Diolog: Austin Thrift Shop Vandalized, Tanzanian Archbishop Visits,and More

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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.

Visit tinyurl.com/diologenews to sign up for this and other newsletters. "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. Need a Job? To see job opportunities, visit our employment page. UPDATES & CHANGES Change Email | Clergy Contact Changes | E-News Archive | Employment Opportunities | EDOT Gallery | Safe Church Training | Supply Clergy  | Update Church Info | People & Places

Austin TV News Reports on Vandalism to Episcopal Thrift Shop [more] St. Andrew's, Bryan, Kicks Off Spring Downtown Dialogue Series [more] Tanzanian Archbishop Visits Trinity, Galveston [more] St. Mark's, Bay City, Opens Doors for Homeless on Cold Night [more] Junior Ushers Ministry Allows Youth Participation in The Woodlands [more]

Council Countdown, EHF Article, Sermon Notes and More

January 31, 2014    Epiphany, Year A  Sermon Notes are posted Friday afternoon on the Bishop's blog: Hitchhiking the Word.    Council Cometh!    The 165th Diocesan Council will take place in Galveston next weekend. Are you ready? Clergy are asked to process at the Opening Eucharist. Wear cassock and surplice with white stole. Altar clergy and those participating in the service should wear white albs. Look below for more council information.    Registration | Hotel Information    Pre-Council Booklet | Pre-Council Financials  Council Hub Council Schedule Click here     Pre-Council Financials Released  Click here to access     Pre-Council Webinar Available Clergy and Lay delegates to 2014 Council who are unable to attend one of the convocation Pre-Council Meetings, may participate in the final webinar, available on Wednesday, February 5 from 7-9 p.m. To sign up for the webinar, click here and follow the instructions on the screen. All participants are encouraged to review the Pre-Council Booklet. If you have technical questions, please contact Bob Schorr at bschorr@epicenter.org.   Churches Asked 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.) They 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.   Houston Business Journal Profiles New Health Foundation New CEO Elena Marks (left) and the Episcopal Health Foundation were profiled by the Houston Business Journal. Click here to read the article.           ERD Lenten Meditation Focus on Economic Empowerment    Episcopal Relief & Development's Lenten Meditations booklets are now available in English and Spanish.  This year's collection of forty-six reflections focuses on creating economic opportunities and strengthening communities, with a particular focus on empowering women. Click here for more.          Forward Movement Presents "Lent is Not Rocket Science"    The season of Lent prompts us to ask questions, big and small, about the nature of our being, and about our role in the world. Astronomer, physicist and Episcopal Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely explores the intersection of faith and science, creation and the cosmos in Lent is Not Rocket Science: An Exploration of God, Creation and the Cosmos, jointly published by Forward Movement and Morehouse. Click here to order.  SSJE Offers Free Lenten Video Series: "Love Life"   For Lent 2014, the Brothers of The Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE) have developed an easy-to-use video series and accompanying workbook "Love Life: Living the Gospel of Love." The daily series runs from Ash Wednesday, March 5th, to Palm Sunday. Subscribers will be emailed each morning with a mobile-friendly video and evocative question. The daily email subscription is free, as are all the supporting materials which are available to download for free. A printed version can be purchased at SSJE.org/lovelife.       Houston Clergy Invited to Episcopal-Lutheran Luncheon         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.   News and Notes   ECF Offers New Web Conferences in February Click here to view the schedule.  Mileage Rate Changed for 2014 The Internal Revenue Service announced that the standard mileage reimbursement rate for use of a car would decrease slightly to 56 cents per business mile driven effective January 1, 2014. Accordingly, the Diocese of Texas will reimburse individuals for the use of their personal vehicles at a rate of 56 cents per mile in 2014.       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.   Upcoming Events February 1 - Youth Choral Festival February 6 - Payne Lecture with the Rev. Jimmy Bartz, Austin February 14 - Faith Formation 2020 with John Roberto February 22 - SSW BBQ Showdown, Austin Click here for all news | Click here for calendar      People and Places A memorial service for the Rev. Jody Tomberlin will be Wednesday, February 5 at 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Galveston. Bishop Doyle will officiate. Tomberlin died on May 10, 2013 in North Carolina. The Rev. Edward F. "Ed" Moore died January 25. He most recently served as Priest Associate at Good Shepherd, Tomball. Please keep his family in your prayers. Visit epicenter.org/people-places for past updates. Edited by Luke Blount - 713.353.2126 - lblount@epicenter.org