Texas Episcopalian January 2010

Volume 113, No. 1

Houston, Texas

January 2010

All “aTwitter” at Worship

screens for all to see.

“We want to be relaxed and give people tools to live their life to be fully followers of Jesus Christ,” says the rector, Darrel Proffitt, who preaches most Saturday nights in blue jeans, t-shirt and tassel loafers. “If we’re really reaching the un-churched, and that is our goal, it’s not because of the technology; it’s because we removed the barriers that keep people from church.”

Launched in September, and still “very much a work in progress,” The Gathering Place now attracts about 70-100 participants a week, with an optional time for fellowship and food immediately before the hour-long service. What church leaders have found is that most people come for the convenience, rather than the technology, and stay for the comfortable yet worshipful atmosphere.

On a recent Saturday in December, longtime church member James Matthews was “gathering” to allow for Sunday deer hunting See Twitter, page 5

You are missing all the fun if you are not following Bishop Doyle on: www.facebook. com/c.andrew. doyle http://texasbishop. blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/ TexasBishop

Holy Apostle’s rector, the Rev. Darrel Proffitt, uses technology to engage congregation.

By Karen Hastings

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t’s Saturday night around sunset as the doors to Church of the Holy Apostles in Katy and “The Gathering Place” swing open once again.

There are no coats and ties, heels and hose -- people arrive mostly in denim, and look as if they just came from the grocery store or shopping mall, and might be headed out later for a movie.

The call to worship goes out, not in church bells on the crisp night air, but in cyberspace, in 140 characters or less: “Let’s Gather!”

Holy Apostles created The Gathering Place, its techno-savvy Saturday night service, as an alternative to more time-consuming Sunday formality. They hoped to reach an unchurched part of the mobile West Houston community with a service that is casual and convenient, yet fully worshipful.

Interactivity -- via Facebook and Twitter micro-blogging during the service wasn’t originally part of the plan, but has become an attention-grabbing feature as well.

Gatherers – some of them anyway -- bring their laptops and BlackBerrys. Their “tweets” – comments and questions during the sermon – go up on Holy Apostles’ big video

Camp Allen Accepts Challenge page 3

INSIDE Bishops’ Calendars......................... 13 Bishop’s Column.............................. 2 Calendar of events............................ 6 Council Pages............................... A-J

Diocesan News........................ 7-9 Parish News............................ 4-5 Sam Todd’s Column..................12 1

161st Council Pages Inside Texas Episcopalian

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Making Room for God ‘Tis the season for resolutions, and you know the drill: a new year, a new start, a new (but often repeated) commitment to something we would really rather not do, such as lose weight, stop smoking, go back to school, repair a relationship, or change whatever characteristic about ourselves that makes us unhappy or uncomfortable.

The fact that New Year’s resolutions are perennial tells us that we are really not very good at accomplishing that which we resolve in this fashion. We start out with zeal but usually quickly run out of steam.

At the core of this practice of resolving is our deep yearning for transformation. We know that God calls us into the full expression of who we are created to be. That vision is always at the edges of our sight or tucked away in the recesses of our hearts. We do truly desire to move toward it.

The difficulty with resolutions is that they are about control, about the exertion of our wills toward some goal. Yet the transformation we seek requires that we allow God to be at work

instead of ourselves. It requires us to give up our own careful plans for simple self improvement to make room for God’s mysterious and transforming work in our minds and hearts.

Instead of arriving on our schedule, transformation tends to bloom when we least expect such a thing. It also tends to arise amidst our recognition of helplessness instead of the willful gathering of our resources to accomplish it. Twelvestep groups know this well and teach that it is the recognition of powerlessness which is prelude to transformation, not some summoning of our own abilities.

A dramatic example of transformation played out five years ago in Atlanta. Angela Smith was taken hostage

by Brian Nichols, the fugitive who had just shot a number of people in his escape from the courthouse. If you recall, Angela convinced him that God had a plan for his life and that he should surrender. The incident ended without further bloodshed.

Angela was interviewed recently about her experience.

She explained that at the time she was addicted to crystal meth and estranged from family and friends. She thought that there was no hope for her and knew herself to be at the most desperate point in her life. It was in talking to Brian that she realized that God does indeed want us to have new life. It was from the lowest and most perilous moment of her life and his that God brought transformation for them both.

None of us want to be in such a dangerous situation, and we pray never to be there. But the object lesson still applies to us. If we would welcome transformation, we have to allow God to work past our defenses. We have to come to

the realization that we will never have enough control to compel God, nor would we want such a thing. We can only ask for the grace to cooperate with God’s power at work in us.

Angela’s life is very different today. She is sober and has since married and reconciled Bishop Suffragan Dena Harrison with those from whom she was estranged. She feels called to speak with all sorts of groups about what God can do, even and especially when we cannot help ourselves.

Self-improvement is not a bad thing, and we all have things we can improve. But we should never imagine that such activity is a substitute for allowing God to bring transformation. In this new year, may we put aside our aspirations to control and make room for the Transforming One, who for our sakes has just been born into the helplessness and poverty of the world.

The Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrision Bishop Suffragan of Texas

Bishop’s Statement on Recent Election The Texas Episcopalian (since 1897) is an official publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Mission: In the name of Jesus Christ, the Texas Episcopalian seeks to inform the people in the diocese of events and philosophies which affect the mission and life of the Church.

Publisher: The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle Editor: Carol E. Barnwell, cbarnwell@epicenter.org Parish News Editor: Nancy Sallaberry, nsallaberry@epicenter.org Layout: LaShane K. Eaglin, leaglin@epicenter.org The Texas Episcopalian (ISSN# 1074-441X) is published monthly except July and August for $15 a year by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, 1225 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002-3504. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. Deadline is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Articles, editorials and photos should be submitted to the editor at the above e-mail address. Photos will not be returned. Address changes can be made at www.epicenter.org/infochange.

Postmaster: Address changes: THE TEXAS EPISCOPALIAN, 1225 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002-3504 Texas Episcopalian

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he Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, released a brief statement immediately following the election of a practicing lesbian as a bishop suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles, December 5.

He said: “The election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.

“The process of selection however is only part complete.

The election has to be confirmed, or could be rejected, by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees. That decision will have very important implications.

“The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold.”

Leadership in the Diocese of Texas has consistently adhered to the request for gracious restraint and a moratorium put forth in the Windsor Report and supports the ongoing process of a Covenant within the global Communion and will continue to do so.

The Diocese of Los Angeles and the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool, elected on December 5, must now follow a consent process. The implications of this vote are far reaching and it remains to be seen if more than half of TEC’s 109 diocesan standing committees and more than half of the diocesan bishops will approve her election. It may take up to four months for the consent process to unfold.

The Windsor Report, written following the election and consecration of the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, NH in 2003, requested a moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops and in 2006, The Episcopal Church agreed to refrain from electing additional actively gay bishops. This summer, the Church’s General Convention acknowledged there is Bishop Andy Doyle released the following statement: great diversity of opinion within the Church on the issue of The recent election in the Diocese of Los Angeles of sexuality, marriage and ordination.

The Diocese of Texas is a diverse diocese and opinions a partnered lesbian as bishop suffragan raises the questions among our clergy and our laity vary on the issue of of covenant and communion within The Episcopal sexuality.

We have many gay and lesbian members across Church (TEC) and the Anglican Communion once again.

See Bishop’s Statement, page 11

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CAMP ALLEN NEWS

Mabee Foundation Challenges Camp Allen Donors building amongst other buildings named for bishops, but we concluded that he deeply loved Camp Allen and felt it was the heartbeat of programs in the diocese.”

In the present dining room adjacent to the fireplace hangs a Blazing Trails giving tree that was designed by the firm of David Peterson. Each pewter leaf on the tree represents a donor contribution of $1,000 or more to the campaign. “Please consider giving a gift to Blazing Trails and by helping Camp Allen fulfill this opportune challenge offered by the Mabee Foundation. Your support will allow Camp Allen to blaze new trails, honor its rich history, and flourish as never before,” Dehan said.

To contribute or to inquire about naming opportunities, please contact Lauren Day at 936.825.7175 or visit the Camp Allen website www.campallen.org and click the donations button.

The Mabee Foundation recently issued a challenge grant of $250,000 to “Blazing Trails: The Campaign for Camp Allen,” a $2.3 million campaign designed to improve and expand the camp’s facilities and establish a $1 million maintenance endowment. The grant is intended to encourage others to contribute and propel

the capital campaign to completion.

In order to meet the challenge, Camp Allen must reach the $2,050,000 mark with pledges and donations. Total pledged is currently $1,600,000 from 325 faithful donors leaving an additional $450,000 which must be raised by June

30, 2010, to meet the challenge and complete the campaign.

Visitors to Camp Allen already see great improvements from the Blazing

Camp Allen 2010 Summer Camp Calendar--Register Now Session Dates

Session Letter

Age

Grade as of Sept 2010

June 6 – 12 June 6 – 12 June 6 – 12

A (Starter Camp) B (Good News) C

Primary Mixed Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th - 10th 7th – 9th

June 13 – 19 June 13 – 19 June 13 – 19

D E F

Sr. High Middler Jr. High

10th – 12th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

June 20 – 26 June 20 – 26 June 20 – 26

G H I

Primary Middler Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

June 27 – July 3 June 27 – July 3 June 27 – July 3

J K L

Primary Middler Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

to previous campaign gifts, Camp Allen has purchased 117 acres overlooking the

July 4 - July 10

Choir

Mixed

3rd - 8th

80-acre lake, built a new road as a forest fire exit for campers and repainted All

Saints’ Chapel. An essential part of the campaign has been to install an energy

efficient air conditioning system for the main center with environmentally

sensitive controls.

“The campaign causes us to look forward with hope while giving thanks to

July 11 – 17 July 11 – 17 July 11 – 17

M N O

Primary Middler Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

July 18 – 24 July 18 – 24 July 18 – 24

P Q R

Primary Middler Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

our storied past,” said Camp Allen’s president, George Dehan. The next Blazing

Trails project in the campaign is to finish the extension to the dining room.

July 25 – 31 July 25 – 31 July 25 – 31

S T U

Sr. High Middler Jr. High

10th – 12th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

“In honoring our past, we are elated to name the new dining room for the late Howard T. Tellepsen, who faithfully served our diocese for seven decades in many

capacities, attended camp in the early 1920’s, and whose family firm was the

primary contractor on all new construction in the 1990s which included the All

August 1 – 7 August 1 – 7 August 1 – 7

V W X

Primary Middler Jr. High

3rd – 4th 5th – 6th 7th – 9th

August 8 - 12

Y

Horsemanship

6th - 8th

Saint’s Chapel complex.”

The prices will remain the same as last year however the first session of camp will be discounted $450 as a “starter camp.” As this week is usually the only week that is not full.

See www.campallen.org to register.

Trails campaign. In 2008, more than 48,000 children and adults participated

in activities at Camp Allen. Though they were welcomed visitors, these guests

contributed to the general deterioration of the camp’s buildings and grounds – deterioration that the campaign hopes to reverse through its fund raising. Thanks

Tom Tellepsen, who serves on the Camp Allen Board said, “the family had to think about whether our father would want his name placed on a prominent

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Texas Episcopalian

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PARISH NEWS

St. Cuthbert Dedicates New Building S

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Cuthbert dedicated their new church building in the late summer on a busy thoroughfare in northwest Houston.

It’s been constant growth for the parish, founded in 1978, when 25 founding members gathered at Bob & Linda’s Sandwich Shoppe on Hwy 6.

Acolytes Allie Jereb, Robert Scarpati The Rt. Rev. C. (center) and Auston Bilbrey recess Andrew Doyle joined following the dedication of St. more than 500 parish Cuthbert’s new church. members and guests to dedicate the new building and celebrate the ministry of St. Cuthbert in late August.

Five years after founding St. Cuthbert, the Diocese of Texas purchased 3.5 acres in the Copperfield area where a permanent structure was built and grew to 240 families.

Twenty years later there was no room to grow at the Willow River location, deed restrictions and poor visibility. The Rev. Desmond Goonesekera, rector, and church leaders began looking for alternatives. The congregation had reached their seating capacity and there was no room to expand or add sufficient parking.

Land acquisition and building came after an aggressive capital campaign and a $1 million dollar donation along with additional bank loan. The new 1600 square-foot building is on 8.3 acres in a high visibility area near several schools and other churches. The first phase of building provides a capacity of 356 with the ability to open folding walls and accommodate 500. Phase 2 Bishop Andy Doyle greets members of St. Cuthbert’s as they gather for the Capital Campaign in 2010 will provide a dedication. permanent sanctuary.

The area is in a rapidly growing part of Houston near new members and has enjoyed the addition of many young new subdivisions and the Lone Star Community College. families through their preschool ministry. A Bible study The congregation plans to reach out to the community for program is planned for the new senior living facility nearby.

San Mateo Feeds Multitude

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he congregation of San Mateo, Houston, is held in high regard in their southwest Houston neighborhood for always “being there” for the community. “We help in any way we can, we pray for them, we find ways to meet their needs or we put them in contact with someone who can help,” said Luz Cabrera, the church’s assistant youth coordinator.

The youth at San Mateo are especially active and have been providing a Thanksgiving feast for the needy for many years. The Rev. Alejandro Montes, rector, calls other Episcopal churches and others each year to find help fund the event. This year, St. Francis Day School donated 120

Texas Episcopalian

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turkeys and Caring Friends donated more than $300 worth of food for the feast.

Eighty volunteers joined San Mateo’s members to cook and serve the feast and this year included members from St. Martin’s and St. Luke’s Methodist churches in Houston.

“We started planning the beginning of the year,” Cabrera said, explaining that the church advertises and reminds parishioners they will be needing all possible hands. “Thanksgiving morning we split into different groups-drivers, cooks, servers and clean up. Everything is organized so that everyone can be included,” she said.

Most of the turkeys are prepared by parishioners the evening before the feast and brought to the church on Thanksgiving. Many are cooked in the church’s commercial kitchen.

The church served more than 500 guests this year, many of whom are day laborers and were picked up at locations throughout southwest Houston where they usually wait for work. A few walked up or rode their bikes to the church.

“We continue to have this every year because that is how some of our members first came to know of San Mateo,” Cabrera said, “and it is also a way for our congregation to give thanks to God for all he has blessed us with.”

She invites all Episcopal churches in the diocese to help with the feast in 2010. Contact Cabrera at: Luzcabrera07@ gmail.com.

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A&M Cadets Remember Vets

Texas A&M freshmen cadets from Company E-2 sign dozens of Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday cards at Cafe Canterbury in the Episcopal Student Center in College Station before Christmas. The cards were sent to Texas veterans in V.A. hospitals as part of a service project by the A&M Episcopal Student Center and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The public was invited to join the initiative as well. Photo by: Dave McDermand

PARISH NEWS

Twitter, continued from page 1 plans. Waitress Gayle Yarusso had a Sunday morning work conflict. And Carl and Carolyn Bradow were just enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and lack of formal trappings.

“For some reason, I have more of a spiritual connection with this service,” Bradow says. “Maybe it was all those years of hustling to get a family to church on time. This is more relaxing,” she added.

“Relaxed” does not mean abandoning Holy Apostle’s “contemporary, conservative, evangelical, biblically-based” identity. The service includes all the elements of the regular Sunday service, including a quartet with guitars and drums.

“We have told people we will get you in and out in an hour,” Proffitt says. “That doesn’t mean that we’re watering it down. The challenge is…how can we do the very important parts of our worship and still get them out in a manageable time?”

Church leaders say they will be reassessing their new creation in the New Year. They’re happy with the robust attendance, although they see more switch-overs from Sunday than the newcomers they hoped for.

And while tempting Greek salads and baklava were available before one recent Saturday service, most of the gathering happened just as the 5-minute countdown to the 6 p.m. service went up on video screens at the front of the nave.

As for the technology, “we are SO learning,” says the Rev. Bill Blomquist, associate rector.

While Proffitt preached a recent sermon on Christmas and forgiveness -- and invited responses to questions like, “Who is it that you haven’t forgiven?” -- Blomquist was manning his laptop, posting key bits of the message to those following on Twitter.

Somewhere amid the congregation, Bruce Hall’s “tweet” went up on the screens: “sure I forgive but often I slip and then I realize that I may not have completely, this is a battle.”

One week, Blomquist said, there were even tweets from Gathering Place regulars who were following the night’s sermon from somewhere in cyberspace.

The purpose, Proffitt says, is not to be “cute,” but to promote interactivity and community.

Hall likes the way his Twittered comments and questions are incorporated in a “very relaxed and natural manner,” and plans to keep coming back on Saturday nights.

“To me, it feels like I am having a relaxed conversation with friends over coffee - yet it is very holy and reverent. This is the way church should be!”

All Saint’s, Austin

Ascension Packs Boxes

Fabric Wanted for Quilts

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onate your unwanted fabric to the Quilters Guild at All Saint’s, Austin. The fabric will be used to make quilts for cancer patients at Shivers Cancer Center and Dell Children’s Hospital. Quilters will meet on January 16 from 9 am to noon, to assemble and sew quilt tops. Contact Mary Wright at mlwbazaar@gamil.com to get involved or to donate.

St. John the Divine, Houston Gifts for Angels

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ore than 70 Christmas gifts were bought and wrapped for children of incarcerated parents by parishioners at St. John the Divine through the Angel Tree Program. The gifts included a personal note from the child’s parent and in some cases were delivered by parishioners. The Angel Tree Program is a ministry that reaches out to children of inmates and their families. The program seeks to reconcile families to each other and Christ. For more information on how your parish can get involved with this ministry visit www. helpangeltree.com.

In Advent, youth of Ascension, Houston, joined other members of the parish to collect toiletries, books, hats, shirts and socks, calendars, notepads and other small gift items to pack Christmas Gift Boxes for the Seafarers who visit the Port of Houston. The Rev. Lacy Largent, chaplain for seafarers, had spoken to the congregation about her ministry and encouraged them to become involved. Forty boxes were filled and wrapped for the crew members along with some puzzles for them to take to their children. Cindy Cadle was the coordinator of the project.

Holy Spirit Looks Forward to Homecoming Holy Spirit, enjoying its 48th year in Houston’s Memorial area, looks forwards to its annual Homecoming, to welcome current and former students and their parents, to a spirit filled evening of Girls and Boys Varsity basketball, catered meal and exciting halftime entertainment. Alumni from Episcopal High School, St. Thomas Episcopal, St. Agnes Academy, Stratford High School, Strake Jesuit, Houston Christian, St. Thomas High School and many others come to cheer on their alma mater.

Maree Calcote Remembered with Gardens

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eautify Beaumont, Inc., a Southeast Texas nonprofit founded to “fund the design and construction of beautification projects, including landscaping and tree renewal for public areas, dedicated two,

100-foot long rose beds to its founder Maree Elizabeth Minturn Calcote, late wife of the Rev. Dean Calcote. During a public dedication on Tuesday, November 10 at the intersection of the planting, which is within walking distance of the Calcote home, family, friends and the media gathered to honor Maree. A reception was held afterwards at a public park and former and current Beaumont mayors spoke about the many projects Maree undertook to make Beaumont a “greener” town.

Family pictured: Son, Alan Calcote; daughter, Sarah Sarahan; son-in-law, Paul Sarahan; daughter-in-law, M.L. Calcote; grandchildren Will and Kate Sarahan and Allie Calcote with the Rev. A. Dean Calcote.

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Texas Episcopalian

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Calendar & Conferences

Churches Partner to Host Refugees’ First Thanksgiving

Calendar January 29-31 9th Annual Trinity Jazz Fesitval at Trinity, Houston. www.trinityjazzfest.net/ for details.

Photo by: Len Wehrung

February

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unday evening before Thanksgiving, members of seven Episcopal churches in Houston and a bagpiper from St. Thomas Episcopal School welcomed more than two hundred refugees and their Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s caseworkers to a festive and traditional Thanksgiving Dinner of turkey with all the trimmings.

The event was hosted and catered by St. John the Divine; St. Martin’s provided beautiful flower-filled pumpkin centerpieces and holiday pies; Palmer Memorial gave framed family photos; Christ the King brought favors of beans and rice for each family; Emmanuel prepared decorative cranberry sauce molds for each table; Trinity-Woodlands’ youth re-enacted the story of the first Thanksgiving and provided music and crafts; and a family from Epiphany shared their musical gifts during the dinner.

This was a first Thanksgiving and an introduction to another American tradition for the refugees who are from Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Eritrea, Burundi, Bhutan and Vietnam. It also marked the first time that Episcopal Churches partnered to host the event.

Linda Parks, a member of Christ the King, enjoyed greeting the refugees and said she “was really blessed by having the opportunity to meet and visit with them.

Their zeal was very contagious. [The event] makes the Thanksgiving holiday all that more meaningful for me.”

Volunteers hoped the churches would sponsor the event again next year.

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston is the local affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries and provides casework services for refugees as they are resettled in Houston.

Church support is needed and Rev. Linda Shelton, Diocesan Liaison for Refugee Ministries, can be reached at lshelton@palmerchurch.org or 713.529.6196 for more information.

Integrity Houston Eucharist

(followed by dinner) Third Friday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Golding Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston

Free Parking in the Cathedral Garage at Texas and San Jacinto

Texas Episcopalian

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4 Four Questions, Four Paths, One Great Journey: A New Paradigm for the Gospels Workshop featuring Alexander J. Shaia, PhD, author of The Hidden Power of the Gospels Explore how the gospels help address the complexities of contemporary life with useful ideas for preaching, teaching, spiritual direction, Bible study and community spiritual formation, including essential practices to revitalize individual lives and community worship. The class will examine a new basis for understanding early Christianity’s selection of the four gospels and their placement in a threeyear Sunday reading cycle. Shaia’s book will be for sale along with the study guide. Clergy will receive 4 CEUs (theological/academic) for this event. Cost is $30 (includes lunch). Please contact the Rev. Kelly Koonce for more information or to register: 512.476.3523 or kkoonce@gsaustin. org. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Good Shepherd, Austin 12-13 161st Diocesan Council, Killeen, TX. See special section, this issue or www.epicenter. org for details.

March 6 Bridges Out of Poverty featuring Ruby Payne, PhD, Saturday, March 6, 2010, 9:00 am – Noon at St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston. Payne is a leading expert on poverty and the mindsets of different economic classes. There is no cost for the workshop, but advance registration is encouraged to ensure a seat. Contact Ann Cochran at acochran@sjd.org.

Approved for 3 CEUs for clergy in the Diocese of Texas.

Live Bodaciously and Plan to Finish Well featuring Margie Jenkins, SW, LPC, LMFT, 9 author of You Only Die Once; Preparing for the End of Life with Grace and Gusto and the New Expanded My Personal Planner. A psychotherapist, lecturer and newspaper columnist, Jenkins is nationally recognized for her work with end-of-life planning issues and is noted for her sensitivity, humor and clinical practicality. St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas 77019. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Charge is $8 per person paid at the door. Please call for reservations: 832.355.4299.

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Mission Suffers with Downturn in Economy

t the end of the day, is the community in which you live better off because the Episcopal Church is there? A good question, and harder to answer as Mission Funding suffers a 20 percent drop in commitments for 2010 from the diocese’s churches.

Cooperative funds from congregations (through the Mission Funding program) help to support mission congregations, 17 college ministries, multiple outreach ministries, congregations in crisis and The Episcopal Church. These dollars provide healthcare, help for the indigent and battered, the incarcerated and their families, people who suffer from want and neglect, young and old. Usually vestries make these funding choices after studying the catalog of offerings.

The drop in giving will result in a significant reduction in support of many ministries, adversely affecting those who serve and who are being served by them in already challenging times.

“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? We do, with God’s help.” (from the Baptismal Covenant) To learn more about the ministries you support through Mission Funding and how you, as an individual or as part of your congregation, might become more involved, go to www.epicenter.org/missionfunding to view the 2010 Catalog of ministries. There is also a Mission Funding curriculum with Sunday adult classes on stewardship and other tools to assist you in further exploration.

Contact the Mission Funding Coordinator, Kathy Culmer, for further information at kculmer@epicenter.org or 713.520.6444.

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st Diocesan Council The Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Killeen Civic and Conference Center, Killeen, Texas

February 12-13, 2010

Council Preacher Has Unique Background As Council Gathers in Military Town military, federal prisons and Veteran’s Affairs facilities. He the crisis. That “Support Mission” by his office included also supports the care for all other chaplains by coordinating briefings to all clergy in the 13 dioceses directly affected by the training and advocacy for diocesan healthcare, prison, that terrible day, organizing and scheduling chaplains for the emergency responder, and maritime chaplains in the life of NYC site, liaison with the Pentagon effort, and providing the Church. Because of extensive travel he also serves as the solace and counseling to persons at the Church Center as bishop-in-charge for Micronesia in the southwest Pacific.

See Council Preacher, page B Bishop Packard graduated from Hobart College, in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and enlisted in the Army soon after he 161st Diocesan Council will take place February 12-13, college. He received the Silver Star and two 2010, at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center, hosted Bronze Stars for valor during his deployment as

by St. Christopher’s, Killeen. The Rt. Rev. George Packard, an infantry officer in Vietnam.

Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies, will preach at the conference’s Upon release from active duty, Bishop opening Eucharist on Friday evening. The service will be held in the Civic Center and begins at 6 p.m.

Packard continued to serve in the Army Reserves Killeen, home to Ft. Hood, the country’s largest military while attending Virginia Theological Seminary post, is located on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1974. just a few miles off I-35 on U.S. Highway 190, an easy drive He also holds an honorary doctorate from VTS. from throughout the diocese. Killeen has grown to more than He served parishes in Virginia and New York 100,000 residents and offers a wide variety of dining, shopping for 15 years before becoming the Canon to the and entertainment.

Ordinary for the Diocese of New York in 1989, The annual business meeting of the diocese gathers clergy returning in 1995 to parish ministry. and elected delegates from all congregations to consider changes Concurrent to his parochial and diocesan to the Canons and Constitution, submitted resolutions and duties, Bishop Packard served as a chaplain in the to vote for elected representatives on the diocesan Executive Army Reserves. In this capacity he had a variety Board, Standing Committee and other positions. Additionally, of assignments from chaplain to a hospital ward participants will consider the diocesan and missionary budget for communicable diseases, to a field hospital, to for approval. The location of Council rotates annually between a deployed unit in Egypt. During the Gulf War, Houston, Galveston, Tyler, Waco and Austin. Pre-council workhe was assigned to the Pentagon and later was shops (on the budgets, constitution and canons and for first-time decorated for his participation in a team for the delegates) will take place on Friday afternoon. Exhibits will be pastoral care of casualties. open throughout Council. Business sessions begin Saturday Since his consecration in 2000, Bishop morning and are expected to conclude by mid afternoon the Packard has traveled extensively to visit chaplains same day. throughout the world including Iraq and Kuwait.

All Council activities, will take place in the Civic and ConThis knowledge served him well when the tragedy vention Center. Free parking will be available at the Killeen Civic of September 11th occurred. It meant that the and Conference Center, 3601 South W.S. Young Drive, and is “100 Days of Mission Support” declared by situated next to the Shilo Hotel with several additional hotels his office in response to the event could call on only minutes away. talent well-known and matched to the needs of

Annual Meeting Set for Killeen

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The Rt. Rev. George Packard

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ishop George Packard is Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies and will be a particularly appropriate preacher for the diocese’s annual meeting when it gathers in Killeen, February 12-13, 2010.

Killeen is hope to the country’s largest military post, Ft. Hood, and has been the site of a large percentage of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. As bishop Suffragan for chaplaincies, Bishop Packard has ministered to those in the armed forces throughout his career.

Bishop Packard’s ministry has been notable for his leadership in support of those deployed in the Iraq War, the response to September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. He is the bishop for all Episcopal federal chaplains serving in the

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About Council Pre-Council Meeting Schedule

Schedule of Events

listed by convocation and dean

Friday, February 12, 2010

Northeast Kevin Wittmayer Sun. Jan. 17 4:00 pm

East/West Patrick Miller &

Chris Bowhay Tues. Jan 19 7:00 pm

St. Matthew’s, Henderson 214 College Ave. 903.657.3154

Central Sean A. Cox Thurs., Jan. 21 7:00 pm

St. Andrew’s, Bryan 217 W. 26th St. 979.822.5176

Austin David A. Boyd Sunday, Jan. 24 4:00 pm

St. David’s, Austin 204-E. 7th St. 512.472.1196

Northwest Chuck Treadwell Mon., Jan. 25 7:00 pm

St. Paul’s, Waco 525 Columbus Ave. 254.753.4501

San Jacinto Beth Fain Tues., Jan. 26 7:00 pm

Trinity, The Woodlands 3901 S. Panther Creek 281.367.8133

Southeast John Bedingfield Sun., Jan. 31 4:00 pm

St. Mark’s, Beaumont 680 Calder St. 409.832.3405

Galveston Robert Flick Mon., Feb. 1 7:00 pm

St. Michael’s, LaMarque 1601 Lake Rd. 409.935.3559

Southwest Lance Ousley Mon., Feb. 8th 7:00 pm

St. Thomas, Wharton 207 Bob O Link Ln 979.532.1723

St. Thomas, Houston 4900 Jackwood 713.666.3111

Registration: http://tiny.cc/NgkAg The council registration fee of $110 includes a BBQ dinner on Friday, continental breakfast and box lunch on Saturday as well as access to the conveniently located Exhibit Area. Attendees must be registered to gain entry to the business sessions and participate in meals. Coffee and water will be available all day Saturday free of charge. Registration for Council is open on the diocesan website at www.epicenter.org. All registrations must be completed online. Please call Nancy Sallaberry at 713.520.6444 if you have difficulty registering.

Exhibits The 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas meets February 12-13, 2010 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. Every year Council delegates explore a wide variety of booths and exhibits. Craft-makers, outreach ministries, booksellers, jewelers and more display, sell and promote their offerings during Council. If you are interested in acquiring a vendor booth for the two-day gathering, please contact Bobbi Hopkins at 512.556.8054, 512.540.2244 or bahopkins@hughes.net by January 22, 2010. Find a vendor application on the Diocesan Council Blog at http://161council.blogspot.com.

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Noon ter (KCCC) Noon 2:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Exhibits Open

Killeen Civic and Conference Cen-

Registration Desk Opens Main Entrance Tour of Fort Hood Departs Fort Hood Pre-Council Workshops Meeting Rooms 3 & 4 Pre-Council Workshops Meeting Rooms 3 & 4 Worship Service Main Ballroom BBQ Dinner Main Ballroom

Saturday, February 13, 2010 Main Entrance 7:00 a.m. Registration Continues 7:00 a.m. Exhibits Open KCCC 7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast North and South Hallways 8:30 a.m. Business Meeting Session I Main Ballroom 11:30 a.m. Recess and Box Lunch Main Ballroom Noon Clergy Spouse Lunch Shilo Hotel 1:15 p.m. Business Meeting Session II Main Ballroom

Council Preacher,

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well as general support to any other development.

Prior to the drama of September 11th, the bishop convened a leadership conference of senior military chaplains at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC followed six months later by a similar “Formative Symposium” for healthcare professionals.

He is quoted as saying that another true highlight during these two years was his first confirmation service at Angola Prison in Louisiana and eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio.

Under Bishop Packard’s guidance and in keeping with the earlier energies of September 11th, the Office for Chaplaincies provided the interim primary response to major domestic disasters for the national church and significant leadership on the ground for Hurricane Katrina through the “We Will Stand with You” Program.

Bishop Packard served as the Chairman of NCMAF — The National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces in 2005.

He is married to Brook Hedick, a musician and Christian educator and together they have one daughter, Clara. Bishop Packard has two daughters from a previous marriage: Helen, an associate editor for a church periodical and Cleary, a professional tennis player.

Tours of Ft. Hood for first 100 Tours of the nation’s largest military facility will be available on Friday, February 12 for Council delegates. Members of Fort Hood’s Public Affairs Office will lead the tour.

Those participating in the tour will need to be at the front entrance of the Killeen Civic and Conference Center by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12 for check in with their drivers license or other oficial government issued picture ID card. The tour will start at 2:30 PM and last about two hours. Comfortable buses have been reserved for the tour and only minimal walking will be required.

The tour will be limited to between 80-100 people. Please contact Jo Denson, 254.634.7474 or e-mail her at st.chris.killeen@gmail.com to make a reservation.

Council Requires Experienced Leadership Moore said he asked Christian to take on the project based largely on Christian’s track record of big project planning and management. Moore points specifically to Christian’s experience as an assistant city manager in Killeen who managed the multimilliondollar airport plan and construction.

It was the first municipal airport to be built in the U.S. under the new security rules that followed the terrorist tragedy of September 11, 2001.

“I would say that 27 years as an officer in the Air Force, in most levels of management, and another 14 years in city management, maybe have given me a little insight into doing a project like Don Christian’s team has been planning logistics for the 161st for more than a year and they are ready to welcome the 1000+ Episcopal family to Killeen, Febthis,” Christian said. ruary 12-13, 2010. Christian is pictured in the regional airport he helped plan.

David Wood, a retired Army officer and civil service manager, is the operations chair on Christian’s commitBy Scott Clark tee. His planning covers facilities, the business meeting and uilding a city airport was a big project for Don registration.

Christian. That is in his past. His current project “We’re all actively engaged in countdown now,” Wood is marshalling the resources and committee chairs said. “The one thing that was the most benefit to this work for the 161st Diocesan Council that will be held in Killeen was to go and watch our counterparts at the last council to on February 12-13, as the general chair for host parish St. get some idea of what they did. Then you start developing Christopher’s. things from there.”

“The (Killeen) airport took about eight years from the Kathy Hull chairs logistics. Hull has been at St. Christime I started working on the project until we opened the topher’s 26 years. Her set of project skills was built from doors. It was a long project,” Christian said. “We’ll see how her careers as a U.S. Army officer and as an executive with I do on this one.”

Killeen’s Metroplex Hospital Nutrition Services.

Diocesan Council gathers more than 1000 clergy, del“My professional career has been built on dealing with egates, visitors and exhibitors for the two-day annual event. details – critical details,” Hull said. “Taking care of details, Bishop George Packard, chaplain to the Armed Forces will and delegating effectively. I am good at delegating and pickpreach at the opening Eucharist and the Rt. Rev. James ing good sub-chairs.”

Tengatenga, Bishop of Southern Malawi, on sabbatical in The other chairs on the committee are Dorothy ReynAustin, will also be able to join the Council as a visitor. olds for events and Jim Wilson, CPA, as treasurer.

The Rev. Paul Moore became rector of St. Christopher’s Asked if he could leave a note to help a general chair in Killeen in 2001. He had never been part of council plan- for a future council event, Christian said that note would ning before this effort. The Killeen location came about a say start early, assemble your committee, start meeting and few years ago when Moore pointed out to diocesan officials start planning. “The second piece of advice is to solicit help that Killeen had recently completed a new convention and from good committee members. We have a great commitconference center. The city’s population had grown to more tee; they work well together.” than 100,000. The convention center was designed to supMoore said he received sound advice from Houston port the city’s growth, and the steady flow of large events leadership. “I would say the same thing that the dean of the that naturally take place in the city that is adjacent to the cathedral said to me last year – get somebody really good, U.S. Army’s Fort Hood, the largest military installation in delegate ’em and get out of the way.” the U.S. The Web site for the 161st Diocesan Council is “I mentioned to the Rev. Cecilia Smith that we had a http://161council.blogspot.com. All registration is online. new convention center adequate to handle council,” Moore The Web site for St. Christopher’s, Killeen, is www. said. “The next thing I knew we were in the queue to host stchris-online.com it.”

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Nomination Slate Secretary of the Diocese (elect 1) The Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., Christ Church Cathedral, Houston Treasurer of the Diocese (elect 1) Robert J. Biehl, Diocesan Bishop’s Office, Houston Standing Committee Membership is 3 clergy and 3 lay persons; at least 18 years of age; confirmed communicants in good standing; 3 year term; one clergy and one lay person elected every Council.

Clergy (elect 1) The Rev. Mike Wallace Besson, St. John’s, LaPorte The Very Rev. Joe D. Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston The Rev. James Stockton, Church of the Resurrection, Austin Lay (elect 1) Linnet F. Deily, Trinity, Houston Andrew Lyon, Church of the Resurrection, Austin Executive Board Elect 5 members each year, 2 clergy and 3 lay persons for a 3 year term.

Clergy (elect 2) The Rev. Theodore E. Hervey, Jr., Epiphany, Burnet The Rev. Nick Novak, Trinity, Baytown The Rev. Chuck Treadwell, St. Paul’s, Waco Lay (elect 4 – 3 full term, 1 to complete an unexpired term of 1 year) David A. Bollinger, Good Shepherd, Tomball Elizabeth Ruth Dowell, Hope, Houston Ann Foxworth, Church of the Resurrection, Austin Heyward L. Green, St. Paul’s, Waco Kerry K. Hancock, Christ Church, Temple Thomas Clifford Knudson, St. John the Divine, Houston S. Wayne Mathis, Grace, Alvin Daniel Kevin McGillicuddy, St. Matthew’s, Austin Cornelius D. Perry, Hope, Houston Trustee of the Church Corporation: Lay (elect 1) One member elected each year for a five-year term; no restrictions on re-election.

JoLynn Free, All Saints’, Austin William D. Kovach, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston Shawn S. Sanders, Christ the King, Atascocita/Humble Trustee University of the South Lay (elect 1) Elect one trustee each year for a three-year term; no re-election restrictions.

William A. Gage, Jr., St. John the Divine, Houston Jeffrey S. Hamilton, St. Paul’s, Waco Peter H. Squire, Christ Church Cathedral & Palmer, Houston

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Nominations Secretary of the Diocese (elect 1) The Rev. Canon John A. Logan Jr., Christ Church Cathedral, Houston

Prior to becoming the Canon to the Ordinary in 1996, Logan served as canon and subdean at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston; associate rector at Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin and vicar of St. Timothy’s, Waco. He has also served as a staff chaplain at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Logan received his bachelor’s and law degrees from The University of Texas at Austin. He received his divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Logan served as a board member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and currently serves as secretary of the diocese.

Robert J. Biehl, St. Martin’s, Houston

I have had the pleasure of working in the Diocesan office since August, 2000. I am a CPA and graduated from TCU in 1972.

My experience includes public accounting, controllership, personal financial planning and 18 years as a trust officer with Bank of America where I was trust officer to the Diocese and its’ foundations for almost 10 years. I have been married to Marilyn for 31 years and have one daughter. I have served on the Board of St. Vincent’s House and on the Stewardship Committee of the diocese.

(elect 1)

The Rev. Mike Wallace Besson St. John’s, La Porte

I have seen God work countless miracles since the eye of Hurricane Ike passed almost directly over our church. Our congregation has received an extraordinary amount of help from across the diocese…words cannot express my gratitude. I have a strong desire to serve the larger church that has so freely reached out to our community and to work with our bishop as he leads us to a new and wonderfully exciting time. I have been married to the love of my life, Ellen, for 18 years and we have just adopted our precious 2 ½ year old son, Lorenzo.

The Very Rev. Joe D. Reynolds Christ Church Cathedral, Houston

I graduated from Virginia Seminary in 1974 and have spent thirty-five years in ordained parish ministry. While there have been those days, it has been a wonderful experience. I believe the Episcopal Church is at a critical time in its life. And I believe the Diocese of Texas is well positioned to provide leadership in shaping the future of our Church. I would like to be a part of that vision.

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I’m the rector of a fine congregation and have been lay and clergy delegate to the Councils of our diocese for the past twelve years. My experiences as such bring me to appreciate fully the opportunities before our Church and diocese at this time. If elected to the Standing Committee, I will support the efforts of our bishop as he seeks to lead our diocesan community with constitutional and canonical integrity and to serve the mission of the Gospel with the compassion of Christ Jesus toward all God’s people.

Standing Committee, lay (elect 1) Linnet F. Deily Trinity, Houston

Treasurer of the Diocese (elect 1)

Standing Committee, clergy

The Rev. James Stockton Church of the Resurrection, Austin

My participation in leadership roles in business, public service and community organizations would provide me a useful perspective in serving as a lay member of the Standing Committee. In particular my experiences in Geneva, where I served as the U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), focused on developing consensus among the 148 diverse members of the WTO; those experiences may be helpful as we seek to move forward together as a diocese.

Andrew Lyon Church of the Resurrection, Austin

As a teacher, I make decisions that affect my student’s lives, sometimes profoundly. I am attentive and focused in a manner that increases the options and opportunities for my students. My experience and skills provides me with the ability to listen and respond appropriately.

I feel called to be more involved in the conversations of our diocese especially at this time in our life together and to help us trust God’s Spirit in one another. If elected, I will serve on the Standing Committee to support the ministry of our bishop and to look toward to the future especially with regard to the emerging generation of clergy in our diocese.

Executive Board, clergy (elect 2) The Rev. Theodore (Ted) E. Hervey, Jr. Epiphany, Burnet

In the Diocese of West Texas I served as Hispanic Commission Chair, Happening Spiritual Director and on the Executive Board. I have been Spirtual Director for Cursillos in Texas. I serve on the World Mission Board, and helped lead Epiphany in Burnet to reach parish status. Our diocese will be facing some tough decisions in the next few years due to the economy we all face. I feel called to help the Diocese of Texas in those decisions.

January 2010

The Rev. Nick Novak Trinity, Baytown

I have served as a layperson and/or a priest in the Diocese of Texas since 1973. I would like to serve on the Executive Board because I believe I can bring together the work experience of 15 years in the business world and 18 years as an ordained minister to help the diocese in its current administrative tasks and in planning for the future.

The Rev. Chuck Treadwell St. Paul’s, Waco

I would be honored to serve the Church in the Diocese of Texas. I am excited about the vision of our diocese and the ministry of our bishop. I look forward to supporting both. I believe I can enhance the strength and health of this diocese with my gifts of leadership and long-range thinking. I have served in this capacity in the Diocese of Dallas and now that I have been in Texas for more than five years, I feel that I am prepared to serve in this capacity here.

Executive Board, lay (elect 3) David A. (Dave) Bollinger Good Shepherd, Tomball

I am running for the Executive Board to lend my experience, energy and enthusiasm to the growth of the Diocese of Texas. My experience in leading Good Shepherd following our congregational split and seven years as a congregational coach make me believe I am qualified. The kindness and generosity of the diocese to Good Shepherd makes me feel obligated to give back and I believe I am being called to this service to the diocese.

Elizabeth Ruth Dowell Hope, Houston

I am the youth minister of Hope, Houston, and have served as a delegate to Council every year I have been at Hope.

Having worked for churches consistently for 10 years (almost five years in this diocese) and growing up in the Episcopal Church with both parents as priests, I have seen every aspect of the church. I am currently in the local discernment process for ordained ministry. I would bring a young, fresh perspective and lots of experience to the Executive Board.

Ann Foxworth Church of the Resurrection, Austin

I would be honored to serve the Church in the Diocese of Texas to the glory of God. I serve currently as lector, vestry member, leading our Accessibility Program, our Recycling Program, and serving with the Daughters of the King and our Cursillo Community. Through my visual disability, I have gained a valuable perspective on the needs of all persons for full inclusion in the Episcopal Church. I would be grateful for the honor of sharing in the work and responsibilities of the Executive Board.

Nominations, continued Heyward L. Green St. Paul’s, Waco

My parish experience has included serving as a day school trustee and board president, as a member of the stewardship, building, and rector search committees, as well as a vestry member and two years as Senior Warden. Those activities, plus filling an unexpired term on the Diocesan Executive Board, have provided valuable understanding of the work of the Diocese of Texas. My clinical work with people has taught me the importance of listening in the process of discernment and pragmatic decision-making.

Kerry K. Hancock Christ Church, Temple

I am involved in the life of my parish including vestry service, Senior Warden and delegate to the last three diocesan Councils. I am currently serving on the Camp Allen board, and have served three terms on the diocesan Episcopal Church Women’s board. As diocesan ECW president I attended all Executive Board meetings held during my term. These experiences have given me an understanding of the ministries of the diocese, and I wish to continue my involvement as a member of the Executive Board.

Thomas Clifford Knudson St. John the Divine, Houston

I have been blessed to have had several opportunities to live in Europe and served in leadership roles in Anglican churches in Stockholm and London as well as at St. John the Divine, Houston. My passions are evangelism and teaching as evidenced by my service as an adult Bible instructor at St. John’s; the founding Chairman of Alpha Houston; and working with Meg Rice to bring Sex God and Me to Africa and beyond.

S. Wayne Mathis Grace, Alvin

In my fifty years, I have had a long history of working for social justice and diversity within my home, church and community. My heart truly lies within the Episcopal Church. My extensive involvement at Grace Alvin has afforded me the opportunity to experience firsthand how a parish can become a strong and supportive family. To the executive board, I would bring enthusiasm and a willingness to work. I am single and a native Texan.

Daniel Kevin McGillicuddy (Kevin) St. Matthew’s, Austin

I am humbled by the recommendation of my congregation’s clergy that I offer to serve as a member of the Executive Board of the Diocese of Texas, excited by the possibility of drawing on what I have learned in my professional career and in my church involvement over the past decades in order to further advance the work of the diocese, and determined to do my best if entrusted with this responsibility.

Cornelius D. Perry Hope, Houston

I know the importance of collaboration and communication. As a veteran, educator, attorney, and former judge, I will have an immediate impact on the diocese’s Executive Board. I am a board member of three community organizations. In addition, I am a board member of the Episcopal Ecclesiastical Province 7 Council, which represents twelve dioceses, including the Diocese of Texas. I will work tirelessly toward the diocese’s Vision of “Reaching out to Serve and One Church.”

Trustee of the Church Corp., lay (1) JoLynn Free All Saints, Austin

Jolynn Free has served as chair of the Quin Foundation and chair of the Church Corporation. She has thirty years of experience in the financial industry, practicing at RBC Wealth Management for the past twenty years, where she is Senior Vice President, member of the President’s Council and a Certified Investment Fiduciary. Free has served as Senior Warden. At the Seminary of the Southwest she has been a guest lecturer, Field Education Convener and is currently involved with the seminary’s capital campaign. Free is a wife, mother and grandmother, and an alumnae of the University of Texas, where she did her undergraduate and graduate work.

William D. Kovach Christ Church Cathedral, Houston

I would like to serve as a Church Corporation Trustee in order to continue and further expand my service to the Diocese of Texas.

I have effectively served as the Chief Administrative Officer responsible for the oversight of all finances as well as the physical plant of two large and very different parishes. I believe this “hands on” church experience and financial expertise qualify me to serve in this position.

Shawn S. Sanders Christ the King, Atascocita/Humble

I have served two separate terms on vestry and am on the Diocesan Music Commission. I am employed by a Houston based pipe organ service firm and am familiar with many diocesan properties and personnel. I continuously work to assure the best use of stewardship of all diocesan assets. Outside the church I serve the Houston Railroad Museum, my community board of directors and the Atascocita High School marching band.

Trustee of the University of the South, lay (elect 1) William A. Gage, Jr. St. John the Divine, Houston

The Sewanee Trustee Handbook charges Trustees with “the inherent duty to maintain the University and keep alive the founders’ vision and determination for its mission.” I am uniquely suited for this task. I graduated from Sewanee in 1985 and have continuously supported the University in recruiting, fundraising and planning including speaking on behalf of the University and serving for 20 years as a Class Agent. I care deeply about the future of the University and actively support the Seminary in expanding its scope and reputation both nationally and within this diocese. I likewise support the College in its growth as a leading liberal arts college.

I have the practical experience for this position as well. I am the managing partner of Buck, Keenan, Gage, Little & Lindley, LLP and serve on the Board of Directors of Memorial City Bank.

Jeffrey S. Hamilton St. Paul’s, Waco

I believe that my background and experience qualifies me to represent the Diocese of Texas as a lay trustee of the University of the South. I have more than twenty-five years of experience as a college teacher and administrator. Along with serving as Chair of the History department at Baylor University, I am also currently Board Chair at the Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco and serve as Chief Reader for the Advanced Placement Exam in European History. Through these various positions I am deeply engaged in local, regional and national conversations about secondary and post-secondary education. I believe deeply in the mission of the University of the South, where my daughter Isla is currently a sophomore.

Peter H. Squire Christ Church Cathedral & Palmer, Houston

I am honored to be your Diocesan Trustee to the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. During my tenure the scope of my responsibilities has increased to include service as a mentor to newlyelected Trustees to the University, service on the Alumni Council, service as the Chair of the Off-Campus Admission Program for the greater Houston region, and sponsor/coordinator for many university-related events and functions held within the Diocese of Texas, including representing Sewanee at the annual Council of the Diocese of Texas. I humbly seek your support and vote to continue this service to Sewanee on behalf of the Diocese of Texas.

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Resolutions A Resolution of Unity within our Diversity as the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Whereas, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is a large and diverse diocese that represents a broad spectrum of persons; and, Whereas; the Holy Spirit works in and through our creative diversity to grow and transform us ever more deeply into the people we are called by God to be, be it; Resolved, that the 161st council of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas claims unity in the midst of our diversity through our shared Baptismal Covenant and our common conviction and proclamation that Jesus is Lord ; and, be it further, Resolved, that all of God’s Children; male, female, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, transgendered, Anglo, persons of color or diverse languages, rich, poor, young, old, healthy, infirmed, educated, uneducated, American citizen, immigrant or any other sort or condition of persons entrusted to our care; are loved beyond measure by God in Christ, are welcomed and valued in our institutions, mission, ministries and parishes, and are a blessing to our collective life as we engage together in mission and ministry; and, be it further, Resolved, that all people in our communities and their relationships receive the pastoral care, time, attention and honor they are due as God is made known in and through them and as God is continually transforming us and those we love into a holy people.

Comments: Members of the Committee on Resolutions authored and a majority recommends this resolution for adoption. We believe this is a true and complete statement of unity and inclusion of the people of God living and ministering in the Diocese of Texas. This resolution is intended to be a statement of value and welcome for all diverse persons in our diocese. Further, it is the committee’s opinion that the spirit of the two following resolutions on sexuality are encompassed in this one resolution; and, therefore, the committee will not move the following two resolutions.

Acknowledging Gay and Lesbian People in the Diocese of Texas Whereas the 161st Diocesan Council values the contributions of all members of the Diocese of Texas, including gay and lesbian persons.

Therefore, be it resolved that the 161st Diocesan Council affirms that gay and lesbian persons are children of God who are entitled to the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church in the Diocese of Texas.

Comments: The operative language of this resolution is from Resolution A-69, passed

by General Convention in 1976. Thus, for more than 30 years the Episcopal Church has been on record as standing for the inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in the Church. This resolution acknowledges the existence of gay and lesbian persons in the Diocese of Texas who are committed Christians doing their best to live in faithful response to the Gospel of Christ.

This resolution affirms that these persons are children of God, recipients of God’s grace, and welcome in the Diocese of Texas.

Submitted by: Laurie R. Eiserloh, St. David’s Austin; the Very Rev. Joe Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral Houston; the Rev. David Boyd, St. David’s Austin; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, St. Stephen’s Houston; James Cowan, Trinity Houston The Committee on Resolutions makes no recommendation on this resolution.

Affirmation of Baptismal Ministries of Those in Faithful Committed Relationships Whereas the 161st Diocesan Council recognizes that, among the baptized members of the Diocese of Texas, there are same-gender couples living in lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful and honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God. Therefore, be it resolved that the 161st Diocesan Council recognizes that persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God’s call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God’s one, holy and catholic and apostolic church and are currently doing so in the Diocese of Texas.

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And be it further resolved that the 161st Diocesan Council acknowledges that members of the Diocese of Texas of the Episcopal Church as part of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and some Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.

Comments: Currently, in the Diocese of Texas there are persons in committed same-gender relationships who are raising children in parishes, supporting fellow parishioners in their life in Christ and in all ways faithfully participating in Diocesan life. This resolution acknowledges that the Diocese of Texas is not in full agreement regarding certain matters pertaining to these relationships, while at the same time, it affirms the integrity of these relationships.

Submitted by: Laurie R. Eiserloh, St. David’s Austin; the Very Rev. Joe Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral Houston; the Rev. David Boyd, St. David’s Austin; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, St. Stephen’s Houston; James Cowan, Trinity Houston This Committee on Resolutions makes no recommendation on this resolution

Resolution for the full effectiveness of the regular annual Councils of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Whereas, the time, treasure and talent of persons attending, and of delegates participating in, each Diocesan Council are valued by all members of the Diocese; and Whereas, the godly call to good stewardship compels the honoring of spiritual, moral, and material investments given by each person attending and each delegate participating in Diocesan Council by ensuring the most efficient and effective use possible of the time, talent, and treasure of each; and Whereas, the annual gathering of representatives of the many parishes, missions, and organizations of the Diocese of Texas offers unique and valuable opportunities for fellowship, encouragement in the faith, education in the ministries of the diocese and the church, and growth in mutual understanding and affection; be it Resolved, that the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas calls upon the Executive Board to study the feasibility and benefits of extending the time allotted for regular annual Diocesan Councils by 24 hours; be it further Resolved, that the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas calls upon the Executive Board to offer with its report to the 162nd Council its recommendation based upon said report.

Submitted: Andrew Lyon, lay delegate, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Austin The Committee on Resolutions recommends the adoption of this resolution.

A Covenant of Companion Partnership between the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Province of Central Africa, and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

(See Covenant in the World Mission Board Report p.?)

Whereas the Diocese of Texas joined the Companion Diocese program of the Anglican Communion when it was founded and has been richly blessed by these relationships, and Whereas deep and enduring ties between the people of the Diocese of Texas and the people of Malawi were created by our first companion relationship there in 1968, and Whereas the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi is a new and vital force for the gospel of Jesus Christ on the African Continent, Resolved, that the Diocese of Texas adopt a covenant of Companion Partnership between the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Province of Central Africa, and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Comment: We believe that this covenant will be a means of mutual blessing and learning for relationships developed and enjoyed between the two dioceses. If adopted, it will be a statement affirming the prayers and deep affection of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and its Bishop, C. Andrew Doyle, for Bishop James Tengatenga and all the clergy and people of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi.

Submitted by: the World Mission Board, Diocese of Texas The Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, Executive The Rev. Susan J. Barnes, Chair The Committee on Resolutions recommends the adoption of this resolution.

2010 Budgets Reflect Continuing Economic Slowdown

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The biggest change people will notice in the 2010 budgets, as approved by the Executive Board for recommendation to Diocesan Council, is that there are three budgets rather than two,” said Diocesan Treasurer, Bob Biehl.

“The Executive Board met December 8-9 and revised the way financial results will be reported to the Executive Board and to Council. Starting in 2010, medical insurance will be separated from the operating budget to improve transparency and to focus attention on that portion of the Diocesan Assessment that supports the health care costs of the diocese,” Biehl explained.

Since 1992 the Assessment has always been calculated in two parts: Part A being the Insurance Assessment to support the health care coverage of clergy and their families, retired clergy, surviving spouses and the diocesan staff.

“Very few people realize that the health care coverage for over 400 family groups is paid for by a large portion of their assessment.” Biehl added.

Part B of the Diocesan Budget is that portion which covers the operating expenses of the diocese including clergy and staff salaries, headquarters operating expenses, administrative expenses and the work of the diocesan commissions, committees and boards.

The struggle of the diocese and its churches to recover from the economic downturn is reflected in the three 2010 budgets. The Executive Board was mindful of the economy’s impact on congregations and voted in September to maintain the Diocesan Assessment at the same total level as 2009 ($8.4 million). This means that the total dollars the diocese has asked of the parishes has not changed even though individual church assessments might vary because of a change in their net operating income from 2007 to the 2008 calendar year on which the 2010 Assessment is calculated.

The 2010 Medical budget is $4,715,300 which represents a nearly seven percent increase from the 2009 budget.

This increase is very reasonable in comparison to increases being experienced by business and other churches in their health care insurance costs.

The Insurance Task Force of the Executive Board has continued to meet throughout this year and study the health care options available to the diocese. It is through their hard work and insight that our cost increases remain lower than the national average.

Since the 2010 Assessment is the same as 2009, and the 2010 insurance budget has increased by more than $300,000, the Diocesan Operating Budget shrunk by a corresponding amount.

“The 2010 budget reflects the times in which we find ourselves,” said Bishop Andy Doyle. “We have had to make tough choices to balance this budget without impacting our congregations. We have done this work and believe that the 2010 Operating Budget will allow us to continue our ministry even in the face of tighter constraints. We realize that the stewardship of this budget is an important part of the work we have been asked to do by the people of this diocese,” he added.

The 2010 Diocesan Operating Budget at $4,927,657 is about 5.25 percent smaller than it was in 2009. Assessments for this budget are down by 6.3 percent while foundation support and other funding have been increased to make up the shortfall.

Also included in this year’s budget is a provision of

three percent for those Assessments that may not be paid.

Payments on Assessments have been a topic at each Executive Board meeting throughout 2009. As of the end of November, more than 60 congregations (out of 150) were behind in the payment of their Assessments, which means that more than $700,000 remains unpaid. This amount has been financed through bank borrowings.

In response to this situation the Executive Board approved a recommendation from the Finance Committee that no congregation who was in arrears at the opening of the annual Council in Killeen be seated. The treasurer has been instructed to withhold credentials from those congregations until the matter can be decided on the floor of Council, which meets in Killeen, February 12-13, 2010.

Part of the shrinkage in the Operating Budget was anticipated due to Bishop Don Wimberly’s retirement but other staff cuts have been made as well to reduce the compensation budget by more than $200,000. Travel will be cut between 10 and 15 percent with total travel expenses reduced by more than $90,000.

Canonical and Administrative Expenses will be reduced through increased use of electronic delivery and reduction in printing costs for the Council journal and Texas Episcopalian. Diocesan Center Operating expense will increase by about 20 percent due in large part to the opening of the Austin Diocesan Center and increased expenditures to enhance data security and support the increased use of electronic communications. The commission and committee expenses are projected to increase by about six percent or $30,500 largely as a result of the continued movement of the Christian Formation and Communications budgets into the Diocesan Operating budget as mandated by the Executive Board last year.

Funding Diocesan Outreach Mission Funding is the process used in the diocese to allocate the voluntary giving from congregations towards our common ministry. These include college ministry, outreach and mission congregations as well as giving to The Episcopal Church. Congregations consider choices annually from a catalog and designate their dollars to the ministries that they wish to support. In a reflection of the difficult environment, the Missionary Response of congregations is down about $600,000 or almost 20 percent from last year. This decrease has had an impact on the program dollars that will be available to the ministries supported by the Missionary Budget.

At $2,443,500 as of December 8h, this budget will still have a huge impact on the human needs that the current financial crisis has created.

“It will not be as robust a response to these needs as we would have hoped,” Biehl said, adding, “The most encouraging thing is that more churches increased their giving than decreased it but, the dollar volume of the decreases overwhelmed the faithful response of the majority.”

The Executive Board accepted the recommendation of the Mission Funding Advisory Group and gave priority to salaries over program in the allocation of the roughly $765,000 that had been left to the Board’s discretion by the response of the churches.

In the mission congregations (those supported by diocesan funds), fewer dollars will be available to support travel costs, moving expenses, multicultural programs and program expenditures. At the same time, though, no positions were eliminated. Programs will be reduced or fees added in the College Ministry to meet the 2010 budget of $581,823. This still represents the largest Episcopal college ministry in the country with an Episcopal presence on 17 college campuses.

The Outreach budget was the best supported in the

Missionary budget in obvious response to the pressing needs brought on by the current recession. The largest item in this area is the response to the Millennium Development Goals which will again be .7% ($85,000) as mandated by Council.

We are also able to fund a new companion diocese relationship with the Diocese of Southern Malawi. The Diocesan Support Ministries and Bishop’s Mission and Program budgets were not as well supported by the congregations and have seen their budgets decline significantly. This will result in decreased flexibility at the diocesan level to respond to congregations in crisis or transition.

Giving to the The Episcopal Church by the congregations was also down by more than $120,000 to $211,112.

Cooperative Projects like health clinics and foreign missions were nearly fully funded. Neither of these areas is allowed to receive additional dollars from the allocations made by the Executive Board.

“Even though the Missionary Budget has been reduced I believe that we have kept the growth of ministry at the forefront of our thinking.” Biehl said. “I anticipate that 2010 will be a year every bit as difficult as 2009. I believe that the budgets we have created will allow the diocese, its churches and its ministries, to weather the downturn. It will require the assistance of the parishes but I am confident that we will have that as we move forward towards the vision that Bishop Doyle has cast for us.”

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G

Constitution and Canons II.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

B.

Pre-Council Report of the COMMITTEE for CONSTITUTION & CANONS to the 161st Council (Key to types of proposals) A - Constitutional proposals, 2nd reading: B - Constitutional proposals, 1st reading: C - Canonical proposals: A.

(Proposals) A-1 None C-2

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (Presented for second reading requiring 2/3rds majority approval from each Order) Article 2 THE COUNCIL

Section 2.1

Membership of the Council

EXISTING: (e) Lay Vicars who have been placed in charge of an Organized Mission, or Lay Chaplains who have been placed in charge of a College Chaplaincy, of the Diocese by the Bishop.

PROPOSED AND PASSED FOR PUBLICATION ON FIRST READING DURING 160TH DIOCESAN COUNCIL: (e) Lay Vicars who have been placed in charge of a Parish or an Organized Mission, or Lay Chaplains who have been placed in charge of a College Chaplaincy, of the Diocese by the Bishop.

PROPOSED FOR SECOND READING DURING 161ST DIOCESAN COUNSEL: (e) Lay Vicars Pastoral Leaders who have been placed in charge of a Parish or an Organized Mission, or Lay Chaplains who have been placed in charge of a College Chaplaincy, of the Diocese by the Bishop.

IF AMENDED: (e) Pastoral Leaders who have been placed in charge of a Parish or an Organized Mission, or Lay Chaplains who have been placed in charge of a College Chaplaincy, of the Diocese by the Bishop.

SUBMITTED BY: The Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., Secretary of the Diocese RATIONALE (The Committee): During the 160th Council, the Committee recommended for a first reading a proposed amendment to Article 2, Section 2.1(e), of the Constitution. This proposed amendment would allow a Lay Vicar placed in charge of a Parish of the Diocese by the Bishop to be a member of Diocesan Council. This proposed amendment passed on a first reading.

It has come to the Committee’s attention that the term “Pastoral Leader” is used instead of the term “Lay Vicar” in the National Church Canons, Title III, Canon 4, section 3. In order to provide consistency with the National Church Canons and to clarify further the terminology used in our Constitution, the Committee recommends an editorial change that would substitute “Pastoral Leader” for “Lay Vicar” in the proposed amendment to Article 2, Section 2.1(e).

Because this editorial change does not alter the meaning of the original proposed amendment, the Committee recommends that the proposed amendment to Article 2, Section 2.1(e), as revised, be presented for a second reading requiring 2/3rds majority approval from each Order during the 161st Council.

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, AS REVISED, FOR A SECOND READING.

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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (Presented for publication on first reading) NONE

C.

CANONICAL AMENDMENTS Canon 24 ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Section 24.2

Trustees and Powers

EXISTING:

The management of the affairs of the school shall be conducted by a Board of Trustees consisting of elected members and the following: The Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, any Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, any Assistant Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, the Head, the President and President-elect of the Alumni Association, and the President and President-elect of the Parent’s Association, who shall be ex-officio members. Each of the elected and exofficio members shall be entitled to one vote on all matters to be decided by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have power on its own authority to acquire, erect, equip, manage, and operate the school on its own financial responsibility, in accordance with its Charter and bylaws and in accordance with the Canons of the Diocese from time to time adopted.

PROPOSED:

The management of the affairs of the school shall be conducted by a Board of Trustees consisting of elected members and the following: The Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, any Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, any Assistant Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, the Head of the school, the President and President-elect of the Alumni Association, and the President and Presidentelect of the Parent’s Association, and the Chancellor of the school, who shall be ex-officio members. Each of the elected and ex-officio members shall be entitled to one vote on all matters to be decided by the Board of Trustees; provided, that any person serving as Chancellor of the school shall not be entitled to vote on any matter unless he or she is an elected member of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have power on its own authority to acquire, erect, equip, manage, and operate the school on its own financial responsibility, in accordance with its Charter and bylaws and in accordance with the Canons of the Diocese from time to time adopted.

IF AMENDED:

The management of the affairs of the school shall be conducted by a Board of Trustees consisting of elected members and the following: The Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, any Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, any Assistant Bishop of the Diocese designated by the Bishop, the Head of the school, the President of the Alumni Association, the President of the Parent’s Association, and the Chancellor of the school, who shall be ex-officio members. Each of the elected and exofficio members shall be entitled to one vote on all matters to be decided by the Board of Trustees; provided, that any person serving as Chancellor of the school shall not be entitled to vote on any matter unless he or she is an elected member of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have power on its own authority to acquire, erect, equip, manage, and operate the school on its own financial responsibility, in accordance with its Charter and bylaws and in accordance with the Canons of the Diocese from time to time adopted.

Constitution and Canons, continued Section 24.3

Elections – Vacancies

EXISTING:

The elective membership of the Board of Trustees shall consist of 20 persons and ultimately increase to 24 persons, each elected by the Annual Council on nomination of the Bishop, for three-year terms. Persons shall be eligible for election though they reside outside the Diocese of Texas or are not communicant members of the Episcopal Church. Eight elective members shall be elected by the Annual Council each year on nomination of the Bishop with such newly elected members’ terms to begin on August 1st of the calendar year of their election. The terms of all elective members serving at the time of the One Hundred Fifty-fifth (155th) Annual Council shall be extended to August 1st of the calendar year in which their three-year term would otherwise expire.

An elective member of the Board of Trustees may be elected to serve a second consecutive three-year term, after which such member may not be renominated for at least one year. If a person is elected to complete a trustee’s unexpired term, such service shall not count toward the above limitations on the number of consecutive terms such person may serve. Notwithstanding the above, a trustee may be removed from his or her position at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees and the consent of the Bishop of Texas, if there be one. Any vacancy occurring in the Board may be filled by the Board until the next Annual Council, at which time a trustee shall be elected on nomination of the Bishop to serve the unexpired term.

PROPOSED:

The elective membership elected members of the Board of Trustees shall consist of 20 persons and ultimately increase to up to twenty-four (24) persons, each elected by the Annual Council on nomination of the Bishop, for three-year terms initial terms of one (1), two (2), or three (3) years beginning with the commencement of the next fiscal year of the school following such election or to complete the unexpired term of any elected Trustee who has ceased to serve for any reason (with the term of any person elected to complete the unexpired term of a Trustee who has ceased to serve commencing immediately upon the election of such person). Persons shall be eligible for election though they reside outside the Diocese of Texas or are not communicant members of the Episcopal Church.

Eight elective members shall be elected by the Annual Council each year on nomination of the Bishop with such newly elected members’ terms to begin on August 1st of the calendar year of their election. The terms of all elective members serving at the time of the One Hundred Fifty-fifth (155th) Annual Council shall be extended to August 1st of the calendar year in which their three-year term would otherwise expire. An elective member of the Board of Trustees may be elected to serve a second consecutive three-year term, after which such member may not be renominated for at least one year. If a person is elected to complete a trustee’s unexpired term, such service shall not count toward the above limitations on the number of consecutive terms such person may serve Persons elected to an initial term of one (1) year or two (2) years, or to complete the unexpired term of an elected Trustee who has ceased to serve for any reason, upon renomination by the Bishop, may be elected to serve up to two (2) consecutive additional terms of three (3) years, after which such person may not be renominated for at least one (1) year. Persons elected to an initial term of three (3) years, upon renomination by the Bishop, may be elected to serve one (1) additional term of three (3) years, after which such person may not be renominated for at least one (1) year. Notwithstanding the above, a trustee (a) a Trustee may be removed from his or her position at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees and with the consent of the Bishop of Texas, if there be one or (b) shall be removed automatically in the event such removal is provided for in the by-laws of the school with respect to the failure of a Trustee to attend meetings or to contribute to the financial support of the school. Any vacancy occurring in on the Board may be filled by the Board until the next Annual Council, at which time a trustee Trustee shall be elected on nomination of the Bishop to serve the unexpired term.

IF AMENDED:

The elected members of the Board of Trustees shall consist of up to twentyfour (24) persons, each elected by the Annual Council on nomination of the Bishop, for initial terms of one (1), two (2), or three (3) years beginning with the commencement of the next fiscal year of the school following such election or to complete the unexpired term of any elected Trustee who has ceased to serve for any reason (with the term of any person elected to complete the unexpired term of a Trustee who has ceased to serve commencing immediately upon the election of such person). Persons shall be eligible

for election though they reside outside the Diocese of Texas or are not communicant members of the Episcopal Church. Persons elected to an initial term of one (1) year or two (2) years, or to complete the unexpired term of an elected Trustee who has ceased to serve for any reason, upon renomination by the Bishop, may be elected to serve up to two (2) consecutive additional terms of three (3) years, after which such person may not be renominated for at least one (1) year. Persons elected to an initial term of three (3) years, upon renomination by the Bishop, may be elected to serve one (1) additional term of three (3) years, after which such person may not be renominated for at least one (1) year. Notwithstanding the above, (a) a Trustee may be removed from his or her position at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees with the consent of the Bishop of Texas, or (b) shall be removed automatically in the event such removal is provided for in the by-laws of the school with respect to the failure of a Trustee to attend meetings or to contribute to the financial support of the school. Any vacancy occurring on the Board may be filled by the Board until the next Annual Council, at which time a Trustee shall be elected on nomination of the Bishop to serve the unexpired term.

Section 24.4

By-Laws and Officers

EXISTING:

The Board of Trustees shall adopt its own by-laws. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be Chair of the Board or in the Bishop’s absence or at the Bishop’s request, the Bishop Coadjutor shall serve as Chair. The Board shall elect an Executive Chair (who shall be nominated by the Bishop), a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers and assistants as the by-laws may provide. The officers, other than the Chair, shall be elected by and from the Board of Trustees at the meeting of the Board next following the holding of each Annual Council. Each officer shall hold office for one year beginning on August 1st and ending on the same date of the following year, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her term of office as a trustee has expired, provided that any officer other than the Chair may be removed from office at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees.

PROPOSED:

The Board of Trustees shall adopt its own by-laws. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be Chair of the Board or in the Bishop’s absence or, at the Bishop’s request, the Bishop Coadjutor or any Suffragan Bishop shall serve as Chair. The Board shall elect an Executive Chair (who shall be nominated by the Bishop Chair), a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers and assistants as the by-laws may provide. The officers, other than the Chair, shall be elected by and from the Board of Trustees at the meeting of the Board next following the holding of each Annual Council. Each officer shall hold office for one year beginning on August 1st and ending on the same date of the following year, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until (1) year or, if earlier, until the expiration of his or her term of office as a Trustee trustee has expired, provided that any officer other than the Chair may be removed from office at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees, from time to time, may elect a Chancellor, who need not be an elected member of the Board of Trustees.

IF AMENDED:

The Board of Trustees shall adopt its own by-laws. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be Chair of the Board or in the Bishop’s absence or, at the Bishop’s request, the Bishop Coadjutor or any Suffragan Bishop shall serve as Chair. The Board shall elect an Executive Chair (who shall be nominated by the Chair), a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers and assistants as the by-laws may provide. The officers, other than the Chair, shall be elected by and from the Board of Trustees. Each officer shall hold office for one (1) year or, if earlier, until the expiration of his or her term of office as a Trustee, provided that any officer other than the Chair may be removed from office at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees, from time to time, may elect a Chancellor, who need not be an elected member of the Board of Trustees.

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Constitution and Canons, continued Section 24.6

St. Stephen’s School Chapel

EXISTING:

The Board of Trustees may establish a chapel for St. Stephen’s School which shall be in union with the Council and under authority of the Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor who is acting as Chair of the Board. Such chapel shall maintain all the usual records and shall make such parochial reports as are usual and required for a Parish or Mission.

The trustees shall provide for the election of officers who shall have the qualifications and responsibilities prescribed for wardens and members of the vestry of Parishes by the Canons of the Diocese. The chapel shall be represented in the Council by the head of the School or, if none, by a delegate chosen by the Bishop acting as Chair of the Board.

The chapel shall accept such financial responsibility toward the work of the Diocese as may be designated by Council.

PROPOSED:

The Board of Trustees may shall establish a chapel for St. Stephen’s School which shall be in union with the Council and under the authority of the Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor who is acting as Chair of the Board. Such chapel shall maintain all the usual.

The Head, from time to time, and with the consent of the Bishop, may appoint a person to serve as the Chaplain of the school and the chapel. The Chaplain shall be responsible for the conduct of religious services in the chapel in addition to any other duties that may be assigned to him or her by the Head. The chapel shall maintain such records and shall make such parochial reports as are usual and required for a Parish or Mission.

The trustees shall provide for the election of officers who shall have the qualifications and responsibilities prescribed for wardens and members of the vestry of Parishes by the Canons of the Diocese reports as are requested by the Bishop. The chapel shall be represented in the Council by the head Head of the School or, if none, school and/or the Chaplain, or by a delegate chosen by the Bishop acting as Chair of the Board. The chapel shall accept such financial responsibility toward the work of the Diocese as may be designated by Council.

IF AMENDED:

The Board of Trustees shall establish a chapel for St. Stephen’s School which shall be in union with the Council and under the authority of the Bishop. The Head, from time to time, and with the consent of the Bishop, may appoint a person to serve as the Chaplain of the school and the chapel. The Chaplain shall be responsible for the conduct of religious services in the chapel in addition to any other duties that may be assigned to him or her by the Head. The chapel shall maintain such records and shall make such reports as are requested by the Bishop. The chapel shall be represented in the Council by the Head of the school and/or the Chaplain, or by a delegate chosen by the Bishop.

The chapel shall accept such financial responsibility toward the work of the Diocese as may be designated by Council.

SUBMITTED BY: Clarke Heidrick, Chair, Governance Committee, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School RATIONALE (Mr. Heidrick): The proposed changes are technical in nature and are intended to conform Canon 24, relating to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, with the bylaws of the school (which are also being revised with the approval of the Bishop) and the actual operations of the school.

The rationale for the specific changes is as follows: (a)

(b) (c)

J

The elimination of the requirement that eight (8) Trustees be elected each year, and the addition of the authority to elect Trustees for initial terms of one (1), two (2) or three (3) years, will provide the Bishop with additional flexibility and enable the eventual reestablishment of a regular rotation of the terms of the Trustees of the school.

Commencement of the terms of the Trustees and officers at the beginning of each fiscal year of the school, instead of the fixed date of August 1, gives the school additional flexibility.

The addition of a provision enabling the automatic removal of Trustees who do

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(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

not satisfy bylaw requirements relating to attendance at meetings or contribution to the financial support of the school aligns the Canon with the current bylaws of the school and reinforces these responsibilities of Trustees.

The addition of a provision to the effect that the Chancellor of the school is an ex officio and nonvoting member of the Board (unless the Chancellor is also an elected member of the Board of Trustees) is intended to clarify the role of the Chancellor and to give the Board of Trustees additional flexibility in appointing a Chancellor who need not be an elected member of the Board of Trustees.

The addition of a provision enabling the Bishop to request any Suffragan Bishop to serve as Chair of the Board and enabling the Chair (regardless of whether the Chair is the Bishop, the Bishop Coadjutor or a Suffragan Bishop) to appoint the Executive Chair, gives the Bishop additional flexibility.

The elimination of the President Elect of the Alumni Association and the President Elect of the Parents Association from ex officio membership on the Board of Trustees is intended to conform the Canon to the actual practice of the school and to make the Board of Trustees a more manageable number.

The proposed changes to Section 24.6 of the Canon relating to the chapel are intended to recognize that the school does have a chapel under the authority of the Bishop, that the Chaplain of the school and the chapel will be appointed by the Head of school with the consent of the Bishop, and that the chapel will be represented at Council. These changes are also intended to recognize and confirm the importance of the chapel, and the role of the Chaplain, in the life of the school and to strengthen the Episcopal identity of the school.

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL. Canon 46 CATHEDRAL Section 46.3

Cathedral Chapter

EXISTING:

The Cathedral Agreement shall provide for the establishment and appointment of a Cathedral Chapter composed of representatives of the Diocese and representatives of the Cathedral Parish. Representatives of the Diocese on such Cathedral Chapter shall be appointed by the Bishop. Representatives of the Cathedral Parish on such Cathedral Chapter shall be selected and appointed in the manner in which the Rector and Vestry of such Parish shall determine.

PROPOSED:

The Cathedral Agreement shall provide for the establishment and appointment of a Cathedral Chapter composed of representatives of the Diocese and representatives of the Cathedral Parish. Representatives of the Diocese on such Cathedral Chapter shall be appointed by the Bishop. Representatives of the Cathedral Parish on such Cathedral Chapter shall be selected and appointed in the manner in which the Rector and Vestry of such Parish shall determine.

SUBMITTED BY: Bishop C. Andrew Doyle and Dean Joe Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston RATIONALE (Bishop Doyle and Dean Reynolds): The Cathedral Chapter was established as a group to help navigate the relationship between the Diocese of Texas and the Cathedral, its Dean, and offices. Its primary work was to negotiate differences and to provide for the usage of shared space. Over time, the creation of an Executive Board and more permanent staff, including the creation of separate space for the two offices, have rendered the Cathedral Chapter superfluous.

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL.

DIOCESAN NEWS

Inaugural Show in Edot Gallery features Barbara Biel’s Work

B

arbara Biel will be the first featured artist in the Edot Gallery. Her paintings will be on display at the Diocesan Center, 1225 Texas St., Houston, from January 14-March 12 during regular business hours (9-5).

An opening reception will be held January 14 from 5-7 p.m.

Biel finds inspiration everywhere. “Creation seems to be imbued with life, spirit and design and it is that beauty and presence that intrigues me,” she said. Drawn to images like the cross, Biel finds “the intersection of the divine and the human.”

“In the end,” she said, “a painting has to stand on its own, sometimes a cross, and at times depicting nature, or simply a statement with layers of paint on a canvas. The real pleasure is the journey.”

Biel holds a BFA in studio painting from the University of Texas and has done post graduate work at the Glassell School of Art, the Art Students League in New York and with the Massachusetts College of Art in Copelos, Greece. Her oils and watercolors are in corporate and private collections and two huge canvases hang in the contemporary worship space at St. John the Divine, Houston.

Biel has developed programs for the Houston Independent School District, training teachers in the creative process. She has created workshops for recovery programs

and led numerous seminars and classes. Exhibits include: One woman show at St. John the Divine, 2009; Durwin Rice Gallery in Kansas City, MO, 2007; Mark Navarro Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, 2005 and many others.

Edot Gallery is a new venue provided to encourage the creative arts within the Church. Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts (ECVA) is a national organization and there is a chapter in the Diocese of Texas in which members of the Episcopal Church may participate. The group holds shows, sales and local gatherings as well as provides calls for art notification to members. Register online at: www.ecva.org.

To submit work for consideration, send the following information to Marilyn Biles, curator for the Edot Gallery, 29 Wynden Oaks Drive, Houston, Texas 77056; 713.840.1098; www.marilynbiles.com.

Original works not done under supervision in all media will be considered. Send 10-12 numbered high resolution images in jpg format on a CD with biography/resume and a brief description of work to be considered. Please include a hard copy of the numbered images, title, media, dimensions and date. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. All work chosen for exhibit must be hand delivered. Ten percent of sales to be donated to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Austin Diocesan Center Dedicated In Advent who returned to the diocese from Atlanta with his wife Wendy for the dedication. The Episcopal Foundation of Texas and the estate of the late Pete Coffield made possible the $1.3 million renovation project that honors the ministry of Bishop Wimberly. The center had been housed in much smaller quarters on the seminary campus for the past three years.

Nestled on the south side of Seminary of the Southwest campus, the two-story center is on the site of the seminary’s former administration building.

New ground-to-roof windows (R) Wendy and Bishop Don Wimberly with Bishop Dena Harrison

By Bob Kinney

“

We always knew the new Austin Diocesan Center would be functional,” said the Rt. Rev. Dena Harrison after completing the renovated building’s dedication service on December 4. “But, isn’t it so beautiful as well!”

Bishop Harrison said the 4,857-square-foot center is the realization of the vision of retired Bishop Don Wimberly

7

along the center’s north side provide expansive views of the seminary’s hilly campus. The center is a multi-resource center for churches throughout Central Texas. It also provides linkage opportunities for area Episcopalians and the Seminary of the Southwest. The late Bishop John Hines founded the seminary in 1952.

Keyboard access to the diocesan center will allow area churches to easily hold vestry meetings and parish retreats in the new building. The center houses two conference rooms and two offices for visitors. Teleconferencing between the diocese’s Houston and Austin offices is now possible, wireless connections abound and conference room tables offer easy computer hook-ups.

Offices of Bishop Harrison and multicultural ministries as well as the Commission on Ministry. The Rev. Cecilia Smith (Safe Church) shares ground floor space with a resource and curriculum library for area churches. A mural in the library space that was painted by the late Bill Hoey when the building housed seminary administrative offices was restored by Gregg Free.

Bob Schorr, diocesan congregational development coordinator, oversaw the eight-month renovation project.

The diocese thanks the following groups who brought the vision for this center into reality – Episcopal Foundation of Texas; Seminary of the Southwest; CasaBella Architects; Flynn Construction Company; AO3 Inc., Interior Design; Landscape Design and Covenant Technology Services.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

Diocese Contributes $88,680 to Millennium Development Goals

recommendations to the World Mission board for approval.

At their meeting in Houston, December 16, the board unanimously approved the following disbursements: --$30,000 to the Anglican Church of Tanzania, for a program of workshops to train women for leadership and participation in decision-making bodies of the church --$20,000 to Amistad Mission, Bolivia, to expand their nutritional and wellness programs for the Andean Quechua Indian community (see Water and Health for the Quechua at http://tiny.cc/ntKsA) --$20,000 to Five Talents (Peru) for a micro-enterprise program for women; in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Peru --$15,000 to the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, to support the Mothers’ Union Literacy Program --$3,600 to Pure Water for the World (Haiti), to provide clean water filter systems for two Episcopal schools.

- $540 (the remaining $80 added to the balance from the World Mission budget) to malaria nets through Nets for Life, Episcopal Relief and Development

Teaching women’s literacy in Malawi enhances Millennium Development Goals towards empowerment of women.

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ursuant to the Resolution of Council, 0.7% of the annual budget of the Diocese of Texas is allocated every year to the World Mission Board to be disbursed for the Millennium Development Goals.

For 2009, the amount was $88,680. The three goals designated as the focus for 2009 were to promote gender equality and empower women, to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health.

Stan Galanski, a member of St. Martin’s, Houston, chaired the subcommittee charged with making

Women attend a literacy class in Malawi.

Women’s Scholarship Available

T

he Vera Gang Scott Scholarship was created for women in the Diocese of Texas from a gift of her life’s savings by Vera Gang Scott in 1972. Scott’s generous gift was prompted by her own experience; during the 1920s, the women of the diocese had provided money for her education.

Today scholarships are awarded annually from the interest earned on the fund. Donations to increase the fund are greatly appreciated, as they increase the Episcopal Church women to assist more young women with their education.

In order to qualify, applicants must be: • a female communicant in good standing in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas

degree from an accredited institution

• able to show real financial need Applications were mailed to the churches in the diocese during January. You can also find the applications on the ECW website under the ECW funds link, scroll down to the bottom of the page. Applications must be received by March 31, 2010.

Congratulations to our most recent recipients: Catherine Lundy-Peterson, Christ Church, Nacogdoches, Stephen F. Austin University Joyce McGee, Christ Church, Tyler, Tyler Junior College

• accepted or enrolled in an academic institution of Morgan Rogers, Trinity, Marble Falls, Texas Tech University college rank pursuing professional certification or a

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Andrea McDonald, St. Francis, Prairie View, Prairie View A&M

8

Faith Leaders Support Humane Immigration Reform

I

nterfaith leaders will gather on January 11, 2010 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston for an immigration convocation. Bishop Andy Doyle joins Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Methodist Bishop Janice Huie, Rabbi David Rosen of Congregation Beth Yeshurun and other denominational leaders in this historic gathering to release a document, Principles of Humane Immigration Reform, that the leaders collectively support.

“We are committed to promoting comprehensive immigration reform legislation,” Bishop Doyle said, noting the baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of all human beings and the tradition of hospitality shared by those of faith.

The Convocation is part of a Houston Area Interfaith Campaign for Humane Immigration Reform which will include ongoing efforts to promote interfaith solidarity on immigration reform. The leadership hopes to provide a moral framework for the city that will allow people of faith to reflect on immigration issues as Congress begins to discuss them in the New Year.

Clergy and lay leaders from Diocese of Texas congregations are welcome to contact the diocesan office if they wish to participate in the Convocation. Please go to http://tiny.cc/vf88F to register.

People The Rev. Jaime J. Case became interim rector of St. Peter’s, Pasadena.

The Rev. Dr. John K. Graham, sr. assoc. rector for Outreach Ministries & associate for Pastoral Care at St. Martin’s, Houston, is retiring from active ministry but will serve part-time as priest associate for Spiritual Formation at St. Martin’s.

The Rev. Reginald A. “Reggie” Payne-Wiens formerly assistant rector and chaplain at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and School, San Juan Capistrano, CA, has accepted a call as rector of St. James’, Austin.

The Rev. Connie Wolfe, formerly chaplain at Boys’ Home, Inc., Covington, Virginia, is a new staff chaplain at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston.

Deaths: The Rev. James D. Ellisor of Shreveport, licensed in the Diocese of Texas, and former priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s, Leigh, passed away December 9, 2009.

DIOCESAN NEWS

A True Delight to Teach “

by Alison Green

Ursula is a true delight to teach,” says Christopher Colvin, Ursula Cedillo-Johnson’s geometry teacher.

“She is a sharp, attentive student, intent on figuring out ideas.”

Cedillo-Johnson is a new ninth grade student who received a scholarship to attend St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin. She first learned about the school from Madolyn Reed, a fellow member of St. Francis, Prairie View, and the founder of the 3D Mathematics Academy, a math tutoring program. The three “Ds” stand for dreams, desire and determination. (See September Texas Episcopalian 2009) Cedillo-Johnson started working with Reed when she was in second grade. “Mrs. Reed doesn’t normally take students until they are in the third grade,” she said. “My mother begged and pleaded with her to take me in second grade.”

Reed’s 3D Mathematics Academy provides math enrichment for students in her garage that she has converted into a classroom. “Mrs. Reed’s purpose is to help you enjoy math, improve your skills and prepare for math competitions,” Cedillo-Johnson said. Reed charges students just $5 a day.

“She would pick me up from school and then I would go straight to her house to work on homework and math problems. Mrs. Reed helped me understand what math is all about, understanding the basics and having the knowledge to be able to continue and to progress. It’s not just about getting ready for a test. Math is a building block.”

“Ursula was really well prepared in math,” Colvin said. Her transition to our upper school curriculum has been seamless. It is as if she has been prepared by our own middle school.

It is a pleasure to have her as a student this year.”

In addition to Geometry, she is taking English, History, Biology, Ursula Cedillo-Johnson Spanish I and Jazz Band.

“Ever since I was very young, I wanted to go to boarding school. I am enjoying every aspect of St. Stephen’s, all of my classes, my teachers and the other students. My roommate is from Korea so I am learning about other cultures, too. I am actually learning grammar and how to write a paper with a thesis,” Cedillo-Johnson said.

Even though she has only been at St. Stephen’s for a short time, Cedillo-Johnson already knows that she wants to stay. “Yes, I definitely plan to graduate from St. Stephen’s. I love it!”

Disaster Relief Internship Applications Being Accepted Texas Episcopal Disaster Relief and Development is an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, created after Hurricane Ike, to respond to the overwhelming need for construction repairs.

Their mission is to assist in rebuilding the homes and lives of elderly, disabled and impoverished homeowners affected by Hurricane Ike in Galveston and throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

The program uses short-term volunteers to do basic storm repairs to Ike-damaged homes, everything from hanging and finishing sheet rock to painting, flooring and installing trim. The interns’ primary responsibilities are to coordinate volunteers, work projects and materials acquisition. The intern program provides experience in the non-profit and disaster relief fields and hands-on leadership experience.

The Job Crew Chief Interns are compassionate, respectful, flexible, organized, responsible and committed to helping those in need of our assistance. They are responsible for supervising daily rebuild work with volunteers, making sure necessary materials and tools are on site each day. Though

building experience is a plus, construction skills training is provided, and more important is the ability to interact with and teach volunteers those skills. Not only will they need to be able to work with volunteers, but they will also need to work with and respect the homeowners, acting as an intermediary between them and the volunteers and making sure their wishes are carried out.

Length and start date for internship is flexible, with a minimum of two months starting no earlier than January 1, 2010. Housing plus a flexible stipend, and worker’s compensation insurance will be provided.

Qualifications Must be 18 years or older, able to commit to at least two months of service and preferably have personal transportation while in Galveston.

To apply Send resume and cover letter including desired start date and length of service to maggie.immler@gmail.com.

For more information, visit the website at www.epicenter. org/ikerelief or the blog at www.ikerelief.blogspot.com. See also: FaceBook at http://tiny.cc/DH8JR.

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Kaleidoscope

Multicultural Awareness Enhances Leadership Skills

F

our days training in multicultural sensitivity with the Rev. Eric Law of the Kaleidoscope Institute of Los Angeles proved to be a unique learning experience for clergy and laity from around the Diocese of Texas. The annual Kaleidoscope Institute workshop was a very unique opportunity to explore what it really means to be a competent leader in today’s diverse, changing world.

Participants learned what it means to be a more culturally competent leader through Law’s tutelage.

Each had a chance to experience different ways in which to be more culturally competent to better serve and grow the church community.

Participants explored a deeper understanding of their own cultural values, strengths and weaknesses and the power and privilege that come with one’s roles and cultural background. Each learned to appreciate differences and see them as opportunities, explored their commitment to a pluralistic understating of issues and engaged in active theological reflection on diversity issues. Participants learned new skills, models and theories that will increase the inclusiveness of various situations as they explored ways to guide and support a community to move toward change faithfully in response to its changing environment.

The event was sponsored by the diocesan Office of Multicultural Ministry and held at Camp Allen.

“Eric presents simple tools that have had profound effects when I have used them on retreats with vestry, staff and school board meetings” said the Rev. Robin Reeves. She said the tools she learned help with power imbalances and give everyone equal voice.

“Kaleidoscope changed the way I think about myself, others and ministry,” said the Rev. Justin Lindstrom. “I am more aware and more thoughtful about how I minister to all people.”

For further information on the teachings of the Kaleidoscope Institute, please call Denise Trevino in the Office for Multicultural Ministry in the Austin office at 512.609.1860 or email her at dtrevino@epicenter.org.

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Washington National Cathedral Ministry Enhanced by the Internet

By Dorothy Knox Houghton

W

ashington National Cathedral is “a church for national purposes and a house of prayer for all people.” That mission is also being realized through its Web site, www.nationalcathedral.org. Those unable to attend the Cathedral’s services in person—whether they live in Washington, D.C., or across the country—can still participate via live webcasts.

The weekly Sunday Forum, hosted by the Cathedral’s Dean, Samuel T. Lloyd, III, is also online weekly. Lloyd engages celebrated leaders and thinkers on topics ranging from Third World development to the expression of God through the arts. Participants gain an in-depth understanding of critical issues and how those issues are relevant to their daily lives. Recent topics include: “What Can Science Tell Us about God?” with NPR correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty; “The World Is Blue: Why Saving the Oceans Will Also Save Us” with Sylvia Earle of National Geographic and “Faith and Public Policy” with Melody Barnes, White House domestic policy director.

The Forum are accessible on-demand as are the worship services. The extensive online worship archive includes multimedia links for sermons dating back to 1999, as well as videos of full Sunday services and related service leaflets.

In recent years, the Cathedral has sponsored many

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other provocative lectures and panel discussions featuring leaders who are tackling critical global issues. The Cathedral’s archive of these programs is expanding as well.

Examples include: “Interfaith Dialogue and the Role of Religion in Peace” by former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami; “The Promise of Jesus: Abundant Life for All” by John Shelby Spong; “God and the Genome” by Francis S. Collins; “Centennial Address: The Spirituality of Reconciliation” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; and “Afghanistan and Pakistan: America’s Challenge: Solving the Impossible.”

Additionally, the Web site features a number of narrated video tours through which visitors can explore the magnificent Cathedral building—both inside and out. Organizations may benefit from using the breadth of resources offered at the Cathedral’s Web site.

Thanks to the Internet, this amazing “church for national purposes” is now able to fully accomplish its intended role as a spiritual home for the nation.

Small English Churches Expand Community Partnerships

M

ore than 200 people from all over England arrived in Hereford for a conference on the wider use of church buildings recently.

Delegates from local authorities, health trusts and the voluntary sector as well as from other dioceses and churches signed up for :Crossing the Threshold,” the first event of a year-long campaign by the Church of England to develop the community use of church buildings.

Wendy Coombey, community partnership and funding officer for the Diocese of Hereford said: “We have so much to show off here when it comes to wider use of often very old buildings and ironically we are returning to a medieval model adapted for the twenty first century. The important thing is working together as a community, it is not just about church.”

The conference also saw the launch of a toolkit and DVD aimed at showing small communities how buildings can be adapted for wider use. The DVD features people from four Herefordshire villages talking about what they have done or are currently doing in their historic churches and how they did it. The tool kit will show how changes were made.

“Despite our rural situation or perhaps because of it, we are leading the way in this part of the country when it comes to the wider use of church buildings,” Coombey said.

Delegates visited Yarpole, where the church now houses the community shop and post office, and Peterchurch which is being transformed to give space to local authority services, while both continue to be vibrant places of worship.

“The development has been extraordinary in some cases,” Coombey added. “We are certain that the branch library [in the basement of a historic church] as it continues to function as a village church. On the ground floor, government and local authority services for children will be available to a large rural area.”

“Episcopal Church Welcomes You” Signs Now Available in Spanish Episcopal Books and Resources can now fill all signage needs in both English and Spanish including The Episcopal Church Welcomes You. Whether it is time to replace the signs surrounding your church or the directional ones on area roads, the recognizable signs featuring the Episcopal Church shield are available now.

Optional signs that attach to the base of the Episcopal Church sign say: Member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion, another indicates times of services or other information.

For prices and to order signs in single-sided English and Spanish or doublesided English/Spanish, contact ebr@episcopalchurch.org, phone 800.903.5544, or www.episcopalbookstore.org.

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BIENVENIDOS A LA IGLESIA EPISCOPAL

SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST NEWS

Evangelism: Oxymoron or Opportunity Payne Lectures Feature Noted Methodist Professor

Professor William J. Abraham

By Bob Kinney

P

rofessor William J. Abraham will explore “Episcopal Evangelism: Unfortunate Oxymoron or Underestimated Opportunity” during the third annual Bishop Claude Payne Lecture at Seminary of the

Southwest, in Austin on February 11.

Abraham is the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies and the Altshuler distinguished Teaching Professor at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is also author of numerous articles and books on evangelism, philosophy, theology and Wesley Studies.

A prolific writer, Abraham’s books include The Divine Inspiration of Holy Scripture, The Logic of Evangelism, and The Logic of Renewal. He teaches throughout the world including at Bishram School of Missions in Katmandu, working with a new indigenous church that represents the growing edge of Christian Mission in Nepal.

Abraham earned a doctor of philosophy from Regent’s Park College, Oxford University, and holds an MDiv degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Southwest trustees established the Payne Lectureship in honor of the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, seventh bishop of the Diocese of Texas (1995-2003). Bishop Payne served as chair of the board of trustees at Southwest during his episcopacy and previously as a member of the board while he was rector of St. Martin’s. Houston. Bishop Payne is currently honorary chair of the major gifts campaign for Seminary of the Southwest.

The public is invited to the Payne Lecture which begins at 7:00 p.m. in the seminary’s Knapp Auditorium, 501 E. 32nd Street, Austin. There is no charge.

Bishop’s Statement, continued from page 2 the diocese and week after week they join with the rest of our Church as faithful communicants to worship and work on behalf of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge the blessing of diverse opinions on scripture and sexuality, while as a whole the Diocese of Texas has continued and continues to offer a clear response to the wider Communion through a traditional teaching on marriage and ordination.

Even so, the Diocese of Texas has always supported both the Windsor Report and the Covenant Process which seeks to realize a Communion where everyone across the globe has a voice in the common life of the Church. We cannot isolate ourselves by listening only to the voices of any one province, or even the voices of any one diocese within our province.

In the Diocese of Texas we are interested in our relationships locally and abroad, believing we are stronger when we listen to and partner with diverse cultures around the world.

As bishop of the Diocese of Texas I will continue to honor the request of my brother and sister bishops across our province and the Communion, and the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and will not consent to the Rev. Glasspool’s election.

While I will not vote to consent to this election, I am unified with others throughout the Anglican Communion around the issues of safeguarding human rights everywhere.

We reject the pending Ugandan legislation that would introduce the death penalty for people who violate portions of that country’s anti-homosexuality laws. I believe that “efforts to criminalize homosexual behavior are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (General Convention 2006, Resolution D005). This has been the position of Anglican bodies, including several Lambeth Conferences.

The Primates’ Meeting noted that, as Anglicans, “we assure homosexual people that they are children of God, loved and valued by him, and deserving of the best we can give of pastoral care and friendship” (Primates’ Communiqué, Dromantine, 2005). Recently, our Presiding Bishop has spoken out and our Archbishop has been meeting intensively with the leaders of Uganda to ensure the dignity of every human being is honored as a creature of God. You may comment on the election or the statements at: http://www.facebook.com/c.andrew.doyle

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January Session Explores Moral Formation of Youth

By Bob Kinney How do money, boredom and fear influence the moral formation of youth in our society?

Seminary of the Southwest’s ethics professor Dr. Scott Bader-Saye will explore this topic during the January 19-22 session of the Certificate Program in Youth Ministry and Christian Education on Southwest’s campus. Titled “Money, Boredom and Fear: Moral Formation and Youth Culture,” the session will examine moral formation through the lens of three key elements of modern culture – • Money – in a culture where young people are tempted by savvy marketers to form identities around consumption and branding, how can the church provide an alternative identity that frees them from being consumed by commodities?

• Boredom – the ubiquitous refrain of “I’m bored” suggests not so much a lack of interesting possibilities as a false notion of what fulfillment looks like; how can the church invite young people into the adventure of Christian living?

• Fear – young people are not immune to the general sense of anxiety arising from a feeling of political, economic and global insecurity; how can the church help them learn to fear rightly and live courageously?

Cost of the session is $1,200 that includes room and board on campus. Program details and registration link are at www.ssw.edu/curriculum/ ccmv/certificate-program-for-youth-ministry-andchristian-education. Registration deadline is January 11. Three books should be read before coming to the session – William T. Cavanaugh, Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire – Richard Winter, Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment, and – Professor Bader-Saye’s Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear.

The Certificate Program gives students from all denominational backgrounds the opportunity to enrich their practical and theoretical knowledge of Christian Education in ways that are focused, coherent and solidly grounded in Bible, church history, systematic theology, ethics and practical theology. The vision for the Certificate Program in Youth Ministry and Christian Education is to serve the needs of the Church by exploring the rich and challenging experience of youth ministry practitioners in the context of focused theological reflection offered by seminary faculty.

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GUEST COLUMNIST

HUMAN NATURE distinctively human qualities which distinguish us from the

Eucharist: “you in your mercy sent Jesus Christ, your only

lower animals, what Socrates called arete and the Romans

and eternal Son, to share our human nature....” (BCP p. 362)

virtus.

“Since ... the children share in flesh and blood, he himself

Had God not dropped out of its lexicon, science might

likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he

have paid more attention to human virtue. Man is the most

might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the

successful predator of all time but is the only one who feels

devil.” (Heb. 2:14) “Thus would the devil, the father of

guilt for killing, passes laws against murder and sets aside

death, be himself overcome by that self-same human nature

land for a wild-life refuge. From reading the papers one

which he had overcome.” (Leo the Great) Christ is the

might get the impression that our nature is to rob, rape and

demonstration model of human nature. He shows us who

murder. But the reason such occurrences are news is that

we essentially are.

they are unusual, atypical. The criminal is the exception

Who we essentially are, we may, by will and grace, in

not the rule. He does not model human behavior; his is

fact become. Being Christian is not something in addition

deviant.

We have been told man is

naturally war-like and violent.

If that

is so, why do governments have to draft young men whenever there is a major war?

The Rev. Sam Todd

O

to being human; it is

Our membership in the animal kingdom is indisputable. But the animal kingdom is not our lost kingdom.

a way to become fully human.

Nothing more

is asked or promised by

ne reason so many individuals have low self-

Why do the men have to be put through

esteem today is that the human race does. Our

such rigorous training and indoctrination?

racial self-image has taken a beating in the

Why has it been found that many soldiers

modern era. Galileo showed us that we are not at the center

in the heat of battle are not aiming their

of the universe; Darwin told us we are descended from apes;

weapons and some not even firing them?

Freud told us we are a lot less rational than we thought we

All the training is necessary to overcome the soldier’s natural

godliness, ... that through these you may escape from the

were; and Hitler showed us just how thin the veneer of

instinct to curl up into a ball or throw down his weapon and

corruption that is in the world ... and become partakers of

civilization may be.

run for his life. What if all the soldiers obeyed their natural

the divine nature.” (II Pet 1:3f) The truth about human

instincts? We would not have many battles would we?

nature was nicely summarized in a Christmas sermon by

Our membership in the animal kingdom is indisputable.

Christ than becoming all that we were meant to be.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and

But the animal kingdom is not our lost kingdom. We

Human virtue, our distinctive excellence, is to be

the 5th Century St. Leo the Great: “O Christian, be aware

and the apes seem to have a common ancestor. But the

found in those qualities we most admire in ourselves and

of your nobility -- it is God’s own nature that you share.”

key to our nature is not in what we have come from but

others, our thirst for truth for example. There are people

(From the Fathers to the Churches, p. 113)

in what we have come for. It is a great mistake to define

who lie but no one admires a liar. We admire the scientist

man only in terms of what is less than man. The macho

who discovers a great truth or the poet who distills a subtle

version of this mistake was prevalent among my high school

truth into an arresting metaphor. Most of all we admire

contemporaries who sought to prove their manhood by their

ourselves when we tell the truth to our own hindrance

prowess in fighting and fornicating. But I can hardly prove

(Cf Ps. 15:2). We share with the animals beneath us our

my manhood by doing what dogs and cats do.

physical hunger, sexual desire, thirst, anger, pleasure and

The scientific version of the mistake is to define us

pain. But human nature is defined by our thirst for truth,

merely as a variant animal. Man is the sapient species of the

attraction to goodness, appreciation of beauty, our freedom

genus Homo of the family Hominidae of the Primate Order

and creativity. These qualities we share with the God above

of the Mammal Class of the Sub-phylum Vertebrata of the

us who implanted them within us. If human nature were

Phylum Chordata. He is an animal built to walk on four

evil, God could not have become incarnate within it.

legs who long ago insisted on walking erect and has been

Christmas is a great tonic for low human self-esteem.

having back problems ever since. He is the tool-making

We are used to rejoicing that Christ “reflects the glory of

animal or the weapon-making animal or The Naked Ape.

God and bears the very stamp of his nature.” (Heb 1:3 RSV)

What is left out of all these definitions are precisely those

But equally significant is what we thank God for at each

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Email Todd at: stodd2423@att.net

Bishop High Speaks to Students and Teachers

Bishop Rayford High periodically spoke with more than 50 students and teachers at St. Luke’s, Lindale in early December during the school’s weekly chapel services, demonstrating how a bishop uses the staff (crozier) to gather in the flock.

Harrison

High

Doyle

Bishops’ January Calendars 5 7 p.m.

6 7 p.m.

8 10 a.m.

10 10 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

11 9:30 a.m.

12 14 17 9:30 a.m.

4 p.m.

19 6 p.m.

20 2:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

24 10:30 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

25-26 28 7 p.m.

31 10 a.m.

3 p.m.

Ordination of Billy Tweedie, St. Alban’s, Waco Bob Goolsby Celebration of New Ministry, St. Christopher’s, Houston Hurricane Ike Relief Update & Tour, Galveston St. Christopher’s, Austin, CF Ordination of Gena Davis, Trinity, Baytown Interfaith Immigration Convocation, Houston VTS Dean’s Roundtable, Houston Community Health Ministries Conference, Camp Allen St. Luke the Evangelist, Houston, CF Camp Allen Board Meeting Vestry Meeting, St. Martin’s, Houston St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities Leadership Meeting, Houston Episcopal High School Board Meeting, Houston St. Catherine of Sienna, Missouri City, CF Starry Nights Auction Dinner, Houston School of Theology, University of the South Ordination of Dean Lawrence, St. Christopher’s, League City Holy Trinity, Port Neches, CF St. Peter’s, Pasadena, CF

Houston residents stayed in on December 4 as the city received a bit of snow. Holy Spirit Episcopal School’s playground was empty on snow day but some of the kids made snowmen in their own front yards before the light dusting melted. Photo by: Barton Ballard

5 7 p.m.

7 1 p.m.

6: 30 p.m.

8 7 p.m.

9 11 a.m.

10 6 p.m.

12 6:30 a.m.

17 10 a.m.

19 4:30 p.m.

21 2 p.m.

4 p.m.

22-23 24 10:30 a.m.

25-28 31 10 a.m.

3 p.m.

Ordination of Doug Lasiter, Ascension, Houston William Temple Center and College Ministry, Meeting at Diocesan Center, Houston Ordination of Gates Elliott, St. Stephen’s, Beaumont Ordination of Chad Martin, St. Thomas’, Houston Ordination of Link Hullar, St. Barnabas’, Houston St. Mark’s, Beaumont, CF, Festival of Lights and Barbecue Ordination of Rich Houser, St. Aidan’s, Cypress St. Timothy’s, Houston, CF All Saints’ School Board Meeting, Tyler St. James’ House Board Meeting, Diocesan Center, Houston St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Board Meeting, Houston ECW Board Meeting, Camp Allen Trinity, Longview, CF 2nd Annual Meeting of Episcopal Hospitals, Puerto Rico St. Stephen’s, Beaumont, CF Vidor Fire Station, CF and Baptisms

9 10 a.m.

10 9.a.m.

10 11a.m.

13 8:30 a.m.

15 7 p.m.

17 10:30 a.m.

4 p.m.

20 7 p.m.

21 10 a.m.

21 4 p.m.

22 8 a.m.

23 5 p.m.

25 12 p.m.

26 12 p.m.

29 8 a.m.

6 p.m.

30 10 a.m.

31 10 a.m.

Ordination of Howard Castleberry, Christ Church, Temple St. Joseph’s Chapel, Salado St. Luke’s, Belton, CF St. Stephen’s Episcopal School 60th Anniversary Celebration, Austin Celebration of New Ministry, Trinity Church, Marble Falls St. John’s, Austin, CF St. Hildegard Community, Austin Ordination of Chris Duncan, Good Shepherd, Austin Commission on Ministry Meeting, Camp Allen St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System Board Meeting, Houston St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Executive Committee, Austin Ordination of Rohani Weger, St. John’s, Austin St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System Finance & Audit Committee, Houston Episcopal Relief & Development Meeting, New York St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Board Meeting, Austin Ordination of Janet Zimmerman, All Saints’, Austin Ordination of Lee Ligon-Borden, St. Bartholomew’s, Hempstead St. Francis, Prairie View, CF

In the Anglican Communion A global community of 77 million Anglicans in 500 dioceses in 164 countries Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev. Rowan Williams Lambeth Palace, London, England, SE1 7JU Anglican Communion Office 16 Tavistock Crescent Westbourne Park London W 11 1AP United Kingdom In the United States A community of 2.5 million members in 120 dioceses in the Americas and abroad Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Ave., NY, NY 10017 1.800.321.2231 In the Diocese of Texas One Church of more than 85,000 members in 158 congregations in the eastern quadrant of Texas, established in 1849 Bishop The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle dotbp@epicenter.org 1225 Texas Ave. Houston, TX 77002-3504 1.800.318.4452 1.713.520.6444 FAX 1.713.520.5723 Austin: 1.512.478.0580, 1.800.947.0580 Tyler: 1.903.579.6012 homepage: www.epicenter.org editor: cbarnwell@epicenter.org

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FRI JAN 29 8PM KIRK WHALUM

with Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Matt Lemmler, Kim Prevost TSU Jazz Singers - Bert Cross, Director

SAT JAN 30 8PM BRAD LEALI

with Bob Henschen, Anthony Caceres and Clyde Adams Gary Weldon, Jazz harmonica artist

SAT JAN 30 MASTER CLASS 10:00 AM

SUN JAN 31 JAZZ MASS 10:30 AM &12:30 PM

Matt Lemmler, Jason Marsalis, Roland Guerin, Kim Prevost, Kellye Gray, Herlin Riley and the Trinity Choir

At Historic Trinity Episcopal Church 1015 Holman @ Main on the Metro Rail, Houston, Texas Free Parking - Complimentary Wine Reception 7:00 pm Texas Episcopalian

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www.trinityjazzfest.net or call 713.528.1400 2010

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TICKETS

$15-$40

The Trinity Jazz Festival is funded in part by The City of Houston through The Houston Arts Alliance.