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Church
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March / April 2016
Fourth and fifth grade Folklorico Dancers from the Episcopal Day School in Brownsville performed at the Council Banquet on February 18, wearing festive Charro Day costumes.
The newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
Inside this issue
The 112th annual Diocesan Council met in McAllen February 18-20. See the summary of reports and events, beginning on page 5.
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Feeding Our Neighbors at Annunciation, Luling
7 10 11 Upcoming: Election of a Bishop Suffragan
Small Church: Big Mission Conference
Camp Capers, Mustang Island Family Camp, and Duncan Park Schedules
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News and Features 2 On the Bishop’s Mind: The Work of the People
4 No Preaching, No Singing, Just Eating 5 Reports from the 112th Diocesan Council 7 Upcoming: Election of a Bishop Suffragan 10 Magdalene House in Kerrville 10 Small Church: Big Mission Conference 11 Summer Camp Schedules In Every
Issue
3 From the Editor 10 Around the Circuit 12 Calendar Cover photo by John Gaskins.
the Church News is published four times a year by the Dept. of Communication, Diocese of West Texas of the Protestant Episcopal Church P. O. Box 6885 San Antonio, Texas 78209 Editor: Laura Shaver Laura.Shaver@dwtx.org Deadline for news and advertising is the 15th of the month preceding publication. Periodicals Postage paid at San Antonio, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Church News P.O. Box 6885 San Antonio, TX 78209
Volume 73 Number 2 March/April 2016 USPS 661-790 The Diocese of West TX is a family of 26,000+ members in 87 congregations across 60 counties and 69,000 square miles in South Central Texas. Bishop of West Texas: The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge Bishop Coadjutor: The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed The Bishop Jones Center 111 Torcido Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78209 Telephone: 210/888-8245387. FAX: 210-824-2164 general.mail@dwtx.org www.dwtx.org
Communication Department Staff: Marjorie George: editor, Reflections Magazine and ReflectionsOnline Laura Shaver: communications officer
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On the Bishop’s Mind The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge Bishop of the Diocese
Work of the People
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ost people I know, whether working or retired, seem increasingly busy with life. People have a lot to do each day. The amount of “work” that we need to accomplish by the end of the day, week, or month is a well known phenomenon, whether your day is spent at work, at home, or if you are retired. This month’s column will likely add to your daily work. Taken seriously, however, it might put all of your other work in perspective and give it Godly purpose. In the Episcopal Church, worship is organized around a “liturgy.” In Greek, the word “liturgy” literally means “the work of the people.” In original usage, the Greek term was used to describe a public work of any kind. Over the years, the word “liturgy” came to be particularly associated with worship. As a liturgy unfolds at a worship service, it reflects that “people are at work” worshipping God. However, liturgy not only is work while it is happening; it also charges us with work to do when we leave a worship service. The purpose of any church is at least two-fold: serve as a place of formation and serve as a place of sending. This can be seen clearly in the closing (sending) prayers of the worship services in our prayer book. A good illustration of this is the closing/sending prayer on page 365. Regarding the “formation” element of the Church’s life, we pray: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. And then the prayer continues with the “sending” part: Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. If you are a regular participant at worship, you have said this prayer hundreds of times. How many of those times have you taken a moment to reflect on the meaning of these “sending” words? There is work to do, and we are asking God to send us forth to do it - in spite of and in the midst of - our already busy days and weeks. What does it mean to you when you pray that you will be sent “into the world in peace?” If that registers something with you when you say it, how long does a cognizant recognition of a call to peace and peacemaking last for you? If most of us can get to the parking lot after church remembering to be instruments of peace, we would be ahead of most everyone else. The next phrase recognizes that it takes some resources to love and serve God: “...grant us strength and courage to love and serve you...” This is truly a liturgical reference if one takes the Greek meaning of the word, for loving and serving God is our “work.” It can be quite challenging in this world of ours to do God’s work, hence we need strength and courage to accomplish it.
But it does not stop there, for this prayer continues as we ask God to help us do this work with “gladness and singleness of heart.”
From the editor
Although I suppose it is better to do God’s work begrudgingly than to not do it at all (see Jesus’ parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:28-31); we are richly blessed in serving when we do it with gladness and joy. This year’s diocesan theme comes to mind: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Laura Shaver
“Singleness of heart” is another challenge entirely. For singleness of heart is not something to which most of us can relate in our daily lives. Life does not come to us one thing at a time, in some orderly fashion. Rather, we face life on multiple “fronts” all the time. However, approaching each of these “fronts” with a singleness of heart is possible, if that singleness of heart means being a child of God who is consciously striving to love and serve God. And, without a doubt, loving and serving God means loving and serving God’s family - i.e., our neighbors.
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The Holy Day
by Kayla Buchi, member of St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi and a junior in high school Month by Month, there is a day My favorite Sunday. The day that I feel One step closer to Holy Evergreen. I don my robe, with cloth white as the winter snow The sash knotted, the pendant adorned, I’m almost ready to go Holding the wooden cross that tells us - We are loved. The symbol held high unites us In the glory of His name. Together, we are one in the same, Homily, songs, prayers and peace. The words of the Book Written for you and I A testimony to live by. Stories of the disciples, to which we look. These Sacraments we receive The Body and Blood, His Holy Sacrifice. We remember that He died Yet He still survives. As it has been done before, we go forth On this Holy Sabbath Day To love and spread His joyous worth That in His glorious name, we will always pray.
Glory in the Garden
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hree times Jesus asks for his cup to be taken from him, for his fate to be different, for God to change his mind and to, at the last minute, lead Jesus in his ministry alive and well, with no chance of capture, torture, and crucifixion. But, there in the Garden of Gethsemane, his prayer was not answered how he desired, so Jesus returned to his sleeping disciples and said, “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” (Matthew 26:46, ESV). What Jesus endured for our salvation, and his resurrection and rise to glory came after his unanswered prayers. I’m not sure I can think of a more powerful example representing God’s timing and God’s purpose and not our own. We often find ourselves awake in that garden, asking and waiting for God to reveal a better plan, a better course, a healing, reconciliation, or just something different.
C.S. Lewis said, “Whatever you do, He will make good of it. But not the good He had prepared for you if you had obeyed him.” God made good of Jesus’ walk, and God made it rich in glory because Jesus obeyed him. Jesus’s resurrection brings hope— a hope that sustains each of us in each of our prayers, in our times of desperation, in our times of Godly joy. It is not always easy to look past the situation at hand, at times, almost impossible. But glory came to the garden. Glory came to the lonely, the sad, the sick, the needy. Glory came to the believers. Glory shines in this hope we’ve been given, and it brings rest and assurance of God’s will, sooner or later.
I can imagine on that first day of resurrection, the Garden of Gethsemane was lit with abundant sunlight, maybe softly covered with morning dew, and the trees and plants lifted to the heavens in recognition of the day’s event. Easter Sunday brings light and color and joy. And hindsight on God’s will leads to understanding and praise. It is in the moments of peace that we recognize God did have a better plan, a better course, or what we needed, not because we received what we asked for, but because we were obedient to him.
the Church News
Cathedral House Gallery presents “Glory in the Garden,” with work by diocesan artists. The show will be on display through April at the Bishop Jones Center in San Antonio. Regular viewing hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More information at www.dwtx.org/events.
March/April 2016
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Featured News
No Preaching, No Singing, Just Eating by the Rev. Bur Dobbins
The Rev. Bur Dobbins has accepted a call to serve as Associate Rector at St. Barnabas, Fredericksburg, beginning in late April. His last Sunday as Rector of Annunciation, Luling, was January 31.
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uling is a town known for its barbecue, but hunger and poverty are serious issues. As a church, in September 2014, Annuciation, Luling, decided to start feeding our neighbors on Wednesday nights. We called it, “No Preaching, No Singing, Just Eating!” On September 17, 2014 we served King Ranch chicken, salad, and cake to about 40 people. More than a year and a half later, we are serving more than 200 people each week. Luling is a city of approximately 5,000 people, and we have served more than 10,000 meals. Although we pray that the food we have served has helped to ease the hunger in Luling, the friendships we have made have proven much more significant. People have joined Annunciation because of the Wednesday night dinners—more than half of our volunteers have joined because these dinners touched their hearts. Several of the people who eat on Wednesday nights have started attending on Sunday mornings, as well.
something for Thursday. One Wednesday night we were blessed when he arrived early and started playing “Amazing Grace” beautifully on the piano. We met a young divorced mother with two children. They struggle to make ends meet. People often take advantage of their innocence and kindness. They joined the church and attend every Sunday morning. They play an important role in the life of the church. On Wednesday nights they eat their dinner but then come into the kitchen to help clean. We pray for them and lift them up whenever possible. We celebrate the children’s birthdays and cry when they are bullied at school. We have met a group of older women who arrive 30 minutes early just to sit around the table and catch up on the events of the day and week. They don’t necessarily have to eat at the church on Wednesday, but the fellowship draws them back each week. My wife recently told me Wednesday night feels more like church than Sunday morning.
As I reflected on her statement, I realized that on Wednesday nights we gather as a community of believers (although from many different churches and faiths), share the good news with one another, break bread, pray, and then scatter in many different directions. This is very much like Sunday morning church. Our volunteers donate food, people in the community will send us grocery gift cards, businesses help by giving food, supplies, and discounts. Each Wednesday we are reminded that with God, all things are possible. Annunciation has become a very real part of the Luling community where people are lifted up and celebrated not just on Sunday mornings but throughout the week. In late February of this year, the Luling Chamber of Commerce recognized the Church of the Annunciation’s Wednesday Night Dinner Group as the Luling Organization of the Year. We are honored to serve those who used to be our faceless neighbors but are now our friends.
We have met a middle age man who rides his bicycle around town all day long. Many people are afraid of him because he is difficult to understand and sometimes difficult to deal with. On Wednesday nights we pray with him, give him a little extra food to-go so that he’ll have 4
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We have met a young woman, a prostitute. When she is able to find work, this same woman will work all day only to be paid pennies an hour by an exploitative homeowner. However, on Wednesday nights she has found a group of people who care for her, will listen to her stories of joys and sorrows, and will break bread with her.
Special Section: Diocesan Council in Review
Reports from the 112th annual Diocesan Council February 18-20, 2016 McAllen, Texas
View full coverage, videos, and pictures online at http://council-dwtx.org/
Lillibridge Calls for the Election of a Bishop Suffragan
In his address to the 112th Diocesan Council, Bishop Gary Lillibridge, who will officially retire in July 2017, gave updates on diocesan ministries and the transition between he and Bishop Reed, and spoke on the diocesan annual theme. Lillibridge also called for the election of a Bishop Suffragan to take place during Diocesan Council in February 2017.
Ministry Updates “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10) is the annual theme for the diocese, and Lillibridge invited the diocese to study the Gospel of Luke this year and engage in several studies the Adult Christian Formation team will prepare. All diocesan studies can be found on the Christian formation website: www.christianformation-dwtx.org. In 2012 Lillibridge invited the diocese to build three Habitat for Humanity homes together over the course of six years, two of which have been completed – the first in Lockhart, the second in Seguin. The third home will begin this year in Kerrville, a year ahead of schedule. Lillibridge said if diocesan efforts to support this endeavor continue, we will build four houses rather than three. During his update on Camps and Conferences, Lillibridge said a new Activities Building was recently completed at Camp Capers, which is part of the master plan that was initiated in 2011. The final phase includes a new dining hall, and once the needed $3.5 million is raised, the diocese will have invested over $10 million in the ministry in and through Camp Capers since 2011. Lillibridge took the opportunity to surprise retired diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jim Folts, and his wife, Sandy, as he announced that the new activities building at Camp Capers will be named in their honor. “Their years of service to West Texas have been extraordinary; and we are grateful for their service to several
congregations in the diocese as well as their ministry in the bishop’s office (1994-2006).” The completion of the master plan will be remarkable for Camp Capers, which will observe her 70th birthday in 2017. Lillibridge extended deep appreciation to Mollie Zachry, who is chairing the master plan effort, and to Jeff Rochelle, who has joined in fundraising efforts for Camp Capers. Lillibridge invited the diocesan family to participate in Sharing Faith Dinners, which will be held on Thursday, May 19. This will be the fourth year of diocesan participation. The Diocese of Texas has built a website full of the resources needed to coordinate and host these dinners at the church level, which can be found at www.sharingfaithdinners.com.
Coadjutor Transition and the Election of a Bishop Suffragan At Diocesan Council in February 2015, Bishop Lillibridge handed over three areas of ministry to Bishop David Reed, bishop coadjutor, as canonically required in the Episcopal Church when a transition of leadership is in place. Those areas were clergy deployment, congregational development, and the ordination discernment process. Also in 2015, Lillibridge charged the diocesan Standing Committee with developing a process for the election of a bishop suffragan in preparation for his retirement, which will occur in July 2017. In response, the Standing Committee has set forth a plan for an election at next year’s Diocesan Council in Corpus Christi on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The person elected will join the diocesan staff at the Bishop Jones Center in May or June of 2017 in the role of bishop-elect and will be ordained as a bishop, if needed, on July 29, 2017 by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry.
Personal Reflections
Bishop Gary Lillibridge surprised Bishop Jim Folts and his wife, Sandy, (pictured) with the announcement that the new Activities Building at Camp Capers will be named in their honor.
Texas,” as told by the Rev. A.W.S. Garden, about the earliest years of the Diocese of West Texas. The diocese came into existence as The Missionary District of Western Texas in 1874, and this pamphlet was published in 1915. An excerpt from the pamphlet paraphrased by Lillibridge says, “Conditions make West Texas, in a remarkable degree, the Church’s land of opportunity. The people yearn for a religion that is positive and definite … the opportunity for the Church is here.” Lillibridge said, “I believe that, 100 years after these words were penned, the opportunity for the Church – the Body of Christ – is still here.” “Ask yourself individually and together as a congregation what opportunities are before you to be Christ to one another,” said Lillibridge. Referring to the annual theme, Lillibridge said, ”What makes God joyful is appropriately given in Jesus’ summary of the law: (First), Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (And second), Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). “As you live this life,” said Lillibridge, “be mindful that you only have so many days. Each day, therefore, is a gift. So treat it like you treat other gifts: unwrap it with joy. Godly joy. In doing so, may your joy be complete.”
Photo by John Gaskins.
Report on the Bishop’s Address:
Lillibridge has been reading a pamphlet entitled, “A Round Robin, The Story of West the Church News
March/April 2016
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Special Section: Diocesan Council in Review
The Bishop Coadjutor’s Address:
Reed Outlines His Vision for the Diocese the Kingdom of God In his second address to Diocesan Council as Bishop Coadjutor, the Rt. Rev. David Reed outlined his vision for the diocese and initiatives in place to carry out this vision. Reed will become the Diocesan Bishop when Bishop Lillibridge officially retires in July 2017. Reed said he has spent much time this past year working in his new areas of oversight: vocational discernment, clergy deployment, and congregational developement. Last month the Coalition of Corpus Christi Churches was established, creating a partnership of five churches: Good Shepherd, St. Mark’s, St. Bartholomew’s, All Saints, and Reconciliation, as well as Metro Ministries and the diocese. The Coalition, served by the Rev. Bruce Wilson, will link the congregations more closely and connect them to their community in shared ministries, Reed said. The Curacy Program, established last year, now has one curate, the Rev. Casey Berkhouse, who serves as an assistant to the Rev. Mike Marsh at St. Philip’s, Uvalde. Berkhouse also serves Church of the Ascension, Montell, and Holy Trinity, Carrizo Springs. A “curate” is an assistant rector just out of seminary serving in his first “cure,” or church. The program is a partnership between a church and the diocese in which the expense of having a second priest is shared. Reed and the Diocesan Development Committee have developed a few key areas for renewed focus and work. Along with the Curacy Program, these include the Mustang Island Conference Center – where additional housing is needed – College Missions, and securing long-term funding for World Mission.
Photo by John Gaskins.
Moving to his vision for the diocese, Reed said it is “The Kingdom of God. That’s my vision, the purpose for which the Diocese of West Texas exists,” he said. Being the Kingdom of God is what God had in mind when he sent the Holy Spirit to birth the Church and what Jesus had in mind when he called us to come and follow and be his witnesses, said Reed. “For the sake of this vision, for love of you and the churches of this diocese, my ministry among you may be summed up in the words of those who coach four-year-olds in soccer: ‘We’re going to go this way,’” said Reed. 6
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This way … the way of Christ, the way of the Kingdom. This way … for the Diocese of West Texas to become the best, strongest, most vibrant diocese in the Episcopal Church, said Reed. Reed then laid out how the diocese will go “this way” with six initiatives: church planting, evangelism, college missions, young adult leadership formation, Small Church: Big The Evangelism Committee, which was re-gathered by Bishop Reed this past Mission conference, year, delivered a Star Wars-themed presentation, announcing that they will and veterans’ ministries. offer several Invite-Welcome-Connect conferences this year. Common threads running through them are collaboration, In the area of young adult leadership partnership, and local and regional buy-in. formation, Reed said he wants to see ways Each group formed to explore these initiatives to bring younger Episcopalians together will report to Diocesan Council in 2017. (ages 25-35) for fellowship and also for opportunities for spiritual growth and The Rev. Ripp Hardaway and the Rev. David formation. The Rev. Ram Lopez and Lisa Earl Read have agreed to convene two groups to (St. Peter’s, Kerrville) are convening a group explore opportunities for new church starts in to brainstorm this ministry. the diocese along Interstate 35 and in South San Antonio. The most recent church start Small Church: Big Mission is a conference is Grace, San Antonio, which began in 2004 the diocese will offer on two Saturdays in and is a strong reminder of what is possible, two locations: May 21 at St. George, San said Reed. Churches of various denominations Antonio, and June 4 at St. Bartholomew’s, – or no denomination – are forming all over Corpus Christi. Two-thirds of the diocesan the place, and with the populations rising in congregations have fewer than 100 people key areas within the diocese’s borders, Reed in church on an average Sunday. The hope said the diocese is ready to strengthen such for this conference is to bring the smaller missionary efforts. churches together to share resources and learn about new ones in several areas of ministry. Last year, Reed re-gathered the diocesan The Rev. Canon Joann Saylors is the diocesan Evangelism Committee, which the Rev. John coordinator for Small Church: Big Mission. Hill now chairs. This group, said Reed, “will offer ways for each congregation to engage Reed has asked the Rev. Karen Brandon, the urgent work of evangelism.” They will Chaplain Lt. Col. (retired), US Army; and collaborate with churches on plans to invite, Chaplain Susan Douglas, Chief Master welcome, and connect newcomers. Sgt. (retired) US Air Force, to explore the opportunities for a firm establishment and With increased funding, the work of College growth of a veterans’ ministry. “We’re Missions continues to spread throughout privileged to serve those who have served the diocese. Reed announced that in the so sacrificially on our behalf. The needs are fall of this year, the program will enter the complex—not only for combat veterans, Valley at the University of Texas-Rio Grande but for active duty personnel among us and Valley, an entity of nearly 30,000 students. families left behind and waiting,” said Reed. In conjunction with the College Missions Board, a Valley Advisory Council has formed In closing, Reed said, “Pray that the Spirit of to support this ministry, chaired by Anne the Lord move powerfully in our lives; that we Rentfro, a member of Advent, Brownsville, may be renewed in our commitment to the and a long-time faculty member and adventure of following Jesus and given grace administrator at UT-Brownsville. to seek first the Kingdom of God and to live this way toward it.”
Special Section: Diocesan Council in Review
Upcoming: Election of a Bishop Suffragan In his address to the 112th Diocesan Council, Bishop Gary Lillibridge called for the election of a Bishop Suffragan, to be held during the 113th Diocesan Council on Saturday, February 25, 2017, in Corpus Christi. Lillibridge said the Standing Committee has put together a “Diocesan Profile: Discernment of a Bishop Suffragan” and a timeline leading to the election. “The Diocesan Profile: Discernment of a Bishop Suffragan” was handed out at Council and is also available for viewing online at www.dwtx.org/bishopsuffragan The Chair of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Ripp Hardaway, announced the procedure to be followed. For the election of a suffragan next year, the Pre-Council meetings will include time to see and hear from all nominees. Rather than seven Pre-Council meetings being held in seven convocations as is usual, only three Pre-Council meetings will be held at three different locations during January 2017. The person elected on February 25, during the 113th Council will join the diocesan staff in the spring of 2017 and will be consecrated bishop, if necessary, on July 29, 2017 by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry.
Episcopal Schools have strong presence at Diocesan Council Various Episcopal schools in the diocese were represented well at Diocesan Council. In an art show, artwork by students at the following schools was displayed for all to enjoy: • Episcopal Day School, Brownsville • St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School, Edinburg • St. James Episcopal School, Del Rio • St. Alban’s Episcopal Day School, Harlingen • St. John’s Episcopal School, McAllen • St. George Episcopal School, San Antonio • St. Luke’s Episcopal School, San Antonio • St. Thomas Episcopal School, San Antonio • TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas
Portrayal of the “Savior of St. Philip’s” Dr. Antoinette Winstead portrayed Dr. Artemisia Bowden in a one-woman play on Friday morning of Council. Bowden was placed on the church Calendar of Liturgical Commemorations by the Episcopal Church General Convention in July 2015. Bishop Steptoe Johnston brought Bowden from North Carolina to take over the fledgling allgirls St. Philip’s School in San Antonio in 1902. Bowden oversaw the continual expansion of the school, seeking to develop and send forth, “true, God-fearing women, who are not ashamed of the truth and whose characters are spotless.” The first single sewing class eventually became an industrial school and then a vocational school. By 1927, Bowden had succeeded in guiding the school to junior college status, and in 1942, St. Philip’s Junior College became part of the present-day Alamo Community College District in San Antonio. Bowden devoted her entire life to serving God. She anticipated success, never failure. “A person who has courage must be full of faith,” she said. In her portrayal, Winstead as Bowden recalled the difficulties she faced and overcame in her 52 years of educating primarily Black children in San Antonio. “But the Bible says once you set your hand to the plow you can’t look back, and I never did,” she said. She spoke of enduring “insults and threats” as she sought to better the lives of young Black women, a journey in which she always saw “God’s providential hand.”
The choir from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School, Edinburg, provided opening music as delegates, alternates, and visitors gathered on the Council floor on Thursday, February 18. Just before the Council Banquet that evening, the fourth-sixth grade choir from St. John’s Episcopal School, McAllen, (pictured below) stood on risers and sang as folks mingled in fellowship in the McAllen Convention Center. To open the banquet, the folklorico dancers from the Episcopal Day School, Brownsville, as well as other students, delivered entertaining dances in honor of the annual Charro Days held in Brownsville, a hugely popular fiesta.
Photos by John Gaskins.
Following her presentation, Winstead, who teaches at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, said what most impressed her about Bowden was her faith and her diligence. “And I preach that to my students,” she said. Dr. Adena Loston, the current president of St. Philip’s College, also addressed Council, reporting that St. Philip’s now enrolls 12,000-plus students yearly in a variety of degree programs, many in vocational areas. At St. Philip’s, Artemisia Bowden is known as “the savior of St. Philip’s” and has been given the status of President Emeritus. the Church News
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Special Section: Diocesan Council in Review
Godly Joy: Bishop Reed’s Council Eucharist Sermon In his sermon at the Eucharist on Friday evening during Council, Bishop David Reed focused on joy as found in the diocesan theme for this year – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” He remarked that joy is different from happiness. “Joy needs other people. Joy comes from outside ourselves – we can’t conjure it up – and it is not governed by circumstances. Joy is a gift from God.” Joy has a purpose, said Reed. It strengthens us to “get over ourselves” and leads us to get involved in the lives of others. He reminded the congregation that at the Last Supper, Jesus said to his disciples, “I’ve said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” By “these things,” said Reed, Jesus means when we abide in him – in a deep
connection, a sharing of life, a participation in Christ’s life. In joy, we are involved in other people’s lives, said the bishop, and joy needs to find a voice in us. Our churches, said Reed, can be joyful places when we know ourselves to be grafted to Christ’s life. “People don’t need the church to find entertainment and happiness,” he said. “There are plenty of places for that. “But what we have been given and what we can give is joy. Joy seeks and creates community and connection.” That is the vocation to which the church has been called. In the book of Nehemiah, from which the diocesan theme is taken (8:10), the people have just returned from exile in Babylon and find Jerusalem in ruins. Then the priest Ezra reads from the Bible, helping them remember the sacred stories they had forgotten. And the people weep as they remember that God is in the ruins and, as they see clearly, their sin and disloyalty. But Ezra tells them to dry their eyes, for this day is holy to the Lord. They experience “joyful defiance, renewed strength in the Lord’s joy, and the people rebuild not just the city but themselves as God’s people,” said Reed. “Their amnesia is healed and they
A Eucharist band, consisting of members of the various churches in the Valley, sang contemporary songs as well as traditional hymns.
are restored to God, strong in his joy and joyful in his strength.” Over and over, said Reed, in the ruins of bombed-out churches and churches wrecked by hurricanes and other causes, people gather and worship, not happily but joyfully. “In the grief and loss, in the rubble, [the people] remember God and find that in the strength of his joy there is new life. They know again that what God cares about most is the rebuilding of human beings, fully alive.”
Ministry Moments Share Joy
Bestselling author Bob Goff was the keynote speaker at the Council Banquet and the Bishops’ Luncheon.
Photos by John Gaskins.
Bestselling Author Bob Goff Enthusiastically Inspires at Council Author and speaker Bob Goff offered enthusiastic and energetic presentations to inspire all to be “people who love Jesus and live in constant anticipation.” Using humor, anecdotes, and personal reflection, Goff challenged listeners to love people without rules and to be present with those people who are in most need of being with others. Goff performed at both the Council Banquet 8
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As shown each year at Diocesan Council, this year’s Ministry Moment videos shed light on joyful ministries throughout the diocese, including Young Lives of St. Alban’s, Harlingen (a ministry to high-school age mothers); the diocesan Curacy Program (and the ministry of the Rev. Casey Berkhouse at St. Philip’s, Uvalde; Ascension, Montell; and Holy Trinity, Carrizo Springs); and the diocesan College Missions program, including the Elisha Leadership Initiative internship. “Joy” centerpieces created by members of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, adorned the tables at the Council Banquet and the Bishops’ Luncheon. The centerpieces were for sale, and proceeds benefitted the Young Lives ministry. Other videos shown at Council included a conversational interview with former bishop suffragans in the diocese, the Rt. Revs. Earl McArthur, Bob Hibbs, and David Reed. All videos can be viewed at http://council-dwtx.org. Scroll down and click on “video reports.”
on Thursday and the Bishops’ Luncheon on Friday. Through his book Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, Goff takes a journey into showing and sharing love in the way that Jesus called us to love. In one of his more honest quotes he said, “Jesus speaks to me more through being with other people than He ever did through a thousand Bible studies.”
Goff encouraged everyone to live with a “child-like” faith. He said, “We are too distracted. If it’s more important for us to be like each other, we’ll never be like Jesus.” And to be like Jesus, Goff said, “Just be available not efficient. Be generous with your love.” Goff said the message of the Gospel, as he interprets it, is to “love everybody always.” He said, “Start with those that creep you out the most. Loving people is awesome theology.”
Special Section: Diocesan Council in Review
Department of Christian Formation Sarah Kates, chair of the diocesan Christian Formation Department, suggested to Council that there are many ways to do Christian formation and that, “Church is not only happening in a building, it is happening all over the place whether or not we are there.” Recently the Christian Formation Department contacted 25 churches in the diocese to learn about the strengths and challenges of their Christian formation programs. They learned of such things as doing a 30-minute Christian formation time with breakfast right before Eucharist on Sunday, doing a week-long VBS for ‘tweens in the community, and distributing Ash Wednesday ashes in the drop-off line at school. The Christian Formation Department is gathering these and other ideas and will post them on the diocesan website in the near future. Churches will be able to search through the information, contact sister churches, and adapt ideas for their own communities.
College Missions Greg Richards, director of College Missions, said he is amazingly appreciative to be able to direct this mission in our diocese, which involves four campuses, prayer, worship, play, and 300 college-age followers of Jesus who invite their friends to come and experience their joy. College Missions is currently in its third year of the Elisha Leadership Initiative, the intensive year-long internship program that encourages ministry leaders. The program involves interns working in local churches and within the Department of College Missions while being trained for leadership. Partnerships continue with St. Luke’s, San Antonio and Grace Church, San Antonio. This spring, St. Paul’s, San Antonio, will join the partnership.
On the ground, four college missioners are on the department’s staff on the various college campuses: The University of TexasSan Antonio, St. Mary’s University, University of the Incarnate Word, and Texas State University. This past year, a hybrid position with Camps and Conferences formed. Willy Macha has engaged this in the Corpus Christi area, researching how best to incorporate College Missions in that area. This fall, College Missions takes another big step toward their goal. “We want to put a full-time college missioner in the Valley to spread this program,” said Richards. “We plan to implement this in the fall, and more info will be coming soon.”
Camps and Conferences Rob Watson, Meredith Rogers, and Johnson Jeffers shared some of the life-changing camping opportunities offered in the diocese at Camp Capers, Mustang Island Conference Center, and Duncan Park in Colorado. “It is an amazing gift to see the joy on a child’s face when he stands up on a surfboard for the first time, or to see the look of excitement and contentment on the face of an adult after he completes his first Cursillo,” said Watson. In 2015, 859 people attended Family Camp at Mustang Island, and 42 families received scholarship help thanks to the generous gifts given to the Camps Scholarship Fund. These families included three from the Magdalena House in San Antonio and five Wounded Warrior families.
Wounded Warrior families and ten youth from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Facilities improvements continue at all camp sites, and the Master Plan for Camp Capers will enter its final phase this year with the construction of a new dining hall.
Department of World Mission Marthe Curry, director of development for the Department of World Mission, delivered her annual report at Council by sharing that all the news she hears in the media is bad news. To combat this in our diocese, World Mission calls in diocesan missionaries and sends boots on the ground to work with their international brothers and sisters. “Doesn’t the media know about this good work in this diocese?” asked Curry. In 2015, 43 mission teams flew 126,172 miles to be part of a solution, and additionally they traveled over rough terrain, in all weather and in all conditions. They spent 2,128 days out in the mission field or five and one-half linear years in one year. “That is good news,” said Curry. Pictures from the College Missions photo booth at Diocesan Council.
Over 1,300 youth attended Camp Capers and 165 children were welcomed in four sites across the diocese at Camp Capers Traveling Day Camp. Scholarship funds helped 455 children attend camp, including 225 from Good Samaritan Community Services and 23 youth from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. One-hundred youth and adults spent a week at an elevation of 9,500 feet at Duncan Park, including five
#Godlyjoy
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Around the circuit
St. Peter’s, Kerrville, Closes on Home for Magdalene House A group from St. Peter’s, Kerrville, closed on a home for its first Magdalene House on February 18. Inspired by the Thistle Farms program begun by the Rev. Becca Stevens in Nashville, Tennessee, the Kerrville Magdalene House will customize its program for post incarceration care for women by utilizing knowledgeable community leaders. The cottage-style home was built with stone in 1937 and sits on one acre of land plentiful with trees. The house was sold by the third generation of the family with ownership, and they were grateful the home would be used for “something good,” said Kathy Bogie, parishioner of St. Peter’s and the lead organizer of the Magdalene House. Bogie said she hopes the home will be ready by this fall, and the group plans to welcome four women when it opens. If you are interested in donating any time, talent, or treasure, please contact Bogie at 918-557-6905 or the Revs. Stockton Williams or Tom Murray at St. Peter’s at 830-257-8162.
Small Church: Big
Mission
The Diocese of West Texas is excited to offer Small Church: Big Mission, an upcoming conference for churches with an average Sunday attendance (ASA) of 100 or below, although all churches are welcome to attend. This conference will be offered in two locations:
• St. George, San Antonio Saturday, May 21 • St. Bartholomew’s, Corpus Christi Saturday, June 4 Plans are underway for the small church conference, which will most likely offer a combination of speakers and workshops. The most important aspect of the conference will be the opportunity to share ideas with other churches. The bishops, as they have traveled around listening to congregations, have found that small churches face many of the same blessings and opportunities. By coming together, churches can see that they are not alone, and they can learn from one another. Churches are strongly encouraged to send multiple representatives, if possible. Registration will come soon, as well as further details on what the day will look like. Stay tuned to www.dwtx.org/smallchurch
College Missions Trivia Night College Missions is hosting its second Trivia Night Fundraiser on Friday, April 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Reconciliation, San Antonio (8900 Starcrest, 78217). It’s going to be a night of laughing, friendly competition with trivia questions, a silent auction, and great appetizers. Different churches and groups are invited to come together as teams and take on everyone else. Every table is a team, and each team can pick its team name, theme, and even dress to the theme. Each table is $400 and each team can have up to 8 members. There will be prizes for the best-themed team, as well as the winners. All proceeds go to the annual fund for College Missions, which specifically goes to cover the ELI internship program and the oncampus mission work. Register online at www.dwtx.org/events and join the party.
This stone cottage, built in 1937, will serve as the first Magdalene House in Kerrville.
Photo submitted by Kathy Bogie.
News of the Family
Continued from page 2, by Bishop Lillibridge
Work of the People
Jack Hebdon, the former chancellor of the Diocese of West Texas, died on February 12 at age 93. Jack, a member of St. Mark’s, San Antonio, was the longest serving chancellor in the Episcopal Church (42 years) before his retirement several years ago. Chancellors volunteer their time, and serve as advisors to bishops, clergy, dioceses, and congregations. Jack was a friend and mentor to many.
To me, “singleness of heart” speaks to my overall purpose and mindful attitude as a follower of Christ in addressing everything that comes my way. Of course, there are times in my life when this “fails to launch” as I encounter difficult circumstances and faulty neighbors. That is why our liturgy includes confession and absolution; for there are times when I myself am a faulty neighbor to another.
May Jack’s soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
In spite of this all too human frailty, I find that singleness of heart can be a foundational
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part of who God calls me to be when I am grounded in the sure and certain knowledge that there is indeed a “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12.31); even and especially when life’s circumstances seem to indicate otherwise. So, next time you are in worship and you say this prayer—or really any prayer—think about what you saying. Be careful what you ask for, because we are in fact called to be peacemakers who are called to love and serve God with joy and singleness of heart. This is liturgical living; this is, indeed, “the work of the people.”
Around the circuit
2016 Summer Camps Schedule
Registration is open now at www.dwtx.org/camps Scholarships available for all programs. Camp Capers Summer Camp
$470 per child Senior High A - June 5-11 - rising 10th-graduated 12th graders Primary Camp A - June 12-18 - rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders Junior High Camp A - June 19-25 - rising 8th and 9th graders Intermediate Camp A - June 26-July 2 - rising 6th and 7th graders Senior High Camp B - July 10-16 - rising 10th-graduated 12th graders Junior High Camp B - July 17-23 - rising 8th and 9th graders Good Samaritan Camp - July 25-29 - Good Samaritan Community Services Intermediate Camp B - July 31-August 6 - rising 6th and 7th graders Primary Camp B - August 7-13 - rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders
Camp Capers Traveling Day Camp
Rising 1st-6th graders; $85 per child Christ Church, Laredo - June 13-17 St. Alban’s, Harlingen - June 20-24 St. Bartholomew’s, Corpus Christi - June 27-July 1 Trinity, Victoria - July 18-22 St. Mark’s, San Marcos - August 1-5
Mustang Island Family Camp
Family of 1: $374; Family of 2: $500 Family of 3: $650; Family of 4: $800 Additional child: $167; additional adult: $253; No charge for children 24 months and younger Session 1 - June 2-5 Session 7 - July 14-17 Session 2 - June 9-12 Session 8 - July 21-24 Session 3 - June 16-19 Session 9 - July 28-31 Session 4 - June 23-26 Session 10 - August 4-7 Session 5 - June 30-July 3 Session 11 - August 11-14 Session 6 - July 7-10 Labor Day - Sept. 2-5 Summary of apportionments through February 29, 2016.
Colorado Adventure Program (Duncan Park) All 2016 programs: $650, includes airfare Wounded Warrior Family Camp - June 12-17 Adult Base Camp - June 19-24 Youth Base Camp - June 26 - July 1 Youth/College Backpack - June 26 - July 2 Youth Hybrid Trip - July 3-8 Advanced Backpack - July 10-16
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Diocesan events
May
May/June
April
Cursillo #272 Cursillo #272 will be held Thursday-Sunday, May 12-15, at Mustang Island Conference Center. The Rector is Denise Powers from St. Luke’s, San Antonio, and the Spiritual Director is the Rev. Carol Morehead, St. Mark’s, San Antonio. Cursillo is a three-day spiritual retreat for adults. Register online or learn more about Cursillo at www.dwtx.org/cursillo.
Small Church: Big Mission The Diocese of West Texas is excited to offer Small Church: Big Mission, a conference for churches with an average Sunday attendance (ASA) of 100 or below, although all churches are welcome to attend. This conference will be offered in two locations: St. George, San Antonio, on Saturday, May 21; and St. Bartholomew’s, Corpus Christi, on Saturday, June 4. The most important aspect of the conference will be the opportunity to share ideas with other churches. For more information, visit www.dwtx.org/smallchurch.
New Beginnings #2 New Beginnings #2, led by Mary Hayden Manning and Miranda Tubilla, will take place Friday-Sunday, April 15-17 at St. David’s, San Antonio. New Beginnings is a spiritual renewal weekend for all middle school youth in grades 6-8 and is designed to respond to the issues, concerns, and needs of young people, with the goal of helping participants grow in their love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and subsequently, themselves. Cost per participant is $50; register online at www.dwtx.org/events. The Rev. Lisa Mason will serve as the Spiritual Director. Spring Women’s Gathering The annual Spring Women’s Gathering will be held at Camp Capers, Friday-Sunday, April 1517. This year’s topic is “Here I Am.” Over this weekend we will explore our individual gifts as Paul presents them in Romans 12:6-8. There will be plenty of time for rest and reflection as well as good fellowship among godly women who are also listening for the voice of God in their lives. The weekend begins with dinner Friday night and concludes after Eucharist Sunday morning. For more information and to register,visit www.dwtx.org/women. Nails and Prayers Men’s Retreat The annual Nails and Prayers Retreat will be held at Camp Capers Friday-Sunday, April 22-24. Led by the Rev. Jay George, this service retreat is open to all men over 18. Weekend projects will focus on sprucing up Camp Capers for the busy summer season and may include painting, cleaning, landscaping, etc. We need all hands on deck, so invite your Bible Study, dinner group, neighbors, and friends. The weekend cost is $75 per person. Questions? Contact Camp Capers at camp.capers@dwtx. org or (830) 995-3966 ext. 10.
Kaleidoscope of Life The Commission for Women’s MinistriesValley will host a Kaleidoscope workshop day on Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Reed Outreach Center at St. Alban’s, Harlingen. “God Revealed through the Eyes of Women” will be performed by Sam Carter Gilliam and feature Eve, Elizabeth and Mary, and Mary Magdalene from the Bible. Cost is $20 per person or $60 for a group of four. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Register at www.dwtx.org/events.
Diocesan events: www.dwtx.org/events Church events: www.dwtx.org/church-events
The Diocese of West Texas Online
www.dwtx.org/blog World Mission Top Golf Tournament The Department of World Mission will host a Top Golf Tournament at Topgolf in San Antonio (5539 N Loop 1604 W, 78249) on Wednesday, May 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for pro golfers and duffers. Gather a team for food, drinks, prizes, a silent auction, and plenty of “friendly competition.” Everyone is invited to play; and if you need a team, you will be placed on one. Each team consists of six players. The cost is $100 per golfer, and this includes the golf games, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will be available. For more information or to register, contact Kaitlin Reed or Betty Chumney in the diocesan office at 888/210-824-5387.
Read ministry stories from our churches in between issues of The Church News. The blog also features current news, national news, and diocesan ministry updates.
Reflections-DWTX.org
ReflectionsOnline is the online edition of Reflections magazine. Adult Christian Formation offers studies for individuals and congregations. www.christianformation-dwtx.org. “Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Bishop Jones Center” @DioceseWestTX