A New Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
We in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas are about to enter into a new era in our life together, as we carry out the
mission and ministry of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Diocesan Profile 2014
At the 110th annual Diocesan Council,
which was held in San Marcos in February 2014, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge called for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor on October 25, 2014 at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas. The Bishop Coadjutor Elect will begin serving with Bishop Lillibridge in January 2015 until the retirement of Bishop Lillibridge in 2017, when the Bishop Coadjutor will automatically become the diocesan bishop. Now in his 11th year as diocesan bishop, Lillibridge will have been ordained 35 years in 2017. This process implements an orderly leadership transition for the entire diocesan family.
The Ministry of a Bishop in The Episcopal Church is • To represent Christ and his Church, particularly as an apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; • To guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; • To proclaim the Word of God; • To act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; • To ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry (from The Book of Common Prayer, page 855)
Core Values of the Diocese of West Texas: Faith: We pattern our lives on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Scripture, Prayer, and Sacramental Worship:
We are grounded in Scripture, prayer, and sacramental worship.
Evangelism: We proclaim by word and example God’s saving love revealed in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Mission: We reach beyond ourselves to serve all people in our communities and throughout the world.
Reconciliation: We are a community committed to living in reconciled relationship with God and all people.
Our Core Purpose:
Be Jesus’ Witnesses.
Profile Survey
In preparation for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor, the diocesan Standing Committee developed a survey, which was sent to all churches in the diocese for distribution to their congregations. All questions were based on the diocesan core values of faith; scripture, prayer and sacramental worship; evangelism; mission; and reconciliation.
The survey was administered online, and it was also posted on the Council website for printing at council-dwtx.org. The Standing Committee received 1,143 responses. The percentages below represent the total number of responses.
The first three questions addressed the traits and skills desired in a
new bishop.
1. Which three (3) of the following do you think are most important concerning the new bishop’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ? 78.57% 67.80% 61.33%
Is a Christ-centered person of deep faith Is faithful in prayer and study of Holy Scripture Respects the dignity of every human being
27.65% 24.76% 17.32%
Speaks prophetically from a sound base of moral theology Testifies to Resurrection Testifies to sovereignty
2. Which eight (8) of the following do you think are most important leadership skills for the new bishop? 76.47% Communicates well 72.27% Provides vision for the Diocese of West Texas 69.90% Is approachable 62.38% Is a compassionate, caring person 59.76% Models servant leadership 57.04% Has experience as a rector/vicar 52.93% Is gifted in mediating conflict 45.76% Has strong administrative skills 45.14% Encourages others to explore their personal gifts and talents and to take initiative in their work 39.20% Is open to change, both personally and within the church 33.16% Shares in the leadership of the larger Episcopal Church with other bishops 33.16% Proclaims the Gospel with imagination in all situations 30.01% Embraces a vision of stewardship of all of God’s creation 23.27% Is in dialogue with the leadership of other denominations 21.08% Actively embraces and works toward diversity 20.30% Actively embraces and is open to a variety of worship experiences
3. Which three (3) of the following do you think are most important concerning the new bishop’s perspective and experience of wellness? 71.30% Has a sense of humor 66.32% Regularly and intentionally shares in activities with his or her family 48.21% Regularly participates in personal continuing education and sabbaticals 35.52% Regularly participates in recreation and a regimen of physical exercise 28.43% Meets regularly with a spiritual director 28.35% Participates in the spiritual practice of personal retreats
The last two questions addressed the social concerns and ministry priorities for our diocese. 4. What are the eight (8) most important areas in which the diocese can participate in restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ? 77.17% Families in crisis 72.35% Alcohol, drug abuse, and other addictions 72.18% Hunger 66.14% Life issues for the aging and their families 62.64% Homelessness 57.92% Deployed and returning military and their families 53.89% Mental health issues 51.27% Literacy 46.19% 33.68% 31.50% 29.31% 27.21% 24.58% 21.00%
Stewardship of creation/environment Prison ministry Affordable housing Racism Human sexuality Immigration Border issues
5. Which eight (8) of the following areas do you think the new bishop should continue or develop as the most important priorities for the diocese at this time? 75.85% Ministry with children and youth 69.38% Young adult and college ministries 64.39% Nurturing the relationships within congregations and the diocesan family 62.29% Evangelism - sharing the Gospel by word and deed 61.50% The empowerment and equipping of lay ministry 60.10% Church growth and attendance 51.71% Collaboration among congregations 47.68% Renewal experiences - Cursillo, Faith Alive, Happening 45.41% Christian Formation Initiative 37.71% Episcopal schools 33.16% Multicultural ministry 32.02% World mission 27.03% Ecumenical relationships 23.62% Ministries on the Texas-Mexico border 22.66% Expanding financial stewardship - capital, annual, legacy 11.90% New church starts
Ministries
Within
Under the leadership of Bishop Lillibridge, the diocese has flourished, overcome challenges, and has held together well as a family. Ministries continue to grow, including diocesan camping programs and camp scholarships, college ministries, World Mission initiatives, Habitat for Humanity efforts, and multigenerational Christian formation and education. Across the diocese, congregations have responded to Bishop Lillibridge’s emphasis on being missional in each of our communities.
Camps and Conferences The diocese is blessed with three camping and retreat facilities at Camp Capers in Waring, Texas; Mustang Island Conference Center in Corpus Christi, Texas; and Duncan Park in Colorado. The diocesan camping program is dedicated to bringing children and young people of all ages and backgrounds to Jesus Christ, so they may reach into the world in his name. Each facility also serves adults of all ages through various spiritual retreats and conferences. The program is flourishing, with tremendous support from across the diocese, leading to new construction and new property. Camp Capers Camp Capers has been a place of summer spiritual growth and new friendships for youth in the Diocese of West Texas for 67 years. Last summer, 1,157 campers were welcomed at Camp Capers during the summer season, which consists of two separate weeks for primary age (rising 3rd-5th graders), intermediate age (rising 6th-7th graders), junior high (rising 8th-9th graders), and senior high age (rising 10th graders - rising college freshmen). A week of summer camp is also dedicated for hosting inner city youth from Good Samaritan Community Services, with locations in San Antonio and seven other cities in the diocese. Camp Capers, founded in 1947, got a major facelift in 2013. Phase One construction included five buildings
on the central campus, for a total project cost of $4 million. Steves Hall and two surrounding lodges were completely rebuilt, while the Health Center and Welcome Center were repurposed and renovated. Construction was completed in June to the delight of participants throughout the year. The purchase of 108 acres adjacent to the original camp property of 80 acres was also completed in the fall at the cost of $2 million. Mustang Island Family Camp on Mustang Island is now in its 12th season, offering families a place of renewal, rest, and coastal enjoyment with 12 four-day sessions each summer. In 2013, 246 families attended a Family Camp session, with 11 of the 12 sessions at full capacity. Sessions are led by a dedicated summer staff and chaplain and consist of worship and a teaching in the evenings, arts and crafts, a talent show, beach activities in the afternoons, delicious meals, and time for families to simply slow down and be together. Construction on a new 10-bedroom retreat house, which also includes two meeting spaces, began at Mustang Island Conference Center in December 2013. This new building will open up more opportunities for families during the summer and hosting larger and/or multiple conferences during the academic year. Total project cost for the retreat house is approximately $1.3 million. The new building is scheduled to be completed in August 2014. Duncan Park in Colorado The Colorado Adventure Program offers a camping experience unlike anything that can be found in Texas. Located west of Boulder and south of Rocky Mountain National Park, Duncan Park is the site for week-long rustic camping and hiking experiences for high school students, college students, and adults. This completely “off the grid� camp comes complete with a roaring creek, a rustic lodge, beautiful trees, and easy access to the numerous hiking trails in Roosevelt National Forest. James Park, Colorado, was the home of the Colorado Adventure Program for the last few seasons, and 2013 brought an opportunity to purchase the property from a local Baptist church. Friends of Sally and Baker Duncan, long-time supporters of the diocese and Camps
and Conferences, rallied together to fund the purchase cost and renovation expenses of $500,000. The diocese is now the proud owner of the newly named, Duncan Park. Camp Scholarships The Diocese of West Texas offers a generous scholarship program for all three camping facilities, which is funded by an annual Camps and Conferences campaign, grants received, and an annual Bishop’s Golf Classic. In 2013, 354 youth received scholarship monies at Camp Capers and Duncan Park (30% of all campers) and 35 families at Mustang Island Family Camp received scholarship assistance (14% of all families). The diocese never turns a potential summer camper or family away due to their financial situation. For seven years the Bishop’s Golf Classic has raised money for camp scholarships. The tournament is usually held the first Friday of November and draws golfers from throughout the diocese. In 2013, the golf tournament raised $51,660, and net revenues equaled approximately $40,560 for the camp scholarship fund. These are new records for this charitable event. In the past seven years, the golf tournament has raised over $200,000.
College Missions The Diocese of West Texas’ College Missions program exists to help students make life-giving, life-altering, and life-finding connections with Christ, their campus, their city, and the Church. The program’s mission is to grow followers of Jesus by honoring the college environment missionally, enriching students spiritually, challenging students intellectually, engaging them prayerfully, and encouraging them in servant leadership. The diocese employs a director and two college missioners, who facilitate and lead programs on four university campuses, with working plans to extend to other campuses throughout the diocese. Also known as Vital University Ministries, the campus programs consist of weekly gatherings that include a teaching and fellowship and a variety of connection events, led in homes, in social gatherings, and in other venues by the college missioners or college-age leaders the program is mentoring. A podcast of each weekly teaching is available online at www. vitalum.org. The Elisha Leadership Initiative, implemented in 2013, is an intensive, year long, leadership training program in the Diocese of West Texas targeted towards recent college graduates.
This program, led by the Department of College Missions, has three primary parts: individual development, Church ministry engagement, and outreach. For the 2013-2014 academic year, four college graduates participated in the internship, each serving in various capacities at Episcopal churches. These graduates worked in the youth, music, and communications ministries in their respective congregations. Additionally, the interns also led campus programs and met with and were mentored by the college missioners. This program includes housing for the interns and plans to hire new interns for the upcoming academic year.
about more enhancements and inclusion of diocesan-wide, interactive conversation.
The diocese produces Reflections magazine twice a year. Reflections features spiritual formation articles by clergy and lay members Beginning in 2006, Bishop Lillibridge asked from around the diocese centered on a theme, the diocesan family to study a specific book of such as “The Kingdom of God is at Hand” or the Bible throughout the year. To encourage “The Saints Among Us.” ReflectionsOnline participation, an annual Bible study has been (reflections-dwtx.org), an ongoing spiritual developed and is distributed to all the churches formation blog, complements Reflections and, beginning in 2009, posted on the diocesan magazine. website. Christian Education and Formation
As part of a new Adult Christian Formation Initiative, an eight-week Lenten study, “Following Jesus: Invitation to Discipleship” was introduced in 2014. “Following Jesus” can be accessed on a dedicated website: followingjesus-dwtx.org. Material is available for six days of each of the eight weeks, focused on an aspect of discipleship. The study is formatted for individual or small group use. Accompanying the written material, which is also available in audio form, an audio interview with a member of the diocese was presented each week, in which the person describes how he or she lives out the particular aspect of discipleship. There are plans for more studies with this structure, with conversations
The diocese employs a part-time Christian Education Coordinator, who is available to travel to churches to help implement, expand, and/or re-invigorate a Christian Education program for all ages. The diocese also houses a library of curriculum, available to any church or ministry coordinator.
Diocesan Council
Ministry Moments have become a treasured part of Diocesan Council. Diocesan staff The annual gathering of the Diocese of West members coordinate the efforts to film Texas is held over a three-day period every particular churches’ outreach ministries during February in rotating locations. Diocesan the year, and using the latest technology, tell Council serves as a reunion, where clergy, each church’s story in video presentation, with delegates, alternates, visitors, and vendors from narrations, live action scenes, interviews, and the diocese and beyond come to reconnect still photography. Several Ministry Moments with fellow leaders. The annual business of are developed for each Diocesan Council, and the diocese is conducted, and participants they are rooted in the theme for the year. The receive updates on diocesan ministries. In videos often lead to group discussion, and 2006, Bishop Lillibridge implemented an for a number of years, one church’s story has annual Diocesan theme from scripture, which inspired new ministries at other congregations. is introduced at February’s Diocesan Council. Abide in Me
Coordinating with the theme, he encourages the diocese to study a particular book of the Bible each year.
In 2009, the annual theme was “Abide in Me,” from John 15:4. In June of that year, the first day-long Abide in Me conference was held for the purpose of bringing diocesan congregations together to focus and learn about aspects of lay leadership and stewardship.
While gathered at Council, the theme is evident in the opening Eucharist service, throughout the departmental reports, in the Bishop’s Address, and in the regular breaks for Bible study and table discussion. A keynote speaker or entertainment group is invited to Council each year to further emphasize the theme. The theme is carried out each year at diocesan camping and retreat programs – in teachings at summer camps – in diocesan publications, and in Christian formation.
Abide in Me has been held each June since, providing congregations and lay leaders an opportunity to form relationships with each other, to learn from each other, and to receive guidance. The Abide in Me conferences have included keynote speakers, such as Reggie McNeal, Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina, and author J. Clif Christopher. Often the conference includes an afternoon of workshops, led by lay congregational leaders, clergy, and
diocesan staff members. These workshops encompass a range of topics and tools, from spiritual formation, missional focuses in our communities and stewardship campaigns, to websites and publications, financial planning and budgeting, vestry workshops, Christian education curriculum, and congregational development resources. Sharing Faith Based on the model developed by the Diocese of Texas, the Diocese of West Texas held its first Sharing Faith Dinner event in 2013. Sharing Faith invites parishioners in each church to gather on a designated evening to share a meal and to share stories of their faith journeys. Designed for eight to 12 participants, each Sharing Faith dinner conversation is developed around 30 questions relating to personal faith journeys. In 2013, over 2,000 people participated in these evenings. In 2014, the diocese created its own deck of question cards, centering on the annual theme of “Rekindle the Gift of God within You,” from 2 Timothy. Additionally, questions were formed specifically for diocesan young people, and youth groups were encouraged to conduct Sharing Faith dinners. The response has again been very positive, with over 50 percent of congregations participating each year and reporting spiritually enlightening experiences and meaningful congregational fellowship. Special Retreats
and conferencing facilities at Camp Capers and on Mustang Island serve multiple groups and host a variety of functions. Diocesansponsored special retreats serve particular groups of people. These include (and this is just a small partial list): the Spiritual Retreats in Recovery held twice a year at Camp Capers for anyone in a 12-Step Recovery Program; the Commission on Women’s Ministry annual spring and fall retreats at Camp Capers; Nails and Prayers annual men’s retreat at Camp Capers; Mother-Daughter and Father-Son annual retreats at Camp Capers; annual retreats for Wounded Warriors at Mustang Island Conference Center, who are also invited to attend Family Camp in the summer with scholarship assistance; Food for the Soul
– a cooking and fellowship weekend – at Mustang Island Conference Center; an annual Marriage Retreat based on a program or book at Mustang Island Conference Center; and Cursillo and Happening, spiritual renewal weekends for adults and teenagers, respectively, at each facility three to four times a year.
Also, Clergy Colleague Groups are formed and gather throughout the year at Camp Capers or Over the course of the year when summer Mustang Island Conference Center. The groups camps are not in session, the diocesan camping serve as a transitional ministry for newly
ordained clergy or clergy new to the diocese. In May of each year, a seminarian retreat is held at Mustang Island Conference Center, during which time current and graduating seminarians retreat together and meet with the Examining Chaplains and the bishops. A Clergy Conference is held each October for canonically-resident clergy at Camp Capers. This time of renewal, rest, and fellowship is strengthened by a keynote speaker and based on the diocesan annual theme. World Mission The World Mission Department seeks to engage every member and every church of the diocese in the work of evangelism and mission. The department works to be faithful to the Great Commission, Jesus’ command to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and his Great Commandment “to love your neighbor as yourself ” (Matthew 22:39). In 2013 the World Mission Department sent 416 participants on 45 short-term mission teams to Belarus, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Uganda. Ministries in these foreign countries include: collaborative ministry in an orphanage in Haiti; providing veterinary treatment and supplies in Honduras and SE Mexico; directing summer programs in Mexico; funding construction projects in Honduras and Mexico; providing seed money for water filtration systems and micro enterprise in Mexcio, and Honduras; and funding empowerment through educational scholarships in Mexico, Honduras, and Uganda. The department works throughout the year to strengthen local, national, and international relationships all for the purpose of spreading the Gospel message. The highlights in 2013 included: underwriting the bishop’s radio program in the Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese (Uganda) for the fourth year; the Summer Mission Symposium that focused on Mutual Expectations-Building Healthy Partnerships; the third diocesan-sponsored Women’s National Tapestry Micro Enterprise Conference in Nebbi, Uganda; underwriting VBS programs in Piedras Negras, Mexico; sponsoring Isle of Hope Day Care for the handicapped in Belarus, Russia; providing blankets for those in barrios in Piedras Negras for the third year; emergency relief work in the Philippines; and helping to sponsor long-term missionaries in Honduras, Israel, the Philippines, and Uganda. The department raises funds to support
missioners throughout the year. Total revenue in 2013 was over $1.2 million. Christian Faith in Action Several strong ministries make up the Department of Christian Faith in Action, including a Disaster Response Task Force, Kairos prison ministry, recovery ministry, and diocesan-wide work with Habitat for Humanity. Each ministry facilitates and coordinates individual parishes’ access to outreach resources and expertise. The Disaster Response Task Force responds to natural or environmental disasters locally and coordinates outreach efforts to disasters that occur nationally. The task force facilitates the assembly of disaster relief kits for future emergencies. The Kairos prison ministry in the Diocese of West Texas is especially active in Beeville, where 36 Kairos weekends have been held. The Recovery Ministries of the diocese hosts two Spiritual Retreats in Recovery each year for anyone in a 12-step recovery program. Commission members also encourage and help facilitate Recovery Sunday programs for each church in the diocese. The diocese has a long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity and a dedicated task force, the Habitat Builders for West Texas. In 2012, Bishop Lillibridge asked the diocese to renew its commitment to Habitat by agreeing to build three new homes over the next six years through a congregational pledge of $300 per year. The first home was completed in Lockhart in September 2013.
Episcopal Schools There are currently 27 schools in the Diocese of West Texas, which serve over 3,600 students and are dedicated to the mission of educating God’s children. Our schools remain a source of pride for our communities and are consistently producing committed and caring individuals who are becoming leaders in our various communities. The schools in the diocese include: nine preschools; 11 schools that combine preschool and elementary ages; six schools that include preschool, elementary, and middle school ages; and one school for both middle and high school students, TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas.
Women’s Ministries The Commission for Women’s Ministries is lively and growing, strengthening relationships among all women in the diocese. The commission works to foster active communication, spiritual enrichment, and education among women of the Episcopal Church with Christ as the center. There are two women’s gatherings (retreat weekends) each year for women at Camp Capers, during which there is time for worship, fellowship, and a keynote speaker who offers spiritual enrichment around a particular topic.
The
Election Process
In The Episcopal Church, bishops are elected by the clergy and laity of the diocese where they will serve. Bishop is one of three clerical orders (deacon and priest are the other two), and the ordination is for life, although all clergy must retire from active ministry no later than the age of 72. Our process began with the calling for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor by Bishop Lillibridge. The diocesan Standing Committee, which is overseeing the election process, is receiving names of potential nominees through July 31 and facilitating the required background checks on each individual.
If the person elected has not previously been ordained bishop, he or she will be ordained on February 28, 2015 at the 111th Diocesan Council in San Marcos. Lay delegates to the Special Council are the same delegates who were elected by their congregations and served at the 110th Diocesan Council in February 2014.
Election Day
On October 25, 2014, all canonically-
resident clergy in the diocese and dulyelected delegates and alternates from each congregation of the diocese will gather for a Special Council at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio. The first ballot of the election will be the nominating ballot, at which time names of previously submitted potential nominees may be placed into official nomination. Succeeding ballots will be taken until a single person has received a majority of votes in both the clergy order and the lay order on the same ballot. Subsequently, the election must receive the consent of a majority of diocesan bishops and standing committees of The Episcopal Church.
Saturday, October 25 10:00 AM TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas 20955 West Tejas Trail San Antonio, TX 78257 Ballot results and the eventual name of the Bishop Coadjutor Elect will be posted on the Council website:
http://council-dwtx.org “Election Live” Follow the election on Twitter @DioceseWestTX or www.facebook.com/DioceseWestTX
The Episcopate in the Diocese of West Texas Bishops Robert Woodward Barnwell Elliott – b. 1840; d. 1887; bishop 1874-1887 James Steptoe Johnston – b. 1845; d. 1924; bishop 1888-1916 William Theodotus Capers – b. 1867; d. 1943; coadjutor 1914-1915, diocesan 1916-1943 Everett Holland Jones – b. 1902; d. 1995; bishop 1943-1969 Harold Cornelius Gosnell – b. 1908; d. 1999; coadjutor 1968, diocesan 1969-1977 Scott Field Bailey – b. 1916; d. 2004; coadjutor 1976, diocesan 1977-1987 John Herbert MacNaughton – b. 1929; coadjutor 1986, diocesan 1987-1995 James Edward Folts – b. 1940; coadjutor 1994-1995, diocesan 1996-2006 Gary Richard Lillibridge – b. 1956; coadjutor 2004-2005, diocesan 2006-present Bishops Suffragan Richard Earl Dicus – b. 1910; d. 1996; suffragan 1955-1976 Stanley Fillmore Hauser – b. 1922; d. 1989; suffragan 1979-1987 Earl Nicholas McArthur – b. 1925; suffragan 1988-1993 Robert Boyd Hibbs – b. 1932; suffragan 1996-2003 David Mitchell Reed – b. 1957; suffragan 2006-present
A Prayer for the Diocese Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, you have called us to a life-giving fellowship in the Diocese of West Texas: Rekindle in our hearts the love of Christ Jesus that we might continue to build upon the legacy of those who have tended and led this Diocese with godly courage; look graciously upon us and on your whole Church; by your Spirit, guide the clergy and delegates who shall discern the one you call to be a bishop for our Diocese; and send us a faithful shepherd who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; we pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas We are 26,000+ persons gathered into 89 congregations, spread across 60 counties and 69,000 square miles. Our geographical boundaries are roughly Brady to the north, Port Lavaca and Edna to the east, Brownsville to the south, and Del Rio to the west. For organizational purposes, we are arranged into seven convocations, each headed by a dean. Bishop of the diocese is the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, and Bishop Suffragan is the Rt. Rev. David Reed. Headquarters for the diocese are in San Antonio at the Bishop Jones Center. The diocese has 30 full-time employees, most of whom office in San Antonio, others at Camp Capers and Mustang Island Conference Center.
By the Numbers 59 Parishes 30 Missions 160 Canonically-resident clergy 27 Episcopal Schools 9,136 Average Sunday Attendance (2012) $3,458 Average Pledge Amount (2012) The 2014 operational budget of the Diocese of West Texas is $4,712,138.
60.16 percent = operating expenses 39.84 percent = reaching out
Learn more
at www.dwtx.org
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of West Texas Members of the Standing Committee (three clergy and three lay) are elected for three-year terms by the Annual Diocesan Council. Current members are: Mrs. Thurma Hilton Mr. Richard Mosty Mr. John Warren
The Rev. Ripp Hardaway The Rev. Ram Lopez The Rev. David Read
Mrs. Kelley Kimble and the Rev. Scott Brown are serving as ex-officio members until October 2014. Their previous terms were extended by action of Diocesan Council for purposes of assisting in the election process.