163RD COUNCIL
Find the newest updates on the 163rd Council Blog. Click here to register. 

Get Your Friends Signed up for the Diolog E-News 
In an effort to keep all of the people in the Diocese of Texas informed about the work we are doing, we are trying to get more Episcopalians to sign up for our e-newsletter. Without a monthly paper, the Diolog E-News is the best way to stay connected. Its easy to sign up. Just visit tinyurl.com/diologenews. Or download this pew sheet and distribute it with your next bulletin.

Download Our Sharing Faith Dinners Pew Sheet & Flyer
We need your help to advertise this in your parish. The Sharing Faith Dinners are a project that will feature simple meals in parishioners homes. The evening includes moderator-led discussions about faith. A coordinator for each congregation is needed now to help identify host families and share information. The dinners are scheduled for Thursday, April 26, and the diocese will coordinate participants registration and all email reminders. Please send your coordinator's name and email to Gail McGuire.

Download a pew sheet or a flyer  

Abundant Living Conference Scheduled for February 27-29.
This conference is for Seniors, their family members, health care providers, residential care providers, social workers, and leaders of all faith communities. Take the opportunity to gain fresh insights into the spiritual aspects of aging. This three day, two-night seminar is programmed by the University of Texas Medical Branch, Sealy Center on Aging.  Conference pricing ($185-245) includes meals, lodging, socials, and speakers. To register or to learn more, visit campallen.org or call 866.334.CAMP.

Diocesan Music Commission's Youth Choral Festival
The Youth Choral Festival will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, on Saturday, January 21. Combined choirs will rehearse hymns and anthems beginning at 10 a.m., with a Epiphany Service of Lessoons and Carols at 3 p.m. (open to the public). For more information, contact Bruce Power, 713.590.3310. Grade two and up are eligible to participate. 

St. John the Divine, Houston Sponsors an Evening with Judith Macnutt
The event will take place January 26 at 7 p.m. MacNutt is the featured speaker at their 2012 Women’s Retreat, and will share “The Kingdom of God” at this gathering. Russell Thompson will lead worship. Complimentary light supper will be served in Sumners Hall at 6 p.m. RSVP to Jackie Collins. For more information 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 let 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.

Register for "Small Groups, Big Results: A Gathering of Leaders" in Austin.
Whether you are Clergy, lay staff or a volunteer, if you vision and plan small groups at the ministry level or are wondering how to bring small groups to your church in a more intentional way, this workshop is for you. Click here for more info.

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. 

Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston Sponsors Women's Retreat
The retreat entitled “Love Thyself,” is February 24-26 at Camp Allen and invites you to join women from various faith traditions and backgrounds for an intimate weekend journey exploring the complexity of loving one’s self. Participants will examine ideas of "perfection" as it relates to the physical, mental and spiritual. Women at this retreat will engage with one another and explore what they think women "should be" and how women can love themselves as they are "created to be." Read about the speakers and program, or register at www.imgh.org/lovethyself.

Texas United Methodist Women's Annual Legislative Conference
This year's conference is January 22-24 in Austin. Organizers of the event have opened five registrations for non-Methodist women who would like to attend and see whether this kind of event is something that might benefit their members. Cost is $150 and the conference will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites on 15th Street in Austin. You can view the agenda here. Contact Bee Moorhead, executive director of Texas Impact.

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New Features, Opportunities in New Episcopal Church Website [more]

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