AN UPDATE FROM BISHOP MONTERROSO

The year, 2022 marked our ministry with varied work and service forms. It provided new opportunities and significant challenges for the clergy and the leaders of all the churches. Each church experiences particular challenges and accepts them, using the unique gifts they bring. These gifts include worship location, facilities, economic resources, education, service, leadership, alliances, and connections.

I visited churches in the South Region, and others, where I learned about the creativity and adaptability that our churches continue to use to strengthen themselves. They continue to be a light that illuminates the community in which they are located.

One of the experiences that I can highlight is in recognition of the constant renewal in our churches. New leaders emerge and new campaigns are launched. Reconstructions or renovations of spaces take place in church buildings. Vibrant music and ministry with youth and children are sources of hope for the church that constantly needs to be renewed.

The ministry of the Diocese of Texas is a transformative experience that manifests itself in many ways. It manifests itself when we decide to take the risk and send missionaries to plant new churches and missional communities where we do not know if it is possible. Still, we have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide us to continue with the ministry of transformation, healing, and reconciliation that comes when we share the message of Jesus.

This transforming ministry is only possible through Jesus, the “verb” that promotes action and change. The changes begin with small steps that become significant transformations through the participation of many people who come together in the same effort.

These small acts of faith become visible when the members of our churches make the decision to go out into the streets to be part of the community and contribute in some way to solving the needs that afflict the most vulnerable: the sick, people living alone, the unemployed, and the undocumented. All represent a population that seems invisible but is present in most of the neighborhoods of our cities.

When our church members distribute food and fresh water, donate blood, visit the sick and pray for them, there is a direct connection with the gospel. Once again, the stories and miracles we preach every Sunday are replicated.

These acts of service are inspiring; we often cannot measure their impact on people. We however, we know that it is in this way that God acts, through small acts of love that become incredible transformations. This is the responsibility that characterizes our churches to be part of the solution to the problems afflicting the community, trusting in the divine provision and God's transforming power. I am grateful to the bishops, priests, and all the members of our churches who are an image of the living God that we adore and follow.

Ordinations

The ordination of new priests is always good news for the church. Vocation and service are manifested through this sacrament in which we celebrate the call of God, who raises men and women for his service through the priesthood. This year, in January and October, I had the privilege of ordaining to the priesthood Ryan A. Hawthorne, Palmer Memorial, Houston; Jason P. Myers, Holy Family, Houston; and Leah Wise, Grace, Houston.

Celebration of new ministry

January and September 2022, I presided at the celebration of the new ministry of the Rev. Greg Seme as vicar of St. Alban's, Houston, and the Rev. Justin Briggle, rector of Good Shepherd, Friendswood. I presided over the dedication and consecration of the Emmanuel New Church, Houston building in November 2022.

Disaster response

The Rev. Stacy Stringer filled an exceptional role as director of disaster response. “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit” (Luke 12:35) was the mission for our disaster response ministry in 2022. Diocese of Texas has earned a reputation as a vital responder in disaster relief and recovery. Partnering with our congregations, we expanded our toolkit this year by highlighting emergency preparedness.

“Blue sky times” outreach grants were provided to congregations already in trusting relationships with communities that struggle to make ends meet . Congregations listened to neighbors to learn and to secure items they would find most helpful to have on hand at home before the next disruptive event arrived. Unfortunately, a “next one” came in the form of one of the hottest summers on record, and at the opposite weather extreme, a “next one” blasted Texas with a bomb cyclone the week before Christmas 2022. Ready for action, congregations quickly distributed lifesaving items and made check-in phone calls to lessen the impact of these life-threatening events on their vulnerable neighbors.

Tornadoes and other severe weather events affected the properties and people of our congregations in 2022. Throughout the year, we activated our emergency response communication system to quickly connect with heads of congregations so EDOT leadership could provide prompt response and support as needed.

When congregations responded to disaster-struck neighborhoods, grants were provided through this program to assist families who lost everything due to a narrow but vicious tornado.

Commission on Hispanic Ministry and the conference

This commission meets regularly, and one of the most important events we organize each year is the Hispanic Lay Leadership Conference. The 2022 conference was held on June 17-18, 2022, and 270 people participated with the theme of evangelism. We had participants from all the churches with Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Texas and guests from the Diocese of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, who sent 16 representatives.

The series of conference workshops are led by Hispanic leaders who have emerged, thanks to this conference and the discipleship many Hispanic clergy promote to support lay leadership in their churches. At the end of the conference of 270 participants, we challenged 12 participants to commit to starting an evangelism project. Together with the Mission amplification Team, we will accompany them to develop these ministries in their congregations and neighborhoods. The commission is also determined to reorganize itself and include more lay leaders within its organizational structure. The new chair of the commission is the Rev. Simon Bautista, pending the appointment of a female lay leader to serve as co-chair.

Advocacy

Some Hispanic churches came together to lead education and training programs for asylum seekers or those applying for their documents and regularizing their immigration status in the country. This process has become ongoing in recent years, and Hispanic churches in the diocese are committed to actively continuing this ministry.

I am grateful to the Rev. Eileen O'Brien and the Rev. Uriel Lopes, who served as co-chairs of the commission in the last term of three years.

St. Vincent’s House

This diocesan Galveston-based program continues its excellent work. Here are some of the achievements during 2022:

1. Assistance services: 79,856 duplicated individuals. 8,505 distinct individuals received assistance services from St. Vincent’s House (December is not reported yet)

2. More active than 2021: 58 percent more active FY 2021 (46,389 duplicated individuals served)

3. SVH Pantry: This comprehensive pantry includes cleaning and hygiene supplies, child and adult diapers, and fruits and vegetables. 7,097 snack packs distributed. 4,678 home-bound deliveries. 4,245 baby and adult diapers distributed. 4,469 distinct individuals and 12,548 duplicated individuals received groceries. Over 50 home-bound seniors received Christmas goodie bags. 315 families received Thanksgiving food boxes, feeding over 1,000 people

4. Transportation/bus service: 267 individuals received 2,306 rides.

5. Comprehensive Vision Program: 171 people received free eye exams and glasses, (133 through Sight for All, Dr. Mehta volunteer optometrist). Patients are referred from clinics that are diabetics and chronically ill need eye examinations and glasses (38 through Prevent Blindness Texas).

6. Integrated Care Model (ICM): The outreach program was established at Central Church/SVH Hope Clinic and Sandpiper Cove. The complexity of population we serve continues to grow. St. Vincent’s House developed the ICM Outreach Program to decrease barriers to accessing services and respond to the increased complexity of needs. Our goal is to break the multigenerational poverty cycle with goal to build trust by meeting clients where they are.

7. Master Facility Site Planning: Thankful to The Episcopal Foundation of Texas for funding the master facility site planning completed this year. The final document that contains the conceptual design and the project budget is finalized.

Other Diocesan Activities

• The House of Bishops – spring meeting, Camp Allen

• Dedication at St. Andrew's, Pearland – Plaque for Rev. Jim Liberatore

• Vocations Conference – Camp Allen

• Deans of convocation meetings

• Spring 2022 Executive Team and Directors Retreat – Camp Allen

• General Convention World Mission meeting

• Executive Team retreat – Tyler

• Clergy conference – Camp Allen

National Church and Anglican Communion

The College of Bishops invited me to serve as a coach for Bishop Juan Carlos Quiñonez, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Ecuador, Province IX. Like my other fellow bishops, I participated in the General Convention. At the General Convention, I participated as a member of the World Mission Committee and am now appointed to serve on the Translation and Interpretation Committee. I also participated in two meetings of the Episcopal Relief and Development Board of Directors in New York and Seattle. In addition, I function as director of the CREDO program for Latin America.