An invitation from the Host Church, St. Helena's, Boerne

January 6, 2006

Dear Diocesan Family,

Grace to you and Peace.  On behalf of St. Helena's, Boerne, and TMI, The Episcopal School of Texas, we warmly and cordially invite you to the Electing Council of the Diocese of West Texas to be held on Saturday, March 25, 2006.

The Council to elect a Bishop Suffragan will convene promptly at 9:30 a.m. on the beautiful campus of TMI.  As clergy, delegates, and alternate delegates, you may register on-line at the same time that you register for the 102nd Annual Council of the Diocese to be held in February.  We encourage you to visit the diocesan website at www.council-dwtx.org for constantly updated details, hotel information childcare availability, and information on potential nominees.  The schedule of events for the Electing Council is listed below:

• Friday, March 24
  • 6-8 pm., Open House, Social, and early registration at the TMI refectory (cafeteria)
• Saturday, March 25
  • 7:30-9:30 am., Register and enjoy a continental breakfast in the Frost Athletic Center foyer
  • 9:30 am., Council convenes in the Athletic Center
  • A box lunch will be served and is included in your registration cost.

It is our great privilege to be your hosts for this special gathering to elect a bishop.  "Welcome!" y "Bienvenidos!"

Faithfully,
The Rev. David G. Read, Rector, St. Helena's, Boerne
Dr. James A. Freeman, Headmaster, TMI

A Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of West Texas

 At the 101st Annual Diocesan Council, which met at South Padre Island in February, 2005, the Rt. Rev. James Folts called for the election this fall of a Bishop Suffragan.  This election coincides with the retirement in January of 2006 of Bishop Folts.  The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge become the 9th Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas on Thursday February 23, 2006 during the Annual Council.

The Bishop Suffragan will assist and be under the direction of the Diocesan Bishop.  The Bishop Suffragan will assist the Bishop of the Diocese in the formulation and implementation of diocesan policy and in the performance of those Episcopal duties which shall be assigned to the Suffragan.  We seek a Bishop Suffragan who will be a proactive leader who, under canonical obedience and in fraternal collegiality, will work with the Diocesan Bishop in the leadership of our Diocese.

We expect our new Bishop Suffragan to witness to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to maintain a discipline of prayer, and to maintain boldness in vision.  This person will have had a broad experience in ministry and will be gifted in calling for and empowering the ministry of others.

We seek a Bishop Suffragan who will cherish the reality of this Diocese, its land, its history, and its rich endowment of races, cultures and tongues.  The person called to this ministry must have the physical stamina and will to minister in a Diocese of 69,000 square miles, comprising sixty south Texas counties and presently containing ninety-two congregations. 

Bishops in God's holy church are called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ's resurrection, interpreting the Gospel, and testifying to Christ's sovereignty over their lives.  They are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things faithful pastors and wholesome examples of Christian morality for the entire flock of Christ.  With their fellow bishops, they will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world.