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WELCOME to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas--a place where the vast open plains are as wondrous as the big sky above!
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The landscape, covering 77,000 square miles is as diverse as the cities and people, with the canyons and rangelands of the Staked Plains; agricultural fields abounding; and the rough and ready country of the Rolling Plains and Permian Basin. The people here are known for their warm and friendly smiles, making one feel like an old and trusted friend.
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Noteworthy News from Northwest Texas
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S
AVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES!
(For more information about the events, click on the blue underlined links. You may need to scroll down the page to view the article.)
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The Hulsey Center Gets a "Facelift"
Officing in an old, historic home means the care you give it must meet certain standards, especially when it's part of both
 the state and national historic registries. In many cases the work must be approved by a council of local persons designated as the Historical Commission, whose job is just that - approving work or changes to an historic structure or district.
Such is the case with the historic Bacon home, otherwise known as the Sam B. Hulsey Episcopal Center.
In November we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Bacon home with an evening reception on the night before Diocesan Convention began. How fitting it is, then, to give our home a "facelift" in its 101st year of existence.
The work actually began in 2016, as Deacon Nancy Igo, the House Steward responsible for the care and upkeep of the Center, began accepting bids to repair and "freshen-up" the exterior of the Center. After months of vetting contractors and construction companies, a bid was finally accepted in late 2016. The company,
Leroy Henry Construction, of Lubbock, began their work in December, and work continues this month.
The work on the house includes the repair/replacement of the soffits and fascia,
 especially at the corners of the house, a complete paint job on the house and the garage, and the cleaning and replacement of the storm windows, and brand new rain gutters. The crew has been hard at work, whether the temperature outside was warm and pleasant, or blustery and cold. During the repairs the Hulsey Center staff members have worked to the buzz of tools, the beeping of the lift used to raise the crew to the upper floor of the house, the banging of hammers, and with faces peering in their windows as the crew painted and cleaned the exterior.
The work thus far is going very well, without issue, and the windows of our beloved home are cleaner and brighter than they've been in many years! We look forward to posting a photo of the completed work sometime in the next month.
But wait... there's more! Updating of the interior has been deferred for a number of years, but the time quickly approaches when old carpeting will need to be replaced with new, wear resistant carpeting. The offices of the Hulsey Center were updated and painted in the past two years, as were the halls and basement stairwell. The kitchen, one of the last rooms to be updated, will need tender loving care in the way of a new, fresh coat of paint, new carpet, and eventually the replacement of fabric on the kitchen chairs. Many of the areas needing an update haven't been touched since 1981, when the Hulsey Center was consecrated. Thanks to the care it has received over the years, the building has withstood time and wear quite well.
Be sure to watch for updates on our beautiful home in the near future. And if you're in town, feel free to drop by for a visit, and see our beautiful, updated diocesan home!
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A Farewell to Patsy
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Bishop Scott Mayer and the Diocese of Northwest Texas mourn the death of their Archdeacon Emeritus, Patricia Dinan Masterman, who rose to Glory at 7:30am, Thursday,
December 15, 2016. Deacon Patsy had been an active deacon in
Northwest Texas for many years, and will be greatly missed.
Deacon Patsy was born in Amarillo,Texas, on November 4th, 1927, to Wilfred and Frances Dinan. She attended school in Amarillo, after which she attended Colorado College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Patsy was employed by the Rt. Rev. Willis Henton, Bishop of Northwest Texas, to serve in the Bishop's office as the Bursor and the Editor of The Adventure, the former diocesan newspaper. With a background in newspapers, she was the perfect person to create the monthly newspaper. Her beloved dog went to work with her in the Bishop's office every day.
Deacon Patsy pursued a call to ministry in the 1980's, and was ordained to the Vocational Diaconate on October 15th, 1985, by the Rt. Rev. Sam B. Hulsey, during the Diocesan Convention. Executive Secretary Emeritus, Carolyn Hearn, who worked with Patsy for many years, remembers Deacon Patsy being asked once what organizations or clubs she belonged to. Typical of Deacon Patsy and her dry sense of humor, she replied, "I'm a member of the Hanes Hosiery Club." Carolyn stated, "She was not much of a joiner, but she was a worker!" After ordination, Deacon Patsy served as deacon at Church of the Holy Cross, a former mission of the diocese in south Lubbock, as well as continuing to serve the diocese in the Bishop's office.
In 1988, Deacon Patsy relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, to serve at All Saints' Episcopal Church and School in Fort Worth. She resided in Fort Worth until 1993, when she returned to the diocese to become the deacon for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Amarillo. After her return to Northwest Texas, Deacon Patsy was appointed as the Archdeacon by Bishop Hulsey. She became instrumental in the creation of the deacon formation program in the diocese, helping to educate and train the first official class of deacons to be ordained. Deacon Patsy served at St. Andrew's until 1999, when she retired from her position there. She did, however, remain an active deacon through her volunteerism at the Tyler Street Resource Center in Amarillo, and as a volunteer chaplain at Baptist-St. Anthony Hospital in Amarillo. She also led the Black Belt Bible Study at St. Andrew's, with her good friend and fellow deacon, Pat Knight. Deacon Pat continued to minister to Deacon Patsy after she moved into assisted living, until Pat became ill several years ago and could no longer help her. Sadly, Deacon Pat preceded Deacon Patsy in death by 7 months. No doubt the two of them will have Heaven whipped into shape in no time!
Deacon Patsy leaves behind her two sons, David and Thomas, and a wealth of friends who will remember her fondly with a warm smile and a chuckle.
The funeral service for Deacon Patsy will be held at 11:00am, on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, located at 1601 S. Georgia, Amarillo. The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas, will preside, and the Rev. Robert Pace, Rector of St. Andrew's, will preach. The clergy in attendance are invited to vest in cassock and surplice with a white stole, and to process. Her ashes will be inurned in the St. Andrew's Columbarium, located on the east side of the property, immediately following the service.
Rest eternal grant to Patsy, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
(BCP pg. 502)
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Youth Events for 2017
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Please mark your calendars and save these dates!
It is only January, but many are already making
 summer plans.
Please mark your calendar for CAMP QUARTERMAN and EYE (Episcopal Youth Event)!
Camp Quarterman registration forms will be posted soon! All can be found on the diocesan website and on the youth Facebook page,
NWTX Youth Program.
Camp Quarterman (for youth currently in grades 7-12) will be June 4-10 in Colorado.
Camp Quarterman Jr. will be June 25-July 1 (for youth in grades 3-5. Youth in 6th grade may attend either camp).
EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) will be held in Oklahoma July 10-14. This is a once every three year event for youth in grades 9-12. There is a limited number of spots and the deadline is March 1,
so please register soon!
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2017 UTO Grant Application
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The focus for the 2017 United Thank Offering grants is The Jesus Movement - evangelism, reconciliation, and following Jesus' way of creating loving, liberating, and life-giving relationships with God, each other, and all creation.
On Wednesday and Thursday, January 11 and 12 at 7 Eastern (6 Central), webinars will be held to help with any questions regarding the granting process. People are welcome to sign in to one or both webinars.
UTO Grant applications must be sent to the Bishop's Office for approval before submission to UTO. Friday, February 17, 2017 at 4 p.m. Central time is the deadline for a complete application to be sent to the Bishop's office for review.
The deadline for final submission of a completed application (and required documents) is 4pm (CST) on Friday, March 3, 2017.
If you need assistance or have questions about the application, please contact
Valinda Jackson
, the Province VII UTO Representative, or
Heather Melton, Staff Officer for the United Thank Offering.
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Webinars for Vestries
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ECF's free webinars are a great way to get your congregational leadership teams engaged in the strategic, leadership, and financial topics that are essential to the health of your congregation. The 2017 winter schedule includes webinars on vestry leadership, investment strategies for 2017, planning for the end of life, preaching and leadership, understanding congregational conflict, and more. Click the button below for more information.
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How to Pray for... Trump?
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 On Thursday, January 12th, the Presiding Bishop and Primate, the Most Reverend Michael Curry, issued a
special statement regarding prayers for the President. In his statement he stated, "We can and, indeed, I believe we must pray for all who lead in our civic order, nationally and internationally. I pray for the President in part because Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. If Jesus is my Lord and the model and guide for my life, his way must be my way, however difficult. And the way prayer for others is a part of how I follow the way of Jesus."
No matter where you are in the political spectrum - conservative, liberal, independent, Libertarian, Democrat, or Republican, or uncommitted - we have a President-Elect who will take his oath of office on January 20th, and will likely have a tough road ahead of him. While many people in America are thrilled to see Trump take office, many others are against him and everything he says. In fact, apprehension would be a fair way to describe the mood in America. Put simply, Americans don't know what to expect during his term of office.
Pastor Josh Smith, a well-known preacher from Irving, TX, reminds us that Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, "
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). After all, it's easy to love those who love us, but it's far more difficult to pray for someone you don't like. So how in the world should we pray for this hotly debated President-Elect?
In November, Josh Daffern, a blogger for the
New Wineskins blog on the
Patheos website, posted a blog called
5 Scriptures to Pray for President-Elect Trump. In his online blog he stated that, whether we like Trump or not, we have a Christian moral obligation to pray for the man. "
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 3:1-2)
Mr. Daffern went on to list five Scriptures we might use as we pray for Trump before and after Inauguration Day:
- Pray that Donald Trump would be given wisdom and knowledge. "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (2 Chronicles 1:1)
- Pray for Donald Trump's health and safety. "So that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons." (Ezra 6:10)
- Pray that Donald Trump will execute justice for all people. "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4)
- Pray that Donald Trump will pursue peace and prosperity for America. "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Pray that God's will would be done through Donald Trump. "In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him." (Proverbs 21:1)
Armed with wisdom from the Scriptures, and the guidance of Presiding Bishop Curry, let us remember the words from 1 Timothy 2, that we may pray for and live in peace and prosperity for the next four years.
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Vital Practices
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Planning and Resting in the Holy Spirit
Pope Francis stated in his Christmas message of 2014,
"Preparing things well is necessary, but don't fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous than any human plan."
As we begin the New Year 2017, many leaders are planning in earnest the work that needs to be accomplished for the year. For the procrastinators among us now is a good time to start. Within congregations, a Parish Coordinator is essential to ensure that all items planned by the clergy, vestry, and committees are reflected on a master calendar.
The calendar should be posted in a conspicuous place such that any member of the congregation has access to it. Both electronic and physical postings are necessary to ensure maximum coverage.
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Seminary Updates
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Emmanuel Katongole slated for Payne Lecture
Dr. Emmanuel Katongole, associate professor of world religions and world church at the University of Notre Dame and author and expert in the study of Africa and the theology of reconciliation and lament will deliver the 2017 Payne Lecture and keynote address for Black History Month at Seminary of the Southwest.
The theme of Black History Month is "
Stepping into Mission: Faith in What's to Come." In addition to Dr. Katongole's lecture, the seminary will display work by a variety of artists in the Weeks Center during the month of February.
A celebration Eucharist on Thursday, February 23, will conclude the Black History Month celebration on the campus with
Larry Terrell Crudup, assistant pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas, preaching.
All are invited.
Be Our Guest for Come & See 2017
Feb. 16-18, 2017
If you're in the discernment process as a postulant or exploring your faith and ministry as a lay leader, a visit to the School of Theology at the University of the South is your best way to experience Episcopal seminary education in Sewanee, Tenn. Student-organized and student-led, Come & See 2017 will introduce you to community life and theological formation in one of the most beautiful settings in the nation. Once on the Mountain for Come & See, your expenses-food and campus lodging-are covered by the School of Theology.
The Come & See Weekend Includes:
- worshiping with us in the seminary's Chapel of the Apostles and visiting the University's All Saints' Chapel;
- attending classes in an intimate setting taught by our highly credentialed faculty;
- engaging with faculty and students as they discuss a variety of issues regarding formation for ordained ministry, theological education, preaching excellence, and seminary life and work;
- exploring our 13,000 acre campus and discovering why our campus is in one of the most beautiful environments for education in America;
- and allowing our financial aid professionals to detail the ways we can support you as you pursue your education.
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Diocesan Events Calendar
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JANUARY
13-15 School of Ordained Ministry, St. Paul's, Lubbock
14 Ordination of Deacon Christian Rabone to the Priesthood,
Emmanuel, San Angelo, 10:30am
15 Visitation, St. Nicholas', Midland
16 Martin Luther King Day - HEC CLOSED
18 Burial service for Deacon Patsy Masterman,
St. Andrew's, Amarillo, 11:00am
19 Standing Committee, HEC, 10:30am
20-22 Midwinter High School Retreat, St. Paul's, Lubbock
22 Visitation, St. Peter's, Amarillo
FEBRUARY
3-5 School of Ordained Ministry, St. Paul's, Lubbock
5 Visitation, San Miguel Arcangel, Odessa
19 Visitation, St. Paul's, Lubbock
20 President's Day - HEC OPEN
23-24 DEROS, St. Paul's, Lubbock
26 Visitation, St. John's, Odessa
28 Executive Council Mtg., HEC, 10:00am
(Items in purple indicate Bishop Mayer's presence.)
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Heavenly Father,
send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
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