Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with profound sadness that I write to inform you of the sudden passing yesterday of Buddy Payne, Director of Camp and Outdoors at DaySpring. He was 35 years old.

Since joining the diocese in March, Buddy quickly became a bright light among our DaySpring and Diocesan Staff.  Buddy created a safe and spirit-filled home for more than 250 campers this summer at Camp DaySpring, building a camp staff family that served young people across our diocese.  I am grateful for his time in the diocese and the joyful impact he made at DaySpring and among our Episcopal Youth Community.

Please join me in praying for Buddy’s family, the DaySpring and Camp DaySpring Staff. Pray also for those camps and dioceses where Buddy exercised his ministry, and for all who are grieving. As disciples of Jesus Christ, even in the face of death, we remain a people of hope, and we give thanks that for God’s faithful people, life is changed, not ended. We believe in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come, and we place our trust in the One who is the creator and sustainer of all things.

In the coming days, information regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated as soon as it becomes available. Let us pray for Buddy and all whom we love, but see no longer.  

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Buddy. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Douglas F. Scharf

Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida