God NEVER stops wanting to engage with you, so don't stop engaging God. | | |
During one of our recent Zoom Bible studies, we stumbled into a discussion about what the world would be like if we all approached relationships and conversations assuming that everything we thought we knew was an assumption and not fact. What would it be like if we always approached others ready to learn and be changed as a result?
In any relationship, there will be times when one person may be unable to offer this same level of humility and generosity to the other. The relationship may begin to feel different, difficult, maybe even painful at times. One person may even say things like, "I don't even know them anymore" or "I don't know if I want to know them anymore." As tough as it may be, the only way to move through these challenging times, to begin to understand what is going on in that person's life, to discover new ways of being in relationship with each other (even if it means creating new boundaries in order to move forward) is continuing the conversation. (**I am not talking about relationships that are no longer safe or may be harmful to continue engaging in.)
This mutual kind of relationship is what we are invited into with our creator. God is always ready to begin, to continue, or maybe to resume a conversation with us. There will be times when we struggle with life and what we think God is or isn't doing. In my humble opinion, those are the most important moments for us to "stay in the conversation". God can handle our anger, frustration, fear, etc. God desires to remain in relationship with each of us, no matter what the state that relationship is in. If we keep returning to God in prayer, engagement with our faith communities, in the reading of scripture, we allow ourselves the opportunity to realize how our assumptions may have been shaping our beliefs and understanding. By continuing to engage in the conversation with God, we have a better chance of being ready to learn from God again and be changed as a result.
Stay in the conversation with God and with each other. You don't know what you don't know, but you never will if you stop trying.
~Tami Woods
Director of College + Young Adult Ministries
| | College + Young Adult News and Events | | Camp Capers and Mustang Island Almost Done Hiring for Summer 2025 | |
Want to work with this amazing group of people at Camp Capers? How about spending the summer at the beach with equally as cool peers at Mustang Island Conference Center? If so, there is still time to apply for the best summer job you will ever have! Mustang Island is looking for two more staffers to round out their summer staff family. Camp Capers has a couple of spots left for girl counselors for the second half of the summer. Duncan Park has filled all of their summer staff positions, but there is always next year! Apply now, before all spots are filled.
For more information about the different locations, please contact:
Sarah Carlson - Camp Capers
Tammie Shelton - Mustang Island
Hannah Anderson - Duncan Park
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| St. Peter's, Kerrville Introduces New Opportunity for Young Adults | |
An exciting new ministry is coming to the Diocese of West Texas (DWTX). St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kerrville introduces a new opportunity for young adults across the entire, greater Episcopal family.
The Community of Saints Francis and Clare (CFC) will be an intentional Christian community for people ranging 20-35 years of age. St. Peter's recently called their Founding Director, the Rev. Rich Nelson, and they are now receiving applications for the first cohort of young adults. Cohort members will live together, worship, study scripture and theology, share meals, and serve in the larger community. They will also go on retreats together, including a pilgrimage to the home of Saints Francis and Clare, Assisi in Italy, at the end of their cohort year.
To learn more about this amazing opportunity, visit the link below.
| | Duncan Park Hiring Food Service Manager | |
Do you have experience planning and preparing meals for large groups of people? Do you love interacting with people of all ages? Have you always wanted to live in Colorado? If so, we might have the perfect job for you! Duncan Park, our diocesan camp in Colorado, is now hiring a Food Service Manager. Combine your passion for serving others and a joy for cooking in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.
For more information about this position, please contact:
Hannah Anderson - Director of Duncan Park
| | Zoom Bible Study, Wed. @ Noon (CST) | |
Come join this very special community of students and young adults from all over the diocese. Wherever you are, take a break mid-week, and join us for some connection, study, and prayer. Don't be afraid to invite your friends.
Zoom Bible Study meets online every Wednesday at 12pm (CST). Join us weekly through the zoom link below.
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What's After High School? - Young Adult Ministries Snapshot
Sunday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Chapel House at the Bishop Jones Center
Calling all high school juniors, seniors, and parents! Join the College and Young Adult Ministries Team for an evening of food and fellowship as we explore all the different ministries available to our students and young adults. Whether you are leaving home or staying, pursuing more schooling or entering the job market, it does not matter - there are ministries anyone can participate in and feel belonging to. This event will take place in the Chapel House at the Bishop Jones Center from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Sunday of April the 27th. Dinner will be provided. We hope you can join us and learn more about the richness of diocesan life.
| | Students and young adults from around the diocese gathered for a Spring service weekend in San Antonio. | | Spring Service Retreat: College Missions Gives Back in San Antonio | | |
In early March, a group of college students and young adults from DWTX's College and Young Adults Ministries gathered in San Antonio for a meaningful Spring Service Retreat. It wasn’t just a weekend away – it was a chance to come together as a community, give back, and grow in faith through service.
On Saturday, we spent the entire day volunteering, starting in the morning at the Good Samaritan Center, a local community center dedicated to supporting the people of San Antonio. We helped beautify the space as we assisted with outdoor clean-up. In the afternoon, we continued our service at St. Francis Episcopal Church, where we worked on maintaining the space and ensuring it was welcoming for their congregation and all visitors. The work done at both locations was meaningful, and the group left with a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing they had made a positive impact in the local community.
After a full day of service, we gathered for a home-cooked meal (prepped by a couple of our young adults!), and reflected on the day’s work and enjoyed time together. The night was filled with gratitude as we gathered for Compline, then followed by lots of laughter as we played games of charades and enjoyed each other's company – the perfect way to unwind and strengthen the connections within the group.
The retreat concluded Sunday morning with Eucharist at St. Francis. Overall, our Spring Service Retreat was a combination of service, reflection, and lots of laughter. It was a time to connect with one another, share in meaningful experiences, and serve with open hearts. By the end of the weekend, the group had not only made a difference in San Antonio, but it had also strengthened our friendships with each other. This retreat highlighted the power of community and the impact of service. We can’t wait to plan where we go next!
Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming events and service opportunities with DWTX College + Young Adult Ministries.
~article submitted by Hannah Orendain, Interim Regional Campus Missioner - RGV
| | Campus Ministry Continues to Develop in Corpus Christi | |
We are excited to share the recent initiatives from College + Young Adult Ministries, also known as "Crossroads", from down south in Corpus Christi. Our aim is to enrich the spiritual lives of our local college community members through some of the following:
Campus Visits with Fr. Doug
Almost every Thursday, Fr. Doug Wassinger from St. Mark's, Corpus Christi dedicates his time to visiting local campuses - engaging with students, faculty, and staff. These visits provide opportunities for meaningful conversations, spiritual guidance, and the strengthening of our faith community within educational institutions. Through these campus visits Fr. Doug and others from the community have been able to provide special moments of engagement including providing Ashes To Go to about 45 people at TAMU-CC and Del Mar College on Ash Wednesday.
Soup and Study on Wednesday Nights
Join us every Wednesday evening for our “Soup and Study” sessions at St. Mark's, Corpus Christi. These gatherings begin with a warm meal, fostering fellowship among attendees, followed by an engaging discussion over the TV series “The Chosen”. It is a wonderful opportunity to nourish both body and soul while deepening our understanding of faith. Interested in finding out more about the Lenten "Soup and Study", scan the QR code below.
We invite everyone to participate in these initiatives, as we continue to grow together in faith and community.
Photo: Fr. Doug Wassinger, St. Mark's, Corpus Christi visits the TAMU-CC campus - ready to engage with faculty and students.)
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~article submitted by Maddie Gregor, Peer Minister, Corpus Christi
Scan the QR code to send a text requesting more information
| | Larry & Susan Hanson, Beverly Sparkman, and Rev. Rachel Joiner administer ashes at Texas State University. | | Ashes To Go on Campus at Texas State University | | |
The Rev. Christian Hawley, the Rev. Rachel Joiner, and members from the St. Mark's, San Marcos community gathered on the Texas State University campus again this year to offer the imposition of ashes to students, faculty, and staff. Ashes were given to over 170 people in just two hours. In addition to ashes, the faithful people of St. Mark's also offered prayers. Students asked for prayers for midterm exams, travel, jobs, peace, anxiety, isolation, children, parents, and loved ones in harm's way. This is just one way that the community of St. Mark's continues to strive to love and support the students and young adults at Texas State and within their greater San Marcos community.
~article written by Tami Woods with information provided by the Rev. Christian Hawley
| | Bishops, clergy, and laity celebrate the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas, the new Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of West Texas. | | Diocese of West Texas Consecrates New Bishop Suffragan | | |
On Saturday, the 15th of March, the sanctuary and parish hall of Saint John’s Episcopal Church in McAllen were alive as hundreds of people filled the Valley to celebrate the consecration of the Rev. Angela Cortiñas to the order of bishops. Fifteen bishops were present to participate in the consecration as well as the Most Reverend Sean Rowe, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church who served as the Chief Consecrator. The service included a large procession of clergy and diocesan staff, prayers of reverence and hope, and beautiful music sung in both English and Spanish. Now that the consecration has been celebrated, we can all celebrate the new ministry of Bishop Suffragan Cortiñas. The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas was born in Miami, Florida and has served in parishes in both Florida and Texas, including St. Thomas in College Station. (Aggies, make sure you give her a big ‘Gig Em’ when you see her.) Bishop Cortiñas will assist Bishop Read in pastoring to the people and clergy of the Diocese of West Texas. Additionally, she will focus on overseeing and supporting lay ministry and discipleship in the diocese. If you see her at church or at our camps, please greet and welcome Bishop Cortiñas to her new diocesan home.
~article written by Walt Buzzini, Lead Campus Missioner
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Join our team!
We are hiring Regional Campus Missioners to serve in Corpus Christi/Coastal Region and the Rio Grande Valley.
There are amazing job opportunities around the diocese. From internships to Youth Ministers, we have a variety of roles available. Don't miss out on this chance to launch your professional journey.
Click here to see job openings around the diocese.
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When asked for his thoughts on how we might engage in the season of Lent:
“How, in Lent, could I ask God to help me to recognize and let go of the attitudes and assumptions within myself which hinder me from experiencing that God is infinitely in love with me in my brokenness? That’s the good news of Jesus Christ. What is it about me that I give authority to - something I can’t get past, or can’t get over, or I haven’t done. What is it that I give substance to?”
“It’s in the act of admitting that opens the door to the transformation of your higher power coming into your heart. So how can I ask God to help me this way? To recognize these obstacles - that God already sees right through them and is already in love with me in the midst of these obstacles. How could I learn to understand this love?”
~James Finley, “Infinite Love” by The Work of the People.
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Are you doing ministry to, for, or with college and young adults? Let us know!
Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for announcements for additional Spring gatherings.
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University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley
*Gatherings TBA
Contact:
Hannah Orendain
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Corpus Christi
Every Wednesday of Lent: "Soup & Supper Study
at St. Mark's, 6:00 - 7:30pm.
4/3: Campus visit by Fr. Doug
4/10: Campus visit by Fr. Doug
5/1: Campus visit by Fr. Doug
5/8: Campus visit by Fr. Doug
Contact:
Rev. Doug Wasinger
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Texas State, San Marcos
Every Wednesday*: Coffee w/ Tami, 8:30 - 11am (Bible study 9:30-10:30 a.m.)
*Coffee & Bible Study has moved to Wednesdays for the remainder of the semester.
*Lunch/dinner near campus. Dates/times TBA.
Contact:
Tami Woods
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UTSA, San Antonio
Every Sunday: Dinner/Bible Study, 6pm
4/2: Coffee w/ Walt
4/23: Coffee w/ Walt
Contact:
Walt Buzzini
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Trinity, San Antonio
Every Monday: Dinner/Bible Study, 6:20pm
*Day & location has changed.
Contact:
Walt Buzzini
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St. Philip's, San Antonio
Every Thursday: Coffee w/ Walt, 10-12
Contact:
Walt Buzzini
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Schreiner, Kerrville
*Gatherings TBA
Contact:
Jenny Ligon
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Central San Antonio
Every Sunday at 10am at Christ Church, San Antonio
4/7: Dinner/Study (Lindstrom home), 6pm
5/5: Dinner/Study (Lindstrom home), 6pm
6/16: Dinner/Movie (Lindstrom home), 6pm
7/14: Pickle Ball, 6pm
8/18: Dinner/Study (Lindstrom home), 6pm
Contact:
Susan Lindstrom
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Young Adults
Contact the following people for details about Young Adult Ministry at their church.
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Share your college students' or young adults' updated contact information, so College & Young Adult Ministries staff can support them this Spring. Don't worry, we won't spam you!
Click here to update our database with your newest contact information.
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