Vol. 6, No. 6, October 2011

In this issue:
(scroll down to read all the news)

• "Martin in the Narthex"
• Cathedral House Gallery
• The Rev. Faith Bledsoe Answers Call to Monastic Life
• Today Will Change Your Life
• Encuentro Conference
• Special Events
• Around the Circuit
• News for You

"Martin in the Narthex"

My copy of “Martin in the Narthex” has now been stamped with Martin’s paw print and resides in my 18-month-old son’s bookcase for our beloved evening story time. Martin Elwood, 11-year-old Australian shepherd, tells his story of being loved and loving unconditionally as he greeted and welcomed parishioners and visitors from the narthex of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg. A children’s book of sorts, and frankly for adults, too, especially the dog lovers, “Martin in the Narthex” resonates love, familial bonds, and community; and the story of its publication melts hearts.

After his four-year-plus ministry at St. Barnabas, the Rev. Richard Elwood (Dick) and his wife, Jane, returned to Houston, where Dick resumed ministry at St. Martin's Episcopal Church for two years. It was a rare Saturday that Martin was able to join him in his office at St. Martin's when, at his desk, Dick decided to let Martin tell his story of his everyday activities at St. Barnabas. The story was written in 20 minutes and sent to a lady named Nan Moseley at the church in Fredericksburg, with remarks from Dick, “for you to enjoy.” Nan did enjoy, and initiated some plans of her own. Nan knew Camille Cohn and called her to say she had a story that she thought Camille’s daughter, Riley, would love to illustrate over the summer.

Perhaps this is where the story really begins. Nan knew that Riley, an 11-year-old autistic child, loved dogs (she has seven) and loved art. During the summer of 2010, Riley’s mother “employed” her as an illustrator, with paydays at the ice cream store. Riley and her sister Sydney would pretend to go to work each day, drawing for their own stories. “Each day I broke up Martin’s story into pieces, such as, this paragraph could be page one,” said Camille, “and Riley and I would discuss how to illustrate that page.” Each illustration in the book was water-colored separately and pieced together in a collage on scrapbook paper at the end of the summer. A proud mother, Camille uploaded the images and created a hardcover book on blurb.com. She ordered three copies, one as a keepsake, one for Nan, and one for Martin and the Elwood family.

When Dick and Jane received the images for Martin’s story they were simply amazed. With tears in his eyes Dick said, “I just couldn’t believe it. I kept saying ‘Look at this! What this little girl did!’” “The pictures absolutely make the book; they touched our hearts and are so special to us,” said Jane. The colors, Martin’s eyes and facial expressions, and familiar church and community members help express the sweet and innocent way that Riley views the world and her small corner of it. “If you go to or know St. Barnabas, these pictures will come to life. They really capture the feeling and presence of St. B’s and all the love there,” said Jane.

When Nan received her copy of the printed book, she immediately delivered it to Kathy Shearer with Shearer Publishing. Kathy responded: “I love this book. It must be published.” A few alterations were made to meet copyright laws, and 5,000 copies were ordered. Recently, Kathy received an order for 50 copies from the Episcopal Bookstore in Seattle, Washington.

It is the unconditional love of Martin that tells the story. As he says, “I happen to be quite an attractive dog and I love everyone and everyone loves me. That’s the way it ought to be, don’t you think?” And it is the vibrant and personal watercolor illustrations that pop off the page and bring the story to life. It is Riley’s story and her compassion and dedication that round out this beautiful book. The Elwoods and the Cohns have gone into partnership and will begin appearing at book signing events, including the first at St. Barnabas on Sunday, October 16, at 4:00 p.m.

The wonder of this project and its growth has taken Camille and her family by surprise, and the Elwoods are so delighted to be along for the ride. Father Elwood and Martin are available for visits and readings and signings, and Riley will join as her school schedule allows. You may contact Dick and Jane at dickelwood@gmail.com or Camille at camco@beecreek.net. “Martin the Narthex” is now available on Amazon.com for purchase. Martin’s proceeds from the sales of the book will go to fund the Sunday school program at St. Barnabas, and a portion of Riley’s proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.

Cathedral House Gallery

"Take Nothing for the Journey" is the theme for the opening exhibit of Cathedral House Gallery, located at the Bishop Jones Center. This first exhibit will open with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, November 18, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; it will remain up through December 30. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.  

The exhibit, which runs from November 18 to December 30, will feature works by Episcopal artists from around the 60-county diocese and will address the theme of simplicity during Advent.  

Cathedral House Gallery is a newly-created venue to give visibility to the works of Episcopal artists who express a connection with God through painting, photography, sculpting, craftsmanship, and other media. Located at the Bishop Jones Center, the gallery will host continuing exhibits of six to eight weeks duration, each exhibit in support of a particular Christian theme. Works in the gallery will be available for viewing and for purchase; the gallery will be open to the general public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the run of each exhibit. A percentage of sales will benefit projects and missions of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.

For more information about Cathedral House Gallery at the Bishop Jones Center (111 Torcido Dr., San Antonio, 78209), please visit www.dwtx.org or call 888/210-824-5387.

The Rev. Faith Bledsoe Answers Call to Monastic Life

Submitted by the Rev. Faith Bledsoe

The Rev. Faith Bledsoe, rector of St. Francis, Victoria, has accepted an invitation to postulancy in The Order of St. Helena, an Episcopal religious order for lay and ordained women in Augusta, GA. The sisters of St. Helena describe themselves as witnesses "to a contemporary interpretation of traditional monasticism." Since their founding in 1945, their experience and incarnation of the religious life has included prayer, the individual, the Church at large, and social action.

While Bledsoe has considered a call to monastic life for many years, she has engaged in deep discernment for the last several months. Under spiritual direction and with the wisdom and guidance of a discernment committee, she inquired of four orders and after conversation, prayer, and reflection, she visited two of them. Then came an application with a longer visit, interviews, psychological and physical evaluations, and background and reference checks, all interspersed with more prayer and discernment on everyone’s part. Notification of the invitation to postulancy was then received and accepted.

When a woman is accepted to try her vocation, she enters as a postulant, and lives with the community for a period of at least six months. If all are agreed, she is "clothed" in the religious habit and becomes a novice, and she begins a period of education and further incorporation into the life of the community. The novitiate training includes study of the Daily Office, the history of monasticism and of the Order of St. Helena, pastoral training, and education in scripture, church history, and theology. Specific discernment and training are encouraged as appropriate to prepare for individual ministry. (It is anticipated that Rev. Bledsoe will eventually serve as a priest within the convent and in the local diocese.)

After a period of two years or longer, the sister may request to take the annual vow, and then be elected to such a vow by the life professed sisters. At least three years are spent under the annual vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Election is again required for admission to life profession, by which a sister becomes a full member of the order.

Before moving to the convent, Bledsoe will divest herself of most things, taking very little with her. Things taken will include clothing, her professional library, vestments, icons, some quilting and knitting supplies, her bicycle, and a few photos. She plans to give away and sell most items, storing a few with family and friends. She will remain at St. Francis, Victoria, until October 9, moving to Augusta sometime in November.

Today Will Change Your Life

Submitted by Steve Roederer for Texas Water Mission

Ok, so you feel this tug on your heart. That is the beginning. God is already working with you. You think, "poor people, third-world country." Jesus' own words "Feed my sheep" resonate. Yes, you want to help, but, how? You have heard it before: mission trips are only for youth groups. And besides, you are not a doctor, dentist, or nurse, not even a teacher. You certainly do not speak a foreign language. So, what possible help could you be?   

The next time you get water out of your tap, think about this: a large portion of the entire rest of the world does not have fresh drinking water. Seriously. That stuff you spread on your lawn and plants, that stuff you bathe with every day, that stuff you never give a second thought to. It is just always there. Even in our worst drought conditions, we still have access to water.

Can you contemplate life without it? Imagine your life getting up every day, packing buckets or barrels on your trusty mule, and walking a few miles to the nearest stream to collect water. Not good water, mind you. Not anything you would even think about drinking. You try to ignore the smell. Once home again, you build a fire so the water can be boiled. Imagine that you make this trek three or four times a day, each and every day.

Now, picture a slightly different scenario. Imagine yourself in a village in the middle of nowhere, next to a drilling rig creating a fountain of water pouring out of a hole in the ground. Adults are smiling and laughing, and children are frolicking in the spray. Tasting, for maybe the first time in your life, cool, sweet, clean water.

The Texas Water Mission. One well at a time. One village at a time. 

Contact us. Today is the day that will change your life. We need your help. You do have a skill we need. For more information and to join our team, visit our website at www.texaswatermission.org and contact Maria Valdez at 210-275-0575 or mjc241@gmail.com.

Encuentro Conference

St. David's, San Antonio, will host the Encuentro Conference on Saturday, October 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Encuentro Conference will bring together members from several Episcopal churches to learn about the religious beliefs of the diverse cultures in various communities. The conference will explore how the church can invite and include the surrounding community in worship, incorporating cultural norms and beliefs.

Presentations based on the "Episcopal Church's Strategic Vision for Reaching Latinos and Hispanics" (July 2009) will address how leadership can create an awareness of the church and its offerings, explore ideas to build programs that create spiritual growth and increase self esteem, and learn about building programs to create empowerment opportunities. Facilitators include the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, bishop of the Diocese of West Texas; the Rev. Lisa Mason, interim rector of St. David's; the Rev. Paul Moore from St. Christopher's in Killeen; the Rev. Matthew Wise, assistant priest of Reconciliation, San Antonio; Enedina Vasquez of St. David's; and Alfredo Castillo of Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio.

Along with presentations, the day will include panel discussions, lunch featuring an eclectic menu, Holy Eucharist, and workshop materials on different cultural events, such as information on how to celebrate the Day of the Dead and incorporate the children of the church.

The Encuentro Conference is free and open to all. For more information, contact St. David's at 210-824-2481. Click here to view a flier for distribution and the agenda for the day of the conference.

Special Events

Spiritual Retreat for Recovering Alcoholics, Al-Anons, and Adult Children of Alcoholics
The 98th Spiritual Retreat will be held October 7-9 with check-in from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday afernoon. The retreat will be held at Camp Capers, and will be lead by the Rev. Nancy Coon, retired DWTX, and the Rev. Jeff Hammond, rector at St. Barnabas, Fredericksburg. Cost is $125, which includes all meals Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast and accomodations for two nights. Scholarships are available. For information and to register, contact Barbara Baugh at the Bishop Jones Center at 210/888-824-5387.

Spirit Reach - Reflections on the Headwaters of the San Antonio River
In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, the Environmental Stewardship Committees of the diocese and St. Mark's, San Antonio, along with the Incarnate Word Sisters, and the Headwaters Coalition, Inc. invite all to the Chapel House at the Bishop Jones Center (BJC) for prayers, readings, fine art photographs, and reflections on spirituality, the past and future of San Antonio's historic headwaters. On Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. till noon, the group will meet at the BJC, 111 Torcido, 78209.  Click here to view the printable flyer or to register online.

Commission on Women's Ministry Fall Gathering
The women's fall gathering will be held October 14-16 at Camp Capers. The presenter will be Deborah Smith Douglas, and the topic for the weekend is "...And also some women...New Testament Encounters with Jesus." Join Deborah this weekend and explore these women's stories and listen for the ways God is telling each woman her own. The Rev. Mary Earle will serve as chaplain. Click here for more information and online registration.

Food for the Soul

Cursillo #255 will be held at Camp Capers, November 10-13. The rector is Stephanie Schuette, Good Shepherd, George West. Spiritual director is the Rev. Patrick Soule, St. Andrew's, Corpus Christi. To register online, click here.

Bishop Elliott Society Lecture
The next lecture will be held at St. Luke's, San Antonio, November 11-12. The speaker will be author and professor Philip Jenkins. To view the flyer, please click here. To register online, visit www.bishopelliott.org, or mail in the registration form attached to the flyer.

Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
All women are invited to the Diocese of West Texas Order of the Daughters of the King Fall Assembly on November 11 and 12 at St. Christopher's by the Sea in Portland. Guest speaker will be the Rev. David Floyd-Archibald, rector of St. Andrew's, San Antonio. The focus will be on prayer as a major component in the life of a DOK. Cost for senior daughters is $30 and $20 for junior daughters. Scholarships are available. Please contact Karen at 210-509-9737 or Kim at 210-325-4991. To register online by November 4, click here.

Around the Circuit

St. Elizabeth's in Buda is working its way through the year with a different outreach program each month. In January, they organized "The Big Cover-Up," a blanket drive for the community center in San Marcos. February brought about the "Valentine Bear Hug,"  and a challenge was issued to fill every chair in the nave with teddy bears. They did that and went on to cover the altar and organ. Afterward, 207 teddy bears went to Christopher House, an in-patient children's hospice in Austin. April's project was a gift card drive for those in the community in need, along with travel-size soaps, lotions, and such items for a women's shelter. Beloved four-legged friends were not left out either; in June, the church collected old sheets and blankets for their local animal shelter, and finally, in July and August, they collected over $500 worth of school supplies to deliver to a local school. Good work, St. Elizabeth's.   

St. Paul's, Brownsville, is making a difference in two children's lives through an organization known as Compassion International (CI). A Christian child advocacy ministry that focuses on the spiritual, physical, economic, and social needs of children in poverty, CI provides the opportunity for people to "adopt" a child to financially support. CI describes itself as Christ centered, child focused, church based, and committed to integrity. St. Paul's two children are six-year-old Tomas from Mexico and four-year-old Nitali from India. Both live with their parents and attend activities at their home churches. The support from St. Paul's provides the children with evidence of Christ ministering to them and others in their families. To learn more about CI visit their website at www.compassion.com.

The St. Mark's, San Antonio, youth presented a check from their annual Food Bank Fund Drive to Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, in the amount of $20,250.51. Thanks to the challenge of a very generous contributor all donations are matched up to $10,000, and this year the kids were determined to meet their $10,000 goal and have the full matching gift. In total, since they started in 2009, the youth have provided over $52,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank.  

Kelsey McCarty is developing an online marketplace for the creations of women with whom the World Mission Department works around the world, in countries such as Uganda, Ecuador, Mexico, and Russia. Please visit the website in its beginning stages, and let your congregations know about this beneficial online shopping outlet: www.thearttheartisan.com. Kelsey became interested in world mission after her brother, Trey, returned from Uganda with a team from the diocese. She works in advertising, and feels God is calling her to put together a market for mission products.

President of the board, Edwin Sasek, announced that a new non-profit 501(c)3 interfaith organization called ABODE, Contemplative Care for the Dying, is being created for people in need near their end of life. "ABODE will offer a home with a simple, welcoming, peaceful ambience for people entering the last few months of life," said Sasek. As an interfaith organization, ABODE will draw from the contemplative traditions of the world's great religions in loving, compassionate service to the dying. ABODE is also a community resource for education and support in end-of-life care.To learn more about this program, visit their website at www.abodehome.org or call 210-967-9891.

News for You

The World Mission Department is looking for a few good people. They would like to brainstorm with some entrepreneurial business people about developing small businesses in emerging nations. If interested, please contact Marthe Curry or Betty Chumney, or call 888/210-824-5387.

Help Wanted for Texas Water Mission: TWM is in need of an instructor for operating a T-4 water well drilling rig that was donated and shipped to Honduras. A Spanish-speaker is a plus, but not required. Travel, room, and board can be provided, if needed. Contact TWM Executive Director Maria Valdez at 210-275-0575.

Prayers of the People Remembrance: The Rev. Matthew Frey, assistant rector of St. George, San Antonio, produced a touching video in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. To view the Prayers of the People video, click here.

Of Love and Loss: Lessons from a Bastrop Firefighter - Please visit the website of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas to read a recent blog entry by Mark Gwin, a volunteer firefighter and newspaper reporter in Bastrop. Mark's story tells of the loss he and many others experienced due to the recent widespread wildfires, but he also relays the love of the community and the dedicated effort to support and encourage on all fronts. "In the Lord’s Prayer, the only material thing we ask for is our daily bread. My family has been given that and so much more. So I offer thanks," says Mark Gwin.

Links for Episcopal Church Media Sources:

• The Episcopal Church newly redesigned logos and shields featuring the new type treatments in both English and Spanish are available for downloading, click here.
• New graphic guidelines, outlining such details as fonts, color palette, use of the shield, and important design information for The Episcopal Church are available, click here.
• The new "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" signs are available for purchase from the Episcopal Marketplace, click here.