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 October 1, 2008: (16 days until the start of diocesan convention).

Prayers, please: Charles McLemore, the husband of the Very Rev. Anne McLemore of St. John’s, Pine Island, died Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Hope Hospice. He was 63. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 12175 Stringfellow Road in Bokeelia, on Pine Island. A reception will follow at the Catholic Church Parish Life Building. The family requests your prayers.

Two weeks and counting: Diocesan convention is just two weeks away. If you were still thinking about getting a room at the nearby Riverfront Holiday Inn, there are only a few suites remaining. We’re told to reserve one, call Robyn Price, the hotel’s director of sales, directly at (941) 782-1802. The lobby is still under construction but the guest room renovations are finished.
From the diocesan web 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.
• Read the two resolutions that will come before convention.
• 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 web site  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.

Is the bishop coming? A reminder from the bishop’s office that a form is available on the diocesan web site for parishes to complete and mail in prior to a visitation by Bishop Smith. Download the form by clicking here.

To your health: A new Cape Coral chapter of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician has been established at the Church of the Epiphany with the Rev. Archdeacon Susan Henderson as chaplain. The Order is made up of clergy, health professionals and lay people and is an interdenominational Christian order of faith, prayer and service. The new members will be inducted at Epiphany on Sunday, Oct. 5, at both the 8 a.m. and 10:14 a.m. Eucharists. For information about the organization, visit www.orderofstluke.org.

Upcoming events

Fresh Start: Nov. 1 at DaySpring Conference Center. Open to all congregations and clergy, the program is designed to support clergy and lay leaders in navigating the critical period of transition in clergy leadership.The program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, call (941) 556-0315, ext. 271 or go online.

"A Journey in Disciple Making” Conference. Nov.7-8 at DaySpring Conference Center. An effective men's ministry strategy for your church and a powerful vision for discipling. Workshops include “Calling Men to a Relevant Faith” by David Delk, president of Man in the Mirror; and “Reaching Every Man,” led by David Dusek, director of Reaching Every Man Florida. Conference participants will receive a copy of No Man Left Behind for follow-up study. Cost is $135 for semi-private accommodations, $105 for a dorm bunk; and $90 for commuters. Register by calling (941) 957-1271.

YouthQuake 2008: A weekend retreat Nov. 14-16 for middle and high school students sponsored by ACTS29 Ministry. The theme is "Transformed." Cost is $150 per person. Location: Christian Retreat Center in Bradenton. For more information, go to the YouthQuake web site or contact Candy Stott.

Mark your calendars:

The 2009 clergy day will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, the day following Ash Wednesday. This is the day when the bishop celebrates a Chrism Mass.

The 2009 clergy retreat is reserved for Sept. 14-16, 2009. Bishop Smith will be contacting persons to form a planning committee for the event. The Rev. Canon Michael Durning will be happy to forward any suggestions or concerns you may have.

“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. Download a registration form by clicking here. For more information, contact Esther Miseroy at emiseroy@verizon.net.

Seminary invitation: Prospective students are invited to attend Episcopal Divinity School’s Visiting Days on Nov. 13, 2008 and March 5, 2009. This day is designed for prospective students to explore the EDS curriculum, meet the faculty, and experience the daily life and worship within the EDS Community. Admissions interviews can also be scheduled during the visit. Contact the admissions office at admissions@eds.edu, (617) 682-1507, or visit their website at www.eds.edu and click on Admissions.

People Notes:

The Rev. Becky Robbins-Penniman, associate pastor of Lamb of God Church, Fort Myers, has been chosen as one of 30 participants in the 24th class of the Clergy Leadership Project, a national initiative formed to develop and strengthen clergy leaders, supporting new visions for vigorous ministries in their congregations and communities as well as support their personal growth.

Congratulations to Birger Anderson from St. John, Pine Island, for being re-elected by the Fort Myers Deanery to represent them on Diocesan Council.

Please pray for the family of the Rev. Shanda Mahurin, rector of St. Andrew's, Spring Hill, whose mother, Victoria Heiser, died recently.