Parish News

It was a great celebration this past Sunday at St. Augustine of Hippo, Galveston, as they celebrated their 135th Anniversary and welcomed the Rev. Michael Brady who assumed his role as lead deacon. 


The popular Blessing of the Backpacks at St. Francis, Houston , returns. Students are invited to bring their backpacks for blessings on August 26. The event was started by the Rev. Bob Wismer.


The Houston Chronicle featured Christ Church Cathedral on the cover of the Lifestyle/Religion and Spirituality page in this past Sunday’s Houston Chronicle. The article discussed the church's commitment to the hungry. It highlighted its assembly of 100,000 meals to serve members of the underserved population.

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Events & Announcements

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who came to America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on  Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3 p.m. ET.  Click  here  to watch the video.

The Rev. John Dublin Epps Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) is excited to host the 5th Annual Holy Grill and Family Fun Fest on Labor Day, Monday, September 2 . This year’s event, featuring some of the best barbecue, will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Houston . More information can be found here .

Happening provides a method through which one's spirituality may be developed, nourished, lived, and shared in fellowship. Attendees, who are high school students, listen to thought-provoking and challenging talks given by members of the youth staff and clergy. After each talk, the opportunity is given for questions and discussion in small groups. The deadline for for participants is August 30 . Register here .
EfM is Seminar Groups

Education for Ministry (EfM) is now accepting registrations for new, transferring, and returning students. You may contact the mentor directly in order to enroll. A list of mentors is can be found here .

EfM is a course of study developed by the University of the South School of Theology to provide laypersons with an opportunity to study theology on the local level. It is designed for adult learners who desire to seek a deeper walk in their faith. It is a four-year course, but we only ask students to commit for one year at a time. During the course you will study the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Theology in a seminar group environment that operates like a one-room schoolhouse.

If you are interested, but would like more information, please contact the Diocesan Coordinator, Lucy Wagner or visit the website at  www.texas-efm.org .
W&V-Iona
St. Paul's, Houston, Seeks Volunteers with a Background in Medicine

San Pablo/St. Paul’s, Houston, is looking for volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and medical assistants to help serve our area’s under served community of elderly, homeless, children and uninsured and under resourced at our new clinic on San Pablo’s campus.

The goal is to begin serving patients starting the first week of September. All types of medical supplies are graciously accepted. While some proficiency in the Spanish language will be helpful, the main language needed is the language of compassionate love. For more information and volunteer opportunities, please contact the Rev. Ed Gomez at  713.645.5031   office or  713.417.0317  cell.

In an effort to build a directory of diocesan-wide communications staff and volunteers, the EDOT Communications staff is collecting information from each congregation, school, or other diocesan entity. If your church, school, or organization has communications staff, volunteers and/or committees that work toward advancing your parish or entity’s communications efforts, then please complete  this form . Should you have questions, email  Tammy Lanier  or  Paulette Martin.

Would you like to have more training in small church church finance? As well as property guidance? The Diocese of Texas' Small Church Network invites you September 29-30 for their Fall Gathering at Camp Allen. 

The focus on this gathering will on the struggles and questions small churches have in regards to finance and property. Members of the Diocesan Finance team will be present, ready to answer any questions.

Church treasurers, along with wardens and those serving small churches, are encouraged to attend. Registration is open on the Camp Allen website . For more information, contact Kathy Dunn or call 903.579.6012.

The inaugural gala to support the Texas Pauli Murray Scholarship will take place Saturday, September 28 at the  Doubletree in Austin . Proceeds from the gala will fund a scholarship that will allow African American students and other students of color to earn a Master's of Divinity degree at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, without incurring debt related to living expenses. Named for Pauli Murray, a civil rights activist and the first African American woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, this scholarship seeks to equip African American leaders, and other leaders of color, for the next chapter of the church’s life. 

Created by a partnership between the seminary and local congregations, this scholarship will be awarded to one student per class, allowing three students to be enrolled simultaneously. Join this multi-parish effort by donating to the scholarship, or get a gala ticket at  welcometableaustin.org , a nonprofit associated with St. James’ Austin. Please contact  jim@stjamesaustin.org , for more details about giving a gift to support this important work.

Women of color around the world share the common malady of invisibility in many arenas. The state of being invisible contributes to their oppression and leaves them often with no means to advocate for themselves about the major issues that concern them.

This conference will offer strategies for developing daily practices to support the inner capacity that each person has to engage their life in ways to release the energy of resilience and re-invention. The conference will take place October 24-26 at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. More information can be found here.
National & International News

The Episcopal Church continues to respond to the complex array of challenges facing immigrants across the United States, including support for children and other people seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border, assisting immigrants who are undocumented, advocating for comprehensive immigration reform, and resettling refugees through Episcopal Migration Ministries.


A Confederate battle flag depicted in stained glass. A pew labeled as the one where the president of the Confederacy once worshipped.
A cathedral plaque honoring an Episcopal bishop who fought for the South in the Civil War.

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
Social Media and Multimedia Specialist
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Houston

Communications Coordinator
St. Francis, Houston

Director of Family Ministries
St. James', Austin

Part-Time Nursery Worker
Christ the King, Humble/Atascocita

Find full details on these and more opportunities   here