The 2016 Diocesan Council adopted a resolution outlining the process by which the Diocese of West Texas will elect a Bishop Suffragan. The nomination period opened on July 1, and the Standing Committee received nominations through September 30. The nomination period is now closed. During October and November, the requisite background checks on all potential nominees will be completed by an outside agency. Also during this time, potential nominees will submit biographical information and written responses to a series of questions.

On December 1, the names, biographical information, and written responses of all potential nominees will be published.

The election will take place during the 113th Diocesan Council on Saturday, February 25, 2017, in Corpus Christi. In preparation for the election, the Standing Committee will host three Discernment Forums:

• Saturday, January 28, 9:00am – Noon, at St. Alban’s, Harlingen; 
  
• Saturday, January 28, 4:00pm – 7:00pm, at Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi; and
  
• Sunday, January 29, 3:00pm – 6:00pm, at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, San Antonio.

Detailed information regarding these forums will be distributed in December. The Standing Committee encourages Clergy and Delegates/Alternates to Council to attend.

The members of the Diocese have the opportunity to submit topics and questions to possibly be addressed by potential nominees during these forums. E-mail suggestions to Laura Woodall by December 31.

We invite the congregations and people of the Diocese to keep this discernment process in their prayers:
Almighty God, we give thanks that you have called forth leaders throughout the generations who boldly proclaim your love. Call forth through us a bishop who proclaims Christ’s resurrection, and who faithfully interprets the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and who will lead us – the church – into the world in His Name, encouraging the saints and nourishing us from the riches of your grace. So guide the hearts and minds of those who will discern the person you are calling to be our Bishop Suffragan, so that we may receive a faithful pastor who will guard and govern the church, sustain the presbyters, care for your people, and equip us to serve the world in Christ’s Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

-The Standing Committee

"One day tells its tale to another," the psalmist writes (Psalm 19:2). That's the story of our life as individuals and as St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Uvalde. Below you can download a booklet that has parishioners' stories of their lives at St. Philip's. 

Abraham is said to be the father of the world's monotheistic religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Though our beliefs and the expression of our faiths may be different we share a common ancestor. Not only that, we share a common humanity or, as one of the Morning Prayer collects says, "O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth." So how about we meet some of those with whom we share a common humanity, one blood, and Abraham? 

On November 18, 2016, we will have the opportunity to visit Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, a synagogue in the Reform Tradition of Judaism, and participate in the shabbat service that evening.

We'll begin at 5:30 p.m. with a tour of the building, history, and introduction to the liturgy. The shabbat liturgy begins at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards we will go out for dinner. 

Everyone is invited. If you want to go please let Julie know so we can make travel plans and let Temple Beth-El know how many to expect that evening. We are also planning a visit to a mosque in San Antonio. Watch for more information. 

Several months ago, Fr. Mike asked Kay Anderson, Cheryll McGehee, Jane Moore, and me to design and create a new parish banner banner as part of the celebration of the 135th anniversary of St. Philip's. The mission was to make it specific to our church.  

The design was a challenging decision but there seemed to be a consensus that it should represent the spirit of the rose window over the altar. The window, round and intricate, has been a visual focal point of worship for many years.

This complex assignment was met with our concern about our ability to complete it successfully. Each of us has the blessing of varied experiences, and personal resources available. Our friends from San Antonio to Corpus Christi supplied information and help. When there was a need of skill or particular material, invariably, somebody had an answer to the need. 

Jane Moore has a great talent in artistic design. Cheryll McGehee also has this talent, and is an experienced yarn and thread expert. Kay Anderson is a clothing designer and knows applique techniques and hand stitching inside and out. Pat Carver advised concerning the stained glass aspect of the design.

When our spirits sank and we felt that our skill was not worthy of this symbol for the anniversary event, we would look at the message in the design, “My peace I give unto you”. Peace would come. While one worked on a critical aspect, others prayed.  

When one of us mistakenly put “My peace unto you I give,” and we proceeded to hand stitch it down, God also supplied us with the gift of laughter.  

Our bonds of friendship have strengthened, and our faith in the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily life as well. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve.   

-- Pat Carver
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The vestry members were asked recently to attend a weekend retreat with the focus on stewardship. The only thing I anticipated was that it would probably be uncomfortable. For me, money is a difficult subject. I don't like to talk about it, think about it, or manage it. I do, however, enjoy spending it.

Yes, the stewardship topic did include the discussion of money but it was much more than that. Mike invited his friend, John Otto, to lead us in our discussion of stewardship. John has a great deal of experience with presentations on stewardship, which he talked about. The most important information, though, was about how he has woven stewardship into his personal life over the years.
I realized that the discipline of a monetary commitment to St Philip’s would be beneficial to me, as well as to the church. I want to feel like I am a part of what makes the church available to me. The way I see it is: I want to be a giver rather than a taker. 

St. Philip's has been a part of my life since before I even moved to Uvalde. My mother visited the church while I was having my job interview at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. I understand from Julie Visel that my mother wanted the church to know that Hanna and I would be moving to Uvalde and we would be attending church here. This was before I was even offered the job (my mother had great faith that I would get the job!!!). We attended our first service at St. Philip's before we had even found a place to live. St. Philip's has been here for us through Hanna's confirmation, Happening weekend, our Cursillos, pet blessings, covered dish lunches, and every other social activity I can think of. My closest friends attend church with us.

It is important to me that the church is here for us. I want the lights to be on, the air conditioning running, our organ to play, our organist to play the organ, our ladies to clean, and our priests to preach. How can any of these things be certain without money to cover the expenses????

Yes, giving of our time and talent is important and generous but it doesn't help pay the electricity bill. When I commit to contribute to the efforts of St Philip’s, I am making a commitment to myself, my family, and all the other parishioners that I want us to continue our life with Christ at St. Philip's. I challenge all of us to making giving to St. Philip's a priority in our budget, and in our life.

-- Lee Case, Vestry Member ​