Episcopalian Invited to Speak on Fishing Industry Struggles Post-Harvey
Just five days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the Gulf of Mexico, Rhonda Cummings received a phone call from the XXIV World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea, asking her to give a presentation in Taiwan about the impact Harvey caused on fishermen.
Read the full story here.
Parish News
Palmer Place Apartments Offer Refuge From Storm
In the stressful days of Hurricane Harvey, former patients and families reached out to Palmer Place ministers with thoughtful calls offering love and support during the storm.  Read more here
EDOT Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Many of the men and women of our Hispanic congregations will be highlighted during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15. Watch a video from Bishop Assistant Hector Monterroso on our Spanish language Facebook page and learn more at either Texas Diocese or La Diocesis Episcopal de Texas." 
Diocesan News
Diocesan Adult Choral Festival, October 21 in Houston
The 60th Annual Diocesan Adult Choral Festival will take place Saturday, October 21, at St. James’, Houston, (3129 Southmore Boulevard). Choirs will gather, beginning at 10 a.m., for a day of rehearsals with guest conductor Giles Brightwell, Ph.D., of St. Thomas’, Houston. All singers in the Diocese are welcome to register and join the combined choirs. Cost for the day, including lunch and snacks, is $20. More information and registration can be found  here.
Jesus Heist: Recovering the Gospel from the Church
Bishop  Andy Doyle talks about his new book The Jesus Heist: Recovering the Gospel from the Church in a new video trailer. "This book will flip the script of many Bible stories, allowing us to hear Jesus' call to change as one that is directed at us rather than as one we should direct toward others," Doyle said. Read more here.
Council Nominations Open, Deadlines Set
The 2018 Council will be held in Waco, Thursday, February 15-Saturday, February 17. Nominations are now open through November 10 and position descriptions are listed on the Council information page on the website here. Only electronic forms will be accepted for nominations this year and a link is included on the page. Deadline for resolutions, Constitution and Canon changes/amendments is November 15. Special pricing at convention hotels is available through January 11, 2018 or until the block of rooms are reserved. Pre-council videos, a schedule and workshops will be listed on the page when they become available. 
Diocesan Youth Council Applications Open
Serving as a youth delegate is a terrific opportunity for young people interested in government. Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2018 diocesan council to be held in Waco February 15-17. One young person from each convocation will be selected to be a representative during the business meeting Saturday February 17. Nominations and applications are due October 31. Read more here.
Open Enrollment For Benefits
The annual Open Enrollment period for health benefits will be from Monday, October 23, 2017 to Friday, November 10, 2017. There will be two Open Enrollment meetings to provide important Information and Plan Updates. These meetings will be held at the Diocesan Center (1225 Texas St. Houston, TX 77002) on Thursday October 12, 2017 at 10 a.m. for rectors and parish administrator and on Thursday, October 26 at 10 a.m. for all to attend. We will also conduct a simultaneous webinar for those unable to attend. Instructions for attending the webinar are located on the Diocesan Benefits webpage. Some important changes will take place for 2017, so it is imperative that someone from each church or institution attend a meeting or webinar. For more information, please contact Jessica O’Leary at joleary@epicenter.org.
ECF 2018 Church Leadership Conference at Kanuga, March 2-4
The Church Leadership Conference is an annual gathering of vestry members and congregational leaders for practical learning, reflection and formation. The 2018 Conference is on March 2-4, 2018 and registration is now open. Speakers and presenters will address core needs in strategic leadership, financial planning and creative communications. For more information and to register, click here
Explore Your Ministry Options
Next Discovery Retreat, December 1-3 at Camp Allen
The Church needs leaders who are entrepreneurial, collaborative, adaptive, diverse and spiritually trustworthy. While we still need to identify those among us who are called to ordination, the Diocese of Texas encourages all Christians to seek their particular call. The discernment process in the Diocese is designed to give greater access to explore ministry in many forms through an initial Discovery Retreat for those who want to serve God in a new way. Participants learn a theological model for vocation that gives them a framework for their own discernment. They explore a variety of Christian vocations, have time for personal reflection and prayer and learn about the canonical processes for ordained ministry in the Diocese. Consider participating in the December Discovery Retreat to see where God is calling you to serve. Registration for the Discovery Retreats is on the Camp Allen website. For additional information, please contact the Rev. Victoria Mason or the Rev. Francene Young. Learn more 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
The World Mission Board of the Diocese of Texas seeks a contract assistant for communications. This position is electronically based, with the understanding that some of the work will take place in person around the Diocese in conjunction with the work of the World Mission Board. This position reports to the World Mission Board Chair, currently the Rev. Meredith Holt Crigler. A detailed job description can be found here. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and résumé to the Rev. Meredith Holt Crigler.

Holy Spirit, Houston, seeks a director of business operations that is responsible for the day-to-day business activities of the church, including maintaining all financial and accounting records and providing office oversight. The position reports to the Rector, and works closely with the church Treasurer, key Vestry positions and fellow staff members. This is a full time position with regular office hours. Salary is commensurate with experience. For a detailed job description, click here. Please send resume to the Rev. Josh Condon.

Find full details on these and more employment opportunities here
More Diocesan Events
October 13 - ECW Annual Retreat

October 14 - Holy Grill BBQ Cookoff
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