Episcopal Church Bishop tours area

From West Texas-

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, was in Aransas County Wednesday, Feb. 28, along with Diocesan bishop for the Diocese of West Texas (DWTX), Rt. Rev. David Reed, and the Bishop Suffragan for DWTX, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson. They were joined by a large delegation of clergy from the Diocese of West Texas, including those serving congregations in hurricane-affected areas, as well as staff members from the national Episcopal Church offices in New York City.

The delegation was on a bus tour, coordinated by the Bishop’s Deputy for Disaster Recovery for the DWTX, visiting the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, as well as spreading a message of hope and family.

The DWTX is providing assistance to 15 counties, including Aransas, affected by the storm. It includes 86 congregations spread across 60 counties in Central and South Texas. Its offices are in San Antonio.

More here-

http://www.rockportpilot.com/news/article_14309424-22a6-11e8-aed2-8b2cb429dc44.html

Bishops visit Hurricane Harvey affected areas

From Texas-

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry (Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church) will tour the diocesan areas affected by Hurricane Harvey today.

Michael Bruce Curry, the first African American to be elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, is an author, preacher, and activist, noted for his inspiring and galvanizing preaching style and his profound concern for social justice.

He will be accompanied by the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed (Bishop Diocesan) and the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson (Bishop Suffragan) from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, as well as the Vice President for Episcopal Church Programs and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Episcopal Relief & Development, and additional staff members from the national Episcopal Church offices in New York City and diocesan office in San Antonio.


More here-

http://www.kristv.com/story/37609641/bishops-visit-hurricane-harvey-affected-areas

Diocese of West Texas notified of successful canonical consent process

From The Episcopal Church-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and Registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Diocese of West Texas that Bishop-Elect Jennifer Brooke-Davidson has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process.

The Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson was elected Bishop Suffragan on February 25.  Her ordination and consecration service is slated for July 29; Presiding Bishop Curry will officiate.

In Canon III.11.4 (b), Standing Committees, in consenting to the ordination and consecration, attest they are "fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/diocese-west-texas-notified-successful-canonical-consent-process

The Rt. Rev. Robert Hibbs, retired Diocese of West Texas bishop suffragan

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Robert (Bob) Hibbs died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on April 17. He was 84.

Bishop Hibbs was born on April 20, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was baptized April 30, 1933, confirmed April 9, 1942, ordained deacon on June 24, 1957, ordained priest Dec. 21, 1957, and consecrated bishop on Jan. 6, 1996.

As bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, he served alongside then-Diocesan Bishop Jim Folts until Hibbs’ retirement in December 2003.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/04/18/rip-the-rt-rev-robert-hibbs-retired-diocese-of-west-texas-bishop-suffragan/

Jennifer Brooke-Davidson elected bishop suffragan of Diocese of West Texas

From ENS-

The Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson was chosen bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas during the 113 annual Diocesan Council on Feb. 25.

She is the first woman to be elected bishop in the Diocese of West Texas. Brooke-Davidson, 56, is currently the vicar of St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Buda, Texas, and was one of seven nominees. Now as the sixth bishop suffragan of the diocese, she will serve alongside diocesan Bishop David M. Reed.

In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a simple majority of votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately as orders on the same balloting round. Brooke-Davidson secured election on the sixth ballot, receiving 55 number of clergy votes and 153 number of lay votes, with 49 and 151 needed, respectively, for election

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/02/27/jennifer-brooke-davidson-elected-bishop-suffragan-of-diocese-of-west-texas/

Same-sex Blessings in W. Texas

From The Living Church-

The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, Bishop of West Texas, has granted permission to three congregations to bless same-sex couples.

Bishop Lillibridge writes about the decision in a letter to the diocese [PDF]:

I am requiring that both members of the couple seeking a same-sex blessing through the ministry of the Church be in fact members of the Episcopal Church in good standing, and that at least one be a member of the Diocese of West Texas. Since the congregations who are requesting permission state that these blessings are requested for “members of our congregation,” these requirements are consistent with that statement. The priest-in-charge retains the right and responsibility to determine whether any union shall be blessed on church property or under the auspices of the congregation.


More here-


http://www.livingchurch.org/same-sex-blessings-w-texas

West Texas elects David Mitchell Reed as bishop coadjutor

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. David Mitchell Reed was elected as bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas at the Special Council of the diocese on Oct. 25, held at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio.

Reed, 57, is currently the bishop suffragan of the diocese, and was one of six nominees. As bishop coadjutor, Reed will continue to serve alongside Bishop Gary Lillibridge. Upon Lillibridge’s retirement in 2017, Reed will become the 10th bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/10/27/west-texas-elects-david-mitchell-reed-as-bishop-coadjutor/

Episcopal bishop announces retirement in 3 years

From San Antonio-

The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge was a parish priest in 2003 when colleagues courted him to vie for bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.

He resisted twice. His spiritual mentors prevailed.

His election more than a decade ago came at a turbulent time for his denomination, which was dealing with serious divisions over views of same-sex relationships.

He became a voice of civility and unity in his diocese and advocated for respectful interaction in the national church and the international Anglican Communion.

Now entering his 11th year, he recently announced plans to step down as bishop in three years.

On Oct. 25, lay delegates and clergy in the diocese will elect his successor, called a bishop coadjutor, whom he will assist until his departure in 2017.

“This has been a great blessing to be called and serve the diocese,” he said. “This has been an important place to me.”

More here-

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/article/Episcopal-bishop-announces-retirement-in-3-years-5236706.php