CLERGY CORNER

Spotlight on Our Schools

 Watch for next month's newsletter and a spotlight on yet another of our fabulous schools!

 

 

 

The 61st Sewanee Church Music Conference

will be held 11-17 July 2011 at The University of the South

and the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee.

The Sewanee Conference is the oldest and largest Episcopal music conference in the country and can accept only 150 registrants. Two full scholarships are available to first-time attendees.

Keith Shafer, Director of Music and Organist of Saint Paul's Church, Augusta, Georgia is the Director and the primary faculty include Dr. Dale Adlemann, Canon for Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta; Dr. Todd Wilson, Director of Music and Worship of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland and Chair of the Organ Department of the Cleveland Institute of Music; and Episcopal priest and author, the Reverend Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, who will serve as Conference Chaplain. Adjunct faculty include Dr. Robert Delcamp, Professor of Music and University Organist and Choirmaster, The University of the South; Dr. Bradley Almquist, Director of Choral Activities at Murray State College, Murray, Kentucky; the Reverend Dr. Susanna Metz, the School of Theology, The University of the South; Richard Moore, Director of Music, St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia; Dr. Marty Wheeler Burnett, Director of Music, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska; and Susan Rupert, the School of Theology, The University of the South.

Complete information and a downloadable registration form are available at the conference website, 

Llano Estacado Deanery Contemplative Prayer

Invitation to all Episcopalians in the Regio

An article in February's e-newsletter told of a small discussion group who met to explore the possibility of opening a contemplative prayer group mid-week for any laity and clergy who might be interested in sitting together in silence and to be open to the experience of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit in an un-programmed corporate worship environment.

The group, varying in size from 10- 15 participants, began meeting February 16th and has happily reported their plans to continue gathering at 12:15 midday on Wednesdays for about thirty minutes at the central location of St. Christopher's, 2807 42nd Street, Lubbock.  Anyone wishing to bring a brown-bag lunch to have after the prayer gathering will be welcome to sit around the kitchen table at the conclusion of the gathering for discussion and fellowship.  It is hoped that this gathering might build spiritual bonds of affection between Episcopalians in our region from all of the separate parish churches of the Llano Estacado.

Information, questions, suggestions, or requests can be directed to Edson Way, Rector of St. Christopher's and Dean of the Llano Estacado Deanery:

Contact Edson+  at 799-8208 (church) or 783-8448 (evenings at home).

 Many Episcopalians in our Diocese know and enjoy serving with our active and devoted deacons. But it is not that way throughout the entire Church, in fact many dioceses do not have a single deacon serving in their parishes or their outreach ministries. If someone asked what a deacon does, one would probably get as many answers as there are deacons. So what does a deacon do, and who is our Archdeacon?

In answer to the first question, the Ministry Discernment Handbook describes deacons as those who exist to call the whole community into its servant ministry. They are prophetic leaders who are called to challenge the Church always to look beyond itself. Deacons need to have the character of a servant, which should be evident in their life and ministry. They are not ordained to do the outreach ministry of the Church, but to lead others into servant ministry in the world. Deacons serve under the authority of the Bishop and a supervising priest with whom they work. Their liturgical functions are symbolic and expressive of their central ministry: serving all people, especially the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely; and interpreting to the Church the needs, concerns, and the hopes of the world. They are living icons who illuminate Christ as the model of servanthood to all the baptized.

In Northwest Texas we are fortunate to have a growing number of deacons, with Chris Wrampelmeier of Amarillo serving as the Archdeacon. As Archdeacon, Chris is officially part of the Bishop's staff. He assists the Bishop with various tasks including serving as the Bishop's Chaplain during official events (right), the organizing of the yearly Deacon Retreat, and assists with the diaconal formation process. Those who attended Bishop Mayer's consecration service may remember Chris serving as the Presiding Bishop's Chaplain. 

So, WHO IS Chris Wrampelmeier? By vocation Chris is a board certified family law attorney who has practiced with the Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo since 1993. He attended Princeton University where he received a degree in Near East Studies and participated with the Army ROTC. During Chris's four years of military service after college he was stationed in what was West Germany with an Air Defense Artillery unit. Following his military service he attended the University of Texas School of Law where his focus was Environmental Law. 

As a deacon Chris serves at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and is actively involved with the Downtown Women's Center board, environmental stewardship, the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, and the Quarterman Ranch Governing board.

Personally, Chris is married to Hortensia, and together they have 3 wonderful children; Cole, age 21; Claudia, age 13; and Holly age 6. Chris is the Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society President, is interested in fencing both as a participant and a parent, reading, and serves as a elementary school mentor through the Amarillo ISD. 

Chris Wrampelmeier exemplifies what a deacon should be as a servant leader. We are so fortunate to have him in our midst as our Archdeacon! 

ECW News   

                           2011 ECW Spring Board Meeting

                                       Saturday, April 9^th

                                            10:00-3:00

                                 Holy Trinity's Nancy's Place

                                                                          Midland, Texas

                                                              Please make plans to attend!

Agenda items include: Reports on UTO, CPC, 2011 Budget presentation, Fall Retreat information,

 Honored Woman nomination, Nominating report.

 All ECW Presidents are encouraged to attend.

AND

News from Seminary of the Southwest

Seminary of the Southwest
501 East 32nd Street
Austin, Tx 78705

Diploma Program in Christian Education

Bridge Building: Welcoming Difference in the Church

May 23 - 27, 2011

In a society that is becoming increasingly diverse, Christians need formation to help them navigate the complex strands of pluralism. Christian educators and youth ministers can become bridge builders by helping members of their churches welcome difference. This course provides biblical and theological foundations, as well as practical strategies for helping Christian education and youth ministry leaders and their church members embrace diversity. In doing so, participants learn how to relate effectively with persons who are different from them.

The instructor: The Rev. Dr. Paul Barton, Associate Professor of the History of American Christianity and Missiology and Director of Hispanic Church Studies at Seminary of the Southwest

Room (double occupancy) and board on campus are included in the $1,200 registration fee.

Part of the seminary's Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation, the Diploma Program in Christian Education, gives ministry practitioners the opportunity to enrich their experience of the field in ways that are focused, coherent, and solidly grounded in Bible, church history, systematic theology, ethics and practical theology.

For more information, contact Jana Struková at 512.472.4133, ext. 342 or by email:  jstrukova@ssw.edu or click here to register online.

Other events at SSW: (click on links to view information)

Summer Continuing Education

Commencement 2011

Upcoming Diocesan Events 

MARCH

10 - 11           DEROS, Lubbock, St. Paul's

13                  +Pampa, St. Matthew's, Visitation

23                  Standing Committee, HEC, 11am