DECEMBER

First Trip to Spain Set for March 1999

A Special Thank You to an ECW Angel

Aftermath of Hurricane Staggers the Church in Honduras

From Archdeacon John H. Park: All Saints' Day

... We still have hundreds of people housed in our churches. The Diocese has been providing food for them, but we have had to buy every penny's worth. The government is distributing free food and water for the evacuation centres, but when we try to get some, we are told that it is all gone... Here it is the rich and powerful who get everything.

From Archdeacon John H. Park: 10 November

...The girls of Our Little Roses in San Pedro Sula were evacuated for several days from their orphanage.When they returned to the orphanage, they went through their closets to find clothes to donate to those who had lost their homes. The boys at the Instituto Tecnico Santa Maria in Tegucigapla have been helping to dig out homes from landslides and to remove ruble... The youth of Honduras are doing their part. They are now challenging the youth in Episcopal and Anglican churches around the world to do their part. The challenge is this: get a container, fill it with goods, and ship it to Honduras!

From Diane Frade: 10 November

... Honduran people are very resilient and will pull out of this. God is great and God has been good to us even in the midst of disaster ... We appreciate your prayers and we feel lifted-up by them. We know that God will give us the strength and courage to continue forward as we begin to build a new Honduras for the future.

From Archdeacon John H. Park: 11 November

Remembrance Day

... nothing has brought it all home to me as has the news which I received yesterday afternoon. One of my former parishioners, a young man whom I had trained as an acolyte, whom I had sent to our Technical Institute in Tegucigalpa, was making his first voyage as a crewman aboard the 4-masted tourist schooner Phantome, which was lost during the hurricane with all the crew aboard. I had known of the loss of the ship and crew, but I had not known that Jesus was one of the crew.

We have still not been able to communicate fully with our churches in El Paraiso... Beyond Ojo de Agua roads and bridges are washed out so that we cannot get accurate reports on the damages... In Tegucigalpa people are beginning to return to their homes, which is not necessarily a good idea. Many of these homes are in unstable area, and more mudslides could occur. Pray that they be kept safe.

From Mayra de Arguelles 10 November Administrative Assistant to the Bishop

... this Honduras that was a country with beautiful cities, bananas and coffee plantations.. . They just found around 200 bodies floating at the hydroelectrical dam of El Cajon. Just about one hour from San Pedro Sula.... One of our members spent two days in a tall tree fighting the snakes that kept trying to crawl up for safety. Today there are many deaths due to the snake bites.. Tegucigalpa looks like it was bombed in a war....

From Bishop Leo Frade 11 November,  Bishop of Honduras

We are helping to feed thousands of people, and we need your help.

Please see the Diocese of Honduras' disaster web site at  www.episcopalian.org/honduras.

Donations can also be made to the Diocese of Honduras via SAMS using MasterCard or Visa at the following web site: mall.pacificcoast.com/cornerstone/honduras.tpl

or

Prepare parcels and send direct aid: To receive a detailed list of items needed, and current shipping and customs instructions, call Doug Tow, Postmaster, Levelland TX (806) 894-3250 during the business day. Or e-mail: adventure@nwt.org. Information will be available via mail or fax after 11/16.

Editor's Thanks: (for sharing personal messages) David Veal, Wallis Ohl, Mollie Polhemus, Fran Gregg, John MacDonald and the Mighty Louie Crew.

Business Manager Added to Diocesan Staff

Edna Chambers has been appointed to the bishop's staff as General Business Manager. For the past six months, she has served as administrative assistant at St. Christopher's, Lubbock. Previously, she was employed for many years as an assistant comptroller and executive assistant for Lowe's food stores, based in Littlefield. "I am looking forward to serving the diocese - and very excited!," she said recently. She replaces Laurie Riggs, who relocated to Colorado in September. Edna's first day at the Episcopal Center will be November 23.

News of the People

Harry Hall, Emmanuel, San Angelo, has accepted the bishop's appointment to the Companion Diocese Committee... New Postulants for the Diaconate include: Judy Cobb of St. Barnabas', Odessa; Ernest and Suzi Wilkinson of St. Matthew's, Pampa; and Nikki Jones of St, Stephens, Sweetwater... the Rev. Marlena Tothill will be assisting the Rev. Robert Bonnington, interim Vicar of the Sandhills Missions... Dana Colley, seminarian from Holy Trinity, Midland, was singled out for a very special honor: She was chosen as one of three respondents to the Presiding Bishop, who made a major address on ecumenism at Grace Church, New York September 30. Dana recounted some recent ministries of prayer and support she had received from Christian persons who are not members of this branch of Christ's Church...

La Consulta meets next week in Cuidad Juarez. Contact: Glenn Polhemus (915) 468-3011.

Youth Events for 1998-99 have been confirmed for the following dates: Fall Festival (Jr. High) November 13-15; Midwinter Retreat, January 15-17; Spring Fling, March 19-21 [attention]; Happening, April 23-25.

NOVEMBER

13 Fri Jr. High Fall Festival opens (at the BQCC, thru Saturday)

15 Sun Bishop Ohl to Washington National Cathedral * (Tribute to the State of Texas)

17 Tue Standing Comm on Ministry (National) (in New Orleans) *

18 Wed Province VII House of Bishops * (in Austin)

19 Thu Seminary of the Southwest Board, Austin *

21 Sat Finance Committee meets (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am) *

22 Sun St. Thomas', Hereford visitation *

24 Tues Groundbreaking for St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Amarillo, 10:00 am)

26 Thu Diocesan office closed for Thanksgiving

The Convention registered 206 voting representatives, and welcomed many more official guests. Speakers throughout the weekend encouraged exploration and celebration of lay ministry. In his Charge to Convention, Bishop Ohl spoke of the role of the new Lay Ministry Consultant, and of "recapturing the missionary zeal of the early years of the Church in Northwest Texas." Vincent Currie, Administrator of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, preached at Friday Evensong and was featured speaker at the Sunday morning business session. Angela Hock (Midland), was lay leader for Bible Study late Saturday afternoon.

Highlights on the floor of the convention included a warm reception and formal seating for San Miguel Arcangel, the new Spanish language mission in Odessa, guided by diocesan missioner the Rev. Bernardo Martinez. Later in the day, the Rev. Efrain Huerta, of the Center for Hispanic Ministry on the campus of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, reminded the convention that there are currently 35,000 Hispanic Episcopalians in the U.S., including 8000 worshipping here in Province 7.

The convention also adopted the enthusiastic resolution brought by Pan and Paul Eimon (Amarillo), Co-Chairs of the Companion Diocese Committee, to make Northwest Texas and the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church companion dioceses.

There was discussion, but no amendment proposed to the 1999 Diocesan Operating Budget as prepared by the Executive Council. The budgeted expenditures and corresponding Apportionments to diocesan congregations for 1999 total $1,308,093. Apportionments from congregations account for 86% of the operating budget in the coming year.

Ann Duval (Lubbock), out-going President of diocesan ECW reported that Linda Scarborough (Abilene) is now President-elect of the organization, and Grace Jordan (Midland) was selected as Treasurer at the annual ECW gathering in September.

Lauren Weaver ( Midland), President of the Youth Community Executive Committee made an impromptu appeal to the convention for adult involvement and support for youth programs at the parish and deanery levels. Later, Bishop Ohl marveled that Weaver's remarks foreshadowed the principle themes of his Charge to Convention.

The Rev. James P. Haney, Chair of the Standing Committee, reported on three significant events of the past year: 1) completion of a covenant between Bishop Ohl and the diocese, with the assistance of Canon C. M. Woltz of Oklahoma; 2) receipt of an emergency relief grant from the Presiding Bishop's Fund, thanks to the initiative of Executive Secretary Carolyn Hearn, in response to the extreme heat across the region in June and July. The $15,000 received will be distributed through the deaneries in 1999 to purchase air conditioners for at-risk families; 3) endorsement of the proposal by Long Range Planning to contract with Percept, an information resources consultant, for a 3-year demographic study of population trends in the diocese.

Five rounds of balloting were required to select delegates and arrange alternates to the 2000 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Every diocese sends 4 deputies from the clergy and lay orders:

Clergy Deputies to Convention:

David L. Veal (Diocese)

John Loving (San Angelo)

William Nix (Amarillo)

Jim Haney (Lubbock)

Cliff Gardner (San Angelo) 1st alternate

Lay Deputies to Convention:

Betty Gilmore (Midland)

Jackie Batjer (Abilene)

Cliff Craig (Amarillo)

Sally Clinehens (Lubbock)

Dick Davis (Amarillo) 1st alternate

On the first ballot, the Hon. Jesse Holloway (Abilene) was elected to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Mary Federman (Big Spring) was nominated from the floor, then elected to fill an unexpired term on the Commission on Ministry.

Convention Officers elected in uncontested races included Jack Link (Lubbock) as Secretary; Carrol Holley (Lubbock) as Treasurer; Mike Thomas (Lubbock) as Chancellor; and the Rev. Roz Thomas (Abilene) as Registrar. Also uncontested:

To the Standing Committee: Cliff Craig (Amarillo), Roz Thomas (Abilene), Kelly Schneider (Abilene)

To the Commission on Ministry: Carl Lukenbach (Lubbock), Dana Wilson (Midland)

To the Ecclesiastical Trial Court: Dick Davis (Amarillo), Tom Gregg (San Angelo), Stockton Williams (Midland)

More Convention notes: The offering collected at the Friday Evensong ($ 942) was given to continue the work of La Consulta ... Sunday morning's offering ($ 1377) was dedicated to the mission San Miguel Arcangel .... the Rev. Bob Bonnington was introduced as interim vicar for the Sandhills Ministry, and the Rev. Joseph Kennedy as interim rector for St. Peter's, in Borger. ..... Thanks to the St. Mary's, Big Spring convention team including host rector, the Rev. James Liggett, event Chair Dr. Mary Federman, and hosts for Saturday's Chuckwagon feast, Rich and Barbara Anderson.... Courtesy resolutions endorsed by the convention included Godspeed to Laurie and Don Riggs; Thanksgiving for a Middle East peace agreement negotiated earlier in the week on the Maryland shore; An expression of sympathy and support to the family of Matthew Shepard, acolyte and member of Canterbury at the U. of Wyoming, and to his parish, St. Mark's Church.

1 Sun Emmanuel, San Angelo visitation *

3 Tue Trustees Meet * (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am)

6 Fri Faith and Order Conference of the Texas Conf. of Churches (in San Antonio)

6 Fri Commission on Ministry meets * (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am)

7 Sat Panhandle deanery Eucharist * (at the Bp. Quarterman Conference Ctr)

7 Sat Youth Committee & Exec meet (10:00 am at St. Stephen's, Lubbock)

8 Sun St. Peter's, Amarillo visitation *

12 Thu Small Group Clergy Gathering VIII  (at the Hulsey Center, thru Friday)

13 Fri Spiritual Development Committee in retreat (at the BQCC, thru Saturday)

13 Fri Jr. High Fall Festival opens (at the BQCC, thru Saturday)

15 Sun Bishop Ohl to Washington National Cathedral * (Tribute to the State of Texas)

17 Tue Standing Comm on Ministry (National) (in New Orleans) *

18 Wed Province VII House of Bishops * (in Austin)

19 Thu Seminary of the Southwest Board, Austin *

21 Sat Finance Committee meets (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am) *

22 Sun St. Thomas', Hereford visitation *

26 Thu Diocesan office closed for Thanksgiving

The Bishop's Address to Convention will be published after annual convention but will not be available to be read in churches Sunday, Oct. 25. The Bishop does not desire that it be read in place of the sermon on any Sunday.

News of the People

Amarillo (St. Peter's): Nov 14

Midland (Holy Trinity): Jan 23

Please register in advance. Registration coupon is available at every parish and mission.

The Rev. Michael Jasper

The Rev. Jeff Fouts

To Missions Committee  (unexpired term to 1999):

The Rev. Marlene Tothill

Permian Basin Deanery Meetings for 1999 are scheduled as follows:

March 20 @ St. Barnabas, Odessa

August 14 @ Holy Trinity, Midland

October 2 @ St. Mary the Virgin, Big Spring.

Presiding Bishop's Fund Seeks New Executive

Some Dates for Your Brand New 1999 Appointment Calendar

United Thank Offering Grant Applications Available

At the annual ECW diocesan conference last weekend at the Bishop Quarterman Conference Center, participants voted to accept a challenge from their guest speaker, Diana Frade. As Director of an Episcopal home for abandoned and abused girls in Honduras, she asked the Northwest Texas ECW to raise $8,000 for the construction of a new chapel for the girls at Our Little Roses. Ann Duval of St. Paul's (Lubbock), President of ECW for the diocese, writes: "We want this to be an effort for the whole Diocese, not just a few people. One suggestion was to have our children involved in some way, too; possibly something like our UTO Boxes. (Young girls sending money to young girls in Honduras.) ANY amount of money would be welcomed." Expect to hear more from the Episcopal Church Women about this effort in coming weeks.

Locations:

 
Friday, October 23

11:00 - 5:30 pm Exhibits Set Up

1:00 - 6:00 pm REGISTRATION and Hospitality at the Coliseum

6:30 pm EVENSONG AND COMMISSIONING OF DELEGATES
       Mr. Vincent Currie, Jr., Preacher at St. Mary's

7:45 pm OPENING SESSION OF CONVENTION at St. Mary's

8:30 pm Reception in St. Mary's Parish Hall

7:30 am HISPANIC EUCHARIST: at  the Coliseum

7:45 am REGISTRATION at the Coliseum

9:00 am CONVENTION RECONVENES: at the Coliseum

12:00 noon Noonday Prayers and Lunch

4:30 pm Announcements and Recess

6:00 pm Load Buses to Anderson's Ranch from the Coliseum

7:00 pm Chuck Wagon Dinner at the Anderson's Ranch

8:30 pm Load Buses to return to the Coliseum

Sunday, October 25

7:30 am CONVENTION EUCHARIST
    The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, Jr., Preacher at St. Mary's

9:00 am Brunch at the Coliseum

9:30 am CONVENTION RECONVENES at the Coliseum

1:00 pm Commissioning of Elected and Appointed Diocesan Officials, Staff and Clergy Closing Prayers and Song

 Sweetwater School Fundraiser Collecting Campbell's Soup Labels

1 Thu Seminary of the Southwest Trustees' Orientation * (Austin)

2 Fri The Bishop's Stewardship Conference *(St. Paul's, Lubbock, thru Saturday)

3 Sat Permian Basin Deanery meets (9:30 am, St. Nicholas, Midland)

3 Sat Quiet Day: Talks on Prayer by Deacon Patricia Masterman (St. Mark's, Plainview)

4 Sun St. Stephen's, Lubbock visitation *

5 Mon Diocese of Oklahoma Clergy Conference * (thru Friday)

9 Fri         Fall Rally (at the Bp. Quarterman Conference Ctr)

10 Sat Campus Ministry Committee meets (Canterbury, Lubbock at noon)

11 Sun St. George's, Canyon visitation *

12 Tue Bishop Ohl to Sewanee (Bishop-in-Residence) *

18 Sun Sandhills missions (Monahans) visitation *

19 Mon Bishop Ohl to All Saints School, Lubbock (chapel)

20 Tue Bishop Ohl to St. Andrew's, Amarillo * (Fall Teaching series)

22 Thu Bishop Ohl to Trinity School, Midland (chapel) *

23 Fri Diocesan Convention opens in Big Spring

23 Fri Standing Committee meets in Big Spring *

26 Mon Diocesan offices closed

NOVEMBER

1 Sun Emmanuel, San Angelo visitation *

3 Tue Trustees Meet * (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am)

6 Fri         Faith and Order Conference of the Texas Conf. of Churches (in San Antonio)

6 Fri        Commission on Ministry meets * (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am)

7 Sat Panhandle deanery Eucharist * (at the Bp. Quarterman Conference Ctr)

8 Sun St. Peter's, Amarillo visitation *

12 Thu Small Group Clergy Gathering VIII  (at the Hulsey Center, thru Friday)

13 Fri     Spiritual Development Committee in retreat (at the BQCC, thru Saturday)

15 Sun Bishop Ohl to Washington National Cathedral * (Tribute to the State of Texas)

17 Tue Standing Comm on Ministry (National) (in New Orleans) *

18 Wed Province VII House of Bishops * (in Austin)

19 Thu Seminary of the Southwest Board, Austin *

21 Sat Finance Committee meets (at the Hulsey Center, 10:00 am) *

22 Sun St. Thomas', Hereford visitation *

22 Sun Groundbreaking and Reception,  St. Andrew's, Amarillo (4:00 pm) *

26 Thu Diocesan office closed for Thanksgiving

29 Sun St. Andrew's, Amarillo visitation *

Stewardship Conference Will Feature the Rev. Nicolas R.D. Dyke

Convention Motels and Camping