. Nancy Wynen, an overview of how to set up, plant and care for a St. Mary’s, Deerfield Beach. Fr. Michael McManus and Cinthia Becton of St. George’s, Riviera Beach, community garden. Photo by provided by ECSEFL Anyone interested in knowing more about this also participated in the seminar. project should send an email to ECSEFL Business ECSEFL’s vision of helping to establish 100 new Children at the Community Caring Center, a min- Director Elizabeth Smiley, [email protected], ask- congregational outreach programs in our diocese by istry of St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach, that receives ing to be added to the Gardening Workshop mailing 2015 is on its way to reality: As of July 2010 Epis- support from ECSEFL, have already had some expe- list. copal Charities has helped create 17 congregational rience with a community garden. Episcopal Charities continues to fulfill its mission outreach ministries serving the homeless, elderly, of “partnering with and empowering the people of hungry and poor in Southeast Florida. (One of these our diocese in answering God’s call to respond to new programs is the sandwich ministry of St. For more information on all the ministries spon- human needs.” Four people from our diocese re- Stephen’s Church and School in Miami, which was sored or supported by ECSEFL go to featured in the June issue of The Net.) www.ecsefl.org ■ Episcopal Charities begins new partnership with Church of the Intercession

Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida has begun Rev. Donna Dambrot, executive director of Episcopal feel called to be part of this ministry. a new partnership with Church of the Intercession in Charities, will become priest-in-charge, shepherding Financial assistance is needed, but so is hands- Fort Lauderdale to help create a neighborhood commu- the new partnership. on help with cleanup, building renovations and set- nity center offering much-needed basic human services Plans for the new ministry at Intercession include ting up new programs. programs. not only the creation of the local services center, but “We need volunteers who want to offer hospital- Two years ago Intercession became part of a re- also the development of a resources center for con- ity onsite, get their hands dirty helping to clean up, gional ministry in partnership with All Saints, Ft. gregational outreach in the diocese. ECSEFL in- and those who may have skills to help build the Lauderdale. During that time it became apparent that tends to make Intercession’s facilities a place to center,” said Dambrot. Intercession's location in a downtown Fort Laud- gather and share ministry ideas and experiences and Youth group mission workdays, parish or indi- erdale neighborhood beset with poverty, along with a site to host workshops related to outreach ministry vidual sponsorship of a room renovation or a new the church's four-acre property — including a com- operations, new programming, fundraising, budget- ministry program, volunteering as part of the team munity garden — and versatile building space, would ing and volunteer development. for day-to-day operations of the services center— make Intercession an ideal site for a services center. Dambrot emphasizes that the new partnership there will be numerous ways to be involved. With the retirement this month of Fr. Roger Allee, must include not only ECSEFL and the congregation For more information on how to be a part of this priest missioner at All Saints, who has served as of Church of the Intercession, but also neighboring new ministry, contact Dambrot at priest-in-charge of Intercession since March 2009, the congregations and anyone in the diocese who might [email protected]. ■

Episcopal Charities plans meeting of “Messengers” Lay Leadership Workshops set for October Episcopal Charities now has “Messengers” in ap- proximately one-quarter of congregations in the dio- The diocesan Lay Leadership Workshops cese. for fall will be held Oct. 9 and 30 at locations ECSEFL will hold a meeting of these parish repre- to be announced. Like the workshops last fall sentatives on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. at Church of and this spring, one will be in the northern the Intercession, Ft. Lauderdale, to provide an oppor- part of the diocese and one in the south, but tunity for the messengers to get to know each other both sessions will offer identical presenta- and to learn more about how Episcopal Charities can tions. help local outreach programming. Presentations planned for the fall work- The role of Episcopal Charities Messengers is to: shops include: Youth Ministry; Young Adult ■ Support the vision of Episcopal Charities to Ministry; Effective Administration and Fi- launch 100 new outreach ministries in the diocese by nance; Vestry and Ministry Councils; Treasur- 2015. ers’ Workshop; QuickBooks Refresher; ■ Provide the human connection between congre- ■ Share best practices and new ideas in outreach Church Insurance; Church Communications gations and Episcopal Charities for the outreach work with other Messengers and congregations. and Social Media; Eldercare; and Creative that is done in the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast ■ Attend gatherings and workshops to facilitate Management of Conflict in the Midst of Florida. among Messengers the learning, sharing, supporting Change. ■ and communicating of outreach programs. Communicate the Episcopal Charities mission Locations and details will be posted in The goal of ECSEFL is to have every congrega- to partner with and empower the people and congre- Grapevine on the diocesan website, tion in the diocese represented by a Messenger. For gations of our diocese in answering God’s call to re- www.diosef.org, and sent to clergy and con- sponds to human needs. more information about Episcopal Charities Messen- gregations. ■ ■ Convey the outreach and technical support gers, contact Bonnie Weaver, [email protected] or needs of congregations to Episcopal Charities. 561-308-3742. ■ 8 The Net, August 2010 www.diosef.org THE Parishes in Progress 9 NET www.diosef.org The Net, August 2010 Father’s Day Helping Hands Jesus Fest

Deacon Valerie Vernon (right), deacon-in-charge of St. Philip’s, Pompano Beach, applauds a successful apple- bobber at Jesus Fest, a day of Julie Bird Winchester family fun at Quiet Waters Park leads children in a in Davie on June 27. More demonstration of tradi- than 200 people enjoyed food, tional Haitian cooking live music, games, a bounce during Vacation Bible house, a petting zoo and fish- School at Good Shep- ing. The event was sponsored herd, Tequesta. The by the Episcopal Fellowship of theme was “Helping Northeast Broward, which in- Hands: A Mission for cludes the congregations of St. Children,” and the focus Mary’s, Deerfield, and St. was on Haiti, its culture Martin’s, St. Nicholas and St. and ongoing efforts to Philip’s, Pompano Beach. help after the Jan. 12 earthquake. Photo provided by St. Andrew’s, Hollywood Photo by Lisa Benton Sunday School children perform for parents and neighbors at the Father’s Day “Tent Revival and Barbecue” at St. Andrew’s, Hollywood. Fr. Lee Davis, St. Andrew’s priest-in-charge, was also chef-in-charge of the grill, and more than 100 people from the church and the neighborhood came to the party. Bahamian voices True story

Photo by Bill Jowett Storyteller Beth Coles tells the children “God’s Word is true!” That was the theme of the first 50th Anniversary day of “High Seas Expedition” Va- cation Bible School at Bethesda- by-the-Sea, Palm Beach.

Dancers lead praise at the festive Eucharist celebrating the 50th an- niversary of St. Bene- dict’s, Plantation, on Apr. 24. The preacher for the service was the Rt. Rev. Dorsey Henderson, retired bishop of Upper South Photo by Marvin Ellis Carolina, who served as St. Benedict’s rector The Rahming Brothers, Gospel singers from Nassau, Bahamas, lift their voices at in the 1980s. Historic St. Agnes, Miami, on July 18. The group was part of the 37th Annual Ecumenical Photo by Phyllis Goodner Service celebrating Bahamian Independence Day. Photo by Juli Reid

■ Good Shepherd, Tequesta, has started a ministry truck were also part of the event. the ministry of Fr. Roger Allee, who is retiring at the end ioners are blessed. 50th wedding anniversary on July 4 at St. Philip’s, Coral ([email protected] or 305-448-2601. called “Alison’s List,” which matches parishioners who ■ Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, has been holding of August after serving for eight years as assistant at All ■ Canon J. Kenneth Major preached and celebrated at Gables. Bishop Julio Holguin of the Dominican Repub- ■ In July the choir of St. Thomas, Coral Gables, went have an emergency or short-term need with other parish- services in the parish hall this summer, because the air- Saints (and for the past year also as priest-in-charge at his last Eucharist as rector of Church of the Incarna- lic was the preacher for the Eucharist and renewal of to , giving seven performances during their 10-day ioners who are willing and able to help. When a request conditioner in the church needs to be replaced. Last Church of the Intercession, Ft. Lauderdale), with a tion, Miami, on June 26. Major has retired after 36 years vows. tour. The choir sang in such historic cathedrals as Rouen, for help — a ride to an appointment, meals delivered dur- month an anonymous parishioner offered a “Chill-Out Eucharist, followed by a reception. as rector, five years prior to that as vicar and one as dea- ■ This fall St. Simon’s, Miami, is opening a new school, Chartres and Reims; their final engagement was a 6:30 ing an illness, assistance putting up hurricane shutters, Challenge” gift — a donation of $5,000 toward the new ■ Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines, held a commu- con and curate. Fr. Hayden Crawford, Incarnation’s new which will focus on students with special needs, such as p.m. Vigil Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. A any short-term emergency — comes into the church of- a/c if donations from the rest of the congregation match nity Health Fair on Aug. 14, offering a variety of health rector, began his ministry there on July 1. learning or developmental disabilities, hearing impair- highlight of the trip was the baptism of choir member fice, all of the Alison’s List volunteers receive an email, that amount. screenings, information on nutrition and disease preven- ■ Church of the Transfiguration, Miami Gardens, ment or ADD. For information call 305-221-4753. Mandy Whiteleather at the American Cathedral in Paris. and those who are available to help respond are put in ■ Youth from St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach, made a 14- tion, an exercise and fitness presentation, back to school celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, Aug. 6, with a ■ St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove (Miami), is now en- ■ At St. James the Fisherman, Islamorada, supply touch with the person who has the need. day pilgrimage to Scotland and England in July, visiting giveaways and a blood drive. service of Solemn Evensong. The preacher was Canon rolling students for both a daytime (Wednesday morning) priest Fr. Jack Stanton has offered a Bible study in place ■ St. Luke’s, Port Salerno, held its annual Back to Edinburgh and York, and such Celtic sites as Lindisfarne ■ Aug. 29 will be “Come and See Sunday” at St. Mark Richard L. Marquess-Barry, rector of Historic St. Agnes, and an evening (Monday nights) Education for Ministry of the sermon on Sundays. The congregation is studying School Fair for children of the community on Aug. 14. and Iona. On the last Sunday of the pilgrimage the group the Evangelist, Ft. Lauderdale; parishioners are encour- Miami. (EfM) class. EfM is a program of Bible, Theology, the Book of Acts, with the aid of a map of St. Paul’s mis- This year the parish provided backpacks filled with worshiped at St. Paul’s in London, where Presiding aged to wear “play clothes” and bring their friends and ■ Fr. Samuel Browne, retired vicar of St. Patrick’s, Church History, and personal spiritual growth developed sionary journeys. During the rest of the year one Sunday school supplies for 500 children, and for the first time Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was the guest preacher neighbors for a day that will offer information about St. West Palm Beach, and his wife, Lottie, celebrated their by the University of the South School of Theology in Se- month at St. James is Bible Study Sunday; ushers give also offered school shirts, made available with the assis- for the service. The pilgrims were able to greet the pre- Mark’s, along with lunch, a petting zoo, a water slide, a 50th wedding anniversary on June 25 with a renewal of wanee Tennessee. EfM participants meet together each worshiper a Bible along with the worship bulletin, tance of Walgreen’s and Episcopal Charities of Southeast siding bishop briefly after the service, and had their pic- cake walk, games and surprises. During the service that vows at Historic St. Agnes, Miami, followed by a fes- weekly with a trained mentor to study, grow, and explore and the Bibles can also be purchased for $5. Stanton says Florida. Refreshments, a variety of educational displays ture taken with her. morning there will be a celebration of the diversity of the tive reception. theological ideas and questions. For additional informa- he’s seen parishioners’ knowledge of the Bible improve and a visit from Martin County firefighters with the fire- ■ On Aug. 14, All Saints, Ft. Lauderdale, celebrated congregation as “Flags of Origin” donated by parish- ■ Bishop Onell Soto and his wife, Nina, celebrated their tion and registration, contact the Rev. Jo-Ann Murphy while he’s supplied there. ■ 10 The Net, August 2010 THE From Our Bishop NET www.diosef.org Continuing Indaba: Purposeful, honest conversation about Anglican differences

“Indaba” is a word of Zulu or Xhosa origin that refers to a gathering for purposeful conversation about the concerns of the whole community. During the last meeting of bishops of the Anglican Communion, Lambeth 2008, we used the Indaba “...when we are truthful about model for our conversations. It was a process and a method of engagement in which we listened to one our own issues — and when another concerning the challenges that the 80 million members of the Anglican Communion are facing in each truly listens to the voices the 21st Century. Indaba first and foremost acknowledges that there of the others — we can at the are issues in our Communion that need to be ad- dressed effectively if we want to foster communal end find a greater truth.” living. These issues concern the way we read and un- derstand Scripture; how we deal with human sexual- ity; and autonomy of the Provinces, as well as the many other missional challenges that we face. facing the Church. Our two partners in this conversa- Indaba encourages the discussion of issues with- tion, which will be in Spanish, will be the Diocese of out immediately trying to resolve them, one way or Peru and Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico. In conversa- the other. The purpose of this form of discussion is to tions this year and next, Archbishop Carlos Touché- lead into a deeper understanding of the topic or issue, Porter of Mexico, Bishop H. William Godfrey of Peru leading to a deeper convergence that might help us and I, along with representatives of our dioceses, will hold our Anglican Communion together regardless be discussing the role and authority of Holy Scripture our differences. At Lambeth we met and conversed, and how we reconcile our differences of interpreta- concerns—and when each truly listens to the voices ensuring that everybody had a voice and that the issue tion; who can speak on behalf of the Anglican Com- of the others — we can at the end find a greater truth. at hand was fully defined and understood by all. munion; and the role of the Instruments of Unity. In the process we will grow, learn and understand not Last month I was invited, along with 10 other Of course the conversation will also include the only the issue at hand, but also each other. bishops from around the Anglican Communion, to place of gays and lesbians in the leadership of the My beloved, our common life as Anglicans is not come to London to take part in the initial planning church, the blessing of same sex unions and the role past, as some may think. By God’s grace, we have pilot conversation of the Continuing Indaba project. of Resolution 1.10 of Lambeth 1998, which calls “all time to continue honest and loving conversations Only Bishop Mark Sisk of New York and I were from our people to minister pastorally and sensitively to all about our differences within the Anglican Commun- the Episcopal Church; the others were from Jamaica, irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn ir- ion and to preserve its unity around the world. Canada, Peru, Mexico, Hong Kong, India and the rational fear of homosexuals,” but also states that the May God bless us in this endeavor. United Kingdom. The purpose of this gathering was conference “cannot advise the legitimising or bless- to train us as conveners of pilot discussions that will ing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved +Leo Frade take place during 2010 and 2011 around the Anglican in same gender unions.” Communion using the Indaba method. My prayer is that this conversation will be under Present as facilitators were bishops from Africa the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I ask that you include and Ireland, as well as other priests and laypersons this discussion, our partner dioceses and their bishops from around the Communion. in your daily prayers. I believe that when we are Our diocese has been asked to be part of a triad of truthful about our own issues, when others in a dioceses with widely disparate views on many issues Christ-like manner add with their own voice their

Official publication of the Letters to the Editor Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida 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. available, email address, of the writer. Parish affiliation is All material – letters, articles or photos – should be The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, Bishop also requested, when applicable. submitted electronically to: [email protected], or by The Net reserves the right to refuse publication, and mail to: Mary W. Cox, Diocese of Southeast Florida, 525 The Rt. Rev. Calvin O. Schofield, Jr. to edit letters for length, spelling and grammar. NE 15 St., Miami, FL 33132-1411. S.T.D., Retired Bishop News & Information Net Deadline The next Net deadline is Sept. 10. If you have an an- The Rt. Rev. John L. Said The Net invites news of parish ministries and activi- nouncement or calendar item for events in late October, Retired Bishop Suffragan ties, as well as commentary on church-related issues and November or December please have the information to events. Whenever possible, all material should be submit- The Net by Sept. 10. E-mail to EpiscoRat@ aol.com or Kathryn Blanton ted electronically or on a disk or CD. Documents sent as mail to Mary W. Cox, DoSEF, 525 NE 15th St., Miami, Convener of Communications Ministry attachments or on disk should be in Word, or in a format FL 33132-1411. that can be opened in Word. Printed material should be Mary W. Cox an original document or a clean photocopy that can be THE NET (USPS 787-340) is published bi-monthly, Editor scanned — no faxes. six times a year, in February, April, June, August, Octo- Please include with all material the name, address, ber and December by the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Catherine Kohn/PSPress phone number and if available, email address, of the con- Subscription, $5 annually. Periodicals postage paid at Layout Editor tributor. Parish affiliation is also requested, when applica- Miami, Fla., and additional offices. ble. The Net reserves the right to refuse publication and POSTMASTER: Address changes to The Net, John T. Cox to edit all contributions. Photographs should be high-res- 525 N.E. 15th Street, Miami, FL 33132-1411. Proofreader olution digital files or clear prints of film photographs, preferably on glossy paper. Photographs sized for a web- Points of View www.diosef.org THE 11 NET The Net, August 2010 Generalizations hinder work for justice for all By the Ven. J. Fritz Bazin Not all immigration officers feel that undocu- Justice challenges us to work together to repair the mented young people who have been in this country broken system of immigration that threatens both Do we still have a race problem in this country? since they were two years old deserve to be treated as these productive (though undocumented) members of Indeed — and almost all over the world race is still undesirable criminals responsible for rapes and mur- our communities and our ability to secure our borders used as a basis for discrimination and unfair treat- ders in the United States. from those who are true threats to our country. ment. The reality is that there are fair and compassionate How can we protect our borders against criminals Often the words “justice,” or “social justice” are white “Anglos” working for justice in collaboration and terrorists? Why do so many poor and dispos- associated with left wing militancy, painting a picture with concerned African-American and Latinos. Being sessed continue to come to America despite the risks of ultra-liberal church people, both laity and clergy, a member of the Anti-Racism Commission, the Union of drowning at sea in the Florida Straits or the that see the world’s people as divided into opposing of Black Episcopalians (UBE) or the Hispanic Task Caribbean, or dying of heat and thirst in the deserts of groups: oppressors and oppressed, whites and blacks, Force does not put one in opposition to any other the Southwest? How might we tailor our foreign pol- rich and poor. The tendency of such a polarized view group; instead, these organizations work for the pro- icy to discourage illegal immigration? would be to consider all rich persons, for example, motion of justice for all. We need to ask these questions and look seriously part of the oppressive establishment, instead of trying Today in this country, as we see in the controversy at the statistics of crime, unemployment, healthcare to bring together rich and poor, whites and blacks, over Arizona’s law, we face the difficult and urgent and education to consider, without prejudice, how— Latinos, native Americans, into a “great fellowship of reality of dealing with the issue of immigration. This or whether — these areas of concern are impacted by love” to build a more just and compassionate world. is not a problem that will simply go away or be post- the presence of undocumented persons living in this Too often we fall into the temptation of such gen- poned. What is still happening in Arizona, and threats country. eralizations as: all-Spanish speaking people in Miami by leaders in other states—including Florida — to Immigration is a crucial social justice issue. It is are ; all Cubans are Republicans; Cubans push for the adoption of Arizona-style laws on immi- therefore everyone’s business. It is especially every don’t like blacks; African-Americans don’t like gration, are a menace to the structure of federalism. Christian’s duty, because we have promised in our Haitians; Haitians don’t like Jamaicans; all Jewish Meanwhile, some 12 million people living here baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and promote people are greedy; all whites are prejudiced against without proper documents are in limbo, fearful that the dignity of every human being.” ■ all blacks. These kinds of views prevent us from they can be deported anytime. This threat applies working together and make it difficult sometimes to even to young people who were brought here by their Archdeacon Fritz Bazin is diocesan Archdeacon understand the plight of suffering sisters and brothers. parents when they were just two or three years old. for Immigration and Social Justice. Help comes for stranded seafarers: A tale of diakonia and trust By the Rev. Clay Waddell were able to tell these frightened gesting that they find a flare people that after three months Episcopal and Ecumenical gun in a lifeboat and fire every From my first days driving dive boats in and out without performing the job for Ministries with Seafarers flare in the kit till someone of the Lake Worth Inlet, the Palm Beach Princess was which they were hired, their con- came, I texted this: “Trust in traversing our inlet. tracts were void, and they would Seamen’s Church Institute God, just trust in God — help More recently I encountered the daily gambling be sent home with at least the http://www.seamenschurch.org/ will come soon; in the mean- ship as a ship visitor who wor- salary due them. We had a com- time, trust God.” ried about the ship and her munion service with the remain- Seafarers’ House at Port If Islam in Arabic means crew in a different way. ing crew and all were informed Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale surrender to the will of God, Last year the company that in the homily that we were there www.seafarershouse.org the Indonesian Muslims — owned the ship went bankrupt, to advocate for all of them and and the Christians — needed and just after Christmas the let the Cubans and others know to do just that. They were out ship stopped sailing; the crew, of their rights as well. We gave them a cell phone and of options. whose families in and phone cards donated by Seafarers’ House at Port For can-do people who like to fix things, people Asia depended on their salaries Everglades, so that they would never be out of touch or situations, trusting in God can be difficult. Trusting wired home, was left not only and could contact us. in God does not mean don’t do anything in a particu- without work and tips, but also Thanks to the discretionary fund for port ministry lar situation; doing what we can is diakonia — serv- with an uncertain future. They Waddell provided by Bethesda-by-the-Sea, along with addi- ice — but after exhausting all other options, when were in limbo. With their visas tional generous support from parishioners Jim and things are out of control, or at least not in our power suspended, the non-American crew members were Phyllis Goodner, we were able to provide basic needs to control, it is the only thing we have left. Then we virtual prisoners. and supplies to the crew of 12. When the ship ran out might have to pray for patience and put into practice The captain had resigned, protesting the poor of food for two days, we supplied emergency rations the motto “In God we trust.” treatment of the crew. We chaplains continued to visit of rice and beans and some other goodies, until provi- Our prayers and the prayers of the crew were an- the ship while it was under “arrest”. sioning came—finally. swered: It came to pass that God sent a man named Thanks to the Center for Seafarers’ Rights (CSR) Eventually, the ship was forced to leave Palm Michael Seymour, the head of port security, who had in New York City, we were able to inform the crew of Beach for Freeport, Bahamas, which terrified the In- not been informed about the desperate situation on their rights and give them encouragement and infor- donesians, who feared losing the support system pro- the ship, but went there on Monday as soon as he mation related to their contracts and rights. Happily, vided by the chaplains. The ship left, and with it our learned of the crew’s plight. That same day, staff the majority of the crew — mostly Filipinos, many of cell phone. I prayed that the crew would remember from the Anglican Church of the Ascension called whom had become our friends over the years — were our assurances that we would contact CSR and that and told me they were going to the ship. The cavalry paid and went home when the company at last paid they would remember the date of May 12 — the day was coming — on the angels’ wings of compassion- their expensive airfare. The prayers of the crew were that, even in the worst case scenario, they would go ate people who care about justice. answered and they were delivered from their distress. home. Trust in God is surrender, not to the will of some A skeleton crew remained on the ship — mostly On a Saturday afternoon in early April, I received distant God, but to the loving care of the God who Cuban nationals and three Indonesian hotel staff a desperate text from our missing phone: “No power, hears the voice of prayer and gives us, his people, the workers. The three Indonesians, one Christian and no food, and no money, please help!” courage to live what we promised at our baptism: two Muslims, were very concerned about their future, I typed back that I would call the Freeport port au- “To respect the dignity of every human being” and to for they had signed on the Princess just before it thorities on Monday, and that I had called the put our “whole trust in his grace and love.” ■ stopped sailing with passengers. The majority of their archdeacon at the Anglican Church of the Ascension wages came from tips, which along with the passen- in Freeport and told him of their desperate situation. The Rev. Clay Waddell is a deacon at Bethesda- gers, were now gone. They would have to hold out till Monday. More des- by-the-Sea, Palm Beach. His primary ministry is with I notified the Center for Seafarers’ Rights again perate texts came. They said that they were starving. Harbor of Hope, the chaplaincy program for seafar- and faxed New York a copy of their contract. We Finally, after doing everything I could, even sug- ers at the Port of Palm Beach. 12 The Net, August 2010 THE Committed to Mission NET www.diosef.org Family Promise adds new mentoring program, new affiliate

By Mary W. Cox, editor Blessing a home

It’s been nearly two years since an interfaith Tatyana Chery holds a candle as group of congregations in southern Palm Beach the Rev. Debra Self, priest-in- County formed a branch of Family Promise, a na- charge of Chapel of St. Andrew, tional ministry that uses the resources of local faith Boca Raton, blesses the new communities to provide temporary shelter and as- home of the Chery family, who sistance toward independent living for families who were guests of Family Promise earlier this year. Volunteers Bob have become homeless. Pickup (left) and Emily Nell The focus is on children; all of those served are Lagerquist (right) joined the family families with children. About half are two-parent for the celebration. families that “just need a little help.” Twenty-two congregations — Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Unitarian/Universalist — are involved in the ministry. Eleven, including St. Gre- gory’s and Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, and St. Paul’s, Delray Beach, serve as host congrega- tions, providing temporary shelter in church facili- ties for the program’s guest families. Others, like St. Joseph’s, Boyton Beach, offer financial, volunteer or other support. Photos provided by Family Promise Now the ministry is expanding, with a grant for a of South Palm Beach County. new mentoring program and a new Family Promise affiliate beginning to organize to serve the northern “Wonderful families…are still tethered to the portant as parenting, budgeting, and life skills in part of Palm Beach County from Lake Worth to program,” said the Rev. Kathleen Gannon, assistant general take more than a couple of months to truly Tequesta. at St. Paul’s, Delray Beach, and president of Family put into practice, it is of the utmost importance to Here’s how Family Promise works: Families are Promise of South Palm Beach County (FPSPBC). follow up with a coach who can continue that work brought to the week’s host congregation on Sunday “The beauty of the program is that it reconnects and support them as they grow.” evening, where they have dinner with volunteers people with community.” Mentors will be chosen from volunteers in the and then socialize, play games, do homework, en- FPSPBC board member Faye Somers, a member participating congregations and trained by a li- gage in conversation — or simply settle into their of Chapel of St. Andrew and a postulant for the di- censed social worker/case manager. They will rooms for the night. In the morning, guests have aconate, also spoke of the importance of this “teth- begin by acting as coaches in the Day Center so breakfast and make bag lunches. At 6 a.m. the Fam- ering,” which she described as “a gradual process they can develop relationships with the families in ily Promise van picks up the guests and takes them of letting go.” the program. to the Day Center. From there, pre-school children “When families move into their transitional Once the case manager matches each one to a often go to daycare, school-age children are trans- home, it’s such an exciting time,” Somers said. family, the mentors will provide moral support, re- ported to their home school, and parents go to their Clergy from FPSPBC congregations have re- inforce the life skills learned, help identify com- jobs or look for employment and housing. cently conducted house blessings, with Family munity resources, and act as “life coaches” for a The following Sunday the families move to the Promise staff and volunteers participating, for two year after the families’ graduation from the pro- next host facility. Guest families stay in the pro- families moving into transitional homes. gram. Success of the Mentoring Program will be gram until they have found employment, and have Somers makes sure that the families know that determined by whether or not families are in their accumulated enough savings to be able to maintain this kind of spiritual support is available. When own homes and employed one year after gradua- themselves in their own housing. guests first come to the Day Center, she offers an tion. But the relationship between Family Promise optional survey, asking about the family’s faith Soon the Family Promise program will be avail- and guest families continues after they regain their background and spiritual needs; about ten percent able in the northern part of Palm Beach County. independence. Congregations, volunteers and case of guests respond to the survey. She plans to offer With an anonymous grant for start-up, the fledging managers stay in contact with the families, and Bible study for guests who are interested. program contracted with Rhonda Clinton, a mem- some guests even return as volunteers “We are called to bring the ber of St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens, to begin Family and friends Church into the world,” organizing. Somers said. “For me this Clinton, who worked for 22 years with Easter completes [my] servant min- Seals in Palm Beach County and calls herself istry.” “somewhat of a child advocate,” said that although Now the “tethering” of the her contract work with Family Promise is ending, guest families to the support- she will continue to be involved with the program. ive community will be able to “It’s in my heart now,” she said. go deeper and last longer, The new Family Promise ministry already has thanks to a three-year 11 or 12 congregations committed to the program, $150,000 grant from the Boca the use of a van, a grants committee and a grant Raton-based Irving and Bar- from Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida for bara C. Gutin Foundation to beds. Organizers are already working with other establish a Mentoring Pro- community organizations. One congregation is gram that will train volunteer holding a “housewarming” to collect needed sup- mentors to become life plies for the hospitality it will soon begin to pro- coaches. vide, Clinton said. Kokie Dinnan, director of “There’s such power,” she added. “It [the Fam- FPSPB, said the Mentoring ily Promise program] doesn’t cost millions…and Program will allow families to the success rate is incredible.” expand upon the life skills For homeless families, Gannon said, Family they learn in the program. Promise is “like having an extended family.” Children of guest families and children of volunteers enjoy playing to- “Since they are only here a To learn more about Family Promise, go to gether outside the guesthouse at St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton. short time, and lessons as im- www.familypromisespbc.org. ■ Committed to Mission www.diosef.org THE 13 NET The Net, August 2010 Bondeau ministry sees great need, shares great joy

By Deacon Anita Thorstad Wedding day From June 29-July 26 Deacon Anita Thorstad of St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton, lived and worked in Bon- deau, Haiti, where the South Florida Haiti Project is in partnership with Ste. Marie Madeleine parish. A small mission team from the SFHP congregations joined her for the celebrations of the Feast of Ste. Marie Madeleine. The following are excerpts from her blog of her month in Bondeau.

Island poverty

The highlight and most life-changing experience was our visit to the island of Bidow. We boarded hand-made canoes one person at a time, with a local person rowing. It was the most scenic and smooth water ride to our destination, a tiny island about 15 minutes off shore of Bondeau, where we visited with the people living on the island. Many of the people are members of Ste. Marie Madeleine Parish; the children attend our school and sing in the choir. Women are members of the women’s association, attend sewing class, and partici- pate in parish activities. The people of Bidow live in the worst living con- ditions that you can imagine. Their homes are made of stick frames that are covered with scraps of plastic, rags, metal, any kind of scrap material, all with a dirt floor. The island floods from the tropical rains. One young man, when asked what he does when it rains, said that he stands on his bed to be above the water that flows into his house. I have seen many poor areas in and around Port au Photos by Anita Thorstad Prince but Bidow is the worst I have ever seen. The Home-made confetti showered the wedding parties as four couples were married at Ste. Marie Madeleine people live with the constant fear that their tiny island in Bondeau, Haiti. Weddings and baptisms were highlights of the congregation’s celebration on the weekend will be washed away in a tropical storm or that a sea following their saint’s day—the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, July 22. vessel heading into the nearby port of Miragoane will run into the island… Graduates Celebrating Ste. Marie Madeleine

We had a wonderful, joyful celebration for the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene. People gathered from the surrounding parishes to celebrate with us. On Saturday more than 30 babies were baptized. Godparents and family all gathered round as their lit- tle one received the sacrament. It was especially thrilling for me because I had never baptized anyone. The marriage ceremony followed baptism. The four brides looked gorgeous, just as brides do here, all dressed in white beaded wedding gowns and veils. It was hard to imagine that the brides and wedding Students at the Trade School party live in huts with dirt floors — they looked as received their diplomas at the pretty as any bride does in our country. They couldn’t Ste. Marie Madeleine celebra- possibly afford a wedding gown, but I later found out tion. The skills they’ve learned can make them essential work- that they rent them for the day. ers in the rebuilding of Haiti. I am “Marenn”—godmother — to Naomi and Guy, one of the couples married that day. Naomi’s dress was her own, made for her by the sewing teacher with fabric that my daughter gave me for cur- tains for Maison d'Amitie. Guy was also one of the ceived a diploma in a well-designed folder that held lowed by a big party. People stayed all afternoon and people baptized just before the wedding ceremony. the diploma and graduation picture. I know many of had a wonderful time. He is the goat keeper and Naomi works in the parish. the graduates personally and know how happy they “All of this provoked in me a particular apprecia- They and their children, Anna and Gibson, were the are to be trained in a skill that could give them an op- tion for the missionary vision of our church, which first family to move into one of the new houses we portunity for a job as Haiti rebuilds. continues to be strong in the midst of a Haiti that has built this spring at Ste. Marie Madeleine. On Sunday we celebrated a High Mass. Choirs been once again brought to its knees,” Fr. Milien said. Later that afternoon was the Trade School gradua- sang parts of the liturgy. Five priests, including our “The Episcopal Church witnesses in these moments tion. All the graduates wore white shirts and dark own Fr. Smith Milien from Miami, were concele- its faithfulness to the liberating gospel of Christ and ■ pants or skirts. They slowly processed in with accom- brants. I was Deacon of the Mass and read the gospel its engagement in the education of the people.” panying music. Each was called by name and re- in Kreyol. It was a joyful, glorious Eucharist, fol- 14 The Net, August 2010 THE Committed to Mission NET www.diosef.org Miami dentist brings smiles to children in Ukraine

By Carole Adams Repairing a smile Miami dentist Bob Liebler and his wife, Jan, parishioners at St. Matthew’s, Miami, have been regular members of a dental care team from Ukraine Children’s Project since the ministry began in 1997. Earlier this year they made their eleventh trip to Ukraine. This story is adapted from an arti- cle in the June issue of the UCP newsletter, Chil- dren of Ukraine.

The overnight flight and the four-hour train ride from Kiev compounded by a seven-hour time change makes any bed feel good on the first night in Vinnitsa. There is a McDonald’s downtown, but in the mission house where the team of dentists, assistants and youth ministry is housed breakfast is Ukrainian — cheese, bread, fruit, sometimes boiled eggs. The van is packed before 8 a.m. for the long drive out of town over potholed roads to the day’s selected orphanage. The dentists set up their instrument-sanitizing equipment in a large, light room with concrete floors. Just as they're ready to see the first in a line of four-to-sixteen-year-olds, the power fails. The source of the problem is undiscernible. After much bustling about and checking of fuses, someone goes for a generator. Finally a generator is found, carried in, and cranked up. The lights come back on only to go back off: The generator is out of fuel. There’s more bustling and the decision to send someone for Photo by Jan Liebler fuel; but before he returns, the power is restored and the lights come on. Dr. Bob Liebler (left) treats a young patient in a Ukrainian orphanage. Thus a typical day begins for a Ukraine Chil- dren’s Project (UCP) dental team mission in Ukraine. for children with mild needs such as crossed eyes, While the children wait, the youth team offers ADHD or “weak minded.” The dental team saw games and crafts. The children are torn between the over 20 children on this day of Liebler’s eleventh terror of the dental work and the delight of playing ministry trip to Ukraine. with their new friends, but relationships are built. Having taken part in the very first UCP The state of the children’s teeth is deplorable. team in 1997 and having returned nearly They have no regular dental care and do not even every year since, Liebler is used to the many own toothbrushes. surprises and adventures of working in east- Ukraine Children's Project/ The dentists work until 1 p.m., eat a quick lunch ern Europe. of bread, cheese, meat and some fruit, and then re- Once alerted at the last moment of a cus- Deety-Nasha Nadiya is a registered turn to work. toms crack-down, he worked half the night international charitable foundation One teenage boy has fourteen surfaces with cav- making a list of every instrument in his headquartered in Vinnitsa, Ukraine. ities to fill and a bad tooth to be pulled. He spends portable “clinic” before flying out of Miami the day in one of the chairs. Masha, an eight-year- the next morning. The ministry works with 32 orphan- old girl, sobs at the door in fearful anticipation, Leibler’s tenure with UCP has included ages in the region, providing medical weeps in the chair as the dentists work; and when working near a former missile site in Per- and dental care, necessary supplies, it’s all over, with her toy prize in one hand and a vomysk, rubbing shoulders with armed educational assistance and Christian new toothbrush in the other, continues crying at the guards. Once when he was bringing a education for children ranging in age wheelchair, highly prized on the black mar- memory of the experience. Valentina, a blonde from infants to teens, including many beauty of about seven, eyes as wide open as her ket and therefore suspect at customs, he and with various disabilities. mouth, takes it all in stride. the chair were ushered through with no The dentists close up at 6 p.m. after nearly nine glitch — surely eyes had been blinded. hours on their feet. Instruments cleaned, they What inspires a successful American For more on the work of the Ukraine wearily climb in the van for the bumpy ride back dentist to leave his home in Miami, fly Children’s Project, go to www.chil- into town, leaving behind a dozen children with across the world to Ukraine and travel the drenofukraine.org. teeth made solid by new friends from America. A many miles to Vinnitsa to labor until ex- simple supper, prayer, bed — so the dentist’s day hausted under primitive conditions? ends. Liebler’s answer: “UCP is no phony — When the van arrived at the mission house after it’s ‘ground-level.’ I can see the good done, a long day of treating children at the Nimirov or- and it’s real and done in the name of Christ.” phanage. Dr. Bob Liebler came through the door When asked what he would say to his col- with an urgent message: “We should send the next leagues, other U.S. dentists who might consider team to Nimirov—it’s a very serious need and the such a mission: “Your coming fills a need that is children have terrible teeth.” desperate. Any care you can give the children of or- The Nimirov Orphanage is “level 2” — reserved phanages is so appreciated.” ■ Committed to Mission www.diosef.org THE 15 NET The Net, August 2010 Kitchen crew St. George’s reaches out to Hispanic community

By Tony Magaña

When St. George’s, Riviera Beach, was established in 1938 by Bahamian Anglicans, the congregation reflected the ethnic make-up of the community—blacks and whites, in addition to many Bahamians of mixed racial heritage. But by the late 1960s, the community had changed radically: A “white flight” took many middle-class families out of the area, leaving a neighborhood that was poorer and predominantly African-American. Since the 1960s St. George’s has been a mission congregation offering social support to its needy neighbors. St. George’s Center, created in 1998, currently provides a wide- range of social services, including an after-school and school holidays program for 60 children of elementary school age, as well as a feeding program which provides meals for 150 to 200 homeless and poor at least twice a day. Job assistance and clothing assistance programs are in their early stages. Photo provided by St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens Now St. George’s is beginning a new outreach into a community that has changed once again. Over the past 20 years the Hispanic population in Palm Beach County has Members of the mission team from St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens, and gone from only six percent estimates of over thirty percent of the total population. His- St. George’s, Riviera Beach, discover how many onions it takes to make panics are rapidly becoming majority populations in urban and rural neighborhoods dinner for guests at a Washington, DC, soup kitchen. With the young throughout the area where there are family or particular community links to their home- people are St. George’s priest-in-charge, Fr. Michael McManus (second land. from left), and St. Mark’s Youth Director Dave Stankiewicz (second from Hundreds of Central American (mostly Guatemalan and Mexican) families now live right). within 20 blocks of St. George’s. Typically they have a family income of about $24,000 per year and have a primary school level of education in Spanish. Fr. Michael McManus, who has been serving as priest-in-charge of St. George’s since Youth mission team takes late last year, along with Hispanic members of St. George’s and of St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens, is working to develop an outreach ministry to these Hispanic neighbors. “urban plunge” in DC McManus has consulted with leaders in Hispanic ministry both in the diocese and throughout the Episcopal Church, and has learned to celebrate the Eucharist in Spanish. A team of youth and adults from St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens, St. Mark's Episcopal Churchwomen arranged for a free Quinceañera celebration for and St. George’s, Riviera Beach, took a trip June 12-20 to the nation’s Tami, a young Guatemalan woman who was baptized at St. George’s and is now active in capital, but they didn’t go to visit the White House, the Capitol or the the congregation. Tami’s brother, 16-year-old Fausto, is an active member of St. George's museums and other tourist attractions. They went to help in a variety of youth group and was part of a group of youth from St. George’s and St. Mark’s that took social service ministries—and to find out how it might feel to be home- part in a week-long mission trip to work with the homeless and needy in Washington, less. DC. (See story, left.) The group helped prepare and serve meals at soup kitchens; packaged Our intent is to make the Hispanic community more aware of the Episcopal Church’s ■ a week’s worth of meals for sick and homebound people; chatted, exer- cultural sensitivity and its commitment to welcome and serve Latinos. cised and played bingo with residents of a nursing home; and acted as “a jungle gym for toddlers at a day care.” Tony Magaña is a parishioner and Cursillo representative at St. Mark’s, Palm Beach The highlight of the trip for most of the team was the “urban plunge,” Gardens; he also serves as a missioner at St. George’s, working with all its ministries and in which the youth and their chaperones were divided into four groups, maintaining its website, www.st-georgeschurch.com. each of which was given $8 to buy dinner and share it with a homeless person. Quinceañera “We were supposed to talk to people and get an idea of what it’s like to be homeless,” said Aileen Maxwell of St. Mark’s. “We ended up talking to this one guy, who was totally nice. He told us stories and played the guitar. He was homeless because he just didn’t know how to get a job — he mostly did odd jobs and played his guitar on the street. He was a lot of fun.” Kayla Morton of St. Mark’s said that from their conversations on the streets her group learned a lot about facilities and services available for the homeless—the places they can go, for example, for food, shelter or medical care. Her group also met a memorable person, who made them think about the causes and effects of homelessness. “We also encountered a French-speaking homeless man, [whom] I was able to communicate with enough to give him a jar of peanut butter, which he was immensely grateful for,” Morton said. “We all saw how homelessness is not just a food issue, but has deeper roots and must have significant effort put into it in order to make a differ- ence.” “I had a great time helping people,” said Maxwell, “and I realized that homeless people are just like me, but less fortunate.” Photo by Tony Magaña “Overall, the group bonded as they became more aware of the plight of the homeless and did as much as they could to help,” Morton said. ■ As their mother and St. George’s priest-in charge, Fr. Michael McManus, listen, Tami and her brother Fausto renew their baptismal vows at Tami’s Quinceañera celebration. 16 The Net, August 2010 THE Committed to Mission NET www.diosef.org Holy Redeemer gets extreme makeover from youth mission team By the Rev. Christina Encinosa Many hands

There are many who do not know that the official name of the Episcopal Church is the Domestic and Foreign Mission Society. When most people conjure up visions of going on mission trips, they imagine themselves in far-off exotic lands — places that are hard to get to, where you may need to strap yourself onto a donkey or live in tents. This summer the youth of Good Shepherd, Tequesta, and St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton both em- barked on a new journey: They spent a week on a do- mestic mission. Part of their time was spent with us at the Church Members of the of the Holy Redeemer in Lake Worth. We invited mission team them to camp out in tents for that exotic mission trip from Good feel, but they declined. Fortunately, St. Andrew’s in Shepherd, downtown Lake Worth graciously offered its parish Tequesta, and St. Gregory’s, Boca hall as a sleeping and staging refuge. Raton, give the Initially when the youth ministers from Good exterior of Holy Shepherd and St. Gregory’s, Julie Bird Winchester Redeemer, Lake and Fr. Joel Turmo, approached me about making Worth, a new look, Holy Redeemer part of the summer mission experi- with fresh paint ence for their youth groups, they offered to arrange and landscaping. for the youth to come and work at the church for a day. However, when they came for a site visit to see Photo by Christina Encinosa what the youth might work on for an afternoon, they sary and greatly appreciated. For example, when the lights. The hall is now cooler than it’s been in a discovered a wealth of projects. team removed the ceiling tiles in the parish hall, they while. This led to the decision that the group would come found that the insulation was an absolute atrocity; it The entire exterior was repainted, the shrubs and work from Saturday, June 12, through Wednes- was in such bad shape that they decided it, too, trimmed, a new rock pathway constructed, new day, June 16. We offered to keep them for the entirety needed to be replaced. Once the insulation was re- drought- resistant plants were put in, and the area of their trip; however, there was other good work to moved, we found that all of the air conditioning duct around our water hose — which is used by many be done in the Keys. After the initial survey of the work was split at the seams, and had several other homeless to clean up — was cleaned and restored work, they spent several months planning the details, holes. At this point, we were able to get our air-condi- with garden rocks. In addition to the exterior and the as well as raising the capital to undertake the project. tioning maintenance men to come out and fix the parish hall, two of our other rooms were also refur- The end result was spectacular. Saturday morning ducts, while the electrician had his crew wiring in the bished with paint, tiles, and insulation. the groups checked into “Motel St. Andrew’s” and new lights. The team made incredible strides in the time they made their way to Holy Redeemer for a Mexican By the end of the mission we had good ducts, were with us. The youth were diligent workers and feast. After lunch began the hard labor — 53 youth good insulation, good ceiling tiles and excellent new did a really good job. and adults got to work, and there was Although I believe we worked them to ex- plenty of it for them to tackle. Lofty work haustion, I think they really enjoyed it and Among the tasks were painting; re- learned how to help those in need. As Chris- moving and replacing ceiling tiles; re- tians we are called to be the hands and feet of moving and replacing insulation; Christ in the world — and they surely did their removing old lighting and installing part. new lighting; and landscaping. All of The Holy Redeemer leg of their mission trip the materials and professional services ended on Wednesday, June 16 with a send-off were donated, including the expertise of barbeque cook-out. an interior designer and a professional After they left us, the youth headed down the electrician. road for a “speed mission trip” to Independence For those who don’t know much Cay in Marathon, where they worked at a center about Holy Redeemer, the church has serving homeless men, women and children. been around since 1960 — but the sanc- The team spent half a day painting, spreading tuary had to be demolished in 2006 due 13 yards of mulch, building picnic tables and to structural damage, and since then all cleaning up debris around the center. The home- of the church’s activities take place in less men for whom the center is a halfway the parish hall. We have regular Sunday house cooked and served lunch for the group, services in English and Spanish; operate Note: Even though we had a crew of well a weekly food pantry and serve meals over fifty at work, there are still projects left to Monday through Friday; and give out do at Holy Redeemer, and we welcome those clothing to the homeless and the needy. who would like to share their talents. Mission Two AA groups meet weekly at the work is all around us. If you are interested in church, as well as a Depression and forming a domestic mission team, please con- Bipolar Support Group. We are a church tact us at [email protected]. ■ that gives a lot, but we never seem to Photo by Christina Encinosa have sufficient monetary resources. The work done by the young people A crew from the mission team prepare the ceiling for new insulation, The Rev. Christina Encinosa is priest-in- who came to us was extremely neces- ductwork and lights. charge of Holy Redeemer, Lake Worth.