More than 50 Episcopalians from across the Diocese of Southwest Florida –– most of them lay people –– gathered Saturday, May 8^th to help ensure "a wide place in the center" of the church in which all people can be respectfully heard. The open meeting, called by Southwest Florida Via Media Episcopalians at St. Margaret’s Church, Sarasota, heard encouragement on the health of the church and ended with hopes of continuing dialogue and growth.

Ted Copland of Siesta Key introduced the Rt. Rev. Johannes T. Seoka, Bishop of Pretoria, South Africa who was visiting a local parish for the weekend. Bishop Seoka spoke fervently of the value of negotiation, using the miracle of the transition in South Africa as an example. He told of his work as a mediator bringing together Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria and Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Southern Africa. He encouraged the group to continue in "the middle way" and to be in a good relationship with our bishop as our spiritual leader. He had just come from a meeting with Bishop Lipscomb where they had discussed the possibility of a meeting of American and African bishops on both sides of the current human sexuality issues.

After prayer, scripture and a hymn the group reviewed the mission statement published in March by the Via Media Steering Committee (see www.swflaviamedia.com ) and broke into small groups to share concerns and listen to each other. In a plenary session representatives from each group told of the positive comments about the future of the church and the desire to make sure there was a wide space in the center where all would be able to be heard with respect. Recognizing that a full conversation will include people who may now be feeling hurt or excluded, or in extreme positions, the group was encouraged to continue this method of conversation in congregations and forums throughout Southwest Florida.

Ev Walk, Art Lee and Gigi Conner told of their meeting with Bishop Lipscomb earlier in the week, saying that they had emphasized to the bishop that SWFla Via Media is not an opposition group but is a group open to conversations with all who love the Episcopal Church and want it to stay together to work through this time as we have through other times. They reported Bishop Lipscomb’s hope that SWFLa Via Media would encourage conversation and education in the diocese.

Suzy Post spoke of the Steering Committee’s hope that many people would offer their names for elected and appointed offices in our diocese so we would have full slates with a diversity of opinions. She emphasized that SWFla Via Media is not intending to propose a slate, but is proposing that we all consider a wider and more diverse representation on our diocesan bodies.