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 May 1, 2008:
Camp staffers needed: Camp Able, the summer camp experience for persons with disabilities, is still seeking help with this year’s event. The camp, scheduled for July 27-31 at DaySpring Conference Center near Ellenton, still has room for campers but is short on staff.
All churches in the diocese were sent applications and a promotional video. If you are interested, please contact your youth and let them know about this special servant ministry opportunity. The camp is sponsored by the diocese and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island. For more information, visit www.campable.org.
Vocation Day: The Commission on Ministry is sponsoring a Vocation Information Day Saturday, May 10, starting at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 11315 Palmbrush Trail in Bradenton. The gathering assists all those interested in the development of their ministry, whether layperson, deacon or priest. This is one of four vocation days in 2008, coinciding with the Ember Days of the church year. The day will include lunch and a closing Eucharist. It is expected that the schedule for the day will conclude at midafternoon.
Attendance at the gathering does not require the permission of your rector or vicar, nor does such attendance imply the approval of the Commission for admittance to the ordination process. Applications for the ordination process will not be distributed.
Click here to register online for the event. Queries can be directed to Tana Sembiante at (941) 556-0315, ext. 271.
Grab a shovel: St. Peter's Cathedral invites the diocese to the groundbreaking for its new building, to take place after the 9 a.m. service on May 11, Pentecost Sunday. There will be brief remarks in the cathedral followed by a precession around the block to the vacant lot where the new buildings will rise starting late in May. The cathedral's parish hall, offices and meeting space were razed late last year. A gala reception follows in the cathedral's temporary office space across the street.
St. Peter's is building a three-story facility with 48,500 square feet of office, meeting and fellowship space at a cost of $7.7 million. Bishop Smith will maintain a suite of offices there, and the third floor will be leased to an outside tenant. Construction is expected to take 14 months.
Seeking young adults: “Running with Purpose,” a Vocare retreat designed to help young adults discern God’s calling to service in their daily lives, is scheduled June 6-8 at DaySpring Conference Center near Ellenton. Vocare, a Latin word which means “to call,” is a weekend consisting of small group discussions, talks from young adult team members, worship, fun, praise time and prayer.
If you know any young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 and have been out of high school for at least one year who would benefit from this uplifting experience, please encourage them to check it out online at www.myspace.com/vocarefl or e-mail Brad at vocareswfla@yahoo.com.
The last of the spring deanery convocations is in Naples on May 6, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Naples.
Upcoming events in Southwest Florida:
Get Inspired: The Episcopal Church Women invite everyone to its annual “Inspirations” day May 10, at DaySpring Conference Center. The day begins at 9 a.m. with coffee and a Eucharist, with guest speaker is Ricky Bolden, a former offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns and current senior pastor of New Community Church in LaGrange, Ga. Music will be provided by the Alumni Singers of St. Petersburg. The cost for the day is $20 which includes lunch. For reservations, write to Eileen Alleman, 3204 42nd Street W, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Musical Mass: The Christ Church Chorale, along with the Spring Ensemble from Southwest Florida Symphony, will sing the Haydn's "Little Organ" Mass during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, May 11. Christ Episcopal Church is located at 4030 Manatee Ave. West in Bradenton. For more information, please call (941) 747-3709.
Clergy Day: Clergy of the diocese are urged to attend a discussion of the issues within the church on June 10, beginning at 9 a.m. at St Mark's Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau St. South in Venice. The discussion will be facilitated by Bishop J. Neal Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta and Bishop Don Johnson of the Diocese of West Tennessee. To register, e-mail Robin Vogt.
“Restoring The Soul” Basic Healing Conference: June 26-28, at Church of the Holy Spirit, Osprey. Anointed worship, powerful teaching and small group healing prayer. Teachings cover foundational concepts of inner healing, blocks to healing, repentance and forgiveness, inner vows, word curses, renewal of the mind, and Holy Spirit empowerment. Group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information about registration and conference fees, contact CHS at (941) 966-1924 or send an e-mail to chsosprey@verizon.net.
Third Annual Women’s Healing Conference; Sept. 5-6, at the Christian Retreat Center on Fort Myers Beach, sponsored by the Amazing Love Healing Ministry of Church of the Holy Spirit, Osprey. Overnight accommodations are available on-site and in local hotels. A Sunday morning Eucharist on the beach will be held for those who choose to stay. For more information about registration and conference fees, contact CHS at (941) 966-1924 or cchsosprey@verizon.net..
People Notes:
Please pray for the family of diocesan Office Manager LeAnna Hood, whose sister MaryEtta died recently.
Please pray for healing for John Danner, the son of the Rev. David Danner, who was severely injured recently in an apparently random gang attack in Toronto.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Edward Grimes, a retired priest who formerly served at St. Andrew's, Spring Hill, who died recently.
