The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas
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!
November Sunset
by Steven Chapman, Lorenzo, TX
As depicted in the pectoral cross of Bishop J. Scott Mayer, the stars, moon, and sun are representative of the beauty one may find in this region of Texas. The landscape, covering 77,000 square miles is as diverse as the cities and people, with the canyons and rangelands of the Staked Plains; agricultural fields abounding; and the rough and ready country of the Rolling Plains and Permian Basin. The people here are known for their warm and friendly smiles, making one feel like an old and trusted friend
It has been a busy month in the Diocese of Northwest Texas since our last issue! Several joyous events have taken place, all of which are listed below:
First, the Rev. Jared Houze was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday morning, October 19th, 2013, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in San Angelo, TX. Fr. Jared has been serving as deacon for the parish since his graduation from Seminary of the Southwest last May. The Very Rev. Dr. Cynthia Briggs-Kittredge served as preacher.
To view photos of the event follow this link to the Diocesan Picasa web album. Links will also be available on the Diocesan website and Facebook page. Congratulations to Emmanuel parish, and to Fr. Jared and his wife, Ericka!
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The Rev. Dave Huxley was instituted as Rector of St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church in a service held on the evening of November 7, 2013 at the parish. During the service Jayne Krawietz was received into the parish by confirmation, and a beautiful new baptismal font was dedicated. The font was a given to the parish by the Rev. James Liggett in memory of Kathleen Liggett, and Joan Whitt in memory of the Rev. Ernie Bel.
To view photos of the event, follow this link to the Diocesan Picasa web album. Congratulations to St. Nicholas', and to Fr. Dave and his wife, Cookie!
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The Rev. Doug Cashell was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday morning, November 16th, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, in Lubbock. Deacon Doug has been active in the parish for many years. One of his most beloved talents is playing bluegrass music with a group in Lubbock. The group has donated their talents to the parish by playing for many parish events.
Photos of the event are forthcoming. When available, a link will be posted on the Diocesan website and on the Diocesan Facebook page.
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The Rev. Les Jackson will be instituted as Rector in a service to be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Odessa on Tuesday, November 19th, 2013, at 7:00pm. Fr. Les has served at St. John's as Priest-in-Charge for the past two years. A reception will follow immediately after the service.
All are welcome to attend.
Clergy will vest in cassock and surplice with red stoles.
A Celebration of Changed Lives at Quarterman Ranch
On a beautiful autumn afternoon in the northern Panhandle people from places far and near met to celebrate a place they have held dear to their hearts. Quarterman Ranch, formally known as Bishop Quarterman Conference Center, was closed on October 1st due to the changing financial climate.
The Celebration of Changed Lives was held on Sunday, November 17th, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Quarterman Ranch. The pews were packed, and boxes of tissue were put to great use during the service led by the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas, and the Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, immediate past Bishop of the Diocese. The Rev. James Haney V, organizer of the event, served as preacher. Fr. Haney brought a unique perspective to his sermon, one which Bishop Mayer commented was one only Fr. Jim could preach. He had grown up attending camp at Quarterman as a child, and later served as junior counselor, senior counselor, lay volunteer, and as a clergy volunteer. His children have also attended camp and have served as counselors for the camp. The memories of happy summers at Quarterman run deeply through his family.
It would not be an exaggeration to say there was a full spectrum of emotion, from dancing in the aisles, to a river of tears, to laughter, and to grief, but as Fr. Jim urged the gathering in his sermon, it is not just the place we remember, but also the warmth of enduring relationships established there.
Following a service of much loved camp music, a slideshow, and Holy Eucharist, the final decommissioning of the Conference Center was held around the Cross of the Holy Spirit and labyrinth outside of the Chapel where every session of camp has concluded. While some wandered the property reliving old memories, some stayed around the cross taking photos and saying their farewells. A reception was held in Ware Hall... "where?"... where more conversation and fellowship took place.
It was a bittersweet event, one the attendees will remember for years to come. It is true, we have lost an "old friend" in our beloved Diocesan camp, but camp will go on. Camp Quarterman will continue for those who have completed grades 2-6 at Ceta Glen, just south of Amarillo, in a tributary of Palo Duro Canyon. Those who have completed grades 8-12 will attend camp in Colorado at Cathedral Ridge, an Episcopal conference center nestled in the mountains north of Woodland Park, Colorado, and Pikes Peak, at an altitude of 8,600 feet.
Be sure to watch for photos and a video of the event, as well as the sermon delivered by Fr. Jim on the Diocesan website. A link to the photos and video will be posted on the Diocesan Facebook page as well.
Youth News
A Fall Festival for youth will be held November 22nd-24th
at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1510 Ave. X, in Lubbock.
The registration deadline was November 12th, however one may contact Renee Haney for
possible late registration. Her contact information may found on the Fall Youth Festival 2013 link.
Please follow the blue highlighted link below for more information or to download the form.
In the past few weeks, over 50 billboards have gone up in Lubbock with this image. While some have voiced negative opinions, some are praising the billboard's overall message to the masses. After seeing it every day on my drive to work and home, I decided to look further to find out its real intention.
It seems this billboard is making a splash in an even wider area than originally intended. According to ABC News, "The ad, which is the work of the website Jesustattoo.org, popped up along a West Lubbock, Texas, highway, and it's got people talking. It shows a man, ostensibly Jesus Christ, with outstretched arms tattooed with such words as "Outcast," "Addicted, "Jealous." Some find the graphic to be an outrageous and derogatory depiction of Jesus, something he would never have done to his own body. Others, however, see it very differently.
One Lubbock minister, David Wilson, Senior Pastor of Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, is one who sees things differently. According the ABC News article, Pastor Wilson said, "I thought that it was cleverly done because, basically, it's a visual of Jesus taking the sins of people and covering them and taking them from an outcast or something and giving them a new start, which is what the gospel is about." The article goes on to say Pastor Wilson feels there is a valid message in the billboard and the video, which can be found on YouTube.
According to a British news source, Mail Online, Ashleigh Sawyer, the group's spokesman, said: "The message is a simple one, Jesus's love is transformative. He loves us unconditionally and no matter what you've been marked with, faith in Him and love for others will transform us."
In the article with ABC News, Pastor Wilson went on to say, ""You know, I use the analogy - I like to fish, and I use different baits for different fish, and to me this is fishing for people who would never walk in the door of a church."
After watching the video I now feel differently about the billboard. The video dramatically displays the love of Christ and the ability to transform our lives. The video transformed my opinion. Perhaps the billboard IS a way to draw those into church who may have never darkened the doors. Either way, people are talking, which is a first step.
Advent and Christmas with Charles Wesley by Paul Wesley Chilcote
Advent and Christmas meditations based on the hymns of Charles Wesley.
There are many other titles available. Shop today to find the right one for you! And may your Advent be blessed!
Opportunities for Growth
The Embracing Series has done it again:
Another great study, featuring a well-known and insightful leader, on an important topic.
Introducing: NEW! Embracing Spiritual Awakening: Diana Butler Bass on the Dynamics of Experiential Faith
From the publisher of the best-selling series that brought you Marcus Borg, Walter Brueggemann, Kathleen Norris, and others, comes this 5-session study which explores what Christianity may look like "beyond religion and beyond the church." Best-selling author, speaker, scholar, and "cultural observer" Diana Butler Bass leads a fascinating study of how, both culturally and spiritually, we are in the midst of another of history's "great awakenings."
"Diana Butler Bass is one of the finest thinkers and educators I've ever met. She combines the insight of a scholar of religious history with the foresight of a keen social analyst. Groups and individuals who care about the future of their churches will find in Embracing Spiritual Awakening a choice and high-quality resource, not only for individual and group study, but also for creating communities of practice who become the change that is needed in our churches." Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker
Embracing Spiritual Awakening is available through Cokesbury at 800.672.1789, at Cokesbury.com, at Episcopal bookstores, or wherever fine Christian products are sold.
The Episcopal Church Foundation
"When people of such a diverse collection gather around a table to be fed... walls come down."
Heading Out Into Mission
By Bob Leopold crowd sourced with members of Southside, part of the Vestry Papers issue on Answering Jesus' Call (November 2013)
"The Church isn't called to serve the poor. The Church is called to be the poor."
Out is where mission happens at Southside Abbey. A mission of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, we sprung from a felt need articulated by a small group in Chattanooga, who knew we wanted to live into our faith in a different way. Central to our mission is our belief that as Christians we don't go to save people, but rather we go to be saved. As Saint Paul writes in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (II Cor. 8:9).
Early conversations made clear the need to encounter people where they are and do the work of listening, which involves not talking and not trying to solve anything. This is tough for people and takes practice. Most of the time it cannot happen at the place where a worshiping community regularly worships, but must happen in the communities we are called to serve. For Southside Abbey, we found ourselves called to Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood. And, as this video shows, we not only found a place to worship in a community art gallery, we began to gather around a common table, sharing a meal as well as the body and blood of Christ.
To read the full article follow this link to the ECF webpage.
Seminary Updates
Seminary of the Southwest- Austin
Courses Announced for Youth Ministry
and Christian Formation Session
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Next session: January 20 - 24, 2014
Location: Seminary of the Southwest campus, Austin, Texas
Faculty for the January 2014 session will beDr. Scott Bader-Sayewho will teach Money, Boredom and Fear: Moral Formation and Youth Culture andthe Rev. John Lewiswho will teach Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ: New Testament Approaches to Moral Formation in the Modern World.
For more information about the program contact Jean McGraw, Director of the Certificate Program, at 843.442.2692, jean.mcgraw@ssw.edu.
For more news and events from SSW, visit their website at http://www.ssw.edu
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University of the South at Sewanee -
School of Theology
Walk the Cammino di San Francesco
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About the Tour
This walking pilgrimage, led by the Rt. Rev. Neil Alexander and Dr. Stan Beecham, will wind through some of the most beautiful towns and cities from Rome to Assisi, Italy, and combines the challenge of walking all day with the joy of great food, wine, landscapes, and hotels. Most of the time will be spent in Rome and Assisi, as both are very significant cities to Christians and there is much to see and do in both places. The hotels will vary from town to town, each unique and inviting in a different way.
During the 13-day tour, the group will walk almost everywhere. While in Rome and Assisi, particiapnts will average about five-six miles a day. There will be seven days of walking from Rieti to Assisi averaging about 10 miles each day. The terrain is varied from flat to hilly, paved to rocky. Most days involve significant climbs over mountainous areas. Additionally, each participant will carry a 12-pound backpack that will hold all personal items.
(Please note: Regrettably, at the time of publication Theology Monthly had not been released. Please watch for next month's edition in The Newsletter.)
Diocesan Events Calendar
NOVEMBER
19 Institution of the Rev. Les Jackson as Rector, 7:00pm St. John's Episcopal Church, Odessa, TX
22-24 School of Ordained Ministry, HEC, Lubbock, TX
22-24 Fall Youth Gathering, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lubbock, TX
24 Visitation, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Pampa
DECEMBER
5 Fresh Start, 10:30am, HEC, Lubbock, TX
12-13 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Miguel Arcangel, Odessa, TX 14 Executive Council, 10:00am, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Lubbock
15 Visitation, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, San Angelo, TX 17 Ordinations of Claude Betty, Mark Lang, and Charles Smith to the Priesthood, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Pampa, TX 19 Diocesan Offices close at noon 20- Jan 1 Diocesan Offices closed for the holidays 20-22 School of Ordained Ministry, HEC, Lubbock, TX
22 Visitation, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Abilene, TX
(Items in purple indicate Bishop Mayer's presence.)
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