The Companion Relationship: The Diocese of Southwest Florida has had a formal companion relationship with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic since 1997. The purpose of the companion relationship is to strengthen the local Church and each other across cultural and geographical boundaries by building a relationship in which each partner is both giver and receiver.
Since 1997 the relationship with the Dominican Episcopal Church has flourished and the Diocese of Southwest Florida has sent nearly 100 exploratory and mission teams, and several hundred persons on short-term mission to participate in ministry with their Dominican brothers and sisters. In addition to several churches sending their own teams, Southwest Florida has pioneered “deanery projects” which work within the priorities of the Dominican Republic in support of the development and self-sufficiency of the Dominican Episcopal Church. Bishop Julio Holguín and several priests and their wives have visited Southwest Florida as part of this spiritual and cultural exchange.
Many times team members have left home thinking “we are giving them so much” but return home saying “we have received so much.” The energizing effect of the spiritual vitality of the Dominican Church visibly impacts the life of team members.
Additionally the Episcopal Church Women and several of the deaneries work each fall and winter to collect money to fund scholarships for needy children in Episcopal schools in the Dominican Republic. The ECW has also supported since 1999 Sami, a young girl who was born with AIDS.
The Companion Diocese Committee serves as a forum for churches and deaneries involved in Dominican Mission. Its churches include Christ Church, Bradenton, and St. Peter’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. The Clearwater, Naples, Tampa and Venice deaneries are involved, as well as representatives from the deacons of the diocese and the ECW.
The Rev. Al Chapman, (813) 935-6075, is chairman of the Companion Diocese Committee, which normally meets at DaySpring Conference Center on the first Thursday of each month.
The Dominican Development Group is a multi-diocesan nonprofit organization headquartered at DaySpring Conference Center whose purpose is to assist in the development and self-sufficiency of the Dominican Episcopal Church. It works principally through the Companion Diocese relationship (Georgia, South Carolina, Southwest Florida, and Western Louisiana) with the Dominican Republic, and with other dioceses and churches that partner with the Dominican Episcopal Church. The DDG’s Director is Dr. Robert Stevens (941) 776-1018. The deanery projects have been pioneered by the DDG and Dr. Stevens.
