This is The Scoop, a communication from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Send items to share to Jim DeLa, director of communications.

The Scoop for July 4, 2008:

Oct. 16-18, Oct. 16-18, Oct. 16-18…: Thanks for all the calls and e-mails telling us we noted the wrong date for diocesan convention in the last Scoop. Convention activities begin with Standing Committee and Diocesan Council meetings on the afternoon of Oct. 16, followed by a day of workshops and the opening Eucharist on Friday, Oct. 17. The business meeting is Saturday, Oct. 18. Read all about it on line at: http://www.episcopalswfl.org/diocesan_convention.

Deanery convocations: Speaking of convention, the dates, times and locations of all fall deanery convocations have been announced. These meeting are important for all clergy and lay delegates. They are:

Fort Myers Deanery: August 26, 7 p.m. at St. Hilary's Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. Contact the Very Rev. Ann McLemore at (239) 283-1820.

St. Petersburg/Clearwater deaneries: Sept. 2, 7 p.m. at St. Giles' Episcopal Church, 8271 52nd St. North, in St. Petersburg. Contact the Very Rev. John Hartnett at (727) 544-6856.

Naples Deanery: Sept. 3, 7 p.m. at St. Monica's Episcopal Church, 7070 Immokalee Rd. in Naples. Contact the Very Rev. Michael Rowe at (239) 992-4343.

Tampa Deanery: Sept 4, 7 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 13312 Cain Rd. in Tampa. Contact the Very Rev. Martha Vaguener at (813) 782-1202.

Venice/Manasota deaneries: Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau St. South in Venice. Contact the Very Rev. Jim Puryear at (941) 488-7714.

Free money: The Grants and Loans Committee has been allocated $25,000 by Diocesan Council to disburse between now and the end of the year. Applications are due Aug. 15 and the grants will be awarded in the fall. The application form is available on the diocesan website.
The grants are open to deaneries, ministry organizations and other diocesan entities, as well as to congregations. For more information, contact Judy Stark.

Mark your calendars:

Safeguarding All God's Children Training: July 20, starting at noon at Church of the Epiphany, 2507 Del Prado Blvd. South, in Cape Coral. There is no fee and lunch will be provided. Contact the church office at (239) 574-3200.

New Horizons Camp: July 20-25 at DaySpring Conference Center. For youth aged 8-12 whose parents are incarcerated. Contact: the diocesan youth ministry office at (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

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. 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 by e-mail.

People Notes:

Robin Vogt, the receptionist at Diocesan House, will be leaving the job on July 15. She is relocating to New York.