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!
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.
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Please spread the word! Some of our best recommendations come from diocesan friends. Send all names, with contact information, to the Diocesan Transition Minister, Canon Mike Ehmer, in the Bishop's Office. You may email Canon Ehmer by clicking on the blue, highlighted link, or by phone at (806) 763-1370, ext. 3. Thank you.
Good luck to all three congregations. May God be with you in this important next step of the search process.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose an ordained leader for their congregation, that they may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip them for their ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(BCP p. 818)
Holiday Happenings
Heavenly Holidays
at
St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church
4000 W. Loop 250 N.
Midland, Tx.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
9:00am - 3:00pm
Admission is Free
Join us for Handcrafts, bake sale, opportunity drawings and silent auctions, vendors and much more. Profits will benefit charities including Jubilee Center, Safe Place, Fair Haven, Hospice of Midland, and Haiti Mission to Children.
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ALL SAINTS SCHOOL International Market Place
Featuring 100% Fair Trade products
All Saints' Juniors are sponsoring a Fair Trade sale in
Kirby Commons at All Saints School.
All proceeds from the sale will return to the groups who supplied the goods. Each group supports fair trade in developing nations, manages microfinance for small businesses, and encourages community development in education, public health, and women's rights.
Forma Conference 2015 is being held January 28-30 in Houston this year. There is also a pre-conference day planned for January 27th at Camp Allen. This conference brings Episcopal Christian educators (paid and volunteer, clergy and lay) together for programs, networking, workshops, conversations and fun!
The theme for the conference is "The Art of Forming Faithful People!" Please check out the Forma website to read more - episcoforma.org.
This year, each diocese in Province VII has received three $100 scholarships to help pay for the cost of registration. If you are interested in attending, please let me know ASAP (scholarships will be issued by date of request). Please DON'T send in your registration until you are contacted by me regarding the scholarship.
Whether you are able to attend or not, I encourage every Christian Formation Leader to join Forma. There is a wealth of knowledge out there that others are willing to share! It is worth it. You can find out more information on the website atepiscoforma.org.
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Mission Blast 2014 - Mission Debrief
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lubbock, was the launch pad for Mission Blast 2014. The weekend retreat was held November 7-9 for high school-aged youth. Twenty-seven youth and seven adult sponsors gathered for a weekend of service to others, based on the Scriptural passage, "When you do it for one of the least of my brothers or sisters, you're doing it for me" Matthew 25:40.
Saturday morning we drove to South Plains Food Bank where we sorted cans, made boxes for Christmas food, and bagged cereal. Saturday afternoon one-third of the group prepared and cooked a meal for hungry guests at St. Benedict's Chapel. Another one-third actually served the dinner for the guests.
Many in our world eat each day for less than one dollar. In America we generally take food for granted and don't worry about how much it costs. The other one-third of our youth put together a menu, went to the store, purchased the food, and cooked dinner for all thirty-four in our group, all for $1.00 per person.
Upon returning to St. Paul's on Saturday afternoon, we worshiped together with Father Matt Rowe, rector of Emmanuel, San Angelo, who celebrated and preached. Fr. Matt was one of the fearless sponsors at the weekend retreat. Saturday evening parishioners from St. Paul's opened their homes for our youth so they could shower, after which we played endless games of "Kidnap" and slept (well, sleep was on the schedule).
Sunday morning we attended worship together at St. Paul's, ate lunch together, and prepared to leave for home. This retreat had many new and many familiar faces. We were joined by youth in Abilene, who are part of a refugee church connected with Church of the Heavenly Rest. We came together, many as strangers, with a language barrier separating us, and headed home as friends, sharing God's unconditional love.
Parish Spotlight
Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin
13th Annual St. Andrew's Day Festival
Sunday, November 16th, 2014
7:00pm
1001 S. Goliad
Big Spring, TX.
Officiant: The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer
Please join us for this celebratory service featuring instrumental and choral music of England, Scotland and Wales; the presentation of the flags, and the singing of traditional patriotic songs.
A gala reception featuring traditional Scottish fare follows the service in the courtyard.
No admission charge.
A Humorous Thought
by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham
Upcoming Conference
Certificate Program for Youth Ministers and Christian Educators
If you are a practitioner in the field of Christian formation--youth minister or Christian educator--the Certificate Program in Christian Formation at Seminary of the Southwest is for you.
Two courses will be included in the five-day session in January 2015:
The Rev. Mary Earle, author, teacher and popular retreat leader will teach Marvelously Made: Reflecting on God's Good Gift of the Body.
The Rev. Jane Patterson, PhD, who teaches New Testament at Southwest and is co-director of The Workshop, San Antonio will teach Callings using "resources of the New Testament and a lifespan approach to reflect upon the various ways in which God calls people to fullness of life from childhood through old age."
This program is for you. It is designed to empower you to be a more able minister through strengthening your ability to speak the language of the Christian community in effective and creative ways.
When: Monday January 19, 2015 at 1:00 PM CST -to- Friday January 23, 2015 at 1:00 PM CST
The change in seasons always comes as a bit of a surprise. I know it happens every year, but having lived in Texas for so long where fall isn't all that different from summer, I never really expect the weather to actually change. But then it does.
"Leadership is for a season," I heard a priest say recently. I've been thinking about this topic since I decided to step off my church's leadership team. I enjoyed being part of it for two years, but now I want to focus on other things. I'm feeling a little over-churched (having a job in the church, too).
At various times I have been under the illusion that something that works should work forever. I'm always surprised when a to-do app that was really helpful suddenly ceases to meet my needs, or something I used to enjoy becomes a chore.
This shouldn't be surprising. As the seasons of life change--you get a new job, you get married, you simply get older--some of the things that once worked don't seem to work anymore.
Let's face it - many people use the traditional Thanksgiving feast as a kick-off to a holiday eating frenzy that lasts through New Year - tipping the scales more in the direction of overweight and obesity. The good news is that the "holiday 10" is an urban myth. In reality, most Americans actually gain around a pound. The bad news is that studies show the weight gained over the winter holiday isn't lost during the rest of the year. Overtime, this yearly pound creep can have a devastating impact on your health, as weight gain can increase your risk of a number of chronic diseases including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Keep in mind that it's much easier to prevent weight gain than to get the pounds off after the fact. Here is my best advice for enjoying the holidays without wrecking your waistline and your health.
The Seminary of the Southwest has a wonderful new video on their website concerning Spiritual Formation while studying at the seminary. You may even recognize some familiar faces!
To view the video, containing some of our recent diocesan graduates, follow the link below.
Spiritual formation at Seminary of the Southwest
University of the South at Sewanee - School of Theology
Visit Sewanee for Come & See 2015
If you know of someone in the discernment process as a postulant or exploring their faith and ministry as a lay leader, a visit to The School of Theology at the University of the South is the best way to experience Episcopal seminary education. Student - organized and student - led, Come & See 2015 will introduce them to community life and theological formation in one of the most beautiful settings in the nation. Once on the Mountain for Come & See, their expenses-food and campus lodging-are covered by The School of Theology.
A Year's Journey
For more news and information from Sewanee visit the Seminary website.
Please click the graphic below to view this month's edition of Theology Monthly:
Diocesan Events Calendar
NOVEMBER
16 Visitation, St. Christopher's, Lubbock
16 St. Christopher's 60th Anniversary 16 St. Mary's, Big Spring, St. Andrew's Day Festival, 7:00pm 17-19 Province VII Bishops and Spouses Conference
21 Standing Committee, HEC, 10:30am 22-23 Youth Fall Festival at St. Paul's, Lubbock
23 Visitation, St. John's, Odessa
27 Thanksgiving Day- HEC CLOSED
DECEMBER
5-7 School of Ministry, HEC, Lubbock 7 Visitation, St. Nicholas', Midland
8-10 Bishop Mayer to Toronto, Canada - mentoring new bishop
13 DOK Quiet Day, HEC, Lubbock (please watch for more information)
13 Ordination of Claire Cowden to the Diaconate, St. Stephen's, Lubbock, 10:00am
14 Visitation, St. James', Dalhart 21 Visitation, Emmanuel, San Angelo
24 Christmas Holiday - HEC Closed until January 5th, 2015
(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
Featuring 100% Fair Trade products 
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lubbock, was the launch pad for Mission Blast 2014. The weekend retreat was held November 7-9 for high school-aged youth. Twenty-seven youth and seven adult sponsors gathered for a weekend of service to others, based on the Scriptural passage, "When you do it for one of the least of my brothers or sisters, you're doing it for me" Matthew 25:40.
