Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida: From the Bishop

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From the Bishop This is the official web page for the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith, the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Here you'll find information about Bishop Smith; his upcoming schedule, recent essays and sermons, his biography and more. Bishop Smith's Journal from Lambeth 2008 July 11 I am the fifth bishop of a diocese set to celebrate its 40th anniversary. I offer that information to remark on the context of where I stayed last night after the lengthy trans-Atlantic journey. July 13 I spent Sunday morning with the congregation of St. Mary's Workington and preached at two services. It was so interesting to me in that the liturgical form was clearly familiar and yet I really had to pay attention. July 15 Today I participated at the Bishops' Seminar at Rydal Hall. July 17 Yesterday was a travel day to Canterbury. July 18 Today was the second day of the Lambeth Conference retreat.
Living in the spirit New granddaughter arrives Bishop Smith and Mary Ellen are pleased to announce the arrival of their newest granddaughter. Abigail Knight Williston arrived Tuesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m., weighing in at 5 pounds, 11 ounces. and 19 inches long. Baby and family are all doing well. Spiritual growth should be an intentional act for Christians July 2, 2008 - Christians are expected to be intentional about spiritual growth and wisdom. The Holy Scriptures are inexhaustible in its riches, and I expect to be learning from it and more about it for the rest of my earthly days. Lambeth to be a time of discovery May 6, 2008 - In the May/June issue of The Southern Cross, Bishop Smith says the upcoming Lambeth Conference will be important and grace-filled. High hopes for Lambeth Conference Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says bishops who attend the upcoming Lambeth Conference should "arrive genuinely willing to engage fully in that growth towards closer unity that the Windsor Report and the Covenant Process envisage." Read more by clicking here. Archive View the archive of past articles and pastoral letters				Confirmation schedules changing A new component to each individual parish Visitation by Bishop Smith will be the added celebration of Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation. In addition, Bishop Smith has announced his intention to do one diocesan wide Confirmation Service per year. For more information, contact Jan Nothum via email. At this time no Deanery wide or other special services of Confirmation will be scheduled. Bishop's visitation schedule
About the Bishop The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Southwest Florida on Dec. 9, 2006. He was consecrated as a bishop on March 10, 2007 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was seated as the fifth bishop of the diocese Sept. 15, 2007 at St. Peter's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, succeeding the Rt. Rev. John B. Lipscomb.