Happy New Year!
2012 is going to be a great year filled with many great events. If you have an interesting story or event coming up, let us know. Your story could be the next feature. Share with us.

163RD COUNCIL
You can find all the Council information on the 163rd Council Blog. Click here to register. 

Did You Make a Resolution to Read the Bible in 2012?
The Bible Challenge can help. This program was created by Marek Zabriskie out of his ministry at St. Thomas Church in Washington, PA. Zabriskie saw what happened when people were challenged to read the Bible and supported in doing it. It was transformative. Click here to learn more.

Sharing Faith Dinners
We need your help to advertise this in your parish. The Sharing Faith Dinners is a project that will feature simple meals in parishioners' homes followed by moderator-led discussions. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 26, but we need your Dinner Coordinator now to help us communicate the event! The Dinner Coordinator will pass along communications and help identify host families and moderators from your congregation. The Diocese will coordinate participants registration and all email reminders. Please send your coordinator's name and email no later than December 31 to Gail McGuire. Thank you!  

2012 Clergy Compensation Calculator Updated
The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 extends the two percentage point payroll tax cut for employees, continuing the reduction of their Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid through Feb. 29, 2012.  The wage base for calculating the maximum social security tax per year has also been revised for 2012, increasing to $110,100 (from $106,800 in 2010 & 2011). We have updated the Clergy Compensation Calculator and will revise the calculator again in March depending on what is decided by Congress. To access the 2012 calculator, click here.

Altar Guild Gathering
The Central Convocation Altar Guild Gathering will be held Saturday, January 28 at St. Andrew’s, Bryan, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The gathering offers a great opportunity for learning and sharing traditions and that special trick for removing lipstick from purificators. The day begins with Morning Prayer and presentations on church seasons, the Book of Common Prayer will follow led by Alice Scarborough, director of the diocesan Altar Guild. Lunch will be provided and a round table q&a will reveal answers to concerns or mysteries. RSVP to Joan Konecny, 936.870.3348 by January 22.

2012 Wardens and Vestry Conference Information
The 2012 Wardens & Vestry Conference keynote address will feature The Rev. Canon John Newton, Canon for Lifelong Formation. For a complete list of presenters & workshops for the 2012 conference, please click here. 

Dates: February 25th-Holy Apostles, Houston; March 3rd-St. David's, Austin; March 24th-Trinity, Longview. Click here to register. 

Forming Disciples Conference Open for Registration
This is a gathering for clergy, children and youth leaders, volunteers and staff. We encourage you to bring your entire church formation team to this confernce so that we can gather together to be reminded of our call and our mission: forming disciples. Conference will include plenaries, workshops, small groups, networking times and speed consulting. Click here to learn more and register.

New Employment Opportunities
The Cathedral Urban Service Experience (CUSE) in Houston is seeking two summer interns to lead youth groups on community service outings. See this and more opportunities on our Employment Page.

Ordinations to the Priesthood
There are several ordinations coming up in the new year. Click here to see.

Young Adults Invited to Learn Abount Refugee Resettlement
Whether you’re interested in community engagement, international justice, or the politics of immigration, you are invited to join other young adults from across the Episcopal Church for a six-day immersion experience from March 25-30, 2012, to learn about refugee resettlement in our country. Click here to read more.

UPDATES & CHANGES

Contact Changes | EDOT Gallery | Employment Opportunities 

Safe Church Training | Supply Clergy  | Blogs | E-News Archive

ECHOS Client Manager Featured in Houston Chronicle [more]

The Bible Challenge: Tools to Help you Read the Entire Book in 2012 [more]

Volunteers Enjoy Christmas at St. Christopher's Thrift Shop [more]

Holy Trinity, Port Neches, Continues Angel Tree Ministry [more]

Roman Church Establishes Ordinariate for Anglicans, Episcopalians [more]