Bishop Doyle’s Book Recommendations from 2020
Dear Friends,
Here are a few books from 2020 that I loved and am happy to suggest for Christmas Holiday and the New Year.
Christ Church Cathedral to Host Racial Reconciliation Conference in February
February 19‚Äö√Ñ√¨20, 2021, Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Church in Houston is hosting a conference titled Racial Reconciliation and the Baptismal Covenant: Striving for Justice and Peace Among All People. The conference will include award-winning and inspiring speakers of both local and national note. This virtual conference is hosted by the Cathedral’s Justice & Peace Council, and will be held online via Zoom and Facebook Premiere. It is free, and open to all.
Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute at Galveston Donates a Transport Bus to St. Vincent House
St. Vincent’s House will continuetoexpand their efforts in Galveston County,thanks to a generous donation by the MoodyNeurorehabilitation Institute.
Trinity, Marshall, Calls New Priest
Marshall, Texas ‚Äö√Ñ√¨ The Rev. Sean Duncan has accepted the call as rector of Trinity, Marshall. Duncan joins Trinity from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he currently serves as assistant priest. His first service will be on Sunday, December 20. In an introductory video to the parish, Duncan stated, “We are overjoyed and we are excited to be able to be with you all and to see the ways that God has been working and will continue to work at Trinity Episcopal Church.”
Fostering Deacons and Aiding Communities in Need: Ministry Focus of Former Archdeacon
After more than twelve years of service as Archdeacon for the Diocese of Texas, the Venerable Russ Oechsel, Jr. is saying goodbye to that position. During his ministry, Oechsel has not only helped amplify the growth in the formation of deacons, but he has also helped the most vulnerable after being devastated by natural disasters in Texas and across the country.
Diocese of Texas Racial Justice Initiative Receives International Attention
Over 700 news outlets, including broadcast and newspaper outlets in large markets across the nation and around the world, such as CBS, The Washington Post, Daily Mail, USA Today and Yahoo News, have picked up an article written by an Associated Press journalist featuring the Diocese of Texas’ commitment to fund racial justice projects and to repair and commence racial healing.
More US Churches are Committing to Racism-Linked Reparations
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas acknowledges that its first bishop in 1859 was a slaveholder. An Episcopal church in New York City erects a plaque noting the building’s creation in 1810 was made possible by wealth resulting from slavery.
Genoveva Puga: Texas’ Woman of the Year – Farmworker Rights Advocate Leaves Legacy of Resilience
Personal tragedy can dramatically transform a person’s life journey. That happened to Genoveva Puga, who, at 92 years, died late last month in a poor colonia in the Rio Grande Valley. The horrific death of her son changed her life in a way that bettered the lives of tens of thousands of Texas farm workers.
Moving Forward in Truth: Pressing on Toward the Mark
The purpose of telling our stories or sharing our history is not so that we will go back in time and place just for the sake of going there or so that we will get stuck there, but so that we can appreciate the journey that has brought us from where we were to where we are, and if necessary, to help us realize the work that remains to carry us forward towards living into and becoming our best selves. We, as a Church, are the sum total of the experiences of all our parts, as is true for any family. We look at where we have been so we can see where we were, how we have grown, what we have overcome and where we may still have room to grow.
Saint Isidore Episcopal Church Raises Funds to Keep Busy Food Pantry Running
Saint Isidore Episcopal Church and Abundant Harvest Kitchen have taken everything this year has dealt them and found a way to give back to the community. Now, they’re planning ahead to be able to continue that giving.
St. Mark’s Saints of a Cure – Richmond
Each year St. Mark’s, Richmond, fields a team, Saints for a Cure, for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation annual walk. This yeardue to COVID-19, the walk was a virtual one, but the Saints for a Cure still participated in the fundraising.
St. George’s, Austin, Raises Thousands in Hands for Hope Campaign
Members of St. George’s, Austin, raised over $7,000 to support El Buen Samaritano’s Hands for Hope campaign.
