Five Things Happening in the Diocese of West Texas

May 27, 2026 | View as Webpage

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Diocesan Summer Camp Sessions Commence this Weekend!

The Diocese of West Texas Camps + Conferences Department is preparing to open the doors for the summer camping season this weekend and is excited to welcome campers. Planning is a year-round process for the three diocesan camp facilities – Camp Capers in the Texas Hill Country, Mustang Island Conference Center on the beach near Port Aransas, and Duncan Park in the Colorado Rockies.

Rooted in faith, love, + community, our camp and retreat programs are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and loving, environment for children, youth, and adults to work, play, and grow together as they develop a community of trust, openness, and sharing.

It's not too late to sign up for a summer camp!

Visit our camps event page to learn more and register.

Camp Safety

The safety of our campers and staff is the number one priority of our diocesan camps. Disaster response plans have been developed for all diocesan camps, and all camp staff are trained on disaster response procedures.

Camp Capers has received approval for the Texas State Health Department 2026 licensure, following the state's annual rigorous inspection.

Learn More about Camp Safety

Happening #163

Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio - August 7-9

Happenings are spiritual renewal weekends for older high school students, led by their peers. Any student in the 10th grade through 12th grade can attend. Each Happening begins Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. sharp, and wraps up around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. It is a lock-in, so prepare to stay the entire weekend.

Download the Sharing Toolkit

An update on the Diocesan Recreational Vehicle (RV) & Manufactured Home Recovery Program

Through generous grants provided by The Community Foundation and Episcopal Relief & Development, the Diocese of West Texas is leading the effort to provide safe housing by the one-year anniversary of the flood to 50% of those who lost their homes.

Learn More

Small Church Chats in May and June

Join the Rev. Canon Leyla King and other small church leaders in the diocese for diocesan Small Church Chats on June 2.

Join small church leaders from across Province VII for fellowship and mutual support from the wider Episcopal Church. Province VII’s Chat will take place at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursdays of each month.

Province VII is comprised

of the Episcopal dioceses of Arkansas, Dallas, Kansas,

Northwest Texas, Oklahoma ,

Rio Grande, Texas, West Missouri, West Texas, Western Kansas, and Western Louisiana.

Learn More

Ministry Spotlight: The Department of World Mission

The World Missions Department seeks to share the Good News by building relationships and sustainable global partnerships and works with various partners around the world to help educate and keep people healthy while spreading the love of Jesus.

At Council 2026, the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas, provided an update on the work and outreach being done through various missions and ministries that are supported by the diocese. He announced the publication of a new World Missions Catalog of Opportunities, created to raise awareness amongst congregations as they seek mission volunteer and giving opportunities.

78209 MAGAZINE

Behind the Green Door

By Elizabeth Bobbitt

“When we first opened 73 years ago, our original location was in Cementville, and a lot of folks shopped there because of the affordability of our merchandise. Today, while times have changed, our threefold mission is the same. We provide a place of community for our volunteers and staff, a dignified shopping experience for our customers, and, ultimately, we exist to provide for charity. Last year, we delivered $200,000 in financial impact to our community,” says Chair of the Board of Directors, Roberta Ortega.

UPCOMING BISHOP VISITS

The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas, will visit St. Andrew's, Port Isabel on Sunday, May 31.

The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas, Bishop Suffragan of West Texas, will visit St. Luke's, San Antonio on Sunday, May 31.

UPCOMING DIOCESAN ORDINATIONS

Thursday, May 28, 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Riva Heron

Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

All Saints Chapel, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio, (Hosted by Grace Church, San Antonio)

Sunday, May 31, 6:00 p.m.

The Rev. Deepu Varughese George

Ordination to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood

St. John's, McAllen (Hosted by Grace, Weslaco)

Saturday, June 6, 11:00 a.m.

Maggie Paul

Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh, North Carolina

Wednesday, June 10, 6:00 p.m

Susan Turlapati

Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

St. John's, McAllen

Sunday, June 14, 4:00 p.m.

Jennifer Murphy

Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons

Church of Reconciliation, San Antonio (Childcare will be available)

DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER

May 31 – The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday

Pray for Trinity Church, Edna; and Trinity by the Sea, Port Aransas.

Updates from The Episcopal Church

Episcopal Communicators Virtual Conference

June 22 - 25

Registration is open for the 2026 Virtual Conference! Join us for a dynamic and flexible online conference designed to sharpen your communication skills, broaden your understanding and connect you with a community of engaged professionals—all without leaving your desk.

Schedule & Workshop Overview

Day 1: Professional Self-Care

Day 2: The New Media Landscape

Day 3: AI - The Conversation Continues

Day 4: The Church's Voice

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