Episcopal Relief & Development
The Diocese of Southwest Florida actively supports Episcopal Relief & Development, the national outreach ministry of The Episcopal Church. Coordinators work in the Diocese to support their goals and programs, and to raise money and awareness about needs around the world.
About the Agency
The Episcopal Church has committed itself to working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. At the 74th General Convention in 2003, the Episcopal Church formally endorsed the goals. In 2006, at the 75th Convention, the church voted to make the goals a mission priority.
The church also established a budget line item of 0.7 percent to support the achievement of these goals, and has encouraged all dioceses to pledge a minimum of their budget to ministries focused on the Millennium Development Goals.
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development
Episcopal Relief News
Donate to Hurricane Relief
September 30, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hurricane Ian has ravaged many parts of our diocese and now we begin the long and tedious process of recovery and rebuilding.
Many of you have asked how you can help. At this point, the most beneficial form of assistance is monetary donations.
This financial assistance will enable us to respond quickly and adaptively to the specific needs on the ground.
Please continue to pray for all those who have been impacted by this storm. May God give us the strength and grace needed to meet the days to come.
In Christ,
Bishop Smith and Bishop Scharf
Safe Online Donation
There are two ways to contribute:
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Or write a check payable to Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and mail it to Diocesan House, 8005 25th Street East, Parrish, FL 34219. Make sure to note “Hurricane Relief” in your memo line.
Diocese Installs AlertMedia Contact System for Hurricane Ian
September 08, 2017
PARRISH - The Diocese of Southwest Florida's AlertMedia mass notification system is in place in advance of Hurricane Ian and other disasters.
Hurricane Resources for the Diocese
September 26, 2022
PARRISH – In anticipation of Hurricane Ian, many parishes and households are preparing for the storm's potential landfall across our diocese.
Letter from Bishop Dabney T. Smith Regarding Hurricane Ian
September 26, 2022
PARRISH - Please see a letter below from Bishop Dabney T. Smith regarding Hurricane Ian.
Office of the Bishop and New CDC Guidelines, August 2, 2021
August 03, 2021
PARRISH -Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman has issued a letter on the new guidelines from the CDC.
Office of the Bishop and New CDC Guidelines, May 14, 2021
May 14, 2021
PARRISH - Bishop Dabney Smith has issued a letter on the new guidelines from the CDC.
Letter on In Person Worship from Bishop Smith
May 21, 2020
PARRISH - Bishop Dabney Smith issued a letter to the clergy of the Diocese of Southwest Florida on Thursday, May 21, relating to guidelines for expanding in person worship.
Camp Schedule Amended for Summer 2020
May 08, 2020
PARRISH - After careful consideration, Bishop Dabney Smith and the diocesan staff have decided to amend the session schedule of our 2020 DaySpring Summer Camp. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our desire to love our neighbor while promoting public health, we have made the decision to cancel June sessions, and work toward three residential sessions in July.
Florida Bishops Release Letter on Unemployment Insurance Delays
May 08, 2020
PARRISH - Episcopal bishops from across Florida have released a joint letter to the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, asking him to intervene to encourage a rapid resolution to the problems fixing the state’s unemployment insurance situation.
2020 Diocesan Vestry Retreat on May 2: Theme What's Next? And Why?
April 14, 2020
PARRISH - Each May, the Diocese of Southwest Florida offers Diocesan Vestry Retreat. This year the retreat is online, on Saturday, May 2.
Congregation Giving Options in New Directory Page
April 15, 2020
PARRISH - The Diocese of Southwest Florida has a new centralized web page to assist parishes in promoting their online and traditional giving, whether by billpay, mail, an ACH transfer or an online giving service.
