Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to elect next provisional bishop at annual convention

The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas, is the candidate for the next provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.

Delegates to the 27th Annual Diocesan Convention November 13 and 14 will vote to elect Ohl, approve changes in the diocesan constitution and canons, act on resolutions, approve a budget, and elect people to fill seats on various governing bodies of the diocese.

Ohl will succeed the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. [Ted] Gulick Jr., who has served as provisional bishop since his election at the February 7 2009 Special Meeting of the Diocesan Convention. Gulick also is the bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky.

Ohl, who retired from Northwest Texas on January 1, 2009 and lives in Norman, Oklahoma, was selected by the Standing Committee in consultation with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. He preached  at All Saints Episcopal Church at the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services. He also will be at a reception at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 3550 Southwest Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133 at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13.

Here are links to a more complete biography of Bp. Ohl, a letter from Bp. Ohl to the diocese, and a letter from the Rev. Fred Barber, president of the Standing Committee announcing the Standing Committee's selection of Bp. Ohl to be the next provisional bishop.

Georgia Court rules for The Episcopal Church regarding Christ Church Savannah

On Thursday, October 27, 2009 a trial court in Savannah, Georgia entered a summary judgment holding that, where the clergy and a majority of the parishioners left The Episcopal Church to join another church, The Episcopal Church and its Diocese of Georgia have a trust interest in parish property. Confirming that the Dennis Canon I.7.4 was validly adopted and imposes a trust interest on the parish property, the court found "that the church property reverts to the control of the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia for the uses and purposes of the Episcopal Church and that (the Episcopalians) are entitled to immediate possession." more...

Update on credentials for rectors and senior wardens

There's been a change to the way the credentials for delegates to convention are being handled. Signed certificates of delegates to diocesan convention need to be brought or mailed to the diocesan office no later than noon Nov. 9. These must be signed copies. Please read this letter from Canon Moore, chairman of the Credentials Committee, for instructions.

Diocese to Ordain First Woman to Priesthood

It is with great rejoicing that we make the following announcement.

Thirty-three years after the Episcopal Church approved the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate, the first woman will be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.

At 5:00 P.M. on Sunday Nov. 15 in St. Luke's in the Meadow Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth, the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. [Ted] Gulick Jr. will ordain Deacon Susan Slaughter to the priesthood. more...

ECW in Diocese of Fort Worth Up and Running

On Oct. 24 the ECW had its Fall Gathering at St. Christophers Episcopal Church at which they passed bylaws and elected officers and delegates and alternates to Triennial. Meredith Killingsworth was elected president. more...

New clergy in diocese, including first woman priest on staff

The Rev. Melanie R. Barbarito has joined the staff of All Saints Episcopal Church-Fort Worth as parochial associate for evangelism and engagement, making her the first woman priest to be hired on the staff of a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Other new clergy are the Rev. Edwin W. Barnett, who is All Saints' new parochial associate for outreach and mission, and the Rev. Michael Caldwell, who is acting director for youth at Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Worth. Other new faces include The Rev. Calvin Girvin, serving as interim at St. Luke's-Stephenville, and The Rev. Linda Sutherland who serves as deacon at St. Mary's-Hamilton. more...