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Saint Raphael's by the Sea Church in Fort Myers Beach, Florida is an Anglican parish that was formed in 2010 with the mission"to know Christ and to make Him known to others".  We are a small parish in an island resort community. We welcome visitors and hope you find a home here.
As the Anglican Church in North America (the Province), being a part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ, we believe and confess Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes to the Father but by Him. Therefore, we identify the following seven elements as characteristic of the Anglican Way, and essential for membership:
1. We confess the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and to be the final authority and
unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
2. We confess Baptism and the Supper of the Lord to be Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself in the Gospel, and thus to be ministered with unfailing use of His words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him.
3. We confess the godly historic Episcopate as an inherent part of the apostolic faith and practice, and therefore as integral to the fullness and unity of the Body of Christ.
4. We confess as proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture the historic faith of the undivided church as declared in the three Catholic Creeds: the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian.
5. Concerning the seven Councils of the undivided Church, we affirm the teaching of the first four Councils and the Christological clarifications of the fifth, sixth and seventh Councils, in so far as they are agreeable to the Holy Scriptures.
6. We receive The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Ordinal attached to the same, as a standard for Anglican doctrine and discipline, and, with the Books which preceded it, as the standard for the Anglican tradition of worship.
7. We receive the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571, taken in their literal and grammatical sense, as expressing the Anglican response to certain doctrinal issues controverted at that time, and as expressing fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief.
In all these things, the Anglican Church in North America is determined by the help of God to hold and maintain, as the Anglican Way has received them, the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to our posterity.
We seek to be and remain in full communion with all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacraments and Discipline of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
 Follow this link to Words of our Faith, a helpful compilation of words and terms commonly heard in an Anglican church.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Shrimp Fleet has invited St. Raphael’s by the Sea Anglican Church
The Shrimp Fleet owners have once again invited St. Raphael’s by the Sea Anglican Church to host the 2012 Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet. The Blessing will take place on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Shrimp Docks at 2:30 PM. The Rt. Rev. Neil Lebhar, Bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese in the Anglican Church of North America, has graciously accepted the invitation to bless the Shrimp Fleet. The date for the Blessing is scheduled by the shrimpers each year in accordance to the first full moon closest to Easter without being during Holy Week. The Blessing of the Fleet is a favorite local celebration that brings visitors from all over. Vendors will have their booths open from noon to 5pm. The popular shrimp eating contest will begin at 1:30pm. Make sure you don’t miss this fun tradition that brings folks from all walks of life together. Come and walk the docks with the Bishop!
Another Alpha Session is in Full Swing, 2012
Come join us for our Alpha "getting to know Jesus" sessons onThursday evenings in January-early March 2012 at 6:00 PM. If you have attended Alpha in the past, come anyhow! We have a special "alumni" session for you.
We meet at the lovely waterside home of Cris and "Zack" Zack, 5590 Williams Drive, Fort Myers Beach, Florida, 33931. This is a very informal group of about 15-18 like minded folks that gather for a light meal followed by a video presentation by the Internation Alpha organization to introduce us all to the program. The evenings are all very neighborly, friendly, non-threatening, and, most of all, educational and FUN! Please call Cris with any and all questions and to let her know you'll be there so we will be sure to have enough food, etc. 239-463-4363.
COME AS YOU ARE!
Youth Christian Formation: St. Raphael's by the Sea Youth School is open to all children. It is available during the worship time. Parents please let the ushers know you want your child to attend. Ms. A.J. Bassett is our School Director.
UPDATE UGANDA MISSION: Father Ben Tumuheirwe has been with our congrregation several times to update us on the exciting working going on at Juna Amagara in Uganda in their efforts to safeguard and educate the orphans! Please click on our OUTREACH button to find a link to their impressive website and learn how you can continue to support the critical work that Father Ben and his team is doing in Uganda. Read Juna Amarga's latest newsletter and learn about the upcoming Mission Trips by clicking on this link!
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Saint Raphael's by the Sea accepts electronic giving via Electronic Funds Transfer, Bank Debit Cards, and even major Credit Cards. Please click on the E-Giving link at the left to set up your private, personal account and begin giving to the Church without having to write out checks or carry cash about! We will also have customized pew cards so that , if you wish, you can document your e-giving and place the 'receipt' in the collection plates to be blessed. Give it a try; I promise it is as easy as can be. If you have ever purchased anything over the Internet, this process will be a snap for you!
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CHURCH CALENDAR |
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Service Times
· Sunday Worhship Service: 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist & Praise Music
· Services held at 6425 Estero Blvd. Ft. Myers Beach.
· Youth Education: Sunday, 10:00 AM
· Said Rosary: Thursday, 1:30 PM at San Damiano Monastery of St. Clair
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Vestry Meetings:
Meetings are normally scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM. All Saint Raphael's by the Sea members are welcome and encouraged to attend to learn how the "business" of the parish is conducted.
All members of the Congregation of St. Raphael's by the Sea (as stated in the By-Laws of St. Raphael's by the Sea Church, Article I, Section 8) are invited to attend. While our church doors are open to ALL, when it comes to the business of the church, attendance alone does not a member make.
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
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BLESSING OF THE FLEET |
The Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet was started back in 1952 by having an Anglican bishop come down to Fort Myers Beach on a Sunday and bless all the boats and their crews. This has continued as an annual event and is looked forward to by the congregation, the public and especially the fishermen.
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HISTORY |
St. Raphael’s by the Sea Church was founded by a devout group of 25+ Fort Myers Beach Christians who petitioned the Bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Communion in North America for permission to organize a parish in July 2010.
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MAP & DIRECTIONS |
| Go to the CONTACT US page for links to detailed
maps and directions. |
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