161st Diocesan Council

Appointments of Regular Committees to the 2011 (162nd) Diocesan Council

2010-02-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

Click here for a printerable copy.

Final Council Actions and Elections

2010-02-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

161st Council Actions

Presentation of Colors opened the Council followed by prayer Bible was opened and remained on the podium for the duration of the Council Guests included: Bishop James Tengatenga and Bishop George Packard Welcome by the Rev. Paul Moore, rector of St. Christopher’s, Killeen Council Chair Don Christian (ret) AF Col.

Following the declaration of a quorum by the diocesan secretary, the Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., 417 delegates and 249 clergy, moved on to report of credentials.

Eight churches have not paid their assessment:
(Not Seated:)

Trinity, Jasper
St. Catherine’s of Sienna, Missouri City
St Paul’s, Kilgore
Calvary, Richmond
St. Paul’s, Leigh

(Seated with voice and vote:)

St Peters, Lago Vista-working on a plan
Good Shepherd, Tomball- recovering from division
Holy Cross, Sugarland-working on a plan

Parochial Reports not submitted by beginning of council:

Christ Church, St. Augustine
Christ Church, Temple
Epiphany, Calvert
St Paul’s, Leigh
St Paul’s, Hearne

Seated Campus Delegates and approved order of business and accepted the minutes of the 160th Council.

David Puckett replaced Linda Syracuse on Bishop’s Address Committee

Report on Mission and Parishes:

Church planting initiatives: St. Julian of Norwich, as Episcopal fellowship started in June 2009. ASA is 75. Petition requesting to be recognized as mission of DOT with representation at this council. The Rev. Miles Brandon and one delegate seated.
Dissolved St. Phillips following exploration of alternatives, extensive study. Final service in June 2009.
Closed St. Mark’s, Cleveland following efforts to revive that were unsuccessful. No longer viable congregation.
Received petitions of St. Peter’s, Lago Vista asking to remit them to mission status.

Bishops address main points:

Importance of Christian formation and lifelong learning
New hire for Christian formation missioner
Need to plant a church a year-called for strategic plan
Year of prayer for Covenant and task force to develop model for congregational study
Task force to review issues that may arise from GC 2012.
How do we move forward together for sake of Jesus Christ. “We have got to learn to live together, and how we discern the outward and visible signs of that life together, the daily living out of Church as our common work, not just the work of your bishop.”

The Church’s Mission:

One Church in Mission is not just words on a page, not an idea or dream. “We are managing ourselves in decline; rather than building upon the sacramental unity of God’s reign.” Church in Texas exists as an extension of the human life of Jesus…

The Church is one. It is unified. It is so by its nature. Such catholicity is a sacramental substance regardless of where we as individuals stand in relationship to it.

Constitution and Canons: Chair Maria Boyce

Constitutional changes:

Article 2 sec .2.1 E

Lay vicars in charge of organized mission are members of council. Proposed to add parishes. Committee also made editorial change to use Pastoral Leader instead of lay vicar to clarify and match national canons. Second reading, Approved

Canon 24 St Stephens

Confirm with bylaws with school and operations Approved

Canon 46, Sec 46.3 established a cathedral chapter to help facilitate relationship of DOT and cathedral. With creation of Executive board and staff and separate space, the cathedral chapter is superfluous. Bishop and dean proposed to eliminate this section and the chapter itself. Approved

Elections:

Secretary

John Logan by acclamation

Treasurer
Bob Biehl by acclamation

Standing Committee

The Rev. Mike Besson, St. John’s, LaPorte

Linnet Deily, Trinity, Houston

Executive Board

The Rev. Nick Novak, Trinity, Baytown

The Rev. Chuck Treadwell, St. Paul’s, Waco

Dave Bollinger, Good Shepherd, Tomball

Kerry Hancock, Christ Church, Temple

Elizabeth Dowell, Hope, Houston

Trustee of the Church Corporation

JoLynn Free, All Saints’, Austin

Trustee of the University of the South

William Gage, Jr., St. John the Divine, Houston

Budget: Assets of nearly $1.3 million and liabilities of slightly more than $1.690 million; a decrease in net assets from Y/E2008 of about $350,000 due primarily to the unpaid Assessments and Askings. The diocesan budget had revenues of just over $10 million net of the $318,000 provision for uncollectible assessments and expenses exceeded revenues by about $68,000. The Missionary Budget had revenues of $2,8 million after provision of $344,00 for uncollectible Asking. Expenses were about $3.020 million and about $210,000 more than revenues. Copies of budgets and statements are available online at www.epicenter.org.

Diocesan Budget and Missionary Budget were both adopted.

Resolutions

Committee did not recommend Acknowledging Gay and Lesbian People in the Diocese of Texas and Affirmation of Baptismal Ministries of Those in Faithful Committed Relationships. These were subsequently withdrawn. The Committee authored its own resolution entitled A Resolution of Unity within our Diversity as the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Proponents of original resolution and others worked out a substitute resolution (delivered at Council) Our committee believes this is a statement of inclusion of all God’s people living and ministering within parishes, institutions and ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and encompass the content and intention of the resolution on unity we authored; therefore, the new substitute resolution has the recommendation of the Committee on Resolutions.

Laurie Eiserloh moved original resolution/ Chris Bowhay moved to substitute with agreement of original authors

Discussion:

Chris Bowhay: Gathered to find a higher way regarding God’s will re: sexuality. Met, discussed power in the church, whether the church would make room for people who don’t believe as we do. Respectful and compassionate conversation. Succeeded in working together and want to do so in days and years ahead. We believe this expresses the spirit of the original resolution and hope all delegates can support it.

Laurie Eiserloh: partnered for 20 years with two children. Journey starts 10 years ago. St David’s to baptize our baby like grandmother wanted. Ron smith said you are perfect for this church. At that moment to changed everything for us. Ron saw we would be a blessing to this church. was profound hospitality. That is what this resolution speaks to. Think about gay and lesbian people and what they give to your church. Think about how you can make that space safe so all parishioners can be honest about who they are. We see church in future where there’s no place for us (from conservatives) I see a church where we can all see the kingdom of god. Common ground for valentines day as a love letter to the future of our church.

Joe Reynolds: as one who submitted original I support substitute. Not terribly radical, doesn’t call for something different from what already exists across this diocese. It is important to state because they are not obvious as they should be or not obvious to all. Supported by people diverse deeply held convictions. Step in conversations and to find things that bind us together in the DOT

Russell Levenson: I have a kaleidoscope by my desk to remind me that others will not see same thing I do. Dean is a friend of mine. We disagree on lots of things but on this we agree. We are called to know, serve and love Jesus Christ and his people. This resolution proposed to promote unity.

Delegate from St. Mary’s Cypress: parents of gay and lesbian children--we approve. It’s a few crumbs…we hope to see a day when we don’t have to leave this diocese to see our children married. We are proud of our gay children Wayne Mathis, Grace Alvin. Speak in favor of substitute resolution. Honor to be chosen to represent my church. As a gay man I would like to explain what it means to me. Acknowledges our differences with welcome. It says I am with you. With a grateful heart stand before you with knowledge I don’t have to stand alone for you are standing with me. We are all one with Christ and one with each other.

Elizabeth Masquelette, St. Francis, Houston. Speak for my daughters and sisters…we’ve been there, we know how it feels to be left out and looked down on. Speak in favor of the substitute resolution

Approved Substitute Resolution

A Resolution of Unity within our Diversity as the Episcopal Diocese of Texas

Whereas, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is a large and diverse diocese that expresses the Kingdom into which God invites all people; and,

Whereas; God the Holy Spirit works in and through our creative diversity to nurture, expand, and transform us ever more deeply into the people we are called by God to be, be it;

Resolved, that the 161st council of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas claims unity in the midst of our diversity through the gifts of our shared Baptismal Covenant and our common conviction and proclamation that Jesus is Lord; and, be it further,

Resolved, that all sorts and conditions of humanity, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, nationality, or sexual orientation, and especially all of God’s children entrusted to our care, are loved beyond measure by God in Christ, are welcomed and valued in our institutions, mission, ministries and parishes, and are a blessing to our collective life as we engage together in mission and ministry; and, be it further,

Resolved, that all people in our communities and their relationships receive the pastoral care, time, attention and honor they are due as God is revealed in and through them and as God works to change us all into a holy people.

Submitted by: The Rev. Chris Bowhay, St. Thomas;, Houston; the Rev. David Boyd, St. David’s, Austin; the Rev Russ Levenson, St. Martin’s, Houston; the Very Rev. Joe Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston; the Rev. Larry Hall, St. John the Divine, Houston; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, St. Stephen’s, Houston; the Rev. Stuart Bates, St. Francis’, Houston; the Rev. Dick Elwood, St. Martin’s, Houston; Laurie Eiserloh, St. David’s, Austin; Jim Cowan, Trinity, Houston

Approved Resolution for the executive board to study at extending council with two friendly amendments to leave possibilities open and add “financial” feasibility.

Youth and Young Adult Missioner Ewart Jones advice to kids: Love Jesus, don’t be a jerk!

Susanna Jones- Senior from St. Andrews, Bryan, lay rector of Christian Leadership Conference,

Teach kids about God and God’s plan for them. At CLC I felt God give me a push, proved to be I could be a leader. He changed the way I look at myself. Later able to cheer others on. Mission trip taught me patience.

Presentation from World Mission Board Chair, the Rev. Susan Barnes on S. Malawi and remarks by Bp Tengatenga. Signing of the agreement of partnership between the EDOT and Diocese of Southern Malawi

Report by Committee on Resolutions from the Bishop’s Address

Thanks for ministry of Janie Stevens, Christian Formation Missioner for ministry, example and inspiration-approved
Christian formation, stewardship and church planting-approved
Anglican Covenant, Unity and Diversity-approved
Sacramental life of mission-approved

Courtesy Resolutions

Greetings to the Diocese of West Texas
Greetings to Seminarians and Iona students
Retirement of Clergy
Honor of Council Hosts

Elections on Nominations of the Bishop

Appointments to committees

Offerings of the 161st Council to go to: $5,927.00

Host parish to further ministry to men and women in military-approved

Invitation to next council at Trinity, The Woodlands

Council adjourned at 2 pm.

The Bishop's Address

2010-02-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

161^st Diocesan Council Address
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
By the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle

Click here for a printable copy.

Listen to Bishop Doyle address now

Lay-delegates to the 161^st Annual Council of the Diocese of Texas, members of the ECW, reverend clergy, fellow-bishops of the church, and visitors, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We all give thanks to the people of Killeen, and the area congregations who have joined forces to welcome us and provide for us last night and today. We are very grateful for your expertise and all your efforts on our behalf!

I am pleased to thank Bishop George Packard for his sermon last night, which was well received by all and honed our attention t the work of the church, and especially the work of this church in this place. I was also delighted to have Bishops Benitez, Payne, and Wimberly join us. What a gift each of them is to me and I treasure their wisdom and willingness to be present with our church family for the great celebration we had last night.

I, of course, also welcome Bishop James Tengatenga, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Malawi and president of the Anglican Consultative Council, who joins us while on sabbatical. Bishop Tengatenga is waiting expectantly for our vote on the resolution that would partner our diocese with the good and faithful people of the Diocese of Southern Malawi.

Our prayers are with Bishop Dena Harrison and her husband Larry as they travel with Episcopal Relief and Development to Africa. Let me say though that I am grateful as ever for Bishop Rayford High and Harrison’s companionship in this journey of the Episcopate. I am also grateful for the work of Canon Ann Normand and Jaime Case.

These first eight months have been amazing. I love my job. I love my work and ministry. I love worshiping with you each Sunday. I love listening to you. I love seeing the great works of service and ministry you are taking up as Jesus’ hands and heart in this world. I love celebrating the birth of your children and it is humbling to share the darkest moments of your life. I love being an Episcopalian. I love being an Anglican. I love being your bishop, and I am proud to say so and proud to talk of your work and ministry with those outside the confines of this diocese. I am a blessed man, a grateful man, and a humbled man.

So it is that I begin simply with a word of thanks to you, the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, for the wonderful beginning I have experienced as your bishop. Thank you.

I found a business card of Bishop Quin’s, on the back it reads: “Drive safely, you might hit an Episcopalian.” Today I am ever more keenly aware that the Episcopalian in question might indeed be your bishop! It has been a busy year that found all three of us on the road quite a bit. I traveled more than 15,000 miles, with my duties completed as coadjutor and now fully engulfed in the work of diocesan; I am already on track to break 20,000 miles in 2010.

With your help, we have been about the work of visioning and goal setting. It has been busy with the politics of the church. It has been busy with the everyday work of the office of bishop: pastoral care, teaching, sacraments and administration.

This year I have provided a published Bishop’s Report that puts in your hands a tremendous amount of information about what I, the other bishops, and your diocesan staff have undertaken in the past year. Next year, you can expect us to cover the goals set forth by our vision work.

You should have received this report via email this week, and each delegation should have a copy to review today. It is also available on our epicenter website.

I am asking that the written report be included in the minutes of this council, along with the official acts, mission, and ministry of your bishops.

Sir Francis Drake was an adventurer and a legal pirate, raiding Spanish ships with permission out of Portsmouth. He was a friend of Queen Elizabeth and a strong Anglican. Optimistic and courageous he withstood storms of every kind as he circumnavigated the world.

He wrote these words:

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Staff Development

As we look back at the great work we have accomplished in the area of Christian Formation we cannot rest on our laurels but must dream greater dreams, we must venture further from shore.

The first initiative that I want to draw our attention to is the thinking through and reworking of our ministry in the area of Christian Formation.

Our vision states that we hold as a primary work the forming and growing of our diocese. Weunderstand that those seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus are nurtured and equipped to share the love of Christ in the world. They find lifelong opportunities for spiritual formation and servant leadership grounded in scripture and our historic catholic faith.

We must be unambiguously Episcopalian, rooted deep in our Anglican ethos. We need leadership that will focus our efforts, connect our resources and build bridges of communication.

Using the Charter of Life Long Christian Formation as a guide to flesh out our own ideas, I will begin new strategic work with the Christian Formation Committee this year. The charter, written in part by our own Janie Stevens, missioner for Christian formation, is reprinted in part in the Bishop’s Report.

Following Council I will meet with the Executive Board Sub-committee on Vision and Mission to go over and review staffing in the area of formation. With Janie’s Steven’s retirement from the post of Christian formation missioner, the Christian Formation hire will be a major, strategic move for our common mission and ministry.

We must find some one with Janie’s passions, and someone with skills to take us into the future. We need someone who will dream dreams with us, such dreams as will engage our hearts and minds for the undertaking of this essential and expanded work. Someone who will help us sail into deeper spiritual waters further from shore.

I believe this reorganization and hire will be a cornerstone in continuing a strong tradition of leadership locally and nationally regarding Christian Formation; moreover, I hope it will not only help people become Christian disciples but help us form people in the unique and rich tradition of our Episcopal Church. We are about making Christian disciples who are particularly Episcopalian and members of a global family, the Anglican Communion.

Finance Development

Drake prayed:

Disturb us, Lord, when
with the abundance of things we possess,

We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;

The diocese is a strong diocese, a wealthy diocese, and a healthy diocese in many respects. We are given abundant gifts. But we must be wise stewards of this abundance. We must seek to be disturbed to use our resources for ever greater good in the name of Christ.

Therefore, I have asked the Finance Committee of the Executive Board to begin work this year on the issues of denominational health care and how it will affect the clergy and institutions of the diocese. We will spend close to $17,000 on a clergy family’s health care this year. We may see that rise to $25,000 in five to ten years. We must take steps to curb this cost lest it be detrimental to our missionary dollars.

I have asked the Finance Committee to review the diocesan assessment and asking calculations and their missionary function. When congregations are struggling our formula is not helpful and this makes rebounding from financial stresses very difficult. Furthermore, we only receive half of what we ask for in the missionary asking budget. We have to look realistically at both of these formulas and move carefully into the future. We have had this formula since 1992.

All of this is maintenance work in my opinion. But if we do not undertake it, and undertake it well, we find ourselves managing instead of leading to greater health, wellness, and growth. We find ourselves resting on the assumed abundance of the past without a care for the stewardship of our future.

Church Planting
Drake prayed:

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas

Since I graduated from high school in 1984 we have managed to successfully plant: three parishes and eight missions; of which five, which were begun in the 80’s, today have less than 40 people each Sunday.

Our growth in the diocese has predominantly come from our transition and larger congregations over this same period of time. I believe this shows a successful mission to revitalize congregations through congregational development.

However, we, as a diocese, must revision strategies for church planting. In 2010, we will begin to develop a collaborative strategy for church planting that will combine the resources of leadership at the diocesan level with local leadership in the congregation to bring about long-term results. We have several new congregations underway. However, we must develop a long-term plan that will strategically allow for a new church start every year!

I will appoint a group to chart this course for us made up of leadership from around the diocese, from the foundations, and diocesan staff.

Proposed Anglican Covenant

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where, losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We have been playing it safe in this diocese when it comes to the proposed Covenant and the issues of diversity. For a while we only heard from our bishop. For a while we did not talk about it. For some time now we have been talking about our problems in our separate camps. We are quick to scapegoat others in order to find relief, yet at the same time we fail to recognize our own stubbornness in not setting about doing the work God has given us to do.

It is time for us to venture more boldly into wilder seas; seas wherein we do not rely upon our own selves but upon God’s mastery.

For the remainder of this year, I am calling for a year of prayer regarding the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant and its meaning for the church and for our diocese in particular. I am appointing a task force to help the diocese focus our attention on the Covenant and will ask them to develop a study curriculum and resources. I also will be asking the task force to propose a model for congregations to engage in conversation around the proposed Covenant and its principles.

I hope the process will enable members of congregations to communicate to their leadership and make known to their delegates their mind on the proposed Covenant.

I also want the task force to work with the Committee on Order of Business and plan for discussion at Diocesan Council so that we may arrive at a statement on the mind of Council concerning the Covenant. This will mean our deputation will have listened to the people of the diocese prior to taking part in the national discussions expected at our next General Convention.

Furthermore, such a mind of Council will help me in my work as a leader within the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion.

My statements and work with the wider Church are strengthened when I am able to communicate, clearly capturing the position of this diocese (a bishop and his people listening and speaking in communion with one another).

Church unity in the midst of diversity
In 2010, I will also be putting together a special task force to review the issues that may arise from General Convention in 2012 and to create a strategy with a means of leading into the following Convention as opposed to reacting to it.

Such a strategy will help us navigate what is already a turbulent time, with a steady course. This will help us to live within a relationship of mutual affection for both the structures of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Moreover, we must discover how we in the Diocese of Texas are going to move through these next few years together for the sake of the Gospel, Christ, all of God’s people, for justice and for peace, and for the mission of the Church.

Let me be clear, we have got to learn to live together, how we discern the outward and visible signs of that life together, and the daily living out of Church, as our common work – not only the work of your bishop.

We will be tempted by cynicism to say this work can’t be done; but the scripture reminds us of God’s desire to gather us all under his wing.

We will be tempted by our ego to say we cannot work with the enemy; but the scripture tells us go with a friend to our brother and sister and be reconciled one to another before offering a sacrifice at the Lord’s Table.

We will be tempted to say I have tried to speak but they will not hear, but we must be reminded of Christ’s model of listening first to the other.

We will be tempted by our fear to say it’s just better if we don’t talk about it at all; but we know “to you all our hearts are open, all desires known, and no secrets are hid.”

We will be tempted by our lack of trust in God to say it is impossible, yet the scripture tells us all things are possible with God.

We will be tempted to say, I have already heard what they have to say, what else is there, and we will hear the words of Jesus to Philip, “greater things than these you will see.”

Until we get these pieces worked out as a body of faithful people following Jesus Christ, we are going to have difficulty doing the greater work of mission and attracting people to our church.

A divided house cannot stand

I would add to Drake’s prayer:

Disturb us Lord that we may see your hand at work in the world, that we may see your mastery, and help us to boldly lose sight of our own needs that we may see you face to face in our neighbor.

The Church’s Mission
Disturb us Lord, Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

One church in mission is not simply a piece of our vision – it is not just a few words on a page. It is not an idea. It is not a dream. Such thoughts and the willingness to deny the sacramental nature of church unity rise out of our own love for the way things are and the way things have been. We are managing our selves into decline; rather than building upon the sacramental unity God’s reign.

The communion, or koinonia, of the Church is an essential doctrinal principal. It is a principle that runs throughout the scripture, creeds, early church fathers, the monastics, our prayers and liturgy. Oneness and unity are that quality of the sacramental life from which all acts of peace, justice, service, and dignity course out into the world.

Communion is a dominant theological building block that describes the very essence of what it means to be church. The church as one communion in mission is not dependent upon humanity. It is not a concept determined by how we feel about one another today.

There is an intimate theology between the sacramental unity of the body of Christ, broken for the world and celebrated every Sunday for the distinct, and I would say unique, purpose of being Christ in the world. This unique presence is lived out week after week from the Northeast to the Southwest, from Carthage to Palacios, and every where in between where a priest stands at the altar, and in the place of Christ and Bishop, makes bread and wine the sacrament of God’s very body and blood and transforms everyday people into the holy people of God.

As Saint Paul described it in his first letter to the Corinthians chapter 12 and in his letter to the Romans chapter 12, Christ and the people of his church are as one body. This image and mutual relationship between the church and Christ’s body is also found in John 15, Ephesians 5, Revelations 21, and 22. The Church in Texas exists as an extension of the human life of Jesus, concrete and with history. The Church is to be, and I believe meant by God to be, the fulfillment of God’s creative work through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Church exists as the vessel of the historic and apostolic faith. E. J. Bicknell wrote, “The church is…a school for Christian character. Fellowship in the church is a moral discipline…the modern idea of separate free ‘churches’ ministers to the desires of our fallen human nature by providing a means of escape from the need of self-control. The Church exists to carry on the work of Christ in the world, and that work is hindered by open divisions among Christians. Our Lord’s will is that Christians should be manifestly one, so that the world may believe in His divine mission (John 17:20-23).” (Thirty Nine Articles, 238)

Regardless of the parts of our church who believe this way or that way -- I believe in the Church that is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

I believe in the greater church’s witness to the Trinity, the uniqueness of Christ, the historic faith of our councils, the creeds, the scripture, the practice of apostolic worship and apostolic teaching.

No one person or council action may dilute or overturn the church catholic’s traditional and historic faith.

This is an important point because it means that for me, your bishop, the Church does not exist to have councils where it makes pronouncements that divide the body of Christ and weaken Christ’s mission to the world. Councils themselves exist to build the church catholic and universal. Councils exist to interpret that faith of Jesus crucified and resurrected to a world seeking divine intervention and to insure through stewardship that the Church does indeed undertake Christ’s mission and Gospel proclamation in word and in deed.

The church is one. It is unified. It is so by its nature. Such catholicity is a sacramental substance regardless of where we as individuals stand in relationship to it.

Our church exists because God makes it a gift to us by his own presence in the world and not by our own labors.

A great example of this is our vocational deacon Tracie Middleton who serves as chaplain to the volunteer fire department in Vidor. Through Christ’s sacramental presence in the community through Tracie, Bishop High baptized a child and several adults at the firehouse last week. The church is Christ in the world.

“The Church is an instrument for the realization of God’s eternal design, [the glory of God and] the salvation of humanity… It is within the Church, where the Holy Spirit gives and nurtures the new life of the kingdom, that the Gospel becomes a manifest reality. The church is therefore called to be, and by the power of the Spirit actually is, a sign, steward and instrument of God’s design. (ARCIC Statement, Salvation, 1987, 29)

The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Texas exists as a unified church not out of our own work but the very work of Jesus Christ through the sacrament and through the presence of the Holy Spirit within it.

So we must pray faithfully:
Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when
with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push back the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
This we ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Bishop’s Report to the 161st Council

2010-02-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

Click here to view report

This year, Bishop Andy Doyle will address the annual meeting of elected delegates from 150 churches in the Diocese of Texas on Saturday, February 13, 2010 in Killeen, TX. That presentation will be available on this blog in text and MP3 audio file after it is delivered. Additionally, this published report provides an accounting of much of the work that was done by the diocesan staff in 2009. The bishop hopes that this accounting will be of interest to delegates, clergy and interested members of the diocese as we increase the number of ways we communicate with our membership. If you have any questions or need any clarification, please contact Communication Director Carol E. Barnwell. A printed copy will be delivered to each delegation at Council.

2010-02-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

Online registration is Now Closed. Onsite late registration will be available at Council.

Reports Prior to Council

2010-02-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

A list of all churches and campus ministries with the status of reports due prior to Council , has been created for your use. If you have questions about the status of your congregation or campus ministry, please contact Shirley Platt at 800.318.4452 or 713.353.2141.

Clergy Spouse Luncheon

2010-02-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

JoAnne Doyle, Pat High and Larry Harrison cordially invite clergy spouses and surviving spouses to the 161st Diocesan Council Clergy Spouse Luncheon on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 12:00 noon at the Shilo Inn and Restaurant, 3701 W. S. Young Drive, Killeen. RSVP to Carla Heinchon, 254.526.8380 or 254.953.4888.

Clergy Procession

2010-02-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

As many of you have heard we will not have a clergy procession this year. We are gathering for the opening Eucharist early and we are inviting people to sit at tables with their delegations and friends. Dress is casual. We are going to celebrate the Eucharist together, then we will have a family style Bar B Que.

Only a Few Exhibitor Booths are Still Available

2010-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

Only a few exhibitor booths are still available. For more information, call Bobbi Hopkins NOW at 254 556-8054.

Pre-Council Meeting Schedule

2010-01-05T07:27:00.000-08:00

listed by convocation and dean

Northeast - Kevin Wittmayer
Sun. Jan. 17 4:00 pm
St. Matthew’s, Henderson
214 College Ave.
903.657.3154
East/West - Patrick Miller & Chris Bowhay
Tues. Jan 19 7:00 pm
St. Thomas, Houston
4900 Jackwood
713.666.3111
Central - Sean A. Cox
Thurs., Jan. 21 7:00 pm
St. Andrew’s, Bryan 217 W. 26th St.
979.822.5176
Austin - David A. Boyd
Sunday, Jan. 24 4:00 pm
St. David’s, Austin
204-E. 7th St.
512.472.1196
Northwest - Chuck Treadwell
Mon., Jan. 25 7:00 pm
St. Paul’s, Waco
525 Columbus Ave.
254.753.4501
San Jacinto - Beth Fain
Tues., Jan. 26 7:00 pm
Trinity, The Woodlands
3901 S. Panther Creek
281.367.8133
Southeast - John Bedingfield
Sun., Jan. 31 4:00 pm
St. Mark’s, Beaumont
680 Calder St.
409.832.3405
Galveston - Robert Flick
Mon., Feb. 1 7:00 pm
St. Michael’s, LaMarque 1601 Lake Rd.
409.935.3559
Southwest - Lance Ousley
Mon., Feb. 8th 7:00 pm
St. Thomas, Wharton 207 Bob O Link Ln
979.532.1723

Council Preacher Has Unique Background As Council Gathers in Military Town

2010-01-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Bishop George Packard is Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies and will be a particularly appropriate preacher for the diocese’s annual meeting when it gathers in Killeen, February 12-13, 2010.

Killeen is hope to the country’s largest military post, Ft. Hood, and has been the site of a large percentage of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. As bishop Suffragan for chaplaincies, Bishop Packard has ministered to those in the armed forces throughout his career.

Bishop Packard’s ministry has been notable for his leadership in support of those deployed in the Iraq War, the response to September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. He is the bishop for all Episcopal federal chaplains serving in the military, federal prisons and Veteran’s Affairs facilities. He also supports the care for all other chaplains by coordinating the training and advocacy for diocesan healthcare, prison, emergency responder, and maritime chaplains in the life of the Church. Because of extensive travel he also serves as the bishop-in-charge for Micronesia in the southwest Pacific.

Bishop Packard graduated from Hobart College, in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and enlisted in the Army soon after college. He received the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for valor during his deployment as an infantry officer in Vietnam.

Upon release from active duty, Bishop Packard continued to serve in the Army Reserves while attending Virginia Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1974. He also holds an honorary doctorate from VTS. He served parishes in Virginia and New York for 15 years before becoming the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of New York in 1989, returning in 1995 to parish ministry.

Concurrent to his parochial and diocesan duties, Bishop Packard served as a chaplain in the Army Reserves. In this capacity he had a variety of assignments from chaplain to a hospital ward for communicable diseases, to a field hospital, to a deployed unit in Egypt. During the Gulf War, he was assigned to the Pentagon and later was decorated for his participation in a team for the pastoral care of casualties.

Since his consecration in 2000, Bishop Packard has traveled extensively to visit chaplains throughout the world including Iraq and Kuwait. This knowledge served him well when the tragedy of September 11th occurred. It meant that the “100 Days of Mission Support” declared by his office in response to the event could call on talent well-known and matched to the needs of the crisis. That “Support Mission” by his office included briefings to all clergy in the 13 dioceses directly affected by that terrible day, organizing and scheduling chaplains for the NYC site, liaison with the Pentagon effort, and providing solace and counseling to persons at the Church Center as well as general support to any other development.

Prior to the drama of September 11th, the bishop convened a leadership conference of senior military chaplains at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC followed six months later by a similar “Formative Symposium” for healthcare professionals. He is quoted as saying that another true highlight during these two years was his first confirmation service at Angola Prison in Louisiana and eating Thanksgiving dinner at the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio.

Under Bishop Packard’s guidance and in keeping with the earlier energies of September 11th, the Office for Chaplaincies provided the interim primary response to major domestic disasters for the national church and significant leadership on the ground for Hurricane Katrina through the “We Will Stand with You” Program.

Bishop Packard served as the Chairman of NCMAF — The National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces in 2005.

He is married to Brook Hedick, a musician and Christian educator and together they have one daughter, Clara. Bishop Packard has two daughters from a previous marriage: Helen, an associate editor for a church periodical and Cleary, a professional tennis player.

Nominations Slate

2010-01-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

Secretary of the Diocese (elect 1)
The Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., Christ Church Cathedral, Houston

Treasurer of the Diocese (elect 1)
Robert J. Biehl, Diocesan Bishop’s Office, Houston

Standing Committee
Membership is 3 clergy and 3 lay persons; at least 18 years of age; confirmed communicants in good standing; 3 year term; one clergy and one lay person elected every Council.

Clergy (elect 1)
The Rev. Mike Wallace Besson, St. John’s, LaPorte
The Very Rev. Joe D. Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston
The Rev. James Stockton, Church of the Resurrection, Austin

Lay (elect 1)
Linnet F. Deily, Trinity, Houston
Andrew Lyon, Church of the Resurrection, Austin

Executive Board
Elect 5 members each year, 2 clergy and 3 lay persons for a 3 year term.

Clergy (elect 2)
The Rev. Theodore E. Hervey, Jr., Epiphany, Burnet
The Rev. Nick Novak, Trinity, Baytown
The Rev. Chuck Treadwell, St. Paul’s, Waco

Lay (elect 3)
David A. Bollinger, Good Shepherd, Tomball
Elizabeth Ruth Dowell, Hope, Houston
Ann Foxworth, Church of the Resurrection, Austin
Heyward L. Green, St. Paul’s, Waco
Kerry K. Hancock, Christ Church, Temple
Thomas Clifford Knudson, St. John the Divine, Houston
S. Wayne Mathis, Grace, Alvin
Daniel Kevin McGillicuddy, St. Matthew’s, Austin
Cornelius D. Perry, Hope, Houston

Trustee of the Church Corporation Lay (elect 1)
One member elected each year for a five-year term; no restrictions on re-election.
JoLynn Free, All Saints’, Austin
William D. Kovach, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston
Shawn S. Sanders, Christ the King, Atascocita/Humble

Trustee University of the South Lay (elect 1)
Elect one trustee each year for a three-year term; no re-election restrictions.
William A. Gage, Jr., St. John the Divine, Houston
Jeffrey S. Hamilton, St. Paul’s, Waco
Peter H. Squire, Christ Church Cathedral & Palmer, Houston

Fort Hood Tour

2010-01-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

A tour of Fort Hood is scheduled for Council attendees on Friday, February 12. This tour will be a great opportunity to see inside the Nation's largest military facility and hear about it's mission from the experts. Members of Fort Hood's Public Affairs Office will be leading the tour.

Those participating in the tour will need to be at the front entrance of the Killeen Civic and Conference Center by 2:00 PM on Friday, February 12 for check in. The tour will start at 2:30 PM and last about two hours. Comfortable buses have been reserved for the tour and only minimal walking will be required.

Those going on the tour will need their drivers license or another official government issued picture ID card in order to enter Fort Hood.

The tour will be limited to between 80-100 people so early sign up is encouraged to guarantee a seat on the tour coach. The last day to sign up is February 2nd.

To sign up contact Jo Denson, St Christopher's Administrative Assistant, 254.634.7474, st.chris.killeen@gmail.com.

Corrected Council Resolutions

2010-01-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

The resolutions printed in the January issue of the Texas Episcopalian contained some errors. Those have been corrected and the full text of all five resolutions is contained below.

Resolution for the full effectiveness of the regular annual Councils of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Note from the Committee on Resolutions: This is the same resolution that is in the Journal with the addition of the 5th paragraph below, which clarifies that the resolution calls for the Executive Board to report its study to the 162nd council of the Diocese of Texas.

Whereas, the time, treasure and talent of persons attending, and of delegates participating in, each Diocesan Council are valued by all members of the Diocese; and

Whereas, the godly call to good stewardship compels the honoring of spiritual, moral, and material investments given by each person attending and each delegate participating in Diocesan Council by ensuring the most efficient and effective use possible of the time, talent, and treasure of each; and

Whereas, the annual gathering of representatives of the many parishes, missions, and organizations of the Diocese of Texas offers unique and valuable opportunities for fellowship, encouragement in the faith, education in the ministries of the diocese and the church, and growth in mutual understanding and affection; be it

Resolved, that the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas calls upon the Executive Board to study the feasibility and benefits of extending the time allotted for regular annual Diocesan Councils by 24 hours; be it further

Resolved, that the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas calls upon the Executive Board to report to the 162nd Council the feasibility and benefits of extending the time allotted for regular annual Diocesan Councils by 24 hours; be it further

Resolved, that the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas calls upon the Executive Board to offer with its report to the 162nd Council its recommendation based upon said report.
Submitted: Andrew Lyon, lay delegate, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Austin

The Committee on Resolutions recommends the adoption of this resolution.

A Covenant of Companion Partnership between the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Province of Central Africa, and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
(See Covenant in the World Mission Board Report p.?)
Whereas the Diocese of Texas joined the Companion Diocese program of the Anglican Communion when it was founded and has been richly blessed by these relationships, and

Whereas deep and enduring ties between the people of the Diocese of Texas and the people of Malawi were created by our first companion relationship there in 1968, and

Whereas the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi is a new and vital force for the gospel of Jesus Christ on the African Continent,

Resolved, that the Diocese of Texas adopt a covenant of Companion Partnership between the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Province of Central Africa, and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Comment: We believe that this covenant will be a means of mutual blessing and learning for relationships developed and enjoyed between the two dioceses. If adopted, it will be a statement affirming the prayers and deep affection of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and its Bishop, C. Andrew Doyle, for Bishop James Tengatenga and all the clergy and people of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi.

Submitted by: the World Mission Board, Diocese of Texas
The Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, Executive
The Rev. Susan J. Barnes, Chair

The Committee on Resolutions recommends the adoption of this resolution.

View all Resolutions here.

Exhibits

2009-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

Every year Council delegates explore a wide variety of booths and exhibits. Craft-makers, outreach ministries, booksellers, jewelers and more display, sell and promote their offerings during Council. If you are interested in acquiring a vendor booth for the two-day gathering, please contact Bobbi Hopkins at 512.556.8054 / .512.540.2244 by January 22, 2010.

Exhibitor Information Packet
Convention Center Floor plan

Schedule of Events

2009-11-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 12, 2010
Exhibits Open 12 Noon
Pre-Council Workshops > Budget and Finance & New Delegates 3 p.m.
Pre-Council Workshops > Resolutions & Constitution and Canons 4 p.m.
Worship Service 6 p.m.
Dinner 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 13, 2010
Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
Business Meeting Session I 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m.
Business Meeting Session II 1:15 p.m.

Nominations for Election

2009-10-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Please download and complete the nomination form and mail to the following address by November 6, 2009.

Mail to: The Rev. Alex G. Montes-Vela
11608 Glen Knoll Dr.
Manor, TX 78653

Nominations Form - Position Descriptions

All nominations must be received by mail as they require original signatures.

Additionally, please e-mail a recent photograph and a 50-75 word biographical sketch, written in the first person, highlighting why you would like the position and believe qualified to fill it to:
alexgmontesvela@gmail.com. These will be used in the Texas Episcopalian and online.

Resolutions

2009-10-24T10:51:00.002-07:00

Resolutions for the 161st Council of the Diocese of Texas must be received in the mail by the Rev. Miles Brandon no later than November 15, 2009. Please mail all resolutions to: The Rev. Miles Brandon, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759-8615

The original resolution must be signed by an official delegate or alternate to either the 160th or the 161st Councils of the Diocese of Texas. Please include three copies of the resolution with the original. Note that the Committee for Resolutions can make changes to the form (not content) of a resolution received so that all resolutions meet the standard form. The mover of the resolution will be notified if changes are made. For more information about the Committee for Resolutions or the resolution process please refer to Canon 2, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Texas or contact Miles at 512.694.7121.

Canons & Constitution

2009-10-24T10:51:00.001-07:00

Any delegate to the 2010 Diocesan Council wishing to propose an amendment to the Constitution and/or Canons of the Diocese of Texas should submit a written copy of the proposed amendment by e-mail or facsimile, on or before November 15, 2009 to Maria Wyckoff Boyce, chair; fax number is 713.229.2722.

Instructions for Reserving Rooms

2009-10-24T10:48:00.001-07:00

100 rooms have been blocked at the Shilo Inn for Friday, February 12, 2010 at the rate of $99 plus 13% room tax. The Shiloh is new, and about 300 yards from the Convention Center. The rooms have been blocked until January 1, 2010. When calling for reservations ask for the "Episcopal Diocese Council."

For additional lodging options, click here.