The Church News Nov/Dec 2012

the

Church

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november / december 2012 The newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

The altar in All Saints Chapel at TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas adorned with the new altar hangings created by the Threads of Blessing ministry. See story on page 8.

Inside this issue

6 8 10 4 The expansive front porch of the new welcome center, part of the $3,000,000 renovation of Camp Capers. See story beginning on page 6.

Women’s Vocational Training Center in Uganda

The New Look of Camp Capers

Reverent Stitching for TMI & Threads of Blessing

Mums & Mimosas Benefits Good Samaritan Community Services

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News and Features 2 On the Bishop’s Mind: Thanksgiving 4 Women’s Vocational Training Center Nebbi, Uganda

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The New Look of Camp Capers

Reverent Stitching for TMI and the Ministry of Threads of Blessing

10 News from Good Samaritan

Community Services

In Every

Issue

3 From the Editor 10 Around the Circuit 12 Calendar Cover photo by Laura Shaver.

the Church News is published six times a year by the Dept. of Communication Episcopal Diocese of West Texas 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 69 Number 6 November/December 2012 USPS 661-790 The Diocese of West TX is a family of 26,000+ members in 90 congregations across 60 counties and 69,000 square miles in South Central Texas.

Bishop of West Texas: The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge Bishop Suffragan: 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: Barbara Duffield: writer and departmental assistant 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

Thanksgiving

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ovember is upon us, and with it, the great holiday of Thanksgiving. The practice of giving thanks, being thankful, is at the very heart of our faith. I have preached many sermons on Thanksgiving Day, as well as on the spiritual importance of being thankful each day of the year.

About 20 years ago, I heard a sermon by John Claypool on the subject of Thanksgiving. In it, he recounted familiar facts we all learned about the pilgrims and those early years in this country. As you will remember, a group set sail from England in the summer of 1620. They hoped to establish a colony in the “New World,” and set out on two ships—Speedwell and Mayflower. Anyone who has ever owned a boat can sympathize with the fact that Speedwell didn’t speed so well and had to give up the journey before they got very far. Some of those folks gave up the idea; others boarded Mayflower.

After a long and difficult journey, they landed not in Virginia—their original destination—but rather in New England. Winter was at hand, so they did their best to build what shelters they could. Half of those who had made the journey died from disease or exposure during the winter. All families were affected.

When springtime arrived, the crew was ready to return to England.

Some of the pilgrims believed the whole endeavor had turned into a disaster and seriously considered returning with the crew. As we know, a brave and hearty group decided to remain in New England.

That spring, with the help of many Native Americans, they planted some crops, and the fall harvest was plentiful. They were also aware that the anniversary of their arrival the previous year was approaching. Claypool noted that the first suggestion was that it be observed as a day of mourning, as so many people had lost so much during the year. One can certainly understand how this would have been a first response.

However, another suggestion was discussed—observe their first anniversary with thanksgiving. They had been blessed with a good harvest, the Native Americans had been most helpful, and God, through it all, was their hope and their consolation. Of course, we know how they decided to mark their first anniversary.

What I particularly remember about Claypool’s sermon was his emphasis on the fact that throughout our lives, we always have a choice. We can choose to focus on our difficulties and what seems to have diminished us. The other choice, in spite of all we may have endured, is to focus on the things that strengthen and bless us.

Things for which we are indeed thankful. Claypool reminded us that what was true for those early pilgrims is also true for us—that we always have a choice, and of the two, the wiser and life-giving choice is one of thankfulness.

However, being thankful is not something we assign to a particular day so that we are free to complain the other 364 days of the year. In

fact, perhaps we should turn those numbers around and be thankful 364 days and reserve one day for our lamentations.

From the editor

Psalm 105 encourages us to “Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name; make his deeds known among the peoples.” St. Paul tells the Colossians to joyfully “give thanks to God, who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Jesus, in what was the most stressful night of his life, “took bread; and when he had given thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.’” He followed by taking the cup, and “when he had given thanks,” gave it to the disciples. At the end of our worship services, we respond to “Let us bless the Lord” with “Thanks be to God.” We call our worship The Great Thanksgiving, and so it is.

Laura Shaver

I hope that this season of thanksgiving will be an opportunity for you to choose thanksgiving. Even better, choose thanks-living. Try this life-giving habit: Before you close your eyes at the end of your day, think of one thing for which you are thankful. You’ll sleep better, and your next day will be better.

It’s been many years since Speedwell and Mayflower left for the “New World” that day in 1620. May we come to discover the truth of what they discovered, namely that in the course of life we will always have a choice, and the wiser and Godly choice is one of gratitude.

The Kingdom of God, right here, right now.

“The Kingdom of God is in your midst,” Jesus told his listeners as he went about teaching, preaching, and performing acts of healing and reconciliation. It is still in our midst if we will have the eyes to see it. How we recognize and live out that kingdom is the topic of the fall/ winter issue of Reflections magazine, due out November 11.

If you receive The Church News, you should also receive Reflections in your mailbox. If you do not, send a note to Barbara Duffield at barbara.duffield@dwtx.org or call her at 210/888 824-5387. The magazine can also be seen online on the diocesan spiritual formation blogsite, www.reflections-dwtx.org.

In conjunction with this issue of Reflections, several photographers present their concept of the Kingdom of God in a special exhibit at Cathedral House Gallery. The gallery is located at the Bishop Jones Center, the diocesan headquarters, at 111 Torcido in San Antonio.

The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(Offices will be closed for Thanksgiving November 22 and 23.) The Kingdom of God exhibit will hang until December 7.

For more information about the magazine, the blogsite, or Cathedral House Gallery, contact Marjorie George at marjorie.george@dwtx.org.

Bright Light

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n one of her mission trips to Uganda, Marthe Curry was accompanied by several youth within our diocese.

In the capital city of Kampala, they found themselves without a place to stay one night after discovering the hotel at which they had planned to stay was booked. The journey for a place to lay their heads landed them in a sort-of guesthouse that had vacancies.

Marthe immediately knew after arrival that this guesthouse would not be looked upon favorably. To say it was “basic” and “unkempt” would probably be an understatement. However, the youth in her group entered their bedrooms and respectfully accepted the unforeseen circumstances. Expectations and familiarity were put to rest for one night.

A couple of high school students did come to Marthe, though, with a simple request for a new room with more light. The room in which they had been placed did not have a window, and the only light came from a single Christmas light bulb, green, which hung above a small and rickety table. I can imagine this single bulb did not spread enough light for them to see even their hands in front of their faces.

We must have light. At some point during the day and even the night, we must have light.

The light of Christmas will be upon us soon, and the warmth of that light will fill our hearts and our homes. The warmth of that light will comfort most and invoke prayers of peace and thanksgiving.

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As the season changes and the sunlight dims, I pray you will find the light of Christ during this liturgical time, whether that be by candle light, by more than one Christmas light bulb, or by a crackling fire.

I’d like to invite you to receive light of a different kind – the light of the life of our diocesan family. As I hope you know, the diocese has a new website, which you can view at www. dwtx.org. One integral part of this new website is the communications blog, the DWTX Blog, found at www. dwtx.org/blog.

The purpose of this blog is to shed bright light on the ministries in our churches. It serves as the main avenue for current news on a weekly basis. I am honored to share the stories of your church family, and if you have a story to share, please contact me at laura.shaver@ dwtx.org. Among these, the blog also features news articles from the national church and beyond, and I plan to feature reflections and messages from our bishops, when appropriate.

My hope is that you will subscribe to the blog, gain insight into the many activities taking place within our diocesan family, and possibly find some inspiration and ideas for ministries in your own church.

May it shine brighter than a single green Christmas bulb and keep us all connected to one another as we continue our work for Christ.

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Featured News

Women’s Vocational Training Center

| Nebbi Diocese, Uganda

How dreams come true

By Betty Chumney

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he Diocese of West Texas mission team that visited the Nebbi Diocese in Uganda in 2001 at the invitation of Bishop Henry Orombi (who later became the Archbishop of Uganda) spent time visiting the different women’s study groups around the diocese.

Like social clubs, the women would come together weekly or more often for fellowship and Bible study.

As the project progressed, Bishop Orombi sent plans and cost estimates, and the diocesan Department of World Mission contacted every congregation in the diocese to enlist their support. The response was overwhelmingly positive and as the fund raising began, every congregation in the diocese pledged financial support for the project.

“Every congregation in the diocese pledged financial support for the project.”

After one of these trips, I visited with Bishop Orombi’s wife, Phoebe, on their front porch. Phoebe shared with me that her dream for the women of Nebbi was to have a women’s center where they could come for the education and training that had not been available to them before. However, she said that she knew that her dream was too big and could never be a reality.

I reminded Phoebe that the Psalms tell us to: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4). It was at that moment that the plan for the Nebbi Women’s Vocational Training Center was born.

When we returned to West Texas, I asked Bishop Jim Folts for permission to see if West Texas could accept the challenge of raising the funds to build the women’s center. Bishop Folts, who had served on the 2001 Nebbi team, was very enthusiastic about the idea of building the center and was a major advocate during the campaign.

Current Students Sponsored by the Diocese of West Texas: Giramia Fortunate - Tailoring Kayomboth Beatrice - Tailoring Alirach Peace - Tailoring 4

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The plans called for an administration building, a building with classrooms, a kitchen and dining hall, a dormitory building, and an auditorium. After it was apparent that West Texas was able to raise the funding in full, construction began and was divided into three separate stages. After each stage was finished, Bishop Orombi sent a full accounting of materials and labor costs. The total cost of the Women’s Vocational Training Center in Nebbi Diocese, Uganda, was $350,000. Phoebe Orombi’s big dream had become a reality.

Below is a list of current students that receive scholarship from the Diocese of West Texas. The next page features what some of the graduates have accomplished since completion of their programs.

Asha Grace - Catering Aweko Oliver - Catering Acan Jackline - Catering Ocida Teddy - Catering Pikwo Christine - Hair Dressing Atugonza Irene - Hair Dressing

Munguriek Christine - Hair Dressing Nikumrwoth Summerly - Hair Dressing Kwiocwiny Fiona Kidi - Hair Dressing Piracel Ingrid - Hair Dressing Okello Esperance - Hair Dressing Giramia Santa - Hair Dressing

From the Mouths of Graduates

of the Women’s Vocational Training Center Submitted by Sunday Dhugira, director of the Women’s Vocational Training Center 1 USD = 2,584.98 Uganda Shillings

Irene Afoyorwoth Graduated in 2011 with a Certificate in Home Economics. She started working in March 2012 at Gaf Apartments in Nebbi Town as a chef. She earns 50,000 shillings per month, and with this salary she is able to do the following: • Pay her rent and school fees for her fouryear-old son in nursery; • Help meet her parents’ minimal needs; • Meet her basic needs; • Look forward to furthering her studies; • Build relationships with people from all different walks of life.

Scovia Kaboth Graduated in 2011 with a Certificate in Home Economics. She has been working as a waitress in Skylux Hotel since February 2012 earning 50,000 shillings per month, and with this salary she is able to do the following: • Improve her standard of living; • Help, instead of disturb, her parents; • Pay rent and buy food and clothing and receive better medical care; • Hope that in future when she gets married she will be in a position to take good care of her children; • Plans to further her studies.

Two tailoring students measure and cut fabric at the women’s center.

Stella Maditkwo Graduated in 2011 with a Certificate in Hair Dressing. Her family provided funds to start her own salon in Parombo Town. She earns 80,000-100,000 shillings per month, and with this salary she is able to do the following: • Pay fees for some of her siblings; • Help her mother by supporting her materially and financially; • Knows that people in her village are proud of her and are now confident that they have a professional hairdresser; • Plans to employ people to help her in the salon.

A note from Sunday: As I interviewed these girls, I noticed all of them are happy with what they are doing and are very grateful for having the Vocational Training Center in the Nebbi Diocese. All of them are very positive of their future because now they can stand on their own feet and make ends meet without having to rely on others.

Harriet Wanican Graduated in 2011 with a Certificate in Tailoring and Garment Cutting. She is married, and her husband bought her a sewing machine, with which she is able to: • Make some money on a daily basis; • Support her parents when they are in need; • Ensure a bright future for her children; • Support herself without total dependence on her husband.

Mini cakes: samples of practicals for the catering students at the Women’s Vocational Training Center.

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Photos submitted by Sunday Dhugira.

Mary Aliango Graduated in 2010 with a Certificate in Home Economics. She started working in January 2011 at Skylux Hotel in Paidha as a waitress. She earns 60,000 shillings per month, and with this salary she is able to do the following: • Rent a house in which she lives with her daughter and pay for nursery care; • Meet all basic needs; • Join a revolving fund group, save some money, and open a drug shop in her village, which a relative is managing.

• Has been promoted to a head of accommodation and assistant cashier.

Featured News

The New Look of Camp Capers

| by Laura Shaver

The demolition of Steves Hall began in September. Plans call for a new Steves Hall plus two separate lodging facilities, one with eight bedrooms, the other 12.

Photos submitted by Brenda Johnson and Brian Kates.

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onstruction is underway at Camp Capers, the beautiful diocesan camp and retreat center located in Waring, Texas.

The exciting $3,000,000 renovation is currently in Phase One of three phases.

The daily progress will yield a new Steves Hall, welcome center, health care center, amphitheater, and lodging facilities, which will all be ready for use by summer campers in 2013.

Steves Hall Acquired in 1944, the camp property was purchased for the diocese by Albert Steves, Jr. in honor of the safe return of his son. Walter was rescued after his plane was lost during World War II. In deep appreciation, Steves Hall was named for Albert Steves and his family.

The original facility included a gathering/ lounging area, rooms with a total of 12 beds, and a small infirmary.

“There is so much history here, and we’ve had two Steves Halls in the first 65 years of Camp Capers. It is now time to build a 6

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beautiful, larger, and multi-functional hall to honor the Steves family and their legacy and to serve the needs of our diocesan family,” said Rob Watson, director of Camps and Conferences.

The new Steves Hall will be a one-story building with high ceilings that will serve as a gathering and meeting area. The front entrance will be near the River Cottage and will feature views of the Guadalupe River and surrounding oak trees.

This new main building will include a full kitchen, laundry facilities, a smaller conference room, and a room filled with electrical outlet cubby holes for camp staffers and visitors to

charge all portable devices. The large, open meeting area will stand two stories, with exposed beams crossing the ceiling. The facility will be fully air conditioned.

Separate from the main “Steves Hall,” two lodging facilities will be erected, one on each side. Each will be two stories, one with eight rooms, the other 12. Bedrooms in both

Shade structures now provide cool spots to rest near the ropes course and the river.

lodges will have two full-size beds and a private bath. A deck and porch will wrap around all four sides of each facility.

“The design of the three buildings is oriented to the river. Going to three buildings allows us to take advantage of all the views at Camp Capers and the natural Hill Country setting,” said Brian Kates, Camp Capers program director.

Welcome Center The Viola Walker Cabin, which has served as living quarters for the on-site cook during the summer, is receiving an incredible facelift that is near completion. The building will now serve as the welcome center.

The welcome center features an expansive front porch. Rockers and benches will soon offer resting spots and views of tall oak trees and the ropes course.

Inside the center is the registration office.

Summer camp registration, however, will continue to take place on the centrum.

In addition to other offices, the welcome center will also house an alumni room, complete with a coffee bar, tables at which to sit and chat, and a library. Pictures of the past and present at Camp Capers will line the walls. “The alumni room will remain open. We want those who cherish this place to be able to come in when they can, have a cup of coffee, and relax,” said Watson.

Toward the front of the welcome center will be the camp store, dedicated to camp

t-shirts, jewelry, caps, etc. Kates said a grid system will be placed on the wall, allowing campers and visitors to pull the t-shirt of their choice in their size.

Health Care Center The previous camp office is being transformed into the new Health Care Center. The center, with more space to utilize than the most recent infirmary, will house the summer nurse’s living quarters, two isolation rooms with two beds each, and a first aid and reception area where campers can come for their medications and/or urgent needs. In this location, the Health Care Center will be in the middle of camp, offering fast and easy access to all.

Amphitheater, etc.

In addition to the construction currently taking place to build the new facilities, other projects are included in Phase I of the Camp Capers’ development plan. The 250-seat Camp Capers Amphitheater in memory of Will Stocker will be built with stone near the cross and altar beside the riverbank. The amphitheater was proposed by the Stocker family as a tribute to Will, who was a Camp Capers’ camper and music director and was involved in the life of the diocese. Will died in December of 2010. Funds are still being raised for the amphitheater, and construction is scheduled to start in November.

Recently a few shade structures have been built near the ropes course and riverbank, with benches and tables underneath

to escape the warm Central Texas sun.

Attendees to the 100th Spiritual Retreat for Recovering Alcoholics, Al-Anons, and Adult Children of Alcoholics, held at Camp Capers October 5-7, were among the first to sit and rest under the structures, enjoying the surrounding natural setting.

Fifty oak trees will be planted this fall as part of the ongoing tree planting ministry at Camp Capers, which has resulted in 300 new trees since 2008. Trees will continue to be planted as funds allow. Dead trees from oak wilt and the long-standing drought have been removed.

Chapel Road, which currently runs by St. Francis Chapel, will be removed, and only one main road will run through camp. This one road will help with traffic patterns, especially during the start and completion of summer camps. Parking spaces will be added near the welcome center and the pool/ centrum area.

Outdoor furniture is being handmade by Brandon Bennett with Furniture from the Earth in Junction, Texas. Crafted from all types of native wood, adirondack chairs, rockers, and tables will soon embellish the welcome center, retreat house, and the bishop’s cottage. There are plans to rescue some of the wood from the dead oak trees for various projects, such as crosses and picture frames to sell in the Camp Capers store.

Campaign Update: To date the Camp Capers Capital Campaign has raised $2,705,000 - 91 percent of the goal. $278,000 is needed to finish the campaign. Please continue to keep Camp Capers, the Capital Campaign, and the new construction in your prayers as we move into this next, exciting stage in the life of the diocese.

A rendering of the new look of Capers, courtesy of Beaty Palmer Architects Inc. Steves Hall is on the left, and one of the lodging facilities is on the right.

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Above: the expansive front porch of the new welcome center.

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Featured News

Reverent Stitching for TMI The Episcopal School of Texas | by Laura Shaver, with Helen Schnelzer and About Threads of Blessing

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hreads of Blessing, an international ministry of the Diocese of West Texas, comes together weekly to create original pieces of textile art. Proceeds from the sale of the pieces are used to support the mission aspects of the ministry in emerging countries, nurturing women and their creativity throughout the world. Recently the members of Threads of Blessing completed two altar hangings for TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas.

In 2010 the Rev. Paul and Mary Worley met with the ladies of Threads of Blessing and commissioned the altar hangings for TMI to honor the graduating class of 2011, of which their son was part. In September of this year, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge dedicated the altar hangings to the glory of God during the first Eucharist service of the school year in the chapel. The student body was in attendance, as well as representatives from Threads of Blessing and the Worley family.

After the commissioning, a few of the ladies went to TMI to see the altar before they began their work. “We knew we needed two pieces, and we knew we wanted to use liturgical colors,” said Brenda Kingery, member of the ministry. From there the design began to take shape. History and tradition were considered, as well as presentday students and the legacy they carry with them upon leaving TMI. The lower altar cover, constructed of heavy

The descending dove serves as a blessing on each student that comes to the altar.

linen, is simple in design with blocks of liturgical colors and textured fabric in the borders. Each colored block was sewn by hand. From a distance the colors are striking, and up close the stitchery is intriguing. The Threads of Blessing ladies created many of the elements in both altar hangings by hand, as they do with most of their work.

The cross, outlined in the center of the upper frontal panel, was completed on the second try. Betsy Simpson, another member, had created a design, completed the cross, and decided it was all wrong. She started over and after months of stitchery, she got it just right. Simpson also completed the descending dove to represent a blessing on each student as he or she comes to the altar.

Photos by Laura Shaver.

On the back of the upper panel is the TMI logo, and on the front is a large circle, symbolic of Christ’s center in our lives with an outward circle of international rays, an emblem of the many different people that come to TMI. Simpson, whose husband served on the TMI Board for 12 years, pulled out old yearbooks to aid in the design.

The front of the upper panel with the full circle, symbolic of Christ’s presence in our lives.

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Bluebonnets are featured in two embroidered bands as a memory and a salute to the original name of the school’s yearbook, “The Bluebonnet.” The previous campus,

built on College Street, was constructed in a field of bluebonnets. Simpson’s father-inlaw, Willard Simpson Sr., a graduate of West Texas Military Academy (the first name of the school), and his brother designed and built the original College Street campus.

“It was an honor to work on this project, remembering my family’s history and bringing it together with the present in this design,” said Simpson.

Ten ladies participated in the project, and Simpson and Kingery are quick to give credit to each and every lady. “Everyone worked so hard to line up each detail,” said Simpson, “and we are all so grateful to Bishop Lillibridge for blessing and acknowledging our work.”

About the Ministry The Threads of Blessing ministry has been creating art and, in turn, empowering women for 16 years. This ministry involves organizing workshops in developing countries such as Honduras, Mexico, and Uganda, where they teach the skills and provide materials and opportunities for women to create fine art textiles that visually record their culture.

Threads of Blessing does this work with 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of their art pieces. The workshops encourage

community for women, many who are widowed and struggling to hold their families together. These women benefit greatly from the proceeds of the sale of their own work.

The “blessings” and “gifts” enable them to pay school fees for their children, provide seed for crops, and build homes (mud brick and thatch) for their families. Several women in Uganda, specifically, have used the funds for personal medical care to combat HIV/AIDS. “The funding of the TMI altar hangings will all go toward the empowerment of women and will aid in our organizing of workshops,” said Kingery. Helen Schnelzer said, “Seventy-five dollars provides a scholarship for one woman to attend a workshop, and that includes bus fare and four days room and board.”

This past month the women welcomed a visitor from Austin to one of their weekly meetings. Sue, who has an active ministry in Egypt helping widows with children and no income, found out about Threads of Blessing and organized an initial meeting to learn how to provide a workshop for the women in Egypt. The women with whom she works are typically in their 30s, and the Christian church in Egypt is carrying a heavy burden of trying to keep them all safe and supported.

The church is seeking a program to help the women become self-sufficient.

During this initial meeting, grace permeated the conversation, as Kingery told Sue, “This blessing is so special; we will give you ideas with our blessing, and you will take this project and start it with the Egyptian women.

We become sisters.” She empowered Sue to go to Egypt for Threads of Blessing, calling it a “God-thing,” for Sue to be an ambassador for the ministry here.

The ladies encouraged Sue that the ministry will evolve. “Start small and just love on the women. Return the next year, and they will be so glad you came back. Ask for quality work, let them take their time and encourage them, challenge them,” said Schnelzer.

The workshop is a ministry of presence.

The ministry is going and being with these women showing them what they can do.

“When they meet and create in community it develops self-esteem. They learn to be vulnerable, sharing their joys and pain, which is a foreign idea to them,” said Schnelzer.

“And that is what we do here,” said Kingery.

“We come together in fellowship to create and share, making it a universal gift.”

The Threads of Blessing ladies first learned what they could create together. Then they

Mary Worley (left) sits with ladies from Threads of Blessing: Kate Vetters, Sarah Gilliland, Barbara Chumney, and Betsy Simpson, and other family members, at the blessing of the altar hangings at TMI.

began to travel and teach and let the women in emerging countries discover their own talents. They are prayerful that the women they meet will come together and produce quality work, as they do here. In community they stitch, learn, grow, pray, and empower, here and around the globe.

Threads of Blessing meet weekly, every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to noon, in their workroom located in the basement of the Bishop Jones Center, the headquarters of the Diocese of West Texas.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit www. threadsofblessing. org.

Now accepting applicants for the

Head of School Position at St. John’s Episcopal Day School For more information, contact us at 956-687-6191 or visit www.stjohns-mcallen.org.

St. John’s Episcopal Day School 2500 N. 10th Street, McAllen, Texas 78501

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Around the circuit

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n October 4th, Good Samaritan Community Services (GSCS) hosted its Fourth Annual Mums and Mimosas fundraising event. The luncheon, which welcomed more than 200 San Antonio women, raised more than $42,000 for child development and family services programs at GSCS. “This year’s Mums and Mimosas Luncheon was a huge success,” said Chairman Francie Calgaard. “Our speaker, Lorilee Craker, was wonderful. Her words were so heartfelt.

Everyone who attended had a great time.”

GSCS article and photo submitted by Kathleen Judson; Grace Church photo submitted by Marjorie George.

Craker, a New York Times bestselling author, who spoke of the toughness a mother develops when raising her children, becoming a “mama bear.” Craker has written more than ten books on parenting, relationships, and financial advice.

skills, was nonverbal, and had anxiety problems. She stressed that through the education and care Scarlet received from the GSCS staff, she now knows all of her colors and animals, can dress herself, and can communicate with her classmates. Through programs like the Summer Bridge Program, more than 160 children receive the education they need to ensure school readiness upon graduating from the childcare program.

“The funds raised from this year’s event will go directly to help GSCS families with young children—the majority of whom are headed by single moms. The event committee is beyond thrilled to assist these precious children and mothers,” said Calgaard.

The morning began with a testimonial from a mother of seven. Her youngest daughter, Scarlet, came to GSCS with delayed motor

Funds raised from this event not only benefit the child development programs, but also the case management and counseling programs available to mothers at GSCS. To learn more about Good Samaritan Community Services’ programs or to volunteer, please visit the website at www. goodsamaritancommunityservices.org.

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fter 14 years of making crosses and providing a way for families to buy new homes through Habitat for Humanity, Ralph Schleicher is retiring. During those 14 years, he has crafted thousands of small crosses, jewelry boxes, and other objects out of felled trees in his garage workshop. His work has produced $109,500 toward the building of Habitat for Humanity homes in the Diocese of West Texas.

In 1999, Schleicher committed to raising $45,000 to pay for one Habitat home in Seguin by crafting crosses from a mesquite tree on the property of the Bishop Jones Center that had been blown over during a storm. He accomplished this, and in 2003 the ground was broken and dedicated to Schleicher’s parents, Max and Dora, longtime residents of Seguin.

In 2000 Schleicher began including wall crosses for each family at the house blessing of their new Habitat home. Wanting to include the children, he gave them crosses with a wood dove inlay and an inscription of the child’s name and date.

Schleicher has said, “Becoming involved with Habitat has given me the opportunity to use my God-given skills to do his work, to work everyday and become an ‘everyday Christian.’”

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GSCS extends sincere thanks to 2012 Mums and Mimosas Chairman Francie Calgaard, and some of their generous sponsors: Mays Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Bartell Zachry, Frost Bank, Luther King Capital Management, South Texas Money Management, La Fonda Alamo Heights, Kelly Fellbaum, Jill Vassar, Mary Olive Judson, Sharon Adelman, and Carroll Dorsey Walker.

A GSCS mother and her son laugh together in the courtyard of Good Samaritan Community Services.

race Church, San Antonio, celebrated its third birthday and opened a Wilderness Prayer Trail on Sunday, Oct. 21, with Bishop Lillibridge on hand to do confirmations and bless the trail. The prayer trail is part of the Grace Church property in northwest San Antonio that will one day be the site of a new church. For now, the congregation worships at the chapel at TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas. In blessing the trail, Lillibridge reminded the congregation that when God tells us to “subdue” the land in the book of Genesis, the meaning is to prepare the land for God’s and man’s use. “It’s not often that we are blessed with the wonderful expanse of open land that Grace Church has available,” said Lillibridge.

Following the blessing of the trail, the Grace Church congregation picnicked on their property.

O

n October 27 the North Central (NC) Convening Group of churches in San Antonio held their second Jubilee Free Sale at Larkspur Elementary. The churches in the group, brought together by San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Inc. (SAMMinistries) in 2010, that participated are St. Thomas and St. George Episcopal, Coker United Methodist, Oak Hills North Central Mission, Shearer Hills Baptist, Castle Hills Baptist, Friendship Church, First Church of the Nazarene and their non-profit organization West Avenue Compassion.

Judy Thompson, outreach ministry chair at St. Thomas suggested a Jubilee Free Sale to the group after Diocesan Council in 2011, which was hosted by St. Stephen’s, Wimberley.

Thompson was inspired by the successful Jubilee ministry at St. Stephen’s. A Jubilee Free Sale is similar to a rummage sale, except all the items are free, and families in need are invited to come.

Over 550 people came and filled numerous bags with clothing and necessities. “Each person that came to shop told us ‘Bless you’ and ‘Thank you’; it really makes all the preparation and hard work worth it,” said Thompson. Read more at www.dwtx.org/blog.

Diocese of West Texas apportionment summary through October 29, 2012.

Postal Service Form 3526

the Church News

November/december 2012

11

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 November Bishop Elliott Society Lecture The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, newly retired bishop of Central Florida, will be the guest speaker at the 2012 Bishop Elliott Society Lecture, November 9-10 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 11 St. Luke’s Lane, San Antonio.

The Friday evening program begins with registration at 5:00 p.m. and includes supper.

Saturday, November 10, breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., and Bishop Howe will present two lectures, concluding at noon. Registration cost is $40. Registrations may be sent to The Bishop Elliott Society, P.O. Box 368, Corpus Christi, Texas 78403, or you may register online at www.bishopelliott.org.

Grief and the Holidays Workshop St. George, San Antonio, will offer a “Grief and the Holidays” Workshop on Monday, November 19, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the parish hall/cafeteria. The workshop will be presented by Chris Sitton. “Grief and the Holidays” is designed to help those who are grieving and their families to better understand the grief process, how it affects us during the holidays, and how we can use this time to continue to heal. To reserve a spot, please contact the church office at 210-3424261.

For further information, please visit www.dwtx.org/church-events.

DIocesan Blog Happening & HIS Love #123 Happening #123 will be held at St. John’s, McAllen, Friday-Sunday, November 16-18. HIS Love Reunion #123 will be held at St. Peter and St. Paul, Mission, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 17-18. For more information, contact Brian Kates at brian.kates@dwtx.org.

For further information and online registration, please visit www.dwtx.org/events.

Church events

Good Samaritan Community Services is once again collecting Christmas bags for the families they serve.

If you or your group would like to donate bags, please send the number of bags to Kathleen Judson at Judson_K@ GoodSamCenter.com by December 3. If you have any questions and/or would like to help distribute bags to the families on Dec. 21, please contact Kathleen.

Bag Drop-Off at GSCS: December 17-20 Between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

www.dwtx.org/blog

Bags should include:

The launch of the new diocesan website (www.dwtx.org) brings new opportunities for us to stay in communication with each other across the diocese. One integral part of the website is the DWTX Blog, on which you will find current news from the Bishop Jones Center, messages from our bishops, and most importantly, ministry stories from our churches. Please read about the life of the diocese at www.dwtx.org/blog. You can also subscribe to the blog and receive each story in your email inbox.

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November Homemade for the Holidays St. Elizabeth’s, Buda, will host “Homemade for the Holidays” on Saturday, November 17, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Homemade casseroles, cookies, and cupcakes will be for sale, and there will be a silent auction, fine art exhibit and sale, and a bounce house for the children. All proceeds benefit continuing projects with Tom Green Elementary in Buda.

GSCS Christmas Bags

If you would like to share a short story about a ministry or activity at your church, please contact Laura Shaver at laura.shaver@dwtx.org or 210/888-824-5387. Links to stories on the blog are sent out via email on Fridays. If you would like to receive the Weekly Digest, please let Laura know.

2 cans green beans 2 cans corn 1 can sweet potatoes 1 box stuffing 1 can chicken broth 1 box mashed potatoes 1 jar/package gravy 1 can cranberry sauce 1 package Christmas napkins 1 package Christmas plates 1 item to make Christmas special (candy canes, candy, Christmas book, etc., not to exceed $10.00; no toys, please.)

• Optional: A donation toward the chicken GSCS puts in each bag.