Back in 1892, the people of the Church of the Advent, Nashville TN, received some bittersweet news. Their beloved rector of 20 years, William Crane Gray, would be leaving them-- he was elected first Bishop of the new Missionary Jurisdiction of Southern Florida.
Gray soon boarded a train to make the two-day journey to Orlando. He immediately undertook a walkabout of his new territory. Within his first eight weeks Gray visited Orlando, Jacksonville, Titusville, Miami, Key West, Bradenton, Tampa, Brooksville, Ocala and Sanford. During this journey, Gray writes that he visited "Lake Buddy" in eastern Pasco County. Some say that the lake recieved its name from an ox (Buddy) who regularly wandered into its waters. The lake also attracted those who would become the spiritual ancestors of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dade City. Bishop Gray celebrated Sunday evening services and confirmed a small group of local disciples near the lake.
Throughout his walkabout the new bishop encountered hardy settlers accustomed to the bipolar Florida economy. The years following the War between the States almost destroyed Florida, where real estate was made available for 50 cents an acre in order to pay off war bonds. Cheap land enabled railways and farms to be established. Pasco County was touted throughout Europe as an inexpensive place to be a farmer and it attracted hopeful people from Great Britain with an interest in things Anglican. St. Mary's thrived until the Great Freeze decimated the economy once more. The spiritual ancestors of St. Mary's were wise people who made the most of the time, boom or bust. What can we learn from them?
- We need help from others. Floridia Episcopalians did not elect Bishop Gray nor did they pay his compensation. In 1893, all of the costs of administering the new diocese were paid for by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. There would be no St. Mary's apart from the love of Episcopalians throughout the United States of America who gave generously of their time and talent and treasure on our behalf.
- We help others. The stewardship and the generosity of the members of St. Mary's parish causes resources to flow to the Diocese of Southwest Florida and because of this, the children of incarcerated parents can attend summer camp at DaySpring. Team ministry takes place in Lee County where one home in 26 is in foreclosure. Other
- Parishes can take a good priest and make a great priest. On the walls of St. Mary's parish house there is a plaque which reads:
In memoriam, The Rev. F. Barnby Leach, 1868-1948, Vicar of St. Mary's Church 1930-1940, Friend and Leader, sympathetic and understanding, by whose aid and encouragement this parish house was built.
What gives a 62 to 72 year-old priest the energy to lead a congregation to build a parish house?
Over the past 12 years I have encountered wise and unwise moments in the lives of congregations of this Diocese. Among these moments, I have seen wise people making the most of the time in successful congregations. They are congregations dedicated to enhancing their priest's likelihood of success. As St. Mary's welcomes a new priest, my prayer is that they will encounter the advice of the Letter to the Ephesians and that of Bishop Gray to be wise and to make the most of the ime that God has given us.
