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 Thursday, April 1.

The Scoop for March 15, 2010:

Plea for aid in Arcadia: The food pantry at St. Edmund’s in Arcadia is hoping to be able to assist overwhelmed charities in DeSoto County in feeding mainly Hispanic families in that rural area. Instead of donating food, the diocese is asking people to donate money through the Episcopal Charities Fund to be used to buy specific supplies for Arcadia. Pease send donations made out to Episcopal Charities Fund earmarked for Arcadia Relief, to Diocesan House, 7313 Merchant Court, Sarasota, FL 34240. For more information, contact Deacon Dennis McManis at (941) 556-0315.

Youth Ministries is slashing prices! If your congregation’s youth group has wanted to participate in Happening, New Beginnings or Summer Camp but the price is holding them back, we have news for you. Registration fees for all youth events in 2010 have been cut. Happening and New Beginnings, both the spring and fall sessions, are now just $100. And that’s not all … If you register for Summer Camp before March 29, you can save $20. Register and pay online by visiting www.episcopalswfl.org/youth_ministry

Fore! St. John the Divine hosts its 4th Annual Golf Outing at the Club Renaissance on March 27. The entry fee is $65, which includes greens fees (18 holes), continental breakfast and lunch, and prizes. A raffle will also be held. Form your own team of four men, four women, or two couples. Contact Ilene Hemingway at ig_hem@verizon.net or (813) 633-6564 for entry applications. The event will also collect nonperishable food for the needy.

Spring forward: Daylight-saving time begins this Sunday, March 13. Set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night.

Swap shop:

Sports gear needed: DaySpring Conference Center is looking for donations of sports equipment in good condition, including basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, softballs, baseball gloves and tennis rackets. Call (941) 776-1018 for more information.

Help wanted:

Financial secretary: St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Venice is looking for a new full-time Financial Secretary. Duties include Handling payroll for the church and preschool, handling payables for the church and the preschool, posting and handling deposits and contribution records for the church with statements issued to parishioners in July and January, compiling and filing of church's parochial report and annual report for the parish and for the state, filing all required reporting forms to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as providing assistance with annual Stewardship Campaign and other duties pertaining to front office operation.

Software used is Automated Church Systems by ACS Technologies but knowledge of this system is not a requirement but extensive computer skills are imperative. Compensation package is commensurate with position skills and experience. Please send resume to the Rev. Jim Puryear, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau St., S., Venice, FL 34285 or via e-mail to info@stmarksvenice.com


Coming up:

March 20 healing seminar: “Entering Healing – Seeking Wholeness” is being held at Church of the Good Shepherd in Dunedin. Worship and teachings will be provided by Scott and Gerry Gardner of Compelled By Grace Global Ministry, Sarasota, and will explore the process of being set free from the hurts of the past so you can be all that you are called to be for God. The seminar is from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is free. Lunch will be provided. To register, contact Jan Conte at (727) 733-4125 or goodnews@churchgoodshepherd.org or Shauna Morris at (727) 278-3577.

March 20 Ultreya: A Cursillo Ultreya is planned at St. Edmund's Church in Arcadia, beginning at 4 p.m. All are welcome.

Get inspired March 27: The Episcopal Church Women will host “A Day of Inspirations” at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish on Saturday, March 27. Featured speaker is Bishop Dabney Smith, and music will be provided by Sherre Hensley and her musicians. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the day will end with a 2 p.m. Eucharist. The cost is $25 for the day.

Go green April 18: Diocesan Council, at the request of the diocesan “Green Team,” has set aside Sunday, April 18 as “Green Sunday,” an occasion for congregations to point liturgy, teaching, preaching and fellowship toward what the Prayer Book calls “this fragile earth, our island home.” April 22 is the 40th anniversary of the original Earth Day. Rectors and vicars are encouraged to use Eucharistic Prayer “C” on this day. The Green Team can help. Here are some basic resources:
Earth Day: http://www.earthday.net/
Earth Day resources for Christians: www.thinkchristian.net/index.php/2006/04/18/earth-day-resources-for-christians-part-1/
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment: www.nrpe.org/
The Episcopal Ecological Network: http://eenonline.org/action/earthday.htm

Food for the Soul:

March 27 -- Frederick Moyer Recital: St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, welcomes concert pianist Frederick Moyer. During 25 years as a full-time concert pianist, Moyer has carved out a vital and unusual career that has taken him to 41 countries. His enthusiasm, exacting artistry and adventurous programming have made him a favorite among audiences of all ages. Join St. Hilary’s for this free concert beginning at 7 p.m. Contact the church office at (239) 936-1000 or at office@sainthilarys.org for more information.

Lenten activities:

Thursday Recitals: Continuing through Lent beginning at 12:15 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. West in Bradenton. Scheduled performers are:
March 18: R. Alan Kimbrough
March 25: Nancy Siebecker
Call (941) 747-3709 for more information.

The Life of the Baptized: A series of organ recitals, dinners and presentations are scheduled at St. John’s Church, 906 S. Orleans Ave. in Tampa. Evening prayers begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a recital and dinner. The final guest speaker March 17 is Bishop Dabney Smith. If you plan to come for dinner, please RSVP at (813) 259-1570 or bdaniel@stjohnstampa.org

Lenten resources online: Looking for Lenten resources for parish or personal use? The Episcopal Church Center has compiled Lenten prayers, video reflections and penitential meditations for use during Lent. Centering on the theme “Things done and left undone” and designed for personal reflections as well as community services, the resources are available at www.episcopalchurch.org/resources_seasonal_ENG_HTM.htm

ERD meditation booklet: With the theme “Healing ourselves and a hurting world,” Episcopal Relief and Development’s Lenten meditations booklet is another resource to help readers reflect on their lives and engage with a world in need. It can be ordered at www.anthology.com/EPISCOPALRESOURCECENTER/wc.dll?main~bs~&idd=9&ids=286&idsc=0&idc=1&idx=

Mark your calendars:

March 19-21 – Happening #63: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish. Participants are 9th-10th graders. Contact Michelle Mercurio at mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org or call (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

March 19-20 – Rummage sale: Saint Raphael's Church is holding a rummage sale in the Parish Hall at 5601 Williams Drive in Fort Myers Beach from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (239) 563-6057 for further information.

April 10 – Diocesanwide confirmations: The annual event is set to begin at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 140 4th Street in downtown St. Petersburg. Everyone is invited to participate and attend but RSVP is requested. Please contact Martha Goodwill at mgoodwill@spcathedral.com with the following information for seating and signs: parish name; clergy attending; number being confirmed, received or reaffirmed; and the number of guests you anticipate attending from your parish. For certificates, please contact Jan Nothum at jnothum@episcopalswfl.org with the number of each type of certificate you will need. When completed, please bring these certificates April 10 for the bishop to sign.

April 24 – Children’s Safety Fair: St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 9801 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, will host a Children's Safety Fair on Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. Local state and federal organizations and nonprofit agencies will offer outdoor safety and equipment demonstrations, and education and information on car seat safety, bike, injury prevention and fire safety, pets, wildlife, youth and victim assistance, boat and water safety, disaster preparedness, and more. For more information, please call Helen MacCallum at the church office at (239) 992-4343 or e-mail her at Helen.maccallum@gmail.com or Patricia Kearns at communications@stmarysbonita.org.

April 29 – College for Presbyters gathering: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DaySpring Conference Center. The presenter will be the Rev. Dan Hotchkiss, speaking on visioning and strategic planning. RSVP via e-mail to Connie Salyers at csalyers@episcopalswfl.org

April 29 to May 1 – Congregational leadership conference: “Leadership Marks for Creating and Growing Vital Congregations,” presented by the Province IV Congregational Development and Evangelism Network, is scheduled April 29 to May 1 at Canterbury Conference Center near Orlando. It will address creating a “leadership culture” by equipping clergy and laity with skills proven to be key to the guidance and development of ministries. Registration cost is $30 per person, with lodging and meals not included. For additional information and to register go to www.marksofleadershipregistration.org

April 30 to May 1 – New Beginnings #47: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish. Participants are 6th-8th graders. Contact Michelle Mercurio at mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org or call (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

June 13-18 – Elementary Summer Camp: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish, led by Bishop Dabney and Mary Ellen Smith, and the Rev. Doug Scharf. Participants are 3rd-5th graders. Contact Michelle Mercurio at mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org or call (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

June 20-25 – Youth Summer Camp: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish, led by the Very Rev. Stephen and Jayne Morris, the Rev. Sarah Kerr and the Rev. Thomas Ader. Participants are 6th-8th graders. Contact Michelle Mercurio at mmercurio@episcopalswfl.org or call (941) 556-0315, ext. 274.

July 18-23 – Camp Able: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish. For youth with special needs. Visit www.campable.org for more information.

Aug. 13-15 – Vocare #12: Held at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish. For 19-30 year-olds. Cost is $80 with a $20 nonrefundable deposit due at registration.

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

People Notes:

Please pray for the family and the repose of the soul of the Rev. Dudley Barksdale, who died Feb. 25 while visiting family in Atlanta. He served the diocese at several parishes and was archdeacon of the diocese in the mid-1990s. Services were held March 6 in Tampa.

Please pray for the family and the repose of the soul of Deacon Barbara Carmine, who died March 1. She was one of the first women ordained in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and was a longtime fixture at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish. Memorial service details have not yet been announced.