2012 Diocesan Council insert to Church News

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Church News

We Live in Hope For the 108th time, clergy and laity representing the congregations and institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas - as well as many guests and presenters - will gather for our annual Diocesan Council as we carry on the work and ministry of Christ in and beyond our diocese.

Council 2012 will meet February 16-18 at the convention center in McAllen. St. John’s, McAllen, will serve as host and will share the hosting of Council with other churches in the Valley, including St. Peter and St. Paul, Mission; St. Alban’s, Harlingen; Grace, Weslaco; St. Matthew’s, Edinburg; and Trinity, Pharr.

This year’s diocesan theme, which will be introduced at Council, is “Abound in Hope.”

This is a portion of Romans 15:13 which proclaims: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

We are called to live our lives in and with hope. The opening acclamation in the baptismal service, from Ephesians 4.4-6, calls us to worship with the words: Celebrant: “There is one Body and one Spirit; People: There is one hope in God’s call to us; Celebrant: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; People: One God and Father of all.”

As we abound in hope, we in fact live within it and it lives within us. As we gather at our Diocesan Council in McAllen, and as we live our lives in our congregations and in our communities, let us strengthen our relationships and refresh our call to ministry to “Be Jesus’ Witnesses” (Acts 1.8 and the Core Purpose of the diocese).

108th Diocesan Council

February 16-18, 2012, in McAllen, Texas

Online Registration at www.council-dwtx.org Council Registration Clergy, delegates, alternates - $115 Includes Friday night banquet Clergy spouses - $75 Includes Friday night banquet and Friday morning breakfast Visitors - $30 Optional Registration Thursday Christian Faith in Action Luncheon - $18 Friday noon luncheon with speaker, The Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt - $20 Extra banquet tickets - $35 Saturday morning 5K benefiting Guatemala - $20 Youth in Action Event, youth and sponsors - $30 Delegate Certification The official 2012 delegate count is prepared by the diocesan secretary, the Rev. David Read, and is based on each congregation’s average Sunday attendance in 2010. In addition to registering for Council, all Council delegates must also be certified. Each congregation of the diocese completes the certification form and returns it (three copies) to the bishop’s office, the diocesan secretary, and the Council registration chair. No congregation may be seated at Council unless it has completed the annual parochial report, due at the diocesan office by February 1, 2012. All needed forms can be found at www.council-dwtx.org.

Childcare Registration There is never a childcare fee for children of clergy, delegates, and alternates, but children must be pre-registered. Drop-ins cannot be accommodated. Ages are infants through eight years. Childcare is provided during all Council business sessions, the Council Eucharist, the luncheons, and the banquet. Childcare is on premises at the convention center. Go to www. council-dwtx.org to register.

The 108th Annual Diocesan Council - special insert to The Church News, January/February 2012 - page A

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The 108th Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas, www.council-dwtx.org

Church News Mrs. Barrington Returns Abandon Hope?!

Is that what this has come to?

Pre-Council Meetings January 2012 All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. with a light dinner, except the last meeting for the Central Convocation, which begins at 6:15 p.m. with a light dessert. All presentations begin at 6:45 p.m.

Eastern Convocation Thursday, Jan. 19 Pine Street Community Center Hosted by: Trinity, Victoria Southern Convocation Sunday, Jan. 22 All Saints, Corpus Christi Valley Convocation Sunday, Jan. 22 St. Alban’s, Harlingen Western Convocation Tuesday, Jan. 24 St. Philip’s, Uvalde Northern Convocation Thursday, Jan. 26 St. Barnabas, Fredericksburg Northeastern Convocation Thursday, Jan. 26 St. Mark’s, San Marcos Central Convocation Sunday, Jan. 29 St. David’s, San Antonio Clergy and council delegates are urged to attend the pre-council meeting for their area where the details of the diocesan budget and other reports will be presented.

We met Mrs. Barrington (played by Sam Gilliam) at Diocesan Council 2011 as she introduced us to her Episcopal church, St. Aidan’s, and enlightened us with its changes in liturgy and membership. She was not in agreement with many of these changes - I mean, who listens to a 20-something-year-old priest? However, as the members of the church and new neighbors in her community sowed some seeds of faith around her, Mrs. Barrington found ways to connect once again with her church.

Mrs. Barrington has remained an active member of St. Aidan’s this past year, and she continues to maintain the community garden on her property with the help of fellow members, her lady neighbors, and those children who stole her heart. However, the world which St. Aidan’s longs to serve is in desperate times, the economy is failing, jobs are hard to come by, and even her closest acquaintances are having a hard time making ends meet. Mrs. Barrington thinks hope is lost; why abound in hope; shouldn’t we abandon hope?

Come and hear Mrs. Barrington’s story of her personal struggle and St. Aidan’s struggle with the world around them. How can this church overcome adversity and come together?

5K Run/Walk Benefit The Mission and Outreach programs of St. John’s, McAllen, are organizing a 5K Fun Run/ Walk during Council 2012. Proceeds will benefit their Guatemala Construction Mission, which provides homes for indigenous women who are widowed or abused and have children.

The 5K Fun Run/Walk Facts: • Date: February 18, 2012 • Time: 6:30 a.m.

• Location: McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen 78501 • Register online at www.dwtx.org (download entry form) • Entry fees: $20 for runners of all ages; $25 for late registration • Teams of at least 5 encouraged. Show your team spirit and bring your own shirts.

• Each person is asked to also raise a $20 sponsorship to benefit the Guatemala Construction Mission (not required to run).

• Packet pick-up at church office Feb. 13 – 15 and at the Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 17 between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

• Have more questions? Call the church at 956-687-6191.

If you are attending Council as clergy, delegates, alternates, clergy spouse, or visitors, you may sign up for the run during your Council online registration process at www.council-dwtx.org.

The 108th Annual Diocesan Council - special insert to The Church News, January/February 2012 - page B

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Church News Mission Congregations Dinner Back by popular demand, the mission congregations’ dinner will immediately follow the Thursday Council Eucharist with 8:00 p.m. reservations at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (3200 Expressway 83, adjacent to the McAllen Convention Center). Dinner includes a four-pizza buffet (BJs Favorite, the Classic Combo, Spinach and Artichoke, and the Mediterranean), plus Fettuccine Alfredo, house salad, and a nonalcoholic beverage.

Sounds so good parishes may be tempted to sign up, but sorry, it’s only for our mission congregations. Pre-registration and $16 per person payment are required and available

through the church or individual online registration forms at www.council-dwtx. org. Hosted by Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio.

Lobban was appointed to serve as chaplain to the clients, people, and staff at GSCS and as a liaison between the center and the 90 churches of the Diocese of West Texas.

Christian Faith in Action Luncheon The Christian Faith in Action Luncheon will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in meeting room #103. Cost is $18/person.

The Rev. Andrew Lobban, chaplain at Good Samaritan Community Services (GSCS), will be the speaker. This past summer, GSCS welcomed him to the staff as its first chaplain. Lobban graduated with his Masters in Divinity from Seminary of the Southwest (SSW) in May 2011 and was ordained to the priesthood in January.

Council Luncheon The Council Luncheon will be at 12:00 noon on Friday, Feb. 17. Cost is $20/person. The featured speaker is the Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt, bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. The theme is “Hoping Against Hope.” Bauerschmidt was elected the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee on October 28, 2006. He also serves as the Episcopal co-chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Ecumenical Dialogue in the United States and has served on the House of Bishop’s Theology Committee since 2007.

Schedule Highlights All activities will be held at the McAllen Convention Center.

Thursday, February 16 10:00 a.m. Exhibits, Hospitality, and Registration open 11:30 Christian Faith in Action luncheon and nursery opens 12:45 p.m. Gathering music begins 1:00 Council 2012 business session convenes with Mrs. Barrington 4:30 Recess with A Taste of the Valley reception 6:00 Council Eucharist with the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle preaching, bishop of the Diocese of TX 8:00 Dinner for Mission Churches at BJ’s Evening on your own Friday, February 17 7:30 a.m. Clergy Spouses’ Breakfast 8:00 Morning Prayer 8:00 Exhibits open 8:35 Gathering music 8:45 Council business session resumes 9:30 Bishop’s Address 11:30 Noonday Prayers, then break for lunch 12:00 p.m. plated luncheon with the Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt (bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee) 1:30 Council business session resumes 4:30 Recess 6:30 Banquet reception and entertainment by Brooks Ausborn 7:00 Council Banquet 8:00 - 11:30 music and dancing with Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes (Note: there will not be a Compline service Friday night due to the banquet concert.)

Saturday, February 18 6:30 a.m. 5K run/walk with proceeds benefiting Guatemala 8:00 Exhibits open 8:20 Gathering music 8:30 Council business session resumes 8:30 Morning Prayer with youth and commissioning 1:00 p.m. Council adjourns

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Clergy Spouse Breakfast The annual Clergy Spouse Breakfast, in meeting room #103, will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 (not the traditional Saturday). Cost is included in the Clergy Spouse registration price. The featured speaker will be Mrs. Caroline Bauerschmidt, wife of the Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt.

Council Banquet If you like to dance and party, you’re going to love Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes. The Hot Tomatoes are three dazzling female singers decked out in one outrageous costume after another: big hair, shimmy dresses, sequins, and leopard pants, and their show captures the sounds, the look, and the fun of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.

When the Hot Tomatoes dance, strut, sing, and stomp, you’re sure to have as much fun as the law allows.

The banquet will have food, too. Not just any food either, rather a Longhorn Barbeque, chuck wagon and all. The menu includes skillet-baked cornbread, grilled chicken with chipotle barbecue sauce, sliced barbecue brisket with fried jalapeno onions, smoked rope sausage with grilled onions and peppers, corn on the cob, and ranch style beans, and last but not least, a dessert of peach cobbler. The evening begins with the banquet reception at 6:30 p.m. featuring entertainment by McAllen’s own Brooks Ausborn, a classical and eclectic guitarist. At 7:00 p.m. the buffet lines open with plenty of seating for everyone plus, of course, the dance floor. A cash bar will be available.

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The 108th Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas, www.council-dwtx.org

A Time for Fellowship

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Church News Council in Action Frontera Unida Goal #1:

Casa Bethesda Goal #2:

Diocesan Council in Action is asking the 90 churches of the diocese to donate three or more Books of Common Prayer in Spanish (El Libro de Oracion Comun) for the nine Northern Mexico churches in partnership with Frontera Unida. Please see the article on page 6 for more information and details on how to order your books. Order forms are available on the Council website, www.council-dwtx. org.

Casa Bethesda is the only facility of its kind in the Piedras Negras, Mexico, area. It is a home where indigent or abandoned persons with disabilities are cared for with love and respect. The home is run by Pastor Paulino Esquivel and his wife Gilberta.

Los Libros de Oracion Comun Sacristy Supplies

Diapers - small and medium adult sizes, to supply the orphanage for several months.

Churches are also asked to clean our their sacrisities and donate unused supplies, such as candles, chalices and plates, linens, etc. In addition, clergy may consider donating unused clergy shirts and collars to the deacons and priests of the border churches.

Esquivel and his wife believe that God will provide for the home whatever it needs as long as God wants it to exist. In 1999, Pastor Paulino founded Casa Bethesda, and since that time God has provided for all their needs through free-will gifts.

One of Casa Bethesda’s greatest expenses is adult-size diapers. They use dozens each day.

This simple gift will be a blessing of encouragement to all the “family” at Casa Bethesda, said Betty Chumney, office of the diocesan Department of World Mission.

Youth in Action Youth in Action enters its fifth year of service in 2012. Like Diocesan Council, this event has become a time of reunion, renewal, and the business of the youth. And that business is mission work.

Who should attend: All students in 6th through 12th grade are invited to attend. There is much good work that needs to be accomplished, not to mention the fun of a weekend in the Valley. Cost is $30.

Location and Contacts: Headquarters for Youth in Action will be at St. John’s, McAllen. Youth Ministry contacts: Carrie Guerra, St. John’s, McAllen, 956-6276191; or Mike Woods, St. Alban’s, Harlingen, 956-428-2305.

Mission Projects: The youth will be working on special projects for the Good Samaritan Center of the Rio Grande Valley in Pharr. Stay tuned to www. council-dwtx.org/youth-in-action for more info.

Agenda: Friday – Feb. 17 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Arrival and check-in 9:00 – 10:00 – Intro, rules, and music 10:00 – Worship 11:00 – Movie Saturday – Feb. 18 7:00 a.m. – Rise and shine, eat your breakfast, pack lunches, and get going!

8:30 – Morning Prayer and commissioning

by Bishop Reed 9:00 – On to mission projects The evening will be full of fun with inflatable game madness and a BBQ celebration Sunday – Feb. 19 8:00 a.m. – Get up, get ready, get packed, and go to church.

Registration: To register and pay your $30 online, visit www.council-dwtx.org/youth-in-action. Here you will also find the medical and liability release forms and a complete packing list.

Council Live at www.council-dwtx.org Can’t make it to McAllen? Log on to Council Live (tab at top) of www.council-dwtx.org beginning Thursday afternoon, February 16. Throughout the three days of Council, the DWTX communications team will be updating the site with news and audio reports and pictures.

News & Blog Reports We will file news reports throughout the days of Council, beginning on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 16. See the “email subscriptions” box on the right of the Council Live page to subscribe and receive them automatically in your e-mail.

Audio Reports Hear the Council Eucharist sermon, the bishop’s address, and other committee reports.

Documents & Reports Get the text of the bishop’s address, nomination results, resolutions, diocesan budget, and much more.

Photos View the photo gallery as new pictures will be posted regularly.

Council Elections View all the nominees up for election at Council online at www.council-dwtx.org.

Diocesan Council will elect clergy and lay leaders to serve on: • Executive Board • Trustees of the Episcopal Church Corporation • Trustees of TMI • Trustees of the University of the South • Standing Committee

The 108th Annual Diocesan Council - special insert to The Church News, January/February 2012 - page D