Welcome from the people of Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio

October 24, 2007

 Dear Diocese of West Texas,

I am privileged to invite the people and clergy of our diocesan family to gather in San Antonio for Diocesan Council, February 21-23, 2008. This year Christ Church is celebrating 100 years of ministry in San Antonio, in the Diocese of West Texas, and around the world, and we feel honored to host the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas for the 104th Council.

Bishop Gary Lillibridge has designated that the theme will be: "Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me." I'm reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote," To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ." Bishop Lillibridge has invited Baroness Caroline Cox to be with us for the days of our Council. Lady Caroline is a deputy speaker in the British House of Lords and the President of the British chapter of Christian Solidarity International (CSI). She is an Anglican and known worldwide for leading efforts to help persecuted and oppressed peoples. In 1994 she was awarded the prestigious William Wilberforce Award for humanitarianism.

The 2008 Council will be held at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio. The opening worship service will be at First Presbyterian Church downtown on Thursday evening, and the council banquet will be at Crowne Plaza Riverwalk on Thursday evening. Our committee has blocked off plenty of hotel rooms at Crowne Plaza Riverwalk, Hawthorn Suites Riverwalk and Hyatt Place on Hwy. 281 (formerly Amerisuites). Registration information and updates will be on the Diocesan website: www.council-dwtx.org.

Thanks for reserving these dates and for planning to join us in San Antonio for these days of good fellowship and mutual support as we learn more what it means to "deny...take up...and follow."

Faithfully yours,

Chuck Collins
Rector, Christ Church