The 119th Council of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas will convene in Corpus Christi February 16 - 18, 2023. Eucharist will be celebrated on Friday evening, February 17, and the election of a Bishop Coadjutor will take place at the conclusion of Council on Saturday, February 18.

Each year, Diocesan Council is the vehicle through which the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas conducts its business according to its Canons and Constitution. At the 119th Council we will elect diocesan leadership to the Executive Board, the Standing Committee, The Episcopal Church Corporation, the TMI Episcopal Board of Governors, and Sewanee: the University of the South trustees. Council 2023 will also elect the West Texas Deputation to General Convention of The Episcopal Church in 2024. The election of a Bishop Coadjutor will be at the conclusion of Council 2023. Council will also receive and adopt budgets for the upcoming year, hear reports from ministries, vote on resolutions, and receive the written reports of all diocesan committees, commissions, and departments.

All other members of the Diocese will be able to access a live broadcast of Council Business and worship, streamed on the diocesan Facebook, Vimeo, and at dwtx.org/council.

Agenda

Live Spanish translation will be available for clergy and lay delegates.

Day One: Thursday, February 16

10:00 a.m. Council Check-in/Registration opens
Lay Delegates & Alternates: Check-in/register at your delegation's table in Exhibit Hall B.
Clergy: Check-in/register with the Diocesan Secretary in the Atrium, outside the Exhibit Halls.
Guests: Check-in with Council Hosts in the Atrium, outside the Exhibit Halls.
12:30p.m. Childcare opens, Watergarden A&B, Second Level
1:00 p.m. Call to Order, Council Business starts, Exhibit Hall B
5:00 p.m. Council in recess
5:00 p.m. Sip’n’Shop Event, Exhibit Hall A
6:30 p.m. Childcare closes Watergarden A&B, Second Level

Day Two: Friday, February 17

8:00 a.m. Friends of Bill Meeting, Rm. 104
8:30 a.m. Childcare opens, Watergarden A&B, Second Level
8:45 a.m. Council reconvenes Exhibit Hall B
Morning Prayer led by the Ven. Mike Besson; The Bishop’s Address 2023; Morning Business continues
11:10 a.m. Necrology and Noonday Prayers,Exhibit Hall B, Ground Level
11:45 a.m. Council in recess
12:00 p.m. Bishop’s Luncheon, Corpus Christi Room of The Omni Hotel, Third Floor and Clergy Spouses Luncheon, Nueces Room of The Omni Hotel, Third Floor

1:45 p.m. Council reconvenes, Exhibit Hall B; Ministry Reports and Council Business continue
5:00 p.m. Council in recess
Vesting Rooms open on the Second Level: Henry Garrett Ballroom C for Priests and D for Bishops.
5:30 p.m. Council Eucharist, Henry Garret Ballroom A&B, Second Level
7:30 p.m. Small Church, Big Mission Dinner
7:30p.m. Childcare closes Watergarden A&B, Second Level

Day Three: Saturday, February 18

8:00 a.m. Friends of Bill Meeting, Rm. 104
8:30 a.m. Childcare opens Watergarden A&B, Second Level
9:00 a.m. Council reconvenes Exhibit Hall B; Morning Prayer led by the Rt. Rev. Rayford High with a homily from the Rt. Rev. David Reed
9:30 a.m The Election of a Bishop Coadjutor begins, Exhibit Hall B

The Daughters of the King® will host a Prayer Room, lifting up the Council gathering, the bishop election, and requests for individual prayer. Visit the Prayer Room in Rm. 103 during Council 2023 or share prayer requests by email, to dwtxdaughterspres@gmail.com.

All other members of the Diocese are invited to view Council in its entirety through the live broadcast streamed on the diocesan Facebook, Vimeo, and at dwtx.org/council.

Council Booklet

No printed copies of the Booklet will be provided at Council. Click here to open the Council Booklet online. Click here to save and print a copy prior to arriving in Corpus Christi (70 pages).

The 2023 Council Booklet includes important dates and deadlines, the Proposed Diocesan Budgets, Report of the Nominations Committee, 2023 Resolutions, and other event details.

More information about the Business of Council and the published ministry Reports are available on the main Council page, at dwtx.org/council. Questions may be directed to council@dwtx.org.

Reports by Title

Click here to open an online folder of reports by title submitted to Dispatch of Business prior to Council.

Exhibitors

Matthew Study Resources

Registration

Delegate and Clergy Certification and Registration: Certification and registration for lay delegates, alternates, clergy, and clergy spouses must be completed by January 15, using the online forms sent to church offices in November. Church offices will be invoiced by the office for their group of clergy, clergy spouse(s), alternates, and delegates after certification is submitted. Contact council@dwtx.org or (210) 824-5387 with questions regarding certification or registration.

While some clergy who are not canonically resident may have a seat and voice at Council 2023, only canonically resident clergy will be able to vote in the Bishop Election. Certification for clergy, clergy spouses, lay delegates, and alternates is due by Sunday, January 15.

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