Episcopal Church of the Advent

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

We’re excited to share the Fall 2026 digital issue of la Ventana, The Church News of West Texas with you! This issue includes messages from our bishops, feature articles about the Eastern Partners in Ministry, the resurgence of Canterbury clubs in the Diocese, and the Community of St. Francis and Clare, as well as activities and events happening within churches and ministries across the Diocese.

The cover features the beautifully restored windows of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pharr.
Visit dwtx.org/laventana to read more!
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¡Nos complace compartir con ustedes la edición digital de otoño de 2026 de *la Ventana*, el boletín informativo de la Iglesia en el oeste de Texas! Este número incluye mensajes de nuestros obispos y artículos destacados sobre los Socios Ministeriales del Este (*Eastern Partners in Ministry*), el resurgimiento de los clubes Canterbury en la diócesis y la Comunidad de San Francisco y Santa Clara, así como información sobre actividades y eventos que tienen lugar en las iglesias y ministerios de toda la diócesis.

La portada presenta los vitrales bellamente restaurados de la Iglesia Episcopal de la Trinidad (*Trinity Episcopal Church*) en Pharr.
¡Visite dwtx.org/laventana para leer más!

09/06/2026

In the latest Small Church Ministries newsletter, Jim Sartwelle, St. Matthew's, Kenedy and Small Church Steering Committee member writes about Stewardship in the Small Church.

"The focus should not be placed on “here’s a budget, how are we going to pay for it.” The focus has to be “what is God calling us to do in this place in the name of Jesus Christ?” A “stewardship drive” by definition looks to the future and is an extraordinarily positive activity.”

Small Church Sermon, Big Impact features the Rev. Kara Leslie's, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Gonzales, sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Visit dwtx.org/blog to read the featured articles.

09/06/2026

It's ! 🌺

Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship based on mutual respect, equality, and safety.

Take a self-care break with or any of our Caitlin Rose Art and Illustration coloring pages: https://buff.ly/C5rfh3d

Learn more about forms of abuse if you're concerned about the health or safety of your own relationship: https://buff.ly/Mc6rjAH

[Image description: A colorful watercolor illustration of two hummingbirds sipping from a flower, surrounded by smaller blue flowers. Banners with text above and below read: "Hummingbirds for healthy relationships." NNEDV logo in bottom right, consisting of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV."]

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Woman of the Week: The Wise Woman of Abel Beth-Maacah. “Then a wise woman called from the city, ‘Listen! Listen!... I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel; you seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel; why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?’” (2 Samuel 20:16-19).

During the reign of King David, “a scoundrel named Sheba” began to rebel (2 Sam 20:2). Sheba gathered his followers in the fortified city of Abel Beth-Maacah. David’s commander Joab followed him there and laid siege to the city.

When Joab’s forces start battering the city’s walls, a woman steps up. She introduces herself and her city by saying, “They used to say in the old days, ‘Let them inquire at Abel’; and so they would settle a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel” (2 Sam 20:18-19).

When asked why he would destroy such a city, Joab responds, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy!” (2 Sam 20:20). Then the wise woman and Joab come to an agreement.

If the city gives up Sheba, the city will be spared. The wise woman advises the people of the city, and they take her advice: the conflict ends when she throws Sheba’s head over the city walls.

It’s worth noticing that the city of Abel gives up Sheba alone. His followers were also in Abel, and, presumably, some of his followers were even from Abel. But only Sheba comes to harm. Because of the leadership of their wise woman, the people of Abel Beth-Maacah are saved.

This week we remember the wise woman of Abel Beth-Maacah, whose words saved her city.

Artwork: Woodcut of the narrative from 2 Samuel 20 by Christoph Weigel, 1695. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

09/06/2026

Pick a weekend and bring a group to Camp Capers to help clean-up after this summer’s flood. Although no camp facilities were affected by the flood, there still remains rubble and debris scattered around the property. Clean-up service days will be volunteer-led and will start at 9:00 a.m. Water and lunch will be provided. Any volunteer under the age of 16 will need to have a parent/guardian or adult chaperone present.

All helpful hands are welcomed for several service days throughout the fall – please visit dwtx.org/events for more information.

08/23/2026

Camp Capers Mother/Daughter Retreat returns September 25 - 27. This intergenerational retreat celebrates the diverse and timeless bonds of Mothers, Daughters, Grandmothers, friends, and mentors! Join us for a remarkable weekend of swimming, kayaking, gardening, arts and crafts, hiking, worship services, Bible lessons, and so much more.

Register now at https://www.dwtx.org/events.