Posts (Page 77)
New Congregational Grant Requests process announced at Executive Council
At the March 1, 2014, meeting of the Executive Council, Finance Committee member Cherie Shipp reported on a new Congregational Grant Requests approval process “to support the growth in mission and ministry for new or restart of existing congregations. Financial assistance will be provided to supplement clergy compensation and benefits. The goal is to support growth of congregations in their mission and ministry and to help them to self-sufficiency in three years or less.” The process was put in place…
Stewardship network offers workshops, keynotes online
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) is inviting congregations across the Untied States to join their 2014 Walking the Way conference via webcast June 6-7. Opening and closing worship, three keynote presentations, and four workshops will be live-streamed from the Atlanta-based conference, and subscribers may participate in real time or watch recorded webcasts at their convenience. The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, bishop of Atlanta, will offer the first plenary address on Friday afternoon, June 6, after opening worship. His address…
Texas Supreme Court denies motions for rehearing
On Friday, March 21, 2014, the Texas Supreme Court denied the motions for rehearing of its August 30, 2013, opinions in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth case and the companion Masterson case from the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas. Both cases address fundamental Constitutional issues regarding the rights of American churches, including The Episcopal Church, to determine their ministers and internal governance and to maintain their churches and other property given for the mission and ministry of the Church.…
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Leaves Falls Church Property in The Episcopal Church
On March 10, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari filed by a breakaway faction from the historic Episcopal congregation of Falls Church, Virginia. The order makes final the April 18, 2013 decision of the Supreme Court of Virginia that the continuing Falls Church Episcopal, founded in 1732, and not the breakaway faction that left in 2006, retains the church property. This case joins the long line of cases in which the nation’s highest court has…
New administrative assistant joins diocesan staff
Michele L. King has joined the diocesan staff as administrative assistant. Her first day was Monday, March 3. King comes to the diocesan position from being parish administrator at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Keller. She has extensive church-related work, having the pastor’s secretary at Christ Lutheran Church in Hebron, Connecticut; executive assistant to the senior pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Colleyville, Texas; and office manager at Center Point Church in North Richland Hills. She has an…
Ashes to Go offered by several Episcopal parishes
St. Luke’s, Stephenville is teaming up with Methodist and Roman Catholic campus ministries to offer an ecumenical service and ashes at Tarleton State University. St. Luke’s in the Meadow Episcopal Church, 4301 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth, will offer Ashes to Go in English and in Spanish from 7:30 to 8:30 am at the intersection of Somerset and Meadowbrook for commuters and for parents dropping children off at Meadowbrook Elementary School and Meadowbrook Middle School. St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 223 S.…
Ashes to Go an ecumenical event at Tarleton in Stephenville
This year the Ashes to Go ministry has been expanded into an ecumenical event on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville. On Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Rev. Curt Norman, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 595 N. McIlhaney, Stephenville, will take part in an ecumenical service on the campus. At 3 pm prayers and Imposition of Ashes will be offered by the Tarleton Episcopal Campus Ministry, the Tarleton Catholic Campus Ministry, and Tarleton Wesley (Methodist campus ministry)…
Registration is open for ‘Growing Together in Faith’
Sign up today to attend “Growing Together in Faith – How Your Church Family Works,” April 4 and 5. The workshop will feature Peter Steinke and Ana Hernandez as presenters, and will offer an opportunity for your congregation’s leadership team to learn more about embracing change in order to grow.
College ministry conversation convenes
Want to revitalize or start a campus ministry at a college near you? Want to help support college ministry across the diocese? Then come be part of the conversation, 2-4pm on March 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3401 Bellaire Dr. South, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
Learn to write an icon
For a reasonable investment of time and money, you can create a classic icon, learning this time-honored tradition from David Holland, retired Episcopal priest and long-time icon-writer.
Discover ‘ChurchNext’ for accessible Christian formation
Have you and your congregation discovered ChurchNext – safe online learning presented by expert teachers in scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics, in engaging presentations that are convenient and affordable. The classes are available to anyone with a computer, a smart phone, or a tablet and access to the internet.
Find support for leaders and ministries
The Episcopal Church Foundation’s Vital Practices (ECFVP) website offers resources, inspiration, and instructional webinars to guide leaders in discernment, specific roles (senior warden, stewardship chair, etc.), and best practices (more efficient meetings, managing debt, etc.). You can receive a monthly newsletter via email, follow ECFVP on Facebook, or register to join with other leaders across the nation in a wide variety of online learning opportunities with experts and peers.
Beware fake funeral notices in your email
There are bogus emails making the rounds. Because clergy and churchpeople are apt to open such an email, Bishop High wanted to raise awareness of this threat. Based on a warning by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the personal experience on one local priest whose computer was invaded as a result of his opening the bogus email and clicking to linked information, there is information you need to know. The subject line of the bogus email states “funeral notification”…
Diocese of San Joaquin Welcomes Next Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin (in California) is, along with the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, one of five dioceses that has been through a process of reorganization in the last few years. Since they are kindred spirits with us here in Texas, we are pleased to share their good news here in our diocese, and to rejoice with them in their ongoing progress. This past Sunday — February 23, 2014 — the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin welcomed its…
Registration for Growing in Faith Workshop
Update: Registration has completed and the form is now offline. Please complete all the fields below and then click the “Register” button ONE TIME ONLY. If your registration is successful, you will see further instructions regarding online payment at the bottom of the screen. If there are any problems with your registration, you will see an error message asking you to fix your entries. Please note that you can only register one person at a time with this form. Registration…
Gay Jennings preaches at St. Luke’s, Fort Worth
St. Luke’s Church Fort Worth, Texas February 9, 2014 In the Name of God, Amen. Good morning! I am so glad to be worshipping with you this morning at St. Luke’s. I have held the diocese and its people in my prayers for many years, and I have long admired your faithfulness, loyalty, and perseverance in the face of loss and adversity. Thank you for your witness and faith. This morning’s Gospel from Matthew is part of the…