Welcome to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Northwest Texas --a place where the vast open plains are as wondrous as the big sky above!  As depicted in the pectoral cross of Bishop J. Scott Mayer, the stars, moon, and sun are representative of the beauty one may find in this region of Texas.  The landscape, covering 77,000 square miles is as diverse as the cities and people, with the canyons and rangelands of the Staked Plains; agricultural fields abounding; and the rough and ready country of the Rolling Plains.  The people here are known for their warm and friendly smiles, making one feel like an old and trusted friend.

The Rev. Nathaniel Luke Back has been called by Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene as their next rector. He comes to Abilene after serving at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City for the last eight years, first as curate, then as associate, as canon, and as priest-in-charge. Fr. Luke is married to the former Meredith Bishop, whose parents Scott and Jill Bishop are members of Heavenly Rest. Luke and Meredith have three children; their daughter Louisa is five, and their twin boys Simon and Joshua are three.

An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer Retreat will be led by Deacon Art Goolsby of Heavenly Rest- Abilene, on Friday, Sept. 17^th - Saturday, Sept. 18^th. Deacon Goolsby has extensive training and experience in Contemplative Prayer.

The retreat is scheduled at the Mercy Retreat Center in Slaton, Texas (southeast of Lubbock), 1225 West Division Street, Slaton, Texas. The event is being sponsored by Quarterman Ranch. For a map and more information on the Mercy Center click the following link: www.catholiclubbock.mercycenter.

Formation Retreat for Adults working with Children Ages 3-6
Sponsored by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church- Amarillo

Whether you enjoy this multi-session retreat and its study of scripture, theology, and liturgy as a gift for yourself

OR

Whether you explore the program in order to share it with 3-6 year old children in your home, school, or Sunday school. . .

We invite you to join us this year as we explore the wonder of God’s grace through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Br. Abraham Newsom- Benedictine Monk

(& former NW Texan)

will speak on Prayer & Spirituality

at St. Paul's-on-the-Plains Episcopal Church

1510 Ave X, Lubbock, Texas

September 24- 26, 2010

Click the Read More button to view and download the brochure.

The Rev. Rich Nelson, formerly Associate Rector at St. Stephen's and former Chaplain at All Saints Episcopal School, both in Lubbock, has written a book, The Disciple's Guide to the Gospel According to Luke, during a "test year" experiment for a new faith formation program he is developing to help people (including himself) better live out their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Fr. Nelson writes, "I have written this book, helped start an exciting, ecumenical community ministry called Burton Bridge Ministry, got in the best physical shape of my life, deepened my spiritual life, and grown in my understanding of who Christ is." He realized he had been "successfully living the life of a church-goer but it was a surprise and joy to realize there is so much more. It is living life according to The Way, a concept I begin to explore in this new book and will in much more depth in the faith formation program to come."

You will want to stop by our Photo Galleries to get a taste of what is happening around the Diocese of Northwest Texas.  The following photo galleries are available for viewing:

• "Around the Diocese"
• "The Hulsey Center"
• "Ordinations"
• "Bishop Mayer's Consecration"

Just click on this link: DIOCESE PHOTO GALLERIES