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December 2012
The Newsletter
The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas
No. 246
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WELCOME!
to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas --a place where the vast open plains are as wondrous as the big sky above! |
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Ministry Quicklinks
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A Prayer for Advent by Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"
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TREASURES IN RETIREMENT
In October I attended a conference for Chaplains to Retired Clergy and Spouses. I learned that we will be having an Enriching Your Retirement Conference in the Diocese of Northwest Texas in 2013. The Church Pension Fund has since sent a notification to retired clergy and their spouses to notify them of the conference. Retired Clergy - SAVE THE DATES - MARCH 1-2, 2013, and plan to join us for this conference. This is a financial planning seminar specifically for retired clergy and spouses that is provided by the Church Pension Group - Pension Services, the Medical Trust, Church Life Insurance, and Strategic Marketing & Client Outreach. In conjunction with this conference is Planning for Tomorrow for not-yet-retired clergy, their spouses and partners. The conference for retired clergy is a clergy conference for financial life planning after retirement.
The conference will begin at 9:30a.m. Friday morning and will end after lunch Saturday. There is no charge for participants and lodging is provided including Thursday evening lodging for those who travel long distances. All are encouraged to stay at the conference hotel even if they live close by so that they can be involved more fully in the conference. Conference costs, accommodations, and all meals are covered by the Church Pension Fund.Remember, there is no charge and a wealth of very helpful information will be made available to participants.Clergy, please plan to join us.Bill Wright, Chaplain to Retired Clergy and Spouses
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 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM
THE OUTREACH CAMPS COMMITTEE
The Church's New Year has begun, and soon the secular New Year will begin. As you consider your "resolutions," the Committee for the Outreach Camps would offer some suggestions about how to help the children we serve. We appreciate your generous financial help! Here are some additional ideas for being a part of this ministry:
*Put our children on your prayer list throughout the year.
*Give a monetary gift to the Outreach Camps in honor of/ in memory of someone this holiday season.
*If you shop after-Christmas sales, look for books that could go in the gift bags we send home with the children.
*When you begin to see beach towels go on sale in the spring, get one to give to a camper.
*If you like to sew, consider making a special pillowcase for a camper to take home. You could even host a "sewing bee" for your friends who might also like to supply pillowcases. If you need more instructions about this idea, contact Carole Wolf at cwolf3312@sbcglobal.net.
*Consider some of our other ministries such as riding the bus with the children, handing out the snacks, filling those gift bags, and being present to support the camp staff by helping with crafts and other activities.
If you have several days or even a few hours throughout the year, and especially during the weeks of camps, please remember the children.
Our camp dates for 2012 are:
June 11-15, June 18-22, and July 9-13.
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Would you like to make an end-of-year donation
to a local cause? Please consider donating today to
 Promise Project.For more information on making a donation, click THIS LINK. Visit the Promise Project website by clicking on the logo above.
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PRIMARY GATHERING 2013
For youth in grades 3-5
January 11-13, 2013
at Quarterman Ranch, Amarillo
To view additional information and download registration forms, click on the highlighted link below.
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2013 Payne Lecture
features
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
Date: Feb 07
Location: Knapp Auditorium on the seminary campus
You are cordially invited to attend the 2013 Payne Lecture and reception on February 7, 2013.
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, author and popular speaker, will give the lecture at 7:00 p.m.
The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers serves as the new Canon for Missional vitality in the Diocese of Long Island, catalyzing mission and ministry with the 146 Episcopal churches in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. She is the author of Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The Other and the Spirit of Transformation and founding priest for The Crossing community, an emergent congregation based at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston. A popular speaker and consultant nationwide, Canon Spellers is Chaplain to the House of Bishops and just completed a three-year term as co-chair for the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism. She is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and Episcopal Divinity School and -- though she now calls Brooklyn home -- she is proud to hail from a small town in Kentucky. See her work at www.churchpublishing.org/radicalwelcome.
Please RSVP here or by contacting Stacy Morales in the Dean's office, 512.472. 4133.
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Sewanee's Contribution to
"Deep Engagement, Fresh Discovery"
Three and a half years of research and conversation has produced the final report from the Anglican Communion's Bible in the Life of the Church project - Deep Engagement, Fresh Discovery. The report shares that Anglicans around the globe have "a high common ground" over the essential place and use of the Bible in Anglican life.
The Bible in the Life of the Church project began following a resolution passed by the Anglican Consultative Council in 2009 and was led by New Zealand's Archbishop David Moxon. The world was divided into regional groups, with the North American Regional Group (covering the United States and Canada) coordinated by the Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain, assistant professor of theology and Christian ethics at The School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.
"Our goal was to try to figure out how Scripture actually functions in our individual and common lives as Anglicans" explains MacSwain. "Despite incredible differences in our North American group, let alone the rest of the world, we still have the Bible in common. It is part of what holds us together."
To read more about the project and report, follow THIS LINK.
Come & See February 23-26
Postulants, layleaders, and ministers considering an advanced degree are encouraged to visit The School of Theology and experience Episcopal seminary education in Sewanee. Student-organized and student-led, Come & See 2012 will introduce you to community life and theological formation in one of the most beautiful settings in the nation.
For more news and information from the School of Theology at the University of the South, please follow this LINK.
To view Theology Monthly from the School of Theology,
please click on the banner below.
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Upcoming Diocesan Events
DECEMBER
21- 31 HEC Closed for Holidays
JANUARY 2012
1 HEC closed for Holidays
10 Fresh Start, HEC, 10:30am
11- 13 Winter Gathering, Grades 3-5, Quarterman Ranch11- 12 Deacon Formation, HEC
14- 18 Preaching Course, Diocese of the Rio Grande
19 +Ordination of Jared Houze to the Transitional
Diaconate, Heavenly Rest, Ailene, 10:30am
26 +Ordination of Susanna Brosseau to Transitional
Diaconate, Emmanuel, San Angelo, 10:30am
(Items in purple with a + indicate Bishop Mayer's attendance.)
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Deacon Dialogue
Two Lubbock Women Are Ordained to the Diaconate (Pictured L to R- Deacon Becky Orem, Deacon Paige McKay, and Deacon Nancy Igo) was ordained on November 17, 2012, by the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas, at St. Paul's on the Plains Episcopal Church in Lubbock. The Rt. Rev. Wallis Ohl, former Bishop of Northwest Texas served as celebrant, with Bishop Mayer serving as Consecrator and Preacher. Photos of Deacon Nancy's service may be viewed online in the Diocesan Web Album. Deacon Nancy is familiar to many as the Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese, a position to which she was called before the retirement of Bishop Ohl in 2008. She has continued in that position since the consecration of Bishop Mayer in 2009. Nancy will serve as Deacon for St. Paul's on the Plains Episcopal Church in Lubbock where she is involved in the communications of the parish and their ministry at The Carillon Retirement Community. Deacon Nancy is originally from Lubbock. She is a cradle Episcopalian, having been raised at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Lubbock, where she also attended elementary school. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Texas Tech University, and later attended West Texas A & M University in Canyon to earn her Elementary and Early Childhood Education Certifications. Deacon Nancy taught in the classroom for 18 years in grades Pre-K through 9. Most recently she taught junior high science at All Saints Episcopal School in Lubbock. Deacon Nancy is married to Russell Igo, also of Lubbock. They are empty-nesters with a blended family of three grown sons, and two "four-legged, hairy children," their Standard Poodles Emma and Lily. Paige McKay was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer in a service held on December 1, 2012, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lubbock. The Rev. David Perdue, Rector of St. Stephen's, served as Preacher. Photos of Deacon Paige's service may also be viewed online in the Diocesan Web Album. Deacon Paige is currently employed as Chaplain and Admissions Director at All Saints Episcopal School in Lubbock, where she has served since 2007. She will be assigned as Deacon to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lubbock. Deacon Paige is also a cradle Episcopalian.She hails originally from Amarillo where she attended St. Peter's Episcopal Church in her youth. Her parents currently attend St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Amarillo. Deacon Paige graduated from Texas Tech University where she earned a degree in Telecommunications. She has has worked primarily in marketing and as a graphic designer for various firms, including a period of time when she was self-employed. Deacon Paige is married to Mike McKay and has two beautiful daughters, Madeline, a junior at Lubbock High School and Lily, a sixth grader at All Saints. Both girls are actively involved in volleyball, with Madeline playing for the Lubbock High varsity team. Both of the McKay girls were confirmed by Bishop Mayer on Sunday, December 2nd, the day following Deacon Paige's ordination. What a joyous weekend for the McKay family! Congratulations to our new Deacons, and best wishes for many blessed years of ministry! ++++++++++++
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Noteworthy News
from Northwest Texas
Trinity School in Midland Welcomes New Assistant Chaplain
Trinity School in Midland, TX welcomed a new Assistant Chaplain and English teacher to their staff this fall. According to the Trinity School website, the Rev. John Barrett attended the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, where he earned the B.A. in one of the great English programs in the United States (his specialty is British Literature). At Sewanee Barrett was also an NCAA athlete (tennis and soccer). Barrett earned two graduate degrees from Fordham University: a Master of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision. While working toward the Master of Divinity degree at Trinity School for Ministry in Pennsylvania, Barrett wrote an Honors Thesis on the history of the Western Reserve Academy in Ohio (his alma mater).
Barrett brings great teaching experience to Trinity. He not only taught English for 8 years at the Episcopal School of Dallas and 2 years at TMI-Episcopal in San Antonio; he has also been teaching all ages as Assistant Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he was Director of Adult Education and Family Ministry. John and his wife, Barbara Barrett, have four sons.
Welcome to Northwest Texas, Fr. Barrett!
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Josh Rodriguez Is Ordained to the Priesthood
The Rev. Josh Rodriguez was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in a service held on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 7:00pm at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Towson, MD. Josh has been serving at Good Shepherd as a Transitional Deacon in the position of Curate since June 2012. The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas and the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, Bishop of Maryland presided.
Josh was raised up in ministry at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Lubbock where he was also ordained to the transitional diaconate. He attended Berkeley Divinity School at Yale where he received his Master of Divinity. As a side note, Fr. Josh celebrated his birthday the day following his ordination. What a happy weekend!
Photos of the event may be viewed by following THIS LINK. Our congratulations to Fr. Josh!
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St. Mark's Abilene and Big Country AIDS Resources teamed up recently to help those infected with HIV and the disease it can lead to, AIDS, and to raise awareness.
To read more about this incredible ministry, follow the link below:
Abilene Reporter News website
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The Rev. David Mossbarger, Rector of St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church in Odessa, and his family were given a special Christmas gift this year. The family legally adopted a son, Aiden Paul Mossbarger, age 6, on December 10, 2012.
Aiden has been living with the Mossbarger family since last February. He is a kindergartner this year, and loves spending time with his two new big sisters, Emily, age 22, and Alice, age 20. They have begun a new family tradition this Christmas season coinciding with the book The Elf on the Shelf. Each day Aiden awakens and rushes to find what mischief the elf has been up to during the night.
(Pictured with Judge Bill McCoy)
With two daughters in college, having a little boy has been an adjustment, but is certainly a welcome change for the family. Fr. David commented that they all feel quite blessed to have Aiden in their lives.
"O God, you have taught us through your blessed Son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself: We give you thanks for the blessing you have bestowed upon this family in giving them a child. Confirm their joy by a lively sense of your presence with them, and give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring this child to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen" (From the Book of Common Prayer, p. 443)
Our warmest congratulations to the entire Mossbarger family!
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Diocese Receives Thanks
 Bishop Scott Mayer and the Diocese of Northwest Texas recently received a letter of thanks from the Rt. Rev. Jean Zache Duracin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, for the monetary gifts sent by our Diocese. The gifts have been designated for the rebuilding of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Haiti.
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Gifts to Nurture and Flourish
 Are you frustrated by the consumerism surrounding the celebration of Jesus' birth? This Christmas, honor God's gift to the world by making a lasting difference in the lives of people in need.
Give Gifts for Life, Episcopal Relief & Development's unique gift catalog offering a variety of items that can provide entire communities with the tools needed to pull themselves out of poverty.
on your list:
- Animal lovers will rejoice in the gift of a goat to overcome poverty.
- Give peace of mind with clean water and help keep rural communities safe from deadly illnesses.
- A family garden provides year round food and nutrition and makes a great gift for earth-minded eco-friends.
- Kids will love helping other children around the world by feeding the Littlest Scholars.
With each gift you purchase you'll receive a special card you can personalize and send to your friends and loved ones.
So this Christmas, put a smile on a loved one's face while helping to make a real difference to people and communities in need with tax-deductible Gifts for Life.
Your generous gift will save lives, bringing food and assistance to those who need it most.
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Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN |
Contact Info
Newsletter Editor- Nancy Igo
nigo@nwtdiocese.org (806) 763-1370 x. 5 |
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