The Ninth Bishop of Texas: Diolog: Austin Thrift Shop Vandalized, Tanzanian Archbishop Visits,and More

the Episcopal Diocese of Texas

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Tanzanian Archbishop Visits Galveston

Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston welcomed the Most Rev. Jacob Chimeledya on Sunday. They celebrated a unique partnership benefiting schoolgirls in Tanzania. Click above to read more.

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"I Love Football – But it's Killing My Soul"
In the lead up to the Super Bowl, Dr. Greg Garret, a lay minister at St. David's, Austin, and English professor at Baylor University, wrote a recent article for FaithStreet.com asking if it was possible to love the violent game of football and still be a compassionate Christian. Click here to read his conclusions.

Youth Choristers and Directors: Come to the Youth Choral Festival on February 1!
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Diocesan Youth Festival will welcome music-loving youth in grades 4 & up who are not part of any existing school or church choir, but would like to attend and sing with the dozens of youth attending. Rehearsals that day will prepare them to sing in the 3 p.m. Service. This is a great opportunity to experience the joy of singing with a group in the beautiful Cathedral environment. Dr. Linda Patterson will rehearse with those new to choirs at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, providing folders and music. Prior reservation and permission slips are necessary to be sure that adequate food and printed music is available. Contact Bruce Power (tbpower@christchurchcathedral.org or 713.590.3310) to make a reservation.

New LOGOS Videos Posted and Easier Downloading Now Available
Visit the LOGOS Project today and watch videos featuring the leading experts and theologians of our time. Most videos include links to study questions in the description. Use them for Sunday School, Bible Study, or even as a Lenten series. Now, you can download videos more easily, with the simple download button located just below each video. Download the videos to your hard drive and take them wherever you need them. It's free! Click here.

Pre-Council Webinar
Clergy and Lay delegates to 2014 Council who are unable to attend one of the convocation Pre-Council Meetings, may participate in our final webinar, available on Wednesday, February 5 from 7 – 9 p.m. To sign up, click the link below and follow the instructions on the screen. All participants are encouraged to review the Pre-Council Booklet. Click here for the Pre-Council Booklet. Click here to register for the webinar – 2/5 at 7 p.m. If you have technical questions concerning participating in a webinar, please contact Bob Schorr at bschorr@epicenter.org.

Bishop Doyle Invites All Churches to Process with Banners at Council
Bishop Doyle invites all churches to process their banners at the Opening Service for Diocesan Council on Friday, February 7, at the Galveston Island Convention Center (5600 Seawall Blvd.) It will remain in place until the close of the business meeting on Saturday, February 8.

Each church is invited to name a representative to carry the banner and provide the banner and a stand. The representative should arrive at the Convention Center beginning at 3 p.m. and no later than 4 p.m. and report to Kevin Robertson or Ken Fields. Upon arrival, the stands and banners will be placed around the perimeter of the room and procession instructions will be given. Please label the flag stand with the church's name and city.

This information should be submitted to Alice Kerr at the Diocesan Center by phone at 713.520.6444; 800.318.4452 or by e-mail to akerr@epicenter.org. Questions may be addressed to her as well.

Anti-Trafficking Efforts Intensify in Advance of Super Bowl
In the months leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII, Episcopalians in New Jersey and surrounding states have been gearing up, not for the big game, but for an influx of women and children who officials say will be trafficked into the region for sexual exploitation. Read more.

Camp Allen Lunch & Learn, February 3 at 11:30 a.m.
Join Camp Allen for a delicious lunch and hear Master Gardener Ann DeWitt speak about Texas native plants and incorporating them into our landscapes. $20 per person. Learn more at campallen.org.

Contemplative Retreat at Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio: March 30-April 1
The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle will be leading the annual ecumenical contemplative retreat at Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio. His topic will be "Ubuntu: Practicing Compassion." The keystone for this retreat is 48 hours of grand silence. Click here for a brochure.

The Rev. Carter Heyward, One of the First Female Priests, Speaking at CCC
The Rev. Carter Heyward, Ph.D., will speak at a forum on "Rethinking Christianity in a Multi-Faith World" at Christ Church Cathedral, February 22. The forum will feature a Muslim, Budhist and Jewish woman's perspective as well. Heyward is one of the "Philadelphia Eleven" who opened the door to women's ordination in the Episcopal Church. Click here to learn more.

Youth Choristers and Directors: Come to the Youth Choral Festival on February 1!
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Diocesan Youth Festival will welcome music-loving youth in grades 4 & up who are not part of any existing school or church choir, but would like to attend and sing with the dozens of youth attending. Rehearsals that day will prepare them to sing in the 3 PM Service. This is a great opportunity to experience the joy of singing with a group in the beautiful Cathedral environment. Dr. Linda Patterson will rehearse with those new to choirs at 9:45 on Saturday morning, providing folders and music. Prior reservation and permission slips are necessary to be sure that adequate food and printed music is available. Contact Bruce Power ( or 713.590.3310) to make a reservation.

St. Phillip's in Frisco, Tx Hosts 'Changed' Conference, Featuring EDOT Speakers
Are you ready to move from doing 'church' to doing 'change'? Do you want to rediscover the joy of living out the Great Commission? Do you want to connect and learn from people who are building transformational communities of faith? At the Changed Conference from February 9-11, 2014, you will learn practical skills for building transformational communities that endure. Click here to learn more.

Episcopal-Lutheran Meet & Greet Luncheon in Houston, February 20
Our Lutheran (ELCA) ecumenical partners have invited all Houston-area Episcopal clergy and heads of congregations to a luncheon on February 20, noon-1:30 p.m. at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort, in Houston. Bishops Doyle and Fisher and ELCA Bishop Michael Rinehart will each tell of their respective judicatories, talk about the future of the church, offer some visions for observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, and more. RSVP to office@salemhouston.org or 713.723.3509.

Abundant Living Conference is Fantastic Opportunity for Older Adults, Families
This conference, scheduled for March 10-14 at Camp Allen, will feature outstanding speakers and activities. Keynote speakers include: Dr. Carmel Dyer, who founded the Harris County District Geriatrics program and Bets Anderson, Professor Emerita at UTMB, watercolorist and award winning author. The entire three day/two night conference has been underwritten so that the entire cost for a early bird registrant is $185 including all meals, lodging, and socials at Camp Allen. You can register at campallen.org or by calling Heather Lundy at 936.825.7175.

Interfaith Women's Retreat, February 7-9, in Houston
Interfaith Ministries' annual women's retreat is a chance to experience renewal and refreshing. The event brings together women of diverse faiths to speak on a subject that is of interest to women of all faiths. This year, participants will learn about various aspects of communication. The 10 speakers represent the feminine perspective of a wide range of ethnic, cultural, professional, and religious backgrounds. And each has her own unique perspective and insight to inspire and equip you to improve the communication in your life. Learn more here.

Taizé Brothers Visiting Texas in March and April
Join them in Austin March 21-23, Dallas April 4-6, or Houston April 25-27

More Upcoming Events
January 31 - Downtown Dialogue in Bryan - "Christianity in the Workplace"
February 6 - Payne Lecture with the Rev. Jimmy Bartz, Austin
February 7 - First Friday Symphony Concert at Epiphany, Houston
February 11 - Free Organ Concert with David Briggs at SJD, Houston
February 14 - Faith Formation 20/20 with John Roberto, Dallas
February 22 - SSW BBQ Showdown, Austin
Click here for a full calendar.

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