SR 72 Coalition

 

In the historic parish church in Arcadia, one of the oldest congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, Bishop Lipscomb officiated at the celebration of the State Route 72 Coalition on September 23, 2003.  Stretching about 50 miles from the Gulf inland, Route 72 is anchored by St. Edmund the Martyr in Arcadia, St. Boniface on Siesta Key, with St. Margaret of Scotland just east of I-75.  

Developed by Ev Walk, Rector of St. Margaret's, Ted Copland, Rector of St. Boniface, working with Bishop Lipscomb, Canon Durning and Bert Daly Jr., Bishop's Warden of St. Edmund's, the coalition has made possible a stable ministry for St. Edmund's, the growth of program and ministry at St. Margaret's, and a way for St. Boniface to celebrate its 50th anniversary by supporting the development of congregations in our diocese.  

The Rev. Greg Fry served as Associate Rector of St. Margaret's and also as priest-in-charge of St. Edmund's.  Fr. Greg was formerly Associate Rector at St. Boniface.  The Reverend Robert Vaughn, the Deacon at St. Edmund's, also provides ministry in the parish and assists at the Sunday Mass. He is licensed in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and is canonically resident in the Diocese of Southeast Florida.

Due to the unprecedented growth at St. Edmund's Fr. Greg began his full time ministry at St. Edmund the Martyr in July of 2006. The parochial report of the congregation in 2005 showed that St. Edmund's was the fastest growing congregation in the diocese. In August of this year Fr. Greg and eight leaders of the congregation met with Bishop Lipscomb to discuss the progress of the church and it's need for diocesan support to continue it's vital ministry in Arcadia, the only Episcopal or ELCA church within Desoto county.  The bishop pledged diocesan support and financial assistance as well as challenged the people of St. Edmund's to obtain full parish status in 3 years and be presented to the diocesan convention as a parish at Bishop Lipscomb's last convention. The congregation has accepted the bishop's challenge and is well on it's way toward meeting this challenge.