September 5, 2017

Dear Friends,

I begin this message to you by ensuring you know that we at the Diocesan Office are joining you in prayer,
asking that God spare us from this potential catastrophe called Hurricane lrma. Though we pray, that does not
let us off the hook to be well-prepared both practically and pastorally.

As you lay your groundwork and make arrangements for physical provisions, I want to share with you planning
tools, links and contacts which I hope you will find helpful. Attached to this communication is a “Church
Hurricane Guide” for comprehensive hurricane preparation, developed by Canon Tim Nunez and Mr. Earl
Pickett. lt covers topics such as staying in touch with parishioners, as well as protecting fixtures, insurance
policy information and other valuables. Additional resources similar to the attached guide will be available on
our diocesan website (cfdiocese.org) later this week and can also be found on episcopalrelief.org/usdisaster.

I also remind you that Deacon John Motis is our diocesan disaster relief coordinator and is the person with
whom you should make contact if you need assistance from Episcopal Relief and Development. We have
spoken with Deacon Motis today and he encourages your questions, updates and concerns as Hurricane lrma
unfolds over the next week. Deacon Motis can be contacted via his cell (863-528-4338) or email (iohn@cci-
83.com) and reinforces that he is here to help however he can.

Also, if disaster strikes, I would urge you to consider how you can be of help in your community. Have you contacted your area Red Cross director and volunteered your parish hall as a relief distribution center? Do you have people who have skills that could be useful in a crisis (carpentry, construction and the like)? Have you called your prayer groups like Daughters of the King and others to pray for your community? If the worst happens, this could be a time when our people could be of genuine assistance to our communities in need.

The Epistle out of the Daily Office today is on point: “What does it profit, brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Con faith save him? If a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says, ‘Depart in peace, be worm and filled’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, whot does it profit?” (James 2:14-16)
Please feel free to contact me at any point via email (bpbrewer@cfdiocese.org). May we stand together in
prayer, compassion and service.
Grace to you,

Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop

Click to view >> Prepare Now for Hurricane Irma

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida announced Tuesday, Sept. 5, that all of its churches and congregations should begin preparations for a possible strike from Hurricane Irma. Forecasts are showing that the hurricane could hit Florida this weekend.

Church Preparation Documents: 

Suggested Hurricane Plan for Services and Events

Church Hurricane Preparation Guide

Vestry Guide for Hurricane Calls

According to the National Hurricane Center, individuals should refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) www.ready.gov/hurricanes link for information on how to prepare for a hurricane in your home and community.

Additional information on how to prepare and act, according to the NHC:

Gather Information

Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Understand National Weather Service (NWS) forecast products and especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

Contact your local NWS office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.

Contacts

Keep a list of contact information for reference.

Emergency Management Offices: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-agencies

County Law Enforcement

County Public Safety Fire/Rescue

State, County, and City/Town Government

Local Hospitals

Local Utilities

Local American Red Cross

Local TV Stations

Local Radio Stations

Your Property Insurance Agent

Risk Analysis

Online hazard and vulnerability assessment tools are available to gather information about your risks.

Plan & Take Action

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity, or phone services are shut off?

Supplies Kit

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.

Emergency Plans

Develop and document plans for your specific risks.

Health & Environment

Follow guidelines to guard your community’s health and protect the environment during and after the storm.

Evacuation

  • Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered! https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
  • Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.

When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet …

Be alert for:

  • Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes,
  • The calm “eye” of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.

Recover

Resources

 

Click to view >> Diocesan Shelters Available for Irma Evacuees
Sept. 7, 2017 Jeff Gardenour DIOCESAN FAMILY REACHING OUT

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida announced Thursday that several of its
churches and retreats are opening up space for evacuees from Hurricane Irma,
which is expected to strike Florida in the coming days.
Camp Wingmann, located at 3404 Wingmann Road in Avon Park, is offering
limited space to those who wish to ride out the storm. Camp Wingmann is
located in northern Highlands County, about 1 ½ hours south of downtown
Orlando.

“We have two rooms with sheets and towels and a cottage that can sleep three
to four, which has sheets and towels,” said Camp Wingmann director, the Rev.
Deke Miller. “We also have the cabins and the lodge that do not have sheets
and towels, but they do have bunk beds.”

Evacuees that come need to bring their own food, water, flashlights, and all
necessary emergency items, as well as battery-operated fans in case the retreat
loses electricity, Miller said.

“We are not a registered or certified shelter and cannot guarantee that we will
not have damage from falling trees or power failure,” Miller said. “We also
cannot guarantee your safety, so please bring all necessary paperwork. The
buildings are on pretty high ground, so flooding should not be an issue, but
again, we cannot guarantee that.”

Call Camp Wingmann at 863-453- 4800 for more information.
Also, Church of Our Saviour, located at 200 Northwest 3 rd St. in Okeechobee, is
an official Red Cross shelter. The church is located about 45 minutes south of
Sebring. For more information, call 863-763- 4843.
The Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, located at 1601 Alafaya Trail in
Oviedo, announced that it is offering 25 rooms for individuals and families who
choose to evacuate from the coast because of Hurricane Irma.
As of late Thursday afternoon, only a few rooms have been reserved, according
to Canterbury staff member Kim McCloskey.

Canterbury director, the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, said the normal Episcopal Diocese
of Central Florida room rate is $56, but that the retreat is gladly suspending
that during this emergency. Rooms have bedding and towels, but guests need
to bring their own emergency supplies such as water, food, flashlights,
batteries, etc.

“Canterbury could still "go down” with no power or have some damages due to wind,” Davis
said. “Last year, you may recall a tree came down and into the Winchester meeting room
during Hurricane Matthew. We will not have the threat of storm surge the coast will have
and there is little chance of flooding. I know we are all praying and making preparations as
Irma approaches.”

To make reservations, call Canterbury Guest Services at 407-365- 5571 by 5 p.m., Friday.
Also, individuals can contact Episcopal Relief & Development diocesan coordinator John
Motis for information on other shelter opportunities in the Greater Orlando area. He can be
reached at john@cci-83.com or 863-528- 4338.

Click to view >> Church Claim Information for Central Florida Diocese
Sept. 6, 2017 CFE Staff DIOCESAN FAMILY EPISCOPAL & ANGLICAN NEWS LEADERSHIP

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida announced that churches that need to make claims in the
aftermath of Hurricane Irma should call the Church Insurance Company of Vermont at 1-800- 223-5705.
For more information, contact CFO/Diocesan Administrator Earl Pickett at 407-423- 3567, ext. 305, or 1-
800-299- 3567, ext. 305.

Click to view >> Canterbury Retreat Offering Rooms for Evacuees from Irma
Sept. 6, 2017 CFE Staff DIOCESAN FAMILY REACHING OUT

The Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center announced that it is offering 25
rooms for individuals and families who choose to evacuate from the coast
because of Hurricane Irma.

Canterbury director, the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, said the normal Episcopal Diocese
of Central Florida room rate is $56, but that the retreat is gladly suspending
that during this emergency. Rooms have bedding and towels, but guests need
to bring their own emergency supplies such as water, food, flashlights,
batteries, etc.

“Canterbury could still "go down” with no power or have some damages due to wind,” Davis
said. “Last year, you may recall a tree came down and into the Winchester meeting room
during Hurricane Matthew. We will not have the threat of storm surge the coast will have
and there is little chance of flooding. I know we are all praying and making preparations as
Irma approaches.”

To make reservations, call Canterbury Guest Services at 407-365- 5571 by 5 p.m., Friday.

Click to view >> St. Richard’s, Winter Park, announces Hurricane Irma Schedule
Sept. 6, 2017 CFE Staff DIOCESAN FAMILY EPISCOPAL & ANGLICAN NEWS LEADERSHIP

St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park announced that a number of activities have been canceled
and other events are tentative with Hurricane Irma quickly approaching the Florida coastline.
Canceled events are: Thursday evening choir rehearsal, Friday evening youth group bonfire, Saturday
afternoon children’s Sunday School party, and Sunday 9 a.m. breakfast. The church as of Wednesday,
Sept. 6, was awaiting information about Rich Wilson’s ordination at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke in
downtown Orlando.
Church services on Sunday, Sept. 10, are not canceled, but leaders expect that Lake Howell Road will be
impassable with wind and rain present, and that it will be safer to remain at home.
St. Richard’s reminds its parishioners that if Central Florida is under a hurricane watch or warning (a
hurricane is present or forecast within 48 hours and civil authorities have advised the public to stay off the
roads and seek shelter), the following applies:
 Al activities are canceled until the storm has passed.
 The church office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 11, and Tuesday, Sept. 12.
 The Wednesday healing service at noon, Sept. 13, will be held as scheduled unless the area is
still in danger and under weather threats. Potential attendees can call the church office to confirm
the service.
Providing the weather is no longer posing a threat, St. Richard’s will resume regular worship services at 8
and 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. St. Richard’s also will respond to pastoral emergencies as quickly as
possible following the hurricane. Parishioners may call St. Richard’s rector Allison Harrity at 407-341-
5969.
For those who stay home this Sunday, here is the service of Morning Prayer:
Morning Prayer: Rite Two
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Philippians 1:2
The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him.  John 4:23
 Confession of Sin
 Officiant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
 
Officiant and People
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in
thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have
left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not
loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly
repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and
forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to
the glory of your Name. Amen.

 Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all your sins through
our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of
the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life.  Amen.
 The Invitatory and Psalter
Officiant   Lord, open our lips.    
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in
the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.
 
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: 
Come let us adore him.
Venite  Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our
salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a
loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great
King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the
heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his
hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us bow down, and bend the
knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are
the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Oh, that today you
would hearken to his voice!
Psalm 149
 
Hallelujah!  Sing to the LORD a new song; sing his praise in the
congregation of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their
King.
Let them praise his Name in the dance; let them sing praise to him with
timbrel and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people and adorns the poor with
victory
Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds.
Let the praises of God be in their throat and a two-edged sword in
their hand.
To wreak vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples;
To bind their kings in chains and their nobles with links of iron
To inflict on them the judgment decreed; this glory of all his faithful people.
Hallelujah!
 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

 
The Lessons
A Reading from the Book of Exodus
 
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall
mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year
for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month
they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a
household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in
obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of
people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male;
you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the
fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of
Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and
put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the
fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or
boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner
organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that
remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your
loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you
shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through
the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land
of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will
execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the
houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no
plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a
day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord;
throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. 
(Exodus 12 :1-14)
The Word of the Lord.          Thanks be to God.
Canticle 9    The First Song of Isaiah    Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and he will be my
Savior. 
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his
Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that
his Name is exalted.

Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, and this is
known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, for the great one in the
midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in
the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
 
 The Epistle:  A Reading from Paul's Letter to the Romans.
 
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves
another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit
adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet";
and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your
neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is
the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now
the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now
than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let
us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us
live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in
debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its
desires.  (Romans 13:8-14)
The Word of the Lord.    Thanks be to God
13   A Song of Praise     Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; you are worthy of praise; glory to
you. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; we will praise you
and highly exalt you forever. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; on
the throne of your majesty, glory to you. Glory to you, seated between the
Cherubim; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever. Glory to you,
beholding the depths; in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to
you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you
forever.
 
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point
out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you,
you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two

others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the
evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them,
tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church,
let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you
agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father
in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there
among them."       (Matthew 18:15-20
 
The Apostles' Creed
 
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the
Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
the life everlasting.  Amen.
 
The Prayers
Officiant   The Lord be with you.
People       And also with you.
Officiant   Let us pray.
 
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy Name, thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory. Amen.
 
Suffrage A
 
V.     Show us your mercy, O Lord;                         

 R.     And grant us your salvation.
V.     Clothe your ministers with righteousness;  
 R.    Let your people sing with joy.
V.     Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;             
 R.   For only in you can we live in safety.
V.     Lord, keep this nation under your care;     
 R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.     Let your way be known upon earth;           
 R.     Your saving health among all nations.
V.     Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;  
  R.     Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.     Create in us clean hearts, O God;               
  R.     And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
 
The Collect of the Day
 
Gracious God, Lord of heaven and earth, by your breath the wind blows and
by your Spirit the seas are both calmed and disquieted. Be with us as
Hurricane Irma approaches. Help us to trust in You and release our anxieties
and fears into your loving hands. Protect us from physical danger, and be our
calm and Sabbath rest in the fury of the storm. Be with all those who lie in the
path of destruction and keep them safe in the hollow of your mighty hands. Fill
the hearts and minds of your people with a spirit of compassion and service,
that as the storm subsides, we may reach out to those affected by the storm,
and be for them a safe harbor and a refuge of your presence. This we pray
boldly in the Name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.
 
A Collect for Sundays
 
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious
resurrection of your Son our Lord:  Give us this day such blessing through
our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
 
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and
turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong
desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way
of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we

may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Amen.
A Collect for Peace
 
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life
and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, you humble servants, in all
assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not
fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
 
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to
this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into
sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling
of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
 
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly
pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares
and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that
we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for mission
 
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of
the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving
embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in
love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of
you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
 
Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; especially those
in need of God's healing touch…
For Travelers
O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and
whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve all those who travel,
especially those fleeing Hurricane Irma, surround them with your loving

care, protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their
journey's end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
The General Thanksgiving
 
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you
humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all
whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all
the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the
redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace,
and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your
mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not
only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be
honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
 
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
 
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to
make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through
your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his
Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and
petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your
truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
 
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
 
The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.    
2 Corinthians 13:14