Posts from May 2013

Posts from May 2013

photo of Janet Waggoner

Bishop Names Janet Waggoner as Canon to the Ordinary

The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr. has announced that the Rev. Janet Waggoner has been named Canon to the Ordinary/Transitional Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. She “will assist me and the diocese as we move forward together in our life. This is being made possible by the generosity of one of our diocesan families. I am most grateful and very excited about filling this office, which is so vital for our future. It is my plan…

Diocesan reps carry greetings to Niobrara

Sandy Shockley and Deborah Nichols, both from St. Mary Hamilton, will attend the 141st Niobrara Convocation June 17-23, on the Lower Brule Reservation in the Diocese of South Dakota. The Niobrara Convocation – an annual gathering of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples – has been termed “one of the most important events of the missionary work of the Episcopal Church in the United States.”

TENS conference July 12-13 in Salt Lake City

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) – source of outstanding stewardship materials and teaching – holds its annual conference July 12-13 in Salt Lake City. Are you looking to plant the seeds of faithful giving in your congregation and diocese? Do you want to network with others passionate about generosity and discipleship? Can’t make it to Salt Lake City? No problem.

Task force begins overhaul of diocesan constitution and canons

As directed by the 30th Diocesan Convention, the diocesan Constitution and Canons Committee is taking the lead in a multi-year project designed to analyze and overhaul the constitution and canons for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. The project will include a thorough review of the governing documents and practices from other dioceses, an ingathering of ideas and recommendations from individuals and groups across the diocese, and the eventual presentation of a proposed amended and restated constitution and canons for adoption by the diocesan convention.

Finance committee asks for budget input

The Finance Committee is requesting your input for the 2014 triennial budget. Copies of the 2014 preliminary budget (approved at the 2012 diocesan convention), information concerning congregation assessments, and a request form for budget funds have been sent to senior wardens, rectors/priests-in-charge, and treasurers via email.

Living the Good News available online

Living the Good News, a lectionary-based Sunday school curriculum, is now available in an online format. Lessons geared to specific age groups may be downloaded, along with support materials – session plans for leaders, take-home papers and journals for students, At Home with the Good News for families, music, session visuals, and the popular online Support Site (with additional resources for classrooms each week).

Church highlights wellness

As the administrator for the Episcopal Church’s denominational health plan, the Church Pension Group (CPG) offers wellness resources to the church – and especially all clergy and lay employees – through the Church Medical Trust. A wellness newsletter is published six times a year, and the CPG wellness website features tips and helps for cultivating and maintaining healthy practices.

June Spotlight on Congregations

What has the diocese and the larger church done for your congregation lately? On hand in the diocesan office are gluten-free communion wafers, available for any congregation that needs them. Contact Eleanor Doty (eleanor.doty@edotn.org, 817-534-1900) to arrange for getting a supply for your congregation.

Tornado Relief Donations, Specific Needs in Cleburne

The Rev. Tracie Middleton has provided an update on tornado relief in our diocese: Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is working through the diocese to identify and respond to needs in the impacted Texas communities, including making plans for long-term recovery. You can contribute to these efforts by donating through our  diocese or through Episcopal Relief and Development.  ERD has published information about their 2013 tornado responses in Texas and Oklahoma; you can read it here. Pam Yarborough, a member at St.…
photo of weather anemometer

Public Services for Severe Weather Information

There are several useful public services related to severe weather information: Nixle (nixle.com) sends weather and hazard updates to your phone via a text message or to your email, however you choose to set it up. You can subscribe for text messages directly from your phone; simply text your zip code to 888777 (standard text messaging rates for your mobile phone service apply). You can opt out at any time by texting “STOP” to 888777. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric…