Posts (Page 88)
Advancing to General Convention 2015: “Greening and Screening”
Plans are well underway for the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2015, with noticeable adaptive changes to reducing the convention’s carbon footprint and to use software and technology to streamline legislative work. Noticeably, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and video monitors will be the primary media of legislative materials. This “convention of screens” will be made possible by a robust Wi-Fi system, which will be available for the first time on the floors of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops.
Anne and Jim Horton named chaplains to retired clergy
The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High Jr. recently asked Jim and Anne Horton to take on the positions of chaplain to the retired clergy and their spouses.
Standing Committee Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2013
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth met on March 11, 2013.
Following are the minutes from their meeting.
Bishop Names Janet Waggoner as Canon to the Ordinary
The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr. has announced that the Rev. Janet Waggoner has been named Canon to the Ordinary/Transitional Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. She “will assist me and the diocese as we move forward together in our life. This is being made possible by the generosity of one of our diocesan families. I am most grateful and very excited about filling this office, which is so vital for our future. It is my plan…
Applications accepted for 2013 Episcopal Church Indigenous Theological Training
Applications are being accepted for the 2013 Episcopal Church awards for Indigenous Theological Training. The awards are available to lay and ordained members of the Episcopal Church. Among the educational possibilities are spiritual formation, leadership development, or ordination.
Episcopal Church Black Clergy Indaba in October 2013 – Visioning: Seed Time & Harvest
The Episcopal Church Black Clergy Indaba in October 2013 invites participants to Atlanta for discussions and conversations. The event theme is Visioning: Seed Time & Harvest, linking to Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Diocesan reps carry greetings to Niobrara
Sandy Shockley and Deborah Nichols, both from St. Mary Hamilton, will attend the 141st Niobrara Convocation June 17-23, on the Lower Brule Reservation in the Diocese of South Dakota. The Niobrara Convocation – an annual gathering of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples – has been termed “one of the most important events of the missionary work of the Episcopal Church in the United States.”
TENS conference July 12-13 in Salt Lake City
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) – source of outstanding stewardship materials and teaching – holds its annual conference July 12-13 in Salt Lake City. Are you looking to plant the seeds of faithful giving in your congregation and diocese? Do you want to network with others passionate about generosity and discipleship? Can’t make it to Salt Lake City? No problem.
Task force begins overhaul of diocesan constitution and canons
As directed by the 30th Diocesan Convention, the diocesan Constitution and Canons Committee is taking the lead in a multi-year project designed to analyze and overhaul the constitution and canons for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. The project will include a thorough review of the governing documents and practices from other dioceses, an ingathering of ideas and recommendations from individuals and groups across the diocese, and the eventual presentation of a proposed amended and restated constitution and canons for adoption by the diocesan convention.
Finance committee asks for budget input
The Finance Committee is requesting your input for the 2014 triennial budget. Copies of the 2014 preliminary budget (approved at the 2012 diocesan convention), information concerning congregation assessments, and a request form for budget funds have been sent to senior wardens, rectors/priests-in-charge, and treasurers via email.
Living the Good News available online
Living the Good News, a lectionary-based Sunday school curriculum, is now available in an online format. Lessons geared to specific age groups may be downloaded, along with support materials – session plans for leaders, take-home papers and journals for students, At Home with the Good News for families, music, session visuals, and the popular online Support Site (with additional resources for classrooms each week).
Church highlights wellness
As the administrator for the Episcopal Church’s denominational health plan, the Church Pension Group (CPG) offers wellness resources to the church – and especially all clergy and lay employees – through the Church Medical Trust. A wellness newsletter is published six times a year, and the CPG wellness website features tips and helps for cultivating and maintaining healthy practices.
June Spotlight on Congregations
What has the diocese and the larger church done for your congregation lately? On hand in the diocesan office are gluten-free communion wafers, available for any congregation that needs them. Contact Eleanor Doty (eleanor.doty@edotn.org, 817-534-1900) to arrange for getting a supply for your congregation.
Education for Ministry Graduation June 1, 2013 (updated)
Education for Ministry (EfM) celebrates its 2013 graduates with Eucharist, graduation, and dinner on
Tornado Relief Donations, Specific Needs in Cleburne
The Rev. Tracie Middleton has provided an update on tornado relief in our diocese: Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is working through the diocese to identify and respond to needs in the impacted Texas communities, including making plans for long-term recovery. You can contribute to these efforts by donating through our diocese or through Episcopal Relief and Development. ERD has published information about their 2013 tornado responses in Texas and Oklahoma; you can read it here. Pam Yarborough, a member at St.…
Bishop High’s Statement on Boy Scouts of America’s 2013 Decision to Allow Gay Scouts
The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, supports the Boy Scouts of America‘s May 23, 2013 announcement of an amendment to its membership standards to allow gay youth.