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 next Scoop is scheduled for release on Monday, Nov. 2.

The Scoop for October 15, 2009:

Convention news online: A wrap-up of last week’s diocesan convention, including the bishop’s address, ballot results, and photos of Friday and Saturday events are available at www.episcopalswfl.org/diocesan_convention

Green Team gets online presence: The Green Team of the Diocese of Southwest Florida now has a dedicated page on the diocesan web site. The team’s mission is to “live out the scriptural imperative to care for this fragile earth, God’s perfect creation and gift to humankind.” They provide information and resources on how to live sustainably in our homes and churches by conserving resources, recycling, and making wise choices of products and services. Check them out at www.episcopalswfl.org/greenteam

Other news:

Medicine on wheels: The diocese’s Hispanic Ministry is looking for health care professionals to volunteer their time and expertise as part of a Mobile Ministry to serve poor families in our communities who do not have insurance or the financial resources to visit a doctor. The focus will be on health screening and education, with the capability to refer them to local providers that serve the poor and uninsured. Those interested can contact the Rev. Benjamin Santana at (941) 894-3117 or benjamin.santata@gmail.com or the Ven. Dennis McManis at (941) 556-0315 or dmcmanis@episcopalswfl.org

Vehicles for sale: 2004 Ford E-450 Terra Transit 25-passenger bus. Seat belts, under floor lift for handicap access, front and rear A/C and heat. $21,600. Also, a 1995 Dodge, 15-passenger van, $3,000. Contact Christ Church at (941) 747-3709.

New Chancellor at Sewanee: Bishop J. Neil Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta, was elected the 23rd Chancellor of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., at a recent meeting of the board of trustees. Alexander succeeds the Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley Jr., who had served as chancellor since May 2003. Alexander has served on the university’s board of regents since 2005 and as a trustee since 2001. The chancellor is elected from the bishops of the university’s owning dioceses (including Southwest Florida) for a term of six years. The chancellor is chair, ex officio, of the trustees and a member of the board of regents.

Coming up:

Honoring health care providers: On Saturday, Oct. 17, Holy Innocents’ Church in Valrico will host a Community Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to recognize the dedicated service of the health care providers in the community. A prayer service at 11 a.m. will be held for health care providers as well as an opportunity to receive the laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing. In addition, a variety of health-related workshops will be offered along with free health screenings including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose tests. Deanery clergy, choirs and musicians are invited to participate. For more information, call the church office at (813) 689-3130.

Food for the Soul:

Attract members with a Magnetic Church:: A two-day Magnetic Church workshop is scheduled Oct. 23-24 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and The First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs. Participants can learn how to better equip churches to attract, welcome and retain new members into their parish families. The seminar will begin at 6 p.m., Friday and conclude at 4 p.m. on Saturday at The First Presbyterian Church at 9751 Bonita Beach Road. The cost is $30. This fee includes all snacks, lunch on Saturday and all handout materials. For more information, visit www.magnetic-church.com or call St. Mary’s at (239) 992-4343 for a registration form.

Making disciples: A conference titled “From Churchgoer to Disciple” will be held Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Ave., in Sarasota. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Alan W. Hansen, president of Acts29 Ministries. Activities will begin with a 5:30 p.m. Mass with Hansen preaching, followed by dinner. The conference will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m., and last two hours. Cost for the conference, including dinner and workbook, is $20 per person. To register, contact the parish office at (941) 955-4263. Hansen will also preach at Sunday morning services (7:30, 9 and 11 a.m.) on All Saints Day, Nov. 1.

Concert schedule released: Christ Church in Bradenton has announced its 2009-2010 concert schedule. It includes noontime organ recitals during Advent, a Bach festival in March and Lenten recitals. Visit the schedule at www.christchurchswfla.org/concerts.html

YouthQuake 2009: Convergence: An ecumenical one-day youth event Nov. 14 presented by Acts29 Ministries, from 3-9 p.m. at the Christian Retreat Center, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., in Bradenton. The cost is $25, which includes dinner. Featured speaker is Jonathan Hansen, missionary intercessor at the International House of Prayer in Atlanta. To register, contact Candy Stott at designedinteriors@tamapbay.rr.com For more information on this program, visit http://youthquake.a29.com/convergence

Mark your Calendars:

Nov. 7-8 -- Canterbury Faire: The Church of the Good Shepherd, 401 W. Henry St. in Punta Gorda is having its second annual Canterbury Faire Nov. 7-8. Venders and crafters are wanted. The faire has a medieval theme with many events, games and rides for the entire family. Admission and parking is free. Food and beverages will be available as well as medieval entertainment. For more details, call Loretta Dunn at (941) 505-5592.

Nov. 29 -- Rector’s installation: The installation of the Rev. Ernestine Flemister as rector of St. James House of Prayer in Tampa is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. The liturgical color will be red.

Feb. 6 -- Lincoln-Douglass Ball: The annual gala event, sponsored by St. James House of Prayer, will celebrate its 20th year on Feb. 6, 2010. Tickets for the fundraiser to help the church’s after-school program are $60. The reception will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m., and the promenade and dance beginning at 8 p.m. For tickets, contact Anna Valdes at (813) 876-0409; or Leila Mizer at (813) 961-9350.

More calendar items can be found at www.episcopalswfl.org/upcoming_events

Tech Tip:

File-sharing tool helps scheduling: Lamb of God Church in Estero keeps their worship leaders in the loop with an online tool called Dropbox (www.getdropbox.com). Lori Van Wagner says it’s convenient and easy to use. Subscribers share files through an icon on your computer’s toolbar. “We use it for the service information -- announcements that will go on the screen before a service, readings and prayers to be used (so scheduled readers can get advanced copies), the worship plan, including songs and anything else we might need,” she said. Each time anything is added or updated everyone gets a pop-up message so you can go see what might have changed. She even keeps a separate folder showing the readers schedules each month.