News and Events

Events Across the Diocese is a calendar listing of special worship opportunities, as well as educational, recreational and musical events hosted by local churches and diocesan organizations. Submit information to Lauren Stone Photos and logos are welcome.

Vacation Bible School and Summer Camps

Grace St.-Luke's Episcopal School, 246 S. Belvedere. Memphis
A variety of camps for rising JK - 8th grade
Visit www.gslschool.org to download a brochure

St. Elisabeth's Church, 2911 Elmore Park Rd, Bartlett
July 19-22 *note change in dates*
8:30 - 11:30 am
Hero Headquarters: Where Kids Join Forces with God
SK - 5th grade
$20 per child, $18 per sibiling
Contact Jennifer Smith 901.372.2753 or jenbren222 at yahoo dot com

Saint John's Church, 3245 Central Avenue, Memphis (Big Kid's Camp)
one or two days a week from June 1 - July 30 (T,W,Th,F) with a one week break the week of June 28
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Rising 1st - 4th graders
Theme varies by week
$250 for one day/week or $440 for two dasy/week
Contact Cayce at 324.4716 or at cayce at stjohnsmemphis dot org

St. Mary's Episcopal School, 71 N. Perkins, Memphis
A variety of camps and classes for boys and girls of all ages
Visit www.stmarysschool.org to download a brochure

2nd Annual Memphis Boychoir Summer Camp
July 19 through July 23
Boys aged 7 and 12
Afternoon activities to include museum tours, singing the National Anthem for a Memphis Redbirds game and a pool party. The boys will finish the camp by singing for the Eucharist service on Sunday July 25 at 10:30 am with the Saint John's Chancel Choir. Come and discover the sound of centuries. For more information please contact Geoffrey Ward at (901) 323-8597 ghward at stjohnsmemphis dot org.

Diocesan Picnic 2009
The Diocesan Picnic on Sunday, October 25 at St. Columba Conference Center was a great success! View pictures of the fun here. If you would like a t-shirt, please contact the Diocesan Office at 901-526-0023. The 2010 Diocesan Picnic will take place on October 10 at St. Columba. See you there!

The Episcopal Identity Project report, Around One Table, is available to download here. "Around One Table is a multi-layered initiative designed to engage people in constructive conversations about the identity and mission of The Episcopal Church and how it relates to our lives and ministries. Based on years of extensive research, this report discusses 23 attributes or themes Episcopalians used most often to describe themselves. Around One Table is sponsored by the College for Bishops and CREDO Institute and is based on the Episcopal Identity Project conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati, Pennsylvania State University and Illinois State University. It will become part of a larger overall communications strategy for The Episcopal Church."

Safeguarding God's Children upcoming classes:
Fingerprinting will be available at all sessions and on Mondays at the Diocesan Offices by appointment only. For more information about this program, click here.

Safeguarding God's People upcoming classes:
All clergy, lay employees and lay leaders in congregations need to attend the morning session; the afternoon session is only for managers. Registration is $10 per person, which includes a boxed lunch. Please note that this is not the same as Safeguarding God's Children, which is for the prevention of abuse of children; this is a second program regarding behavior towards adults in which the Diocese recommends all church employees and lay leaders participate. Pre-registration required at 901-526-0023.

St. Clare Silent Retreats for Women
St. Clare Retreats are a Ministry of The Diocese of West Tennessee. On the first Friday of each month (except July and August), women of ALL FAITHS are invited to St. Columba Conference Center in Bartlett, Tennessee, for a half -day SILENT retreat . Click here for more information and upcoming dates.

Headlines

The Rev. Colenzo Hubbard, founder and executive director of Emmanuel Episcopal Center and priest in charge of St. Joseph's and Church of the Redeemer, will be honored with the Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award at the University of Alabama on September 4. Click here to read the article. July 18, 2010.

Matthew 25:40, an outreach group founded by members of St. Mary's, Dyersburg, celebrated their 20th anniversary. Click here to read the article. June 5, 2010.

Emmanuel Episcopal Center hosted a press conference announcing a $22 million HUD Hope VI Revitalization grant to transform Cleaborn Homes into a mixed-income community. Click here to read the article. June 2, 2010.

The Freewill Shelter and Outreach Inc. in Humboldt begins to rebuild after severe flood damage, in the Jackson Sun. Click here to read the article. May 12, 2010.

Sienna Nelson of St. Mary's Cathedral wrote an opinion piece entitled "Seeing God's face in Haiti's children," featured by Episcopal Life Online. Click here to read the article. May 10, 2010.

St. Mary's, Dyersburg to participate in National Day of Prayer on May 6, featured in the Dyersburg State Gazette. Click here to read the article. May 1, 2010.

The Rev. Clarisse Schroeder ordained priest at St. George's, Germantown on May 1, featured in the Commercial Appeal. Click here to read the article. April 30, 2010.

St. Elisabeth's 50th Anniversary and Resurrection Art Show featured in the Commercial Appeal. Click here to read the article. April 17, 2010.

Calvary's Waffle Shop and Holy Apostles' soup and salad nights were featured in the Commercial Appeal as ways local churches are serving food in observance of Lent. Click here to read the article. February 17, 2010.

Gil Hayes' "Scripts from the Crypt" group meets every other week to read theater and film scripts at St. Mary's Cathedral. Click here to read the article. February 15, 2010.

The Rev. Deacon Drew Woodruff shares how God's grace is at work in Haiti. Click here to read the article. January 24, 2010.

The Rev. Gary Meade, Rector of St. Mary's, Dyersburg, gave the opening invocation of Dyersburg's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service. Click here to read the article. January 20, 2010.

Dr. Susan Nelson of St. Mary's Cathedral and the West Tennessee Haiti Partnership shared concerns for the children of St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children following the January 12th earthquake in Haiti. Click here to read the article. January 20, 2010.

The Very Rev. Andy Andrews and the Rev. Deacon Audrey Gonzalez were quoted in The Commercial Appeal about the Nasvhille-based Magdalene/Thistle Farms organization that helps women who have recently been released from prison. Click here to read the article. January 12, 2010.

Lee Wakeman of Calvary, Memphis featured in The Commercial Appeal for his outstanding volunteerism and fundraising efforts. Click here to read the article. September 8, 2009.

The Freewill Shelter in Humboldt celebrates paying in full for their property and asks for donations to support operation costs. Click here to read the article in the Jackson Sun. July 5, 2009

The Rev. Terry Street featured in Bartlett/Cordova My Life section of The Commercial Appeal. Click here to read the article. March 31, 2009

West Tennessee's own Charles Crump featured on Episcopal Life Online. Click here to read the article. December 10, 2008

Read the Dispatch from Dubose to learn about what is happening at DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. For more information about the activities and facilities at DuBose, visit their website or call 931.924.2353

Diocesan Publications

Church News is the official newspaper of The Diocese of West Tennessee. Deadline for submission is the first Thursday of the month for the following month's publication. Issues arrive in your mailbox within the first few days of the month. Please contact your parish administrator for additions or changes to your address.

The Communicator is a monthly newsletter with information for clergy, parish staffs and lay leaders