Addressing CLERGY and LAY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT for the 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

Inspired by real-world experiences and developed by a consortium of veteran clergy, the Epiphany Institute addresses congregational development issues not in isolation but as part of a comprehensive landscape. 

Drawing on the tradition of the Magi, Epiphany calls participants to 'look up', to re-orient themselves to the light of Christ. Part retreat, part professional conference, Epiphany Institute provides the reflective opportunities needed for leaders' own spiritual journeys as well as the congregational tools and direction needed for guiding today's churches.

Unlike typical seminars, classes or lectures, Epiphany Institute is a learning community that explores relevant themes and topics through special presentations, coaching, reading, individual consultations, prayer, Sabbath time and worship. Together in colloquiums and small groups or in quiet contemplation, the community seeks three different kinds of epiphanies (looking inward, outward, and upward) to transform participant's own Christian journey. Participants seek, as well, to navigate the complex journey of faith, discipleship, and to navigate within one's own church community.

This was easily the most useful and inspiring conference I have ever attended ~Jonathan Currier '05-'06.  EI met or exceeded all my expections ~Tim McRee '05-'07.  This is going to be an outfit for smart folk ~Hugh Magers '05-'06 Faculty

~ Teaching Fellows and Staff ~

The Rev. Dr. Reggie McNeal, former Leadership Development Director of the Southern Baptist Convention and author of The Present Future and other titles, recognized as a cornerstone of the missional movement;  The Rev. Bill Easum of Easum, Bandy & Associates, highly-sought consultant who travels the country working with various denominbations, also author of numerous books. Visit www.easumbandy.com to learn more; The Rev. Hugh Magers, former Stewardship Director for the Episcopal Church; The Rev. John Rayls, Canon Missioner for Strategic Development, DWTX; The Rev. Gerry Sevick, St. Ann's, DeSoto, Texas; The Rev. Rick Veit, St. Mark's, Cheyenne, Wyoming, has worked in organizations that consider themselves contemplative, traditional, charismatic, and evangelical. Well-versed in hymns, old-time gospel, Taize-style worship, and contemporary praise music; The Rev. Alan Akridge, a youth and family ministries specialist, on staff at St. Alban's, Hickory, North Carolina; The Rev. Dr. Randy Ferebee, a congregational development specialist, St. Alban's, Hickory, North Carolina; The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge, Diocesan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.

For more information:

www.epiphanyinstitute.org

Alan Akridge: akridge@epiphanyinstitute.org  828.324.1351

Randy Ferebee: ferebee@epiphanyinstitute.org  828.324.1351

Nita Shaver: nita.shaver@dwtx.org  361.749.1800

    Cost: $999.  Non-participant Spouse: $699.

~ please inquire about funding support with your leadership ~

REGISTER:  www.epiphanyinstitute.org or call Nita at 361.749.1800  

Mustang Island Family Camp just may be the most precious time you can spend with your family during summer!  Of course, your "camping" is in a beautifully furnished room with a private deck and view of the Gulf of Mexico.  Mustang Island Family Camp begins on a Thursday afternoon/evening and continues through Sunday lunch.  Escape to the beach with your loved ones and make memories to last a lifetime! Summer 2008 will be our sixth season of Mustang Island Family Camp; indeed, many of our families will return for a sixth time!  They agree that Mustang Island Family Camp is now a priceless family tradition.

Enjoy swimming, singing, surfing instruction, arts & crafts, delicious meals, unlimited ice cream, a buried treasure hunt (shhh...it's supposed to be a surprise), beach games, building sand chapels and sand castles, fishing, resting under a beach umbrella, and more.

Christian community makes Family Camp unique.  This community celebrates WHOSE we are while enjoying each other and God's beautiful creation.  Worship is in the Episcopal tradition. There is a chaplain for each session and plenty of staff to keep the camp running smoothly.  There is worship each day with great music. Non-Episcopalians are certainly welcome; moreover, they have always felt welcome and at-home.  

We provide wagons to carry things - toys, snacks, or kids - (we know, kids are not things but you will really appreciate the wagons) to the beach.  We also plant a long row of beach umbrellas for you to relax under. Enjoy a beach bonfire one night and Family Game Night another.  Don't worry, there is time to just nap, rest, and read. Mustang Island Family Camp is alcohol-free.

Click on REGISTRATION to learn about sessions and cost.

Are you interested in applying for a staff position for Mustang Island Family Camp?  What a wonderful way to spend the summer!  Beach time, surfing, music, delicious meals, great digs, fun families, and of course,  worship and Christian community.  If you are interested, job applications can be found at www.council-dwtx.org/Counselors  You must be at least 20 years of age or have completed your first year of college. 

If you want to visit with someone about the positions, you can contact Nita or Ken Shaver at 361.749.1800 or Stacy Dowdy (who will conduct formal interviews) at 1.888.824.5387.  Email addresses are as follows: nita.shaver@dwtx.org and stacy.dowdy@dwtx.org

Visit www.council-dwtx.org/Counselors to read detailed information about the positions. Take care. Surf's up!

November 26-29, 2008

No schedule at all. Escape and enjoy autumn on the island.  So relaxing. Slow pace. Quiet. Walk the beach, read, nap, play games, fish, Christmas shop, listen to the ocean, ride our bicycles on the beach. Do as much or as little as you want. Thanksgiving in Christian community? Truly wonderful!

Thanksgiving Day celebration of the Holy Eucharist before our beautiful Thanksgiving Feast.  Truly the Feast of Thanksgiving. Leftovers??? Of course! We'll gather around the big kitchen table that evening with our paper plates and appetites. Just like home at your island home!

Arrive Wednesday afternoon and depart after lunch on Saturday. Nine meals for each family member. Visit our Registration page to register. The same Summer Mustang Island Family Camp fee applies.  Come home to the island next Thanksgiving. 

2007 DWTX and *NATIONAL EPISCOPAL events hosted by The Mustang Island Conference Center: 

* Episcopal Camps and Conference   Centers Board

  Community of Hope

* Episcopal Church Women National Board

  DWTX Clergy Lenten Retreat 

* Standing Commission on Ministry   Development

  Mustang Island Site Committee

  Camps and Conferences Workshop

  DWTX Executive Board

  DWTX Anti-Racism Conference

* National Episcopal Council on Christian   Education

  Cursillo #239

* National Provincial Leadership

  Mustang Island Family Camp, Twelve   Sessions

  Women's Mini-Gathering 

  EFM - Education for Ministry Mentor Training

  Cursillo #240

  DWTX Clergy Spouse Retreat

  Thanksgiving on the Island

VISIT OUR CALENDAR AND CLICK ON THESE EVENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM OR CALL NITA AT 361-749-1800.

ARRIVAL TIME: You may check in as early as 3:00 on the day of your arrival.  Please do not arrive before 3:00.  We cannot check you in before then. Thank you. 

DINNER: Dinner the night of your arrival is scheduled for 6:30.  Please try to arrive in time for dinner. 

DEPARTURE: Departure is 1:00 the last day of Family Camp.

We will eventually mail information to each family.  Look for it two weeks prior to your session. Also visit our website occasionally to learn up-dated information about Family Camp!

Yours is a wonderful ministry, providing rest and comfort for our families. (The Thompson Family)

Thank you for awesome fun in the Son! (The Boldt Family)

Dear Mr. Ken Shaver, Thank you for teaching me how to surf. I had a lot of fun learning how. (Cullen Boldt)

What a beautiful opportunity to be among wonderful people in this very relaxing, god-inspired spot. Thank you. (The Lutz Family)

This has been quite a weekend. The fishing, the surfing, the hospitality. It all feels like a new home. (The Venable Family)

A place of renewal, a place for family, a place for the Son! (The Lutz Family)

The [worship] service on the beach was a great experience and don't forget the food, it was awesome as well. We will be back! (The Etter Family)

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD in Master Solo.  

The Mustang Island Conference Center, All Saints', Church of the Good Shepherd, Church of Reconciliation, St. Andrew's, and St. Mark's, all of Corpus Christi, St. Christipher's by the Sea in Portland and Trinity by the Sea in Port Aransas, helped sponsor a weekend of fun March 30-April 1, 2007. The group sponsored Master Sand Sculptor John Gowdy, who now resides in Italy.

PERFORMANCE ART AT ITS BEST at what we Episcopalians call Sonshine & SandFest!