This fall, two deaneries hosted events designed to equip clergy and laity for mission and ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Organized by their respective deans, the Very Rev. Deke Miller of the Southwest Deanery, vicar of Holy Cross, Winter Haven; and the Rev. Dr. Porter Taylor, former dean of the Southeast Deanery and former rector of St. David’s-by-the-Sea, Cocoa Beach, the events drew attendees from across the diocese.

Invite Welcome Connect: Southwest Deanery

On Sept. 7, over 60 people gathered for “Invite Welcome Connect: A Workshop with Mary Foster Parmer” at St. Paul’s, Winter Haven. Parmer is the creator and founder of Invite Welcome Connect. The program is described on its website: “Guided by the gospel imperative to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations,’ the ministry of Invite Welcome Connect equips and empowers individuals and congregations to practice evangelism, hospitality, and connectedness.” The program provides tools to assess faith communities as well as steps to launch the ministry in parishes.

Miller first learned of Invite Welcome Connect from the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, canon to the ordinary, when he led a vestry retreat for Miller’s church in March. Smith recommended the ministry because he believes it offers resources that can help grow churches.

“As deans, we are encouraged to host educational events for the benefit of our churches,” Miller said. “Canon Dan Smith and Bishop Dabney Smith originally prompted the idea to invite Mary Foster Parmer to speak to the deanery, and they further encouraged us to invite the whole diocese.”

Although the turnout for the event was high, Miller believes more churches and leaders across the diocese can benefit from the information. “Invite Welcome Connect offers ways to use what we already have with greater focus and intention,” he explained. “A lot of the ideas presented were things that most churches are doing or can implement easily.”

Kerygma: Renewing the Pulpit: Southeast Deanery

The Southeast Deanery hosted “Kerygma: Renewing the Pulpit” at St. Andrew’s, Fort Pierce, on Friday, Oct. 4. The conference featured four preachers from various denominational backgrounds with panel discussion and Q&A about their homiletical decisions, inspiration and insights into the craft of preaching.

The conference preachers were the Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams, associate dean of worship and spiritual formation, associate professor in the practice of worship and co-director of the Baptist Studies Program, Candler School of Theology; the Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, professor of the practice of Christian ministry, Duke Divinity School; the Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore, professor of biblical preaching, Luther Seminary, and co-host of the “Sermon Brainwave” podcast; and the Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan, McFaddin professor of Anglican studies and pastoral theology at Yale Divinity School and dean and president of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

Originally organized by Taylor, the conference was turned over to the Rev. Canon Ellis Brust, rector of St. Andrew’s; and the Rev. Kay Mueller, rector of Church of our Savior, Okeechobee, when Taylor was called to a new parish in Georgia.

With over 100 people in attendance, the conference drew clergy and laity from the diocese, but also from Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and nondenominational churches across Central Florida. Students from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Academy served as hosts (“ambassadors”) and introduced the four preachers.

“It was a true joy for St. Andrew’s to host Kerygma, where we celebrated the art of preaching, which inspired both clergy and laity alike,” Brust said. “Together, we explored the depths of our faith and the power of our words, fostering a renewed passion for sharing the gospel and building bridges of grace in our communities.”

The event reminded everyone in attendance of the vital role preaching plays in the spiritual journeys of those in the pews, highlighting the gift of both delivering and receiving well-crafted sermons.