Click here or use the video player above to view video recordings of the 2023 Bishop's Address by the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed; the Rev. Dr. David G. Read, bishop coadjutor elect, speaking to Council following the election; and the full recordings of each Council Business sessions.
Click here to open an online folder of reports by title and presenter scripts submitted to Dispatch of Business prior to Council.
Council 2023 will convene in-person February 16 - 18, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Clergy, as well as lay delegates will assemble to hear ministry reports, conduct the annual business of the Diocese, worship together, participate in workshops, and share fellowship. On February 18, the clergy and Council delegates will participate in the Bishop Coadjutor Election.
A selection of reports and worship services will be broadcast live on the diocesan Facebook, Vimeo, and website, at dwtx.org/council.
No printed copies of the Booklet will be provided at Council. Click here to save the 2023 Council Booklet to print and bring to Corpus Christi (70 pages).
Delegate and Clergy Certification and Registration: Certification and registration for lay delegates, alternates, clergy, and clergy spouses must be completed by January 15, using the online forms sent to church offices in November.
Church offices will be invoiced by the office for their group of clergy, clergy spouse(s), alternates, and delegates after certification is submitted. Contact council@dwtx.org or (210) 824-5387 with questions regarding certification or registration.
While some clergy who are not canonically resident may have a seat and voice at Council 2023, only canonically resident clergy will be able to vote in the Bishop Election. Certification for clergy, clergy spouses, lay delegates, and alternates is due by Sunday, January 15.
Guest Registration: Two guest registration options are available. Guest registration for all or most of Council ($130) includes a Sip'n'Shop reception with hors d'oeuvres, hospitality snack offerings, and the Bishop's luncheon with guest speaker. Guests may also choose to attend Saturday only ($25) for the Bishop Coadjutor election. Guest registration closed February 1.
Childcare Registration: Onsite childcare is available for infants through ten years old children of lay delegates, alternates, clergy, and Council volunteers during Council Business sessions and activities. Each day will include activities and snacks/meals. Pre-registration for each day is required, so the hosts can plan appropriately. Childcare registration closed February 1.
Exhibitor Registration: Exhibitor Registration is open online, with several booth options available. Thursday evening, a Sip 'n Shop social event will highlight the many vendors in the Exhibit Hall with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, cash bar, and featuring the Gold Sponsor Exhibitors. Exhibitor registration closed January 15.
The Parochial Reports and Diocesan Year-End Reports will be made available in December and due by February 1, 2023. It is very important that all churches complete all five reports listed below, regardless of whether they have new information to submit.
More information and instructions for each report is available on the Reporting to the Diocese page.
The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas will reserve a two-night block of rooms (Thursday and Friday nights, Feb. 16 and 17) in the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel for clergy, delegates, and alternates attending Council 2023. Guest room reservations must be completed by Sunday, January 15, 2023 by calling the Omni Reservations Team, at 1-800-843-6664, or by using the Omni's Council 2023 reservation website.
Click here to visit the reservation website. Please adjust the reservation start and end dates to reflect your travel preferences before making your reservation. Council 2023 will begin Thursday, February 16 and conclude Saturday, February 18. The default website reservation dates extend beyond the two nights necessary for Council 2023. Also, be advised that a one-night deposit per room will be required at the time of making the reservation.
Questions regarding Council hotel reservations may be directed to council@dwtx.org.
The diocesan office will host several online Pre-Council meetings for clergy and lay delegates, via Zoom. These meetings will be required for clergy as well as lay delegates and alternates, in order to review and practice the online voting system as well as preview the usual business items including the proposed diocesan budgets, resolutions, and nominations for elected offices of the Diocese.
Each Pre-Council meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zoom log-in information will be communicated to churches, delegates, and clergy in January 2023. Lay delegates, alternates, or clergy who cannot attend their assigned meeting may contact council@dwtx.org to receive the Zoom Meeting link for a different date and be added to the voting practice group for that night.
Click here to save a list of the churches in each convocation.
Live Spanish translation will be available for clergy and lay delegates.
10:00 a.m. Council Check-in/Registration opens
Lay Delegates & Alternates: Check-in/register at your delegation's table in Exhibit Hall B.
Clergy: Check-in/register with the Diocesan Secretary in the Atrium, outside the Exhibit Halls.
Guests: Check-in with Council Hosts in the Atrium, outside the Exhibit Halls.
12:30p.m. Childcare opens, Watergarden A&B, Second Level
1:00 p.m. Call to Order, Council Business starts, Exhibit Hall B
5:00 p.m. Council in recess
5:00 p.m. Sip’n’Shop Event, Exhibit Hall A
6:30 p.m. Childcare closes Watergarden A&B, Second Level
8:00 a.m. Friends of Bill Meeting, Rm. 104
8:30 a.m. Childcare opens, Watergarden A&B, Second Level
8:45 a.m. Council reconvenes Exhibit Hall B
Morning Prayer led by the Ven. Mike Besson; The Bishop’s Address 2023; Morning Business continues
11:10 a.m. Necrology and Noonday Prayers,Exhibit Hall B, Ground Level
11:45 a.m. Council in recess
12:00 p.m. Bishop’s Luncheon, Corpus Christi Room of The Omni Hotel, Third Floor; Clergy Spouses Luncheon, Nueces Room of The Omni Hotel, Third Floor
1:45 p.m. Council reconvenes, Exhibit Hall B; Ministry Reports and Council Business continue
5:00 p.m. Council in recess
Vesting Rooms open on the Second Level: Henry Garrett Ballroom C for Priests and D for Bishops.
5:30 p.m. Council Eucharist, Henry Garret Ballroom A&B, Second Level
7:30 p.m. Small Church, Big Mission Dinner
7:30p.m. Childcare closes Watergarden A&B, Second Level
8:00 a.m. Friends of Bill Meeting, Rm. 104
8:30 a.m. Childcare opens Watergarden A&B, Second Level
9:00 a.m. Council reconvenes Exhibit Hall B; Morning Prayer led by the Rt. Rev. Rayford High with a homily from the Rt. Rev. David Reed
9:30 a.m The Election of a Bishop Coadjutor begins, Exhibit Hall B
All other members of the Diocese are invited to view Council in its entirety through the live broadcast streamed on the diocesan Facebook, Vimeo, and at dwtx.org/council.
Council in Action is an opportunity for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and Council participants to serve the community where Council takes place. In 2023, Council In Action will collect supplies for Agape Ranch through CarePortal, “providing care and guidance for foster children and families in South Texas.”
As part of Council in Action, congregations are invited to bring the following items with them to Council 2023 in support of Agape Ranch:
A booth will be set up in Exhibit Hall A to receive in-kind donations. Agape Ranch is the managing administrative partner for CarePortal. Please visit agaperanch.org to learn more.
Click here to download the Council in Action Flyer.
Each year, Diocesan Council is the vehicle through which the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas conducts the business of the diocese under its Canons and Constitution. At the 119th Council we will elect diocesan leadership to the Executive Board, the Standing Committee, he Episcopal Church Corporation, the TMI Episcopal Board of Governors, and trustees of Sewanee: the University of the South. This year, Council will also elect deputies and alternates to attend General Convention and any Synod meeting of the Province of the Southwest (Province VII).
As Christian people we are accountable for the right use of the gifts and skills with which our Father has blessed us. We are called to elect leaders who will help the bishops in guiding the diocesan body, to budget the resources we have been given wisely, and to report back to the people.
Council will also receive and adopt diocesan budgets for the upcoming year, hear reports from ministries, and receive the written reports of all diocesan committees, commissions, and departments.
The 2023 Council Booklet is available online now. Click here to view.
No printed copies of the Council Booklet will be provided at Council. Use the links below to save a printable version to your browser's Downloads folder and print from home or your church's office.
The 2023 Council Booklet will include Council event information, the Proposed Diocesan Budgets, Report of the Nominations Committee, 2023 Resolutions, and other event details.
Click here to view a folder of the Reports by Title submitted to Dispatch of Business.
Questions about Diocesan Council may be directed to council@dwtx.org.
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