Diocesan Development Program, Phase II
Good Samaritan Community Services
This Diocesan ministry that answers Christ's call to help the neediest among us by changing lives through excellent community services to those whom Christ called us to feed, welcome, and clothe. Our goal of $1.7 million will allow the diocese to expand the work of the Good Samaritan Center into other areas of the diocese.
New Church Starts and Relocations
Church growth statistics point out that the surest way to bring the message of the Gospel to unchurched persons is to "plant" new churches in areas of population expansion. Our focus on acquiring land in highly visible and growing areas allows us to vision into the future. In addition to our land acquisitions our goal of $7 million will also be used to help a few existing congregations to relocate to position themselves for a more vibrant future.
Christ Chapel, San Marcos
This ministry has a goal of $1.15 million to be used to purchase church property (St. Mark's Episcopal Church) adjacent to the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos: From this location we have a twofold effort to continuing campus ministry known as Higher Ground as well as creation of the Christ Chapel Institute. We will bring the Christian tradition to contemporary life by going to and living with our next generation of Christians, and by training new leaders for ministry on college campuses and for youth ministry in congregations.
Camps & Conferences
Each summer, more than 1,000 youngsters from all parts of the diocese - Episcopalians and non-Episcopalians - encounter the Risen Christ through worship, teaching, music, fun, and a transforming Christian community established during a week of camp. We now have an extraordinary opportunity through a gift of land on the Blanco River in Wimberley. Camp Capers provides the foundation for 9 to 18 year olds. At the new property, known as the Brinsmade Ranch, we can also focus on leadership development for high school aged young people through a wilderness camping program. Our goal of $500,000 will help us prepare this new venue.
TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas
The goal of $2.75 million has been realized with the completion of All Saints Chapel in the heart of the campus, two additional residence halls, the creation of the McArthur Scholarship Endowment.
For questions about upcoming and possible giving opportunities, contact Nancy Stinson.