News (Page 40)
Church hospitality for a video game can create new connections
This article by Susan Kleinwechter, communications and publications director at St.-Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller, tells how one parish in the diocese is using the wildly popular game of Pokémon GO as an opportunity for outreach. She also offers suggestions for how other congregations might engage. Pokémon and PokéStops and Gyms are showing up at several of our congregations. For instance, St. Luke’s in the Meadow, Fort Worth, has a PokéStop right beside its front sign. Check to see what’s showing up at your place. ——————————————-…
Former Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning dies
It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of former Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning, perhaps best know for his declaration that there “will be no outcasts” in The Episcopal Church. This message of inclusion became emblematic of his tenure in office as The Episcopal Church continued its exploration of the implications of the Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” and “to respect the dignity of every human being.” Browning was elected…
Nominations committee invites nominees for 28 open positions
Updated 7/20/2016 Nominations are now open for 28 (previously reported as 27) positions that will be filled at the 2016 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 11 and 12. The number of open positions is higher than usual this year for two main reasons: we will be electing deputies to General Convention, which happens only once every three years, and we will also for the first time be electing nine of the…
Bishops issue statement in wake of Dallas shootings
Bishop J. Scott Mayer interrupted his sabbatical to issue a statement in the wake of the tragic shootings in Dallas last night. He is joined in this statement by Assisting Bishops Rayford B. High, Jr., and Sam B. Hulsey. ———- The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 The news of the fatal shooting of four Dallas police officers and one Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer in Dallas last night is…
Godly Play supplies offered
St. Luke’s in Stephenville is revamping their Sunday School curriculum. If your congregation would like their Godly Play supplies, please contact the Rev. Curt Norman at curt.norman@edotn.org According to the website, http://www.godlyplay.org/, “Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method…
July Vestry Papers includes article by Susan Kleinwechter
The July Vestry Papers includes an article by Susan Kleinwechter, communications and publications director for St. Martin-in-the-Fields, about the partnerships St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller/Southlake has with both the City of Southlake and Fever Futbol. The original theme for the issue was buildings and grounds yet after hearing the stories of this congregation, as well as the others featured in this issue, Editor Nancy Davidge said she knew this Vestry Papers was really about mission and vision as well as bringing people together.…
Tony Hiatt installed as priest in charge in Wise County
The Rev. Tony Hiatt was installed a priest in charge at the Episcopal Church in Wise County on Monday, May 16, 2016, in the small white church 905 S. Church Street, Decatur, TX. that began its existence in 1889 as the Episcopal Mission Chapel of the Ascension. Read the history of the building. The Celebration of a New Ministry happened almost exactly one year after the Wise County Episcopalians moved into the historic building, on May 17, 2015. The Rt. Rev.…
Help send young people on pilgrimage – eat spaghetti!
All are invited to enjoy Spaghetti Dinner & Bingo at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 6 pm on Friday, July 8. Proceeds benefit the youth participating in the All Saints’ 2017 Journey 2 Adulthood (J2A) confirmation pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral in England. The members of this J2A group have gotten to know each other over period of years, sharing experiences, studying, and praying together. The picture below is from a retreat they attended in Mineral Wells. The pilgrimage to Canterbury represents both a culmination…
Join St. Christopher’s DOK to explore praying with imagination
St. Christopher Episcopal Church is hosting a Quiet Day organized by the Daughters of the King on Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 9 am to 2 pm. Come spend time together in quiet and prayer. Topic Deacon Tracie Middleton from the Diocesan Office will lead an exploration of praying from scripture using the imagination. Here is her description of the day: There are many ways to approach the Bible. Some forms of Bible study focus on closely studying the words of…
Evangelism Matters conference in Dallas November 18-19
An innovative gathering, Evangelism Matters, is for those seeking a place to share, learn, and grow the Church’s capacity and passion for evangelism. This two-day conference will equip and empower evangelists for the journey ahead – communicating the Good News of Jesus in the Episcopal tradition. This conference will engage participants through inspiring presentations and valuable workshops by evangelism leaders. Among the planned activities is a keynote address by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Registration is $100 per person ($125 after August 31), and…
Bishop Mayer begins sabbatical July 1
Bishop Scott Mayer will be on sabbatical from July 1 to October 31. “A sabbatical is a time to rest from work,” Bishop Mayer wrote in Common Purpose. “The word used in biblical Hebrew to describe God resting on that first Sabbath means, ‘He ceased from His labors.’ So while I intend to to take that seriously — and cease from work — I will take retreat time, reflect, read, exercise, play, travel, spend time with my family, and yes,…
Conference for church administrators
Church administrators, including treasurers, communicators, chancellors, church office staff, and clergy are the intended audience for an inter-denominational conference of The Church Network scheduled for July 6-8 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Get more details and register online. Christopher Thomas, currently serving as administrator of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas and previously administrator in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, is a long-time member of the organization and recommends it highly: I have been an active member of…
Bishop Mayer visits St. Mary’s, Hillsboro
On Sunday, June 12, Bishop Scott Mayer visited St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, where his uncle, the Rev. Harry Mayer, had been vicar. Bishop Mayer said that in the mid-1980s, he visited Hillsboro several times to see his Uncle Harry and Aunt Flo in the vicarage. He was very fond of Harry. They shared an interest in baseball, the beach in Galvaston, and The Episcopal Church. Before Bishop Mayer went to seminary, his uncle gave him a substantial part of his theological…
Save the Date: October 28 for “Now What?” symposium on church innovation
How can the church be creative and find new ways to use its buildings and resources? How can we innovate and find new ways to be the church? Save the date of Friday, October 28, 2016 for a one-day conference at Northway Christian Church in Dallas: A few years ago, several congregatons in our diocese participated in a Recasting Assets process coordinated by the Episcopal Church Building Fund to re-think how they were using their space and resources and to connect with their…
Community vigils organized
Celebration Community Church is hosting a Candlelight Vigil on Monday at 7 pm for all affected by the Sunday morning shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and the community is invited. David Mack Henderson wrote: Both LGBTQA people and our broad supporters from throughout Tarrant County are welcome and encouraged to join us. There are moments when we need to gather to fortify our community and draw upon our grief and dismay to collectively empower our better endeavors. This is one of those…
Bishop Scott Mayer on mass shooting in Orlando
Once again we awaken to news of a mass shooting, this time the worst in US history. This story unfolded in the early hours of the morning, with most of us hearing the news as we were on our way to worship. We know the dead are in the arms of God, so let us enfold in prayer and compassion those who love and mourn for them. Pray for the first responders, for the law enforcement agencies, the grief counselors,…