Posts from 2013 (Page 13)

Posts from 2013 (Page 13)

ECF webinars support congregational leaders

Looking for ways to grow your congregation and increase your skills for leadership? Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) offers free and low-cost webinars that offer an opportunity to learn from other leaders in the church. In April and May, you can register for outstanding sessions that focus on stewardship, vestries, and inviting new people into leadership. To participate, all you need is a computer and internet access, and about an hour of your time. Better yet, invite your vestry or ministry colleagues to join you to share the learning experience.

Websites / pages you’ll want to see

Englewood Review of Books – a weekly book review published by Englewood Christian Church, Indianapolis, focusing on valuable resources for the people of God. Growing Deeper in Our Communities – 50 Ideas for Connection in a Disconnected Age by C. Christopher Smith – Practical ideas for connecting your congregation to the community where it is rooted.

Jesus didn’t live to make us comfortable

No matter how hard we try, we cannot make God respect our boundaries. God keeps plowing right through them inviting us to follow. The problem is not that we’re loved any less because God loves “those people.” The problem is that the people we can’t stand are loved just as much as we are.

New treasurer’s assistant in diocesan office

Adriana Cline is the new treasurer’s assistant for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. She is originally from Colombia, where she attended the National University and earned a degree in Computer Science. She has experience in IT and bookkeeping, and speaks both English and Spanish.

Lenten Reflection: Emptiness

Love the emptiness. If you do not have space in your soul – if you keep yourself filled on food or constant activity or ever-new ideas– your desire will be blunted or even perverted. We have been created with the gift of desire, to long for, to anticipate. – Br. Curtis Almquist Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/g4cwj-BZgS0 Question for Reflection: Where might life be waiting to…

Lenten Reflection: Suffering

It was not because Jesus was oblivious to pain that enabled him to undergo such cruelty. It was because he knew the depth of human grief and loss and despair. And he knew that, because he loved. – Br. James Koester Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/yekhlcwk4S4 Question for Reflection: Will you ask God to transform your suffering into greater love? Comments: We welcome your comments on…

Lenten Reflection: Revelation

Take up these symbols of the new life: towel and basin and water. Let them be for you a sign of your love for him and your gratitude for all that he has done for you. Let them be for you a pledge of your commitment to serve – not out of duty, but out of love; not to obtain a reward, but to imitate the One who freely and willingly laid down his life for you. Let them be…
Bishop High to Executive Council form his smartphone.

Executive Council meeting highlights, March 2013

The Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth voted to adopt a revised Vision/Mission Statement and make adjustments to the diocesan budget at their meeting on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in the Lee Conference Center on the courthouse square in Hamilton.

ECW supports CASA, asks for your help

Last fall the Board of Episcopal Church Women selected the Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA) as the main charity for our organization. CASA volunteers investigate a child’s situation in foster care, monitor their home and school life while in the child welfare system, and, ultimately, recommend to the courts which placement is best for a child to call a “forever home.” They serve as advocates, friends, and protectors.

Lenten Reflection: Paradox

There is something about our suffering in life – what we would not have chosen but cannot avoid – when we say “yes” to God, when we show ourselves ready to bear our suffering before God, that opens the door for transformation, for consecration. There is something about facing the dark night that allows us to see the dawning of joy. – Br. Curtis Almquist Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click…
photo of St Luke's Episcopal Church in Stephenville, TX

St. Luke’s Stephenville Adds ELCA Worship Service

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stephenville is entering into a partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). A Sunday evening service geared towards college students done according to Evangelical Lutheran worship will be added to schedule of services at St. Luke’s. There is no ELCA congregation less than 45 minutes in any direction of Stephenville, and The Episcopal Church and ELCA are in full communion with each other. Common Grace, a contemporary worship service to which all are…

ECF Web Conferences Spring 2013

The Episcopal Church Foundation is offering a number of web-based educational events for clergy and lay leader throughout the church. As part of the Episcopal Church Foundation’s (ECF) on-going efforts to assist congregations in developing their leadership and financial resources, we are offering a wide range of web conferences for clergy and lay parish leaders this spring. There is no cost to participate in most of the web conferences (there is a nominal fee of $10 to participate in select web…