Faithful. Stewards. Diocese establishes Bishop Davies Planned Giving Society. What Is Endowment? Equipping the Saints.

Transcription

1 Pentecost II 2004 Equipping the Saints Diocese establishes Bishop Davies Planned Giving Society At a May 12 dinner in Fort Worth, Bishop Iker announced the founding of The Bishop Davies Planned Giving Society to encourage future financial support and growth of the Diocese of Fort Worth. Bishop Iker has named the Society for the Rt. Rev.A. Donald Davies, founding bishop of the diocese. Bishop Davies was among those in attendance for the announcement. What Is Endowment? Faithful A planned gift is spelled out in a will or trust and executed as part of the giver s estate after death. It is an expression of thanksgiving for God s abundant provision of spiritual and material blessings throughout our earthly lives. A gift to the diocese is an answer to Christ s call to feed my sheep. It honors tradition, bringing the giver into communion with the earliest Christians, who gave generously for the relief of the saints. And it looks to the future, by helping to guarantee that the ministry of the Church will continue in generations to come. Types of planned gifts include bequests, life income gifts, and gifts of real estate, life insurance, or other investments. Certain gifts, such as a lump sum from a retirement account, can reduce the tax burden on the estate as it passes from one generation to the next. Suzanne Gill, the diocese s Director of Planned Giving, can provide additional information on types of gifts and existing diocesan investment funds. Call the Diocesan Center at Membership in the Bishop Davies Society requires only that the diocesan Office of Planned Giving be notified that the individual s estate plan includes provision for a planned gift. Members can be added at any time. A list of the Society s members will be published annually to the diocese at large. An endowment, or more properly, an endowment fund, is a special type of bank account owned by a charity. Income earned on the invested principal is used to meet the charity s mission and ministry needs. The principal continues to benefit the charity perpetually. Virtually every college and university has an endowment fund, as does almost every national nonprofit. Some that you may recognize include: Duke University $4.4 billion in endowment; American Cancer Society $1.2 billion; Billy Graham Ministries $154 million. Presently the Diocese of Fort Worth has limited invested funds, such as the Memorial Scholarship Fund, for seminarian support, and the Stewards Endowment for the Episcopate, also known as the Pentecost Fund. As income from endowments increases, the annual burden on churches in the form of diocesan assessment can be reduced, and future ministry can grow. Whenever you receive an invitation from your college or some national charity (and you will!) asking you to consider a planned gift to their endowment, consider whether your generous gift of $5,000-$10,000 will make a difference to a charity with a $4 billion endowment? It would certainly make a difference in the Church. Who knows you better- a place where you spent four years of your life perhaps 40 years ago, or the place where you have spent the last 40 years?

2 From the Bishop Changes in store at Camp Crucis by the Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth A search process is under way for a new Executive Director of Camp Crucis. I am sorry to say that after nearly eight years at the helm, Marie Cullen has submitted her resignation to me, effective Sept. 30, stating that she feels that it is now time for new leadership in this vital diocesan ministry. We are deeply grateful to Marie for the fine job she has done at Crucis, not least of which was leading us through the very significant expansion of our facilities there after a highly successful capital fund drive. Several new buildings and other enhancements will long stand as a tribute to Marie s tireless efforts on our behalf. The camp is no longer known as just a summer program for kids, but provides excellent facilities for yearround use for all ages. Marie also has served in recent years as Director of Youth Ministries and as the trainer in our seminars on the prevention of sexual misconduct. Plans are well under way for finding replacements for her in these positions as well, but it goes without saying that she will be deeply missed in a number of ways. A word of gratitude is also due to her husband, Jim, who was a partner in every way in Marie s work at Crucis. We will never know how much hard work he actually put into various projects at the camp, saving us a considerable amount of funds by donating his labors. Thank you, Jim! A reception in honor of the Cullens will be held at St. Vincent s Cathedral Church in Bedford, on Sunday, Oct. 10, following Evensong at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited. An appropriate gift to the Camp, in thanksgiving for Marie s work there, is being discussed by the Board of Managers at this time. If you would like to make a donation for this purpose, please make your check payable to the Diocese, marked "Cullen project," and mail it to 2900 Alemeda Street, Fort Worth, TX Results of the Bishop Iker Challenge The 4th annual Bishop Iker Challenge Golf Tournament, benefiting Camp Crucis, was held on June 4 at the Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose. Photos of the event and additional results are posted at MEN'S DIVISION LADIES DIVISION 1ST FLIGHT M. Tettleton J. Tettleton P. Schwartz B. Pasher 2ND FLIGHT R. Admire J. Hall S. Darrow K. Hallmark 3RD FLIGHT B. Kitsch Parrish Carpenter Carpenter 4TH FLIGHT J. Carr B. Haman S. Myers S. Fisher J. Patton J. Green P. Wright K. Farr 2 Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II 2004

3 Diocesan Youth on Mission to Mexico, 2004 by Barbara Hautanen World Mission Committee Youth on Mission Chair Once again this summer, a team of youth and adults traveled to Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, in our companion diocese of Northern Mexico, to nurture our relationship with those who live and work at La Gran Familia, the children s home started by Fr. Greg Spinks. Over the last six years there have been so many changes at La Gran Familia, some happy and some sad. One thing that has always been consistent, however is the loving presence of our Lord. It is amazing to me to see the metamorphosis from 5 kids to 30; from the little house that seemed impossible to keep clean to two wonderful houses that are clean and always smell of something good cooking; from having a pile of unfolded, but clean boys clothes in the middle of the bedroom floor (whoever woke up first got the best clothes that day) to having cabinets and wardrobes for each child. The most remarkable transformation has been in the children that live there. One of our experienced team members summed it up this way: This year was extra special to me. God taught me to put aside my own agenda and let Him work through me. He used the children to teach me patience and remind me of the generosity Jesus showed us. I almost burst into tears when Julio (one of Goretty s boys) gave his bottle of water to a small boy begging at the train platform. They (the children) have so little, and yet they are so giving. Our ministry in Cuauhtémoc this year included VBS and painting the main house. The most significant time was spent on an overnight retreat to Copper Canyon with Goretty and some of the youths. Activities included swimming, horseback riding, hiking, playing cards, and just hanging out. In the evening we shared our challenges of the day (mostly the language barrier), our joys (getting to know each other better), and what we thought God was teaching us. The answers to this question emphasized trust and dependence on the Lord, patience, and humility. The most important lesson God is teaching us is that mission is not only about going and doing, but about building relationships. Thanks be to God and to those of you supporting the Youth on Mission to Mexico team of St. John s EYC mission trip to Ohio A team of youth and adults from St. John s, Fort Worth, traveled to Logan, Ohio, for 10 hot days in July to paint and repair several buildings in the community. The members of the team, pictured here, are (from left to right): Matthew Stringer, Annie St. Clair Judy Robin, Steve Robinson, Mary Robinson, Kerry Renta, Russell Wooten, Garrett Meyer, Hannah Renta, Billy Robinson, Bennett Meyer, Fr. David Klein, and Ben Broadwater. The team s work earned an A for Awesome! from Fr. Klein. Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II

4 Around the Diocese Signs of the times Two congregations installed new street-front signs this summer. With Bishop Iker s permission, St. John the Divine, Burkburnett, and Holy Cross, Burleson, now style themselves as churches of the Anglican Communion. Holy Cross also will be installing a new steeple soon, but please note that the act of God which toppled the old one occurred before the new sign was erected. Hillsboro congregation marked Independence Day as the Founding Fathers might have done St. Mary s, Hillsboro, used the Rite of the 1789 Book of Common Prayer on Sunday, July 4. Recently the congregation completed a study of Anglicanism and the relationship of the Episcopal Church to the Worldwide Anglican Communion. In its history the Episcopal Church has used four Books of Common Prayer, starting with the 1789 version. When St. Mary s was founded in 1872 this original Prayer Book was in use. After their study, members of the congregation asked their vicar, Fr. Johnson Shannon, for an opportunity to worship as those pioneering Hillsboro families had done. Safeguarding God s Children Five new trainers are at work offering the three-hour Safeguarding God s Children certification program in churches around the diocese. Training is required for Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, and all those who minister to minors. To find a full schedule of training dates and other information, see Celebrating St. Luke, Physician & Evangelist The Fort Worth Area Order of St. Luke is sponsoring an evening program titled Spirituality, Medicine, and Healing on Monday, Oct. 18, (St. Luke s Day) at All Saints, Fort Worth. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a Eucharist and healing service. A reception follows, with the Rt. Rev. Sam Hulsey, retired bishop of Northwest Texas, speaking. For more information, contact Emily Williams at emmike718@aol.com or Diocesan Convention to be held Nov. 5 & 6 The 22nd annual convention of the Diocese of Fort Worth will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 & 6, at St. Vincent s Cathedral Church and School in Bedford. Everyone is welcome at the convention Eucharist, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Clergy and lay delegates will convene in plenary session beginning Saturday morning. Information on nominees, resolutions, the proposed budget for 2005, and accommodations for out-oftown delegates can be found at Quiet Day The diocesan Spiritual Life committee is sponsoring a Quiet Day with Deacon Ann Richards on Saturday, Oct. 23. Deacon Ann s meditations will be drawn from Mother Teresa s book A Simple Path. The Church of the Holy Apostles, Fort Worth, will host the event, which begins with a 9 a.m. Eucharist. The program will conclude around 12:30 p.m. There is no charge, but reservations are encouraged. Contact the church office at or hapostles@fwepiscopal.org. 4 Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II 2004

5 Around the Diocese Camp Crucis scholarship fund Each summer hundreds of children enjoy a wonderful week at Camp Crucis. Some of these children need partial or full scholarships in order to attend, and a fund is set up to accept contributions. Checks, made out to Camp Crucis and marked scholarship fund, can be mailed to the Diocesan Center. A happy camper thanks you! Cycling enthusiasts needed Come join the Episcopedalers! We are a group of Episcopalians who enjoy road biking on area back roads as well as organized bicycling events. Look for us at the Paluxy Pedal on Oct. 9 in Glen Rose; we ll have the Episcopal windsock flying from one of our cars and pictures of our future team jersey. Contact Rick and Margaret Russell at or rrussell@us.ibm.com Iris Pearce to address Women s Congress The annual Women s Congress and Daughters of the King assembly will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, at St. Laurence, Grapevine. All women of the diocese are invited to attend. The program begins at 9:45 a.m. with Holy Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Iker. The keynote address will be given by Iris Pearce, a Dallas-based spiritual director, psychotherapist, and co-founder of the School of Spirituality. She will speak on ways of finding God s call in the study of Holy Scripture. Following lunch a join business meeting will be held. The cost is $12 for registration and lunch and can be paid at the door. Please call Linda Hentz at to make a reservation. Military care packages Trinity Church, Fort Worth, is packing shoe boxes with items for delivery to military personnel overseas. Boxes are taken to Fort Hood every month for shipment, and donations are welcome. Among the items needed are toiletries, disposable cameras, books, gum, tea bags, foil-wrapped bars, canned meat, salad dressing even frizbees and squirt guns. Pictures and notes from Sunday School children are especially needed. See Ven, Espiritu Santo! A mission training on the Person of the Holy Spirit will be presented in Spanish on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 & 23, at St. Anne s, Fort Worth. The mission is presented under the auspices of the diocesan Committee for Hispanic Ministry and SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad), an Episcopal missionary organization. The program begins Friday at 6 p.m. and continues Saturday at 8 a.m., with a closing Eucharist at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for attending, though donations will be accepted to defray the cost of lunch on Saturday. Topics include the signs and gifts of the Holy Spirit, intercession, and corporate prayer. Diocese receives bequest for St. Barnabas A bequest of $750,000 from the estate of Miss Martha Sue Parr, has been made to the diocese for the north Fort Worth mission congregation of St. Barnabas the Apostle. To be paid in equal installments over five years, the gift is the result of a suggestion made nearly three years ago by Fr. Stanley Maneikis. Fr. Maneikis introduced Fr. Louis Tobola, the vicar of St. Barnabas, to Miss Parr, who explained her interest in donating a parcel of land near I-35 to the diocese for a new church. The proposal was discussed with Bishop Iker and with church architect Arthur Weinman, who developed a building plan for the site. Unfortunately, Miss Parr died rather suddenly in October 2002, without amending her will. To honor her intention, her executors have generously agreed to make a cash gift instead. Our church has truly been blessed from day one, says Sharleen Brett, who heads the committee now searching for suitable property. When Fr. Tobola announced the bequest, something swept over the congregation. I think half the people gasped. St. Barnabas is moving forward, notes Fr. Tobola, with the awareness that God blesses the efforts of those who Go, therefore, and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19) Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II

6 The Canon s Corner By the Rev. Canon Charles A. Hough III, Canon to the Ordinary I m excited to announce plans for The Bishop s Leadership Conference: Equipping Vestries and Bishop s Committees for Ministry, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at St. Andrew s Church in downtown Fort Worth. As you can tell from the title, the conference is aimed at the core leadership in each of our congregations. During that day, there will be an assortment of workshops which are designed to assist those in your congregation who serve as Vestry and Bishop s Committee members, treasurers, finance committee members, wardens, those involved in stewardship or Hispanic ministry, as well as all rectors and vicars. The workshops include vestry/warden roles and responsibilities, planning and implementation of stewardship in the small and larger church, goal setting, youth ministry, and training for treasurers. A workshop for new vestry members will be presented, as well as two workshops for congregations interested in starting a Hispanic mission. Also, a workshop for Hispanic congregations will be presented in Spanish. This conference will be exceptional, and Bishop Iker is asking that all rectors and vicars encourage established and emerging lay leaders to attend. Workshop leaders will include the Rev. Hugh Magers and the Rev. Canon Kevin Martin on stewardship; the Rev. Keith Brown,who was so popular at last year s conference; and the Rev. Jamie Case,Executive Director of the Center for Hispanic Ministry. More about this conference will be presented at the Diocesan Convention in November and in future issues of Forward in Mission. Holy Comforter, Cleburne, this month, and the Rev. Scott Wooten was instituted as rector of Good Shepherd, Wichita Falls, on August 14. Deacon David Madison was ordained to the priesthood on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at All Saints, Fort Worth, and Deacon Jeffrey Moore was ordained on Saturday, Sept. 18, at St. Vincent s Cathedral in Bedford. The Rev. William Taylor has joined the staff at Trinity Church, Fort Worth. Please keep in your prayers St. John s Church, Brownwood, as they search for a new rector. We would also like to express our gratitude to Marie Cullen for more than seven years of devoted service to the Diocese as Executive Director of Camp Crucis, and for her work on the Youth Commission during those years. During her tenure Camp Crucis has become a wonderful Conference Center that serves the needs of our Diocese. Congratulations to Marie for a great job and a successful ministry. As you can see the summer was busy, and we look forward to a very exciting fall season in the diocese. Bell tower for St. Vincent s The diocesan cathedral church, St. Vincent s in Bedford, plans to add a bell tower on the south side of the nave, thanks to an underwriting agreement with Verizon Wireless. Shown below in a computer rendering, the tower will stand 92 feet high and hold cellular telecommunications equipment as well as an electronic carillon. There is also room for nine cast metal bells to be added at a later date. Clergy and staff changes since the last Forward was published include the Rev. Timothy Matkin as Curate at St. Alban s, Arlington, Deacon Claire Linzel, also at St. Alban s. The Rev. Darryl Pigeon joins Fr. Mel Bridge as chaplain at All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth. The Rev. Stephen Jones became Rector of 6 Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II 2004

7 St. Mary s Convent The Heart of the Church in Northern Malawi by Peggy Bruce While most of the reports made after a trip to Northern Malawi are about the physical needs of the people, such as food, clean water, teaching materials, etc., I wish to tell of another aspect of Malawian life. As a longtime associate of the Community of St. Mary, the oldest women s religious order in the U.S., I had accompanied the first three young sisters back to their homes in Malawi in the fall of They had tested their vocations at the Mother House in Peekskill, N.Y., for two years. In May this year there were two more sisters ready to return, and since my first trip, the convent facility in Luwinga had already expanded to accommodate and allow for additional growth in their numbers. the chapel for another office every several hours. But that is where their strength lies. Bishop Christopher Boyle calls the convent the heart of the diocese, doing the work of prayer which is so much needed. There are many young women in Malawi who wish to try their vocation, and Africa may be the future of the religious life in the Anglican Communion. Let us pray that they will be given the guidance and resources to carry on this important part of the life of the Church. Peggy Bruce is a member of All Saints, Fort Worth. The young sisters are now part of the community, which is known and respected throughout the diocese. Their outward work has to do with using intensive farming techniques, irrigation and composting methods, which hopefully, the neighbors will see and adopt. They grow a part of their own food, raise chickens and goats, sew their own clothes, and will attempt to become self-supporting as to their material needs. The sisters recite all the daily offices of prayer and praise that their Benedictine rule dictates, working their other responsibilities into that schedule. You might imagine how difficult it is to drop whatever you might be doing in the fields to go back into The sisters tend goats and chickens in the convent s barnyard. Budget figures from Bishop Boyle This year from our parishes in Northern Malawi, on the best outlook, we will collect $3,000, which is just over half of what is paid out monthly in stipends and salaries. While I know this is small, parishes have not been lazy. Our income from investments has dropped dramatically this year. Before we were getting 28-30%; now it has come down to 7%. We need at least $12,000 a month if we are going to sustain ourselves and also have a discernible element (improving and building priest houses most importantly) of development. All of this of course is in support of our main work and primary task of living and preaching the Gospel. I have been so encouraged this year with our seven Happenings, two Cursillos, and later this year Christian Formation Ministries. Forward In Mission ~ Pentecost II

8 Diocesan Calendar - pentecost II 2004 Boldface type indicates Bishop Iker s visitations Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at the Diocesan Center for Ministry January February March April May June July August September October November December 9/14 7 p.m. Ordination of Deacon David Madison to the priesthood, All Saints, Fort Worth 9/18 10 a.m. Ordination of Deacon Jeffery Moore to the priesthood, St. Vincent s, Bedford 9/19 CHRIST THE KING, Fort Worth 9/20 9:30 a.m. Committee on Ministry 1:30 p.m. Standing Committee 9/25 Diocesan Hymn Festival, St. Andrew s, Fort Worth 9/26 Bishop Iker at St. Peter s Cathedral in Northern Malawi 10/3 Bishop Iker at St. Dunstan s, Mzimba, in Northern Malawi 10/9 Annual Women s Congress of the ECW and Daughters of the King, St. Laurence, Grapevine 10/10 ST. MICHAEL S, Richland Hills 6 p.m. Evensong followed by reception honoring Marie Cullen, St. Vincent s, Bedford 10/13 10 a.m. Finance Committee 10/17 IGLESIA SAN MIGUEL, Fort Worth 10/18 1:30 p.m. Standing Committee 10/22-23 Holy Spirit mission in Spanish, St. Anne s, Fort Worth 10/23 Quiet Day with Deacon Ann Richards, Holy Apostles, Fort Worth 10/24 ST. SIMON OF CYRENE, Fort Worth 10/31 ST. LUKE IN THE MEADOW, Fort Worth Forward In Mission, a publication of the Diocese of Fort Worth, is distributed eight times a year. The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, publisher; Suzanne Gill, editor (sgill@fwepiscopal.org) Offices & mail The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, 2900 Alemeda Street, Fort Worth, Texas Telephone fax Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Fort Worth, Texas Permit No. (538)