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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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| | APRIL STORM by Shawnna Grigg of Lubbock |
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.
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 Noteworthy News from Northwest Texas |
 A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
In a letter to the diocese dated April 10, 2015, Bishop Scott Mayer announced his candidacy for the position of Provisional Bishop in the Diocese of Ft. Worth. He will be the only bishop on the ballot, upon which the diocese will vote in May. As his letter stated, "If elected at their convention on May 16, I will serve as their Provisional Bishop until they are in position to call a full-time bishop.
I want to be very clear that I will continue to serve as the Bishop of Northwest Texas."
Bishop Mayer's letter may be viewed in full by following THIS LINK.
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Lots Going On at San Miguel ArcangelThe Bishop's official visit is the typical time for confirmations to occur in many parishes of the diocese. It was no different at San Miguel Arcangel in Odessa last month. The Rev. Alberto Moreno, vicar of San Miguel, has led their parish to new growth, as displayed at Bishop's Mayer's visit this spring on March 22nd. A total of 20 members of the mission were confirmed that day.
The Bishop's Visit March 22, 2015 (Bishop Mayer - center, Fr. Alberto - kneeling)
On any given Sunday visitors will find a jubilant group worshiping at San Miguel, our Hispanic mission in Northwest Texas. The service and hymns are in Spanish as the vast majority of the congregation are Spanish-speaking. Fr. Alberto serves as their charming and much beloved priest. If you're ever in Odessa, please drop by for a visit! You won't be sorry!
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Spotlight on Our Seminarians
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Our diocesan seminarians, from left, Christian Rabone, and Deacon Claire Cowden, middle, served at the altar with the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Dean and President of Seminary of the Southwest, for this season's Easter Vigil. Both were thrilled at the opportunity to serve with their Dean. Deacon Claire will graduate from seminary in May, having been ordained to the transitional diaconate last fall. Christian, a "middler," will continue on to his final year in seminary next fall.
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Youth News
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Exciting plans for summer camp
are in the works!
Get your registration forms in NOW!
We will journey to Cathedral Ridge in Colorado for Camp Quarterman,
and Camp Quarterman Jr. will be held at Ceta Glen (near Happy Texas).
Please note that there are some changes in the registration process for this summer.
Contact Renee Haney at 806-445-3667
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Women's Retreat Opportunity
|  Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Midland invites you to The Ennegram and Spiritual Growth 2015 Women's Retreat Friday-Sunday, October 30-November 1
Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo
The goal of our spiritual journey is the returning to the true self that God created us to be. Recognizing when our own ego gets in the way of our God-created true self can give wings to our journey, and brings great insight and compassion into our lives and the lives of those we love. Part of this growth requires that we find balance in our lives. We will discover various practices we can add to our lives to fill in some missing pieces. Doing so, we may truly grow into the person God made us to be, so God's love and care can flow freely through us to the world. Led by Kathleen Pittman  Kathleen comes from Roswell, New Mexico and has been leading retreats for the last 15 years. She lived in Alabama for 40 years, has been an Episcopalian 35 years, taught K-12 for 14 years and has been in higher education for the past 23 years. She currently teaches in Roswell for Eastern New Mexico University-Portales teaching undergraduate Elementary/Special Education Literacy and Social Studies methods, graduate reading, research, and curriculum courses. In the Diocese of the Rio Grande she serves as EFM Coordinator and is on the Standing Committee and Trustees of the Property. She is a member of St. Andrew's where she is an LEM, EFM mentor and DOK. For more information, or to download the registration form, follow THIS LINK. |
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A Humorous Thought
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Easter Morning in a "Techie" World
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Episcopal Church Foundation
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 Don't miss out! ECF has some great webinars coming up. There is no cost to participate in the webinars, and all lay and clergy leaders are welcome.
Topics include: capital campaigns, leadership, endowments, strategic planning, stewardship, and planned giving.
Click on the links below to register, or click here to see a complete list of upcoming webinars. ECF hopes these webinars will engage and empower Episcopal leaders throughout the Church to transform their faith communities and respond to God's call.
April
May
June
Want to see what they've got down the road? See the calendar of events. Don't forget to check back every now and then to see what's newly added!
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Conference Opportunity
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The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
May, 2015 Conference
Creating a Culture of Generosity
 The 2015 Conference at the beautiful Camp Allen in Texas promises to help clergy and laity move their congregations into living lives of gratitude and generosity. The Keynote Speaker, the Very Reverend Gary Hall, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral, is a thoughtful and gifted speaker. He has led congregations from the West to the East. He also served as President and Dean of Seabury Theological Seminary. Gary will deliver two keynote addresses that will inspire and challenge us.
This year, we are offering 9 important and helpful workshops, twice, so that you will be able make multiple choices without missing a workshop you really want to attend.
On Saturday, you will be able to meet with others who share your responsibilities, challenges, or questions to learn from one another. Sharing and listening will strengthen all of our work as we strive to help people live generously.
The conference will start on Friday, May 29, with a Eucharist in the morning with the Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, preaching.
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Health Notes
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Keeping a Heathy Brain 
In a recent article from Dr. Ann Kulze, renowned physician, best-selling author, and motivational speaker, several foods were highlighted as foods that naturally prevent the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Ann calls these foods the MIND diet.
In her most recent e-newsletter, Dr. Ann stated, "Brain health and diet are clearly linked. Here are the dietary hallmarks of the MIND diet, which has been touted for its anti-Alzheimer's prowess.
- An abundance of vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens with a salad daily
- Nuts at least 5 days a week
- Berries as the dominant fruit
- Beans at least 3 times a week
- Whole grains, 3 servings a day
- Fish, at least once a week
- Poultry twice a week
- Olive oil as the primary fat
- 1 glass of red wine a day
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Seminary Updates
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 Save the Dates
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preaching, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Southwest at General Convention - June 23 - July 3, Salt Lake City, Utah
Seminary of the Southwest will host an exhibit during General Convention 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a reception for alumni and friends of the seminary on June 30 at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center.
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| Click the graphic to view Ratherview online
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Nuevos Horizontes Conference - August 10 - 12, 2015
This Conference is designed for clergy and lay leaders facing fast-paced changes taking place in Latino/Hispanic ministry, including those seeking competency in a re-energized Latino ministry that now must include the multiple generations of American born Latinos. Keynote speakers will be the Rev. Elizabeth Tamez, founder and Executive Director of Nueva Generación 3 and consultant on developing young Latino church leaders and Dr. Ruben Saenz, Director of Connectional Ministries, Methodist Southwest
University of the South at Sewanee - School of Theology Save the Date for the 2015 DuBose Lectures Mark your calendars for this year's DuBose Lectures - Sept. 23 and 24. Guest lecturer Sarah Coakley, the Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity, will give three lectures under the theme "Return to Sacrifice? Reconsidering Sacrifice in Systematic Perspective." Lecture 1: Return to Sacrifice? Biblical and Historical Mandates for a Messy Metaphor. Lecture 2: Repressing Sacrifice? Freudian and Feminist Critiques in a Modern Era. Lecture 3: Rescuing Sacrifice? The Irreducible Significance of Sacrifice in a Théologie Totale.
Please click the graphic below to view this month's edition of Theology Monthly:
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Diocesan Events Calendar
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APRIL
17-19 Primary Youth Retreat, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Lubbock (see article) 18 Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Mark Lang, 10:00am, St. Matthews', Pampa
19 Visitation, St. Peter's, Amarillo
20-23 Presbyter's Conference, Christ the King Retreat Center, San Angelo26 Visitation, Good Shepherd, BrownfieldMAY
1-3 Province VII Synod, Kansas City, MO
1-3 School of Ministry, HEC, Lubbock
8 Commission on Ministry, 10:00am, HEC, Lubbock
10 MOTHER'S DAY
10 Visitation, Heavenly Rest, Abilene11-13 SSW Trustees and Commencement
17 Visitation, St. George's, Canyon
(Items in purple indicate Bishop Mayer's presence.)
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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
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