YES Institute and the Episcopal Diocese of South Florida have a long term partnership to train clergy and lay ministers in communication and to ensure safe spaces for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

Breakthrough Communication Course for Episcopal Clergy

By Martha Fugate

Having had the honor of working as the communication consultant for Episcopal Bishop James Ottley in dialogues with African- American, Haitian and Hispanic clergy, I was excited to receive a request from Bishop Leo Frade to conduct a Communication Solutions™ course for his leadership team. The bishops, family members, and diocesan staff attended a two-day Communication Solutions course at Trinity Cathedral. As each person said why they were there, it became apparent they wanted more than anything to bring comfort and healing where people were in pain. They had clearly witnessed a lot of pain, upset, anger, and frustration within the church over the confirmation of Bishop Gene Robinson, a gay man. Everyone had similar questions - how do you help when you feel helpless, how do you make a difference when you abhor confrontation and feel surrounded by controversy and of course, the age-old question, how can I be more tolerant of the intolerant? Read More.

Episcopal Dialogue

By Martha Fugate

I had the pleasure of watching leadership in action in our continuing work with Bishop Rev. Leo Frade and Bishop Rev. James Ottley and the Southeast Florida Episcopal Diocese. It is one thing to know the right choices in a theoretical situation, and it is quite another to be a leader when the stakes are painfully and precariously balanced around the survival of that which you love - your church and the people in it. Read More.

Southeast Florida Episcopal Foundation

The Southeast Florida Episcopal Foundation funded a partnership between YES and St. Christopher's by the Sea Episcopal Church in the Village of Key Biscayne for 3 years. At a luncheon meeting, YES Institute shared our work with Episcopal leaders. Read More. Our educational outreach in Key Biscayne began in the spring of 2003, hosted by Rev. Father Gabe Sinisi. Read more.  At a St. Christopher's Church dialogue in 2004, Bishop Ottley, associate bishop for the Southeast Florida Diocese, spoke eloquently about the importance of dialogue and mutual respect. Read More.

Episcopal Haitian and Hispanic clergy

YES Institute speakers have facilitated dialogue on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth topics with both Episcopal Haitian clergy and Episcopal Hispanic clergy.

Eva Cleveland wrote: "The Haitian clergy were at first very silent. It is hard to speak about something when your language doesn't even include appropriate words. Read more.

Martha Fugate wrote: "I was honored this month to participate in conversations with Episcopal clergy struggling to lead a church stepping into the mid-air of change. Read more.

Testimonials from participants -

"If I had known this before, many things I have done during my years of ministry, I would have handled differently. I recommend this course to all new clergy and lay leaders." - Rev. Fritz Bazin, Episcopal Diocese of South Florida

"Excel lent... I experienced the art of listening, the importance of ownership of what is heard as well as what is said." - Rev. Donald Sullivan

"Exactly what I needed to learn in order to work into and live the vision of my responsibility." - Jackie Fernandez, Episcopal Diocese of South Florida