October 22, 2024
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you know, due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we were not able to gather in Punta Gorda this year for our 56th Diocesan Convention. These past few weeks have been extremely difficult for many of our congregations and their members. Yet, despite these challenges, our diocese has responded with compassion, generosity, and a deep faith in God’s presence and provision. I continue to be inspired by the loving service of so many across our diocese as teams and individuals have reached out to their neighbors to clean up debris, feed the hungry, distribute essential resources, and pray for those who are hurting. I give thanks to God for the gift of this diocesan community, and the mission of healing and reconciliation we share together.
Over the next several months and beyond, our primary focus will be on the work of recovery and rebuilding. We will continue to work closely with clergy and lay leaders in our most affected areas to provide resources and support. Our diocesan office space will also be undergoing remediation and restoration over a period of at least two months. Beyond the walls of our buildings, we will be working with Episcopal Relief and Development and local congregations to provide grant funding to support outreach initiatives and recovery efforts.
As this critically important work moves forward, it is also necessary for us to maintain and manage the basic functions of the diocese, including our annual convention. Our Diocesan Convention has two primary purposes. First, the convention is the time when we fulfill the canonical requirements related to the diocesan budget, elections for various governance positions, and other essential business. Second, the convention is an opportunity for me and other diocesan leaders to share important information about the vision, mission, and future goals for the diocese. To accomplish these two purposes, I am proposing the following schedule of events:
Virtual Convention Business Session
Thursday, December 5, 2024
7:00 – 9:00 pm
This virtual business session will be held via Zoom. All clergy and lay delegates will be required to attend. During this virtual session, we will conduct the canonically required business of convention, including the presentation of the budget, elections, and resolutions. Information regarding credentials and Zoom registration will be sent to clergy and lay delegates beginning November 1.
Diocesan Visioning Day
Saturday, January 4, 2025
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
This event will be an in-person gathering at DaySpring with an available option to participate virtually via live stream. During this gathering, I will provide important updates regarding the vision, mission, and goals for the diocese. You don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to participate in the work of dreaming about our future together. This gathering will be open to everyone in the diocese (not just clergy and lay delegates). Registration information for this event will be available on November 1.
As we move through these next few months, I ask for your continued prayers for our diocese and all those dealing with the aftermath of the recent storms. We are one body in Christ, and as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). I give thanks to God that we are knit together and joined as one in Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you his peace.
Faithfully in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Douglas F. Scharf
Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida