Official Youth Presence at General Convention 2015
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Applications and nominations for high-school teens to participate in the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP) are now open. In collaboration with the General Convention Office and the President of the House of Deputies, the Office for Youth Ministries is coordinating the application and discernment process for high-school teens to become a part of the GCOYP. This group was established by a resolution at General Convention in 1982 and has been further defined at subsequent conventions, with legislation passed as recently as 2000. Those selected are limited to no more than two high school youth from each of the Episcopal Church’s nine provinces, and are granted seat and voice on the floor of the House of Deputies under the current Rules or Order of the House of Deputies.
To be eligible to apply, candidates must meet the following criteria:
The General Convention Office provides funding for each participant’s travel, lodging, and meals for the orientation weekend and General Convention. Applicants must complete an online essay application by December 23, 2014 to be considered. All applicants must also identify a non-family member as a nominator to complete an online essay nomination form by December 23, 2014. Find the nomination form here.
Nominators will be contacted in early January 2015, and applicants will be notified of their status in February 2015. The full group will be announced publicly by name and province in March 2015 prior to the April orientation weekend. Questions should be directed to Bronwyn Clark Skov, missioner for Youth Ministries: bskov@episcopalchurch.org; (646) 242-1421. Additional details about this opportunity can be found in the GCOYP 2012 report
To be eligible to apply, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be an active member and communicant in good standing of an Episcopal congregation
- Be at least 16 years old and no older than 19 during General Convention
- Be a current high-school student enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2014-2015 school year
- Be capable of traveling without an escort by plane or train to and from the meetings in the United States
- Be available to travel to the mandatory orientation and training from Thursday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12, 2015 (location to be determined)
- Be available to be present at General Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, from Wednesday, June 24 to Friday, July 3, 2015
The General Convention Office provides funding for each participant’s travel, lodging, and meals for the orientation weekend and General Convention. Applicants must complete an online essay application by December 23, 2014 to be considered. All applicants must also identify a non-family member as a nominator to complete an online essay nomination form by December 23, 2014. Find the nomination form here.
Nominators will be contacted in early January 2015, and applicants will be notified of their status in February 2015. The full group will be announced publicly by name and province in March 2015 prior to the April orientation weekend. Questions should be directed to Bronwyn Clark Skov, missioner for Youth Ministries: bskov@episcopalchurch.org; (646) 242-1421. Additional details about this opportunity can be found in the GCOYP 2012 report
Applications now accepted online for Young Adult Service Corps2015-2016 placements
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to live, work and pray with brothers and sisters around the Anglican Communion through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2015-16 are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21-30.
“YASC provides an opportunity for young adults to explore their faith in a new capacity and to live out the Baptismal Covenant by seeking and serving Christ in all persons,” noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer. “Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion.”
The application is available online here.
Read more.
“YASC provides an opportunity for young adults to explore their faith in a new capacity and to live out the Baptismal Covenant by seeking and serving Christ in all persons,” noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer. “Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion.”
The application is available online here.
Read more.
West Texas Elects David Mitchell Reed as Bishop Coadjutor
[Episcopal Diocese of West Texas] The Rt. Rev. David Mitchell Reed was elected as bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas at the Special Council of the diocese on Oct. 25, held at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio.
Reed, 57, is currently the bishop suffragan of the diocese, and was one of six nominees. As bishop coadjutor, Reed will continue to serve alongside Bishop Gary Lillibridge. Upon Lillibridge’s retirement in 2017, Reed will become the 10th bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.
In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a majority of votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately as “orders” on the same balloting round. Reed secured election on the first ballot, receiving 66 clergy votes and 207 lay votes, with 63 and 157 needed, respectively, for election.
Pending consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and Standing Committees of Episcopal Church dioceses, Reed will be recognized as bishop coadjutor during the worship service at Diocesan Council in February 2015. The service will be held on Feb. 28, in San Marcos, and the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will preside.
Reed is the first Bishop Suffragan of the diocese to be elected Bishop Coadjutor and then to go on to serve as Diocesan Bishop. Reed was ordained in 1983 when he graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Reed served as Assistant Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1983-1987; as Rector of St. Francis, Victoria, from 1987-1994; and as Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1994-2006. Bishop Reed was elected Bishop Suffragan of the diocese in 2006.
The other nominees were the Rev. Scott Brown, the Rev. Ram Lopez, the Rev. Jim Nelson, the Rev. David Read, and the Rev. Robert Woody. -- Laura Shaver
Reed, 57, is currently the bishop suffragan of the diocese, and was one of six nominees. As bishop coadjutor, Reed will continue to serve alongside Bishop Gary Lillibridge. Upon Lillibridge’s retirement in 2017, Reed will become the 10th bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.
In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a majority of votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately as “orders” on the same balloting round. Reed secured election on the first ballot, receiving 66 clergy votes and 207 lay votes, with 63 and 157 needed, respectively, for election.
Pending consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and Standing Committees of Episcopal Church dioceses, Reed will be recognized as bishop coadjutor during the worship service at Diocesan Council in February 2015. The service will be held on Feb. 28, in San Marcos, and the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will preside.
Reed is the first Bishop Suffragan of the diocese to be elected Bishop Coadjutor and then to go on to serve as Diocesan Bishop. Reed was ordained in 1983 when he graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Reed served as Assistant Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1983-1987; as Rector of St. Francis, Victoria, from 1987-1994; and as Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1994-2006. Bishop Reed was elected Bishop Suffragan of the diocese in 2006.
The other nominees were the Rev. Scott Brown, the Rev. Ram Lopez, the Rev. Jim Nelson, the Rev. David Read, and the Rev. Robert Woody. -- Laura Shaver
Application process now open for Episcopal Church
Constable Fund Grants
Deadline is November 1
The application process is now open for the Constable Fund Grants for the 2014-2015 cycle.
The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of the Episcopal Church General Convention/Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS).
Anne Watkins, an Executive Council member from the Diocese of Connecticut and chair of the Constable Fund Grant Review Committee, noted recent Constable Grants have ranged from $5,000 to $200,000
Applications can be submitted by: (1) a programmatic office of the DFMS; (2) one of the General Convention CCABs (committee/commission/agency/board); or (3) one of the Provinces of the Episcopal Church.
Specific guidelines, suggestions, application form and timetable are available here
Deadline for applications is November 1. Grants will be reviewed in December and recommendations forwarded to the Executive Council for action at its January 2015 meeting. Recipients will be notified at the close of that meeting.
For more information contact Watkins at annemw630@gmail.com, or Samuel McDonald, Episcopal Church Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission.
Named for Miss Constable
The Constable Grants were named for Miss Mary Louise Constable, who was a visionary philanthropist. Watkins pointed out, “Hers is an example of faithful witness and generosity in response to an obviously mature and deep understanding of herself as both a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a steward of the blessings bestowed upon her by God.”
In 1935, in the midst of economic catastrophe known as the Great Depression, Miss Constable made a monetary gift to the Episcopal Church to establish the Constable Fund. Her desire and intent to add periodically to the fund during her lifetime was realized and culminated with a very generous final gift at the time of her death in 1951.
Watkins further explained, “Stipulations for use of the fund were also visionary and generous, recognizing in and trusting those who came after her to comply with her wishes while allowing them flexibility in order to carry the mission of God through God’s Church forward into new eras.”
The language of Miss Constable’s will states that the fund exists “in perpetuity … to apply the net income for the purposes of the Society, preferably for the work in religious education not provided for within the Society’s budget.”
“It is the desire of the Executive Council Constable Fund Review Committee that Miss Constable’s example of stewardship, generosity, flexibility, and creativity be values that continue to be honored,” Watkins concluded.
The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of the Episcopal Church General Convention/Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS).
Anne Watkins, an Executive Council member from the Diocese of Connecticut and chair of the Constable Fund Grant Review Committee, noted recent Constable Grants have ranged from $5,000 to $200,000
Applications can be submitted by: (1) a programmatic office of the DFMS; (2) one of the General Convention CCABs (committee/commission/agency/board); or (3) one of the Provinces of the Episcopal Church.
Specific guidelines, suggestions, application form and timetable are available here
Deadline for applications is November 1. Grants will be reviewed in December and recommendations forwarded to the Executive Council for action at its January 2015 meeting. Recipients will be notified at the close of that meeting.
For more information contact Watkins at annemw630@gmail.com, or Samuel McDonald, Episcopal Church Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission.
Named for Miss Constable
The Constable Grants were named for Miss Mary Louise Constable, who was a visionary philanthropist. Watkins pointed out, “Hers is an example of faithful witness and generosity in response to an obviously mature and deep understanding of herself as both a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a steward of the blessings bestowed upon her by God.”
In 1935, in the midst of economic catastrophe known as the Great Depression, Miss Constable made a monetary gift to the Episcopal Church to establish the Constable Fund. Her desire and intent to add periodically to the fund during her lifetime was realized and culminated with a very generous final gift at the time of her death in 1951.
Watkins further explained, “Stipulations for use of the fund were also visionary and generous, recognizing in and trusting those who came after her to comply with her wishes while allowing them flexibility in order to carry the mission of God through God’s Church forward into new eras.”
The language of Miss Constable’s will states that the fund exists “in perpetuity … to apply the net income for the purposes of the Society, preferably for the work in religious education not provided for within the Society’s budget.”
“It is the desire of the Executive Council Constable Fund Review Committee that Miss Constable’s example of stewardship, generosity, flexibility, and creativity be values that continue to be honored,” Watkins concluded.
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At its meeting in Dallas on Aug. 1-2, the Provincial Executive Council voted to make the Human Trafficking Interest Group an official provincial network. Chair of the network is attorney Kendall Seal, the director of medical-legal partnerships at Legal Aid of Western Missouri. He previously served as an attorney at Legal Services of Southern Missouri. Other members of the network are the Rev. Elizabeth Montes, Ms. Deborah Gardiner, Mr. Charles Ault-Duell, the Rev. Canon Glenice
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Robinson, Ms. Virginia Butts, Mrs. Kaye Staggs, and Ms. Judy Turner.
The Council also voted to make a grant of $5000 to the Diocese of West Texas' fund for humanitarian relief along the Texas border. (see story below) |
Bishop High appeals for funds for humanitarian crisis
As I read the stories of the children arriving at our border, I am reminded of a story of another refugee family crossing a border to save their child.
Matthew 2 tells us that after the three Magi departed after paying homage to the infant Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt and be you there until I tell you. For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” And Joseph arose and woke Mary and they fled Bethlehem that very night. And Herod did indeed slay all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of two, a massacre not unlike those committed by drug cartels in some Central American countries.
It is our turn to give refuge to children fleeing violence. There is information on the diocesan website about opportunities for hands-on help with the refugee children here locally through Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
Therefore I am calling upon the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to spend the remainder of the month of July in raising funds to help fellow Episcopalians care for the refugee children on our border.
But this will be a long-term effort, and the need for funds is growing, especially at the border. Therefore I am calling upon the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to spend the remainder of the month of July in raising funds to help fellow Episcopalians care for the refugee children on our border.
An appeal for help from my brother bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge of theEpiscopal Diocese of West Texas, lays out where and how the funds will be used.
“I have just returned from the Valley where I have spoken with clergy and our Commission on Emergency Response leaders about our response to the humanitarian needs of the children and families coming across the border. Particularly hard hit are the communities of McAllen and Laredo; although the needs are not only limited to those locations,” Bishop Lillibridge writes.
“St. John’s, McAllen, and Christ Church, Laredo, are doing much to reach these individuals with basic human needs. Both congregations are participating in church-wide and city-wide cooperative efforts. Both of these congregations tell us that they are able to assemble packets and/or backpacks to help these children and families while the authorities are processing them. Both congregations have volunteers working in a variety of ways to meet the needs.”
Bishop Lillibridge reports that funding is urgently needed to purchase things such as hygiene kits, water bottles, toothpaste, soap, diapers, snacks, underwear, t-shirts, and other such basic needs.
The Diocese of West Texas has established a fund to receive all monetary contributions. Money will be disbursed as needed by the diocese’s coordinating people on the sites.
Checks should be made out to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, noted for Emergency Relief. Mail checks to:
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
P.O. Box 6885
San Antonio, TX 78209
Volunteers also are needed to stuff emergency packs and to help professionals shepherd the refugees through the hospitality process.
For more information on volunteering or to get more information about the border situation and how to help, call St. John’s, McAllen (956-687-6191) and Christ Church, Laredo (956-723-5714).
I urge individuals and congregations also to pray for the children, their families, and all those who are working with them, including the Border Patrol officers.
Please be generous with your prayers, your time, and your donations. Let us not forget how other folks throughout the church responded to our needs over the past five years. We are the family of God and when one of our members needs help, we always respond, for we too have experienced need in various forms.
Bless you all in your life and ministry in our diocese.
+Rayford
Matthew 2 tells us that after the three Magi departed after paying homage to the infant Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt and be you there until I tell you. For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” And Joseph arose and woke Mary and they fled Bethlehem that very night. And Herod did indeed slay all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of two, a massacre not unlike those committed by drug cartels in some Central American countries.
It is our turn to give refuge to children fleeing violence. There is information on the diocesan website about opportunities for hands-on help with the refugee children here locally through Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
Therefore I am calling upon the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to spend the remainder of the month of July in raising funds to help fellow Episcopalians care for the refugee children on our border.
But this will be a long-term effort, and the need for funds is growing, especially at the border. Therefore I am calling upon the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to spend the remainder of the month of July in raising funds to help fellow Episcopalians care for the refugee children on our border.
An appeal for help from my brother bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge of theEpiscopal Diocese of West Texas, lays out where and how the funds will be used.
“I have just returned from the Valley where I have spoken with clergy and our Commission on Emergency Response leaders about our response to the humanitarian needs of the children and families coming across the border. Particularly hard hit are the communities of McAllen and Laredo; although the needs are not only limited to those locations,” Bishop Lillibridge writes.
“St. John’s, McAllen, and Christ Church, Laredo, are doing much to reach these individuals with basic human needs. Both congregations are participating in church-wide and city-wide cooperative efforts. Both of these congregations tell us that they are able to assemble packets and/or backpacks to help these children and families while the authorities are processing them. Both congregations have volunteers working in a variety of ways to meet the needs.”
Bishop Lillibridge reports that funding is urgently needed to purchase things such as hygiene kits, water bottles, toothpaste, soap, diapers, snacks, underwear, t-shirts, and other such basic needs.
The Diocese of West Texas has established a fund to receive all monetary contributions. Money will be disbursed as needed by the diocese’s coordinating people on the sites.
Checks should be made out to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, noted for Emergency Relief. Mail checks to:
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
P.O. Box 6885
San Antonio, TX 78209
Volunteers also are needed to stuff emergency packs and to help professionals shepherd the refugees through the hospitality process.
For more information on volunteering or to get more information about the border situation and how to help, call St. John’s, McAllen (956-687-6191) and Christ Church, Laredo (956-723-5714).
I urge individuals and congregations also to pray for the children, their families, and all those who are working with them, including the Border Patrol officers.
Please be generous with your prayers, your time, and your donations. Let us not forget how other folks throughout the church responded to our needs over the past five years. We are the family of God and when one of our members needs help, we always respond, for we too have experienced need in various forms.
Bless you all in your life and ministry in our diocese.
+Rayford
Unprecedented numbers of children detained crossing the border:
Church responds to humanitarian crisis
Episcopal News Service] Sixteen boys aged 14 to 17 gathered July 6 around a map of the Americas, each writing his first name on a sticky note and placing it first next to his home country, with the majority landing on Guatemala, followed by Honduras.
Then, the Rev. Susan Copley asked the teenagers to move the sticky notes to the next place they are going. Some said they would be staying with relatives in New York; others were headed to Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland and California. Read more
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Presiding Bishop on the crisis of unaccompanied children at US border
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following statement on the current crisis of unaccompanied children and families at the United States border.
The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are literally fleeing for their lives.
The United States has a checkered history in responding to refugee crises. We shut our eyes and ears, as well as our ports, during the crimes against Jews and other vulnerable persons in the midst of the Second World War. We have been more welcoming to Sudanese youths looking for survival in the last 20 years.
The Episcopal Church believes we have a responsibility to all our neighbors, particularly the strangers and sojourners around us. We have been resettling refugees since 1939. Today, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and Episcopal Relief & Development are working with churches and dioceses in areas where these Central American women and children are being served.
Episcopalians are responding with prayers and concern, and asking how to help. I urge you to remember these people and their difficult and dangerous position in your prayers – today, this coming Sunday, and continuing until we find a just resolution. The Episcopal Church has established an account to receive financial contributions to assist Episcopal Migration Ministries in this work. For details, please contact EMM@episcopalchurch.org
I would also encourage you to contact your legislators, and ask them to support an appropriate humanitarian response to this crisis. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and as a Church, we are asking the United States government to support such a response, grounded in justice and the fundamental dignity of every human being. Our Office of Government Relations is submitting detailed testimony to a United States Senate hearing today, as that chamber prepares to consider a budget request from the President.
You may read that testimony here, and I encourage you to share it with your own Representative and Senators here
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Then, the Rev. Susan Copley asked the teenagers to move the sticky notes to the next place they are going. Some said they would be staying with relatives in New York; others were headed to Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland and California. Read more
_____________________________________________
Presiding Bishop on the crisis of unaccompanied children at US border
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following statement on the current crisis of unaccompanied children and families at the United States border.
The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are literally fleeing for their lives.
The United States has a checkered history in responding to refugee crises. We shut our eyes and ears, as well as our ports, during the crimes against Jews and other vulnerable persons in the midst of the Second World War. We have been more welcoming to Sudanese youths looking for survival in the last 20 years.
The Episcopal Church believes we have a responsibility to all our neighbors, particularly the strangers and sojourners around us. We have been resettling refugees since 1939. Today, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and Episcopal Relief & Development are working with churches and dioceses in areas where these Central American women and children are being served.
Episcopalians are responding with prayers and concern, and asking how to help. I urge you to remember these people and their difficult and dangerous position in your prayers – today, this coming Sunday, and continuing until we find a just resolution. The Episcopal Church has established an account to receive financial contributions to assist Episcopal Migration Ministries in this work. For details, please contact EMM@episcopalchurch.org
I would also encourage you to contact your legislators, and ask them to support an appropriate humanitarian response to this crisis. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and as a Church, we are asking the United States government to support such a response, grounded in justice and the fundamental dignity of every human being. Our Office of Government Relations is submitting detailed testimony to a United States Senate hearing today, as that chamber prepares to consider a budget request from the President.
You may read that testimony here, and I encourage you to share it with your own Representative and Senators here
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
The Stories of our Lives
2014 Women’s Retreat
We need to know how many people will be staying at the center by 15 August. Motels are available. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
A retreat exploring and celebrating the common themes and digressions of our spiritual journeys while
sharing biblical, faith, and personal stories, equipping us to share our own stories in a variety of ways.
Led by Kathy Hood Culmer
Friday, August 29-31
Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo
Register by April 1 • Download Registration Form Here
sharing biblical, faith, and personal stories, equipping us to share our own stories in a variety of ways.
Led by Kathy Hood Culmer
Friday, August 29-31
Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo
Register by April 1 • Download Registration Form Here
