Posts from January 2012

Posts from January 2012

Health Plan Workshop presentation now available

At a recent Health Plan Workshop led by Toni Sutliff, with the Episcopal Medical Trustwill, gave an overview of the Denominational Health Plan, Resolution A177, and went over the high deductible health plan and health savings account, which are being considered as an offering in the diocese. Ms Sutliff’s presentation and a set of notes taken during a subsequent question and answer session are available.

St. Stephen’s Hurst helps with Medical Mission Tour

Sunday, January 22, was a very special day in the life of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hurst. Rarely does the whole congregation have the opportunity to witness the results of one of its Outreach Projects, but that’s just what happened. Amanda Frimpong, a medical student, was sponsored on a Medical Mission trip to Nicaragua in December-January, and she was at St. Stephen’s to talk about her trip and share photos of her experiences there. Fr. Vernon also helped defray…

A prayer for our churches and a call for Prayer Visitors

You are invited to pray the following prayer. It is a first step in fulfilling a hope – a hope that on the first Sunday we have access to buildings after our property is returned, every church in our Diocese will have at least two people at prayer. Since there are twenty-two of our congregations already at prayer every Sunday, our emphasis will be geared toward the thirty-three congregations listed below. O God, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest…

Stewards by Design stewardship workshop

Are you ready to think about your congregation’s 2013 budget? How about your 2013 annual giving campaign, the one that you’ll be doing in the fall of 2012? Now is the time to begin that planning. And what better resource than a workshop led by the Episcopal Church’s stewardship officer, Laurel Johnston, to help get us all started on the right track! (Visit her website.) Sign up today (registration closed) for the Feb. 17-18 stewardship workshop, “Stewards by Design,” to be held…

St Luke’s in Stephenville honors the McClains

At its annual meeting on January 22, 2012, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Stephenville, named the Rev. Dr. Marion ‘Sam’ McClain “Rector Emeritus”. Fr. Sam and wife, Jane, will be honored for their of ministry at St. Luke’s during Bishop Ohl’s visitation April 29.

Episcopalians serve on MLK Day

Several Episcopalians responded to the Bishop’s Challenge and took part in the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 16, some as part of the Tarrant Area Community of Churches event and some as part of other efforts. St. Alban’s, Arlington, had 23 people participating—17 people at the MLK Dream 5k Race raising funds for two underprivileged elementary schools. Six others were at Mission Arlington assisting In various ways. Five members of the St. Stephen’s, Hurst, Outreach Committee took part…

US Supreme Court issues decision in Lutheran case

On January 11, 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court decided HOSANNA–TABOR EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL v. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, et al. A copy of the Court’s opinion is here. The Court declared that the ministerial exception bars an employment discrimination suit brought by a minister who challenged her church’s decision to fire her. The Court’s unanimous opinion also reaffirmed the long-standing constitutional principles, cited by the Episcopal Parties, that a hierarchical church’s rights to choose its local clergy and to…

Legal news from Diocese of Virginia

The trial court in Virginia ruled in favor of the Church and the Diocese regarding nine breakaway congregations, including the Falls Church and Truro churches. Read the full story, and read a copy of the opinion.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields to hold artists’ interpretations of Holy Week

Artists’ interpretations of Holy Week will be showcased at a free Gala Arts Event at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church (Keller/Southlake) on Saturday, March 31st from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Previously featured in the Star-Telegram, this is St. Martin’s 3rd Annual Gala Event where artists strive to re-vision and revitalize our understanding of Christ’s last days through their work. Artists from around the diocese are invited to participate. Please e-mail Valerie Reinke for a prospectus.

Clarence Pope, second bishop of Fort Worth, dies

The Rt. Rev. Clarence C. Pope, second bishop of Fort Worth, died overnight in a Baton Rouge hospital, according to Sunday, January 8, news reports. He was being treated for pneumonia. He was elected bishop coadjutor of the Fort Worth diocese at a special convention September 14, 1984. He succeeded the Rt. Rev. A. Donald Davies as diocesan bishop when Davies retired in January, 1986. Bishop Pope was a founder and first president of the Episcopal Synod of America, now…

Texas Supreme Court Notes Probable Jurisdiction of Fort Worth Case

On January 6, 2012, the Texas Supreme Court noted probable jurisdiction of the breakaway defendants’ appeal from Judge John P. Chupp’s February 8, 2011 partial summary judgment in favor of The Episcopal Church and the local officials and congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. The Texas Supreme Court will set a briefing schedule and date for oral argument. While the Local Episcopal Parties believe that this case does not fit within the “very limited,” “strictly construed” requirements for…