The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
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Vol. 4, No. 4, November 2009

The Bishop's Audio Reflection 

Bishop David Reed reflects on the short season between All Saints' Day and Advent. Click here to listen.

 

  

       


The Plant is Growing

Saying it was not going to be “church as usual,” the Rev. Jay George welcomed about 150 people to the first official worship service of Grace Church, San Antonio, on October 18. The service, held in All Saints’ Chapel on the campus of TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas, has been about 16 months in the making and is one part of the life of the new church plant in northwest San Antonio.

“Our goal in worship,” said George, “is to take what the Episcopal Church offers in Word and Sacrament and blend it with a lively, contemporary style.” George admitted that the word “religion” has “lost much of its grace to the majority of people today.” In reaching out to the unchurched, George stresses relationship with God. “Relationship is hard and messy” he told the assemblage in his sermon. “It’s not stable; sometimes it hurts.” But the result of a relationship with God, he added, is a “life of abundance to which nothing in the world can compare.”
George and his wife, Jamie, have been building the Grace Church community since the summer of 2008, holding fellowship events, simple worship, book and Bible study in their home. “We needed to start where people feel comfortable,” he said, “and many of the people who are part of this community have not been comfortable in a structured church.” From building relationships with each other, the group has learned how to begin to build a relationship with God.

About 30 of the group wore blue t-shirts with the Grace Church logo as they welcomed visitors, directed them to the children’s ministry area, and escorted them to All Saints’ Chapel on October 18. “I had been looking for a church community where I could feel comfortable,” said Mike Murray, who has been active in the Grace Church community for several months. “This feels like home to me.”
  
Grace Church worships at the TMI chapel every Sunday evening at 5 p.m. The service is Episcopal liturgy in a contemporary style, and everyone is invited.

   

Time to Reflect


Finding Hope in Hard Times is the emphasis of the first issue of a new magazine from the diocesan Communications Department, coming soon to your mailbox and available now online as a sneak preview.
  
Reflections, a 24-page, full-color magazine, focuses on spiritual life and offers readers a variety of voices with whom they will resonate as they explore their own spiritual journeys.

The Fall 2009 issue, to be mailed this week, opens with a conversation with Chicken Little, who has just discovered that the budget (like the sky) is falling. Several articles in the issue explore the Psalms and invite readers to get honest with God as they pray in the manner of the psalmist. One writer, who recently lost his adult son in a freak accident, confesses he does not have answers but he does have faith. The "Culturas" section explores the life of the diocese as lived out by its people in three different geographical areas. And, for fun, the issue brings "Notes from the Diaper Pail" as well as "Notes from Retirement."

Reflections Online further develops many of the topics and articles in the print edition and offers some amusing additions. (When was the last time you saw the movie “Where the Boys Are”? Watch it here again.)
Reflections is a special edition supplement to The Church News family of publications and will be published once in 2009 and at least twice in 2010. The Church News will continue to be published four times in 2010. Both periodicals are sent free of charge to every household in the diocese insofar as names and addresses have been provided by churches to the diocesan office. If you do not receive Reflections by mid-November, send a note to Barbara.duffield@dwtx.org.

To read the online edition, click here http://dwtx.org/index.php/prayer/Reflections_Online_Fall_2009.

   

Diocese Offers Common Cup Guidelines

Saying we want to be responsible without over-reacting, the bishop’s office has issued guidelines for Sharing the Common Cup During Flu Season (click here to read them in full).
   
The guidelines suggest that churches should provide an alternative to the common cup at Eucharist, but remind parishioners that receiving in one kind is always acceptable. “Catholic tradition says that when you receive in one kind, you receive the full benefit of the sacrament,” says the document, which has been e-mailed to all churches in the diocese.
  
When intinction is chosen, it is preferable that the priest/deacon or Lay Eucharistic Minister, rather than communicants, dip the bread into the wine. Current theory suggests that many fingers in the wine cup may spread germs faster than sharing a common cup. Priests and LEMs are encouraged to sanitize their hands before administering communion. 

Parishioners are also reminded they are welcome to drink from the chalice.

     

Vatican Clears Way for Former Anglicans to Enter Catholic Church

Saying it is responding to “the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful,” the Vatican has established an Apostolic Constitution that will allow “former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church,” including married Anglican priests. The October 20 announcement introduced the idea of Personal Ordinariates that will provide oversight and guidance for groups of former Anglicans who wish to join the Catholic Church, “while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony.”
  
The announcement said that the new structure “is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue” that was nourished by the Second Vatican Council. The council’s Decree on Ecumenism said among those churches that separated from the Catholic Church during the Reformation, “the Anglican Communion occupies a special place.”
  
In responding to the Vatican’s statement, Episcopal Church Bishop for Ecumenical Relations, Christopher Epting, said “the announcement reflects what the Roman Catholic Church, through its acceptance of Anglican rite parishes, has been doing for some years more informally” and that The Episcopal Church remains in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.
  
In his response, the Archbishop of Canterbury said the new Apostolic Constitution is “further recognition of the substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality between the Catholic Church and the Anglican tradition.” He said that without the past 40 years of ecumenical dialogue “this recognition would not have been possible.” He said the two churches continue to be in cooperative dialogue.
  
For more on this story, see the following links:
   
Announcement from Vatican
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/24513.php?index=24513&lang=en
   
Bishop Epting’s statement
http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/episcope/2009/10/from-the-episcopal-church-on-the-recent-statement-from-the-vatican.html
   
Statement from Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Westminster
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/10/20/ACNS4662
   
Article from Episcopal News Service
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_116000_ENG_HTM.htm

    

How do you Measure Church Success?

John Rayls says if he were rector of a church, he would load all the parishioners into a bus one Sunday morning and drive them to the local Target with a stop by the community soccer field. “What we would find there,” says Rayls, “is what 85 percent of Americans do on Sunday morning, and it’s not go to church.”
Rayls, who is the diocesan canon missioner for strategic development (often known as congregational development), is insistent that for the church to grow, we all have to think differently about church. And that includes our thinking on how one measures church success.
   
“Historically, we have measured church success by nickels and noses,” says Rayls; we call it average Sunday attendance and the operating budget. “If those two measures are growing, we are doing well; if they are down, we are not succeeding.” By that measure, few mainline denominations in America are succeeding. But Rayls prefers to concentrate on transforming lives. “I am not against measuring church success,” he says. “I just think we are counting the wrong numbers.” He would rather focus on questions like: Are people being baptized? Is the larger community being served? Are the spiritual lives of parishioners deepening?
   
The American church, says Rayls, and here he includes The Episcopal Church, operates primarily from a “front door” model. “We spend a lot of time getting Sunday morning correct and then waiting for folks to show up at the front door.”
   
Rayls wants to start with The Great Commission (go and make disciples . . .) and the Great Commandment (love one another as yourselves . . .), see where they intersect in a congregation’s life, and then add one more factor: What are the particular gifts and strengths of your congregation? That includes your church’s physical location and an analysis of the needs of the surrounding community.
   
“A rector of one church in our diocese called me because he was concerned at the lack of growth in the average Sunday attendance at his church,” relates Rayls. “But I knew that the congregation had a substantial small-group ministry. I asked him, ‘Are people being transformed? Are people being baptized? Is the larger community being served?’ He answered ‘yes’ to all of those. I told him I thought they were doing just fine.”
    
Rayls offers these questions for church leaders to ask of themselves and of their parishioners:
  • Who did you meet for the first time this week?
  • How much time did you spend this week building relationships?
  • Where are you spending your time?
  • What did you do to focus outward this week?
  • How are you serving your community?
If your congregation would like to hear more from John Rayls on the subject of congregational development, e-mail him at jb@madfriar.com.


The Connected Congregation: Twittering in Church


If you’re bothered by the on-screen presentation of the worship service on Sunday morning, you’re really going to hate what’s coming next – twittering from the pews.
  
A recent article from www.MSNBC.com reported that churches are increasingly making use of “social networking” to reach parishioners and that of 145 churches surveyed, 32 percent use Facebook, 16 percent are on MySpace, and 10 percent are on Twitter.
  
At a nondenominational church in San Antonio, the pastor encourages church members to respond to his sermon in real-time, with Twitter messages posted on a giant screen on Sunday morning.
  
The Rev. Tim Schenck, an Episcopal priest in Briarcliff Manor, NY, says that social networking is the “new public square.” He adds that “clergy used to have informal conversations with parishioners in barbershops and at Woolworth’s. Now much of this is done online.”
  
Schenck believes he can “extend the pulpit by reaching out to a much broader audience than I see on Sunday morning.” But while Schenck connects electronically during the week, he keeps the social media out of the Sunday morning experience. “A tech divide can potentially lead to an ‘in’ group versus an ‘out’ group, he says.
  
But not everyone is ready to have their sacred space interrupted by tweets and twitters. Even those who embrace the new technologies say that your church or temple needs to be a space apart from the busyness of life. “[Tweeting] not only takes away from your personal presence in that moment where you are connecting with your Creator,” says Mina Sirkin of Woodland Hills, CA. “It takes away something from the people sitting around you, too.”
  
For the full article from MSNBC.com, click here “Holy Twitter! Tweeting from the pews”

    

News from Churches

  

Capturing the Sun

Parishioners at Church of Reconciliation, San Antonio, have been discussing the use of solar energy at the church for more than a year. This month, that dream becomes a reality. Meridian Solar will begin construction by the end of November to install 82 solar panels mounted in a grid fashion on the roof of the parish administration building. It is expected that this array of solar panels will offset nearly 21 percent of the energy the campus buildings historically have consumed. Meridian expects to complete the project in five days. Upon final inspection and approval by City Public Service, it will begin producing power immediately.
  
Church member Hall Hammond has guided the project from its beginning. He contacted Meridian Solar and sought and received the vestry's approval. He initiated a separate solar energy building campaign that generated $20,450 for the project, in addition to budgeted church funds. Along with Hall, Carl Strating and Bill Swann contributed their technical expertise in studying the construction details of the proposed project and working closely with Meridian to develop the final plans.
  
The total cost of the project as approved by the vestry is $87,171. Through the CPS rebate program for encouraging the conversion to solar energy, the church will receive a rebate of $36,339 to offset the initial investment. Since an additional $20,450 for the project was donated, the total cost to the church of investing in solar energy is $30,382. Based on information provided by Meridian, the system will yield an annual savings in energy costs of $3,592 annually over a 30-year period. Since the actual total cost is approximately $30,000, the projected savings will offset the cost in about ten years.

Church of Reconciliation is one of the first churches in South Texas to invest in solar energy. -- Roxie Montesano from the newsletter of Church of Reconciliation
  
Saying Thanks

A new vicar and a new start are causing parishioners at Holy Spirit, San Antonio, to pause and say thanks for their 30 years of ministry. The special service of thanksgiving  will be celebrated at Pedrotti’s Northwind Ranch, the church’s interim location since selling their property last month, in Helotes on Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30 pm.  The new vicar of Holy Spirit, the Rev. Jason Roberts, and Bishop Gary Lillibridge will celebrate Eucharist and give thanks for their new and future ministries at that time, and all are invited to join them.  Visit the Holy Spirit website at www.holyspirit-episcopal.com for details and directions.
  
Celebrate the Organ

Church of the Epiphany, Kingsville, will host a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of the building of their pipe organ on Saturday, Dec. 19.  Robert MacDonald, who was for ten years the organist at Radio City Music Hall and at the Riverside Church in New York City, will lead the concert.  The following day, Dec. 20, Epiphany will offer the service of Lessons and Carols, also with Mr. MacDonald on the organ. Call the church for the service times, (360) 720-2605.
 
Packages from Home

Men and women, far from home, serving our country – what can one do that is meaningful to help them realize they are valued and cared for?  One Vietnam-era Navy Seabee was approached by fellow parishioners asking that very question, and a new ministry was born in the church to address the question. Carl Reicherzer, parishioner at St. Paul’s, San Antonio, is Director of the Adopt-A-Soldier Ministry which began in April 2008. “I know and appreciate the value of a package from home,” said Reicherzer. “[In Vietnam] we had access to Air Force and Navy base exchanges so we were able buy everything we wanted or needed. Our soldiers in the present war…don’t always have access to things we take for granted.”  Crackers with cheese or peanut butter, candy, tooth brushes, toothpaste, body wipes, lip balm, hand sanitizer, foot powder and reading materials are just a few of those items. “In every case,” says Reicherzer, “each of the soldiers we have adopted has shared the contents of the packages with his or her fellow soldiers.  So far this year, we have sent 290 pounds of items in 33 packages to our adopted soldiers.”

Reicherzer has offered to share information or answer questions for any parish or mission considering beginning a similar ministry.  He can supply a list of the most-asked for-items, offer information on what is legal to ship and what is not, and offer practical suggestions as to how to ship the items most effectively and inexpensively.  “Each of our soldiers is asked if there is anything in particular that he or she would like to have sent, but anything we send is much appreciated,” says Reicherzer.  To contact Reicherzer, email him at creicherzer@hotmail.com or 210-534-5011.

An Adventure in Sewing

Don’t let the people of St. Luke’s, Cypress Mills, hear you wonder if a church is too small to make a difference.  In February 2009, a parishioner from St. Luke’s came to an informational meeting on mission work put on by the diocese’s Department of World Mission and returned home with a hunger to become involved in the work being done in Piedras Negras, Mexico.   
  
In September, the church raised $1,700 at a Mexican dinner then went shopping for two sewing machines, fabric, and sewing supplies.  Father Miguel, rector of El Buen Pastor in Piedras Negras, arranged two four-hour sewing classes in October, and the women of St. Luke’s ventured forth. 
  
Many women who came to the sewing classes brought their teenage daughters; some were young mothers with their babies. “One of the male parishioners came by to offer his help; he cared for a baby all afternoon while the mother sewed,” said Connie Bye, wife of St. Luke’s acting vicar, the Rev. Tommy Bye.
  
Tommy opened each of the classes with introductions and prayer and ten sewing machines began creating quilts, pillows, aprons and other items.  Connie said, “Our St. Luke’s women had spent many hours precutting the pieces for projects. We thought smaller projects would be easier in the beginning, rather than a quilt, and also be easier to sell.” She continued saying that they hope to have products available to sell at the World Mission booth in February at Diocesan Council. 
  
“We are looking for dates for the next sewing adventure.  We hope to have one before the end of the year and attempt to have a mission trip every two to three months.” She went on, “As a small church community we felt it would work best for us to connect with mission projects that were already in the works.  Because of all the hard work people had done ahead of us, it was very easy to hook into the works ongoing.”  “Flexibility in the Spirit” pays off in such an adventure, says Connie Bye. “We were all blessed to see the turns and surprises that happened.  God willing we will establish an ongoing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Piedras Negras.”
     

News Briefs

As a young person, the Rev. Patrick Ormos was trained in debate. “I learned to love a good argument, the give and take, the intellectual challenge, the competition,” he says. And, he says, he values the causes for which the Church is willing to advocate. “However,” he continues, “what I see when I look around at our society is a culture of polarization. Everyone is right . . . so we argue with each other. We no longer live in a win/lose culture; we live in a lose/lose culture.”
  
Ormos is a member of the diocesan Reconciliation Commission that is bringing the Rev. Brian Cox and his team to a three-day conference this month. Cox, says Ormos, understands the work of reconciliation to be at the heart of the gospel. The conference, titled Faith-Based Reconciliation, will focus on Latino/Anglo relationships.
    
While the Reconciliation Commission welcomes all to attend, clergy and lay leaders are especially urged to do so. Participants will learn to apply a faith-based reconciliation method to all conflicts. “This is an opportunity to equip ourselves with the tools needed to move deeply into the gospel’s call to be a reconciling people,” said Bishop Gary Lillibridge, “and I encourage our diocesan leaders to make room in their schedules for this important event.” Dates are November 11-13 and the location is St. Mark’s, San Antonio. Cost is $50 per person. For online registration and more details, visit the diocesan website at www.dwtx.org and go to the Special Events page.
  
Any parish planning a mission trip over the winter holidays or next year is invited to download the updated World Mission devotional binder for Scriptures and prayers related to missions.  Go to www.dwtx.org >Diocese > World Mission. Be sure to let Betty Chumney (chumneyb@aol.com)  know of trip plans so she can gather prayers for you.
  
Saturday, November 14, What Makes a Good Website is sponsored by the Diocese of Texas, and hosted by Jeff Frey, manager of web services at Rice University.  It will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.  Learn about new web tools and social networking. To view flyer, click here.
   
The Seminary of the Southwest in Austin will host Visitors Weekend November 13-14. The weekend is not only for those discerning a call to the ordained priesthood but also for lay people who are exploring their response to God. “We are profoundly committed to the notion that all Christians have a vocation – a call from God into an identity and purpose uniquely one’s own,” says a seminary spokesperson. More information, photos and a registration link are at www.ssw.edu/news/view/fall-visitors-weekend. Admissions contacts are phone 512.439.0357and email brobertson@ssw.edu.
  
TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas announces the raising of $327,000 from their September 26 Stars Over TMI gala event. Proceeds included $156,000 for the new Tom Frost Scholarship and $171,000 for faculty, facilities, and financial aid. This year’s event honored Mr. Frost, a 1945 graduate of TMI.
  
After a hiatus of some years, TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas once again has a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). About 40 Upper School students attended the charter meeting, at which FCA Area Director Jim Faulk led devotions and welcomed the new group. Faculty sponsor Stacey Patsko, the school’s director of physical education, has been involved with FCA since her own high-school years.  “It transformed the way I viewed my participation in athletics and provided a support system for me as I went on to play in college,” she says. “I believe that TMI’s participation in FCA will benefit our athletes and community by encouraging more sportsmanship and school spirit.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes is the nation’s largest campus ministry, with a presence on more than 7,000 high-school and college campuses. The nondenominational, nonprofit organization stresses core values of integrity, service, teamwork and excellence.
 

Calendar, Retreats & Conferences:

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 - 7, St. Thomas, San Antonio, will host a Healing Conference with leaders the Rev. Jack and Anna Marie Sheffield.  For information contact the church office at 210-494-3507 or email jbates16@satx.rr.com. 
 
Viva Eva, a workshop presented entirely in Spanish and designed for Latino/Hispanic women, will be held in Houston on November 6-7. Activities and presentations help women discover ways to find their voices in today's world. For information contact the Rev. Luchy Littlejohn at luchyl@earthlink.net. For the registration form, go to Church and Other Events on the diocesan website.

The Clergy Spouses Retreat is November 6-8 at Mustang Island Conference Center. Shirley and Bishop John MacNaughton will lead the weekend; the Rev. Betty Fuller will serve as chaplain; musicians will be Julie Chalk and Katherine Frey.  For a registration form or information contact Patti Reed at artqueen99@yahoo.com.
  
St. George Episcopal School's 2009 Par 3 Golf Classic will be Monday, Nov. 9, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club. Many prizes provided; all proceeds go to programs at St. George'sSchool in San Antonio. To view flyer and more information go to Church and Other Events on the diocesan website.

Wednesday, November 11, from noon to 1 pm, the San Antonio Brown Bag Lunch will meet again at the Bishop Jones Center.  This month’s topic is Basic Photoshop Training and is open to any communicator in the diocese. No charge or registration needed; bring a brown bag lunch and join in. For information contact Barbara Duffield at barbara.duffield@dwtx.org or 888/210-824-5387.
 
Wednesday through Friday, November 11-13, the Reconciliation Commission presents "Faith-Based Reconciliation: Latino/Anglo Relationships."  Using faith-based reconciliation as a model, participants will examine issues raised by Anglo/Latino relations in South Texas.  The conference will be held at St. Mark’s, San Antonio, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.  To register online, click here.  To view a flyer, click here. 

November 12-15, Cursillo weekend # 247 at Camp Capers.  Barbara Duffield is rector, and the Rev. Tim Vellom is Spiritual Director, both from St. Matthew's, Universal City.  If you are interested in attending, speak with your parish priest and visit the diocesan website at www.dwtx.org to register.
 
Friday, Nov. 13; the 2009 Bishop's Golf Classic will be held at Canyon Springs Golf Club in San Antonio to benefit the youth of the diocese. A shotgun start will be at 12:30 p.m. and the awards reception and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. For information visit Special Events on the diocesan website.

November 13-15 Community of Arts Festival at Church of Reconciliation, San Antonio. Friday, November 13 - dinner and a movie for all ages, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm.  Saturday, Nov. 14, viewing, dedication and blessing of 178 ArtPeace Banners created during the summer ArtPeace program. Sunday, Nov. 15 - Art Show and Sale in Brown Hall from 10:00 am. to 5:00 pm. For details, contact the church at 210-655-2731.

Contemplative Outreach of San Antonio is offering an introductory course in Centering Prayer at the Omega Retreat Center, 216 West Highland Dr., Boerne, on November 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For details see Church and Other Events on the diocesan website, www.dwtx.org.

November 16-23, the diocesan Christian Education Department will participate in Shoebox of Love; a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.  Shoeboxes full of small gifts, toys and toiletries are sent to needy children around the world. Filled shoeboxes may be dropped off on this week at the diocesan offices at 111 Torcido, San Antonio, TX, 78209.  For details about the program go to their website at www.samaritanspurse.org; for information, contact Lou Taylor at lou.taylor@dwtx.org or 888/210-824-5387.

November 17, Coping with Grief During the Holidays will begin at 12:30 pm at Christ Church, San Antonio. For more information call Carol Miller at 210-736-3132.
 
Wednesday - Friday, Nov. 11-13, at St. Mark's, San Antonio, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, the Reconciliation Commission presents "Faith-Based Reconciliation: Latino/Anglo Relationships," with speaker the Rev. Canon Brian Cox and team. Online registration is at Special Events on the diocesan website.
 
November 25-28, Mustang Island Conference Center will be the site for Thanksgiving on the Island.  Cost is $545 per DWTX Family and $645 for others. Limit of five per room unless immediate family. To register go to Special Events on the diocesan website. For information, contact Nita Shaver at 361-749-1800 or nita.shaver@dwtx.org.
 
Monday through Friday, Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, Mustang Island Conference Center will be the site of a Christian Contemplative Christ Centered Prayer Retreat led by the Rev. Sandra Casey-Martus, rector of All Saints', Corpus Christi. For information visit Special Events on the diocesan website.
  
December 4 & 5 - the Work+Shop and St. Mark's, San Antonio, will host an Advent retreat, led by the Revs. Mike Chalk and Mary Earle, at the Bishop Jones Center. To register, or for more information, contact St. Mark's church office at 210-226-2426.
  
The seminar Mary, the "Mother of God" will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 am to 4:30 pm at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. Presenter is James Dennis; Bishop Bob Hibbs and Fr. Bob Wright, OMI, of Oblate Seminary will serve as commentators.  Fee for registration is $25 and includes materials and lunch; all proceeds will go to benefit Habitat for Humanity.  Register by calling Mario Porter at 210-341-1366.

Christ Church, San Antonio, will host a 13-week Community of Hope class on Thursday evenings beginning January 7. Dinner is at 6 p.m. (cost of $5) with class at 6:30 p.m. Class is open to anyone, not just Christ Church parishioners. For details and to register, Martha McDonald at (210) 490-5406 or Sherry O’Kelley at (210) 828-0780.
 
2010 Mid Winter CampSessions online registrations are open. View the 2010 Mid Winter brochure, on the Camp Capers pages of the diocesan website.  Click here.
   
Dates are:
Mid Winter I - High School (grades 9-12) from January 8-10, 2010
Mid Winter II - Middle School (grades 6-8) from January 15-17, 2010
Mid Winter III - Elementary School (grades 8 ½ yrs - 5th grade) from January 22-24, 2010. (8 ½ yrs as of January 1, 2010)
 
January 2-6, 2010, Mustang Island Conference Center will be the site of an Artists and Writers Retreat designed for beginning and experienced writers.  Opportunities to create, share and reflect on experiences through various media will be available.  Two optional workshops will be offered led by Gary Heidt; nationally known poet, and Carey Rote, Ph.D.; professor of Art History at Texas A&M, Corpus Christi.  Find registration information and an informational brochure at Special Events on the diocesan website.

January 14-20, 2010, Mustang Island Conference Center will be the site of a Christian Contemplative Christ Centered Prayer Retreat led by the Rev. Sandra Casey-Martus, rector of All Saints', Corpus Christi, and former Director of the Alta Retreat Center in Wyoming. For information visit Special Events on the diocesan website.

March 7-10, 2010, the annual Clergy Lenten Retreat will be held at the Mustang Island Conference Center.  Additional information will be available soon; mark your calendars now and contact the Rev. Robert Woody at RWoody@churchofreconciliation.org to learn more at this time.
  
March 15-18, 2010, Mustang Island Family Camp Spring Break! will be at the Mustang Island Conference Center.  Visit www.mustangisland.org to learn more or contact Nita Shaver at nita.shaver@dwtx.org or 361-749-1800.
  
This year’s Clergy Easter Retreat will be at Mustang Island Conference Center from April 4-7, 2010. Clergy and one adult guest may arrive on Easter Sunday evening or Monday morning and leave following breakfast on Wednesday. Visit www.mustangisland.org to learn more or contact Nita Shaver at nita.shaver@dwtx.org or 361-749-1800.

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