This is The Scoop, a communication from Diocesan House, to be distributed usually on a bi-weekly basis to clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of Southwest Florida.
Your contributions are important. Send items to share with the diocesan community to Jim DeLa, director of communications, at jdela@episcopalswfl.org.

The Scoop for Jan. 10, 2008:

This just in:
DaySpring director to step down: Rosemary Benoit, the executive director of DaySpring Conference Center, will be leaving the position effective March 31, it was announced today.

Benoit was named interim director of the camp and conference center near Ellenton in 2000 and became the permanent director in 2001.

Benoit told Bishop Dabney Smith of her decision in a meeting Jan. 4, before informing her staff and the DaySpring Board of Trustees.

Help needed in Kenya: The Rev. John Kivuva, a Kenyan priest assisting at St. Bartholomew’s Church in St. Petersburg, is in his home country ministering to refugees and victims displaced by violent protests after opposition leaders disputed the results of a Dec. 27 national election.

Kivuva was attending his diocesan convention when violence broke out and has delayed his return to the U.S. until the end of the month.
Kivuva told the St. Petersburg Times by phone that he was also trying to find shelter for members of his wife’s family, whose homes have been destroyed.

Thousands of people from President Mwai Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe have already been chased or burned out of their homes in a week of riots and ethnic clashes, news reports say. More than 500 have been killed.

Fr. Kivuva tells the Rev. Bill Burkett, the rector of St. Bartholomew’s, he has been collecting supplies for about 1,000 refugees now living in a soccer stadium. Fr. Burkett has managed to wire money to Kivuva, but more is needed to purchase blankets, food and other basic need items, he said.

The diocese has agreed to collect donations. If you would like to help, send a check made out to the Diocese of Southwest Florida with “Kenya relief” in the note field and sent it to the diocesan office at 7313 Merchant Court, Sarasota, FL 34240.

On-again, off-again, on-again vestry retreat: Plans for the second annual retreat for vestries in the diocese are going forward. Vestry and bishop committee members from all 77 congregations are invited to DaySpring Conference Feb. 29 to March 1 for a retreat led by Bishop Dabney Smith.

Plans for the 2008 retreat had been in doubt after DaySpring officials told Diocesan Council in November the conference center had no funds to cover the cost of such an event and did not want to charge a registration fee.

The retreat will begin with registration and reception Friday evening and end Saturday afternoon. The January issue of the conference center’s newsletter reports there will be no charge to retreat participants. Call DaySpring reservations at (888) 314-5744 for details.

The week ahead:
Death, taxes and parochial reports: The annual packet containing everything a congregation needs to file its parochial report will be in the mail in the next few days. The packet will include the annual certificate, certificate of election of lay delegates to diocesan convention, revenue reconciliation and outreach spending statements and a vestry form.Most of these forms need to be completed by March 1.

By youth, for youth: It’s not too late to sign up for peer ministry facilitators’ training Jan. 11-13 at DaySpring Conference Center.
The training is open to all adults who desire to support and develop a peer ministry program for youth or young adults. This training is especially useful for youth leaders, young adult ministers, camp directors and campus ministers.

Registration will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Cost for residents within the diocese is $140 for semi-private accommodations, $170 for a private room and $70 for commuter. For participants from outside the diocese, fees are $200 for a semi-private room at $260 for a private room.

To register, or for more information, contact Tana Sembiante or go to www.episcopalswfl.org/youth.

Answering the age-old question: St. Peter’s Cathedral welcomes the Rev. John L. Bell as Theologian-in-Residence on Jan. 13 as he presents a music workshop titled “Why Do People Sing?”

Bell is from the Church of Scotland and a member of the Iona Community, where he develops music and worship resources for the Wild Goose Resource Group. The workshop runs from 3-5 p.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 140 4th St, in St. Petersburg. Light refreshments provided afterward during setup for the 6 p.m. “come as you are” service, followed by a potluck dinner. For more information, contact the cathedral at (727) 822-4173.

Liturgical jazz: “Reflections of Peace,” a world-class evening of jazz liturgical music featuring the Brass Roots Trio is set for Sunday Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1615 1st St. in Indian Rocks Beach. The concert is free.

A mass of priests or a pontification of preachers: There will be a meeting to organize a local chapter of the National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations on Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church, 513 Nassau St. South, in Venice.

The group's mission is to "seek, serve, and proclaim Christ by leading clergy in the Episcopal Church into collegial relationships for education, self-care, advocacy and spiritual growth," the group’s web site says. The local group will be coming up with a name and ratifying bylaws.

For more information, contact the Rev. Harry Parsell or visit the NNECA web site at http://www.nneca.org/.

Praise the Lord and pass the 7-iron: The Bishop Gravatt Center in Aiken, S.C., is offering housing during the Masters Tournament. Special overnight rates are available April 6-14 at the center, located 30 minutes from Augusta National Golf Club.

All guests are invited to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at the center on April 13. (We assume the sermon will be short enough to get to the course before the leaders tee off). Revenue generated during the week will be used to further the mission and ministry of the Bishop Gravatt Center.

For more information, visit www.bishopgravatt.org and make your reservation by calling (803) 648-1817.

A unique opportunity:
Interim Rector: Caracas, Venezuela. One- to 5-month tour starting Easter week. Small English language congregation, Sunday duty only. Small stipend in local currency, travel expense for 3-5-month tenure negotiable. Perks include modern rectory with a view to die for 45 minutes from the airport; non-English-speaking maid/cook; car provided that you can fill up for pennies under the current regime. Retired person preferred, with or without spouse. Reply before March 15 to stmaryacc@yahoo.com.

Other upcoming events:
St. Peter’s Cathedral Community Prayer Breakfast. Feb. 2, from 8-10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth St. North, St. Petersburg. Hosted by the cathedral chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, this event is open to all who wish to attend. The Rev. Denise Gray Guinta, chaplain for the University of South Florida, will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $5 at the door. Contact (727) 822-4173 for information.

Jan. 20 organ recital: Ken Cowan, one of the most sought-after organists in North America, will present a recital of organ music at Christ Church, Bradenton, on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. Suggested donations to support the Music Series at Christ Church are $15 for adults and $5 for students.

People Notes:
The Rev. Donald Fishburne, rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Sanibel, has accepted a call as rector of St. Paul's Church in downtown Chattanooga, in the Diocese of East Tennessee. His last Sunday at St. Michael's is Jan. 20.

Please pray for Deacon Katherine Tate, who is recovering from surgery. She will be convalescing until mid-February. For questions concerning youth, young adult or higher education ministry, call the diocesan office at (941) 556-0315.