100th Annual Diocesan Council
San Antonio, Texas
February 19-21, 2004

Action Summary
(click here for PDF printable version)

A NEW BISHOP!

The Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge, 47, rector of St. David's Church and a native son of the Diocese of West Texas, was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese at San Antonio Municipal Auditorium on Saturday February 21^st, amid the pomp and celebration that concluded the centennial Diocesan Council.  About 1200 worshippers including 120 clergy of the diocese shouted, "That is our will!" in response to the presiding bishop's interrogatory, "Is it your will that we ordain Gary a bishop?" and so he becomes the designated successor to the eighth Bishop of West Texas, the Rt. Rev. James E. Folts, whenever he should determine to leave office.

Bishop Lillibridge grew up in San Antonio, was deeply involved from early years with Camp Capers, served as a student peer minister at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, and from there attended Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 1982.  He has served at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi, St. James', Del Rio, Advent Brownsville, and St. David's in San Antonio, as well as serving under Bishop Folts for four years as archdeacon.  He and wife Catherine (DeForrest) have three children.  He led the diocesan deputation at General Convention this past summer and was elected on the fourth ballot at a special session of the 99^th Council that met October 11^th last year.

The Rt. Rev. John H. MacNaughton, seventh bishop of West Texas, preached the ordination sermon, and the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Church, was chief consecrator.  A grand fiesta concluded the service, held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  Bishop Lillibridge led the Council on Friday morning in a Bible study on Matthew 13:24-30, pressing the Council to see the church carrying out to the Lord's mandate to live in troubled times with flexibility, hope and renewed commitment.

Stewardship and Mission Funding

Mr. Richard Mosty, chairman of the Mission and Ministry Funding Task Force charged last year with re-evaluating the ministries of the diocese and the resources applied to them, presented to the Council a resolution on behalf of the Executive Board entitled "Pertaining to the Episcopal Church USA Covenant Commitment."  As amended in debate the resolution was adopted as follows:

Whereas, we, the people who are the Diocese of West Texas, living in the midst of authentic conflict and change, remain committed to communicate to all people the unchanging Good News of Jesus Christ; and

Whereas, within our family of congregations, some express concern over the Episcopal Church Covenant Commitment within the diocesan budget, while other congregations express their faithful belief that the Commitment should continue unchanged; and

Whereas, we are striving to live out a life in grace, recognizing the reality of faithful conflict, while we, as a diocesan family, endeavor in harmony to discern God's will in our corporate lives and all that we do; and

Whereas, the Diocesan Council, 2003 has called for a comprehensive re-examination and restructure of the funding of the mission and ministry of the Diocese, including a fuller understanding of the mission and ministry supported by the Episcopal Church Covenant Commitment; and

Whereas, Jesus Christ who unites us is infinitely stronger than anything that may divide us;

Now, therefore, as an interim middle ground for the 2004 budget year, be it

RESOLVED, that each congregation, as a part of the payment of its full 2004 apportionment, shall have the option of designating, on or before March 31, 2004, the exclusive use of the Episcopal Church Covenant percentage of its apportionment, in whole or in part, to a choice, or combination of choices exclusively, among:

(a)     Episcopal Church USA Covenant Commitment

(b)    List of specific world mission programs outside the Diocese designated by the Executive Board (Appendix A)

That each Vestry or Bishop's Committee, in determining their church's allocation, shall provide individuals in their personal pledges the same option with respect to the Episcopal Church Covenant percentage of their pledge.  The Vestry or Bishop's Committee will report the sum total of the designation to the diocesan treasurer; and be it further

RESOLVED, that for the year 2004, the churches and vestries, along with their rectors and vicars, be guided in a year of prayer, study and discernment regarding the budget of the General Convention, and that the Task Force on Mission and Ministry disseminate their information for study and prayer, so that by no later than November 1, 2004, each vestry will have studied and acquainted itself with the mission and program ministry supported by the budget of the General Convention.

BUDGET

 The Council adopted a 2004 revised budget of $3,827,000 and approved an amended proposed budget of $3,811,988 for 2005.  The Mission & Ministry Funding Task Force was extended for a further year and charged to report to the 101^st Council with proposals for both the program and mission of the Diocese and revisions to the apportionment process in keeping with that vision.

Presiding Bishop Speaks

The Most Reverend Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, addressed the Council luncheon on Friday at the Adams Mark Hotel.  He spoke of the roominess that the Anglican tradition has developed since its independent existence began in the 16th century, and the need the Church presently faces to live in authentic, grace-filled creative tension.  He urged those present to live with "passionate patience," a phrase he attributed to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and to seek reconciliation through the work and mission of the Church.  He received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.

RESOLUTIONS

Of a total of twelve resolutions submitted for consideration of Council (including the Executive Board resolution referenced above) the following were adopted:

 No. 2 - 2004       Sanctity of Holy Matrimony
    (Submitted by Trinity Church, Victoria, and other co-sponsoring congregations)

Whereas, Holy Scripture and the tradition of the Church speak plainly to the sanctity of Holy Matrimony; now, therefore, be it

resolved, that the Diocese of West Texas hereby affirms that marriage is intended by God to be the faithful, life-long union of one man and one woman and that sexual intimacy is to be experienced only within the covenant of marriage.

The Resolution passed on a voice vote.

No. 7 - 2004       Opposition to New Hampshire Consecration
    (Submitted by Dr. John Andrews & the Men's Bible Study of St. Helena's Church, Boerne)

 Whereas, we the people of the Diocese of West Texas are committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with all God's children; and

Whereas, the privilege of practicing such discipleship carries above all a responsibility to honor the Holy Scriptures as "the rule and ultimate standard of the Faith" (Lambeth Quadrilateral); and

 Whereas, the 74^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, in voting to affirm the election of the Reverend Gene Robinson as Bishop Coadjutor-elect of New Hampshire has threatened the unity of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion; Now, therefore, be it

resolved, that

1.      We affirm God's love for all people.

2.      We affirm that marriage was intended by God in creation to be the faithful, lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that "our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee" (BCP p. 423). 

3.      We affirm the teaching of the 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10 that homosexual practice is incompatible with Holy Scripture.

4.      We find the actions of the 74^th General Convention, in affirming the election of the Reverend Gene Robinson, and the Presiding Bishop's actions as chief consecrator at Robinson's consecration, constitute a fundamental breach of Biblical teaching, the tradition of the church, and threaten to rend the fabric of the Anglican Communion.

5.      We pledge our prayerful support and assistance to our diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. James Folts, and his successors, in all efforts to address and reform the current polarization in the Episcopal Church.

 Resolution passed by a polled vote: 251 yea, 148 nay

CANON CHANGES

No changes to the diocesan canons or constitution were enacted.  A proposed canon change concerning Episcopal schools was referred for further study to the committee on canons and constitution, as was a proposal to amend the constitution concerning enactments of the national church.

ELECTIONS

Council elected the following persons to serve through Council, 2007, in the positions indicated:

CAMP SESSIONS ANNOUNCED

Summer sessions and Deans for Camp Capers have been announced as follows (ages as of 9/1/04); registration fees will be $290 for Servant Leadership and Senior High camps, $310 for the Senior High Trip Camp and $270 for all others:  Registrations may be submitted at any time; a deposit of $50.00 must accompany your registration form.  Brochures are available from each church.

 Counselor Training Camps will be held May 1 in San Antonio (TBA) and May 8 in Corpus Christi (Good Shepherd).  To be a counselor, it is mandatory that you attend one training session unless arrangements are made with the Rev. John Hill at 888/824-5387.

NEXT COUNCIL

St. Alban's, Harlingen, invited the Council to convene at Port Isabel on February 17-19, 2005, for the 101^st annual session.

Produced by the Office of the Secretary, 700 South Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

This and other information concerning Council may be found at the diocesan website:  www.episcopal-dwtx.org.