The 109th Annual

Diocesan Council
February 21-23, 2013 AmericanBank Center, Corpus Christi Hosted by St. Bartholomews For Information: http://council-dwtx.org
Little is known about the Old testament Prophet Micah. what we do know about him comes from the book itself. Micahs prophetic ministry is usually dated sometime between 750-686 bC. while the biography of the prophet is not well known, many are familiar with his well known statement: Walk humbly. humility, from a Christian perspective, begins by being in right relationship with God. It includes being thankful and not thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. It is about conveying our thoughts, words, and deeds with love, sincerity, and with a gentle heart. all of these things are cradled by the statement, with your God. this year, at Council and throughout the year, we will explore the implications, challenges, and blessings of doing justice with our God; loving kindness with our God; and walking humbly with our God.

Pre-Council Meetings
all meetings, except the Central Convocation (san antonio), will begin with a light supper at 6:00 pm. the Central Convocation meeting will begin with coffee and a light dessert at 6:15 pm. all presentations will start at 6:45 pm. Pre-council meetings are essential to a delegates preparation for Council. Many details of the diocesan budget, which Council is responsible for establishing, will be presented at pre-council meetings and not be repeated on the floor of Council. Valley Convocation: sunday, January 20, at st. Peter and st. Paul, Mission Southern Convocation: sunday, January 20, at Church of the Good shepherd, Corpus Christi Eastern Convocation: tuesday, January 22, at st. francis, Victoria Western Convocation: tuesday, January 22, at Church of the redeemer, eagle Pass Northern Convocation: thursday, January 24, at st. Peters, Kerrville Northeastern Convocation: thursday, January 24, at Church of the holy spirit, Dripping springs Central Convocation: sunday, January 27, at st. francis, san antonio

And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God (6.8).
this passage will serve as our diocesan theme in 2013; and it provides the context for our 109th Diocesan Council which will be held in Corpus Christi in february. Do Justice. this includes seeking out those in need and responding to injustice with truthfulness and righteousness. It includes a deep sense of fairness for all; and therefore reflects Gods deep concern for everyone. Love Kindness. when Jesus was asked which commandment is the greatest, he responded by quoting the summary of the law: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. Loving kindness echoes Jesus own life, which he lived fully loving God and fully loving his neighbor.

Are You Ready?

Deadlines to Know: Delegate Certification: february 1 find the certification form online at http:// council-dwtx.org/sign-up/certification. a copy of the form must be mailed to three locations - the bishops office, the host church council registration chair, and the diocesan secretary. Parochial reports: february 1 reports must be received by the Diocese of west texas for a church to sit on the floor at Council. find the forms and instructions at http://council-dwtx.org/sign-up/parochial reports registration: february 7 register for Council online at http://councildwtx.org/sign-up/registration

church banner to your designated pre-council meeting, and the diocese will transport it to Corpus Christi. the banners will be displayed in the selena auditorium during the Council eucharist.

This Year - bring your

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JaNuary/february 2013

Come on board!
The 1 09 th Annu al Co un cil of t he Dio ce s e o f We st Tex as, h t t p :/ / c o un c i l -dwtx .org
Online Registration at
http://council-dwtx.org
Council Registration: Register by February 7, 2013. Clergy, delegates, alternates - $110 Includes friday night banquet Clergy spouses - $75 Includes friday morning breakfast and friday night banquet Visitors - $35 Meals not included Optional Registration: thursday Christian faith in action Luncheon - $18 thursday Mission Churches Dinner - $18 friday noon luncheon, presentation by friends of the Groom - $20 extra friday night banquet tickets - $30 uss Lexington aircraft Carrier tours - $5 youth in action event, youth and sponsors - $35 Delegate Certification the official 2013 delegate count is prepared by the diocesan secretary, the rev. David read, and is based on each congregations average sunday attendance in 2011. In addition to registering for Council, all Council delegates must also be certified. each congregation of the diocese completes the certification form and returns it (three copies) to the bishops office, the diocesan secretary, and the Council registration chair. Childcare Registration there is never a childcare fee for children of clergy, delegates and alternates, or visitors, but children must be pre-registered. Dropins cannot be accommodated. ages are infants through eight years. Childcare is provided during all Council business sessions, the Council eucharist, the luncheons, and the banquet. Childcare is on premises at the convention center. Go to www.council-dwtx.org to register.

Council Banquet Friday, February 22 6:30 - 9:30 pm Valet parking available Tours 3D Mega Theater Flight Simulator well be boarding the uss Lexington aircraft Carrier for our first-ever floating Council banquet. this essex-class carrier was commissioned in 1943 and joined the fifth fleet at Pearl harbor. the uss Lexington participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific theater and spent a total of 21 months in combat. well enjoy the run of the three covered hangar bays with the buffet dinner served in hangar bay #2 and seating throughout hangar bays #1 and #2. In addition to the banquet, the Lexington offers tours, a flight simulator and the 3D Mega theater. tours of the ship will allow groups to prepare for battle as the pilots did in the ready room, inspect historic aircraft on the flight and hangar decks, tour the admirals Quarters and engine room and relive the last-ditch Japanese kamikaze campaign. there is an additional charge of $5 per person for the tours. along with the tour, we will also watch largerthan-life heroes become just that on the

three-story-tall 3D MeGa theater. all films are selected for their ability to teach something new and inspire us to achieve. and everyone gets popcorn! Inside the Lexingtons flight simulator participants will be strapped in to the pilot seat of a fighter jet. through the wizardry of video projection and life-like movement they will take part in a thrilling and heroic mission in the air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabin as the hydraulically powered machine moves in synchronization with actual flight footage projected on a screen.

Nominations
In preparing for the 109th annual Diocesan Council, the diocesan Nominating Committee is developing the roster of nominees. you can view the nominees on the Council website at http://council-dwtx.org/business/ nominations. the Council website also features the offices to be filled with job descriptions along with the episcopal Church Canons and the Diocesan Canons that apply. a full copy of the Constitutions and Canons of the episcopal Diocese of west texas is available on the diocesan website at www.dwtx.org/resources/ congregational-resources. Council will elect new members to the following governing bodies: Officers of the Diocese executive board trustees of the episcopal Church Corporation trustees to tMI - the episcopal school of texas trustees to the university of the south sewanee standing Committee the Nominating Committee for the 2013 Council of the Diocese of west texas, appointed by the bishop, is as follows: the rev. Clayton elder - Chair Ms. angie de los santos - Co-Chair the rev. Lisa Mason - Central Convocation Dr. elizabeth Manning & Ms. sandra slocumb - Northern Convocation Mrs. Kathy young - eastern Convocation the rev. Jennifer brooke-Davidson Northeastern Convocation the rev. Paul frey - western Convocation Mr. Dan anderson - Valley Convocation the rev. Philip May - southern Convocation

www.dwtx.org

Were Going Green

During the registration process for Council, you have the option to choose to go green this year. by selecting this option, a fancy green leaf will be displayed on your name tag, indicating that you have chosen to receive all possible handouts electronically instead of on your tabletop on the Council floor. every handout that is delivered by pages throughout the days of Council will be available for download under the Go Green tab of the Council website at http://council-dwtx.org. additionally, a Council app has been developed. available for iPhones and iPads, as well as android phones, the app can be found in the apple app store or on Google Play by searching for dwtx Council 2013. the Council 2013 app contains all the Council details you need to know, including up-to-date notifications of Council reports. the app features all PreCouncil meeting locations, information and booth numbers of each exhibit at Council, a descriptive list of the activities during Council, and a venue map with the ability to get directions from place to place. each user can (and is encouraged to) submit comments or questions about a specific detail of Council and submit a Council photo. Links to all the handouts are also available through the app. at Council, registration packets will be slimmed down this year, containing name tags and prayer cards. Paper copies of items, such as maps and the exhibit iPad giveaway, will be available at an information table manned by the mens group of st. bartholomews, Corpus Christi, aka the bubbas.

Council Activities
Christian Faith in Action Luncheon the Christian faith in action (Cfa) Luncheon, hosted by the Cfa Department, will be held at the americanbank Center in watergarden b on thursday, february 21, at 11:30 a.m. thecost is $18. Log on to the Council website at http://council-dwtx.org for information on the keynote speaker. Council Worship the Council eucharist will take place at the americanbank Center in the selena auditorium on thursday evening at 5:30. the rt. rev. Gary Lillibridge will celebrate, and the rt. rev. David reed will preach. Morning Prayer will be offered on friday morning, february 22, at 8:00 a.m. at the americanbank Center in watergarden b. an Order of Compline will be held friday night at 9:30 p.m. inside the Omni bayfront hotel, led by the rev. Lisa Mason. Mission Congregations Dinner Designed for delegations from our mission churches, the Mission Congregations Dinner will take place at the brewster street Ice house, located at 1724 N tancahua in Corpus Christi, on thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. this event requires an additional registration, and the cost is $18. the fun continues with texas Country Music Night at the restaurant featuring roger Creager with Josh Grider at 9:00 p.m. brewster street has reserved a space for the delegations to hear the music and continue to visit without an extra charge. Or you are welcome to purchase a ticket to see the bands and boogie on the dance floor ($17 in advance at www. brewsterstreet.net or $20 at the door). smaller delegations are invited to come and join in the fellowship, and since the music show is open to the public, all of Council should come on down. hosted by Church of the holy spirit, san antonio. Clergy Spouse Breakfast the clergy spouses will gather for their annual breakfast on friday morning, february 22, at 7:30 in the bayview room at the Omni bayfront hotel. the breakfast serves as a time of Christian community, especially for these church leaders who hold a unique position in each of our congregations Friday Luncheon with Friends of the Groom the friday Luncheon will be held at the Omni bayfront hotel on february 22 at noon. the luncheon will feature a presentation by the Christian theater company friends of the Groom (see below for more information). the cost is $20. Banquet on the USS Lexington held on the uss Lexington, the friday night banquet is sure to delight. the banquet is included in Council Church registration, and additional tickets are $30/person. see previous page for more details.

T he 1 09th A n n ual C o un c i l o f t h e Di o c e se o f We s t Texa s , h tt p:/ /c ou ncil-dwtx .org

Friends of the Groom

set to perform at Council Our Council theme of Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God from Micah 6:8 will be enriched and enlivened by the friends of the Groom theater group throughout Council. the friends will perform on all three days of Council, bringing their wit, enthusiasm, and piercing truths to the stage. In their words, friends of the Groom is a notfor-profit performing arts ministry that works together as believers committed to reveal the Gospel of Jesus Christ through drama, storytelling, music, workshops, and other renewing experiences.

since 1980 the group has performed original Christian plays, led retreat weekends, and conducted workshops at hundreds of locations from alaska to florida. they perform at worship services, conferences, youth events, colleges, potluck suppers, education hours -- just about any event except for stag parties (although a few folks have asked over the years because of their name). Most of their scenes range from five to 35 minutes in length and are designed to build Christian community and inspire faith.

Friends of the Groom, a Christian theater company.

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JaNuary/february 2013

Council LI VE
at http://council-dwtx.org Cant make it to Corpus Christi? Log on to Council Live (tab at top) at http://councildwtx.org beginning thursday afternoon, february 21. throughout the three days of Council, the diocesan communications team will be updating the site with news posts, audio reports, and pictures. see the email subscriptions box on the right of the Council Live page to subscribe and receive them automatically in your email inbox.

Council in Action
Instead of bringing things to Council, this year we ask our churches to take something home as we ask the question,

Youth In Action 2013

Friday, Feb. 22 - Sunday, Feb. 24
youth in action enters its fifth year of service. Like Diocesan Council, this event has become a time of reunion, renewal and the business of the youth. and that business is mission work! Who should attend? all students in 6th through 12th grade are invited to attend along with adult youth workers and volunteers. NOte: Churches provide their own chaperones who are available the entire weekend (cannot be participating in Council), and each chaperone must have his or her own vehicle to aid in transporting students. the ratio per vehicle is one adult to five youth. Location & Contacts: headquarters for youth in action will be at Church of the Good shepherd, 700 s upper broadway st, Corpus Christi, tX 78401. Primary Contacts: scott Parnell, youth Minister at sparnell@cotgs.org Or brian Kates, Camp Capers Program Director at brian.Kates@dwtx.org. Mission Projects: we will be working at the ronald McDonald house (rMcD) and Cliff Maus Village (CMV) (an apartment complex supported by the episcopal churches in the coastal bend area.) at rMcD well be deep cleaning their facility so that the families staying there will have freshly cleaned rooms. at CMV well be doing service projects to help beautify the facility for all the residents who live there. http://council-dwtx.org find a schedule of activities and register. Cost is $35 each for participants. Register by February 17. a flyer you can print out to help advertise yIa and forms needed to attend are also on the website: Liability/release (youth) Community Covenant (youth) other forms needed from chaperones and churches

Calling All Super Heroes:

What impact has your faith had on your life?

On May 16, 2013, members of our churches across the diocese will gather in local small groups to reflect on this question. the evening will begin with a simple meal in parishioner homes. then group members will respond to conversation-openers designed to elicit stories about how they see God at work in their lives. we will be joining, in spirit, the Diocese of texas and several other dioceses throughout the episcopal Church who will gather on the same evening in their own congregational small groups to explore the impact of faith on their lives. On this evening of sharing faith, it is our hope that we will all experience a deeper understanding of our own faith as Christian disciples. to begin the process, Council 2013 delegates and clergy will form their own small table groups and respond to similar conversation-starters on friday afternoon at Council. Delegates from each congregation will then be the core group that presents the process in their churches on May 16.

See

Council eucharist sermon bishops address

Hear

Council eucharist sermon bishops address Committee reports

Read

bishops address Nomination results resolutions Diocesan budget and more

Council 2013:

Theres an app for that!

Download the Council app in the apple app store or on Google Play (for android phones) by searching for dwtx Council 2013.

Social Media at Council: the More tab on the app will lead you to Contact us, and from there you can follow the diocese on facebook and twitter throughout the days of Council.

Student Art Exhibit

the creative talents of our episcopal schools children will brighten some of the display areas at Council with artwork from students in grades one through 12. fifteen of our episcopal schools from all over the diocese will contribute student art for the made-for-the-occasion art gallery located outside the business session room. after the close of Council, the entire student art exhibit will hang at Cathedral house Gallery at the bishop Jones Center in san antonio. students, parents, grandparents, aunties, and friends are invited to view the art at both locations.

www.dwtx.org