The Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Animals Take Center Stage
on St. Francis Day
 
All around the Diocese, churches celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis with Blessing of the Animals events this past weekend. From a bearded dragon in Tomball to police horses in Houston, parishes reached out to their communities in unique and interesting ways through pet blessings. Click here to read more and see pictures of St. Francis Day.

News Headlines 

Bishop Sauls Announces Two Senior Appointments to Presiding Bishop-Elect's Staff

St. Stephen's School in Austin Names New Head of School For 2016-2017

Anglicanos coreanos celebran 125 a�os de misi�n y ministerio

St. Martin's Hosts Points of Light Interfaith Prayer Service

EHF Announces 24 New Grant Partners Join Mission to Transform Community Health

Remembering Phyllis Tickle

Why the Archbishop of Canterbury Invites Young Christians to Spend a Year in God's Time
Changes in Discernment Process Announced

To sustain the Diocese of Texas' focus on mission, a task force of the Commission on Ministry has designed processes to support mission efforts across the Diocese. Two new features now mark diocesan discernment work: Discovery Retreats and Regional Discernment Committees. The first Discovery Retreat will be offered January 15-17, 2016. Read more about the new process here
Higher Number Receiving Health Insurance, Says Report 

A larger percentage of Texas workers are getting health insurance through their employers now than before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a new report released by the Episcopal Health Foundation and Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. To read more about the new report, click here.

David Zahl To Speak At St. Martin's, Houston on October 21

St. Martin's, Houston will host a 20's & 30's dinner at the Island featuring speaker David Zahl at 7 p.m. on October 21. Zahl, the director of Mockingbird Ministries and editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird blog, will speak on "Linked In (to the Gospel): Grace, Faith and Career." For more information, click here.


Are You On The Episcopal Asset Map Yet?

The September 30th deadline is approaching! Have you started your entry on The Episcopal Asset Map? Please help The Episcopal Health Foundation by submitting all the different types of health ministries and outreach programs your church has to offer to the community. Find out how to start your Asset Map here: http://bit.ly/1ividDg. For help, contact Paulette Martin.

Women's Retreat to Focus on Neighbor, Outreach, Fellowship

Irit Umani, executive director of Trinity Center, a homeless ministry of St. David's, Austin, will be one of the featured speakers at this year's annual Episcopal Church Women's retreat at Camp Allen, November 20-22. Donna Emery, development director of Mobile Loaves and Fishes and The Community First Project, Austin, will also keynote at the 114th annual event. For more information on the Annual Retreat, click here
Guns and Church: Approved Signs

Starting January 1, 2016, new laws in Texas will allow openly carried firearms and concealed weapons in houses of worship. For faith communities wishing to regulate firearms in their buildings, Texas Impact has signs approved to meet the legal specifications of the new law, which must be placed at all entrances of buildings on a congregation's campus. To purchase signs, click here.

On Saturday, October 17, Texas Impact will host a "New Texas Gun Laws and Religious Properties" event in Austin to help people learn about the new gun laws and regulations and how they will impact faith communities in Texas. For more information on the event, click here.
EDOT Seeks New Chief Financial Officer

The Episcopal Diocese of Texas (EDOT) is actively seeking to recruit its next Chief Financial Officer.  The position will report directly to the Bishop of the Diocese of Texas and will provide executive oversight and stewardship of the financial resources of the Diocese. Responsibilities include accounting, treasury and oversight for the investment portfolio. In addition, the CFO will serve as an integral member of the Episcopal Health Foundation executive team. Interested parties should contact Doug Orr at [email protected]. Deadline for applications is October 12.
Info on Open Enrollment for Benefits

The annual Open Enrollment period for Medical and Dental benefits will be from Wednesday October 4, 2015 to Friday, November 6, 2015. There will be an Open Enrollment meeting held in the Diocesan board room on Wednesday October 14, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. We will also be conducting a simultaneous webinar for those unable to attend. Instructions for attending the webinar are located on our Diocesan Benefits webpage, http://www.epicenter.org/diocesan-benefits/. For more information, please contact Cornelio Adams Jr. at [email protected].
Council Information and Deadlines

Council 2016 deadlines for resolutions, nominations and constitution and canonical changes/amendments are coming soon. Forms for nominations can be found at epicenter.org/council

Resolutions, Nov. 15 
Chair: The Rev. Susan Kennard [email protected]

Nominations, November  10, 2015 
Chair: The Rev. Bertie Pearson [email protected]

Constitution and Canon Changes/Amendments  Deadline, November 15 
Chair: Maria Boyce [email protected]

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

Emmanuel, Houston seeks a part-time bookkeeper. This person would need to work 15-18 hours per week and occasionally some evenings to attend Vestry and/or Finance Committee meetings. To apply, email cover letter and resume to the Rev. Christy Shain-Hendricks at [email protected]. Position will remain open until filled. A detailed job description can be found here

St. Andrew's, Houston, seeks a youth minister with a track record of building a strong and vibrant youth community. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to think and teach theologically and spiritually with the unique ability to relate well to youth. The youth minister will maintain supportive and mature communication with parents or adult guardians as well, be an energetic and dependable youth minister with long-term interests in the congregation's life and development. A full job description is available here

More Upcoming Events