The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth is pleased to announce several pieces of good news:
- Provisional Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. [Ted] Gulick Jr., is extending his time with the diocese until after the annual diocesan convention on Nov. 13-14, 2009.
- Richard Henderson, Fort Worth attorney, has been appointed assistant chancellor of the diocese.
- Growth in the diocese is causing some parishes to find larger quarters.
Bishop Gulick also is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky and has been dividing his time between the two dioceses. The original agreement was that Bishop Gulick would spend six months as provisional bishop of Fort Worth, a period ending after General Convention in Anaheim, California July 8-17. The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Kentucky generously agreed to the extension of the relationship.
In an April 21 letter, the president of Kentucky’s Standing Committee, the Rev. William J. Watson III, wrote, “We are delighted that Bishop Gulick’s ministry is as effective and sensitive as we hoped you would experience it. Bishop Gulick brings great gifts for Episcopal leadership and pastoral care and we are glad that his ministry continues to be of great benefit to you and to us as well.”
Bishop Gulick said, “It is very wonderful that the Holy Spirit and the people of Fort Worth have entrusted me with such an important ministry at such a significant time. My visitations to Episcopal parishes here have been some of the most fulfilling of my episcopacy. I am moved and energized by the clarity, the passion for the Gospel, and the profound commitment to the mission of the Episcopal Church that is evident in all our parishes and faith communities. I am reminded of what John Wesley said of his own ministry at the end of his life: ‘What a joy to be so employed.’ I sense that joy on a daily basis.”
Newly appointed assistant chancellor Richard A. Henderson has been a licensed attorney in Fort Worth for more than 30 years. He is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. He has broad experience in a variety of complex litigation, including commercial, probate, personal injury, and international disputes. He has extensive felony jury trial experience, including numerous homicides and has argued many criminal appeals in appellate courts. He is married to attorney Victoria Prescott. They have two children. He will be working with diocesan chancellor Kathleen Wells on legal matters of the diocese.
The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth continues to thrive. Three parishes that have been worshipping in rented spaces because they are temporarily displaced from their property have had to find larger spaces to accommodate their growth. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hurst and All Saints Episcopal Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Wichita Falls are moving to larger quarters. St. Stephen’s needed more space not just for worship but also for its Sunday school.
On Sunday, June 7, St. Stephen’s will begin worshipping at the Northeast Wedding Chapel at 1843 Precinct Line Rd. The chapel is able to accommodate 200 worshippers. With the new worship space comes a new worship time. Eucharist will be at 10 a.m. with Sunday school beginning at 9:00 a.m.
All Saints and Good Shepherd parishes are holding services at the ARC, 3115 Buchanan in Wichita Falls. The worship service is at 10:30 a.m.
Fifty-five new Episcopalians have joined parishes in the diocese since its reorganization in February through baptism, confirmation, or reception from another denomination.