Sukey Byerly, Associate Director for Alumni and Advancement at Sewanee: the University of the South addresses Council about the the dynamic programs on campus at the University of theSouth, the involvement of the diocese at Sewanee, and their current campaign to expand the programs and facilities of the university.
Stronger, Truer, Sewanee from Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on Vimeo.The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, makes his annual address to Diocesan Council 2019. In his address Bishop Reed expands on staff transitions in the diocesan office, expresses thanks for diocesan clergy, welcomes special guests, adds detail to the diocesan scripture theme, reflects on last year’s initiative to study to the bible, shares the good news of the church planting initiative, extends an invitation to revitalizing stewardship, comments on budget changes, and addresses immigration at the diocesan border.
Bishop Reed shares, “I’ve spent a great deal of time this morning, as I should, talking about the Diocese of West Texas, planned and ongoing diocesan ministries, diocesan staff, diocesan budget, diocesan initiatives. Please understand clearly that I have been talking about you, about all of us together. I prepared this address with you all in mind. The diocesan center is not ‘the diocese,’ though it is beautiful and important. The diocesan staff is not ‘the diocese,’ beautiful and important though they are. I am not ‘the diocese,’ though a primary part of my call, shared with Bishop Brooke-Davidson, is to help you remember that the diocese is all of us, all of our congregations, knit together by the one Spirit, and members of the one Body, of which Jesus Christ is the head.
Your own churches, scattered across 60 counties, and living and serving in an amazing variety of circumstances—you are the Diocese of West Texas and the local, embodied, fleshed-out, Spirit-enlivened Body of Christ in and for your towns and cities. If you get nothing else from this Council—and I think there is a great deal for you to get here—but if you get nothing else, I hope that the act of being scooped up into this place together will help you remember that we—all of us, together—are on this Way of Jesus. We are the Diocese called together and sent for and toward the Kingdom. You—and we together—are called to the most wondrous stewardship: ‘stewards of the mysteries of God’ (I Cor. 4:1) and ‘stewards of the manifold grace of God’ (I Peter 4:10)— empowered by the Spirit to be the bearers of Good News of the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, salvation, hope and eternal life. By God’s grace and mercy given in Christ, we have received everything we need to be the Body of Christ here and now.”
Full Text Script of the Diocesan Bishop’s Address available here: Bishops 2019 Council Address
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson preaches on John 5: 1 – 9, The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda, at Council Eucharist on Thursday evening of Council 2019:
“Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.”
During Council 2019, participants are invited into seven conversations about each of the seven practices for a Jesus-centered life laid out by the Most Rev. Michael Curry. Contributors to the Fall/Winter 2018 Reflections Magazine that explored the Way of Love will introduce each Bible study conversation, either in person or via video.
Watch Daniel Morehead’s introduction below, and consider “what practices help you to turn again and again to Jesus Christ and the Way of Love?”
Way of Love Study: Dan Morehead on “Turn” from Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on Vimeo.
The Rt. Rev. David Reed introduces our theme, saying “‘Walk in love as Christ loved us’ is our Council theme, as well as the Bible verse (from Ephesians) that will illumine and shape our mission and ministries in 2019. Throughout Council we will connect this passage to our Presiding Bishop’s call to the whole Church to engage, or re-engage, with “The Way of Love,” seven spiritual habits to strengthen our discipleship and help us do the work of the Kingdom of God.”
He explains several activities that will take place during Council 2019, including Way of Love themed bingo and conversations buttons, and then shared a video greeting from the Most Rev. Michael Curry to our diocese.
Greetings from the Most Rev. Michael Curry to the Diocese of West Texas from Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on Vimeo.
The Rev. Scott Brown, Headmaster of TMI Episcopal, delivered the report of the flagship school of the diocese, saying the school “has room” for all students and all needs.
TMI Episcopal Diocesan Report from Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on Vimeo.
