2016 Diocesan Convention

2016 Diocesan Convention

Training for Racial Justice and Reconciliation

At the 2015 General Convention in Salt Lake City, Resolution C019, entitled Work for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, affirmed “as a top priority of The Episcopal Church in the upcoming triennium the challenging and difficult work of racial reconciliation through prayer, teaching, engagement, and action.” Read the General Convention resolution Time Commitment and Cost The training is 13.5 hours, over two days: Friday, May 12 – 2 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday, May 13 – 9 am to 4 pm…

Fiery foolishness

The theme of the 2016 Diocesan Convention — On fire with the Spirit – offered a teachable moment at the Friday night dinner as well as an opportunity for a bit of fiery foolishness that included some roasting of Bishop Scott Mayer. Because he returned from his sabbatical all fired up, he was presented with a “fiery mitre” constructed by Administrative Assistant Michele King. It was inspired by  a headdress worn by actress Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2015 Metropolitan Museum…

Convention address: “On fire with the Spirit”

Bishop J. Scott Mayer addressed the 2016 Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 12. His theme was “On Fire with the Spirit.” You can read the text below. Fort Worth Convention Address 2016 November 12 I would like to begin this morning by expressing gratitude to the people of the Fort Worth West Deanery, including All Saints’ Episcopal Church, All Saints’ Episcopal School, and St Elisabeth’s and Christ the King. I want to especially recognize Father Chris Jambor of All Saints’,…

Convention election results

With great patience, good humor, and old-fashioned paper ballots and pencils, delegates to convention worked past the technology glitch that prevented online voting and filled all the offices open for election in 2016. They were selecting from a record number of people standing for the various offices. Bishop Scott Mayer expressed his appreciation that so many people were offering their service to the diocese and the wider church. Standing Committee, Lay Norm Synder, Good Shepherd, Granbury Standing Committee, Clergy Christopher…

Give generously

The Child Protective Services system in Texas is in deep crisis, underfunded and understaffed, leaving thousands of children at risk of harm in their homes. According to state records, CPS is charged with supervising more than 17,000 children in paid foster care and 11,000 more in other types of care – care by family members or close friends of the birth parents. But the foster care program is overwhelmed, resulting in children sleeping on floors in offices, in motels, and…

Diocesan youth to offer prayer room at convention

Diocesan youth will offer a prayer room adjacent to the floor of diocesan convention at All Saints Episcopal School November 11-12. The prayer room will be set up in the wrestling room in the school gym, site of the convention business sessions on Saturday, November 12. The goal of the prayer room is to offer a quiet moment for folks during convention to contemplate, pray. and leave refreshed. Prayer room items are provided by the youth of St. Martin’s Episcopal…

Visit Convention Exhibitors and Vendors

Plan to visit the exhibits and vendors at Convention. On Friday, November 11, the vendor and exhibitor area will be in Moore Commons, where the social hour will take place. On Saturday, vendors and exhibitors will be right above the gym, with the business meeting on the gym floor below. If your group would like to have a booth at Convention, register online [Registration closed for 2016]. There is no charge for a booth this year. These groups have registered…

Pre-Convention Deanery Meetings begin

Attend your Pre-Convention Deanery meeting during the next few weeks to become familiar with the business to be completed at Diocesan Convention on November 11-12. Deaneries There are five deaneries in the diocese; see which deanery your congregation is in, and click the name of the deanery below for the names of current officers. Here are their meeting dates: Northern Deanery Meeting: Sunday October 16 after the 10 am service at the Episcopal Church of Wise County in Decatur (approximately 11:30 am)…

Training at convention on discerning truth through relationships

As Christians, we have promised to follow Jesus’ call to seek and serve Christ in every person and respect the dignity of every human being. Loving our neighbor as God loves us can be easy when our neighbors look and think a lot like us. But when they don’t, or when we begin defining “neighbor” too narrowly, we often run into trouble. How do we find our way, individually and in community, through this tangle? How can we intentionally build inclusive…

Register for Convention this week for Early Bird rates

Register for Diocesan Convention before Saturday, October 1, to take advantage of Early Bird rates. Early Bird rates are $30 for a one-day registration or $45 for a two-day registration. After October 1, these rates will increase to $40 for a one-day registration and $60 for a two-day registration. Register online at the Diocesan Convention web site. You also can view the schedule and access many other details related to convention. If your congregation is paying your registration fee, you…
2016 Nominees

View nominees for election at the 2016 Convention

Several people in the diocese agreed to be nominated for election to leadership roles in the diocese. Below are descriptions of the positions that will be filled by elections at the 2016 Convention and the names of the nominees for those positions. Click on the names to read biographies of the nominees. Executive Council Members at Large The Executive Council carries on the work of the Diocesan Convention during the rest of the year when the Convention is not in…

Come be kindled anew

Come be kindled anew is a video inviting everyone to attend Diocesan Convention 2016. Watch it below or on the Diocesan YouTube Channel.  

Register for Convention

Registration is now open for Diocesan Convention 2016 on the Diocesan Convention page. Register during the month of September to take advantage of lower “Early Bird” rates of $45 for a two-day registration or $30 for a one-day registration. It is customary for congregations to pay for their delegates. Church administrators can register and pay for their entire delegations, using this form. Vendors and exhibitors may register this year for free and come for either or both days. Refer to…
2016 Convention theme on fire

On Fire!

The theme for the 2016 Diocesan Convention November 11-12 at All Saints’ Episcopal School is On Fire With the Spirit.  The theme emerged from conversations among Bishop J. Scott Mayer and members of the diocesan staff about exciting and innovative ministries being developed by congregations in the diocese. As they prepared to tell the story of our diocese to members of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church in February, the sense of the Spirit working in the diocese was…
photos of three workshop presenters

Convention workshops announced

The 2016 Diocesan Convention is November 11-12 at All Saints’ Episcopal School. On Fire with the Spirit is the theme of this year’s convention. The convention will feature workshops open to all comers. Is your congregation struggling for ways to help deal with poverty in your area? Have you looked for ways to connect across a racial, class, or income gap, whether at church, at home, or at work? Have you wondered how to help the rest of the church…