Posts (Page 94)
Lenten Reflection: Praise
The Psalms are full of emotional honesty and transparency—even the truth about our ugliest impulses. Rage, resentment, violent retribution, even the cursing of others: it’s all there in the Psalms. If we pray with this kind of honesty, and live with this kind of truth telling, we approach the presence of light and life. Truth telling leads us toward fuller life. – Br. Mark Brown Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click…
The Rev. Heather O’Brien Wins St. Aelred’s Day Sermon Contest
The Rev. Heather O’Brien from the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth was recognized as the St. Aelred’s Day sermon contest winner by IntegrityUSA. She preached her sermon “The Heartbeat of God” at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Fort Worth on January 12, 2013. The IntegrityUSA jury selected O’Brien’s sermon due to its powerful personal narrative (which ties closely to Integrity’s ongoing work of first-person engagement) and its ability to relate to both the Gospel and St. Aelred’s teachings about “particular friends.”…
Lenten Reflection: Judgment
I think we eternally matter to God insofar as God longs to be united with all that God creates. That is the nature of God: a God of union and communion. – Br. Curtis Almquist Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/ii-ywKOITRQ Question for Reflection: Can you invite judgment from God in prayer today? Comments: We welcome your comments on this video series. Click here to share thoughts.…
Lenten Reflection: Failure
When we know that God knows everything about us and loves us, then we can face those areas of our lives of which we are ashamed – our sins, our weaknesses and failures, our tendency to hurt others and to turn away from God. We can face these things honestly because we know that God knows. And in spite of knowing all these things, God’s love for us persists. – Br. David Vryhof Society of Saint John the Evangelist To…
House of Bishops reports from 2013 Kanuga retreat
The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church met in retreat at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC, in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, from March 8 to March 12. Read the press releases from the bishops’ conference: HOB Daily Account for Friday, March 8 HOB Daily Account for Saturday, March 9 HOB Daily Account for Sunday, March 10 HOB Daily Account for Tuesday, March 12 Episcopal House of Bishops offers A Word to the Church
Lenten Reflection: Enemies
My failure to love my enemy can give me insight into my enemy’s failure to love me. Acknowledging my own failure, I can begin to have compassion on the failure of others. We can, in a sense, recognize something of ourselves in the “enemy.” – Br. Mark Brown Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/D3QF77tWohU Question for Reflection: How might the enemies in your life belong there, for…
Lenten Reflection: Petition
We might be praying quite specifically for someone or something, but we figure into the answer of this prayer which began in God’s own heart. God has given us an awareness of some need, and that need is being addressed through our own awareness and our own availability. – Br. Curtis Almquist Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/f2fLuwmallk Question for Reflection: How does petition help sharpen your…
Lenten Reflection: Intercession
Intercession is about love, and leaning to love. Intercession is about love that is both expressed and learnt. We express our love for another when we pray for them, and we learn to love them even more, even our enemies. – Br. James Koester Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/A-f0iu71Vy0 Question for Reflection: What of your “distractions” are invitations for your prayer? Comments: We welcome your comments…
Lenten Reflection: Father
In our life of prayer, in our regular participation in the Eucharist and the sacramental life, we allow the dynamic community of love which is God the Holy Trinity, the dance of love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to graciously spill over, forgive us, wash over us, and draw us in so that we can participate in that life. – Br. Geoffrey Tristram Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click…
Lenten Reflection: Trinity
We should be aware that we are indeed taking part in the worship of the Holy Trinity: It is God the Father who created us and all things, God the Son who redeemed us by his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us, now and always, as we keep our hearts open in love. – Br. David Allen Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view:…
Lenten Reflection: Body
For you to receive as gift Christ’s offer of peace might have to do with some movement of your body, some way that you walk, some way that you gesture or use your hands; something you do with you body. Maybe a bowing, a pacing, a posturing. Perhaps there is some practice to attend to when you are alone. – Br. Curtis Almquist Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to…
Lenten Reflection: Mystery
Life has a way of shattering our safe and comfortable images of God. Over and over again we are driven to search for a deeper understanding, for a renewed and deeper relationship. We will never know God fully in this life; the fullness of the Mystery will always be beyond our comprehension. – Br. David Vryhof Society of Saint John the Evangelist To Read More, Click Here Video not displaying? Click here to view: http://youtu.be/GZwL84fYjvw Question for Reflection: Will you…
Letter from the President of the Standing Committee on the Conciliation
From Marti Fagley, President of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, on the recent conciliation meeting and settlement: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In June 2012, the members of the Standing Committee and our then provisional bishop, the Rt. Rev. C Wallis Ohl, submitted a Title IV complaint to the Episcopal Church Intake Officer, the Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Matthews. This internal Church disciplinary proceeding was initiated against seven bishops ordained by The Episcopal Church…
Settlement Reached on Disciplinary Complaints Against Bishops
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, has approved an accord reached between various complainants and nine bishops of the Church arising from three ecclesiastical discipline complaints filed under Title IV of the Church’s canons. A copy of the accord is HERE. The accord arises from conciliation, or mediation, of complaints which alleged that the respondent bishops, purporting to act in their official capacities as bishops of The Episcopal Church, caused to be filed or…
The Vision and Mission
Who We Are The Episcopal Diocese of Texas is a Christ centered community of congregations, diocesan staff, and ministry groups who welcome and support all people in worship, study, fellowship, and service. What We Do Diocesan staff and programs empower and equip congregations by encouraging participation by laity, bishop, priests, and deacons providing resources to support each congregation in its efforts toward excellence and diversity in worship, study, fellowship and service working together to ensure transparency and accountability. Read more…
Conciliation Meeting Outcome Announced by The Episcopal Church
The outcome of a January conciliation meeting concerning complaints involving the Episcopal Dioceses of Fort Worth and Quincy has been announced, following the written agreement of all parties and acceptance by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.