The Episcopal Diocese of Texas


Final Bishop's Town Hall Meeting Online Tonight
at 7 p.m.

 

Bishop Doyle invites you to participate in the final Town Hall meeting tonight, January 21, online at 7 p.m., to help shape the future of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Texas. Registration is available here. Plan to use your smartphone to participate in the poll-texting portion of the event.
 


 

Registration

Registration for Council in February closes at 10 a.m. on January 26, 2015.  If you register late, you will be seated wherever there is space available. 

 

Pre-Council Meetings  

Sunday, January 25, 2015 (online from 3-5 p.m. Click to Register)
Thursday, January 29, 2015 (online from 7-9 p.m. Click to Register)
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 (online from 7-9 p.m. Click to Register)
The live presentation from Christ Church Cathedral on 1/20 was recorded and will be posted here by January 25. For information, visit epicenter.org/council/ 

Please Note!

All necessary documents are available online to download or print. No printed documents will be provided for pre-Council meetings or at Council. Clergy and delegates who require a hard copy of nominees or proposed amendments and changes to the constitution and canons must print them from the website.

Wifi WILL NOT be available in the Council halls but will be available in hotel guest rooms and in the hotel's main lobby.


 

Volunteers for Council

To volunteer at Council at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas, on February 6-7, 2015, click here. You do not have to register or pay as a delegate. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Susan Duif.

 

Banner Procession at Opening Service

All churches may process their banners at the opening service on Friday, February 6.  Banners will remain in place until the close of the business meeting on Saturday, February 7. Each church must provide the name of a representative to carry the banner and bring their the banner and a stand. This information and any questions should be submitted to Alice Kerr at the Diocesan Center by phone at 713.520.6444 or 800.318.4452.

 

Diocesan Council Opening Eucharist Choir

Choir members from across the Diocese are invited to participate at Council's Opening Eucharist choir, February 6, 2015 in The Woodlands.  Those interested will receive a packet in advance. One rehearsal will take place in The Woodlands on the afternoon of the (7:30 p.m.) Friday evening Eucharist. To volunteer, contact Dr. Linda Patterson ([email protected] or 979.836.7248 ext. 13).

Kick Off 2015 by Connecting with us on Facebook

facebook

Make sure to 'Like' the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Facebook page to keep up with what's going on around the Diocese and to learn about great opportunities to join in and serve alongside fellow Episcopalians. You'll also find news stories from the wider Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, that will keep you connected to the broader faith community. You can also connect with us on Twitter here. Share this in your church newsletters, too.

Stop, Pray, Work, Play & Love with Lenten series from SSJE

The Society of St. John the Evangelist's Lenten video series and workbook is now available at ssje.org/time.  The series will ask people to think about how they relate to "time" in their life and begins Ash Wednesday through Palm Sunday. Follow @ssjeTime on Twitter or Instagram to participate and use #SSJETime to share your thoughts to the daily video offerings. 

Annual Ecumenical Prayer Service January 23 in Houston

people praying

Episcopalians are invited to pray together at the Greater Houston Christian Unity Ecumenical Prayer Service on January 23 at Lakewood Church. Bishop Jeff Fisher and Houston denominational leaders will join for an evening of music, worship and prayer at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Vestry Basics 101 Class in Houston Area on January 31

seal

Vestry Basics 101: Orientation for new vestry members will take place January 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Calvary, Richmond (806 Thompson Rd., Richmond, TX US 77469) and is designed to orient new vestry and bishop's committees. Workshops on leadership, roles & responsibilities, governance, finance, administration and stewardship in the unique context of vestries will be featured and taught by Mary MacGregor, Canon for Leadership and Evangelism; Bob Schorr, Manager of Church Plants and Strategic Development (and recovering Junior Warden); Sam Dodson, financial strategist, former member of the Executive Board and member of St. James', Houston; and, Dave Bollinger, retired energy executive, congregational coach, former member of the Executive Board and Business Manager and member of Good Shepherd, Tomball. The cost is $20 per person for both lay and clergy. This includes continental breakfast, lunch, beverages, any resources and printed materials. More information on Vestry Basics 101 can be found here .

Diocesan Youth Choral Festival on January 31

The Diocesan Music Commission invites youth in grades 3 and up to participate in the 11th Annual Diocesan Youth Choral Festival at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston on Saturday, January 31. Combined choirs will gather to sing anthems, hymns and canticles in a fun, inspiring environment. Kristin Lensch of Calvary Episcopal, Memphis will be the featured conductor, leading the day's rehearsals and the closing service. Our special guests will be choristers from Calvary, Memphis. The closing service at 2 p.m. is open to the public. For more information, contact Steve Godowns, registrar.

EFM Mentor Training at Camp Allen, February 20-22

Registration for the February 20-22, Education For Ministry Mentor training event is now open. The training will be at Camp Allen with a cost of $300, which includes lodging and meals. The topic for the training will be Living With Conflict and will focus on enhancing the mentor's ability to be a point of God's loving presence in the midst of conflict. Registration information can be found here
Save the Date: Planning for Tomorrow Conference in March

The Planning for Tomorrow Conference for lay employees is coming to St Martin's, Houston on March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or March 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. No matter how near or far you are from retirement, it's a unique chance for you to learn how to manage your finances, plan for your future and improve your overall financial wellness. Registration information will come soon. To learn more now, visit www.cpg.org/laypft or contact Martha Gardner at 212.592.6290.

ECW's Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Fund

The Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Fund was started in 1972 by the ECW Board of the Diocese of Texas with a gift from Vera Gang Scott. The scholarship eligibility requirements are; 1) A female communicant in good standing, 2) Acceptance or enrollment in a academic institution of college rank, 3) Pursuing professional certification or a degree from an accredited institution, and 4) Ability to show real financial need. 

All applications for 2015 scholarship awards must be received via email by March 31, 2015. For more information about the Vera gang Scott Scholarship fund, click here or contact Debbie Johnson, ECW Vera Gang Scott Scholarship Chair.

More Upcoming Events

January 23-25 - Trinity Jazz Festival

January 30 - Chamber Music Concert by Haus Musik at St. Thomas', Houston

January 30-31 - Lay Chaplaincy Training at Trinity, Houston

January 30-February 1 - College Retreat
 

Click here for calendar 

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