The Department of World Mission has entered into a new partnership with Love for the Least, a movement for the refugees in Kurdistan, Iraq. See story on page 4.
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September / October 2016 The newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
Inside this issue
4 The Commission for Women’s Ministries is seeking names of honored women within each congregation. See page 10.
Love for the Least: A new partnership for the diocese, World Mission
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Spanish Language Bible Books brought back to life in Texas
Art & Faith Fellowship at St. Thomas, San Antonio
St. George, San Antonio, Summer of Service
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News and Features 2 On the Bishop’s Mind: Christ-like Action 4 Love for the Least, a new partnership 6 Spanish Language Bible Books brought
back to life in Texas
8 Art and Faith Fellowship 9 St. George, San Antonio, Summer of Service
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3 From the Editor 10 Around the Circuit 12 Calendar Cover photo submitted by Jerry K.
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 4 September/October 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
Christ-like Action: a More Excellent Way
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his summer, athletes from around the world gathered to compete in another round of Olympic Games. I very much appreciate the discipline, training, and dedication of the athletes which enables them to compete at such a high level. A couple of years ago I read the book, Boys in the Boat, which gave me further appreciation for what is required to prepare for Olympic competition. It is a most interesting story of the United States crew rowing team from the 1936 Olympics held in Germany. Speaking of books, over the past few weeks I have been reading Eugene Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. The framework of the book is organized around the “Songs of Ascents,” referring to Psalms 120-134. The book is about discipleship in an instant society. I started this book during the Olympics and thought that the title of the book and the Olympic Games had a connection. Olympic athletes must have a long obedience in the direction of their sport; persons of faith must have a long obedience in the lifelong work of becoming “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1). Just as excelling in a sport might be called maturing in that sport, the Christian faith calls us to “grow up (mature) in Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). In his book, Peterson notes that, “In a psalm we have the observable evidence of what happens when a person of faith goes about the business of believing and loving and following God. We don’t have a rule book defining the action, we have a snapshot of players playing the game” (page 61).
“We have snapshot after snapshot of Christ ‘playing the game,’ or more accurately, ‘leading by example.’” - Bishop Gary Lillibridge
The same idea was true for me when I watched the Olympics, particularly several events that I do not regularly follow and consequently don’t know all the rules and the various techniques. For example, I did not have rule book on fencing, but by watching a snapshot of the players, I began to understand the sport.
This kind of thing is exactly what we have in the stories of Jesus’ life in the Gospel. We have snapshot after snapshot of Christ “playing the game,” or more accurately, “leading by example.” If a person wants to know what Christianity is all about, they can learn what is needed to know by watching Christ in story after story as He ministers with grace and compassion to person after person. Matthew summarizes all the “snapshots” of Jesus in action with this description: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23). As a result, news about him spread everywhere and large crowds followed him (paraphrase of Matthew 4:24-25). The picture painted here is Christ “out there, playing the game,” and the result is that people begin to see and therefore understand the kind of life to which His followers are called. In the examples set forth of Christ’s life and ministry as told in the Gospel, we have a snapshot – actually more of a full-length movie – of the Christian faith as Jesus walks the talk. One of the recurring themes in the snapshots of Jesus’ interaction with people in the Gospel accounts is the theme of compassion. He literally scatters compassion all over the place. One of my favorite passages illustrating this truth comes from Luke. As Jesus enters the gates of a town called Nain, he encounters a funeral procession of a young man. The man’s mother was in the procession, and although she did not ask Jesus for anything, Luke notes that, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her …” (Luke 7:13, NIV). Think about that powerful image for a moment. When was the last time your heart went out to someone who was hurting in some way? When was the last time someone’s heart went out to you when you were hurting? Having your heart go out to someone, and perhaps particularly someone who has not asked you for anything, puts you into a snapshot of the life to which Jesus calls us. All this is to say that people should be able to identify what is essential to living the Christian life by watching actual Christians put Christ-like behavior into motion in their own lives. And this is more easily done when we who profess to be followers of Jesus are conscious of the importance of “a long obedience in the same direction” in our prayers, in our service, in our piety, in our action. My prayer and my hope is that the world may be inspired to Christlike action, grace, and compassion as they watch a snapshot of His followers in action; and thereby see and know that there is, in the words of St. Paul, a “more excellent way.”
From the editor Laura Shaver
Limitless Understanding
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couple of summers ago, my young son, Caleb, attended a Vacation Bible School session and memorized the theme verse. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). At home, he hopped his threeyear-old self up on top of our coffee table and loudly recited the verse. His arms opened wide as he began, and he flexed his little muscles to emphasize “mighty in power.” Caleb pointed to his forehead and then threw his arms back out to indicate there is absolutely no limit to this understanding. Cupping his hands like an open book, Caleb said, “Psalm 1-4-7,” and then shot his open hand out to indicate “5.” My heart was delighted. He had memorized this verse on his own, and the hand and arm motions he was shown seemed to further express his understanding of it. As we cheered for him, you could see the joy rise within his little body, and his smile spread clear across his face. Lately, when Caleb does not like a parenting decision I have made – like when I decide that particular moment is not an appropriate time of day for ice cream – he becomes quite irritated and will tell me, “I don’t like you anymore.” Or, on the more desperate occasion – like when I tell him he is perfectly capable of getting up to retrieve his own milk cup – he wails, “You don’t love me anymore.”
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Clearly, his understanding of a mother’s love is lacking. This is expected, of course. Oh how I remember not understanding my own mother’s decisions for me. So irrational, clearly undeserving. Yet here I am, a young mother, often finding myself thinking, “Good job, mom.” But God’s understanding has no limit; his love never fails. In the midst of daily trying to understand the actions of others and understand our own actions and thoughts, “He has searched us and he knows us. He knows when we sit down and when we rise up, and he discerns our thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139, paraphrased). He offers perfect love to me while my own understanding of Caleb’s antics is limited, when I can feel the stress and frustration with managing a young child rise up within my own body. He pours love on me while I kneel and comfort my son, assuring him that I do so love him, even though I irritate him. While my understanding of others – even those closest to me – often fails, God’s understanding of each of us – of our actions, of our thoughts, of our beings – is unbounded. And though our actions lead us stumble before him, he remains “mighty in power,” offering “grace upon grace” (John 1:16).
September/October 2016
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Featured News
Love for the Least:
A New Partnership for the Diocese, Department of World Mission by Laura Shaver
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ith the recent purchase of a new van, a medical mobile unit, the Diocese of West Texas Department of World Mission has come into a new partnership with Love for the Least, a growing ministry to the refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Love for the Least serves hundreds of thousands of refugees who have been forced from their homes and fled from the threats and violent nature of ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq militant group that targets Christians and other religious groups. “Medical care is still our greatest single need,” said Stacy K., co-founder of Love for the Least. “The average camp [in Kurdistan] has 60,000 refugees, and there are no doctors in the camps. Close to two million IDPs are in villages, meaning they have even less access to relief and medical help.” “We are all so grateful for what you have done,” said Stacy, “all the people over there, the Christians, the Muslims, the Yezidis, and the Chaldeans. We are love for all the least, no matter who you are.”
Photos submitted by Jerry K.
Love for the Least ministers to Muslims and other unreached groups in the Middle East. Jerry and Stacy have spent over a decade in the mission field in places such as Tanzania; New Orleans, Louisiana; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nepal; and Turkey with Youth With a Mission (YWAM); and the Islamic Revolutionary Republic. Jerry first felt the call from God to take the movement to Iraq only two weeks after the city of Mosul, Iraq, fell to ISIS in early August 2014. After prayer and contemplation, the call was confirmed when he learned of a friend who had contacts in the area and wanted to travel with them. The same travel time span of 72 hours was available to each party to make the first trip. “When we arrived in August [2014], the sights were horrible,” said Stacy. “People were living under thin blue tarps that lined the highways, as tens of thousands had been displaced and stripped of all they 4
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owned. Some 70 families were gathered in skeleton buildings, with mattresses stacked to the ceilings.” After making contact with ministry nonprofits in Kurdistan, Love for the Least began to establish its presence. In the three-day initial visit, they learned the refugees most needed winter clothes, mattresses, heaters, and food. Back on American soil, Jerry and Stacy led an interdenominational night of prayer for the persecuted church in Iraq. The gathering was packed full of participants, who joined voices and cried out to God for the needs of the refugees to be met before the first freeze. Kurdistan is along the same line of latitude as the state of Minnesota, so temperatures can fall well below freezing in the winter. With many on board, donations and funds became available, and Love for the Least was able to deliver the supplies. During the third trip to Kurdistan, they learned of the great need of medical assistance. With a family friend and nurse on the trip with them, they saw 800 to 1,000 patients in their first week with medical supplies, and they have made four medical trips since. Stacy said along with ordinary ailments, the majority of the refugees suffer from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “Many have witnessed horrific violence on members of their families or have been held captive and tortured by ISIS,” she said. “There are no assumptions,” said Stacy. “We ask how we can help, and we are seeing so much healing.” The Love for the Least team processes each patient and determines their medical needs. The patient then visits the pharmacy and then the prayer team. The prayer team member informs each patient that he will be praying in the name of Jesus. “We have seen such healing, and when that healing occurs, we tell them the love story of Jesus Christ,” said Stacy, “and we have seen so many come into the Kingdom.”
The new medical mobile unit purchased by the Diocese of West Texas for Love for the Least, a ministry in Kurdistan, Iraq.
Father Andrew Sloane recently joined the Love for the Least movement for one year, with funds for his work underwritten by an Episcopal family charitable foundation. Along with Mark Sweeney, Love for the Least board chairman, Sloane will travel to inform of the movement and attend the meetings in northern Iraq as long-term goals are set for Love for the Least.
“We have open access and the ability to go and serve anywhere we feel led because of the respect and love earned by the United States military among the Kurds. Kurdistan is emerging as an American Ally and safe haven for persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East,” she said. There are an estimated 100,000 A Love for the Least team member gives medical Christians who assistance to a refugee in Kurdistan. want to remain in Kurdistan (200,000 total). The working This past June, every denomination of the long-term goal of Love for the Least is Christian church in Iraq came together at the to assist them in establishing homes and same table. These churches, many of which employment for at least one member of each have been established for over 2,000 years, family. While this is quite an undertaking, have never joined efforts or seen eye-toLove for the Least is beginning with pilot eye on varying issues. “What ISIS has done, projects this year, the first of which involves incredibly,” said Stacy, “is made the Christian building 100 homes and employing 100 churches forget their petty differences and people. This will be the first local Church come together.” permanent resettlement effort post ISIS. Also in attendance at the meeting were the organizations of Samaritan’s Purse; Voice for the Martyrs in Canada; Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, and Canon Andrew White; and Steadfast Global of Scotland. The Evangelicals, who are mostly American, were invited to the meeting and will be once again this coming October.
“We have seen such healing, and when that healing occurs, we tell them the love story of Jesus Christ, and we have seen so many come into the Kingdom.”
“There is a great love for Americans in Kurdistan, especially because of the American military and their alliance with the Peshmerga, the Kurdistan Army. Kurdistan wants Western Christian support to keep the displaced Christians living there,” said Stacy.
Love for the Least, which also runs two orphanages – one in Tanzania and one in Bethany, Kenya – partners with 30 churches nationwide, including Episcopal, Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, and nondenominational. The Diocese of West Texas is the first diocesan partner. “There are all these churches and denominations coming together to serve the refugees, the widows, and the orphans,” said Stacy. “God must look down at his children and say, ‘I command my blessing.’” “All our hearts are touched with the plight of refugees who flee violence in their homelands, frequently losing everything. Many of them have lost family members and are deeply traumatized. As members of one Body, we want to reach out in Christ’s love however we can,” said Dr. Marthe Curry, World Mission development director. In partnership with the Diocese of West Texas, Jerry and Stacy will assist the Department of World Mission with the development of curriculum to help get young people excited about mission work.
Father Andrew Sloane in the Diocese of West Texas Father Andrew Sloane, representative of Love for the Least, will be in South Texas in the spring of 2017. Father Sloane will be at Diocesan Council, scheduled for February 23-25, in Corpus Christi, where he will make a presentation to Council on Love for the Least and the plight of the refugees in Kurdistan. He will also be available for conversations at the Department of World Mission’s booth in the exhibitor hall at Diocesan Council. Following Council, during the month of March and the first two weeks of April, Father Sloane will be available to make visits to churches to present information on Love for the Least and the new partnership with the Diocese of West Texas. For more information, please be in contact with Dr. Marthe Curry, at 888/210-824-5387 or mcurry09@sbcglobal.net.
Their children, now ages 25, 19, and 17, have fully participated in mission work and traveled internationally with their family since they were very young. The K. family say they are the “field workers,” and they are happy to send out Father Sloane and Sweeney to spread the message of Love for the Least while they serve and care for the IDPs and refugees. Father Sloane will make a visit to the Diocese of West Texas next spring, and the Department of World Mission encourages churches to take advantage of his time here (see sidebar). “We don’t do anything on our own,” said Stacy. “We wait on God’s direction and orders. The needs are huge, but we are grateful for your partnership and those with others. Look what all you have already done.”
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September/October 2016
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Featured News
Spanish Language Bible Stories Brought Back to Life in Texas by Mike Patterson
Mike Patterson is a freelance writer and photographer. He attends St. Michael and All Angels in Blanco, Texas.
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Book photos by Laura Shaver. Photo of Fountain submitted by Sarah Willingham.
hen she was an infant, Sarah Willingham’s father and mother loaded her into their 1939 Plymouth, hooked up a trailer filled with an old pump organ and their household furnishings and headed off to Mexico. It marked the beginning of a journey that would take them on a lifelong mission of bringing the Gospel to Spanishspeaking peoples around the world. Thomas E. Fountain, or Tomás de la Fuente as he was known in the Spanish language books he wrote, Willingham’s father, was driven by a desire to spread the Bible to the indigenous people in Mexico, Honduras, and other South and Central American countries. A prolific author in English, he expanded his writing skills to translate Bible stories into Spanish and retell them in a culturally sensitive way so that those with limited literacy could read, understand, and apply their lessons to their own lives.
Thomas E. Fountain, Willinghams’ father, teaching reading to Central Americans with his biblical character stories in the 1940s.
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Among his books for this audience was a series on biographical characters in the Bible, starting with Abraham, followed by José (Joseph), and then Sara. They have been out of print for years but now, nearly 75 years after she travelled to Mexico with her parents, Willingham is bringing them back to life. A member of St. Mark’s, San Marcos, she has started Libros de la Fuente, a not-forprofit publishing house in Wimberley, located southwest of Austin. Her goal is to bring her father’s books back into print and placed into the hands of Spanish speakers today through mission trips sponsored by the diocese and other Episcopal churches and denominations. Willingham said the books also have a place in Spanish-speaking congregations in the U.S., as well. Her work started about nine years ago as Willingham came across her father’s booklets after his death. “Pretty soon the Holy Spirit was poking at me [to reprint them],” she said. Working under her Spanish name, Sarita de la Fuente, she did some editing on her father’s original work and then tested their readability based on a program developed by her sister. “We edited them to a grade level that not only is useful for the person who has basic reading skills but for those at all reading levels, as well,” she said. In addition, she developed study questions for the books so that they can be read all the way through or in segments. Currently, she has published the books on Abraham, Sarah, and Joseph but has plans to add more, including reprinting some of his other titles on the Parables and Jesus. “He wrote 18 of these,” she said. “Right now we have only the first three.” She’s also planning to write one herself on Isaac, based on instructions left by her father on how to write for this particular audience. “We’re naming it Isaac and his twin sons,” she said. “We’re trying to give the title a bit of a family feel.” The books cost $7 each. The Diocese of West Texas is making the booklets available to team leaders going on mission trips to
A Spanish-language book on the biblical character Abraham, written by Thomas E. Fountain.
Spanish-speaking countries, said Dr. Marthe Curry, the Development Director for the diocesan World Mission Department. “Everyone has loved them,” Curry said. “We will be pushing them more this fall with the new Sarah editions.” The diocese is also planning to offer them as part of a panel workshop on Sunday school for the Mexican churches involved with Frontera Unida, a partnership of the West Texas clergy in the Rio Grande Valley and the clergy in Northern Mexico. The Latino/Hispanic Ministries at the Episcopal Church’s national office is also aware of the books. They have been used by other denominations, as well. “People from Mexico in particular said that they don’t read like translation speak,” Willingham said. “They say, ‘It’s like it was written for me rather than written for someone else and translated for me.’” She said readers feel the books make the Biblical characters more approachable and pertinent to their lives today. “One person said that up until now these people were like cardboard characters or icons on the wall. Now they seem real to me.” Raised in New Jersey, Fountain’s work began during World War II. Being a husband, father, and Baptist minister, he was given a draft deferment for military service. However, he still wanted to help others through his ministry. Although he spoke nary a word of Spanish, he joined up with the Mexican Indian
“Dad felt these people really needed to read scripture,” Willingham said. The problem was that many had limited literacy skills. “They were totally intimidated by trying to read the Bible at their [level] of reading,” she said. “My father discovered that because of the limited readership that even those in seminary had a hard time with translated materials,” she said. “Some of the cultural bias was one thing. The other was that sometimes the vocabulary was just beyond them.” “That became the foundation for what he did,” she said. “He decided to go back and get an advanced degree in literacy and went to Honduras with the objective of teaching people how to read. The country had only a 40 percent literacy rate. He felt that was fertile ground.” He used radio programs to reinforce readings and then said to himself that he needed to find things for them to read. “That’s when he began writing these booklets,” she said. “He took different biblical characters and retold their story in contemporary
language and used a vocabulary list that inexpert readers or the newly literate could understand,” she said. “What he discovered was not only did these people who were newly literate respond to these but a lot of the ministers and Bible study leaders found the material very useful.” Ministers even began referencing his work for sermons, and Bible study leaders used his material for their work. “He really wanted folks to feel a personal connection with scripture and with the Gospel,” she said. “That it was not something that was out there but it was something they could really relate to.” Writing the books on Bible stories was not his only publishing success. He also formed a publishing company in Mexico with offices in Costa Rica and published the writings of many Christian authors, as well as some of his own work. One of his most notable books was Claves de interpretación bíblica, a text on hermeneutics, which is still being used in some seminaries in South America. “He wrote all the time,” she said. “His passion was for people to really be able to access scripture. If they felt that the Bible that was put in their hands was beyond their capability
Spanish-language books on the biblical characters of Abraham, Joseph, and Sarah, re-published by Sarah Willingham, member of St. Mark’s, San Marcos.
to understand then there had to be another way to help them access that. That was really his passion, that they know the Gospel, that they know the Bible.” Willingham’s vision is to carry on her father’s mission by continuing to provide material that is readable for any level, primarily in Spanish. For more information, contact Libros de la Fuente at delafuente.libros@gmail.com or visit the website at librosdelafuente.org.
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Mission group, was sent to Mexico City to learn the language, and then sent to rural Mexico in Huauchinango, Puebla.
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September/October 2016
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Featured News
Art & Faith Fellowship by Karen Gordon, with the Rev. Beth Wyndham
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t began with prayers by the Rev. Beth Wyndham, associate rector of St. Thomas, San Antonio, for guidance in her desire to offer a faith-based art group at the church. Simultaneously, St. Thomas parishioner Karen Gordon sought a way to share her artistic abilities for the good of the church. In a chance meeting, Wyndham and Gordon shared their desires, and together they shaped and started the Art and Faith Fellowship group a little over a year ago. The initial purpose of the group was to bring people together who have an appreciation and common interest in art in a faithful context. What occurred was an intergenerational group of novice and trained artists coming together to create. Through the monthly meetings, the participants have grown in friendship, found a safe place to invite others into the St. Thomas community, and have experienced a variety of creative endeavors. Participant Carol Ann Britt said, “In addition to loving all the art projects, many of which are techniques I’ve never tried before, I am also meeting new people or getting to visit more extensively with those I already know. I love this fellowship and have been telling many others about it and encouraging them to come.” Projects have gained the attention of many through the diverse offerings that have included collages, mosaics, paintings, paper crafts, quilting, and more. Participants have elevated and unleashed creativity within the parish to the service of themselves and others. Gordon said, “I thought I was going to teach a basic art class to a few people each month. In actuality, I have grown in my love of serving others, while sharing my love of art and faith.” God’s work through this fellowship has not only allowed for self-expression but has brought together a group of people willing to bless others with gifts of creativity and faith. The participants have been led to share their gifts, and serve their church, school, and community.
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St. Thomas Church received the gift of handcrafted mosaic Stations of the Cross. The mosaic tiles were used for an intergenerational Good Friday prayer service. This new Holy Week offering was designed by Wyndham and Cathy Villani, director of Christian Formation. It included experiential prayer stations along with devotions for the 14 stations and allowed participants, young and old, to enhance their Holy Week.
The Rev. Beth Wyndham (center) and two other Art and Faith participants hold up the altar cover made for St. Thomas School’s children’s chapel.
As this fellowship has grown, so has the generosity. Before Advent, participants created Advent calendars that were shared with family, friends, and neighbors. St. Thomas School received the gift of a threedimensional quilted altar cover for the twoand three-year-old students’ chapel services. The altar cover brings to life both Old and New Testament stories of the Bible. Not only does it serve a practical purpose as a cover for the altar, but it is also a reminder for the school children, teachers, and parents of their importance in the life of St. Thomas.
Ideally, whenever someone looks at the altar cover they are visibly reminded of the love of God, the love of God depicted through the Bible stories, and the love of God shared through the gifted people who lovingly designed and sewed this quilt. “We may think we are simply creating art and having fun, but something much bigger is happening. We are opening ourselves up to God and allowing something new to come forth in us. We are the projects God is working on,” said Wyndham. “God is creating in and through us works of joy.”
St. Thomas Art and Faith Group at Cathedral House Gallery Sunday, October 23 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Art and Faith members will show a variety of their works and be on hand to talk about how other congregations can incorporate art into their expressions of faith. Cathedral House Gallery is located at the Bishop Jones Center at 111 Torcido, San Antonio, 78209. The show will hang until mid-November and is available for viewing on October 23 and when the Jones Center is open, generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cathedral House Gallery regularly shows works of artists from around the diocese, and the adjoining Cathedral Park welcomes visitors to its grounds for quiet walks in the beauty of God’s creation. For more information about the Gallery or Cathedral Park, email Marjorie George at marjorie.george@dwtx.org.
St. George’s Summer of Service by Laura Kelly
Laura Kelly is the Communications Assistant for St. George, San Antonio.
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t. George Church and School, San Antonio, designated the summer of 2016 a Summer of Service. Each Sunday, between services, parishioners engaged in hands-on service projects to answer the “call to serve.” “As we considered the summer of 2016 we recognized that whenever we had a ‘multigenerational’ service project as an offering on Sunday mornings, we had significant participation across the generations, especially from families with younger, elementary-aged children,” said the Rev. Ram Lopez, rector of St. George Church. “Parents of this age group share their enjoyment of serving and helping others with their children.” By the end of the summer, the church served three local charities: Magdalena House, local schools through the North Central Convening of Churches, and the Food Bank of West Avenue Compassion (WAC). Parishioners and visitors from age three to over 80 participated on Sundays and contributed a great number of donations.
In June, the people of St. George donated goods and money and completed three hands-on service projects to benefit the women and children who are staying at Magdalena House, a transitional home in San Antonio that serves mothers and children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives by providing transformation through education, nurturing community, and programming. Denise Barker, the Executive Director of Magdalena House, joined came to St. George on a Sunday to tell about this remarkable home. For the first project, backpacks and school supplies for children and mothers who are attending college were donated and put together. The church also assembled “Welcome Kits” for new residents of Magdalena House. New clothes hampers were filled with new sheets, towel sets, and other items to help the residents feel comfortable in their new homes. Some of the children put their artistic skills to use and made beautiful cards to support and encourage the recipients. Magdalena House asked if the people of St. George could help them supply the party decorations for their once-a-month birthday celebrations. The church pulled together “Birthday-in-a-Bag” gift bags that contained cake plates, party hats, tablecloths, streamers, party favors, and even little gifts for boys, girls, and mothers. Parishioners also wrote encouraging notes, letters, and cards and put together stationery packets for residents to use for their own correspondence. For the July Summer of Service project, St. George helped with a backpack and school supply drive benefitting Larkspur Elementary and other local schools in conjunction with the North Central (NC) Convening of Churches.
Parishioners at St. George, San Antonio, fill backpacks with school supplies for the children at Magdalena House.
Vice-Principal of Larkspur Elementary Sara Ramirez spoke to the congregation about the challenges of teaching at a Title 1 school. She spoke eloquently about the volunteer opportunities at Larkspur and other schools like it. For the backpack drive, required school supplies for first and second grades were purchased, since they are especially highly populated grades. The St. George community put together 74 new backpacks
Participants of St. George’s Summer of Service write notes and decorate cards for new residents at Magdalena House.
full of all the school supplies that a first or second grader needed to start school. Later in August, St. George Church and the St. George School Beta Club did a second backpack drive for the students at Larkspur Elementary and donated 75 more backpacks and school supplies directly to them. In August, the church supported West Avenue Compassion (WAC) located near St. George Church at the First Church of the Nazarene. WAC’s Director, Amy Aguinaga, spoke to the congregation and told about all of the services they provide for local people in need, including a food pantry, clothing pantry, nurse consultations, senior services, job/education center, a community garden, and a service referral center. The St. George community donated food and packages of new socks and underwear in all sizes for children and adults. Church members also assembled the boxes that the WAC team packs to give to a family, which, Aguinaga pointed out, was a huge time saver for her and her volunteers and a big gift in itself. “The Summer of Service was a wonderful way to experience fellowship while helping others in our community. To see children and adults working side by side for the good of others is inspiring,” said Lopez. “The work for the Kingdom of God, Jesus reminds us, is urgent. So we intentionally planned our summer in ways that remind us that being the Church and serving our Lord is a yearround thing.”
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September/October 2016
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Around the circuit
Diocesan Silent Retreat
Honored Women in the Diocese of West Texas
The 45th annual Diocesan Silent Retreat for Men and Women will be held November 17-20 (Thursday evening through Sunday morning), at The Moye Retreat Center in Castroville. The Rev. Chris Caddell, rector of Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs, will be this year’s conductor. The theme of his meditations is “I Am Becoming: Embracing Christian Ethics.”
The Commission for Women’s Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas are excited to invite you to choose an honored woman or women from your congregation.
The Silent Retreat is the only diocesan retreat in which silence is the primary spiritual practice. In addition to the conductor’s five meditations, the community comes together for the Daily Offices of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline. Holy Eucharist is celebrated each day in the convent chapel. Morning and afternoon free time encourage personal reflection and prayer. Registration deadline is Saturday, October 15. The retreat fee is $210. For additional details and registration forms, contact Rilda Baker by phone at 210-422-9459 or email drrildabaker@gmail.com. Space is limited.
Please visit http://www.dwtx.org/honored-woman to find a brochure that explains the history and process of choosing an honored woman, as well as a nomination form. Nomination forms are now being accepted, and everyone is encouraged to mail or e-mail them in before the Fall Women’s Gathering at Camp Capers in October 2016. Please send the nomination form to the attention of Leigh Saunders at: Episcopal Diocese of West Texas P.O. Box 6885 San Antonio, TX 78209 If you fill the form out online, please email it to Leigh at leigh.saunders@dwtx.org. The nominated women will be honored with a special luncheon at the Fall Women’s Gathering in October 2017, and one woman will be selected to represent the diocese at the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Triennial Convention in the summer of 2018 in Austin, Texas. Any questions, please contact Pamela Currier at (210) 481-5772 or pamcurrier2@msn.com.
The Mother’s Day Offering benefits the Department of World Mission and honors mothers and other influential women in our lives. In addition to the honorees listed in the July/August issue, the following was also part of the offering: St. Stephen’s, San Antonio Dustin Barrows In honor of my mother, Lynne Barrows Lynne Barrows In honor of my mother, Nell Westerhoff, and my mother-in-law, Joyce Barrows Mae Kelly In honor of my daughter- in-law, Jennifer Kelly Barry Hitchings In honor of my mother, Irma Hitchings Mark Moyer In honor of my mother, Martha Moyer Julia Jones In honor of Mother’s Day Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi Janet Allen For my mother, Janet Grassie Gowdey 10
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Military Ministry Contact Persons The recently formed diocesan Military Ministry is collecting names of people willing to serve as the Military Ministry Contact Person (MMCP) for each congregation. Names to represent each church are requested by Veteran’s Day, November 11. The role of the MMCP is to be as the “go to” person for military ministry information in their community and to receive information from the diocese. The full job description of a MMCP can be found at www.dwtx.org/military. The role of the MMCP is vital as we, as a diocesan family, grow ministries to our military members, veterans, and families, connecting and sharing ideas and resources. Please pass the name along to Leslie Mixson at leslie.mixson@dwtx.org or 888/210-824-5387.
Around the circuit
New Facilities at Diocesan Camps
Diocese of West Texas Summary of Apportionments * through September 9, 2016
Construction on the new dining hall at Camp Capers began in mid August after successful fundraising efforts this summer brought in $3 million for the project. The new dining hall is scheduled to be completed in May of 2017, just in time for next summer’s campers to enjoy cinnamon rolls, garden fresh salads, and delicious dinners within its walls. In the meantime, Camp Capers’ excellent food service continues under the guidance of Graham McKim, Food Services Director. The Camp Capers Two of the three new cabins at kitchen staff is prepping and Duncan Park in Colorado. cooking meals in a portable kitchen with its regular equipment. All groups using the facilities at Camp Capers for retreats and conferences until May will be served meals as usual, eating primarily in the Arts and Crafts Building.
Summary of apportionments through September 9, 2016.
Duncan Park in Colorado also has new additions; this summer three new cabins were built on site. Each can accommodate up to six, allowing retreat groups to bring more people to this beautiful location. Reservations for a week at Duncan Park in 2017 are open. Contact the Camps and Conferences Department at 888/210-824-5387 for availability and information about bringing your church, family, or other group to the mountain retreat.
Habitat Home in Kerrville The Habitat for Humanity build in Kerrville is well underway, and the gracious folks at St. Peter’s, Kerrville, are serving as the hosts for this diocesan build. Your help is needed and appreciated. Visit www.dwtx.org/habitat-kerrville for information and to sign up to volunteer. Or you can contact Chrisie Jennings in the St. Peter’s church office at 830-257-8162.
the Church News
September/October 2016
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Episcopal Diocese of West Texas P. O. Box 6885 San Antonio, TX 78209 www.dwtx.org Send address changes to The Church News, P.O. Box 6885, San Antonio, TX 78209
the
Church News
calendar of events
Diocesan events October Cursillo #273 Cursillo #273 will be held at Mustang Island Conference Center Thursday-Sunday, October 6-9. Cursillo is a three-day spiritual retreat that gives participants the tools to share the joy of Christ with others. This particular weekend is designed especially for young adults. The Rectora for the weekend is Laurie Haney, and the Assistant Rectora is Heather Marks. Spiritual directors are the Rev. John Hardie (St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi), the Rev. Rob Harris (Christ Church, San Antonio), and the Rev. Nancy Springer (St. Alban’s, Harlingen). Register online at www.dwtx.org/events. Sunday Night Live Sunday Night Live will held on Sunday, October 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Mission Room at the Bishop Jones Center. SNL is for all San Antonio area high schoolage youth. Led by diocesan College Missions leaders, SNL is a time to gather for games, fellowship, food, singing, and worship. For more information, contact Allie Melancon at allie.melancon@dwtx.org. Fall Women’s Gathering The annual Fall Women’s Gathering at Camp Capers will be held Friday-Sunday, October 14-16. Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and the retreat lasts through Sunday Eucharist. The topic for the weekend is “Deepening Discipleship - Affirming Apostleship,” and the keynote speaker is Bishop Suffragan Laura Ahrens of the Diocese of Connecticut. On Friday, the Community Connections speaker at 4:00 p.m. will be Kathy Bogie from Magdalene House Kerrville. Cost is $165 per person to stay in a cabin or $245 per person to stay in the lodges. For more information, visit www. dwtx.org/women. Registration is open.
Art and Faith Exhibit at Cathedral House Gallery Cathedral House Gallery will host an art exhibit by the St. Thomas, San Antonio, Art and Faith group beginning with an opening reception on Sunday, October 23, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Art and Faith members will be on hand to talk about how other congregations can incorporate art into their expressions of faith. Cathedral House Gallery is located at the Bishop Jones Center at 111 Torcido, San Antonio, 78209. The show will hang until mid-November. For more information, contact Marjorie George at marjorie.george@dwtx.org. 108th Spiritual Retreat in Recovery The 108th Spiritual Retreat in Recovery will be held Friday-Sunday, October 28-30, at Mustang Island Conference Center. Sponsored by the diocesan Commission on Recovery Ministries, the Spiritual Retreat provides a safe place to deepen one’s spiritual journey and is open to anyone recovering from alcoholism or addictions to other substances, and to the families and friends who have been affected by the disease. Retreat leaders are the Rev. Stuart Hoke (General Theological Seminary) and the Rev. Ben Nelson (St. Mark’s, San Marcos). You can register at www.dwtx.org/events through October 14. For more information, contact the Spiritual Retreat in Recovery committee at dwtxsrr@gmail.com or 210-446-6932.
November Cursillo #274 Cursillo #274 will be held at Camp Capers Thursday-Sunday, November 3-6. Cursillo is a three-day spiritual retreat that give participants the tools to share the joy of Christ with others. The Rectora for the weekend is Sherri Digby, and the Spiritual Director is the Rev. Milton Black. Register online at www.dwtx.org/events.
Bishop’s Golf Classic The 11th annual Bishop’s Golf Classic will be held on Friday, November 4, at Canyon Springs Golf Club in San Antonio. Check-in starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by shotgun start at noon, and awards dinner at 5:00 p.m. Individual registration cost is $150, and there are several sponsorship levels, as well as options for non-golfers to donate. All tournament proceeds go to the diocesan scholarship fund for children’s camps and youth events, helping send youth to our diocese’s exemplary summer camp programs. Individuals and teams (up to four per team) can register online at www.dwtx.org/events. Diocesan events: www.dwtx.org/events Church events: www.dwtx.org/church-events
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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