Easter Message from Bishop Mayer
|
|
“He is risen! He is risen indeed!”
This is the Paschal greeting, the Easter Acclamation. It is an amazingly simple statement, just seven words, but words upon which rest all of Christianity.
This short statement describes the culmination of the foundational story of our faith, that of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. The Cross was not the end. The power of God’s love reached into the Tomb and vanquished death, changing the world forever.
In this happy season let us embrace the new life of Easter, let us open ourselves to awe and amazement at the immensity of God’s love. The love that reached into that Tomb in Jerusalem can reach into your life, into my life, and raise us up out of all the small ways we are dead. Where we feel dead to joy, to love, to new relationships with our neighbors, that love can bring resurrection. In all the dark personal tombs in our hearts, that love can bring light.
And all we have to do is be still, and know that he is risen. He is risen indeed, for us all, every one.
Have a blessed Easter.
+Scott
|
|
The Presiding Bishop’s Easter 2018 Message
|
|
Filmed on Palm Sunday during his visit to the Holy Land, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry delivered his Easter 2018 Message while standing outside of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem.
"Hatred does not have the last word,” the Presiding Bishop said. “Violence does not have the last word. Bigotry does not have the last word. Sin, evil do not have the last word. The last word is God, and God is love.”
The video message can be viewed by clicking on the picture at right.
|
|
Youth News
by Renee Haney, Diocesan Youth Coordinator
|
|
SPRING FLING!
Youth in grades 2nd through 5th, along with sponsors from the diocese, gathered March 23rd to spend the weekend together. The weekend was designed as a kind of "trial run" for younger kids who are interested in summer camp but aren’t sure about being away for an entire week. We learned silly camp songs, worshiped, played games, made some neat art projects and talked about the Lord’s Prayer. Most adults can say this prayer in their sleep, but when they are discussing it with children or sharing about it…it makes one think, really think, about what it truly means. Here are some of the kids' "translations" of phrases from the Lord’s Prayer:
“Dad, you are in heaven (with those who have died and are there too)”
“Your name is awesome and special”
"Please feed us”
For at least two of the children attending, this was the first time away from home. They had a blast and the next day one told their mom they were ready to come back for a LONGER TIME the next time! Another told me they were sad it was so short. We call this a win! More pictures from the weekend can be found
here
.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Summer Camp is Coming Soon!
Our two summer camps will take place this June! Camp Quarterman will be held June 10-16 in Colorado for youth in grades 7-12. Camp Quarterman Junior will take place June 24-30 at Ceta Glen near Happy, Texas for youth in grades 2-5. Youth in 6
th
grade may choose either camp.
This year’s theme for camp is “Who Dat Saint?: Stories of Some Heroes of the Faith?” What is a saint? How do you become one? Why do we need to learn about them? Am I a saint?
Campers will spend a week having fun, hanging out together, hiking, playing games, worshiping, singing, and making cool crafts. It is a busy week. Campers make friendships that will last a lifetime. Camp is one place campers can be themselves and experience unconditional love. As one camper said, “I get to be me at camp! No judging my clothes or me there! Pretty cool isn’t it?”
Registration forms are available from your church office, the diocesan website, the diocesan youth coordinator at
nwtxyouth@suddenlink.net
or on Facebook at DNWTX Youth Program.
______________________________________________________________
Volunteers and Staff for Summer Camp…
We are accepting applications for volunteer and paid staff for this summer. It is a lot of work and loads of fun. You get to hang out with some great kids and work with awesome clergy and counselors. You get to share God’s love with the youth who attend.
We are in special need of a nurse who would like to spend time with our diocesan youth at either or both camps.
Please contact Renee Haney, Diocesan Youth Coordinator at 806-445-3667, or email her at
nwtxyouth@suddenlink.net
for more information on summer camp and opportunities to be a part of this great ministry!
|
|
Once a year the presbyters in the diocese gather together with Bp. Mayer for a short conference, usually right after Easter. This year they will be meeting at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo, April 16-19. The speaker for the conference will be the Rev. George Martin who previously served as an interim at St. Andrew’s, Amarillo and is currently writing a book on the Apostle Paul. For more information on Father Martin and/or to read the first few chapters of the book, visit his website
http://georgemartin.org/
. Father Martin has spent much time researching Paul and has wonderful insights into this beloved saint. Our priests are in for a treat!
In addition to the presentations by Father Martin, the priests will have a chance to renew their ordination vows at the Wednesday evening Eucharist and spend time enjoying each other's company in a peaceful setting.
Please pray for those gathered that they may come back to their communities refreshed and filled with Easter joy.
|
|
Saint Nicholas’ Episcopal Church Announces New Rector
Saint Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, Midland has named the Rev. Nancy A. Springer as their new Rector. Springer will begin serving the church on April 23, 2018.
Following the retirement of previous Rector, the Rev. David Huxley in July 2017, a search committee was formed and tasked with finding a new Rector.
“
The search committee was unanimous in our enthusiastic decision to recommend to the Vestry of Saint Nicholas' the Rev. Nancy Springer,
” said Joan Whitt, search committee chair person. “
We believe she is a good fit for our parish and will bring many gifts, energy and abilities to further our discernment to follow God’s plan."
“St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church is blessed to have Mtr. Nancy Springer accept our call as our new Rector,” said Sr. Warden of Saint Nicholas’ Joe Cobb. “We have been looking for someone to lead our church family, and it is clear that Mtr. Springer is the right person at the right time.”
Springer previously served as Associate Rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Harlingen, Texas. Before that she served as both Assistant and Associate Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in McAllen, Texas. Springer earned a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Divinity from Wycliffe College in Toronto, Ontario. She was ordained to both The Sacred Order of Deacons and The Sacred Order of Priests in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.
“
I look forward to joining St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church as their Rector
,” said the Rev. Nancy A. Springer. “
Together with the good people of St. Nicholas' we will continue to seek God’s path and plan for us as the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement sharing His love with the world. My husband, Jim Chase, and I are also looking forward to our move back to a community of family and friends in the Midland Odessa area. All are welcome at St. Nicholas' to worship, fellowship and serve others in Jesus’ name with us."
The “Celebration of a New Ministry,” a welcoming worship service, will be held at a later date at St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church.
|
|
Finance Manager Resigns
It is with sadness that we announce Diocesan Finance Manager, Anna Mora, has decided to resign. Anna faced, and continues to struggle with, numerous health issues this past year. She and her family feel it best that she spends time focusing on her health and recovery. Anna has been an integral part of the Bishop's staff for over ten years. She will be greatly missed by all of us at the Hulsey Episcopal Center and those in our churches who were in contact with her. Anna will be working a reduced schedule each week for the time being to train her replacement. Please keep her in your prayers as she begins this new phase in her life.
|
|
Moreno Moving to Diocese of Oklahoma
The Rev. Alberto Moreno Casas has served a vicar and hispanic missioner of San Miguel Arcangel, Odessa since 2012. He was recently appointed as the Latino Missioner for Tulsa in the Diocese of Oklahoma. He will be leading the Latino congregation meeting at St. Dunstan's, Tulsa.
Alberto is originally from Monterrey, Mexico, and was educated at the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosí, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and the Universidad de Monterrey. He is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Ministry degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. Alberto will be leaving San Miguel at the end of May to travel a bit before transitioning to his new position in July.
Our best wishes go out to Alberto, Malgorzata, Saron and Mayka in their new endeavor.
|
|
Pipe Organ Dedication and Recital
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, San Angelo invites the diocese to join in the dedication of its new pipe organ in a service of Choral Evensong and Dedicatory Recital on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. The church is located in downtown San Angelo at 3 S. Randolph, on the corner of Randolph and Harris streets.
The church’s pipe organ, originally built in 1969, was recently revised and expanded from 22 to 36 ranks, which means more than 2,000 individual pipes, by Garland Pipe Organ Company of Fort Worth. The service will feature beautiful choral music with works by Stanford, Walmsley, and Marshall, scripture readings, and prayer to dedicate the new pipe organ to sacred use. The recital will be played by guest organist Dr. Louellen Meyer, who will play works by Bach, Walther, Rachmaninoff, Guilmant, and Purcell. A reception will follow on the beautiful Hunter Courtyard.
For more information on the service or the organ, please contact Fr. Matt Rowe at 325.653.2446 or
frmatt@emmanuel-sa.org
.
|
|
The Beecken Center at Sewanee offers Workshop on Family Systems
Understanding the congregation as a family system can change the way church leaders and church members understand themselves, how members and ministers in a community of faith affect and influence one another, and why some parishes and parish leaders become healthy, effective, and powerful forces for mission and ministry—and why some do not. For more information and to register for the workshop click
here
.
|
|
Creation Justice Ministries Resources for Earth Day 2018 (April 22)
Each year before Earth Day, Creation Justice Ministries offers materials to equip faith communities to protect, restore, and more rightly share God's creation. The 2018 theme is "Sense of Place" and offers insights about living in harmony with local ecosystems and watersheds, rightly sharing places with a diversity of peoples, and respecting the history of your place.
Read more
.
|
|
Cartoon used by permission - Jeff Larson The Back Pew
|
|
EVENTS for the DIOCESE
(Items in Purple indicate the Bishop's Presence)
|
|
 |
APRIL
1
Easter Sunday
1 Visitation, Heavenly Rest, Abilene
2
Easter Monday, HEC closed
6-8 SOM, St. Paul’s, Lubbock
10-13 Project Resource 2.0, Camp Allen
16-19 Presbyter’s Conference, Christ the King Retreat Center
22 Visitation, St. Andrew’s, Amarillo
23 Visitation, St. Peter’s, Amarillo
24 Celebration of New Ministry, St. George’s, Canyon, 2 pm
28
Provincial Synod online meeting for General Convention Deputies
MAY
4-6 SOM, St. Paul’s, Lubbock
7-9 Fresh Start Retreat, DeFalco Center, Amarillo
24 Trustees, HEC, 10 am
25
Standing Committee, HEC, 10 am
28 Memorial Day, HEC Closed
31 Celebration of New Ministry, St. Mary the Virgin, Big Spring, 7 pm
June
3 Visitation, St. Mark’s, Coleman
8 General Convention Deputies Meeting, Lubbock
10-16 Camp Quarterman, Colorado
17 Visitation, St. Peter’s, Borger
22 General Convention Deputies Meeting, Lubbock
22-24 Women’s Retreat, Christ the King Retreat Center
24 Visitation, St. John's, Clarendon
24-30 Camp Quarterman Junior, Ceta Glen
The full events calendar for the Diocese can be viewed
here
.
|
|
|
|
Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas
Attn: Elizabeth Thames
1802 Broadway
Lubbock, Texas 79401
806-763-1370
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
