Leadership News (Page 37)
“Do not be afraid!”
Bishop Scott Mayer has issued a Christmas message: “Do not be afraid!” The Christmas story tells us these are the first words of the angel who appeared to the shepherds outside Bethlehem on a long ago December night. And no wonder. Here are humble hard-working folk, minding their own business, camping out with their sheep on a landscape not unlike those we see in parts of rural Texas north and west of Fort Worth – hardscrabble land redeemed day and…
Good Shepherd, Granbury seeking music director
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Granbury is seeking a part time Director of Music and Choir Master. There are many ways the position can be structured; duties will include selecting music, organizing, rehearsing and directing a new choir, and administrating several special music occasions throughout the year. Requirements include knowledge of and skill with mainline Protestant Christian hymnody, piano, choral conducting and church ethos. A degree in sacred music, familiarity with Episcopal churches and knowledge of computers…
Andrew Ellison ordained deacon
The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., recently retired provisional bishop of Fort Worth, ordained Andrew Ellison as deacon at St. Alban’s at Theatre Arlington on Wednesday, December 16. He was presented by the Rev. Kevin Johnson, the Rev. Jordan Haynie Ware, Mrs. Casie Ellison, Mrs. Franceen Lyons, Mrs. Priscilla Promise, and Mr. Walt Cabe. Those assisting with vesting were Mrs. Ellison, Ms. Jeanne Casstevens, and Mr. Dyke Ellison. The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson, Assistant Professor of New Testament and…
Refugee ministry of Trinity, Fort Worth, featured in news story
Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, has adopted a refugee family from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The family fled the violence of warring militia groups, living for years in a refugee camp in Uganda. The family of 10 arrived in Texas in November. The story said, “The family includes eight siblings ages five to 25 who speak Kinyabwisha and Swahili. The older siblings knew the danger of war as youngsters, while the younger children have only known the hard life…
St. Martin’s, Keller, featured in ENS Christmas story
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Keller is featured prominently in an Episcopal News Service story headlined “Episcopalians across the world help others to celebrate Christmas.” Read the whole story here. St. Martin’s is featured along with congregations in Buffalo, New York; Shrewsbury, New Jersey; Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kansas City, Missouri as well congregations as in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Pittsburgh along with all the Episcopalians giving gifts from Episcopal…
Good Shepherd, Granbury brightens holidays for children in Hood County
On Wednesday, December 16, Hood County Christmas for Children distributed toys, books, bikes, beds, clothes and other gifts to more than 2,000 families. The members of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Granbury support the highly-organized effort each year, donating gifts, volunteering to pack and organize gifts, and helping all day during distribution. Above, Barbara Snyder stands amid bags of gifts ready for distribution. Norm Snyder, Vice President of the organization and a member at Good Shepherd, has been volunteering for eight years and…
UPDATED, EVENT CANCELLED: Stand in solidarity with Muslim neighbors
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled. The organizer AccionAmerica whose flyer & info we posted has removed their event information. There may have been a request from Irving law enforcement and the Islamic Center of Irving to cancel the event because they felt that a security risk was presented by holding the event at the mosque. We apologize for any inconvenience. Updated 2:50 pm December 11 In the backlash against recent anti-Muslim statements, Christians are called to love their neighbors as themselves. These neighbors…
Presiding Bishop issues letter
The Presiding Bishop has issued the following letter to the staff of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society: December 11, 2015 Dear Friends, I need to inform you that on Wednesday I placed on administrative leave Bishop Stacy Sauls, Chief Operating Officer, Samuel McDonald, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission, and Alex Baumgarten, Director of Public Engagement. This is a result of concerns that have been raised about possible misconduct in carrying out their duties as…
Presiding Bishop resting after surgery
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is resting comfortably following surgery on Tuesday, December 8. According to the presiding bishop, his family, and his medical team, the surgery went well, as had been expected. Bishop Curry is alert and awake, and a full recovery continues to be anticipated. Further information will continue to be released by the Presiding Bishop’s office. Further updates are not expected until Friday. Precious Lord, take our hands, lead us on, let us stand. Let us stand today…
Prayers for Bishop Curry
UPDATED – In a statement released Monday afternoon, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry gave thanks for prayers offered on his behalf: “Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry wishes to thank all Episcopalians and others for the generous outpouring of prayer and well wishes in response to his announcement yesterday that he will be undergoing surgery. “That surgery, originally scheduled for today, is now scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday). The postponement is to allow some aspirin he took…
Episcopal Parties file appellate briefs in the Fort Worth Court of Appeals
On Thursday, December 3, 2015, the Episcopal Parties filed their appellate briefs in the Fort Worth Court of Appeals. These briefs explain why the 141st District Court’s July 24, 2015 Final Judgment is error and unconstitutional, and why the court of appeals should render judgment in favor of the Episcopal Parties. The 141st District Court’s Final Judgment violates the First Amendment and instructions from the Texas Supreme Court by effectively placing a bishop defrocked by The Episcopal Church in control…
St. Martin’s study group takes on history of Chrisitianity
On Wednesday, December 2, the 10 am Wednesday Study at St. Martin-in-the-Fields turns to a new topic: Christianity: The First 3,000 Years. The class will enjoy a six-week BBC video series that shows the early diversity of Christianity, how and why Christianity developed the way it did, and how the Christian faith has diversified around the world. It will be a wonderful way to celebrate Advent and Christmastide. The book and video series embrace the work of Oxford University don Diarmaid MacCollough. MacCollough is…
The Longest Night – a service of remembrance on December 19
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Keller/Southlake invites you to a service of remembrance, The Longest Night, at 5 pm on December 19, 2015. The holidays are often the loneliest time of the year for those who have experienced recent loss in their lives. These losses can be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, death of a dear pet, loss of health, or any of the other losses people deal with. The Longest Night service allows us to grieve…
2015 Canons
Download the 2015 Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth The amended and restated Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth were adopted at the 2015 Diocesan Convention. They became effective at the end of Convention November 14, 2015. Previous version: 2014 Canons (no longer in effect)
Waiting for the Baby — Bishop Mayer’s Advent message
Bishop Scott Mayer has issued an Advent message to the diocese, wishing us all a blessed season.. Find more Advent resources here.
Lutherans host forum on gun laws in relation to houses of worship
Are you wondering how the recently passed Texas gun laws may affect churches and other houses of worship? Our Lutheran neighbors in the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Mission Area of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are hosting a forum, “Weapons in Worship?” to address some of these questions. The event is Tuesday, December 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Mission Center at Briarwood, located in Argyle. Registration to attend in person is $12…