Austin Area Communications Day, Deadline Approaching

This is  evangelism 101  in today's technology-driven media storm. Led by the communication team from the Church Center in New York, we will gather at St. Michael’s, Austin, from 9-3 p.m. Learn how to reach new audiences with targeted messages, how to use video and social media effectively and how to raise awareness of your church and ministries. Join us!

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  Check-in & Hospitality
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.      Opening Plenary: Communication as Evangelism – Neva Rae Fox
10:15 a.m.         Workshop Session 1: 
  • Emergency/Crisis Communications - Neva Rae Fox
  • Social Media: Maintaining an Online Presence - Jeremy Tackett
  • Basic Website Development - Barry Merer
11:20 a.m. Workshop Session 2
  • Advanced Website Development - Barry Merer
  • Videos: Recording for Your Congregation - Mike Collins
  • Emergency/Crisis Communications - Neva Rae Fox
12:15 p.m. Lunch and Plenary: General Convention, Neva Rae Fox and Carol E. Barnwell 
1:30 – 2:25 p.m.         Workshop Session 3:
  • Social Media: Maintaining an Online Presence - Jeremy Tackett
  • Video Recording - Mike Collins
  • Challenges of Reaching Diverse Age Groups, Tech Savvy Audiences - Neva Rae Fox and Carol E. Barnwell 
 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.    Q&A with Presenters & Closing Prayer

Cost for the Seminar is $15 and reservations are required.  Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, February 28.  Plan now to join us Friday, March 2 (for clergy) or Saturday, March 3 (lay staff and lay leaders). Register  here . If one day suits your schedule better than the other, that's fine, too.
Diocesan News
Answering God's Call is Vocation of Church and People
“Take action in the power of the Holy Spirit,” said the Rt. Rev. Jane Alexander in her sermon at the opening worship for the 169 th  Annual Diocesan Council, in Waco, February 15. The Bishop of Edmonton challenged delegates and clergy to find the space where they could “hear God’s call let our lives speak wherever we find ourselves". Read the full story here .
We Are Looking for a Bishop!
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas is excited to welcome you to the process for the selection of our next Bishop Suffragan for the West Region of the Diocese. This is an exciting time to be a part of God’s work in the diocese, and we are honored to partner with you as we listen for God’s direction and prepare to elect someone to join the team of bishops in our diocese . Full details here.
Parish News
Founder of Brigid’s Place Devotes Her Ministry by Nourishing Women’s Spirituality
As Brigid’s Place marks its 20 th  anniversary, the Rev. Canon Betty Adam admitted to ruffling some feathers in its founding, originally as a women’s ministry of Christ Church Cathedral, Houston.
Read full story here .
Friendswood Church Takes Ash Wednesday to the Streets
Religious leaders spent roughly three hours Wednesday morning administering ashes in a Friendswood Dairy Queen parking lot in celebration of the start of Lent. Read full
story here .
Events and Deadlines
Registration Open for Young Adult Festival at General Convention
Registration is now open for the Episcopal Church Young Adult Festival, scheduled to run concurrently with the  79th General Convention   of the  Episcopal Church . The Young Adult Festival is designed for young adults 18-30 years old to meet peers from across the globe, pray and learn together, engage in the church’s legislative process, and help discern God’s call for the Episcopal Church.
Is God Calling You?
Registration is now open for the Discovery Retreat, February 23-25, at Camp Allen. The weekend retreat is designed for people discerning a sense that God is calling them to a specialized ministry, either lay or ordained. More than 100 "seekers" from across the Diocese have participated in a Discovery Retreat. For more information and registration click here .
Songs of Love & Redemption, A Lenten Concert Series
St. Mark’s, Houston will present a celebration of women performers in their annual Lenten Concert Series. The concert series begins February 21 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's, Houston. For a full list of perfomers and upcoming concerts visit here .
Invite Welcome Connect Workshop, Holy Cross, Sugar Land
The workshop will include the theology of welcome, why welcoming is everyone’s ministry, and the transformation that happens when we welcome all as Christ. The workshop will be facilitated by Molly Carnes. The event will take place Saturday, February 24 from 9-3 p.m. More details here .
Convocation in Europe Seeks Next Bishop
Applications are now being accepted in the search for the next bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. A profile of the Convocation and further information can be found here.
Annual Altar Guild Retreat
The Annual Altar Guild Retreat will be held at Camp Allen, March 1-3.  Contact  Denise Cluelow at 409.718.1845 for more information.
Junior High & Intermediate Retreats: March 2-4
The Junior Hight & Intermediate Retreats are designed to draw diocesan youth together for a weekend of relaxation, fun and worship at Camp Allen. For more information contact Stephanie Townes or visit here.
Read the Bible in Three Days!
Evangelism Matters March 15-17
Evangelism Matters is for anyone excited to learn about sharing and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God. Hosted by   St. Paul’s Episcopal Church   in Cleveland Heights, OH, Evangelism Matters is a churchwide event co-sponsored by the Episcopal Church’s   Evangelism Initiatives Team   and   Forward Movement .
Diocesan Music Camp, for Youth in Rising Grades 6-12
Youth in rising grades 6-12 will stay in the Blinn College dormitory while rehearsing for a week. Local outreach, recreation and rehearsals with professional musicians are included in tuition. All meals, snacks and music are also included. We live in community and share music, food, and fellowship. Generous scholarships are available through a grant from the Gilbert and Thyra Plass Arts Foundation. More information and registration details can be found here.
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas is committed to ensuring that its churches, schools and institutions live out our baptismal covenant, providing an environment free from abuse, exploitation and harassment.
Employment
Director of Music Ministries
St. John's, La Porte

Part-Time Director of Faith for Children and Youth
St. Andrew's, Bryan

Housekeeping
St. Martin's, Houston

Find full details on these and more employment opportunities here . 
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