Volume 44, September 2022

Holy Cross Day: September 14

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

An Outline of the Faith: Commonly Called the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer

C.S. Lewis’ apology for the Christian faith, Mere Christianity, was adapted from a series of BBC radio talks he gave between 1941 and 1944 originating during the Blitz - the German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941. His talks were written to offer a basis of hope and faith to his country during those dark days.

One interesting feature of Mere Christianity that puts the ‘mere’ or ‘basic’ into the title is that C.S. Lewis labored to try and get across the fundamental or basic tenets of faith shared by all the Christian churches and denominations. To that end, before confirming his final script for each radio broadcast, Lewis submitted his draft to four clergymen in the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches for their critique. All made some comments, e.g., the Methodist wanted more on faith and the Catholic thought Lewis had gone too far in stressing the ‘comparative unimportance’ of atonement theories. But the genius of Mere Christianity is that it strives to give us those beliefs Christians hold in common.

I write all this about Mere Christianity because I believe the Catechism in our Prayer Book (pp. 845-862) has that same virtue. It sets out clearly and economically the basic tenets of our faith. It is a most useful tool in helping us see the coherence of the various tenets of our faith and often how one article or aspect of belief leads to or introduces another article.

When the current Deacons School met at Camp Weed earlier this month, and I was teaching the theology module of the course, I asked our Archdeacon, Mark Richardson, if he would devote one segment of our teaching day to the Catechism. I wanted the candidates preparing for ordination to the vocational diaconate and the local priesthood to experience the Catechism as a vital teaching tool for their ministry.

Mark loves teaching the Catechism and demonstrating how one section sets you to anticipate the next section. He literally led us through the Catechism ‘by rote’, asking each question and awaiting the class, me included, to give the stated response. A marvelous, dramatic rhythm is achieved as the questions are rolled out and the responses come thundering back. The accumulated rhythm, as it gathers momentum, is not unlike that of the rhythm that develops when saying The Great Litany (BCP, p. 148-153) in congregational worship.

Some might think this question-and-answer learning by rote is a step down rather than up – especially for adults. The experience of it proves otherwise. There is a very fine chapter in a handbook on pastoral care by George Herbert called The Country Parson 1652) that illustrates this point. In chapter XXI, dedicated to the parson’s use of the catechism, we see the Parson coming down from his pulpit and by the interchange of question and answer, he ‘grows with the growth of his parish’. The young are put to learn the words, the older the meaning. Parents and masters are encouraged to take part in the reciting of the Catechism; those who already know the teaching can be reminded and be an encouragement to those newly learning. Then, as now, the Catechism provides just enough of the basics of our faith, as important to know, and as a point of departure for the parson or catechist to teach more deeply the things pertaining to faith.

I find the Catechism not only of use as a teaching tool for all ages and all educational levels, but I think it is a very fine devotional tool as well. If you were looking for a ‘refresher’ course in the basics of Christian faith and hope—maybe during Advent or Lent---why not sit down daily and read a few brief sections of the Catechism—using those sections as a basis for prayer and reflection? The majority of the Catechism is, after all, based on the Creeds, and the Creeds on the Scriptures. I believe the Lord would approve, and Socrates would approve (its method is admittedly Socratic) and our dear Archdeacon would certainly approve.

Box Broken Open:

The Architecture of Ted Pappas and

Camp Weed & Cerveny Conference Center

The recent publication of a book that explores the architecture of the distinguished Jacksonville architect Ted Pappas prompted me to ask Ted Pappas to write a brief reminiscence of his involvement in the design and building of Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center near Live Oak. I am a member with Ted of a men’s fellowship group that meets weekly early every Wednesday morning. Douglas.

The book is by Tim Gilmore, an author and professor of English at Florida State College at Jacksonville and Mark Pappas, son of Ted Pappas. It is titled Box Broken Open: The Architecture of Ted Pappas. [NB: 'box broken open’ is an architectural term associated with Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘breaking up’ the view that most buildings are a box containing more smaller box, e.g. ‘box broken open’ allows the outside world in and the inside to extend outwards.]

I like what the publicity blurb for Box Broken Open on the Amazon site tells us about Ted Pappas’ work:

In addition to creating innovative new buildings, Ted Pappas has repurposed or rehabilitated historic structures in Jacksonville’s urban core including the oldest historically black college in Florida, the state’s oldest musical organization, the city’s oldest library, oldest private club building, oldest school building, and oldest church structure.

Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center

By Ted Pappas

My recollections of the Camp Weed project are going back some forty-five years ago when I was a young architect in the early ‘70s and Camp Weed was moved from the Gulf Coast to its present site near Live Oak.

I remember some of the committee members for the Camp Weed project. I remember the wife of one committee member for the project was involved in the Girl Scouts and I had designed several buildings for the Girl Scouts out in the woods. That may account for my involvement in the project. I remember Canon Walt Saffron as a member of the committee, and he was in charge of the budget and finances of it. Bishop Frank Cerveny, when he introduced me to the group, noted that I was not an Episcopalian but Greek Orthodox and then he paused and added, ‘but the Greek Orthodox are our kissing cousins!'

First of all, I need to say that I was really just amazed at the site. It is located in that area of such beautiful hills. There was, on the new Camp Weed site, a particular hill that dominated and struck you as you entered the domain. And when you came in, you sort of came around that hill, and I decided the hill was important. I thought, ‘Put the Camp Weed cross right on the top of the hill’. It was almost symmetrical appearing as a kind of very nice, inverted cup. You know, it really stands out. We located the conference center near the hill away from but in clear sight and line with the lake. There was the issue of the lake flooding, so we didn't want to get too close to the lake and flood. That meant also that the buildings were on pilings--- wood pilings.

The conference center part of the site was built on the far side of the hill as it slopes down to the lake and the center of it was a large wooden plaza or deck with the administrative offices, dining hall and other rooms on either side or in front of the deck but with the far side of the deck open to a full view of the lake.

Of course, the first thing that had to be built were the cabins located further down the hill to one side of the lake. And, in terms of the architecture, I thought it was important that the cabins be very rustic. This was achieved in part by the roof lines. The roof lines of the cabins would express this. And I chose an Asian form that would express it best. If you look at Chinese and Japanese roof lines you do not see a strong horizontal line. Instead, the long axis of the cabin has a slope and then the two ends a lower slope. So, there is a kind of break and that gave it, I thought, a bit of charm. I thought it was really impressive.

We were dealing with a lot of wood, but we were fortunate to have a local builder named Peele who actually built the cabins at a much more reasonable rate as opposed to having a big contract company doing it. So, we built a number of cabins, and scattered them around, based on the terrain. And, then later, we had to do the conference center with the administrative offices and the dining hall. And that was also grouped around the plaza or square. The chapel was to be built later but all the buildings scattered around this beautiful hill and looking to the lake gave the sense of a village.

The whole project was such a good experience. There is such a quality of peace surrounding Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center and that is the first thing we wanted to capture and hold onto in our design and in the positioning of the various buildings. We also tried, as much as possible, to face toward the north because if you are facing to the south you are looking into a glare. Facing north, the sky is a lot bluer.

At the time I was taking courses in astronomy, and that somehow influenced me to try and work out an overall plan or model for the project that related to the Camp Weed cross monument drawing everything down the middle from the cross. The cross has since been moved down to the lake nearer the camp activities. But it was such a great experience.

September Quiz

The Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard, Jr. is the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Florida. One way or the other, we shall shortly have another bishop, and it seemed timely to ask about the legacies that relate to those who have served in this apostolic role. The Episcopacy lies at the heart of the Diocese, and our work together for our Lord, so let’s get acquainted with some who have gone before us, and upon whose shoulders we stand today, in order? Allison+

1) Francis Rutledge (1851-66) is associated with which unique actions during his episcopacy:

a) taking the Diocese out of the Episcopal Church in the United States

b) returning the Diocese to the Episcopal Church

c) having prominent family members in his home state of South Carolina, including a signer of the Declaration of Independence

d) all of the above

2) John Freeman Young (1867-85) is associated with:

a) translating “Silent Night” from German into English

b) starting or building as many as 11 churches in a single year

c) beginning ministry to Cubans, first in Key West then on the island of Cuba

d) all of the above

3) Edwin Garner Weed (1886-1924) is known for:

a) the longest episcopacy in this diocese

b) arriving in his diocese before news of his consecration

c) serving as bishop through epidemics of Yellow Fever, the Great Fire of 1901 in Jacksonville, two major wars, two major crop freezes, and the splitting of the Diocese into two dioceses, adding the Diocese of South Florida

d) all of the above

4) Frank Alexander Juhan (1924-56) is known for:

a) being the youngest American bishop upon consecration

b) creation of Camp Weed

c) a strong interest in recruiting talent for education to serve as clergy

d) all of the above

5) Edward Hamilton West (1956-74):

a) creation of the Episcopal School of Jacksonville

b) creation of the current Diocesan House

c) guiding the Diocese through the choppy waters of the Civil Rights and Vietnam War eras

d) all of the above

6) Frank S. Cerveny (1974-94):

a) guiding the Diocese through the controversies of his time, including the ordination of women and a new Book of Common Prayer

b) an emphasis upon spiritual growth and evangelism

c) the moving of Camp Weed to a central location after the western portion of the Diocese was transferred to the new Diocese of Central Gulf Coast

d) all of the above

7) Stephen Hays Jecko (1994-2004):

a) an emphasis upon ministries to the incarcerated, the homeless and the poor

b) an emphasis upon spiritual programs such as Alpha and Discovery

c) a desire, ultimately fulfilled to leave the Episcopal Church

d) all of the above

8) Samuel Johnson Howard (2004-2023):

a) episcopacy began in the midst of great controversy and schism

b) served during a time of precipitous decline in the national church

c) he kept the Diocese largely intact in churches and numbers

d) all of the above

Click here for the quiz answers.

Interview with Canon Jerry Smith

The Rev. Canon Jerry Smith was Rector of Holy Comforter Church, Tallahassee. On May 10, 2022 he was installed as Canon Residentiary and Sub Dean of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in the Anglican Church of Bermuda. I interviewed him recently to catch up with how he and his wife Marjie are enjoying their new life in Bermuda.

1. Tell us about your calling to this new ministry. Did you know something of Bermuda previously? What are the duties of the Canon Residentiary and Sub Dean? Is the Dean usually the Bishop of the Diocese?

Marjie and I have lived by a model of ministry that we inherited when I was first ordained in 1976. In those days we did not apply but were just sent by our bishop to the opening that he thought best for us. We stayed there until he initiated the next move.

Since then, we have taken this same approach believing that we had things to learn and work for the Kingdom to do, until we were invited to prayerfully consider the next opportunity.

Consequently, we have prayed seriously every time a suggestion by a bishop was made but have never actually applied for a ministry.

This is how we ended up in Florida. I was about to turn 64 and was considering retirement when Bp Howard called and asked that I might give 18 months to Holy Comforter. That turned into 6 years!

When I turned 70, we were again thinking of retiring when Bp Dill from Bermuda called. I had known him and was very familiar with Bermuda as I have taught there for almost 30 years.

In this diocese the bishop is the dean of the cathedral, so the canon residentiary/ sub dean is basically the day-to-day pastor of the parish freeing the bishop up from that to be bishop.

2. What is the Cathedral like as a church community? Does it draw folks from across Bermuda or does it have more of a neighborhood, parochial feel for a special area of Hamilton?

The cathedral is the mother church of the whole island not just of the Anglican denomination. We are the center of the city which is the center of the islands. As the largest church on the island and the closest to the parliament buildings, the cathedral becomes by default the place where they have historically turned for counsel.

Incidentally there is a law that requires that the cathedral be seen from some specific spots on the island so build codes prevent this sightline from being compromised. Truly a light on a hill!

As the city of Hamilton (the reinsurance capital of the world btw) is where most gather to work Monday through Friday, we have begun to utilize our campus for equipping and evangelizing opportunities noon hours during the week.

People are being encouraged to bring their lunch, sit in the nave and participate in a music concert or sing along choirs; bible studies; grief support groups and/or critical issue conversations. The goal is for us to help the churches on the island equip and do ministry rather than simply focus on growing our own congregation.

As we are also an historic site, we have a lot of visitors from around the world, that come during the week so we hope to provide a place where they too might find a safe place to meet Christ.

3. What does it feel like to be in a Diocese consisting of some nine parishes? Does it feel different because of size to say, the Diocese of Florida or the Diocese of Tennessee?

You might be interested to know that all clergy on the island receive the same stipend and benefit package. There is no distinction made for years of service, size of congregation etc.

4. You wrote earlier and said you had participated in the St Mellitus formation program for local priest candidates, and you were quite excited about the academic standard of the course and the training of ordinands to think theologically from an historic biblical perspective. How does the course work?

I was also appointed Director of Ministry and Vocations which means I work closely with the satellite campus of St Mellitus college (London UK) here on the island. We offer training certifications for lay ministries and now offer an ordination track for non-stipendiary clergy. We meet all of the areas of competency required by the church of England and use St Mellitus faculty to teach the courses so graduates.

If someone discerns, they may be called to full time stipendiary ministry then we require them to attend the weeklong Bishops Advisory Panel in the UK to assist in discernment.

FYI our diocese is extra provincial so actually report and meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury directly.

5. How do you and Marjie enjoy living in Bermuda? What do you enjoy doing in your time off work? Have you traveled back to Canada or the U.S. since arriving in Bermuda?

Island life is not new to us but there are lots of things to get used to. The island is only 20 sq miles. 16 miles long and as a British colony we drive on the left side of the road so this was something to get used to. Last week it was announced that we have the highest cost of living in the world.

 

Truth is though... the Gospel is the gospel and people here need it as much as anywhere. The challenge is that on an island with only 75,000 citizens and another 25,000+ expats if a person does come under conviction to be transformed by God’s grace, it is socially more awkward as there are only so many persons your age to hang around with... does that make sense?

Archdeacon's Corner

Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

(225-258 AD)

In the first and second century Rome was a dangerous place for the early Christians. Rome proclaimed itself to be the supreme power and a shining example to the world. To maintain this power, Rome required loyalty from its citizens, immigrants, and slaves. This loyalty was generally represented by offering scarifies to the emperor and honoring the pantheon of Rome’s gods. This was something that the Christians could not and would not do.

In 258, the Roman Emperor Valerian, issued an edict to the Roman Senate that all the Christian clergy-bishops, priests and deacons- were to be arrested and executed for refusing to worship the Roman gods. This period in Christianity is known as the Valerian Persecution. It also decreed that those who were executed would lose their property.

In August 258 Pope Sixtus II was arrested along with his seven deacons and immediately beheaded. Six of his seven deacons were also executed. The seventh, Lawrence, as Archdeacon, was spared for a while as he was the Diocesan treasurer. After Pope Sixtus’ execution it was demanded that all the church’s treasures be turned over to Rome. 

When faced with losing the treasury Lawrence began to give it all away. He distributed the money and treasures of the Church to the city's poor believing it to be what the Savior wanted him to do because the poor were blessed and especially loved by Jesus.

The Prefect of Rome heard the news and wanted what he believed was left of a vast treasure. He offered to spare Lawrence if he would show him where the Church's gold and silver were located. The Prefect was delighted when Lawrence asked for three days to gather all the gold and silver of the Church together in one central place.

For three days, Deacon Lawrence went throughout the city and invited all the beloved poor, handicapped, and misfortunate to come together, where he continued to give away the church’s treasure.

On the day Lawrence was to appear with the treasure, he showed up with a small contingent of poor and lame church members. Pointing to his small group Lawrence told the Prefect that these were the treasure of the church. According to Ambrose of Milan, Lawrence stated "Behold, in these poor persons the treasures which I promised to show you; to which I will add pearls and precious stones, those widows and consecrated virgins, which are the Church's crown.”

The Prefect was filled with rage, and because of his insolence Lawrence was first tortured on a scalding griddle before his execution. Witnesses recorded the public martyrdom. The deacon cheerfully offered himself to the Lord Jesus and even joked with his executioners. It is alleged that when Saint Lawrence was removed from the scalding iron grate, he told the soldiers "I'm well done on this side. Turn me over!" From this St. Lawrence derived his patronage of cooks, chefs, and comedians.

Tradition holds that because of Saint Lawrence’s faithfulness there were many immediate conversions to Christianity because of his holy life and devotion. It is still said to this day that all of Rome became Christian because of the faithful life and death, of Saint Lawrence. Constantine would later build a small basilica (now the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura) in honor of Lawrence.

Years later, St Augustine reflected on the heroism of this great deacon in a sermon preached on his feast day (10 August), emphasizing that his life and death were an example for all Christians to emulate: "I tell you again and again my brethren, that in the Lord's garden are to be found not only the roses of His martyrs. In it there are also the lilies of the virgins, the ivy of wedded couples, and the violets of widows. On no account may any class of people despair, thinking that God has not called them."

The life and death of Deacon Lawrence speaks the timeless message of the Gospel to all who will listen. May we all continue the redemptive work of our Lord in our daily lives and in our participation in the life of the Church.

Praying that our Lord finds you and yours well

Archdeacon, The Ven. Mark Richardson

Art Exhibition: Douglas Eng Photography

at St. John's Cathedral in Taliaferro Hall

St. John's Cathedral is presenting an exhibition of the photography of Douglas Eng starting September 18 and running through November 13, 2022! The exhibition will take place in Taliaferro Hall at 256 E Church St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

This exhibition is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to delight in the beauty of the lived environment of our planet through the lens of this perceptive Jacksonville photographer. All photographs on display are made to order, and are for sale through St. John's Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop.

To learn more about Douglas Eng's artwork and the exhibition, click the button below.