Thanks to the Keys Deanery, interim rector Fr. Tom Shepherd and all the members of St. Paul’s, Key West, for their hospitality at Diocesan Convention. They couldn’t do anything about that traffic jam on the Seven-Mile Bridge, but once everyone finally got there, the welcome was warm, and our business was accomplished smoothly enough to allow some time for everyone to enjoy Key West.

          As noted below, the Diocesan Offices will be closed for the usual Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but our Miami office will probably also need to be closed the week of Nov. 17-21. In anticipation of massive protests in downtown Miami during the talks that week on the Free Trade Area of the Americas, authorities are planning for re-routing traffic, changing public transportation schedules and even closing some businesses. Although the office is north of the area where demonstrations are expected, travel to and from the office is likely to be difficult or even risky. We are in close contact with law enforcement officials, and will let you know as soon as a firm decision has been made about whether the office will be closed that week.

          If we do need to close, work will continue, and we will not be out of touch! We will make it possible for staff members to access their work from their home computers, and you will be provided with phone numbers you can use to reach us. Everyone will be accessible by email. Watch for updates on this!

            Meanwhile, here are coming events for this month and next, and into 2004; additional dates for 2004 are available on the calendar pages on the website.

COMING EVENTS:

Daughters of the King Diocesan Assembly — Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-2-p.m., Atonement, Lauderdale Lakes

Child in Our Hands Conference — Nov. 7-8, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Pompano

Bishop Holley Celebration — Nov. 8, 10 a.m., Trinity Cathedral

Women’s Cursillo — Nov. 13-16, Duncan Center

Clergy Spouse Wellness Day — Nov. 15, St. Mark’s, Ft. Lauderdale

Ordination of Robert Perrino to the Diaconate — Nov. 15, 6 p.m., St. Mark’s, Palm Beach Gardens

Executive Board Orientation  — Nov. 17-18, Duncan Center

Assessment Appeals Hearings — Nov. 19-20, Duncan Center

Happening — Nov. 21-23, St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach

Brotherhood of St. Andrew Annual Assembly  —   Nov. 22, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Duncan Center

Bishop’s Awards Service — Nov. 22, 11 a.m., St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Pompano Beach (Note second change of location!)

Diocesan Office closed for Thanksgiving — Nov. 27-28

Short-Term Mission Leader Training — Dec. 6 & Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., places TBA

Training Mission to Dominican Republic — Jan.31-Feb. 7, 2004

Conferences on the Bible and Sexuality —
Dec. 9, St. Mark's, Palm Beach Gardens-clergy, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m; clergy & laity, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 10, St. Mark's, Ft. Lauderdale--clergy & laity, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 11, Trinity Cathedral, Miami--clergy, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; St. Andrew's, Miami-clergy & laity, 7-9 p.m.

Deacons’ Annual Retreat — Dec. 19-20, Duncan Center

Ordination of Gail Abbott to the Priesthood  — Dec. 20, 4 p.m., St. Margaret’s, Miami Lakes

Ordination of Terrence Taylor to the Priesthood  — Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m., Trinity Cathedral

Ordination of Thomas Brutell to the Priesthood — Dec. 21, 4 p.m., Holy Trinity, West Palm Beach

Diocesan Office closed for Christmas — Dec. 25-Jan. 4

Youth Leadership Retreat (Grades 9-12) — Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Trinity Cathedral

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Consecrations of Bishops Frade and Ottley — Jan. 24, 11 a.m., Trinity Cathedral

Institution of Fr. Tony Martin as Rector — JJan. 25, 3 p.m., St. Kevin's, Opa-locka

Youth Ministers’ Retreat — Feb. 6-7, Hampton Inn, Ft. Lauderdale

Clergy Retreat — Feb. 9-12, Our Lady of Florida

Absalom Jones Service — Feb. 21, Trinity Cathedral

Youth Carnaval (Grades 9-12) — Feb. 21, St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton

Women’s Cursillo — Feb. 27-29, Duncan Center

Diocesan Men’s Retreat  — Feb. 27-29, Lake Placid

 

Diocesan Ad—On Monday, Nov. 3, our new diocesan ad, “What in the world are those Episcopalians doing now?”, will appear in the Miami Herald, the Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. Be prepared to welcome the seekers—and their questions—that we hope will be attracted by this publicity. We also encourage you to download the ad, add contact information and service times for your own congregation, and place it in local papers or use it as a mailer to newcomers in your community. Please let us know of responses to the ad, and the creative ways you find to use it.

Database—Our long promised diocesan database is now available online for your use! On the Home Page of the diocesan website, click on the word: “LOGIN”, located on the left hand side of the page beneath the words: “DIOCESAN CALENDAR”. A page will pop up to enter the password and username to the Diocesan web site secure area. (If you don’t remember that, please call the diocesan office.) Enter the user name and password and click “OK”.  A new page will appear with the words “Click here to access the Database”. Click on those words, and the diocesan database log in web page will appear. Click on “tutorial” for instructions on how to register and to use the database. Persons listed in the database will be able to correct their own information online and have the changes made automatically when the database is updated, usually once a week. Try it out for a while—and then let us know (there’s a link for “suggestions”) how the database is working for you, and how we might make it an even more useful tool for keeping us all in touch with one another.

Bishop Holley Celebration—There will be a celebration of the life and ministry of Bishop James Theodore Holley at Trinity Cathedral, Miami, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, with Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin, bishop of Haiti, as chief celebrant and Canon Wilner Milien of the Diocese of Puerto Rico as preacher. Bishop Holley was consecrated Nov. 8, 1874, becoming not only the first bishop of Haiti, but also the first African-American bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Child in Our Hands —If you plan to attend this conference on sharing our faith with our children, don’t forget to register online by Nov. 5.  The conference, which is part of a nationally recognized program and provides important tools for our mission of sharing the Good News with everyone, will not be available again in our diocese in the near future. For additional information, email the Commission at DiosefCCFEd@aol.com, or call Krisan Lamberti at 305-858-5075.

Help for victims of California fires—Episcopal Relief and Development has issued an appeal for donations for those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. You can donate online at
http://www.disasternews.net/donations/erd.php#check, by phone at 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129 or mail contributions, marked for California fires, to Episcopal Relief and Development, Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101. Please keep the victims of the fires in your prayers.

Thanksgiving help needed—As they did last year, members of Eglise Episcopale du Bon Pasteur, Miami, plan to provide food for Thanksgiving for needy families in Miami’s Haitian community. They’d welcome donations for this project from other parishes. If you can help, call Fr. Frantz Casseus, 305-769-4783, or email fcasseus@yahoo.com.

Brotherhood of St. Andrew Annual Assembly—All men of the diocese are invited to the annual meeting of the Brotherhood, Saturday, Nov. 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Duncan Center. The cost is $20 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Call George Booth at 561-738-0554 before Oct. 15 if you plan to attend.

EFM Mentor Training—will be offered at the Duncan Center again this year. The dates are Dec. 5-7, beginning Friday at 4 p.m., and ending Sunday by 3 p.m. All active mentors whose last training was 12 to 18 months ago, and anyone desiring to take Mentor training, are welcome to attend.  For information, contact Bill Thorstad, 561-392-3417, or by email, Mjollnir5@aol.com. 

Short-Term Mission Leader Training--Our diocesan Mission Team Leader Training Mission begins with two Saturday training sessions on Dec. 6 and Jan. 10, prior to the Training Mission itself in the Dominican Republic, Jan. 31-Feb. 7. The purpose is to prepare 25 leaders to organize and lead a domestic or foreign short-term mission.Registration for this training is now available on the website at: https://www.amerisurf.com/diosef/mission_leader.html

Christmas Gifts for BGI residents—Looking for a pre-Christmas project for a Sunday School class or other parish organization? Bishop Gray Inn, Lake Worth, needs small gifts to add to gift packages for each of the Inn’s 120 elderly residents. Toiletries, books, stationery, clothing, personal articles would all be suitable; all should be new and unwrapped. Mail these to Bishop Gray Inn, 4445 Pine Forest Dr., Lake Worth, FL  33463, attn: Elaine, by Dec. 15.

Youth Events—The Diocesan Youth Commission has announced several events for early in 2004: Youth Leadership Retreat, for grades 9-12, Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral, Miami--the cost is $5, which includes lunch; Youth Ministers’ Retreat, including training for the Journey to Adulthood program, Feb. 6-7 at the Hampton Inn, Ft. Lauderdale; and Carnaval with the Bishop, for grades 9-12, Feb. 21 at St. Gregory’s, Boca Raton—Mardi Gras costumes or semiformal dress--$12 pre-registered or $15 at the event. For more information on youth events, contact Diocesan Youth Missioner Deacon Terrence Taylor, 800-268-9993 or 305-373-0881, ext. 28, or ttaylor@diosef.org, or Mary Cobiella, ext. 29, or mary@diosef.org.

Deacon Taylor also has information on the Winterlight event Dec. 27- Jan. 1 at Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina.

Start Up/Start Over—A Start Up/Start Over seminar in Spanish will be held Mar. 1-6, 2004, at the Duncan Center, and the next Start Up/Start Over seminar in English will be held April 26-30, 2004, at DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center in Ellenton, FL (near Sarasota). For registration and additional information, go to http://www.episcopalchurch.org/congdev/Development/StartUp/future.html

Benedictine Experience — In conjunction with the Friends of St. Benedict, the diocese will offer a Benedictine Experience at the Duncan Center, March 18-21, 2004, with the Rev. Lynn Ramshaw, formerly of this diocese, as the presenter. The cost for the weekend is $325, or $150 for commuters. For more information, call Patricia Wald, 954-752-4066.

CAP guidelines—The 2003-2004 guidelines for reimbursement from the Clergy Assistance Program are posted on the website, and have been emailed to clergy. The CAP program was created to promote wellness by assisting clergy and their families with financial help if needed for counseling or psychological care.

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

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CLERGY CHANGES

Abbott, The Rev. Gail — Reassigned to St. Margaret’s, Miami Lakes.

Hammatt, The Rev. Ed — Reassigned as deacon from St, Luke the Physician, Miami, to St. Thomas, Coral Gables, effective 11/9/03

Sands, The Rev. Fred — Reassigned as deacon from St. Anne’s, Hallandale and St. Andrew’s, Hollywood, to St. Ambrose, Ft. Lauderdale, effective 11/9/03.

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Parishes in Transition:

Holy Redeemer, Lake Worth—Fr. David Sutcliffe, interim; Fr. Robert Carlson, Spanish service

All Souls’, Miami Beach—Fr. Richard Maholm, supply

St. Mary Magdalene, Coral Springs—Fr. Mark Sims, interim

St. Peter’s, Key West—supply

St. Christopher’s, West Palm Beach—Deacon Charles Cannon, interim

Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines—Canon Kenneth MacDonald, supply

St. Paul’s, Key West—Fr. Thomas Shepherd, interim

Trinity Cathedral—dean retired 9/14; Fr. Bob Libby, interim dean

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F.Y.I.—Information from our Parishes and Around the Church

Toward a More Perfect Union (TMPU), an organization in Palm Beach County that works to improve relations and among persons of different colors and ethnic backgrounds, is conducting a series of Study Circles for Episcopalians (and others) starting on October 29 and continuing for five or six weeks. The series began Oct. 29, and will continue on subsequent Wednesday evenings through Dec. 3 or 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity, West Palm Beach. Facilitators are Inger Brown-Chieves of TMPU and Zoe Stout of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach (both are trained facilitators). For more information or to register for the series, call Inger Brown-Chieves at 561-832-3336.

Christ Church, Coconut Grove, will host its annual Bazaar and Flea Market beginning with a spaghetti dinner on Friday evening, Nov. 7. Activities on Saturday, Nov. 8 will include a baking contest, silent auction and bargains galore of clothing, toys, plants and accessories, a variety of food, and amusement for children. The proceeds from the event will go towards equipping the church's newly acquired property for the children's ministry.

Grace Church, West Palm Beach, will sponsor a Financial Planning Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon in the parish hall, 3600 Australian Ave. Topics will include budgeting and debt management (presenter, Armando Loo, Consumer Credit Counseling), retirement plans, investments and taxes (presenter, Diane Vokac, district manager, H & R Block) and planned giving (presenter, Charlie Ring of the Southeast Florida Episcopal Foundation). For information call the church office at 561-845-6060.

The annual Christmas Bazaar at St. Gregory's, Boca Raton, will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish hall.  Featured will be a huge number of gift baskets, unusual craft items, attic treasures, and a Boutique with nearly new designer clothes.  A special item for sale will be an Aladdin machine for visually impaired (an $1800 machine priced at $800, formerly owned by a bishop). Luncheon will be served on the patio, with Christmas music being performed during lunch.  For more information, call the church office at 561-395-8285.

St. Joseph’s, Boynton Beach, will hold its Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The bazaar features handmade gifts and decorations, “attic treasures”, books and toys and activities for children.

Crossridge Church, Parkland, presents the Dove Award winning Christian Hit Band "Sonic Flood" live in concert, Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Westglades Middle School in Parkland.  Individual tickets are $18., Artist's Circle (first 5 rows) are $20.  Group tix (15 or more) are $18 for Artist's Circle and $15 for general admission. For details and directions log onto www.crossridgechurch.org or call Jeff at 561/818-2043.

Good Shepherd, Tequesta, hosts Artie’s Party, “an eclectic evening of art”, Nov. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. The evening includes an auction of art from local artists and area stores, as well as live entertainment and a Caribbean Buffet. Tickets are $20 and are available at the church office or by calling 746-4675. The parish’s Annual Fall Fest, “a market place of food, fun and fantastic deals”, will be Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day features crafts, white elephant sale, book and jewelry sale and German food. C.H.I.P. (Children Identification Program), a free service for the identification of children in emergencies, sponsored by the Tequesta Police Department, will be available all day.

St. John’s, Hollywood, is raffling a Caribbean Cruise for Two on Costa Cruise Lines to benefit the parish’s Organ Restoration Fund. Tickets are $5. The drawing will be held on Nov. 16, and the cruise can be taken anytime between November 2003 and December 2004. Call the church office, 954-921-3721, for information and tickets. St. John’s says, “The odds of winning are better than the lottery!”

St. Paul’s, 188 S. Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, holds its Annual Christmas Bazaar, “Christmas in the Air,” on Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The famous chicken salad luncheon is served from 11 a.m. Come for music and fun and many beautiful hand-made items. This year the ECW is also selling its new cookbook. Call 561-276-4541 for more information.

St. Laurence Chapel--Caring Center for People Who Are Homeless will hold its Annual White Sock Open House on Dec. 7, 4-6 p.m.  Bring white socks or underwear to put under the Christmas tree, then take a tour of the new facility at 1698 Blount Rd., Pompano Beach.  For more information, call the Chapel at 954-972-2958.

St. Gregory's, Boca Raton will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a luncheon at the Marriott Hotel Crocker Center after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 7. The congregation is inviting all clergy who have been associated with the parish as well as any former parishioners and friends. Reservations are necessary and can be obtained by contacting the parish office at 561-395-8285.

St. Simon's, Miami, will offer a Spanish Christmas concert Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Teatro Tower, 1508 SW 8th St.

The Haitian congregation at St. Joseph's, Boynton Beach, is planning a trip to Disney World for members and friends on Dec. 21. The purpose, in addition to fun and fellowship, is to raise money for the congregation's ministries. The cost is $100 for adults and $70 for children ages 3-9, payable by check to St. Joseph Haitian Congregation by Nov. 30. The bus will leave the church at 5:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. For more information, call 561-676-3108 or 561-276-1790.

Free to a colleague: Like new 5 Almy Clerical Shirts: 16.5 Black S/S; 16.5 Blue stripe S/S; 16.5 Blue L/S; 16.5 Blue Stripe L/S; 16.5 Blue/Green Stripe L/S.  Contact Dean Michael Hartney, michael.hartney@aya.yale.edu.

Through the Nevada Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, MGM Grand Hotel in
conjunction with the University of Nevada Las Vegas is offering full scholarships for a four-year, bachelor’s degree program in Hotel Administration. Interested students should fax or email a letter of interest and a brief summary of qualifications to erv.crawford@ccmail.nevada.edu or fax # (702) 895-4871.

The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn, has announced the Lilly Scholarship, which pays half tuition and room and board at Sewanee. The scholarship will be awarded to two first-year students entering the university's Class of 2008, who have outstanding records of service during their high school years and an interest in theological, service-oriented or values-based careers. Interested individuals must complete and submit an application form, admissions materials and a 1,000-word essay by January 10, 2004 (postmark date). For a copy of the application packet or more information about the Lilly Scholarship, contact the Lilly Office at (931) 598-1869 or jgoodman@sewanee.edu. Further details about scholarship benefits and requirements are available at www.sewanee.edu/lillyproj/scholars. Applicants also are encouraged to apply for Merit Scholarships through the University of the South.

Nashotah House, an Episcopal seminary, is offering a two week pilgrimage May 28-June 10, 2004, to holy sites of Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon Britain. The cost is $2799, including airfare from Chicago. For further information contact Fr. Arnold Klukas at Nashotah house, 262-646-8941 or arnold@klukas.net.

 

Additional Events and Opportunities
(click on links below for more information!)

• John Hines Preaching Award
  
  

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Prayers are requested for--

Our country; for wisdom and guidance for our leaders and the leaders of all nations; for our armed forces, especially those now in places of danger; for our enemies; for peace, justice and reconciliation in all places where there is conflict;

Mildred Ingraham, mother-in-law of Deacon Doris Ingraham, healing;

Rev. SuzeAnne Silla--Eye surgery scheduled for Dec. 10;

LaDonna Neds, wife of Fr. Walter Neds, lung cancer;

Erika Frade, daughter of Bishop Leo Frade, healing;

Canon Luis Quiroga, healing;

Eason Evans, son of Fr. Ralph Evans, pray for successful treatment for severe back pain;

Fr. Tom Ryan, healing;

Lillian Ottley, wife of Bishop James Ottley, continued healing;

Fr. Sam Frock, recovering from spinal surgery;

Fr. Leonel Ortez, continued healing;

Annabel Hobbs, wife of Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, continued healing;

Ben Brown, cousin of Deacon Holly Ostlund, facing long recovery from serious shark bite injuries;

Leah Rosato, secretary at Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach, healing;

Deborah Deshaies, wife of Fr. Bob Deshaies, recovering from spinal surgery; pray for relief from pain;

Chuck Nickerson, brother of diocesan accounting clerk Sally James, colon cancer;

Aspirant Peter Wallace, continued healing;

Chancellor Emeritus Fred Stanton, healing;

Dorothy Wilbur, widow of Fr. Newton Wilbur, cancer:

Fr. Gammon Jarrell, continued healing;

Edith Woodcock, mother of candidate for ordination Bruce Woodcock, removed from hospice care, pray for continued healing;

Fr. Miguel Restrepo, healing;

Florence Gray, mother of Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves continued healing;

Jim Gibson, husband of Mother Kate Gibson, continued healing;

Doris Dillenberger, sister of Diana Frade, healing;

Christie Hudspeth, daughter of Mother Denise Hudspeth, pray for complete healing;

Bridget Seward, sister of Deacon Jane Calderin, multiple myeloma;

Lisa Commette, niece of Gail McShane, diocesan coordinator, continued healing;

Mthr. "Punkie" Dennis, healing;

The Rev. SuzeAnne Silla's family: Daughter Stephanie, still in pain, will need additional jaw surgery; mother Iola Steeves, abdominal aortic aneurysm and many other health problems;

Cn. Max Salvador, continued healing;

for the repose of the souls of those who have died, and for comfort for the families of Bishop Leo Alard and All Souls' Junior Warden Bruce Thompson, who died Oct. 16; for Deacon Virginia Landwer, whose son George died Oct. 19; for past Executive Board member Al Ferguson and Executive Board member Jacquelyn Anthony in the death of sister and aunt, Cora Ferguson, on Oct. 29; for the family of Fr. Bill Kirkpatrick, who died Oct. 30; and for Fr. Horace Ward, whose mother, Myrtle Ward, died Nov. 7; for all those who have lost loved ones in the continued conflict in Iraq.

 

 

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Anglican Cycle of Prayer

November 9--XXII Pentecost

The Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo

St. Christopher's, Nassau

Holy Nativity, Pahokee

November 16--XXIII Pentecost

The Diocese of Puerto Rico

Diocesan Officers and Staff

Canonically Resident Clergy

Nehemiah Congregations

November 23--Last Pentecost

The Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil

St. George, Nassau

St. Ambrose, Ft. Lauderdale

St. John's, Hollywood

November 30--I Advent

The Anglican Church of Kenya

Andros Island, Bahamas

     St. Margaret's, Nicholls Town

     St. Mary Magdalene, Mastic Point

St. John's, Homestead

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Last updated 11/28/03