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, at jdela@episcopalswfl.org.

The Scoop for December 1, 2008:

Apportionment rates cut next year: In case you haven’t checked the diocesan news page recently, Diocesan Council voted unanimously Nov. 22 to give congregations its own version of a one-year economic stimulus package. In a plan to be in effect only for 2009, all 77 congregations will give only 8 percent of their yearly incomes to the diocese, instead of the normal 10 percent, making it one of the lowest apportionment rates in the Episcopal Church. Read more by visiting www.episcopalswfl.org/news.

Advent events:

Quiet morning with Bishop Smith: Calvary Episcopal Church in Indian Rocks Beach invites you to share a morning of prayer and meditation on Saturday, Dec. 13, when Bishop Dabney Smith will be the spiritual leader for an Advent Quiet Morning. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 9 a.m., followed by coffee and snacks. The time for quiet, meditation and prayer will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at the conclusion. Reservations will be appreciated, please call Marilyn Clark at (727) 517-4071.

Lunch music: The Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota will offer a mid-day respite during Advent with organ recitals each Wednesday from 12:10-12:40 p.m. The recitals are free. Guest organists for Advent will be Richard Benedum and Julane Rodgers (Dec. 3); Carol Hawkinson and Jim Hawkinson (Dec. 10); and Robert Reeves (Dec.17).The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 South Palm Ave. For more information, visit www.redeemersarasota.org or call (941) 955-4263.

Look for more Advent events in the diocese by visiting www.episcopalswfl.org/upcoming_events. If you have an Advent event you’d like to put on our web calendar, send the information to jdela@episcopalswfl.org.

Opinions wanted:

Two interesting surveys are currently making the rounds:

All ordained women in the Episcopal Church -- and 1,500 male clergy -- are receiving invitations to participate in what is one of the most comprehensive studies of female clergy by any denomination in recent years. Every ordained woman will be asked about her aspirations, needs and experience of how ministry is lived out through her life. Inclusion of both women and active and retired men is meant to give comparative data on careers, and men's needs for family leave as well as retirement. It is also meant to help the church understand the way the call to ministry is being lived out in 2008. Women clergy who do not receive the letter by Dec. 1 or the e-mail invitation by Dec. 8 should request a link or paper copy by contacting CalledToServe@cpg.org or calling Andrea Van Zile at the Church Pension Group at (800) 223-6602, ext. 9474.

Episcopal Elections and Transitions Project: An online survey is being taken of anyone involved in episcopal elections since 2002. The survey, sponsored by the Episcopal Office of Pastoral Development, the College for Bishops and CREDO Institute, is for anyone who was a candidate, spouse of a candidate or a member of a search or transition committee. The survey will be available at www.collegeforbishops.org and must be completed by Jan. 15. For more information, contact the Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Matthews at either lemory@episcopalchurch.org or erolfes@collegeforbishops.org.

Other news:

Labyrinth Experts Needed: DaySpring Conference Center is looking for qualified labyrinth facilitators to offer a program on history and use of the labyrinth to groups visiting the center. Trained facilitators are invited to join a roster of volunteers who will be available to lead introductory programs upon request. There will be an honorarium to cover travel expenses, meals and possible overnight accommodation. For more information, please contact the Rev. Sandy Jamieson at (727) 441-4686 or sjamie@tampabay.rr.com; Debra McMaster at (727) 799-0082 or demcmaster@verizon.net; or Esther Miseroy at (727)781-5761 or emiseroy@verizon.net.

Meaningful Gift Ideas: Order the Gifts for Life catalog from Episcopal Relief & Development. The catalog is filled with opportunities to help people in underdeveloped nations.There is no charge for the catalogs, you just pay shipping costs. Order catalogs at http://www.er-d.org/GiftsForLife/. To learn more about how to promote the Gifts for Life in your parish, contact Maureen Belote at genimo@verizon.net or at (727) 736-6466.

Mark your calendars:

Celebrations Scheduled: Several congregations will be celebrating the installation of new rectors in the next few months. The diocesan community is encouraged to attend the following events:

• Dec. 7, 2008, at 3 p.m., the Rev. Joseph F. Maiocco at St. John's Episcopal Church, Naples;
• Feb. 15, 2009, at 4 p.m., the Rev. Douglas Zimmerman at St. Wilfred's Episcopal Church, Sarasota; and
• March 1, 2009, at 4 p.m., the Rev. Stuart Swann at St. John's Episcopal Church, Brooksville.

Children's Safety Fair. Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 9801 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Admission is free. Fingerprinting services will be available; local K-9, fire and EMS units will be on hand for demonstrations about children’s health as well as beach, bike and water safety. Information on parenting and local services will be provided for at-risk youth. For more information, call (239) 992-4343.

Health ministry opportunity: The National Episcopal Health Ministries announces an intensive 5-day course at the Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach, Fla., March 1-6. The course emphasizes Episcopal traditions in the theology of health and healing, liturgy, polity and prayer. Practical aspects of developing health ministry in a local congregation are addressed. Go to www.episcopalhealthministries.org/prep_course.html for more information or call the NEHM office at (317) 253-1277, ext 34. Registration is limited to the first 20 participants. Registered nurses can earn 40 continuing education credit hours.

Healing Conference: A healing conference led by the Rev. Nigel Mumford, director of the healing ministries at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich N.Y., is set for Saturday, Feb. 21 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs. The day will begin with a 9:30 a.m. morning session including music and prayer, followed by lunch, an afternoon session, laying on of hands and a 5 p.m. Eucharist. A donation of $20 is requested, which includes lunch. For more information, contact Cherrill Cregar at (239) 498-1925 or by e-mail at clcregar@embarqmail.com.

Odds and ends:

UTO grant window closing: United Thank Offering grant applications are still available from the bishop’s office. The annual grant program is narrowing its focus for 2009 to favor projects supporting the Millennium Development Goals. To get an application, contact Jan Nothum via e-mail only at jnothum@episcopalswfl.org. All completed applications must be returned to Jan Nothum at the diocesan office and be postmarked no later than Jan. 2, 2009, to be considered by the committee. Please check the UTO web site at www.episcopalchurch.org/uto.htm for additional information.

People notes:

Please pray for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Ray Turner, former assisting priest at St. Raphael's, who died Nov. 24. The funeral will be held at St. Raphael's Episcopal Church in Fort Myers Beach on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, gifts be given to the St. Raphael's Memorial Fund.

A local memorial service for Frances Spaeth, the mother-in-law of the Rev. Alan Kelmereit,
will be held at Good Shepherd Church in LaBelle, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Stephen B. Morris has been called as the new dean of St. Peter's Cathe¬dral in St. Petersburg. He will begin his duties in mid-December. Morris, 43, is currently the rector at St. James Episcopal Church and School in Ormond Beach, Fla. He and his wife, Jayne, are the parents of four children ranging in age from 8 to 14.

Standing Committee member Michael Howell has been appointed executive director of Forward in Faith North America, part of the Common Cause Partnership that recently announced plans to seek admittance as a second North American province of the Anglican Communion. Howell currently serves on the boards of FIFNA, the American Anglican Council, and Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry.