Looking Forward: Requesting Support for Diocesan Ministries

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas is launching a fall campaign in support of three diocesan ministries significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All diocesan ministries, as well as the local ministries of our 87 churches, have experienced the consequences of this pandemic in the form of lost income, reduced budgets, and canceled plans; however, the programs relying on earned revenues and supplemental donations from outside the diocesan budget, have been hit particularly hard.

To safeguard the health of participants, volunteers, and staff, the Camps and Conferences, World Missions, and Vital University Missions departments cancelled or drastically modified all in-person ministries, programs, and fundraisers during Spring and Summer 2020. The mission of these ministries have continued, finding creative ways to serve, but each one faces significant funding challenges moving forward. As we all continue to respond to the unfolding situation this fall and adapt our activities to the recommended guidelines and online format, the Diocese is also making plans and looking with great hope and anticipation towards the year to come.

We remain fully committed to the mission to which our Lord calls us. Lives are touched, disciples are formed, and the Good News of Jesus Christ is heard in so many ways across West Texas, and certainly not least in our camping ministries, world mission partnerships, and campus ministries.

All diocesan staff members are mindful that during this challenging season many of our families and churches are hurting financially, facing similar worries and difficult conversations as the diocesan ministries named above. We encourage you to support the life and ministries of your own parish or mission, and we invite you to support these diocesan ministries, as you are able. Together, we can continue providing opportunities for individuals and congregations to grow in faith and service, and to experience thetransformative love of Christ. Your donation will help equip these ministriesto restart fully when the pandemic allows. Join us as we strive to reach beyond the walls of our churches, to serve more children, students, adults and families - at camp, on college campuses, and beyond the Diocese.

There are several different ways to participate in this fall campaign. You may click here to make a direct gift online, or mail a check to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas: PO Box 6885; San Antonio, TX 78209, with “Fall 2020 Campaign” on the memo line.

We’re excited to announce that the annual Bishop’s Golf Classic will take place as scheduled on November 6th at Canyon Springs Golf Club in San Antonio, with appropriate modifications. For more than a decade, this event has raised significant funding for diocesan camping ministries. This year, it will support camping, world missions, and college ministries. Watch for more details soon, at dwtx.org/events, plus stories that illustrate the importance of these ministries and others to the life of our Diocese.

For the fifth year in a row, the diocese will participate in the Big Give SA, an online day of giving supporting nonprofit organizations in South Central Texas on Thursday, September 10th; funds raised will support Camps & Conferences, one of the diocesan programs greatly impacted by the effects of COVID-19. View the donation page to make a donation now, or during the online day of giving, at thebiggivesa.org.

Thank you for considering this invitation to partner with others and help these ministries flourish anew in 2021. If you need more information, please contact Anne Spears, Development Director, at anne.spears@dwtx.org or (210/888) 824-5387.

Yours in Christ,

+ David M. Reed
Bishop of West Texas

Anne Spears
Director of Development