Parish News

As church leaders, we are called to invite all people in, to help them feel comfortable and loved. Plenty of resources are available on the hospitality of adults, but what about children? Although it will be parents who ultimately decide whether or not to return to your parish, there are ways to specifically welcome young people. Read more here .


Senior Jenna Rogge first went to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School’s Project Idea and Realization Lab (PIRL) with an interest in prostheses and a desire to build a prosthetic hand. Read more here .
Diocesan News

Bishop Andy Doyle is pleased to announce the call of the Rev. Wm. Blake Rider as Diocesan Transition Minister. Rider will return to the Diocese of Texas and join the staff in the position currently held by the Rev. Francene Young. Read more here .

The Diocesan vision to establish more church plants by the end of 2020 continues in full force with two additional clergy answering the call. The Rev. Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis, associate rector at St. Andrew’s, Houston and the Rev. Brin C. Bon, most recently associate rector of St. Michael’s, Austin are the newest church planters. 
Meet the Bishop Suffragan Candidates Jan. 5, 2019

Please save  Saturday, January 5, 2019  at  Camp Allen   to meet the candidates for Bishop Suffragan. Each candidate will have the opportunity for a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session.   Each participant will receive a name tag and a room assignment where they will gather with other participants to hear nominees make presentations and take questions from those gathered. The nominees will then walk to the next room and address another group, to repeat that process until all nominees have addressed all participants, thus the concept of a “walkabout”. Lunch is included in the $20 cost to attend. The election will be held during the  Diocese's 170th Annual Council , February 21-23, 2019 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

The Rev. Chuck Treadwell , rector of St. David's, Austin is chair of the nominations committee and 
the Rev. Merrill Wade   is chair of the transition committee, which will oversee the walkabout.
Council Deadlines this Thursday
Deadline for resolutions is November 15, 2018.  The Rev. Jimmy Grace , chair
Deadline for amendments/changes to Constitution and Canons is November 15, 2018.  Maria Boyce , chair. 

Volunteers Needed
Encourage your parishioners to participate in the life of the Church by volunteering at 170 th  Diocesan Council, in The Woodlands, February 21-23, 2019 at the Woodlands Marriott Convention Center. Possible areas in which to help are: checkin, worship, workshops, exhibits, celebration events and business, of course. Please save the dates and encourage your friends to volunteer as well. A link to register as a volunteer will be added to the  Council  web page in the near future. 

All Council information is available and will continue to be updated at  www.epicenter.org/council.
Events and Deadlines
Please post the following in your E-Newsletter
A part-time, 26-week CPE program designed for clergy and qualified laypersons   will provide significant learning experiences to enhance pastoral care skills and knowledge for parish ministry or other settings. The comprehensive clinical setting consists of Baylor St. Luke’s, a large premier adult hospital specializing in cardiology and pulmonology medicine, plus Texas Children’s Hospital, a nationally-renowned pediatric hospital. Deadline for applications is November 16. Contact the Rev. Biser Ovcharov , 214.404.71112. 
Luther Seminary is accepting applications for the 2019-20 Missional Leadership Cohort for Episcopal Clergy. This grant-funded program provides a structured peer learning environment for priests seeking to lead transformationally in mission. Deadline is Dec 1. More information here .
YMCA International Services serves many immigrants in the Houston area, specifically refugees, asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and separated migrant children. For many, the holidays can be a lonely time as they separated thousands of miles from family and friends. Adopt a Family was created to help welcome these newly arrived Houstonians to their new home and to help them feel connected to the Houston community. If you, your family, neighbors, or coworkers are interested in welcoming a new family by adopting them for the holidays, please fill out the following this form .
Bishop Andy Doyle's New Book Now Available
Bishop Andy Doyle envisions a church whose mission is not defined by economic or worldly boundaries, and a gospel that grows wherever people respond to God’s grace in their lives. The Episcopal Church, along with all denominational churches, must breakout of old training models and traditions of ordination in this new age of mission. Bishop Doyle challenges readers to reconsider assumptions about vocations and new possibilities for the future. Purchase “Vocatio”  here .
An Advent study of C.S. Lewis and the Gifts of Christmas retreat at Camp Allen will be led by Christin Ditchfield Lazo and Andrew Lazo. Participants may also enjoy Camp Allen's 1,100 pristine acres and outdoor activities. Adult & children's program available. Register at  Campallen.org or call 936.825.7175 for more information. 
When Thanksgiving leaves you tired of cooking and eating leftover turkey, join folks at Camp Allen for Holiday Steak Dinner.  The halls will be decked with boughs of holly for this perfect opportunity to enjoy the Christmas season with a holiday gathering for friends, family, or clients. Cash bar. Register at  Campallen.org or call 936.825.7175 for more information . 
Anyone in college or college-aged is invited to the Texas Episcopal College Retreat for 2019. The cost for the weekend is $25. Expect fun activities, small group times, worship, game nights, deep conversations, new friends and lots more! You can expect to hear the Gospel, learn new things, experience different styles of worship, and have an experience unlike any other. For more information, contact the Rev. Keith Pozzuto or call 412.559.6866. 
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Formation Office is excited to once again offer the EDOT Youth Pilgrimage to England this summer to 12 th grade students graduating in the Spring of 2019. The pilgrimage will take place on August 3-11, 2019.  The EDOT Youth Pilgrimage will include several visits to both religious and historical sites in towns such as Canterbury, London and Cambridge. This is a wonderful time to explore the Anglican heritage of the church and dive deeper into your personal faith journey.  The application is due  December 1, 2018. If you have questions or would like more information, please email Mary Karcher at  mkarcher@epicenter.org . Apply 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
Part-Time Director of Music
Holy Comforter, Spring

Congregational Officer
Episcopal Health Foundation

Technical Assistant
EDOT

Find full details on these and more employment opportunities here . 
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