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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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| May Storm Taken near Big Spring |
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
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TRANSITION
On Sunday, March 15, the Bishop's Committee of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Sweetwater, voted to call the Reverend Jared Houze as their next vicar. On Tuesday, March 17, the Bishop's Committee of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Colorado City, also voted to call Fr. Houze. He will serve both parishes. The former vicar, the Rev. Dennis Bosley, also served both parishes during his ministry.
Fr. Jared has been serving as Curate for Emmanuel Episcopal Church, San Angelo, a position he assumed after acquiring his Master of Divinity in May of 2013 from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin. In addition to the Master of Divinity, Fr. Jared holds a Master of Arts in Family Psychology and a Bachelor of Behavioral Science, History, and Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. He ministered in several capacities in Abilene: Associate Psychologist at Abilene State Supported Living Center, Director of Christian Education at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, and Director of Re.generation for Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Fr. Jared led college and young adult ministry and worship and music ministry at New Haven Community Church, interned as therapist for the Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, and served as a group therapist for the Batterer's Intervention Prevention Program at First Baptist Church.
Fr. Jared is married to Ericka, who holds a Master of Arts degree in Education and certification in Gifted Education. Together they have three children: Simon, age 6; Jude, age 3; and Elizabeth (Libby), age 2.
Fr. Jared will begin his ministry on September 1st. Congratulations to Fr. Jared on his new call!
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Bishop Mayer Installed as Provisional Bishop of Ft. Worth
On Saturday, May 16, in a special called meeting of their Convention, the Diocese of Ft. Worth elected Bishop Mayer as the next Provisional Bishop. He will replace the Rt. Rev. Rayford High, Jr., who will officially retire as of July 1, 2015. Bishop Mayer will work with the deputations from both dioceses during General Convention 2015, to be held in Salt Lake City, UT. After General Convention Bishop Mayer will divide his time between the two dioceses.
A "meet and greet reception" was held on Friday evening at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Ft. Worth. The Eucharist and meeting were held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ft. Worth on Saturday, followed by a luncheon reception. Friends from the Diocese of Northwest Texas, as well as Bishop Mayer's family, were present in support of Bishop Mayer. He was very warmly received at the joyous event.
This new position in no way signals the merging of the two dioceses. They will remain separate, connected only through the sharing of a common bishop. It is hoped that Bishop Mayer may continue as their Provisional Bishop for years to come.
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Spotlight on Our Seminarians
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As stated in an article on the St. Andrew's website, Claire has a Master of Arts in Religion from the Seminary of the Southwest, Austin. In addition, she has been in the process of obtaining from the Seminary a two-year diploma in Anglican Studies. She graduated this month. Claire also served for a number of years as the Canon for Congregational Development here in the Diocese of Northwest Texas. Claire was ordained to the Transitional diaconate on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lubbock, her home parish. She will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Andrew's on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 AM. Bishop Mayer will be the celebrant, and the Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson, Professor of New Testament at the Seminary of the Southwest, will be the preacher. Friends at St. Andrew's and on the Bishop's staff, as well as many others in our diocese, are thrilled to have Claire back in the diocese with us again.
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Youth News
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE!
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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Annual Women's Retreat
| 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. |
A Humorous Thought
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In honor of the current search processes...
By the Rev. Jay Sidebotham
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Episcopal Church Foundation
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Preparing for Lay Only Leadership
Parishes are closing all over the country. As communities of faith dwindle in size and enthusiasm, the money may no longer be there
to pay a clergy person or support the building.
But, does a lack of money have to mean closing the church?
The experience of two small Michigan churches suggests it doesn't. Michigan has a struggling economy and many areas that have no influx of population (and often a dwindling one). However, there are people who still live, work, and thrive in areas across the state. They are passionate about their faith and their churches. They have a community of believers who meet weekly for worship and gather throughout the week for fellowship and study.
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Conference Opportunity - LAST CHANCE to register!
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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
| May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
Living in the Diocese of Northwest Texas has many benefits such as the climate, the large number of sunny days per year, the mild winters (for some), and the variety of habitats within the area. Of course, if you live in this area no doubt you have experienced allergies of some sort. From the rangeland and farm land in the northern Panhandle, to the agricultural area of the southern Panhandle, to the semi-arid landscape in the Permian Basin, and the open countryside in the Rolling Plains/Big Country, allergens vary from weed, grass and tree pollen, to molds and fungus, depending on the location and the season.
Some only suffer with allergies during the spring or summer when pollen counts are high for weeds, grass, and trees, but did you know many also suffer with wintertime allergies? Common allergens during the winter months are molds, fungus, and tree pollen from cedars and junipers that blow in from the mountains of New Mexico, Colorado, and from the Hill Country. The worst time for cedar allergies peaks around December, when many suffer with Cedar Fever - the burning eyes, the red, runny nose, the itchy ears, and the sneezing that occurs up to 200-300 times per day. Sounds miserable!
What, exactly, are allergies, and what causes our body to react so severely?
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Seminary Updates
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Registration extended until Thursday, June 4 for 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 next session on June 15 - 19, 2015:
Reflective Practice for Professional Development
The Rev. Kathleen S. Russell, D.Min.
Our experiences in ministry have a great deal to teach us, if we slow down and listen to what they have to tell us-about the work we are doing, how we relate to others and the values and commitments that inform our practices. These sessions offer participants time and space for reflection upon their ministry, as practice and as vocation, using a model that engages creativity and imagination rather than analysis and critique.
Take, Bless, Break, Share: Youth ministry as creedal, sacramental, missional and evangelical imperative
The Rev. Matthew Marino
Explore the scriptural, theological and practical underpinnings of our ancient faith to help usher in God's Kingdom with a new generation.
Please click HERE for program details.
Please click this link to register by June 4.
University of the South at Sewanee - School of Theology The School of Theology was honored to be named to the 2015 list of Seminaries that Change the World. Twenty-seven institutions were named by the Center for Faith and Service, based out of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill., to this year's class, two of which are Episcopal seminaries. The School of Theology was selected for having demonstrated "great innovation in theological education, integrated with classical approaches for learning, even as they navigate negative stereotypes about organized religion and work to expand narrow definitions of traditional ministry." Read the full story.
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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MAY
24 PENTECOST 24 Visitation, St. George's Episcopal Church, Canyon25 Memorial Day- HEC CLOSED
28 DNWT Trustees, 10:00am, HEC, Lubbock 29 General Convention Deputies Mtg, HEC, Lubbock 31 Visitation, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Amarillo
JUNE6 Standing Committee, HEC, Lubbock 7 Visitation, Grace Episcopal Church, Vernon12 Commission on Ministry, 10am, HEC, Lubbock 13 Ordination of Claire Cowden to the Sacred Order of Priests, 10:30am, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Amarillo 14 Visitation, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Borger 25-July 3 General Convention, Salt Lake City, UT
(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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