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Telecast Sparks Stewardship Program in Florida

Diocesan Press Service. October 2, 1974 [74263]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Diocese of Florida will share a common experience via television on Sunday, October 13, 1974, as the Rt. Rev. E. Hamilton West, D. D., prepares to retire as Diocesan and the Rt. Rev. Frank Stanley Cerveny, the present Coadjutor, prepares to assume the responsibilities of the Sixth Bishop of Florida. A one half hour color documentary will be beamed into all 66 congregations of the diocese in Northeast Florida from T. V. stations in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

The program is part of the Stewardship education program of the diocese under the chairmanship of William M. Parrish and was written and directed by the Rev. Robert M. G. Libby through facilities of WTLV-TV, Jacksonville.

The telecast is built around the consecration of Bishop Cerveny, on May 23, 1974, at St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville. A number of interviews were conducted at the time of the consecration with individuals who had personal reminiscences of the ministry of Bishop West. Bishop John E. Hines, the former Presiding Bishop, recalled their days together at Virginia Theological Seminary, pointing especially to Bishop West's missionary zeal. I.H. Burney, president of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company of Jacksonville, commended him for his patient Christian leadership in the racial crises of the 50's and 60's and former Florida Governor, LeRoy Collins stated, "I was always proud to say that man is my Bishop. "

Following scenes which recapped the highlights of his consecration, Bishop Cerveny addressed the people of the diocese. Calling for a spirit of collegiality in setting goals and priorities, he warned against putting labels on him or on each other. He stated his belief that, "At no time is there greater opportunity for the people of God to be the Church than at the present," concluding with the challenge to the people of the diocese to bring their diverse gifts to the Altar, "where they will be received, blessed and used to His glory."

A preview of the telecast was shown to a diocesan stewardship conference on September 14 and at the Clergy Conference on September 23.

This is the second time that the Diocese of Florida has conducted its stewardship education program via the media. The first broadcast "Mission 73 -- Pass It On" was aired in the fall of 1973 and produced significantly measurable results according to stewardship chairman, William M. Parrish.

The technique, according to Father Libby, is not original with the Diocese of Florida. It was first developed by the Rev. Frank Fagan for the Diocese of East Carolina.