Vol. 6, No. 2, April 2011

Lent through the Psalms

The Book of Psalms, the Psalter, is among the most beloved literature of the Bible. Psalms are included in almost every worship service in the Book of Common Prayer, and we read them as poems, as songs, and as prayers. But how often do we connect with the voices behind the psalms and endeavor to make them our own voices? It has been said that while most of Scripture speaks to us, the Psalms speak for us. They were the voice of the Hebrew people connecting with their God, and they can be the same for us today.

During this season of Lent 2011, Reflections Online's Lent through the Psalms series is digging deep into the Psalms to see how they continue to speak for us to God.

Visit http://reflections-dwtx.org to read our regular postings, and receive each posting in your inbox by signing up in the email subscription box. Questions? Contact Marjorie George at marjorie.george@dwtx.org.

On the Wings of Mercy

“I am not a writer, not a journalist, not even an English major; I don’t even write a grocery list,” said Leigh Watson, member of Trinity by the Sea in Port Aransas. However, she did have a story to tell. She considered writing a book, and despite the lukewarm response she received from her family, Leigh sat down at her computer and wrote, pausing to pray, “Lord, this is your book, speak for me.” That he did.

Watson had traveled to Florida to see her son, Luke, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, off to war in Iraq. Circumstances at work kept her husband, Rick, from accompanying her on the trip. On her journey home, which included flying with Luke to Atlanta and then saying good-bye, Watson was carried on the wings of mercy. A series of nine events took place that day. “Perhaps some could be considered coincidence,” said Watson, “but they each happened with exact perfect timing; I believe they were miracles.”

After her extraordinary experience, and during the first evening of Watson’s pursuit to tell her story, doubts filled her mind. “You don’t even know what you’re doing. Who will read this? How will you do this? What would you even call it?” With that question, a voice came to her and said, “Nine Miracles.” Startled, Watson recalled her journey and knew she’d been given her title.

Nine Miracles was published in February and tells the story of Watson’s journey that dark day. With each person she encountered she was reminded that God’s grace is sufficient. Watson knew her book could serve as an aid for others facing difficult situations, regardless of what they are. “This is not a military book, nor a momma’s book,” said Watson, “God cares for each of us, and he is there to carry us.” CrossBooks Publishing agreed, acknowledging the short story’s ability to instantly encourage any reader with just one chapter or as a whole.

Watson, who claims to be “just a Christian mom trudging along,” believes she was being obedient in telling her story of God’s grace and mercy. She continually prays for the right eyes to see it and the right ears to hear it. A short, quick read, Nine Miracles will warm your heart and possibly pull some tears from dry eyes.

Leigh Watson is a pen name, and the names in the book were changed to protect her son’s identity. Watson held her first book signing at Trinity by the Sea with Father Doug Schwert on Sunday, March 20. Nine Miracles can be purchased on the Barnes and Nobles website. Click here.

World Mission For You

The diocesan World Mission Department functions as a grassroots organization, with many missioners across the diocese supporting its programs. Any time a member of one of our Episcopal churches is interested in mission work, the department helps to facilitate and grow that interest, establishing a relationship between the missioner and the country to which he or she seeks travel. World Mission Officer, Betty Chumney, and Director of Development for World Mission, Marthe Curry, Ph.D., continue to devote themselves to knowing the needs of partners across the globe and to going and sending brothers and sisters to serve. The Diocese of West Texas World Mission Department hails as one of the widest reaching in the national Episcopal Church.

Chumney and Curry make sure all i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed before sending out an individual or a group to various countries. “We make sure transportation, accommodations, insurance, vaccines, and other needs are met before the missioner departs,” said Curry. “We also educate and train our missioners on the cultural climate of the country they will be visiting, letting them know what is expected.” For example, some countries require women to wear dresses at all times, or the law forbids the appearance of tattoos. The department also has a handbook, compiled by Chumney and Curry, of short-term mission protocol available for those building a team. The handbook provides a large amount of information, including what’s expected of a team member and a team leader. A devotional book, written by members of the diocese, is also available. Devotions begin two weeks before a mission trip, and the book includes space for journal writing, songs, and prayers.

The World Mission Department always works under the ecclesiastical authority of the destination. “When someone is called, we make sure what he or she wants to do is a priority of the bishop of that area,” said Chumney. “We continue to uphold and build relationships and connections across the world to be able to assess needs.” Curry added, “Every year our program expands. About 700 to 800 people from our diocese are going out.” One reason the World Mission program continues to be a success is because of the support of Bishops Lillibridge and Reed. “We have two bishops who are enthusiastic and intent on being a missions diocese,” said Chumney. “And they are participatory,” added Curry. Bishop Lillibridge often says, “We know mission changes lives, but it really changes ours.”

Chumney and Curry and team members offer World Mission weekends for churches in our diocese. They are available for presentations, forums, and often bring some of our full-time missionaries along. A World Mission weekend was held at St. Andrew’s in Port Isabel on Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27. Curry provided an overview of World Mission on Saturday, and the Miller family presented on their mission in Nazareth and Islam and Christianity. The Rev. Eric Fenton coordinated the weekend, which proved to be successful. Parishioner Sandy said, “The best word to describe this Mission Weekend is awesome.  I feel so fortunate to have been able to meet and listen to Marthe and the Millers.  They were all dynamic and inspiring speakers whose passion and love of what they are doing is contagious.” Another parishioner, Liz, in response to Curry’s presentation on empowerment, said, “Marthe said two different things that stick vividly with me regarding missioners: pray for one, pay for one, be one; and regarding the work of missionaries: how can we work with you, not how can we work for you.”

“Our goal is to get our entire diocese involved in World Mission, members from each congregation,” said Curry. “We like to say our real motto is ‘God loves you, and we have a plan for your life.’”

To view upcoming mission trips, click here.

Honor Your Mother

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8. Consider honoring your mother or a special lady in your life with a gift to the diocesan World Mission Department through the annual Mother's Day Offering. Each church will receive information to share on how you can contribute. Honoree names will appear on the diocesan website, in the July/August edition of The Church News, and in the World Mission's newsletter. 

The gifts given in 2010 benefited all of the following:

• El Hogar Infantil (orphanage), Mexico
• VBS, Piedras Negras, Mexico
• Fall Festival Children's Prizes, El Salvador Church,
  San Antonio
• Minsk Family Home, Belarus
• Christmas Project for Children, Piedras Negras, Mexico
• Isle of Hope, Belarus
• Children's Bibles, Honduras
• One Laptop per Child, Honduras
• Casa de los Angeles Day Care, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
• Birthing Center improvements, Honduras
• Scholarships, SE Mexico
• Fishin' for Mission Children's Program, TX

Please click here (and scroll down) for a pdf file of the 2010 Mother's Day Offering designations and the valuable outcomes of the gifts.

News For You

Chain of Love
The fundraising campaign for the 6th annual Chain of Love domino-toppling event at St. George Episcopal School in San Antonio is underway now through April 17 to help the school raise money to assist those in need. In 2010 the funds raised were sent to a school in Haiti devastated by the powerful earthquake. On Monday, April 18, students and guests will gather in the gymnasium at 8:30 a.m. to witness the spectacular destruction of the chain. To view the 2011 Chain of Love Launch video, click here. To donate, please send cash or check to St. George or call them with credit card information or questions at 210-342-4263. You can also donate online at www.saintgeorgeschool.org.  

   

Music of Three Continents featuring the UTSA Concert Choir, Texas Children's Choir, and David Eaton (organist) will be performed at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, on April 3 at 3:30 PM. The concert will feature sacred music from Europe by Mathias, Gabrieli, and Schubert and rediscovered works by American composer Edward MacDowell from the Library of Congress archives. New music by Episcopal musician Aaron Carter-Cohn based on poetry by South Texas poet Rodney Gomez will also be presented. African choruses from Nigeria and South Africa will round out the presentation. Admission is free, and a reception will follow. 

Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio, and the Harry Parker, Jr. Lecture Series are pleased to welcome Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace. Metaxas will host two lectures at Christ Church: Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m., Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy; and Monday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m., The Life of William Wilberforce: The Man Who Changed the World. Each lecture is $10.00 at the door or $5.00 for students with an ID. No reservations are required, but space is limited. For more information, call the church office at 210-736-3132 or visit their website at www.cecsa.org. 

Around the Circuit

St. Philip's School Pendant 

"It's a one-of-a-kind gift idea, good for anyone who is now or ever was part of St. Philip's," said Kelley Kimble, parishioner of St. Philip's, Uvalde. She was referring to a small pocket piece or pendant designed specifically for St. Philip's Episcopal School in Uvalde, as a unique approach to raising funds. Jim Morris Designer, Inc. in Kerrville designed the pendant. Morris worked as head designer for James Avery for ten years prior to going into business on his own and is known for his designs and unique pieces. The pendant was unveiled at the school's Spring Music Program, and orders are being taken now through the church office; cost is $45. If you would like additional information or would like to place an order, contact the church office at 830-278-5223.

Interact Club at GSCS
Students of the Interact Club at TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas recently had a party for the 75 children in the after-school care program at Good Samaritan Community Services. The TMI students helped them make cards and decorate homemade sugar cookies, then hosted a pizza party for the younger children.

Under the Bridge Ministry 

Many people are involved in the ministry of feeding the hungry in one fashion or another. Organizing local food pantries, preparing food baskets at holidays, and supporting community kitchens, are a few of the opportunities available to provide a meal for those in need. Numerous churches have faithfully answered this calling. For a number of years, St. Luke's, San Antonio, has reached out through their Under the Bridge Ministry. Each Sunday a group of people from St. Luke's delivers sandwiches to an ever-growing number of homeless people who gather under a nearby highway bridge. Recently, St. Luke's began inviting children and their families to be a part of this outreach. Four families each week agree to make sandwiches with three loaves of bread and bring them on Sundays to church, which means 100 people are receiving a meal that would otherwise go hungry. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." (Matthew 25:35)  

 

Guardian Angels 

Trinity and St. Francis Episcopal Churches in Victoria are fostering the relationships between the generations with a program known as Guardian Angels. Each year, an adult is paired with a young person between the fifth and twelfth grade and is privately given the name of that young person along with some information about their likes and dislikes. Throughout the year, the adult prays for the young person and periodically leaves a surprise for them, such as a box of cookies, or mail a funny picture or a letter; there are a number of creative ideas. At the end of the year, a banquet is held, and the guardian angel and student are introduced for the first time. Other volunteers work by serving on the banquet committee, arranging tables, cooking the meal, serving, or cleaning up. The young people learn that they are continually prayed and cared for, and the volunteers learn more about the future leaders of the church.

 

The Church Periodical Club and Miles of Pennies 

The Church Periodical Club (CPC) is an Episcopal institution founded in the 1800s whose mission is to provide free books, tapes, videos, and magazines to those who are unable to afford them. The first Sunday in May, May 1, 2011, is designated as a day of ingathering, particularly designed for participation in Sunday school classes. A fund under the CPC umbrella is the Miles of Pennies (MOP), which encourages children's participation, ages pre-school to grade 12. The MOP event was originally suggested as a project for Sunday school classes to commit to gathering a mile of pennies, the value of which would be $844.80. For ways to become involved or with specific questions, contact Esther Reynosa, diocesan representative for CPC, at estherchica@hotmail.com. To read more on the CPC in the October 2010 issue of Direct Line, click here.  

 

175 Years of Texas Independence

On March 2, 2011, the state of Texas celebrated 175 years of independence from Mexico. In a ceremony hosted by the Alamo Mission Chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Bishop David Reed delivered the invocation and the benediction to over 100 gathered in front of the Alamo. The TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas Corp of Cadets was present to post the colors, under the direction of Commandant Maj. Doug McVey. The ceremony also included an address by Dr. Ricardo Romo, president of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a tribute to local school districts and students of Texas history.

 

Thursday March 31 - April 17 - St. George Episcopal School, San Antonio, will host it's 6th annual Chain of Love domino-toppling event to help those in need. The fundraising campaign will take place from Thursday, March 31 through Sunday, April 17.  On Monday, April 18, students and guests will gather in the gymnasium at 8:30 a.m. to witness the spectacular destruction of the chain. To view the 2011 Chain of Love LAUNCH video, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrRslUgq0zs. To donate, please send cash or check to St. George or call them with credit card information or questions at 210-342-4263. You can also donate online at www.saintgeorgeschool.org

Special Events & Registration

Summer's around the bend, and it's time to register for summer camps at Camp Capers, Mustang Island, and Duck Lake. Visit our Camps & Conferences page to choose which location and program interests you, and find the summer camp schedule.

The spring Women's Gathering will be held at Camp Capers on April 8-10 with the Very Reverend Kate Moorehead, Dean of St. John's Cathedral in Jacksonville, Florida, as guest speaker. The chaplain will be the Rev. Lera Tyler. The topic is "Get over Yourself: How to be Deeply Joyful." To register online, click here. To view the brochure, click here. To learn more about the DWTX Commission for Women's Ministries, sponsor of the event, click here.

Planning for Tomorrow: All active and retired clergy and spouses, and all surviving spouses, are encouraged to attend two conferences April 29 and 30, at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. Planning for Tomorrow for active clergy and Enriching Your Retirement for retired clergy will be presented by the Church Pension Fund and are designed to assist in planning for financial, wellness, and medical coverage among other topics. This event takes the place of the annual Spring Clergy Day and is strongly recommended to all. To register, or for more information, click here. 

The DWTX Daughters of the King Annual General Assembly will be held at St. Mark's, San Antonio, May 6-7. Guest speaker will be Deb Gardiner, current president of the Commission for Women's Ministries of the diocese. To print a detailed flyer or a mail-in registration form, click here.

Cursillo Weekend #253 will be at the Mustang Island Conference Center, May 12-15. Rector is Kirk Mason and Spiritual Director is the Rev. Lisa Mason. Assistant Spiritual Directors are the Revs. Philip Cunningham and Don Lee. To register online, click here. * Please note: The location was incorrectly published as Camp Capers in the March/April issue of The Church News.

The 2011 Men's Nails and Prayers Retreat will be held at Camp Capers, May 13-15, with the Rev. Jeff Hammond as chaplain. All men ages 18 and over are invited. Cost is $45.00 per person. To view the flyer, click here. To register online, click here.

The Seminary of the Southwest in Austin is offering a Diploma Program in Christian Education entitled "Bridge Building: Welcoming a Difference in the Church," May 23-27, 2011. This program is part of the seminary's Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation and gives ministry practitioners the opportunity to enrich their experience of the field. Room (double occupancy) and board on campus are included in the $1,200 registration fee. For more information, contact Jana Strukova at 512-472-4133, ext. 342, or visit their website to register online: http://www.ssw.edu/curriculum/ccmv/diploma-program-in-christian-education.

The 2011 Stewardship Conference, "Inspiring Generations in Generosity," will be held June 3-4 at Camp Allen, sponsored by The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS). The Diocese of West Texas is a sponsoring diocese. This conference is for clergy, parish, and lay leaders; diocesan stewardship staff; and seminary students. For more information, contact Nancy Stinson at 888/210-824-5387 or nancy.stinson@dwtx.org.

Episcopal Youth Event 

The Episcopal Youth Event 2011 (EYE) will be held at Bethel University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, this year, June 22 to 26. High school youth or adults interested in attending may go to the Youth and Young Adult page on the diocesan website, www.dwtx.org, or just click here for information or to register. Although the deadline has passed, registrations are still being accepted; for information or questions contact Stacy Dowdy at stacy.dowdy@dwtx.org.

The annual Diocese of West Texas Fishin' For Mission fishing tournament is June 24-26. Registration deadline is May 15; late registrations will be assessed a late fee. Last year, the tournament raised nearly $10,000 to assist diocesan mission teams in their work toward ending hunger and disease, providing clean drinking water, and reaching out to care for orphans. Teams may enter guided or unguided divisions, and there are women's and youth divisions as well. Non-fishermen may want to consider a contribution; every dollar raised goes to World Mission. To view all forms and register, go to the Fishin' for Mission page. Questions? Call Michael at 210-382-3206.  

Clergy News

The Rev. Jim Nelson has been called to serve as rector of St. John's, McAllen. Nelson received his BS from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and spent 15 years in business prior to attending seminary. He received his MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1989; he was ordained to the diaconate June 17, 1989, then to the priesthood on January 1, 1990. He first served as curate of The Church of Resurrection in Oklahoma City from 1989 to 1990, then as rector there until the year 2000. Prior to his call to St. John's, McAllen, he has been serving at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, in Friendswood, in the Diocese of Texas. His first day at St. John's will be Monday, May 15. 

Sunday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m., the Service of Institution for the Rev. Allan Conkling will be held at St. Christopher's, Bandera.

Tuesday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m., the Service of Institution for the Rev. Sean Maloney will be held at St. Bartholomew's, Corpus Christi.

The Service of Ordination to the Priesthood for the Rev. Beverly Patterson, who has been working with the Eastern Partners In Ministry, will be on Saturday, April 2, at 11:00 a.m., at Church of the Ascension, Refugio.