BISHOP’S BLOG: CHRISTMAS ON MOLOKAI

What are saints for? They are first of all meant, often in their extremity, to challenge the domestication of our faith: in this they are in the line of John the Baptist. In the Hawaiian islands of 1873, to minister on Molokai, the colony of lepers, was a death sentence. And this was not all. That place of despair was subject to lawlessness, licentiousness, and cruelty. The head of the Jesuit order asked the assembled members if anyone was willing to serve there: every one raised his hand in the room. The one chosen was the short, bespectacled, intense priest named Damien.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

Transfiguration is looking for artists to share their gifts for creative ways to honor the fourteen biblical Stations of the Cross for the 2016 Lenten Season.

YOUR PARISH MISSION STORY

Does your church have a hunger drive? Community Garden? Clothe the Poor? We are looking to highlight mission and outreach initiatives for parishes in the diocese. Please contact Kimberly Durnan, director of communications, at kdurnan@edod.org to share your church’s story.

CHRISTMAS FOR REFUGEES

A Christmas party is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 18 at Gateway of Grace in Dallas. This is an opportunity to build relationships, share the joy of the Season with refugees and share the story of the good news of Christmas with them.

UNWRAPPING THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS

Watch video of EDOD Evangelist Carrie Boren Headington talk about the best gifts of Christmas.

TOOLBOX FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS

The Christian Formation Commission presents 2016 Toolbox for Christian Educators Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:30 a.m. – Noon at Church of the Transfiguration 14115 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, 75254.

THE REV. ERIN JEAN WARDE: HE GOES OUT THE WAY HE CAME IN

On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending an Advent Labyrinth walk at Transfiguration, where I learned a lot about labyrinth walking as well as the history of how we got ours. We listened to Dr. Mary Anne Reed, who worked with our rector emeritus Father Terry Roper to get the Chartres labyrinth, which lies immediately in front of the narthex in our church. The two of them, alongside spiritual director and parishioner Nancy Jagmin, offered reflections on the practice of walking a labyrinth and what it might mean for us.

BISHOP’S BALL

Bishop’s Ball, for 9th-12th graders offers safe, fun, Christian fellowship with food, dancing and music. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 23 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral.

AN ANECDOTE OF LOVE

Several members of Ascension and I have been involved with Rebecca, a mentally ill woman who first visited Ascension nearly 15 years ago. Our journey with Rebecca has been difficult at best. We have learned how to set boundaries, how to provide for her needs without enabling her, and how to demonstrate “tough love.” We have assisted her with food, social services and housing. We have laughed, cried and been fearful of her future. But Rebecca is a special member of Ascension and over the years she has taught us patience, tenacity, faithfulness and how to love unconditionally.

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