What is the smallest unit in the Episcopal Church? This question typically receives a variety of answers, from "a parish" to "an individual member of a parish." The correct answer is "a diocese."
In our polity, which is episcopal, meaning governed by bishops, the smallest unit of the Church is a diocese overseen by a bishop diocesan. A diocese is a network of individual members and parishes, schools, and special ministries. It is also a geographic area.
From 1838 until 1969, all of the state of Florida was one diocese. And St Paul's, founded 1832, was one of the seven original parishes of the Diocese of Florida. The crest of the Diocese of Florida even now bears seven stars representing these seven original parishes.
The Diocese of Southeast Florida was created in 1969 along with the Dioceses of Southwest Florida and Central Florida. In 1970, the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast was created; it includes the panhandle of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico coastal area of Alabama.
These divisions were made because of the number of parishes, missions, and special ministries in the state. By canons, diocesan bishops must visit every parish, mission, and ministry at least once every three years. As the population of the state of Florida grew and the Episcopal presence in the state with it, it became impossible for a single bishop to oversee all of that life and work in so many places. This is a good problem to have!
At the moment, the Diocese of Southeast Florida (https://www.diosef.org/) comprises 76 parishes, missions, and worshipping communities; 18 Episcopal schools; over 33,000 members; and 276 resident clergy. Together we are the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida. It's a blessing to have these wider, vital connections and support.
Together we provide ministries to our region we could not do as one congregation alone. Most immediately and locally, through Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida (ECSF) we support Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Key West, and a grant from ECSF helped us start our own Loads of Love ministry.
Typically, our diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Peter Eaton, comes to visit all the congregations of the Keys Deanery in January of each year. The COVID-19 pandemic put a big twist in that, but, God willing, we are returning to that rhythm in January of 2024.
In addition to the bishop visiting each congregation and ministry at least every three years, the canons call for clergy and lay representatives of each diocese to gather with their bishop each year to transact the business of the diocese as a body and for that body to worship and fellowship together.
All clergy are expected to attend diocesan convention every year. Each parish and mission has representation through elected lay delegates, and all members of worshipping communities, schools, and other ministries may attend although only clergy and elected delegates have voice and vote.
Our 54th diocesan convention begins tomorrow, Friday, October 27 and runs through Saturday afternoon, October 28 at St Andrew's Episcopal School in Boca Raton. The people of St Paul's will be represented by lay delegate Tom Keller and me this year. Representatives of the four other congregations of the Keys Deanery will also be there.
Bishop Eaton has asked me to share our great good news of being a National Fund for Sacred Places partner project with the gathered convention as part of the Friday proceedings. I look forward to bringing that good word on your behalf.
You can join in the annual convention Eucharist virtually at 5:30 PM on Friday, October 27 at this Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/event/3812968/f420330555. My former boss and friend Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta will be our preacher.
As the psalmist says, "Behold how good and pleasant it is when kindred dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1). May this be abundantly true at our convention this year. God's mercy and peace be upon you all.
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