The Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Eagle Scout Candidate Builds Prayer Garden in Port Neches
 
Aaron Porter, 17, began his scouting career in 2004 when he was in the first grade. With his Eagle Scout rank, the pinnacle of scouting awards, in sight, Porter was required to plan, develop and give leadership to a service project for a religious organization, school or community. In consultation with his rector, the Rev. Cliff Rucker of Holy Trinity, Port Neches, Porter completed a plan for a prayer garden on the church campus, open to the entire community. Read the full story here.

News Headlines 

Clergy Finds Fulfillment in Police Chaplain Role

Beaumont Youth Sharpen Reading Skills

Urban Mission Experience Gathers 4th-6th Graders for Service, Fellowship

Brothers Back Restorative Justice

Special Key Unlocks Effort to Improve Lives in Liberty County
St. George's, Austin Provides Care Through Comfort Bags

Comfort bags are providing more than a few necessities for women in the Austin area who have suffered sexual violence. St. George's, Austin, began sewing and filling the bags with toiletries given by nurse advocates who accompany victims to the hospital for medical examinations following a sexual assault. Read more about this outreach effort here.

Missional Communities with Bishop Doyle, August 22

A one-day workshop in Houston on missional communities August 22 at Ascension Church, Houston. Bishop Doyle will present his vision, in addition to informative videos, group discussions and presentations from those engaged in a diversity of missional communities in the Diocese.  Plan now to bring a group from your church to be inspired and informed about starting a missional community from your congregation. $20 per person at the door includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. August 22, 2015, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (8:30 a.m. continental breakfast) Ascension Episcopal Church, 2525 Seagler Road, HoustonPlease register in advance. Email Julie Heath or call 713.252.2125.

Mission Trip Benefits Lakota and Team Members

Members of St. Dunstan's mission team traveled to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota this summer to renew friendships, worship with and serve the local Lakota people. "Tribal members struggle with poverty, alcoholism, diabetes, lack of education, poor medical care, inadequate housing, and most strikingly, the difficulty of living in two worlds--Indian and non-Indian," said Debbie Johnson. Read more here.
New Seminary Fellows Program Named for Bishop Harrison

Seminary of the Southwest announced that it will name a new fellows program in honor of the Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Texas, Seminary alumna and chair of the Seminary board. The fellows program was made possible with a significant gift to the Seminary from Episcopal Health Foundation in an innovative partnership that will support training of graduates of the Seminary's counseling program to help meet the mental health needs of disadvantaged counties in East Texas.
Read more about the new fellows program here.

2015 Blandy Lectures at SSW To Feature Bishop Knisely

Seminary of the Southwest and the Southwest Alumni Association are honored to welcome the Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, bishop of Rhode Island, as the 2015 Blandy Lecturer, September 29-30. Named for the first dean of SSW, the Very Rev. Gray Blandy, the annual lectures are held over the course of two days on the seminary campus in the fall of each year. Find out more about the Blandy Lectures and Bishop Knisely here
New Reporting Requirements Under the ACA

Please read this announcement from Episcopal Medical Trust regarding the new reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act for large employers. You will be responsible for filing the Employer Mandate tax forms (Forms 1094-C and 1095-C) in early 2016. The IRS tax forms (Forms 1094-B/1095-B) required for the individual mandate must be provided to employees covered by a healthcare plan for both large and small employers. 
Employment Opportunities
 
Consider publishing these opportunities in your church newsletter or sharing with people who may be interested. A full list of available positions can be found at epicenter.org/employment

St. Richard's, Round Rock, seeks a family minister who is a high energy, self-motivated, humble and steady lay minister. The successful candidate must be firmly grounded in the spiritual heritage of and a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church and "ridiculously obsessed" about using every avenue, app and amount of time to connect and support ministry with next generations and their parents in Round Rock. Contact the rector, the Rev. Stuart Shelby at [email protected]. A detailed job description can be found here

St. Paul's, Waco seeks a full-time youth director that would be responsible for oversight of the Church's ministry to youth from 7th to 12th grade. Job duties include planning and implementation of Sunday christian formation, planning and implementation of summer mission trip and Sunday and Wednesday evening EYC. A detailed job description can be found here. For more information, contact the Rev. Chuck Treadwell . A detailed job description can be found here

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