News (Page 58)
Common Purpose – February 2015
Welcome to the online edition of Common Purpose, a bi-monthly print publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. In this issue: From Bishop High – For Lent, take something on St. Alban’s, Arlington, welcomes new priest Visit ERD’s photo exhibit in Dallas or online General Convention meets this summer in Salt Lake City Print a copy to share: Download a PDF of the February 2015 Common Purpose Subscribe or change your address: We’re here to help you! The Episcopal Diocese of…
For Lent, take something on
by Rayford B. High, Jr. I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that 2015 is moving along very quickly. Ash Wednesday is February 18! Lent, with all its blessings, is upon us. Over my years in ministry, I have found spiritual growth and value in using Lent to spend less time worrying about me and instead focusing on others, especially those who have not been given the opportunities I have as an Episcopalian in this country. How…
St. Alban’s, Arlington, welcomes new priest
The Rev. Kevin Johnson, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in Washington, NC, has been called as the new priest-in-charge of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, meeting in Theatre Arlington. It is a homecoming for Johnson. He grew up in Arlington, was confirmed at St. Alban’s, and graduated from Nolan High School. He graduated from the University of Texas, served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and worked as an assistant professor of ROTC at Texas State…
Visit ERD’s photo exhibit in Dallas or online
Learn more about Episcopal Relief and Development’s 75 years of worldwide work by visiting their traveling anniversary photo exhibit, which will be at the Episcopal School of Dallas, 4100 Merrell Rd., Dallas, 75229, March 19 to April 2, noon to 7 p.m. Or visit it online here.
General Convention meets this summer in Salt Lake City
The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., and lay and clergy deputies from the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth will be taking part in the General Convention of The Episcopal Church June 25 to July 3 in Salt Lake City. The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. It meets every three years as a bi-cameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops., which are made up of deputies and bishops representing…
All Saints’ Fort Worth commissions Stephen Ministers
Eight newly trained Stephen Ministers were commissioned at the 11:15 am Eucharist on February 8, 2015, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. The new Stephen Ministers are Mr. Ed Ferree, Mr. Mark Howard, Mr. Robert David, Ms. Sallie Trotter, Ms. Ann Spence, Ms. Joanie Blanton, Ms. Kathleen Farrelly and Ms. Nancy Searway. With them in the photo are the Rev. Jordan Ware, Stephen Leaders Mr. Whit Smith and Ms. Mary Shannon, and the Rev. Johnson Shannon, pastoral adviser. Stephen Ministry training equips…
Daily Prayer for All Seasons available in PDF download
Daily Prayer for All Seasons, a book of daily prayers, is now available in a PDF download as well as in print. Download the English PDF of Daily Prayer for All Seasons Buy an English or Spanish print edition from Church Publishing According to the introduction of the book, it offers a “set of prayers that acknowledge in their brevity both the need to pray and the short time we have to pray.” This prayer book offers much for a…
Join us for Ash Wednesday services, Lenten programs
Lent is a liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for approximately 40 days before culminating in Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is on February 18 this year. Lent traditionally has been a time of retreat, reflection, and repentance, a time to clear away the distractions of the world and to focus on our relationship with God and with one another. People often choose to give something up for Lent. But there are other ways of observing Lent. Bishop…
Bishop to hold town hall meetings with all deaneries
Bishop Rayford B. High, Jr., has begun holding a series of town hall meetings with the deaneries of the diocese. All of these meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend. Bishop High is particularly interested in “how each deanery can be more active in ministry and outreach and how the diocese can support and strengthen them.” He will be seeking input from attendees and answering questions. The first town hall was Wednesday, February 4, with the Northern Deanery…
February 7, 2009: a day of joy and promise
February 7, 2009, was a historic day in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. On this anniversary remember the joy and promise of that day. Here is the report from that day: The day began and ended in joyous worship, as delegates to the Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, called to order by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, elected the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. “Ted” Gulick, Jr. to be our provisional bishop. Bp. Gulick was immediately installed…
Karen Calafat installed at St. Luke’s, Fort Worth
The Rev. Katen Calafat was installed as the part time rector of St. Luke’s in the Meadow, Fort Worth, by the Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., at a Celebration of a New Ministry on Monday, February 2, 2015. There was a reception following the service. Calafat’s first Sunday as the new rector was October 5, 2014. Calafat has more than 20 years in ministry, primarily as a chaplain in a variety of settings, most recently as a hospice chaplain…
Wise County Episcopalians take first steps toward a worshiping community
Nine Episcopalians gathered on Friday, February 6, 2015, to take their first steps toward forming a worshiping community in Wise County. Wise County is approximately 923 square miles, with a population of close to 60,000. Its county seat is Decatur, which is also near the county’s geographical center. The meeting took place over lunch at the Canteen restaurant in Boyd and consisted of introductions, discussion of what type of Episcopal presence might be most appropriate for their needs, and plans for some next…
Hamilton County Episcopalians host Valentine’s Day party
The Episcopal Church in Hamilton County invites everyone to come enjoy some bluegrass, gospel, and folk music next Saturday, February 14. Hear the guitar and banjo sounds of “Dueling Hearts,” a gospel and bluegrass singing group from the Waco area, and folk singers “The States” from points northwest of Hamilton.They will be entertaining at the Episcopal Church of Hamilton County, 1101 S. Rice (Hwy 281 S) from 2:00 pm until people get tired. There is no charge for the event…
Ways to help identified by Deacon Janet Nocher
Deacon Janet Nocher offers the following information about opportunities for ministry, open to both lay and ordained people. 1. Looking for a Lenten discipline? Baylor All Saints Hospital needs three Noonday Prayer readers to read once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the hospital chapel. If interested call Deacon Nocher at 817-292-1786 or Sally Proffitt at 817-917-7630. This ministry also could continue after Easter. 2. An Episcopalian in the diocese is in need of a kidney transplant and…
Abundant Living conference offered for seniors and caregivers
Are you over 60? Feel like 60? Care for someone over 60? Then this conference is for you. Seniors, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to attend the Province VII Older Adult Ministries’ 2015 Abundant Living conference “A Time for Transition” for three days of exploring aging as a spiritual journey. The conference is Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March18, at Camp Allen in Navasota, TX. Check-in begins on Monday at 10 am, with the event ending at 1 pm on…
Executive Council meets for first time in 2015
The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth met on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hurst. Among other business, the council heard about the Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High’s plans for town hall meetings in each deanery, heard updates on the Funding for the Future campaign and proposed revisions to the diocesan canons, acted on revisions to the 2014 and 2015 budgets, and organized into committees. See more photos of the meeting in the diocesan Flickr…