 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In This Issue
|
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida will be closed from
Monday, December 25, to
Monday, January 1, 2018.
Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2.
NEWS
|
|
|
Resources
|
|
|
|
Sermons That Work
|
|
Get inspired in your own sermon writing or use as part
of
your personal devotion.
Click here
.
Para
sermones
en español
visite
:
|
|
|
|
|
Scripture In Context
a Canon
and
Examining Chaplain for Scripture in the Diocese of Southeast Florida.
We thank Tom for sharing his learning an
d love
of Scripture with us i
n
this way.
Click
here
to read brief background descriptions of the Sunday readings.
|
From The Bishop's Desk
|
|
The Bishop's Appeal for Hurricane Relief - Phase II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O Radix Jesse
19 December 2017
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
A little later than usual, I attach the draft Visitation schedule for January-June 2018. Please check this schedule carefully and ensure the date that is set for you will work. If there are any questions, please let Monique know as soon as possible, so that we can publish a finalised schedule.
There are still a couple of first-time Sunday morning visits beyond June that I shall do in September, and then I shall have been everywhere for Sunday worship.
After that, the schedule becomes regular, with those congregations that I must visit every year, combined with all other congregations on a rotation that will take just over two years to do. It is quite manageable, and means that I am with every congregation with reasonable regularity.
Please note that if I am not coming to you in a particular year, you are encouraged to bring candidates either to a regional confirmation, to the Cathedral at the Easter Vigil, or to a nearby congregation where I am coming. If you do the last, please let the parish priest know.
As always, I so look forward to worshipping with you and your communities. Now that I have some experience of visits, during the course of this next year I shall be discussing a draft customary for congregational visits with you when I come to your clericus meetings.
Kate joins me in sending affection and prayers to you, your families, and communities for a very happy Christmas.
With every blessing.
+Peter
The Visitation Schedule
|
|
|
From The Bishop's Office
|
Office of Transitional Ministry News
|
| |
|
Annual Clergy Retreat
8-11 January 2018
at the Duncan Center
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our annual clergy retreat coincides with the first week of the Epiphany season, and will take place from the evening of Monday, 8 January, to lunchtime on Thursday, 11 January, 2018, at the Duncan Center. The retreat is open to all clergy in our diocese. I encourage you to be present for the entire retreat, though you may attend part of it.
Bishop John Pritchard, the former Bishop of Oxford, will conduct the retreat. He is a widely-respected retreat and pilgrimage leader, and the author of many popular books on spirituality and prayer. Bishop Pritchard is a particularly gifted communicator who is recognised for his ability to communicate the Gospel with immediacy and effectiveness.
I do encourage you to make time for this retreat. It is only in this way that we are properly renewed for our ministries of leadership, preaching, and teaching. The pressures on the ordained are great, and the opportunities for us to be in quiet with God are few. As Archbishop Rowan Williams likes to say, our retreat and prayer time is not time that we make for God; it is time that God makes for us. So, I encourage you to put yourself in God's way for this time of quiet and renewal, ahead of the season of Lent.
Please note that we have extended the retreat by a whole day, mindful that you asked for an additional day, and the early dates respect your request that we gather outside of Lent. These were the only dates available to us at the Duncan Center. Please also be mindful that single accommodation at the Duncan Center is limited, and early reservation is recommended. You may share a room if you wish, but please be clear about this when you register. On-line registration is available now on the Diocesan website or by clicking the link below. Once all the rooms at the Duncan Center have been allocated, we will make arrangements to accommodate you in a nearby hotel. Commuters are welcome of course, and you should indicate this when registering, so we know how many of you plan to attend the retreat for catering purposes.
I realise that accommodation at the Duncan Center is limited, and we are working on moving the retreat in the future to a site with more rooms.
With affection and every blessing.
+
Peter
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
Italian Renaissance Oil Painting Course
|
|
Instructors: Michele Cantarutti & Giulia Cantarutti, Florence, Italy
Location: Saint Simon's Episcopal Church, 10950 SW 34th Street Miami, Fl 33165
Course 1: January 20, 21, 27, 28
Course 2: February 3, 4, 10, 11
Course Length: 4 sessions, 4 hours each over two weekends
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sundays: 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
|
|
|
Music at Saint Paul's
Presents
The Klotz/Calloway/Strezeva Trio in an All-Brahms Program
|
|
Sunday, January 21, 3:00 P.M.
Pre-concert lecture by Dr. Paul Cienniwa at 2:30 P.M.
$20 general admission / 18 and under FREE
|
|
|
|
Faith and Family Night with the Miami Heat
|
|
Contact Information:
Cole Horan at 786-777-4257
|
|
|
Wisdom Calling: A Conference on Local Formation
|
|
More and more, Episcopal dioceses are relying on local formation to train up leaders for parish ministry. In many dioceses, the majority of clergy are now part-time, and 13% of clergy across our church are volunteers. As these ministry models become more common, the importance of local theological formation will only increase. Today, it is time for the Episcopal Church to think as carefully and invest as intentionally in local formation as we long have for residential seminary training, as a vital seedbed for the leaders of tomorrow's church. Should we endeavor to make local formation as much like residential seminary as possible? What can be gained by immersion in local ministry contexts that the traditional seminary model can't give? And what practical tools, best practices, and collaborative partnerships are available to strengthen local formation across our church?
In this conference for theological educators and diocesan leaders, we will explore these questions with theologians, educators, and practitioners from across our church, and build relationships with peers and potential collaborative partners. We will consider questions like:
- What is a theological education for?
- How does answering that question help us formulate a vision for excellence in local formation?
- What best practices and fruitful ideas can be learned from experienced hands in local formation from around our church?
- What are the most pressing educational needs of locally-trained priests and deacons whose vocation will likely not include full-time paid employment by the church?
- How can we best train and authorize the work of licensed lay ministers, in addition to ordained leaders?
- What practical tools and resources (e.g., online classes) can be added to a local formation toolbox?
- What partnerships (e.g., with seminaries, parishes, and other dioceses) are to hand to build up local formation programs?
This conference includes presentations from respected leaders, as well as ample time for open discussion of topics of interest among the gathered attendees. Our invited speakers will help guide our discussions.
|
|
|
|
The Nehemiah Process
|
The General Convention
|
|
The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years. It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese. During its triennial meeting deputies and bishops consider a wide range of important matters facing the Church. In the interim between triennial meetings, various committees, commissions, agencies, boards and task forces created by the General Convention meet to implement the decisions and carry on the work of the General Convention. For more information click here.
|
Updated Statement and Resources: Defend TPS
(Temporary Protected Status)
|
Update11/21: Statement on Haiti Decision:
The Episcopal Church is disappointed in the Administration's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 50,000 Haitians. Conditions in Haiti are currently unsafe and unstable, with critical lack of improvement since the 2010 earthquake compounded by devastation from Hurricane Matthew and a cholera epidemic. TPS is a tool by which the administration allows nationals of certain countries experiencing conflict or natural disaster to stay in the U.S. in safety. While this should be a temporary safety tool, at this time Haiti cannot safely repatriate 50,000 people, and the decision to terminate the program will harm our communities, the Haitians who will be forced to return, and communities in Haiti.
Haitian TPS holders have been able to rebuild their lives, work, and raise families in safety. Forcing these individuals to return will put them at risk and further hamper Haiti's ongoing recovery and development efforts. We encourage the administration to review this decision and continue to provide positive assistance toward Haiti's development.
What next:
The decision deadline on TPS renewal for 195,000 Salvadorans is approaching, so we urge you to continue to advocate for renewal of TPS. TPS holders are stable, taxpaying residents of the U.S. who are unable to return to their home country due to dangerous conditions, and/or their home country is unable to adequately receive thousands of persons.
Use the interfaith TPS toolkit linked below to contact your members of Congress, host an event at home, and learn more about TPS. TPS has been a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of individuals already in the United States when problems in a home country suddenly make return untenable.
|
|
|
Advancing to General Convention 2018:
"Introduction to General Convention" Available Online
|
En Español
The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer and Secretary of the General Convention, has announced that "An Introduction to the 79th General Convention for Deputies and Bishops" is now available on the General Convention website
here
.
This publication is an important reference for deputies and bishops and a good source of information for anyone interested in General Convention and the legislative process.
The Episcopal Church 79th General Convention will be held
Thursday, July 5 to Friday, July 13, 2018 at The Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas (Diocese of Texas).
The Jesus Movement: Loving, Liberating and Life-giving will be theme for the 79h General Convention.
The 32 -page document is filled with important and key information including:
* How to prepare
* How to register
* What can I expect in Austin, Texas?
* What is the schedule for General Convention?
* What happens at General Convention?
* How does General Convention conduct its legislative work?
* What are Resolutions and Memorials?
* What are the Rules of Order?
* What are Legislative Committees?
* What is the Virtual Binder?
* Information on Elections
* Draft Agenda
* Legislative Committees
|
|
|
| From the Presiding Bishop |
|
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Christmas Message 2017
|
Presiding Bishop Plans Pastoral Visits to Hurricane Affected Areas
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry will embark on four pastoral visits in January 2018 to the hurricane affected areas of Florida, Texas and the Caribbean.
"When the cameras have left, when the world's attention has gone elsewhere, when other news is the new news of the day, the Church remains bearing witness to the Good News of Jesus," Presiding Bishop Curry said. "These trips are an opportunity to call to mind our commitment to walk with our brothers and sisters, not just for the short run of the news cycles, for the long haul as communities are rebuilt and built anew. These pastoral visits are a reminder of the promise of Jesus who said to his followers, 'I will be with you even until the end of the age.' And it's a way of saying that we, as fellow followers of Jesus, will be with you too."
At each locale, the Presiding Bishop will tour the affected areas, offer and lead prayers, and meet with Episcopal leadership and congregants.
He will be accompanied by members of the Presiding Bishop's staff and representatives of Episcopal Relief & Development.
His schedule is:
January 2 - 4: Diocese of Puerto Rico
January 10-12: Diocese of the Virgin Islands
January 13-14: Diocese of Southeast Florida
January 29-31: Diocese of Texas
|
|
|
|
|
We would like to include your innovative ministries in Grapevine!
|
|
|
|
Introducing RUAH
Every Wednesday at 7:30 P.M
|
|
RUAH is a weekly worship service on Wednesday nights from
7:30 to 8:30pm at the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach, located at
16711 West Dixie Highway.
There is plenty of free parking.
RUAH is grounded in the Anglican tradition, a
centuries
-old liturgy that reveals the presence of God in our midst. We call this reality "sacramental." RUAH brings forth the richness of the mysteries of the Christian faith, practiced through the centuries by monks, nuns, mystics, saints, and ordinary people.
RUAH will engage the musical community in Miami and surrounding areas by bringing in guest musicians for each season who play instruments from around the world. Classical hymns and prayers are arranged with modern and ancient instrumentation, rhythms, and sounds. We will cross centuries and continents as we worship together in the liturgy the roots of which are in
the earliest
Christian community that was gathered after Jesus was raised from the dead.
RUAH, which means "spirit" or "breath" in Hebrew, invites all people, no matter your faith background, or no faith background at all, to breathe in God's living Spirit, and to rest in the beauty and wonder of the spoken word and the real presence of Christ among us with a backdrop of sound, light, shadow, and form.
|
|
|
Evangelism Resources
|
|
The Good Book Club: Resources Now Available
 A wide range of resources, from prayers to videos to study guides, are now available from the more than 25 partners presenting the Good Book Club, an opportunity for reflection and prayer.
The Good Book Club is a churchwide program that invites the reading of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles during the liturgical seasons of Lent and Easter 2018. Led by Forward Movement, the Good Book Club readings begin the Sunday prior to Ash
Wednesday (
February 11, 2018), and finish on Pentecost (
May 20, 2018).
The Good Book Club, the Presiding Bishop has said, provides an opportunity to "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures." He noted that "The Gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus" while "the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of those who followed in the footsteps of Jesus."
Resources
- The many resources for the Good Book Club, including daily readings, are available here including daily readings.
- Spanish resources and information are available here.
- The Get Involved tab is dedicated to ways for people to get started.
- The toolkit link is here.
December 2017 Toolkit from Episcopal Church Office
of Public Affairs
|
December marks the season of Advent, the season of preparation, leading to the glorious Nativity on December 25. Resources for Advent and beyond are included in this month's
Toolkit of the Public Affairs Office which is designed to make research and facilitation easy for you as you develop your messages, addresses, letters, presentations, op-ed pieces, etc., focusing on Christian ideals, evangelism, forgiveness, social issues, community concerns, reconciliation, and more.
Advent
A newly developed Advent resource is available in the ministry of reconciliation and healing. Preparing to Become the Beloved Community is a multi-fold poster and resource pack with prayers, reflections and activities for each week of Advent that was sent to all congregations.
Preparing to Become the Beloved Community is
here in English and in
Spanish here.
|
|
|
|
Cursillo Newsletter - Fall 2017
|
|
|
|
"All Our Children: The Church's Role in Education Equity"
January 16 - 18, Columbia South Carolina
"Education is divine right, a human right, and for the common good." - Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church Michael B. Curry
Are you and your congregation seeking a meaningful, mutually transformative way to build community, serve children and families, and live out the Gospel call to seek justice? Join All Our Children January 16 - 18 for a national conference exploring the urgent opportunity the church has to help bring about equity and justice in public education. Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael B. Curry and nationally recognized educator Jeff Duncan-Andrade, will help us examine the current state of public education, the barriers to equity, the reasons for hope, and the opportunities for Christians to engage and work for meaningful change.
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas will join us to explore the root-causes of inequity and the Gospel call for justice Presenters from organizations like the Ounce of Prevention Fund, Public Education Partners, Central Midlands Justice Ministry, The Expectations Project, University of South Carolina Law School, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others will lead informative, interactive workshops to equip you to take specific steps to deepen relationships, grow your impact in your community, and live out your Christian mission through local partnerships, action, and service.
To get a full list of workshop titles, presenters, and the schedule -- or to register, please visit aoc2018.org.
|
|
|
|
Weaving God's Promises
|
Experience the difference Weaving God's Promises can make with your children and middle-school youth.
For more information, sample sessions and pricing, please visit
|
|
|
|
Applications Accepted for United Thank Offering Young Adult
and
Seminarian
Grants for 2018
Applications are now accepted for the 2018 United Thank Offering grants: 10 grants of $2500 for young adults; and 10 grants of $2500 to seminarians.
The focus of the grants is The Jesus Movement: Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation Care.
The United Thank Offering is a gratitude ministry of the Episcopal Church to support
innovative mission
and ministry in the whole Church. Known worldwide as UTO, the Unit
ed Thank Offering
awards grants for new projects and programs that address innovative approaches to ministries within their communities that meet the stated focus for the year.
Young Adult and Seminarian grants are awarded within the Episcopal Church only.
Complete guidelines, application forms and information are available
here.
|
Episcopal Charities
|
|
|
|
The prayer is for your use. We suggest that you integrate it into your service
schedule
either by using the prayer and incorporating the weekly specific ministry into it, OR by highlighting only the specified weekly ministry in the Prayers of the People.
Compassionate God, bless the people who guide the programs of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of Southeast Florida as, following in the footsteps of Jesus, they minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy. We pray especially for_______________
(
ministry name) which provides _____________
(
ministry description) through ____________________
(
parish or entity sponsor). Help them continue always to reach out in love and mercy to those suffering in our communities, that they may be a source of comfort and support in times of need; through Jesus Christ who called us to feed his sheep in manifesting our love for him. Amen.
|
|
|
|
Youth News
|
|
|
For
more
information, please
contact
our
diocesan Youth
Liason
Mary, at
[email protected]
.
|
|
|
Young Adults
|
|
|
| Click for website and for the most up-to-date information |
Check
here for upcoming events
|
|
|
|
EJE19: Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales
Gracias a una beca del Fondo Constable de la Iglesia Episcopal, la Oficina de Formación en cooperación con el liderazgo de la IX provincia, la Oficina de Alianzas Globales de la Iglesia Episcopal y la Oficina del Ministerio Latino/Hispano planea un evento en español para Jóvenes y Jóvenes Adultos de la IX provincia en 2019: el Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales.
Representantes de cada diócesis junto con el Coordinador de la IX provincia, la Rda. Connie Sánchez, se reunirán a finales de noviembre para continuar desarrollando los planes de este histórico evento.
Más información está disponible
aquí
(The Office of Formation, in partnership with Province IX Leadership, the Episcopal Church Office of Global Partnerships, and the Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries, is planning a Spanish language Province IX Youth and Young Adult Event for 2019)
|
|
|
#diosef
|
Opportunities
|
Employment Opportunities
|
Business Director
Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida is seeking a Business Director to work in its Ft. Lauderdale Office
three to four days per week beginning in early
January 2018.
For more information about job position download PDF
here.
|
|
|
|
|
Christian Education Coordinator
Part Time, 20 hours per week, including Sunday
All Saints Episcopal Church seeks to develop a child and youth Christian Education Program. We seek a part-time Christian Education Coordinator to develop, nurture and enhance the Christian educational ministries of the church.
For detailed information about salary and the job description, please go to:
www.indeed.com.
Responses have to be
sent to both of the following email addresses:
|
|
|
|
|
Head of School
Currently, Good Shepherd Church and School together are developing a comprehensive Strategic Plan, shepherding a new vision of leadership and growth. We are seeking candidates for the position of Head of School. Good Shepherd School, preschool age 2 through Grade 5, is fully
accredited by the Florida Kindergarten Council and the Florida Council of
Independent Schools.
View the full job description and instructions for applying or visit:
www.goodsheponline.org
Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is looking for a Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUMMA Theological Debate Camp is Accepting Applications
SUMMA Student Theological Debate Society is inviting high school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2018 to apply for SUMMA Debate Camp, held
July 17-25 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. SUMMA Camp is a unique opportunity for students to explore their faith through intellectual channels, meet lifelong friends, and have a lot of fun on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country!
At SUMMA Camp, students of all faiths learn valuable skills for debate, public speaking, and theological reflection. No previous debate experience or formal theological study is necessary. Campers have a true collegiate experience, but camp is not all work! There is plenty of time left over to swim, play sports, watch movies, go bowling, and have lots of great, summer fun!
For all students, the cost of SUMMA is partially defrayed through donations, grants, and an endowment. The cost to parents is $750, which includes room, all meals, and all materials.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students with demonstrated financial need.
|
|
|
|
All Saints Episcopal Church - Ft. Lauderdale
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winterlight
42: Inspiring Teens Through Fun, Friendship, and Faith
|
Winterlight
is a celebrated Kanuga tradition open to high school students grades 9-12, recent high school graduates, and adult chaperones. As part of the Kanuga Empowered Youth (KEY) Conference series, Winterlight brings in the new year.
Take this chance to get away from the distractions of everyday life and spend time meeting new friends, hanging out with old ones, singing, dancing, ringing in the New Year; and exploring your thoughts and beliefs. Participants come together in an inclusive fellowship that embodies the vibrancy of the national Episcopal Church. Adult chaperones will attend all plenary sessions and have their own workshops.
The theme for Winterlight 42 is
#Blessed
: We often think of blessedness as health, material wealth, and happiness. We will explore the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-12) and Jesus' message of true blessing. What does it mean for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized to be blessed? How can we be a blessing to the world?
Rates
Participant/Chaperone: $420 per person Early Bird Rate. After October 27, $495 each. Includes program, lodging, and meals.
Sibling Discount: $50 off for second and subsequent siblings registered.
Group Discount: One free participant per group of ten
Torchbearer: $252 per person. For college freshmen or high school graduates who have not previously served on Winterlight staff.
Florida Bus Option: $175 per person (in addition to cost of conference). Transportation is being offered to Kanuga from South Florida.
|
|
|
|
With Christmas Eve on a Sunday, Churches Faced Unavoidable 'Conundrum' in Scheduling Advent
|
|
What to do about Dec. 24?
It's a liturgical debate that has been brewing in congregations and clerical forums all season, based on a church calendar that this year has Christmas Eve landing on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Every parish in the Episcopal Church must answer the question, as a matter of scheduling, and there are strong views on both sides.
"It's the Episcopal Church. Everything we do leads to debate," said the Rev. Keith Voets, a New York City priest who helps moderate a Facebook discussion group on Episcopal liturgy.
|
|
|
|
Into paradise may the angels lead you...
|
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Ada Lenz, the beloved wife of Reverend Robert Lenz, former Curate of All Angels Episcopal Church.
Ada passed away on Saturday, December 16th. She was 89 years old. Father Robert Lenz was the leader of a small Spanish speaking congregation at All Angels Episcopal Church beginning in 1966 and served for 14 years as a part time Curate at All Angels. Ada has been a faithful member of this congregation.
The funeral will take place at All Angels, this Thursday, December 21st, at 7:00 P.M.
1801 NW 67th Ave, Miami Springs,
FL 33166.
Ph: 305 885 1780
All are invited.
Please pray for the repose of Ada Lenz and please pray also for Father Robert Lenz and their family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
