View video appeal to the Deputies and Bishops who will be voting at General Convention in July.
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“Our work with and for refugees began when we began to follow Jesus, to follow His way and His teachings. It is because we are followers of Jesus, because we follow the way of love, because we follow the way of compassion, because we follow the way of human decency and kindness that we must be passionately committed to helping the refugees and displaced persons of this day,” commented Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry in his 2018 World Refugee Day Message. “When World Refugee Day comes on June 20, I invite you and ask you – help the refugees of this day. Support Episcopal Migration Ministries.” View the Presiding Bishop’s video > Episcopal Migration Ministries is the Episcopal Church’s foremost response to refugee crises. Working in partnership with offices and groups within the church as well as with governments and non-government organizations (NGOs), Episcopal Migration Ministries…
The Office of Government Relations | 2018-06-13 Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news. We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the household as an estate blessed by God. The security of the family provides critical mental, physical and emotional support to the development and wellbeing of children. Our congregations and agencies serve many migrant families that have recently arrived in the United States. Leaving their communities is often the only option they have to provide safety for their children and protect them from harm. Tearing children away…
Everyone is invited to our next Parish Town Hall Meeting, on Saturday, June 16 from 10am to Noon, in the St. Thomas Church Parish Hall. This meeting is a general assembly, kind of like a shareholders meeting or a local caucus. It is a chance for the whole parish to hear what’s going on, to contribute ideas, to make constructive criticism and to ask critical questions, an opportunity for the leadership of the parish to account for their stewardship, and a time for everyone to affect our common future. You definitely do not want to miss this! The entire Vestry will be there. Anything goes! No question will go unanswered to the best of their ability.
You’ve heard our presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, preach about the redemptive power of love during the Royal Wedding. Now come and see how St. Thomas lives this out through our mission – Helping Hands, Healing Hearts, Welcome all. Here is his speech: “And now in the name of our loving, liberating and life-giving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. “From the Song of Solomon, in the Bible: Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. “The late Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said, and I quote: ‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new…
The men of the Turtle Creek Chorale will take a positive message through music on their “Friendship Tour” of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas this June. The kick-off concert at Temple Shalom features “Peacekeepers,” a collection of original compositions that employs magnificent music and insightful lyrics to call attention to bonds that connect us rather than issues that divide us. Tickets are available at three levels: $25 General Admission $50 Preferred Seating $100 VIP – Premier Seating, 6:30 p.m. VIP Wine & Dessert Reception and VIP Intermission PARTNERS IN HARMONY – Enter code PARTNER at check-out for a 20% discount through May 25, 2018 Buy Tickets at: www.turtlecreekchorale.com/friendship-tour
Effective Sunday, June 3, Sunday Services will remain at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. No Wednesday evening services over the summer.
As I mentioned in my sermon last week, recently I was contacted by representatives of the Dialogue institute of Dallas. The goal of this organization is to promote mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of diverse faiths and cultures by creating opportunities for direct communication and meaningful experiences. Those who are members have a vision of a society where every person views and treats each other with dignity. This is such an important vision for our world today for so many reasons. I was pleased to welcome Emrah Aktepe, who is the Executive Director, and his colleague, Yusuf Tamer, to St. Thomas on April 25th for a time of conversation and a tour of our church. It was during this conversation that Emrah and Yusuf explained that Ramadan is coming up which is a month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection and good works for Muslims. The period of fasting…
Remember the Golden Rule? Do unto others as they would do unto you. Dallas faith and government leaders want North Texans to live out the rule and have united for a #BeGolden campaign to remind people to be nice to each other, and in particular to be kind to refugees who are the most vulnerable. The year-long campaign is spearheaded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas, but is an ecumenical venture comprised of leaders from a variety of religions, including Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Bishop George Sumner. The goal is to bring awareness to the plight of refugees in North Texas and to show grace to all people, including those who differ politically, ethnically, racially, and socio-economically. To learn how you can help, or for more information check out begoldenjourney.com.
This Saturday, March 24, “the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets” across our country in order to “demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today.” Here in Dallas, students and parents will gather at Dallas City Hall at noon, and many people – including the North Dallas Chapter of Episcopal Peace Fellowship – will join with them, to encourage and to help sustain this hope-filled, student-led movement. We’ll be carpooling from Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, leaving its parking lot at 11:00 am. If you’re able, and do choose to join us (as we hope many of you will), please email either Ron Damholt or John Copeland so that we can arrange for a sufficient number of drivers. Learn more about March for Our Lives >
