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.
Council Schedule
Click here
Pre-Council Financials Released
Pre-Council Webinar AvailableClergy 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.
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.
New CEO Elena Marks (left) and the Episcopal Health Foundation were profiled by the Houston Business Journal. Click here to read the article.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.February 6 - Payne Lecture with the Rev. Jimmy Bartz, Austin
February 14 - Faith Formation 2020 with John Roberto
February 22 - SSW BBQ Showdown, Austin
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.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Council Countdown, EHF Article, Sermon Notes and More
It Is Blessed to be a Blessing
Sermon preached at Beccy Smith's ordination to the priesthood 2014 Trinity Baytown
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
I still haven't found what I am looking for but I have found God
Sermon on U2 and looking for my God and finding God preached at Holy Cross Sugarland and ST Marks Richmond 2014
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Finding Grace in Jimmy Buffett
Sermon preached at the Funeral service for Jimmy Cain, my brother-in-law and friend 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Free Soda, Our List and God's Grace
Sermon preached at confirmation visit to Holy Comforter, Spring, Tx Fall 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Go to Texas Young Man
Sermon preached at Josh Condon's Celebration of New Ministry Holy Spirit Houston 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
I chose you and I appoint you to go to...Texas!
Sermon preached at the Rev. Josh Condon's Celebration of New Ministry, Holy Spirit, Houston, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
God is no Unjust Judge
Sermon preached at Trinity, Houston 2013. The first in a series on naming the names.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
My Last Full Day in Cape Coast, Ghana, October 17
This morning began early. We had to all be ready for the bus to take us to the service at the Cathedral. Yesterday I had been asked to preach at the service commemorating The Rev. Thomas Thompson and The Rev. Philip Quaque. I thought it would be a little service; then a few of us would take the wreath over to his tomb and that would be that.
So here is the story in brief...The Rev. Thomas Thompson was an SPG missionary and he brought the Anglican Church to the Gold Coast during the slave trade era. He essentially was a colonialist (SPG even had been given several plantations that profited from the slave trade). It is REALLY a wild story. So Thompson decides to take three eleven year old boys back with him to England to learn to be priests and then they could be sent back to spread Anglicanism throughout the area of Cape Coast. Two of the boys died in transit the third was Philip. He grew up in England, lost his tribal tongue and traditions and then married a white woman. He completed his studies in England and he returned to the Gold Coast to start the church. He was given a small room at the "slave" castle and a room from which to do services. Just below the room were three dungeons housing over 1,000 men for shipping to the Caribbean and United States. Philip had an awful time and really couldn't get much started; no one today is surprised. Beyond the slave trade issues, Philip's ministry was hampered by bad luck and a lack of funding. Even his wife died in childbirth. Philip did not give up though and did begin a small school. Thompson (who had theologically defended slavery) and Quaque (who tried to do mission to a native population from a slave castle) are complicated figures in the least.
What was interesting is that as I would speak to our new friends here and I would say these two men are very complex figures in the history of this country and our own! I would ask, how do you deal with the problems that flow through their narrative? The answer was always the same. Without Thompson there is no Quaque to bring the Anglican Church here, without them we might not be here.
God has a way of redeeming the world. God has a way of redeeming us.
Philip remains highly regarded for being the first African ordained in the Anglican Church and the first African missionary.
The service was anything but small! There were a lot of people there. There were tons of school children for this is a holiday after they go to church.
We had a beautiful service. I will upload my sermon; with translation. And, some videos. Everyone was taking videos of the service...including the seminarians, so I joined in during the offertory.
When the service was over the Bishop led us out of the Cathedral and across the street to the slave castle where we laid a wreath at the tomb of Philip Quaque who is buried in the middle of the Cape Coast Castle compound. It was truly powerful. As I laid the wreath on the tomb I was so mindful of our own history in Texas with the slave trade and our part in participating in an abomination that is difficult to fathom and describe.
So here is the story in brief...The Rev. Thomas Thompson was an SPG missionary and he brought the Anglican Church to the Gold Coast during the slave trade era. He essentially was a colonialist (SPG even had been given several plantations that profited from the slave trade). It is REALLY a wild story. So Thompson decides to take three eleven year old boys back with him to England to learn to be priests and then they could be sent back to spread Anglicanism throughout the area of Cape Coast. Two of the boys died in transit the third was Philip. He grew up in England, lost his tribal tongue and traditions and then married a white woman. He completed his studies in England and he returned to the Gold Coast to start the church. He was given a small room at the "slave" castle and a room from which to do services. Just below the room were three dungeons housing over 1,000 men for shipping to the Caribbean and United States. Philip had an awful time and really couldn't get much started; no one today is surprised. Beyond the slave trade issues, Philip's ministry was hampered by bad luck and a lack of funding. Even his wife died in childbirth. Philip did not give up though and did begin a small school. Thompson (who had theologically defended slavery) and Quaque (who tried to do mission to a native population from a slave castle) are complicated figures in the least.
What was interesting is that as I would speak to our new friends here and I would say these two men are very complex figures in the history of this country and our own! I would ask, how do you deal with the problems that flow through their narrative? The answer was always the same. Without Thompson there is no Quaque to bring the Anglican Church here, without them we might not be here.
God has a way of redeeming the world. God has a way of redeeming us.
Philip remains highly regarded for being the first African ordained in the Anglican Church and the first African missionary.
The service was anything but small! There were a lot of people there. There were tons of school children for this is a holiday after they go to church.
We had a beautiful service. I will upload my sermon; with translation. And, some videos. Everyone was taking videos of the service...including the seminarians, so I joined in during the offertory.
When the service was over the Bishop led us out of the Cathedral and across the street to the slave castle where we laid a wreath at the tomb of Philip Quaque who is buried in the middle of the Cape Coast Castle compound. It was truly powerful. As I laid the wreath on the tomb I was so mindful of our own history in Texas with the slave trade and our part in participating in an abomination that is difficult to fathom and describe.
When the service was over our group received a free tour. We started out with a video that described the world of Ghana prior to the arrival of the traders. Then how the trading industry grew from gold and spices to people until it was a massive industry; the British, Portuguese, and Dutch even giving weapons to the people so they could be at war with one another and then turn their captives over to the slavers. We then took a tour of the museum which was well done.
I wasn't allowed to take pictures. I will say that it was powerful and moving and sad. One part of the museum was where we walked into a room that was built like a ship and learned about how the africans were crammed into the ship.
Estimates of the number of slaves transported from Africa vary from 12 million to 25 million – one estimate says that in 1700, at the height of the slave trade, more than 650,000 slaves were exported in that year alone – but whatever the numbers, they're huge, and most of these slaves came from West Africa and the Congo-Angola region. The trade started in the 1500s and over the next 300 years they were shipped out in what has become known as the African Diaspora, with one-third ending up in Brazil, one-third in the Caribbean islands and the rest throughout the Americas. The slave trade did not completely end until the 1870s, though Britain abolished its slave trade in 1807, signaling an end to Cape Coast's role in transporting slaves.
I wasn't allowed to take pictures. I will say that it was powerful and moving and sad. One part of the museum was where we walked into a room that was built like a ship and learned about how the africans were crammed into the ship.
Then we walked out of that room onto an auction block - very moving indeed. One of our group ask how many died and why did they keep doing it with so many deaths? The answer was that, "Over half of the men and women taken into slavery every made it to an owner. But the price was so high for the individual human beings that it remained a profitable export."
The castle was originally built by the Portuguese who lost it in war to the Swedes. The Swedes lost it to Norway and Norway in turn lost it to the British. The British took over in 1664. For over two hundred years they would house 200 men and women per cell rotating them out.
There were over 40 such forts across the coast of Africa, 30 were in Ghana. Two are within a 30 minute drive from one another.
After we were finished began to make our way through the castle. We first went past the trading room where the slavers would bargain for the shipment, then we made our way through to the court and then the living quarters.
We then descended into the slave cells.
Only after excavating underneath the human waste in 1974 did they realize there was a brick floor beneath.
The men were taken through a tunnel to the front of the fort. The tunnel began in this room which is the sorting room. Only the strongest were sold; the others were left to die in the cells. The guide reminded us that the slave trade was not just about slavery but the control of the population still at home through the means of torture and terror.
We then went to the women's cells. The cells were even worse for the women. A greater percentage of the women died because of the illness and disease.
We then made our way out of The Door of No Return. Here our pilgrimage walk ended.
We paused together and prayed asking God's forgiveness upon us and all humanity. We were surrounded by fishermen. We were quiet for a long time.
The guide told us to look up and there on top of the door on the outside was written "the door of return."
We were told that in 1974 people began to make their way back to Ghana from the islands and the US and South America...everywhere people settled after slavery, and, they would make their return voyage home...so it is here that I begin our journey home as well.
As I walked out I saw one of our members sitting and visiting and learning how to mend nets.
I will post the sermon and some videos on my Facebook page soon.
Our Third Day in Cape Coast, Ghana, October 17
We began our day at an eye clinic which sees over 16,000 people a year and helps with every kind of thing you can imagine. They do basic eye care as well as surgery. The staff is doing amazing work and the place was well cared for and in the process of expanding. They desperately need new equipment and would like to raise the money to get the equipment overseas. They will need approximately 30,000 U.S. dollars to get everything in and set up. This will enable them to do cataract surgery the way we do it in the U.S. They have the trained doctors, just need to get the equipment here. This is their cost for an up to date clinic. They are continuing to add on. Amazing work...truly amazing.
We then made our way to St. Nicholas Seminary. It was founded in 1975. It is the center of training for West Africa. It is an Independent Anglican Seminary and its dean (Victor) has been elected the new bishop of the Cape Coast. He has served on the Anglican Doctrinal Commission, The Covenant Design Group, and now the Indaba group.
Today Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Sudan, and Western Sierra Leone all have students there. It has raised up and trained 4 missionary bishops. Currently there are 40 students. We were able to visit with them and they were wonderful! They train men and women; though they don't have the dormitory space they would like. So, they are building the dormitory as we speak as well as a new chapel.
They were wonderful hosts and sang with us and we shared our experiences as leaders and as seminarians. I love spending time with seminarians anyway...so this was a delight.
We closed the day with a trip to one of the finest and best run boys school in Ghana...its name...you guessed it St. Nicholas. It was begun as a school to raise up African priests. Its first buildings were built in the afternoons by the students after class and can still be seen today. They have all faiths at the school but have Anglican worship for all the main school events and on Sundays (with other worship provided). Here are pictures of the school bell tower that rings the kids to awake and to class, the hand bell at the head's desk in the cafeteria, and a sign from the cafeteria that reads, "manners make the man."
We were able to go to the hotel for a little while. My friend the horse greeted me. We did a quick turnaround and were at a nice reception at the bishop's home to visit with the diocesan leaders.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Our Second Day in Ghana, October 15
The bishop then spoke these words: "I am Bishop Daniel and I am the servant of the servants of God." Wow! What a wonderful way to begin. He then talked with us for a while focusing his conversation on the unity of God's diverse creation. He was passionate about God's love and joy in diversity; unity and not uniformity. Then Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and Canon John Peterson, former Secretary General and current President of the Compass Rose Society spoke. We each introduced ourselves. It is at these moments that I am proud to represent the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Both Bishop-elect Victor and Bishop Daniel were delightful. Bishop Daniel was humble and kind. He is very wise to be sure.
When we were done we were taken by Bishop Daniel to meet the tribal chief of the Cape Coast. His name is Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, the second. We were brought in with drums and singing.
We then greeted the tribal council and they greeted us. We were given water to refresh us. Then there was an exchange of greetings. Once again there were introductions all around. Afterward I found out that one of the woman chiefs (for both men and women can serve as a tribal chief/elder) has a sister in TEXAS! It is truly a small world. Then there was a lot of dancing. I joined in of course and there was a great deal of love and happiness and joy in the room. It was a powerful experience of welcome.
Then Chief Osabarimba talked with us. He is an Anglican choir member and often is known to speak and quote the bible at the local church where he attends. He did so in fact with us and he repeated the message that we are all part of God's family, that we are to love one another, that we are to follow Christ and to serve God. Bible verses floated in and out of the message he had for us.
Afterwards we shared smoked octopus while we talked a bit. Then the most gracious thing happened. We had of course presented the chief with the Jerusalem tile of the Compass Rose, in turn he gave each pilgrim a gift. Truly generous! Then I was humbled to be invited to pray a blessing upon the chief which I did. What a gracious moment for me. Afterwards we took pictures with him and visited with the tribal council before going to visit the Cathedral Church.
Christ Church Cathedral is across from the British slave trading fort! Today it is a lively center of the Ghanian Church here in Cape Coast. With a mix of worship from drums to the hymn book they are a growing and thriving congregation. The Dean greeted us as did the staff and we were able to hear about the work they are doing. We learned that Canon Peterson and Canon Kearon would be made honorary Canons of the Church of the Cape Coast an the Cathedral there!
We had lunch, then journeyed to see the Portuguese slave trading cite. We will visit the British Castle on Thursday. Here is the entry to the slave castle.
What I am amazed at is how the tragedy of war and slavery and the diversity of tribal communities has impacted the culture here in a very profound way. The focus of ministry here is unity, love, a focus on Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel, and a true desire to be Anglicans and to form Anglicans. Because, Anglican spirituality is a faith of reconciliation and love where all people can come together and be one family.
It was a good and beautiful day.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Our First Day in Ghana: Monday, October 14
We slept well and were up and at breakfast which was a lovely omlette and fresh fruit with coffee. We immediately packed up and got on the bus and headed to the Cathedral to greet the bishop, see the cathedral and to visit the tomb of the first African president of Ghana.
We arrived and took a tour of the cathedral. The Anglican Church of West Africa was founded here in Ghana; we would find out that is was spicifically founded in the Gold Coast area.
The great missionary work was undertaken by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG). They sent out bishops who then raised up leaders and missionaries to further spread the Gospel throughout the mission districts.
Trinity Church once collected rain water into a great cistern in order to provide clean water for the people. Here is a picture of the rain gutter.
It also started schools. While the cistern doesn't work anymore the diocese in Accra is growing and seeking to become self sufficient. Below is a picture of one of the school houses and a picture of a few boys. They were in trouble and so had been sent out to the carpark to get their hair cut. The young man cutting the hair was doing a fine job and the boys were willing to visit and drag out the plan (skipping as much school as possible).
The next stop was the Presidential Tomb of Kwame Nkrumah. While he was exiled after a coup (sponsored by the U.S.) he had been a builder of Ghana's future. He had built a great deal of infrastructure including a very important dam project. He was part of the Independence from the colonial power of Britain and proclaimed Ghanian Independence on the polo field - which is now the presidential tomb and museum complex.
We then visited with the Bishop Torto of Accra. He is called Bishop Daniel (there are two bishop Daniels here in Ghana). We greeted the bishop and talked about the mission of the communion and the mission of the Compass Rose Society. Bishop Daniel has been a bishop for one year. He was delightful. We talked about his focus on liturgy (bringing in drums), mission and growth, and youth as his priorities. The Diocese is engaging in a number of projects to increase the Independence of the diocese. He said that the diocese was focused on empowerment of leaders, spirituality, financial stability, ecology and health. He was presented with a Jerusalem made tile of the Compass Rose.
We then went and had a traditional meal in Ghana outside under this stunning tree. I had fish, pepper sauce, and banku (a dough you eat with your hands combining the peppers and fish together). Kofi, our leader and a priest, seminary professor, and rector said, "You are a brave man." It was good to be sure...though a little messy.
We then headed off to the Cape Coast. Along the way there were many street vendors selling plantain chips, cd's, sweet rolls, nuts, clothing items, and souvenirs...all walking up and down the street.
It was a four hour bus drive to our hotel and we got in very late. We arrived late and Bishop Daniel (of Cape Coast) was there to great us! We ate a quick bite to eat after checking in and went to bed in order to get some rest.
General Information on The Anglican Church of Cape Coast
The following information is taken from the history section of the Cape Coast Diocesan web page. You can learn more about their ministry and projects here:
http://capecoast.anglican.org/capecoast/Diocese.html
The Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast is co-terminus with the Central Regional Administrative area of Ghana, with Cape Coast as the seat of the Diocesan Bishop. The size of the region is 3815 square miles with a total population of 1,593,000 and the percentage of Christians is 46%.
At its inception in 1981 the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast had one Archdeaconry and six priests who ministered to 24 congregations in six parishes, with a total numerical strength of 3000 members.
Ghana as a whole covers an area of 239,460 square kilometres with a total population of about 20 million. The Diocese is one of the seven Anglican Dioceses in Ghana; the oldest is Accra, established in 1909. Kumasi was carved from Accra in 1973, followed by Cape Coast, Koforidua – Ho, Sekondi and Sunyami – Tamale in 1981. In February 1997 Sunyami – Tamale was divided into two autonomous units, Sunyami Diocese and Tamale Diocese.
Cape Coast Diocese can currently boast of five Archdeaconries and five Deaneries. There are 21 priests currently ministering to 37 congregations in sixteen parishes and six Titular parishes with a total membership of nine thousand five hundred members. There are also twelve Catechists serving in some of the outstations.
Post Ordination training and development of the Clergy and Laity for effective mission and ministry in the Diocese is of great importance to the leadership of the Diocese. A good number of the Clergy have thus benefited from U.S.P.G. bursaries for overseas training, whilst some of the laity have also benefited from overseas training sponsored by the Diocese. Beside the USPG funding for overseas training, the Diocese encourages the Clergy and Laity to make use of local institutions e.g. the Universities and GIMPA.
The role of the Diocese in the development of education in the Central Region cannot be over emphasized. There are 54 Day Nurseries, 62 Primary Schools and 74 Junior Secondary Schools under the administration of the Anglican Educational Unit. There are two Senior Secondary Schools in the Diocese.
With regard to the provision of health care the Diocese has two medical facilities: a health Clinic at Dominasi in the Upper Denkyira District and an Eye Clinic at Cape Coast. There is yet a third clinic to be established at Birimso, a village near Cape Coast.
To enhance and facilitate the training of evangelists, Catechists, Guild and society leaders and other Church workers the Diocese has acquired a property to be used as a Retreat and Lay training Centre.
It is hoped that with the acquisition of the property for the above purpose, more evangelists, catechists and other lay workers and leaders can be trained to assist with the mission and ministry of the Diocese. It is worth mentioning that the property was acquired with a Festina from USPG.
To promote evangelism and the printing of Christian literature the Diocese has established a Desktop Printing Unit in addition to the Printing Press, also through a Festina Loan obtained from USPG. The Desktop Unit also serves as a source of income for the Diocese.
The plan of the Diocese to establish an Apprenticeship Centre for the youth in the region, for them to learn a trade and enable them to earn a living has not yet been abandoned. The project is still on the priority list of the Diocese, despite the financial loss experienced by the Diocese in 1995.
The Diocese since its creation has struggled to survive until now, the first two bishops have done their part by laying the foundation. The vision and the zeal they had, to spread the Gospel, to open more Anglican Churches in the region, to build a Spirit-led church, and to put the Diocese on a sound financial footing should vigorously be pursued and sustained for the advancement of the mission and ministry of the Diocese.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Where is Ghana?
Here is a map of the continent of Africa with Ghana highlighted:
Here is how the country is divided into regions:
We will be in the southern part near Greater Accra and then making our way to the Cape Coast.
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