A Fitting Tribute for The Reverend Canon Chip Stokes

The evening began with Evening Prayer, but continued, and ended with a celebration fit for a Bishop-elect! The Reverend Canon William "Chip" Stokes worshipped with the community on the evening of Monday, June 10, 2013 at his parish, St. Paul's Episcopal in Delray Beach. Beginning in August, Reverend Stokes and his wife Susan, will call Trenton, New Jersey home as he begins his new position within the Episcopal Church as the Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. 

The Reverend Canon Chip Stokes

Those paying tribute to the Bishop-elect on Monday were not only those from his parish and the Diocese of Southeast Florida, but the community of Delray Beach, Florida. Leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Bahai faiths all brought prayers and and kind words from their communities in addition to other local organizations. Those from within the diocese spoke warmly of their relationship with Canon Stokes, including Diocesan Bishop Leo Frade, who gave his well-wishes and provided specific advice with a humorous twist. Click here to see the photos from the event, and feel free to leave your comments as well-wishes for Canon Stokes. Sunday, July 14, 2013 will be Bishop-elect Stokes last Sunday at St. Paul's in Delray. We wish him well!

Read a recent article here from nj.com about the Stokes transition to New Jersey.

Bishop Confirms at Holy Cross

A few photos taken at Holy Cross, on Sunday, June 2, 2013 during Bishop Leo Frade's visit for confirmations! Bishop Frade shares a moment with two of Holy Family's smallest parishioners. The photographer captured the brief moment in time. 

Congratulations to all confirmed, and blessings for the little ones!

Photos provided by Roger Villatoro

Daughters of the King installation

Photo Credit/Provided by: Fr. Jack Stanton

The Order of the Daughters of the King, Julia Tuttle Chapter of DOK, admitted six new members on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The Order also transferred one new member to this chapter. Ruth Foss (center, in blue)  is the Diocesan President of the Order of the Daughters of the King in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Other DOK members came from around the diocese to support the new chapter and new members.  More details of this story coming soon!

Ordination of Eliza Ragsdale

Photo Credit: Mary Cox

Friday evening, May 31, 2013, The Reverend Eliza Ragsdale was ordained to the sacred order of deacons. The service, held at Trinity Cathedral, was well attended by family, friends and well-wishers. Diocesan Bishop Leo Frade presided over the service that began at 7:30 in the evening. Reverend Ragsdale joins her husband Reverend Bob Trache in the priesthood, who celebrated his 35th priest ordination in January. 

View a few photos here taken and obtained by Mary Cox and Rev. Eliza Ragsdale.

The Rev. Canon William "Chip" Stokes Elected Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey

Photo Credit: Dot Cellini 

On Saturday, May 4, 2013, The Reverend Canon William "Chip" H. Stokes, of St. Paul’s, Delray Beach, was elected as the Twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. Out of nine nominees Stokes, age 56, was elected by a majority in each of the lay and clergy orders on the fifth ballot. 

After elected, Stokes released a statement in which he shared how honored and grateful he was about becoming a bishop, and how he was looking forward to meeting the lay people of his new diocese. "I look forward to getting to know them and journeying with them hand in hand as we all respond to God’s call to us to love and serve one another, the communities in which we are placed and the wider church and world."

The Right Reverend Leo Frade, Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, shared warm wishes with Rev. Stokes and offered these words: “We are honored that one of our priests has been elected as the Bishop of New Jersey. Even though we are losing one of the top priests of Southeast Florida, we rejoice that the Diocese of New Jersey and the House of Bishops of our Episcopal Church is receiving a person with the outstanding qualities that a Bishop must embody. The Rev. William “Chip” Stokes is a hardworking and outstanding pastor, preacher, theologian, and leader. We will miss him and his wife Susan.” 

St. Paul’s, Delray Beach along with the people of the Diocese of Southeast Florida are proud of Rev. Stokes progress, and will continue praying for him and his ministry. 

For timely updates, schedules, and next steps at St. Paul’s, visit their website: www.stpaulsdelray.org. Visit www.bishopsearchnj.org/news for updates from the Diocese of New Jersey regarding information about bishop-elect Stokes, and click here for the Diocese of Southeast Florida's press release. 



Writing by:
Adialyn Milien
Communications Intern 

More than a Mere Trifle

Summited & written by Louisa Beckett 

All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach hosted a delightful “Tea with Mother Goose and Friends” on April 13. Ninety-six people (many of them women wearing elaborate hats) attended this highly popular annual event. The tea party raised more than $2,800, which will benefit All Saints’ T.R.U.E (Toward the Relief of Unusual Emergencies) Fund, an outreach program that helps individuals and families in crisis, as well as the restoration fund for this 105-year-old, Carpenter Gothic church.

Photo Credit: Louisa Beckett

All Saints’ Annual Tea got its start a decade ago, when British-born parishioner Iris Langran hosted a traditional English high tea for her church’s rector, the Rev. W. Frisby Hendricks III, and members of the Vestry. Father Frisby, as he is affectionately known, commented, “I wish we could do this at the church.” The rest is delicious history.

This year’s tea was the result of a church-wide effort between many of All Saints’ ministries and talented individuals. The “Mother Goose and Friends” theme was beautifully illustrated by an array of wall hangings depicting Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Women’s Fellowship member Diane Dougiello spent several months creating the artwork, which included a near-life-size Humpty Dumpty atop the proverbial wall.

One section of the parish hall was devoted to a large “Chinese auction” featuring an assortment of goods ranging from picnic baskets and beach paraphernalia to an antique Shirley Temple doll. Also on display was a hand-sewn “Teacup Quilt” that was donated by a parishioner as a raffle prize. Langran, Chairperson of the Annual Tea, awarded the prizes to lucky winners during the event.

The tea party was a three-course affair served by Father Frisby, the “Maître d’”, and 23 other volunteers in black tie. They poured countless cups of tea – brewed to perfection by “tea guru” Bill Winsemann – from an eclectic assortment of teapots. The guests, seated at tables that were each laid with a different china pattern, nibbled crustless finger sandwiches, followed by cookies and scones with Devonshire clotted cream. Five volunteers, the “scullery maids”, labored unseen in the parish hall kitchen filling three-tiered trays with the tasty treats.

The highlight of the All Saints’ Annual Tea was the Trifle Walk. One by one, servers bearing large glass footed bowls filled with trifle, a British dessert made with layers of sponge cake, custard and fruit, paraded down the center of the room. Guests at the tea later agreed the creamy delicacy tasted every bit as good as it looked.

A few pictures of the event are feature here 

St. Andrew's 50th Anniversary

The Third Sunday of Easter, April 14, 2013, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church celebrated 50 years of ministry in the community of Palmetto Bay. The religious ceremony was lead by The Right Rev. Leo Frade who also received the newly confirmed and those celebrating their first communion. 

The ceremony was honored with the presence of retired Bishop Calvin Schofield, who also celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priesthood in January. Bishop Schofield is St. Andrew's first priest, and visits often. The current Rector is Rev. Spencer Potter.

The celebration ended with a beautiful luncheon in the church's parish hall.

View all photos here. 

Writing by:
Adialyn Milien
Communications Intern