FLORIDA: Convention welcomes new parish, establishes companionship with Peru
Episcopal News Service. February 4, 2008 [020408-05]
Lisa B. Hamilton, Correspondent for Episcopal Life Media in Provinces I and IV
The Episcopal Diocese of Florida, which held its 164th Diocesan Convention January 25-26 at Camp Weed and Cerveny Conference Center, welcomed St. Patrick's, Fruit Cove, to parish status.
Additional resolutions were passed to establish a companion relationship with the Diocese of Peru, and create a Diocesan Commission for Outreach to coordinate ministries to the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, and those in prison.
Sixty members of St. Patrick's traveled by motor coach with green and white balloons and shamrocks, parading into the Snell-McCarty Youth Pavilion behind their new parish banner to be present for the resolution declaring their parish status.
Although first called St. John's, the new parish changed its name in honor of St. Patrick's in Long Beach, Mississippi, whose buildings were demolished by Hurricane Katrina. Representatives of St. Patrick's, Long Beach received a check for $30,000 from the Diocese of Florida in addition to the $423,000 previously donated toward that rebuilding. Plans were on display at Convention.
A $1.9 million Common Ministry Budget was approved for 2008. It includes increased budget expenses for Communications, as well as two full-college chaplains at the University of Florida and Florida State University.
Florida Bishop John Howard presented the first annual Bishop's Cross Awards to recognize laypersons and clergy who have given time, talent or treasure to diocesan ministries.
In his Convention address, Howard listed diocesan challenges as increasing resources, growing clergy, planning for the future of the diocesan family and expanding the ministries. "All of these things," he said, "will require action, energy and focus. But I say again, this is joyful work."
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Paul Matthews, rector emeritus of Trinity Church, Wall Street, served as Convention chaplain.
The Diocese of Florida comprises approximately 27,200 Episcopalians in 65 parishes and missions throughout the panhandle region of Florida.