This is The Scoop, a communication sent every two weeks from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Feel free to share this information. Send items to share to Jim DeLa, director of communications.

 The Scoop for September 1, 2008:  (47 days until the start of diocesan convention)

Happy holiday: The diocesan office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.

Conventional wisdom:

Preparations for the Oct. 17-18 diocesan convention are in high gear. With the bulk of deanery convocations meeting this week, voting clergy and lay delegates need to be prepared. The diocesan web site (www.episcopalswfl.org/diocesan_convention) is the place to start. From the site you can:

-- Register and pay for all of Friday and Saturday events and meals on line.

-- Download a copy of the proposed 2009 diocesan budget.

-- See who’s standing for election for Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and other offices.

-- Download the latest revision of proposed changes of diocesan canons.

-- Get hotel reservation information, maps and directions to the hotel and convention site.

-- View a schedule of events for the entire weekend.

The site (www.episcopalswfl.org/diocesan_convention) will be updated constantly between and now and the convention. Bookmark the page or subscribe to RSS feeds to be notified when new information is posted.

Tablecloths needed: For the convention’s party Friday evening, Oct. 17, we need to borrow 25 eight-foot round white tablecloths. If your congregation can supply some or all, please contact Judy Stark at judystark@yahoo.com, or call (727) 773-7684.

It’s convocation time: Three fall deanery convocations are scheduled this week. The meetings are important for all clergy and lay delegates to diocesan convention. After each convocation, the deans are asked to e-mail Jim DeLa with results of deanery elections to Diocesan Council:

-- 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.

Other news:

School starts: The diocese’s retooled School for Ministry Development debuts Saturday, Sept. 20 at Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota. Classes are open to any adult on an individual course basis. The first classes being offered are:”Ministry: Call, Discernment and Gifts” with the Rev. Canon Gigi Connor and “Seeking Excellence in Christian Education” with Jacki Boedecker The day begins at 8:45 a.m. with Holy Eucharist and concludes at 3:45 p.m. with Compline. Cost of each course is $45 (plus class materials and lunch). Registration deadline is Sept. 8. Contact the Diocesan Office at (800) 992-7699 or Archdeacon Dennis McManis at dmcmanis@episcopalswfl.org.

Changes at USF: The campus ministry at the University of South Florida in Tampa has a new name -- St. Anselm’s Chapel Center. Regular Wednesday services will resume Sept. 17 at the chapel at 5:15 p.m. followed by a light dinner.The Rev. Denise Guinta, the chaplain at St. Anselms’, invites everyone to attend. Donations of food or money for the dinners would be appreciated.  

Musical offering: Friends of St. Alban's have a Yamaha Electronic Organ US-1 they are offering free to a good home. Call Buddie and Mamie Black in St. Pete Beach at (727) 360-9752.

Rwandan ministry: The Rev. Philbert Kalisa from Rwanda is back in Southwest Florida through mid-October and is available to speak to congregations about his ministry, REACH Rwanda (Reconciliation, Evangelism And Christian Healing) in response to the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Currently, land has been donated to build a Center for Unity and Peace near Kigali, the Rwandan capitol. His visit is sponsored by REACH USA, a local nonprofit organization. If your church or group would like to meet with Rev. Kalisa, please contact Gerry Gardner at (941) 350-6288.

Clergy retreat: The annual 3-day clergy retreat will be held Sept. 8-10 at DaySpring Conference Center near Ellenton. To register, contact Karen Rettler by e-mail only at krettler@episcopalswfl.org. Cost is $80 to help cover expenses for meals and speakers. You are responsible for making your own housing arrangements directly with Angela at DaySpring at (941) 776-1018. Additional information, guest speaker and schedule information is available on our web site.

Dissecting Lambeth:

From the bishop: Bishop Dabney Smith will offer his views of the recently concluded Lambeth Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau St. South, in Venice. Part of the parish’s Christian education programs, the evening will begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m., with Bishop Smith speaking at about 6:15 p.m. A $5 donation is requested for dinner. Call the church at (941) 488-7714.

Live on the Web: A panel discussion on the Lambeth Conference will be webcast live from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6- 8 p.m. Facilitated by faculty member the Rev. Elizabeth Magill, the Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas, Bishop Chilton Knudsen of Maine, and others will offer their reflections on the conference, the indaba group discussions, and the reality of the ministry and concerns of other member churches of the Anglican Communion.

The webcast will be accessible at http://eds.na3.acrobat.com/lambeth/. Online participants will have the option of participating in the question-and-answer sessions by submitting questions online.

This event will also serve as the launch party for EDS’ new study guide for adult groups: God’s Mission, Our Call: Bringing Lambeth Home. Adapted from the material developed by the Lambeth Design Group, this study guide is written for congregations and dioceses interested in using the indaba materials in their own local context.  For more information, contact The Rev. Elizabeth Magill at lmagill@eds.edu or (617) 682-1581.

Upcoming events

Discerning a call? The Commission on Ministry will hold its next Vocation Information Day on Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 10 a.m. at Church of the Ascension in Clearwater. The gathering is to assist all those interested in the development of their ministry, whether as a layperson, deacon or priest. The day will include lunch and a closing Eucharist.

Fresh Start training: A program to support Episcopal clergy and their congregational lay leaders in navigating the critical period of transition in clergy leadership will be presented Sept. 27 at St. Vincent's Episcopal Church, 5441 9th Ave. North, in St. Petersburg. To register online, click here  or download the registration form. Contact Tana Sembiante for more information at (941) 556-0315, Ext. 271.

Doing beach-town ministry: A conference exploring the unique ministry challenges to churches in resort locations is set for Oct. 21-23 in Keystone, Colo. “Vital Ministry in Resort Areas: Gospel Proclamation in a Hyper-Consumer Vacation-Mindset Society” will explore hospitality, incorporation of members present for only part of the year; economic realities; the need to be a presence year-round; the need for ecumenical collaboration, and spiritual formation. Costs range from $425 for single occupancy to $250 for double occupancy. To register or learn more, visit www.resortministry.org/Welcome.html

Fetch me a turkey leg: A “Festive Canterbury Faire” is set for Nov. 22-23, rain or shine, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda. Admission is free. The fair will feature food, crafts, demonstrations, activities for kids, a craft fair, raffles and a “Dunk the Pastor” booth. Proceeds benefit charities and program supported by the parish. For further information, call (941) 505-5592.

 Mark your calendars:

 “Believe in a Miracle,” an evangelical event with the theme “Telling the Story” sponsored by Women’s Ministries of the diocese, is set for Feb. 6-7, 2009, at DaySpring Conference Center near Ellenton. Keynote speaker will be storyteller the Rev. Marilyn Engstrom, dean of the cathedral in Cheyenne, Wyo. More information will be available soon. Contact Esther Miseroy at emiseroy@verizon.net.

People Notes:

Congratulations to Birger Anderson, of St. John’s, Pine Island, who was elected to a second term to Diocesan Council representing the Fort Myers Deanery. The election took place at the deanery’s fall convocation Aug. 26.

The next time you call the diocesan office, please welcome Connie Salyers, our new receptionist, who begins work Sept. 2.