From Southwest FLA-
Fifty enthusiastic St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church members renewed a tradition this month when they marched into the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida‘s Fall convention in Punta Gorda carrying banners and ringing bells.
This group from a Lakewood Ranch church was not protesting anything.
Far from it.
It’s a joyous time whenever the annual convention confers the title of “parish church,” on one of its own, helping that church shed its former status as a mission church, said The Rev. Jim Hedman of St. Mary Magdalene. which is at 11315 Palmbrush Trail, near the intersection of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
Episcopal mission church status is what a church gets when it has minimal membership, is still growing financial roots and continues to rely on its sponsors, Hedman said.
Mission churches operate under the auspices of the bishop of the diocese and, rather than a rector, they have a vicar.
After a church gains at least 50 families and establishes a sound financial base, it can gain its own autonomy within the diocese.
Read more:
http://www.bradenton.com/2010/10/23/2677448/saint-mm-fulfilling-its-mission.html#ixzz13BTozB2T
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