This is The Scoop, a communication sent about 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 May 15, 2009:

Coming up:

Ordinations on Saturday, June 6: A special service at St. Peter’s Cathedral to ordain David Jackson from Epiphany, Cape Coral, and Jane Kelly of St. James, Port Charlotte, being as vocational deacons. Sarah Kerr, from St. Thomas’, St. Petersburg, will be ordained as a transitional deacon. These will be the first ordinations in the diocese since December 2007.

In addition, Roman Catholic priests the Rev. Ronald Kowalski, attending Calvary Church, Indian Rocks Beach, and the Rev. Dwayne Varas from St. John’s, Tampa, will be received as priests in the Episcopal Church.

A rehearsal will begin at 9 a.m. with the liturgy starting at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Clergy attending should wear cassock, surplice and red stole. St. Peter’s Cathedral is on the corner of 4th Street and Second Avenue North in downtown St. Petersburg.

Ministries in need:

Turn in your old cell phone: The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking needs to raise money and is partnering with a company that refurbishes used cell phones. The Coalition will get money for each phone it can provide. If you have old cell phones at home or finally want to get that iPhone, contact Michelle Mercurio, administrative assistant to the Canon for Mission and Outreach, at mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org or (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

Migrant medical ministry needs vehicle: The diocese needs a donation of a roadworthy SUV or van to assist in the completion of a traveling medical ministry to migrant communities from Immokolee to Brooksville. Teams of volunteer medical personnel will drive across the diocese to bring basic medical care and nutritional assistance to children and adults who get neither. All we need is the vehicle to literally set the wheels in motion. Contact Mary or Tony Buonagura at (941) 778-2851 or (941) 592-6243.

Help send a kid to camp: The third annual New Horizons camp, for children and youth who have an incarcerated parent or family member, will take place June 28 through July 3 at DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center. All funding for this ministry comes from private donations, providing an experience for 60 campers at no charge. Participating in a variety of activities that promote self-esteem, personal growth and leadership, these children thrive in an environment of love, learning and fun. Contact the Rev. Mary Katherine Tate at ktate@episcopalswfl.org or (941) 556-0315, ext. 203.

In the Community:

Parish hosts school forum: Sarasota County school officials will speak and answer questions at a forum on Sunday, May 24, starting at 10:15 a.m. at Church of the Redeemer in downtown Sarasota. School board Chairwoman Caroline Zucker and Gary Leatherman, the board’s communications director, will speak in Gillespie Hall about school budgets, the impact of the current economy, NeXt Generation Learning and high school reform.

History of cathedral, St. Petersburg linked: Will Michaels, president of St. Petersburg Preservation, will speak May 27 on the role of St. Peter's Cathedral in the growth and development of downtown St. Petersburg over the last 120 years. The talk begins at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the cathedral, 140 Fourth St. N. A reception will follow the presentation. Dr. Michaels' talk will focus on "the benchmarks of St. Peter's history within the context of our city's history," with emphasis on St. Peter's importance as a downtown church. The talk is part of the cathedral's yearlong 120th anniversary celebration. For information, call the cathedral at (727) 822-4173.

Camp offers lessons in service: FISH Camp, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Clearwater, offers an opportunity July 13-17 for rising 6th-to 9th-graders to go into the community to do service projects. Campers are busy from noon to 4 p.m. each day after meeting at the church at 1676 South Belcher Road. Cost is $70 per person for the week, which includes lunch; or $95 per person after June 29. Contact St. John’s at (727) 531-6020.

Food for the Soul:

May 29-30: Christian healing seminar, with renowned speaker Judith McNutt, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, with Saturday sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Green Hall, All Saints Episcopal Church, 1700 Keystone Rd., in Tarpon Springs. This three-session seminar will focus on physical healing, inner healing and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The event is free although offerings will be accepted. To register, call Mary Lou at (727) 937-3881.

June 13: Men’s conference titled “Sharing Your Faith,” is scheduled for June 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, 8700 State Road 72 in Sarasota, featuring presenter Alex McFarland. Cost is $25 per man which includes all seminar materials, follow-up study and lunch (Scholarship funds available). To register, go to www.DiscipleMakingSWFL.com or contact Dede Weber at dedeemm@aol.com or at (941) 957-1271.

June 25-27: Restoring the Soul, a Basic Inner Healing Conference at Church of the Holy Spirit, Osprey. It begins at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday evening; eight sessions of worship, teaching, and small group prayer. Cost: $95 per participant or $175 per couple. Group rate for 10 or more. For more information or to register, visit www.chsosprey.com or call (941) 966-1924.

September 11-12: Women's healing conference titled “Break In to Break Out,” at the Christian Retreat Center on Fort Myers Beach. This is the fifth annual women's conference put on by the Amazing Love Healing Ministry of Church of the Holy Spirit, Osprey. There will be a Communion service on the beach Sunday morning for those who stay over. For more information or to receive a registration brochure, visit www.chsosprey.com or call (941) 966-1924.

For Rent:

Rental house available for retired clergy: Located on the grounds of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Dunedin. The house is an unfurnished three-bedroom, two-bath, with living room, dining room and kitchen. Stroll along the Intercoastal Waterway across the street, easy walk to quaint downtown shops and restaurants. $1,200 per month plus utilities. Call the Rev. Bob Williams at (727) 733-4125. See photos at www.churchgoodshepherd.org

Mark your Calendars:

Diocesan Council will meet Saturday, May 23 starting at 9 a.m. at DaySpring Conference Center.

The Standing Committee has cancelled its scheduled meetings in May and July. The committee will meet as scheduled on June 16.

Summer camp: Registration forms for the June 21-26 diocesan summer camp are available from any parish youth minister or at www.episcopalswfl.org/youth_ministry for download. This year, both the elementary school camp and the camp for middle and high schoolers will run at the same time at a new location, the Christian Retreat Family Church and Conference Center in Bradenton. The theme for both camps is “People of God” and will teach participants not only about well-known Biblical characters but also figures from contemporary history. Register now – each camp is limited to 24 boys and 24 girls.

New Beginnings: Applications are being accepted for the Nov.13-15 weekend retreat for middle schoolers in grades 6-8. Learn more at www.episcopalswfl.org/youth_ministry

Episcopal Night at the Ballpark: The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida is sponsoring “Baseball with the Bishop” at Tropicana Field on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Tampa Bay Rays take on the New York Yankees. Outfield seats are $24 each, with $4 benefitting the Episcopal Charities Fund. Congregations interested in attending should start a sign-up sheet. Groups needing information or wanting to order their tickets should contact Dan Newhart at (727) 825-3293 or by e-mail at dnewhart@raysbaseball.com

Tech Tip:

Diocesan convention information on the web: Keep up with news and developments about diocesan convention at www.episcopalswfl.org/diocesan_convention, where you’ll find the list of elected positions to be filled, along with a downloadable nomination form. As the Oct. 10 convention draws nearer, information on hotel rates, workshop information and resolutions will be posted as it becomes available. Bookmark the page or subscribe to the RSS feed to know when new information is posted.

Getting it Right:

Many people e-mailed The Scoop to make sure we knew that St. John’s Episcopal Church on Pine Island is a mission congregation and not a parish, and therefore, the Rev. Ryan Wright will be the vicar of St. John’s and not its rector, as reported in the May 1 issue.

Jim DeLa
Director of Communications
Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
(941) 556-0315, ext. 268