Greetings and God’s Peace to You,
To say it has been busy here in the Diocese of West Texas would be an understatement! We have seen the fruits of the spirit abound over the past months as we gathered together at Diocesan Council 2025 and then to celebrate the ordination and consecration of our new bishop suffragan, the Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas. Both events overflowed with fellowship and joy and the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the people of West Texas and the abundant blessings that God bestows upon our diocese.
It was a busy start to the year. Preparations for Council were in full swing as we returned from the holidays, along with a busy schedule of church visits, confirmations, and baptisms.
In January a difficult decision was made to shut down Plaza de Paz, the diocese’s Immigration + Refugee Ministries’ respite center. The decision was made following a months-long downward trend in migrant neighbor arrivals at the shelter. The trend is consistent with the falling number of apprehensions reported by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition, the future of federal grants awarded to the diocese for the operation of the shelter remains uncertain, fueling concerns about the facility's sustainability amid rising costs. As noted in the announcement, this does not mean the end of the Immigration + Refugee Ministries. The program will continue to provide training, calls to action, and serve as a resource for churches to respond faithfully to the needs of the immigrant community.
Council 2025 was a vibrant, productive, and spirit filled gathering. We celebrated a new mission and parish, covered important business issues, heard wonderful presentations, attended workshops, shared fellowship, and broke bread together.
On March 15, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe served as Chief Consecrator at Bishop Cortiñas’ consecration held at St. John’s, McAllen. It was a beautiful and holy service. A total of 15 bishops from across Episcopal dioceses laid hands on our new bishop as family, friends, and clergy watched this historic event. It was the first consecration in the 150 years of our diocese to be held in the Valley. St. John’s did an excellent job serving as the host church and participants and attendees, both in person and online, celebrated this blessed and jubilant occasion.
We are now in a busy spring season. Our churches and schools are moving at a quick pace, serving their congregations, students, and communities and sharing the hope and love of Jesus’ throughout. As I witness the unique and various ways laity and clergy within our diocese are saying “Here Am I. Send Me.”, I am reassured that God is walking beside us each and every day, leading us to move in ways we cannot even imagine.
In closing, I ask you to pray bigger prayers, for the Diocese of West Texas, pray bigger prayers for your congregation, and pray bigger prayers for yourself. Pray bigger prayers, and stand up to say, “Here am I. Send Me.”
In Peace
The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D.
Bishop of West Texas
