The Church News July/August 2018

the

Church

News

July / August 2018 The newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

Children from St. Andrew’s, Seguin, show off their freshly harvested radishes from the children’s ministry garden that continues to grow.

See story on page 14.

Inside this issue

Honoring our Mothers The annual Mother’s Day offering for World Mission honorees, beginning on page 7.

10 11 4 13 Kingdom Builders: the Rev. Brad Landry

Johnson’s Altar Guild Service Celebrated

Exploring the history of the Diocese of West Texas

The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church

in

The

News

News and Features 2 On the Bishop’s Mind: Stewardship 4 Kingdom Builders: the Rev. Brad Landry 6 World Mission: Honduras Vision Team 7 Mother’s Day Offering for World Mission 10 Johnson’s Altar Guild Service Celebrated 11 Exploring the History of the DWTX 11 Bishop Bailey’s Quilt on Display 12 Spotlight on an Honored Woman:

Clara Etta Williams

13 The 79th General Convention of

the Episcopal Church

In Every

Issue

14 Around the Circuit 16 Calendar Cover photo submitted by Tracy Donley. 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 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 75 Number 3 July/August 2018 USPS 661-790

The Diocese of West TX is a family of 26,000+ members in 86 congregations across 60 counties and 69,000 square miles in South Central Texas.

www.dwtx.org

the RT. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson Bishop Suffragan

Stewardship Money.

Grace to you, and peace, from our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Anybody who’s ever been to marriage counseling has, sooner or later, heard the phrase, “It’s never really about money.”

Anybody who’s ever conducted a churchseeker focus group has, sooner or later, heard the phrase, “It’s always about money.”

Anybody who’s ever been involved with a church stewardship campaign has, sooner or later, heard or said, “Stewardship is about all we do with all we have—so we don’t have to focus on money.”

Money is a hot topic for almost all of us. We worry about it, we work for it, we are drawn to it, or repelled by it, and we get very anxious when somebody else—spouse, counselor, bookkeeper, pastor—says, “We need to talk about your money.”

Of course, anybody who’s ever read the Bible knows that money not only figures prominently, in both the Old and New Testaments (it shows up in Genesis, and it never goes away), but it’s actually one of Jesus’ very favorite topics. Now, why is that?

Bishop of West Texas: The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed

The wandering carpenter clearly was not obsessed with money as a means of personal or institutional aggrandizement. Jesus didn’t follow generally accepted accounting principles in his lessons on religious finance; he said that the poor widow’s twopence dropped in the temple collection box counted more than the lavish gifts of the wealthy. But when the wealthy asked what they should do to gain the Kingdom, Jesus did not stop at the old ten percent benchmark.

Let it go, he said.

Bishop Suffragan: The Rt. Rev. Jennifer BrookeDavidson

This is the point at which we fold our arms, look around nervously, and ask, “What is the BIG DEAL about money? Doesn’t anything else count?” (Inside our head, it tends to sound more like, “Back off, Bub.“)

The Bishop Jones Center 111 Torcido Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78209

So much energy around something that in the modern world doesn’t even have any physical existence. Even the pieces of paper and bits of metal—bills and coins—which recently represented gold bars stored in a fortress somewhere, are fading into oblivion, and money is now a set of electronic notations about who owes what to whom. Money is a way of exchanging things symbolically, when all the things we would like to trade with other people—goats, diamonds, houses, potatoes, yachts, information, ditch-digging—are not really portable, or the transactions are complicated or timelapsed or otherwise just can’t be traded.

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

It allows for more complexity than barter. Barter works like this: Here’s my Twinkie; I’ll take your PB&J. Some animal species barter things—even personal services, in the cases of penguins and chimps—but no other species has a fully abstract system of storing pure value in order to make future trades. That’s basically what money is. It’s way of measuring, storing, and exchanging value.

That’s why Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Your heart and your financial transactions do the same thing—they reveal what you truly value. They show what you are willing to trade your reserved “value” for. What you value enough to release money for changes over time.

After my husband Carrick’s heart attack, our household priorities shifted slightly on the scale from “maximize for security and eventual retirement” toward “don’t miss a chance for quality time with the kids.” And giving money away is more, not less, important. We want to really live our values now, not later.

But it’s our grip on our money, our resistance to giving up control of some of it by giving it away, that Jesus is concerned about. It’s not the amount. For some people two pennies is enough, and for some, only an unreserved estate sale will do. It’s all about the tension in the grip.

“Instead of being a subscriber to God’s Kingdom project, you become a partner.

Instead of a dependent, you become a co-creator.”

When we let go of our money in the name of the Lord, it’s more than a financial transaction, though we often start out that way (at least at our house, that’s how we started). At the transactional level we give to get something that we also value: our congregation benefits us, so we “pay our fair share.” A church or other group is doing work or expressing views that we support, and we pay our fair share toward that. Helping other people feels good, so we give to feel good. None of those are bad motives, or produce bad outcomes.

Then something profound happens. You take a leap of faith. You decide to align your spiritual values with your material values. You give more than it takes to achieve transactional goals—you give more than you think is rational; you give a meaningful proportion of what you have instead of paying a membership bill. That’s when it happens.

Instead of being a subscriber to God’s Kingdom project, you become a partner. Instead of a dependent, you become a co-creator. You trade in a limited, fear-based identity. You claim instead your identity as a beloved child of the God who created the Milky Way and gave it to you for your birthday. Instead of hoarding the abundance God has poured into your own life, you release it into the common life of the beloved community.

Money is not dirty, or common, or secular, or private. It is a symbol and means of the power and abundance of God, placed into human hands. God meant for us to keep our hands open, not to clench them in endless fear. Opening our fists in order to give frees us from fear. It aligns us with our deepest values. And it connects us powerfully with the giver of all things.

That’s why it’s a BIG DEAL. God bless us all, each and every one.

From the editor Laura Shaver

Grace-full Goodbye

“

Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me.

“Take me deeper than my feet have ever wandered, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior.”

These lyrics make up the chorus of the song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” performed by Hillsong United. It’s my favorite chorus to sing along to at full volume in my car while driving to and from San Antonio to be at the Bishop Jones Center. It’s also a chorus that the lead female voice repeats over and over, allowing me to get completely lost in the words and my own personal praise.

During my time in communications for the Diocese of West Texas, I have been told and have written about so many beautiful stories of people walking upon unknown waters, letting their feet wander to where God is calling them, to serve him among others in all walks of life.

The stories are too big in number to name, but it’s been a joy to witness the hands and feet of Jesus moving all around us in this diocese. Serving our youth at camps and extending that grace to families of Wounded Warriors, children from Good Samaritan Community Services, and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; feeding the homeless under a city’s bridge, local and state-wide and international mission trips, all to serve in God’s name and come back refreshed in his love for us.

grace as hands have reached out in all capacities to help our numerous neighbors get back on their feet after the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.

When I joined the diocesan staff over seven years ago, I felt like I was following God’s calling for me. And I am so thankful to have taken that leap, because I have been immersed in ministry, in worship, in spiritual development, in failures and successes, and in friendship.

Now I find myself following his call again, deeper than I thought I would wander, to a new position, a new job, that will keep me closer to home and to my family.

It’s been a joy to serve alongside so many of you and to witness your incredible acts of generosity.

It has been an honor to work for both Bishops Lillibridge and Reed and to welcome Bishop BrookeDavidson. And it’s been a privilege to get to know so many faces in our congregations and to form lasting friendships with fellow staff members.

Thank you for the support, for reading about my children from time to time, and for taking part in this faithful diocesan family.

“Your grace abounds in deepest waters, and your sovereign hand will be my guide.”

Most recently, I have watched first-hand from my home in Portland and through the work of this diocesan family, grace upon the Church News

July / August 2018

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Featured News

Kingdom Builders: the Rev. Brad Landry Priest runs to recovery

By Mike Patterson

This feature article is the third in a series entitled Kingdom Builders, which profiles members of the Diocese of West Texas working to further the work of the Kingdom in a unique way or with a unique story. If you know of someone we should consider for a featured profile, please send your suggestion to Laura Shaver at laura.shaver@dwtx.org.

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n January 27, 2017, the young rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio sat at his computer and typed out a surprising admission to post on his blog: “Hi, my name is Brad, and I am an alcoholic.”

The Rev. Brad Landry had been sober for three years when he disclosed his drinking problem to his congregation and shared his journey to overcome it.

“How in the world do you tell people—some who know you well, some not at all—that you have little control over how and when you drink,” he wrote.

Now celebrating his fourth year of sobriety, Landry admits few, if any, knew he was an alcoholic when he and his family arrived at St. Paul’s in August 2013.

“I did most of my drinking at home,” he said in an interview in his book-lined office.

“It was not like I was coming to work drunk.

I was a highly functional alcoholic. I was showing up and putting in long hours and getting my work done.”

Photo by Mike Patterson.

The 37-year-old Landry spoke in complete sentences, and the sentences formed complete paragraphs, the speech of a thinker who has contemplated his condition and has formed a way to express it openly and unabashedly.

“It would be less embarrassing if I could say, ‘Oh, I stopped drinking before we came to St. Paul’s,’” he said. “But that’s part of my story and the timing of how it happened.”

This is the timing: “It is probably embarrassing to admit but I didn’t learn how to drink until I went to seminary” at the University of the South (Sewanee), he said. “I think there was an unhealthy culture of drinking. It was available at every social 4

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setting. It was just part of the social background noise.”

Married while a college senior and facing the pressures of his studies and life, Landry found that drinking was a way to cope with the stress.

He also found that “alcoholism is a progressive disease” that required him to gradually increase his intake to achieve the same results.

“Your tolerance is built up, so that snowballed on me eventually,” he said.

The Rev. Brad Landry in his office at St. Paul’s, San Antonio, where he has served as rector since August 2013.

After graduating from seminary, he was ordained in 2010 at the age of 29. In August 2013, he was called as rector of St. Paul’s, moved to San Antonio, and received “an ideal welcome.”

“But my first six months here I almost worked myself to death. It wasn’t unrealistic expectations from the church or that anything horrible was going on here; it was just my need to impress them,” he said.

As the self-inflicted job pressures grew, his tolerance level continued to build, driving him to drink even more. “That wasn’t a healthy or positive way to deal with the stress,” he said. “That scared me to death. I knew I had a problem at that point.”

He told his wife that he thought he could handle the job maybe another six months.

“Something’s got to change,” he thought.

“But what needed to change was that I needed to stop drinking.”

A decisive turning point came when he attended a clergy event sponsored by the Diocese of West Texas. “One of the presentations was on recovery ministries,” he said. “A retired priest shared his story about drinking. I became paranoid that he was speaking directly to me, so paranoid that I thought they were about to stage some sort of intervention.”

Driving home, Landry called his best friend and shared, “I think I have a problem and I don’t know what to do about it.”

The next day he attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. He didn’t tell his wife until days later. “I knew she was concerned about my drinking. Her reaction was one of relief because she knew she couldn’t fix it.”

He also told his bishops about what he was going through. “Their support was pivotal.”

“In the realm of recovery, I have been a slow learner,” he wrote in his blog post. “I am simply, yet confoundedly, learning that I am not in control. Not of my drinking and not of a lot of other things in life. I am learning to accept my own limitations.”

What eventually overwhelmed him was that “recovery work and being healed of the disease of alcoholism is part of God’s love for me, that God isn’t finished with me.”

In addition to the help he received at AA, Landry added a component to his recovery work: long-distance running. For years, he ran several days a week, but increased the days and distances after he gave up drinking.

“That’s how I survived my early days of recovery,” he said, his lean body evidence of his running routine. “It was a constructive way of dealing with the stress of work, of life, of being a parent in these early stages of recovery.”

“It gave me a focus to go outside and to breathe and move through space and time and nature,” he said. “I could feel alive when most of the time when I was drinking I would just feel numb.

“Sometimes I’ll put my arms out and take a big breath and look at the sky and feel like what it feels to have a body. To receive

In 2018, he qualified for the famed Boston Marathon and plans to enter the race on Patriot’s Day in 2019. “On our liturgical calendar, that’s the day after Palm Sunday, so that’s going to make for two marathons that week,” he said.

Landry appeared destined to enter the ministry from an early age. He spent his first ten years in Illinois attending a Catholic Church, serving as an altar boy, and attending a Catholic school. “My life revolved around the church,” he said. “When I was in elementary school, a priest told me that he could imagine that I would be a priest one day. I thought he was crazy. I wanted to be a fighter pilot or rock star.”

After his parents divorced, he and his mother moved to Florida and stopped attending church. It was at a summer tennis camp that he made friends with teens who attended the Baptist Church.

“Not only was I a Roman Catholic, I was a lapsed Roman Catholic,” he said. “I felt like I had a big target on my back that said ‘Save me.’ But it was exactly what I needed at that time. I was totally lost and hurting after my parent’s divorce and feeling kind of abandoned by a lot of that.”

He credits the Baptist community for teaching him about God’s love “in fresh ways that I hadn’t experienced before.” Landry calls that period his “sojourn in the Baptist Church,” but he said, “I was never a very good Baptist.

I missed the sacraments, I missed the liturgy.”

His call to the ministry came as a 17-yearold high school student. Reading a passage from Samuel in which God tells David that he will shepherd his people (2 Samuel 5:2), Landry said, “It felt like the words of the Scripture were leaping off the page directly into my soul in a way that I don’t know if I’ve experienced since.

“I could see the printed words on the page but they somehow resonated deep inside of me. I instantly felt this call to ministry. It was an openness and a quiet time with God that I don’t feel like I could have made up on my own.”

The Rev. Brad Landry runs in a marathon earlier this year, after which he qualified for the 2019 Boston Marathon.

Recovery Ministries

running as a gift, that I can move like this, that I can breathe like this, for me it’s a deep experience for what it feels like to be in flesh and human.”

in the

Diocese of West Texas

Recovery ministries in the Diocese of West Texas seeks to educate, support, and raise awareness about addictive illness and recovery in our congregations and communities.

The jewel in the crown of the Recovery Commission’s work is the twice-a-year Spiritual Retreat in Recovery, for those in recovery of all types. The commission also seeks to support annual Recovery Sundays in local congregations, where the familial diseases of addiction, alcoholism, and co-dependence are brought into the light and discussed. The miracle of recovery is highlighted by supporting Recovery Sundays.

The diocesan ministry hopes to increase education for clergy and congregations and begin developing “recovery ready” churches that talk about alcoholism and addiction while supporting people in recovery and the programs to which they are connected. On the national level, West Texas has a long history of supporting the same efforts of connection and support around the Episcopal Church. We have several people in this diocese who have been recognized nationally in this ministry, and we continue to be connected on the national level with the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC).

RMEC’s work includes the “National Gathering” - this year in Asheville, North Carolina, the last week of September (see the RMEC website: episcopalrecovery.org).

The most important thing that Recovery Ministries wants everyone to know is there is help out there for people who suffer from the pain of addictive illness. There are many people in our pews who share the experience, strength, and hope of long-term recovery, and it is truly one of God’s beautiful examples of redemptive love!

Chair of Recovery Ministries is the Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson, ben.nelson@sanmarcosepiscopal.org.

Continued on page 10. the Church News

July / August 2018

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Photo courtesy of the Rev. Brad Landry.

Although clergy are not immune to the drinking problems faced by members of their congregations, Landry said that as a priest “the spiritual component of recovery was harder for me because I tried to think my way through it.

Featured News

World Mission: Honduras Vision Team

by Dr. Carol Folbre

Carol Folbre, Ph.D. is a member of St. John’s, New Braunfels.

Photos submitted by Dr. Carol Folbre.

F

Wynne, Adilyn George, Thomas Foster, Kelsie Lee, Hyacinth Bridges, Janet Drane, and I contributed patience, grace in the moment, and valuable insight into the vision needs.

or six days we left behind drinking our water from a faucet, eating cobb salads, and savoring watermelon. From May 1925 we waxed ourselves in high-powered sunscreen and dipped our bodies in bug spray, an aroma that lingered longer than we did in the airport of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. What little things to endure for the wealth of blessings we would give to and receive from Honduran families.

Funded by World Mission of the Diocese of West Texas, the new Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener was a hand-held, portable device that Noreen guarded with her life as it screened six-month-old babies to adults with supreme accuracy. Within two seconds this over-sized box camera zeroed in on the eyes and took 23 shots to formulate a person’s vision.

We rolled with the landscape for four hours, seeing snippets of banana trees and feeling the warmth of the air as we headed to Siguatepeque. A 49-member symphony of vets, nurses, students, retired teachers, and tech experts all sorted ourselves into vet and vision teams.

We reached and tested 1,257 students, parents, and staff in four days, visiting five or six schools daily, while doing traditional vision acuity, as well. Our machine was searing in its accuracy as it tested for amblyopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and unequal refractive power.

Noreen Hendley, a nurse from St. John’s, New Braunfels, spearheaded nine on our vision team along with Susie Waters, our official Spanish translator; the Rev. Jay George from Grace Church, San Antonio; the Rev. Ripp Hardaway, St. John’s, New Braunfels; and Lynn and Bill Campaigne, St. Andrew’s, Seguin, whose leadership we’ve followed for over 30 years in building strong Honduran relationships with the people of Siguatepeque. McKenzie Hardaway, Ashley

The year before we only reached 600 Hondurans in fewer schools while using less accurate machines. This year, over 100 Hondurans will receive free glasses from prescriptions made with the help of Rick Warren and the New Braunfels Lions Club. They are sent back to be specifically distributed to those in need.

The School for Special Needs, established by the International Rotary Club in 201112, especially stood out for me. We tested 58 students and teachers and 22 needed glasses. The moment we walked on to the long porch, we were embraced by their happiness to see us. All the students waved the promise of hope.

The first student was moved into the testing chair by a large person who could lift him.

He waffled somewhat, so we held his head steady to get an accurate reading. He needed glasses. We would give them to him three months from that moment. He was carried gently out of the room, with the vision of hope and love.

The new Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener formulates a person’s vision to determine the need for corrective lenses.

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Next was a young boy with Down syndrome who needed glasses, too. He already played football, even if he scored at both ends of the field. As he held a ball he smiled contentedly, knowing we were giving to him, not giving up on him.

The Honduran Vision Team traveled from school to school in the back of local pick-up trucks.

On the sixth day, I realized many of us had left behind so much more than being able to drink water from a faucet. We’d bent our Western beliefs to integrate with Central American customs that were often more progressive. Recycled tires made into planters, tree stumps made into chairs, or plastic water bottle cisterns to catch water for plants were innovative and inspiring.

Local companies and school districts worked together, such as a coffee company or toll road enterprise that paid teachers’ salaries and supplies. How humbling.

I’ve thanked many people who made this trip possible, but I want to especially thank the Diocese of West Texas. I was a recipient of a free world mission trip, as my name was drawn out of a large glass bowl earlier this year at Diocesan Council in San Marcos, Texas. I could have gone anywhere in the world where our World Missions efforts are established: Russia, Mexico, Africa, Haiti, etc.

I chose Honduras to learn alongside my local community leaders, experts nationwide, and, most of all, from the Honduran people.

Special Section: Mother’s Day Offering

Honoring Our Mothers An annual offering for Mother’s Day honored the special women in our lives and contributed to the work of World Mission.

In past years, the funds have provided such things as medical and dental treatment for marginalized children in Mexico and Guatemala; micro enterprise conferences for women of Uganda; renovations and beds for orphanages in Kenya and Mexico; and continued work with children’s ministries in Haiti.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

Donor Honoree

Donor Honoree

St. Martin’s, Houston (Diocese of Texas)

Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi

Doris M. Tesseri

Doris Boyd Amey Lawrence Mills Helen Mellor Juliette Wood Alice Wood Susan T. Walker --

Betty Works Fuller Lucy Robb Works, Joan Abbett Fuller B.J. Kershaw Nancy, Elizabeth, Mildred Candy Trask Marsha Browning Nancy L. Sulik -Karen D. Mitchell Pearl Fultz Dr. Faye Bruun -Gregg and Marsha Robertson Charlene Bradberry

Advent, Alice

St. Bartholomew’s, Corpus Christi

Melba Gafford Una and Thelma Mr. and Mrs. A. Housley -Alex Saenz Herlinda G. Saenz, Nieves C. Ramirez The Rev. and Mrs. Turner Maudine L. Turner, Darlene I. Berger

Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Heldenfels III Gladys Noel, Rae Heldenfels -- Grace Sells -- Susan Steube-Nordine -- Christina King -- Jean Wingfield Martha Elliott Mary Leah Armstrong, Jessie

Marie Elliott, Leslie Lee Rudy,

Holli Jo Elliott, Jerusha Lea Elliott Carol Grant Edith Bird

Dorothea Moellenberndt

Church not specified

Our Saviour, Aransas Pass Patricia S. Greene Pat Greene -- Doris Prichard Snyder St. Francis, Canyon Lake -- Margaret Rogers Moore Janet Pollock Lynda Leadford Ruby Rheinhardt, Trish Scohder --- Margot Moore-Wilson, Eleanor Mulbry H. ten Brink Doris ten Brink

“A woman of great faith and courage. Served as a strong role model to four daughters. Taught us to love God, do our best, and to love others.”

Grace, Cuero Mr. and Mrs. Paul Guidry

Anna Boudreaux Guidry

St. James, Del Rio

St. Boniface, Comfort

Glo Stryker Christina McNall, Nan Fritsch Parishioners --

The Rev. and Mrs. Charles H. Berry Lucille Berry, Zona Berry

St. Matthias, Devine

All Saints’, Corpus Christi

Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Lesieur Roberta Walters

Lorraine J. Dawson

Diana Lesieur Roberta Hundley

Deban Flexner, Cathy Dawson the Church News

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Special Section: Mother’s Day Offering

Donor Honoree

Donor Honoree

Joyce D. Gill Vivian McDonald, Mary Ida Hodson -- Signe Boettcher

St. Christopher’s, Portland

“She always had a positive outlook on life, only saw the good in people. Her love and encouragement made me the person I am today.”

St. Matthew’s, Edinburg Mr. and Mrs. Tom Arnold Kathryn Triplitt Goodwyn Christopher Munn Florence Weymouth Munn James McAllen Frances McAllen Good Shepherd, George West Virginia Horton Alice Braly Whitley Joyce Wilkinson Charles Sehlke

Olivia Bryan, Lucile Horton Diana Braly Turnbow Pauline Manuel, Mary Colleti Marion Sehlke, Joyce Riggs

St. Matthew’s, Kenedy Pat Hemby Shirley Oleson Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sartwelle III Dianne and David Maitland

Doris Lillian Crowell Paula Helton, Barbara Wood Sugie Sartwelle Peggy Maitland Henry

Christ Church, Laredo Melle Farrell Nancy B. Hall, Martha B. Jordan Glassford Family Suzanne Carlton Myrna Innis Sofia Jimenez Angelica Lopez Hilda G. Lopez Connie Miles Brenda Hovermale, Marcia Hovermale Lisa Paul -Willie Reeves -James Romo Tina Trevino Rebecca Wise Lucia G. Leyredecker

“My mother was dedicated, hard-working, responsible, empowering, and most of all, selfless.”

St. John’s, McAllen Mary Baucum Sophia Philquist Lee Baucum Mary Lazar Baucum Pat Fletcher Daphne Britton Mr. and Mrs. Shane Shelton -Gay Briteng Aurora, Ching -- Glenda Pilgrim St. Andrew’s, Port Isabel Madonna Lake --

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Lana Davis Beverly Patterson Resurrection, San Antonio Ann Montes Gwendolyn Sampson Robert and Ferol Senter Gertrude Senter, Lois Fisher Michael Mika -Virginia S. Alexander Dorcas Gill Smith Gwen Sampson Thelma Cambre Gauthreaux, Patricia St. Angelo, Ann Montes

“My mother is a brilliant woman with God’s gift to teach, and she has wonderful laughs.”

St. David’s, San Antonio John and Patty Brooke Hope Ball Brooke, Olivia Castro, Jennifer Brooke-Davidson Bettie Schrade Nora Riley Grona Julie Hardaway Shirley Hasting Dana Sommers Gayle O’Dowd, Day Smith Robert Hodnett Elizabeth Folts Hodnett Bill Sommers Dorothy Sommers Andrea Nasis Elaine Wade Robertson Lynn Gillaspy Barbara Erben, Hertha Erben, Marietta Beaton, Day Smith, Dana Sommers Patsy McGaughy Gladys Thomson Beyer Family -David Horton Imogene, Sammie St. Francis, San Antonio Michele Koch Olive M. Salyards Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kosek Elizabeth Kosek, Helen Dawson Oskana Snow Sophia Krawec Suzanne Rodriguez Sue Scott Trainor Janet and Jim Scott --- Laura Y.L. Martinez, Kimberly Schlect Susan Correa Jane Zielinski Laura Harris Mary Harris Maria Ammerman Maria de Jesus Gutierrez Susan Correa Maria Correa Linda Stahl Margaret T. Fox Diane Reynolds Connie Reynolds, Valeria Hall John and Cheryl Marvel and Peggy Paul Look Mary Nick, Anne Look St. Margaret’s, San Antonio Karen Klatt Lillian Larson Jean Anne Paul Irma Jean Paul Pat Smith Karen Donahoe Pauline Fraser Juliana Eddy, Elladine Eddy

Special Section: Mother’s Day Offering

Donor Honoree

Donor Honoree

St. Mark’s, San Antonio

Mr. and Mrs. David Weaver Lorraine R. Babcock Martha Gaston Mr. and Mrs. Michael K. Grunwald

-- Millie Parr Mr. and Mrs. Bob Pollom Rowena Tyhurst Jewell, Esther Jane Davis

--Helen Mills, Elizabeth Risinger Grace K. Williams

All Saints’, San Benito St. Philip’s, San Antonio Yvonne Smith Louise Reid, Shirley Davis Evelyn Holmes Pecola Jones Holt Polly Kirven LaRue White Regina Walker Loved ones Mary Peters Davis Orah N. Peters, Winifred W. Davis Carole Thorla Millie Weller Tammy Davis Janet Haskins Elizabeth Appler Etherine Allen Dorothy Adkins My mother Joyce D. Sowells Helena G. Cuffins Margaret Islam Katherine Tennell, Toni and Starr Bright, Charlie Bellinger Sabrina Davis Shirley Davis Ray Holmes Marie Evans Holmes

“My mother gave birth to 16 children and loved each one dearly.

No matter how busy she was, she would always tell us how much she loved us.”

St. Stephen’s, San Antonio Delia Cardenas Dolores Marmalejo Hernandez Dustin Barrows Lynne Barrows Lynne Barrows Nell Westerhoff, Joyce Barrows Mae Kelly Jennifer Kelly, Eva Mae Baker Barry Hitchings Irma Beaty Hitchings Mary Lou and Harry Kilgore Rose Kilgore, Caroline Owen Rose Ann Felty Erma B. Morrison, Anne McClanahan Mary Jan Kleen Lena Cristofoletti, Joy Brazil, Inga Hazer Emily Holder Margaret Van Pelt Arlene and Bob Murff Louise Fromme, Floy Murff Mark Moyer Martha Moyer St. Thomas, San Antonio Ronald Lorton Grace Lorton James Aultman Eloise Aultman Kate Aultman Sara Powell Seyler Eloise Hooper Faye Parks Carol Ann Britt Thelma Downing, Eloise Hooper Mike Karstens -Deb Murphy Pauline Debevec Leo Castanon Susie Castanon Brenda Jacobs Bonnie Maxwell, Charlotte Jacobs Janet Rodgers Katheryn Becker Esther Rickey Anna Seib Kathleen Wilkinson Isabel Peach Mr. and Mrs. Dan Shauver -Barbara C. Patricia Andrea Conn Joy Barronette, Phyllis Conn

The Rev. and Mrs. Michael T. Fulk Marguerite Bowes, Betha Fulk Tootie Madden Mary Jacqueline (Jack) Boswell Dennis Bates Lois Bates Gail Storm Mary Elizabeth Cotta Storm St. Andrew’s, Seguin Joanne H. Hunter Sally Keddal Mr. and Mrs. Tony Price Audrey Eleanore, Theresa Mills-Wright Price, Ruth Elizabeth Gibson Clark Dorothy Bauer Ann Bauer, Susan Bauer, Julie Khuzami, Lindsey Bauer Sandy Colwell Muriel Murdock St. Matthew’s, Universal City Eleanor Bjoring -Jayne Creasy Carolyn Jayne Pensfield Gibson Kathy Ercoline Wilma Sharp Bill Ercoline Edith Ercoline Kathy and Bill Ercoline Erin Upton Suzi Hopkins Peggy Squire Terry May and Diane Woods Hazel May, Joanna Woods John Sampson Ellen Sampson, Liz Sampson Eleanor Bjoring Catherine Enders McElheny Trinity, Victoria Mary Wheeler Ellen Roberts, Barbara Rix Penni Gietz Angela Panelas Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Lenz Lea Lenz, Gladys Von Minden Tom Faulkner Elizabeth Faulkner Susan Hyak Dorothy Welton

“My mom was the bravest woman I ever knew. She had a fantastic sense of humor and loved her children.”

Grace, Weslaco Margaret Craun -Elizabeth and Gopal Krishnan -Joy G. Herrera Rachel Gonzalez Mr. and Mrs. Joe Martinez Wilma Kalberer, Alicia Martinez Christy Rodriguez Genoveva Gamez Modesta Guerrero Macaria Luis Roberta Stahl Beulah Elsie Stahl Genoveva Gamez --

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Featured News

Johnson’s Altar Guild service celebrated

by Vicky Connor

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uring his annual visitation to Church of the Advent in Brownsville earlier this year, Bishop David Reed honored Mary Anita Johnson for 50 years of service in the Altar Guild. He read his letter commemorating this milestone during the worship service, and said, “For 50 years, by grace, you have served faithfully as a member of the Altar Guild of Church of the Advent -- an enduring and beautiful example of Christian service for the whole Church.

“As a child of this beloved parish, I was blessed by your faithfulness without even knowing it. As Bishop of West Texas, I am both humbled and lifted up by your graceful example of loving service. Altar Guild members typically prefer working behind the scenes, serving quietly so that our worship is deepened and beautified; but it is good to celebrate and give thanks that God gives the Church people like you – a living reminder that the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve. Your love for our Lord and for the people of Church of the Advent shines forth in you and in your service. Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” said Reed.

“I fell on my knees and cried a prayer of thanksgiving for giving me these 50 years of service,” said Johnson, referring to when she returned home from church that Sunday.

“I’ve never felt so honored, and by my bishop, my priest, my church, and so many others who came up to me afterward. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I still have the letter from Father Rufus Stewart, inviting me into the Altar Guild in 1968, and I come across it now and again. I’m going to frame Bishop Reed’s letter and Father Stewart’s side by side.”

Johnson continued, “When I was a little girl, my mother went to the book store and bought children’s versions of the Old Testament and New Testament with pictures, and she read the stories to my sister and me from beginning to end and then started all over again. We loved the stories.

“The Holy of Holies always fascinated me, because only Aaron and the priests could enter the Sanctuary and Tabernacle. When I was in the Junior Choir and sitting in the chancel area, I thought of our altar area as the Holy of Holies. Only the priest, the Eucharistic minister, and the acolyte could enter our sanctuary, and, at eight years old, I decided I wanted to be one of those who had the honor of crossing over on the other side of that altar railing. To be able to work on the altar table itself and set up for Holy Communion -- it’s what I wanted to do all my life; I knew that’s where I belonged,” she said.

Mary Anita Johnson was honored for her 50 years of service on the Altar Guild at Advent, Brownsville, in March.

Johnson continues to serve regularly in the Altar Guild at Sunday’s early service and funerals, sings in the Senior Choir during Sunday’s late service, is a member of the Daughters of the King, and volunteers twice a week in the church office.

Continued from page 5.

Photo submitted by Vicky Connor.

He attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where many of his high school friends from the Baptist community went due to its deep roots in Christian values. “When I first felt a call to the ordained ministry in high school that really set my trajectory toward Samford and their religion department,” he said.

There he found the Episcopal Church. “I don’t know why I didn’t consider going back to the Catholic Church when I experienced that call to the ministry,” he said. “Somehow it didn’t seem like an option to me. It’s not the only reason but was part of it.”

Another reason was that he wanted to marry his college sweetheart, Elizabeth.

After graduating from Samford, the couple moved to Sewanee, Tennessee, for him to attend seminary. And that’s where his serious drinking began.

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Today, after four years of sobriety, the effect on his life has been profound. “I allow myself to feel both the highs and the lows,” he said.

“It’s about feeling and being more present.

Life is not always puppies and sunshine.

There are definitely lows, but I allow myself to feel them. Previously I would try to numb that. If something didn’t feel good I wanted to get as far away as possible.”

He isn’t interested in turning his recovery into a full-fledged ministry. He simply offers to share his own journey.

To his knowledge, his admission of his drinking problem created little or no stir within his congregation. And if the responses to his blog are any indication, he was greeted with unequivocal support.

“God is good. And so are you, Brad Landry,” one person wrote. “I so admire your honesty.”

You can read and follow Landry’s blog at https://revrun.wordpress.com/.

“Brad, I’m so proud of you!” said another.

“Blessings, love, and strength to you, my friend.”

“If you’d ever like to hear more about it, or if you or someone you care about seems to be struggling with addiction, I’d be glad to have a cup of coffee and further conversation with you,” he said.

Mike Patterson is a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Blanco, Texas, and a freelance writer.

Exploring the history of the Diocese of West Texas

Bishop Bailey’s quilt on display at Bishop Jones Center

by David Allen White

David Allen White serves as the Diocesan Archivist and can be reached at dawh63@gmail.com.

I

t’s the job of the diocesan Historical Commission to collect, preserve, organize, and reveal the history of the Episcopal Church in our corner of the world. Sometimes one gets the idea that our diocese started in 1875. That’s when there was, for the first time, a Bishop of the Missionary District of Western Texas, whose name was Robert Woodward Barnwell Elliott.

A number of churches around the diocese have a “Bishops’ Wall” with portraits of all the bishops starting with Elliott and ending with Brooke-Davidson, our current Bishop Suffragan. But that’s not the whole story.

This plot of earth we now call the Diocese of West Texas was under the jurisdiction of three other bishops before Elliott. The Episcopal Church first came to Texas in 1838, two years after independence from Mexico, and the House of Bishops appointed Leonidas Polk the first Missionary Bishop of the Southwest, which included Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and “Indian Territory,” otherwise known as Oklahoma.

Polk remained Bishop of the Southwest until 1841, when he became Bishop of Louisiana, and for three years there was no bishop over the other areas of the Southwest. In 1844 a second Missionary Bishop of the Southwest was appointed, George Washington Freeman. In 1859 the Diocese of Texas was formed out of the Missionary District of the Southwest, and Alexander Gregg became the first Bishop of Texas.

The whole state of Texas was under the jurisdiction of Bishop Gregg until 1874 when it was finally realized that Texas was just too big. The district was split more or less along the Colorado River to form the Missionary District of Western Texas, and this is where Bishop Elliott enters our history. (A Missionary District of Northern Texas was formed at the same time.)

Over the past year or so, the Historical Commission has been trying to prepare a list of all the places in which our diocese has

an Episcopal Church, or had the beginnings of one. It may surprise you to know that since 1875 we have had 206 congregations, missions, preaching stations, or attempts of one sort or another, in 151 cities, towns, settlements, military posts, or locations of some kind. Sometimes more than one congregation has started in the same place at different times. There have been some congregations at places which no longer exist, even places we can’t identify. And this is just going back to 1875. One of these days we’re going to try to find out what happened between 1838 and 1875, but that will require a trip to Austin or Houston.

This is where we now ask for help from the people of the diocese, both laity and clergy. We have posted on the diocesan website a draft of the list. We want to collect information from anybody who might be able to supply corrections or additions to what we have so far. Please visit us at: www.dwtx.org/historical-commission Take a look at the documents called “Churches and Clergy in the Diocese of West Texas,” and see if you have anything you would like to add to it. If you do, please contact David White, Diocesan Archivist, at dawh63@gmail.com. Thank you for helping out.

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commemorative quilt that once had pride of place in Bishop Scott Field and Evelyn Bailey’s home is now in the Bishop Jones Center in San Antonio. Scott Field Bailey served as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas from 1977 to 1987. As a surprise gift from the women of the diocese upon his retirement, Bishop Bailey received a quilt with each square representing a parish or mission church in the diocese.

Materials to make the quilt squares were sent to every church in the diocese, and the squares were so identified and embellished with embroidery. The quilt was long the Baileys’ prized possession and remained with Evelyn Bailey until her death. In the spring of 2016, the Baileys’ daughters, Sarah Bailey Fitzsimons and Lou Bailey Taylor, presented the quilt at the Bishop Jones Center, the offices of the Diocese of West Texas.

Joyce Griffin remembered that when she joined the diocesan staff as director of Camps and Conferences in 1978, the Women of the Diocese as an organization had disintegrated in the light of the women’s liberation movement. Women had gained status in the church, yet still could not serve on vestries or be ordained as clergy. But the need to revive the women’s organization was strongly felt and had been recently reorganized.

The quilt project as a celebration of Bishop Bailey’s episcopate was also a manifestation of the role of women in the church and of the renewed appreciation of quilting as an art form.

Written by Mary Carolyn Hollers George; photograph by Daniel Hendrickson.

Bishop Robert Woodward Barnwell Elliott, the first Bishop of the Missionary District of Western Texas.

A beautiful quilt representing each church in the Diocese of West Texas that was given to Bishop Bailey upon his retirement in 1987 now hangs on display at the Bishop Jones Center.

the Church News

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Featured News

Spotlight on an Honored Woman: Clara Etta Williams

By Laura Shaver

C

lara Etta Williams, 90, was given the title of Most Honored Woman from St. Philip’s, San Antonio, and was recognized among the other congregational honored women at this year’s Commission for Women’s Ministries Luncheon at Diocesan Council in February. Williams, who has been a member of St. Philip’s since 1963, was one of the first 12 students to graduate from the nursing program at St. Philip’s Junior College, started by Dr. Artemisia Bowden, recognized on the calendar of the Episcopal Church, “Holy Women, Holy Men.” “She was a savior to me,” said Williams of Dr. Bowden. “I could not have become the nurse or the woman I am today if I had not been blessed by her.

“I will never be a ‘saint,’ but it’s sure good to have known one,” she said after the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved Bowden’s listing in “Holy Women, Holy Men” in 2015.

Williams was an honor graduate in the PreNursing Licensed Vocational Nurses Program at St. Philip’s Junior College in 1949, but there was nowhere in San Antonio for her to complete her clinical training because of segregation. Bowden, recognizing this obstacle, set out to fix it. “She found money somewhere, because pennies were very short in these days,” said Williams, as Bowden secured a partnership with both Santa Rosa Hospital and Baptist Hospital in San Antonio for the 12 students in the nursing program.

Williams then served as a nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital for 25 years. “I worked the 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. night shift, and I earned $114 per month. That was my contribution to my household with my husband and five children,” said Williams, who had dreamed of being a nurse since childhood.

While Williams was employed at Santa Rosa Hospital, Bowden was admitted toward the end of her life. Williams was pulled from her regular shift to serve as Bowden’s personal nurse. “I was proud to show her the fruits of her labor.”

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Due to health concerns, Williams had to quit practicing nursing in 1975, but she worked as a substitute teacher and in direct sales. “I did anything I could to help feed all the mouths.”

Her biographical sketch is now part of the archives and special collections of the St. Philip’s College Learning Resource Center.

Both Williams and her late husband Ernest “Bill” Williams were active community members. In 1964, Bishop Everett Jones confirmed Williams in St. Philip’s. She joined the church and deeply involved herself in ministry, serving as the vice president of the Women of St. Philip’s; on the church’s Altar Guild, as well as the diocesan Altar Guild; on the church’s Vestry during the construction of the Davis/Waller Parish Hall; and as the first coordinator of the pictorial directory. She served on the Ebony Fashion Fair committee, a fundraising effort of the church for many years.

Williams also served as an usher and greeter, a volunteer church office assistant, memorial outreach chair, and condolence chairperson.

She was the co-editor of the St. Philip’s Journal Newsletter and is still the Memorial Fund record keeper, which she began in 1990. In 2015, Williams became a charter member of the Dr. Artemisia Bowden Diocese of West Texas chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians.

Upon hearing Bishop Reed’s request from this year’s Diocesan Council for the diocese to read the entire Bible in one year, Williams returned to a Bible day-by-day book given to her by her sister. “I’ve read it once, but I figured it was time now to refresh my mind,” she said. Her version provides a reading from the Old Testament and New Testament, a Psalm, and a Proverb for each of 365 days.

Williams’ favorite Proverb (3:6) states, “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

Williams was proud to discuss her recognition as an honored woman from St. Philip’s, where her service alone distinguishes her as such. “I think of myself as a church mouse,” said Williams. “I seem to know every nook and cranny, every thing that goes on.”

“Mrs. Clara Etta Williams is an ardent server that will go out her way to help her fellow parishioners at St. Philip’s Church,” said the Rev. Tony Regist, former rector of St. Philip’s, San Antonio.

“I have enjoyed St. Philip’s Church, and I try to stay as active as I can,” said Williams. “It’s a beautiful place and has been a solace to me in many ways.”

Now in her home that she bought with her husband in 1955 and in the care of hospice, Williams continues to send birthday and anniversary greetings to church members, as well as sympathy cards to family members of St. Philip’s Church members. She also sends greeting cards when the feeling “strikes” her and for various special occasions in the lives of others.

Mrs. Clara Etta Williams, honored woman from St. Philip’s, San Antonio, was one of Dr. Artemisia Bowden’s first nursing students.

The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held in Austin, Texas (host: Diocese of Texas) July 5-13.

Legislative committees will begin gathering on July 3. General Convention is held every three years and is the bicameral governing body of the Church, comprising the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies (clergy and lay).

#GC79 - official hashtag of the 79th General Convention Social Media sites to follow: @DioceseWestTX @episcopalian @PBMBCurry @DioceseWestTX @iamepiscopalian @pb_curry

Bishops Reed and Brooke-Davidson and a deputation from the Diocese of West Texas will attend. All reports on the events and actions of General Convention for the diocesan family will be posted at: www.dwtx.org/general-convention You will find links to audio reports from the bishops and deputies, stories published, and the Episcopal Church Media Hub with live-streaming of the worship services and both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, and legislative resources.

The 49th Triennial Meeting of Episcopal Church Women will take place concurrently with General Convention in Austin, July 5-11, 2018. The event brings together delegates from every diocese across the Episcopal Church to conduct business, share information, and learn from dozens of daily workshops. To learn more https://www. ecwnational.org/triennial-meeting-2018/.

Delegates from the Diocese of West Texas are: Dr. Carol Folbre; Mrs. Linda Hollingsworth; Mrs. Dana Sommers; Alternate: Mrs. Catherine Lillibridge; Honored Woman: Mrs. Linda Hillin; and serving as editor of ECW Triennial Today: Ms. Jane Ahuero.

Diocese of West Texas Deputation: The Rt. Rev. David Reed The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson Deputies: The Rev. Scott Brown The Rev. Ripp Hardaway Mrs. Kelley Kimble Mrs. Emily Kittrell The Rev. Lisa Mason The Rev. David Read Mr. Rob Schneider Mrs. Jennifer Wickham Alternates: Mrs. Wheless Baker The Rev. David Chalk Mrs. Melinda Denney Mrs. Elizabeth Manning Mr. Curt Mowen The Rev. Ben Nelson The Rev. Matt Wise The Rev. Chuck Woehler

Labor Day Family Camp at Duncan Park, Colorado Spend Labor Day Weekend 2018 (Aug. 31 - Sept. 4, 2018) enjoying the mountain air, hiking through pine forests, growing closer to your family and to God. You can expect great food, games, fishing, outdoor fun, and hikes in the neighboring Roosevelt National Forrest and at Brainard Lake State Recreation Area. Accommodations include summer cabins, the bunk houses, platform tents, and will be determined by the size of each family. For anyone desiring a true Colorado camping experience, you’re welcome to bring the family tent, set up camp beneath the stars, and take advantage of all the amenities at Duncan Park. Travel costs are not included in the registration fees to allow you to plan an itinerary that works best for

your family. There will be a free shuttle between Duncan Park and the Denver airport at predetermined times. Questions? Email our Program Director, Katie Young, at duncan.park@dwtx.org, or call the diocesan offices (888/210-824-5387) to speak with our registrar, Laura K. McGrew.

Family Camp Rates: Family of One ($291), Family of Two ($390), Family of Three ($516), Family of Four ($642). Families larger than four people: each additional child ($120), each additional adult ($198). No charge for infants under 24 months at the time of the session; Family Camp rates do not include airfare. the Church News

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Around the circuit

Habitat for Humanity Resources

Top Golf for World Mission

Habitat for Humanity San Antonio recently assembled an online Episcopal Action Folder full of resources to promote a Habitat build in your community, including various resources to support volunteers and fundraising efforts in your churches. Most documents are able to be customized with your church’s and / or community’s name.

You can access the action folder on the Habitat Builders for West Texas page on the diocesan website at: www.dwtx.org/habitat.

The clergy spouse team was one of 18 teams (a record number!) that enjoyed a fantastic night at Top Golf in San Antonio raising funds for the Department of World Mission on May 31. Over $13,000 was raised, and all the proceeds will benefit the new mission partnership with the Navajoland Episcopal Area Mission. Pictured left to right are: Kelly Harris, Janet Fenton, Alice Lee Penrod, Kendra Lopez, Patti Reed, Kaitlin Rogers, and Robert Rogers.

Diocesan History in Montell On Wednesday, May 30, Bishop David Reed made a visit to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Montell. The group gathered went on a “field trip” across the road to the original home of the founding family, where in the 1880s, Bishop Elliott held the first Episcopal service in Montell. Pictures by the Rev. Tom Luck, vicar of Ascension.

St. Andrew’s Children’s Garden Grows It was just a seed of an idea, but now, God is in the garden at St. Andrew’s. This past spring, St. Andrew’s, Seguin, as part of its Children’s Ministry program, organized a gardening day. With materials donated

by Home Depot, four raised garden bed frames were built, and youngsters—with the help of parishioners— turned out to mix soil and plant tomatoes, peppers, radishes, flowers, and more.

Since then, St. Andrew’s kids have harvested lots of good things, including a few life lessons, and the church’s vestry has recently approved the idea of turning the lot, which lies across the street from the main church building, into a community green space that will be a gift both to the parish, and from the parish to the town.

St. Andrew’s is located right in the center of downtown Seguin, an ideal spot to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. The church is also installing a Little Free Library on the site, so that one day, hopefully in the near future, one could pick up a good book, sit on a bench beneath the beautiful oak trees, and enjoy the quiet—along with some fresh produce!

- Submitted by Tracy Donley, director of children’s ministry for St. Andrew’s, Seguin

Graduates to Vital University Missions Do you have a child, grandchild, god-child, niece, or nephew attending college next fall? Or do you know of someone in your congregation making the big transition to college or university for the 2018-2019 school year? The diocesan Vital University Missions staff wants to know who they are and what school they are attending.

If they will be attending where Vital UM has a program, we would love to get them plugged into our community. If we do not have a program on their campus, we would still like to pray for them and invite them to any all-campus events, mission trips, or camping trips that we have planned, if they’re interested.

Send us their name, email address or phone number, and where they will be going to school in the fall to college.missions@dwtx.org.

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Around the circuit

Learning Tools for Congregational Development

Diocese of West Texas Summary of Apportionments * through June 26, 2018

As part of the ever-deepening efforts of the Diocese of West Texas to strengthen and equip lay and ordained leadership in congregational development, two members of the Congregational Development Committee headed to Seattle to begin work in the College for Congregational Development (CCD) in June. Dexter Lesieur (Bishop’s Warden at St. Matthias in Devine and second-year seminarian attending IONA) and Haley Bankey (parishioner at St. George in San Antonio and congregational consultant) enrolled in this one-year course on behalf of the diocese.

CCD was created by the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia as a way to train and equip its own leaders and congregations with a common language and understanding of the basics of organization development as applied to congregations. What really sets this course apart from other organization training courses is the emphasis on faith, prayer, worship, from life in the community to faith development in the community and everything in-between. “It’s basically the development of congregations of all sizes, locations, and conditions into more faithful, healthy, and effective communities of faith,” said Lesieur, reflecting on his time spent at the college.

The next steps for the Congregational Development Committee will be to decide the most effective way to share these tools and insights with the rest of the diocese.

It is powerful for any clergy and lay person to have the ability to be change agents for their own congregations as the work is truly done in the pews. Whether the diocese utilizes the CCD for training or offers periodic workshops (more often than annual) held at different locations throughout the diocese, this faithemphasized type of training can make significant impacts on congregations and the communities that surround them.

Submitted by Haley Bankey. Photos courtesy of the College for Congregational Development.

Recent Clergy Changes in the Diocese of West Texas

Summary of apportionments through June 26, 2018.

The Rev. Kelly Conkling began serving as long-term supply priest for St. Timothy’s, Cotulla, following Easter Day. The Rev. Richard Speer accepted the appointment to serve as Interim Rector for Trinity, Pharr. He began in April.

The Rev. Nancy Springer accepted the call to serve as Rector of St. Nicholas’, Midland (Diocese of Northwest Texas). She began in mid April, after leaving her role as Assistant Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen.

The Rev. Shanna Neff accepted the call to serve as Rector of Messiah, Gonzales.

She began at Messiah on Monday, June 4. Her last day as Rector of St. Paul’s, Brady, was Sunday, May 27.

The Rev. Dick Elwood begins serving as Interim Rector of St. Thomas, San Antonio, beginning July 8.

The Rev. Robert Certain accepted the appointment to serve as Interim Rector of Grace, Cuero, through the month of July. the Church News

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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 July The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held in Austin July 5-13.

Bishops Reed and Brooke-Davidson and a deputation from the Diocese of West Texas will attend. All reports on the events and actions of General Convention for the diocesan family will be posted at www.dwtx.org/generalconvention. Here you will also find links to stories published, the Episcopal Church Media Hub with live-streaming of the worship services and both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, and legislative resources.

August Happening #140 Happening #140 will be held at St. Helena’s, Boerne, Friday-Sunday, August 3-5. Happening is a spiritual weekend for youth in grades 10-12 and a vital movement of the Diocese of West Texas. Student Rector is Drake Nelson. The cost for the weekend is $50, and scholarships are available. Registration is open at www.dwtx.org/happening. Questions?

Contact the Happening Board at dwtxhappening@yahoo.com.

World Mission Symposium The annual World Mission Symposium will take place on Saturday, August 25, in the Mission Room at the Bishop Jones Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The focus this year is on “Raising Future Leaders,” and the youth across the diocese are greatly encouraged to attend.

Presenters include Cookie Harris (St. George, San Antonio) on youth mission efforts in Haiti; St. Helena’s, Boerne, on the youth-led mission in its congregation; and Halleta Heinrich (Christ Church, San Antonio) with mission

curriculum created for children. The cost to attend is $20 and includes lunch and supplies for the day. Register online at www.dwtx. org/events, or for more information and to register, contact Marthe Curry, 210-824-5387 or mcurry09@sbcglobal.net.

September “Reel Recovery” Retreat A “Reel Recovery” Retreat will be held at Camp Capers, Friday-Sunday, September 21-23. This particular weekend is for male veterans only who are recovering from any form of cancer.

All meals, lodging, and fly-fishing equipment are provided at no cost to the participants.

To apply online, call 800-699-4490 or email info@reelrecovery.org. You can also visit the website www.reelrecovery.org or contact Mike Emerson at (817) 894-7832.

Cursillo #279 Cursillo #279 will be held at Mustang Island Conference Center Thursday-Sunday, September 27-30. This three-day retreat gives church members the tools and “rules of life” to enthusiastically share the joys of knowing Christ with others in their everyday environments. Rectora for the weekend is Becky Warren, and the Spiritual Director is the Rev. Ram Lopez. Register online at dwtx.org/ events or learn more at dwtx.org/cursillo.

October Fishing for the Hungry Retreat The Order of Naucratius would like to invite you to attend the Second Annual Fishing for the Hungry Retreat at Mustang Island Camp and Conference Center, Friday-Sunday, October 19-21. Fishing trips will be offered on the bay or shore side, and a fishing charter will be available to venture into the Gulf on Saturday. Participants will donate a portion of their catch to the Order of Naucratius, and

the meat will be delivered to the needy. The cost for the event is $325 for single occupancy and $275 for double occupancy and includes five meals, a fishing charter on the Gulf, and various other fishing or recreational options.

Inquiries can be made to the Rev. Rob Harris at robh@cecsa.org or the Rev. Rod Clark at rod@peterpaul.org. Send registration checks to: The Order of Naucratius, care/of the Rev. Rod Clark, 2310 Stewart Road, Mission, Texas 78574.

Diocesan events: www.dwtx.org/events Church events: www.dwtx.org/church-events

The Diocese of West Texas Online

www.dwtx.org/blog

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