2027 Reports
to Convention
Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation, Inc.
The Bishop Gray Retirement Foundation’s financial assistance program continues to provide financial aid to low-income senior Episcopalians from the Southwest, Southeast, and Central Dioceses of Florida seeking help with the cost of retirement living and medical expenses. We do still gratefully receive donations from individuals and parishes from the three dioceses, as well as through estate charitable planned giving. The board of trustees would like to preserve the endowment fund as much as possible, using the income from investments for distributions. In 2026, we supported 54 Episcopalians, living in retirement communities, assisted living, and senior facilities/apartments in the three dioceses, and approximately $700,000 will be distributed for financial assistance mostly in the form of monthly housing grants. Sample Retirement/ALF/Senior Living Facilities housing BGR Foundation financial assistance recipients in the Southwest Diocese:
Sunny Point, Brooksville
Pinellas Heights, Largo
McCown Towers, Sarasota
Woodlands Village ALF, Bradenton
Elison of Pinecrest ALF, Largo
Hampton Point, Punta Gorda
Grand Reserve, Zephyrhills
Arbor Village, Sarasota
Village Brooke, Sarasota
Casa Bel Mar, Tampa
Tamiami Village, N. Fort Myers
Parkwood Estates, Plant City
BGR Foundation Board of Trustees:
Southwest Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Douglas Scharf, President
The Rev. Denise C. Healy
Mr. Trevor Whitley
Mr. Kraig Koach
Southeast Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton
Dr. Helen Bhagwandin
Dr. Harlington Hanna
Ms. Barbara MacKenzie
Mrs. Malvern V. Mathis
Central Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb, Vice President
Mr. Alexander C. Mackinnon, Secretary
The Rev. Kim Spear
The Ven. Julie Altenbach
Respectfully submitted,
Ginger Van Valkenburgh, Exec. Director
August 22, 2025
Chaplains to Retired Clergy/Spouses
Our diocese has 12 chaplains who provide pastoral care for approximately 300 retired clergy and 250 spouses. The chaplains are assigned regionally by deanery and under the direction of the Office of the Bishop. We provide pastoral care when needed, including during illnesses and at the time of death.
Our focus is to connect retirees with a local congregation if they are not already part of one. In the spring, the bishop sponsors a well-attended annual Retired Clergy/Spouse Day at DaySpring.
The following is a sampling of our ministry: hospital visits, luncheons with clergy and spouses; mailing birthday cards and anniversary cards, attending funerals and following up with pastoral care as needed; phone calls - particularly to the ill and infirm; home visits - again to the sick and infirm. The
Chaplains are: The Rev. Canon Chris and Paula Gray (Diocesan Chaplains), The Rev. John Hiers and Brenda Hiers (Clearwater Deanery), The Rev. Harry Parsell (St. Petersburg Deanery), The Rev. Jerry and Anne Stedal (Tampa Deanery), The Rev. Everett Walk (Manasota Deanery), The Rev. Joyce and Jon Treppa (Venice Deanery), The Rev. Ken and Cheri McCaslin (Naples Deanery and Ft. Myers Deanery).
We are grateful to The Rev. Alan Kelmereit and Deborah Kelmereit, The Rev. Ted Copeland, and The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe and Mary Howe for their many years of service as chaplains to our retirees.
The Rev. Canon Chris Gray
Cursillo Ministry
Cursillo is a ministry of the Episcopal Church, under the authority of the Presiding and Diocesan Bishops. Cursillo is intended to help Christians learn and live what is fundamental to being a Christian. It is to help these same Christians discover and live out a personal vocation. The goal of Cursillo is to bring the world to Christ by empowering adult Christian leaders. It uses a specific Cursillo Method which equips and encourages Christians to live out their Baptismal Covenant in service to Christ.
The Cursillo Weekend is attended by a diverse group of Episcopalians interested in renewing or deepening their Christian committment. The Weekends are led by lay people and Clergy who are active in the Cursillo movement. The Weekend consists of worship, fellowship, talks on multiple topics of Christian living and small group discussions and a few surprises. The Cursillo Weekend is not an end to itself. It is only the starting point for the rest of one’s life. It is intended to form small groups for accountability on one’s spiritual journey. Ultreyas are gatherings of a larger group of Cursillistas to build community and provide support.
In the Diocese of SWFL, the first Cursillo weekend was held in 1978, and there have been over 150 weekends to date. We have been holding 2 weekend retreats over the past few years, and attendance has been very good. Ultreyas are community gatherings that offer community and connection after the weekend experience, and these have increased recently with very good attendance. Anyone is welcome to attend Ultreyas. Dates of weekends and Ultreyas and other news can be found on the cursilloswfla.org website.
The governing body of the diocesan Cursillo Ministry is the Secretariat. It is made up of 2 Spiritual directors/clergy and seven lay members, with the addition of a treasurer and secretary. The members serve a three-year term. The newest Secretariat is in place as of September 2026, and the clergy are Mother Marcella Drawdry and Fr. Michael Brady. Arlene Maloney is the newly elected Lay Director. The focus for the coming year is to increase community involvement in servant roles and increase Ultreyas and sponsorship of new candidates. Plans include reaching out to all parishes to promote Cursillo. Our next weekend will be February 11-14, 2027 at DaySpring. Please visit our website for information regarding sponsorship, team formation with team applications and candidate applications.
Jan Diulio
Past Lay Director
Disciplinary Board
As of the 2025 Convention, the Rev. Michael Rau retired from the Board as a member and President, with our gratitude for his service. The Rev. Michael Alford had served as President, but left the Diocese to answer a call in North Carolina and Rev. Rau took the reins until the Convention. The Rev. David Gould was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of Rev. Alford and was approved by the Standing Committee accordingly. Mr. Ray U. Stoll was unanimously elected President after last year’s Convention.
The Board handled four disciplinary complaints during 2026, three of which are active at this time.
The Board holds regularly scheduled meetings on a quarterly basis for the purpose of training, open discussions of Title IV of our Constitution and Canons, and relevant issues that fall under our purview. It remains the mission of the Disciplinary Board to achieve healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life, and reconciliation for all parties involved. I am grateful for the dedication of the current members of the Board:
Clergy Members-The Rev. Whitney Burton, The Rev. Marcella Drawdy, The Rev. David Gould, The Rev. Kenneth McCaslin, and The Rev. Janet Tunnell.
Lay Members-Dr. Navita Cummings-James, Justin Miller, Dr. Edwin Ortiz and Ray Stoll.
Many thanks also go out to our TWO Intake Officers, Rev. Peter Lane (who has served in this capacity for several years) and Rev. Dr. Lisa Hamilton, who was added as a second Intake Officer earlier this year.
Also, we thank the church attorney, John Goldsmith, for his expertise and wisdom is navigating the legal issues that may arise in our work. Finally, we thank Bishop Douglas Scharf for his ongoing spiritual guidance and leadership throughout the year and his presence at every meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Ray U. Stoll, Board President
Race and Reconciliation Committee
This was a productive year for the Race and Reconciliation Committee. We welcomed 4 new members to our team: Paula Sandusky, Ben Tong, Michele Rowand and Ken Taber+
We held our in-person planning meeting, with all other meetings being on Zoom.
Dismantling Racism Trainings previously provided by our team will now be provided by the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing. We are excited to begin this journey with the Center. Pilgrimage of Racial Healing class forms and equips morally courageous leaders to respect human dignity, realign with the spiritual and ethical commitments of our faith, and, through reflection and shared learning, confront racism and other unjust systems to restore justice in the communities they serve.
Our Commission is partnering with The Cathedral Church of St. Peter and the Union of Black Episcopalians to plan the Absalom Jones Celebration at the Cathedral in February 2027. Our speaker is Rev Dr Gayle Fisher – Stewart. Rev Gayle Fisher-Stewart is a priest in the Diocese of Washington. A native Washingtonian, prior to accepting the call to ordained ministry, she retired from the Metropolitan Police Department as a captain and then taught at the university level. She is currently the Chaplain for ECW.
We are developing ways to provide resources and support for parish initiatives such as Sacred Ground, Juneteenth celebrations, and local racial justice work.
We are grateful for the members of our committee: Ning Boanan, Mario Castro, Ayana Grady, Paula Sandusky, Ben Tong, Jenny Scott-Jones+, Michele Rowand, Kathy Schillreff+ and Ken Taber+, Deacon Tania Wilkes. We are especially grateful for the years of dedication, leadership, and service from Kathy Schillreff+ as a committed member and former co-chair of this Commission.
Submitted by
Deacon Tania Wilkes and Rev Jenny Scott-Jones, co-chairs
School for Ministry
The Diocesan School for Ministry continues growing in both size and diversity of offerings. We celebrated several successes in 2026. The primary classroom had a total of six participants who were a mix of first- and second-year students on both priestly and diaconal tracks. One student was ordained to the diaconate at the Cathedral in June in a service that also included a priestly ordination.
Our first cohort of students completed formation in our newly established Lay Preacher program. The program was piloted this year in the northern deaneries of the diocese, separate from the main classroom at DaySpring. Thanks to St. Bartholomew for hosting, and to Fr. Ethan and Pastor Gerry, who developed and led the program.
This year our four candidates in priestly formation will meet in their own class to study liturgical action, advanced preaching, and church leadership. The main classroom will include students on both ordained and lay tracks. We are excited to have everyone in the same classroom learning from each other regardless of the specific ministry they are preparing for. All students in both classes will gather for meals and worship.
Finally, development of the new Spiritual Direction program is going well. This two-year program, scheduled to begin in the Fall 2027, is being conducted in cooperation with the Seminary of the Southwest and will include both distance learning and in-person classes. More information about the program, including application instructions, will be coming out shortly after the first of the year.
The Rev. Scott Nonken, Dean
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The past year has been one of growth, connection, and renewed investment in youth and young adult ministries across the Diocese of Southwest Florida. The YaYA Commission has worked alongside the Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministries to strengthen diocesan ministry, equip leaders, and create greater opportunities for young people to participate fully in the life of the Church.
In January 2026, the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) was established. The Council is now represented by seven youth and three lay adults from across the Diocese. The DYC hosted three regional gatherings, beginning a new effort to “bring the Diocese to youth,” and the group will serve as the Diocese’s first official Youth Delegation at this year’s Convention, with seat and voice. If the proposed resolution passes, the youth delegation will receive voting rights beginning next year.
Youth Worker Meet-Ups provided regular opportunities for fellowship and formation, while diocesan youth retreat ministry strengthened both adult leadership and high school retreat teams through monthly formation, summer planning, and a first-ever joint team overnight. We also saw a stronger youth presence at Water and the Word and other diocesan gatherings.
Young adult and campus ministry continues to grow at both USF and SCF. As we look ahead, a major renovation of the USF Chapel Center in 2027 will create new opportunities to strengthen and expand this ministry, just in time for the grand opening of the brand-new USF football stadium yards from the Chapel Center's front door.
Together, these efforts reflect a growing culture of connection, leadership, and shared ministry as we seek to serve young people and build the Church as ONE Diocese.
General Convention Deputation
Your Deputation to the 82nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church (to be held in Phoenix, Arizona between July 3 and 8, 2027) is already hard at work. We have been meeting every other month to build camaraderie, learn each other’s stories, and begin to understand the various gifts and interests each deputation member brings. In September, we were joined via Zoom by Julia Ayala-Harris, President of the House of Deputies, where she gave us an overview of her role and her expectations for this upcoming Convention. As Convention draws closer, specific legislation will begin to become available, and each of us will be assigned areas of interest to track to keep the whole group apprised. In April of 2027, we will travel to Camp McDowell in Alabama for the Province IV Synod gathering to join with other dioceses from the Southeastern United States in further preparation. Your deputation is comprised of both lay and clergy deputies.
Lay deputies include: Duane Hollier (St. Andrew’s, Spring Hill), Gerry Gardner (Holy Spirit, Osprey), Canon Mike Booher (St. Peter’s, Plant City), and Jackie Smith (Resurrection, Largo), with Melissa Rau (St. Mark’s, Venice), and Justin Miller (St. Boniface, Sarasota) serving as the first and second alternates, respectively.
Clergy deputies include: The Rev. Adrienne Hymes (St. Paul’s, Wesley Chapel), The Very Rev. Dr. Jessica Babcock (St. Mark’s, Marco Island), The Very Rev. Michelle Robertshaw (St. Peter’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg), and The Rev. Ryan Whitley (St. Thomas’, St. Petersburg), with The Rev. Sandy Rogers (Resurrection, Largo) and The Rev. Matthew Grunfeld (St. Andrew’s, Spring Hill) serving as first and second alternates respectively.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Ryan Whitley, Chair of the Deputation
Global Partnership Commission
The Global Partnership Commission for the Diocese of Southwest Florida was established by Bishop Scharf in April 2026 to help promote global mission partnerships within our diocese. This action is guided by Resolution A016 of the 2022 Convention of the Episcopal Church. Appointments include The Rev. Ray Bonoan Chair (Church of the Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor), The Rev. Michael Hurst (Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota), The Rev. Canon Patricia Powers (Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Punta Gorda), Rick Smith (Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg), and Sally Thompson (St. John’s, Tampa).
Father Ray is a member of the Global Mission Advocates Network (GMA) representing our diocese and has been involved with medical missions to the Philippines for many years. Fr. Ray and Sally are participating in the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN). Fr Michael and Sally are on the Board of the Dominican Development Group (DDG). Mission trips to the Dominican Republic, our Companion Diocese, over the past 25+ years have included adult and youth, medical/clinical support, educational support, etc. Supported by the Foundation for International Missions in St. Petersburg, Rick does medical mission work in central Honduras. Canon Pat’s church has a mission relationship with the Diocese of Brasília.
Areas of importance being considered are strengthening global partnerships, communicating and encouraging such partnerships, and funding. A survey has been developed and distributed diocese-wide to evaluate current activities in our diocese and assess future opportunities. We are trying to identify active and past efforts (i.e., Cuba, Uganda, etc.) to provide a path for future diocesan coordination. A mission/vision statement is being developed, “Seeking to promote healthy mission partnerships within the Diocese connecting churches and parishioners with opportunities to join mission trips with presence and prayers throughout the world.”
The Global Partnership Commission will have a display at the 2026 Convention to show some of the current mission efforts. Reports from our committee members will be available at the Diocesan Convention display.
Prepared by Sally Thompson
Diocesan Association of Episcopal Schools
The Diocesan Association of Episcopal Schools (DAES) continued its important work in 2024–2025 with a January gathering at Dayspring Conference Center featuring The Rev. David A. Madison, D.Min., Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools. During the meeting, Rev. Madison outlined five key challenges and opportunities facing Episcopal schools today: clarifying Episcopal identity in the admissions process, promoting civil discourse in a polarized culture, grounding DEI work in our faith tradition, elevating and expanding the role of school chaplaincy, and reimagining schools' roles within the evolving “mixed ecology” of the church.
Discussions emphasized the importance of linking spiritual formation to educational practice, fostering inclusive communities rooted in justice and peace, and addressing emerging issues such as AI and student well-being through a theological lens. A consistent theme throughout was the call to be unapologetically Episcopal while remaining open and welcoming to all.
DAES continues to provide church and school leaders with a supportive network rooted in Episcopal ethos, collegial collaboration, resource sharing, and professional development. The next meeting will take place this fall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Day School (date/time forthcoming) and will feature FCIS Executive Director Dr. Barbara Hodges as guest speaker.
Steve Salvo
Head of School
St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School
813-258-5508
steve.salvo@smeds.org
Commission on Ministry (COM)
The Commission on Ministry (COM) is composed of Lay Persons, Priests, and Deacons who serve at the pleasure of the Bishop. Ex‑officio members include the Canon to the Ordinary, the Dean of the School for Ministry, and a Standing Committee liaison. Together, we work to cultivate an environment of prayerful discernment. Each COM member serves as a liaison for individuals exploring a call to Holy Orders, beginning when a person forms a Discernment Group and continuing throughout the process.
This past year has been both busy and Spirit‑filled as we put into practice new ways of deepening relationships and strengthening support for all who are discerning a call. In addition to monthly meetings, three major events shaped our shared work and will continue to benefit future leaders in the Church. The Fall Bishop’s Advisory Panel Retreat provides intentional space for interviews, listening, and prayer with those discerning a call to Holy Orders. Vocation Information Day, held in January, offers reflection and exploration for those sensing a call to ordained ministry; this year, 55 participants attended. The Spring Spiritual Formation Retreat gathers Postulants, Candidates, and Ordinands with the Bishop, Canon to the Ordinary, and COM members, and includes shared time with the Standing Committee.
We continue our work in support of Lay Licensing for Preaching: Cohort One completed their formation year, and applications for Cohort Two are now under review.
The COM looks forward to supporting all who seek to live out their ministry.
Mrs. Christina Vasquez and The Rev. Janet Tunnell, Co-Chairs
Diocesan Altar Guild
The Diocesan Altar Guild is the central organization that gives each church access to ongoing training and encouragement as they serve the churches and ultimately the Bishop. We offer help on the Diocesan level to the Bishop for major events such as Convention. We held two meetings in 2026.
We were excited to provide Altar Guild assistance Bishop Scharf at Water and the Word in May of 2026.
We also hosted an exchange table at the 2026 Acolyte Festival.
This year we look forward to serving Bishop Scharf and preparing for the Evensong and Convention Eucharist, which will be live in Punta Gorda.
A major highlight will be to provide the Liturgical Exchange Tables at Convention. This very popular event provides a chance for churches to offer items they no longer use and perhaps find something they need. No money changes hands. We offer wonderful, beautiful items as well as excess vestments like albs,
cassocks, and clergy shirts.
We also collect at Convention the small linens like worn purificators. These are later de-consecrated and burned. Those ashes are scattered near St. Thomas Chapel at DaySpring.
We are an excellent resource regarding candles, ironing, laundry, vestments, silver care, and training. Each church has its own personality, but the Altar Guild is always present, and this is a beloved ministry.
Kate Johnson, Coordinator
Daughters of the King
Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life, and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.
A Christian order is a community of men or women living under a religious rule. Because Daughters of the King accept a Rule of Life, we define ourselves as an order, not an organization. Our community is found primarily in our local chapters, but it extends around the world.
We don’t just enroll as members and attend meetings. After a three-month period of study and discernment, each new member takes vows to uphold the two Rules of The Order, the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service.
Membership in The Order is open to women at every stage of life. The diversity of ages strengthens and enriches our adult, or senior, chapters. Younger women benefit from the discipleship of experienced spiritual mentors, and older women are invigorated by the fresh faith and energy of youth. Many senior chapters help spread the Kingdom to the next generation by sponsoring and supporting a Junior Daughters chapter at their churches.
Junior Daughters are young women and girls from 7 to 21 years of age, who make a promise to pray daily and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Membership is extended to all baptized girls, regardless of denomination. Junior Daughters meet in chapters of three or more girls, under the guidance of a senior Daughter who serves as Directress. Upon admission, Junior Daughters receive a silver Greek fleury cross with the initials FHS, For His Sake, as a symbol of their promise of daily prayer and service.
The Daughters of the King hold’s Diocese Assemblies at a Church in a different deanery in the Diocese in the spring. The Retreat has guest speakers bringing an uplifting, renewing message to our Daughters as food and strength for the journey.
We also sponsor a retreat for all women in the Church in the fall at DaySpring.
The Diocese of Southwest Florida has over 40 chapters of the Order of the Daughters of the King.
If you are interested in becoming a Daughter or s
starting a chapter in your church, please contact Jackie Smith at jlsmith1211@icloud.com or 216.337.7615.
Hispanic/Latino Ministry
The Hispanic and Latino Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida gives thanks for the continued growth of God's work among our Spanish-speaking faith communities this past year. Chief among our developments has been the establishment of the Hispanic and Latino Commission, a new body that advises the bishop on the pastoral care, priorities, and strategic direction of Hispanic/Latino ministry throughout the diocese. The Commission provides a formal, ongoing channel between our Spanish-speaking congregations and diocesan leadership, ensuring that the voices and needs of these communities are heard and reflected in the life and mission of the diocese.
In addition to its advisory role, the Commission has been actively engaged in supporting growth within individual Spanish-speaking faith communities. This past year, Assisting Bishop Griselda led a year-long catechesis class, deepening formation and faith among participants across our Hispanic/Latino congregations. The Commission has also worked intentionally to build fellowship and collaboration among our Hispanic/Latino communities across the diocese, fostering connections that allow congregations to share resources, learn from one another, and grow together as a unified body within the wider diocesan family. As part of this effort, the Commission planned and held the annual Agua y Palabra Conference this past September, offering a renewed opportunity for fellowship, formation, and celebration across our Spanish-speaking communities. We are grateful for the Commission's work this past year and look forward, with God's help, to the continued flourishing of this ministry.
The Rev. Alexander Andjuar
The Standing Committee
The work of the Standing Committee is often carried out beyond the view of the wider Diocese, yet the responsibilities entrusted to it are significant. Serving as a council of advice to the bishop and exercising responsibilities under the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Southwest Florida, the Committee met regularly throughout the year for careful discernment and attention to matters before us.
A significant portion of our work concerned the discernment and formation of persons called to ordained ministry. The Committee interviewed persons at various stages of formation, consented to four persons being admitted as candidates for Holy Orders, and gave consent for the ordination of two candidates.
This work also led us to examine more closely the relationship between the Standing Committee and the Commission on Ministry. In February, the two bodies met jointly with Bishop Scharf to discuss our respective roles in the discernment and formation process. Subsequent conversations focused on communication and the documentation needed when a person comes before the Standing Committee for canonical approval. We have worked toward greater clarity between the two bodies and a more consistent process for those moving toward ordination.
The Standing Committee also considered requests for consent to nine episcopal elections throughout The Episcopal Church.
Bishop Scharf met regularly with the Committee throughout the year as his council of advice and to discuss significant matters affecting the Diocese. Among them were congregational sustainability, regional structures, land and assets, proposed revisions to the diocesan Constitution and Canons, property-insurance challenges facing congregations, and his continuing work with the Diocese of Florida. The Committee also continued its responsibility for the review of the bishop’s ministry as provided for in his Letter of Agreement and acted upon appointments and other matters requiring Standing Committee consent.
I am grateful for the thoughtful and faithful service of the Rev. Jessica Babcock, the Rev. Joe Hudson, the Rev. Bryan O’Carroll, the Rev. Sandy Rogers, Rachel Schnabel, Stephen Straske, Linda Tandy, and Michelle Thomas. Bishop Scharf’s openness with the Committee and the trust that characterizes our work together have enabled us to fulfill our responsibilities in service to the Diocese.
Respectfully submitted,
The Very Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw
President, Standing Committee
Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida